mercredi thoughts

Today I had my first Communication Professionnel II class. I dont' know why it is called II because there is no I. This will probably be my most challenging class as this class is not only for students in my level, but a bit above as well. I understood most of what the guy said, he does not enunciate very well and I don't know anything about business. We learned how to properly write a French business/formal letter which will be useful in the future. I woke up still feeling sick this morning but not as tired since I got a good night's sleep finally. My throat hurts but I must keep on trucking. I grabbed a fresh pain au chocolat at a bakery on my way to class this morning as I didn't have time to eat something at home. It was amazing of course. After the 3 hour class I grabbed a sandwich nicoise (tuna, mayo, egg, lettuce, tomato on a crusty baguette) and ate while I walked towards the metro which would lead me to where I am now, the ISA office. I was able to haul my laptop here to take care of some tasks and put up pictures! The link for the album is as follows: http://community.webshots.com/user/sussular_device

I hope to take more pics soon I haven't been taking any since school has started. A lot of the pictures I took towards the beginning were scenic but there are plenty of my friends too. Tomorrow evening we have a boat ride on the Seine at 5:30 pm but I'm nervous I won't make it in time since my class doesn't end until 5. There are many Japanese/Vietnamese/Korean students in my classes and I find it interesting that they all speak French very well and also that it is our common language. Many have relocated to Paris for more than just one semester.

Last night, Louise had this guy Gilles over fixing a window that had broken (because she was stupid and left it open during extreme winds) and he ate dinner with us. I'm guessing he is her friend who happens to know how to fix windows, as it would be strange to invite the random handyman to share a meal, no? Anyway, we had some meat and pasta, and then the ever-painful cheese course. I'm going to throw this out there, and feel free to send it on back but I think that French cheese tastes like feet. I've tried like 7 different kinds and they all did not jive with me. I feel bad because I never have a positive feedback to give her (because of course she watches for my reaction while I taste) but I always try. The only good part about cheese time is the bread. So we eat the cheese and Gilles is all burly and reminds me of E. Fouraker (anyone from GV knows who I'm talking about, built like a bowling ball). He's yelling and getting all excited about politics and Sept. 11th and why France is going to be attacked because of all the Muslims or something. He went on and on about the treatment of Muslim women and all the while Anna and I sat there nodding and trying to make sense of his rant. I've noticed that although most of the French people I've met are anti-Bush and liberal in the American sense, they are rather racist when it comes to Africans. It's very strange because Louise will casually make a comment about "les noirs" and act like it's nothing. Finally Gilles left and I went to bed.

It’s starting to hit me that it’s weird to not be able to communicate well with people during simple tasks such as paying for things at a grocery store. I end up just not saying anything and hoping they don’t ask me a question that can’t be answered with “oui” or “non, merci.” It’s weird how “practical French” is so hard to just spit out, even though I know exactly what I have to say if I had the chance to think about it for a minute. I wish I could write down what I want to say to people on like a white erase boards. I'm guessing that's what I'm here to learn though, to be able to speak effectively.

"elle est tombée!"

I started class yesterday at l'Institut Catholique. I had a history class at 2 pm which is amazing. The professor is a younger woman, probably 30 something and she is quite the sassmaster. It's so crazy to learn about history in a foreign language but totally "get it" and understand jokes and stuff. Enjoyed hanging out with Mom yesterday aux Champs Elysees and elsewhere. She came over for dinner avec Louise and it was quite lovely, although we ended up talking/eating until 2 am which was a liiiitle late for me. I had to get up tres early for class this morning (since it was my first one at 9 am). I am feeling very under the weather and that I'm coming down with some sort of cough slash post nasal drip slash I'm a hypochondriac but really my throat hurts. I took echinacea and vitamin c (so no one can get mad and yell when I get sick coughdadcough). I'm really hoping I can fight it off though because we have an excursion to Normandy and Mont Saint Michel this weekend and ca would not marche. I've begun to speak "Franglais" very often, which is a mix of English structure but French vocabulary words. It's kind of bad because it's neither language. My French language class today was very hard to sit through (all classes are 3 hours with a 10-15 min break in between). I kept almost falling asleep so during the break I bought a cafe au lait et du sucre from the vending machine (which is basically a dixie cup-3 sips worth). It helped a little but I was still extreme tired. I keep wanting to take nap but I end up going places with people. I can't wait to get a good night's sleep tonight. I found a goldmine on my computer that includes a few movies and tv shows that I've downloaded over the years and then forgot about such as Daria, Seinfeld, Family Guy, Anchorman, Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights (YES!), and music videos (who watches music vids?) such as "Take on Me" by AHA and several of the Cure and Nirvana. I think I might be addicted to pain au chocolat. Did I say that yet? I love how this has become stream of consciousness. Loving the e-mails. Keep them coming. Much love.

a l'hotel

I'm on a random computer in the lobby of my parent's hotel. I don't even know how I made it here because they randomly decided to close down the ligne 1 after Charles de Gaulle Etoile (basically the Arc de Triomphe). So I meandered around that area (since the hotel is like 2 more metro stops down) and finally came across a bus that was taking passengers the way that ligne 1 would have. I got off the bus when I saw a building that said whatever it was the metro stop was called and found the hotel. Of course I'm very proud that I a) didn't freak out and b) didn't have to take a cab. Stayed out until freaking 5 am again last night. It's ridiculous because then I have to sleep into the afternoon and miss most of the day. Dinner was fun because Louise wasn't there so Anna and I shared a bottle of wine, a baguette, and a frozen quiche (we cooked it). Good times.

