I think I am buried under a pile of papers...

And so the paperwork continues...  But today, I turned in my folder to apply for social security.  I had to include two copies of my birth certificate, translated into French, my original contract, copies of pages from my passport, my bank information, and a "declaration of a change in situation" which basically is a ridiculous paper in which I mention that I now work in France and before I ... didn't.  It's all turned in to the incredibly helpful (albeit occasionally elusive) secretary of the lycée, and will hopefully be sent in soon.  If it arrives before October 12 and all the paperwork is in order (which it better be because I've spent a week compiling it, dammit), I will get an 80% pay advance at the end of October.  Please cross your fingers for me; unfortunately, I can't wait until the end of November to get some more dollars.  Er, euros.

In addition, we have checked into the internet situation.  It has nothing to do with the fact that there wasn't sufficient money in the French bank account.  No, Orange just hasn't done anything about it yet.  So, we wait.  We are looking into the phone situation -- if I get the phone working in our apartment, I will have free calls to the US (and Verizon Wireless customers can receive the calls for free, is my understanding, and maybe other phone companies too) until the end of October.  So, hurry up, France, give me my free calls!  It might be the problem with our phone, so one of the people here is going to look for a different phone to give us.

What else...?  We got our fifth and final roommate last night.  Her name is Rebekah and she is from Texas.  But we're only speaking French together, despite the temptation otherwise.  I mean, we're here in France to work on our French.  Let's speak French already!  Jeez, people...

I found a super duper organic store today, right next door to my bank (uh oh).  It reminds me of a really expensive Strawberry Fields or something.  But there are secret deals for cheap things.  Today, I left the store with 1) something that vaguely resembles wheat gluten. it's called _____ de blé, so at least the wheat part is right.  I'm going to try to make seitan and I guess we'll find out. 2) two small squares of tofu, that cost 2€29.  It's the cheapest I've found it in France. 3) some ginger, aka gingembre, seasoning, that I've already used on some potatoes for lunch; and 4) one single beer that has three ducks on the label.  They are sitting at a café.  I really related to them.  Oh, no, I lied.  I almost got that beer, but it cost 27 cents more than the other one, so I got that one instead.

Tonight, me and the roomies are going to a café across town where there is internet.  There is coffee and smoothie things to buy, and then you can use your own computer.  So I'll finally be posting pictures of my bedroom, of the town, and my photo a day.  Superb!

Love to you all.