One of which was my adventures at the Ivory Coast embassy. Earlier this month the mission team applied for and received our visas. The whole experience was very interesting. Me and two French team members went together and as soon we passed the compound's portal, it was if we were transported into another world, another time. The people and customs were different. The smells and the sounds were foreign.
One office was a grand room with dark wood siding done in a 18th century fashion. It was empty except for a row of plastique chairs against three walls and a small victorian table and a large cushion chair done in a similar style in front. Upon entering the room, everyone was crowded around the table until the official said, "Move back ! This is my desk !" An hour after our "official" appointement, our names were called. He verified our papers and sent us along to the next office where we passed another 30-45 minutes queued up. Finally my turn came and I gave my papers and passeport to a woman whose accent was so thick I had trouble understanding her.
One week later, same process. But I received my passeport and visa !
School is going well. While some classes can be rather boresome others are very interesting. Such are studies. Nevertheless I am thankful to God for each and the opportunity to study French and to study it here. Today is the last day of Easter vacation. However it hasn't been much of a pique-nique for me.
I spent the first week and a half cooped up in my appartement working on the essaie for my French programme : Language and Culture : How several of today's words reveal a change in French mentality since the past 70 years. The first day was horrifique ! I wrote just one page. It seemed impossible to fill 20. But my mother put my plea for prayer on my home church's prayer chain and that made all the difference. The following day I noticed a marked change in writing. While it wasn't any easier I had a clear idea of where I wanted to go and the words to express move it forward. What is more, it became more and more interesting as I discovered the field of sociolinguistiques. Now I'm a bit tempted to go back to school for anthropologie and sociolinguistiques, haha. Last Wednesday I wrote the bibliographie and am now only waiting on corrections from French friends. Thank you everyone who prayed ! God acted mightly !!!
Thursday was a beautiful 27 degrees (80F) day and I relaxed with classemates in the same programme. About five of them came to my appartement for a bbq. We began at 12 and they left around 7pm. After ten days locked up it was about time to unwind around good food, friends and conversation !
Yesterday was the French equivalent to Labor Day. On this day people are out on every corner selling flowers, particularly one
kind (whose name I can't remember). One buys them for : friends, family, boyfriends, girlfriends etc.
To celebrate all my labor, well mostly just to chill out after it,
I had a rendez-vous with a former flatmate and some French friends. We went toa large parc on the west side of Paris, bois de Boulogne, and had a pique-nique. Earlier in the month I was also able to have them over to my place for an Easter diner. It is always so fun hanging out with them and Ilearn so much every time about the culture and the language. Good times ! Thanks guys !!!
Prayer : 1. Trip to the Ivory Coast 13th-23rd 2. A note of 16 on my paper 3. To pass my exams (which take place two days after I arrive back from the mission trip) 4. Ever closer walk with God 5. Preparation for camp in July
Praises : 1. Received my visa for the Ivory Coast 2. Finished my paper 3. Great French, and non-French friends 4. God's grace 5. My nieces Mya and Caro 6. Opportunity to take French at the Sorbonne 7. God's love
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