it's not going so well. my batter was too thick so it's more like a really thin pancake with cheese and no sugar. oh well. i've got more batter...i'll try to fix it and make another.
today i experienced live at it liveliest and at complete stillness. mallory, maddy, chris and i had planned to go to victor hugo's house (for european heritage day), so we went to the bastille metro stop. once we stopped out, we heard--and felt--a loud techno beat. we followed the mobs of crowds and came upon (dun dun dun) the techno parade. whatever description i give it won't do it justice. the best i can say about it is that it's like iv halloween on acid, plus 20,000 people. there were maybe 40 flat bed trucks playing all different techno music, and it looked like every truck was supposed to have a different theme. i saw a couple jungle ones, one that was decorated like the countryside, and most of them were just bright colors and big shapes.
the people there were extraordinary. it seemed like everyone was just there to dance and have a good time...not to deal drugs or steal purses or punch losers. the atmosphere was so positive and not once did i feel threatened or nervous that someone would take advantage of me. all ages were there, too...a bunch of high school-ish kids, middle aged moms, young families pushing babies in strollers. oh, and some apparently famous people, but we had no idea who they were.
amazingly enough, there wasn't much trash on the ground. there were trash cans all around and even these two oversized trash cans that lead the parade. the parisians seem to be very environmentally conscious, even when they're raving.
anyway, after that we went to this super fun park with tons of little kids running around. and us. french kids are adorable.
we got to the metro station and decided to go somewhere in a different arrondisement we'd never been to. we headed to a cemetery in the 3rd (i think?). it was gigantic and nearly silent. i love cemeteries (but always want to spell it "cemetary"...that's odd).
so that's it...my venture from life at its peak to its end. i should have something more poetic to say about it...ohhhh well. i'm too full of failed crepes to care :-)
15 September, 2007
13 September, 2007
je suis plus calme
i just got back from a walk around les jardins trocadero, right across from the eiffel tower. it was amazing in such an ordinary way. the sun was setting behind me and there were people everywhere. everyone seemed just happy and at peace with the world. there were some people ballroom dancing to "lovestoned." that was amazing.
anyway, i've been looking forward to doing something like this (taking a walk in a beautiful place by myself) ever since i started really planning what i wanted to do in paris. i really cherish my alone time and exploring, so doing both at the same time just made my day :-)
p.s. i just realized that the gardens i went to are where the picture at the top of my blog was taken. go figure.
anyway, i've been looking forward to doing something like this (taking a walk in a beautiful place by myself) ever since i started really planning what i wanted to do in paris. i really cherish my alone time and exploring, so doing both at the same time just made my day :-)
p.s. i just realized that the gardens i went to are where the picture at the top of my blog was taken. go figure.
screw you, heels
who invented those things anyhow? must've been somebody who hated women. DUMB DUMB DUMB.
we tried to go to le queen last night, but got rejected. actually, the birthday girl got rejected, so we all peaced out. then some people started crying. then i was drunk and tired of walking in heels, so chris and i got a cab home. when i got home, i had to pee SO BAD. i slammed the front door and messed with the lock a bunch, fumbled with the bathroom door...and basically, i was just loud.
so i come home and mme jeanson and i are talking about my night last night. blah blah, regular conversation. then she was like "just be careful, because when you came in, you woke us up." i apologized profusely and then she was like "yeah, you were slamming the doors and stuff. it wasn't normal, so we figured you were drunk." i must have turned tomato red and apologized a bunch more times, promising to be more mindful next time.
that was THE most embarrassed i've been in a looonnnnngggg time. i feel awful about it. she was really nice about it...she just kind of laughed. i'm sure she's seen it all before because they've housed 6 or so aup students before. but still...ugh.
but anyway...embarrassing nicki stories aside...today was a gorgeous day. low 70s, not a cloud in the sky. we went to bhv, which is basically like every store in the US combined. imagine twice the size of ikea (8 floors), filled with books, clothes, maps, painting supplies, fabric, cutlery, bed frames, mattresses, desks, chairs, cameras, batteries, packing supplies, jewelery, perfume...EVERYTHING. mallory, chris and i walked around with our mouths wide open in awe. we're gonna go back for lunch sometime (because, of course, bhv has a cafe).
