La Musique?

Forgot I took a picture of the first snow yesterday.  This is a closed area of the "park" near their house.  Pretty sweet graffiti, huh?  HA!

It was a pretty day today...very sunny all day which I can't say very often!! It's nice to see the sunshine amidst a rather dreary week!  Had some extra time before Marie-Cesare got out of school so I stopped at a cafe nearby and had an espresso.  I'll have to say the coffee here isn't the greatest, although they sure pride themselves on it.  And if you order coffee with lunch, they turn up their noses at you!  But...I guess its the experience (and rent) of sitting in a cafe hours upon hours reading or just simply people watching that you pay 3,80 euros for.  

We danced today in tutus made of pink and lots of sparkles!  I hope this video works? Let me know if it doesn't.  

Yes, that is the Nutcracker playing in the background.  

She loves to read, which is good for both of us.  I get to practice my speech and see how certain things are written.  There is this French children's book series called "Martine."  She has about 5 of them and we read them over and over and over and over.  I pretty much know them by heart by now.  

Going early in the morning for a full day of fun.  wooooo hoooo.  I love Wednesdays when she cries and screams til her parents leave!  

Chloe just got back from jet-setting to Switzerland again.  A stay at the Beau-Rivage in Geneva?  

Yes, please!  

Uneventful.

Pretty boring day today! I was "walked out" from the weekend so just decided to walk as little as possible today.  It snowed here last night and when I woke up the last of it was melting off the awnings and rooftops!

Passed by a window today and there sat Mr. Daniel's and Mr. Mark.  Right over from Lynchburg and Loretto, KY.  It's actually a very popular choice in restaurants and bars here.

Took some other pictures of my chambre de bonne this weekend. Sorry it's a little messy!

Marie-Cesare wanted to go to the petit menage as she calls it after school today.  (a small merry go round for about 10 children at a time)  It was snowing and about 30 degrees!! But of course, since I am the best...we went.  I told her deux fois...which means two times.  C'est tout!  That is all!  

Have been thinking about Margie Mann today and all of the lives she has touched over her many years of teaching...including mine!  She is such an incredible, strong, and amazing person and want her to know that I am thinking and praying for her constantly!  

Sunday Funday!

Slept super late this morning on accident...not that I had anything important to do, just always feel so lazy when I sleep late....or like I'm back in college with Alex in the sorority house sleeping our lives away! 

Met the girls on the Champs Elysees today!  One couldn't make it, but met Amalie from Denmark, and Omphile from South Africa.  Both really sweet girls...It was Amalie's first week as an au pair, but she has been to Paris several times before.  Omphile has been here 5 or so weeks but its her first time in Paris.  We stopped at this huge Haagen Dazs cafe on the Champs Elysees and had chocolate chaud and espresso.  It's always fun to talk about the differences in countries and cultures.  And our similarities.  And our hate for European change.  I absolutely had when I pay for something with a 10 euro "bill" and they give me back 8 euros or whatever in change.  It's so heavy!! I also learned that the South African cultures l.o.v.e.s. KFC.  I found this to be quite hilarious for some reason and told her of my stepdad's love for the stuff.  

We chatted for a couple of hours and headed back down to the Christmas Market.  I had been there last night...but it was much less crowded today and much colder!! After browsing through the rather strange selection of booths we walked even further down to the Louvre.  At one point I turned around and saw the Eiffel Tower in all its glittering glory!! It was absolutely beautiful...much more beautiful in person of course.  

The Louvre was also astonishingly beautiful.  Every building here is so old and full of so much history...but in such great condition!  I can't wait to go inside!  

After that?  The Notre Dame.  We walked and while it was nearby, it felt like forever!  They were having Sunday night service so we went to see what it was all about.  The church was gorgeous yet eerie in its own way.   

We were all pretty much frozen popsicles at that point so decided to call it a day.  I got home to my freezing cold room...my electricity had gone out at some point in the day.  It's so frustrating and I'm tired of not being able to cook!  I will be so glad when they get it fixed this week!! 

