First day of classes and finding resultes

Today, was a big day. Today we attended our first "class". I say "class" because yesterday we attended a lecture, but it was one half of this class. Today, we went to the classroom and had class. It was very interesting! All about American history. True, true, we have had classes in American history before. But have you ever had it being taught from a REAL French perspective? I didn't think so. But yes, while yesterday was the lecture part, today was the class part, and it was all very good. Yesterday was a little bit crazy, because we got there late, and so walked in and had to find seats in not that big of an auditorium and all the while everyone talking in a language that you didn't understand at all! Though the class is being taught all in English, the teacher was introducing the subject and stating in the required texts for the class, all in French. So for the first 15 minutes we were lost. I caught a word here and there, but hardly enough to get a sentence together. I really felt lost. I have always really wanted to have at least TRIED to be prepared for any class that I take. This, however, had been impossible this time. Hopefully next time it won't be that bad. We sat through class though, and it was very cool the different ways that the teacher talked about things that I feel like I had learned yeas ago! He took his time, and detailed things that I honestly hadn't ever considered important parts. I guess it just shows the different ways to view history.
Today though, as I said before, we really attended the class. We got there early so that we might find seats all together. Once in we were again completely lost. Not because it was in French or English, but because the system is so different! You need a passport picture for EVERYTHING. They wanted one right there and then, I think so that the teacher may have a sheet that has your name, address, and then picture to then try and get to know you. Makes sense when you are dealing with so many students, but it was much different than we were expecting. After that though, it was very good. Nothing big happened, though the teacher did ask us a few questions, as we were the only American students in the class. I feel silly for being in an American history class while being an American. But then again, its from a different perspective, so that is cool.

Though we did attend class, we are not yet registered for the class. We have until I think the 28th to really be all set up, but we none of us know what we are doing... so that makes it hard. Soon we shall figure it all out, and when that happens, I will be SO glad. I am getting very frustrated with the whole French system.

Another problem came up. We got our test results back from the French placement tests. We are all in the same group! Its good I think, for if we were completely different we would have different schedules, and as it is, it is already complicated. The only problem is that it overlaps with any class that we might want to take at the normal school. You see, we had intended to be registered in two separate schools. Bordeaux 3 houses D.E.F.L.E, which is a school for French as a second language. Most exchange students just come for that, but you can also choose to do both. We had wanted to do both, but somewhere along the lines that was not communicated, so we are somewhat stuck. In the next few days we hope to have it all worked out, but until then... we are not really required to do anything. Again, I really hope to have it worked out that I have normal (though taught all in English) classes in the day and D.E.F.L.E classes at night. When it is all sorted out I will let you all know.

Tonight we are going to a dinner party. Nothing big, but some of the friends of our French friends want to have us all over, so that is the party. I am excited for some more home cooked French food! So far we have only really dinned out once (in a nice restaurant) and other than that we have had very simple, thrown-together meals.

So that is my excitement for the last two days. Nothing super special, though it has been nice. It has been misting for the last few days, so that makes everything an unpleasant damp. We have bought food for in the rooms though, so now we don't have to be so dependent on going out into the damp to get meals.

All in all, everything is pretty good. I want to know more about what is going to happen school wise, but slowly, it is being taken care of. Now all that is left is just for me to relax, trust in the Lord, and enjoy my time here.

And now off to dinner. Love you all!