So I've been lurking apartments in France since I initially started the application process for this program. Then once I was accepted and knew that I was in Academie Orléans-Tours, I started lurking apartments in that area. When I finally found out my placement, I began looking for apartments in Montargis. This was no easy feat as Montargis has a population of 15,000 and no university. But I stumbled upon an apartment that made me tear up with joy. It's a "maisonette" within 10 minutes walking distance from Lycée Durzy with a living room and full kitchen. 400 £/mo utilities included. Five minutes from downtown. And honestly the cutest thing I've ever seen in my entire life. I didn't want to get too excited about it, as I knew a lot of landlords are hesitant to rent to people without meeting them, but, with the help of Stacey, I constructed a polite and professional email asking about the apartment.

And I got a response this morning.

I can have the apartment, he said. We can sign a contract when I arrive in September.

I. CAN. HAVE. THE. APARTMENT.

I'm still trying to be calm and skeptical as I don't have anything in writing, but I think this guy is trustworthy. The apartment is behind his house, and I don't have to pay/sign anything until I get there. I cried when I read the email.

Anyway, here it is:

I'm so happy about this.

waiting, waiting, waiting

Lately I feel like all I can do is tread water. I've already had to reschedule my Visa appointment once, because, while I received my placement, I have not gotten my actual contract which I have to have to apply for a Visa. I've been telling everyone that I leave September 14, but I haven't actually bought my ticket yet. That's another thing I am waiting on my contract for. Another frustrating issue is that I emailed my contact person at the Lycée who responded with a long elaborate email in French giving me tiny little bits of information and asking me a million questions. When I had not answered in a few days due to being out of town, I got another email just checking on me. So I responded this time, answering all of the questions as best as I could and trying to to ask too many myself, but now two weeks later I'm the one who hasn't heard anything back.

So right now, all I can do is Google my school and town obsessively. And scout out concerts in Paris over the next year.

Things I know:
Montargis, where I'll likely be living, has a population of 15,000. Montevallo's city population is around 4,800 and the school has about 3,000 students. According to Wikipedia, Montargis is the home of Pralines. There is also a legend about a very loyal dog resulting in a "dramatic statue". Montargis is near a large forest and contains a lot of canals and bridges.

And that's about it.
So instead I'm trying to focus more on my own preparations. I've been struggling with reading a French language version of The Alchemist that Stacey lent me. I've been trying to think of tools to use in my classroom like a map of the US or a popular English TV show, but to be honest, I'm not even sure what the format of my job is going to be and whether I'll even have my own time to spend on things. I just wish someone would give me a few more details. Particularly the contact information of the assistant before me!

And on top of everything, I've been thinking too much about adjustments and how I'm going to make friends and how, with only working 12 hours a week, I'm going to keep myself from holing up in my not-yet-existent apartment and living on the internet. I'm a people person. But an awkward one.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE SOME PROGRESS.