Henri, Erica (Henri's girlfriend), and Hal came over and we watched Tech beat Army! It was great! Sure, they gave us a run for our money...for like 3 seconds! 
After the game I did some work and applied to an internship! How's THAT for follow-through, Daddy?! (More like anything to procrastinate doing homework...lol) I'm hoping to get one at the U.S. State Department in Summer 2008 in a U.S. embassy or consulate in Paris/Brussels/Washington, D.C., so we'll see how that goes.
)
Well, I'm done with classes for the week and I think the strike is almost finished. I looked up how far it was from my apartment to the main building at Sciences-Po- 4.85 miles. I must be the slowest walker in the world! That's almost a 20 minute mile. Or, I'm just getting really used to French culture and taking my time with everything. I like that reason better. I stayed at school once I got there because I had a study session at 2:30 and there was no point in walking back just to have to leave again. Usually I have class at 12:30, but my professor cancelled class that day. My 5pm class was cancelled, too. Of course, we didn't realize that until 5:30, but at least we got to go home sorta early. I walked to one of the most central metro stations, Chatelet-Les Halles (that was only a little over a mile, thankfully) because I had more metros to choose from. That was a good call. When I got there, about 8 trains weren't running. I found one that would get me home and only had to wait 10 minutes! Some people had been waiting 30. I got home and we had macaroni and cheese for dinner. I got to bed early cuz I was really tired and I was gonna have to get up at 7 to get to class on Friday.
Today, the strike was still going on but it was better. We got to class just in time and some people were really late like yesterday. But the professor got wise and started asking people not just how far they walked but where they lived. Pretty much everyone came to class yesterday if they had to walk over half an hour. Any less than that and they didn’t bother. Seems exactly opposite to me. This one girl lives like 10 minutes away and didn’t come- blamed it on the strike. (She’s close enough to walk to school everyday.) Come to think of it, I would love to see a student at Tech walking an hour and a half, no, just a half hour to get to class! Hah! I don’t think I would…but I hardly complained about the long walk the other day. It was just long. And why all of the sudden am I okay with riding the metro 30 minutes to get to class? I get restless riding MARTA from North Ave to the airport- and that’s usually less than 30. Everything just takes longer here and it’s so weird to step back and look at how much my perspective has changed already. Anyway, I found out I have a week off from class the first week of November, so that’s pretty cool. I don’t know what I’m going to do. Like, I wanna go home, but I don’t know if that’s a good idea. I mean, I’m over here for a reason, right? I don’t know. It’s still a week away and I’ve got a few papers to write before then. Not much else…I can’t believe it’s Friday. These 3 day weeks are awesome. It’s 4pm here and there are still some trains not running. I’m impressed by the French people’s determination. I’ve heard the strikes usually don’t last more than a day (on account of their laziness) but they’ve really done a good job. I think its also because the president of France decided to announce his divorce on Thursday, so that was the big piece of news instead of the strike and all the demonstrations going on around Paris. Quite an interesting twist. I’ll write more when there’s actually something to write about.
Shout out to Liz. And I don’t think I need anymore suggestions for my expose- I’m gonna use Derrick’s and examine whether or not Britney Spears should have custody of her children. Like he said, it is probably one of the most controversial issues of our time. Brit v K Fed? Yikes.
On Saturday morning I was so excited. I was gonna see my parents- and it was gonna be like the 1990s! I wouldn’t know when they would show because they didn’t have a way to contact me! I guessed around noon and they showed up a little after! It was so great to see them and show them around the apartment. They loved it. It was a lot nicer than the flats they’d seen and I was really happy they liked it. They gave me a bunch of fun treats and then we went out and I showed them around a bit. I took them to the French version of Home Depot (but Dad, Mr. Build-It, was not very impressed with the tiny store) and then went shopping for wine and cheese and then to Picard for the (frozen) “pieces of heaven”- that’s the English translation for escargots. 
