I'm A Schmuck, I wake up late

So my first weekend in Paris! Saturday I woke myself up and got ahold of Cody. We went to the chapel with Vinny' corps. He wanted to go and I was impressed withthe fact that I remembered the correct metro station and found it very easily. we arrived just past noon and there was mass at 1230 so we stayed. i figure it counted for sunday, even if it was before five. it was bizarre going to mass in french, just also strangely familiar. because i know what words should be said, it's easier to pick up on the french. what was frustrating was not knowing what to respond with . i have never been more glad that mme smith had us memorize the our father en francais in high school. being able to participate in such a communal part of mass in the right language felt good. we didnt really go to the mother house, but found some quick lunch before cody had to head back to get ready for his uber late bday celebration.
i came home and napped. i was feeling not in the mood to really go out and initially declined to go to oberkampf but when margaux said she was meeting people at champs-elysees i made myself go. i have never been to champs-elysees and decided to push myself. we met some people from her school, jasper and katie. we mostly just walked around for a few hours, and that was fine with me. it was nice just kind of walking talking and people watching. one french guy did try an dkeep talking to us and it was relatively creepy. i never felt threatened but didnt really want to keep talking to him and we finally managed to walk away. but he was definitely a creeper. (dad if you're reading this, don't freak out. it was not a big deal).
i made hte mistake of staying up late once i got home and then margaux had to wake me up this morning in time for lunch. our host parents two kids came for lunch, and the oldest is married with a 2 year old and another on the way. the 2 yr olds name is Sixteen ( though i think they may spell it sixtine). she. is. so. damn. cute. i want to pinch her chubby little cheeks. though rarely 20 minutes after i wake up am i handed a glass of champagne and freshly cooked shrimps. it was really good, and i suppose, very french. lunch was some kind of tasty pot roasty thing, with meet and carrotts and rice. and of course! after all comes cheese and bread ( i went for hte roquefort. dad you'd flip, its SOOOO good). and then the cafe. margaux and i didnt do much chatting but i enjoyed just watching the very pleasant family dynamic and just trying to listen to the conversatoin and not catching all of it but enough ehre and there to kind of follow. the discussion of tv and movies later was fun to listen to. according to charles, their son, Dexter est 'geniale' as is Vicky Cristina Barcelona. it makes me laugh to see giant 'affiches' for Dexter in the metro stations all the time. Dad you're least favorite show for your kids to watch is very popular here! All in all, a very pleasant morning.
I think I may just take a long walk later. I have a pass for the carres rouges, or buses that take a tour through the big touristy sites, but the tourist mood hasn't struck me yet. im still feeling very low key, and i haven't really explored neuilly-sur-seine yet. im going to take my second shower though and see if i can master that damn shower head hose thingy that bested me last time!
a bien tot!

Hélène

(val - helen and ellen are pronounced hte same here. thought you'd like to know!)