Vacances de Noel (part 1)

This week was the first week of Christmas break.

Saturday the 22nd of Decemeber I slept till about 3 o'clock in the afternoon, and I have no idea why. Sunday I moved in with my second family. My first host parents drove me the second family's house and left pretty quickly. I was shown to my room, had a tour of the house, and settled down in the living room for coffee and initial conversation. In my new host family I have nine brothers and sisters, quite the change from having one sibling. Only the four youngest children live at home but everyone is here for the holidays. After coffee I went to my room to unpack and afterwards we all went to the lake to play some football (soccer). By this time I had decided that I really like this family as well! Everyone is very welcoming and nice. We returned to the house to play a board game and eat dinner.

The next day was Christmas eve, so at about 10 at night we walked to the giant cathedral down the street called St. Etienne. The service was beautiful and ended at midnight. We came back home for some hot chocolate before going to bed. Christmas day, after we ate breakfast, we all went into the living room to open presents. The family went to mass again but I stayed home to relax. Later I was able to skype a friend and my family. The next morning I woke up throwing up at 4 am, and stayed up till just after 7 when I was throwing up again and my host mom brought me a bucket and water and a change of bedding. I didn't eat anything except for a bit of bread until dinner that day. Luckily I felt fine by the time I went to bed the following night. Today another exchange student from the USA came over and we hung out acting like American teenagers: We watched countless youtube videos and spent hours on facebook, 9gag, tumblr, etc.
Tomorrow I will be going to the Alps with my first host family to learn how to ski. I know I will fall a lot and I wouldn't be surprised if I hurt myself.

Hurrah for new families and adventures!
We'll see how this skiing thing goes..

Busy December

For pretty much every weekend this month I'm busy, which  is great! The only slow parts of  the month are the weekdays.
Last weekend my host parents and I joined two other  couples on a bike ride. We were only going to ride about 6 miles,  eat  lunch, then head back. After lunch one of the couples decided they wanted to do something else and wanted us to come along. None of us were quite sure what we were doing or where we were going. We ended up biking 15 more miles in a large circle until we got back to Bourges. 21 miles total. (35 km) Let's just say my host parents and I were definitely not prepared and weren't the most ecstatic people about it. But hey, I got a really (really  really) good work out.
This coming weekend my host mom, sister and I are going to Paris again. We'll visit Valerie's mother and maybe do some Christmas shopping.
The following weekend the Rotary students in my district (1720) are all coming to Bourges. We were told to bring a present under 15 euros so I'm assuming there'll be some kind of exchange and celebration of Christmas. I'll be wearing my new ugly Christmas sweater as well!
The next weekend I move to my next host family's house. That'll be interesting. I love the family I'm in so much I wish I could stay but I'm also excited to meet  these people. I hope I can memorize the names of all 9 children pretty quickly.
After spending Christmas with them, my 1st host family picks me up to go skiing with them. I'll have beginning lessons with a couple younger children. Hopefully I won't make a fool of myself.
Aaaand that' all for now. Ciao!

School in Bourges

School in Bourges is quite different than school in Tacoma. The first day was two hours devoted to learning our schedule. I arrived at the schoool with my host dad and met up with Camila, Anika, their host dads and the Rotary club president Alain Birer. We were already receiving stares from students but that was kind of expected. Alain showed us the lists that informed us which class we were in. At my school here you stay with your class for all of the courses, which is nice because I could follow a classmate to the next classrooom and not get lost on my own. We found out that Camila was not in the same class as Andika and I so she wasn't looking forward to being the only exchange student in her class. I sat silently for the first hour when suddenly a bell rang and the students were walking out to the hallway. I didn't understand what was happening so I just followed along. Turns out students get about a five minute break every hour even if they're in a two hour class. I tried to talk to some people because they were looking at me but they became bashful and would only say "Bonjour" back to me. Andika introduced me to Sarah who speaks English pretty well. We returned to class for another hour in which I sat quietly once again understanding nothing and thinking to myself "What the heck am I doing here?". After that hour the teacher allowed me to take a picture of the schedule so that I could write it down later. I was unsure as to where I was supposed to go from there so Andika and I wandered out to the courtyard and found someone in our class. With the help of her friends she was able to tell us that we were finished for the day. The schedule is a lot like college, or seems that way  to me. We might have a class in the morning, an hour of nothing, then two hours of class. It felt a bit disorganised to me because I am used to having a set three or four hours of class, lunch, then a final two or three hours to finish off the day. Throughout these last couple of weeks classes have been added, subtracted, cancelled, and unknown. Finally last Thursday we were given a concrete schedule. Unfortunately I followed this new schedule on Friday when I was supposed to follow the old schedule.