After talking to several different au pair's and their situations over the past few days I have realized that I am pretty lucky to have found the family I did.  While they have pretty much left me to be independent...I think I like that versus having to live with the children all the time and have to "check in" on the weekends.  Marie-Cesare and Gaspard sound like angels compared to some other children and Chloe and Franck very caring and sweet.  Everyone's language difficulties seem to be the same, and I am thankful that I know more than most!  

Il fait froid!

Despite the fact that it's absolutely freezing outside today...it was a great day!  Went and met Chloe, Marie-Cesare, and Gaspard (Franck is in Cannes for work) and went to get my bank account.  Then we went to a little Italian restaurant nearby that they like to frequent.  I had a Margherita pizza and it was delish.  Marie-Cesare was however a holy terror.  I am so thankful that she doesn't act like that when she's with me...or maybe its just in public places and we haven't been to many public places together yet? I don't know....she was bouncing off the walls.  Chloe sort of tried to stop her, but...not like I would have!  Gaspard was sitting on the same side of the table as me with his head buried in my arm because he was so embarrassed.  I didn't really mind because I didn't know anybody anyway.  HA!  I think it must be a mom thing with her?  I don't know....but I was just glad I wasn't in charge!  

Left there and went to the Musee D'Orsay to meet my new friend.  She's from Australia and super sweet!  I got there a little early so I ventured around the Seine to take some pictures and stop in for my first petit macaron.  

Framboise!  (Raspberry!)  It was melt in your mouth AMAZING.  

The museum itself was stunning.  After we got through the 30 minute line to get in, I realized that since my visa is for a year, I am considered a long term EU resident so I got in for free....added bonus!  

The art was incredible.  I hate to say it, but usually that kind of stuff bores me, but it was familiar paintings from Degas, Monet, Van Gogh, etc. that I actually knew about! Degas' ballet dancer pictures are beautiful in person!  The museum was smaller than I expected, but still had the most amazing works of art.  It amazes me that they are still so vibrant in color and in such good condition some one hundred and fifty years later.  

I didn't have any plans and she didn't have to babysit until 8 so we left the Musee D'Orsay and headed towards the Champs Elysees.  This time of year they have a "Christmas Market" and its all kinds of vendors set up along the sides of the streets selling treats and trinkets, food and drinks.  Similar to the fair, minus all the rides.  Except at the opposite end of the Arc De Triomphe there is a large ferris wheel.  There were about a million children waiting in line at 10 euros a pop.  At night, the Champs Elysees was absolutely beautiful.  Every perfectly manicured tree had perfectly placed lights.

Hopefully I'll have the chance to go up in the Arc De Triomphe before they take the lights down and take some really good photos!  I have heard that is quite the task to take on...as there are stairs leading all the way to the top.  

Going back to the Champs Elysees to meet another group of au pair girls tomorrow afternoon!  My feet and legs are so tired!!! I came home tonight and just crashed.  Currently watching the LSU/Arkansas game...unfortunately am not going to stay up to watch the Ole Miss/State game buttttt I can only imagine who is going to win.  Oh the life of a Rebel fan...

Laundry Day!

Laundry Day!! I realize this might not be a very interesting post for many of you, but I LOVE to do laundry. I guess I can thank my dad for that trait!!! ;)

Of course the day I want to do laundry Sabrine wasn't home...but I had to do it today because I'm out of clothes! With my plans this weekend it doesn't really allow me any time either. So, I put my dirty clothes in my suitcase (the most brilliant plan I've had so far) and lugged it down my stairs.  I had googled the nearest Lavarie, and unfortunately it was 2 metro stops away. Eventually I got there, figured out the directions in French, which were actually very easy, and sat to wait. This Lavarie was in a boring part of town and not much to do around it unfortunately!  Packed all my clean clothes back in my suitcase and rolled it on home.  Coming back to Courcelles a nice man offered to carry my suitcase up the metro stairs. It absolutely made my day. It's the random acts of kindness that matter so much!

I left to run a few more errands around my neighborhood and of course, just around the corner...there is another Lavarie! I hadn't walked down this street before or else I would have been mad at myself for not noticing it!!  Google let me down....

