I DIDN'T FALL OFF THE FACE OF THE EARTH!

I haven't posted in over a month. Oops. I will not apologize for neglecting this blog.

School (which will be another post) has been going well. I was in the same class as Ségolène, but I changed classes because it was too difficult to be always with her. We get along just fine, but some students, though it was mainly the teachers, didn't talk to me. They asked Ségolène questions about me, (EX: What's her name? What state is she from? Does she like it here?) and I had known how to answer those questions before I had even arrived in France! Because I didn't get the practice of talking and I didn't have much independency, I wasn't improving as quickly as I would like to. Also, because I had a wonderful French teacher in the USA, the slope of my progress is significantly less steep than that of other exchange students. I have improved more than I could ever imagine, but I still don't speak as well as I would like to.

From the 18th of October to the 4th of November, I had off school for the Toussaint holiday.

I went to the family's beach house twice--- once with friends and once with the family.
Here are my favorite pictures from Ambleteuse, the town where the beach house is. Unfortunately, my friends have decided that no one is posting any pictures from the weekend containing people because we all spent it in sweatpants, and the French only like to be seen when they are dressed nicely.

A wall that I just thought looked really artsy

 The Fort of Ambleteuse

 The town of Ambleteuse

 Beach house

 

After Ambleteuse, we took a day trip to Bruges, Belgium.

 

Umbrellas with Margot, my hostmom

On a boat tour of Bruges.

 

Here are just some pictures from around Lambersart and Lille

 One of the two courtyards in my school. This is the one we are NOT allowed in. Picture quickly and discretely taken through a dirty window

 I pass this sign every day to go to school. It makes me laugh a little, as it tells me where I am not, but not where I am.

A river I pass on my way to/from school. It is usually raining, therefore not this pretty

The street where I live

 

Yes, I know this post wasn't very profound. It let you know I am not dead though, so it will suffice for now.

 

-Natalie