From Barcelona to All Alone-uh

Hello everyone!  So right now I'm on my first of two breaks this semester (I like France's breaks better than the US's) and I decided to go with some of my friends to Spain.  We left straight away on Friday night and took the night train to Barcelona so when we woke up we were right there ready to start the day.  Barcelona is absolutely gorgeous and I'd recommend it to anyone!  The weather that first day was also really great--full of sun and a temperature that lets you go outside with just a sweater--and it's always slightly bizarre but on-the-whole fabulous seeing palm trees in February.  The next day was rainy unfortunatly but we didn't let that stop us.

Mini-Adventures Galore!

Finally we’re settling into our schedules here in Nantes! Classes are confirmed and have been attended multiple times, I can get to and from many places in Nantes via tram (though I still won’t touch the bus), and I’m even in the process of becoming a regular at a creperie. Not everything is completely set in stone yet (I’m going to be trying a new club and possibly a new dance class on Thursday and Friday respectively and my internship won’t start until March 1) but it’s certainly starting to feel like a routine. This, of course, meant it was time to shake things up a bit! So on Saturday we had our first of three IES-sponsored field trips—this one to the seaside town of St. Malo and the famous Mont St. Michel.

Ima Survivor

The anticipation is over.  This was my Thursay (warning--this is a long one):

I woke up at an hour when the sun had not risen, when darkness was still upon Nantes, an hour when one should never be awake to see the clock.  It was, I think, 4:11.  And then I went back to sleep, because for some reason my body randomly woke me up and I didn't need to stay that way.

I re-awoke at another hour when the sun had not risen, when darkness was still upon Nantes, and again an hour when one should not be awake to see the clock (unless under threat of admonishment from high school cross country coaches; but even then...).  This was about 6:25.  It had a lot in common with 4:11, except it was 2 hours later and it was actually necessary to get up this time.  That was unfortunate because getting up at 6:25 is seldom pleasant.  But I persevered and got ready for the day and eventually made it downstairs for breakfast (i.e., bread, Nutella, and coffee) and then caught the tram.  At my first stop, I bought a pain au chocolat in case I would need a sugary pick-me-up later in the day (as I would).

Necessities and My 1st Class at the Fac

Converstation between my host mother and me today; my vague memory translated roughy to English:

Host Mother:  What time will you leave the house tomorrow morning?
Me:  I have a class at the university at 8:30 so probably between 7:30 and 7:45.
HM:  Ok, because there will be construction going on nearby and they're going to cut the water lines at about 8 or so, so we won't be able to use the water.
Me:  But there will be coffee, right?
HM:  Yes, because that will be before 8.
Me: (Smile of relief) That's good.  I'll need it.

Since I don't have a lot of time tonight (I have to get up early, as you now know), I'll comment on  two things: