... but in the meantime, this cute teacher story!
Today, I did a presentation on the US high school system. I explained Prom, Homecoming, Football vs Soccer, and showed my yearbook. And in both classes (I did the same lesson twice in a row), the students were appalled when I told them about "Pajama Day" during Spirit Week in America. I showed them some pictures of kids in the hallways, wearing PJs and the kids all GASPED. And then noticed that one kid was wearing Homer Simpson™ slippers and the kids were immediately okay with the situation.
But even the teacher turns to her students and goes, "Can you imagine?!"
Monday, December 14, 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Lille!
Hi Friends,
In the middle of last week, I decided that I needed to go to a Christmas market this weekend. I contemplated lots of different options, but ended up finding 32 euro (round trip) tickets to Lille. Then, I toyed with the idea of staying over night, but most of the hotels were booked and I didn't want to pay 40€ extra just to sleep somewhere and that was all that was left. So, it was decided -- I would go to Lille for the day.
I left on a train at 8 am, arriving in Lille at 11. The train had this super fancy bathroom system involving buttons you had to push (and hold down, it turns out) to open, close, and lock the door. But there was hardly logic associated with the buttons and no descriptions to be found. I ended up just kind of... pressing buttons until the door seemed to be closes. An adventure to start out my adventure.
I had exactly 7 hours until my 6 pm train was to leave. Nothing but time and no specific plans except that I wanted to go to the Christmas market. So, I got some chestnuts (Yes, they were roasting over an open fire. Really.) and walked off towards the Office de Tourisme. I never made it there though, because as I was approaching it, I ran into the market. There was the world there! Literally, thousands of people were filling the streets of Lille. The market was rather large (much bigger than Rouen's) and it was packed. I spent a long time walking from booth to booth, trying to decide which food to eat next, which things to buy for Christmas presents.
And then, of course, in a town of 400,000 some people, I would run into the one person I know in Lille, who is also an assistant, and she's from Chicago. We met when I was up in Chicago for Visa stuff, or maybe I was just visiting Donnie, actually. Anyways, I met her friends and we walked around for a while, stopping to get some hot pear cider. Amazing. Then, a bit before two, they left to go catch trains, and I resumed my market wanderings.
I got some Christmas presents for people, and periodically ducked into real stores (rather than the open-air market) to warm up. And I accidentally spent way too much money at H&M. I can't help it- it still feels like such a novelty to me, since we don't have one in CU.
I stopped for dinner at this cute "fast food" pasta place that reminded me of Za's, actually. The pasta was super tasty and I managed to break into the upstairs seating that was apparently closed. Oops. But it was much warmer up there and I felt that I deserved some defrosting time. I guess the lights out and the chairs upside down on the tables should have clued me in, but the cold does funny things to people!
Somehow, I managed to spend the rest of the time in the city -- 7 hours is a lot longer than you might think, especially with a lack of free public bathrooms. My strategy is basically to always use the bathrooms on the trains and then wait until I'm either at someone's house, my hotel, or back on another train. It has worked so far and I'm planning to continue doing this until I am persuaded to do otherwise. :)
What a successful day it was. I need to take advantage of being in France more and go on little day trips -- I won't be living here forever, so it's time to en profiter!
In the middle of last week, I decided that I needed to go to a Christmas market this weekend. I contemplated lots of different options, but ended up finding 32 euro (round trip) tickets to Lille. Then, I toyed with the idea of staying over night, but most of the hotels were booked and I didn't want to pay 40€ extra just to sleep somewhere and that was all that was left. So, it was decided -- I would go to Lille for the day.
I left on a train at 8 am, arriving in Lille at 11. The train had this super fancy bathroom system involving buttons you had to push (and hold down, it turns out) to open, close, and lock the door. But there was hardly logic associated with the buttons and no descriptions to be found. I ended up just kind of... pressing buttons until the door seemed to be closes. An adventure to start out my adventure.
I had exactly 7 hours until my 6 pm train was to leave. Nothing but time and no specific plans except that I wanted to go to the Christmas market. So, I got some chestnuts (Yes, they were roasting over an open fire. Really.) and walked off towards the Office de Tourisme. I never made it there though, because as I was approaching it, I ran into the market. There was the world there! Literally, thousands of people were filling the streets of Lille. The market was rather large (much bigger than Rouen's) and it was packed. I spent a long time walking from booth to booth, trying to decide which food to eat next, which things to buy for Christmas presents.
And then, of course, in a town of 400,000 some people, I would run into the one person I know in Lille, who is also an assistant, and she's from Chicago. We met when I was up in Chicago for Visa stuff, or maybe I was just visiting Donnie, actually. Anyways, I met her friends and we walked around for a while, stopping to get some hot pear cider. Amazing. Then, a bit before two, they left to go catch trains, and I resumed my market wanderings.
I got some Christmas presents for people, and periodically ducked into real stores (rather than the open-air market) to warm up. And I accidentally spent way too much money at H&M. I can't help it- it still feels like such a novelty to me, since we don't have one in CU.
I stopped for dinner at this cute "fast food" pasta place that reminded me of Za's, actually. The pasta was super tasty and I managed to break into the upstairs seating that was apparently closed. Oops. But it was much warmer up there and I felt that I deserved some defrosting time. I guess the lights out and the chairs upside down on the tables should have clued me in, but the cold does funny things to people!
Somehow, I managed to spend the rest of the time in the city -- 7 hours is a lot longer than you might think, especially with a lack of free public bathrooms. My strategy is basically to always use the bathrooms on the trains and then wait until I'm either at someone's house, my hotel, or back on another train. It has worked so far and I'm planning to continue doing this until I am persuaded to do otherwise. :)
What a successful day it was. I need to take advantage of being in France more and go on little day trips -- I won't be living here forever, so it's time to en profiter!
Monday, December 7, 2009
An Idea for the New Year
I found this posted on someone's blog and I was intrigued. I have been wanting to read more, and I think this could be a great way for me to read things that I wouldn't normally read. Except I'm going to put a twist on it -- at a minimum, one of these books will be written in French. And without further ado, here is the activity...
Between January 1 and December 31, 2010, read one book in each of the following categories:
A book with a food in the title.
A book with a body of water in the title.
A book with a title (queen, president) in the title.
A book with a plant in the title.
A book with a place name (city, country) in the title.
A book with a music term in the title.
Does anyone have a recommendation for a book in any of these categories?
Between January 1 and December 31, 2010, read one book in each of the following categories:
A book with a food in the title.
A book with a body of water in the title.
A book with a title (queen, president) in the title.
A book with a plant in the title.
A book with a place name (city, country) in the title.
A book with a music term in the title.
Does anyone have a recommendation for a book in any of these categories?
I did not leave my apartment today.
It was raining and I am still in my sweatpants. It's not a decision I make a lot but I needed a day to myself. I had a skype date with Donnie (we watched The Princess Bride and it was even better than I didn't remember it) and lounged around all day.
I talked to my mom for over an hour, and in the span of the conversation, we talked on the phone, then switched to skype, then skype cut out so I called her back, and then the phone cut out (the long distance gods were not on our sides today), so we began skyping again, and the internet froze so I called one last time. It was a bit silly but well worth it to catch up on the last few days.
Back to teaching tomorrow. Only eight more days of class in 2009. What?!
