Blogs from Tours, Centre, France, Europe - page 6

Salut mes amis! The last three days have seemed like three weeks. It’s hard to believe that I haven’t even been here one week yet! Although my sleep schedule is just barely adjusted—this morning was the first day my alarm woke me up at 7:15. Sunday and Monday I woke up around 4 again (but stayed in my room away from the creaky stairs) and yesterday I only woke up maybe a half hour before my alarm—now I just need to work on actually being able to stay up past 10… Sunday I went to Catholic mass with the family, in a huge Cathedral that was beautiful! The service was held downstairs, in the crypt for St. Martin (of Tours). I guess the service is held in the crypt because it’s slightly smaller (and while there ... read more

Hello friends! I survived my first day and it is absolutely FABULOUS here. I sadly didn’t get to sleep on the plane from Newark to Paris, but the Bucknell professor here (Professor Westbook) picked us up from the airport in a large bus and I slept for the entirety of the three hour drive to Tours. Tours is beautiful, although for a European it probably looks like any other town. There is a trace of snow on the ground from some crazy weather they’ve had over the past week. (It’s usually Oregon weather here—lots of rain, but not usually cold enough for snow.) The bus pulled off to the side of the road next to La Loire river, and we waited for our French families to come pick us up. It was a Friday, so just ... read more

Bonjour a tous!! I hope you are all healthy and happy as always. Things have been crazy around here the past few weeks. I can honestly say, that since my move, I have been the happiest I have ever been throughout my stay here in france. I walk around with a smile on my face all the time and have completely adapted to life and everyone here. I hope you all had a fantastic Thanksgiving. I confess that I was sort of dreading the holiday. It was my first time away from home and the fact that Thanksgiving doesn’t exist over here made it even worse. Well, let me tell you…I have never been so surprised or touched. The morning of Thanksgiving was just as normal as every other Thursday has been. I woke up, ... read more

Bonsoir!!!!!!!!!!! First, I'd like to say a BIG thank you for the birthday wishes and comments. :) It makes my day to read a little piece of home. :) I had to write today because somethings were just too good to wait until next week! I woke up this mornng with so many birthday wishes and skype voicemails that made me feel so unbelievably happy and loved. After a few tears of joy, I got ready for my first Literature Class as a student with the students I work with. I'm very familiar and comfortable taking French classes at the University of Akron because it's with the same people who are all American. I was so nervous for my class today. The students see me as this confident person who speaks English with them and were ... read more

Bonsoir a tous!!! After rereading some of my blogs, I realized that the things that stick out the most in my head don't come across as the most pleasant! I just wanted to write to stress how truly happy I am here. No, they don't shower often, but that's because they don't like to waste water. The French way of living is very natural and green. I've learned to not waste as much and the importance of saving electricity. I'm living in such a beautiful city, with a wonderful and loving host family, eating the most delicious and healthy food, drinking the most amazing wine, learning the purest French, and teaching over 100 students how to speak English. At 22 years old, I'd say thats pretty good! Believe me, anything unfortunate that goes on here is ... read more