Hey there family and friends,

I think I should start an online gallery of all the doodles and anstract designs I have drawn during class at school - I really do like some of them. However, drawing in class is probably not the most efficient way to learn French... I initially start the lesson paying full attention, and listening to see if I can piece together the words I recognise and thus, understand what the teacher is saying.  Unfortunately, I have discovered that staring at the teacher and watching their mouth move to shape the word is a little bit creepy for them, and it provokes them to ask me something because I’m paying such c.l.o.s.e...a.t.t.e.n.t.i.o.n...t.o...t.h.e.m... a.l.l...t.h.e...t.i.m.e.

 Another reason why it is difficult to listen and watch intently is that it is incredibly tiring... it’s really hard, (especially, when you still don’t know what is going on) and I think it is one of the reasons I am so tired all the time at the moment. So I have found a way of coping – I listen with my ears, but I occupy my hands and eyes with drawing. It probably looks like I’ve zoned out, and often I close my eyes and focus on the word, and how it could possibly be spelt to give myself a better idea. Actually during French, my teacher must have observed me doing one of my ‘coping methods’ (this teacher is really nice – thank god) and she said “Danika, is this boring you?” It wasn’t a sarcastic statement and I said “oh no, of course not!” (Again, not sarcastic) – It’s just really hard when you don’t know what she’s saying.. but as my aunty Danielle says “you'll be amazed at what you're absorbing even if you can't quite yet verbally reflect it” – wise words from a wise and beautiful woman.

Yesterday morning, I had one of those moments in the cafeteria when I was standing alone and everyone had their back to me, deep in their own conversations. I realised that I am waiting for people to come to me to talk instead of the other way around.  At lunch jean went to eat with a friend and I came home. But before I left him, he said “you should ask some people from class to come over for lunch sometime”... he’s perfectly right. So when I get a chance, I am going to ask some girls over this week, or even next week – there is no rush. J

Anyway, I found myself sitting at home reading my book like a little antisocial owl, and though, I could be reading my book over an espresso in town! So I snuggled up in some warm clothes and heading down to a cafe. The first cafe I half walked into... then for some reason I chickened out!  I kept walking until the next cafe, where I found a seat under a heat lamp in the corner and opened my book. I asked for my order in French “un espresso, s’il vous plait”, and it was all going smoothly until I needed to pay the bill of 2 euro and head back to school! I only had a 10 note, and I didn’t want the waiter to assume I was giving him an 8 euro tip, so I waited for him to collect the dish with the money and give me my change.... waiting... waiting.... (i had to be back at school on 10 minutes!), So finally i got up and went and confronted him inside.  I know it’s not how French protocol goes when it comes to paying the bill but it had to be done! Come to think of it, I don’t know at all how to pay a bill. I personally have never payed a bill from a table... not that I can remember and I still don’t.  Do I have to signal the waiter? Anyway, that’s another thing i intend to learn ASAP!

Walking back to school I ran into Jean, who told me we actually had 20 minutes till school started, and they were heading back into town -‘They’ being him and his friends Arthur and Theo. Jean asked me what I got up to over lunch and I said I read my book in a cafe. “With who?”... “myself haha”. Then jean surprised me. I had been feeling like I was relying on him a little too heavily to be my companion at school. So as much as I could, I wanted to give him space with his friends. But he said “oh no! When you get your phone working, just give me a call and we’ll meet up”.  So that was pretty lovely and comforting.

-          Jean is such a good brother. He is reminding me of my own brother Spencer a lot lately, too. Boys are boys, no matter where in the world they come from!

back to the topic - From then on I have stopped being so worried. It also helps if I think back to exchange students who have come to our school (Andre Tocci – love that kid). They’re always well liked but at first, they’re probably not aware of it. They must have felt the same as the way if feel, because we can’t understand anything! But we were never talking bad of exchangers; we were just looking at them because they were a fresh, new, unknown face...

.... i am rambling, sorry. But this is a helpful reflection. I guess in a way this is my diary.  I have a separate 3D diary that my awesome grand-parents gave me, but i have filled up the pages until February the 13^th with French practice etc.. so i am waiting until i reach that day where there are blank pages to begin my official personal diary. as always, I’ll continue blogging until i finish my exchange anyway, because i really enjoy it. It’s a good way for me to remember things I’ve done a day ago, a week ago or a month ago. Lovin’ it.

The rest of yesterday was great. I was laughing with the other kids as we tried to talk, and translate stupid things – it was really fun. I have to remind myself that I am on a ride of a life time which needs low moments to make the high moments even higher!

 Ahh, as for my exercise regime that i embarked on, I am actually doing ok ! Except I found a packet of chocolate special K this afternoon - oh my god, so tasty.

Bye and lots of love,

Dan xx