learning French
Today I went to Alliance Française and promptly failed the oral exam. I did impress them with my written skills and use of the passé composé, but they explained (in French so I didn’t catch all of it) that I wasn’t very good orally so I should just be in the lowest level. It turns out that evening classes are all on Mondays and Wednesdays, so I won’t be doing that, because it interferes with ultimate, and I think making French friends is at least as important to me learning French as taking the class. So instead I’m taking the “extensive” classes, which are more hours per week (9 as opposed to 4) and take place Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, either in the morning or afternoon. The afternoon is cheaper, plus I think it’s better for work (I leave a little after lunch and then come back). I figure I’ll take these through June, then do the intensive Sorbonne classes for July and August (25 hours/week), and by then I’d better damn well understand French.
I work long hours. Yesterday it was 9:45 till 7. I’m trying to get into work before 9 but it’s a struggle – I’m still having trouble sleeping for whatever reason and often go to bed quite late at night. Watched some college bball in a Canadian bar in St. Germain – a lovely neighborhood that I have not been to yet. I got some great advice about finding a new apartment, which is: don’t ask about the cats. The leases don’t say anything about pets in general, and besides, once you sign a lease it’s virtually impossible for the landlord to kick you out. Yay socialism! So I will resume my search in earnest.
It is so very lovely in Paris right now. I hate to brag to the Seattle folks (ok, I love it) but it’s been sunny and warm since I arrived. Blue skies, and so so bright, temperature of Seattle summer almost. It seems my timing is perfect. The Jardin du Luxembourg is beginning to bloom and it’s absolutely gorgeous. I’ll take pictures as things progress, maybe pictures every weekend. I’m hoping to explore some other neighborhoods this weekend, probably in concentric circles around my place and my work. This will also help me figure out what neighborhood I want to live in.
OK, to work.