I can't believe that I have lived in France for 3 months now (on Thursday). Its strange to think that, on the France Study Program, we were just about to leave. I was not at all ready to leave when that program came to an end. But that was a different experience. Can you remember the last time you got to spend three months straight living with awesome people, traveling, learning, and having fun EVERY SINGLE DAY doing it? That was the FSP trip for me. This is definitely different. It feels as if I have not done even close to as many things as I did on that trip, and it hasn't been fun-every-single-day. That is for sure.
That being said, even though I am not having quite the experience of my last France sejour, I am glad to spend more time here. I would feel slightly ripped off if I had to leave now. There are so many more places I want to visit and more things I want to see and experience.
One thing I could do without - French Bureaucracy! Seriously. Everyone talks about how frustrating it is, and you can imagine. And then you actually experience it ... and its just so ... GRRR! I have had the pleasure of experiencing this many times, but most notably (aka most frustrating-ly) with my visa process. Which is still not finished. Also, I am so happy and content to have gone to an American University. It is so frustrating here. Many people don't know if a class is canceled until they arrive, certain teachers always begin classes at least 10 minutes late and run over, and then there was the whole writing-teacher-fiasco. (went through three writing teachers and multiple class times and multiple classrooms). Anyway, it puts the order and respect for students of American Universities in perspective. And I am thankful!
Today I had methodology (underwhelming as usual) but then went out to lunch with 10 other students because it is Nicolai's last day (unfortunately he has been unable to find work and has to leave). There is a new Chinese girl who is super adorable and hilarious (Yen) and she asked me if I know of the American TV show "the big bang theory". I said I did and then she was so enthusiastic and started quoting all these lines from the show. Then another Chinese student (Shin-Shin) and Hilzam (from Indonesia) started talking about "Friends" and how much they loved it. And who said TV was bad for you!? Ha, it seems to be a great ice-breaking, getting-to-know-you, conversation starter.
Also, its nice to know that American's are not the only ones who think French people do not cook their meat enough.
Next weekend: Vaux le Vicomte!!! Its gonna be awesome and SO CHRISTMASY!
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Friday, November 25, 2011
Black Friday
Hey everyone! Over in the US its black Friday. Over here it is just normal Friday.
Yesterday was my FIRST Thanksgiving away from friends and/or family. It was actually my first Thanksgiving that I did not get the chance to celebrate... And while the day wasn't great, that wasn't France's fault. And I made it through it just fine.
To try and commemorate the holiday, I made some (really tasty) pumpkin bread with the girls on Wednesday and printed out some Thanksgiving themed coloring sheets for Thursday afternoon. We gave some of the bread to the nurse (who takes care of Am during the day) and she seemed to enjoy it. But, like many French people, she didn't quite understand what Thanksgiving is. She assumed it was our Christmas (she is in no way the only french person to do this).
Today we re-started our "writing production" class with the 3rd professor. *Complaint: The french bureaucracy is ridiculous and inefficient. Nobody knows when class is canceled/they always start late/rooms are not planned out ahead of time/etc etc etc. This is not even to mention the problems I have had running alllll over town to try and complete the Visa process!)*
Anyway, we had FIVE hours of class - one 3 hour block in the morning and then a 2 hour block in the afternoon. Surprisingly, and happily, I wasn't very bored at all! I think I am going to enjoy this class, even though we have lots of homework. I also like this professor a lot. And today I felt like I made some progress as far as actually making friends with the other students.
Also, funny thing happened. So you know that moment in the trailer for the Pink Panther, when Steve Martin is a french inspector and is trying to say the word "hamburger"?
Well, today in class was kind of like the opposite of that. We were reading an article and I had to say 'hamburger' and 'cheeseburger' in a french accent ... and I totally failed and everyone laughed. Not in a mean way, though, I was laughing too. It was ridiculous.
Anyway, it is no longer Friday over here, so I am going to hit the sack.
