Dream come true.

What a whirlwind this past week and a half has been! A slow, but constantly changing whirlwind. I feel like things change everyday: my feelings, the new people I meet, the new places I discover, the new short cuts I learn, the amount of food I eat... I can't keep up with my life!

After the first two days of settling in, Drayton and I discovered how truly uneventful Vichy can be if you let it. We would sit in our rooms for hours at a time, wondering when we'd ever have anything to do! Depressing, right? Yes, but once the weekend hit, everything changed. We met SO many people last Thursday night, it was insane. Okay, from experience, I need to correct the world-wide stereotype that French people are rude. They are proud of their culture, yes (who wouldn't be?). But they are the absolute opposite of rude! I can honestly say that in 5 weeks in Paris last summer and in the 3 weeks that I've been in France this time around, I have not encountered anyone with a mean word to say. Everyone goes out of their way to be kind and welcoming, especially if they know you are foreign to the area. Anyway, I'll get off my soapbox.

After we made good friends with the French students, our hopes soared. Then a few nights later, we met a lot of the other students in our English-speaking program here.

I would have to say the most awesome part of my experience so far is how many people I now know from all over the world. Out of my French-speaking friends, there are students from Morocco, Congo, and all over France. Students in my English-speaking program come from everywhere: Venezuela, Slovakia, Canada, China, Taiwan, and all over the United States. How cool?! It impresses me so much that most all of the friends I have made from each country, except the U.S. and Canada, speak at least two languages and are in the process of learning a third. I want that so badly for the United States!!


Some of the friends we have made so far :)

We started our intensive French classes a week ago today. Intensive meaning 4 1/2 hours of French a day... wow!! It's actually been great so far. I absolutely love my professor. That's probably the major reason I've stuck with French this long in the first place-I've had so many great teachers along the way that really have a passion for the language :) We start regular classes next week. I will be taking international trade, international marketing in Europe, French 3 (I tested into the highest level of French-Yay!), and France as a tourist destination. Our schedule is so great-we have long weekends every week! :)

Yesterday, after 2 full weeks of being here, I re-fell in love with Vichy. Drayton and I power-walked for an hour through the parks here... I believe it was the best walk I have ever taken. With many trees and paths, these parks go for miles along the river. There were so many cute French families out with their children and dogs, enjoying the beautiful weather. Many were playing games or just walking aimlessly around. What a relaxing atmosphere! I cannot wait until Drayton and I continue our plan to walk through the parks every other day for relaxation and exercise!


Me standing in one of Vichy's beautiful parks


A path in one of the parks after it snowed last week!

To save money, Drayton and I have made meals in our dorms every single night that we've been here. Tonight, I think we are going to treat ourselves to a dinner out on the town-can't wait to find some French cuisine!

Basically, I love it here. I love my new friends. I love this town. I love speaking French all the time. I love knowing that I am in France. What a dream come true.