school

Today was the first day of school and it went pretty well. Although, there was absolutely no english spoken at all, everything was in french. But I guess that's a good thing, right? I know I said that I would post pictures and I tried, but the uploader isn't working. The internet connection that I have isn't very good. But anyway class was 4 hours this morning and we just went over introductions and went to the lab to listen to conversations. It was a little overwhelming but I'll get the hang of it soon. On another note, I'm moving out tomorrow and will not have internet so I will not be on for a few days unless I go somewhere.

The eve of school

This weekend was a very slow and quiet weekend, but it was nice. I skyped just about everyone last night and it was so good to see all their beautiful faces! Today I did laundry....sounds simple, right? no, I did laundry in the sink. not simple. I have a new admiration for washers and dryers and I can't believe that some people have to do that with all of their clothes all the time. So that's some news, on a more exciting note at the end of October I am going to Paris and Amsterdam! I found train tickets for suuuper cheap so after I pay my housing bills I'm going to book the tickets! I'm SO excited!!!! I've also tentatively planed where I'm going to go over all the other breaks so I'm starting my searches for cheap hostels, trains and food around Europe. Tomorrow is my first day of school and I've never been more excited to start school. Not only will I be on my way to better french, but I will also have something to do. I don't know what to do with no work or school or any other mandatory engagements. It will be nice to start a schedule and feel like I have a place and purpose in this southern French town. Pictures of school will be up tomorrow, I promise. :)

signed the lease!

Today we signed our lease and we get to move in on le premier septembre, so on Tuesday! I really cant wait to move out of this hotel and unpack my stuff. Although the deposit was more then expected, but I guess that one must expect things to be more then expected?? Although I still love it here and am fully enjoying myself I am starting to really miss home. I really want classes to start so that I can get better at french because it is getting really old not being able to say everything that I want to say to people. I know that the homesickness and french will pass but for now...it's here. oh well. C'est la vie!

getting situated

Today I felt accomplished. I opened a french bank account here and I got renters insurance, I also am going to sign my lease tomorrow morning and then after that I will only need to get a cell phone and I will be fully equipped with the 'necessities' of life in France. The weather today and yesterday was hot and pouring; and when I say pouring I mean like intense huge drops of rain. I don't remember if i wrote about this yet but I took my placement test yesterday too. This test determines what level of PLP im in for the month and then i take another one after to determine my place for actual classes. The written part was kind of difficult but I did well with the oral, so overall i was proud of myself. :) Today we got a tour of a dance company and watched the dancers practice. It was really interesting. There are so many little differences between the states and france that I have picked up on the main thing that i love so far is the dining experience. Here, in France, when people sit at a cafe they sit for hours and watch the passerby. The server doesn't get mad when they sit for so long because that is expected. They don't expect turnover and you can sit and chat or drink as long as you want. On the other hand though they are so quiet. We seem to be so much more verbally expressive and well....loud. My favorite experience so far though was that I went with a friend for her to get her nose pierced and none of the people spoke english so we had to speak french. ha, well let me tell you, it was so comical because it turned out to be a long game of charades. Given i knew the context of everything it was fairly easy to understand but speaking back was funny. But she ended up getting it and all is well. Tomorrow is a group meal which should be fun and other than that we have all the time in the world to explore until monday. :) 

APARTMENT

Today we got the apartment that I was hoping for! It is on the top floor or a building that was built in the 17th century, of course it has all been renovated BUT it is still the original front door! It has so much character, I love it! It is really small and the 'bedroom' is actually a loft with 2 beds, not an actual bedroom, but it is all I need. It overlooks the Cours Mirabeau which is the center of everything and it is a 5-10 min walk to school. Overall I am very happy and we get to pick up the keys this week so we can move our stuff over in trips. We are on the top floor so hauling my suitcases up those flights of stairs is going to be a work out, but those stairs will hopefully keep me in shape a little bit.

Today we had yet another day of orientation, but it was at our actual school today. It is so different to have a classroom in a building so old, not to mention not spread out everywhere.  I'm not even used to the city style architecture where buildings go up instead of out, but I like the change of pace. Speaking of change of pace it is taking time to try to make my brain and body move at the pace of the people here. 'Take your time', and 'don't go too fast', and breaks seem to be the moto to say the least. Later today I get to go see a possible apartment choice so we will see how that goes. Im really hoping it is nice because it's cheaper and is on the cours maribeau (the main street) in the middle of everything. 

So many people in our group like to cook, so tonight were making dinner and having a feast of bread vegetables and pasta, I think..yumm :) 

As I am writing this the window is open in our room and we are on the 3rd floor of the hotel. pigeons sit on our little window cill and coo and it is right there so it's really loud and sometimes I think that if I start talking to them they'll talk back. its funny having pigeons so close to the completely open, screen less window. And there's my random thought of the day.lol, and I'm off. 

