My first...

This week has been pretty hectic on the university front - hectic but full of fruitful first-time experiences, of course.

I had to deliver my first assessed speech on Monday. I had the whole 3-minute talk typed out in large font.  I'd planned when to put emphasis certain words, when to slow down particular sentences. I'd even planned where to look during the speech. As soon as I got up to the podium, I actually thought I was going to melt. I felt like a best man at a wedding who forgets to prepare a speech but decides to make the most of his time in the spotlight anyway.

I know how you feel, bud.

I could just tell I was talking a bit too fast. I'm a native English speaker (it's in my nature!) and I was nervous! This isn't my first time doing public speaking. I've even danced in front of a thousand people before. This was different. I was being judged, I mean graded, and this grade will go on my transcript sent back to my home university. The deed was done and I eventually stopped shaking after about 10 minutes. It can only get better from here, right?

I'm sure I was better than this guy though:

I had my first fitness class on Wednesday evening. It wasn't until I got into my gym gear that I realised everyone around me was speaking in French - including the instructor! I was just going to wing it, but it got to the point where I had to say something. I couldn't just constantly nod in agreement at everything she was saying. Luckily, she told me she would just explain the structure of the class in French but then instruct the actual moves in English - phew!

Beautiful sunset from my bedroom window

in the midst of  trying to do homework.

The rest of my week - lectures, lectures and more lectures to be exact - went swimmingly well. Talking of swimming, I went to the beach in Juan-les-Pins on Saturday and swam (well, floated) for the first time since being here in France. I'll definitely be returning...

Today, my friend and I went to the flea market in Antibes. It only happens twice a year, so we thought we'd go along and see what was happening. Little did we know how many amazing bargains and antiques there would be.

This was just part of it.

Luckily I only took a small amount of cash, otherwise I would have bought everything in sight. We used some leftover cash to treat ourselves to one of the best French meals (in my opinion, that is).

Not my first Croque Madame.

“The important thing is to take that first step. Bravely overcoming one small fear gives you the courage to take on the next” - Daisaku Ikeda