When we got home it was probably 2pm and there we were indulging in wine, cheese, mussels, and snails, catching up on everything that we’d been up to in my own apartment in Paris! It was great! They were pretty tired, though, so they rested until the Georgia Tech game where we WON! Of course, that called for celebration- off to the bars! We got a girafe and had so much fun! There was a rugby game on, so we all screamed “Allez Les Bleus!” (Go Blues! ß the name of the team) with the French. I got some real cute pictures that I’ll post. The French lost (surprise?) so it cleared out pretty fast. It was definitely time for them to go to bed when we got back- I’m not sure watching football and going to bars is one of their usual pastimes. But they do get out more than the typical AARP members. Ha! That makes me laugh just typing it. (Sorry, Mom, I just had to. For everyone else: my mom just got her invitation to join…but she’s just celebrating her 15th anniversary of being 35, so they’re confused, obviously.)
I warned them that Sunday and Monday weren’t the busiest days, so it could be difficult to find things to do. We woke up late and then for breakfast had chocolate croissants and coffee! Yum! We just rested all day because, seriously, there was nothing to do. But that seems to be very European: everyone just lazes about on Sunday, it’s all just a bit slower (it seems like they are slow-movers anyway, but that’s just me), and you just reflect. I’m glad we did, because my parents tend to do a lot all the time and never stop. They have no choice over here because nothing is open! That night, we were to meet Marie at her house for appetizers and then go to a restaurant for dinner. We left a bit early and walked from the Eiffel Tower to her house. I also got to see where all the Delta pilots come on their layovers and I could really tell my dad misses it. There are lots of metaphors I could use…but they don’t really get the right point across or convey the exact emotion that I’m looking to show. So I’ll move on. Walking to Marie’s was really nice because we got to see a semi-residential area. Yeah, it was a pretty privileged area, but that’s to be expected seeing as she’s close enough to walk to the Eiffel Tower. We got to her house and were greeted by her children (which made me miss my brother a lot because her son reminds me so much of him). She had all these wonderful goodies and this sparkling red wine. We just talked about Florida and her job and things. My dad hadn’t met her before now, and it was cool that my mom had. They met in a book club in Florida where we live so my mom was fascinated, I think. How well Marie could transition from English to French when speaking to her children, from American to French culture. Because it’s completely different, even for things like before-dinner appetizers. I think was the most fascinated, though. Marie is like my French parent, I guess. Not exactly, but sorta. It was cool. We went to the restaurant after the babysitter showed up. The restaurant is called “Bon” and the interior designer is world famous. Costo or something like that. I had a wonderful meal: crab, avocado, and cilantro salad as an appetizer and then duck breast with cranberry glazed fruit for dinner. Sooooo good! I really like duck because it’s always cooked with really sweet spices, like cinnamon, and paired with fruits. Like the exact opposite of steak and potatoes. Marie offered to pay, but she and Dad ended up going 50-50 on the check. (Side note: I was also offered a job at the American Center! Marie has been looking for someone to talk to Sciences-Po students about American universities and to dissuade them (without them knowing) to look at other colleges besides the Ivy League ones. It’s much like in America. We have heard of the Sorbonne, so we assume it’s the best. It’s actually not. Sciences-Po students are attending the Harvard of France, but that doesn’t mean they have to go there when they get to America. Most of the exchanges between schools are one-to-one, meaning, since 6 GT kids came over for fall 2007/spring 2008, 6 Sciences-Po students will be going to GT for a full year. In the spring, GT will send more students over and the equal amount of S-P students will be sent back. So, if all the students want to go to Yale and Princeton only, Sciences-Po can only bring Yankees over. And that’s not cool. I’m the girl who has to say, “Why walk around in snow all day? Why not have a long summer and never take off your flip flops? Why not party on Friday nights instead of sit in labs?” No, just kidding. But I do have to explain why GT and others are just as good as Ivy Leagues. It should be fun…lots of research. I’m kind of under the impression I’m there to answer any question they have about anything American. That’s a pretty big responsibility! I could get school credit/internship credit AND I get paid! Sweet! End side note) We took the metro home and couldn’t decide whether to get another girafe at the bar or a coffee at a café. We went to a café, where my dad promptly ordered a beer and my mom ordered coffee with some type of alcohol. I think it was more like alcohol with coffee-flavored syrup. Of course she loved it. Looking back, it may have been smarter to get a girafe. John was nice enough to pay for it all and we went home to sleep off our full tummies.
