Dear AFS,

When I made this blog, you had me send you a link, so I figure an AFSer is reading this. I'm going to set the tone of this note as not in the least bit complainy: As I've said before, this is an incredible opportunity I'm more than fortunate, and happy, to be a part of. That being said, I have to bring this up:
You're kind of giving me some mixed signals here. It seemed that a key theme was going to be the complete cultural submersion and becoming a member of a French family, and while that's generally what's going on I seem to be a little put off by all these events. Now, I know they're not obligatory (in that you're not the one making me go), and I do enjoy them, it just makes me feel like a tourist all over again. There's an overwhelming urge to speak English, and I feel alienated from the general French cultural I'm supposed to be bathing in.
I don't really know why I said all this, but I suppose I adopted this as a personal blog above being a France journal, and I'm bound to discuss things on my mind. I do look forward to tomorrow night's dinner, I did enjoy last week's balade and I assume I'll be at the next. It was great meeting all the other AFSers in the program too, and the energy and atmosphere is always positive.
Again, I have to admit my point is moot in that you're not the ones making me go, so don't let this be at all accusatory.

And just because I've already started one blog, might as well throw in some more thoughts: It's unfortunate that American culture has put it's fingers into everything. This is actually the main reason why I've been feeling deprived of a nice soapy soak in the bath of French culture. Whether it's some of the games that are still in English with French subtitles and text, or the American TV shows, the music in English filling the radio, the billboards and advertisements that use English slogans. I've always thought a familial world culture would be beneficial in the whole "world community" vibe, but I feel almost disgusted by hailing from the main catalyst of this movement. I suppose there's always things the receiving culture will reject, allowing a customization of the influx of all things alien, but it's by no means a stopper in the bottle - the bottle that is the delicious syrup I enjoy on my crepes. And where is that syrup from? Well, Canada, actually, but...it's close enough I guess. Terrible analogy, sorry.

Really needs to sleep before his babble becomes too incoherent,
Taylor en France