Updates

I think I am officially blogged out at this point, so I will just update periodically and randomly from now on. I have been consumed with working on my grad school applications, so I haven’t had a lot of free time. Right now, I have done as much as I can do before I meet up with Jerome tomorrow to work on it, so I am free!

As for random updates…

I am in a new French class now and LOVE it. I have this older man as a teacher, and he is so funny and sweet. I love him, and I understand everything he says, which is cool. Also it is weird, but even though I am in an upper level of class, the people are generally worse than the people in my last class, so I feel at ease because everyone is at my level. I am just comfortable in there. I haven’t skipped yet because I’ve enjoyed myself.

On Monday, I went to an Australian café with Meghan. Most of the workers were Australian, so we got to speak English! I ordered this almond, pear bread, which was uber yummy too.

I am going to Lyon this weekend with Paige, Lindsey, and Meghan! American girls’ weekend wooo! We found a bus for 5 euro to Lyon, but going back, I am taking a train earlier than the girls because the bus comes back too late for me to catch my last train. But it’ll be a good weekend. A SKEMA friend from Raleigh was in Paris a few wknds ago, and he told me all the places to go, so that’s cool to have a local’s point of view on things.

Overall the weather has generally been better. Other than today and yesterday, it has not rained for what seems like 2 weeks. It has been sunnier! And I have gone on two picnics to enjoy the sun, even when it is chilly. Once under the Eiffel Tower and once at Parc Belleville, which has a good view of the city.

On Saturday, me and Jerome just walked around Paris, but it was really fun. There was a parade right outside his apartment, which we followed, and we think it was a teacher strike, but it was Saturday, so who knows. Then we went to Pont Neuf, which is right on the Seine where you just sit by the water. There was this cute, manicured garden with flowers, so it was pretty. We meandered our way to the Pont des Arts, which is covered in locks that represent lovers. We then continued upon the Louvre, and we found this pigeon man, who was feeding and holding pigeons, and he helped tourists do it to. So I did it! The pigeons were fighting on my arms, so it was kinda scary but cool. They didn’t poop on me either! We were cold at that point, and walked by the Opera and found a brasserie for some vin chaud and this tuna stuff, and then we went home. It was a full day just enjoying the city.

We went out to eat that night too. I wanted to go to a Japanese Steakhouse, and Jerome said they had them here, but it wasn’t the same (not surprising). It was a good meal, but we didn’t get mountains of food with shrimp sauce (so good, I miss that stuff). We did get 30% off though from a restaurant website, so we are gonna use that site from now on for sure!

The Saturday before that, I went to Jerome’s gym with him where he goes rock climbing. I attempted it, but it was scary, so after one try, I stopped and just worked out with treadmills and stuff. We then went to a show called How to be Parisian in One Hour discussing French and American stereotypes. It was hilarious! I’ve been hearing about the show everywhere, so I am glad I finally went.

We also booked a trip to Nice during the second week of my next vacation, so that’s cool! I am going to Amsterdam and Lille the first week, then Nice. I can go visit IAE Nice while I am there too to check out one the schools I will (by then) have applied for. I need to go visit the one in Paris too… haven’t done that yet. Maybe next weekend I will go with Jerome.And then the one in Bordeaux... I just won’t see it until (if) I go there.

Ants have been invading my room. They are so annoying. I just kill each one I see, which is constantly. They don’t really get into food though surprisingly. Although, last wknd they did get into my Mentos when I came back Sunday night. I made brownies today, and I have wrapped them up in multiple layers and in a zipped duffle bag, so hopefully they are safe until tomorrow when I bring them to Jerome as a thank you gift because he has been helping me a lot with my applications.

Well I want to a watch a show, so goodbye until I right here again!