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Do you know that I have never seen "Casablanca?" I feel like I have done a disservice to Hollywood by not at least enjoying the classic Humphrey Bogart film. So, I headed to Video Works and rented it for the weekend. I will let you know how it goes.

In other news, I met another Au Pair this afternoon. I had stayed home all day with little Cecil while Laetitia and Stephane headed to Desert Hills outlet mall, so I was available to meet the charming French girl who works with another family in the neighborhood. Jessica just arrived from Marseille, about 30 minutes from where I lived in Aix! I don't have to explain the fact that conversation was delightful and I am thrilled to have someone here to have fun with. Her gentle spirit is refreshing and her ignorance to all things American is lovely, simply because it opens the door for me to be a sort of tour guide/teacher to her. I am excited to have a new friend, for sure.

After an unfortunate loss in a tennis match this evening, I headed to the old-town cinema here to catch the late showing of "Burn After Reading," starring Brad Pitt and George Clooney. A typical Coen brothers film, it was full of unfortunate mishaps and misunderstandings. I couldn't help but draw parallels--are you surprised? The entire course of the film details the fated miscommunication between broken people. It reinforces the importance of telling the truth, but in an estranged manner, which again reinforces the point of the film that effective communication is necessary. Without it, all is lost.

Tomorrow is my first football game since I've returned to the states. Jessica is going to accompany the boys and me to the Laguna Beach High School home game. It will be their first time to see an American football game, so the entire evening will be all fun and games.