Figuring Out the City.

So far it has been a great start to the week. I am beginning to get into a routine and making baby steps toward figuring out the city. Monday I had my first day of classes. Unfortunately got a bit turned around on the way to my first class, but eventually I made it! The class is Development Economics which I was and am trying to still be excited about. It is certainly a topic that I am interested in but it sounds like it is going to be a lot more work than I expected -- past program participants said VeCo was a joke compared to Furman (which according to Newsweek/every Furman student's current facebook status is the second most rigorous college in the US, nbd). Still, 20 page papers are not a joke, so VeCo can't be that easy. We'll see how it goes. The good news is that I am in the class with Cameron and Cole so I get some quality time with the Egan siblings! Plus walking home with Cole, he showed me a much quicker and direct way of getting to campus! I also had my Corporate Communications and PR class which sounds like it will be pretty interesting, there are a handful of other Furman kids in the class, and our teacher is a character with lots of business experience so hopefully that will keep us entertained!

While classes took over the agenda for yesterday, today was filled with wandering the city. Highlight of the day was definitely my trip to Cinquantenaire Park with Sara Beth. The park is absolutely beautiful and deserves its famous reputation. I decided to go per Sarah Crane's recommendation and she was right! Loved wandering through the garden and tree lined pathways. SB and I enjoyed some speculoos ice cream and just sat for a while chatting and taking in the scenery. Delightful. Life here really is so unique. I love walking through the city streets. I love shopping in the local grocery stores. I love looking at the people.  My favorite today was a little girl in polka dot leggings and a cute black coat walking out of a store with two big bouquets of white roses, so chic. Seriously, the eight year old girls are more hip than I am. Also I love to see the older folks; it's not everyday that you see an old man riding his bike in a jean ensemble with bright orange socks and bright red leather shoes. But maybe here it is?! Again, delightful.

Other highlights/Upcoming news: I'm going to Paris this weekend! I meet with Professor Panayotov tomorrow morning to officially set up my internship (and possibly start working)!

Lots to ponder, lots to look forward to!

Jumping for joy in Cinquantenaire Park, literally. 

Found Gene's twin! 

PS: HAPPY 21st BIRTHDAY KAREN WOODS!
And thanks David for making the RUF sermons available online.