Jane est l'étoile

Dear Friends,

Today was our last day of school.  We started the day with a written test that included (1) a listening test in which two people on a recording would say things that were either identical or very close to being identical, we had to say if they were completely identical; (2) a listening and comprehension test with the professor describing something and we had to link to a series of pictures that we had; (3) a dictation about a paragraph long; (4) a series of pictures which told a story which we had to write about in French; and (5) several paragraphs to read and answer questions about.  We also had an oral test which involved a series of pictures telling a story which we had to describe to a teacher in a one on one session.  The test was the same test format as the first day so that they could track our progress.  It was a very stressful day.  We also watched a short film in French which we discussed in small groups and then got to watch with subtitles.  However, the subtitles were also in French.

Each student met with an instructor to review the test results.  Jane and I met with the head of the school.  As you can imagine Jane made incredible progress, and he was very impressed.  I also made quite a bit of progress, but I certainly did not catch up to Jane.  He was very complimentary of both of us (of course we paid to be at the school).

In the graduation ceremony, each student was called to receive his or her certificate.  I was called in the middle but Jane was not called and not called and not called.  Finally after all the certificates had been handed out except for 4, the head of the school said that there were four students (of the roughly 60 students) who received special recognition.  Jane was, of course, one of those.  It was a great honor and well deserved.

AND THE WINNER IS.......

After Jane received her special award, they served champagne and treats.  We also sang La Vie en rose, the famous song by Edith Piaf.  It is one of Jane's favorites and now we have all the words.  It was a great event but also sad as people began leaving for the four corners of the earth.  Many email addresses were exchanged, many pictures taken, many hugs and a few tears.  We will miss our classmates and hope to keep in touch.

Ça y est!!!

More later,
Jane and the Unabashed Liberal