In other news, I got punched in the face on the metro yesterday by my friend Mikhail. It was an accident but it hurt a lot. I guess I can now say that I've been hit in the face (by a tire) but I can't back it up with a great fight story.

I'm dying to post some pics up I will do tomorrow possibly?

I found a McDonalds with wifi near my apt. (and an H&M!!!)

Peace

Some early thoughts

I wrote this entry a few nights ago and saved it on my laptop and am just now able to post it.

So basically I love Paris. I will start with last night (Monday?). I don’t think I’ve ever met so many friends at once on the same day. Mostly everyone in our program (and the people who are in ISA at the Sorbonne, another university) is really great and we all have a lot in common. I’ll sound a bit corny and say it’s like we all share a common love of French which somehow lends itself to having other things in common. There are several students from Ohio, a few from Georgia, and others from places such as San Francisco, Vancouver, Chicago, New Jersey (TCNJ), and Oklaholma! We haven’t spoke much French among ourselves yet and I feel a bit obnoxious walking around and speaking English loudly (something they told us NOT to do), but I guess it’s comforting or something. A lot of the people speak other languages fluently (Hindi, Mandarin, Spanish, etc.) which makes me jealous that I don’t have a great secret language that I speak at home, but whatev. I’m American and I can’t help it. Anyway, basically we ended up having a grand jolly night drinking wine under the Eiffel Tower. It “sparkles” on the hour for about 10 minutes at a time. You have no idea how massive it is until you are standing near it. I can’t believe we live so close to such an intense “landmark.” Yesterday was really helpful and reassuring for me as I lost most of my anxiousness/sadness and was able to be myself and laugh (which is a lot to handle for normal people, but most of the people here “get” me, or at least for now).

I’m salty that I don’t have wireless internet in my apartment, since I feel like I need to not have to take a bus for 15 minutes to the ISA office just to check e-mail, finances (ha), update this, etc. A few wireless networks are detected at the apartment but they are all secured. Louise isn’t home right now but I’m going to try and figure out how to ask her if one of the networks is hers (in French). Speaking of figuring out how to say things in French, yesterday I made a funny mistake. Since Louise knew I wasn’t feeling well on Sunday, when I came home last night (2:30 am, a record for me!—too bad it’s just the jet lag) she asked me “ca va” (literally- it goes?) and I responded “oui, ca va meilleur” meaning to say “ca va mieux” which means it goes better, but really said “it goes the best!” which Anna and I laughed about for a while.

Today we had academic orientation at the ISA office then they took us to do a tour of our school, l’Institut Catholique de Paris. It’s so beautiful. I took pictures which I shall post. The layout is so confusing though, I’m sure I’ll have an awkward time getting around at first. After that we all (everyone in the program walking down busy streets together following one of the program directors, Sylvie, it was obnox.) got sandwiches at this café and we ate them while we walked to find the bookstore, bank, etc. Only a few of us were opening French bank accounts (of course I was one of them) so Gabriel (very nice French man who, with his wife Annamaria, run the Paris program) took us to the bank and we were led downstairs in the basement to fill out contracts and stuff. After that everyone was kind of tired so myself and 2 other girls went to a café and had some coffee (I chose café noisette, hazelnut coffee) which was rather strong yet small in size (also kind of expensive: 3,10 Euro) We then met up with another girl at the St. Michel fountain (which apparently is a popular meeting place for Parisians) and stood on a bridge on the Seine and chatted/took photos. Everything is so beautiful here, it’s insane. I want to bring everyone I know here so they can enjoy it with me. I still miss everyone a lot and hope to get my internet situation up and running so I can correspond more freely (the phone rates suck).

Before I end this, I’d like to share a few things I’ve noticed about Paris in the last 2-3 days:
-I think the reason they say Paris is the city of romance or whatever is because there are constantly couples around making out on the streets, in the metro, wherever. Unfortuately, the city is not romantic for me because my love is not here.
-Many Parisians do, in fact, walk around the streets with a baguette in hand, usually not even in a bag. I always get nervous that they’re going to drop it on the street but they never do. Also, it’s socially acceptable to sashay around eating a baguette, sandwich, croissant, whatever.
-French children are the cutest ever. All of the little girls dress like Madeline and the boys wear cute little outfits.
-Even the dogs look French (they are all very small as well).
-The washing machine in my apartment is in the kitchen under the sink (kind of like a dishwasher) and will probably fit like 2 things of mine (and there is no dryer, interesting situation for underwear?) This is normal for France.
-Almost all French people speak English pretty well even though they say they are bad at it.

