So it's been a little while since I've updated this, but I had a very enjoyable weekend in Lille! All of us anglophones went shopping at this huge mall in Lille called EuraLille. I bought an awesome winter coat and some other things! I am definitely loving France for all of their desserts and pastries. I think it's funny that even at the sketchiest of places here, you'll always find FABULOUS desserts. Some that I've had so far is a Tartlette au Frambroises (raspberry tarte), chocolate and coffee eclairs (delicious), a chocolate and banana crepe (which I had today in a Creperie), and tons of pain au chocolat (its like a croissant with chocolate in it). I really enjoy Lille Centre. The architecture of the buildings are sooo French and just absolutely gorgeous. It makes my little suburb of Villeneuve d'Ascq look awful lol! Anyways, I got to stroll around Lille Centre with my friend Brian on Sunday, which was very enjoyable! He was actually a student at LSU previously, who decided to transfer to Lille 3 permanently! It's nice to know people who can show you around! Anyways, I got to go to the Citadel, which was built in 1670 by Louis XIV who had recently conquered the land and wanted to build a fortress there. The French Military still uses it today for intelligence related things, but most people just stroll along the path, or ride their bikes :)
I am definitely tired of the French class that I'm having to take. It's pretty tough and my teacher openly like, criticizes me. It's something that I'm definitely not used to, and don't think I will ever be. Whatever. Nevertheless, it's nice to be done with classes for the week. I still don't know when my actual classes start because the professors haven't posted the schedules...hmmm...Yesterday however, I made the most fabulous dinner for myself: It included, chicken that I fried on my skillet with yummy herbs from Provence; a salad with cherry tomatoes, shredded cheese and honey mustard dressing; and finally bread...with PEANUT BUTTER on it. It's quite fascinating how much you miss peanut butter when you don't have it. I found some Skippy's, along with Dr. Pepper and Hellmann's Mayo in the "international foods" aisle in Auchan :) I was the happiest camper yesterday.
Today hasn't been too entertaining I guess. Me, Colleen, Lauren, and Sarah went into Lille centre to try and retrieve our bankcards from the BNP Paribas bank...and apparently they weren't ready...contrary to what our mail had said. Oh well. C'est la vie. We did however, go into this really cool department store called Printemps (which means Spring in French) and it was pretty much like Saks 5th Avenue with tons of designers and whatnot. PS--I also boughy a water heater so that I can make hot tea!! Woohoo! Except I forgot sugar...Oh well.
Being here is definitely really difficult. It's hard starting completely from scratch with things...Like, plates and utensils and cookware seem so negligent because they're so readily available for us at home, but here, you have to just buy everything new because there's no way for you to just go home and get what you need. It's definitely an adjustment, but I am doing so much better and finally finding normalcy in my life. I am definitely making some great friendships that I'm sure will last me a lifetime :) No one can possibly understand what exactly it is I'm doing here except for them. I can blog all I want, but it's still way different. I'm quite content now. And ready for classes to start! Geez Louise!! :)
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