The First Day of School

Today, was my first day at the Lycee. It started at ten but me, Heloise, Eric, and Odile had to be there at 9 for a meeting. We met with the English professor to discuss the school and any questions I had. Thankfully he could talk to the family thoroughly and me- in english. He wasn't really specific about what was going to happen at school. He just said go to where the secondes meet and they will call my name. So Eric, Odile, and I went to the courtyard for the secondes and Heloise went to the place for Terminals. When they called my name I saw I was with a shorter, young, blonde lady who looked really nice. I was in Seconde C. I said my goodbyes to Eric and Odile and walked up the stairs into the classroom. I was really nervous because I didn't know anyone. Heloise was in a completely different class so I was on my own.
I sit down and luckily, a girl sits next to me, says something in french, and then smiles when I shook my head. I sit down and see everyone else standing..so I stand back up. "Bonjour! Assoyez-vous." Then I sit back down. The prof started talking in french and pointed at me and two other girls- all I hear was gum..which I had in my mouth. I quickly got up and spat(?) it out. I sat back down and she continued to blabber in French. Eventually she picked up a sheet of paper and started calling names..."Bay...baylee...Bailey Castillo...You are American..." Everyone looks...awesome. I was embarrassed, probably turned red and just smiled and responded "Oui." She continued to call roll then moved on to the schedule. From what I could understand, the schedule is based on what you chose. If you chose this and this you go here then and there after..etc. You make your schedule. In the US, the school makes it. Very different. As I was attempted to write down "le huere" and the subject the prof kindly told me I didnt have one because I'm an exchange student. And that she is making me one tonight-in english. As she returned to talking about the scheduling I caught that she was an English teacher. *thank god!!*
After sitting for about two hours, at 12 we were released for lunch...and didn't have to return until TWO!! A two hour lunch-awesome :) I didn't know where to go so I walked down the stairs and luckily saw Heloise. -While in the class the prof handed out lunch cards for the canteen and for off campus, I didn't get one.-We walked to the entrance/exit and there was a younger prof standing there. Heloise told them I was american and they let me go with her. As soon as I stepped out of the doors it reeked of cigarette smoke. I'm not sure if I'm illergic or what, but the smell of cigarettes makes my stomach hurt. I sucked it up and was introduced to a couple of Heloise's friends. As they puffed on their cigarettes and quickly spoke in French, I stood there awkwardly.
We walked across the street to a little cafe where some of Heloise's friends were. Again, they all were smoking. I just breathed at a pace that didn't interfere with the puffing out..I'm surprised I didn't pass out from holding my breath. :) After hanging out there for a while-and watching someone roll their own cigarette-we walked across the street back to the school to go to the canteen. I was starving-I didn't eat breakfast in the morning because I was so nervous.
Once at the canteen again Heloise told the lady who was swiping the cards for lunch I was american and they let me go. We waited in the line and walked up the stairs. Lunch was cheese, your choice or fruit or veggies, rice, chicken and gravy. It was disgusting...but better than JHS-tehe.
At the lunch table one of the friends spoke English pretty well...but one of the first things she said to me was "My....ex..boy..friend..not good (points to her crotch)...AT SEX!!!" hahahahahahahahaha then says "Welcome to the real France."
After eating at the canteen we returned to the cafe, the girls smoked....again....we started to walk back to the class room when the girls stopped right outside the entrance. There was a ton of people smoking and a boy probably 18 with a pack of stella-drinking it with his friends....WHATTTTT!
I returned to class at 2-got my lunch card :) and my internet access at school card. Then we were given papers to fill out with our information. I was proud of myself because I knew what the quetions were. School lasted until 445-a LONG day.

8-445 mon-fri...its going to be a long year.

Plane ride, waiting, train ride, confusion, etc.

