Classes, coffee and crêpes

Today is the end of the first week of classes in Angers. At first it was very overwhelming to choose classes and figure out how the system works, but after trying different classes I moved up to a higher language level and am very happy with what I will be studying this semester.
My classes are:

1. Langue (6 hours a week in language class, but my teacher is energetic, and I think I will learn a lot)
2. Philosophy
3. French-English Translation - this is supposed to be a difficult course, but it is also supposed to do wonders for understanding French language and grammar
4. Phonetics - I am already a little confused by the phonetic alphabet because my brain doesn't seem to work that way, but I think that it is necessary for me to take to improve my pronunciation and accent. Maybe after taking this class, my host mom will understand better what I am trying to say...sometimes, even if I know the word, my poor pronunciation causes issues in communicating.
5. Molière - taught by the Notre Dame professor here in Angers, and we are going to read several of Molière's plays (he's the French equivalent of Shakespeare) and act them out!
6. Familiar French - only 1 hour per week, this class will teach me a slang vocabulary, as in the way that families communicate with each other and the way young people speak. This will especially help me understand French TV shows and movies, and also understand what my host sisters are saying (they are 15 and 18, so they speak "young" French)

As is apparent from the title of this entry, besides figuring out classes I am falling in love with French coffee and quickly developing a severe caffeine addiction. Also, I had crêpes for the first time last weekend. Actually, the first two times. I went to a crêperie with friends on Sunday (see picture above: crêpes and coffee after Sunday Mass at a beautiful old Church), and then on Sunday night my host family made them for dessert. They were even better than I could have imagined!!!

Tonight I am taking a train to Paris, where I will see the Eiffel Tower sparkling in the night sky. I cannot wait! I'm staying in a hostel in Paris tonight with three other Notre Dame girls, but tomorrow morning I am going to leave for Lisieux, a little town near Normandy. It's supposed to be gourgeous, and it's best known as the home town of Saint Therese de Lisieux. There will be a charming Saturday market (as in every French city) among other things. Saturday night I will return to Angers. It should be the perfect first little trip outside of Angers!

Speaking of trips, I am officially booked to travel to Rome for Easter weekend, the highlight of which will be Easter Mass with the Pope. WOW! We're also in the midst of planning other trips this semester. I'm 99% sure that my two-week spring break will consist of one week in Italy and one in Spain.

Bon weekend!