Sunday two major events occurred. I will preface the first with a bit of information about what happened in Tupelo last week. It snowed. And not just a few flurries... it down right snowed, and Tupelo High School was actually closed for a snow day. Yes, the high school that stays open even if a tornado, tsunami, and hurricane are all about to hit town closed for the snow. Of course it snows the year I'm not there. I think Mother Earth knew I was bummed about missing the snow (even though I saw snow in Alsace; schneit is the Alsacien word for it's snowing) so she sent some to the French Riviera. No you are not mistaken, I did say it snowed on the French Riviera. I was jumping up and down (quite literally) with excitement. The snow didn't stay, and I had to go to school the next day BUT I can say I saw snow on the French Riviera.
The snow fell as I finished packing up all my things to move to my next host family. I was not anxious to leave my host parents and my house. I was extremely settled in there and really felt that it was my home. But, it had to happen (Rotary rules), and I am already very happy at my second house. I spent about all day Saturday and Sunday morning getting everything packed. I've acquired a few more items since I've gotten here. I ended up leaving with my two suitcases, my computer bag, my purse, another small bag, and two boxes full of things.... so just a little bit more. Cara and her host parents brought all her things to my house to get her moved in. Paul had already moved into Cara's house, and I was the last one to move (I'm now at Paul's). Around 4:30 my host mom, Cara, and I drove over to Paul's (I think we're all keeping the previous host parent/house references). Paul's house is on a gigantic hill and the driveway is not paved for one of the steepest parts. It rained a good bit at the end of last week so driving a car up to the door was definitely out of the question. We had to haul all my stuff up the mini-mountain. We made it, though, and now I'm all settled in with pictures on the walls and clothes on shelves. I already know my Paul's host parents/my new host parents really well. I've spent time with them and everything so there wasn't so much of an awkward get-to-know you time.
My host parents now own a pizzeria down in town. They work nights so I am here alone. We have one dog and two cats, and when the cats want to go outside they go stand by the door. So I let the cats out my first night here, Sunday. As I put my things away in my room I kept hearing a noise that I thought was the cats. There are three sliding glass doors off the kitchen and living room and each one has a set of blinds that close all the way down with a push of a button (quite cool). So every time I heard this noise, I would open the blinds a little to let the cats in, except that every time I opened the blinds, there was never a cat. I'm sure the neighbors thought I was crazy and wondered why I kept opening the blinds every 3-5 minutes, but I was worried about the cats freezing in the cold. Finally, as I was leaving the bathroom I got the life scared out of me by an automatic air freshener. It sprays a little burst of some corny-titled scent into the air at regular intervals. I finally put two and two together and realized that I was hearing the air freshener go off, not the cats at the door. Now I know.
The change has definitely been weird. I find it odd that all my things are in Paul's room, and all Cara's things are in my room. However, I do see why Rotary makes us change; how we'll get to experience a different family's way of life. I was extremely lucky to have such an incredible experience for my first four and a half months, and I can't wait to see what the next ones hold. I know I will be very happy with my new parents and routine. It's already settling in after a day.
Pictures: packing everything up in my old room... I have yet to take pictures of my new room or house. Also, attempted pictures of the snow... but you can't really see anything.
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