Well, I'm in France :)

Its the 26th of August and we (the 9 girls, Carol and Laura) are leaving for the airport. We wanted to take the hotel transport bus-thing, but of course there were too many of us so we had to wait. After about 10 minutes it comes. Let me put it this way, 9 girls, GIRLS, a lot of luggage? OUI. "The big things first girls! The big things first!"..In my head I was thinking everything was big. Once all packed in we get into the bus-thing. We arrive and Jess and I have a plan. Jess' parents made her bring hiking bags, duffle, huge backpack, and another school backpack. I had rolling huge suitcases. SO we decided jess can get one of my suitcases and I will get the other-split the non rolling stuff up between us and push it. Jessica got lucky of course and someone pushed the bag for her.
Once we arrived in DC we had about 4 hours to kill waiting for the plane to France. Syd, Jess and I decided we wanted food, coffee, and a converter.. We were gone for about 2 hours getting those three..oh yeah, and we converted money! When we returned to the terminal, there was a french man sitting and talking to the other girls who were going to France with us. It was nice hearing advice from an actual French person! :) 30 minutes before the plane was to board Syd, Jess and I decided we wanted to sit next to each other on the plane. So we changed out tickets...well the flight lady did so we were sitting next to each other. I was the only one who kept the same seat number they both had moved. When we got on the plane, we found out that Sydney and Jessica's seats were occupied already..meaning two people were assigned to two seats twice. Jessica and Sydney both kindly asked the flight attendant and the people who were sitting there before were put closer to the front of the plane :) The flight was pretty bad. The turbulence was great and it made me pretty sick.

When I got to France :)
We finally arrived after having to circle Paris because of weather. Once off the plane we went to baggage claim and discovered- THEY HAD FREE carts to push or luggage around!!!! That was the highlight of the airport considering i had 130 lbs of luggage..
After waiting in the customs line all they did was check our visas and sign them. We didn't even have to fill out forms! Once through the line there was a hallway and a open door to the outside where people wait. Off we went.

The first thing I saw when I walked through the door was "CASTILLO" on a sign. It was held by a boy about 19 and the first thought to my head was TAKEN. But I figured all my other friends were going with their sign people so I guess I should too.I went with him and he spoke good english. He said it was his job to get exchange students from the airport to the train station until they leave. He seemed pretty real to me! He helped me with my stuff and we got on the airport metro-thing to the train station. Once we got to the train station he realized I had 4 hours before I got on my train. If I didn't have so much stuff-haha, we could have left the train station and gone to a cafe. But since all my shit was an issue, we went to a little one inside of the train station. I love coffee, I think I always have. And I knew coming to France things would be different. Instead of my creaming, sugar-y delicious coffee that I love at home. It was BLACK with one small skinny sugar. At first, the taste was somewhat unappetizing but now, I don't mind it as much. After sitting for a good while it was time to load onto the train. The nice French boy, Jack, helped my push my stuff to the train and set it on. Unfortunately I was on my own now.

When I got on the train there were many open seats. It was a double decker so I could sit on the top, or the bottom. I decided it would be easier to sit on the bottom. I moved my things and sat as close to the door as possible because previously I was told you get two minutes to get off the train, AWESOME. When I was walking to the train i saw a sign that said Loungue or something, and Amiens. So I assumed there were only two stops. So while sitting on the train I had on my ipod. We got to the second stop and I was like..oh shit...So I looked at the old lady next to me and in my southern American accent I said "Amiens?!???!!?" And she looked at me confused and said "No 2 plus" So there were two more stops before. Before the Amiens stop my stomach was churning and I felt sick. When I get really nervous I feel this way. Once the announcement that says AMIENS goes on the loudspeaker I popped up and immediately got my luggage right next to the door. The train stops and the door opens. I nervously threw one suitcase on the ground and as I looked up to get the other, a nice person handed it to me.

I stood there for a minute..or two..looking left, right, left, right. I didn't know which way to walk. So I walked left. Thankfully I saw my new family. We got my luggage and headed to the car. As we were walking to the car, I was thinking I'm in France, I have two HUMUNGOUS suit cases...what if they have a smart car...Luckily, They didn't :)

When we got to the house I was so excited to see what it looked like. It was NOTHING that I expected!!! It was better :) (I will post a blog post of just pictures soon) The mom and dad kindly showed me around the house. Practically every room has a theme! It's not too small, it is really the perfect size. There is only one trashcan. There is a salle de bain (wash/dressing room)-includes bath shower and a vanity and TONS of things from sephora said my host sister. toilette- toilette and sink, kitchen( salle manger), living room, dining room, TV room, and the bedrooms of everyone. And the outside is a bunch of gardens!!