After that great adventure I went and picked up the letter my mom had sent registered post which was my ss card I left at home! No one was home when it was delivered so I had to go pick it up at La Poste.

Picked up M-C and went to the park.  On the way home we stopped and got some chocolate because I am the nicest au pair in the world.  Can you believe that this strange green alien spaceship looking thing is chocolate?  It's absolutely gorgeous and perfect in its own way.  Not to mention delicious!

Right as we left the chocolatiers shop it started snowing! Of course it wasn't much, but it was magical to see snow in Paris!!!  I know that sounds very cliche, but it was!  I tried to take a picture, but.... didn't succeed.  

Excited to go with Chloe to get my bank account and finish the paperwork for my Carte Imagine'Air.  I want these things off my to do list!!!  Musee D'Orsay tomorrow afternoon!  

You are going to laugh!

First of all...Happy Thanksgiving!!! I love and miss you all, and am so thankful for all the wonderful and encouraging people God has put in my life.  I am so blessed to have my huge, wonderful, yet crazy family and I wouldn't be where I am without you! :) 

My lunch today was really a lot of fun!! First off, we met on the platform of a metro station because it was the easiest place we could figure out to meet.  She's from Charlotte, NC and an au pair just outside Paris in the suburbs.  She had the address of the place we were suppose to be going to, and headed out to find it with our trusty maps.  About 10 minutes later, we walk up to the address, and its a really random building that looks like it use to be a restaurant...but now with cobwebs and dust all over the place.  Soooo either she wrote down the wrong address, or the announcement was from a few years ago-ha!  We weren't too bummed since it was about the company, not the food.  We kept walking around, I knew the area pretty well since we were in the 9th.  She didn't want to go anywhere too expensive, I wanted to go somewhere American, and I didn't have a ton of time to spend whiling the way at a cafe all afternoon...soooo guess where we ended up?  

HA.  That's right.  McDonald's.  

I haven't eaten at McDonald's in at least a year...maybe 2.  At least not that I can recall.  And after today, I definitely remember why.  Although they do have some interesting things on their menus that we don't have in the US.  For you that haven't traveled to a European McDo I'll elaborate.  They have a Croque McDo, which is a play on the Croque Monsieur...just a toasted ham and cheese sandwich.  They also have a an herbed ciabatta burger, pistachio milkshake, and lemon tartelettes.  And you don't get unlimited ketchup either.  We had to share a table with a couple of people but we didn't mind because they couldn't understand us anyway!  We talked about everything...it was really fun!  We are hopefully going to get together again over the next couple of weeks to do something touristy.  

After lunch, I headed down to pick Marie-Cesare up from school.  It began to rain so I took cover under a closed restaurant awning while I opened my umbrella.  And then.... it started to hail.  It was pretty small, but definitely noticeable.  

It is suppose to snow over the next few days, but wasn't expecting this sleet/rain/hail combination today!! I have learned to always carry my gloves and umbrella with me so this isn't a daily issue. 

 Once I picked her up from school we headed to the doctor.  She was very excited and glad to go!  I was nervous because it was our first outing together (besides the park of course).  We went to the metro and I haven't received my metro pass yet so I am still using tickets.  Marie-Cesare gets to ride free because she is under 4.  I put my ticket in the machine expecting both of us to roll through at the same time.  Nope. She wiggles her way through and I don't.  Figures.  So I have to use yet another ticket and hold up the line of very angry and hurried Frenchmen behind me.  Our ride was very good!  I had taken a book from her room without her knowing so at one point in time she was getting a little hyper so I pulled out the book.... instant distraction!  

The doctor was very nice, but I can't see why she was so excited to go?  There were no lollipops or stickers or toys.  The walls were white and it was very quiet.  Anywho, we got the prescription for the meds (which only cost 2 euros I might add) and headed home.  I learned my lesson this time and picked her up and carried her through the ticket carousel.  

