Monday, May 31, 2010
SURPRISE
So last night my family told me the water would be cold in the morning and asked me if I wanted to take a shower at night. I didnt quite catch the 1st part. i just took a freezing cold shower, and that my friends is the temperature of misstranslation. oh well, off to have a tuesday!
Salut mes amis!
It was a Monday today, it has officially been over a week in France, I cannot BELIEVE it. It seems like just yesterday I had panic attacks about making friends here and now I am basically paulloise (it's like someone from pau, like someone from chicago is a chicagoan).
today was blase, we learned the phrase dans la lune in class which means in the moon which most everyone was who went to st sebastien haha. i was sooo tired in class and we talked about things i had never learned of before. it was a little frustrating no lie, but maybe tomorrow will be better? i hope so.
lunch at le vague, we had chicken and turkey and veggie kabobs, yogurt and couscous and some bread. then we talked about spain a lot and our upcoming busy week, so many things to do to see to LIVEEEE :)
after lunch, bre and laura and i stopped at leclerc (the big mall) for a pistachio milkshake and then we used-clothing shopped. i bought two ties for 1.50 euro, so cheap. and we all sent some post cards to our families, i sent one to my mom especially b/c i wont be with her for her bday in june.
after that, i did something CRAZY amazing: napped. do you know what it is like to nap and wake up to birds singing and light dancing through your window and feel rested after a long weekend of spanish craziness? i do now.
dinner was omelettes with zucchini, potatoes and onion...i died. SHO good. also salad with oil/vinegar and then i had sheep cheese which i LOVE you know why? cuz i am french and i love fromage :) i was so happy to find a cheese that was from an animal besides cow that i like cuz i feel more french. and my host family gave me red wine with it from gayac? sp? it is near toulouse, so delicious, amazing body to the wine. i will sleep well tonight :)
dessert was pear and chocolate cake. i cannot eat enough food here i think. i want to try everything, and eat up b/c there arent this many things to taste back home for this cheap! like seriously, we went to a market today and found a keg of beer for 4 euros. unreal. everything is so cheap food-wise, bagettes for 1.50 euro, i love bread. i dont know how i will go back to regular wheat bread in the states...oh well. cherish it now! eat more!
after dinner, i learned how to do my laundry and hung everything up to dry. i would have loved a clothes line in ada b/c the dryers cost 1.00 in ada and drying clothes is free! silly american tendencies lol.
i'm feeling good and french and ready for this week. i hope everyone is doing well, i am just happy even though i miss you all very much. absence makes the heart grow fonder though, so upon my return you will all love me EVEN MORE!
i'm off to bed now, its midnight and i need at least 7 hours to function :) i am just doing very well!
today was blase, we learned the phrase dans la lune in class which means in the moon which most everyone was who went to st sebastien haha. i was sooo tired in class and we talked about things i had never learned of before. it was a little frustrating no lie, but maybe tomorrow will be better? i hope so.
lunch at le vague, we had chicken and turkey and veggie kabobs, yogurt and couscous and some bread. then we talked about spain a lot and our upcoming busy week, so many things to do to see to LIVEEEE :)
after lunch, bre and laura and i stopped at leclerc (the big mall) for a pistachio milkshake and then we used-clothing shopped. i bought two ties for 1.50 euro, so cheap. and we all sent some post cards to our families, i sent one to my mom especially b/c i wont be with her for her bday in june.
after that, i did something CRAZY amazing: napped. do you know what it is like to nap and wake up to birds singing and light dancing through your window and feel rested after a long weekend of spanish craziness? i do now.
dinner was omelettes with zucchini, potatoes and onion...i died. SHO good. also salad with oil/vinegar and then i had sheep cheese which i LOVE you know why? cuz i am french and i love fromage :) i was so happy to find a cheese that was from an animal besides cow that i like cuz i feel more french. and my host family gave me red wine with it from gayac? sp? it is near toulouse, so delicious, amazing body to the wine. i will sleep well tonight :)
dessert was pear and chocolate cake. i cannot eat enough food here i think. i want to try everything, and eat up b/c there arent this many things to taste back home for this cheap! like seriously, we went to a market today and found a keg of beer for 4 euros. unreal. everything is so cheap food-wise, bagettes for 1.50 euro, i love bread. i dont know how i will go back to regular wheat bread in the states...oh well. cherish it now! eat more!
after dinner, i learned how to do my laundry and hung everything up to dry. i would have loved a clothes line in ada b/c the dryers cost 1.00 in ada and drying clothes is free! silly american tendencies lol.
i'm feeling good and french and ready for this week. i hope everyone is doing well, i am just happy even though i miss you all very much. absence makes the heart grow fonder though, so upon my return you will all love me EVEN MORE!
i'm off to bed now, its midnight and i need at least 7 hours to function :) i am just doing very well!