-more coming :)

The Orientation.

Well today I met all nine girls that I am going to France with. Although I won't be in the same city as them, it is still really nice to know someone is going through the same thing. We had about an hour and a half meeting about rules and such then had a good hour to do whatever we wanted in the hotel. Then we took a subway to somewhere near the mall. What an interesting ride, won't go into too much detail. I'll just say some people I don't think will enjoy this experience as much as others. Once we got to the mall area we headed to The Cheesecake Factory. The wait was 45 minutes. The two adults who were with us decided we could walk around and so we went...
The first place we decided to go was Barnes&Noble..want to know why?..are you sure? Well all of us girls wanted the Dirty French Phrase Book. Let's just say we learned a lot tonight..not to use of course. After that we just wandered the glass tunnels of the mall...spraying every perfume we encountered.
Before orientation I didn't know what to expect. I didn't know if I would like anyone or if anyone would like me. I didn't know if I would be the only one with this much luggage..which I was...hahaha! But i really like these girls. We are an outgoing group.

I hope the rest of this adventure is like that...

The Chaos Begins.

Well, as most of you know I have began my journey to France. Currently, I am in Boston, MA. I flew in yesterday and fly out of here Thursday. Last night mom and I went to Mario's. It was a little Italian restaurant that was mom and pop owned. It was probably 15 tables, tops. The food was really good, but of course while we were waiting for food mom and I both started crying. But also while waiting, we met a really nice family. Well, mother, grandmother, and daughter. They were locals and started talking to us about going abroad because the daughter had before. Luckily, they gave us this phone number that cheaply lets my parents call France, 3 cents a minute :).
Today is the day that I will be completely leaving my family. I have been with my mom this past day but today she goes back home. Earlier today I called home and talked to dad and of course the devil, Davie. :) She is aware I'm going to France AND that I will be with a new family. But the duration of time is what is going to confuse her. My dad said this morning he told her when she wakes up tomorrow, mom will be home. Her response was "AND BAILEY TOO? Is she done with her new family?!" I'm going to miss her and Marsh so much. When I come home they will both be TOTALLY different!
In four hours I will be handed to the program and my mom will be heading home. I think that will be the hardest thing, leaving my mom. Once she is gone, everything is real. I am extremely nervous about going over but I also think it will be awesome to be somewhere totally new.

Well, I'm going to spend time with my mom :)

Next blog I'll be in France!

à bientôt!
Bailey

Only Four Days Left!

It is so crazy in practically four days I will be beginning my adventure to France. It's so weird to think about actually going because it has always been just something I have talked with my family about. Soon, I will be talking with my new French family about my American family.

So just to give anyone who reads this a heads up:
While I am in France you will NOT be able to contact me by cell phone. I have a skype: baileysmileee

Also, I will have facebook, of course. I'm not sure how often I will be checking it though. I'm not even sure how often I will have internet! But I do know that I will want to keep in contact with everyone!

So, in conclusion just add me on skype and it will make everyones life easier and more connected! :)

Phone Ideas?

SO. Going to France puts me in an awkward communication situation. Originally I was going to get an international plan and take an iPhone to France. We went to AT&T and they kindly informed us that we would get a "plan" but all it did was discount international fees. But to do that, we would have to buy an iPhone, the biggest USA plan, the international "plan" AND still pay ridiculous fees. So, that was a huge NO. So then I said I can take my crap phone that I have now and keep it off until I call home (all year)-which would be expensive but still less. Then, when I get to France get an iPhone and get a plan there-that way it is cheaper and I could use the skype on it to call home making my USA phone useless.

SO.