I talked to my mom for over an hour, and in the span of the conversation, we talked on the phone, then switched to skype, then skype cut out so I called her back, and then the phone cut out (the long distance gods were not on our sides today), so we began skyping again, and the internet froze so I called one last time. It was a bit silly but well worth it to catch up on the last few days.
Back to teaching tomorrow. Only eight more days of class in 2009. What?!
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Two really great days
I have had two amazing days. Because of this surprising social life, it is currently 5 am and I need to go to sleep, but I know myself, and if I don't write about it now, I will never get around to it. And these are two days I want to remember.
Yesterday was the English language assistants training day #4. We had classes all day, a vaguely bad lunch, but at least we got to talk about our classes and pick up some tips. After training, we went to O'Callaghan's for a beer, and then on to my favorite (and only I've been to so far) Indian restaurant, which is near my home. The dude there knows me now, as it's where we went for my birthday. He says he likes me because I always bring an inappropriate number of people with me. On my birthday, there were 9 of us. Last night, 14. No warning, no reservation. Surprise! They deal with it remarkably well.
Then I had the assistants over to my apartment, and part of the group stayed til 1:30 or so when I kicked them out, and then I had a lovely Skype™ with Gram and Donnie.
Today, I slept til 1:30. Rawr. Then I putzed around, and went ice skating at 3:30. It was AMAZING. Free ice skating rink, outside, open the rest of December. You literally get to skate around outside the Hotel de Ville and you can see the Cathedral in the background. I was skating around with my friends, looking at the Cathedral, catching little kids who ran into me (er, I might have run into them too, sometimes) -- and I couldn't believe how lucky I was, and am. Truly, whatever force or energy or chance placed me here in Rouen with these amazing people -- I am the luckiest pup in the world.
We split up for dinner, but then met up for a rock opera that our friend was crewing. It was PHENOMENAL. Mind blowing, confusing at times, but overall incredibly successful and I was so glad to have gone. The lead singer reminded me of Mikey, Ryan D.S., and Johnny Depp all rolled into one. I wish anyone but two of you out there knew who all three of these people were because... it is the only way I can describe him. So good. EDIT: I found the site for the group. You should watch some of the videos to get a sense for what we saw last night. "Run to the IT" is a good sample of their style, their projections, etc. Get ready to be amazed, and to wait a long time for the videos to load.
Then we went to La Boite à Bière and had some delicious beers and wonderful company, and then said goodbye to each other multiple times, continuing to talk for an hour after each goodbye, not leaving with any success. Eventually, we parted ways. It has been a glorious, social, pleasant two days. And there are beautiful Christmas lights up everywhere. Rouen is getting into the Christmas spirit and I could not be any happier about it.
OK. Done and done. Good night.
Yesterday was the English language assistants training day #4. We had classes all day, a vaguely bad lunch, but at least we got to talk about our classes and pick up some tips. After training, we went to O'Callaghan's for a beer, and then on to my favorite (and only I've been to so far) Indian restaurant, which is near my home. The dude there knows me now, as it's where we went for my birthday. He says he likes me because I always bring an inappropriate number of people with me. On my birthday, there were 9 of us. Last night, 14. No warning, no reservation. Surprise! They deal with it remarkably well.
Then I had the assistants over to my apartment, and part of the group stayed til 1:30 or so when I kicked them out, and then I had a lovely Skype™ with Gram and Donnie.
Today, I slept til 1:30. Rawr. Then I putzed around, and went ice skating at 3:30. It was AMAZING. Free ice skating rink, outside, open the rest of December. You literally get to skate around outside the Hotel de Ville and you can see the Cathedral in the background. I was skating around with my friends, looking at the Cathedral, catching little kids who ran into me (er, I might have run into them too, sometimes) -- and I couldn't believe how lucky I was, and am. Truly, whatever force or energy or chance placed me here in Rouen with these amazing people -- I am the luckiest pup in the world.
We split up for dinner, but then met up for a rock opera that our friend was crewing. It was PHENOMENAL. Mind blowing, confusing at times, but overall incredibly successful and I was so glad to have gone. The lead singer reminded me of Mikey, Ryan D.S., and Johnny Depp all rolled into one. I wish anyone but two of you out there knew who all three of these people were because... it is the only way I can describe him. So good. EDIT: I found the site for the group. You should watch some of the videos to get a sense for what we saw last night. "Run to the IT" is a good sample of their style, their projections, etc. Get ready to be amazed, and to wait a long time for the videos to load.
Then we went to La Boite à Bière and had some delicious beers and wonderful company, and then said goodbye to each other multiple times, continuing to talk for an hour after each goodbye, not leaving with any success. Eventually, we parted ways. It has been a glorious, social, pleasant two days. And there are beautiful Christmas lights up everywhere. Rouen is getting into the Christmas spirit and I could not be any happier about it.
OK. Done and done. Good night.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
"C'est l'hiver/ C'est l'hiver/ C'est l'hiver!"
Guys, I think I'm accro à Christmas Carols. I have found an iTunes Christmas station called "La Radio du Père Noel from Paris" and I literally have it on all the time. This is perhaps logical, because this silly boyfriend of mine apparently (how did I not know this before?!) does not like Christmas music, or at least most of it. So I'm planning on getting it out of my system in the next three weeks until I go home for Christmas/New Year's. But anyways, the last song that was one was "Let it Snow" and it was all in French and at the end, instead of "let it snow, let it snow, let it snow," they said, "C'est l'hiver, c'est l'hiver, c'est l'hiver" (it's winter! it's winter! it's winter!)
It has certainly become more winter-like here, these days. I think my family experienced the very beginning of it while they were here. We spent some lovely days walking around Rouen with good weather and fairly occasional sunshine. But then, during our lovely weekend in Yvetot it got a lot chillier. Paris was a bit cold, and then I came back to a frigid Rouen. This is, of course, relatively speaking, because it's still upper 40s but ... with the wind and sometimes rain, I's cold! Time to transition, it seems, from my Gram Coat (black, water proof goodness) to my Gramma Coat (white fluffy wintery goodness).
I taught a class all by myself today, which I accepted under certain conditions. I'm technically not supposed to act as a substitute teacher but in this case, I only have three classes left with these kids who are in one of my favorite classes, and the teacher is gone the next two. So I'm using her lesson plan with them and they are great. It went very well, and they all told me that I was very good at teaching at the end of class. Thanks, Frenchies!
Hmmm, there was something else that I specifically came here to write about but I got distracted by my Xmas tunes. Oh well. I guess this is important: I'm moving out of my apartment before I come home for Christmas. I'm moving into an apartment near the train station (a short metro ride away) for the rest of my time here, including the three months that Donnie lives here with me. My current apartment, while it is accessorized with my AMAZING roommates and best friends in France, Xiao Lu and Fabi, is a little unfortunate because I cannot have people stay over. And boys are not allowed. So, I had to find a new place to live, which I have done. It's a really cute little one room apartment, with a separate kitchen and bathroom. I'm super excited to live there. I'm working out the details to get the clic clac delivered that I bought using leboncoin.
La la la. I'm going to make some food and then take a nap, I do believe.