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Une note avant dormir
Tonight I went to the theatre again, I think it was harder to understand b/c I sat on the 2nd floor. Better view but you don't get immersed in the show and audience. Sometimes I laughed b/c other people were and I wanted to fit in lol.
Then I came home and ate sheep (yes, i did) and this kind of lentil and sort of coucous cereal thing and flan. i adore flan. i don't think i will lose weight in europe b/c all the sweet things are so fantastic! i want to learn how to make flan, they said it was egg, milk and a small amount of sugar. i want it.
then my host dad and mom talked with me about my trip to spain, the theatre show, and mothers day a bit. it was mothers day here, like i said. i'm not homesick i jut really do miss my family and lots of things about home sometimes, but it is like i tell my friends here, i must push myself to not be homesick and try as many things as i can and keep moving! this week will be great!
Then I came home and ate sheep (yes, i did) and this kind of lentil and sort of coucous cereal thing and flan. i adore flan. i don't think i will lose weight in europe b/c all the sweet things are so fantastic! i want to learn how to make flan, they said it was egg, milk and a small amount of sugar. i want it.
then my host dad and mom talked with me about my trip to spain, the theatre show, and mothers day a bit. it was mothers day here, like i said. i'm not homesick i jut really do miss my family and lots of things about home sometimes, but it is like i tell my friends here, i must push myself to not be homesick and try as many things as i can and keep moving! this week will be great!
SPAIN
Blog time! Sorry to have kept you all out of the loop, but I went out of the country
So to finish Friday, the spa was neat! There were pools with bubbles and a freezing tub if people wanted an ice bath (which a couple of us tried and RAN out of), and we all did water aerobics…very difficult, my arms were burning, and then I had a Turkish bath. It is like a sauna but it smells like vix and makes you feel like your body has no muscles or something, it was SO relaxing!
Then Friday night a group of us met up with a group and another group lol and we all found dinner at a French restaurant downtown! I had duck, rice and fig/honey sauce it was fantastic, vanilla ice cream for dessert, and of course a bottle of wine was split with me and a friend. It was Juracon, which is a specialty in Pau and one day soon we all want to go wine tasting it at this one place..anyway, we ate a dinner, I enjoyed the wine LOTS and then we split up but most of us went to an irish pub for some cold, german beers and some chatting. It was delightful!
Then I went to bed about…2ish? Then I woke up 3 hours later (haha it was awful) to pack and myself and three other girls met up at the gare, or train station. Apparently, you cant always buy things with American visas so we ran into some trouble but not too much b/c we bought tickets on the train. Then we had a stop in bayonne, where we ate camembert (I think…it’s like brie it’s a cheese) and butter sandwiches on French bread and coffee for lunch. Then we picked up the next train to hendaye (sp?) for another metro-like train to donostia or st.sebastien oh yeah it’s in SPAIN. Viva l’espagne! It was insanely gorgeous, my friends took lots of pics cuz my camera didn’t fit in my bag and it needed to be charged. We arrived about 2ish, met up with our 2 guy friends who stayed Friday and went off to find a hostel. Our hostel lady was insane! She slapped my butt a million and one times and was so touchy it was hilarious and our rooms were super nice.
We all got ready and and left the hostel for the beach, some tapas, red wine ( for 1 euro!!!) and ice cream and sheer relaxation. I fell asleep on the beach actually! It was soooo nice. The view from the ocean of the city took my breath away. A Jesus statue was atop the hill too, so beautiful.
After the beach, we all went back to the city to wash up and wash out sand lol, and then we hit up some shops. Post cards, pistachio pastries, a gift for our host moms for mothers day (it is today in france I got my host mom a mug and she said I’m not your mom though, but thanks so much! Lol), and then we all bought insanely beautiful scarves. I also got 2 belts for 8 euro, insanely cheap. Also, we got GELATO for the 1st time OH MY GOODNESSSSSSS it was beyond, just beyond. I had pistachio and chocolate and I died a little. so tasty!
The Spanish people = SO nice even though I sound kind of silly speaking Spanish. One of the guys with us was fluent, so he helped us a lot.
After some shopping, most of us passed out at the hostel for 2 hours b/c dinner in spain isn’t until like 10pm and siestas are built into the day anyway cuz most shops close from 2-5 for naps. So we were being cultural in sleeping lol.
