An American Girl in Avignon

Unfortunately, the situation with the grève is not improving. I discovered that violence had broken out the other night (Thursday, the night we got the call that we would not be having classes the following day), which resulted in the injury of a professor, a police lock-down, and several arrests. The university is “officially closed” the rest of the week, due to the severity of the grève. Yet, even though courses aren’t continuing, the library, the cafeteria, and the campus reopened Monday morning. But for our safety, M. Corbin insisted that we have classes at an alternate location (farther away from our house; gotta get up earlier now) for the next two weeks. It is confusing to be living in the midst a situation that we don’t understand – especially when it is affecting the family I am staying with so severely. I still don’t know how the situation is being resolved, because from the outside looking in, it seems as though no side is progressing – people are just getting more and more angry and impatient.

In our history class, our Professor pulled out the local paper with a front page story reading that McDonald’s had offered to let students take their exams there, if the university did not reopen. I thought about what would happen if the students decided to go on strike at OU, and I’m pretty sure it would last a day, a week, or maybe only a couple of hours, before someone intervened. I also would bet that we wouldn’t be taking our exams at Chipotle – or be taking any exams at all – if something this extreme was going on the United States. The thing is that this wouldn’t: since our universities aren’t directly controlled by the government or state. I just hope that something gets done soon for the sake of everyone: students, professors, and the government. Right now, the people of France are confused and frustrated, and like an 8-ball, “outlook: not good,” my friend. The future is foggy, and present is hazy, but a glimpse of sunlight peers through the clouds of chaos in that the cafeteria and campus is now reopened, although heavily guarded.

I took my first test in France today: grammar. I feel that I didn’t have enough time to finish or recheck my work properly, on the account that we had to finish watching “Marius” before the test and that I am a naturally slow test-taker. Oh well, I’ll learn from my mistakes, and better luck next time. I probably should have studied a little more though, but as I have mentioned before, it is hard to get work done here, because as horrible as it sounds, I feel like I am on vacation. I want to go out and explore and enjoy France! Which is understandable and perfectly okay…as long as I get work done sometime too. :) And quite frankly, me and my rommie’s habit of procrastinating till the wee hours of the morning is just not working out. Haha

Speaking of work, I need to find a job this summer. Part of me wishes I was going back to Athens for a summer session, so I could get some GEs out of the way that I am not taking this quarter. But I think it’s too late to sign up, and I really need to make some money with a steady job. The economy, the fact that I won’t be back until June 13th, and the whole “I can’t come in for an interview, because I am in France” issue is going to make this task interesting. I’m for the challenge though, and I know I NEED to start applying now. I wonder if they would do a Skype interview…

Back to classes: I am beginning to like the courses more and more every day, but I am still very confused as to how exactly we are being graded. There is no syllabus for three out of the four classes I am taking, and it seems to me like we have little work to do in some of them, but a ton in others. At the same time, I feel like I am learning a lot in all of them, and that is really the sole purpose I am here. Tuesday in Literature, our professor kept referencing Sophia Copolla’s “Marie Antoinette,” my favorite movie, and artists like Degas, so I am really enjoying that subject. :)

On other positive notes, my roommate, who was sick last week with a horrible cold, is finally starting to get better. I, on the other hand, think I may be allergic to France. Just kidding, but seriously, I have never had an allergy test done, and my eyes have frequently been itchy, watery/dry (one of the two extremes), and red. I hope I am not starting to get sick, but I know if I was, that whipping Mistral blowing dust in my eyes sure wouldn’t help. Thankfully, the wind should be dying down soon, so that should help my sore eyes.

Oh! I almost forgot: I bought my ticket to London for next Thursday night, and I am pumped!! Although I love France, London was the first city I wanted to visit in Europe (after Paris, of course), and I am always up for a change of scenery from time to time. So far, the only people going are me, Kyle, and Kristina. I know we will have a blast if it is just us three, but the more, the merrier, I say. So hopefully, two of the other students who are pending will decide to tag along. We will be getting back Monday afternoon (and skipping class…I know shame on us, but we already told M. Corbin, and he a-okayed it, since the tickets would be half-price). Although the tickets were more than I had originally thought they were going to be, and I accidentally spent 15 euro each flight I registered for by accidentally marking that I had a checked bag (oops…merde de vie moment (French version of FML)), it still wasn’t unreasonable. It is Britain, for goodness sakes! I can’t wait to drink some of that English tea, see Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, London Bridge, and *bonus*…speak ENGLISH! No “lost in translation” moments here! I hope I see Prince Harry…
XXX