I cannot sleep. There must be something wrong with me because I have seriously not been getting enough sleep. Oh well, it presents a good opportunity to blog.
Today was my first day of class, and it went really well. My Civilization professor is going to be great. He has the attitude where the students make their education what they want it to be and it is not his job to force us to do anything. I really prefer professors like that because they don't waste time trying to make students be interested in the class. We went over general information about the class and I am excited to dive into the reading that is for tomorrow. We are discussing usury, which is when you give something to someone but expect more back in return. Funny that was considered a cardinal sin when now it is life. My French class was also great. I wish that I was in the class with all of my other English Civ peers, but at least Casey is in it. I am excited to actually learn French and hopefully one day I can become proficient at it so that I can have semi-coherent conversations with people.
For lunch we went to Kayser's where they sell a sandwich and drink for only 3.5 Euro. So I know where I am going to be eating for the next 10 weeks! One would think it would make more sense to grocery shop, but when you divide the prices up, it isn't really cheaper. Crazy how expensive everything is, but at the same time I feel like people are smarter with their money. They don't let material possessions define them in the way that Americans do. Sure there are bricolage stores that have junk, but usually when you walk into a store the things that they are selling are things that people need, rather than the dollar section like at Target. It is refreshing to be in a culture that doesn't just accumulate crap, but rather gets what they need and is done with it.
After class me and two people went shopping. It was great to look at French fashion and I bought two tops that are adorable. French woman are so classy. They wear clothing that actually fits them, and they do not flaunt their bodies in the ways that so many women do in the US. I am guilty of wearing outfits that are too short or too low cut, but I much prefer to wear a comfortable, flattering top and jeans. I cannot wait to go shopping more in Paris.
Something that I have to mention is that there was a State Department warning given out that a group of jihadists are part of an Al-Qaeda plan to launch terrorist attacks in European cities. I understand the fear that some people may have with this, but at the same time I am tired. I am tired of going to CNN or other news stations and reading about this attack, this bombing, this murder, this threat. I am tired of being told I should be scared or that I need to take these precautions. Before I left and even still while I am here people have been telling me to "be safe". The fact of the matter is, if someone is going to bomb something I have no control over that. If someone is going to walk up to me and demand my money, I have no control over that. I cannot stop my life because of a "what if". What I do have control over is what I do, and I choose to live in Paris the way I always wanted to. I am going to visit all the sites I wanted to. I am going to walk around and experience the city.
Well it is 2:39 am here and I have to be up at 7:30 am. I guess I should try to go to sleep. Bonne nuit everyone.
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