Monday
I got up early to make a trip into town with Mme Bodet and her son. While they were at the optician, I went to the grocery store to shop. This was my first chance to be in the store alone, so I took the opportunity to wander slowly up and down the aisles to find everything I wanted. It’s strange what is available and what isn’t. What items are placed in what spots in the store differs too. I’ve been searching for baking soda for weeks and couldn’t find the baking supplies. In the US, they’re all located next to the spices. However, I found them next to the cheeses today. By the way, did I mention that there’s an entire refrigerated aisle designated for cheese? I was also searching for some mozzarella, but the one options I could find came in bags that seemed to be filled entirely with liquid.
I’m really bummed because I’ve been craving something salty and crunchy, like salt and vinegar chips. When I finally found the chips at the back of the store, none of the flavors appealed to me. The BBQ chips don’t taste like BBQ, mustard chips don’t seem right to me, and I didn’t want to snack on “salt chips.”
On the other hand, I was really excited to find ground beef. I don’t know why this has been so difficult to find, but I’ve only seen it at two stores here. I can’t wait to make some burgers or sloppy joes. I’m bummed I haven’t been able to find American cheese or cheddar cheese, that would really complete the struggle meal.
Last week I was able to buy some of my first international stamps! I sat down today to write some letters to folks back home. I hope that everyone will enjoy the fun stamp they get! I can’t send Christmas gifts this year, so this will have to suffice.
It rained steadily throughout the afternoon, dashing any hopes I had to go to Lyon. Instead, I focused on updating my blog and making plans with the other American assistant I recently located. He lives pretty close to me and it’s been fun chatting with someone in my own language who is having similar experiences.
I went over to the Bodet house for dinner tonight. We had roast potatoes, duck, and a salad. For dessert we had Christmas pudding and a coffee. Throughout the meal, Yanza kept asking his mom if he could come to the airport tomorrow to pick up their Danish cousins who are coming in for the holiday. Though Mme Bodet insisted there was not room in the car, Yanza was so insistent that he asked her if he could come in English. Daniel made a game out of getting him to tell me about their family in English because he refuses to practice any other time. We had a good laugh. After dinner we sat in the living room and talked about the size of our families while Yanza debated a new hairstyle and the TV played a movie from the 50s.
I returned home to have a call with my family and watch some Netflix.
Mary-Est-En-France 