first week of school

a few downsides to ESSCA (school):

1. its freezing EVERYWHERE. i think they're used to warmer temps in Angers but it snowed monday so needless to say i've been wearing my parka around to class.

2. les toilettes are rippin hard to find. its like a scavenger hunt to find one, and its hit or miss on whether it'll be open or female. not an intuitive design

3. the whole school smells smoky because all of the students smoke right outside the doors so their clothes smell like it and the smoke just floats inside so it's essentially like they're doing it inside.  

update: all of the heat is funneled into one of my classrooms. I was sweating bullets in there. 

accidentally sat on a lady on the bus. terrible yes but it's easier to do than you might think.. the bus starts moving and I'm walking to the back of the bus to get out of the way and the driver gunned it and I flew into this lady's lap. je suis désolée (I'm sorry!)

i've decided there are a few things that americans take for granted or don't notice are common luxuries in the states. one being the plastic bags at the grocery, free of charge and you can take as many as you'd like. around here, you have to pay for the bags, or people buy those recyclable sturdy ones because everyone walks or takes public transit so thats how they transport their purchased goods. also, paper towels in the bathroom. i know its not economically friendly, but i love paper towels (i believe i get that from dad. he's big on paper towels too.. @mom @tess know what i'm saying here.) here, it's like a towel roll that you pull down fresh when you use it. the idea seems unsanitary to me though, and i'm missing my tree killing paper towels. another thing are free water/water fountains. I love water fountains and they're everywhere at school, even in public places in the states. around here dehydration seems to be the name of the game. either that or purchasing water bottles wherever you go. big cars are also not a thing.. in the US we have ridiculously large vehicles that guzzle gas like its their job. I saw a car the other day that could easily be mistaken as a barbie car size for kiddos.  

we celebrated Hollys 22nd birthday this week on Thursday with a night out to Le Napoli, a pizza place near the chateau. it was probably the best pizza I've ever had, so many delectable toppings and super thin crust. we sang happy birthday at home with a cake that Mary and Sarah picked up from a local boulangerie. it was so tasty and a great way to celebrate the coolest gal I know. 

Holly's Corner:

1. sussed. meaning: finished, or ready. "are you sussed to go out?"

2. waste his ass. meaning: beat him in a tennis match (that was the context)

3. swaning. meaning: like frolicking or walking around. "swaning around the house."

well friends, that's all for now. Paris this weekend!  

cheers, jkro

mom asked for a first day of school pic. why be ordinary? 

she's feelin 22. im pretty glad I'm not yet

NOM