Salut!


No offence to the French people, because I love them, but I must say that European drivers are SCARY. I have been here for over a month and let me just say that if I thought my dad drove fast…I had no idea what fast was. Oh and if you can't find a parking spot…you create your own!

I learned that new drivers take courses for almost a year, and multiple tests, but honestly the driving that I sit through and view does not make me a believer. Being a new driver myself, I have no idea how the French survive on a daily basis, but somehow they do!

Today we went to a zoo before my host sister, Ludmila had to cheerlead at an American football game! I was very excited, as I haven't seen any typical American sports in a while.
Before the game, Nathalie, Emma, and I went to the Montpellier zoo which was close to the field. We only had enough time to see a few animals but we got to see lions and bears! 
Ludmila and a few of her friends cheer for the Montpellier Hurricanes Football team. While I was there, I was in charge of explaining the rules to just about every spectator…because honestly no one had any clue what was going on. I even met a few Americans! One guy was from Portland and he is studying abroad also and playing and coaching football. There were also American announcers who were streaming the game on the internet. Oh my goodness I didn't realize how much I missed American sports…I even bought a sweatshirt :-)

The bears were so pretty! They reminded me of California. I learned that a bear is an "Ours" and you have to roll your "R"…which is a work in progress for me. 

Ludmila cheers with her friends Laura, Milena and Carla.

The hurricanes were red! And although the rules and everything is the same, it wasn't exactly the same as American football.

The Hurricanes were victorious, with the score of 20-0! On our way home, we passed by a baseball field and I got extremely excited! I will be missing most of the Angels' season this year, which bums me out! But maybe I can sneak in a few French baseball games here and there. 


On a side note, I keep finding myself using French phrases when I am speaking English, or writing in a journal, or emailing, and even just thinking to myself. I think it is a good sign that my French is improving! Some of the most popular phrases I use are 

Comme tu veux-like you want (equivalent to whatever you would like)

Ce n'est pas grave (pronounced "c'est pas grave") meaning it's not serious; it's ok

Zut!-shoot!

And of course: Oui, s'il te plait 

Bonne journee tout le monde!