Salut!
After the first day of school from the gates of gehenna, things are starting to look up. Yesterday I had my history and media seminar-esque class. It will be fairly difficult because we, as students, have to do most of the work and do a presentation. The language barrier is still there, but I was understanding the idea of things. Right now I'm in a group with 2 French girls doing our presentation on docudramas and docufictions from 1990-2000. I might be moved around because the groups are uneven and something to do with me being an exchange student.
After the class, I went to go to my anthropology TD and I could not find the classroom. My brain also was probably not able to process any more French for the day. I kind of just milled around, chatting with my friends in my building about our day and classes. I may or may not have watched Jersey Shore...
Later that night, Julie, Wei and I (two of my friends who go to school in Virginia) decided to go check out this Irish pub, the Westport Inn. On Tuesday nights, there are jam sessions of lovely Irish music. We got there around 9 and as usual, nothing had started. We decided to wander around and sat down by this lovely fountain in le Place Hoche. It was such a nice spot to people watch and chat. Around 10, we ventured back to the pub to find one of our Irish friends, Jerri. We also met a bunch of other Irish folks, made some good connections and had lovely conversations. I even had a half pint of beer. If you know me, you know the smell of beer used to make me nauseous. But I'm getting over that. I didn't die, I didn't feel sick, and I almost had another one. Alas, it was then midnight and the metro shuts down at 12:30am.
When I came back I was really excited for what this city and these people I've been meeting have in store for me. It was one of the first times where I wasn't just telling myself I am ready for this; I just knew it.
Today I had one class, my history and theory of anthropology lecture. Then the prof started talking. Holy crap she talks fast. But I noticed she was the first prof I've had here that actually has animation in her lectures. She is super passionate about anthropology, and she isn't holding anything back. She even said I will try to shock you this semester to get you thinking. How wicked is that. She also told us to "faire l'amour avec le texte", roughly "make love with your work" (she said not sexually, but the laughter from the classroom told me otherwise). At the break, I got up the courage to talk to her to let her know I'm an exchange student and I missed the seminar the day before. She was super friendly. When I said I was from Canada, she asked if I was from Quebec. Every single person asks that. I'm taking it as a compliment because it means I don't sound completely anglophone. Merci l'immersion française. She gave me all the papers and info I needed and a big smile. She may be super crazy and eccentric, but she is definately my favourite so far.
Tonight I am supposed to go play volleyball, but in trying to pack light, I didn't bring my court shoes or kneepads. I also haven't played for close to 2 years. It's a little more nervewracking than just sitting in a class. Not only are my French skills lacking, but my volleyball skills as well. We will see if I get up the courage to go tonight. I've been told it's an amazing way to meet French students, but I'm still super anxious about going.
That has been my last two days here. I know I am going to have to work super hard and the stress I have right now isn't going to magically disapear. But just looking back at the past 2 weeks I've been here, I've already progressed so much. I'm fully launched at this point and there is no turning back now.
Grosses bises,
Skye
PS Les bises (2 kisses here) is so much better than shaking hands when you meet someone. But I do miss big hugs between close friends.
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