Yesterday was my FIRST Thanksgiving away from friends and/or family. It was actually my first Thanksgiving that I did not get the chance to celebrate... And while the day wasn't great, that wasn't France's fault. And I made it through it just fine.
To try and commemorate the holiday, I made some (really tasty) pumpkin bread with the girls on Wednesday and printed out some Thanksgiving themed coloring sheets for Thursday afternoon. We gave some of the bread to the nurse (who takes care of Am during the day) and she seemed to enjoy it. But, like many French people, she didn't quite understand what Thanksgiving is. She assumed it was our Christmas (she is in no way the only french person to do this).
Today we re-started our "writing production" class with the 3rd professor. *Complaint: The french bureaucracy is ridiculous and inefficient. Nobody knows when class is canceled/they always start late/rooms are not planned out ahead of time/etc etc etc. This is not even to mention the problems I have had running alllll over town to try and complete the Visa process!)*
Anyway, we had FIVE hours of class - one 3 hour block in the morning and then a 2 hour block in the afternoon. Surprisingly, and happily, I wasn't very bored at all! I think I am going to enjoy this class, even though we have lots of homework. I also like this professor a lot. And today I felt like I made some progress as far as actually making friends with the other students.
Also, funny thing happened. So you know that moment in the trailer for the Pink Panther, when Steve Martin is a french inspector and is trying to say the word "hamburger"?
Well, today in class was kind of like the opposite of that. We were reading an article and I had to say 'hamburger' and 'cheeseburger' in a french accent ... and I totally failed and everyone laughed. Not in a mean way, though, I was laughing too. It was ridiculous.
Anyway, it is no longer Friday over here, so I am going to hit the sack.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Pictures!
Here are just a couple belated pictures!
Spencer impersonating statues at St Malo
Julia (with a sticker on her forehead because she was brave and drove us there!)
I really like this sign
Look something in the water!
monkey hanging out at (of) the Louvre
Beautiful Place des Vosges in the Fall.
Statue in the Place des Vosges, where we got to tour Victor Hugo's house for free
Pretty trees!
Me in front of the Louvre
In the Tuileries with a view
At Chatelet
Some important building :) There are so many of them!
Another view from the Louvre
Again in the Tuileries. I imagine the statue as saying "No! not the eiffel tower!!!"
Spencer impersonating statues at St Malo
Julia (with a sticker on her forehead because she was brave and drove us there!)
I really like this sign
Look something in the water!
monkey hanging out at (of) the Louvre
Beautiful Place des Vosges in the Fall.
Statue in the Place des Vosges, where we got to tour Victor Hugo's house for free
Pretty trees!
Me in front of the Louvre
In the Tuileries with a view
At Chatelet
Some important building :) There are so many of them!
Another view from the Louvre
Again in the Tuileries. I imagine the statue as saying "No! not the eiffel tower!!!"
Friday, November 18, 2011
Christmas Countdown!
Hello everyone! Less than ONE MONTH until I will be home sweet home for Christmas.
Not much has happened in the past week. I spent the weekend home alone, which put me into a bit of a funk. I then proceeded to catch something, perhaps the flu, and combined with a severe lack of sleep was rather not well all week. I am feeling slightly better now but my stomach still cannot appropriately handle any food I put into it. Therefore, I have been drinking many a hot beverage. Mostly tea.
My school class schedule has changed because a teacher was offered another position and they had to replace her. Today I got up early to get ready and everything and went to class only to get there early and wait until 20 minutes after class was supposed to start before I left. The door to the room was locked and I saw nobody from my class there. I can't attend class on Wednesdays so I wonder if perhaps they gave an announcement that I missed...?
In other school news, my Methodology class is a complete joke. I basically detest it but go anyway, because it is one of the few classes I can make it to, and because I want to be able to see the other students. The other day the professor was teaching us how to take notes. HOW TO TAKE NOTES. She came over and literally told me to FOLD my paper into two and then in three smaller folds to correspond to the sections of the material we were reading. What is this, middle school?? I have no problem with anyone who folds there paper while taking notes - go for it! But I think by now, after having graduated college summa cum laude with 2 degrees you would think I have been fairly successful in taking notes. Its hard because just because I don't speak the language well does not mean I am stupid. If anything people in these classes are bright and brave! And the note taking thing wasn't even the half of it.
