Ma Famille D'Accueil

So my last blog was a bit of a shout-out to my family at home. This time I am in full appreciation of my host family. This weekend has been great here at Chez Debillon. I suppose a quick run down of the family members wouldn't hurt.

Mme Debillon (Isobel) - the mother of my host family she is a part time nurse and all around superwoman...she gets so much done in a day its unbelievable

M Debillon (Thierry) - the dad of my host family, he is a full time doctor at the hospital 15 minutes from the house. He works a lot, likes to drink whiskey and eat cheese. He also does an absolutely dead-on impression of Chanel (the family's dog).

Marion - the eldest of the Debillon children she is my age and currently doing an internship in Lyon. She speaks English really well and I really get along with her.

Pierre-Antoine - By far the most mysterious of the 4 kids. He goes to school in Bordeaux and has only been home for two weekends since I've lived here. He is I think around 20 ish and he has the whole "I'm so cool I pop the collars of my polo t shirts" thing going on for him.

Emmanuelle - She is 17 years old and I share the 3rd floor with her. Whenever she does impressions of people she lisps. It is hilarious! She likes to do theatre, she recently fell off her bike, and I am pretty sure she is in a pseudo-relationship with Charles-Eric, the host-brother of my friend Elaine.

Sophie - The youngest Debillon is 16 years old and currently having a bit of a tough time with her highschool math course. She is the fastest eater I have ever met and could probably do some serious damage if she entered a competition.

Chanel - last but not least the lovable golden retriever...named for...yes you guessed it. Coco Chanel. She is really a happy dog but was recently diagnosed as being fat by the vet. Poor thing is on a diet now and as my host mom says "Son regime, c'est tres dur, elle est toujours faim!"

Right now we have a petit addendum to the family in the form of my host dad's parents. Mami and Papi are visiting for the weekend since it is Mami's birthday. She got an orchid from the family as a gift and gave bisous (the little french cheek kisses) to everyone. We had 9 people for aperatif and dinner. We had a range of dinner topics which was only interrupted once by Sophie who burst into tears when talking about her math class. A serious discussion on China and the Chinese language, and minimal joking about Chanel's weight issue, which has been a constant joke since the vet visit.

Mami has deemed me "toujours propre" because I have been cross stitching a present for my nephew Corbin recently, so for two nights in a row after dinner I have taken out my cross stitching. Apparently I have failed to live up to the university age party image. Quel dommage!

More to come later because tonight is daylight savings and we have mass in the morning. Which will be my first french mass ever since I think we are only going because the grandparents are here.

xxx