"Don't worry, one day it will go from AWEFUL to AWESOME!" HAHAHA (Adventures with MooReece con't)

So for those of you lucky enough to not have your inboxes flooded with my daily rantings and ravings you may or may not know that my first few days in Paris have been slightly overwhelming. I've been here 3 days now and I can definitely say I'm glad I went to Antibes first! I thought I went a little cuckoo (ok I did go a little cuckoo) in my first week here in France in the itty bitty town of Antibes - time went by slower than a snail at the Indy 500. I feel like I going through that overload all over again only this time because I'm much more familiar with the inner workings of the French I am much more comfortable communicating and getting around. I have 4 weeks of French Language and Culture in the Riviera to thank for that and so instead of going through a week or so of madness, it's day 3 and I feel SO MUCH BETTER! My head is still a little swollen but ibuprofen is my friend and my blisters are finally calissed and after figuring out transit systems for a number of different european cities, the Paris metro is a piece of cake! I am still anxious to get home because everyday seems to take me further away from my reality and I remember less and less what life back home is like. That being said, I'm comfortable here now - I will have a routine again in a few days and time will fly by no doubt!

We spent the first few days in orientation and today took a bus tour of the city visiting all the major sites. Paris itself is not very big, like everything else in France, it all leads to the centre (i.e. Champs Elysee). Class starts on Monday and runs Monday-Thursday 1-4 and I will be studying French History through Architecture (for those of you who didn't know or couldn't remember). We were informed that most of our class time will be spent OUT of the classroom visiting the architecture we will be studying. I know - ROUGH isn't it? Well it is if it's as hot as it was yesterday. At least the classroom is air conditionned.

I have alot of things booked and planned but kept some nights open too because we will have homework (and maybe even papers to write) GASP! Once we get our syllabus I will be in better shape to know what I can do and when, what to go see that I won't get to see in class etc... I will also be going to runs most mornings in Jardin Luxembourg and Tulleries (around the Louvre). I found this run through the city that will take me from my apartment to the Champs Elysee (7 km or so) but I'm not sure how running in the city will be. I will walk it on Monday and see what it's like and go from there. And of course SHOPPING! There is so much to see and do that my brain is on overload right now wanting to get it all in. I'm already missing my PUMP/RPM/ATTACK dates and I will try to find a gym to let me on stage here - but I'm not going to hold my breath. Although I should find out when they release here and go check it out... hm....or go find Wolverine!

Et maintenant nous allons travailler l'hippopotame (Adventures with MooReece con't)

What better way to spend my last week in Antibes (and thus my last week in the Riviera) than by plastering my self in the Sun and lazing on the beach every afternoon? Yes my tan is FANTASTIC!! I finally made it to the beach and got to swim and bob around in the Mediterranean. Plans to go to Ste Marguerite (island with the Chateau where Louis XVs twin brother - Man in the Iron Mask anyone? was help captive) were delayed due to the USA World Cup game and then cancelled because of a day long strike across the country. Don't ask! So that just meant MORE time on the beach. Although dissapointed I never made it to the island, it's been REALLY REALLY hot here this last week and the beach is the #1 place to be. I even painted my fingers and toes :)

On the sad side, Wednesday was my last night in Sophia Antipolis and my last night at Fitlane. I REALLY wanted to get on stage for PUMP but started to worry because Joel was apparently running late (it must be a male instructor thing....) or not coming and I hadn't had a chance to ask him on Monday because I was running late. Happily he barged in and started setting up and I asked if I could accompany him and he was more than happy to oblige. I think I literally started to glow at that point I was soooo excited. So I set up my station on the stage next to him (on his left which is weird cause I'm always on the right at home) and he got me to do "la mise en place" avec mon accent canadien. I started to panic because I had NO IDEA what the heck he was talking about and he's urging me on and I'm like "THINK AMY THINK!!!" and it hit me...Set Position and Intro. Having been put on the spot like that made every giggle because I was trying to think of how to say my "shpeel" in french. Poitrine fiere? I have NO IDEA! Joel seemed to approve so it couldn't have been so bad...albeit I was nervous LOL. It was AWESOME! The class was PACKED - close to 40-45 people all cheering me on and laughing at my funny accent. I'm sure they're all thinking "She sure likes to WOOHOOO alot!" hahahaha

After PUMP was ATTACK and this week Magali let me teach Intervals and POWER track! Not only that but she complimented me on my awesome energy and great technique! AHA!!! Made my trip COMPLETE :) "Au Canada on saute plus haut et on pousse PLUS fort, AAAALLLLLLEZZZZ les francais AAAAALLLLLEEZZZ touchez le plafond!" (and I actually did during air jacks - hit the roof I mean....the stage is really high and I'm a giant in the Riviera). I said my au revoirs to my French Pat and Jaime and said I would be back one day... who knows if they ever séjourn au Canada I told them to look me up! hahaha and THEY will be the ones with the jolie accent :)

Now I'm done working out until sometime in my first week in Paris. I'm not gaining too much weight but the excess of carbs and the major lack of protein is definitely taking a toll on my tone and definition. Can we all say CARB DETOX when I get home? Nothing but chicken breast and vegetables until Xmas!

One last WOOT WOOT for my Les Mills International performances! :D