oops

I haven't completely forgotten about this whole blogging about my adventures in Paris. Its just that February happened a lot faster than I thought it would.

The past month can best be described as never actually starting. Finals ended and classes started up again after a three day weekend. There was very little time to reflect. To breathe. To pause. I went right back into the world of classes, but none of the actors were the same, except for a few. It almost didn't feel real. Homework? Really? I have to read so and so chapters? My exposés aren't until just before April break? Fine with me.

I decided to take a new course at the Sorbonne back at the beginning of last month, trading in North America for the Mediterranean, but a funny thing has happened between now and then.

LA GRÈVE!!!

My Sorbonne classes are no longer guaranteed classes. Professors are striking potential reforms proposed by the government. Students and leftist unions are join in the strikes trying to expand the base of complaints. There are public demonstrations at least once a week. The first things Middlebury proposed to us was to exchange a Sorbonne class for a Middlebury class. I picked up a French history class, Revolution to the Resistance. This left me with only two classes at Paris 1. Fast forward to this past week and Middlebury is again asking us to sign-up for another class with them so that we can guarantee our credits for the semester. Today was my first day with this new class. Its another French history course, covering about the same time period, Revolution to Today, but concentrates more or less on two large themes throughout this period, France and a "grande nation dans le monde" and France as a "république." I haven't yet broke the news to my profs at the Sorbonne about this developement. I guess I should do that tomorrow at the latest.

But now I'm kind of sad that I am no longer grève-ing. I have four classes out of five that are assured to take place just until the end of May.

Bummer.

But, hey. I've lounged in some parks recently evesdropping on four year olds as they play with their boats and parents near fountains. And compared to last semester, all of my classes truely interest me. I have an April break coming up. My sister is coming back to visit me in Paris for a few days, and then it is off to Munich.

Spring is starting to come out and play.

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