September 3rd

What a surprising school day. So much happened in one day that it now feels as though I've been here for over a week. The morning started early with me and Paula leaving Dawn's, the American woman, apartment in the rain. The rain was more of a drizzle, but it still did not give way to a good day. We, along with our stuff, were dropped at the international building on campus. From there we met our professors, Erich Martel and Michael Hauchecorne, and began our intensive course classes. That was fine, in fact the classes were rather enjoyable. Both teachers have very charismatic teaching styles which makes class more interesting. Drama did not start until after lunch. All of the international students had to be registered into the school's academic system; unfortunately in France that means paperwork, lots of paperwork. All of us were just herded from station to station not knowing what acronyms stood for what and asked about fifteen times what our address in France was. Apparently no one in the faculty received the memo that the international students have not even moved into their dorms. Speaking of the dorms, they were surprising in the strangest way. The good part is that they are brand new residence halls, the worst part is that they are not finished. Sadly it is true that the rooms lack many common essentials for living in the modern world; examples are electricity, warm water, and toilet seats. Fortunately the blinds work, but other than that it is one half-completed mess. I'm a lucky one since my electricity is functional, however cold showers are not something to which I'm looking forward. I will tell Camille tomorrow that the water heater is apparently off and she will go super saiyen on maitenance's ass. Honestly, everyone is really pissed about the living situations including the French tuteurs. After all it does not reflect well upon the school that they cannot provide sufficent living quarters for the international students. And to think, it is only the first official day.