Monday, Mom said she wanted to go to the Musee D’Orsay, but o course, it’s closed on Monday. Why didn’t I think of that? Oh yeah, because it’s a Monday and I don’t think paintings need 4-day weekends. Call me crazy. We still went out and walked around though, because they were leaving the next day. I took them to Sciences-Po, all around to different buildings, to the American Center even though Marie wasn’t there, and was able to show them some of the classrooms that I have class in! It was pretty cool. We were gonna go to the Pompidou Center, but my dad found out it was an art gallery…so that was nixed. Lol. I think we just had a good time walking around. I did find this restaurant that I’ll be trying out soon- “The American Dream.” It’s all American food- and I’ve been craving me some BBQ. For dinner, we just took it easy with the rest of the escargots and, oh yeah, HOT DOGS! Those are mom’s favorite food and with John’s super-duper-hotdog-cooker we were able to make them! We were up pretty late, but they were leaving at about 9am the next day.
Mom and Dad left on Tuesday, and after me almost making them miss the correct metro twice, they got on. They flew Business Class home and I was so happy they had come. The apartment sure gets big with no one in it. I did some reading for class and got ready for school to start for the week.
Wednesday was pretty boring, too. Just had one class and then went to run errands. I’d had a problem with my bank account here and tried to get that figured out. I’d deposited 220E, but the transaction hadn’t gone through. It had been a week so I went in to figure out what was wrong. Oh yeah, the guy had put it in someone else’s account. I remember going to the bank that day and being really annoyed because he was on the phone the whole time trying to help someone get on the internet so they could check their balance online. I guess I deserved it. I knew he wasn’t really paying attention well. But I got it sorted out and not I’m out of the red! I walked to the Bastille (not a short walk) because I wanted to change my address on my visa. It was a 45 minute walk and I get in there expecting (silly me) to be helped, and the girl goes, “Ok, go to your police department in your area.” I said, ok, can you tell me where that is? She looked at me as though I’d just asked her to solved all the world’s problems. Here was the secretary at the Police Prefecture in Paris, telling me she didn’t have any information on any of the other smaller departments throughout Paris. Geez. Even the Pizza Hut guys will give me the number to their other store that’s closer if they don’t deliver. It’s not like a secret- I’m going to have to find the police department to change my address. Oh well. I had walked because of the strike and I didn’t want to waste time waiting for a metro. I estimated if I left an hour and a half before class started, I would get there in time. That’s walking the whole time. It’s a lovely walk, but not really something I want to do all the time. Anyway, last night was Mexican Night and I made fajitas that were a little too spicy. But soooo good. I’d been wanting Mexican, too.
Today I woke up at 6am to get to class on time. I wanted to leave at 6:30am, but ended up leaving at 6:45, making me about 5 minutes late for class. At least I wasn’t the last one. One girl came an hour and fifteen minutes late. She said it took her an hour to get to class. This leads me to believe that she left her place after class started. Really, what’s the point? It was a strike. Half the class didn’t show up. Lucky ducks. The professor said later in class that because of the strike she couldn’t take roll. So if you were absent, oh well. UGH! And all my other classes were cancelled today. What a grotsky byotch. That’s it so far for today. And my computer’s battery is dying. Perfect timing.
I've got an expose to do in French in about a month. It needs to be controversial in order to spark debate after I'm done, but everyone needs to be able to understand the premise. We've got about 10 countries represented in my class...any ideas?
but then I worked really hard and participated a lot and I think she forgives me now. 
It's just so early in the morning for a class. And next week, she was kind enough to inform us that there would be a transportation strike, but class is still on. Loverly. We don't exactly live within walking distance of Sciences-Po, so this will be interesting. A lot of people grumbled about how they weren't gonna show and she was like, "Get used to it, there are going to be a lot of these this year. Going on strike is a sport in Paris!" Ooooh.....awesome. 
I still have 2 classes to go to... but I got my wireless working so at least I won't be bored. Just kidding. I listen.
