September 10th

Ah Manic Mondays, they are not fun-days at all. The morning started with an evalutation at nine. How peachy. Since I'm neither a morning person nor one who enjoys speeches that assess my level of speaking in a foreign language, it wasn't the best start for me. However, my evaluation did go smoothly with the only concern being that I need to watch anglophone pronunciation. That basically means when I say a city or a town that is an English name, like Downers Grove, I should say it with a French accent since that flows rather than my normal American accent. I suppose that makes me similar to the Spanish newscasters. Luckily it is something that I can fix rather quickly. What really shocked me today was how much some of the other students struggled with French. They actually didn't speak fluid French but rather French with English conjunctions, basic Franglish for anybody. The professors stressed strongly today that if English is not their native language, they should resist speaking it since it mixes with their French. Obviously I am allowed to speak English with other fluent English speakers, but I saw their point on limiting the other students. The hard thing is whenever I try to speak in French with the other students they always say, rather rudely I might add, "why you speak in French, use English!" It was tolerable for a few days, but now it does rattle my cage of patience. I came to France to practice French, the next time they say that to me I will refuse to speak in English no matter what. Maybe then the message will be received. I have no issues if they want me to correct their English from time to time, but really when they are in France they should practice French! Phew, glad that issue is off my chest. The rest of the day was communicating with my ISEP, the study abroad program, coordinator M. Hauchecorne. He helped me and Paula with our class schedules by giving us a packet full of course descriptions as well as credit requirements. Finding the right classes was a long process but I am very happy with the end result, especially since two of my classes meet every other week. Lastly, I talked to my brother Peter which is something that I miss everyday. Unfortunately, right in the middle of our conversation, my minutes ran out. Bamn, I have no more talk minutes meaning no more calls and texts meaning no contact with my family until I can refill them. Tomorrow morning I will call customer support since they close after nine and try to add more credits to my phone. Until then my phone acts as a measurement converter, damn Celsius, and a digital watch. C'est ma vie, actuellement ou jamais. Je ne vais pas vivre éternellement. Heh, Bon Jovi French time ; )