When we woke up, refreshed and got ready for dinner and a night out! Had more tapas for dinner, I adore them officially, and started off the night at 10 30 at a place with happy hour 2 for 1 sangria. I officially love the night life of spain. The dancing, the drinks that were so fruity and refreshing, it was a great time. Plus, I don’t know if you know this, but I’m a hot commodity in spain and everyone wanted to dance with me! It was a blast, we met English men celebrating their friend’s bachelor party in an orange head-toe costume, loads of Spanish men and just had a blast together. I pooped out about 3 but most everyone stayed out until 6am, I just need to sleep more the night before spain lol.
At about 7am, a festival of trumpets played outside our hostel and most of us slept through it until 10am. Garbage trucks were being loud too and then these people started dancing outside our window in a parade with those clapping instruments…the black ones that look like clams? Yeah…so fun to watch.
We said a long goodbye to the lady who owns the hostel, more butt-slaps were fondly given and we took a picture with her. Then, we grabbed baguettes and chocolate croissants for breakfast and orangina for me. we got on two trains, including my 1st TGV, and then journeyed home. I love the people I am friends with SO much here, I can already see missing them in five weeks.
I’m home now, doing hmwk and going to see a French theatrical piece later on. Spent possibly too much money on food and post cards and travel is mildly expensive, but it was SO worth it. I love spain!!!! Its good to be back, not for the hmwk though haha. This week we have an excursion to the pays basque for beach time with the usac so I’m looking forward to that this week! I’m just looking forward to more adventures! Not so much class…but it’s okay. I’m learning French, which I love. I’m happy, healthy and exhausted.
So to finish Friday, the spa was neat! There were pools with bubbles and a freezing tub if people wanted an ice bath (which a couple of us tried and RAN out of), and we all did water aerobics…very difficult, my arms were burning, and then I had a Turkish bath. It is like a sauna but it smells like vix and makes you feel like your body has no muscles or something, it was SO relaxing!
Then Friday night a group of us met up with a group and another group lol and we all found dinner at a French restaurant downtown! I had duck, rice and fig/honey sauce it was fantastic, vanilla ice cream for dessert, and of course a bottle of wine was split with me and a friend. It was Juracon, which is a specialty in Pau and one day soon we all want to go wine tasting it at this one place..anyway, we ate a dinner, I enjoyed the wine LOTS and then we split up but most of us went to an irish pub for some cold, german beers and some chatting. It was delightful!
Then I went to bed about…2ish? Then I woke up 3 hours later (haha it was awful) to pack and myself and three other girls met up at the gare, or train station. Apparently, you cant always buy things with American visas so we ran into some trouble but not too much b/c we bought tickets on the train. Then we had a stop in bayonne, where we ate camembert (I think…it’s like brie it’s a cheese) and butter sandwiches on French bread and coffee for lunch. Then we picked up the next train to hendaye (sp?) for another metro-like train to donostia or st.sebastien oh yeah it’s in SPAIN. Viva l’espagne! It was insanely gorgeous, my friends took lots of pics cuz my camera didn’t fit in my bag and it needed to be charged. We arrived about 2ish, met up with our 2 guy friends who stayed Friday and went off to find a hostel. Our hostel lady was insane! She slapped my butt a million and one times and was so touchy it was hilarious and our rooms were super nice.
We all got ready and and left the hostel for the beach, some tapas, red wine ( for 1 euro!!!) and ice cream and sheer relaxation. I fell asleep on the beach actually! It was soooo nice. The view from the ocean of the city took my breath away. A Jesus statue was atop the hill too, so beautiful.
After the beach, we all went back to the city to wash up and wash out sand lol, and then we hit up some shops. Post cards, pistachio pastries, a gift for our host moms for mothers day (it is today in france I got my host mom a mug and she said I’m not your mom though, but thanks so much! Lol), and then we all bought insanely beautiful scarves. I also got 2 belts for 8 euro, insanely cheap. Also, we got GELATO for the 1st time OH MY GOODNESSSSSSS it was beyond, just beyond. I had pistachio and chocolate and I died a little. so tasty!
The Spanish people = SO nice even though I sound kind of silly speaking Spanish. One of the guys with us was fluent, so he helped us a lot.
After some shopping, most of us passed out at the hostel for 2 hours b/c dinner in spain isn’t until like 10pm and siestas are built into the day anyway cuz most shops close from 2-5 for naps. So we were being cultural in sleeping lol.
