Brrrr... I didn't know Jack Frost lived in France!

This week was pretty much a normal week... still an insomniac, but learning to cope. Classes become a little more difficult every day. For instance, I received a test back on Monday that I took on Friday and I was pretty sure that I needed to drop down a level. After talking with my prof, I felt like I needed to stay in this level just to prove to him that I'm not a wimp. I think it will be better in the long run anyways.
I went out a lot this weekend... Friday, Saturday, and Monday night... And then I became a home-body. Nothing wrong with that, but it's weird to think it's Friday again and that I get to do all that stuff again. A group of people are going to a discotechque tomorrow night (equivalent of a club) and I have already decided that I am not going. Not sure what I'll do instead, but I'm sure I can come up with something.
Wednesday is when the cold weather hit. First of all, I'm not used to hearing the temperature referred to in Celcius yet, so when people say it's almost 0 outside, I start panicking because I did not pack for that kind of weather... Then I realize that it's only 32 degrees Fahrenheit and I can handle that. The morning was fine and beautiful... much like a normal fall day and we even sat outside for lunch... but the day became colder as it progressed and we woke up Thursday morning to our first frost. Now, unlike in the States where you crank up your heaters and you cuddle up in warm clothes when you get home, I get home from a cold drafty building where I have classes, shiver into slippers and another sweater, and try desperately to think warm thoughts. One night, while I was trying to sleep, the only thing I could think of is how my nose is going to be permenantly cold for the rest of my time in France... It made me think of that one episode of Winnie the Pooh where Piglet has a nose warmer and it goes missing. Well people, my nose warmer has gone missing! Ok, maybe that's a little dramatic... and I know where I need to look... but unfortunately there's an ocean inbetween us.
I don't think I took my coat off the entire time I was away from the house for the past two days... But I am thankful for colder weather though. For instance: the plethora of smokers that stand right outside of the gates at the Institute has decreased significantly. Also, I can wear the same top two days in a row and no one will know (I changed my scarf...). Also, I come into class looking rosy-cheeked. My cheeks might be half frozen, but they at least look healthy. Also, you are that much more thankful when you enter a warm room.
I'm just thankful that the colder weather has not been accompanied by rain yet... Being wet and cold is completely different than just being cold. Tomorrow is going to be about the same temperature and Alex and I are planning on hitting up some of the markets around town... I hope that we don't freeze... But I think we're planning on stopping in at least one café to get coffee. (Thank you God that she loves coffee!)
I am getting really homesick, but God has been good in providing people to talk to (most recently Alyce, Jordan and Mom). I'm trying hard to get past the stress of school and homesickness, but that just seems to be the stage I am in. I'm really looking forward to this weekend!