Days 12, 13, & 14

Wow failure on the updating for the last two and a half days.  I'm sitting here writing the dumbest paper ever, so I mean why not take a break and update. The last couple days have been quite the interesting ones.

Friday night was my International Relations course as I mentioned at the end of my last post.  I had slept in that morning and was ready for a three hour class.  I, however, have NEVER been so exhausted by a class in my life. I don't know what it was about it but when we left I was tired that I felt nearly nauseous.  The professor seems interesting and has a lot to say, but the thing that sucks is he talks about America as "we."  I really hope it isn't strongly tainted by the American perspective.  I think I may have picked the wrong school if I didn't want though.  The American part of American Business School probably should have been a hint.  Either way I hope to learn a lot because my knowledge of history, is not what I wish it was.

That night, after a great dinner as always and a nice nap, Sasha, Stephen, Tanuja, Julie, and I met up at Stephen's for some wine before going out.  His is only the second of the apartments I've been to.  And I must admit his made me a little jealous that I wasn't living in one.  There was a ton of space and a beautiful view of the city from his balcony.  This time, after the disastrous Thursday night, we watched the the clock to make sure we didn't wait too long before leaving.  Sasha's friend, David, was taking us out to a club on the Champs Elysee, for free on a Friday night.  We have been very lucky with the acquaintances we've made.

The club was called the Monte Cristo.  And when we got inside the crowd was 10-15 years older then us. The bar however was gorgeous.  It had blue lights lighting it up causing it look like ice.  We quickly made our own fun.  If anything I've learned that I'm so much more outgoing here, because there is absolutely nothing to lose.  People we gathered at the bar and tables and us five Americans were breaking it down on the dance floor with absolutely no shame.  Sure, it would have been nice to have been with a crowd more our age, or have gone to a place where the drinks weren't 15 euros, $20, but nonetheless I very much appreciated not having to pay 20 euros to just get in.  We had a blast. I've definitely learned that going out with smaller groups is a more successful way of having fun.  I drank one 10 euro beer.  But to go out for a whole night, and to have failed at going out the night before, and just spend 10 euros? I call it a success.  Later in the night some younger guys came in and a probably 6'3-6'4 black guy came up to dance with me.  Being from Maine I was a little intimidated, but hell, it's Paris.  It wasn't until about ten minutes later that I decided I had had enough and snuck away to the bathroom to escape with the girls.  Stephen did an awesome job of keeping us safe if any French guys came around that we did not so much want around us.  We left around 3 or so and were safely in ours beds by 4 or 430.  Finding the Noctilien was easier than we expected, we even ended up walking too much because we expected the stop to be further away.

Saturday we slept in until noon or so I think.  Not bad considering that still meant 8 hours of sleep.  When we finally got moving we met our new roommate, Maggie.  She's quiet so far, but I'm thinking it might be a little intimidating coming into a house with two girls who have already been here 2 weeks and are pretty much bonded.  She seems sweet though and speaks a little french, more than me I think.  The sun was finally out yesterday so we decided to go to Montmartre and the Sacre Coeur.  We quickly found out that even though the sun was out, it was frigid.  It took about a half hour metro ride to get there before we started wandering by the markets.  It was shocking how cheap things were there.  Places had buckets of clothing and undergarments that they were selling for 5 euros and less.  I told Sasha that I'd have to wash something about 5 times before I'd ever wear it from there.  We grabbed a crepe and met up with Stephen before we started climbing the steps.

Luckily, we had come at the perfect time.  A guy playing the guitar was finishing up shooting what looked like a music video and then we noticed 5 guys picking up glass everywhere.  They were clearly about to perform and if they were picking up glass, that meant dance.  I've been to countless dance shows, but this was definitely one of the best.  They were not just dancers at all, but quite talented performers.  My heart melted for one of them...dancer...and cute.  Yup, my type.  Sasha and I both wouldn't have minded stealing him away.  I tried posting the video of them on facebook but it wasn't working...I'll definitely try posting it again today.

After we walked to the top to go inside the church.  The architecture was absolutely amazing.  It is unbelievable the work people used to do with just their hands.  Going inside, however, I was a bit disappointed.  I mean don't get me wrong, it was amazing.  The high arches and art work were to die for.  But I felt no connection to God or to religion walking in.  Some of the churches I've been to in Dallas, you walk in and you can feel the presence of something holy.  This church however, had been so commercialized that is has lost that feeling.  There were literally coin machines, like you would see at a theme park or zoo, where you could get a euro imprinted with the image of the church.  There were candles everywhere, which were pretty at first, until you see the signs asking for money for them.  I realize that they need money for the upkeep.  But a silver Jesus looks tacky, not spiritual.  I hope I don't get the same feelings when we go inside Notre Dame, because this really was a disappointment.  It could be an amazing place.  They could even still ask for donations, but they could do it such a more tasteful fashion.

