C'était une bonne journée

First off, I would just like to say that Advil PM is a beautiful thing. If ever you feel feverish, congested, and unable to sleep, pop one before bed and voila! You sleep through the whole night and wake up feeling MUCH better. J

When I woke up this morning, I was a little bit behind...Amy had already left for Paris for the day. I was fine with that though. It gave me time to get ready, clean my room, do some homework, and relax before class. I walked to the RER station around noon (class isn’t until 2:00pm, but I like getting there early to go over readings), and listened to my iPod while I walked/rode the train. A bunch of country songs came on and it made me feel REALLY out of place (country doesn’t exist here. Sad, right?!?!) ...But I listened to them anyways because nobody could hear but me. J

Classes were pretty much the bomb.com today. In culture class, we had more gourmet chocolates (Jean Paul Hévin this time), and then he handed us each 20 Euros to spend as we like. That’s actually really handy for me seeing as I have no access to my bank account until this weekend! Plus, who doesn’t love free money??? I also got my review about my last photo essay back. I was really nervous about it because I though it was terrible, but M. Oliver actually really liked it! So that was a lovely addition to my morning. We were supposed to have a reading quiz as well, but he didn’t finish writing one, so we get participation points instead. I love classes in Paris!!!! J

After classes, Amy and I went to see this movie:

Midnight in Paris (Minuit à Paris) was a charming, classic Paris movie. I really really liked it!!!! I think part of the reason that I loved it so much was because 1) I’m in Paris and 2) I recognized all of the places in the movie. I don’t think that it comes out in the states for a few weeks but when it does, go see it and think of me in Paris. And then come visit me.

When Amy and I got home, our host mom wanted to go on a walk with us and go by a museum about 15 minutes away from the house. It was fun to talk to her and get some exercise in the gorgeous weather. We talked in French the whole time too! It’s amazing how natural it is now. The museum/restaurant is called La Maison Fournaise and lots of famous impressionist painters used to come and visit to escape the hustle and bustle of Paris. Actually, Renoir painted his “Luncheon of the Boating Party” RIGHT on the balcony where you eat dinner. I want to eat there before I leave!!!!

We came home and Madame made us salad, beef with a mint sauce, potatoes, and bread for dinner. It was AMAZING! Best dinner yet by far. Maybe I was just excited to have real meat in a meal for the first time in a while. Who knows! Dessert was this cheese (of course), bread, and a DELICIOUS yogurt that was honey and oats flavored. It’s absolutely incredible! Monsieur laughed at our reactions and taught us the expression, “C’est le petit Jésus en culotte de velours!” Which literally means, “It’s the baby Jesus in velvet pants”...but it means that something is utterly delicious. Use that next time you taste something divine!

Well...time for the Advil PM. Until tomorrow! Bonne nuit! J