Monday: Slept in a little bit today, then woke up and had my breakfast. I got myself ready and then Lionel and Guilhem got home for lunch. Today we had a really really incredible dish that I thought I was going to hate: tuna-fish loaf! It sounds gross, I know, but it truly was a savory, moist, fluffy pillow of mouth-watering goodness. The loaf came out looking rather pink and was dotted all the way through with different herbs and very small veggies. Lionel was able to cut it into slices but they fell apart when he tried to pick them up to serve. On top was a creamy cloud of whipped eggs, cream and fish juice. There was sauce on the side of natural yogurt, tomatoes, and some herbs. With this divine dish we had soft, steamed potatoes and zucchini, courtesy of Guilhem. We finished our heavenly meal with cheese and bread, fruit, and the usual coffee and chocolates. I was in a little bit of a dream-state after all of this but was able to focus just enough to read through my Business in the EU notes before our first exam. I then took the bus to school, picked up money from the first of six people who owed me for our plane tickets to and from Italy, took my test, picked up some more money from another person, and then walked to the post office to buy a packing box. I've been contemplating how best (and how cheapest) to send my mom and sister their birthday presents. Plus, I've had a growing pile of souvenirs for my family for about a week now. I decided to go with the large international box and thank goodness I did- it only barely shut, and that was after I removed all of the packing materials and plastic wrap!
I took the bus home next and set about to relaxing until dinner. By the way, I did okay on the test; I got a B. Now that I know how his tests work, I think I'll do better on the next one.
I was able to talk with my family a little bit before dinner tonight and then I started packing up my box. I was in the process of being completely frustrated with the shipping forms when Christine called me down for dinner. I guess the box will have to wait until I am peacefully in a food-coma.
Packin' it up!
For dinner, we started off by not having soup- a first! Tonight Christine served us cold, marinated Piquillo peppers topped with a little feta cheese. They were just like the peppers I had in Spain. Basically, they were delicious! We then had another endive salad and the ever-amazing bacon, egg, and Gruyère cheese tarte. Bread and natural yogurt/raspberry preserves followed. If this wasn't enough happiness, I got onto Skype shortly after that and was promptly read the Valentine's cards from my mom and sister. The rest of the evening went like this: Guilhem and I had a lively conversation about Harry Potter that was sparked by him wanting to watch the first movie (his favorite, because it gives the most detailed insight into Harry's world- something I must agree with), I took a shower and then I went to bed a little bit early. Isn't life swell?
Tuesday: Unfortunately today didn't start off great, and it wasn't because Tuesdays are my early days (8a), nor was it because I had just recovered from being really sick: I set my alarm an hour late. :( I got up with plenty of time to make it to class at 9a.... if only class actually started at 9a on Tuesdays. I knew it was completely impossible for me to make it to class on time so I played out the morning like normal and decided to show up to class an hour late. Please know, I am taking my classes very seriously and am not slaking off one bit. The only reason I felt it was okay to do this today is because it has happened before with multiple other students and my teacher has been very understanding about these things; well, if it's the first time. Since this was my first time showing up very late to class, it was a truly honest mistake, and because I know that I have made a very good impression on my teacher, I decided that I could be late this one time. Of course when I got there, I apologized and she told me that it wasn't a big deal. I felt so proud of myself for dealing with this problem with as much maturity as I could muster, and I had a double-shot of reassurance when I out-shined the rest of the class in our usual hour-long phonetics session this afternoon. :)
Towards the end of class, I knew my day was going to fully recover. But at lunch, I realized it was going to be amazing. I'm sure you've already guessed the reason why- duh! Food!! :) I had a totally fantastic Greek salad sandwich today, with strawberry yogurt, and a muffin that looked and tasted like a chocolate chip cookie. I could go on but we'll just call it a delicious lunch. :)
We headed off to the afternoon session of classes after this. So you know, there's an exam in mid-March here that all USAC students have to take called the DELF/DALF. Basically, you take a certain level of this test and if you pass, you get a diploma saying you are fluent at that specific level of french. It's a national diploma and it's good for life; you know what that means- everyone here is freaking out over what level to take! Well, everyone except me because I seem to be the only one here who does not have a French major OR minor. I went into the USAC office today to see what level my professors have recommended me for and to sign up for it. The levels start at A1 and then continue to A2, B1, B2, C1, etc. Ryan, one of our advisors, recommended that I take the A2. He said that I've been doing well in my classes but he worries about me taking a higher level because I have some of the least french experience under my belt of anyone in my classes. He had told me towards the beginning of the program that I tested into a surprisingly high level of French, given that I've had a three year hiatus from the language. Who am I to argue with him? And honestly, what does it matter to me if I take the A2? So I signed up!
In class, Vuokko, one of my two professors, went around the room asking us which levels we had signed up for. She seemed surprised when I said the A2 and now I know why- she came up to me after class just to tell me that she thought I needed to take the B1. Her point was basically this: '1) you might not do fantastically well during the B1 but there's no way you'll totally bomb it, 2) you will probably do better on the test than the others who are taking it too, 3) what do you have to lose?' Well who was I to argue with her? The next day I went in and asked Ryan to change my inscription, so I'll be taking the B1 on March 14th, 15th, and 16th... bonne chance à moi!
To make this day even better, Roshanna invited me to go downtown with her to hang out and have dinner. I called Christine to let her know I wouldn't be home until late, and then we went off to enjoy the evening! It was a stunning day in Pau today so I got some great pictures of the Pyrenees. The two of us together also accomplished a few things downtown: we bought our train tickets for the coming friday from Pau to Nice and we walked along the Boulevard de Pyrenees (which just never gets old) to find a touristy shop where I could buy shirts for my dad and brother. We found a Renaissance/Medieval/Lord of the Rings themed shop with a slightly creepy, awkward man running the store. We talked with him for a little while and I mostly came to the conclusion that he was just a lonely guy. He still creeped me out a little but he was very nice; he gave me a two euro discount just because.
Afterwards, the two of us met up with our friend Joe who would also be going on our Italy adventure. The three of us enjoyed the view of the sun on the mountains for a little while and then we walked around to find a great place to eat. We were a little early for dinner in the downtown area so we ended up sitting at a Russian café (cleverly named "Café Russe"= Russian café) to have some coffee. I got a fancy cappuccino and happily sucked the thing dry.
Ahhhhhhhhhhh
Enjoying the view; and the château!
My cappucino
When it was finally time for dinner Joe offered to take us to a pizza place he found with his buddies on his first night in Pau. The menu was amazing and it was also complete torture to have to choose just one; but I eventually settled on a blissfully creamy, cheesy pizza-pocket that was filled with onions, tomatoes, crème fraîche, cheese, ham, and chorizo. *slobber slobber slobber* We also decided at this dinner to keep Joe around because not only did he bring us to this treasure-trove of a pizza place, he bought us a bottle of wine to share. :)
You know I ate the whole thing!
Happy me :)
At the end of this glorious day, we had to face a little rain but I had my umbrella and made it to my bus stop in no time. Once at home, I was re-frustrated by my shipping papers and eventually gave up and went to bed. All in all, though, a beautiful day!
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