"Its ok I speak English"

Tonight I went out to dinner with my roommate in the Latin Quarter. We got lost on the way there but getting lost in Paris kind of beats Philly (sorry guys). It  was really nice, the streets are all cobblestone and there are restaurants everywhere, all different kinds like Greek, Chinese, Italian, and French of course. Most of them had outdoor seating even though its about 20 degrees right now, they put a tarp over the dining area and have heaters all over. Its actually really cool because people really do sit out there.

My roommate was so adorable tonight. She tried speaking to the waiter in french and he said, "its ok I speak English" and offered to give her a menu in English, but she said no I really want to learn. I was so proud of her, so we both helped her through the menu. It was a really nice night, especially after going to class and then shopping for the rest of they day (clearly, I am having a really hard time adjusting to this lifestyle).

I must say though, I really miss having a car, I have to walk EVERYWHERE. Even though the pharmacy is down the block, I miss being able to get in my warm car and just go through the drive through. However, its probably a lot safer for everyone that I am not driving on the road. We did a Bike tour around Paris the other day and the only thing I could think about was "this is how I am going to die". We were weaving in and out of cars and even riding through crowds of people. How can I concentrate on the scenery when I am about to kill a pigeon?

Anyway, I think my favorite place so far is this bridge I saw Friday night. It goes over La Seine and my friend from France brought me there and told me people who are lovers put a lock on the bridge and write their initials and the date they got together on the lock. There were hundreds of little locks hanging off the bridge. It was really incredible.I still need to figure out how to post pictures, but I will very soon!

Week 1

Ok, so from the moment I arrived I havn't had a real chance to relax. My schedule is so jam-packed I feel like I could use a vacation.

The first day  my roommates and I sat through a 3 hour orientation with our program coordinator...this was after the 7 hour plane ride, 2 hour layover and 30 minute car ride from the airport. Then every day after that we have been at the American Business School of Paris every morning at 9 sitting through hours of orientation.Then at night we have gone out to dinner or stayed out late going to a club. However, what I really liked about orientation was that the Dean talked a lot about respecting cultural differences.

There is a world of a difference between exposure and understanding. In all honesty, even though I have studied french since middle school, participated in an Immersion program in Nova Scotia, and traveled to France several times its really only exposure. Its going to take a lot of time to really understand the various attributes of french culture, which can be completely contrary to the American ideology. 

My first challenge was food shopping which was surprisingly difficult. I didn't realize there really are not a whole lot of American brands, Its like trying to buy groceries in Chinatown. Every label is in french and they have a lot of food I have never seen before.  So I bought soup thinking it would be the easiest meal to make in a hurry. It turned out that even though it had a picture of what looked like chicken noodle soup, it was actually broth, my bad.

Anyway, from what I have seen so far there are no words to describe this city. This is my 4th trip to Paris and it feels like the first time all over again. It really makes you appreciate history, and I feel so unbelievable lucky to be here.

Paris Today!!!!!!

Well today is finally the day, I leave for the airport in about an hour. I am so excited I can't control myself, I feel like a little kid excited for their first trip to Disney World. You know kids - how they cant stop jumping up and down or running around the house. Don't worry Ive already done that part.

I am still trying to run around the house and make sure that I have everything I need, but I know I am going to forget something, I always do. Ive made about 3 different packing list and now I can only find one, well at least I had the right idea right?

Well I will keep you all updated when I get into Paris.

Bisous

9 days...

There are only 9 days left until I board my flight to Paris. I have been attempting to pack for 2 weeks now, but its close to impossible to decide how to pack for 5 months in another country. I thought packing my life into my parents SUV freshman year of college was difficult, now I have to eliminate 80% of that. Truthfully I can only bring what I can carry, which is going to be pretty entertaining for everyone at the airport watching me, 5'1 with the upper body strength of 13 year old boy lug two 50 pound suitcases. Then there is the problem about being able to bring things home with me. Im a sucker for leather boots, jewelry, and art. I really want to buy a piece of artwork from the artists outside the Sacre Coeur. Its fairly famous for their street artists because the Sacre Coeur is located at the very top of Montmatre. Its kind of the Bohemian section of Paris which overlooks the entire city. Anyway I want to own a piece of art that I absolutely love and can always remind me of these 5 months I am going to spend in Paris.

I am starting to get really excited, but at the same time it hasn't hit me yet that I am not going to see my friends for 5 months and my friends at St Joes  for 8 months. Its great my parents and my aunts are visiting me in April, and we might take a trip over to Oslo, Norway (the homeland). I am hoping my dad will show me my grandfathers house.

Well I also just got my schedule the other day and I have classes Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.  No joke everyone, 3 days of classes. I have more days off than I do class, but then again each class is 3 hours, so we will see how 3 hours of advanced french goes.

Well goodnight for now
Bisous