Hi hi hi!

I feel like I tell time more by the seasons and the moon than anything else. So when I say that I wore my winter coat today, that means that I've been here a while. Only a month really, but it seems like a lot has happened to me.

This is just an update to tell you that everything is exceptional. People always smile at me and say hello, as if I am not this new, weird person in the halls anymore, but rather a permanent fixture within them. I still stand out because of my clothes, as I don't wear chic black everyday, but for the most part all the teachers treat me as if I've been here for a long time.

The only thing is I still stick out because I don't eat in the cafeteria. I mean first and foremost because it's cafeteria food, but more than that it's usually pretty meat-centric, so when I get the meal without meat I end up with some plain rice and a side salad. Because I live right next to the school, it's easier just to go home and cook myself something scrumptious. I think I miss out on some bonding, but overall it's okay.

I asked if I could sit on the freshmen Spanish class, and today was my first lesson; I can't really express how excited I am to finally be taking deliberate action to learn a third language. Valerie, a super nice teacher, told me she'd be sure to put me with her worst class (even so, they've been studying Spanish for two years already) so that I would get lots of practice and repetition. In front of the class, she asked me my name, and I didn't even know how to say 'my name is Sam' because I was so nervous. It's nice, however, to interact with the students in a different capacity than language teacher; I get to be a student, too! I got a book from the library called L'espagnol pour Les Nuls (get it?) so I'm going to try to supplement the classes with rudimentary learning as well. Nonetheless, I am very excited. It'll also help solidify my French grammar too, as the class is a Spanish class taught in French. You should see my notes-- a jumble of three languages that no one but probably I could understand.

The farm is going really well. Isabelle and Jacky have sort of adopted me. Saturday I left with cheese, apples, and a full tummy. I also got stuck in the rain on my bike. It was what I like to call a character builder. I go back tomorrow to work with Elise, a farm hand whose family has also taken me in. I usually help her with the goats from 630 to noon then we go eat at her house. It's really fun.

Volleyball is also fun. My shoulder has begun to let me know that I'm over using it, however. I'm trying to do some strengthening exercises to make it less mad at me for playing so much. Hopefully it gets better with time.

And Berlin in a week!

Et voilà, all is well. Spanish, farming, volleyball, fall. As you can see, my life is happily uninteresting. I feel content and comfortable. I'm off to the open air market to buy some fresh veggies and cheese.

Love,
Sam