it's still clear and warm. i think i'll take a walk on the seine at sunset...not a bad way to end the day :-)
we tried to go to le queen last night, but got rejected. actually, the birthday girl got rejected, so we all peaced out. then some people started crying. then i was drunk and tired of walking in heels, so chris and i got a cab home. when i got home, i had to pee SO BAD. i slammed the front door and messed with the lock a bunch, fumbled with the bathroom door...and basically, i was just loud.
so i come home and mme jeanson and i are talking about my night last night. blah blah, regular conversation. then she was like "just be careful, because when you came in, you woke us up." i apologized profusely and then she was like "yeah, you were slamming the doors and stuff. it wasn't normal, so we figured you were drunk." i must have turned tomato red and apologized a bunch more times, promising to be more mindful next time.
that was THE most embarrassed i've been in a looonnnnngggg time. i feel awful about it. she was really nice about it...she just kind of laughed. i'm sure she's seen it all before because they've housed 6 or so aup students before. but still...ugh.
but anyway...embarrassing nicki stories aside...today was a gorgeous day. low 70s, not a cloud in the sky. we went to bhv, which is basically like every store in the US combined. imagine twice the size of ikea (8 floors), filled with books, clothes, maps, painting supplies, fabric, cutlery, bed frames, mattresses, desks, chairs, cameras, batteries, packing supplies, jewelery, perfume...EVERYTHING. mallory, chris and i walked around with our mouths wide open in awe. we're gonna go back for lunch sometime (because, of course, bhv has a cafe).
it's still clear and warm. i think i'll take a walk on the seine at sunset...not a bad way to end the day :-)
12 September, 2007
france vs america: dogs
you should see the dogs here. have you ever heard that dogs look like their owners (and vice versa)? it has never been more true than it is on the streets in paris. smashed face dogs belong to owners with smushed snounts; old, raggedy dogs belong to old men who can hardly make it down the street anymore. and all of their dogs behave like them too. the people walk by without even glancing at you; the dogs mostly ignore you and walk past without so much as sniffing your shoes.
that's another thing. all the dogs here are soooo well behaved. i've even seen some puppies (big labs, too!) just walking down the street alongside their owners. they make delilah look like she's on speed or something.
i think it's because the french treat their dogs differently. they bring them along on shopping trips/walks through town like a companion. in the us, we play with our dogs and love to get them riled up in the park. our dogs jump up all over everyone and want to lick anyone's face they can get.
but maybe that's reflective of how we are, too. us americans like to look up, smile at strangers, and start conversations with the checker at the grocery store. the french would rather get on their own way without any annoyances.
neither is better or worse. as usual, just different.
that's another thing. all the dogs here are soooo well behaved. i've even seen some puppies (big labs, too!) just walking down the street alongside their owners. they make delilah look like she's on speed or something.
i think it's because the french treat their dogs differently. they bring them along on shopping trips/walks through town like a companion. in the us, we play with our dogs and love to get them riled up in the park. our dogs jump up all over everyone and want to lick anyone's face they can get.
but maybe that's reflective of how we are, too. us americans like to look up, smile at strangers, and start conversations with the checker at the grocery store. the french would rather get on their own way without any annoyances.
neither is better or worse. as usual, just different.
11 September, 2007
no prereqs? yeah, right!
i have never been SO intimidated by a class as i was today in my poli sci (analysis of the french elections). first, i walk into class and i'm the first one to sit down. even with 2 minutes to go, there are only 4 of us in the classroom. well, that's because there are only 7 PEOPLE ENROLLED. only 6 showed up today.
the professor starts talking, and at first it sounds promising. the only prereq for the class is that we have taken european politics, by which he meant that we knew basic political terms, like election mechanism, bureaucracy, political party, etc. okay, fine, got that. but then he said we should be able to read magazines, newspapers, journal articles, etc....in french. i was the only one not able to do that. then, throughout class, he keeps referring to all these european/french political things that i have never heard of (france is on the fifth republic? they've had 15/16 constitutions?). he went on about the 3,000-4,000 word essay we would have to write and should spend two months on.
