First Day of Classes!

Today was the first day of classes! I was definitely ready for the m to start so I could get into a routine. I like gallivanting around Paris and being able to do whatever I want, but I need a little structure. Especially when it seems as though everyone else is already busy with school. Not yet knowing what level classes we were in, we had to go to one of the Sorbonne buildings to find out. John, Emily, and I all walked there together. We left around 9:15 and the walk took about an hour but the weather was absolutely gorgeous so I loved it. We walked through the Jardin des Plantes (Botanical Garden) and it was so serene and calm. The whole process of waiting in long lines to find out our classes and then buy the necessary books took a while and was not very efficient. The Goucher group filtered in, in various groups but we all waited for each other. Based on the entrance exams we took last week, I was placed in the intermediate level. There are two levels above me and three below. I’m really happy with my placement! I don’t think it will be too hard for me and I expect to learn a lot. And hopefully I will do well since I have a pretty solid background. We’ll see! Max is the only other one in my class, so it’s nice to have a familiar face.

We girls walked around Rue Mouffetard (what a silly name!) after we left the Sorbonne because we had the rest of the morning free until our classes actually began later in the afternoon. The street is so cute and funky and has lots of stores and cheap places to eat. I hope I can come back often. We found this place that sells pasta…in Chinese-food takeout-like boxes! We’ve been hunting such a place down for over a week and I was elated to find one. Yes, my meat ravioli in Bolognese sauce was DELICIOUS. Em, Natalia and I took the metro back to La Nation to go grocery shopping for our fridge. I’m so excited about it, and we bought things like yogurt, celery, bread, and salami. I hope I can save money by making/bringing lunch during the day. We only had a little bit of time back at the foyer before we had to go to classes. Luckily ,all 7 of us have class from 3-5, but in different places. Kat, Natalia, Max, and I are in one building while Michelle, Emily, and John are elsewhere (but not too far from us). Best part: I get to walk RIGHT PAST the Notre Dame on my way to class! It’s unreal. I love it.

My class went well today! I think I’m going to really enjoy it. 90% of the class is American. I was looking forward to meeting a lot of international students who are also learning French—I feel like we’re in the same boat. It’s great to be surrounded by other people who are not French but also practicing their French. We did a lot of simple things today like grammar, but I’m glad we’re reviewing. I befriended a British girl so I hope I get to meet a lot of people from the class. As far as I can tell, everyone seems nice. It’s only the first day so not many people talked, but I have high hopes. I love my professor—she’s fun and sweet and very easy to understand. J Always a plus! I have some more books to buy—a French/French dictionary, a book of verbs and their conjugations—but I will wait a day or two. I’m looking forward to this class!

After, I came back to the foyer and did some work. I hope I have enough time during the days and nights to get things done. I have some homework, not a lot, but I also need time to write in my journal, do blog updates, and check e-mails, etc. I ave a feeling it might not all get done until much later at night. And I have to somehow fit running into the mix! Tonight Em and I are going to run after dinner because there isn’t time before. We might go somewhere that’s closer than going all the way back to the Luxembourg Gardens. Ok dinner in ten minutes. Must be off!

Also, yesterday was a splendid day filled with a trip to the Musee d’Orsay (it was free!), gelato, and a fantastic, long conversation with Michelle in a park we found in the 16^th. I also did laundry, hung out at a birthday party for one of the girls in my foyer and made more new friends, and skyped with Quinn. In other words: wonderful. A bientot, mes amis!

Bisous!