Day 25

I can't find my camera cord :-( so I can't show you pictures of the Musee Rodin, where we went on our excursion today.

We had a very long lunch and quite a bit of red wine at le Petit Lutetitia.

I'm making no progress whatsoever on my paper.

Now for a few petty rants: You've been warned!

I haven't been able to do pilates in over a week because Isabelle's always in the room.

I'm sick of the security guards here, who are really nasty. You have to "check out" plates and silverware from them and give them your ID as a "deposit." If you leave the cafeteria to go to the bathroom, the guard's like "Where's your plate? You must return your plate!" in such a bossy, condescending voice. It drives me crazy. I'm like, "I haven't finished eating yet... sorry."

You can leave stuff in the fridge, but it has to be labeled on special St. John's labels with your name, school, and the date. The residential advisors (who are in their twenties and really rude and don't care about us at all) go through the fridge every day and throw out anything they feel like throwing out, regardless of whether it's near its expiration date.

The other students here all have really thick Southern accents. They take over the cafeteria, which is the only common area, and I can't even eat dinner in peace without having to listen to their gossip. We also see them coming down the slippery, spiral staircase every night in sky-high sequined stiletto heels. They wake me up when they come back at 3 AM, drunk.

Laundry here is 2 Euros for a wash cycle and 2 Euros for a dry cycle. The machines only take "tokens." The token machine only takes 2-euro coins. The machines only accept the special detergent squares that the front desk distributes. You have to show them your tokens before getting your pitiful little square. But God forbid you ask for any extra detergent to hand-wash other clothes!

The door into St. John's looks like it's automatic, but it's actually not. The only person who can open it is the security guard. When he/she goes to the bathroom, you can't exit or enter the building. Similarly, when he/she is taking a cigarette break, which is ALWAYS. Oh, and god forbid you ask for a plate after she has just given another person a plate, because she'll scold you for making her stand up and walk 10 steps to get the second plate. Please. She could use the exercise...

If you lose your key to Saint John's, you have to pay a fine of 100 euros.

If you lose your ID to Saint John's, they won't let you in the building, and someone else has to look for it for you, even if they've been seeing you go in and out for weeks now.

The hallways are always dark.

There is a crucifix in each room, and in each hallway.

Overall, it's functional but unfriendly. The different school groups don't speak to each other.