Today we took the bus to Marseille and went to the beach. It was a long walk from the bus stop but the beach was amazing. It was so cute and surrounded by old buildings. The water was sooo salty that it was easier then normal to float. The Mediterranean water is beautiful, but the little fish like to nibble on your toes..it was so weird! Marseille as a city was much larger then Aix and from what i saw (which wasn't very much) was that Marseille was kind of dirty and people were not out as much as Aix. I'll have to go back sometime to see the rest of the city though. Another day of orientation is tomorrow and I am in need of some serious sleep. Sun, swimming, and walking make for a very tired person, so I am going to bed early to rest up for the week ahead :)

lazy day

Woke up late this morning and didn't get out of bed until about 2...it was nice. After waking up I got to see and talk to my family via skype, skype is fabulous. Found out my new video camera is on its way!!yay! Did some studying and then the roommates made dinner that was bombbbb. (props to them for sure) and then we went out and walked for a little bit until about  1:30. It is insane how late this town stays awake...people are out hanging around doing their thing until like 2am and the big party people go out at 1am until around 5am! night owls I tell ya. i love it though, take naps during the HOT days and stay out during the night. Tonight we just got a huge piece of pizza for 2 euro that they fold up and walked the busy streets conversing and eating, it was tres sympa (very nice). Tomorrow a group of us are going to Marseille to go to the beach and I'm very excited I hope I don't get pick pocketed though..that would stink man. but tomorrow, Mediterranean, here we come!

housing, naps, and chocolate

This mornings orientation consisted of getting information about how our academics are going to work out, and I have to say that I am going to really have to make sure I stay on top of my work. Even though school is much harder here I like the philosophy much better then in the states. Here in France you pay minimal fees to attened but the classes are grueling and very difficult. So everyone has a chance but those who do not try, do not pass. whereas in the states, the more money you have the further you go, and sometimes intelligence has nothing to do with it...in my opinion. Not to bash on the homeland, but sometimes we do some odd things. Anywayyyy...after our orientation I took a nap. and by nap i mean a little sleep(it was 4 hours) and then I discovered the world best chocolate bar thing...uhh so good. Everyone is finding their houses, my meeting is monday and there's a few ones i've heard of but nothing ive seen so far. It seems to be coming along though, and I surprisingly don't feel stressed at all about anything for once in my life. A large group of us are going out again tonight to go to a 'disco' (dancing) and it should be really fun, I'm excited :)

address

Also, here is my address to seend things to if anyone feels the desire to write a letter or something :)

Katrina Viano
C.S.U. International Programs
23, rue du 4 septembre
13100 Aix-en-Provence
France

*if shipping a package write on the box 'used personal belongings'

Left: Some of us out last night

Right: The first town square of Aix...my favorite so far

Day 3

Last night= fun! As an emarassingly large group of us went out to a bar together, but it was so fun. It was kindof like a social orientation. sidenote: the bar is called Wohoo, thought that was funny. Today was the large open air market, and this thing is huge to say the least. It's not just one square or one sreet, it is ALL of Aix, there is a clothes and shoes section, (that actually has really great stuff for cheaper) a flower section, a fruit and veggie section, and a fish section. I think thats all but there could have been one on the other side that I didn't see. We started looking for appartments today, I think i'm going to be living with one other person in a 1 bedroom, but we'll see. I'll keep you updated on that status :) I got a nap today too!!! (Which was fabulous) Life is so different here and I love it. Everything moves so slowly and people aren't running around stressed out and angry. Everyone is also always out, just walking around or sitting to people watch. Being the people watcher is also very interesting, it made me realize that i need to go shopping soo bad because all of us CSU students scream,"I'm American, not French, AT ALL!" Other than that it has gone fairly smoothly so far *knock on wood* and no major catastrophies..oh except that I can't seem to upload pictures, that is a little bt of a dilema but ill figure it out. laterr <3

wowzers

Okay...so holy moly guacamoly. This place is crazy perfect. Between the town squares, narrow streets, cafes, and just the buildings, there is so much to just look at. It looks just like the movies of what France is. It is hot though, very hot..and humid. But, my first purchase was a baquette, cheese, fruit and water for only 6 euros! We got a tour of the city today also and he took us down some of the quiet streets where people live and literally they are so skinny that only two people can walk side by side at a time. We also went to the university today and that as been around since the 16th century, very old, and very cool. Everything just makes me feel in awe of what is around me. I was a little homesick right when Igot here becasue Iwas so tired and ready to pass out but then I woke up and was stoked on my walk to campus. Well more tomorrow and pictures soon, I took some today but the uploader is broken. sorry. but Au revoir loves

we're here!!

So I arrived in France today and after a grueling day of travel. It is gorgeous!!! I can't believe it's actually happening but Aix is so cute! Tomorrow will be a more detailed post because I am out of time with this WiFi...

Today's THE day

Today is the big day. Flight leaves out of SFO in about 8 hours and then I will be on my way to Provence. This is crazy, I never thought it would actualy get to this point. It was really odd saying goodbye to people; it didn't feel like im leaving for as long as I am. I did the last dinner with the family last night that I enjoyed (which was really apps and desserts, yumm) The only time I have felt anger this whole process was when I was packing. I hate packing. fitting everthing I want into an easy lightweight bag is not possible. therefor packing had to be saved by..da da da, DAD. I got too mad to finish, and thank goodness he was here because otherwise I would be going without a few things. patience is a virtue, I normally have it, but not last night. I am so excited to leave now,ah! Well here we go.... :)