Getting Settled

Im finally getting into a routine with school starting, and in my host family. Each day, I start to feel a little more at home, and a little less like a guest. It is hard merging into a new culture and family at the same time. While it has been a great experience, and I would suggest a home stay to anyone planning to study abroad; it is not the most easy task to walk into a home, knowing you will be living there for an extended period. I really like my host parents alot; they are very laid back, and let me do as I please. They do correct my French, which is good. I never realized how much I did not know until I lived with people! My host mother and I had a difficult time communicating about something as simple as laundry today; last night she hung up my garments to dry, and this morning they were not quite dry. I went out for a run today, and I wanted to express to her that I did not forget my laundry, nor expect her to. I essentially wanted to say that it was still drying, and I would get it when I returned. I did not know how exactly to say this in French, and she did not quite understand my English version. Eventually, with the use of hand gestures, I was able to talk to her. I know that as the semester progresses, I will learn more French, but I have a feeling this was one of the first of many awkward language sitations.