9/20-22/11

Alright, I know its been a while. A lot had been going on and the internet situation has been terrible. The McDonalds we were using for internet is being renovated or something. So we haven't been able to do that. Then, the people told us we would have our internet on the 19th, but it actually took them until today (the 22nd) Oi. Lots to update on.

Well the day after the museum Canovas took us on a riverboat tour of the city. It was really neat. The boat went up the Soane and around a famous island and then back down and talked all about the cool things you can see from the river. The island is especially beautiful and was always the home of royalty or nobles, and much loved by artists. What was really cool was Charlemagne (you know, the first christian roman emperor) had a home there. All that's left is a tower from an Abby but it is still really neat. There wasn't that much more that day I think, that's probly why I didn't write.

Anyways, on Wednesday we went to the university to get our school IDs and turn in insurance papers. Again I don't think we did anything really. We all are too poor to keep going out for food and its starting to get too cold to just wander around for long periods of time.

Yesterday was really neat though. Canovas took us to a Mansion from the 1800s that still has most of its original furniture and everything is preserved from that time. It's one of only a handful of mansions that are still left. During the French Revolution most of the aristocracy homes were destroyed. Then they had converted half of the home into a museum of fabrics. They had fabrics from the Egyptians to today. We went through the home and Canovas explained how people lived and the daily functions of the house. I am always in shock of the AMAZING things he knows. Then we got to go to the fabric museum where they had an exhibition on 1800s garments. The dresses and clothes were incredible! But an interesting tidbit, people back in that day on average were a lot shorter than the average of people today. I was taller then almost every mannequin (including the men) in there. The girls were all about 3 or 4 inches shorter than I am. Crazy! They also had the tiniest waists I've ever seen. But then, maybe that's just the corsets. :]

One thing I really do love here, is everything, in one way or another is revolving around beauty. I can't tell if it is a virtue, or a fault. Everything they do is about being beautiful, or what is more appealing. They just love to look at things. I love the respect EVERYONE here holds for the arts. Everyone here loves history. I don't know I just think its so interesting. It rules their lives I think. The constant search for beauty.

So, on to serious stuff. I think I might have gotten in over my head. Today, we found out what group we tested into and what our classes will be starting next week. The levels go as follows: A1, which is roughly translated to 101-102, A2 which is about 201-202, B1 which is some 300 courses, and B2 which is upper division French. Then there is C1, and C2, which are intensive courses reserved for year long students and everything. I expected to be in A1 honestly, after how poorly my tests went. Which I didn't mind. I thought it would be nice to review. Sarah and I are the only 102 students. Everyone else finished courses higher than us. Sarah also speaks Spanish so I thought for sure I was the furthest behind and would have to work my booty off to keep up. Alma, the girl who has been here a for two semesters, got here after finishing 102 and tested into A2 and then did B1 and is now in B2. She said I would probly test into A2 and not worry about it. Well... We got the results and I tested into B2.... That the highest level I could have. I have NO IDEA how this happened. I could have sworn I failed all of the exams. I am really not that good at French. I'm a little conflicted though. I don't know whether or not I should just remove myself down a couple levels, or if I should stick to it and work my hardest to keep up. I really want to be in this level, it will be just what I'm looking for in terms of finally getting in depth with the language and really learning it well. But at the same time, I feel like I still need my basics... I don't know what to do... help?

anyways, I have internet finally so I can update a bit more regularly. Thanks everyone for your love and support. Wish I could be there for Daxton's blessing. my thoughts are with you guys. Love you