Since I last blogged I would love to tell you I had made a huge amount of progress, however that would be a huge lie. I still haven't officially got my bank card or set up an electricity bill, I managed to miss my first lecture, I've spent way too much money on stuff i don't really need and I am currently sat in a café stealing wifi (again) in a huge mood because I am disappointed in my lack of organisation.
I have made a few discoveries which I will outline for you though!
Introduction take 2 (minus bad mood):
I have now been in Nantes for three weeks and haven't really got any further than I had last time I blogged but that's not to say I haven't had a good week. I have embraced the "welcome week," sorted my timetable and found out I have no lectures on Mondays or Tuesdays which is awesome, after a bit of a mare figured out my way to Rennes airport to meet mum and have started to get used to the relaxed attitude the French have towards working life where they can close whenever they fancy for lunch and NOTHING opens on sundays.
Here are some of my discoveries this week-
1. The French aren't always as reserved in the face of alcohol as we are all led to believe. After so many people telling me that in France it is frowned upon to be rowdy and really drunk whilst out socialising (two qualities I possess in copious amounts), I, my friends, have found proof otherwise. Our adorable french friend Kévin took Claire and I to a bar called Le Shaft for a sports initiation night where there would be, and i quote him, "drunk and ripped guys." So along we went, Claire and I nervously not knowing what to expect and only knowing Kévin. We were instantly met by chorus' of what I can only assume were equivalent to our see-it-off chants and boys and girls downing hideous coloured shots and huge funnel things of beer. I literally could have been in Exeter. We learnt that "see it off" is "A la fin" whilst trying to practice our French on guys who promptly re-located to another table, Claire and I are obviously not that interesting. Good one. however it was so nice to see French student life is not as different as we think and that I won't be a complete wimp by the time I get back to Exetaaah.
2. I ATTRACT WEIRDOS. I'd love to tell you I attracted beautiful French guys who just fall at my feet absolutely encapsulated by my beauty (lol!) but that is definitely not the case. I am convinced it is my eyes (alright, alright they are unusual but i still don't see the Malaysian thing, and I've only been asked if I was Chinese once so far- score!) No matter where I am I get freaks trying to talk to me. Livvie and I discovered that it generally helps if you look at them confused and start speaking in what I drunkenly believe sounds authentically Chinese. So far it has been successful. In the words of Ellie- "bon plan."
3. I got my lack or organisation and disregard for minor details from my mother. After a lovely few days with my Mum, who as per won over the hearts of my friends with her culinary delights, it was only this morning that she was leaving we realised how bloody ditsy we both are. Mum had set her alarm for 7am so we could get up and get her to the train station for 9 to board her flight at 1pm. I am not a morning person at all as anyone who knows me well will be well aware of, so when Mum said it was 7am I did not question it as I silently cursed her for waking me up. We both got ready and were on route to the station thinking we had loads of time. It was only when we got to the train station and her train wasn't on the board that we realised mum hadn't changed the clock on her phone or watch so we were an hour late for her train. A train to Redon (halfway between Nantes and Rennes)and an 80 euro taxi fare later, Mum arrived at the airport. Massive fail on the Adams family front.
4. I was born to shop. Since being here I have carried on, if not further embraced my shopping habits. Having found all the H&Ms and the shopping centres I have probably spent about 300 euros on clothes here. There goes my student loan...
5. French universities don't really care what you do as long as you do the exams. Although as a result of our train faux-pas this morning I would have missed the lecture anyway, I have just found out that everyone got chucked out of the lesson! MASSIVE MOOD IMPROVEMENT. I am doing 15 credits this term, 3 of which are evening classes in French for foreign students, one literature and cinema module and the rest are all credits in translation so it should be pretty sweet, but they are just so laid--back about it all which is fab.
6. Elle is now our flat pet. I don't know what it is, but Lellie (little Ellie) just cannot stand to be apart from Lou and I, sleeping over at every opportunity and reppin' the more rubbish of the Welsh cities, Newport, with the twang in her accent. She makes me laugh! A girl after my own heart who values sleep over most things and would opt for the later morning lessons without batting an eyelid.
7. *Cue soppy bit, get your sick buckets* You can make friends for life wherever you go. I have made such amazing friends while I have been here and really don't know what I'd do without them right now. Although I am missing home and my friends, (my flights home at the end of October are booked :D), and I am uber jealous of my sister's freshers experiences, I am having the time of my life over here.
A suivre...
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