The thing about staying with your class throughout the day means I have to attend classes I have no knowledge about. For instance: Spanish. I have never taken a class of Spanish yet I have to go to the 2nd year Spanish class with my classmates.During my first class of Spanish each student had to introduce themselves in Spanish. I listened as the other people presented themselves and repeated what I would say roughly a hundred times in my head. When it was my turn I said "Me llamo Lydia, tengo diesiseis anos. (Switched to French) Pardon, je suis americaine, je ne parle pas français ou espagnol". The teacher exclaimed "Oh!" then rambled on in either Spanish or French. Don't ask me which, she spoke too darn fast for me to decipher! For the remainder of the class I did as I do for every class: I sat quietly and wrote in my notebook what was written on the board. I don't believe Spanish will be a favorite class this year along with History. The first class of history the teacher clearly didn't understand that I don't speak english. I decided to talk to her after class and I led with "Je ne parle pas beaucoup de français.." and she too began rambling in French. Okay, they're not getting the hint, but I'll be speaking French soon enough (hopefully).

One shocking difference at the school is the bathrooms! There are bathrooms specifically for boys and specifically for girls, then there are also bathrooms for both boys and girls together. WHAT?!?! One day I was walking out to the hallway from class for the five minute break and asked a friend where the bathroom is. She pointed to an unmarked door so I was a little skeptical but she insisted that was it. I walked towards it as a boy walked out. I quickly turned and walked friskly away then watched as a girl walked into the bathroom. I decided to investigate and sure enough I found a bathroom with both boys and girls in it. Thankfully there aren't any urinals! I found it super odd that no one else looked shocked. I realized that I probably looked really dumb gawking at this sight so I quickly checked my hair and shuffled out of there. I found Camila and her friend who is aso from Mexico, Natalia, and told them about the bathroom. They went to look at it and all three of us were mindblown. We had never seen a dual bathroom in our countries.

Another giant difference is the amount of students who smoke!There's a fifteen minute break around 10h00 and nearly everyone goes outside the schoolyard gate to smoke. In the morning the teachers will be passing through the parking lot and pay no mind to the dozens of kids smoking. Last week I hung out with about ten other girls after school and after a while of walking we stopped to sit and rest. About eight of the girls immediately began smoking. I knew a lot more Europeans smoked than Americans, but I didn't realize to this extent. It's just really different. (No worries mom, I haven't touched a cigarette and don't plan to!)

Week One - First Impressions

What is it about this place I love so much? Is it the shutters on every house? The brick roads, the 13th century cathedral, people all day walking around with a baguette... or four? Every day I fall in love with Bourges more and more. I am nonstop admiring the details on the oldest buildings, the people who walk to the boulangerie everyday for a baguette, and even the noises French people make to describe things. I feel like I was dropped into a little girl's dream after she watched Beauty and the Beast. It's unreal, and the thought that I left Tacoma to live on the other side of the planet for a year is kind of... apauling. Yet I love every second of it!

I arrived in Paris, France about 11:30 in the morning (so 1:30 am Tacoma time) and easily found my luggage then my Rotary club president. I met Andika, an exchange student from Indonesia, and we went on our way to exit the airport. We went to eat at the heart of the tourist attractions in Paris. We ate at an outdoor restaurant and afterward walked around a bit. I saw the Louvre museum, the Arc de Triomphe , and the Eiffel Tower all from afar. Three hour car ride to Bourges meant a three hour nap for me! My host sister and mother, Marie and Valérie, were waiting for me at the Rotary club. They were so excited to meet me, and I them. Marie is ecstatic to have an older sister for four months. I met other rotarians and the exchange student from Mexico, Camila. We proceeded to go home because it was clear how exhausted I was. Dinner was really nice, I tried two tartes (kind of like flat pies with meat) and loved them! Soon after I showered and went to bed.

My second day in Bourges commenced with Valérie showing me around via her mini cooper and walking. I was in absolute awe about everything about Bourges! It's so cute! Later Valérie and I walked to my school from the house. It only takes five to ten mintues and I'll be walking everyday. At noon we picked Marie up from her English class and returned to a delicious lunch. Chicken, green beans, and "pomme noisette". Pomme noisette is pretty much mashed potatoes in a ball, but it's crisp on the outside. That's the best I can describe it and I have no idea how it's made, but it is drool-worthy! I met Sandrine who was Marie's nurse when she was little, and she helps keep the house clean and makes lunch for Marie and I while Valérie is at work. Later Valérie, Marie, and I went to the supermarket. It's pretty much just like a big grocery store back home. Back at home Marie and I played a child's matching game so that I could learn the names of completely random objects. After Marie's orhtodontist appointment I showered, ate dinner, and went to bed about 7:30. I was pooped!