With love,
EDIT: I REMEMBER WHAT I FORGOT TO WRITE ABOUT! A bloggy friend reminded me that advent started yesterday, which reminded me that I need to start my Advent Calendar! So I opened it up and behind door #1: NO CHOCOLATE. What a rip off! But luckily, door 2 had a little square behind it so I got my fix. I think I need to have a little talk with Le Mutant. This is a problem.
It has certainly become more winter-like here, these days. I think my family experienced the very beginning of it while they were here. We spent some lovely days walking around Rouen with good weather and fairly occasional sunshine. But then, during our lovely weekend in Yvetot it got a lot chillier. Paris was a bit cold, and then I came back to a frigid Rouen. This is, of course, relatively speaking, because it's still upper 40s but ... with the wind and sometimes rain, I's cold! Time to transition, it seems, from my Gram Coat (black, water proof goodness) to my Gramma Coat (white fluffy wintery goodness).
I taught a class all by myself today, which I accepted under certain conditions. I'm technically not supposed to act as a substitute teacher but in this case, I only have three classes left with these kids who are in one of my favorite classes, and the teacher is gone the next two. So I'm using her lesson plan with them and they are great. It went very well, and they all told me that I was very good at teaching at the end of class. Thanks, Frenchies!
Hmmm, there was something else that I specifically came here to write about but I got distracted by my Xmas tunes. Oh well. I guess this is important: I'm moving out of my apartment before I come home for Christmas. I'm moving into an apartment near the train station (a short metro ride away) for the rest of my time here, including the three months that Donnie lives here with me. My current apartment, while it is accessorized with my AMAZING roommates and best friends in France, Xiao Lu and Fabi, is a little unfortunate because I cannot have people stay over. And boys are not allowed. So, I had to find a new place to live, which I have done. It's a really cute little one room apartment, with a separate kitchen and bathroom. I'm super excited to live there. I'm working out the details to get the clic clac delivered that I bought using leboncoin.
La la la. I'm going to make some food and then take a nap, I do believe.
With love,
EDIT: I REMEMBER WHAT I FORGOT TO WRITE ABOUT! A bloggy friend reminded me that advent started yesterday, which reminded me that I need to start my Advent Calendar! So I opened it up and behind door #1: NO CHOCOLATE. What a rip off! But luckily, door 2 had a little square behind it so I got my fix. I think I need to have a little talk with Le Mutant. This is a problem.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Class today
So, in class today, my students were having to describe their ideal robots. Most of the groups were saying things like, "My robot would make my homework for me," "My robot would play guitar like Bob Marley." It was pretty cute and most things (except for maybe the Bob Marley answer) were fairly predictable. Then I asked them what the robot would look like? Many people said it would look like a robot in the picture, some said they would have it look like them so it could go to school in their place...
But one student said he would have it look like his girlfried, who was sitting next to him. Then she said, "Oh, mine would look like him too." The boy said, "That way, we can always be together, and we can send our robots to school in place of the other." It was pretty darn adorable.
And then, I asked the last kid in the group what his robot would look like. He said, "Bah, ché pas, moi... Euhhhh, oui ché pas." So I was like, THINK! JUST THINK OF ANYTHING!! And he goes (get ready), "I would 'ave eet look like you."
I think the French boy likes me. How nice.
But one student said he would have it look like his girlfried, who was sitting next to him. Then she said, "Oh, mine would look like him too." The boy said, "That way, we can always be together, and we can send our robots to school in place of the other." It was pretty darn adorable.
And then, I asked the last kid in the group what his robot would look like. He said, "Bah, ché pas, moi... Euhhhh, oui ché pas." So I was like, THINK! JUST THINK OF ANYTHING!! And he goes (get ready), "I would 'ave eet look like you."
I think the French boy likes me. How nice.
Friday, November 27, 2009
PS
There is a longer post below this one, but Donnie gave me a shoutout on his blog and I wanted to return the favor. He is using the blog to document his process as he dives into the world of animation, film editing, and computer graphic design. I think he is brilliant. He is constantly seeking feedback, so even if some of you are people who have never met him (cough*otherassistantsthismeansyou*cough) and you happen to have a free moment, I'm sure he would love to hear any thoughts you have. Or you can just go over there to check out his work. He's real good.
But don't let my admiration persuade you -- go check it out yourself! http://cabbagesandkingsanimation.blogspot.com/
But don't let my admiration persuade you -- go check it out yourself! http://cabbagesandkingsanimation.blogspot.com/
'appy Sanksgeeveeng!
Y'all, I am a tired pup, but I wanted to write just to check in. My family has been here since Saturday and it has been a lovely adventure with lots of relaxation. I think I've relaxed more since they've gotten here than otherwise, since I've been in Rouen. That said, I've been getting up early to meet them for breakfast, and staying up late to plan lessons and talk to Donnie (happy 9 months, btw, my dear) and Amy (happy ... 4 years and some time, friend!). We went grocery shopping yesterday at the crazy huge grocery store LeClerc which is a short subway ride away. I kicked some kid out of his seat for my gramma to sit down -- I was pretty proud of how sassy I was. I caught the eye of some kid and glared at him, saying, "You can move for an older woman to sit down, can't you?" And he scrammed. WOO.
Our shopping trip yesterday, combined with TONS of food that Mom, Gramma, and Cameron brought in their suitcases, resulted in quite an amazing Thanksgiving Feast this evening. I had classes all day, but Gramma was hard at work in the kitchen. When I got back from class, I helped her get things ready and reheated and cleaned up and set out. Xiao Lu contributed an amazing eggplant dish, and some mushrooms that, I admit, were a little good, even though I'm quite contre mushrooms. (I even told my host mother, three years ago, that I was allergic so she wouldn't try to feed them to me. But now I've gotten over myself, a little.) Fabi made an excellent hors d'oeuvre involving bread and cheese and caramalized onions. Lisa brought a pear crumble and some really tasty "digestif" alcohols; Lauryn contributed cranberry sauce; Megan made some delish green beans with almonds. Darcy showed up with delightful lentils with goat cheese. I'm going to make that again, for sure! We had stuffing, Gram's corn bread which received rave reviews, banana bread, a rotisserie chicken, noodles, mashed potatoes, corn, carrots, plenty of wine... I am sure I'm forgetting something, but you get the idea! It was a feast!
I was so grateful to be spending such an important holiday with my family from home and my Rouennais family. I am so blessed and grateful for all my incredible friends and family.
Tomorrow, we're off to Yvetot to celebrate Thanksgiving again. Sunday, to Paris, and Monday I send my family home. I'll be following them shortly (home in 25 days from today), seeing my loves at home, and coming back for the remaining four months of my contract. Life is good. Love to you all, and I hope you all had wonderful Thanksgivings.
Our shopping trip yesterday, combined with TONS of food that Mom, Gramma, and Cameron brought in their suitcases, resulted in quite an amazing Thanksgiving Feast this evening. I had classes all day, but Gramma was hard at work in the kitchen. When I got back from class, I helped her get things ready and reheated and cleaned up and set out. Xiao Lu contributed an amazing eggplant dish, and some mushrooms that, I admit, were a little good, even though I'm quite contre mushrooms. (I even told my host mother, three years ago, that I was allergic so she wouldn't try to feed them to me. But now I've gotten over myself, a little.) Fabi made an excellent hors d'oeuvre involving bread and cheese and caramalized onions. Lisa brought a pear crumble and some really tasty "digestif" alcohols; Lauryn contributed cranberry sauce; Megan made some delish green beans with almonds. Darcy showed up with delightful lentils with goat cheese. I'm going to make that again, for sure! We had stuffing, Gram's corn bread which received rave reviews, banana bread, a rotisserie chicken, noodles, mashed potatoes, corn, carrots, plenty of wine... I am sure I'm forgetting something, but you get the idea! It was a feast!
