Shine on my world

So I am stumped for subjects to write on and have not had any interesting encounters in the past several weeks. The scene has been the same - in the mode of figuring out everything one by one. As I was going through my Outbox, I opened an e-mail, one of my first e-letters that I sent out within days of my landing in France. I noticed how descriptive and yet how concise my letter was - it had a lot of facts that I want to record (perhaps it might benefit a newcomer in future?). So here goes.....

Dear Tina chechi,

As odd as this may seem, this is perhaps the first e-mail ever that I have written to you !! How the situation has forced me to pen down lines that I could quite easily share with you over the phone !!!! I meant to keep calling you yesterday, but i got tired trying. I was using magic jack to talk to you, but the connection is just plain terrible. I miss you already !

Its been a tough couple of days since our arrival. Part of the problem is the language barrier. And generally speaking the French are very fast in everything they do. So it makes it twice as hard. T and I have been getting on each others nerves occasionally. We try to have fun too, as much as it is exasperating to find our way around. We have had our share of laughs already saying all the wrong things at the wrong times...yes all in French !! :)

The french are pretty crazy drivers. We get honked at quite religiously - we are slow to react most of the time, and its quite dangerous.

Am really glad that you visited us chech....very happy actually....i've taken that memory with me to france.

Ever since I arrived here, I have been rather homesick. Anglophones are so few. Today, I painfully realised that there might not be an English church in Avignon and the closest is possibly 1-2 hours away from where we are.

Also, its almost mandatory to know how to drive a stick shift ! Automatics are expensive and rare to come by. We have started car shopping, general household item shopping - and with a very short list you can arrive at fairly large sums of money!!! things are generally very expensive here. We have been told that there are only a handful of French who make a decent income - yet they wine and dine quite lavishly. We have grown to realise that they dont like to compromise on food and drinks. But they live rather frugally when it comes to other aspects.

So many things to learn and very little patience. You know me ! I am always in a hurry. I get tired and feel like im always losing the battle !

But I believe God has a purpose - im holding onto that hope. Im a little upset (Actually quite a lot), that there hardly anything much that is familiar. Everything is in French !!! Its been almost 2 weeks since we watched any TV. And when we thought we had time to relax, there are 2 news channels in English !!! Even googling in English has become a pain. The internet automatically goes to the French version of Google.

T seems a lot more pleasant dealing with the situation - he takes his time. I have been trying to put a pleasant front, but I really miss what I got used to ! Its quite lonely for me and I am hopeful that situation will change once I join university for french lessons - which of course is only in September.

I am grateful that God is providing for all our needs, but am yet to understand why He is throwing so many challenges one after another !! Please pray for us....so that we may transition smoothly into the French system.

Hope you all are doing well. I will try and call when magic jack seems a little more forgiving !!

Do write back when you get a chance. I will update you as and when I can. Love to achach and the kids !

Hugs A

I no longer think of the French as crazy drivers. They are just very driven and spirited people - driven towards enjoying their lives! My husband is turning out to be one himself. I have figured out a way to get onto Google (english), just type www.google.us. Thanks to an acquaintance, I have made arrangements to join an immersion program - inorder to transition smoothly. I no longer feel lonely - I love the garden in the apartment complex and a handsome tabby who has hunter instincts - what a sight ! He is so entertaining. I love the daily walks I make to and fro the Palais de pape. I love the squares in the city centre and the thick crowds of people who make it so lively - did I forget to mention that the festival season is around and the city is thronging with tourists from all parts of the world!

I am so grateful to the Lord for giving me bountiful opportunities to experience different things. I have become more appreciative of just about everything. Its so awesome to be able to live in the moment. I have progressed and gained so much since that first letter. Its no longer a flicker that I see at the end of the tunnel - its shining bright !

And so my journey continues.....lets hope it will shine on.....and on and on