Once we left the church, none of us really too impressed, we walked through more markets where I finally bought post cards.  There were artists all over the streets.  Sasha was right though, they all did, for the most part, amazing work, but none of them really stuck out.  It all looked the same as you walk by.  Oh, that reminds me.  The most ridiculous scam ever.  If anyone ever goes there watch out for this.  There are guys standing by the church with string.  The tie it on your finger and start making a bracelet for you.  They tell you this sob story about their lives and by the end the bracelet, from cheap string is done, then they tell you that you owe them 8 euros for it.  Luckily we had Sasha with us, who had been with people ripped off before, so we brushed quickly by.

That has to be the most annoying thing about Paris.  Anywhere you go, especially obviously the tourist places, there are people everywhere trying to take your money.  And no doesn't get you anywhere.  They are in your face CONSTANTLY.  It gets to the point that they deserve to be hit in the face or pushed down stairs.  I know, sounds horrible, but seriously I don't want your tacky ass, light up, plastic, Eiffel Tower.  If people here would look for some real talent inside of them, like the dancers we saw, they could make some real money.  I had no problem giving those guys a euro or two because they were working for the money they needed.  They weren't sitting outside the church reaching towards my legs trying to trip me into giving them change.  Get off your ass and do something.  At least go play music in the subway, those people have talent and at least aren't just sitting around.

Enough with that I guess.  All in all I got some great pictures yesterday and learned a lot about Paris.  They told us from the start that there would be things we hated about Paris.  And I wouldn't even say I hate them, it's just so different and very much a learning experience.  We decided for a nice espresso and some people watching before heading home.  People watching is definitely more interesting here.  A woman stood pulling on the door trying to get it open for a good five second.  Her face was getting more and more angry...the door was clearly marked poussée,  or push.  An old woman walked by that looked like she had just stepped out of a fairy tale.  Her nose was bent and she had a black hood on.  Her hair was gray as gray could be and curled in big round pieces sticking out the top.  I think she reminded me of the witch from Snow White.  Ironically enough about five minutes later a guy walked by that fit just as much into a fairy tale.

Once home we ate dinner and relaxed some.  Dany cut my bangs for me which was much appreciated, but a little uneven.  Oh well it saved me money.  Some people went out last night but I decided to stay in.  I'm trying to be careful, especially until the loan money and my security deposit come back in.  I don't want to have to sit at home for the last half of my time here because I was dumb with money.  Plus, from what I've heard about last night it was filled with extremely rude waiters and bar tenders, very drunk Americans, car crashes (not with any of our group involved), and men in red capes.  Sounds interesting, but like a mess at the same time.  As for today, it is finally time to get some homework done and just relax.  I might try to go out for some sangria at the place from before if I can find someone to go with me.  All in all a very interesting weekend.

Au Revoir <3

Day 11 in the City of Love

Yesterday was the most blah day so far in Paris.  I tried so hard to go to bed early the night before since I had an 8:30 am class but I ended up laying in bed till at least midnight before I could fall asleep.  Damn my sleep schedule.  Nonetheless it wasn't that bad getting up at 7:00 for class.  I mean sure any decent human being would want more sleep then that, but I wasn't miserable.  I tip-toed around the apartment as much as I could trying to not wake Sasha or Dany up.  Dany ended up waking up but she only commented on how early it was.  I was sitting at the kitchen table, in the dark, eating a left over crepe from the night before.  Class was fine until the second hour came around and we were all falling asleep.  Skipping coffee that morning was the biggest mistake, but it's just so loud to make right next to where Dany sleeps.  I'm going to have to figure something out for that.

After class I hung out at home for a few hours.  Did some reading, talked online.  The usual things to kill time.  When Sasha got out of class (that started an hour later then what she thought when she got to school) we headed to the bookstore.  I was finally able to get my French textbook, but they're out of the grammar book.  I'm really hoping they have it Monday because though I don't have any work in it now, I'm sure I will by next Tuesday.  We then stopped for a crepe, where Sasha got a free plain one because the guy messed it up, and I got a sugar one.  I am getting more comfortable ordering for myself.  I was just extremely intimidated at first, especially with such a native speaker right next to me.  I'm sure it'll get there though and I'm definitely understanding a lot more.

We went home where we met Stephen so Sasha could be Ms Fix-It and sew his button back on his jacket and then we tried to figure out plans for the night. Once he left we ate dinner, just Sasha, Melissa, and myself because Dany went to Yoga, where we had some interesting conversations.  All the way from sexual abuse to horror movies.  Quite the dinner table conversations.  After I took a brief nap since I'd been up so long and then we got up to go.  Plans kept changing so we just headed to Will & Adrian's to meet up with people.  And that's where the failure of a night started.  Normally the buses would be our problem, or a.k.a. getting home.  Not this time.  We waited around way too long at their apartment so we weren't even at the first club till 5 past midnight. The line was ridiculously long and we had to be before 1 to get in free.  There was no way I was paying for a club when it could have been free earlier in the night.