I was so grateful to be spending such an important holiday with my family from home and my Rouennais family. I am so blessed and grateful for all my incredible friends and family.
Tomorrow, we're off to Yvetot to celebrate Thanksgiving again. Sunday, to Paris, and Monday I send my family home. I'll be following them shortly (home in 25 days from today), seeing my loves at home, and coming back for the remaining four months of my contract. Life is good. Love to you all, and I hope you all had wonderful Thanksgivings.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Some more things:
We got internet. I am amazing at getting what I want when it comes to internet companies. WOOT.
I had a great night tonight involving girl talk and drinking cider and eating some vaguely bad crepes.
I need to go to sleep because I am leaving for Paris in 6 hours (as in, my train leaves at 6 am and it's currently midnight) but it's okay because it means I get to see my family tomorrow.
That is that. I am a happy pup.
I had a great night tonight involving girl talk and drinking cider and eating some vaguely bad crepes.
I need to go to sleep because I am leaving for Paris in 6 hours (as in, my train leaves at 6 am and it's currently midnight) but it's okay because it means I get to see my family tomorrow.
That is that. I am a happy pup.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Some Thoughts That I've Been Having
OK. So there is some big news going on today. It is called we-got-a-washing-machine-installed-in-our-apartment-on-the-day-they-told-us-it-would-be-installed. You don't understand people (or maybe you do). This is not just big news for us, oh no. This is big news for France. France did something on time and for free? These things, individually, are quite unheard of here. I pay several euros a month to keep my bank account open. The internet got delivered weeks after we ordered it. Etc. But for the machine to be delivered not only on time but EARLIER than they had promised, and for us to not pay a single cent to make it happen... Let's just say this is nothing short of a miracle. And we are already taking advantage of said miracle by washing our two dish towels, the towel from the bathroom, my two towels, and Rebekah's one towel. That's all there is room for but wow, aren't we extravagant?
In other news, still no internet. It would be nice if it comes by tomorrow but I'm not holding my breath. (See above.)
In other other news, I have been a lucky duck and received several delightful letters in the mail. Thanks Hannah and Max!
And otherwise, I am set for life because I just returned 'arry Potter 3 to the library, and grabbed the fourth book: 'arry Potter et la Coupe de Feu. (They don't actually drop the H of Harry in the book but you would never know it for how the Francies say it. It's a little cute but don't they KNOW?!)
Boop ba doop.
3 days until my family gets here. 34 days until I'm home for Christmas. 77 days until Donnie gets here. These are all great numbers. I can totally handle those numbers. I don't even want to think about how many days until I leave Rouen because I can assure you that number is smaller than I would like it to be. Beurk.
This picture is of me and Xiao Lu when we went to the beach at Fecamp. Aren't we way cute/romantic? (Also, if you click on the picture to make it real big, you can see the dude who was SWIMMING that day wearing only a Speedo. It's not the Speedo that shocked me, it's the fact that I was standing there, completely NOT in the water, completely bundled up in my Gram-coat and my Amy-scarf and I was freezing. Zees French, I tell you...)
In other news, still no internet. It would be nice if it comes by tomorrow but I'm not holding my breath. (See above.)
In other other news, I have been a lucky duck and received several delightful letters in the mail. Thanks Hannah and Max!
And otherwise, I am set for life because I just returned 'arry Potter 3 to the library, and grabbed the fourth book: 'arry Potter et la Coupe de Feu. (They don't actually drop the H of Harry in the book but you would never know it for how the Francies say it. It's a little cute but don't they KNOW?!)
Boop ba doop.
3 days until my family gets here. 34 days until I'm home for Christmas. 77 days until Donnie gets here. These are all great numbers. I can totally handle those numbers. I don't even want to think about how many days until I leave Rouen because I can assure you that number is smaller than I would like it to be. Beurk.
This picture is of me and Xiao Lu when we went to the beach at Fecamp. Aren't we way cute/romantic? (Also, if you click on the picture to make it real big, you can see the dude who was SWIMMING that day wearing only a Speedo. It's not the Speedo that shocked me, it's the fact that I was standing there, completely NOT in the water, completely bundled up in my Gram-coat and my Amy-scarf and I was freezing. Zees French, I tell you...)
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Class today
Well, today, I had two classes with Christophe, my contact teacher. We did the same exercise in both classes: the kids had the scenario that they were shipwrecked (Cherubs, holla!) on a desert island and they had to create a constitution for their new civilization. But, see, to get them to understand this without speaking French required a lot of gestures and a lot of ... French. Oops.
Anyways, once the kids got what was going on, they had to create two lists. One list was for what each type of person had to do, and the other was for what they could do. For example, "the men have to gather wood, the women have to make the clothes, the children have to build a house in the trees." (these are all real responses, so please don't mind the gendered nature of my examples. I figured getting all feminist on them and challenging the gender roles they created in a language they wouldn't understand anyway would be a little pointless...)
But then they got to create a list of things the people COULD do. "Children could go swimming," for example. But then they said, "The old men could drink. If they can find alcohol." And then, "The old women could smoke. A pipe."
I love French teenagers.
Anyways, once the kids got what was going on, they had to create two lists. One list was for what each type of person had to do, and the other was for what they could do. For example, "the men have to gather wood, the women have to make the clothes, the children have to build a house in the trees." (these are all real responses, so please don't mind the gendered nature of my examples. I figured getting all feminist on them and challenging the gender roles they created in a language they wouldn't understand anyway would be a little pointless...)
But then they got to create a list of things the people COULD do. "Children could go swimming," for example. But then they said, "The old men could drink. If they can find alcohol." And then, "The old women could smoke. A pipe."
I love French teenagers.
Post written last night and saved to my USB key and copied into blogger now.
I am writing in my bedroom on my pathetic little computer without internet. Turns out we will have no internet until Thursday afternoon at the latest. I am actually fine with this, except that it makes my life more difficult when it comes to talking to my family and to Donnie and Amy.
But anyhow, as a result, I am being more productive. I didn't end up doing everything I set out to do today, but I ended up drinking a bottle of wine with Rebekah and talking about... who knows what, really... Politics, our respective high school experiences, movies, etc. It was nice. And for the first time basically since we got internet a month and a half ago, I watched my favorite French show, "Ne M'liminez Pas!" and the subsequent Wheel of Fortune with the dude and the barbie and the dog. I'm quite a fan. And tonight, there was an older man on it, and I thought of Grandpa and how he and I loved to try to guess the words and I always wished he had been on it because he would have kicked butt, and then, would you know it, the contestant's name was Roger. I don't know if I believe in destiny, per se, but I felt like I was meant to watch tonight's episode.
And then, Rebekah joined me and some movie came on with Brad Pitt and Bruce Willis (help?) but we muted it and just talked and the movie was very funny without volume. And we talked through the entire movie and then Fabi came home and joined us and we talked about other things and some opera came on in the background.
