From Bad to Good

Yesterday was a good, but loooong day. I had French from 9am-12pm and then a lunch break until 1:30. I then had French Arts until 2:30, and a museum trip from 3:30-5:30. Then a dinner with my French conversation student teacher in Vieux Lille, and then we went out for Amelia’s birthday. Time goes by so fast here, and I am always extremely busy. It also doesn’t help that it doesn’t get dark here until like 10:30pm, and I am still not adjusted to that. I really like it though!

I am glad I got to see some of Vieux Lille (Old Lille). That has been my mission this week, but I, unfortunately, didn’t get to go. I am definitely going next week, though! Vieux Lille is an historic part of Lille that is beautiful, and it reminds me of Paris. Le Catho isn’t in the nicest part of town, so I love going downtown and Vieux Lille just to look at all the buildings. Anyway I think I had dinner in Vieux Lille. I at least saw signs pointing towards it, so I know I was close at least. The restaurant I ate at was nice. We got there around 7pm and were the first customers. That’s also a strange thing in France. Restaurants don’t open until later and all the shops close at 7pm. America is 24/7, so it is an adjustment to not be able to go shopping/eating whenever I feel like it. I got lamb for mon plat, and I don’t think I will get it again. It was mainly fat and bones, not much meat to eat. The dessert was yummy though! French toast and caramel ice cream. That was my favorite part.

Going out was fun as usual. I felt a bit down yesterday, partly because of the things I mentioned above. I was missing the luxuries of America, but I knew going out would put back in a good place, so I could let loose and enjoy myself. I feel fine now! We all went to La Plage first, and I conquered the Triple Dragon. I had to do it once while I was here, and now that I have done it, I won’t do it again. It is basically three consecutive shots of nasty liquor with inhaling alcoholic vapor in-between. We then made our way to Smile and danced! I got home with a big group of people and crashed.

I am now on my lunch break. French was slightly difficult today because I was tired, but I enjoyed the lesson overall. I really like my French class. Since I have it 3 hours a day 5 days a week, I can tell I am improving, which makes me happy! I wish I could continue a class like this forever, and I would learn French so much quicker. Fortunately I am taking a French class next semester, so I hope to improve throughout the semester as well.

I am so excited about Bruges, Belgium this weekend! I am glad I finally planned a trip last minute. It would be nice to stay here for the weekend, but I am glad I took advantage of traveling. This is more first time to Europe, and when I come home, I will be able to say I went to Belgium three times! (Ieper, Belgium last week, Bruges, and Brussels next week). I have decided I want a relaxing weekend of eating, shopping, and taking tons of pictures because I know Bruges will be beautiful. I found out this morning Madame Beckman is going to Bruges too, and she told me to take a boat tour and climb up the bell tower, so I definitely want to do those things. My French conversation teacher told me Belgium has cheaper shopping, and that the French go there to shop because of that, so I am hoping this is true!

I have made a 180 degree turn from yesterday. I am very happy right now, so I am glad I snapped out of my bad day so quickly. I am not bringing my computer this weekend, but I will update my blog on Sunday night about all my adventures in Belgium!