I'm trying to stay positive but I have to say, nothing is easy in france. So my passport was stolen, I'm pretty sure at the hostel, but I can't really say for certain. In my passport was my visa. Awesome. Within a week and a half of being in france I have visited the police station, the prefecture (not sure what this is, but its where I will get my residency card) and the canadian consulate. In each location, someone has asked me, "and you lost it where?" Haha, if I knew that, I wouldn't be trying to get it replaced. I hate french diplomacy, you need a million papers for everything. But I'm attempting to stay grounded, thank god for colour photocopies. So it looks like I'm not going anywhere for a while, the canadian consulate said 3 weeks but I'm sure it will take a month or more. But in the meantime, I'm staying with a girl I met at the hostel until Mom arrives on Saturday. I move into my new place on the 15th and I can't wait to begin to get settled.

I can't complain too much, I have made some good friends, I'm addicted to the food, croissants, chocolatines, sandwiches, soup, cafe au lait and of course, insanely cheap red wine. They eat a ton of bread, pastries, pasta and cheese here which is killing my stomach but hopefully once in the apartment, I can eat more fruits and veggies. Toulouse is stunning. Much bigger than I expected but the cobblestoned streets and gorgeous architecture gives it a small village feel and continues to amaze me. My school is considered to be in the ghetto and I have been told not to stay after dark. Charming that UBC sends its students abroad to a school that is considered dangerous.

Oh well, amidst my daily struggles, life is slowly coming together. I am pleasantly surprised how fast my french is returning. When I need a word to explain something, it seems to just pop out of my mouth. Great knowing that although I haven't used the language very much, it is still there. My new friends have told me that although they can tell right away that I am not from France, they think I speak and understand the language very well. That's encouraging considering I found out I will not be with other international students, but taking classes like any other student from france. AHHH!

Only 11 more days until I move into my new place and then everything will seem a little bit less complicated. I love you all and miss you tons, homesickness sure kicks in when you are homeless without identity.

a bientot!