Small successes

It's always good to count every success in life no matter how small. My latest was simply mastering the chopsticks and not while eating (I got that down). They have mastered my hair (a.k.a. "the beast"). If you are looking at the photos and asking yourself: Are those chopsticks really holding Nia's hair? The answer is yes! They are still in my hair while writing this post. Miraculously they are still together. I can only imagine them breaking apart because "the beast" has an incredible strength, don't ask me where it came from. Honestly, I really don't work out that much. I have always wanted to wear chopsticks in my hair. So this has nothing to do with France, but it happened in France. I don't want any disappointed readers so here is a side note... >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I am going to Vendee on Friday with a friend who is from there. I didn't know it was a region, I thought it was a city, which means I don't know exactly where I am going. A bunch of us will celebrate her 30th birthday with un grand fête. Le thême est autour le monde. I find this very ironic, therefore I look forward to participating.

Another success that I almost forgot to mention. This is for the spiritually minded but all can appreciate this. I prayed out loud twice during church. Normally everyone has the opportunity and I had the faith to prayer a scripture and say a few words. This scared me and made me shake, but it was so exhilarating to do because I know God helped me say the words. I know I have an accent but the success is being understood. A pat on the back for me. Trying new things is so exciting no matter where you are, especially doing the things that scare you. It's almost like we are meant to do them just to prove that fear cannot control us. ¡Caution! Use distinction because not everything is meant to be done, especially when people or animals may be harmed.

That's all for this week. The chopsticks are still holding so I will have to manually remove them.
Bises!

Un hérisson

Un hérisson (distant shot)

I have to begin this story with an image. There is always a good opportunity for a photo to tell the story instead of the storyteller. If the story is boring, at least, you get to see an interesting photo. I hope one or both facts are true in this case.

One day, I was in the garden and right before my eyes was a creature. I had only seen it in books, never in real life. I couldn't quite remember what it was called. I settled on porcupine because it had spikes. I watched the creature slowly walk from one side of our yard to the other. I noticed it was limping. It's leg was wounded, and I thought that maybe it had moved into our yard to seek refuge. Still I was in awe of the little creature that seemed to be kind and gentle (for a wild animal). I took the photos and then respected his privacy. I hoped that we would be friends, and that every now and then I would see him slowly roaming around. There is plenty to eat in our garden and I think life would be agreeable for any animal.

The next days went by fast and I forgot about our new neighbor. On the following Saturday, it was nice out so one of my housemates went to cut the grass. To his surprise he found the creature but not in the way I was hoping. All I remember was Annie, my other housemate, had said "Eric a tué un hérisson!" She was fleeing the scene with a disgusted looked on her face. From then on I realized that my friendship with the"porcupine" would not continue.

A few days after, I was reading a book with a little boy. The book had all kinds of animals and I found the creature. He wasn't a porcupine as I had thought, he was a hedgehog. Poor little hedgehog, he didn't have a chance living with us. I guess there is not safe place. I thought of a name for him, maybe it's my way of mourning. Mike. I would have called him Mike.

La Fin

Un hérisson (close up)