1) I set my alarm for 7:45 to wake up and get ready for our 15minute walk to the main University of Liege in "Main Town" Liege. I wanted to leave by 8:30 so we would be on time.
After a hard night of watching Tangled, Eleah and I were up till 12:30am (I would like to dedicate that we were delayed in enjoying our intellect stimulating movie because of my residence Facebook maniac and a mother who would not answer her skype calls). Once tucked away in our beds dreaming sweet dreams, we mentally prepare for our total Immersion French class the next morning.
So naturally I hit my 7:45am alarm for another 15 minutes. Mentally debating about getting up on time (while I was half asleep!), I decided to get up and start our coffee. Setting my phone by Eleah to enjoy the second round of ringing, I start the Schmerber women ritual of getting ready. Just to point out, I am a novice compared to my mom. (Love you!) Popping open the laptop to get an idea of how frigid Liege would be today, I stopped. Took a breathe. And just cried a little. The wind for today was estimated to be in the 20 mi/hr range! Yes, I do know that St. Louis is supposed to be hit with a lot of snow soon, but 20 mi/hr winds!!!! Is that not a tornado!?! Apparently not here. So doubling back to the room, I pickup my legging to go under the jeans (layering is the key). Applying the local goop to the face to cover the lack of sleep, Eleah and I finish off the morning by grabbing an apple and finishing the coffee. And out into the tornado...(excuse me) wind we go.
2) After braving the wind (using inside streets away from the water), we get to school 10 minutes early, and wait. And wait, and what do you know, wait some more. (Point of fact: We were told on the test day - last Friday - that if you are late do not show up.) Nobody came to separate the big cluster of International Students into groups (one for novices to slightly proficient and people who have never picked up anything French till the past 24-48hrs) till 35 minutes past the hour. During that time, I got to know some people from Italy, Lithuania, Poland, South Korea, and Iran (that is a funny story about the Iranians a few points down).
3) Now that we are separated into groups, my group (you can guess which one that is) stays around for awhile longer because our teacher is not organized for today. And that is being kind. Realizing that I am the only girl in this class, well I felt at home. To the point that I earned a "creeper." .... And you guessed it, its is one of the Iranians!! To be specific, this man is somewhere in his thirties, enjoys snuggling up to people when he talks to them, and finds great joy in retelling stories about himself. Does he not sound like the perfect guy!! ..... Please say NO!!! As we are walking up these small stair cases, he is smothering me with himself. I know people view "personal space" differently in different cultures, but dang! I happen to enjoy my "personal space" and one must get an invitation to invade it. I am truly sorry, but you my friend are NOT one of them! Enough said .... you may now laugh to your hearts content. My rant is finished for now.
4) During the first part of the day, we are learning how to introduce yourself, your profession, where you are from and your nationality. It does not sound so bad, right??? WRONG! I cannot wrap my tongue around the French say United States "États-Unis." Personally, I cannot say it to save my life. So seeking an easier way to get around my massive speaking error, I go for the universally understood, "America." A big thank you goes out to the American way of life for creating multiple names for one term. Given my massive blunder in this area and probably creating a comical relief for the rest of the class, our classes break for so much need coffee.
5) Fact: the main campus of university is housed in one building, but this building setup is not logical. On the way back to class, the group I was in got lost for 15 minutes. We were very late to start the next block of study and what do you know. I made it back before my teacher and still had 15 minutes to spare. (I am starting to learn the Belgians may operate on a different time schedule than what I am used to.) Until lunch, our class is learning more basic French and I am struggling to get my German and Spanish influence out of my pronunciation.
6) Thank the Lord for lunch! Once we break for our hour lunch, Katie, Eleah and I continue talking about my and now Katie's interaction with my Iranian "creeper." Continuing to sulk, we walk to a sub shop near Cathedral St. Paul. Enjoying my first failed attempt in ordering my food in French, we discuss what we are going over in our designated class. Imploring Eleah and Katie for help in studying this language, we break again. Eleah and I off to sit some more and Katie to register at the city hall and an interview.
****I'm sorry, I am late to meet up with friend from my French Preparatory Class, so I must bid you Au Revior. And I will finish my post from today, tomorrow. Liebe dich!! ******
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