A Year in Aix: Updates from the mini Paris of the south

Woa, long time no update! Guess it's time to catch some of yall up on what's happening in my French life! Since my last update I have been to Avignon, Les Baux de Provence, and Toulouse! So far, I'd say Toulouse was my favorite, even though it was cold and rainy almost the entire time we were there...

For the Toussaint (All Saints) holiday weekend, a friend and I decided to do a little exploring in another part of France. So we took a train 5 hours northwest of here and ended up in Toulouse, known for it's bonne bouffe (good grub!) and red brick buildings. The weekend was filled with ups and downs. Some of the ups included us renting some vélos and biking around the city, eating some delicious German food which included a PLATEFUL of sauerkraut (yum!), and some Private Spice watching after our late night club outings (inside joke, sorry). Downs included the Ballet National de Guinée (The Guinea National Ballet) show being canceled, cold/raininess, and lots of general moments of frustration with the way things work here.

I came back from vacation last Tuesday and immediately had to jump back into school mode since I had 2 exams. I ended up not doing any studying though (figures!). But Im ok with it. The exams weren't TERRIBLE, and the professors promised to take into consideration the fact that we're foreigners, which Im ok with. In the end, it'll all work out. On the way home after my second exam I was talking with one of my friends who brought up what I think is a very valid point! Her & I, as well as many of the people on our trip that I talked to, seem to be going through similar points of feeling stressed over the fact that we're not more stressed out with school. I mean, I'm not completely neglecting school but I'm definitely not blowing it off completely. This isn't just school, it's LIFE. That's what her dad's advice to her has been throughout this whole experience and I think I'm going to be taking that advice as well.

In other news, I've had a few problems with my bank card, I'm taking Dutch lessons from a Dutch friend I made on one of our weekend outings, and I have been spending a lot of time with my French family lately. It makes me so happy to be surrounded by such kind and welcoming people. This weekend Dorine, ma soeur française (my French sister) had two of her Australian friends come and visit with them. I spent almost all weekend with them all. We showed the girls around Aix and Marseille and ate lots of delicious homemade food made by Véro, the mom.

I've got lots to do this week but I am super excited because my Ingy boo is coming to visit me in Aix this weekend! I haven't seen her since I came to France so I am very excited to see her again!

Here are some pictures I took of Toulouse (for those who haven't seen on my facebook):