The second week of vacation went by way too fast (doesn't it always?). I did end up, finally, seeing Avatar and was quite impressed, even with the French dubbing. That film was just beautiful to watch, and I will openly admit that I wish I could live in Pandora. I'm not even ashamed to say that it would be awesome to be one of those people. I went to the larger movie theater in Sainte Maxime to see it with Paul and my host mom.
The second week of vacation was rather rainy. I was trapped inside for a few days which is not normal here. Everyone has said that we've been unlucky with the weather, but it's definitely not something I can complain about. I feel like it's barely been rainy or cold but mostly sunny and picture-perfect. My Spanish teacher today made a comment in class about how French southerners are just fragile when it's not perfectly sunny; nothing works if it rains, snows, or is windy. I've found this to be true.
Cara left with her family from Saturday to Saturday of the second week. I met her parents, two brothers, and grandmother the Saturday they got here. We all went and had coffee and apple tart at Paul's house (this was Cara's first host family). Paul and I went out to lunch with Cara and her family once they got back the following Saturday. It was nice to finally meet people I've heard so much about but also a bit bizarre to see Cara with her actual family. Two worlds collided but in a good way. Maybe it's better to say that the two worlds met. Soon, I will have my southern life from the States meet my southern life in France. Lauren comes in one week and two days, and Mom, Dad, and Lucie are following on the 11th. I am so very excited and can't wait to see everyone and do some traveling.
February has flown by. I can't believe that several weeks ago we were celebrating Paul's birthday, and now Lucie's (March 2nd) is approaching. I have officially spent six months in France. I told this to one of my friends this morning in class and she responded by saying that I know officially live in France. Technically you don't consider yourself a habitant of another place until you have lived their for sixth months. I can now fully say that I live in France. It still seems like such a distant concept to grasp. I still remember standing in the Memphis airport not letting myself cry to much while leaving Daddy and Mama. I can remember stepping off the plane into the hot, humid air of Nice and seeing my host parents with big smiles waiting for me while I hauled my suitcases out of baggage claim. I remember being so excited and adventurous while at the same time feeling completely overwhelmed, scared, and questioning my decision to live in a foreign country. I have no regrets and would not change one moment of this experience so far.
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