Hey folks!

This blog is going to be a lot less exciting than the one all about my ski trip, because since then I have been taking a big ol’ break! I have been just chilling around the apartment in aix, which has been really nice as I have been thinking heaps and getting back into a rhythm of sorts with my brain. Every day I have gone to the main shopping area in Aix, be it just for a walk or to get lunch, or something like that – usually by myself, but I think this is good as it is making me more independent and confident about interacting with French people. I was really bored the other day (yes, I know using the ‘B’ word is criminal when I am in such an amazing place – sorry), and I was on facebook talking to my mate, and I remembered how I always used to tell him about the different kinds of muffins I was making. SOOO, I decided to make muffins! Thanks facebook, you really are helpful <3.

Unfortunately, we didn’t have a god damn muffin tray at the apartment.  I’m sure there’d be one or several at the house in Pourcieux.... shame. So I planned to go and by a muffin tray along with the ingredients of my favourite muffin mix which I used to make all the time in Australia.

................. Damn it I COULDN’T REMEMBER THE RECIPE! I know it has 2 eggs... or is it 3? And milk, but how much?  There is definitely ¾ cup of out and 1 ½ cup of sugar. And I have no idea how much flour. So, this plan of creativity wasn’t going to work. I emailed mum asking for the recipe along with some other recipes for future creative times, and that’s all I could do for the time being (p.s i love you mum - probably can't tell you that enough)... I was hungry anyway (and there was literally no food in the house except biscuits and breadsticks because no one had been shopping since we got back from Italy and Anne and Charled were staying at Pourcieux). I went for a walk to Aix looking specifically for a healthy food shop because it has become apparent to me that there are lots of shops selling pizza, kebabs and pastries and then there are restaurants which I’m sure would have a salad or something, but I wanted 'easy and fast' for a loner like myself to just slip in, buy something healthy and slip out again unseen. I bought a slice of pizza anyway (triple cheese of course), and then I stumbled upon the most perfect shop! It had everything I wanted – salads, wraps, fruit salad, sandwiches, yoghurt, and it was all really cheap! So this is going to be my new spot if ever I am hungry and walking around.

I just realised that I am completely rambling about stuff that is totally not interesting for you. this is  because while I am writing this plog I am also watching bear grills (in French.. grr) so I’m not concentrating completely. (I’m mostly looking at how god damn attractive he is – even when he is eating a raw fish that he has just smashed the head of. Ohhhh... those back muscles).

RIGHT, what to talk about next? Ahh, how about the fact that today I was standing only 1 foot from one of Vincent Van Gogh’s artworks “bouquet de fluers” at the Art Gallery in Aix. There were also many by Picasso, and one my Monet. I had learn’t about all these artists in school, and I can’t believe that I was so close to something so amazing (Ifelt like i was in an episode of Doctor who)! The famous artist Paul Cezanne actually came from Aix, and usually his paintings are shown in this gallery, but I think they were off being shown around the world somewhere, so his exhibition was closed today. But that is ok. I know where the gallery is now and it is only 4 euro to get in so I am very happy to wait and return.

Errrmm what else? Jean had a friend over last night called Tom (although I kept calling him Alex – poor kid), and he spoke impeccable English, so we got on rather well. And today we went out for lunch together (Jean, Julie, Tom, and Moi!) and we got pasta at another quick and easy place! We ate-in, and you couldn't help but notice the really cute gay couple sitting behind us. Two guys holding hands over a plate of pasta not worried about what others thought – that’s how it should be!

Yesterday I went to the Post office to get some stamps for my postcards (that i wrote 5 weeks ago - god I'm lazy)! I have found a pattern when interacting with people in shops - I walk in and they say ”Bon jour”. I say “bonjour, parlez-vous Anglais?” at which point they usually say “yes, a little bit”. I say “good!” and off we go! So I went to the post office and followed the pattern but when it got to the line where she says “a little bit” she instead said “no” with a bit too much attitude and she started talking to me in French. I said “yo bitch, I don’t understand!” aha I joke, I joke”. But I did say "I don’t understand (in French)” and then she rolled her eyes at me! After what seemed like a really long awkward silence with a  lot of intimidating staring on her part, I said “merci” and ... walked out! So I don’t have any stamps L and that was my first encounter of a rude French person.  

What are your thoughts on all this Kony shenanigans? When I first watched the video I had the classic rush of enthusiasm at what seemed like an amazing opportunity to “change the world”. Then I did the classic change of my profile picture and posted stuff like the rest of them.  All my passion kind of flew out the window when I read the opposing opinions which put it in a different light, and now I don’t know. I’m pretty terrible in that regard. If I hear something that sounds wonderful, it doesn’t even cross my mind that it might not be, and I throw my heart into it (wow that sounds so dramatic). When the cracks appear I feel cheated and confused and I lose my enthusiasm for it. So basically I’m over the Kony stuff and I don’t trust it and it’s sad because it sounded so inspirational.

moving on.

I had a lovely Skype with my girl-friends Camille and shanny who have moved to Brisbane together this year to start university and the rest of their lives. They too are feeling the grips of homesickness, but they are lucky because it only takes a couple hours drive to be back in their parents loving embrace! Hmm, I’m not sure why I’m sounding so Poetic and dramatic this fine and marvellous evening.  I think it is because I read the blog’s of some other exchange students today and I feel like I need to step-up!

So my language is totally getting better. After forcing my family to speak to me in French (ok, they're forcing me), I am learning so much! Also getting them to repeat stuff, my vocab is getting bigger every day!!

Well that’s all folks! I have managed to squeeze 1,200 words out of what I thought was a few days of doing nothing at all! Love you all lots and until next time xx

Danika