Listen to what your body is telling you (except when it's telling you to scratch.)

This is my favorite view during my walk to school
(which is about 45 min.)

Welp, lots of things have happened since my last post. Today was my first day of classes here and let me just say that it was a very long day (I woke at 5:45am and didn't return home until 6:30pm). I'm a bit too exhausted to write anything too legitimate, but I thought I would just post some pics that capture my mood as of late.

 These bits along the way generally make me smile as well :)

Also, check out this sore on the bottom of my foot.
It is starting to heal; I often think of it as a physical reminder of
my ability to adapt, grow, and learn --- especially during this transition
period where it is easy to be hard on myself.
Also: This sore came from my Chacos. I was very disappointed in them.

Also, these are just a few of my bug bites. My grandpa says that mosquitoes don't really bite. my ankles say otherwise.
They are my arch enemy, but once again, I am learning to adapt.
Folks around here say that you get used to it.
I am looking forward to feeling that way one day.

...

And now, it is time for sleep.
Here are some sunset pics to bring you sweet dreams...

A bientôt

Everything is a lesson and everyone has something to learn

So I live in this incredible house (the picture does not do it justice) with these incredibly sweet people and I couldn't ask for more while I am adjusting to things in Martinique. As I was telling Joscelin today, everything here is an adjustment for me-- the language, the appliances, social cues, toutes les choses. But I am surrounded by folks who are constantly encouraging me, taking the time to explain things one, two, or three more times, and constantly making jokes. It is great to be surrounded by such light hearted folks, they really are a riot.

 Yesterday, I went with Joscelin and his friend (who also comes from Toulouse) on a day hike through le Parc Naturel Régional de la Martinique, which is across the island, on the eastern coast. It was essentially incredible. Check it out.

Most impressive bug bite thus far: 
It's a toss up between the one I had on my lip this morning (making the left side of my bottom lip bigger than my face) and the one I have on my thigh which is the size of a 50 cent piece (I wish I were exaggerating.)


I've learned about a trillion things since I arrived. Here are a couple that are standing out:

How to use a gas stove. Yes, it felt silly that I had to ask, but it was one of those reminders that if I don't ask, I'm gonna have a hell of a time figuring things out on my own-- that is, if I figure it out. I'm learning not to be embarrassed when I have to ask questions-- especially because that's become about a once every 5 minutes ordeal. I'm also learning not to apologize for this and instead to vocalize how grateful I am to be surrounded by folks who I can learn from.

If you are kind and greet others with a smile and a "bonjour," chances are they will return the gesture. Last night, Youma went into great detail with me about how to be a sweet, white girl, but how to also be firm with my "au revoirs" when it is time to leave.

More than just taking the time to greet others, I've learned that you must also take the time to check in with folks and really hear where they're at. Example: "How are you? How's your family? How are things going with school? Work? Animals?..." This may seem obvious, but I have never seen people have such engaged, sincere conversations with les gens plus ou moins inconnus. As Joscelin explained to me today, these folks are not strangers, they are people that you haven't gotten to know yet. This means that everything takes about four times as long as it would in the U.S.

Patience. I had a meeting at my university today at 9h00. I left at 11h30. I spent about 17 minutes talking with my coordinators. The rest was waiting while they talked to other folks. To be honest, I didn't really mind. I'm learning that it's just kind of one of those things where time is just a number... so I've been trying to leave my watch at home. 

The conversation that has got me thinking the most was with a five-year-old child. When I told him how impressive it was that he speaks three languages, he response was honest, insightful, and heartbreaking. He said: "I speak three languages because I have to. White people don't speak many languages. They don't know anything. They don't even try to understand." My only response to him was: "I think you're right. It's very sad, but I think 'tu as raison.'"

I made it!

First Impressions:
All of the people I have met so far, at least at my home, are incredible nice. Thus far, I have met my host mother, host father, and another student who is staying here who is French. Soon, there will be two other students here as well, one who is Martaniquais and the other who is Guadeloupean.

Uma, who is my host mom, is essentially all things sweet, caring, and outgoing wrapped into one. Everyone I've met has been (or at least acted) very excited to meet me and they have all been very patient with my shitty French.

We have a rooster. His name is Coco. He is very loud. I like him anyway. Supposedly there is a cat around here as well, but I haven't met her yet. I'm looking forward to having a kidden.

Most notable bug bite thus far: on the back of my ear.

Highlights of my first 10hrs here:
Uma has sent me on two errands thus far and I have succeeded! I have exchanged my USD for euros, went grocery shopping, picked up some baguettes for Uma, and ordered at McDon (where Uma took me when I got off the plane.) 

Uma is an art and a theatre professor. In attempt to show my enthusiasm for these subjects, I tried to explain my growing love for painting. My shitty accent, however, made it sound like I said "la mort" and not "l'amour." Needless to say, I told her that I enjoy painting for the death of it. In an attempt to explain myself I said: "for the passion and death." Yep. Good times.

Everything here smells great. Really great.


Future obstacles include:
Figuring out how to buy a bus ticket
Buying a electricity socket converter thing
Learning how to send mail

Preparations

As it turns out, I'm leaving the nation. I've been feeling like a prize idiot for the last few months as I stumble through questions of purpose, intent, adequacy, and other self-absorbed topics. Now as I kick it in western Washington visiting loved ones, packing my bags, and tying up loose ends, I'm starting to realize that the next few months in Martinique are not all about me-- or at least, I don't want them to be. In light of this realization, I have decided to make a self-righteous blog where I can share my thoughts, discoveries, and other such tidbits. Here is an example:

Things I keep reminding myself:
1) It's not all about you.
2) If you're judging, you're not listening. If you're not listening, you're not learning. If you're not learning, what are you there for?
3) It's not all about you.
4) You're gonna make mistakes (more often than you realize), so adjust, try again, and roll with it.
5) Practice your patience 
6) Love (yourself and others)
7) It's not all about you-- so breathe deep, friend, and get out there to figure out what it is about.
8) Chill :)

And also:
I would like to add that I am incredibly excited. 40(ish) hour count down begins now :)