Not this weekend, but the next, Mia is coming to Rouen and we are going to celebrate her birthday (there really is not THAT much to do here but she didn't want to stay in Paris which is totally cool). Then the weekend after that we are going to visit the Vaux le Vicomte (a chateau that inspired Versailles). It gets all decked out for Christmas and it looks just lovely!
It will be another quiet weekend, with the girls staying with the grandparents the the parents moving Mr. S out of his office (he is stopping his dental practice in Rouen). This means I get a new desk/dresser thing tomorrow. But first I have to clean out the one I have. I'll go get on that right now!
Adios, amigos.
Natalie
Not much has happened in the past week. I spent the weekend home alone, which put me into a bit of a funk. I then proceeded to catch something, perhaps the flu, and combined with a severe lack of sleep was rather not well all week. I am feeling slightly better now but my stomach still cannot appropriately handle any food I put into it. Therefore, I have been drinking many a hot beverage. Mostly tea.
My school class schedule has changed because a teacher was offered another position and they had to replace her. Today I got up early to get ready and everything and went to class only to get there early and wait until 20 minutes after class was supposed to start before I left. The door to the room was locked and I saw nobody from my class there. I can't attend class on Wednesdays so I wonder if perhaps they gave an announcement that I missed...?
In other school news, my Methodology class is a complete joke. I basically detest it but go anyway, because it is one of the few classes I can make it to, and because I want to be able to see the other students. The other day the professor was teaching us how to take notes. HOW TO TAKE NOTES. She came over and literally told me to FOLD my paper into two and then in three smaller folds to correspond to the sections of the material we were reading. What is this, middle school?? I have no problem with anyone who folds there paper while taking notes - go for it! But I think by now, after having graduated college summa cum laude with 2 degrees you would think I have been fairly successful in taking notes. Its hard because just because I don't speak the language well does not mean I am stupid. If anything people in these classes are bright and brave! And the note taking thing wasn't even the half of it.
Not this weekend, but the next, Mia is coming to Rouen and we are going to celebrate her birthday (there really is not THAT much to do here but she didn't want to stay in Paris which is totally cool). Then the weekend after that we are going to visit the Vaux le Vicomte (a chateau that inspired Versailles). It gets all decked out for Christmas and it looks just lovely!
It will be another quiet weekend, with the girls staying with the grandparents the the parents moving Mr. S out of his office (he is stopping his dental practice in Rouen). This means I get a new desk/dresser thing tomorrow. But first I have to clean out the one I have. I'll go get on that right now!
Adios, amigos.
Natalie
Friday, November 11, 2011
11/11/11
Hello everyone!
Here is just a little blog update on the momentous day of 11/11/11.
This weekend was not very eventful. I basically just worked and went to class. Exciting life, I know.
But today was a nice day, despite the more-than-irritating events of last night*
*Last night I was actually able to get to sleep with minimal trouble. However, I was awakened by LOUD THUMPING TECHNO music coming from the apartment next to me. It was 2:50 AM, and this seriously loud (AKA extra pillow on my head AND headphones playing music louder than it should go at 3 AM didn't manage to drown it out) music played on for more than 2 hours. Around 5 AM it finally stopped. Thank God that the family was going out of town on Friday (today) morning because it is the celebration of the end of WWI. This meant I didnt have to wake up at 7 like normal, and I got to sleep in.
ANYway, today was nice. I hung out with the family and helped get the girls ready to go in the morning. They left around 11:30, and then I went up to my room and relaxed a bit. I then went 30 ft down the street and bought a pizza to help cover my meals for the weekend. It was yummy. Then I wrote a response to a letter from the OFII (immigration people. Things like this in France take freaking forEVER) and ran some errands. Then I just walked around. This little tea place/used book store that I like was closed, so I walked some more through the very busy tourist-y streets. I stopped at a cafe, and then decided I wanted to check out the Joan of Arc museum. And tonight I made plans with the other au pair in Rouen to go see "The Artist" at a nearby cinema.
