5 month update

  Wow, I can't believe that it's already been 5 months since I first moved here!   For the first few months I was really quiet and didn't talk to the students in my class for the most part. I couldn't communicate in the beginning even if I wanted to because I knew so few words. Everyone spoke fast and seemed to slur their words together, so in the beginning it was hard to even make out what was being said.
   Soon I started making friends outside of school, and when I hung out with them they helped me a lot with my French as well as showed me around the city. I also made an American friend who goes to my school, so that's been nice because she can relate to me. My French has improved significantly since I've lived here and I can now keep up a conversation in French. I had a breakthrough the other day in my PE class when I was put on the same team as three other girls. I surprised myself when I started talking to them in French and it was flowing without me thinking about what I was saying. The girls looked a bit surprised too because I've hardly said a word to them since I've moved here and suddenly we were talking. I've been chatting with the students in my class more frequently these past three weeks and I really feel like I've gone a long way in my French.

3rd day of school

Today was exhausting for me. In my first class the teacher spoke very fast so I didn't catch anything she said. School here in Paris is challenging and I am a little bit worried about passing my classes this year. It's hard being the new kid. These first few days I have been feeling quite a bit confused.
I heard that the first week is hard and this has definitely proven itself to be true. I know now what the exchange students back at home have to go through. It's overwhelming.
On the bright side of today I met a girl who just moved here to Paris from Missouri. She is just as lost and confused as I am so that made me feel like I wasn't alone. She is a grade ahead of me though so we don't share any of the same classes.
I'm expecting the next few months to be hard, but I'm still up for the challenge!