Salut!

Salut tout le monde ! Ca fait longtemps, oui ? I can’t believe that I’ve been here for ten days! On one hand, it seems like I left home just yesterday, but on the other hand, I feel like I’ve already been here for such a long time. Even though it was really hard adjusting to being completely immersed in the French language and culture, I feel so wonderful now and I have great faith and confidence that I am going to become very competent in speaking and understanding French while I’m here! It is really quite exciting. The weather has been absolutely beautiful; far better than in Michigan from what I hear. As I mentioned before, the first few days were filled with a trips to the supermarché, and also a trip to the centre-ville. Well, since then, I’ve been able to discover the city a bit more, and also visit some tourist attractions here! I walked to the centre-ville by myself a few days ago, and explored that part of the city. By the way, there is a ton of construction going on in Angers. I almost feel like there is more construction in Angers than in all of Michigan! Hopefully it will be done within a few months. The architecture and history is very rich in the city, and when you go downtown, you can just tell that history and traditions are balanced very well with modern styles and ways of life. While I was downtown, I bought a new French->English dictionary, the first Harry Potter book en Français, and also a few other little things. I figured that it would be a great idea to buy Harry Potter, because I’ve already read it in English, and reading it in French will enrich my vocabulary and also help me to see different grammar uses. As I walked up and down the streets of the centre-ville, I passed a few cathedrals, walked through the gardens of the Musée des Beaux-Arts, and took in as much as I could with the ways people interacted. While I was walking around downtown, at least three people asked me different things about the area, at which I could only reply “je ne sais pas.” While that may not seem like a big deal, I felt wonderful because the fact that they were asking me questions meant that I looked like I knew my way around the city and wasn’t a tourist! On Saturday, Yilan and I went to the marché. It was essentially a huge farmer’s market or open-air market. It was right in the centre-ville, and there were so many different booths set up, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was equivalent to the size of a Meijer back home! I bought some fruit, vegetables, and flowers, and the atmosphere was so energizing! I also should mention that the stereotype of French people involves berets, but I have only seen one man in France with a beret. Yilan, Béatrice, and I visited the Chateau Montgeoffrey on Sunday, and it was pretty interesting. The style was very classical, and even though I didn’t understand everything the guide was saying, I was able to get the sense of what was said. The gardens there were beautiful, and it felt so good to be in nature. I already feel so much better about speaking French in public and I can understand decently well what people say to me. I of course am most comfortable speaking and listening to Yilan and Béatrice, but overall I feel pretty comfortable right now. I am so excited to take my placement tests tomorrow and for school to start next Monday! It will be great to meet some other foreign students and to have some work to do. It’s been fantastic becoming acquainted to the city before jumping right into school, but I am ready to go back to school. And now, I must depart, for I am making pasta for dinner. C’est la vie en Angers, France!

Les premiers jours à Angers

Bonjour! It has been such a long journey to get to France, and now I’ve finally made it. The past few days have been hard, challenging, and exciting all at the same time. As I was saying goodbye to my family, I truly thought that my life would just end at that very moment. It is such a bittersweet emotion to watch everything that you know and love fade away as you ascend higher into the air on the plane. On the first plane ride, I almost started crying all over again. I opened the surprise from my mom, and it was absolutely wonderful. I will cherish the thoughts and words of encouragement from my family and friends who were a part of it. I then continued to read a card and a letter I had just received, both of which gave me more strength and assurance that my next nine months will be an amazing part of my life. On the second plane ride, I sat next to a boy named Christophe, who was in the USA for a couple months to practice his English. We talked about anything and everything, mostly about our experiences in the USA and in France. After he and I went through customs and the baggage claim, we said goodbye and decided we’d visit each other if I go to Paris or if he comes in Angers. Regardless of whether or not it happens, it’s a nice thought, and he requested my friendship on facebook ;) I then took a train from Paris to Angers, which was rather uneventful.

