Rhythm

I've officially been in Paris for a week now. It seems like I've been here for much longer. Sooo much has happened in the past week, at times it feels as if I haven't stopped moving. At the same time, however, I don't feel like I've been rushed. I've been doing things that I want to do. I've been to museums and the Eiffel Tower (which I still haven't gone up even after two attempts--I'm planning to make another trip to the tower this weekend and am determined I will get to go up it this time!), have done a bit of shopping (I got a new sac francais--a more French-like bag/purse--to carry all of my stuff in) since the sales are happening right now (there are only sales twice a year in France--It's not like in the States where sales happen year round at various times depending on the store/campany. In France, sales happen EVERYWHERE twice a year for a two to three week period), and am starting to get all of my classes figured out.

I've fallen into a rhythm needless to say. For all of you who know me, this is a very good thing. Having a schedule and a routine is good for my sanity/functionality. I tend to be at my best when I know what to expect and can plan things out. This week (starting last monday) has been about taking our first cours, or class. It's a language intensive class that we have for two hours in the morning. Eventually it will turn into the translations class I am taking this semester, but right now it's all about getting everyone on the same page when it comes to French grammar. I'm pretty much learning all the grammar rules and tricks that I have been taught over the last 6.5 years...in 1, yes ONE, week. Funsies! I'm holding my own, which makes me feel good, but I'm also making silly mistakes when it comes to some of the most basic stuff (but not very common concepts) that I learned when I first started taking French classes back in high school. Oh well--guess it's good to figure it all out now so that I'll be set for the rest of the semester.

Next week is when IES classes start. I'll be taking 4 classes through the IES center, which is my program center. They will be taught by local French professors who also teach at some of the major universities here in Paris (like the Sorbonne and some other smaller art and liberal arts institutions). I will be taking a political science class on European foreign policy (for my global studies major--whoooo fun!), a 19th century European literature class which focuses on women writers and authors, a service learning class (where I will volunteer somewhere in Paris for at least 2 hours each week--it could be working with handicapped individuals, it could be working with immigrants, it could be helping out at a shelter for refugees, it could be working at a cafe for the homeless, or whatever--it depends on where the help is needed and what I'm interested in to a certain extent), and my French language/translations class (which I'm excited and nervous for since it will really test and challenge my French language skills, writing and comprehension). I will also be taking one class at a local university called L'Institute Catholique de Paris. It, like the IES Center, is only about a 30 minute commute (by foot and metro combined) from where I am living. My host family really does live in an ideal place I'm coming to realize. Anyway, in the end, what this all means is that I've finally figured out what the next 15 weeks are going to look like and that gives me peace of mind. Don't get me wrong, I've adjusted beautifully to living in this city (which I already know I will be sad to leave in four months...), but it kind of feels like I'm on vacation a bit. I think getting into this new routine of classes will be that last piece which will finally make me feel like I am actually LIVING in Paris, not just visiting.

I'm starting to make more friends, but they are all American. Making French friends (especially guy friends for American girls) is extremely hard. We had an entire session during orientation last week about how to meet young French people and what the different stereotypes and behaviors are. I didn't think it would be this hard to make French friends, but the cultural customs here are definetly different, even if it is a very Western country. I think it will help that I'm taking a class at a local French university and the service learning class. That way I'll be out in Paris away from my IES group of friends and will thus be forced to interact with locals. It'll be a challenge and I may not alway be happy with myself for putting myself in this position, but I think in the end I would regret it if I don't grab hold of this opportunities. I'm only going to live her once--I might as well make the most of it!

As for what has happend recently, not a whole lot. I'm just going to class, sleeping as much as I can (Darn jetlag won't leave me alone--I'm tired of waking up at 5am every morning and not being able to stay awake past 9pm!) before classes start next week, figuring out what fun things I want to do during this upcoming weekend (we have it completely free, so some friends and I are thinking of hitting up the Musee D'Orsay which is full of Impressionist paintings), and trying not to commit too many faux pas (Boy did I really look like a fool when my friends and I went to a sit-down cafe near our school the other day. Could we have been more American lol??? Oh well, a few laughs later and a slightly bruised ego, it didn't go over too badly lol!).

I have a test tomorrow (yay....) and a 300 word essay a rendre (due) tomorrow morning, so I better go finish studying and writing that essay. I'll bid you all goodnight (or good morning???) and au revoir!

Love from Paris,
Sarah

P.S. I keep getting all those stinking emails from PLU telling my classes are delayed or that campus is closed--hope all my fellow lutes on campus are enjoying the snow. Make a snow man for me!!! =D