the first two weeks in Paris

Bonjour tout le monde!

I have arrived in Paris safely! It is exactly two weeks that I have been here, however it still hasn't sunk in that I am actually here. I'm so grateful to finally have completed this dream that I've had for many years now. I can't wait to see what God has in store for me! (ps. don't worry I do miss everyone back in the states)

Voila, pictures of my house. I am living with a host family in Joinville-le-Pont which is a suburb "banlieu" of Paris. Two journalists (one retired) who own about a million books and who will teach me so many things I wouldn't learn anywhere else. Marie-Christine (mother) Phillippe (father) Axel (22-son) Constance (23-daughter) Jean-Pierre (the cat). Both the son and daughter don't live at home, but have their own apartments in the city. I am about 35 min away from Paris by train. (from top: Front of the house, view looking out from my room, the view before intering my room, my desk, and my pull out bed)

The first two nights were overwhelming. A combination of the jetlag, no euros, and no straightener made it stressful. Alright I'm kidding about the straightener, but you all know that I can't live without my Chi.
Anyway, the differences in the cuisine were the first to hit me, literally. I feel like I'm eating at a restaurant every night. The meals are so exquisitely presented and they're so good! My fav so far: muscles w/ white rice on the side.

I'm gradually getting used to drinking red whine with every meal, but I know I have some time!

To the reason why I'm here: School
I'm studying at the Institut Catholique de Paris aka. la Catho. Classes started on Sept 28th. I have a class each day from 2pm-5pm. They're 3 hrs long! With the exception of my History of Cinema: La Nouvelle Vague which is 4 hrs long! I will survive. Taking the train everyday isn't a hassle, at least I get to read. However, coming back SUCKS since its the time everyone goes home. Whatevers. Classes (all in french) include: History of France 19th century, History of Cinema: Nouvelle Vague, Phonetics, Argumentation, and Philosophy.

I have turned in my application for Sciences-Po second semester. We will see what happens. (Ahhh!)

Things I have done in the two weeks:
1) Opened my bank account with the french bank Societe General.
2) Visited the Saint Chapell
5) Became a part of Hillsong Paris w/ a Connect Group!
6) Went shopping all around Paris- bought a Longchamp bag
7) Started Reading 1 out of 6 books I have on my list to read
8) Partied with my host-siblings next to the Notre-Dame

Last night was my host-mother's get together completed with Champagne a la Peche, Red Wine in a box, White wine in a box, and various other fruit juices. Towards the end of the night I "plunged" into a conversation and tried out my French speaking skills.

I was trying to say that before arriving in France, I had heard that the French are private people and its often hard to make friends. However the translation from Eng-Fren didn't go so well, so now I have a group of people that are under the impression that I believe the French are deprived of something.... fml.

Here are some pictures from the epic night.

The "Pain Surprise" which was a bread with tiny sandwiches inside. Then the Champagne that was being prepared. The host siblings. Then the donut looking pastry is actually Paris-Brest delicious- we have left overs so there goes my diet. And lastly me trying to teach Axel how to swing dance. I'm not the best person for that.

I've got homework so I should get going, but I promise that I will write at least once a week. I hope its not tooo boring. This is just my intro post, so I do think my post's will get more interesting and not just retelling what I've done, so please come back and read!!

Picture of Paris are coming soon!

I love this city.

with hugs, Mayra.