ID, Please.

Hi there!

It's been a month since my last post.  Throughout the time that's passed, I've gathered enough news to do an update.  Hopefully, I can remember everything I've been wanting to share.

To start things off, the reason behind this post's title is because my Host Mother asked me for an ID/Passport photo of myself to be used for both my school file and schoolbus card.  (More info on school later in this post.)

Next, the colour scheme and background image of this blog have changed.  That's probably the most evident change since my last post.  Also, the entire Blogger site has overhauled its layout and revamped it to a more modern one.  I like it, although it'll take some time for me to get used to it.

My friend Florence who's going to Germany just received her host family not too long ago. She's currently going through the same reaction I went through when I was matched with my host family. Click here to read her blog.  I'm happy for her and share the excitement, haha.  

I finally received my iPad 2 in the mail whilst I was gone from home for a while.  It took about 2 weeks to be delivered as Apple is having some trouble to meet the demand.  (I checked every Apple Retail Store and authorised reseller within a 50 mile radius to no avail.) Actually, I'm composing this post on my iPad right now.  I chose my iPad over my MacBook Pro to bring with me to France as the iPad can do everything I would use my MacBook Pro for whilst being more portable.  Video-calling, blogging, Facebook, recording HD video, music, photos, and even phone-calling (I've managed a work-around without any jailbreaking or any unathorised alterations.)  If I'm really lucky, I might be able to use it at school there, although I doubt it. Plus, I can connect to a 3G network for only 8 euros a month.  Moreover, with iOS 5 to be released in September, I'll be able to use my iPhone and iPad without ever needing my Mac. Thus, I plan on just bringing my iPhone and iPad to France.  I think I'll be set.

My host sister's birthday was yesterday.  She turned 10, which my natural younger sister will turn this month as well.  Both of my host siblings depart to Ardèche tomorrow for summer vacation.  My host sister talks to me frequently.  She's really excited for my arrival and helps me to feel welcomed. =]

It's official.  I unenrolled from my high school right before the school year ended.  Meaning, I don't have to do the summer homework!  However, I do have to start working on my visa application and processing.  I already have an appointment date at the consul in New York.  I'm hoping everything goes smoothly.  The next official news is that I've also been enrolled in my French high school!  I've been placed in Première ES.  

For those unfamiliar with the French system of secondary education, here's a short summary:

The French high school is called the lycée.  A student attends a lycée for 3 years.  Whereas in the United States where our grade level numbering increases as we progress (think 1st, 2nd, 3rd...10th, 11th, 12th); in France, it decreases (3ème, 2nde, 1ère, terminale).  I will be in première (1ère) which is appropriate for me as it's equivalent to an 11th-grade junior in the U.S. which I would be if I stayed here.

Now, when a student's in 1ère, he or she must choose their "path."  (Think colleges and majors.)  There are 3 paths.  S, ES, and L.

S - Scientifique. Classes will focus primarily on advanced sciences and maths.  It tends to be male-dominated and seen as the hardest one out of the three paths.

ES - Économique et Social.   Economics and social sciences.  It's the most general and balanced path as there isn't a particular focus on any one subject.  Out of the three paths, it's the most evenly co-ed; and it's the path students take when they're not really sure what they want to be when they grow up.

L - Littéraire.   Classes will focus on the humanities, such as art, history, literature, music, French, and foreign languages.  It tends to be female-dominated.

Personally, I would have wanted to be in S because science and math are my strongest subjects.  In addition, they're the subjects I'm most likely to receive academic credit for in the U.S.  Nonetheless, I'm a bit relieved I wasn't placed in L as it would have been my last choice.  Speaking of choices, I did have very few selection of courses.  I chose to take English and Spanish as my two "langues vivantes" (modern languages) over German as I hope that my background in those two languages will help bring up my general average.  I also chose on taking music & art instead of ancient Greek, Latin, or Dutch.  

My host mother also informed me that my French high school would be receiving a lot of exchange students for the 2011-2012 school year.  On one hand, I'm glad to know I'll have people to relate to as I adapt and adjust to the experience.  I also won't be the centre of attention.  On the other hand, they and I might be compared to one another, especially if we're from the same country.  We might also distract each other from befriending natives should we stick to each other.  

On a minor note, I discovered after my last post that people have left comments on my posts and replied to mine on their blogs.  I don't like how I'm not notified of either action.  Regardless, any feedback is appreciated and I'll be sure to reply when appropriate.  Also, to any readers who have blogs of their own that I follow, check your comments should I ever leave one!

Wishing he covered everything he had planned,

- Gello