The Exchange, Day 17 “So, Camille, is there anything you won’t ride?” Drops, falls, spins and speeding roller coasters–you like the amusement park? “Bah oui!” he exclaims, happy with our activity choice for the day. “I do eet all.” But… Continue reading

The Exchange, last day I don’t know what to buy for him or with him to take home to France. Since he touched down, he has wanted to purchase a pair of Nike shoes with his $300 USD. Apparently there… Continue reading

The Exchange: Day 1-21 (an ongoing observation) Age and immaturity aside, we have another obstacle to communication. Perhaps you will have guessed it by now. It is so ironic I hesitate to say. It is Le Cell. Technically, Camille does… Continue reading

The Exchange: Day 15 As our time together winds to a close, I realize there are several phrases and pointers I’ve wanted to say to Camille, but lack the words to say them. Here, below, is a brief list of… Continue reading

The Exchange: Day 6 The larger difference, no surprise, is not the language barrier between a boy who does not speak English and a boy who does not speak French, but the world between the ages. Here, there are oceans… Continue reading

Day 3: The Joy of (not) Cooking Strange. I’ve been to the grocery store once with Will and once with Camille, and still we have nothing to eat in the house. With William, it was a preparation expedition, before Camille’s… Continue reading

The Exchange: Day 4 You know you’re a Burk when you’ve been in the country not three full days and you are awakened from a deep sleep by a woman holding a map in one hand and a note in… Continue reading

The Exchange: Day 2 As one would expect, it’s a little awkward when the boys meet. Two teenage boys, in a situation not of their making—one round-faced and ready for anything though it’s clear he doesn’t know what, and the… Continue reading

The Exchange: Day 1 For some reason at the Burk house, getting an exchange student from another country  always involves paint. Two years ago, when Anoukis came, I totally remember Sophie demanding that I finish painting the downstairs bathroom. Like,… Continue reading

William’s answer to the age-old question: “So…How was your day at School?” We’re seated at the kitchen table after a long day for both of us. He’s just gotten home from the gym and I’m trying to tidy the kitchen… Continue reading