TGIF...really

so, today is Friday and what better way to celebrate than by going to T.G.I.Friday's? there is one here and it was quite an experience. my excited friend took me there to step back into the Western world. here you can see the outside of it! pretty snazzy, aye?

i had to laugh when we got up to the entrance and ladies with huge smiles opened the doors for us and welcomed us into the fine establishment. we were given english/french menus and had quite a time. i had a chicken finger BLT (with real bacon), fries, and a strawberry lemonade. for dessert, we split an oreo sandwich ice cream dessert. we even got to see some flair! it was fun and kind of odd at the same time--just being amongst locals that were relatively westernized. a much different neighborhood than ours.

so, onto this past week's exciting cultural revelations:

• it is best to just look straight ahead and to not make eye contact
• there are Wrangler jeans here (which i guess could mean Wrangler rear ends:)
• bread is a sacred thing here
• as is water
• the first car at a stoplight really doesn't have to worry themselves with watching for the light to change as all cars behind him/her will honk profusely to let them know that the light has changed to green
• sometimes the stoplights have no authority over traffic
• that kids on rollerblades love to grab ahold of bumpers to catch free rides up hills
• the locals don't like the diesel fumes much either
• the more bees surrounding a sweets shop, the sweeter their pastries (this is quite a compliment)

today i realized just how content i am...being here, right now and still so thankful to be here learning the language, about the people and about the culture. i have been suprised i think in some ways how things that would plague my heart and mind in the States haven't even been much of a thought or heartbreak here. i really can't imagine being anywhere else. and wow--does that make me joyful. don't get me wrong, life is different and has its own set of challenges, but i am taking them one day at a time.

so, TGIF, cause i am going to play a game (maybe scrabble!) with my friend. :) until next time...