Day three. Valérie gave me her old phone and we bought a SIM card with unlimited texting, so that should come in handy once I make friends! I bought postcards for freinds and family who have birthdays in August and September. Marie and I walked around Bourges a lot and I was able to see the inside of Cathedrale Etienne. It's absolutely breathtaking! So many details in the architecture and the art is beautiful and the glass work is very intricate. I believe it was built in the 13th century. So gorgeous! I decided by the end of the day that Bourges has got to be one of the most picturesque places in the world! To finish off the day I believe I finally rid my room of the mosquito that was pestering me ever since I arrived. I found it funny because in middle school French class we made stories of mosquitos chasing people around their house. You're super amused I assume. Okay, moving on!

Day four was pretty "chill". I read and wrote for a while, then Marie and I rode bicycles around Bourges. I got really excited because they have parts of Bourges that are like the country side right next to the city so I saw horses! I explained to Marie that you don't find horses right next to the center of the city in Tacoma. That night the family went to a Mexican restaraunt which was very different from American Mexican restaraunts. At one point Valérie asked me what I ate in China. I tried to think of a good answer to that.... but the best thing  I came up with was "Uhh, Chinese food?" The family got a crack out of that and Tim repeated that Valérie's question was stupid. They like to joke around a lot with each other so we always get some good laughs.

Valérie took me to the market on day five. I believe Sandrine told me the market moves streets everyday! Valérie asked if I wanted to ask the man for a basket of strawberries, but I am still too afraid of making mistakes to do that! I'm working on my confidence though.We stopped by the post office to send my post cards and later I went to the bank to meet up with my club president. Camilla, Andika and I received information to set up a bank account here. Later that night I found I do like the taste of champagne!

My host parents hosted a birthday party for Sandrine on day six. The party lasted for about six hours so during that time Marie and I took the two children that came to the park. We were there for about an hour and had a lot of fun, but I could not understand the kids at all! They would speak to me and because I still don't understand a lot of French I would nod, smile, and ask Marie what they said. When I did speak French they were really confused as to why I was speaking French and English. The little boy got to show off his English by counting to ten. After the party my family and I watched Super 8, which I think is good, I just want to see it in English now! By day six I'm starting to get into the swing of things here.

Day seven was the day I finally watched Indiana Jones! Marie was so surprised I hadn't seen it yet, so she was really excited for me to watch it. We watched in French with English subtitiles just so that I stay used to hearing French. Marie owns all four so hopefully I can watch them all before these four months are up!
I learned that I do have three families, but I still do not know who they are. Today Sandrine and I rode bikes to a part of Bourges with a lot of gardens and small farming with a little river. It's the most peaceful beautiful place ever. I would love to go there someday to do devotions. While we were riding a little (and I believe harmless) snake crossed our path and Sandrine freaked out! She told me to stop and wait to make sure it was gone then to ride away really fast. It was pretty funny, she explained that she hates all snakes whether they're dangerous or not.

Tonight I have my first Rotary meeting and tomorrow I begin school! I'm pretty nervous for school, but that's life! I just hope I can make friends quick. Friday I might go climbing with Marie and Sunday may be going to a pool. For school I believe I will choose to do volley ball! What an adventure that'll be. I haven't done another sport since I was little besides ballet.

Well, gotta run! Au revoir!

One teen, One year, One France to discover

Have you ever wanted to travel somewhere new? Somewhere mysterious, romantic, intriguing? For example, Paris! Rome, Athens, Nice, London, Beijing, Tokyo! While reading the names of any of  those cities, did you think: "Hey, I want to go there!" Well, did you? Now, how do you  suppose you're going  to get there? When, for what reason, alone or with whom? Sometimes our fantasies about traveling are just that: Fantasies. Yet, other times, they become realities that seem  too good to be true.

My name is Lydia Mangan, I am sixteen years old, and I am about to embark on one of the most spectacular years of my life! Sometime in the late Spring of 2011, I walked into my Freshman year English Honors class expecting to receive another list of vocabulary to memorize or a pop quiz on Caesar's death in Shakespeare's play. Instead, I found another  guest speaker standing  at  the front of the class waiting  for the tardy bell  to ring. Usually we heard  from guests  about our career or college plans, in other words plans  that  we don't  plan on planning  for another year or  so. This particular speaker spoke of planning as well,  but for something much more appealing and immediate than college or careers to fourteen and fifteen year-olds. She spoke of the local  Rotary club's foreign exchange student program.