Liz left today so we got up early and caught the RER. I was going to go with her to the next-to-last stop so I wouldn't have to pay the 8E20 to go all the way to the airport. I wasn't flying, so there wasn't really a point. But, of course, we got on the train that didn't make but 2 stops before the airport, and they check your tickets on the way. This, of course, I didn't know/realize. The other train stops at about 6 other places, so I was just going to get off and go the other direction. So when the man came to check our tickets, Liz handed him hers and I fumbled around a bit, trying to buy some time. Then I tried to explain to him I'd gotten on the wrong train and wasn't trying to go to the airport. Needless to say, he wasn't having any of it. 25E and one good lesson learned later...
Oh well, it was worth it just to see Liz off. I rode the train home and cleaned my room some. Then John and I went out just walking around a bit. I'm getting excited for my parents to come so I wrote detailed directions and drew a map on how to maneuver through the station and how to get to my place. I've got them saved in case anyone else comes. I think they're almost flawless. They shouldn't have any trouble. At least I hope not.Sorry I haven't written in a while...I haven't been near a computer much this weekend. Let's see now, where was I? Oh, yes...
Thursday- Had 2 classes today. They are not gonna be fun. In both classes we have two grades. 50% for a paper and 50% for the exam in January. Gee, I hope I do well. They also both gave us articles to read in French! I'm excited about that because it will give me the French perspective of the class I'm taking instead of probably mostly American and British points-of-view. Reading the French isn't going to be that easy, but there are tons of people just taking French classes, so the least I can do is read a couple of articles, right? Should help my vocabulary, at least. When I was walking home, I ran into Marie and we chatted it up a bit. I couldn't believe what a boost of encouragement that was for me- I actually recognized someone in the street! It made me feel like Paris was becoming a little smaller and less intimidating. I'm really enjoying my neighborhood where my apartment is, too. The fruit stand guy and I now recognize each other so we wave or bob our head in recognition. Thursday night I could hardly contain my excitement because in less than 48 hours I would see Liz!
Friday- Only John had class today, as our French classes start next week, so I stayed home and cleaned the apartment for Liz's arrival. There was still a lot of cat hair that we hadn't seen (i.e. behind the window curtains...yeah, cuz that makes sense) and basically just randomly everywhere, so I was glad I did that. I also cleaned the windows in the living room, neglecting my own and of course what's one of the first thing Liz says when she looks out my window? "Wow, your windows are really dirty, you should clean them." GAAHHHH! I thought it was just ironic, me being lazy about my room and yet she doesn't notice the living room ones are clean, just that mine are dirty. Lol. Gosh, I missed her. But I digest, I went to the Casino supermarket and got a few things that I knew Liz would like so that when she arrived she could have some of her favorite treats. Got the pinkest flowers I could fine and the best bottle of Chardonnay that my Euros could buy. White wine is so much more expensive than red! Oh well, all for a good cause. She was going to be in my apartment in less than a day!!!
Saturday- I shot up to the sound of my phone ringing and I knew Liz was here. I was so excited I jumped out of bed and ran up to the metro station I was supposed to meet her at. Poor thing, she got lost on the way out and even though we were across the street we were both waiting for each other for about 20 minutes before she finally got up the courage to ask a stranger for a cell phone (by putting her hand up to her ear like a phone and shaking it back and forth to symbolize a vibrating ring, lol) , to which he proceeded to dial the number on the piece of paper she handed him (in my mind I see her holding out a crumpled piece of paper with puppy-dog eyes like a little orphan boy would hold out his hand for spare change...just pitiful!) . Anyway, we finally met up and it was just wonderful! It was such a weird feeling, as though no time had passed at all, but here we are in Paris just catching up on all the gossip like we were walking to class at Tech. We got chocolate croissants for breakfast and then headed home. She was tired, but we decided a nap wouldn’t be a good idea. So after unpacking all her things in the living room and showering me with American goodies, we headed out. Where? La Tour Eiffel, bien sur! We must have taken a million pictures from a million different angles, but it was so much fun. Just walking along the Seine, stopping every now and then to soak up the sun. (It was a beautiful day! Not a cloud in sight, and so warm!) We didn’t go up the Eiffel Tower because the line was so long; probably because it was such a nice day. After a while, we went home and got ready for the Georgia Tech game! I had bought escargots for Liz before she came, so we had those as an appetizer before the game and then Hal and Henri graced us with their presence during the game. Unfortunately, we lost. That’s all I have to say about that. After the game, we went out around the neighborhood, and since there was a rugby game on, there were a lot of people out and about- especially at the bars. France ended up beating the No. 1 team- New Zealand, so it was pretty busy. We went to one bar and watched France come from behind and whoop NZ’s tail (wish Tech coulda done that) and then went to another bar that we’d passed and got a girafe of beer. This is a 2.5L tube of beer. It was so much fun to just be sitting in a bar and talking and catching up on everything- it was like Liz had been there forever! After that, we called it a night. I was so glad Liz had such a great first day and I was so thankful she got over here- in Business Class, no less!
