Quick Update

Hey, so I just wanted to give everyone a little update on my status here in Dijon. Things are starting to get into full swing with classes and travel and what not. Last weekend I went to Strasbourg and Offenburg with a few friends and had an amazing time. While we were in Germany, I realized what it's like for the first time, excluding my first trip to france, to be in a ocuntry where you have no knowledge of the language. It was crazy trying to order lunch while we were there. Anyway, I'm sick yet again and getting worse....as was mentioned on my facebook page. I'm basically all congested and bleh.....but aside from that things are good. I hope all is well with everyone! I miss you all....check my facebook for new pictures!
Much love

New Update!!!!

Hey everyone!
I am sooooooo sorry that I've been lacking in my maintenance of this blog. But I have a lot to fill everyone in on! So this past weekend I took a little weekend trip to Paris with a few of the people I've met since arriving. We took the TGV (bullet train) up to paris at 6am saturday morning and once we arrived we joined up with a free tour that runs every day. Our guide, Crazy James as we call him, gave us an amazing and gritty portrayal of the city of love and once we had finished with the tour we went over to the Eiffel Tower and took a few pictures which are now on facebook. Saturday night, we had a relaxing and delicious dinner right on the Seine with a beautiful view of Notre Dame. Once we finished eating we took off to take part in a pub crawl with about 100 other people...we met some amazing people including 4 people from England, a guy from Australia, a guy from Scotland, and a few people from Argentina. We went to 4 different pubs and got drinks and a few free shots... and then ended at an exclusive Paris night club. Needless to say, it was a great experience. On sunday we went to the catacombes which was incredibly morbid and yet strangely beautiful. It really gave you a sense of your own fragile mortality. After that we needed a pick-me-up and caved.....we got starbucks.....yes....we're american.....we can't help it. But later in the afternoon we went to Musee D'Orsay and saw many of my absolute favorite paintings in the world...including Van Gogh's self-portrait and a few by Monet. It was incredible. We spent the rest of the afternoon in the gardens in front of the Louvre eating bread and cheese and enjoying the first sun light we had seen in days.

As far as everything else that's been going on....I'm kinda getting used to the 2 and 3 hour classes each day so that's a relief even though they still kill. I'm hoping that I'll be able to send some mail to a couple people and anyone is free to send me something. The address here is

Residence Internationale D'Etudiants
6 Rue Marechal Leclerc 21000 Dijon, France
chambre (room) B312

I really really miss everyone and hope all is well. Check out my facebook for pictures and I'll try to keep this updated a little more. Love you all!

Lazy Days in Dijon

So today was a day free of any scheduled activities or excursions. Thus I promptly woke up so as to partake of the breakfast at the residence and then returned, just as promptly to bed for another couple hours. Later on, myself and my friend Alex, who also hails from UofL went on a short run to the french equivalent of a Wal-Mart for a supply of wine for the next couple nights. As it stands now, I believe the group is going to go out to the disoteque (club) later tonight and then tomorrow we find out where we placed with our french level on the exam. We'll get our schedules and then start classes on Monday. This weekend, it seems we might have a small group going over to Paris but we'll have to see what becomes of that. So far, Dijon is a beautiful city with excellent people, incredible food and some of the best wine in France, literally....it's known for it's wine. I feel I should tell a story from last night when we were at Flannerys Irish Pub. We were sitting there enjoying a nice glass of lager when this guy comes up and starts talking to us. Eventually, he sits down with us and buys us a huge thing of lager while we continue to talk and laugh together. We found out that he was from strasbourg but was in dijon for business. Anyway.....it was rather amusing. That's all for now. Hope all is well and I'll be uploading pictures soon so keep checking back. Ciao!

Situated and Adjusting

Hello everyone!
Well I've arrived in Dijon and have already spent my first night in my new dorm room.....kinda a far cry from the comforts of Kurz Hall or my parents' house for that matter. It has certainly been a difficult couple days as I have dealt with the strain of missing friends, family, and of course, Jennifer. I've taken the first part of my placement exam which went rather well and am currently waiting to take the oral portion. After that, I believe that the group is going to try to find a walmart-type store to go to as we all need to get varying supplies. I hope all is well and I'll try to keep these up to date as much as possible. Ciao!

Day of Departure

Hey everyone! Well I've landed in Chicago O'Hare and am currently awaiting my next flight which is due to depart at 6:19 p.m. local time or 7:19 p.m. eastern. The first and easiest leg of the trip is over and I now have a couple hours to waste online as I wait. I want everyone to know that they should check this every couple days as I will be doing everything I can to keep it updated with new posts and pictures. Also I will, of course, be using Facebook and skype to stay in touch with most of you. Once I am situated in Dijon and have a feel for my schedule while I'm taking classes I will let you all know via facebook or email when I will be available to skype or chat. I hope you all enjoy my posts and pictures and wish me luck. This is certainly the scariest and most nerve racking thing I've ever endeavored upon thus far. It should be interesting! To everyone, know that I hold you in my heart and will miss you terribly despite what I may say. D'accord....allez en France! Ciao!

Time Constraints!

Hello All!
Although I currently entertain only 3 followers on this blog I figured I'd give a little update on things going down right now. First and foremost is the fact that it is smack in the middle of Spring Rush for the men of Lambda Chi Alpha. I must say it is awesome seeing things from the other side now that I'm a fully initiated brother, not to mention the fact that it seems we have some quality guys looking to join up which makes me both extremely happy and proud of our fine fraternity. Then, of course, there's the remaining footwork that has yet to be completed before I leave for Dijon. I have to say that the people in the UofL One Card office don't have the first clue about what they're doing as I have been attempting to resolve the same issue with my account for over two months. This has been a huge waste of my time and energy with absolutely no pay off as of yet. On a lighter note, I have two and a half weeks before I bounce over to France. I'm really hoping I'm going to be able to manage my time well enough so as to see as many people as I can before leaving. If I haven't gotten to you yet, yell at me and make me hang out with you. One thing I've learned is that it is insane trying to split time between friends, brothers, family, packing (which I have yet to begin,) sleeping, and relaxing. Needless to say I have a lot going on in my life right now which, I think, is a good thing. I apologize it's taken a few more days than I had hoped to get a new post up but this is what I've got. Hope everyone is well and thank you for the continued support. More to follow!

Prior to Departure

So I have created this blog as a means of relaying my experiences abroad to you my friends, and family. I have all of three weeks to prepare for my departure and I have yet to get my Long Stay Visa from the French Consulate in Chicago. I am being honest when I say I greet this opportunity both with trepidation and eagerness. I am beset by a fear of the unknown and yet encouraged by my love for the country, its culture, and its people. As many of you know, this trip could not have come at a better (or worse, depending on how you frame it) time in my life. As I continue to cope and grow from what life has thrown at me I look forward to what lies ahead rather than mourn what has passed. God has an odd way of showing you what is important in life. Taking a 4,000 mile trip away from everything ought to help as I attempt to gain a better understanding of where life has me headed. For now, I am enjoying precious time with friends and the extra month of break. I will continue to post as the days count down to my departure and will then keep you all updated as frequently as possible via this blog. Thank you for the continued support. Check back soon!