I've realized I'm an awful blogger. Maybe that say something about my commitment to things, I really hope not! I just get so busy and my days are jam packed and by the time I'm home I just want to sleep.
It's been a month since I've updated you all and so much has happened. My mom and I have an incredible trip together. I was so unbelievably happy to be able to share this experience with her. After my mom left I was bummed for a while, missing home and all of its comforts but I easily got back into the swing of things.
Grenoble has been in pleine forme (good shape) these past few weeks. Absolutely beautiful weather, mid seventies and breezy every day. All of the flowers are blooming yet the mountains that surround the city are still covered in snow. I know I've said it a million times but its like a dream. I am so happy that I chose this place, it's the perfect size and my french has improved leaps and bounds since I first got here. I find myself not even thinking but just speaking!
I've been gushing about being happy here but there have been some downs. I've found, as with most of the other americans as well, that making french friends is difficult. I would never have thought that such an animosity would still exist between the french and the americans, but sadly it does. I had hoped that our generation was learning to be tolerant but I've found that I'm not widely liked around these parts. It's surprising to me because I represent an American who is interested in their culture, I came here to learn their language and assimilate myself into their country. I try my hardest to not be a loud American and I am always respectful yet they don't like me.
It's fascinating really that this prejudice still exists. Everyday in the United States I experience racism, I see Americans give people of muslim descent a wary eye, and I see Americans shudder at people speaking spanish in america...god forbid. But I've never once been on the opposite side, I've seen racism at work but I've never been the one being scrutinized. I guess it's my own ignorance or just my indifference but I never really thought of it as a problem. Not until I arrived here did I realize just how unjust it truly is. I hate being judged because I'm American. I've learned so much already about myself and I've grown as a person and I hope that when I go home I will be able to use this new outlook on things in a positive manner and show others what it's really like to not feel welcome.
There is obviously two sides to this story though. I have made some awesome french friends who have done nothing but welcome me with open arms. Just like every story there is the good and the bad. I am happy to say that the good always outweighs the bad when you're living in France. I mean the main food staples are CHEESE, more CHEESE, chocolate, bread oh and did I say CHEESE? How can one possibly be unhappy?
A dieu my readers. I keep promising my diligence but I will stick with it this time. I've only get a short amount of time left and I want to remember everything that I've done here. If I can leave with one parting note, be more tolerant everyone. I'm having a hard time taking my own advice but I think it's really something that everyone can truly work on.
