couch surfing 1st time

This experience wasn't really planned out. At all. And I am so lucky that I found a place to sleep, let alone a great experience.

I stayed in Nancy for the last few days, It was really nice to walk around the city. I don't know why I find it such a nice city, but the people on the streets are interesting, and they SMILE! Plus I've decided in my head that everyone in Paris is evil, which of course isn't at all true... but I have to work hard to change my mind.

Nancy has a beautiful park, even in the middle of winter it has a spirit to it. I went for a walk around 7 or 8 at night. It was foggy and dark, but the walking paths were lit by French street lamps, and there were perhaps around a hundred crows in the trees. It sounded so creepy, and it smelled like real air, which is something I haven't smelled in a long time! haha

I also went to see the museum there, And after seeing a lot of museums in Paris I wasn't expecting it to be as interesting. But to my pleasant surprise, it was very impressive. Unfortunately I don’t think I can explain the art work very well here. So I will leave it at that, and say that I'm inspired to get back to painting.

My host was .. well... awesome! I did not expect to have such a great first experience with couch surfing... and I think I lucked out! I left feeling very inspired to DO the things that make me happy... like singing, and dancing, guitar, painting, and writing, and I need to need to fix my camera, because winter in France is something special.

Because the things that you do have more impact in life then the things you say. There are so many things that I would love to be good at... but I never try. The thing is that I have the time right now, to really do it.

I want to take advantage of my disadvantages. I want to find them now, and work on them, so today i bought some paint and painted. and I practiced guitar.

I'm still looking for a career idea, but I don’t think I’m as afraid of having a career as I used to be.

I am really glad I did something different. I know it’s only Nancy, but for me it was really fun. It was nice to spend some time with someone new, and share some experiences, music, food, drinks and conversation (mostly in french).

Will be out couch surfing again soon!

Voici quelques-unes de mes choses préférées

Now that it is freezing outside, and everyone is sick. It seems like a very appropriate time start sharing the love and celebrating the season.

Here are some of my favourite things to do around this time of year:

Eating chocolate (my family has gone through 1 kilo of chocolate in the last week) - and drinking it is especially satisfying, I've gotten Anais addicted to my hot chocolate because its awesome.

Baking- its nice and creative and keeps children somewhat engaged

Playing board games with french strangers - Anais and I went to a restaurant and played french board games with 3 very nice ladies for an entire afternoon this last week. (Possibly my favourite part of the week)

Pretending I can play musical instruments - My family is determined to play Christmas carols this year, so we are painfully strumming through chords on the guitar together, while the other guesses at the harmony, and Steph pulls it all together with the correct notes on the piano.

Spending lazy weekends with my sister and my host family.

Decorating the house! Listening to Manhattan Transfer Christmas songs and hanging christmas lights is mandatory.

Reading- although the last book I read was incredibly upsetting (flesh and blood by Michael Cunningham)It was still a great book.

Learning French. Although some days I want to roll over like a dog and play dead because I’m so frustrated with how long it takes to learn a second language. I am starting to be content with the amount of French I have been able to learn and understand.

French humour. It’s corky and awkward and that’s why I like it!

What do you do during this time of the year to keep you warm?