A painted sky can be seen as I look out the door to the balcony and listen to classical music on my laptop. I am finally feeling like things are coming together here in France. I have come to accept the fact that I am going to miss my family, my friends, and my life in Michigan until I come back. But I have also realized that just like I am not forgetting everyone at home, they are not forgetting me. Donc, (therefore) life goes on.

Well I can honestly say that since arriving three weeks ago, today was the first day I felt content, at ease, and really enthusiastic about the year ahead. Over the past couple of days, I've made many friends from all over the world (primarily the USA and Asia. It is really great to be able to talk to other students who are in the same situation as a study abroad participant. Bèatrice has shown me that while there are a bunch of nit-picky things to get used to and take care of, she is my mother figure here. It is still a little difficult talking with her because we're still getting to know each other and because my speaking skills aren't perfect yet. But whenever I'm worried or stressed, she says "Ne t'inquietes pas" (don't worry). It helps a lot. And Yilan and I get along so well. I know she is quite a few years older than me, but we've both decided that we will say she is twenty-one. We are in almost the same level of French, so it is pretty easy to converse with her too. I feel like the city of Angers has accepted me all around, and I feel like I don't stick out as an étrangère (foreigner). I feel like I am adapting quickly and like each day I have more people to call friend. The city is filled with places and streets to explore! France is a little expensive, but I can't do anything to make that different.

The weather here has been interesting. I think that Mother Nature in France is a little moody and can't decide what she wants to do. Each morning, it's freezing, and by like 11 in the morning, it's seventy degrees out! Today, within a two-hour timeframe, it rained and cleared up and stormed like three times. But it cleared up for a beautiful sunset with a good contrast of colors and clouds too.

I really miss singing, and it is not fun that the only place I sing now is in the shower or the solitude of my room. Béatrice has apparently heard me singing though, and yesterday, she told me "Il faut que tu trouves une chorale pour chanter." I was so astonished, because she used the subjunctive form which implied necessity. She told me that I need to find a chorale to sing in. I was so happy in that moment, and she even mentioned a couple that are pretty good in the area for me to look into.

The school is offering a few excursions this semester to various places in the Loire Valley of France. I've already been to many of the destinations such as the châteaux. However, they are offering a trip to Mont St. Michel and Saint Malo, and I would love to go to those places again! They are also offering a vacation in April for all CIDEF students to the North of France because there is a two-week vacation.

I've decided my classes for the semester. All of my classes are high intermediate, and I'm taking Langue (language), compréhension orale (listening comprehension), exprèssion écrite (written expression), grammaire (grammar), traduction anglais-français (translation of english to french), and histoire de la France (french history). It is so exciting, and I am positively ecstatic to be back in school and have these classes.

The one thing I have not yet managed to understand are the boys here. They are so forward here, and so confident in their charms. They grow up in such a romantic culture here in Europe. The guys here have definitely been more open than American guys in their "affection" toward me if you want to call it that, which also goes to show that I don't look like a tourist...haha! No worries though, my heart still likes my dear American boys.

Though I haven't been to church since arriving here, my faith continues to grow stronger as I am tested and persevere. I pray to God all the time, asking for help, patience, and little things to pick me up if I'm feeling down. Right now, I feel like my life is like that song that goes "I called, you answered, and you came to my rescue and I, I want to be where you are." Je n'ai pas envie de trouver midi à quatorze heures (literally, I don't want to find noon at two in the afternoon; but it really translates as I don't want to complicate things) by saying that I did this all on my own, for I know that it was Dieu (God).

Alors, bon soir mes amis et ma famille. Je vous aime. Good evening my friends and family. I love you.