That is what I wanted to write about. My roommates seemed unenthused regarding the movie/opera. I deduced from watching it for a few moments with sound that it was German and somehow related to Moses, I think. Also, there was a cow that they wrote "Gott" (God) on, and then the next scene had everyone lying around in bikinis with blood over their entire bodies. I thought the staging was superb and very original and I loved the use of the few props onstage at any given time. I felt like such a dorky theatre major, reveling in all these theatrical details, but it's those times when my education feels like it did something, or something. Anyways, I was kind of obsessed with this opera, whatever it was. Also, the main dude reminded me of Henson in King Lear back in the day.
So now I'm off to study French. And then talk to Donnie (finally) because he is now on his way home from work. Ahhh the sacrifices you make for love. (Sorry.) (authors note: Donnie gets home at 1:30 am my time. I am dedicated.)
What a good night. I think I'm going to reflect on how I can incorporate this newfound productivity once we get internet back. I'm thinking along the lines of a "no internet after x pm except to talk to people" kind of rule but the thing is, usually when I talk to people, it only happens because I am already online when they log on. Maybe a solution would be to create more specific Skype dates with people, instead of haphazardly beginning to talk. Oh, I don't know, that sounds like a terrible idea as well. Anyone have any suggestions of how I can be a citizen of the 21st century and also lead a productive life?
But anyhow, as a result, I am being more productive. I didn't end up doing everything I set out to do today, but I ended up drinking a bottle of wine with Rebekah and talking about... who knows what, really... Politics, our respective high school experiences, movies, etc. It was nice. And for the first time basically since we got internet a month and a half ago, I watched my favorite French show, "Ne M'liminez Pas!" and the subsequent Wheel of Fortune with the dude and the barbie and the dog. I'm quite a fan. And tonight, there was an older man on it, and I thought of Grandpa and how he and I loved to try to guess the words and I always wished he had been on it because he would have kicked butt, and then, would you know it, the contestant's name was Roger. I don't know if I believe in destiny, per se, but I felt like I was meant to watch tonight's episode.
And then, Rebekah joined me and some movie came on with Brad Pitt and Bruce Willis (help?) but we muted it and just talked and the movie was very funny without volume. And we talked through the entire movie and then Fabi came home and joined us and we talked about other things and some opera came on in the background.
That is what I wanted to write about. My roommates seemed unenthused regarding the movie/opera. I deduced from watching it for a few moments with sound that it was German and somehow related to Moses, I think. Also, there was a cow that they wrote "Gott" (God) on, and then the next scene had everyone lying around in bikinis with blood over their entire bodies. I thought the staging was superb and very original and I loved the use of the few props onstage at any given time. I felt like such a dorky theatre major, reveling in all these theatrical details, but it's those times when my education feels like it did something, or something. Anyways, I was kind of obsessed with this opera, whatever it was. Also, the main dude reminded me of Henson in King Lear back in the day.
So now I'm off to study French. And then talk to Donnie (finally) because he is now on his way home from work. Ahhh the sacrifices you make for love. (Sorry.) (authors note: Donnie gets home at 1:30 am my time. I am dedicated.)
What a good night. I think I'm going to reflect on how I can incorporate this newfound productivity once we get internet back. I'm thinking along the lines of a "no internet after x pm except to talk to people" kind of rule but the thing is, usually when I talk to people, it only happens because I am already online when they log on. Maybe a solution would be to create more specific Skype dates with people, instead of haphazardly beginning to talk. Oh, I don't know, that sounds like a terrible idea as well. Anyone have any suggestions of how I can be a citizen of the 21st century and also lead a productive life?
Monday, November 16, 2009
Once again, Orange is the worst thing ever.
Our internet has been down for over 24 hours, with no end in sight, really. Actually, I don't know. I called Orange but I was in the middle of the phone call when I had to go to class, so Fabi took over for me and I went to classes. So I do not know the current situation of our internet and phone line. But, since I am in France, and given the history we have had with Orange, I'm not holding my breath. So anyways, in case there is not internet when I get back, I stopped in the Salle des Profs to use the internet here. Good thing because I had a lot of important documents to analyze in my email (I'm looking at you, Amy and Donnie, the two people who accounted for 5 emails in my inbox. And only one of them was from Donnie...)
Blah. I'm going to go home and do some things. Among which include: make the pumpkin recipe that Lena and I made in Germany but with soy cream this time because France is the best! (except for when it comes to internet and pumpkin puree but that's another story); study some French [turns out I speak French that is riddled with errors, lacking subjunctive when it should be there, adding it in when it shouldn't, forgetting words that I once knew, etc... so while Donnie is studying his heart out in Tolono, I am going to study here. Group effort, booyah!]; and continue cleaning my room a bit. It is SO much better than it was before. But I still have a few organized piles throughout my room that need some attention, and then I'm going to sweep and mop, and clean my sink. And also, my family is coming here in SIX DAYS so I need to get some Christmas presents wrapped and ready to send home with them. Woohoooooo!
Over and out, homie Gs.
Note: upon revision, this post has about as many brackets, parentheses, and semi-colons as my oral French has errors. Eat your hearts out, because I like 'em. Especially semi-colons.
Blah. I'm going to go home and do some things. Among which include: make the pumpkin recipe that Lena and I made in Germany but with soy cream this time because France is the best! (except for when it comes to internet and pumpkin puree but that's another story); study some French [turns out I speak French that is riddled with errors, lacking subjunctive when it should be there, adding it in when it shouldn't, forgetting words that I once knew, etc... so while Donnie is studying his heart out in Tolono, I am going to study here. Group effort, booyah!]; and continue cleaning my room a bit. It is SO much better than it was before. But I still have a few organized piles throughout my room that need some attention, and then I'm going to sweep and mop, and clean my sink. And also, my family is coming here in SIX DAYS so I need to get some Christmas presents wrapped and ready to send home with them. Woohoooooo!
Over and out, homie Gs.
Note: upon revision, this post has about as many brackets, parentheses, and semi-colons as my oral French has errors. Eat your hearts out, because I like 'em. Especially semi-colons.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GRAMMA!
Happy 75th birthday, Iris!!!!!!!
November 14th is a good day.
Gramma, thanks for being the best grandmother in the world. Nothing beats your hugs or your banana bread muffins. I am so lucky to know you and be related to you. Thank you for everything you have done for me and all the love you've shared with me and taught me. I love you so much, and I can't wait to show you around Rouen, and I can't wait to show you off to everyone here. One week til you get here!
An Interesting Teaching Day
Just a few thoughts. I've finally (as of Monday), really, genuinely started teaching classes. I go to my classes and the teacher either works with me in class, or he/she sends me into another classroom with 3-6 students. I've done a fairly even mix of the two, thus far.
On Monday, I did an activity where I gave each kid a celebrity, but they didn't know who the celebrity was. They had to ask their classmates yes/no questions until they figured it out. Basically, it was "Who am I?" Prior to class, I had cut out pictures of Britney Spears, Tom Cruise, Leo DiCaprio, Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, Barack Obama, his hottie wife, Michael Jackson, Hallie Berry, etc... Turns out I did a good job. Because when I would show the kids which famous personality they would have to help their classmate guess, they would all go "Oohhh, ahhhh!" Or in the case of Michael Jackson or Britney Spears, they would all laugh and act all embarrassed that someone was them. (In MJ's case, they thought it was funny that they had to be someone who was dead; in Britney's, they thought it was funny that they had to be someone who was crazy.)
