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.