First Full Week, Part 1

Wow. I have been here for one week as of this evening, but I feel like I have been here for weeks, months maybe. It has been incredibly hot every day so far, except for Friday, and today. Friday was 25-30 degrees Celsius. A nice respite. Although the humidity index was still about 94%! The level of humidity here is insane, especially when coupled with thirty minute walks both to and from the college. It makes me incredibly thankful for the basement room with a fan that my roommate and I share! So, let me recount to you some of this week's events. First, the basic schedule is:

- Wake up at 7 am.

- Shower if I didn't the night before.

- Eat breakfast.

- Walk to school.

- Classes start at 8:30 am.

- Break from 10-10:15 am.
- Lunch at 11:30 am.

And then afternoons vary.

Monday

We headed to school for 8:20 am, and had a big group meeting, then were assigned to different classrooms to take placement tests. After that, we had lunch, then regrouped in the main meeting area. We were given an orientation, and then headed out for a scavenger hunt! It was a fun concept, as it took us all over the town so we got to know our way around, but it was incredibly hot. In the downtownish area, there are these lamposts with flags on them from countries around the world, and they have different stats, some on the Francophone

populations there. It is really interesting!

Megan (my roommate) and I walked home for dinner. And it started to pour. We were honestly drenched to the skin by the time we walked in the door.

Later that evening, there was a mandatory dance. I was rather nervous for it, because I had no idea what to expect. I had never been to a dance, as my school doesn't hold them. As it turned out, it was basically just fun mingling, and getting to know people. Not so bad! The basic conversation consisted of getting to know a person's name, and then asking where they are from. In my case, I usually say either Vancouver, or Kelowna. If I say Kelowna and the other person gives me a blank look (which is most of the time), thenI say, Je viens de Kelowna, c'est proche à Vancouver. I have said variations on that sentence many times now. Generally, the only people who know where Kelowna is are fellow British Columbians, and some Albertans. Of course it varies a bit, and it is always exciting when someone from across the country knows about my city!

Tuesday

Classes officially began, and I was placed in Intermediaire II/III. Right in the middle! It is perfect.

Our class at this point consisted of six boys and six girls. I got to know

one of the girls in my class named Emily, and since then she and I have hung out a lot.

In our class, we do a lot of discussion, and a bit of grammar. Each day, someone brings in a newspaper article and explains it to the class. We aren't allowed to write down what we are going to say. Every day, someone also finds a Québecois saying, and tells us what it means. Whenever we learn a new word, it is always explained in French, rather than just immediately translated into English. I love this, because it helps us really associate French with our thought processes, and actual actions, rather than just with an English word.

During class, we signed the "pledge", stating that we would only speak in French during the program. That pledge is proving rather difficult and inconvenient to keep! I have two friends here who are from Vancouver, Janice and Philip, and they have never taken any French classes. Until now that is. It is so incredibly courageous of them!

That afternoon, we signed up for activities, and got our photos taken for our student IDs. I have yet to discover a use for the ID cards.

Later on, I went swimming in the college's Olympic sized pool. With a swim cap. First time with one of those! I really appreciate the sanitary benefits they provide.

That evening, I went for a short nighttime stroll with Megan. I adore the colours of the night sky.