The activity went really well. The few kids who were standoffish at the beginning were some of the ones who got most involved and excited. I was pleased with it. What was interesting to me, though, was that the first two questions each kid asked (in both groups) were inevitably: "Is it a woman?" and "Is she/he black?" They didn't ask about whiteness first, and if the answer to being black was "no" they assumed that the person was white. I was bummed that I didn't include more diverse celebrities but I literally went through my People magazine page by page and cut out the people I knew they would recognize. [Also interesting: when the kid who was being Michael Jackson asked the race question, the kids didn't know what to answer. Half of them said yes and half of them said no. Then one kid stammered out, "Een ze beginning, 'e eez black. But, een ze later times, 'e become white."
My brain is tired now because I had a full day, even though I didn't actually do very much. So, though I would love to write a doctoral dissertation on the thoughts regarding these young, impressionable minds and their relationship with race, I think that will have to come another time.
But a note to myself/other assistants who might read this and want to try the activity: Other celebrity ideas could be Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Mickey Mouse, George Bush, Lindsay Lohan. And if you wanted to be more complicated and involve other things, you could include the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building... Anyone have other ideas of things the kids would recognize/be able to describe?
Also, in one class that had a lower level of English, I did this but didn't make them use yes or no questions, so they weren't as put on the spot. So the one standing, trying to guess, could say things like, "What is my job?" And they would answer "actor," or, "President of the United States." That last one sure didn't take long... but the kids had fun with it.
Soon: a post about how I found an apartment, bought a futon, and cleaned my room.
On Monday, I did an activity where I gave each kid a celebrity, but they didn't know who the celebrity was. They had to ask their classmates yes/no questions until they figured it out. Basically, it was "Who am I?" Prior to class, I had cut out pictures of Britney Spears, Tom Cruise, Leo DiCaprio, Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, Barack Obama, his hottie wife, Michael Jackson, Hallie Berry, etc... Turns out I did a good job. Because when I would show the kids which famous personality they would have to help their classmate guess, they would all go "Oohhh, ahhhh!" Or in the case of Michael Jackson or Britney Spears, they would all laugh and act all embarrassed that someone was them. (In MJ's case, they thought it was funny that they had to be someone who was dead; in Britney's, they thought it was funny that they had to be someone who was crazy.)
The activity went really well. The few kids who were standoffish at the beginning were some of the ones who got most involved and excited. I was pleased with it. What was interesting to me, though, was that the first two questions each kid asked (in both groups) were inevitably: "Is it a woman?" and "Is she/he black?" They didn't ask about whiteness first, and if the answer to being black was "no" they assumed that the person was white. I was bummed that I didn't include more diverse celebrities but I literally went through my People magazine page by page and cut out the people I knew they would recognize. [Also interesting: when the kid who was being Michael Jackson asked the race question, the kids didn't know what to answer. Half of them said yes and half of them said no. Then one kid stammered out, "Een ze beginning, 'e eez black. But, een ze later times, 'e become white."
My brain is tired now because I had a full day, even though I didn't actually do very much. So, though I would love to write a doctoral dissertation on the thoughts regarding these young, impressionable minds and their relationship with race, I think that will have to come another time.
But a note to myself/other assistants who might read this and want to try the activity: Other celebrity ideas could be Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Mickey Mouse, George Bush, Lindsay Lohan. And if you wanted to be more complicated and involve other things, you could include the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building... Anyone have other ideas of things the kids would recognize/be able to describe?
Also, in one class that had a lower level of English, I did this but didn't make them use yes or no questions, so they weren't as put on the spot. So the one standing, trying to guess, could say things like, "What is my job?" And they would answer "actor," or, "President of the United States." That last one sure didn't take long... but the kids had fun with it.
Soon: a post about how I found an apartment, bought a futon, and cleaned my room.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
"I Don't Want to Live on the Moon"
A fellow assistant and bloggy friend posted this video in honor of Sesame Street's 40th birthday, which Google has been honoring all week. Anyways, I thought I'd repost this specific video because it was one of my favorites, and I think it rings especially true now. I am so so so glad I am visiting France, and even living here for a bit, but just like oysters aren't good enough of a family for Ernie, cheese and wine isn't enough for me either.
And then, because I can't get over the idea that I am in any capacity dating someone who hates Elmo, I am posting a video in which he is so cute and helpful. How can anyone not like this?!
Simplifying my life...
I woke up this morning tired and stressed -- I needed to take a shower, I slept 20 minutes longer than I needed to, my room is a MESS, and I had to leave the house to go somewhere I've never been before, which always stresses me out. I had an appointment at 10 am today to go see a clic clac (which is, in this case, a futon couch/bed deal that I'm looking at for when Donnie comes here). The woman's house is on the other side of town in a vaguely sketchy neighboorhood (during the day it's fine though) and I have to take the metro to get there, and then walk for a ways. I am really bad at following directions, and I always try to leave at least twice as much time as I need to find a place. Murphy's law - if I leave way early, I get there way early, but if I leave with just enough time to get there, I'm inevitably really late. And today, I had just enough time to get there. I spent a while on google maps looking for landmarks that could help me find my way but I ultimately was going to be a little late. Which I hate more than most things.
So I called her and (little white lies are okay from time to time, right?) told her that I was called in to teach at 10 am, and could we reschedule? So I'm going to go there Friday when I am not teaching at all -- I have the whole day free to do whatever I want, which will hopefully be seeing the clic clac. And now, with these extra almost-three hours that I wasn't anticipating, I am going to clean my room and organize and file some paperwork. BOOYAH.
I've been giving Donnie a hard time lately about how much he takes on and I realized I was doing the same thing -- teaching 5 lessons yesterday, 4 lessons today, going on a day trip tomorrow (to the coastal town of Fécamp with Fabi to get some Benedictine and visit the Palais Benedictine), and 7 lessons on Thursday plus babysitting, and trying to look at a clic clac?!? It was too much. So, simplification and purging. DONE.
Now I am going to open my windows and let some sun in, put on Tracy Chapman, and clean this room up. Bisous.
So I called her and (little white lies are okay from time to time, right?) told her that I was called in to teach at 10 am, and could we reschedule? So I'm going to go there Friday when I am not teaching at all -- I have the whole day free to do whatever I want, which will hopefully be seeing the clic clac. And now, with these extra almost-three hours that I wasn't anticipating, I am going to clean my room and organize and file some paperwork. BOOYAH.
I've been giving Donnie a hard time lately about how much he takes on and I realized I was doing the same thing -- teaching 5 lessons yesterday, 4 lessons today, going on a day trip tomorrow (to the coastal town of Fécamp with Fabi to get some Benedictine and visit the Palais Benedictine), and 7 lessons on Thursday plus babysitting, and trying to look at a clic clac?!? It was too much. So, simplification and purging. DONE.
