In other words, my life has been one hundred percent nuts-o.
The first day was spent primarily waiting: waiting to get social security coverage, waiting to get insurance coverage, waiting for our room keys. As all of my faithful followers know, I was a hot mess the day I got to Rennes because I was so overwhelmed leaving Jessica and going out into the world on my own.
So, when I got into my very own room after hours and hours and hours of waiting that first day, I was exuberant. Then, naturally, I burst into tears.
Anyone who has studied abroad is very familiar with the really bizarre, bipolar, mixed emotions that come with the experience of leaving home. At one moment, you’re ecstatic and spouting off compliments about your new beautiful city and how nice everyone is. The next second, you hate everyone and just want to eat dark chocolate and drink a whole bottle of wine alone in the darkness of your room. You're alive and excited, the next moment dead tired; sick one day, healthy the other.
It's basically foreign- induced PMS... hence the blunt title of this blog! ;)
While I think the worst of it is in the past for me -- I adapt very quickly to change -- I am sure these wild ups-and-downs will continue for a while. But, nonetheless... ONE MUST CARRY ON!!
In navigating the torrential waves of my newfound emotional bipolarity, I have met so, so many people from all over the world. I have made friends with two girls named Mikayla and Lauren from my own university in the States, as well as with Italians, Brazilians, Spaniards, a fellow Dani from England, and -- of course -- les Français! Besides meeting people and going out with them to experience the life in Rennes, I have spent the rest of my free time exploring the city and making my room a home.
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| Some buildings influenced by Germanic architecture near the infamous rue de la soif. |
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| A typical road in center city Rennes. |
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| A beautiful alleyway my friend Joseph showed me! |
Speaking of my room, here are some pictures!!
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| The cute little hallway leading to my bed. |
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| My kitchen :) |
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| Alfred likes hanging out on my new pillow. |
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| My desk, complete with IKEA table runner. |
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| It has been SO nice having my own bathroom after a month of sharing one with fellow nasty 20-year old world travellers. |
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| Lastly, the view from my window. |
On Monday, I also took a french placement exam to see what level of proficiency I am and to determine what class I should take next semester. I am happy to report that I was placed into le niveau D, the highest level one can be placed in at this point. The other levels are A-C, divided into A1 and A2 (no to little french education, beginner), B1 and B2 (familiarity with the French language, beginner-intermediate), and C1 and C2 (conversational, intermediate-advanced).
It is certainly going to be a challenge during my stay here, but I am determined to do my very best and return to the States bilingual!
Today, I went with some fellow students to the bank to open a French account. In two weeks, I will have my very own French credit card. A few years ago, I would never have imagined that I would have a French bank account, nonetheless live here for a whole year.
Life is crazy, isn't it?
Stay posted on a blog discussing everything about Rennes in the next week or so! :)
Bises, tout le monde!!
D
Bloopy
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