Coucou!
I had a fairly interesting day. I woke up earlier today than I have all semester: 9am! Weak, I know. I've been having what I think are remnants of bad jet-lag, resulting in my sleeping until around noon and feeling like a lazy mess. It's been rough too because I love the morning very much! But...I love sleep more. Okay anyway, didn't sleep in today, enjoyed a lovely petit déjeuner of an apple, orange, yogurt, and espresso. Attended a noon class at the Université de Nantes called Contemporary Art History: the 20th century. But since I would only end up receiving two credits for it, and since I'll be taking a photography class with the same professor, I don't think I'll take it. Regardless, the class today my first time in a lecture hall -- yeehaw! I know, a 2nd semester college sophomore never having class in a lecture hall might seem weird, but I just always chose the small classes. It was kind of like being in church, you know when everyone sits down at the same time? Yep, just like that, except replace sitting with writing -- every time the prof said something that seemed minutely important -- swoosh! -- everyone busted out their pens. After class, I rushed to go buy a quick sandwich and was then on my way to La Clinique Sourdille, an eye clinic. Naww I wasn't there for surgery or anything, I was actually offered a "job" for today that consisted of correcting this hilarious French eye surgeon/optometrist's article that he had written in English. Dr. Ducourneau was one of those people who really took me by surprise -- I was expecting this hermit-like, unfriendly optometrist, but instead, met a boisterous, generous and passionate old guy! It was really fun and fascinating, and it was paid work as well, which is always a plus. I learned a lot about retinal procedures while putting both my French & English skills to work. From there, I took the bus back to my apartment, chatted with my host mama over tea (mostly about old French fables), scarfed a piece of her homemade, grainy, delicious bread in my mouth before heading off to babysit this adorable little boy named Nicolas while his parents went to the theater. He is precious! Yet, he makes me feel like crap with my French. The kid's only four years old, but knows more and speaks more French than I do. :( The only thing I one-up him on is reading. Ahh HA! But that's only because he can't read yet. Who knows, maybe by the end of the school year I'll be as fluent as he is. We played Memory, drew, ate tarte aux pommes, listened to music, read a story, brushed our teeth and went to bed. Once he was fast asleep, I got time to myself to read. I'm re-reading (well actually, I never finished it) Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer. If you haven't read it, please do. I got it at the university library yesterday and am 300 pages in...that's how good it is.
I'm still trying to figure out my class schedule. Blah! But in other news, I found joy in so many things today: the unexpected good character and generosity of others (yes, good people do still exist!), talking with my real Mama, as well as my bro John and L.B., people whom I adoooore! (Speaking of...congrats to Lisa & Anna on adding Turtle, a guinea pig, to their little Madison family. Good luck with that, gals. Goooood luck.) It's impossible not to find joy and beauty in the complexity of the EYE. They really are intriguing. I'm also finding joy in the book I just mentioned...the main character, Oskar, is so full of life and imagination. I am so envious. All in all, I'm doing mighty fine. Trying to get in the groove of things again, make friends all over again (IES Fall 2008, can you please come back to Nantes? K thanks.), and soak up as best as I can all the things I find awe and wonder in.
Until next time,Ouvrez Les Yeux, Open Your Eyes,
Feel joyfully fine,
MG
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