i must have looked like a crazy person, because my eyes were wider than rugby balls and my mouth was dropped the whole time. i started nervously twisting my pen about halfway through the 80 minute class. all i could think about was figuring out the drop/add stuff. it was the first time i really felt like giving up and crying since i got here. but after class, i put on some good music, sat down, and figured out what classes i could switch into. it'll all work out...once i get out of that damn class.
other than that, my day was pretty good, albeit long. four classes, from 1035 until 440. i walked to school (a long 3.14 miles in 50 minutes), but couldn't muster up the energy to walk back, so i took the metro (even though it's 9/11, and hte metro would be a perfect way to destroy paris). don't worry, i made it home safely :-)
the professor starts talking, and at first it sounds promising. the only prereq for the class is that we have taken european politics, by which he meant that we knew basic political terms, like election mechanism, bureaucracy, political party, etc. okay, fine, got that. but then he said we should be able to read magazines, newspapers, journal articles, etc....in french. i was the only one not able to do that. then, throughout class, he keeps referring to all these european/french political things that i have never heard of (france is on the fifth republic? they've had 15/16 constitutions?). he went on about the 3,000-4,000 word essay we would have to write and should spend two months on.
i must have looked like a crazy person, because my eyes were wider than rugby balls and my mouth was dropped the whole time. i started nervously twisting my pen about halfway through the 80 minute class. all i could think about was figuring out the drop/add stuff. it was the first time i really felt like giving up and crying since i got here. but after class, i put on some good music, sat down, and figured out what classes i could switch into. it'll all work out...once i get out of that damn class.
other than that, my day was pretty good, albeit long. four classes, from 1035 until 440. i walked to school (a long 3.14 miles in 50 minutes), but couldn't muster up the energy to walk back, so i took the metro (even though it's 9/11, and hte metro would be a perfect way to destroy paris). don't worry, i made it home safely :-)
10 September, 2007
french vs american: cell phones
in america, when you walk down the street, EVERYBODY is on their cell phone. when i'm walking to class, at least half of the people walking beside me are chatting loudly with mom about gosh knows what. seeing people on their phones on the bus/on bart is normal and expected.
here, i hardly see anyone on their phones. in the full car on the metro (about 60 people), there are maybe 2 on the phones, speaking quietly and discreetly. in fact, the metro is just quiet in general. my friends and i are often the loudest people on their, having conversations in our regular voices. when i walk down the street in paris, hardly anyone is on a cell phone.
but when the french get home, they're ALWAYS on the phone...at least, that's what my friends and i have found. mme jeanson's talking on skype when i leave for the day almost every morning. we americans, on the other hand, seem to cherish our time at home and don't want anyone bothering us while we're resting in our humble abode.
i'm wondering now if this is because cell phone service is so expensive, and many french use skype (according to mme jeanson). either way, i like the way the french use their cell phones better. in the states, i get annoyed with the loud cell phone talkers having dumb conversations. i'm bothered that people spend more time on their cell phones, in a conversation that's taking place somewhere else, than enjoying the moment.
here, i hardly see anyone on their phones. in the full car on the metro (about 60 people), there are maybe 2 on the phones, speaking quietly and discreetly. in fact, the metro is just quiet in general. my friends and i are often the loudest people on their, having conversations in our regular voices. when i walk down the street in paris, hardly anyone is on a cell phone.
but when the french get home, they're ALWAYS on the phone...at least, that's what my friends and i have found. mme jeanson's talking on skype when i leave for the day almost every morning. we americans, on the other hand, seem to cherish our time at home and don't want anyone bothering us while we're resting in our humble abode.
i'm wondering now if this is because cell phone service is so expensive, and many french use skype (according to mme jeanson). either way, i like the way the french use their cell phones better. in the states, i get annoyed with the loud cell phone talkers having dumb conversations. i'm bothered that people spend more time on their cell phones, in a conversation that's taking place somewhere else, than enjoying the moment.
