Americaine
Bonjour!I hope you are all doing well in the States. Since I recieved no comments on my last blog, I really feel like you don't deserve this....but I'll tell you about my life anyways.
Things are almost starting to feel over here, which is a bizarre feeling. It felt like I would never get used to France and living on my own, but I have. I have a tendency to get all existential and analytical on my time in France these days. I wish I had really been speaking French from the beginning. My reading and writing skills are great, but I am still relatively slow in a conversation. I was talking to my friend Catriona (a cool chick from Scotland) about this the other night, and she said that it is supposed to take living in a new country for at least 6 months before you even get comfortable in trying to speak it. In my short 5 months, I have improved beaucoup, and do more everyday. So there’s that…
I have a bizarre social life too. French boy Bruno has made a habit of asking me out every couple of days even though I have been refusing him. I also have been talking to a Dutch guy I really like, even though he knows I’m leaving in a week. Geez, I have to go and get popular that I’m leaving. The other Americans left, and it is now just me and Trice. We have been hanging out with a Canadian guy who is pretty cool, too.
Everyone here is defined by where they are from. My name is officially “one of the Americans.” People have trouble pronouncing my name, and most people seem to think I am saying “Marley.” Also, I just say I’m American because so few people know where Wyoming actually is, but that’s ok. I am used to describing it. I have had the following conversation approximately 2 jillion times:
Random French Person- “Are you English?”
Me-“No, American.”
RFP-“Where do you live in America?”
Me-“Wyoming.”
RFP- “What state is that in?”
Me-“Wyoming is a state…”
RFP-“No, what state is Wyoming in? Where is it?”
Me-“Wyoming itself is a state! It’s in the West.”
RFP-(confused and skeptical look)
Me- “Do you know the Rocky Mountains? How about Yellowstone Park? Cowboys and Indians? No…ok, have you seen Brokeback Mountain?”
RFP-“Yes! The gay cowboys!”
Me-“Well, that’s Wyoming.”
That movie has done wonders…
It is cool to be special and different. And there really is something different that comes with being American. Trice and I keep getting invited to parties just because we’re Americans and therefore interesting. People across the world try to be “cool” like us, and it is insane to watch foreign kids trying to dress, dance, act, etc. like us. We also never have to learn other languages, go to other countries for jobs or education, etc. Seriously, all of you, take a minute to realize what it is to be American and be thankful for it!!
And I really haven't taken any pictures since my last blog...so here is a picture of some flamingos! Its hard to be unhappy while looking at flamingos.
posted by Molly Jo @ 4:40 AM
7 Comments:
Molly, just tell people wyoming is north of Colorado and they will understand. :)
Also being from Colorado, I will second the suggestion. :)
Looking forward to having you home.
Love you....
I love flamingos. But after being in Japan, I sort of hate America for infiltrating every other country and forcing them to abandon their own ways of life to be more like us. Or at least for making them all think we are so great. And I usually just say I am from America, too. Most of them know about the Rocky Mountains, though, so Wyoming is not so tough for them.
Jessie- I thought that when I first went abroad too, but America has never forced its culture on other developed nations or made them abandon anything. They all have been willing contributors. For example, French music has been trying to infiltrate America for years with no success. They CHOOSE to buy our music and movies. No one makes them. But, we should so discuss this when we both get home.
Molly, you beat me to it. What is this, "infiltrating every other country and forcing them to abandon their own ways of life to be more like us. Or at least for making them all think we are so great"
If you hate America maybe you should stay where you are :) But I doubt that cause you will be wanting to come back to the greatest country in the world. How does this mind control work?
Wow...this is why I never express my opinion.
But I was just looking at Japan and, because there is a history professor here with us, I learn about how and when they become Americanized. And I guess we don't force it on them, or make them think we are great or whatever, but that our ways of living became integrated into theirs only after we came to visit, and I think something could have been done to better preserve the traditional, pre WWII Japanese culture. I guess.
And I love America for the most part. At least more than other countries I have been to or learned about.
Now, now, no ugliness on my blog. Jessie, you should totally express your opinion. I think it is all very interesting...we should have a big discussion about it when we get back. That is awesome Selby! I wish I could have come, but I have been uber busy wrapping stuff up in Tours.
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