Cory and Julie stayed there because they managed to get ahead in line but Will, Stephen, Sasha, and I headed out for the other club.  When we got there the line wasn't bad but with all the people skipping ahead we weren't moving anywhere.  We did however get lucky enough to catch the last metro train of the night so we didn't even have to worry about the night buses.  Overall we still had fun, I mean we were all running around the city. But it was a little disappointing to not actually go anywhere.  If anything I learned to travel in even smaller groups to avoid drawing so much attention, and to make sure we get where we want on time.

This guy on the metro was trash talking Americans in Italian/French sitting right near us.  Little did he know that most of us can at least pick up on bit and pieces of what he was saying.  I understand that there are stereotypes everywhere, but it really sucks that people have to lump every American into the stereotype.  Obviously it fits some because that's how it was created in the first place.  But if they don't want us to generalize about them all being stuck up and rude, it'd be nice if they didn't act like we are the fleas of the earth.  Number 2 of my anti-American experiences within 2 weeks.

Today I got to sleep in and am just lounging, writing this, and doing some homework before class at 3:30.  Not totally happy about having class 3:30-6:30 but it is International Relations which I'm kind of excited to take from a French perspective.  I think we're planning on going out again tonight, hopefully it is more successful than last night.

Days 9 & 10

Yeah so I failed at updating yesterday.   I was so tired that I thought I would just end up passing out.  Ha.  Little did I know.

But before that.  Yesterday was my first day of classes.  I barely slept at all the night before due to fear of sleeping right through them.  First was French.  I was a little nervous at first but I think it'll be more worthwhile then the two years I took in high school, because I can apply the language as soon as I learn it.  I'm hoping that every thing will just start to click when we go over it and I'll be in a much better position to get myself around.  The professor is nutty but she knows eight languages herself, so I'm going to assume she'll know how to teach her native one to me.

Next, was Advanced Critical Thinking 2.  Wow I would have hated to see it minus the advanced part.  This class is going to drive me nuts.  I really wanted a lit class because I knew I would miss working with novels.  But when I walk in and we're talking about how to properly interview people?  Yeah, that was 8th grade, thanks.  The professor is from California and seems to love her job, which helps, but she's a little out there.  She made a big deal that we have to read 2 novels this semester.  I'm used to a novel or two a week, so this will be a breeze.  I have to write an interview essay for next Tuesday.  Sasha gets to be my interviewee.  I did meet a guy name Pierre-Emmanuel.  He is native french but lived 9 years in the states.  He's really into music and gave me his email in case I need any help with anything.  So I guess I made my first french friend? Or acquaintance anyway.

After class I met up with Sasha and we headed home.  It was our friend Cory's 21st birthday and a bunch of people were going out.  I had pretty much convinced myself that I was NOT going out.  I was even laying in bed!  But then we got the text that people were headed there...and out I went.  Kirsten and Stephen "weren't going either" but sure enough, they were there too.  It's hard to refuse going out in this city.

When we got there the place was PACKED.  I was a little intimidated at first, but 5 euro beer and mixed drinks changed my mind.  I ordered THE DARKEST beer on the menu, and loved it.  It was filling but Dad would be proud.  Most of the time I just chatted with Stephen but I guess it was nice to spend some time with the people we hadn't really been with much.  I had a mixed drink called Sex on the Sea as well.  It was a pretty blue but tasted mostly like juice, which was dangerous, but I only had one.  Around 1 we decided it was time to head out.  Sasha asked for a light from some guys who then decided to hit on us and try to get us to stay.  Two others made a comment that it sucked that they were just getting there and we were leaving.  Being an American girl here is kind of like being a celebrity.  Not sure how I feel about it yet.  Minus the handsy guy at the bar, I guess I'm okay with it so far.

Then it was the nightly adventure with the Noctillien buses.  We thought it would be easy because Sasha wrote down the buses we needed.  First we couldn't find the 12 because it wasn't like a legit bus stop, just a sign on the side walk, so we walked in a circle before finding it.  Then we thought we were golden because theoretically at the same stop the 12 dropped us off we'd get on the 15.  Little did we know that where the 15 going one direction and the 15 the other are, is about a ten minute walk apart.  It took dashing in front of cars, probably almost getting hit, and asking twice for directions before we finally found the second bus we needed.  We met a group of guys there that were a little scary at first but it became apparent quickly that they really were just out for a good time.  Even with their weed on the bus.  It's amazing the things people get away with here.  I know that at least in little ol' Maine...it would be pretty hard to do that. By the time we got home we passed out pretty quickly.  Getting home has become more of an adventure then any club or bar.

