17 sep (at the library)

Broke two pairs of shoes in one day. The soul of my sandals split clear through to the tongue, even after I got them repaired. Then my flats lost a button so one of the crossed straps over the toe is now flapping about. My new pair of mary jane cloggs is still ready for action though. Addapting a new attitude of "I have more than I need", it's very nice and I'm adjusting to this new mantra.

I've had two responses to job offerings I replied to but to no avail, since I don't have my "emploi du temps"/scheduel yet I can't tell them when I'm able to work. That blows. Gave the final payment for my courses today; I did better on my exams than expected. I qualified for the highest level of French for Foreigners that the university offers. On the other had that means there are no more courses they can offer me for the 2nd semester. However I can enroll directly to the university as an Auditor Libre, to attend classes without receiving credit. I need to pick a curiculum and get a stamp of approval from the department chair. It's a lot cheaper than the F for F program- 100 euros versus 1070 euros- but I'm not considered a student so health care might be more expensive and I might get less back from the government on my rent. It all depends on my earnings. Gets complicated quick, ya? I'm excited though, I'm thinking I'll do Modern French Liturature. Or maybe Music or Women's Studies if they offer that... or Muslim World Studies. I'm going to check out the course listings for the second semester tomorrow.

Hopefully we'll be getting internet in the house soon. We now have a 4th- Marie Claire. I think that's her name. I crossed her today as she was visiting; she's doing a year long research program in finance. She's from Brazil- I'm glad to have another foreigner! And girls versus guys no less. I have another friend too, Rita, who's from Ghana. We sat next to each other durring orientation, she's a sweetheart. Her French is preety good. She wants to speak in french all the time like me so we hit it off. Her mother moved to Italy when she was 7 or so; she's spent summers there every year since. She speaks Ghanan, English, Italian, French, and she wants to learn Spanish. Rita met someone who told her not to learn Spanish because learning more than three languages makes everything too confusing; I pointed out she already speaks four. I guess in Ghana they speak English as much as the native language (can you imagine? that sounds awesome...).

Every wednesday and saturday there's a farmers market, I try and go once a week. I went today and got clementines and green beans. They always have roasting chicken and they put potatoes under the rack to cook in the juice. It smells amazing. Lots of produce tables, that's the main draw. Butchers too, with rabbits, chickens, sausages, meat loafs with a pastry crust. They do their best to advertise what the animal has to offer... gross. And least we forget- cheese vendors, with fresh cheese still in water, black rind cheese, big brie wheeles. I haven't seen many Fromageries, or Cheese Stores, in the neighborhood, maybe they've all had to go to market.

France is cloudy right now. Rainy. I'm verry sorry I can't be home right now to be with Casillas Family. My thoughts are with you.