When I arrived in Angers, Béatrice and Yilan met me. They were both so kind and eager to meet me, and all I could really do at that time was listen to what they were saying. As we drove to the apartment, they pointed out various places in town, including the school I will be attending. Once we arrived at the apartment, they showed me my room and I fell in love instantly. It’s small, but very inviting and has warm colors on the walls. I have a bed, a bedside table, a desk, and an armoire/closet thing. I also have a door to the balcony, which is my favorite part of the room! In the apartment itself, there are three bedrooms, a dining/living room, a kitchen, a bathroom, a room for the toilet, and an entryway. After looking around, we had dinner, which consisted of salad, potatoes, and wine. Oh my goodness! This was my first experience with wine, and it was so strong, that I made a face that Yilan found absolutely hilarious. Let’s just say that I don’t know how soon I’ll be drinking more wine! After this, I unpacked my stuff, which was extremely difficult. With each thing I unpacked, my heart was breaking as all I could think about was home. I soon finished unpacking and went out to talk to Béatrice and Yilan. They gave me a hug and told me not to worry because the first night is always the hardest, which is so true! Though I still miss my family and friends, I feel so much better now. On the second day, I woke up around lunchtime, and Yilan and I decided to walk from the apartment to school. It is only about a mile away, which is extremely convenient. On the way, we passed the supermarchés (supermarkets), many boutiques and shops, and also a Macdo (McDonalds). As much as I hate fast food, I might be going there when I really need something American! We were only at the school for a few minutes, but it was good enough for me to have an idea on how to get there and where my classes and advisors will be. The next day, j’ai conquis le supermarché I conquered the supermarket! I was so worried I would make some dumb mistake, and the second that I thought I was going to do something wrong, I heard the song that goes “Lucky I’m in love with my best friend” by Colbie Callait, and I smiled. I knew that things would be okay. We also went to the centre-ville (downtown), and that was a really fun area. The architecture was beautiful, and the atmosphere was, well, French.

At the moment, I am feeling really good about my comprehension, speaking, and feelings about being here. Even though I am in the city, I can still tell I am in France. The atmosphere is really lovely, and I feel like I can breathe a lot easier now that I am here. I put pictures up in my room, and I can truly say that the room is now my own. Also, it may sound kind of strange, but I have gone to different places here, and there have been scents in the air that remind me of home. It has also helped me a lot. I am already starting to mix up my French and English words and expressions, and I’ve found myself trying to write certain words and expressions in French in my journal. I feel really comfortable with speaking to Béatrice and Yilan, and even though there is a lot I don’t know, we are able to comprehend each other and they help me to use the correct grammar and words. Funny story: For those of you who know me well, I use the expression “oh man” quite often. Well, on the first day here, whenever I was trying to figure out what to say, that expression would come out, and they thought I was saying “Oh merde.” “Merde” is the equivalent of that swear word that is the word “hit” with an “s” before it. So, they laughed every time because they thought I was swearing! Most importantly, whenever I am having trouble, God is with me and he gives me little things to pick me up.

Adieu

Tomorrow is the big day! My flight for France leaves at 4:22 in the afternoon, and I will be with my host family by Sunday afternoon! Never before have I felt like time has escaped me. From meeting with friends and family, to trying to embrace quaint little Grand Haven, the past few weeks have been a blur. These last few days have been a torrent of emotions. To be perfectly honest, I have tried to occupy myself with as much as possible, so as to prevent the truth that I am leaving for nine months to sink in. The past few days have been a little more difficult though. I said goodbye to all of my close friends, both in Grand Haven and at Aquinas, and my emotions are just waiting to burst at the airport tomorrow. I woke up today and I truly realized that time is running out here in Michigan. There was no one left to say goodbye to, I was all packed, and was left running a couple errands for my mom. I have decided that being left alone to just think, especially when you are about to make a huge change in your life, is probably not the best idea. As I was driving alone in the car on the way to the library, I almost began to cry, at which point I turned on the radio, cranked up the volume, and sang at the top of my lungs! Since that time, I’ve decided that I am going to cry more than ever tomorrow at the airport, and that is okay. It is okay to miss what is here, but there are new friends and experiences waiting excitedly at the other end of the plane ride. So, as Juliet says to Romeo, “parting is such sweet sorrow,” I say the very same to everyone here. Until we meet again, I bid you all adieu.