This post will be devoted exclusively to speaking French. Since arriving in Geneva, I've been very impressed with my ability to transition to French without really thinking about it. I can always make myself understood, even if I have to resort to sign language for vocabulary I don't know, and I'm able to carry on conversations for extended periods of time without losing steam. I also understand about 90% of French that is spoken to me or around me. I haven't struggled very much with the language and it makes me very confident in my ability to get around the city.

I also feel protective of the girls who don't know French very well and I try to help them a lot. There was a guy trying to hit on my roommate and I last night at an Irish pub and because I spoke French I was the one carrying on the conversation with him and telling him that no, we don't go there often and no, he can't have my number. Throughout the whole conversation I never once had to stop and think "Now what does that word mean again?" or "How do I do that grammar structure?" It all just came out on its own and I understood everything perfectly. The guy left us alone after I rejected him and we got home just fine :-).

It's the best feeling knowing that no matter the situation I can make myself understood without a problem. Now if only I could speak German so I could read all those food labels....