Okay,
After a lot of ups and downs over the past week, I know what I'm doing now. Almost. I've figured out how I'm going to take exams in most of my classes, and I'm working it out with professors in the other ones. I was really stressed out this week because I thought there was a chance I could make it to Mike's wedding, and then just come home after that. But classes started up again (sort of) so now I have something to stay for. And I still need to take those tests, anyway. Three days ago, there was a possibility I'd be leaving this Thursday, but now I'm back to waiting until the 24th.
Not a whole lot has gone on since I last wrote. I had the opportunity to see the Brattains and the Bryants in Paris. It was so good to see people from home! The first night I went with Richard to the Eiffel Tower and got some beautiful pictures at night, even though it was a little cloudy. Afterwards, we walked around and saw a few things, including the Champs d'Elysées in all its Christmas splendor. The next day I went to the Louvre with Richard and Ada. That museum is incredible. I wasn't too excited about going since I've seen so many museums in the past few months, but none of them compare to the Louvre. First of all, it's humongous. There's also the history, the architecture, and, of course, many many of interesting paintings, sculptures, artifacts, etc., from all over the world. I also checked out Notre Dame and the Latin quarter that day. At night, I went to the Musée D'Orsay with the Brattains, and again I was impressed. There are a lot of Impressionist classics there. And Mrs. Brattain evidently studied a lot of art history in college, so she knew a ton about what we were seeing. Paris was a good experience. I need to get back there in the next couple weeks, if I can.
Now I have to get to working on things for school, for a change. I have a test tomorrow--my first one--and an oral presentation (which I know nothing about except my topic) due on Monday. Yeah, this is a big change.
I'll be home for Christmas,
Stephen
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Strikes
Hello all,
I haven't written in a while because it seems like there hasn't been much going on. I've lost track of how long this student strike has been going on. At least I have my exchange student classes to go to, but those aren't exactly a joy at sessions that last at least two hours (I've decided I like the American way of doing classes much better.). So there hasn't been a lot going on the past couple (?) weeks, but people around here are getting bored and going out a little more often, maybe.
Last weekend I went to Normandy with three carloads of people. First we went to a small town with some beautiful cliffs overlooking the Channel. Unfortunately, all of my pictures from that day were mysteriously erased. Anyway, we went to another small town which probably was a lot prettier a few weeks ago before all of their flowers died, and drove for another hour or so to get to our hotel in Avranches, right outside of Mont St. Michel. The next morning we went to St. Michel, which is famous for being a tidal island; until recently the causeway leading to it would be completely submerged at high tide. It's actually is a small town, but it's known for the castle monastery/prison at the top. It was fun to look around and learn some of the history. I remember learning a little about it with Mr. Johnson during World History in 9th grade, so it was one of the things I really wanted to see while I'm here.
On the way home, we stopped at a little town where a large part (most?) of Winston Churchill's floating harbor had washed up on the beach. During World War II, Churchill had the idea to create an enormous harbor in between England and France to use as a disembarking point for the D-Day invasion, I believe. I would probably have liked to see one of the landing beaches a little more, but it was still cool.
After I send this, I'm heading to Paris for (basically) the first time! I'm going to meet the Bryants (sans Adam, of course) and the Brattains and hang out with them for a day or so. I'm excited about seeing people from home (especially these ones)! I'm taking my laptop to backup the my pictures, and I'll try to make sure I don't lose three quarters of them this time.
See you all soon!
Stephen
I haven't written in a while because it seems like there hasn't been much going on. I've lost track of how long this student strike has been going on. At least I have my exchange student classes to go to, but those aren't exactly a joy at sessions that last at least two hours (I've decided I like the American way of doing classes much better.). So there hasn't been a lot going on the past couple (?) weeks, but people around here are getting bored and going out a little more often, maybe.
Last weekend I went to Normandy with three carloads of people. First we went to a small town with some beautiful cliffs overlooking the Channel. Unfortunately, all of my pictures from that day were mysteriously erased. Anyway, we went to another small town which probably was a lot prettier a few weeks ago before all of their flowers died, and drove for another hour or so to get to our hotel in Avranches, right outside of Mont St. Michel. The next morning we went to St. Michel, which is famous for being a tidal island; until recently the causeway leading to it would be completely submerged at high tide. It's actually is a small town, but it's known for the castle monastery/prison at the top. It was fun to look around and learn some of the history. I remember learning a little about it with Mr. Johnson during World History in 9th grade, so it was one of the things I really wanted to see while I'm here.
On the way home, we stopped at a little town where a large part (most?) of Winston Churchill's floating harbor had washed up on the beach. During World War II, Churchill had the idea to create an enormous harbor in between England and France to use as a disembarking point for the D-Day invasion, I believe. I would probably have liked to see one of the landing beaches a little more, but it was still cool.
After I send this, I'm heading to Paris for (basically) the first time! I'm going to meet the Bryants (sans Adam, of course) and the Brattains and hang out with them for a day or so. I'm excited about seeing people from home (especially these ones)! I'm taking my laptop to backup the my pictures, and I'll try to make sure I don't lose three quarters of them this time.
See you all soon!
Stephen
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