On the way home I stopped to gaze at some of the shop windows.  Then my eyes fell upon this crazy item.  Now, I know that Mont Blanc pens are very very expensive...and there are some that are MUCH more expensive than this....but I cannot imagine paying 440 euros for a pen.  If I were going to pay that much for a pen, it better have a global locator, automatic refills, and serve me breakfast in bed.  My 10 cent Bic works just fine.  

That's just one of those things that I probably can never justify spending money on? Especially since I lose at least one pen every day.  

Again, Happy Turkey Day to everybody!! It was hard to be without you all but I'm glad I got to Skype with some of you!  I love you all very very much...and hope your full of lots of good food.

Wednesday #2.

Much better day with Marie-Cesare today!!! Yay! We only had one huge dramatic blow out around 5:00 this afternoon.  (Besides the normal don't leave me mom tantrum in the mornings)  We went to creative art class again and I was able to sit on the couch upstairs near her class and read my French/English dictionary.  Yes, I said dictionary.  Over the past few days in my free time that's what I read!  I sat at a cafe yesterday afternoon for 2 hours and just flipped back and forth in my little pocket friend.  The first is a vague picture of the inside of her art school...I think its very cute!  Over to the left is a small cafe that you can order a coffee, tea, cookie, etc.  

And this awesome thing was on the wall behind me today. It made me laugh out loud like the hippopotamus did last week!  

We came home to a noisy house.  Workers were putting up Chloe's backsplash in the kitchen.  We watched The Princess and the Frog (en Francais) and took a nap.  Then, we read a ton of books and colored for about an hour.  We were suppose to go to the doctor today because she is still not feeling well.  She talked about the doctor all day and how excited she was to go.  I have never heard of such?!?

Chloe couldn't get her appointment until tomorrow, so I will be sure and blog about this wonderful doctor tomorrow!! We are going after I pick her up from school.  

Was very glad to see Chloe after such a long day.  Had to stop by Monoprix on the way home to get paper towels and a pair of scissors...ugh, I hate that store buts its so convenient...and has just about anything you could need!  

Very tired but excited about lunch tomorrow! 

Woke up today missing my friends and family very much!! I think its because Thanksgiving is around the corner and its just another day here! It's so weird.  Tried to go get a bank account today...again.  Epic fail.  The banks that do speak English I have to have Chloe or Franck accompany me and assure the bank that I really who I am (even though I have my passport) and that I will not steal all their money.  The only reason I want a bank account in the first place is so I can get a French cell phone without having to pay through the roof for pay as you go charges! dslicvtfo$iej*!!! Hopefully I can talk Chloe into going with me Saturday morning, I will need her help! 

On the other hand, good news is...I still am having lunch Thursday... And, meeting a girl Saturday to go to the Musee D'Orsay!

And...I don't have to be at the Lachaize resident until 8:30 in the morning. (It's the little things, really.)

Franck is probably the nicest man ever.  He is so understanding and much more laid back than Chloe.  He doesn't speak much English at all so most of our conversations are with motions or pointing.  But he asked me tonight if I missed my family because they were far away, and asked if there was anything he could do to help.  So sweet.  

I did take some pictures of my building.  It was getting dark so you can't tell much, and my room is at the very tip top.  

Just above the Pharmacie...and no that is not my room with the cute balcony on what you might think is the 7th floor.  My window faces the inside terrace and you can't see it! :)

Off to bed, long day tomorrow. I only hope I can survive a whole day with Marie-Cesare!  4 hours at night seems to wear my brain out...should be interesting! 

Love you all! 

Parlez-Vous Francais?

I went to take my placement test at the France Langue today.  When I arrived it was again 400 degrees so I took a seat and immediately took off my scarf, gloves, and coat.  The test was short, only about 4 pages.  There were a couple of other girls in the same room I was in and I actually held an intelligible conversation in French with them!  I then took my test to the information desk where I waited about an hour.  There were probably 30 people taking this same test, and 2...I repeat 2 people grading and placing students.  RIDICULOUS.  Good thing I arrived much earlier than I was suppose to because I wouldn't have been finished in time to pick up Marie-Cesare!  I learned that I was in the intermediate class.  From the way I've been speaking with Marie-Cesare you would think I should be in the beginner's class...but, suppose not!  I can't wait to begin classes so I can refresh my memory on everything and begin learning more...en francais! 

