Nerdiness to the nth degree.

So, it's Sunday in Montpellier. Which means that everything is closed and I have been sitting at home all day. Normally I would be very restless by this point in the day, but today I have been wasting time watching this pretty sweet website that my Mom's friend sent to me.
I've actually really been missing my psych classes, so this was a cool link to recieve today.

http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/184



This weekend was fun, everyone was actually in town! Friday after class, I spent the afternoon wandering around the historic center by myself. I bought mom a birthday gift from this great organic beauty store. The woman working was English and it was nice to speak french with her because she was very understanding about my lack of vocab and my slow speech. I think I'll go back there soon. Friday night, the people in my language group all went out dancing. It was a ton of fun, and I hope that we hang out as a group more often.
Saturday, the plan was to go to the beach with Allie, Katrice and Mariah but when we got to the bus none of us has the 6 euro that it would take to get there and back, noone told us that our bus passes wouldn't work to get to the beach. So, boo for that. Attempt number two to see the Mediterrean sea, failed. Insead we went to the Antigone and read magazine's on the bank of the Lez until we got too cold and decided that we were in need of Louis crepes. Not that we are ever NOT in need of Louis crepes, but you know.
Last night Mariah made some declicious pasta sauce and we all ate dinner at Allie and Katrice's and had bread and cheese and wine, and it was fun. Then we went to the Australian Bar for more dancing! We met Danielle's cute french friends there and overall it was a pretty great day.

Planning spring break is still frustrating because we don't know what we're doing for sure. Aunt Marghe doesn't want me going to Rome because she doesn't feel that it's safe for us without a tour guide. Danielle and I would both really love to go to Greece, but it's expensive, and I think she would also like to go to Rome. I would LOVE to see Rome but I feel a little guilty using my family's money to go someplace that they would rather I didn't this time. I know I will be back in Europe (hopefully many many times, and sooner rather than later) to see the things I missed this time, so I'm not extremely upset about missing anything this time around even though it would be great to go everywhere I want to go.

Tomorrow is Monday, which is really Sunday for me. I need to go grocery shopping and try out new foods for when dad comes, so I can cook more than just pasta and veggies for him. Not that he would be dissatissfied with pasta and veggies. I can't wait for him to come visit! I'm really excited to see Paris again with him and to show him my life here. I am a little worried about what he's going to do while I am in class because he doesn't speak any french, and it can be intimidating for me still to interact with some of the shop keepers and cafe owners. Plus, him being here is a part of home. I don't get terribly homesick that often, but it's mainly because I ignore it. I know this incredibly selfish, but sometimes that's the reason I am bad at keeping in touch with people over here. Whenever I talk to my friends or family I usually end up homesick for at least a few hours afterwards. If I keep myself busy with other things it's easier to ignore the homesick feeling. I'm surpised that I'm actually more homesick for Minneapolis than I am for Racine. I miss my school, and understanding what the hell is going on in my classes, and my amazing friends. I miss being busy. Plus, I'd really like some coffee to go. Nobody here brings coffee to class. There is no Starbuck's, or Caribou, or Espresso Royale. The coffee is amazing, but it's definitely a sit down social affair. Not a get through the school day without falling asleep thing. Don't get me wrong, I really love France. The culture and the scenery are amazing and I could see myself spending summers here. But, surprisingly, I really am an American Girl through and through.

My computer cord broke (of course...) so until my dad gets here with a replacement, it may be a while since I update again. Andrea was nice enough to let me borrow her computer for the weekend while she is in Barcelona, but I'm not sure I'm going to want to journal in the office. We shall see.

A bientot mes amis

First Impressions.

I am in love with this city. It has been a long two days, but I have loved every minute of it. The journey from Minneapolis was long and tiring, and extremely exciting. I am so glad I took the group flight, it gave us all a chance to bond a little before getting here, plus it was good to have a support network to count on when things got a little too complicated for me to handle on my own.
We arrived in Montpellier at 2:30 in the afternoon, roughly 17 hours after departing from the Minneapolis airport. Sadly, my baggage didn't. One of the onsite directors, Corinne, met us at the airport and helped me and two other students describe our luggage to the AirFrance staff, then we took a taxi to the Ibis hotel, in the center of Le Place de la Comedie, which Montpellier's central square. After showering, I was so tired that I just slept... for 6 hours. Then my roommate and I went out to le place and grabbed dinner. This morning Corinne met us at the hotel after breakfast and after a very very short walking tour we headed to the office. There, we got a short on-site orientation ate some pizza and were taken to our housing. Mine being in the other half of the building.
I love my apartment, no wait I ADORE my apartment. Since we share a building, we are able to connect to the office's wireless. Well, most of the time at least. Somehow, I got lucky enough to be given the biggest room, and the biggest bed! The furniture is all antique and gorgeous. Plus, my favorite part, I have a fireplace and a balcony! I swear, I think I may have the best housing situation out of anyone in the program.
My American roommate, Andrea, was home eating lunch with a friend. They were nice enough to invite me out with them to the bookstore and to walk around the city. Andrea took me to buy my tram pass, which was fairly simple, and to the Monoprix, to buy groceries. Not so simple. They list the price in Euros AND in Francs. I bought a very small amount of food, and the first thing I saw was the Francs price, 98,00. Well, needless to say I got a little worried. There was no way I was spending 98 euro on five grocery items. It wasn't. It was only 15 euro, and it's a good thing Andrea was there to help.
We came home and both of the French roommates were here. Franja (pronounced Fanza) is 22 and used to teach french to brazilian students so she is very patient when I don't understand what she is trying to say, or when I can't formulate an answer. My other French roommate is Leah. I think she is 19, she's preparing for her BAC which is an important test all french students must take to get into university, so she studies a lot. Fanja took Andrea and I out to a cafe with some of her friends last night and it was fun. Andrea and I spent a lot of the time just observing and once in awhile saying "quoi?" (which means, what?)
Today we went as a group to open our bank accounts and purchase rental insurance. Then a few of us went to this little sandwicherie (haha, I love that they call it that) and had really delicious sandwiches. In about an hour we will be taken to our school for the first time, to register as students and see the campus.
I think I may have blown my converter, so I'll have to buy a new one. When I do, I will post pictures of my place and the city.

until then, abientot mes amis!