en français...

Something amazing happened....I got to speak French at work!

I have 6 years of French education...I took it for 3 years in HS and also minored in it at Ferris, but I have never gotten to use it.  I have actually been kinda depressed about this useless knowledge that I paid for, but I finally got to put it to semi-good use!

This tour group from France came to the restaurant where I work a few weeks ago and I did not even know that they were French until they were already ordered and waiting for food. Funny story there--a majority of the tourists in the group have some sort of disability so one person orders for them all.  When they visited a few weeks ago, they all ordered "Coca" so the server made 13 hot chocolates...nope, they wanted COCA COLA! Anyway...this is where my French knowledge would have came into play.

This time, I knew in advance that the group was coming.  It was pouring rain out and they were so happy to be at the restaurant they were not even trying to speak English.  A lady rushes in and says..
              "une serviette afjkhfkahgakjgha s'il vous plait".  
I was confused as to why she was asking
                             ...so I said, "pourqoi?" (why)...
and she said, "ahkjhgoiahgalkjgahg une serviette"...

So, I told the server to get her some napkins.  The customer was OVERJOYED that I "knew" what she said and the server went running to the owner to proclaim this new-found knowledge that Jaci know how to speak French!

I managed to say a few more simple saying..."Ah, oui d'accord" (Ah, yes, ok) and "Oui, je parle francais un peu"....little do they know that I really speak A LITTLE French!  Oh well, made those classes seem worth it.

Au revoir!

we are locals.

I am starting to feel more comfortable in our new settings.

• I have a job--working close to full-time right now and training for hostess and server so I can work as many hours as possible! 
• I started volunteering today at the local United Way.  I am working at their front desk on days that they need a replacement and when I have time.  I am hoping to meet new people and possibly open more doors in the future.
• I have some friends...none that I have hung out with outside of work or the gym...but people who recognize me and know me by name, which is a huge comfort.
• We have gone to all the local grocery stores and scoped out best prices! This is big for me because when we moved from the UP, I didn't know there were actually options of places to shop for groceries!
• I have successfully (to my knowledge) given directions to 3 customers at work! Wooohooo!

In addition to settling in more, we also had two guests this month already!  My sister came for a week and my friend, Joslyn, came for a few days on her way to NC.  It was exhausting because we normally sit around and do not do much or go with the flow and try not to have plans....but it was SOOOO worth it.  I already miss them so much because it was just nice to show someone around and do daily things with.  

From now until Christmas, we have something big going on/someone to see every couple of weeks--including a trip to Europe...no big deal!  So I have lots of little countdowns in my head and will not be able to get lonely with so much stuff going on!

birthday!

It has been awhile since I last wrote...mostly because I have been doing the same thing day in and day out.  It is starting to get a little old, but it is all about to change! I got a job at a locally owned restaurant on Wednesday.  I am starting out hostessing but will be cross training for waitress, so I am super excited! It is obviously not something that has to do with either of my two degrees, but for right now I need something to do and we could use a little extra money.  I start tonight!
Another plus side is that Ryan and I will have something to talk about.  We have gotten into quite a lazy routine after he gets off work..especially with the Olympics on.  I am hoping that working a few day shifts and night shifts a week will break up the monotony.

Anyway...
Yesterday was my birthday and it ended up being a great day.  Ryan worked 16 hours the day before and still had to go into work on my birthday so I started the day off normally.  I watched some Boy Meets World, which makes any day good (I am watching it right now too haha), and went to the gym.  Then I started to get sooooo glum! It was my first birthday ever without family or friends or in Michigan. Normally, random  people are telling me "Happy Birthday" and all that extra attention stuff...but not this year :(

I was so sad...until Ryan came home early from work with sunflowers for me! He also bought a bunch of food to make a surprise dinner! Then two packages came from my mom...she got me some of my favorite candies and  a little planter with oregano, parsley, rosemary, and sage planted! Now, I have my own little garden.  Ryan and I went to go explore a local park.  We stopped at a cupcake shop and it started to down pour! So we hid in a bar until the rain let up and decided to go back home.  He made me a delicious dinner of scallops and lobster tail (!!!!) and then we tried to go swimming at our apartment's pool.  It was closed early! So, we watched tv and hung out all night.

So many little things happened that made it a good day overall.  I am so thankful for everything I do have, but days like that make you realize how much more family and friends mean.

Now, I am 23! Only 2 more years to check some things off my to-do list...and to get cheaper insurance!