Current mood:	excited
Entry tags:	update

All lined up...
I got a letter from the ISEP Coordinator at the university in France on Friday. It answered some questions for me that I was planning to ask her anyway. I now know what date I am set to move in (September 1...I'll be there on my birthday...eek!). I also know that a residence has been reserved for me and which residence I'll be in. I was even able to look online at a virtual tour of a room in that building. I'll have a phone hookup and internet service. Bathrooms/showers are public (nothing new to me...they are here too), but the room is private. It's small, but that's not a problem. I won't have a lot of stuff with me. The rooms are actually pretty sweet. There's a little kitchenette (counter with a small sink and a one or two [couldn't tell from the pic] burner stove-top and a mini-fridge underneath) and a washbasin in the room. That's actually a pretty nice setup.

So, now that I have a date, I can buy my ticket. I need to finish some paperwork (this week), and I still plan on sending the coordinator an email. I want to introduce myself and verify that the info I put on my ISEP forms reached her, making sure the residence has an elevator or that (if it doesn't) I have a lower level room. I put on the form that I had bad knees, so hopefully that won't be an issue.

I'm still watching movies to try to improve my listening comprehension (it seems to be helping as I am picking up on more than I used to), and I'm watching lots of travel shows about France and some on Belgium since I'll be so close. I'm still trying to read the travel book I bought on France, but it reads a little like "where to spend money in France if you're rich", so it feels a little useless. I prefer the documentaries since sometimes they show things to do off the beaten path. I particularly like Globe Trekker because it seems to be geared towards backpackers and other such travelers on a budget (like me!).

I'm going to start reviewing my grammar books in earnest (in addition to my reading and viewing materials) to try to keep up what I've learned and to further improve. I don't want to be floundering when I get there (though I'll probably feel like I am anyway.

Well, I think I better sign off now since I'm starting to ramble...Just thought I'd post my update.