A little bit of everything!

I've had so many new and exciting experiences since I arrived here that I hardly know how to begin! I know my writing has been practically nonexistent lately but...just imagine me doing frenchified things all the times I wasn't writing ;)  Some highlights of my trip so far are definitely....

• FINALLY sorting out my school schedule. This is my third schedule so far after numerous meetings with principals and school personnel and I am pleased to say that I finally have the means to acquire my french Baccalaureate (aka the very feared BAC)! It turns out I actually have to take all the tests from junior(premier) year plus all the tests from senior year(terminale) in order to be able to have my complete BAC, so my schedule is a bit of a mess. I have to follow all the classes required on the BAC for both years even though I'm not keeping up with all the hours that the classes are normally given each week, which means a TON of work on my part. But hey, it's my dream! :) And I'm feeling up to the challenge. 
• My host family :D has made me feel like an integral part of their family in as little as three weeks and frankly, I felt like I belonged from the very first day. I can't thank them enough for all their guidance with the language and culture, the way they make fun of my clumsiness and call me Mrs. Bean( an allusion to British comedian Mr. Bean ;)), show me the height of french cuisine day after day(duck, farce, and goat cheese really have me spoiled!), and are willing to help me with all my endeavors, from obtaining my back to joining the local choir and swim club!
• An adventurous trip to Cahors with the other exchange kids was pretty much amazing in every way possible. I made friends with all kinds of interesting people, changed between my three languages right and left, saw the sights and learned some history, had an interview with the press, swam in the most frigid water EVER, discovered that I have absolutely no talent WHATSOEVER at canoeing, and got to meet a lot of french kids from the region who went on exchanges last year. :) We all swapped stories, took crazy photo shoots, and basically can't wait to be reunited :) 
• School, besides the scheduling mess, is going well! I've made friends, discovered actually decent cafeteria food, realized that I can actually understand most of what's being said, and found another American who's also taking the BAC. It's nice to know I'm not alone!
• Another funny tidbit: in English class, we're learning about "Britishness" which is really an interesting topic for an American in France. That just shows there's always something to learn no matter where you are! As long as you keep an open mind the world is yours :)

A group of us exchangees in Cahors :)

Well, for now those are the main points of my so far amazing adventure in la France! Check back soon for more updates :)

bisous et a la prochaine!