David's France Update

So I would say the hardest challenge, by far, has not been anything about France, but simply being away from my friends back home. These first few weeks I've felt very isolated, out of place, and simply wanted the comfort of being around like minded people and close friends. As such, these past few weeks have actually been very good for me, even if they've been hard. I have a lot of time for reflection - not that I don't normally, but being here, being alone, I am gaining a much different (and much needed) perspective. I'm beginning to learn how to stand on my own two legs.

I've had a lot of time to read. I just finished reading Till We Have Faces by CS Lewis for the first time. I'm also reading the short stories of Flannery O'Conner, and have begun My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok. I'm also going through The Heretical Imperative, a book that has given me a great deal of perspective on faith and religion, and outlining it. There's a great bookstore that I've found called Book in Bar. It's a bilingual store, so all of the employees speak both English and French (and so do the books). They specifically try to cater to students who want to improve their language skills, and every month they have a night for people to come to practice either French or English with others. Nonetheless, it's a great place with great coffee, great beer, and great atmosphere.

This past weekend was a nice break from my program as my parents came to visit. They rented a small chateau with some family friends in a small French coastal town called Bormes. It was perched on top of this large hill with an incredible view of the town in the valley, the coast, and the rest of the French Riviera. We relaxed on the beach one day. The next we did some sight seeing, stopping at the basilica where St. Mary Magdalene's skull is kept, and visiting Marseilles, a large French coastal city. But it was definitely really nice to spend some time with my family and introduce them to my host mom.

I'm really enjoying all of my classes so far (except for, ironically, my Philosophy class). My International Relations course is taught by an American expat who used to be in the marines, but now does international consulting here in France. He's extremely knowledgeable on world affairs and world history, and his primary goal is to bring all theories into some frame of reference - so he gives current or historical examples for everything. It's been extremely helpful. My Intercultural Management class, along with my French perspectives class, have both been extremely interesting as the pull out the distinctions between American culture and international culture. In the ways people think, act, interact, their power relations, their conception of time and responsibility, etc.

My French is also vastly improving. I'm sure I still sound like a 5 year-old, but I at least sound like a confidant 5 year-old. My host mom is really good at making conversation and forcing me to practice. It's histerical - she loves Desperate Housewives, so we watch it together (dubbed in French of course).

So, slowly but surely I'm beginning to get settled and not feel so homesick. There are certain people here who I'm beginning to make travel plans with (what's a semester abroad in Europe without traveling?) So we're making arrangements to go to Brussels in 2 weeks, and then Barcelona a week after that. And here in Aix, I just found a hookah bar (which makes me feel right at home) and an oxygen bar (which I've always wanted to try).

So more updates are soon to follow. Unfortunately, one of my camera lenses is not working properly (unfortunately it's my 55mm lens) so I haven't been able to take many pictures. I'll see if I can get it working soon though. Besides that, things are going well. I love you all, and am excited to see you all in a few months.