Le Printemps

Hello everyone! Feels like forever since I've written, so I figured it was about time that I checked in.  I have to write an essay before I go class today, but in true Amanda fashion, I decided to focus on other things.  Since Rome, I've been kickin' it in Compiègne, which is something I can honestly say that I'm happy about.

It's finally spring here; we've had about a week and a half of consecutively beautiful days.  Since I'm so accustomed to Rhode Island weather, I am still not fully convinced that the weather will be like this from here on out.  I guess I'm holding a bit of a grudge against mother nature, but I heard that there's snow in NY today, so no hard feelings :)

This past week was good.  I'm still lost in some classes, but all is going well and there is nothing major to complain about.  Towards the end of the week, I went to a soirée in Compiègne for St. Patrick's Day with a few of my friends, which was fun.  The next day, the other American, Liam, and myself had an "American" party for some friends.  Liam had it at his place, and we took the day on Friday to go and get supplies.  Some of which were: American beer, chips, dip, ingredients for PB&J, ingredients for jungle juice, a funnel, solo cup-like cups, ping pong balls, and more.  Everyone really had a blast, and I felt like I was home for the first time since I've been here, which was nice.  I spent Saturday and Sunday pretty worn down; a mixture of a hangover and my allergies. Sunday, I rolled out of bed and went to the park by the Château with some friends for a picnic, which was a good time.  It helped me to get some fresh air and tired me out a bit.

Jungle juice!

Then began another week at UTC.  I figured that with the Mon-Wed class schedule, that weeks would seem long, but they all really are blending together.  This week sparked the realization that I need to study more French in my free time.  With a sore throat and congestion, French has been hard to speak, but I need to put in a more conscious effort to learn and stop expecting it to fall into my lap.  I especially need to put in the effort here, because when I go home my French will only deteriorate, let's be real.  Anyway, now I'm finished for the week! Kelsey is coming on Saturday!

TWINNIE SOON! EUROPE=soon to be backdrop!

Can you believe it? She's arriving Saturday morning, so we will spend the weekend in Compi and go to Paris on Monday until Thursday.  Thursday afternoon, we are going to London to meet up with our friend, Cait, and will stay here until Sunday and Kels will fly out of London.  Crazy!! After that it's only back to the grind for 2.5 weeks until my parents come.  I knew that once the semester hit this point, it would start flying, and it certainly has.

Almost everything here has become habitual, and another thing that I've noticed, is my will and automatic reaction to speak French in certain situations.  I've raised my hand in class a few times. Yeah that's right.  OH and I can't believe I forgot to mention that my bank card works!!!!! SUCK IT FRENCH BANK.  I'm now official.  Finally, and I have to close my account in like, what, 10 weeks? Haha, still feels good at any rate.

Hope that you are all well and that spring comes and STAYS for you guys! Lots of love!

-Amanda

Un "Petit" Voyage

Hello all! Today is my first full day back in France after my lovely long weekend in Rome.  I had been one time before, but man, do I love it even more now.  It was a great trip, but I'm really happy to be back in Compiègne!  I've been in Europe for 2 months as of yesterday! Can't believe it.

This past week of class was a little stressful.  The first three days of the school week are the only days that I have class, so all of the stress is compacted into the first part of the week.  Like I have amnesia, I forget about it until late Saturday, then begin to worry again.  I have to start making some decisions and taking some action.  By the way, I'm conducting a research project for the construction of an eco friendly neighborhood in Barcelona.  Did I sign up for that? Nope, don't think so.  Anyway, the week was fine, and then the perfect end to a week by relaxing a bit in Italy ;)

We got to Rome at around lunch time on Thursday after an early morning walk to the Compiègne station, followed by an hour long bus ride to the airport, followed by a two hour flight, then another bus ride to the station in Rome.  Despite all of the little legs of the trip, we were ready go upon arrival! We saw the Trevi fountain (including a gelato stop), Piazza Navona, Pantheon, and more. Friday, we spent all day at the Colosseum and the surrounding Forum and Palatine Hill.  BEAUTIFUL.

