Quinze Jours

Good evening!

In French class, a couple of weeks ago, we learnt that the expression "quinze jours" (fifteen days) translates to two weeks from French to English.  Maybe it's a French thing, go figure.  Anyhow, there's not major news going on now.  However, if I'm going to try to keep reader interest, I should update.

Two weeks, yes.  I'm anxious.  If you've read my last posts, you'd know that I was notified my full application was sent to France on March 18, 2011.  I was told there'd be a 4-6 week wait before I found out any information.  Well, fast forward 4 weeks and now there's only two weeks left of wait.  That is, unless I get that info sooner, which in all cases would be superb.  Hence, the title of this post is an expression of "two weeks" in French.  The waiting is killing me.

My friend, Florence, (frequently mentioned) texted me yesterday that she has been officially accepted by AFS-Germany!  That being great news, I am truly happy for her as she now awaits even more information such as a host family. She also finally has that donation widget on her blog.  If you'd like to help either of us reach our goals, you may do so freely by donating directly to either of our separate tuitions through the PayPal widgets (no account required; Click here for more information about donating and the "ChipIn" widget!). :D Now, Florence's news also rendered me to ache for any new information regarding my application status.  I feel like somehow channeling a message telepathically to AFS-France requesting "Pick me!  Pick me!  Come on, I'm not that bad!"  Although I do yearn for acceptance, I also confide that AFS is doing its best to match me to a prospective host family.

Alas, keeping on the small amount of news to tell, there has been major visual news.  The blog has been completely redesigned.   Unless, you've really been keeping up-to-date with my posts, the blog sports a new look since my last post.  I've been working on it for the past week.  I shall continue to tweak it for improvement (such as the blog description being quite hard to read with the photo background).  Here are the changes I've done thus far to the blog:

1. The background has changed to something more French-inspired.  (Although, I probably will replace it with yet another image eventually.)
2. There are now two side-columns to make it more visually appealing and an overall simpler interface.
3. Colour has been added!  I find it more aesthetically pleasing, without it being distracting.
4. Fonts have been changed for customization.
5. "ShareThis" buttons have been added to make sharing a snap by using popular means, such as Facebook and Twitter.  However, fear not readers.  Should you not have either of these services, or if you simply prefer another, there are a myriad of means you can share my blog by simply clicking on the first green icon.  Some services include Email, Tumblr, AIM, MSN Messenger, etc. 
6. The "Sponsor Roll" was added to spotlight all of my generous sponsors who were able to donate anything they possibly could.  All thankfully appreciated, of course. (=
7. Google Translate!  Yes, you can now translate my blog into any language of your choosing, (availability subject to Google).  However, please note: the translations are not perfect at all.  I've tested it out myself by translation to Spanish, and it's certainly an awkward read.  My conclusion is that my style of writing in English implements idiomatic expressions and phrasing which don't translate well into other languages.  Be that as it may, foreigners are still able to get the main idea of my blog and posts, which is the most important. 
8. There is now an image behind my blog's title and description.  It was supplied to me by one of my French contacts as he spelt out my name in mushrooms. I really liked it and decided to use it here. 

With that,  those are all the major changes I've done to my blog.  Last bit of information, the job hunt continues.  I have yet to land anything which is disappointing, to say the least.  Hopefully, something pops up. I need it.

Well, by my next post, I plan to inform you on my ultimate application status on whether or not I have been given the final acceptance into AFS-France.  I remember, I ended one of my earliest posts awaiting an AFS brochure by regular mail.  I find it somehow funny that now I'm awaiting an email from AFS regarding my application status in France.

Until then, I shall be abusing that refresh button in aspiration that with one of them I'll receive that informative, long-awaited email

– Gello