Today was Post-Impressionism Art.  The teacher, again a little wacky, seems like she'll be hard to learn from because her order of organization clearly makes sense only to her.  I am however glad that she is looking for us to gain a general knowledge of the styles of art, and not to memorize dates that we'll quickly forget.  We already have our first paper assigned, but it isn't due until March.  One 5 page paper and a 10 page. And we get to visit a couple of museums.  I'm hoping looking at the modern art will also give me some inspiration for what tattoo I want to get while I'm here.  I've thought about the "coexist" with the different religious symbols.  But nothing definite yet.

After class we went to a restaurant for lunch.  I had an omelet and fries that I shared with Sasha.  It is always a fiasco trying to pay because they put it all on one slip and someone always needs change.  It was nice though and from there we just came home, took a WONDERFUL nap, drank some tea and coffee, hit up the mall for post-it notes, and ate dinner. Dinner was awesome tonight.  Salad with tofu pieces, pasta, and chocolate crepes for dessert.  YUM!  We had wine as well, which was nice.

I'm definitely getting more comfortable here, though I still can't believe that I'll be here through mid-May.  And then it's off to Denmark where I get to try to re-assimilate myself again.  I don't know what I'll do when I get back to the states.  Not having a metro, having to drive places, not having bakeries everywhere, and actually knowing what people are saying around me, might send me into extreme culture shock. My sis said the vet said my cat is sniffly from the stress of me being gone.  That's just depressing.  I definitely miss my kids (2 cats and dog for those who don't know) a lot.  It's weird not having pets around to cuddle with or take care of.  People here, except Kirsten, probably think I'm nuts for how much I talk about them.  Haha, oh well, I've always been the crazy cat girl.

I have an 830 class in the morning so it won't be long till I pass out.  So bummed that I cant get pictures to load on here for some reason.  But check out my facebook for those. :)

Au Revoir!

Day 8 in the City of Love

I wasn't going to update tonight because I'm tired but I know if I don't stay on top of it that I'll end up never updating.  It was the same way with my journal is Russia.  I eventually had so much to write that it wasn't worth forcing myself to remember all the small details.

Sasha and I went to bed early last night.  She had class today and I was just figuring I should start the week off the right way so I wouldn't be exhausted the whole time.  I think I got up around 10:30; not bad for a day that I could have slept away.  I checked facebook to find that Julie, one of the girls in our group, is so sick that she actually thought she'd have to go to the hospital.  Turns out it's a stomach virus so she was given some meds at the doctor.  I hope I don't get sick enough to feel like I need the hospital...keeping my fingers crossed.

I took the metro for the first time by myself to meet Anna at the ISA office.  It wasn't scary at all, but definitely a success.  I'm blessed in the way that I can read maps and figure out directions quite easily, some others are struggling a bit.  At ISA they only had one of my text books but the cool thing is I rented it for 15 euros from them and I get the money back at the end of the semester when I give it back.  I'm kind of glad they didn't have the others because I might want to keep my art book and the novels for the Advanced Critical Thinking course.  After, I looked up the school bookstore, which is oddly close to my homestay, the directions weren't hard to figure out at all and we found it very easily.  The woman there was really nice and I got the rest of my books for 39 euros!  4 books for 54 euros...or like $75...can't beat that.  I still need my French book/grammar book....but hopefully those won't be too much.

After we went by my homestay and then to the bank to meet Sasha.  While we were waiting we checked out monoprix so I could get a planner and notebooks then Mac & Sephora.  Make up is expensive here; I'm glad I bought some extras at home.  After we were done at the bank for Sasha and the Phone House to get my phone (yay!), we went to lunch at a small place where the guy asked if we were on diets (haha).  I got a vegetarian pizza slice that was delicious.  At only 7 euros for that and water, I can't complain.

We had planned on going site seeing or finding something else to do but dinner time came quickly.  I understood a lot more tonight and tried to at least say Oui and Merci more so that Dany knows that I really am trying.  French class starts tomorrow so that'll help so, so, much.  We had a salad with beats in it to start for dinner tonight and I usually hate beats, but I decided to try it anyway and actually really liked it.  I'm going to attempt to try as much as I can while I'm here because this is my chance.  Pineapple was dessert.  Absolutely amazing.  After dinner Sasha was talking about dance some and I decided that I really do want to take a class if I can.  I haven't danced in years, but I keep saying I should go back.  I'm sure it'll be hard at first, but anything that's worth it probably isn't easy at first.  My hips haven't bothered me much at all here, which is shocking, and I don't want to push it too hard, but at the same time I've always said I wouldn't let the pre-lupis stop me from anything.

Tomorrow starts classes.  French from 12:30-13:30 & Advanced Critical Thinking 2 from 13:30-16:30.  Long afternoon of classes but I'm glad to have a regular schedule starting.  Overall today has been extremely productive and I'm pretty much ready to pass out.