Stopped in to buy some pasta salad for lunch and found this little guy on the wrapping.  I have never seen such..."fourchette."  Yes, I know that is the French word for fork.  But this one's different!  Its a little fork no longer than my index finger with a handle that folds out.  How clever.  

I also bought une tarte aux frambroises for Gaspard, Marie-Cesare and myself to share.  

C'est delicieux!  Things were much more fun today with Gaspard there.  Although, with that fun came a few more fights, more dinner to cook, and definitely more words said.  But, he helps me and I help him.  He is such a sweet kid...and was telling me about Spiderman and Batman, etc.  I told him I have never seen Star Wars and I thought he was going to shoot through the roof!!! It was funny.  He finished his homework and played his Wii while I tried to entertain Marie-Cesare so she wouldn't bother him.  We went to the park for a few minutes after school, but it was so cold we didn't stay long.  This is a rather bad picture, but that is the "playground" near their house.  

It is very small too, and when everyone from her school goes there after school to play on that one slide...things can get pretty hectic.  The next one is her room, and all her purses and babies and her huge chest FULL of toys.  

On the way home tonight in Courcelles, I noticed they had turned on the Christmas lights! They have been up ever since I got here, but I guess today was the day they begin to shine.  

Decided lunch on Thursday with the other American girl is going to be at a place in the 9th arrondissement that is having their version of a "Thanksgiving dinner."  We shall see.  I'll be missing all of my family of course, but I can't wait to share with you all about it!

Bonsoir!

Rain, Rain, Go Away...

Uneventful day today.  It is very cold and rainy here, and since I'm not feeling very good I decided its best just to stay in.  Met Laurent today, Sabrine's husband.  He is very nice, and is going to try to get my electricity working right! I hate calling them every day to tell them to flip their switch!

Did take a picture of my stairs the other day.  There are 7 flights of this winding mess.  

Some of the girls that live on my hall just run up and down them like its no big deal.  I hope maybe I'll only get use to them.  I have to walk on the very outside because they are so narrow!  haha..

I did meet a girl online, through an expat meetup group and we are going to have lunch on Thursday! Yay! She's from the south somewhere, and has been here for a year.  Her boyfriend lives here and is French, but has been gracious enough to meet up with me and satisfy my desperation!  I also found this website where I can watch the basic US television channels...live!  So, I am able to watch the Titans game today!  Too bad I didn't have it yesterday so I could watch the Rebs play...oh wait, maybe it wasn't so bad that I couldn't watch!  

Skyping with Laine at the moment.  So good to talk to her!

Taking my placement test tomorrow at the France Langue, and hopefully enrolling in some week-by-week classes for December! 

Ohhh the tourists...

If any of you have ever traveled with me, you know that I hate tourists.  I hate huge crowds and fighting people to get where I am going.  I HATED the Statue of Liberty because there were a bazillion people trying to get there on one boat.  Today was one of those days that I had to fight the tourists.  

I woke up to map out the plan of where I was going today.  Since I was pretty much crossing Paris from one side to the other, I decided this was a good idea.  I switched metro lines 3 times (a first for me) and got off at what was a very crowded intersection.  Across the street was a Starbucks, a McDonald's, and a Pizza Hut so I knew this going to be a long day.  I ventured down the side streets a little bit and found a cafe and ordered un suedois avec brie et un salade des fruits a partir (to go).  Learned a new word today!  Suedois means Swedish.  It's a Swedish bread similar to flatbread, but with the slightest sweetness in taste.  

It was a kind of brie that I had never had before...but it was delicious!! There were also toasted walnuts, lettuce, tomatoes, and a delicious vinaigrette.  I took the sandwich and headed down the narrow alley to the Jardin du Luxembourg.  After feeling my way around the park I found a great chair and sat down to have my lunch.  

