Sorry I haven't posted in a while! It has been exams and I basically spent all my time studying. I feel good about how I did on all of them and I think my grades are good so far in most of my classes. I think I am doing a pretty good job with caring about school and also really enjoying Paris. Starting this week it has really felt like spring! Today my host parents sat out sunbathing (!) for over an hour and I sat on our terrace all afternoon reading and doing work.

This past week I got to play with Adelaide (the baby) again and as usual and we had a good time together. She is starting to talk and I amuse her so I am allowed to be around. The three older boys were here to sleep over this past Tuesday night as they do every week. Kids everywhere are really the same! The oldest one was told to leave the other toys alone and to go play somewhere else because he was making his brother cry. He started to get mad, then he went back over and promptly took the one toy he was told not to and his brother started to cry. Then the younger one felt left out so he had to get in on the action and cried about something else. It's always fun when they come but they were even annoying their grandparents so it was pretty bad. My poor sick roomate just decided to hibernate while they were here.

After class on Tuesday, some friends invited me to go see a movie and grab dinner. One of the movie theaters (no where near my house) had tickets for like 4 euros but I had nothing else to do and it sounded like a good deal. We ended up getting pasta and seeing Milk. Sean Penn definitely earned that Oscar. I have studied the gay rights movement a lot so I have been wanted to see this for a long time. I knew what was going to happen but it was so well-acted and really respected the material. We were all really impressed. The pasta was good too hehe.

Today, I woke up and headed out for the weekly visit for my art history class. We all got there on time and teacher went in to tell them our group reservation was here. When she came back, she told us that apparently, though nobody notified her, the house was closed for renovations! So we saw another building in the same neighborhood from the same architectural movement so it was fine. I definitely didn't need to go over there for nothing though!

Tomorrow is yet another strike. In the papers, union leaders were threatening it would be worse than last time and that people should be prepared for big delays on the metro. That is all well and good but last time it was not that bad! I think that they are just frustrated, not getting paid, and the financial crisis has been the government's response to all of their demand. I also live near one of the Sorbonne campuses, and they have been on strike as well in opposition to some new laws that would eliminate research positions at their university and impose on a number of other academic freedoms by privatizing administrators and involving the government more than the school. I read their pamphlet because I was curious and it turns out that they oppose this law and are also frustrated with the government's dealing with the financial crisis. Most people know that it is going to be a difficult time but they continue to try to vocalize their demands and concerns. Some Parisians want them to stop because they think it is useless and it ruins other peoples' days. Those participating in the strike are still determined to fight the good fight. I feel like Sarkozy won't give in to their demands and it is somewhat futile, but I don't think that means the concerns are invalid. I guess we will see if anything happens tomorrow.

In addition I am also starting to have some solid summer plans. For a month I will be working as a Resident Advisor and the Israel Education Specialist at the URJ Kutz Camp, the Reform movement's teen leadership summer program. I will get to work with a lot of very dear friends and respected colleagues. I think it will be a lot of fun!! Kutz, as much as I mock NFTY, truly is a special place and I think a pretty exciting place in the summer. I am glad to be able to work their. I will also have an internship in NYC, but I am still working on the details.


Coming up, my friend Jonah is going to be in Paris and I am so excited! Astrid and I are also trying to go to the movies. She really wants to see "He's Just Not That Into You" or as it is translated in French "What Men Think." Kind of a sad translation haha More updates soon...