CHINOISE!

Here’s a little story I forgot to tell you last night: Last Friday, I was in my grammar class when we decided to take a break to go to the bath room and get a drink. The bathrooms in this particular part of the university are coed. That means that there are girl’s toilets in the same room as the urinals. I was using the men’s portion of the room when a lovely little Chinese girl from our class came in the restroom. When she entered she said, I kid you not, “Cole, can I see?” WHAT? I about lost it! My American friend Sarah was in the restroom at the same time and she couldn’t believe it either. When I was finished doing my business I went to wash my hands while my lovely little Chinese friend was using the toilet. I went to dry my hands right as she was coming out of the toilet closet. As she made her way to the sink, she passed by my Greek-like body and stuck her hand up my shirt. She was probably highly offended when I about jumped back two feet and up another ten! The only thing I could think to say was, “Well, looks like more grammar!” and then I left the restroom! Later on that day I saw her at the tram stop and she grabbed my arm saying, “Ooo! You have a little bit of muscle!” I’m never wearing that t-shirt again around her!

Today, Monday, was good. I’m feeling better and just randomly decided to go to Germany Thursday!!!!!!! I’m going there to meet my childhood friend Sarah Stanford from Texas and then fly with her from Germany to Paris where I will show her and her friends around! YAY! I’m SO excited! After she leaves Paris, my parents are coming! MOMMY! DADDY! The next two weeks are going to be a riot!

Other than that, I went to class this morning where we talked about if we would ever marry a person from another culture. I told the professor that I would, but that my mom wouldn’t like it very much. She only wants me to marry someone from Amarillo. Oh well! When it came time for my lovely little Chinese friend to tell the professor who she would marry, she told the class that she was looking for either a German or an Italian. All of my American friends that knew the story were saying under their breaths, “OR AN AMERICAN!”

After class I went to the gym and then home for dinner. Now I’m here again, talking to you instead of doing my homework! See you soon!

Le Monde!

Because of my lack of internet access and my perpetual sickness, I have obviously been absent from the internet for a few days. That means that instead of writing this blog in accordance with days I will write it in accordance with events. Here we go:

Hélène: First and foremost, I finally decided to talk to Hélène about the un-invitation into the family room. Last Tuesday I went downstairs before dinner and had the following conversation: (keep in mind that the conversation is being translated from French to english)
Moi (me)- “Hélène, I just had a quick question about something that happened last Saturday.”
Elle (her)- “Yes Cole!”
Moi- “I was a bit confused when you told me that I couldn’t be in the family room. I didn’t know that I wasn’t supposed to go in there!”
Elle- “Oh yeah, you understand that we use that room almost as an extension of our bedroom. When Louis-Henri comes to visit he sleeps in there and when Benedict practices the cello she doesn’t like anyone to be in there including her brothers.”
Moi- “I understand, but I have to admit that I was a bit shocked! I had no idea that I wasn’t supposed to be in there! Nobody ever said anything!”
Elle- “Did I not tell you when you first came?”
Moi- “No, you didn’t.”
Elle- “Oh, I am so sorry! That’s my fault!”
Moi- “Like I said, I was a bit shocked… ok, I was very shocked and that’s why I went to my room for the rest of the day.”
Elle- “Oh no! I wondered why you were so quiet! I just thought you were tired!”
Moi- “No, I was shocked!”
Elle- “That’s why you didn’t come down when the company arrived! You usually run down stairs any time friends come over!”
Moi- “No, I was hiding.”
Elle- “I am so sorry!”
Moi- “The reason I went into the family room to begin with was because I saw that you were busy getting ready for the company and I wanted to get out of your way. I could have gone to my room, but you understand that there isn’t really anything in there for me to do. There’s neither internet nor television!”
(I figured she’d tell me to read a book!)
Elle- “That is a shame that the internet doesn’t work anymore! Any time you want to watch T.V, just let me know and we can set aside some time for you! I just have to make sure that the kids have a place to work and that I have a place to work when I’m getting ready for my classes.”
(I’m thinking, “Whatever!” by this point.)
Moi- “Ok, thank you very much!”
Elle- “Is there anything else Cole?”
Moi- “No, that was all!”
Elle- “Ok, we’ll eat in about five minutes!”

After that I felt better, but still think it’s a bit ridiculous that I can’t use the family room. I recently received an e-mail telling me that when she asked if I wanted to watch a movie, I should’ve said “oui” and then sat down at the entrance to the family room in the doorway. This same person also encouraged me to clog the commode out of revenge! You know who you are and I am very proud of you Adam!

Cussing Professor: The other day my professor was trying to explain to our class something that the President of France said in public that was highly looked down upon. In order to explain it to the fullest, he said, “It’s like if President Bush said, ‘F*** YOU!’” I just about fell out of my chair! He saw the expression on my face and said in english, “Sorry!”

Weekend: This weekend Louis-Henri came back into town. Last night Linden came and ate with the family and I and then the three of us; Louis-Henri, Linden, and I, went to La Foire. It’s a local carnival that comes for one month every year. When we got there we rode an attraction that made Linden almost wet her pants with excitement and Louis-Henri almost wet his pants with fear. I thought the poor kid was going to puke! Linden and I then got on this huge arm that goes in circles really high into the sky. It was fun and we had a great view of Caen! Today, Sunday, I went to church and when I left it was SNOWING! WHAT’S THE DEAL!?!? The past few days were beautiful, but today it snowed. I don’t get it!

Sick: I am still sick! I think it’s a virus! If I’m not better in the morning I’ll go back to the doctor. C’est la vie! I have to make sure that I’m better before my parents come to visit! I’m so excited to see them again!