I am sure that these gardens are much prettier in the Spring and Summer, but it was a fun thing to do to relax and enjoy the beautiful day!  It was chilly, but I sat in the sun so it felt much warmer.  

There were kids racing sailboats in the fountain, French lovers making out on the park benches, families trying to take Christmas card photos, and many many Chinese people trying to go wherever they could, as fast as they could get there... with camera in hand.  

Luckily I took my book, The Alchemist, thanks to Melanie Gecowets and Alona's suggestion and read for a couple of hours (or tried to anyway...I always get sidetracked people-watching).  I got up to explore the park a little more, then went on to wander around the streets of Paris.  Stumbled upon the entrance to the Senat, which is actually around the other side of the Palais du Luxembourg and the Senat does meet in the Palace.  

I will definitely return to the Jardin du Luxembourg for there is so much I didn't see.  I will however, return in the Spring when there are pretty flowers and everything is green!  

Went down another side street and found myself back where I began,  onto the crowded and bustling tourist area.  Another block and I found myself in front of a creperie! Of course, it must be fate!  I attempt to order a crepe with nutella and bananas.  I get so nervous when I order things or have to speak to people and actually use my French.  I don't know why, because I can certainly can...I guess I'm just not 'practiced' enough.  

I walked around the corner, took a bite and couldn't help but smile.  It was much better than the ones we attempted to make in Mrs. Thompson's French 2 class.  I felt like it was official or something, I'm in Paris.  

Passed this chocolate shop window and had to take a picture of this adorable display.  It is all carved out of chocolate... I loved the bees!  

Finished my crepe and headed down to the nearest metro.  It had this beautiful tile detail on the ceiling!! There were all kinds of photographers set up taking pictures.  

I know there are so many details in todays blog and if you all EVER get tired of so many details please tell me.  Most of you tell me that you enjoy the details and its almost like you were here, which I think is the point!  I wish all of you were here to experience this with me...and I only hope that I can share as much as possible!  

Does anyone know how to insert symbols on my text in my blog?  I have been trying to insert accents and things for my French words but can't figure out how?! Help!  

Skyping with both mom and dad tonight.  Bought the most recent episode of Parenthood on Itunes so I can catch up!  Feeling a little better today but still not 100%.  No plans for tomorrow...yet! Any suggestions?! 

Oh yes, almost forgot....my second view of the Eiffel Tower! I'll get over there eventually!! 

Under The Weather.

I am feeling a bit under the weather today.  I think I caught a cold from probably one of the billions of germs I pick up every day in the city.  Didn't want to stay in my apartment all day today...mostly for fear of boredom.  So, I set out on my mission (again):  to find a copy machine.  After going to 3 different "La Poste" locations in my area, I finally found one that had one!  It was the most archaic copy machine I have ever seen.  Not only did you have to put in EXACTLY .10 euros for each page, but you had to wait at least an entire minute for the page to come out.  I had to make about 10 copies so you can imagine how long I was there.  Then, I had to figure out how to tell the woman that I needed to send it by registered post with confirmation that it was received.  HA. It was hilarious.  About 20 minutes later and 3 different La Poste employees, I got it in an envelope and sent to the correct address...hopefully! 

 It was my paperwork to be sent to the French office of the OFII, so that they can confirm my residence permit, visa, and arrival information.  You have to send it within your first few days of arrival so they can call you back (a month later) for a medical exam, welcome meeting, and so that I can get the numbers of all the other au pairs in my area.  SUCCESS!! So glad I got it done, the bank account, cell phone, and Carte Imagine'Air can wait but I needed to get that done this week!! 

The air in the city was dirty today, and smelled awful.  Some days I don't notice the pollution or noise and others it smells like a dump.  Luckily, my apartment is on the inside terrace of our building so I don't hear city sounds like most do.  I had no idea where I was when I ended up at my 4th La Poste location, I just decided to wander a little bit. Ended up at Place des Ternes.  Ternes is a metro stop on Line 2, but there is a beautiful area in the middle that has 3 or 4 different flower shops.  Every flower you could imagine!  

