Settling in

Hello again or Bonjour a tous!!

Since my last post not an awful lot has gone wrong, in all fairness I appear to be getting on top of this situation. (Jinx, touch wood) 

I have joined a gym, which apparently doesn't have air con!! Why?! All in all though it is very nice. I have sorted my TCL card out for the student pass which will make my like a lot cheaper, and my bank card has arrived, I am now just waiting on the PIN, very exciting stuff. Everything seems to take longer in France than it does in the UK. For example, I found out today that all of my work/ essays /assignments will only be officially graded at the end of the semester. They need 4 months to mark a 500word essay!? Why?? (The first one, others will be longer) It also gives you no indication of how you are doing and whether or not you need to step up to the mark. 

I have however solved the lacking of wifi in my room. There was only an ethranet port, absolutley useless for my phone. So I have been to the shops and risked 50 Euros on a router hoping and hoping that it would work. After much to do and trial and error it has done, I have never been so happy to have working wifi ever. I can now stop racking up a huge bill with Vodafone. I still have not got a working Sim. I have decided to wait and get a cheap monthly payment option as they appear to be the best value for money in France, the downside (I need my bank account up and running for the direct debit).

After a week and a half, I bought myself a duvet, sleeping under a sheet and a rather large Accessorize scarlf is just not enough with Autumn hitting. I cannot wait to snuggle into it later. 

I decided to advertise for a tandem meeting. I had loads of replies so went for the most normal sounding one. It was great to be able to ask casual questions about the language without the time restraints of the classroom, though I attempted little French (my fault of course). The responses are still coming in thick and fast so I shall attempt again, watch this space. 

A little note about European men: Firstly I just want to apologise in advance if this offends anyone, it is based on experiences so far and my mind may well change. 

They are very forthcoming. Random men/boys (as some are) appear to be okay with crossing a street randomly/ nodding at you in an insinuative manner or wittering on in what I suppose they presume to be seductive way simply out of nowhere! I have had a guy walk straight up to me and try to kiss me! On the lips! Is this acceptable in France? I deffinatly missed that memo. As for the people who mutter to me in the middle of the road or waltz up saying "can I have your contact?" (In French) in the middle of the pavement need to address the way they talk to women. I was in a bar the other night and on entering the smoking area to see my friend I was told "you are English? Just...you know...I love you!" I really do not think they realise how awfully sleazy this comes accross. Please someone, anyone. Tell them! 

However on a brighter note, they dont make them as good looking in England as they do France, I think it is the tan. Good looking men are everywhere! (I still wouldn't trot up to them with vulgar comments) Admittedly though, most are a tad short. Anyway, only time will tell and I am sure they mean well. 

What else can I say? Ohh it will wait...till next time :)

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