Au Revoir Mes Amis <3

Day 7 in the City of Love

Passing out last night didn't happen.   I ended up organizing a bit & then skyping for quite a while.  I think I was up till 4 or so.  The sirens going by outside definitely didn't help at all.  But oh well.  It was nice to talk to people back home, or mostly a person.  Even though I had my face as close to the computer as I could and was whispering, yet somehow my host woke up.  I felt bad.  But the time difference does make it hard, especially with a host that is such a light sleeper.  She told Sasha this morning, however, that I shouldn't feel bad because she wasn't mad or anything and she thinks she'll get ear plugs because the two of us do stay up pretty late.  I would feel bad, but she sleeps in the living room because she chooses to give up both of the bed rooms to foreign students.  We do try our best to be as quiet as possible.

When I finally got out of bed it wasn't long before Sasha got home and we made breakfast.  Then we were so tired that we went BACK to bed for like an hour and a half.  I think we could have slept all day but we really did want to see the Luvre today.  It's going to take us many visits to get through it so it was nice to get started on that.  We did get to see the Mona Lisa & the Venus de Milo which was very cool.  It didn't actually seem like we could possibly be standing in front of them.  I need to go to Italy so I can see David.  I knew the Luvre was big, but I mean really, it's HUGE.  Madame Attaway told us how long it would take if you spent 30 seconds at every piece, but I can't remember the number.  Either way, a really long time.  It'll be nice to get lost in there on the many rainy days to come.

Today was a short day since we slept most of it, but we definitely needed the rest after this week.  Adapting to a new culture is exhausting, especially one with 1 million steps to get anywhere. My legs are going to be SO in shape by the end of this. And like Stephen and I were saying, we're not even going to know what it means to drive a car.

Dinner was quick, we had some sort of beans, zucchini, salad, and bread.  It was delicious and I don't think I've ever eaten so fast...was definitely starving.  And now it's off to bed so I can go get my books tomorrow and figure out the notebook situation for class since apparently we can't have laptops. Hmm.

Au Revoir <3 :)

Day 6 in the City of Love

Dinner was good last night because Dany started asking how to say some things in English and she would tell me how to say them in French.  I have a hard time remembering them right now, but familiarization with the language in any form will help.  She's so awesome about me being vegetarian and dinner is always so good.

Last night was our first Friday night in Paris.  And OHH what a night.  It was one of the kids in our groups 21st birthday so a bunch of them were going all out.  But, if you know me, you know I'm not really into the HUGE party scene very often.  So instead of pregaming with them and then going out to Place Monge, Sasha, Stephen, Kirsten, and I went straight to Place Monge.  Too bad Sasha, Stephen, and I were out the wrong exit of the Metro and had to go back around after walking a block or too.  Bad night to wear heals to say the least.  Finally we found Kirsten and made our way to the bars.

We wandered for a bit but finally found a place that looked pretty busy.  We soon found out why once inside.  If I've learned anything about bars and such around here it is that they are not what they first appear.  Such as this one, you walk in and see a bar in front of you and a couple tables, off to the right is a set of stairs.  We went down the stairs to find that it curved around and there was a dance floor with another small bar, and a lounge area even further than that. We stayed in the dance floor area, of course.  Sasha and I grabbed a drink and then we danced to the American music they were playing.  Funny thing was that it was music we were jammin to in the states at least a year ago.  Songs like Toxic and Low.  Nonetheless it was a lot of fun.  There was a group of clearly gay men singing along to every song at the top of their lungs.  They definitely know how to have a good time. The only not so fun part was the creeper in the white button down that decided we were the girls he wants to dance to.  Somehow he got behind Kirsten and next thing we knew his arm was in her face.  She and I tried not to dance at all to get him away...that was until I felt his hand slide across my back to my hip.  That was enough.  Sasha told him to get lost.  Soon after we were so sweaty from the packed dance floor that we just had to get air.

We wandered down to the student bar where we all split a 25 euro drink.  It was definitely worth it and I finally got something shiny in a drink, glow sticks this time. ;)  I still have to find a sparkler drink that doesn't cost an arm and a leg before I leave.  Kirsten said we'd get one on my 1/4 birthday in March.  After a while Sasha's friend...or "friend"...Steve met up with us and then we bumped into a guy named Johnny from Canada.  We headed to the Mayflower for one last drink.  By this time my feet hurt so bad that ALL I wanted to do was sit down.  The others said walking barefoot around the street was not an option.  If I had been in Maine or Texas, those shoes would have been history, even if it was freezing out.

This is where the real adventure started. We waited 15 minutes or so to take the night bus home and when it finally pulled up the driver slowed down, looked at us, and TOOK OFF.  We were all less than impressed.  I mean really...why else would we be standing at the bus stop at 3 in the morning.  So we wandered down to another to try to catch the 15 instead....this bus didn't even slow down for us.  By that time we were all exhausted and getting a little grouchy so it was about time to call a cab.  Kirsten however decided to stay at Stephen's so we were able to FINALLY catch the bus home.  Of course my ankle finally gave out and I fell right before getting on the bus.  Classic.  Crashing into bed never felt so good.  I tried messaging online with "someone" for a little while but fell asleep with the computer still next to me.

