oops

Sorry, the second place that we went to was called la camaruge.

Time flies when you're having fun

Sometimes it scares me how quickly time passes. I get to go to Paris in 4 days!! and it baffles me that it is only a 3 hour train ride away. none the less, I'm so excited and I can't wait. Today I didn't go to school because I'm not feeling well and I didn't want it to escalate into being really sick and having to go to the doctors or not being able to go to Paris. So today I am slowly doing laundry, studying verbs and reading. Uneventful, but sometimes it's nice. The last few days though haven't been as slow. The weather here has been pretty stormy, pouring rain and thunder and lightning. It's kinda cool though, and I'm getting used to doing errands in it. I got a pair of shoes finally for only 20 euro so I now have shoes that aren't sandals or boots (because that is all i brought due to weight issue.) And I also got a very cute brown jacket for on 15! That I didn't need but it was so cheap i couldn't resist. Saturday we went as a group to Arles and -------. Arles was ancient roman ruins that were still in the city, and the original bull fighting coliseum. The last bull fight was the Wednesday before so we didn't get to watch one, but honestly i don't know if i would want to watch one anyway. The coliseum was way cool, my only complaint was that they were restoring it so they had plastic bleachers everywhere, i know it was temporary but I wish I saw it in it's actual conditions. The second city, -----, was really cool also. It was a 1000 year old city that was still enclosed by walls. The fortress went all the way around the tiny, oooold town...moat and all. I started exploring with a group and then I ended up just going by myself and walking all around the city for a couple of hours. It was exhausting but I'm really glad that I did it, and by myself. Yesterday, Sunday, was a lazy day..people were just over hanging out like always. Our house has become the hang out pad for a lot of people but I love it. We always have people coming and going throughout the day and we always cook a huge communal dinner here every night. and by we i mean not me, i chop and clean...but i am learning and getting better! haha. By the time this year is over, I'll be on iron chef. Ha, well maybe ill just be able to make something of substance that tastes bomb. Well I am going to study those verbs and grill some veggies (see look at me cook, and cook green things! lol) love you all!

whew.

I am now up and running finally because the internet kicked on today! yay! SO..wow. I have now been in France for a month, and I cannot believe it! It has gone by so quickly! Not to say that it was very hard being away from people but funny enough, in hein sight, it went by super fast. I am now fully going to classes and living in France, and today, was a great day. It was cold and raining today but it didnt even phase me because we got train tickets to Paris today! and they were 20 euros cheaper then we expected to pay! (thank you train station lady!!) The internet also came on today and i ate a realllly good dinner. So, all in all i would say it was a success. I know this was short but im so tired and i cant think so ill formulate a great entry demain pour vous! (tomorrow for you!)

im baaack! (summary from when the internet was down)

So my genius mother suggested that I write these down in a word document while my internet is down and then I can just copy and paste. So there is so much catching up to do that I don’t even remember all the things that I have done. First and foremost though, I am living in my apartment and I love it. It’s cozy and welcoming and has a great view. It gets a little hot being on the 3^rd floor with no AC but I’m not going to complain. We buy fresh food daily that is fabulous, it’s going to be hard going back to the states for processed everything. Although, from being up 5 flights of stairs to home and my class, along with all the walking and good food my figure is benefiting and it’s quite exciting. J

So my average day goes like this: 1. Wake up at around 7 or 8 (depending on if I need to shower) 2. Get ready, maybe a coffee, tea or a piece of fruit. 3. leave for school at 8:45 (15 min. before class starts) 4. Get there for 9 am class until 1, which is getting much easier…side note: I gave a presentation today and it went really well. I was proud of myself. 5. Get out of class at 1 and walk around for a little bit, maybe grab some lunch or go back to the apartment and eat. 6. Well basically after 1 I don’t have anything to do so I fill my time with little errands, like getting food for dinner or reading or writing. Come dinner time we cook and normally people are over with us or were at someone’s house and just hang out and talk maybe do some homework.

My life here in France is quite the opposite from the states. I have no work, and school is far less demanding then at home, for now. The only things that I find I need to do are get food for the night, and maybe well…that’s it. While I hate to say that I haven’t really gotten close to the French, I have with the people I came with. It is so crazy how different we all are and how many other languages I hear a day just because other people are keeping up with all the languages they know. I’ll let you know when that’s me…haha.

