Oh, Internet! How do I love thee?

I’m drafting this post even though I know I may not be able to update my blog for awhile. We haven’t had Internet in our dorms for several days, and the campus-wide Internet just went down about half an hour ago. I promise I’ll be back in touch as soon as things are running again.

I’ve also been very busy with new friends. I’ve been spending a lot of time with Christophe and Vincent, fraternal twins (or “false twins,” as they would say) and Florient, all of whom live in the building that faces mine. Florient and I ran five miles on Saturday and five more on Sunday. This is something that I definitely hope to make a habit as I have been eating all sorts of wonderful things in generous quantities.

Saturday, after our run, Florient and I placed bets on the distance we’d gone. Five kilometers, he insisted. We’d been gone for an hour and fifteen minutes! Granted, we had stopped to stretch and had walked for a few minutes to lower our heart rates, but I knew that we had gone further. Finally, we agreed on the following terms: If we had run fewer than six kilometers, I would have to cook Florient an American meal. If we had run more than six kilometers, he would have to cook me a French meal. For those of you who know your conversions, five miles is about eight kilometers. Tomorrow night we’re eating French food at Florient’s apartment. He’ll still get his American meal from me, though, because Vincent suggested that I make a traditional Thanksgiving meal in November. Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. We only have burners, a toaster oven, and a microwave, so modifications may have to be made.

Stephanie, Colin and I also recently met Anika, a German girl who speaks English with a perfect Australian accent, and Gregory, who is from Cameroon and wants to practice his English with us.

With our new copains et copines (pals), Colin, Stephanie and I have been eating, dancing, bar-hopping, and speaking loads of French. I feel myself improving every day.

I miss you all dearly. More posts soon.