Some days, I'm really proud of myself

In a totally selfish way, today is one of those days. I am proud of me. (Even though I look like a pregnant lady this month... by the way I'm working on that every day. Hardly any sugars consumed today!)

It all started at 7 a.m. with my roommate running into the kitchen this morning, shrieking like a little girl, laughing and HUGGING ME!! A couple of things to consider: French people DO NOT give hugs. She is 30-something, I still haven't figured out exactly how old, but I'm guessing in between 32 and 35 (the age of her older brother).

Why was she acting like a crazy person??? Because I decorated the house in Christmas festiveness and paper snowflakes. Her boyfriend thought I actually bought a mini Christmas tree, but in reality I just hung ornaments and bows on our little tree plant in the living room.

Then at 8:30 this morning, one teacher stopped me up the stairs to her class. She said, "I just wanted to congratulate you on the way you've been teaching the class."

That means a lot. Apparently all the teachers think I have a natural authority (wow, I'd never have guessed that from how rowdy the kids are, but I guess I don't get upset with them and handle it well or something). But then again, she told me the assistant last year would show an English movie and then talk on the phone with her boyfriend or family for 30 minutes. She ended up leaving in April, even though our contract is supposed to go until June. Whatever.

But the best thing to happen to me today...... I RECEIVED MY FRENCH SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER!!!!!!!! So I suppose that means I can go fill out the form to receive government assistance for housing (MEANING France pays half of my rent), and I'll have my medical insurance card coming very, very soon. My paperwork's almost completely done here!!!

And I'm now 100 percent legally in France. It's about freakin' time!

26 More Days Until France BANS Indoor Smoking! :)

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19 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS IN FRANCE!!