We took a trip with everyone in our class (like a 5^th grade field trip) to Marseille last week and it was pretty neat while we weren’t driving around on the bus. We went to 2 churches and a museum and the churches were nothing short of spectacular. The big church’s architecture was beautiful and different and the inside was massive and had all the usually gorgeous church equipment. The other, smaller church was on the very top of the highest hill and you could see it from wherever you were in the city, and from the church you could see over the entire city and the Mediterranean sea. The view was breathtaking and felt so surreal that I stopped trying to take pictures and just tried to take it all in…yes mom, I took pictures in my mind. And I don’t think I will ever forget it. After the churches we went to an old palace that was turned into a park slash monument and that was also gorgeous but we just got some drinks and sat on the lawn and watched people walk by and the little kids ride their scooters and bikes up and down the path.

Thus far, here in France, I’ve getting better at doing laundry by hand, cooking, being patient, being without internet (which actually is a necessity in life now for sure!) walking up stairs, and French! I’ve also gotten better at taking quick showers and turning the water off unless in rinsing off, because there is not much hot water. Also how to not overeat, and drinking a ton of water. There are so many little differences here than in the states. Like not only are things closed on Sundays, but here they also are closed on Mondays. Everyone is ALWAYS dressed up, I feel like I need to wear my nicest outfit just to leave the house. If you are standing in a line anywhere, be prepared to wait for a very long time; everything and everyone is slowww. We got the internet and we were expected to set it up ourselves…which didn’t happen, seeing as though the directions are all in French and we think something is wrong on their end because no one can make it work. Ugh. The peanut butter is in the foreign food isle and costs 6 euro for a tiny can, but nutella is only 2 euro for a huge one. A baguette is only 70 cents and you eat one a day. There is a fresh farmers market every single day from 7am to 1pm and they hose the streets clean after every time. Operations manuals come in French, and only French. There are NO other languages on anything, like at home; Spanish or even Chinese is an option in almost any instruction manual or directions. People think that it costs a lot to live in California, well compared to the south of France, it looks pretty darn good.

catch up

Okay so there is alot of cathing up to do. I haven't had internet, and I still don't but for now we are going across the street and using the free wifi at a burger place. It's the most inconvenient thing ever but getting internet is not an easy thing around here. But, so we are moved into our apartment and are getting along well. the first week of school is over and we have 3 to go. The first week went well, by Friday i was exhausted but I already feel like im becoming more comfortable with french in general. Our apartment is all unpacked and weve been hiking up the stairs and its already getting easier! yess. there are so many little things that I need to tell you but im out of time so later i will post it all.

MOVED!

I am finally getting into my apartment and out of this hotel. I don't think I have mentioned it yet, but we were treated so poorly here that I cannot wait to get out. It's over now though and I moved all of my stuff over to apartment and will join my things tonight after I finish up with the internet here at this stupid hotel. But today at school was waaayyy better then the first day, so I don't feel quite so overwhelmed with my class. Not to say that I am not overwhelmed anymore, but it's not so bad. I love france and their slower way of live, but sometimes I feel like I'm walking on eggshells around everyone and I can't fully be me. I'm sure nothing traumatic will happen if I act American but im trying to assimilate to the french everything and it's not the easiest thing in the world. BUT I'm moved in and getting into my place and day by day, even if i don't notice it, I'm becoming more like the French.

On a lighter note, today I went to the market and bought beautiful flowers for only 3 euro for the woman who helps us with everything, she makes everything sooo much easier, so we got her some thank you flowers. :) after that we got a slice of pizza for lunch and went back to class...today we had class for 4 hours, and then 2 more hours. It was kindof a long day but it still doesn't seem as bad school and working like at home. We then did the walkthrough for our apartment and moved all of our stuff accross town. Well not across town but it was still about 100lbs of stuff for about 5 blocks, and up stairs to the 3rd 1/2 floor. It was so heavy but we got it all up there all by ourselves and felt very proud! lol. I got homework that is due tomorrow though so i must go attempt that for now. A bientot!