Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

What do you think - is there a Grammy in her future?

Miles-isms

"plip-plops" (flip flops)

"bapfs" (baths)

Upon seeing laundry in the laundry basket, Miles says, accusingly, "Hey - my animals go in der, Dad!"

Miles frequently leaves the "s" off of the front of words, and adds a "d" to the end of words that should end in "r."  Example:  "car" becomes "card."  And when we sing "Twinkle, Twinkle" at night, his version is:  "Twinkle, twinkle, little tard..."

"schlosscloff"  (washcloth)

One of my favorite phrases from Miles:  "Is dessert abailable?"  He always asks it very politely, and with such hope in his voice.

"Wait guys!  Me was going with y'all!"  (Wait, guys!  I'm coming with you!)

"wibbit"  (little bit.  As in, "I swept a wibbit at naptime, Mama.")

"o-wange"  (his favorite color)

Miles with his favorite treat from HEB - "shushi."

France - 9/8/00

9/8/00

Zack came today!  I feel better having the one person I knew before coming actually here.  I gave my presentation this morning and it wasn't very good.  But it's over with.  I still have Monday's to look forward to.  Today, Sarah, Zack, and I ate lunch at Le Bon cafeteria and then walked through a little bit of Jardin Lecoq.  Pretty!  After class we walked up to the cathedral (Zack needed to visit the tourist office for maps), then to Place de Jaude so I could drop off my other picture for my bus pass.  I'm tired and my mind won't concentrate on my writing...  We took the 13 [bus number] to Cézeaux to pay rent (& deposit) but they were closed, so we went ahead to Auchan.  I bought a blowdryer!  And a water-heater pot and other things.  (Including a pack of Asterix cards.)  I told Sarah all about Jamie afterwards & was missing him so much I had to call him.  It was wonderful to hear his voice!  When we were coming back from Auchan, Sarah and I missed our stop, so we had quite a ways to walk.  Maybe that's why I'm so tired.  Goodnight, Jamie - I love you!

Jardin Lecoq in Clermont Ferrand, France

in Jardin Lecoq

the view of Aubiere on our walk home

 

Getting Thing Accomplished in Clermont-Ferrand - 9/7/00

9/7/00

I got things accomplished today!  Sarah and I got our bus passes & photos taken & I bought stamps & went by an ATM.  Our photos aren't black & white, though, so I think we'll have to get more taken.  Tomorrow we're taking another photo of me to the bus pass place and we're paying rent.  And going to Auchan!  I'm going to get a blowdryer!  And other things, of course, but I'm really looking forward to the blowdryer.  I'm missing Jamie right now.  I wish I could call him.  I found out today that the directrice won't let me (or Kristin) switch levels.  She said level 3 is too full and we'll just have to stick it out.  argh!  I was so upset I got teary-eyed.  I don't want to have all this work that I have to stress over!  I need to talk to Jamie.  (sigh)  My presentation was supposed to be today, but I thought it was tomorrow, so Marta went instead.  I'm going to talk about the farm tomorrow.  I don't know if Sarah and I are going to be able to spend a week in Paris after the stage after all.  We have a mandatory meeting Tuesday of that week and we might have the placement test after that.  (sigh)  I'm going to bed.  I love you, Jamie!

Getting Settled in Clermont-Ferrand - 9/6/00

9/6/00

I'm really missing Jamie.  I keep thinking about when he finally gets here and how wonderful it's going to be!!  I want to call him but I shouldn't.

I talked to the secretary about changing levels and she said it's the directrice's decision, but she'll talk to her about it.  argh.  I don't see how they could force me to be in 4, so I don't understand what she has to decide.  I hope she let's me be in 3 tomorrow or Friday - I don't want to have to do that presentation Friday!  I talked to Mom about it and she said they wouldn't be disappointed if I change.  It's frustrating thinking I have to stay in this level until a decision is reached - I'm missing all the revision & work in level 3 while I'm stuck in 4!

We visited the Michelin museum today instead of having class in the afternoon.  It was kinda dull, but now I know how tires are made.  And I learned that Bibendum (the Michelin mascot's name) comes from the Latin for "It's time to drink."  So Sarah and I have made it our new toast - "Bibendum!"

We stopped at the grocery store (a bigger one than the little épicerie with all the fruit) on the way home & found good stuff.  Apple juice, chocolate, some school supplies...  Tomorrow we're going to get photos taken & get our bus passes!  Finally.  We also need to talk to someone about teaching English in high schools, pay rent, buy Sarah's 12-25 card, go back to Auchan (blowdryer!), and I need to buy stamps and a good backpack.  I owe Sarah two stamps...  We talked more about our Paris trip (looks like we have a full week between Sept. & Oct.!) and I'm really looking forward to it!  Oh yeah - we also need to enroll & do our carte de séjour stuff.  I talked to mom last night and she said it cost her $15 to send me a small package with shave gel, deoderant, etc.  I'm going to see if Jamie can find & send me a cheap Beatles CD (Greatest Hits-type).  Sarah, Aimee, and I are planning on shopping at a thrift store, buying English books at Les Volcans, & picnicking in the park next weekend.  And I think we might go to a movie sometime.  (English w/ French subtitles.)  I'm going to write another letter now.  Goodnight, Jamie - I love you and I miss you.