First of many photos to come

Out on the town with some French people we met
Me and Annie
Roomies
A cool area with lots to do at night
Igor with his diaper. It still cracks me up.
This is the IES Center where I take all my classes
This is an action shot of Igor slipping on the hardwood floor while wearing his diaper.

Sam Sam
Close-up

The living room
The kitchen/dinning room
My little window closet with cute drapes.
My desk
My bed (with Sam Sam sleeping on it as usual)

So I finally got some pictures up! Hope everyone enjoys seeing a bit about my living and schooling situation here in Paris :) I still haven't been able to capture a shot of La Bonita, the little 3 month kitten we have here, because she is too quick to run away and hide. It'll happen eventually!

Jeudi, ma Quatriémè Journée à Paris

I feel like I'm starting to get the hang of things here. I finally have a cell phone, enough metro tickets to last me until the end of the month (ish) and am getting to know people in the IES program better and better. Last night I hung out with a few other girls from the program and it was a lot of fun. We met up late and walked around the area around Bastille, did some bar hopping, and ended the night with a warm butter and sugar crepe at a place that stays open late. Soo good.

Yesterday, first thing in the morning, we all took a language placement test to see which level of French language and culture class we would be placed in. It is the only class that is mandatory for all the IES students to take, so we are broken into three different levels. I scored in the middle group, so there's one group more advanced and one group more basic than the one I'm in. I'm happy with my placement and even know a few girls that are in my class.

So today we started our week of "intensive french" sessions. I put this in quotes because it is only a two hour session that we take every day for one whole week. It's pretty much just review of basic things like conjugating verbs in the present tense. Wow, pretty intense. But joking aside, I do think it is useful to go over it all and I'm sure it will get a bit harder when we get into the more difficult niches of French grammar.

In other news, me and Sam Sam have become quite close lately. He likes to help himself into my room as he pleases, and it's become routine for him to sneak his way in at around 5-5:30am each morning. Fuuuun. If he isn't able to get the door open by himself he will proceed to meow at the door until I get up and let him in. He's decided that my bed is the best in the house, so I'm afraid my fate is sealed. He's a snuggly little guy and likes to stretch out right next to me and purr away as I try to fall back asleep.

Hope everything is going well in the States! I know how boring all these words can be to read, but I swear pictures are coming soon!

Julia

Duexième Journée à Paris

Today was my second day in Paris, but my first full day. I had orientation at the IES abroad center from about 1:30 to 3pm which was full of useful information to stay safe and out of trouble in Paris.

The family I'm living with consists of a husband and wife, their 17-year old daughter, Constance, two cats and one dog. Igor, the dog is almost 20 years old and is very feeble. They told me that "his only working organ is his nose". The whole family is vegetarian and Gladys and Ivan make most of their meals themselves. Ivan is a FABULOUS chef. Tonight for dinner we had homemade vegetable soup with homemade bread. Then we had cooked and seasoned tomatoes with rice. They are very healthy eaters.

The appartment is a beautiful, old building from the 1700's situated in the 3e arrondissment, which is very close to the center of the city. The streets around here are all very tiny, barely enough room for one car to get through! There is one other American IES student living with me, named Annie, and our rooms are right next to each other, sharing a door.

That's all I can think of to share for now. It is still a bit overwhelming for me to be immersed in such a different culture and as of now I am completely exhausted!

Bon nuit!

Julia

3 days before I leave...

I've decided to start a blog in order to keep everyone who is interested informed of my time spent abroad. It's 3 days before I leave for the City of Lights and I'm beginning to get excited about my upcoming adventure! I have my finances straightened out, my visa in hand, and a warm winter coat. Currently one of my biggest concerns is that I don't have a big enough suitcase.

I'm going to be staying with a vegetarian family in the 3e arrondissment who have a 17 year-old daughter living at home and a cat and dog as well. I will also be living with another American student who's from Indiana. I found out that my school is about a 40 minute commute by metro, or an hour long walk...so that will take some getting used to!

Well that's all I can think to share for now. I'm hoping to keep up with this on a semi-regular basis.

Au revoir!