Merci...

That is the extent of my French at this time. I feel disrespectful towards the French people I come into contact with. I feel rude not knowing how to converse and even just make small talk. Luckily, a smile is universal, and learning is always an option. I hope to learn some basic French while I am here. I want to be more than just what they perceive to be an ignorant American who thinks they are fabulous in every way.

I cannot explain how exciting it feels to finally be moved in somewhere. It is so unfamiliar right now, but I know soon enough this neighborhood, and Paris will feel like home. A very strange notion, but a soon-to-be true one.

In the meantime the FIAP we are staying at will be quite cozy, and it already feels familiar to me. It is HUGE, housing 500 international students, and it is very modern and clean. I feel like a ritzy world traveller. Jean Monnet, was a man who appreciated international relations,so the FIAP revolves around the goal of bringing students from all around the world together. To meet and connect. Pretty awesome goal. They make this possible with some really impressive amenities, such as: tv room, movie room,cyberspace cafe,cafe, breakfast room, ping pong room, cafeteria, laundry room, nightly activities such as wii competitions, board games, and concerts, and they provide meeting rooms, lounges etc. The building itself reminds me of the architecture in the movie Superman Returns.It just does. Very white and shiny ;~)

Oh, and good news people,my entire floor is pink and purple and so is the room I share with Cait. Our room is quite nice. Shower, and bathroom included, and we have maid service. They make our beds and clean every morning. Our room is very similar to a dorm, so it feels weird to not make my own bed, but hey, they do it better and faster than I can. So I'll learn to get used to it.

Oh, and yes I am spoiled rotten over here in more than just one way. I have a four day weekend every weekend. I only have class 3 days a week. Sweet deal. Plenty of time to become bff's with Paris. I think going back to Loma second semester will be like jumping into an ice cold pool: shocking, with the urge to jump right back out. I think I will slowly warm up in that cold pool so to speak, because I have some amazing friends at Loma who warm my heart. You don't realize until you are far away who the people are who truly care for you are. I appreciate them so much for staying in contact and encouraging me when I need it. What a blessing!!!!

Today I had my first test of the semester. It was challenging,considering it covered all the art we have seen thus far in Europe. Talking about answers after the test I am pretty hopeful for my grade...but it's always good not to speak too soon about these things, so *knock on wood* wait, does that work in the digital world? Should it be knock on metal/plastic instead? Hmm, what a deep thinker I can be ;~)

After Art History, we had Lit class, and then Poetry. I am amazed at how much I have enjoyed submersing myself in poetry. It's a language I thought I would never get, but I am in the process of truly learning it, and getting to know it. Plus, I can't explain why, but reading poetry makes me feel as if I am understanding a dimension of life I have never encountered before. It's cool, I like it ;~)

Around 6pm our group was given a formal welcome, which included first a tour of the neighborhood, and second a non-alcoholic cocktail party, complete with tiny French desserts and sandwiches. It was delightful, and the conversation was enlightening. A group of us spoke with the tour guides, and one woman was telling us where she had been in the US...California and New York. It got me thinking. Our cultures aren't all that different, they are just opposite in a way of thinking about things. We think of Paris, and Rome how they think of New York and California. We idolize/romanticize Europe and they do the same for the US. That just hit me funny.

I am sorry I have no visuals to go with my words, but hopefully that will change soon. I have been mostly inside the FIAP the entire time I have been here...a whole two days.

If you want to write here is the address:

Megan Neel
FIAP Jean Monnet
30 rue Cabanis
75014 PARIS

I guess that's all for now. I did write more, but my internet went out and I lost a chunk of my blog. Too bad, but I will make up for it next time. A promise is a promise!

Je T'aime,

Your Meg.