Oui, je suis Française!

Salut J

So I have officially been here for a little bit over a month. I can’t believe it’s already mid-October! Time is flying by fast here. Although I’m getting more comfortable with the city and living here, I still feel like a tourist.

I received an awesome letter from my sister, Sandra, giving me advice to completely immerse myself as much as possible into the culture. So, I have been making it a point to sit in cafés and observe people while I read my books for my classes. Just from doing it a few times this week, I feel like I’m more connected with my surroundings, like I fit in and am not so much on the outside.

My classes are actually a lot of work! We have 1 or 2 papers due every week, a long with lots of reading, and presentations. Last week was terrible! I didn’t get very much sleep. BUT I’m grateful that it is a lot of work. For one, it forces me to pay attention because it’s in another language. It’s not like at UIUC where I can zone out for 10 minutes and get back into the discussion. No, here if I zone out for 10 minutes I’m pretty much lost for the rest of the class! Paying extra attention has therefore allowed me to retain a lot more information and have a great time discussing the issues in class. All in français!!  I could just pinch myself right now it’s so cool!

I joined a Bible study! It is with a group of student from the University of Avignon. We are a very diverse group: Italian, American, Korean, English, French, and Malagasy (from Madagascar). We meet on Tuesday nights at someone’s apartment and eat dinner together and then have a discussion of a passage. It’s been so cool! Of course we all speak in French because that is the language we have in common, and we’re reading the Bible in French too! I’ve really enjoyed it because I’m able to have time to reflect each week, as well as speak French with those that have a much higher level than me (well, they’re French!).

I joined a Pop Rock Choir! Hahahahaha

My host sister, Thea, told me about a flier she found about a choir group that sings modern French music. Her and I sing and play the guitar every once in a while, and so we thought it would be cool to check it out. Well, it is hilarious and really fun! Singing in French has actually really helped my pronunciation and its been cool being able to meet other French people from Avignon. The group ranges from those 15 to 35. And everyone has different singing abilities…hahaha so I’m actually not the worst singer!

Ok, now time for pictures:

Me and my host family! Mammy, Me, Thea, Pappy, and Andre.

We sit outside to eat when the weather is nice. This particular day Mamy made this awesome Paella outside!

The Roman Amphitheater in Arles:

This place was just amazing! I went with my Architecture class for our 2nd field trip to learn about this village and the Roman ruins.

Inside of the Amphitheater:

Can't you just picture Gladiators battling Lions? Sweeeeet!

The Theatre in Arles:

As you can see a lot of the columns have fallen down, but still great condition!

Van Gogh lived in Arles for a little over a year before he died. But during that year in Arles, he painted 200 works of art! Here is the real Asylum Garden at Arles after his famous painting!

Me as Van Gogh

On my way to the Institute, this is toward the center of the city of Avignon, lots of cute stores.

Drinking a Café Crème at one of my favorite café s by the Institute

At Pont du Gard: Roman Aqueduct: Built in the 1st Century A.D.!

This place is just breathtaking.

This picture is taken from the Aqueduct looking toward the city of Nimes. So far, the weather in the South of France basically always looks like this!

Ok, I think that's all for today:) Thanks so much for your comments and for reading my blog!

Miss you all!

<3 Jenny