Mercredi!

Lots of work in B1, as I’ve said, but I’m not complaining. I reward myself with the cultural events and weekend visits to museums. Maybe, after I finish the second half of B1 (since it seems I’m doing ok in this first half), I’ll take some time away from academics. I don’t know yet, so for now, I’m just working hard. April in Paris is right around the corner. How fast this time is flying by! Soon, Monet’s Giverny will be open.

Last night I did attend a cultural event. There was a lecture at le théâtre d’alliance française. Tatou Lecoq, an author/feminist, spoke to the group. Sadly, I couldn’t understand most of what she said. She spoke so quickly, maybe forgetting her audience? I say that, but truth be told, most of the audience was made up of local residents, not students. I was one of maybe 3 students in attendance. Just before the program started, I turned to a friend and said, « J’espère que je peut comprendre le programme. » Ten minutes in, and we couldn’t look at each other because we would have cracked up, it was so over our heads. We were polite and remained for the duration. She spoke nonstop for an hour, and I do wish I could have understood more. Instead, I read about her later online. C’est la vie!

Another event happens tomorrow, again at the school: a guided tour Le Paris des Femmes (Women’s Paris). I’ll report back.

We’ve started our presentations this week. So far, we’ve learned about New Zealand, Vietnam, and Provence (France) — their size, food, people, cultures — all in French, of course. It’s been great, and the group is having fun. I’ve started a rough outline for my presentation. Very rough.

New flowers today — a bit late this week since my daffodils lasted so long. Gerbera daisies this week. A fave.

I have to admit it feels a bit frivolous posting about my daily activities with all that’s happening in Ukraine. I’m keeping up with the news; it’s all so sad.