temp housing

After 22 long hours in a car, airports, airplanes and a train I finally arrived at Christine's apartment in Paris, where I will be renting a room for the year. (Fun trivia: I lived with Christine in 2005 on my first semester abroad. She just happens to live about 5 minutes from where I will be going to grad school. What a coincidence.) The building's super was able to let me in and lend me a key. I went to the room I had been shown in the spring when I dropped off my luggage, and I have to say I was a bit disappointed.

The room hadn't been prepared as I expected. The rowing machine sat on the floor, the shelves were full of books and blankets. I started to wonder if my discounted rate meant fewer perks, as in no storage whatsoever. I peeked longingly into my old room just next door. So warm and inviting, I wanted nothing more than to crawl under the red comforter. I glared at the belongings of whom I assumed to be Christine's new American student and shuffled off to my room in a Charlie Brown fashion, my bulbous head hanging down in a rather pathetic manner. Not wanting to move any of Christine's things I decided to save my suitcases for later and settled into my less comfortable bed for a nap.

Half an hour later Christine called and all was right with the world again. I seem to have fast turn-around time with disappointments. Apparently, her friend had been staying in the other room and wouldn't be leaving for another 10 days. After that, the room would be mine! Hooray! When she got home, she helped clear out some space so I could get my things temporarily organized. My suitcases are doubling as dresser drawers. Then she fixed me a dinner of green beans, homemade ratatouille made by her mother and salmon. She even asked me what sort of things I would like for breakfast. I can't believe I doubted the perks of this situation!

I also got a call from Domitelle, a woman whose four children I will be tutoring this fall. I am going out to her home Sunday for lunch and we'll dive right in with lessons. I have to pay off my last minute one-way ticket!