Vacation

Day one: Saturday 22
I got up. I ran about 5 km. I took a shower. Washed some clothes. Ate lunch with Madame Balletti (she makes sure I eat well…) then I went on a walk and went to the park. I read and wrote in my journal at the park. Then I came back because it kept raining on and off. I read some more. Fell asleep. Woke up and talked to Madame Balletti for awhile then Theresa and I knitted and watched the news and a movie. Then we went to bed.

Day two: Sunday 23
I got up and was going to go for a run but as soon as I started my run, it started to rain a lot. So I came back in and waited to see if it would pass. It didn’t so I ate breakfast, read, got ready, went to catholic church with Madame Balletti (the church is only 1 minute from our house) it was alright. I understood some. Then we went to the bakery and bought baguettes and little cakes for lunch. We ate pasta, steak, salad, and dessert. Then we watched TV for a long time. Then I went on a run. Then I came back and hung out- also Charles called me-it was good to talk to a friend from home. Then I called home and hung out with Madame Balletti till my mom and grandma called back. Then I read and went to bed. Apparently there will be free buses starting on Monday so then I can go somewhere. That’s good news.

Day three: Monday 24

Today I decided to go to town. I thought I’d walk there and take a bus back. So I walked there. I was looking for a bag because my other one broke, but I couldn’t find one. Then I bought some food for lunch and went to the park. I read for a long time and I watched people walk by. There were these two couples (about 17 years old) and they were making out big time and there were some little boys (I think maybe brothers) who decided to kick the soccer ball at the couples and try to distract them. They kept running around them and yelling and kicking the soccer ball. I laughed out loud watching this. It was a really nice day. About 22 degrees Celsius. Then I walked back because I couldn’t find a bus and I got back around 6:30. I ate dinner and watched TV and knitted. Then I read and went to bed. Raquel comes back tomorrow so that’s good. Tomorrow I am going to go search for volunteer opportunities. I can’t have all this time and have nothing to do.

Day four: Tuesday 25

Vacations are not fun when you have no money and no friends. Haha. I have friends kind of ( don’t worry) but they all work a lot and so I have a lot of free time. I woke up, watched TV, then took a shower, then took a walk, then went to the internet café to see if there are any Asian communities in Marseille. And also to see if there were any volunteer things around here. I had no success. Then I came back and ate lunch. Then I went to the park and read some and then I came back to the house to wait from my friend Ruth-Lise to come get me for bible study. Then I went to Bible study. Raquel is back and hopefully we can do something tomorrow. Bible study was good. We had couscous and some vegetables and meat. it was good. We talked about wisdom and I understood most. At this point I am able to follow and know what people are talking about; however, I can’t understand all the details yet. Ruth-Lise drove me back. She’s really nice. I am going to hang out with her this week sometime. She also told me I can do my laundry for free at her place. That’s awesome.

Day 5: Wednesday 26

Today I woke up and went to Raquel’s. We went to the market and walked around. Then we went back to her place and helped with the kids. (Raquel is staying with a family for a few weeks and they have twin 4month olds and a 2 yr.old. Then we ran for a half hour. Then I ended up staying the night over there. The parents are out of town so a woman, Jenny, and a girl, Jo, came to watch the kids. Jo is 24 and she’s really nice. So is Jenny. They are both American missionaries (morocco and Jordan). It was nice to spend time with them. They are really nice. Then we had dinner and took care of the kids (I hope hope hope that I don’t have twins) and then put them to bed. Raquel, Jo, and I stayed up late and talked.


Day 6: Thursday 27

Then the kids got up around 5am. Ugh. I hung out over there for awhile and enjoyed the company and the internet. Then around 3 I left. There are substitute buses apparently, but I never see them. Well I went to the bus stop and there were like 25 people waiting so I decided to wait too. And wait and wait and wait… yes there are buses, but we waited 1 hour. I didn’t want to wait 1 hour but I figured if I already waited 35 min, why not wait a little longer. So finally a bus came and they are free right now. (I went to see if I could get reimbursed for my month bus pass I used for a week, but I have to wait till the end of the strike- who knows when that will be.) So I took the bus, came back and took a nap since I didn’t sleep much the night before. Then I got up and watched a movie. Theresa is out of town for a few days so I just lounged around. Read a lot. Went to bed. I got to bed early here and get up early here. So I go to bed like 10 or 11 and get up at 7.

Day 7: Friday 28
I can’t believe Halloween weekend in Athens is this weekend. This is the first time I haven’t dressed up for Halloween in my life. I guess 22 is old enough to stop. But maybe tomorrow night I will wear some random outfit and pretend I am having Halloween. Or I can wear orange and black. It’s kind of bizarre. I want to go trick or treating. Some of my favorite Halloween costumes of my life are:

Unicorn (my mom made this amazing costume and I loved it. It was gold, pink and purple with a golden horn. What more could a little girl want?) Age: elm. school
Nerd (it was a lot of fun to act the part- I like digits, can I get yours? What is the probability that you will dance with me? And carrying my calculator around.) age: 20
Skunk (I even had a can of scented spray to spray at people – this was last Halloween) Age: 21
Waldo’s girlfriend (yeah Phil) Age: 18
A Care bear with Michelle Marinaro. Age: 19
Little red riding hood. Age: 16
A salesman (I had brochures that I showed people trick or treating) Age: 17

What was your favorite Halloween costume and why???

Well that’s all I remember. Just know that I trick or treated till I went to college. I dressed up till this year. Someone think of me this Halloween and eat candy corn for me. Also at Wal-Mart, (ignore this if you hate Wal-Mart) there are suckers called alien pops. They leave a tattoo alien on your tongue. Fond memories. You should try these. I haven’t even found a pumpkin to carve here. (Michelle Marinaro – if you read this- do you remember the moldy pumpkins? Dana you may remember this.) Maybe I will go look for one.

Side note: Strawberry shortcake (the doll) is called charlotte of strawberries here. I just saw a commercial.

Anyways, I’ve really enjoyed running lately. The weather is beautiful. I only run about 3 or so miles about every other day, but it’s been good. I found a really challenging path that I take and its flat about 10 minutes then its uphill about 10 min then it’s a gradual decline and then flat for the last 10 min. It’s really nice. It’s weird to have time to do things I want to do. I just don’t know what to do with myself. It’s strange that I can lounge around all morning then go run, lounge around and eat lunch, lounge around and read, go to the park, go to the grocery store. It’s alright. Don’t be jealous, if you know me at all, you know I would much rather be busy.

So then Raquel came over to spend the night since Theresa isn’t here. This is a big no no. in my contract, I am only aloud to have family members spend the night. Oh well….we listened to sermon on missions then watched Mona Lisa Smile. It is a good movie. Then we talked for a long time and went to bed.


Day 8: Saturday 29

Today is a day of babysitting. I helped Raquel and Jenny watch the babies. And used the internet…


Day 9: Sunday 30

Today was one of the best days ever in france! we got up and went to church! IT was really good i really enjoyed the message. then raquel and i went to david;s with olivier and we ate lunch. then ruth lise joined us and we all went to the calanques. it was beautiful. ill post pics. and we hiked there and back then raquel went home and olivier, david, ruth lise and i watched eternal sunshine of the spotless mind. it was good. i had written a better description of this but i didnt save it on the CD so i guess the pics will have to do. also i found out that i have black and white and sepia picture taking capabilities and now i think i am quite the photographer. what do you think?