On down the street I passed a Jenny Craig store and started laughing!  Today while I was in Monoprix I also noticed that they have Weight Watchers items.  I don't know why I find this so funny, it just seems weird to me that people in Paris would eat this stuff.  Or that such American diets have made their way onto the sidewalks of Paris.

Had to go to Monoprix to pick up some things as well.  I have only been in to buy a few things at a time, so this time I took my list and the shopping bag that Chloe gave me.  It seems like a lot when you're paying for it, but when I got home I felt like I hadn't bought a thing!  Stopped at the boulangerie on the way home and bought a loaf of brioche.  Mixed tomatoes, fresh basil, fresh mozzarella, salt, pepper and olive oil together.  Turned on the eye of my stove and....the power went out!  Called Sabrine and she didn't answer.  Waited for about 45 minutes then I guess she realized I called and flipped the switch in her apartment.  Toasted the brioche with lots of butter in my saute pan and topped it with my tomato mixture.  Yummy!  

The tomatoes weren't exactly in season, but the mozzarella and brioche were to die for!  Thinking about doing something touristy tomorrow...maybe Jardin du Luxembourg?  Hopefully I'll feel better after resting today.  Planning to watch Shrek on my computer tonight for a few laughs and a little bit of home!  

The Joys of Shopping...

Was delighted to receive a phone call from both my mom and my dad late last night!  Dad and Bev are going to try their first Skyping venture with me in a couple of hours. :)  

Slept late again today, left my apartment around noon and walked outside to a very dreary, cold day.  I was on a mission to get a bank account, photocopies, and another pillow for my bed!  I like lots of pillows and the one they had for me was just not cutting it. I have a meeting on Tuesday to see if I am eligible for a student account with this particular bank.  No success with photocopies still.  Agh.  I did go to my school, France Langue (which I start in January), and discovered that it is on the same metro line as my apartment. Great news!  

This is the outside of the school.  Inside the school is was about 5200 degrees.  Actually, that's how it is EVERYWHERE here.  There is no opportunity for your body temperature to adjust.  You go from 40 or 50 degrees on the streets to at least 85 degrees in stores, restaurants, basically any building.  I look like a complete creeper because as soon as I walk in everywhere thats the first thing I have to do is take off my scarf and coat!! Everyone else just walks around with all their winter garb on.  Might have something to do with why I think I've collected a cold.  Boo.  

I go on Monday the 22nd to take my placement exam to see what level class I'll be put in.  

I left France Langue and headed to find some pillows and a flat sheet for my bed. I went to Au Printemps (a HUGE department store) and got so lost!! There were 7 floors, 6 escalators going all different directions, and half of them were broken.  Not to mention I couldn't have afforded anything they offered!  The outside of the store was decorated beautifully, everyone in Paris gearing up for the Christmas season.  

After that I headed across the street to Galeries Lafayette.  They too had an assortment of things I couldn't afford, but seemed to be more reasonable than Au Printemps.  After I went up 3 or 4 floors, I realized that there were no home decor items anywhere in this store.  So, back down I went, stopping once on the way down to check out this massive Christmas tree and beautiful stained glass dome at the top.  

I walk out the door, cross the street and there I see a rather large sign saying Lafayette Maison (home).  Pleasssseeeee....I just walked around for 2 hours trying to find this place and its in a whole other building.  Typical!  Now:  onto finding what I need.  Everywhere I looked there were fitted sheets but no flat sheets.  And they don't sell them by the set.  I finally found one flat sheet with the help of a salesperson.  She said that most people in France don't use flat sheets...just their comforters or quilts.  Also found a pillow.  The cheapest one was 20 euros...so, that's what I bought!  The pillowcase to go on that 20 euro pillow was however, 19 euros.  By that time I was tired of shopping and looking and just wanted to go home!  There were so many people shopping today and so many tourists!! People just run into you here and your lucky to get a "Pardonne-moi" out of anyone.  

Took the metro home, made some tea, and just had Cheerios for dinner.  Maybe going to the Latin Quarter tomorrow...if it's raining like it is tonight...maybe not!