Now this was something that I  had heard about and thought was pretty nifty, but I had never considered being  an exchange student  myself.  Possibilities  started popping into my mind. I could  dance ballet in France! I could experience  the ever-so distinguished culture in Italy! I could  follow my Hispanic roots back to Spain! As the speaker's presentation proceeded  throughout the hour, I became more and more sure  that it was easy enough for me to get out Washington State, explore  outside of the USA,  and become a part of a completely different society. I was already anticipating my upcoming summer trip to China to perform with Long Beach Ballet, but I realized that my traveling experience wouldn't have to end there or wait to continue many years later. I could be well on my way to expanding my experience, my learning, my sightseeing on a  broad scale in very little time! I decided  within that class hour that I wanted to travel the world. I wanted  to see the sights, learn the language, and meet the people all over this planet!

That day I came home and showed my mom and dad the information about applying to be an exchange  student. They were as excited as I was! My dad absolutely loved  the idea and really wanted me to be able to  receive this opportunity. Later that month my dad passed away from Lou Gehrig's disease (which is why I hate that 'joke'  in Ted). To this day I know he is proud that I am on my way to achieving this dream, but I  continually wish he were  here. Five days after he passed I left Washington to train in California at Long Beach Ballet. Three weeks later, I found myself in China.

China was amazing, but definitely challenged me and my adaptation skills. First off, China was very warm all of  the time, day and night. After lightning storms I thought the temperature  may have cooled. Did  it? Nah. But  that was just one of the first of many things to learn about China. China did not smell  the same as America, Chinese food (real Chinese food) was much different than any Americanized Chinese food I  had ever eaten. I definitely had to open myself up to trying new things. Chinese people do not have the idea "Pedestrians have the right away". Chinese hotels were not always meeting "American standards"'. Don't get me wrong! I'm not saying  these are bad things about China. I'm pointing out how different another country can be from what we expect and  how much we can learn about these other countries. When you think about it, it's absolutely fascinating! I saw lots of different temples, the Forbidden City, and the Great Wall. One thing I love about China is that the history goes back so much farther than American  history. The buildings and structures are so much older, and carry stories within them. After I returned from this  trip, I knew I was going to apply to be an exchange student, no doubt about it. I was filled with a yearning to learn about other countries and to integrate myself further into a different culture.

September of 2011 I submitted an application to my local Rotary club to become an exchange student. In that month I was interviewed for this opportunity. I was nervous for this, but all went well because I was later told I would have a second and very formal interview in December in Canada. This interview was incredibly more nerve racking but also went smoothly. I was asked where I wanted to go, and  my top three choices  were France, Spain, and Italy. I also had to fill in  a paper with my top fifteen  choices. I chose countries in Europe because I had already been to Asia, I've always dreamed of going to Europe, and my mom didn't  want  me going to any countries whose names ended with '-stan'. My mother and I were informed that I  would  receive a call in two months regarding whether or not I will be going on exchange, and to where I  would be exchanged.

February of 2012, my mother and I were driving in the car when my phone rang. I didn't recognize the number, but I  knew we had  been waiting for a call from the Rotary, so I answered. The Country Officer for    Western Europe asked how I would like to go on exchange to France. FRANCE! My breathing  pattern changed, my  mom saw me tear up and parked the car, and I struggled to find words. Finally I was able to say, "Wow, I don't know what to say!" She asked if she should  take that as a 'yes', and of course I said "Yes!". She continued to inform me about the Orientation in  Canada  the following  March and told me about emails  I would soon receive. I was so excited and overwhelmed all I can remember is that I nodded my head as my mom repeated, "She can't see you nodding!". As soon as I got home I called friends and family telling them the fantastic news. In March I  attended  the orientations, became acquainted with the other outbound exchange students in my district, and began  to understand the procedure for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Now, I am twenty days away  from my departure of  the US, waiting to receive my French visa,  and  couldn't  be more excited for my junior year of high school! The Rotary Youth Exchange Program has granted me a lifelong wish of going to France and I am very thankful. Sometimes I wonder why I was  chosen to venture to France because so many  people wanted to go there, but I am thankful just the same.
Throughout my year abroad I will  be sharing my experiences on this blog so that friends, family, teachers,  and others can stay updated on my adventures!

With all that said, let the adventure commence!