password?

I suppose it's time for another update, since the numbering system went over well, I think I will stick with it for now:
1. I had to change my e-mail password and apparently made a typo so now I can't log in unless I make the same typo (which I was able to do a couple times, but not recently and not when I am trying to change the password). I used another e-mail service to contact the UPS help desk to see if they will help me. But for now, no e-mail for me.
2. I went to go to my sociology of immigration class at the university of Nantes but another class was in the room. Apparently it dosen't start until next week. I was supposed to know this by looking at the bullitin board and finding the note. Of course to do that I had to determine which of about 10 bullitin boards was for sociology and which of about 25 pieces of paper was about my class. But now I know.
3. I am knitting a scarf. It is a lot more complicated than anything I have knitted before. It involves cableing and fancy stitches. My host mom is helping me get started.
4. On saturday I went shopping at this mall on the outskirts of the town because we thought it would be less expensive. It was less expensive, but about all of france had the same idea. It was like going to the mall on the day after thanksgiving. I bought some gloves that are really nice.
5. On Sunday almost all the stores are closed so I went to the park that is near my house. It is huge! And apparently the thing to do on sundays is go to the park. There were little kids and old couples and dogs and people playing games! It was so cool, one of my favorite things that I have done yet.
6. Emily, the pervious study abroad student, was only here for the weekend and she ended up getting really sick with some kind of stomach flu. But it sounds like she will be back frequently.
7. I found out that my host mom's son lives in Italy and does commentary for the Italian soccer games. It is really funny to watch the soccer games with my host family because occasionally I will get personam tidbits about their lives, example: 'One player was married to this woman and after 3 months she ran off with this other player, but now both guys play for the same team'
8. I have a class soon, so I have to go, but love and miss you all

Bonjour!

Hi Everyone,
I haven't written in a while because we went on our weekend trip to Tours and it is a little tricky to get internet. So here are some updates:
1. My luggage finally caught up to me on Sunday so I am able to wear my own clothes again. My host mom had loaned me some of her son's clothing and washed the clothes I wore on the plane.
2. My host family is really nice, they have been host parents for a few years now so they know how everything works, even if I don't. Right now, its just the parents (Jeanne-Marie and Alain) and I, but assuming that I understand what is happening, one of the past study abroad students is coming to stay with them as well because she is working at the school nearby. They have a daughter who is studying in England and a son who used to play professional soccer but now I don't know what he does.
3. The keyboards in France are just a little bit different than in the US. Similiar enough that you forget about it when you are typing, but different enough that you keep making mistakes like typing a 'q' when you want an 'a'.
4. The public transport system is really good here so I take the tram from the house to the downtown and walk to the school building each morning. We don't sign up for classes until Friday so this week is more orientation and language.
5. I have a ton of pictures of the chateaux that we visited over the weekend but they are on my camera still. I will post some here as soon as I can.
6. I miss you all!
7. I was unable to say goodbye to all the people that I wanted to, especially everyone from work! So someone should pass on the message that I didn't mean to skip the country without saying goodbye, I love and miss everyone immensely.

I'm Here!!

Well, everyone will be happy to know that I have arrived safely in Nantes. You may be less happy to know (because I cetainly am) that my luggage did not arrive safely in Nantes. The airport will call and ship it to me when they find it, hopefully soon. Aside from that everything is fine. We are going to our orientation in Tours tomorrow. I have yet to meet my host family, but the IES center (where I will take most of my classes) looks cool. It is in this creaky old buliding with a lot of character and the smallest elevator ever.

I will write more when there is more to say, but for now rest easily knowing I am safe.
Love to all,
Laura

Preparations

Hi Everyone!
I am getting ready for my study abroad trip, I leave tomorrow morning! Wow, I still have a lot to do. I plan on keeping this website fairly updated so that people who care can see what I am up to overseas. I am not sure how frequently this will happen though, it all depends on the availibility of internet access.

Thank you to Chris for helping me set up this website.

I guess that's all for now, but keep checking back for photos and details about me!