We slept in a little later then we hoped today but got ready pretty fast to head out.  First we went to the Catacombs which was only 10 minutes or so from our apartment.  It is definitely the best thing we have done so far, and it was only 4 euros.  The experience was also very humbling.  There are thousands upon thousands of people buried there and no one will ever be able to put a name to any of them.  And more than likely they died miserably.  A lot of them died in battles or fro the plague.  I would hope families would know there family members are there, but still it's not the same.  Sasha and I were a little freaked out walking down the dark corridors at first, but it was an amazing experience.  It's not my usual kind of thing but I'm really glad we're finding some things off the beaten path to experience.  There were poems and quotes written all over the place that referred to death, and mostly to how inevitable it is.  One can take that two distinct ways.  Do nothing, because you're going to die anyway.  Or do everything and make the most out of the short time you have.  It's awesome to be in a place where so much history is so accessible.

The only thing that shocked me was ALL the graffiti on the walls.  Even some of the remains had been defaced.  On the way out they checked our bags to see if we had taken anything, and the guy had a stack next to him of skulls and bones that people had tried to steal! I mean really...don't change the history, let those poor people rest in peace.

After we took the metro to St Michel to find a bookstore where Sasha's dad used to hang out.  It is called Shakespeare & Company.  We wandered a bit before finding crepes (that had toooo much cheese) and ended up finding Sasha's cousin, Claire, before finding the bookstore.  When we finally did it was amazing.  It's an English bookstore and has books stacked EVERYWHERE.  I got some really awesome pictures.  I'm going to have to go back because I was basically in heaven.  There is a whole room with books you can't buy but can just sit and read.  It's places like this, not bars or clubs, that will be the reason I love this city.  The huge part of our group, basically 80% of the group, has been going out every night getting wasted and some of them are the most unwelcoming people I've met.  And really I don't want to remember this semester based on pictures and puzzling together nights.  I chose Europe because of the immense amounts of culture here.  And I plan on having some awesome late nights out, but I plan on having triple the memories from just discovering parts of this amazing city.

So except for the exhaustion, today has been an awesome day.  Dinner is soon and then I'll probably shower, hang out, organize some stuff, read, and PASS OUT.  I need some sleep before we hit up the Louvre tomorrow :) I'm SOO excited to see it.  And I could use to save some money by not going out tonight.  Sorry I wrote so much again, if you make it through it, but I don't want to forget any of the amazing moments here.

Au Revoir my loves <3

Day 5 in the City of Love

So I guess I'm overdue for an update considering I haven't written a thing since the first day.  Paris is overwhelming, in a good way though I think.  This city has so much to offer for just about anyone.  There are so many sculptures and museums that it's almost difficult to figure out what to do or where to go first.  Thankfully, we have 4 months to fit in as much as we can.

The days have not been all that exciting.  Tuesday started the school/ISA meetings for the week.  Tuesday was a general orientation which could have been shorter if some people learned social skills when they were younger.  But, for the most part, I like the people in our little ISA group and it'll be nice to have 27 other people to make plans with if all else fails.  After the meeting we all, all 28 of us, trekked over to the metro to get our metro cards filled (embarrassing large group of people to be walking around a foreign city with) and then went to the school where Eulan, the international students director for the school, told us 90% of the information we had been told by ISA and about 10% relating to the school that we needed.  All in all it wasn't bad because at the very least we got to get to know everyone in our group a little better.  Sasha, Stephen, and I finished our afternoon off with a nice espresso from a small place near school.

Wednesday we had to be back at ISA for a common-sense meeting about the homestays.  The more useful part was the places around town to go and where to find deals for international students.  The best part was getting our IDs for the Louvre, meaning we can go whenever we want and not have to pay.  I think I'll be spending some quiet afternoons there.  Sasha and I went exploring in the afternoon.  Paris sales are dangerous, but I have managed to not buy anything, yet.  It's just amazing how you can turn the corner and find a treasure that anyone else may have walked right past. That night we had a wine and cheese event at school to meet other students.  Mostly we stuck to ourselves but I did meet a few others.  After, three of us went to St Michel.  Before we made it to the street with the bars however we got to see Notre Dame.  I must say it is one of the most magnificent buildings I've ever seen.  We got some pretty good pictures and could even see the Eiffel Tower from where we were ;) haha.  After we found a bar where all the employees were wearing masquerade masks and when the bar tender saw us outside we gestured us in.  They put sparklers on their mixed drinks, which I found fascinating, but they also put a 14 euro price on them.  So we each got a beer before wandering back around St Michel trying to find somewhere else to go, but ultimately going home.

