The week off

Today I had a visit to the doctor and he approved me for playing ping pong, it was necessary to get an exam before playing at the club.. I've just been relaxing these few days and getting ready because Keith and I are heading south to Marseille tomorrow! We'll be staying with my distant relatives so it should be an interesting few days. I'll be sure to take pictures and I'm really excited to see how the south is, should be fun. When we get back on Sunday, it'll be time to prepare for school again as we will meet Monday at 9:30 back in the auditorium to get the semester started.

These few days off also gave me time to walk around town and with the help of my professor, we've found what is in my opinion the best boulanger in Angers, and in most of France. The place is called Le Grenier a Pain, a chain of places across France managed by famous baker Michel Galloyer..In all seriousness, he has figured something out about bread that I have not tasted in other places, I'll post again about this place in the next few weeks.

Fore!!!

Another reason why I didn't hit driver last summer
Originally uploaded by supermarioguy

Well we did it, even though I couldn't find my friends at the bus stop, or the market, somehow we all ended up together at the golf course and played. It was situated near a chateau, so it was nice, but the course wasn't great. It's nice to say I've played in France though..and I was able to rent a set of Cleveland clubs, really nice 2009 model Launcher driver, irons, hybrids, great clubs! Obviously after a month off (as you can see in the picture) I didn't put them to great use, but we had a good time. I played with Keith, my friend from CMU, and Adam, my friend from Canada, and we walked 9 holes in a little over 2 hours, so it was fun. Let's just say that it isn't always easy convincing yourself of hitting a shot when you don't know the yardage..that meter to yard conversion was something we had to deal with the whole time..obviously a 130 meter par 3 doesn't play to 130 yards..remember this if you hit the links in France I have a yardage book from the place and a souvenir ball, plus some extra balls that I didn't lose that will be put to good use for the 2010 season! .

The fall break that I never get at CMU

The amphitheatre
Originally uploaded by supermarioguy

That's it, the intensive language month is finished, and I'm off until Oct 5, when I begin the actual semester of classes. Last night we had the end of the stage show and party. The director, Marc Melin, gave a speech, and some students showed off talents relating to their culture, it was pretty fun.

Now I've got time to relax, and take care of some things before the semester starts. Tomorrow I'll be playing golf, and you can rest assured that there will be pictures, I'm really excited for that! Then I'll be here in Angers for a few days relaxing before heading south, specifically Marseille on Thursday! We have relatives down there and I'm going to be with them for a few days, I'm really looking forward to seeing them and the south of France!

Have to mention also that I ate dinner at my friend Keith's place on Thursday, well with his host mom, and it was a great meal. It started off with a noodle soup, then the cold plate of a little salad and things, followed by ham, and a potato mixed with something casserole dish, and lastly some eclairs and ice cream. I know I'll be back there before the semester ends.

The end of the stage

Well here we are with 2 days left of classes and things are getting busy. I delivered my speech on my favorite French singers today, it went pretty well. Our class went out to a creperie tonight so that was really good. Tomorrow I'm eating at my friend Keith's house, he has 5 other kids living with him, so it should be a good dinner. Friday, there is a end of the September stage party at the university, then we are off until October 5. What am I going to do for the week? Well once I figure a few things out, I hope to have the chance to head south and see some distant relatives in Marseille. By now, I've seen a decent amount of the west of France, so it's time to head south. Also, I'm golfing with a few guys on Sunday, so you can bet that I'll post pictures and a report on how golf is here, so excited to play! Can't believe that fall is here, we got up to around 24 celsius today, great weather! I'll be updating this weekend, bonsoir!

West Coast Weekend

The megalithes
Originally uploaded by supermarioguy

The weekend started off with some ping pong on Friday night at my prof's club. It is a gym only used for ping pong, so it was great. It was nice to play again and try to get into the swing of things, I played ok but still lost to most of the people, I'll be ready next time.

Yesterday we hit the west coast, took a boat ride around the Golfe de Morbihan, visited the historic city Vannes, and had time to enjoy some local crepe and cider...That picture shows our visit to the megalithes, the big rock structures. It was a good last excursion.

Today, I'm resting and getting some things ready for the final week of the September stage. I went out to the market and got a few things, this market was just incredible. I wish I had more time to walk around, it's amazing to see so many great things at once. Boulangers with 6 or 7 different kinds of baguettes, fruit stands everywhere, clothes, cds/dvds, wine, homemade products, cheese, great stuff. I bought a little dried fruit from this one guy, he told me that in a few weeks he would have the kind of dried apples that I'm looking for, so I will return!

The weekend ahead

Alright it's the last day of week 3 of class, so that's good. I've got a test in a few hours, then we are done by 2:30...uh I mean 14:30 today. After class, I'll be out on the street with my friend as we need to survey a few locals about a topic that we picked to do a written report on. I am going to ask people about le petit dejeuner (breakfast) and how it differs from the US. That should be good, then hopefully there will be time to check out this chocolate place that our prof recommended. At night, the same prof is taking me to his table tennis club, so I'll be there, come home, get up early and head off to the final excursion. This one is going to the west coast. Hopefully I'll have a post by Sat night explaining it all, Sunday will be a good day to rest and get ready for the final week of the September stage before we have a week off and the actual semester begins on Oct 5..So I'm looking forward to a great weekend and I'll keep you posted.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Le macaron!

Le macaron!
Originally uploaded by supermarioguy

As the days go by, we discover more and more. Something I discovered a few weeks ago was le macaron..a French cookie not to be confused with the macaroon. I'm sure you've all seen these before..the dessert most famously made at Laduree in Paris. These little cookies made out of egg whites, sugar, and whatever else are incredible. They come in all different flavors and colors. Luckily enough, a guy who studied at Laduree opened up a patisserie in Angers, and the macaron are incredible there! Our professor recommended the place to us, so we went and tried them, and le macaron will probably end up being one of the best things I've had on this trip.