Update

Hey all,

So things have been good. I'm eating plenty, reading lots, and enjoying the city. In terms of logistics, I'm going to apply for a carte de sejour Monday morning to try and extend my visa. I will also head to the University to try and wrap my head around the classes offered - the way they are presented is much different from that used in the US, and it is going to take a little bit of explaining for me to understand it.

Classes start on the 22nd of September, and until then I will take full advantage of my free time to read and take some walks - there is a beautiful park about 4 blocks away.

My family is great - Dominique and Patrick are the parents, and they have three children: Timothee, who just turned 17 and lives at home; Marie, who is 24 and is getting her doctorate in Poli Sci and lives in town with her boyfriend; and Lauriane, who is studying in Paris with her boyfriend and visits on the weekends.

The house is beautiful - I have plans to do a video tour of it sometime later today. I will be sure to upload it as soon as I take it. It's a three-story 19th century house. I'm staying in Timothee's old room, which is papered with pictures of Tintin and Snowy the dog! The mom is a professor and the dad works for a publisher, so they have thousands of books around the house. Basically, I'm tempted to abandon my education at the university of bordeaux until I've read through their entire collection. Lauriane tried to convince me last night to immerse myself in Proust, but I'm still working on a Gide novel and I indulged in some Racine earlier today :-/

We've been eating wonderful food - lots of great cheese and bread to go with. Apparently eating salad with cheese and bread is big here. It's all good!

Lauriane, the 'pasta expert' made amazing pesto gnocci and some peppardelle last night for dinner. Delicious is one of many words that comes to mind in trying to describe how good the food has been.

The family has put a bicycle and an umbrella at my disposal, both of which I'm sure to use frequently in the coming months. Though they speak nothing but French and I struggle with most of the conversations, I feel very welcome in their home. They have a beautiful backyard, where I've been reading a bit - the weather is sunny and warm today, and was yesterday, but it showers frequently here at very short intervals, which can make it hard to dress. Lots of sweater-wearing going on.

I've been trying to learn how to appreciate red wine, which is slow going. For obvious reasons, some of my fellow Californians have cultivated an abundant appreciation for the stuff. Fortunately, we have wine every night at dinner.

Can't think of anything else for now! Feel free to ask questions in your comments!

Ben