I'm here!

It's 25 degrees here.

I'm smiling because half of you just freaked out. It's okay; I'm trying to get used to the metric system too. Celcius means nothing to me. It's actually a perfect 77 degrees Farenheit with a sunny breeze.

I arrived Saturday morning after the most punctual, problem-free flights I've ever had. I like Air Canada! I took a bus to the Gare de Lyon and walked a couple minutes to my apartment.

M. Laloux, my French dad, answered. He was there with another American girl named Amelia. It turns out Amelia is another study abroad student staying with me! M. Laloux was unaware... Mme. Laloux, my French mom, never told him!

Amelia and I walked all over that first day to try to forget how tired we were. We walked along the Seine, to Notre Dame and the Pantheon, and back home. Apparently the new "comfortable" shoes I wore weren't so comfortable. Now I'm stuck wearing my boots until these blisters go away.

On Sunday I slept in late and woke up to the rest of the family returning from vacation: Mme. Laloux, Hugo, almost 18, and the 14-year-old twins, Heloise and Jeremy. They are all very kind.

That afternoon I went to La Maison de Victor Hugo, one of Hugo's homes, which is full of paintings and documents. I sat for a while in the square where it's located. Le Place de Vosges is the oldest square in Paris. It's very charming.

I gave the Laloux family a Gator Snuggie. They were excited. Jeremy, especially, enjoyed it. Mme. Laloux liked the American box. She raved about the letter and picture of my family I had sent them. Apparently she showed it to everyone she is related to on vacation! I think a Grandma still has them. The funny thing is this. She asked me who the pastor was in the picture. I was very confused. Then I realized they had confused Matthew's graduation robe with a minister's. "That was my brother Matthew," I said!

This morning I watched Spongebob Squarepants in French with the twins. Then I walked to Reid Hall where I will be taking classes. Mme. Laloux said it was a 20 minute walk, but it took about an hour. Either I missed a shortcut, or she's dreaming. I enjoyed it though. I met a couple people helping with my program and my French professor. I spoke French with them the whole time. They are very welcoming. On Wednesday I will meet the students in my program.

My French family knows English very well, but I've been trying to speak as much French as I can. I actually do know enough to communicate, and my French is already improving. I just ordered a sandwich and Orangina with no problem!

This picture is the view from my window, which we leave open to let in the breeze. Amelia and I are sharing a room. Our building looks like this one. Carved in the stone outside is an architect's name and the date 1900. It is old, beautiful, and very Parisian.

There is so much more I could tell you! They are fixing the internet at home, so I should be online more frequently in the future.

French Fact: July 14 is Bastille Day, France's national holiday, which commemorates the storming of the Bastille, which was a fortress prison in Paris. Le Bastille, a huge pillar monument, is very close to where I live.

Au Revoir

Yesterday my friend Alex Schmitt, with the help of Emma Lauren, threw me a going-away party. Friends from Gainesville and Keystone Heights stopped by Alex's new apartment.

We had an arm wrestling competition and played psychiatrist, mafia and Apples to Apples. Everyone ate snacks and signed a scrapbook that I will easily fill up. It was a fun gathering because some people had just returned to "G-ville" for classes that start tomorrow. (I'm really crushed I can't join them.)

Glen Flores took this picture. Everyone was amused by how ripped I look, but it's an illusion. Those muscles are not good for much because Katie Cardinale defeated me. I did, however, put up a good two minute fight.

In five days I'll be using my muscles to carry luggage into the Orlando airport. Packing should be a lovely challenge.

French Fact: Paris is divided into 20 clockwise-spiralling dristricts called arrondissements.

Paris Awaits Me

It hasn't sunk in yet. I'm studying abroad.

Two weeks remain. Then I climb onto a plane without keys or a familiar face. Everything will be different. I will leave my comfort zones behind.

The Gator Nation is everywhere. The other UF students with International Affairs and the Public Sphere and I have Paris covered.

I'll have three and a half months to explore, to take interactive classes, to soak up French, to devour tasty cuisine, to stare at art, to make friends, to travel, and to uncover new history and culture.

My goal is to dream in French. I hear this means you're fluent. My French family should help me pick up the language and make The City of Lights my home. I will reside in their apartment with their three teenagers.

My life began in Europe; now I return as a 20-year-old to live there again. The above picture is of one of my first vacations. My parents bundled me up and brought me to the Palace of Versailles.

My passport came back to me today with a fresh visa stamped in it. Now I just have to pack and wait expectantly.

French Fact: Paris is the second largest city in Western Europe.