So classes have officially started and I officially dislike it. But at the same time its nice to have some routine again. It feels like almost 2 months since I have sat in a classroom and listened to a professor orate.
My international management class is actually going to be super interesting. My professor speaks 5 languages, works for a huge multinational out of Houston and on the first day taught us how to make bombs and this type of gas .. both designed to accumulate massive quantities of fish at one time. Solid.
My economic globalization professor sounds like a cartoon character with a squeaky french accent and super cartoon-y hair do.
My art class is going to be so awesome. Minus the fact that its a 35 minute walk outside of the city .. out where Paul Cezanne himself used to go for inspiration. By the end of the semester my art will be in the Louvre, so you might wanna invest now.
My French classes, advanced oral and business french will be tough .. but it helps speaking French at home with my family. I already feel as if Ive learned TONS!
My host family is absolutely AMAZING. last night me and Alex sat with our host dad and told blonde jokes and taught him funny american phrases. Over dinner, well actually all the time, he likes to make jokes about me being a Southerner. Apparently theyve never had a student from the south yet are very educated as far as stereotypes and common qualities go for those in the bible belt. He is just the most precious man. And my host mom is continuing to fatten us up with her homemade bread. They told us that every girl they've had stay with them (which is about 15 or so ) has left France a little heavier than they arrived. 6-8 kilos to give a range. Thats almost 20 pounds. NOT ME THOUGH. i told him that and they laughed at me and rolled their eyes and said that every girl says that.
So today I spent the 5 hours I had in between classes roaming the city, getting lost in its intricate and beautiful alleys and sidewalks. They have 2 big sales in France. . one in the beginning of the year and the other after summer. SOo everywhere i go there is HUGE SIGNS and everything is 20-60% off. Its fabulous. But the longer you wait, the steeper the discounts get. So im holding out. Though its so tempting to buy everything. Seriously, there is approximately 140,000 people living in Aix, and nearly 200,000 stores and shops selling everything from boots and bags to indian saris and "art you can wear". The food, is INCREDIBLE. literally on every corner is a patisserie or a boulangerie which in translation is shops dedicated solely to the sale of beautiful baked goods. Croissants are just as delicious as you can imagine and only 1 euro. Crepes are not breakfast food here, except for one special holiday .. take a wild guess what it is and Id put money that no one would ever get it right. .. its le chandeleur .. or groundhog day. yupp, its such a celebration that they eat crepes all day. oh and its coming up soon and my anticipation is mounting.
Ok so Ive made lots of friends and they are from ALL over the country. Only 82 in my program and its great because we have a lot of things in common besides the fact that i am one of the few people from the south. but I came to this city without knowing anyone, and i chose this small provincial BEAUTIFUL town and each day i am reinforced in my decision. during my time wandering aimlessly today i sat at an outdoor cafe and had a beer.. because it is LITERALLY cheaper than anything else and watched people. I sat in this AMAZING cathedral and wrote in my journal while thinking of all the people and things that have passed through there before me. i am so happy here. friends and I have started planning our trips that we want to take .. here's what its looking like so far .. although it is a LOT harder than i initially thought to make plans happen ..
- we get to go to NICE, CANNES, MONACO AND THE FAMOUS MONTE CARLO CASINO this weekend actually. Im so excited
- we get a week long break in february for winter break and VIENNA, PRAGUE, SWITZERLAND are looking like the winners
- there is a celebration called SENSATION WHITE all over the world in different cities every year. Its like a woodstock, bonnaroo, meets Europe and EVERYONE WEARS WHITE. March its in BELGIUM and Im goinnggg
- CARNIVALE is a Mardi Gras Extravaganza in VENICE, ITALY
- in April we get a week long spring break and i'm thinking FLORENCE, ROME, CROATIA
- plus weekend trips to PARIS, PAU, NORMANDY, BORDEAUX FRANCE. SEVILLE, BARCELONA SPAIN and I would really really love to go to MOROCCO. but we'll see how the funds go ..
for now, c'est tout! but lots more to come! :)