Now I am going to open my windows and let some sun in, put on Tracy Chapman, and clean this room up. Bisous.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Goodbye Germany, Hello Real World*
Well, I don't have much to say except that, once again, my room is a mess, I'm starting classes again tomorrow, I unintentionally bought nine euros of cheese at the market today, I'm attempting to stick to this new budget I created for myself, aaaaaand my family is coming here in 12 days. Wow!
Also, on my way back from market, I met a cat who let me pet him and it was lovely. And there is this guy Damien who cooks for the school cafeteria and he has a dog who I sometimes get to pet as well. I think the dog's name is Bibou.
So now I need to lesson plan and clean and cook some food for myself because I am HONGRY. I bought some instant pancake mix at the grocery store yesterday for 94 centimes. I'm wary, but I'll give it a shot.
Sorry I haven't uploaded any more pictures in a while -- I've been taking them, but life is a bit busy at the mo'.
Oh also, as I was walking home from a bar last night, these guys walking behind me were arm-in-arm, singing and kind of beat boxing at the top of their lungs. The song was something about... freedom, I think. It was nice.
*Real World like, my life in Rouen, not the really bad MTV show that I secretly have watched a lot of.
Also, on my way back from market, I met a cat who let me pet him and it was lovely. And there is this guy Damien who cooks for the school cafeteria and he has a dog who I sometimes get to pet as well. I think the dog's name is Bibou.
So now I need to lesson plan and clean and cook some food for myself because I am HONGRY. I bought some instant pancake mix at the grocery store yesterday for 94 centimes. I'm wary, but I'll give it a shot.
Sorry I haven't uploaded any more pictures in a while -- I've been taking them, but life is a bit busy at the mo'.
Oh also, as I was walking home from a bar last night, these guys walking behind me were arm-in-arm, singing and kind of beat boxing at the top of their lungs. The song was something about... freedom, I think. It was nice.
*Real World like, my life in Rouen, not the really bad MTV show that I secretly have watched a lot of.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
American food in France
OK, so I am reposting this for a few reasons. One, I could potentially win a 40€ gift basket, and two, I am thoroughly interested in and impressed with this marketing strategy. For most of us bloggers, there are at least a few people who read our blogs who also live in France. Granted, I am pretty sure most of my readers (Can I even say readers if there are three of them? Hi Mom and Amy and Donnie! Oh, and Gramma even though she doesn't comment on here, and Aunt Christy Gram? Ok, maybe more than two, but still...)
Anyways, what better than a contest to get some free advertisement out there to people who will actually use it and look at it? It's also really interesting, for those of you in America, to be able to look at what food isn't readily available in France. I know I looked at this exact site before I left to know what food to bring in my suitcase!
I haven't ordered from them yet, but I certainly am going to someday, once I run out of the mac n' cheese and peanut butter I've brought from home! So, yes, check it out if you're interested. :)
Anyways, what better than a contest to get some free advertisement out there to people who will actually use it and look at it? It's also really interesting, for those of you in America, to be able to look at what food isn't readily available in France. I know I looked at this exact site before I left to know what food to bring in my suitcase!
I haven't ordered from them yet, but I certainly am going to someday, once I run out of the mac n' cheese and peanut butter I've brought from home! So, yes, check it out if you're interested. :)
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Thursday, November 5, 2009
Hey Germany, I like you!
So, I'm still in Germany and it's getting better all the time. Thanks to Herr W, my German teacher for one year in high school, I can ... stumble my way through life here. At night, hanging out with Lena's friends, I make a fool of myself and attempt to speak German, but they seem to enjoy it and I always get complimented on my German, but only after Lena tells them how little I took and how long ago it was. Oh well.
Today, I ate fries with curry ketchup (which is amazing, btw), and mayonnaise and fresh onions. It was delightful but I kind of felt like I was going to barf afterwards. I basically wanted more curry ketchup and less mayo but it was very tasty so it's alright.
I also found some Vitamin C tablets that are a lot like Alka Seltzer but they taste way better. Except, now that I think about it, I have never consumed Alka Seltzer so I don't really know-- I just feel like they must be gross, right? But these tablets, oh these, they make a pink drink so it should taste like pink lemonade, on would think, but it doesn't! No, it tastes like orange, which I prefer anyways! I don't know why, but I have not been able to find Vit. C anywhere in France, not even at the natural/bio stores. Once I found it and it was 80 some euros for one bottle. Nuh uh, bio store, I am not paying YOU that much money!
So anyways, now I have 20 rolls of these tablets, and each roll has 20 vitamin c tablets in it. Oops. I think I need an intervention. But please don't intervene, actually, because I am quite content to have paid 45 cents for each one. I consider it a steal!
Today, I ate fries with curry ketchup (which is amazing, btw), and mayonnaise and fresh onions. It was delightful but I kind of felt like I was going to barf afterwards. I basically wanted more curry ketchup and less mayo but it was very tasty so it's alright.
I also found some Vitamin C tablets that are a lot like Alka Seltzer but they taste way better. Except, now that I think about it, I have never consumed Alka Seltzer so I don't really know-- I just feel like they must be gross, right? But these tablets, oh these, they make a pink drink so it should taste like pink lemonade, on would think, but it doesn't! No, it tastes like orange, which I prefer anyways! I don't know why, but I have not been able to find Vit. C anywhere in France, not even at the natural/bio stores. Once I found it and it was 80 some euros for one bottle. Nuh uh, bio store, I am not paying YOU that much money!
So anyways, now I have 20 rolls of these tablets, and each roll has 20 vitamin c tablets in it. Oops. I think I need an intervention. But please don't intervene, actually, because I am quite content to have paid 45 cents for each one. I consider it a steal!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Oh hey, I'm in Germany.
After many many hours of train travel and hanging out in various cities (Paris, Köln [which turns out is the same thing as Cologne -- who knew?]), I have made it to Bonn, Germany. People here seem to be nice enough and willing to put up with my very minimal German. And a lot of them speak English too. Phew. I am sitting in a bagel café called Bagel Brothers Sandwich Restaurant. After haltingly ordering and paying for my Caprese bagel (it's amazing-- fresh mozzarella, tomato, basil, and balsamic vinaigrette on a parmesean/onion bagel), the guy at the register congratulated me. I guess it was a grand success. All five words of German that I shouted at him. But at least the language that I'm slipping into, when lacking a German word, is French. My foreign language/country brain is on? Bah, I don't know. It's an adventure at the very least.
I've been taking notes throughout the day on all these funny/weird experiences I've had. So I guess I'll copy them down:
Today, everyone has something very special about them. I am noticing smiles, walks, hands. How good.
I just met some Americans from Florida who are doing a post-college world tour. I told them about a cheaper place to buy coffee in the train station.
Also, today, everyone I see looks like someone from home. Guess it's little reminders that I'm not alone.
*The next page in my journal is a post-it note from Xiao Lu that she put on my door, saying she was sorry she couldn't get up at 6 am to send me off and that she will miss me. I love her.
A man-boy working at the café in the Paris Nord train station tried to tell me that there was no caffeine in tea -- and he didn't have decaf coffee available. I just wanted to take a nap later, people. Sorry 'bout it. But I found a table to sit at anyways, even though I hadn't bought something. The previous person had left their meal trash there, adn there was a used tea cup, which I was first grumpy about but didn't do anything about it. But a new girl started working and told me I couldn't sit there if I wasn't a customer and I pointed at the used cup on my table. "Mais, non..." JOKES ON THEM, SUCKAS. Too bad you didn't have any herbal tea or I *would* have been a customer!
