2 birthdays and a great cultural experience...

The last few weeks have provided a couple of interesting experiences. It always seems like there are so many birthdays in February. I think that I notice them more because that is the month of my own birthday. So, I was naturally excited when, a couple of weeks ago, I learned that my host mom and I both celebrated in the same month! The following week I also learned that my friend Elodie from church had her birthday the following week. I immediately recognized that this would prove to be a great cultural experience as well as a lot of fun. The two celebrations turned out to be quite different from each other and still different from the American celebrations that I have experienced.

Judith, my host mom, turned 41 this year and celebrated with a grand party in our little apartment that lasted for hours, included two waves of guests, and two 3-course meals on china. (She mentioned her age without hesitation to many people in preparing for the event, a stark difference to the way American women often hide their age.) The festivities began with her sister bringing over tons of prepared food and having several dishes delivered from a local restaurant. In order to best accommodate the additional people in our home, our furniture was moved around, and extra plates, wine glasses, and silver were brought out.

As people arrived for the midday meal, they all came to greet Judith personally and all came with a gift of some sort, from a basket of walnuts, to clothing, to beautiful bouquets of flowers. It was a festive experience as everyone sat around the table and enjoyed the full meal of salads and bread, various types of meat, vegetables, and potatoes. One thing that I have learned from the very beginning is that the French enjoy their meals and take the time to enjoy conversation around the table. Nothing was rushed even as we washed dishes in between the main course and dessert, they milled around, chatted, and enjoyed their coffee.

The actual birthday celebration began, they pulled out a gorgeous cake from a local bakery and several bottles of champagne. They toasted Judith and everyone in attendance to a year of good health and happiness. I was asked what we drink with our birthday celebrations in the US and I replied that only cake and sometimes ice cream are required. He said, "No, no, no, what do you have to drink?" he laughed when I told him, "Nothing specific, just whatever the birthday person wants to have." The French traditions are so important too them. It really makes events special.

Just as this party was wrapping up, I was feeling a bit overwhelmed but the language and unknown people. My host mom mentioned to me that it all starts again tonight!! She was right, a second wave of guests arrived for dinner and it whole party repeated itself!! She had to divide the guest list in order to have room for everyone (a total of about 30). The evening guests were mainly from her choir and had a great time when they burst into song at the dinner table!! It was a great night, exhausting, but good fun.

This past weekend was a slightly different experience. Elodie, a sweet, life-loving, French friend, celebrated her 20th birthday. The night was filled with friends and family in the decorated fellowship hall of the church. It was a more casual affair with a buffet of finger foods and less gifts, but still a great time. We still celebrated with tarts for dessert and a champagne toast.

The most memorable part of the evening was the dancing. Their was a stereo there with all types of music and Elodie is a great dancer. A wide variety of salsa, tango, and jazz music played and several people danced. (It definitely refreshed my desire to learn to dance!)

At one point, the country song "Cotton-eyed Joe" began to play. The group of French people were discussing a line dance and started to try the one also used for "The Electric Slide." They only could think of about 1/4 fourth of it and desperately needed some help with this very American dance. :) As I approached the dance floor, I was spotted, "Do you know this???" and I proceeded to teach this group of French people the classic line dance!!! It was so much fun!!! It took everyone quite a while to figure it out but, they loved it!! They played it over and over and over again. "Encore!" (Again!) they would say and the song would start over. By the end of the night, almost everyone had it down and looked as close to a group of country line dancer as the French can get!!

There are two things that are very funny to me about this experience with "Cotton-Eyed Joe." First, I have two other American friends who are a part of this circle of friends. They are from Dallas, Texas and yet they didn't have any idea how to line dance! Second, I was getting compliments on my dancing talent all night. (The Electric Slide is about the only type of dance that I know how to do at the moment!!)

The last couple of weeks have been a mix of missing home, getting to know new people, and adjusting to my much more lazy life here (I prefer to say simply "slower life" but honestly, there were several days that were just pure lazy!). Again, I apologize for the delay in posting! I'd love to hear about how everyone back home is doing. I miss you.

The two birthday celebrations were a lot of fun and a great time to connect with people. It was fun to experience the importance that the French place on their birthdays and parties in general. It slightly makes me wonder how my own birthday will play out in a week... we shall see!

Lyon!

This past weekend API took us to Lyon for the day on Saturday! It was a lot of fun! Being the second largest city in France, there was lots to see and do. There was certainly too much for one day! It is a good thing that I'll get to travel there again with my family when they come in March! We'll have a good time, guys!

Here are some pictures of the city: click here (a new facebook album)

Things are going well here! I'm getting used to the life of the less chaotic and appreciating this time that I have to relax. Plus, I have gotten to know some more people from school, API, and church and have enjoyed the developing friendships thus far. I still miss Eric, my amazing family, and my terrific friends back home but things are continuing to improve in my outlook. I love you guys and miss you!!

Ashlie