le week-end

So what i've been learning that strikes are very common here. although the french have practically free schooling, because of all of the strikes going on right now they cannot hold class and therefore their schooling is prolonged. i was talking to violette about it and she said she was in class and a bunch of communist students came in and started yelling things and calling the teacher a fascist so they had to stop class! and yesterday she attempted to go to her class and there were tons of chairs put outside of the classroom and in front of the door so you couldn't enter. woah! you really learn the best and worst things about your own country. I responded by saying "well at least you don't have to pay for school" and she said, " yeah but i would rather pay knowing I would be getting something in return!" haha. yeah, the U.S. is also more official in their offices and important matters like that. The bureau for foreign students is a joke... they are very disorganized and illogical. i still don't know how many credits my french program is. all i know is it is at least 12. oh, but the funniest thing here is if there is an organized strike, the people on strike still get paid!!! ridiculous.

I also learned that France's social security is better than the U.S. because the money people pay for social security (money coming our of their check like taxes) is directly payed to retired people right then... our (U.S.) social security apparently is INVESTED and so when there are economic problems, it is not certain that the funds be there when we get older!!! yikes.

to believe or not believe:
this weekend i am visiting the family that i stayed with in Paris. they invited Chloe and I to come to their home in the southern countryside. when we were in Paris, the father jokingly invited us, saying we should come and trim olive branches. then he casually mentioned while we were eating that the wine we were drinking with the meal was from "their vineyard" so Chloe and i were floored. because when you're filtering through the French language, sometimes you have to think twice. "wait, did he just say they owned a vineyard and an oliverie???" Alyssa thought to herself, shocked but silent. the answer is yes. they do. and i am staying there for the weekend and trimming trees! i'm hoping the weather will be nice! i'll get to meet their other daughter who i haven't met yet. apparently she goes to Oxford in London... i'll let you know how it goes!

haha. i like this little video. someday i want a videocam and make fun little videos.