I actually wrote this two days ago, about 9/14. But everything still stands.
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So, my dear friends and loyal readers (if you exist…), today was a fairly run-of-the-mill day in Paris. (It’s so far from a run of the mill day in Chicago, it’s crazy).
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But first, some quick things I love about Paris:

1. When you go to buy turkey in the open-air market, because you’re American, cooking for yourself, and have no idea what else to do, it comes with is neck and head still attached. Just an FYI.

2. While I was in the metro the other day, I saw a bunch of soldiers who had recently come back from their tour. They all had their huge military backpacks, but were dressed in normal clothes because they were leaving to visit family. There was one who actually had a Louis Vuitton signature print man bag. I was so proud. Only in this country would there be an off duty soldier carrying his military duffel and a Louis Vuitton signature print man purse. I love it.
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I got up at 7 to take a shower, and attempt to get some of the hot water before it all ran out, but alas, Guillaume, my host ‘bro’, totally took most of the hot water. Considering BOTH of his parents still had to take showers, I was a good sport and took a cold shower. This might not sound bad, but then you must remember that I have long, wavy hair. That probably weighs at least 5 pounds dry. I know- this is where you start to consider the pain that is a cold shower when you have too much hair.

After my shower, I jumped into my travel towel that I brought with me. My host mother keeps saying ‘oh, I’ll give you a towel later today’ when I ask her, but so far no towel has materialized. Never mind, being the resourceful girl that I am, I use my two foot by one foot extremely absorbent travel towel. Let’s just say that a 50 degree shower, plus a tiny towel and an exterior temperature of 57 degrees makes for a cold morning.

I had French class at 9, which was fairly uneventful. We had to make a speech about an issue affecting the economy, and I talked about the French bailout plan for their automobile industry. Interessant, non?

After my 4 HOUR French class (crazy, I know), I went out to lunch with a friend from class, Caroline. We went to a brasserie for a ‘quick lunch’ of a croque-madame, but in true French fashion, a quick lunch turned into 2 hours. The company was good, the food even better, and it just happened to occur that way. After lunch we went to her apartment (apartments are the other option for people in the program, but I prefer the homestay), and she showed me the building, etc. We then went on an adventure to La Tour Eiffel (second day in a row, I’m getting spoiled), and then over to Trocadero (the monument across the Seine). I’ll try to add pictures, but I had some difficulty with the last post. If you can’t get them to work, I’ll probably just put them on facebook.

As you can probably guess, my French aptitude has gone up about 300%, while my English grammar and syntax have fallen to abysmal levels. Who knows how I’m going to manage my winter quarter classes. Which reminds me, I have to change my net-id password before it gets locked. Thanks for reminding me, NU Bulkmail.

daily shout out (new, but I thought it would try it): Melissa! It’s so exciting that you actually read my blog, and I hope that the move-in to DZ goes smoothly. Let me know how living in the house is, I want to have a better idea about what I’m getting in to ☺

Also, a final thought: I’ve reached a new level of honesty with myself. Someone asked me what I liked to do for fun, and I responded by explaining the American concept of Karaoke. The thing is- I love it. I’m glad I’ve come to terms with that.

I hope you are all having a lovely time in the states, and I miss you all!

Gros Bisous,

Margarette