Je ne parle pas français...

I have a blank blog page in front of me, and fresh template for my life, and yet I have no idea how to start or what to say.

It might be a cliché, but what better place than to start at the beginning?

Here I am in Grenoble, France, a small city on the edge of the French Alps.  Or not... I created this blog title before I learned that I'm not actually in the Alps.  At least I got the au pair part right!  I find that I keep staring off into space, especially out the window at dramatic mountains that fill my vision, no matter where I look. 

This is a picture of me, at my desk.  Currently, I don't have a camera (I know, strange to travel to another country without one, huh?), but the plan is to steal my the pictures from my very talented boyfriend, Mathieu, and pretend that they're my own (just kidding, I will give him all the credit!!)

I only arrived to the family's apartment yesterday afternoon (so just over a day ago), but already I feel very welcome.  They have a very nice place, and they treat me very well.  Last night I was spoiled on a good 20-year-old wine, local cheese and real Belgium chocolate.  Gourmet, no?

As I stated in my title, I don't speak French.  I can put together a few phrases, sure, but I feel a little daft when someone tries to talk to me and I just stare at them, with a half smile on my face so I don't come across as mean as well as stupid.  No one has been rude to me about my heritage or language barrier; if anything, the French are more understanding of my differences than Americans are!

I'm excited to see what the week, month, season, year has in store for me!  It's just the beginning, and yet I already feel both settled and unsettled by what I've seen.  After this blog post, I'll focus more on specific topics... and believe me, I have plenty in store for you!

Au revoir, et a bientôt! :)