football, cheese and knitting...a perfect weekend!

Lille Metropole Stadium...Go Lille! Before the Gala....

Marjorie, Malika and Me!

My internet is finally up and running! I feel like I'm housecleaning...sending off e-mails, updating pictures and the blog, it feels nice to be part of normal society once more!

The past week has been extremely busy, I have so many stories! I received my first package from home on February 15th (Thursday) which was a wonderful surprise! It was nice to get reminders of home (peanut butter!!!) and little notes of encouragement. Kleenex, neocitran...what more could a girl ask for?

That night was the Arts Faculty Gala so we all got dressed up and went to....drumroll....a second rate talent show!! Not what I had in mind from the word Gala...not to mention that all the "acts" sang English songs, it sounded as if they knew the words but not necessarily what the words meant! Red Hot Chili Peppers were butchered beyond words that night...but it was all part of the fun! Everything is certainly an experience here! We went out dancing afterwards which was a lot of fun...although I don't think I can dance in heels as often as some!

Friday night Raelene, Katie and I were fortunate to be invited to a Lille football match with a French student, Marjorie, her father, brother and her brother's girlfriend! WOW it rocked!! They are so passionate about the sport...I think they could give Oiler's fans a run for their money! Not to mention that they have dozens of football song and dances which the crowd sings non-stop....flags and confetti and scarfs...I want to go back soon!! Lille is 3rd in the European league and is playing Manchester United this week. We couldn't get tickets though, it was sold out a long time ago. We lost the game (we were playing the 1st place team) and I could literally feel the pain!!

Saturday night Katie, Malika and I and some other international students went to Marjorie's house for dinner. We had "Raclette," a French invention which involves mini pans, a small electic oven which sits on the table and various meats and cheeses and veggies to put in said pans. DELICIOUS is the only word that comes to mind...I love the French because of their love for cheese! After we were stuffed (Katie and I contributed Rice Krispie treats to the mix) we played the french version of Taboo boardgame, it was fun! We also played that game where you stick a famous person’s name to your forehead and try to guess it…except we HAD to speak French and the French people had to speak English! Good times!

Sunday was another successful knitting party…we made trifles with fresh market fruit and vanilla pudding…

This week I have just been trying to get ready for my big Berlin/Paris trip and doing homework to prepare for midterms. Wish me luck!