July 17, 2008

Not much going on today. We are coming to the end of our first "tranche" (2 weeks). Tomorrow is our last day, then we change classes for one week. Actually, the second "tranche" lasts 2 weeks, too, but we are only here for one. None of us can figure out why the French government scholarship only covered three weeks of a four-week program, but whatever! I'm beginning to think that this next week will go really fast, and I'll be on my way home before I know it! I have made some really good friends though, and decided to try to post some pictures of the people with whom I associate.

This is Nathalie (France) on the left, and Melissa (Houston) on the right. Nathalie lives in Chambéry but is moving to Singapore. Her husband is an engineer. They have a 2-year old daughter. Melissa teaches in Sugarland and is alot of fun....we like to shop for the same kinds of things!

Here are Emilio (Cuba), William (Lousiana), and Christy (Oklahoma). William has been a wonderful friend ever since we navigated the visa mess via the internet together. His favorite expression is "Oh pour l'amour de Dieu" (Oh for the love of God!). Christy left her 14 and 3 year old daughters home with her husband, and is expecting a baby in November! She gets the award for bravery, coming over here pregnant!

Esther and Yann are from the Czech Republic. We've had a lot of fun with them. Unfortunately, they are only here for 2 weeks, so they go home after classes tomorrow. It is a 15-hour bus ride for them!

Here's the youth and and beauty of the group! Amy (Iowa) is probably the most studious of us all. She escaped the floods of Iowa to get here! Allison (Los Angeles) was raised in Connecticut, has been teaching at the French American School in LA, but is moving to Austin. She has written one novel (not yet published) and is working on her second. She has an identical twin named Cinnamon, who is also a writer. I expect to be able to say "I knew her when...." someday! Kristen (far right, Pennsylvania) gets the medal for going without her luggage for two weeks! She runs a swimming pool and teaches swimming lessons when she's not teaching French. And all of the guys like her, too! The girl in white is Valerie, and she is from Canada.

Here's Mary (Alaska) with me on our day trip to La Chartreuse. Mary left her 5-year old son with her parents in Connecticut, and left her husband at home in Alaska building their house!

This is Kathleen (left) from South Carolina, and Melissa Burns from Georgia. Kathleen left her husband and three teenagers at home, and last Friday her husband had to have an emergency quadruple by-pass! She has been a real trooper. He went home from the hospital today. Melissa also has two teenagers back in Georgia. She is certified in French and Spanish, like me!

Ciao for now!