1)Buy a ridiculous amount of stuff with AT&T and still not have a "plan"= SO EXPENSIVE
2) Have a USA phone and get an iPhone & plan when I get to france
3) Buy an iPhone through Canada and pay $400 to get it unclocked then take it to France and buy a plan.

4) OR YOU TELL ME!

Seriously, if ANYONE knows anything about how to get around this mess PLEASE comment and let me know!

All Questions Answered.

So, I'm pretty sure people have questions about what I am doing so I think I'm going to try and answer all of them.

Q: What in the hell are you doing?
A: I am going to study abroad in France for 10 months. Yes, France. 3628+ miles away from home. About a 9 hour plane ride and a short train ride.

Q: What made you do this?
A: I have always talked about going somewhere in high school for a year. Originally, in middle school it was Seattle, WA. Mainly because I was born there. My mom's very good friend, Lena, went to an all girls catholic school and they both thought it would be cool to send me there. Well, although I did like the idea of that, if you know me at all you know I'm not exactly into the whole religion thing. I don't have any problem with people who are, it's just not for me. Anyways, I thought it would be cool when I grew up to live in Europe. So that thought has sat in my head for a while. Then, one day while talking to my aunt, she mentioned a girl she knew trying to get a job in the Switzerland/France area. She was a Duke University graduate, the only thing holding her back was she was not fluent in French. *LIGHTBULB* So I spent a good week looking for a program that wasn't too expensive, but yet gave me a full on experience of another culture. I found it.

Q: What is the program? How did you find it?
A: CIEE, Council on International Educational Exchange. Google :)

Q: Where are you going? And for how long...
A: Amiens, France. August 24, 2010-June 18, 2011.

Q: Oh you can come home for holidays, right....
A: Not at all. They strongly encourage people to stay in their host country for holidays. Not only for the full experience, but also because it is normal to come home and not want to return.

Q: Are your parents going to come and see you?
A: Of course. I'm pretty sure they are coming Christmas Day, after they open all the presents :). And Spring Break, which funny enough is right at my birthday!

Q:Have you met your host family?
A: No, I have not. I have talked to them on the phone one time and communicated a couple through email. They are really sweet.

Q: Do they have kids?
A: Yes, two. Heloise, 17 and Guillame, 15.

Q:How many years of french have you taken?
A: ONE. Yes, I will be extremely confused for a while.

Q: School?
A: Yep. A Public French school, well, Lycee (french word for high school). Meaning, all classes in french, math, science, history, everything.

Q: Are you nervous?
A: Yes extremely. I am going somewhere I technically have never been. Although I have been to Paris, I do not consider it the same. I think about it as Paris is the NYC of France. Amiens is the Durham. Also my lack of French will haunt me, I won't have any blood relatives there and I only know the Family I will be staying with.

Q: Do you really think you will go through with this?
A: HELL YES. Although I'm really nervous about everything and scared out of my mind. I know this is the best thing I am going to do with my teenage life.

Q: What do you think will be the hardest thing about you going?
A: The plane ride. I tend to be emotionally impacted by the music I listen to. If i hear a depressing song on that plane ride, I am going to be toast. Nine hours of nothing but thinking. I know I will be excited out of my mind but I really think everything will hit me when the recycled germy air is being shot back on to my face and my music is screaming I'll miss you.

Q: You know when you come home everything will be different won't it?
A: Of course I know that. A year is a really long time for nothing to change. Especially my sisters. I will miss them SO much. Anne Marsh will be a actual teenager when I come back. I'l miss her 13 birthday :( and Davie, oh Davie. She will be 4! And like an actual person. My friends, I know that they will change and be different but I mean I'm going to be different too! Everything will be fine :)

Q: How many suit cases can you take?
A: TWO. but I can fit in both :)


Q: You have a lot of stuff, what are you taking?
A: Everything I can fit in those bad boys. But I won't be taking toiletries, hair stuff body wash, lotion, stuff like that I can get there. But I am taking my makeup!! Overweight fees are going to be ridiculous, sorry mom and dad :p

Q: Shouldn't you be cleaning your room preparing for France right now?
A: Yeah, probably :)

Got a Question? Post it on a comment!

:) Bailey