Sunday- Yesterday, we went to the Louvre. It was the first Sunday in October, so that meant everyone got in free! Woohoo! I had never been to the Louvre, and neither had Liz, so that was fun! We saw the Mona Lisa and the Winged Victory, along with thousands of others works of art- probably some so famous I don’t even realize it. When I saw the Mona Lisa, it was one of those moments that I had been waiting for my whole life- like, a dream come true. One of those things I had been thinking about forever- something I was gonna do when I got over here and studied abroad! And I did it! It was a really cool feeling, and to share that time with Liz was even more special. The Louvre ended up closing on us and we didn’t even get through half of it, so I know I’ll be going back! We walked around the Tuilieries Garden some- there were so many people out! It’s unbelievable what nice weather will do to the French! They’re all outside! I was astounded as the weather before now has been a little cold and dreary. Definitely not the case then. There is a big ferris wheel with 360-degree rotating seats at the end of the garden, so Liz and I went on it and got some awesome pictures. Liz is a good photographer so I’ll have to ask her to send me some so I can post them on here. We went to McDonald’s for a snack, and of course, a beer, took the essential pictures, and then went home. Again, we had escargots and then John aka Betty Crocker made dinner for me and Liz as we watched TV! I thought that was really nice, as we hadn’t seen him all day and then he just refused to let me help him cook. We went out again to the first bar we’d gone to, but we didn’t realize until AFTER we’d ordered that there were special “game prices,” so we didn’t stay for as long. Hal met us though, so that was fun.
Monday/Today- Today, Liz and I went shopping. Finally! We got up real early and I tried to take her to go see Marie, but the American Center isn’t really open on Monday and Friday…that I don’t really get, but okay. Then we walked around, I showed her a little bit of Sciences-Po and I got a few books for my classes. For lunch we ate at the creperie that I had eaten at a few weeks ago with John! She was skeptical about eating a crepe with something other than Nutella, but I assured her it would be all right, and Thank Tab she did, because she thoroughly enjoyed a ham, egg, and cheese crepe. Then we went to H&M and walked out with the same clothes, but different colors…of course, only finding this out when we were showing each other our purchases later. We do that all the time! Like the other day, we were talking online, and she asked me what shirt I was wearing…it turned out to be the same one she was. Too funny. We went to a café and had coffee and talked about politics, religion, and boys. Then we were off to the Monoprix for more wine and cheese! When we got home I talked to my parents and I’m getting more and more excited for them to come. It’ll be cool to see them. I miss them a lot. I haven’t seen Mom or Matt since August (around the 25th). I think tonight we’re going out to dinner- that’ll be interesting as I haven’t gone out to eat but once yet!
So then we went grocery shopping at the local supermarket and Picard- the best store in the entire world, it's just everything you could ever possibly want to eat, but frozen. Anything from vegetables, pizzas, escargots, ice cream, crepes, chicken, etc. It's amazing! So we got some food for the Georgia Tech versus Clemson game and got ready for a great night! I had unpacked almost all of my stuff in my room and John had the projector up so we were able to watch the game on our wall. This really is a neat thing, and the best part was that GEORGIA TECH WON! (Take that, Brad!! And all you Clemson fans! ) What a wonderful way to start out the year.
