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.
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