Update

Life is pretty great over here. I'm speaking fluently now. It's such a great feeling of accomplishment to realize how much progress I've made in the pas six months. I've learned an entire language and culture, thrown myself into some pretty uncomfortable situations, lived with people I've never met, learned a lot about myself, and really matured and realized who I am here. I've learned my limits, as well as what amazing things I can do. I've also learned to take risks, and have discovered many things about the world and people in general. I am no longer the shy and immature sixteen year old I was when I arrived.
Another thing I have recently come to realize is how difficult this experience has truly been. You don't realize how hard it is until it has already happened. It was pretty easy for me if you compare my experience to some other people's (I was really lucky with my host family and to be in a town with so many other exchange students), but living in a country and not speaking the language is extremely challenging at times.
But all in all, this is an experience that I wouldn't change. I have not thought once this year "I want to go home". It's sad that only have four months left but there are a lot of amazing things I can still do! So I'm staying positive and taking full advantage of each day I have left.

Here are a few pictures of what I have been up to in the past month.

This photo has a pretty interesting story actually. So in Châtellerault there are these giant chimneys and there is a platform and stairs where you can go up to the top. Unfortunately it's blocked off but one day after school Constant, Kristine, and I were hanging out in town and were kind of bored so we decided to sneak up. I wish we could have stayed for longer! It was really amazing up there. 

Saying goodbye to the semester kids :'(

Pictures from a weekend in Poitiers:

Pili, Jakob, and me 

All of the year and first semester kids

Pili, Jakob, and Elizabete

The day it snowed in Châtellerault! 

My cat Samba (don't be deceived by the cuteness of this photo. he is actually evil.)

Two of my best friends, Jakob and Maynard (new Australian who's here for the semester)

Pili, Olof, and Shao Linn

Stormie and Kristine

Karolina and Clara

During the February vacation my host parents and I went to Norway. We visited Oslo, Lillehammer, and Tromso. It was amazing and so beautiful! We went dog sledding, saw the north lights, tried cross country skiing, and even ate reindeer (weird). Here are some photos I took:

My wonderful host parents!

Olympic park in Lillehammer

The opera in Oslo.

Well that about wraps it up. Things couldn't be going better! The weather has finally been getting nicer here, after four months of rain and cold. It crazy how the sun can change everything. When it's sunny and warm I am significantly happier. I can even walk to school now, which is a great way to start the day.
I must say, the second half of exchange is definitely better than the first; you have friends, you get invited to do more things, you discover all of the cool things about where you are, you can travel, and you can actually speak and communicate. I'm so happy that I still have four months left of the best half.