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These past few days have gone by quite fast, but each day is about the longest day ever. To catch up a bit, I got into Paris on Tuesday (July 1) after an 8 hour flight. Coincidentally, I sat next to a girl who was going to Angers for the same program. It was definitely nice to have someone to talk to and also someone I would know once classes started. I managed to get onto the TGV (fast train) from Charles de Gaulle. Once I watched a bunch of people doing everything, I figured things out pretty quickly. The train was quite peaceful- it is definitely a great way to travel. I arrived in Angers around 4, France time. It was extremely hot and kind of miserable (there is NO air conditioning. Anywhere). I waited a bit with my professor from UD until my host mom came to pick me up. Her name is Anne-Dominque and she has two children- a 14 year old boy and a 10 year old girl. The boy is staying with his dad at the moment, but the daughter is here. She is ten and is quite adorable. She has been very excited about helping me with my pronunciation and explaining things to me. So far, I've really enjoyed living with my family. They are very nice and eager to help me with anything I need.

We had placement tests Thursday morning and a brief welcome/orientation thing. We have our lunches in the cafeteria- but it is unlike anything in high school or at college. Since lunch is the biggest French meal of the day, we have multiple courses and sit family-style. We start with a cold course with lots of vegetables, rice, and veggie salad-type things. I'm not at all sure what everything is, but I've really liked it all so far. Next, the meat course is brought out- yesterday it was pork in a gravy-ish sauce and today it was salmon in a sauce. And accompanying that is a side dish- noodles or cooked vegetables. Finally, they bring out cheese (Camembert) mostly. And dessert is either a tart of some sort or yogurt for the digestion. All of this is of course eaten with plenty of bread.

We started classes today and of course I already have homework. I got placed into a high intermediate level, but we were reviewing the passé composé today (past tense) which I've been reviewing for about 7 years. I could tell that some people in my class were as bored as me while others looked quite lost and confused. I would much rather have something that challenges me- something that would be hard enough that I would have to work at it. I didn't come to take classes in France to sleep through them. I know I do not have perfect French, but I do not want to be taught grammar anymore. The only way I can get better at it is to constantly practice it. And it's not going to help me if they're just re-teaching me the conjugations for the 20th time. My professor is very nice however. She wants me to remain in the class for a few days to see if it evens out. If not, though, I am allowed to move up to the next level.

Tonight, we have an excursion to Puy du Fou, which from what I've gathered is some sort of spectacle that has to do with the history of France. I'll just have to explain further when I find out tonight. I have internet at my apartment, so I will luckily be able to update my blog frequently (as long as I have the time) and converse with everyone back home. Well, dinner is just about ready. tout à l'heure!