Yesterday we got to sleep in, sort of.  Dany bought Sasha and me new wardrobes, or armoires (sp?), so in the morning we had to unpack all of our things from the old ones and help move them out so the new ones could come in.  Dany was slightly freaking out at the change but Sasha said it's a French thing to overreact to the littlest things being moved around or changed.   She even wanted to reorganize our stuff into the wardrobes while we were gone in the afternoon but we insisted she let us figure it out when we got back.  She had done enough.  But sure enough when we got home the furniture had all been moved around, which made the room more spacious ultimately, and some of our things had been put away.  She strained her back somewhat doing so, so she made our dinner and went to bed.  I wish she had let us help, but I guess at least we did offer.  Sasha and I are going to buy flowers for her either today or this weekend as a thank you.

The American Business School put together a trip down the Seine river for us yesterday afternoon.  And I must say I was pretty excited about it.  I mean the river trip we went on in Russia was absolutely amazing, one of the best moments on the trip.  But this...yeah this was not what I was hoping for at all.  We spent the first hour going through the locks (lockes?) and then another 15 in a tunnel while the guy told us about all the cool things that were above the tunnel...fantastic.  When we finally did get to the river it was pretty, well the sites were, the river was full of trash and even sitting inside the boat I could smell it at times, but I felt like I could have gotten most of the same cool pictures from land.  But I guess it's just part of the experience? I don't know.  I would love to go on another one that leaves past the locks so we might be able to see the Eiffel Tower & such from the river.

Last night I was determined to stay in and get some rest.  Too bad I failed.  Our other roommate, Melissa, and I went to find this lounge in her guidebook.  We went the wrong way and then couldn't find it for a while.  We also met the first rude French person I have met since being here.  He asked us for directions on the street and when Melissa's friend tried to tell him he blew us off and said he figured we were from Jersey?  No idea what that was supposed to mean.  But he was rude. But I'll admit, it was worth it.  From the outside the words "Le Bar 10" were scribbled on the building and it pretty much looked like the sketchiest thing ever.  But inside was different.  There were vintage posters covering ALL the walls, I tried to get pictures but didn't want to stick out TOO much as an American in Paris.  Melissa, her friend, and I all got Sangria which came in one thing and it was the best I've ever had.  There were chunks of oranges in it and it was just amazing. haha.  Didn't get in till 2 this morning and up way too early for the meeting at school.

And that brings me to today.  Today we had a meeting with the dean of the school.  Excuse me, but what a bitch.  She made comments like "don't come to me, it's not my problem" and was just overall not welcoming at all.  She was also clearly American.  She talked about how miserable we would all be for a while...and I was just like THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT.  Knowing me, when the semester is over I will be writing her a nice email saying what I think.  Even if it gets me no where someone should say something.  Her french accent was even worse then mine.  And I would just expect someone who clearly had to adjust to the culture like we have to would be a whole lot friendlier.  I hope I never have another encounter with her.  The meeting was pretty pointless, just about setting up email, and how to read the chart for where the classes are.  I felt like a third grader.  But it is strange that the classes change rooms every week.

It's interesting, especially on the metro, watching how people interact.  I mean there were two people, clearly messed up, on the metro last night yelling at each other, and for the most part people just pretended they didn't know it was happening.  In the states, someone would say something, almost guarantee it.  I'm not sure which is better.  But the French, at least in public, seem a lot better at minding their own business.

The hardest part right now is the relationship with my host, Dany.  She's so nice but I feel like I don't exist at points.  Since Sasha is fluent she is quick to go to her about anything and then have her translate.  I can pick up a lot at dinner, but it's hard to learn.  She did tell Sasha, and then later on me, that she was going to try to get better at talking to Melissa and me more.  I hope this happens because I really do want to learn the language, I just know it'll take times.  And I appreciate how generous and friendly she is to us.  She has already done so much.

Sasha is also my saving grace.  When I mess up she catches it, and when she does it, I do the same.  We got lucky with our roommate situation because we get along really well and I feel like I've known her forever already.  She's definitely going to be a big help in me learning the language just a bit faster.  Starting my French class next week will also help.

So if anyone made it through this post I'll be truly impressed.  But, now it's time to go find a straightener, food, and hopefully some flowers for Dany.  Out tonight with people I hope :)

Au Revoir<3

Bonjour de Paris!

I got into Paris at around 630 this morning.  It still hasn't really hit me that I'm here...not sure when it will.  Sasha (my roommate) and I were even sitting in a cafe where she ordered in French and it still didn't really click.  Probably by the time we start classes and get everything really going it'll finally happen.

Our room is small and the so-called "mezzanine" (or loft) is really just her bed lofted above mine.  Still we've managed to fit everything and it's pretty cozy.  Our hostess, Dany, is amazing.  We went out to find coffee and came back to her having stowed our suitcases above the dresser things (still don't know what they're called) and she had completely remade my bed.  She's also buying a new dresser thing because the one Sasha is using now is broken.  Dany doesn't speak much English but having Sasha here, she's bilingual, is working out perfect.  I, however, do want to learn as much of the language as I can.  I'm sure between taking the class starting next week and being so emerged in the culture I'll pick up at least some of it quickly.  I've really always wanted to be bilingual, especially in French.