Things in France are really really cool when you are able to do what you want.
Here is just a little blog update on the momentous day of 11/11/11.
This weekend was not very eventful. I basically just worked and went to class. Exciting life, I know.
But today was a nice day, despite the more-than-irritating events of last night*
*Last night I was actually able to get to sleep with minimal trouble. However, I was awakened by LOUD THUMPING TECHNO music coming from the apartment next to me. It was 2:50 AM, and this seriously loud (AKA extra pillow on my head AND headphones playing music louder than it should go at 3 AM didn't manage to drown it out) music played on for more than 2 hours. Around 5 AM it finally stopped. Thank God that the family was going out of town on Friday (today) morning because it is the celebration of the end of WWI. This meant I didnt have to wake up at 7 like normal, and I got to sleep in.
ANYway, today was nice. I hung out with the family and helped get the girls ready to go in the morning. They left around 11:30, and then I went up to my room and relaxed a bit. I then went 30 ft down the street and bought a pizza to help cover my meals for the weekend. It was yummy. Then I wrote a response to a letter from the OFII (immigration people. Things like this in France take freaking forEVER) and ran some errands. Then I just walked around. This little tea place/used book store that I like was closed, so I walked some more through the very busy tourist-y streets. I stopped at a cafe, and then decided I wanted to check out the Joan of Arc museum. And tonight I made plans with the other au pair in Rouen to go see "The Artist" at a nearby cinema.
Things in France are really really cool when you are able to do what you want.
Friday, November 4, 2011
le weekend update
I have officially been in France for over two months! Huzzah!
Also just a warning:
This is going to be mainly a "list all the things I did this weekend" blog. You have been warned.
Last week was lighter that normal, as the older girls were away with extended family. It was just Am and me. And man, did we bond. I can already tell I am going to miss that sweet, sweet baby! 1 year old is such a great age, and she is so adorable it just about breaks my heart.
On Friday I left Rouen to visit Paris (I am becoming quite familiar with this train ride) were I met up with Julia on Rue Cler. We then set out to buy some wine (which ended up being more like water-wine) and hoofed it over to the ecole militaire side of the Eiffle Tower (the grassy side) just in time to see it sparkle.
We joined hordes of people lounging on the damp grass, nearly everyone with a bottle of something for themselves. Then we sat and talked and listened to everyone around us. We were surrounded by almost all English speakers. It is so crazy how much English (and especially American English) I hear every time I go to Paris. We then were asked to leave the grass by an officer, so we walked to the OTHER side of the Eiffel tower by Trocadero and spent another hour chatting and watching it sparkle.
For two days it felt like we walked nearly ALL of Paris. Or at least that is what my feet were telling me. We walked the entire Marais, saw the Place des Voges and Victor Hugo's house, the musee conacq-jay were we stopped (mainly to use the free bathrooms), and the rue de Rosiers where we ate some falafel (yum).
We walked the entire rue de Rivoli, saw the hotel de ville, les halles (where we got to see some nice ping pong action), the Bastille market, the Louvre, and the Tuileries where Julia spontaneously reconnected with a friend from her sordid study-abroad past (ok, not that sordid. but man, that kid was awkward).
We meandered through the Latin quarter, visiting Shakespeare and Co and walking by the Caveau de la Hauchette. We were abruptly escorted off the metro line 4 (it was suddenly under construction), so we walked past Notre Dame, the Seine, and through St Germain des Pres and past the Institute de France to find Cosi, where we met another American also enjoying her sandwich. We ended up eating together and found out that she works for a law firm (English/American but with strong international ties) in Paris. Cool!
