Mass Email # 4

And the fourth mass email from Paris:

Bon Soir!! (aka- "Good evening!!" in French)

I'm told it's time for another update. You know what I say to that?? I want updates from you, too!! Where are MY emails, huh? Just kidding... I've actually gotten a lot of them, and I LOVE reading them. Keep them coming... you might think your everyday stuff isn't interesting to read, but contrary to popular belief, I really do like knowing what's going on. By the way- I'm kind of tired (it's 11:15 here), so don't expect the usual amazing humor I provide!! haha

So- In Paris... There's not too much to report. I mean, life here is pretty wonderful, but going places like the Louvre has become second-nature. (That's a lie...) I absolutely love it here. We just finished our second week of classes. My French class meets every morning at 9:30, which means I have to get up in time to take the metro there. Our class meets earlier than all the rest- go figure! But I love our French teacher- she's one of the spunkiest teachers I've ever had. This week, while working on verbs, we discussed the verb 'se lever', which means 'to get up or to stand up.' If you're like me, you automatically think of Bob Marley at this point. Well, so did my professor! To practice what we learn in class she will say a phrase in English and we have to repeat it back to her in French. On my turn, she sang Bob Marley's classic song, and made me sing it back to her in French!! It was really fun. Don't worry- I'm planning on giving a concert when I get back.

I'm also taking an Impressionistic Art class. It's different from any art class I've ever taken (wait... I've never taken an art class before) in that we actually have class in Musee D'Orsay! I love standing in front of the original work while learning about it. When you come to visit I'll take you around and teach you about some of the paintings. (And yes... I actually have some people coming to see me!!)

Not only am I learning about famous people's art, but I'm making some of my own, too! I'm taking a drawing class, and I must say it's probably one of my favorite classes of all time. My professor's name is Ivo, and he is Italian. He has a studio, where he also lives, in my area of Paris where we have class. Katie Gage describes him as "squirely," and despite how many different ways this term could be interpreted, it fits perfectly! He is lively and finds himself hysterical!! (and so do we!) He makes us coffee half way through class everyday, and he just has us draw the whole time. We don't waste time learning terms and practicing shading (sorry Hillary- don't hate that we skipped this!!) Instead he just comes around and helps us as we go. Today we had class in the Louvre and got to choose any statue to sketch- how cool is that?! I was just happy because we don't have to have any nude models.... yet.

I won't tell you about my other class- it's interesting, and I'm learning about French politics... not sure what you would want to know about that. (Everyone knows the French hate Bush... that's about all that applies to America thus far.)

We haven't had too many crazy stories since we've been here. Random highlights are as follows:
- Katie Gage almost getting kicked in the metro by a stoned bum, resulting in us running away.
- Meeting some really funny Scottish guys in a bar who want to meet up for drinks next week.
- Running into Elizabeth Brigham (a friend from high school) on the street in Paris, realizing we live 2 blocks away!
- Getting lost and walking 2 miles to meet up with people just by the time they finish their glasses of wine.
- Eating some of the best Mexican food I've ever had... and yeah- in Paris!
- Trying Indian food and LOVING IT!
- Getting to know my amazing French family
- Winning sunglasses at happy hour because for guessing the type of martini we were drinking!! (okay... Juliet won them, but she gave them to me... they're definitely pink aviators!!)
- Seeing some amazing hip hop dancers right outside the metro, who I plan to ask to give me lessons next time they're there! (no lie... don't worry mom- I'll be safe!)
- Finding out that I'm going to have 3 friends visit in the month of March!! (when are YOU coming??? :)
- This weekend's trip to Belgium with the program... yeah- I'm gonna eat plenty of waffles and chocolate!
- Chocolate and banana crepes... the best late-night food ever created... and any other time of day for that matter
- Paninis
- The ability to download the finale of America's Top Chef from iTunes (I'm not ashamed...)
- Your emails
- Nutella
- Planning my upcoming Winter break to Spain and Portugal!

Well that's about it for now... hope that wasn't too boring for you! I realized the other day that I'm going to be here during the Super Bowl... I'm pretty upset about it, but I WILL watch it! I think I'm gonna meet up with some people at a bar when I get back from our study tour. Yeah... kick-off is at midnight here!! Ahh!! we'll see how long I last. I wish I was at the Ridge to watch it! (I miss you Cameron, Marlo and Josh! Tell everyone I said hey!!)

Send me your address if you want me to send you a postcard!! I haven't sent any yet, so if you let me know I'll do them all at once! Feel free to request a cliché' location pictured on your postcard ;) haha. And if you want to send me postcards from your respective cities (no lie- this would be fun for me), my address is:
30 Passage Thiéré75011 Paris

By the way- tomorrow is National Crepe day in France... how great is that? A whole day devoted to a skinny pancake.

Okay- I've written enough for now. I look forward to hearing from you! I'm not in the states to celebrate Julia's Birthday so everyone be sure to tell her you love her on Feb 9th!! (Unless you don't know her....)

I love you all!-- KB