A Change of Pace.

Today was wonderful.

Sometimes it's difficult to be positive and remember how wonderful life is when a whole bunch of things are hitting you at once. I know I've been complaining about my France experience (maybe more than I should), and I've really let the bad things get to me at times, but to be fair, I have been sick 3 times now since I've been in France, been fed really unhealthy food, and had to deal with spiders, bedbugs, and homesickness (oh my!). The amazing thing about life though, is that we have the power to change it. Yes, there are always going to be things I can't control: begbugs, spiders, illness, the food that is made for me at dinner time, but there are always things I can do to better my situation. "Pain in inevitable; suffering is optional." I'm opting for joy and positivity.

So, yes, last night I wore long socks, leggings, skinny jeans, a tank top, a long sleeved shirt, and a jacket to bed in order to evade my disgusting little bed companions, but this morning I woke up at 8am to go for a nice long run around the neighborhood. Maybe I slept a little bit miserably, but I got to start my day going for a run in beautiful weather in France -- that's pretty freaking cool.

After the run, I got ready for the day - showered, got dressed, brushed my teeth, drank my thé -- and finally started taking my vitamins. We all met at the train station in Rouen and then took the bus to Mont-Saint-Aignan to see our university! I am SO excited to go back to scool!!! Yes, the university is a little bit hideous, but there are SO many people to meet and so many things to learn. Plus, it's in the city!!! I can't even describe how much I miss living so close to a city (or three), and while I have had some amazing experiences in France's countryside, I am really aching to get back out there into the hustle and bustle of city life. I've already mapped out a running route (yes, Papa, it's safe), and have picked out a few restaurants and patisseries I'm dying to try. This visit to the university has really given me the drive to keep going, and has given me so much hope for the rest of my stay in France.

We ate lunch at a restaurant on campus, and I had a delicious salad (oh how I have missed you, raw fruits and vegetables!) and an even more delicious tarte aux pommes. After we were finished with lunch, Ariel, Kyle, and I met up with Clément and walked around the city, got some drinks at a café, and got to see his apartment in Rouen. Then we headed back to the Andrieux house for some insane card games, where I hung out for a few hours until Clément had to go to soccer practice, so he drove me home on his way. His family also gave me some spinach and cheese (but not an insane amount) tarte thingies, because they heard about my eating situation from Ariel. I love that family. I can't wait for dinner tonight! Now I just have to figure out how to evade the cheese, cream cheese, cream, and zucchini (you can't taste it, I promise) soup.

So, now I'm home, and feeling great. Well, actually I'm sick, but psychologically, I'm good. I'm snacking on apples (I finally bought some at the marché!) instead of cookies, I'm going running, and I'm dealing with the bedbug situation. Yes, I am still incredibly excited to move on from this place, but I am also so appreciative of what I have been given by the wonderful families out here in the countryside, and I'm trying to enjoy every moment that I can with them before I leave on Sunday.

I didn't take any pictures today, but decided to live my day instead of trying to capture it. So, I apologize, but I also really enjoyed not worrying about my camera for one day.
Tomorrow, I'm going to a collège (elementary school) to speak with the students about what it's like to be an American. I'm going to give them an amazing impression of Americans so that that asshole in Florida isn't what they think of when they think of the United States. I could rant about that man all day long, because what he is doing is completely disgusting, but instead I'm banishing him from my mind and showing love to everyone I meet, in true American style.

Love always, Josie