Aix-cuse me...

I'm not really sure what to say about France. My mind is overwhelmed with so much new-ness right now, so I'm just going to list the big things that come to mind:

1. Food. The essentials:

*Bread

*Cheese

*Crepes

*Tomatoes

*Potatoes

*Creme brulee

*Coffee

*Wine

Which sounds really stereotypical of France, but it's true. Everything is fresh and tastes 20x better than American food. I will never, never tire of French bread. Never. I'm such a carb-whore, and it's just carbs carbs carbs, everywhere. The boulangeries/patisseries are literally on every corner. There's at least one every block. It's like Starbucks in America, actually even more ubiquitous. And their version of "fast food" is little food stands that sell sandwiches, pastries, pizza, and soft drinks. And although everything is sinfully delicious, I have found that it is, indeed, possible to be satiated with carbs. I need some fucking protein. But overall, I have no complaints. I mean, it's French cuisine. Even if it's bad, it's still good.

2. Fashion. One word sums it up: black. All of the Aixoise wear black, all the time. Young people, old people, canines. All of them. And the volume of hipsters in this town is simply absurd. Meredith told me that she saw a girl walk by who was dressed punk-esque (of course in all black) and she was literally carrying a stereo on her shoulder, just rockin' out to some tunes whilst she traversed the Cours Mirabeau. Say Anything /early 90s, much? I think it's pretty cool, though.

Anyway, French fashion is kind of weird. Maybe it's too "fashion-forward" for me, too avant-garde...? I don't know, I'm just not feelin' it too much so far. I keep walking into boutiques hoping to find something I like, because the winter sales are about to end, but nothing jumps out at me. I did stop in a Converse store today, though, and they had these seafoam green hightops that I want DESPERATELY. But they were expensive, and will be cheaper in the states. Everything is expensive here. And of course, I have expensive taste (always have), so the clothes I'm lusting after here are the ones that are like, 75 Euros for a top. Which is over $100. Probably not gonna happen.

The point: everyone wears black and it's super depressive/emo. I don't know if I'm into that. I'm sure I could be. I could regress to my 16-year-old, studded belt-wearin', heavy black eyeliner-sportin' self, but...nah. I like CoLoR, for God's sake. I even brought a bright orange skirt. That won't make me stick out like a sore thumb at all....Whatever, I am who I am, and I like my style. However, I have implemented a policy: I shall not buy anything unless it is perfect and I feel I cannot live without it. There.

3. School. I tested into the highest level, "Superior," for my classes. I was, needless to say, frightened. I'm good at French, but I'm not superior by any means. So when I entered the university on Monday morning, I had no idea what to expect and felt quite intimidated. And after my first day, my fears did not feel at all assuaged, but rather, intensified. 5 minutes into my first class, I was almost in tears. The professor, Mme Calvet, spoke incredibly quickly and her accent is so thick, I could (can) barely understand what she was saying to me.

It also doesn't help that the university operates on a yearly basis, not on semesters. So I'm just jumping in during the middle of the year. Of course, I naively expected to receive a syllabus on the first day of class. And to be told what would be expected of me over the semester, everything planned out and systematic. No. Not like that. It's kind of like, "Oh, hey, new students. How are ya. Anyway, where were we..." Because the majority of the students have been here since October.

Plus, the courses are very laid-back. At least in my level. It seems that the professors kind of make it up as they go along, giving very small assignments as the need arises. The only project I've been given in advance, and which is a common thread for a ll my classes, was assigned as such: "You'll have a short oral presentation to give sometime before the end of the year." And that's...all she wrote. The actual time spent in class is so much longer, though - at least 2 hours per class - that it seems lke an even trade. Very different from UK, but so far I like the French system better. It's really cool because everyone, including the professor, casually strolls into class a cool 10-12 minutes late. And then we have a break in the middle of the class. So basically, it's gonna suck to go back to UK, because I could definitely get used to this.

There is no doubt in my mind, though, that I will learn a lot this semester. Even if we just sit around and talk in all of my classes. I truly do feel academically stimulated and challenged. Which is so nice to have, because I've been bored in most of my classes at UK. Bored into laziness, into mediocre performance in everything. But the environment here is so academic, and the simple fact that I have to work really hard to even comprehend what my professors are saying will absolutely prevent boredom. Honestly, I'm ready to work hard and to soak up as much as I can. My intellect is truly being tested at this point, and I've realized that I'm capable of so much more than I give myself credit for. Maybe this is finally my chance to show it, the chance I've deserved for so long.

Whew. Alright, well there's so much more to report, but I'm quite tired and drained from all this writing so I'll have to pause here. On the docket for my next post:

*Mme Hamouda and the comic array of horrors Meredith and I have experienced at her residence (It's the hard-knock life for us. Jay-Z/Annie - represent.)
*24 Rue Philippe Solari - the address of my soon-to-be new residence, which is, by the way, a three-story villa.
*Americans in Aix - specifically, the other students in our program.
*Finally, completely separate from my experiences in France, a (rough) list of my all-time favorite albums. Just something I've been thinking about lately.

Parting note: I miss everyone, love everyone, and really want a pet to snuggle with.


C'est tout.