Gelato time!

Trevi Fountain

Chillin' at the Pantheon

Colosseum with friends

That night, Anna's friend that lives in Rome took us to the original Peroni brewery, where there is now a restaurant in its place; super cheap and super good.  And Saturday, after much thought and consideration, we made a voyage to Naples followed by a metro ride to Pompei.  Want to see something absolutely amazing? GO THERE.  One of the most amazing places I have ever been in my life.  Wow.  We didn't do a tour or anything, and the loose train schedule gave us the whole day there to soak up the sun and take our time walking around.  I even had time for a little nap in the middle of the "town square" where tourists asked my friends if I was alive.  Narcoleptic much?  

Dinner at the Peroni restaurant

Pompei

Quick snooze

Before leaving

Throughout the trip, I had noticed a couple of bites on my hands and arms.  I immediately thought of spider bites, until I was proven wrong by some bed bugs in the hostel.  Horrible, couldn't sleep, but we realized it on Saturday (late) and were leaving Sunday morning.  Not much we could do.  Sunday, in between scratching our bodies, we were able to get to the Vatican to see St. Peter's and stroll around before coming back to Compi.  We did so much in such a short amount of time, it was amazing.

Now, back in good 'ol Compiègne.  Had a great day today; ran around and got some things done, and am heading to bed early because I have class tomorrow at 10:15, but am going to the bank tomorrow to get my card (ROUND 2).  This weekend, I will probably hang around here in Compiègne, because the weekend after, Kels will be here.  What??? I can't wait!  Anyway, I hope everyone is doing well and I miss you.

xAmanda

La Vie Quotidien

Bonjour à tous!  So, here we are in the month of March.  Can you believe it?  I know I can't.  I know I keep saying it, but everything is really starting to blur here.  I thought I was in a routine a few weeks ago, but now I have a true routine; feels great.

Class is good here, although it is very different from the USA, as expected. Besides the fact that everything is taught in French, I spend a lot of time in class per week, but I have like no homework.  Maybe there is something that I'm missing, I don't know.  I'll probably get slapped in the face come first exam.  All of that aside, I like class, although I'm a little intimidated.  I will also say that four hours of philosophy in one day, regardless of what language it's being taught in, is a little much.  Integrating with French students is a little rough, but it is just as I anticipated.  Everyone is nice, it is just about being outgoing and not being afraid to make mistakes.

SO, after my lovely, short week of classes, I decided to join my group of friends at a club in Paris, where Thursday nights are dedicated to ERASMUS (exchange) students.  I knew before going that the last train from Compiègne was at 8:50 pm, and the first one to come back in the morning was at 6:37 am.  Being as I am in France, and my experience is all about trying new things (right?), I decided to go because I would be the first person to say "no thanks" in the US.  The night was fun, I even got an American flag sticker to wear, which made me extremely happy.

La Groupe

Although, after a few hours, the fun started to die down.  Let's be honest, no one wants to spend 6-7 hours in a discotheque, especially with aching feet. Haha.  Anyway, I DID IT! And I slept until 3pm the next day.  So not Amanda.  I don't know if and/or when I may be going again, but that was certainly an event for the scrapbook.


Tomorrow, I have class the entire day, then I'm going to the UTC professor's house to talk in English with his daughters, finally! They are so cute and I'm so excited to be doing some sort of "extracurricular."  After that, there is a Carnaval celebration for Mardi Gras at a bar in Compiègne, so Tuesday is certainly full.

Thursday, I am going to Rome with Anna and Hansen.  I can't believe it is happening already.  That means, after this weekend, there is only one weekend until Kelsey comes! WHAT?  I cannot believe that.  It is going to be amazing!  It'd be even better if I had a French card to pay for things.  Oh yeah, forgot to mention that the second passcode didn't work, so now they are giving me an entirely new card and code altogether.  Should be ready in about 10 days.  Not cool.  Anyway, another great week here in  Compiègne, no complaints.

I hope everyone is nice and warm at home.  Spring seems to be arriving quickly here in Compi City.  Miss and love you all.

-Amanda