The woman behind me on the train from Brussels to Cologne is doing flash cards for art or something and she keeps deeply sighing when, I assume, she gets something wrong. The couple across the aisle (who keeps making out and then looking at me because I'm accidentally staring at them) and I keep making faces about her.
In other news, I brought some stickers with me so I can write letters, and some of them got all wrapped up around my writing utensils. So now I have a pencil covered in hearts, and a Busey Bank pen with a parrot on it.
I also made a list of things I have spent my money on today:
-1€20 - sweet green tea in vending machine at Paris Nord which I drank at the café that didn't have anything decaf. I know green tea isn't decaf, but it's lesscaf, and it's got them antioxidants, so that's good at least.
-0€50 - in Paris St. Lazare to use the restroom facilities -- peeing is expensive here!
-3€00 - in Cologne for my first soy starbucks latte since America. And it was good.
-3€20 - in Paris for two metro tickets (round trip, since I'll also be taking the metro on Friday)
-0€80 CHRISTMAS SURPRISE
-3€20 - Caprese bagel at Bagel Brothers Sandwich Restaurant (+ internet and bathroom!)
Anyways, I'm off to go meet Lena now. Wish me luck in finding her -- I guess it's supposed to be easy but turns out I don't understand what the signs mean here. Oops!
Hope everyone is doing wonderfully today!
Note: There is some epic music up in this cafe. I think it was popular in the USA in the early '00s.
I've been taking notes throughout the day on all these funny/weird experiences I've had. So I guess I'll copy them down:
Today, everyone has something very special about them. I am noticing smiles, walks, hands. How good.
I just met some Americans from Florida who are doing a post-college world tour. I told them about a cheaper place to buy coffee in the train station.
Also, today, everyone I see looks like someone from home. Guess it's little reminders that I'm not alone.
*The next page in my journal is a post-it note from Xiao Lu that she put on my door, saying she was sorry she couldn't get up at 6 am to send me off and that she will miss me. I love her.
A man-boy working at the café in the Paris Nord train station tried to tell me that there was no caffeine in tea -- and he didn't have decaf coffee available. I just wanted to take a nap later, people. Sorry 'bout it. But I found a table to sit at anyways, even though I hadn't bought something. The previous person had left their meal trash there, adn there was a used tea cup, which I was first grumpy about but didn't do anything about it. But a new girl started working and told me I couldn't sit there if I wasn't a customer and I pointed at the used cup on my table. "Mais, non..." JOKES ON THEM, SUCKAS. Too bad you didn't have any herbal tea or I *would* have been a customer!
The woman behind me on the train from Brussels to Cologne is doing flash cards for art or something and she keeps deeply sighing when, I assume, she gets something wrong. The couple across the aisle (who keeps making out and then looking at me because I'm accidentally staring at them) and I keep making faces about her.
In other news, I brought some stickers with me so I can write letters, and some of them got all wrapped up around my writing utensils. So now I have a pencil covered in hearts, and a Busey Bank pen with a parrot on it.
I also made a list of things I have spent my money on today:
-1€20 - sweet green tea in vending machine at Paris Nord which I drank at the café that didn't have anything decaf. I know green tea isn't decaf, but it's lesscaf, and it's got them antioxidants, so that's good at least.
-0€50 - in Paris St. Lazare to use the restroom facilities -- peeing is expensive here!
-3€00 - in Cologne for my first soy starbucks latte since America. And it was good.
-3€20 - in Paris for two metro tickets (round trip, since I'll also be taking the metro on Friday)
-0€80 CHRISTMAS SURPRISE
-3€20 - Caprese bagel at Bagel Brothers Sandwich Restaurant (+ internet and bathroom!)
Anyways, I'm off to go meet Lena now. Wish me luck in finding her -- I guess it's supposed to be easy but turns out I don't understand what the signs mean here. Oops!
Hope everyone is doing wonderfully today!
Note: There is some epic music up in this cafe. I think it was popular in the USA in the early '00s.
Off to Germany...!
Well, as per usual, I am up very late the night before traveling as I attempt to get my life together. It is 2:30 am and I am waking up in 4 hours to get to the train station for a train that leaves at 8 am.
But I'm very excited and I have a lot of train riding to do tomorrow, so hopefully I'll take a good nap. And then a few days with Lena who is just plain great.
OK, bedtime. I'll update from Germany, if I have a chance, and of course I'll take a million photos! Woohoo!
But I'm very excited and I have a lot of train riding to do tomorrow, so hopefully I'll take a good nap. And then a few days with Lena who is just plain great.
OK, bedtime. I'll update from Germany, if I have a chance, and of course I'll take a million photos! Woohoo!
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Oh
Oh what a dreary, rainy day it is today. But something has changed about my outlook-- I am now a little bit (admittedly forcedly) poetic about the rain. So I suited up (with my super amazing boots that have still not let me down in the rain, my rain coat from Gram, and my pretty green umbrella, and a scarf around my neck because I'm attempting desperately to ward off this cold that is trying to get me). And I went outside. I walked to the market and picked up the scraps that no one wanted from the vendors as they were closing down. No sunflowers today, but I did find some pretty yellow flowers that will brighten up the room all the same.
My plan for the rest of the day includes: toasting at then eating the pain au chocolat that I bought for myself, and creating some kind of dinner involving onions. I'm thinking megadarrah/mujadarrah (Caitlin, do you read this?) because that would be pretty tasty. Except I don't have lentils but I have rice and onions and plain yogurt, so that's almost everything. And, other than eating all day, I am going to drink some tea -I bought a loose tea that is cherry and ginger flavored- and upload pictures to my blog and to facebook.
Ready, Set, GO.
My plan for the rest of the day includes: toasting at then eating the pain au chocolat that I bought for myself, and creating some kind of dinner involving onions. I'm thinking megadarrah/mujadarrah (Caitlin, do you read this?) because that would be pretty tasty. Except I don't have lentils but I have rice and onions and plain yogurt, so that's almost everything. And, other than eating all day, I am going to drink some tea -I bought a loose tea that is cherry and ginger flavored- and upload pictures to my blog and to facebook.
Ready, Set, GO.
Friday, October 30, 2009
An Epiphany that has nothing to do with France but rather food
Just a moment ago, I was writing about sushi because last night for dinner, I treated myself to some AMAZING avocado-ginger sushi from this really nice Japanese restaurant. And it was delightful. I was having a particularly wonderful day, in which I got to pet a cat and go to the fair (blog post to follow) so I got some sushi to make the day even better.
But that made me think about how sushi (and other nice things) are treats for when something is going well and also for when something is going the opposite of well, aka quite poorly. I think it's nice that rewards are not exclusively for good behavior, but also to help perk up a day. And it's nice that that perk can come in a little container that costs 4€50 and tastes like ... something really good.
Simple pleasures...
But that made me think about how sushi (and other nice things) are treats for when something is going well and also for when something is going the opposite of well, aka quite poorly. I think it's nice that rewards are not exclusively for good behavior, but also to help perk up a day. And it's nice that that perk can come in a little container that costs 4€50 and tastes like ... something really good.
Simple pleasures...
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