“Back to school, back to school, to prove to Daddy that I’m not a fool.” –Adam Sandler as Billy Madison

Métro-boulot-dodo. This is a phrase the French use to describe the daily rhythm of life in Paris: first you take the Métro, then you go to your job (un boulot), then you go home and go to sleep (dodo). Although my days aren’t quite like that, I’m settling into somewhat of a routine as well. I had my first real day of classes today, although I probably won’t post this entry until tomorrow, so really it will be yesterday…you get the idea. I am taking five courses in five different buildings in five different areas of the city. The Sorbonne, I have quickly found out, does not really have a campus. It has very many buildings spread all around Paris, making the commute an utter joy. Especially on a day like today – high 80s, no air-conditioning (ANYWHERE), crowds, questionable stenches, oh and to top it off the handles on the tote I was carrying my books in broke. Off. However, Paris seems to have been constructed in such a way so that the moment you feel you’ve reached your breaking point and you’re ready to kick a random Frenchie in the shins, you turn the corner and suddenly you’re looking at a gorgeous monument, statue, or building. Then you kind of forget why you’re pissed. Unless, that is, you’re carrying around a 25-pound tote full of books in your arms – then you remember really quickly.
But, I digress. My classes are as follows: I’m taking two conférences, which are lecture courses (in French) that meet only for an hour once a week. One is a survey of French literature in which I’m not actually required to read anything (not quite sure how that one works out), and the other is Art History (about which I am very excited). Another class, taught in English, is the history of Paris. This one is awesome – half the time is spent in the classroom, but the other half is actually spent out in the city visiting different neighborhoods, historical sites, etc. That meets for two hours twice a week. So, those are the fun ones. Here’s the kicker: I have to take 3 hours of French grammar and phonetics…wait for it…EVERY DAMN DAY. Oh yes. And luckily, I tested into the level “supérieur,” which in French, of course, means, “the one with the most homework.” Ah, c’est la vie.