La Greve

Bonjour tous!

So my attempt to keep you updated on a normal basis has been, well not so good. Honestly though, not much has been going on except the usual, homework, shopping, reading, etc. But there are a few things to update on. So here we go...

Three weeks ago (roughly) I took my final at the Sorbonne for my Theorie Politique class. The actual taking of the test was fine, and actually easier than I thought. That being said, it did take me about a minute after I got the test question to calm down and realize I could actually answer it! It took exactly three hours, to the dot, to complete the exam (plan, first draft, final draft). Thank God for our tutor who essentially taught us the difference between the way American's write exam answers, and the way the French do it, cause that made all the difference in the world! I have yet to actually recieve my grade for the exam, but I did pass the Conference de Methode class, so hopefully that is a good indicator.

This week, many university and higher education schools are on strike! Its funny because I was supposed to start classes at the Sorbonne again this week, but I haven't had class because of the strike, and knowing the French, and especially the Sorbonne, only God knows when I will have class again... I'm just hoping that when I go to the class of the one teacher that is not striking, I don't get trapped in the building!

For the last month or so France has had crazy weather! There was snow when I got back from Christmas break! And two days ago they had to shut down the airport because of wind... 82 mph! It kept me up all night! While rain is normal this time of year, snow is not... when the snow actually sticks, like perhaps it does in Utah or Spokane, the Parisians aren't quite sure how to handle it. Personally, I wish they would all just buy snow shovels, that way at least the sidewalks stay clear, and I don't have to ice skate everywhere!

This last week my friend Caitlin had her friend Josh visiting, and she was kind enough to let me tag along with them. It was really nice because I got to revist some of my favorite museums, like Musee d'Orsay and Pompidou, and go to places I had never been, like Versailles, Invalides, and Musee Gumiet.

My AUP classes are going well, I have two for the time being, and they are both fascinating. One is on the study of Authoritarianism in Russia and China, the other is a study of State, Society, and Political Economy of the Middle East. And next week is mid-terms already!!! Luckily, I don't have any mid-terms!!! But I still need to go through the motions of typing up notes as a marker that will make organizing and studying for finals much easier.

AUP Spring Break is in two weeks and I get two weeks off!!! I am planning on returning home, to Utah for a few days, and am hoping to meet up with Catilin in London for a few days (I love London!!!). I also need to renew my temporary carte de sejour, I am having so many problems with the prefecture it is making my head spin! Oh well, it will all work out, and Caitlin said I can move into her apartment when she moves out, so that I can be in the Paris city limits, and then I can do it through the school.

I think thats about all! As usual, I will try and keep you all updated more often... and with the Sorbonne on strike that gives me a little extra time in the coming week(s). Hope everyone is doing well!

Ciao