09 September, 2007
my chateau in versailles
it's really really nice. it's pretty big, too, so any and all are welcome to come crash. oh, i know, it's all historical and stuff, but whatever. we can party there; that's what all the royalty used to do.
really, though, versailles was amazing. another difference i've noticed between the french and american is how we enjoy our nature. we americans prefer to preserve it in its natural state. in fact, we go to great lengths to keep things just exactly how they are naturally. the french, however, seem to really like to plant their own nature and keep it trimmed very nicely. they pride themselves on their well-kept gardens (look at how straight those trees are trimmed! how in line the bushes are! how orderly and patterned the flowers are!). i'm able to appreciate both. i think it's amazing that nature alone can put together something impeccable, but man also has the creative imagination and dedication to make something so beautiful.
ah, barf on my cheesy words. who do i think i am, a poet? i'm going to bed. gotta rest for my first day of class!
p.s. is nobody else a little concerned about the osama bin laden tapes?
really, though, versailles was amazing. another difference i've noticed between the french and american is how we enjoy our nature. we americans prefer to preserve it in its natural state. in fact, we go to great lengths to keep things just exactly how they are naturally. the french, however, seem to really like to plant their own nature and keep it trimmed very nicely. they pride themselves on their well-kept gardens (look at how straight those trees are trimmed! how in line the bushes are! how orderly and patterned the flowers are!). i'm able to appreciate both. i think it's amazing that nature alone can put together something impeccable, but man also has the creative imagination and dedication to make something so beautiful.
ah, barf on my cheesy words. who do i think i am, a poet? i'm going to bed. gotta rest for my first day of class!
p.s. is nobody else a little concerned about the osama bin laden tapes?
the french are rude?
when i told people i was going to study abroad in france, i got a few different responses.
1. "why? they're just going to be really rude to you."
--this, so far, has been false. sure, i've met people who are short with me when i ask a question, or a store owner who won't let my friends and me sit down in the restaurant when we order something small, but i run across those douchebags in california too. here, lots of people say bonjour to me like we're all friends. they say pardon whenever they bump into me on the metro. i say it back. i understand the culture; they're busy people and they'd rather not be bothered with my petty problems, especially if i'm rude about it. i find that when i'm polite to them, they're friendly back and often times helpful (i know they can hear my awful american accent thick through my french).
2. "oooohhh nicki! watch out for those french boys!"
--i don't know what the crap these people are talking about. i've run across one crazy group of french boys yelling on the metro, but that's it. sure, my friends and i get cat calls, but not more than in the states. they're just boys. boys are boys, no matter their age, origin, language, major, etc. the french men aren't more conniving or manipulative or whatever they were supposed to be.
3. "ah, you're so lucky!"
--now i understand why you said that.
i'm off to versailles tomorrow during the day, and a boat trip along the seine tomorrow evening. it'll be another day on my feet. i'm glad school's starting on monday, because that's when things'll calm down :-)
1. "why? they're just going to be really rude to you."
--this, so far, has been false. sure, i've met people who are short with me when i ask a question, or a store owner who won't let my friends and me sit down in the restaurant when we order something small, but i run across those douchebags in california too. here, lots of people say bonjour to me like we're all friends. they say pardon whenever they bump into me on the metro. i say it back. i understand the culture; they're busy people and they'd rather not be bothered with my petty problems, especially if i'm rude about it. i find that when i'm polite to them, they're friendly back and often times helpful (i know they can hear my awful american accent thick through my french).
2. "oooohhh nicki! watch out for those french boys!"
--i don't know what the crap these people are talking about. i've run across one crazy group of french boys yelling on the metro, but that's it. sure, my friends and i get cat calls, but not more than in the states. they're just boys. boys are boys, no matter their age, origin, language, major, etc. the french men aren't more conniving or manipulative or whatever they were supposed to be.
3. "ah, you're so lucky!"
--now i understand why you said that.
i'm off to versailles tomorrow during the day, and a boat trip along the seine tomorrow evening. it'll be another day on my feet. i'm glad school's starting on monday, because that's when things'll calm down :-)
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