Petit Bois

So I’m here at Petit Bois! This time I’m a daily life counselor (DL), which means I’m responsible for dorm life of the kids—wakeup, bedtime, brushing teeth, showers, etc. And all DLs are French or French-speaking which is fun, so I get to talk to the kids in French if need be (and since I’m with kids this session—8 to 12 yrs old—a substantial amount of French is needed since their English isn’t that good. The kids are ADORABLE. Like for real. We’re all freaking out since almost no counselors have been with kids (as opposed to teens) before. This one boy, named Microraptor, is super tiny and soooo cute. Full head of dark hair, big eyes, long eyelashes, really short and so cute. He came with tons of toys and books and stuff that had to be confiscated at “customs” upon arrival, and they had to bring me over to explain to him in French why we had to take it all and that he could play with it all during free time each day.

Last night a little bit after lights out, he came out of his room crying saying “Ma maman…ma maman” (My mom, my mom). I wanted to cry, laugh and hug him all at the same time due to the cuteness of it. So I took him back into his bed and just talked to him for 15 or so minutes. We talked about the day and the schedule for the following day. He said at one point he was particularly “scared” of Valentine’s Day because he doesn’t know how to dance. I told him that V-Day is actually my favourite day of camp (that might actually be true). He asked why and I told him about going to the pool that day (which he realized was why he needed to bring his bathing suit), about the special dinner we have that night, and then about the dance, yet still assuring him that not everyone dances and that you learn dances during the day so you’re prepared for the dance. Turns out though that he knows a techno and hip-hop dance though? And his sister’s a dancer so sounds like he’ll be just fine! When I was leaving and turned out the bathroom light, he said “I can’t sleep without any light.” SO cute right?? So I turned it back on and closed the bathroom door most of the way and said goodnight, sweet dreams, sleep well. !!!

Another funny thing is that everyone vouvoyer’s me…in that they address me using “vous” (the formal way of speaking that you use with adults or in stores) rather than “tu”(what kids/students use with each other and what adults use when speaking to kids). They also always address me by saying “Monsieur” (mister or sir)…not even using my name Peanut Butter! Hahaha. Gotta say I feel pretty bad ass commanding that respect from them lol.

Otherwise camp is good! Had a nice day off…went into Montluçon with two other people. Walked around for a while, got super good ice cream (really good dark chocolate and really good pear, both with pieces in it), and then we saw Harry Potter!!! En français! It was really good and neat to see in French! Got ready for camp yesterday, kids got here, it all has gone well so far! Bed time isn’t that big of a deal at all. It’s quite nice having the youngest group of kids since bedtime is at 10 pm rather than 11 or later like with older kids. So the night is over for us DLs much earlier! I’ve started writing down funny quotes that kids say like the ones mentioned above (Ma maman, etc) just so I remember them because they’re so adorably funny.

And food. Food here is great, especially compared to Aze!! Last night when everyone had hamburgers, Marie-Paul (owner of the chateau and server at dinner) brought out a platter of hamburgers for family’s table (family = Aladdin) and on it instead of a 10th hamburger was this toasted baguette sandwich with brie, tomatoes and a fried egg. SOOOOOOO good! And then I added the hamburger fixings that were on the table. So yummy! Super good salad before that with an actual dressing rather than the same bottled stuff that you get at Aze day after day after day. And the lettuce was cut up and the dressing had tiny chopped onions and tomatoes too! And good cheese, good dessert (delicious homemade peach cake today)…feels like I’m in France again!

Hope all’s well with yall in Chattanooga, Aze, wherever you may be!

Love,Peanut Butter