no autographs, please

I can't help but think that my new-found celebrity has something to do with the sudden appearance of a mailbox at my house. I mean, Nathalie only asked for it in June, I've asked, Laurence has asked, I've asked again... and the day after my now famous interview in the local paper, our request has finally been granted. It's quite fancy, with access from the front and the back. The swirl on the flap adds a bit of flair, don't you think? Really, I think I got the mailbox this week because I was complaining about the situation at the France-USA club meeting on Wednesday. Little did I know that the woman seated across from me is a good friend of the mayor's secretary. The mayor is also president of the syndicat scolaire, which is the organization responsible for the house I live in. Confused? That's okay - I only just figured it out myself. Upon hearing about my problems, Monique picked up her cell phone and called Françoise. When she hung up, she said, "the mailbox will be installed by the end of the week." I had my doubts, but the photo is proof!

I may be slightly exaggerating about my fame, but not too much. This morning, M. Dournel informed me that there's a big sign outside the maison de la presse announcing that there's an American at the collège. And he's not the only one. Most of the students I saw today said, "Madame, you're in the paper! With a picture and everything!" In the middle of my last class this morning, the students saw the principal walking down the path outside the window, carrying a large orchid and a newspaper. They decided the flowers were for me, since I'm so famous. I admit, I did wonder. I later found out the flowers were a going away present for one of the surveillantes. The paper, however, was for me. Not only did Madame Patin buy me a paper, she posted the article in the salle des profs.

I told the students I'd be signing autographs after class, and two boys decided that I needed bodyguards. If you want to speak with me, from now on you must first go through Guillaume and Nicolas, two very intimidating 14 year-olds....