Juliette

In July, we had the chance to have a foreign exchange student from France come to live with us for about 3 weeks.  It was a GREAT experience and we are looking forward to doing it again.  We're hoping that Juliette will come to stay with us again.  We loved having her with us and had so many fun experiences!  She had a tutorial class during the day (9:00-4:00) where she would study English and then in the evenings and weekends, we got to show her "Californie".

Juliette, enjoying a helmet sundae at the Rivercats game

We went to Santa Cruz and went camping.  Juliette brought her friend, Aude with her and we all had a great time.

Santa Cruz-Big Dipper.  Juliette's face is classic!

 

 

On the Pirate Ship

 

 

 

 

 

At Old Sac

 

 

At the State Fair-  This picture cracks me up because Aaron's mom said she just had to take her picture inside the Mona Lisa.  Juliette didn't want to and I was dying laughing as Karen put her in the frame and pulled her hair through the face opening.  Hilarious!!

 

On the California Bear at the State Fair

 

I knew we would be showing Juliette California (she had already been to New York) but we ended up learning a ton about France too.  While there were a lot of things that I learned that I really liked about the French culture, I really came to appreciate living in America too.

 

Top Reasons I am no longer moving to Paris, France:

 

1. The popcorn at their movies or in general is sweet like kettle corn.  They don't have buttered popcorn.
2. They only have plain oreos.  (No mint, double-stuffed, etc.)
3. They don't have dipped cones!!
4. Rocky Road ice cream is not a flavor there.
5. They always dress nicely there.  No one ever goes out of the house in sweats or yoga pants (I live in yoga pants)
6. Their clothing, food, and just everything is more expensive.  They do not have outlet stores.
7. Their divorce rate is higher.  Juliette told me that one of the reasons for this is that both spouses work so much harder and they're stressed. They have longer work hours but they get more vacation time.
8. From what I understand, there are less ice cream places, less variety, and less flavors.
9. There are less restaurants and fast food chains.
10. I don't think you can get away with a bun or "messy hairdo".  You always have to do your hair nice and look chic.  That's why the French are so classy!  We are so much more relaxed here, but I like it!