We stood in line to get into Angelina's, walked by the Place de la Concorde, and stopped by the Paris Opera house to check out their schedule (sadly the ballet for that night was sold out, and we had tickets to see Tintin in 3D anyway). We stopped at a cafe, were hassled by a homeless man and then even more hassled when, somehow, he crashed into our table and ended up on the ground with our broken glasses while the wine and beer ended up all over me. Lets just say I did not enjoy smelling like an alcoholic.
We headed over to Mia's on Sunday night because she was not feeling well. We stayed there and helped her out the next couple of days, chilling and watching movies, with brief interludes into the city like a lovely Halloween dinner in St Germain des Pres and stops in the Paris Mosque Tea Room, the Jardin des Plantes, and the Galerie Vivienne.
Anyway, it was a full and fun long weekend. I currently have no plans for this weekend, but today my hour long search for a Mexican restaurant I KNEW I have seen before was in vain, so I might pursue that again.
I love and miss you all. I'll be home in a month and a half for Christmas and I CANNOT wait!
Also just a warning:
This is going to be mainly a "list all the things I did this weekend" blog. You have been warned.
Last week was lighter that normal, as the older girls were away with extended family. It was just Am and me. And man, did we bond. I can already tell I am going to miss that sweet, sweet baby! 1 year old is such a great age, and she is so adorable it just about breaks my heart.
On Friday I left Rouen to visit Paris (I am becoming quite familiar with this train ride) were I met up with Julia on Rue Cler. We then set out to buy some wine (which ended up being more like water-wine) and hoofed it over to the ecole militaire side of the Eiffle Tower (the grassy side) just in time to see it sparkle.
We joined hordes of people lounging on the damp grass, nearly everyone with a bottle of something for themselves. Then we sat and talked and listened to everyone around us. We were surrounded by almost all English speakers. It is so crazy how much English (and especially American English) I hear every time I go to Paris. We then were asked to leave the grass by an officer, so we walked to the OTHER side of the Eiffel tower by Trocadero and spent another hour chatting and watching it sparkle.
For two days it felt like we walked nearly ALL of Paris. Or at least that is what my feet were telling me. We walked the entire Marais, saw the Place des Voges and Victor Hugo's house, the musee conacq-jay were we stopped (mainly to use the free bathrooms), and the rue de Rosiers where we ate some falafel (yum).
We walked the entire rue de Rivoli, saw the hotel de ville, les halles (where we got to see some nice ping pong action), the Bastille market, the Louvre, and the Tuileries where Julia spontaneously reconnected with a friend from her sordid study-abroad past (ok, not that sordid. but man, that kid was awkward).
We meandered through the Latin quarter, visiting Shakespeare and Co and walking by the Caveau de la Hauchette. We were abruptly escorted off the metro line 4 (it was suddenly under construction), so we walked past Notre Dame, the Seine, and through St Germain des Pres and past the Institute de France to find Cosi, where we met another American also enjoying her sandwich. We ended up eating together and found out that she works for a law firm (English/American but with strong international ties) in Paris. Cool!
We stood in line to get into Angelina's, walked by the Place de la Concorde, and stopped by the Paris Opera house to check out their schedule (sadly the ballet for that night was sold out, and we had tickets to see Tintin in 3D anyway). We stopped at a cafe, were hassled by a homeless man and then even more hassled when, somehow, he crashed into our table and ended up on the ground with our broken glasses while the wine and beer ended up all over me. Lets just say I did not enjoy smelling like an alcoholic.
We headed over to Mia's on Sunday night because she was not feeling well. We stayed there and helped her out the next couple of days, chilling and watching movies, with brief interludes into the city like a lovely Halloween dinner in St Germain des Pres and stops in the Paris Mosque Tea Room, the Jardin des Plantes, and the Galerie Vivienne.
Anyway, it was a full and fun long weekend. I currently have no plans for this weekend, but today my hour long search for a Mexican restaurant I KNEW I have seen before was in vain, so I might pursue that again.
I love and miss you all. I'll be home in a month and a half for Christmas and I CANNOT wait!
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