FRACK! Has it really been almost a week since I last posted? Time is FLYING by. Furthermore, I have lost my mind, in a good way (I hope).


But. This weekend. Thursday a group of us went to a 'Hollywood'-themed soirée that was set up for French and international students. Unfortunately, my limited wardrobe inhibited me from dressing up, but alas, the French had it covered. Although their outfit choices were a little questionable (most people just wore sunglasses, I saw a couple boas, a pirate, and one Superman....) they did put in the effort, which I can appreciate as a true sorority girl/theme party aficionado.


Friday was spent struggling. And also visiting the art museum in Grenoble.


Saturday I went on a hike in the alps with a group organized by the international school. It was BEAUTIFUL (photos to come later once I get the patience/time to upload them!). I was super hesitant at first (getting up at 6:15 in the morning to go on an 8 hour 20 km hike up some big ass mountains is obviously not part of my usual Saturday 'cure from the night before' routine), but I am very glad I went. Lots of laughs with a couple girls on my program made the grueling trails much easier (okay, not GRUELING perse, but  very muddy and icey) and made the trip much more enjoyable. Also, I met two girls from Russia who spoke English and French (and Russian, obviously) literally FLUENTLY. Made me realize how ignorant and lazy I must look to these types of foreigners with my elemental french skills (also, it doesn't help that my english is slowly declining too...).


As I was speaking to this Russian girl, she and I were discussing the difficulties we have learning a language.  She made a comparison that I absolutely adore, and also which explains EXACTLY how I am feeling right now. At this point, we are like a dog; we can listen, we can understand, we can do as we're told, but we really cannot speak.


Hello. Literally me. Exactly what I am going through right now. I have gotten to the point where I can understand the conversations my family has, and I can understand my professors and most other native speakers, but so help me god if someone tries to converse with me. When asked a question, I can respond in a nice, quick, short answer, but that is pretty much it.  


I can't really think of any horrendously awkward stories to demonstrate this as of yet, but I am very confident I will soon.


I don't quite know how to end this post now, so I will just go along with the theme of the day and leave it in an awkward manner.


ming.