HELLO!!!! FINALLY!!!!

Ok, So....Apologies for not writing in my blog for nearly 3 MONTHS. I have been having issues with Blogspot and the internet since I got here. However, it seems to be working now, so keep your fingers crossed!
So updates updates updates!

I arrived here the first of September, ready and eager to start speaking French. And yes, I started speaking French almost immediately! We had a two week 'stage intensif' or a two week intensive French course. It was very interesting, and I got to meet a lot of the international students that have now become my friends! Plus, at the end of the stage, I got a pretty cool certificate, and an 'ez reader' version of 'Around the World in 80 Days'...Only appropriate considering the university is named after world famous author, and Amienois, Jules Verne.

The most challenging thing I have encountered so far was trying to decide which classes I was going to take. This process is vastly different than the process in the UK, where it is pretty much 'These are the classes you will be taking next semester...' Here in France, you can test out classes and see if you like them before fully registering. This came in handy when I decided to check out an Ancient Art history course that turned out to be a total snooze. I substituted it with History of Cinema, and two classes of Contemporary Art History. I am pretty satisfied with my schedule now, which includes 1 Spanish class, 2 French as a Foreign Language classes (similar to ESL in the States) 1 Photography class, and the aforementioned art history classes. Oh, and I am also taking Argentinian Tango, which is pretty much the coolest thing ever.

Life in France has not been especially easy lately. The French have been 'en grève' (on strike) for about a month now. This has caused major disruptions in public transport, trains, and there have even been fuel shortages. Not to mention the demonstrations that block off the streets! This is all due to a reform that Nicolas Sarkozy has been trying to put into place where the retirement age will be raised from 60, to 62. It seems a bit ridiculous as an American, who doesn't actually have a real retirement age, but I respect why they are a bit upset, and I respect their right to strike. However, it is definitely getting in the way of me getting to classes in centre ville, and that definitely frustrates me. I guess this is just a lesson in French culture, and a lesson in how to roll with the punches.

I did, however, get to travel a bit, to see one of my best English friends, Emily. She is posted as a teaching assistant in the middle of nowhere, in a tiny village called Raon L'Etape. While it is picturesque and quiet, I can understand her frustration in not being able to make friends in such a tiny village. Still, we spent a wonderful day in Nancy (about 50 minutes away by train) and then explored the market in Raon L'Etape. It was wonderful to catch up (and hear a Northern accent!)

I can assure you my French is slowly but surely improving. My comprehension has skyrocketed, and I can understand almost anything if the speaker anunciates! The goal now is to get my responses down, and be able to conjugate more quickly in my head. I am sure this will come with time, but I have to remind myself not to speak in English with people who are fluent in it also! That isn't going to get me anywhere!

Anyway, now that Blogspot seems to be working, I will definitely attempt to update more often, and let you know of the goings on in Amiens!