I miss some things from home already; my most emotional goodbye was with my cat.  I know, I know.  But I miss some people too, you definitely know who you are.  It's funny how things happen.  But I mean really I'm only here for 5 months and 11 days (including Denmark) and I plan on making the very best of it...and then seeing how things stand when I get back.  This place will be good for me.  I was thinking about it while I unpacked and I think this is really 100% what I needed right now. I needed to get away and have some time to me and I mean where could I get that more then in a foreign country where I know VERY little of the language...perfect, right?

It was weird looking around because they have a lot of the same companies that we do...like Dominos, Hertz, and a couple otheres.  Oh and of course McDonalds and KFC.

When I got off the plane I stood in line to get my passport checked for almost an hour I think and then went to get my luggage. I was really nervous that I would be missing one bag or another but thankfully they were both there.  There were a couple other foreign students near me but not in the same program.  After I went into the public area I had to wait for an hour or so before an ISA director found me.  I figured I might as well stay in one place instead of searching for them while they looked for me.  Two other students joined me and we waited a while for the shuttle.  There were six of us to be dropped off so I think I was in the shuttle for an hour and a half or so...all I wanted was sleep.  Either way it was nice to put some real faces to the names from facebook.

Once getting here Dany gave me coffee and bread and showed me the room.  She works from home so she got to work while I unpacked and relaxed.  It wasn't long before Sasha got here, it was nice to finally meet her and have someone to break the language barrier.  I took a 2 hour nap to catch up on some sleep before we went on a walk.  We found a small Cafe, Cafe Paris I think, where we had espresso and just got to know each other.  Dany had dinner just about ready when we got back.  It was salmon with veggies and rice with salad with her homemade dressing. I'll definitely be eating well here.  Dessert was berries with whipped cream.  There is another girl staying here, but she leaves in 2 weeks I think, she's from the northeast as well.

Sasha's cousin took us out to a street with bars and we each had a beer.  Hello cute french boys :) it was a nice end to a very long day.

Bring on the orientations starting tomorrow...it's going to be a long week.

I set up skype for unlimited phone calls to the US so if you get a private call it's probably me :)

Au Revoir

Packing

Alright so thus far this is my attempt at packing my room & packing for the trip at the same time.  I just have a feeling I'm going to end of burying something deep in a box that I'm going to have wanted to pack for the trip.  I keep having to remind myself that it's not like I'm going to an undeveloped island, I'm pretty sure I can buy most things I could forget when I get there.

But tonight I have to close at the roadhouse again (my 2nd to last shift there) and then I HAVE to finish packing my room which means relatively finishing packing for the trip.  My dad and sister are coming up tomorrow to move all my furniture and stuff home so tonight is also my last night in my own bed till at least July.  Taylar and I are having people over for my "going away" tomorrow night and then I'm spending the night at Justine's the next two nights so I don't have to sleep on the floor or couch of my own apartment.

I've been looking forward to the trip for so long that it is kind of nerve-wracking that it is just around the corner now.  The hardest thing is hoenstly going to be leaving behind Jack, Persephone, and Rahjah.  I mean I can talk to my family and friends through the internet and on the phone but I don't think it's possible to virtually have your cat snuggle up to you after a long day.  Someone should work on that.  Jack is, as ridiculous as it might sound, my escape when I get home.  He's my saving grace in a lot of ways.  I'm realizing more and more how much I'll miss him and Rahjah greeting me at the door.  But it's not like I'll be gone forever and I'm completely looking forward to having the absolute best time of my life.

I guess I could have chosen somewhere warmer though.  I added the weather in Paris to my desktop and it was the same physical temperature as it is here, but for instance right now it feels like it's 13 degrees there, vs the 25 here.  I hit up target for another sweater to help layer today along with some black gloves and tights.  Spring in Paris however, will be beautiful.

So now it's off to work and hopefully finishing packing tonight...I'm just really hoping I don't forget anything...but I don't want to over pack either.

Au Revoir!

10 Days and Counting

In ten days I'll be embarking on the biggest adventure of my life. I'll be spending 4 months in Paris, France followed by a month and a half in Denmark with my cousin Linda. It is finally starting to click that I'm really leaving and I must admit I'm getting a little nervous about it. But I'm totally and completely excited. I can't wait to get away from everything that has ever held me back and really spend some time on myself and just living life to the fullest.

As corny as it sounds I've wanted to go to Paris for as long as I can remember. I'm incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to make that dream come true. I can't wait to meet everyone that I've gotten to know on facebook along with my host. It's going to truly be 6 months that I will never forget.

Au Revoir!!!