The one I know you've all been waiting for.

Sorry it's been so long since I updated! Time has been flying by.
Classes have been the same old same old, for the most part. I go. I write notes and stare off into space when the professor goes on a tangent (but I can get away with it because I'm that American kid...). The workload is different, and it kind of freaks me out that we have yet to have a graded assignment, but I'm enjoying the fact that I don't have to work as hard to follow anymore.
In fact this month has been marked in general by greater comfort in my surroundings. Coming back from my various and sundry journeys (read on for more information!) has been like coming home. I find I don't need a map all the time anymore, and I instinctively know which way to turn in the metro when transferring. During the long metro rides to class, I eavesdrop and understand with greater facility. I say "pardon" rather than "sorry" when I bump into people.
And I have for the most part stopped being a tourist in Paris. While I still intend to do more touristy stuff (I have yet to eat escargot, for example, and I haven't been to the Musee d'Orsay or the Centre Pompidou), I'm really enjoying the feeling of being in the flow of normal life here.
We did visit Mt. St. Michel (a very very long day trip on the bus) with my program, which was quite enjoyable. Pictures of that trip and the last month in Paris:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2122365&l=82d97&id=7412579

We got a week off for Toussaint (all Saint's Day), so I headed off to Spain with Harris and then went on to Italy. It was kind of a whirlwind trip, and I don't think I was properly dry for the last five or so days of it, but it was fantastic. It's scary to see how much Spanish and Italian I'd forgotten, but it was definitely coming back. Highlights of the trip included:
Beach and Basque culture in San Sebastian and Bilbao.
Seeing Gaudi's architecture in Barcelona, which is both way out there and absolutely fantastic.
Bocadillos in Spain (although I was pretty sick of the lack of vegetables by the time we left) and pizza in Italy.
The life and history of Rome. Also, going to the theater completely soaked from the rain and only understanding the very basics of what was going on
A group of Italian people who burst into song on a vaporetto in Venice.
Planning and executing a trip by myself--it's very empowering to know that I'm traveling through a foreign country on my own and knowing that I can handle anything that comes up.
Pictures can be seen here:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2124479&l=474dc&id=7412579
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2125134&l=061f2&id=7412579

I was glad to get back, however. Moving place to place to place is exhausting, especially if you take night trains and/or buses.
Plus, I wouldn't want to have missed the elections! All the Americans I know were super excited and stayed up till 5 am to watch the results come in (we had quite a trek that involved going from a campaign party too packed for comfort to a bar that closed around three to my friend's kitchen, where I waited until the West coast results came in, cheered faintly, and made my way back to collapse into bed). However, the French reaction surprised me a bit. As much as they were excited about Obama and as much as the US elections took over the news here (they even broadcast from New York for a week), I didn't really hear much the next day. I think because Obama's victory was predicted for days in the polls they saw it as a foregone conclusion and just moved on. It probably would have been different if McCain had won.

Finally, I just got back from a trip to visit my brother Craig, who's rocking the Scottish educational system in Edinburgh. We visited a castle, had scones and some crazy diabetes-inducing desserts only the English would think up, and climbed a very tall hill (as steep as it was, I can't on principle call it a mountain...). It was good to hear English (of a sort) and have a connection to home. Pictures here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2125159&l=ad0fc&id=7412579

Overall, it's been a fantastic month and I can't believe I only have 1 and 1/2 to go. I do miss home, though, and the people especially. Keep sending emails!