Life is good

Tumata and I on the island tour (Saturday).

I just came back inside from spending a couple of p.m. hours on the beach, and I haven't quite been this content since I spent the semester in D.C. Though I miss my family and friends back home, I have a wonderful host and friend, Tumata, who makes me feel at home here in Tahiti.

It's going on week three of studying abroad, and I have my good days and not-so-good days. A good day consists of feeling like I fit in at UPF; I recognize other students I have met and do the official Tahitian greeting of side-cheek kissing.

Seven Simpson students and the four Tahitian students that studied at Simpson last semester.

Thursday I ate lunch with another student in the program, and she had to leave shortly after I joined the group. Not knowing anyone or able to speak the language, we were able to communicate through the little English they know and what little French I know, and it sufficed! They invited me, and a couple other Simpson students they have met, to spend a weekend with them on Moorea, the closest island to island, over holiday break. Hopefully it works out that I can spend my last weekend of break on the other island since Mom and Casey are visiting for the first half!

But still, the most frustrating part of this experience is the language barrier, because my French is so limited. For those who know me, I love to laugh, and nothing stings worse than listening in on a conversation and A. not understanding the conversation and B. not understanding the joke or comical comments being shared. Aw. Frustrating, but I will work through it, and hopefully by the end of the semester I will be able to understand!

Tomorrow it is an island tour with the other Simpson students!