Back to school back to school...

Friday, February 15, 2008
Having Friday’s off in France is like a dream come true. Time to plan long weekends! I also just discovered a long winter vacation is coming up. We have one week of school, then 10 days of vacation… I could get used to this. A group of us are thinking about going to Spain/Morocco, so I’m excited!! I think I’ll be excited no matter where we go.
Anyways, I got to hang all day. Then I tried to track down more secretaries at the University for a freaking Student ID card! It’s like they want you to just get discouraged and give up, so they can yell at you for improper paperwork later. Finally after 3 different trips from dorm to campus, I succeeded in getting my Student ID card! I’m a somebody now! Well… kinda.
Soup and a baguette ham sandwich for dinner again. Later, some of my friends decided it was time I experienced my first French club, so we all started getting ready to go out. But apparently the French don’t go out until midnight… at the earliest. After the best night of dancing, we walked home at 4:00 in the morning. The most amazing part of the night was walking as slow as possible to the dorms so we could stop at the boulangerie as they were pulling coissants and goodies out of the oven. I’ve never been so happy to have a pain chocolat at 4:45 in the morning!

Sunday, February 17, 2008
So we’ve booked the trip! I will be vacationing in Barcelona and Morocco soon! One full week of school, then one week off to travel and have fun. I might never go back to Oklahoma. Ok, that’s a lie. But maybe I’ll have to travel/take it easy more when I get home. I like this very laid-back approach to life.
On another note, I’m glad I have the Student Social Security Health Insurance here. I haven’t been completely healthy since leaving Dallas with the flu. My allergies/sinuses hate being at such a high altitude, and my Russian dorm neighbors smoke so much I can see it seeping through my paper-thin walls. Smoke is not my friend.

I don’t think I’ve ever updated people on the dorms I’m surviving in. No toilet seats anywhere. Toilet paper, maybe… if you’re lucky… on a Monday or Wednesday. Loud echoing halls where Russians and Asians camp out to have long obnoxious conversations, oh, and a kitchette! You may be thinking, “Oh well that’s nice Katie, at least you can make your food in those amazing pots you bought.” Then I would point out that the heating mechanism given to us is not the always handy microwave, or even a toaster oven? It’s a science lab hot plate, like the ones you used in high school to heat your beaker of water. My Chinese neighbor makes an impressive spread using only a hot plate. No wonder they’re going places. (joking!)

Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Now that school is starting, I think my daily life will get a lot less interesting. I've been cleaning my room a lot since all my "friends" come to eat drink and leave a mess... so thats cool. Also, me and mes fleurs, thats flowers for you non-frenchies, we hand out alot while everyone else has fun at Happy Hour. My sinus infection turned ear infection is being a Debby-Downer, but I'm determined to be at 100% for the trip! I leave on Friday! Claire and I are looking into buying headscarves, especially me. My blond hair screams, "I'm American, please rob me". I also found my neato passport necklace, thanks Mom!
Hopefully the next post will have great stories and great pictures.... (if my camera makes it back with me.)
A bientot.