Shoes + le Metro

I've finally had a chance to sit down at the office and use a computer without feeling like I have 10 people waiting for me to finish. I've tried several different ways to use wireless in my apartment but ultimately failed. Oh well, I'll just have to get used to not having internet access whenever I want. I wrote a really comprehensive post and saved it on MS word but didn't bring my laptop here to post it so this blog may end up being out of order but whatev.

Anyway, here is a pretty hilarious experience I had the other night:

To preface this, my body is not used to doing so much walking, thus my feet swell by the end of the day (and my lower back/hips hurt, isn't that sad?) So when it came time for Anna and I to meet our friend Dane (who lives 1 metro stop away and meets us at our place to go out and meet the others) and I tried to put on my schnazzy black boots, they didn't fit, so I wore my black pumps that I got for the gala a few weeks ago. Being as I usually don't wear heels, I was a little uncomfortable walking long distances but it was ok. We met a few other people with whom we were going out and went to a bar that has 2.50 euro "shooters" (ha) and had a few. Then, since the metro closes at 12:30 am, we had to run and take the RER (faster metro) to make it to our next destination (an Irish bar that is the favorite of another student, Emily, who has studied before in Paris). This is when I lost my shoe. Unlike the regular metro, the RER train has a bit of a void between the platform and the train step. Since we were all rushing to hop on, I tripped a little and my right shoe fell off and down into the abyss. At first I didn't believe that it really happened, and then I wondered what I was going to do about it since we were planning on doing more walking between the metro and the bar. After laughing hysterically about it with everyone, we decided that my best bet was to put something over my stocking-ed foot, and Anna saved the day and gave me one of her pink gloves to wear on it, and I did. One of the other girls took a picture of it, but you will have to wait and see to get the full effect. Not only did I wear the glove on my foot, but I proceeded to race through the metro with everyone else, it was quite a feat. I kind of felt like the guy in that movie Rudy or something where the main character faces a challenge and then ultimatley prevails. Everyone else I was with was very helpful and the guys even offered to carry me but I refused as I don' t think they would have been able to. I think that shoe had a weird aura or something because it's the same one that I ruined the tip of after tripping on the sidewalk in Baltimore after the gala. I think I'll save the other shoe for a memory of the ridiculous event.

In other news, yesterday we went to the Louvre, since we all received year-long student passes (so we can go whenever we want). I was very hungry and a bit tired and didn't really enjoy the time we spent there (only about an hour so we could see the "main events" Venus de Milo and the Mona Lisa). I was not very impressed, maybe because I prefere historical artifacts to old art? I don't know. I'm sure I'll enjoy it more when I go back again.

After the Louvre, I had the greatest sandwich au jambon (ham and butter on a baguette). The bread was so fresh I wanted to yell about it. I probably shouldn't eat that sandwich every day. It's funny though because basically its just all baguette with like 2 thin slices of ham and some butter. They don't put a lot of meat on their sandwiches here. I have yet to have a great pastry, maybe this afternoon I will partake.

It's been fun getting to know the people in my program, and I can tell it's going to be a fun semester. I'm excited for Sunday-Tues when my parents will be here though. Louise wants to meet them and invited them for dinner, but I don't think we will do that (the dinner). I've been very frustrated with her since she speaks French very very fast and is not really that nice about it that I can't express myself/understand her that well. Last night she kept questioning me about why I don't like pork or fish or other meats and I kept telling her that I just don't. What's not to understand about that? I don't mind trying some other meats but I really just get grossed out when it's something I'm not used to (such as pate, goose liver, that I had to try a bit of last night, I hated it and was mad that I had to try it). We did, however have a pizza-like thing that had great cheese and bacon on it from Alscace (?). It was a german word that I forget. I know that my French will get better but it's annoying to not be able to communicate very well with my "host mom." Anna is a lot better at it than I (she is a French major) which is good because she can help me/find things out for us but it's a little sad for me because it makes me look a little dumb. Oh well. I'm getting used to my mexican-blanket bed and it's become quite comfortable. Did I mention that it's a futon (I think)? I finally unpacked 2 days ago and I feel better about my room. I can't wait to put some pics up (will do this weekend when I can bring my laptop to the office).

That's all for now. Thank you all for your lovely e-mails.

oh yeah

I can (and did) walk to the Eiffel Tower from my apartment!!!

i'm alive

I'm typing on a very strange French keyboard at the ISA office. Just as I thought, I don't have internet at my apartment (unsuccessfully tried to hack into someone else's wireless). I was feeling very anxious and awful yesterday but I feel better after a good night's sleep and tasks for the day such as orientation (Anna, my roommate, and I took the bus!) and a "welcome dinner" tonight. My apartment is huge, Anna and I have the whole upstairs to ourselves and the decor is extreme bohemian. You have no idea, my bed comforter is basically one of those mexican blankets, although I'm sure that Louise got it in like on the streets of Laos or something. Couldn't eat much yesterday since my nerves were in full swing, but did try lamb. It was not good. I'll try to update more, e-mail me please. Miss you all.

i leave in a few hours

Getting a little nervous about the flight. I just finished packing all of my stuff (way too much, had to downsize considerably), hanging around with Josh until he leaves in a few hours. Will update once I get to Paris. Au revoir.