Some things never change

For one- the fact that I still get nervous before a test, and have this crazy driving desire to succeed. The test I'm speaking of is the one I took yesterday for my placement exam for school. I know it doesn't really matter, they're just trying to put us into proper levels so we can learn the most, but sometimes I just can't help the perfectionist in me. I'll find out later today how I did, so we'll see...

Moving on to other subjects, I LOVE IT HERE!!!!

Seriously. It's great. Everybody speaks french! (Imagine that!) Actually, the french part can be quite overwhelming, especially when they start speaking really fast, and slurring their words together. But it's all part of the experience!

After the API group arrived in Grenoble, we settled in with our families, and the next day, we got a tour of the city. The historic downtown is so nice. There are lots of cute patisseries and librairies (book stores) and cafés galore. Also, many of the streets are pedestrian only. They have a great public transport system here, which is proof that cities like Fort Worth could too! To get pretty much anywhere, I take a bus for 5 minutes or so, and then get on the tram. During the day, the trams come every 3-4 minutes, which is very nice.

After our tour of downtown, we checked out the University campus, which is very large and spread out. I'm used to a large campus, but not used to so much space in between buildings. It's kinda nice, but can also make it harder for me to recognize where I am, because there are fewer buildings to use as landmarks. The campus mostly looks like it was constructed during the 60's and 70's, but it has a friendly feel to it.

This past weekend, I went on a bike ride, and a very long hike. I enjoyed both so much, and was able to get some incredible views of the mountains. There are 3 ranges that surround Grenoble. My family lives at the base of the Chartreuse, looking toward the Belledone, and to the west are the Vercors. The mountains are so so so pretty, and I can even see the Belledone from my bedroom window!

Sunday night, Priscilla, my host sister, took me with her to this thing called feu. It's kind of like a Baptist Student Union, only for Evangelicals. There were probably 20 people there, and I got to meet a bunch of kids my own age. Everyone spoke so fast! I sort of understood some of it, but mostly not. I really enjoyed it though! It was also nice to connect with students my own age.

Anyways, today is the start of classes, which I am very excited for. I bought my cahiers and stylos, and am ready to start being fluent in french. Then, on Friday we'll take an excursion to Vizille, so I'll probably post again next week.

some pictures of Grenoble:
The Jardin de Ville

The Bastille, an old fortress situated in the Chartreuse

a pretty bridge looking back over the river Isère towards the centre-ville