When we woke up, refreshed and got ready for dinner and a night out! Had more tapas for dinner, I adore them officially, and started off the night at 10 30 at a place with happy hour 2 for 1 sangria. I officially love the night life of spain. The dancing, the drinks that were so fruity and refreshing, it was a great time. Plus, I don’t know if you know this, but I’m a hot commodity in spain and everyone wanted to dance with me! It was a blast, we met English men celebrating their friend’s bachelor party in an orange head-toe costume, loads of Spanish men and just had a blast together. I pooped out about 3 but most everyone stayed out until 6am, I just need to sleep more the night before spain lol.
At about 7am, a festival of trumpets played outside our hostel and most of us slept through it until 10am. Garbage trucks were being loud too and then these people started dancing outside our window in a parade with those clapping instruments…the black ones that look like clams? Yeah…so fun to watch.
We said a long goodbye to the lady who owns the hostel, more butt-slaps were fondly given and we took a picture with her. Then, we grabbed baguettes and chocolate croissants for breakfast and orangina for me. we got on two trains, including my 1st TGV, and then journeyed home. I love the people I am friends with SO much here, I can already see missing them in five weeks.
I’m home now, doing hmwk and going to see a French theatrical piece later on. Spent possibly too much money on food and post cards and travel is mildly expensive, but it was SO worth it. I love spain!!!! Its good to be back, not for the hmwk though haha. This week we have an excursion to the pays basque for beach time with the usac so I’m looking forward to that this week! I’m just looking forward to more adventures! Not so much class…but it’s okay. I’m learning French, which I love. I’m happy, healthy and exhausted.
Friday, May 28, 2010
C'est tres interessant
6 30 I woke up for class...boo. It was a stinker but it was a good day. Today in class we went through our hmwk, plus-que parfait stuff, and then talked about potential movies we could see here and our teacher gave us chocolate from the Pyrenees!! It seems everywhere has a specialty in chocolate lol. right now i walked home to get my bathing suit, we are going as a group to the spa today! i cant wait to see how it is! later, another theatre show and maybe dinner downtown. lunch my friend and i will get at the hoegarden (thats the name lol)
One sad thing to mention that i didnt mention yesterday: i looked up all this stuff about voyages to venice, and i dont think it can happen. there is only one weekend w/o any group plans and it would be too hard and expensive to trip to italy. i was sad yesterday but my friends here told me we can easily make trips around france and they will be just as incredible and w/ less chance of theft lol italy has got a lot apparently. so, our 1st trip outside of pau will probably be saturday, we want to wine-taste in bordeaux!!! i hope it works out, u know how i love le vin!!!
anyways, got to go! a long week leads to a long relaxing time at the spa!!!!
One sad thing to mention that i didnt mention yesterday: i looked up all this stuff about voyages to venice, and i dont think it can happen. there is only one weekend w/o any group plans and it would be too hard and expensive to trip to italy. i was sad yesterday but my friends here told me we can easily make trips around france and they will be just as incredible and w/ less chance of theft lol italy has got a lot apparently. so, our 1st trip outside of pau will probably be saturday, we want to wine-taste in bordeaux!!! i hope it works out, u know how i love le vin!!!
anyways, got to go! a long week leads to a long relaxing time at the spa!!!!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Charming = ME
It's late!!! I have to wake up at 6 30am tomorrow for an earlier class time! Dommage. Here are the highlights of today:
-Class avec confusion w/ the prononciation of mort and amour
-lunch at the vague, i had chicken with a marinara-y sauce, orangina, some cheese from a cow, and gateau du pays basque a speciality!!
-went to l'eclair, the big supermarket, and bought shoes for rafting and a hairdryer...i think my hair will permanently be curly in france tho...it's VERY strange for me. frise is the mot for curly
-faire mes devoirs avec mes amies apres du shopping, got hmwk done quick! plus que parfait pour moi est parfait (lol jokkinggg)
-walked home...i want to pet all the dogs but it is not french. none of the dogs even approach u! i get so sad!
-tonight i went to choc frontal with my host dad, the first of the festival des ateliers, an amateur theatre weekend and it was soo good... messages were about growing up and being distant from one's parents, war and how sad it is to lose a parent but find a parent somewhere else, plastic surgery and how a female may love u if u r ugly (lol), how big boobs are in style, how strangers will see straight through you (a man got down to his boxers and there was a huge pause...i was so nervous i thought nudity!!!) and messages about how crazy the fads are for teenagers, all avant garde, very much like the piece i did for the 7th international play festival in its craziness!!! lots of running and silence and yelling. it was SO NEAT
- my host dad walked me to the chateau de pau to see it at night, SO gorgeous, also one of the bourgeoisie hotels b/c it gets all lit up, i cannot WAIT to go downtown Pau on a night soon, the lights the atmosphere! a man passed me and asked what do i find charming b/c he finds me charming lol he smelled. my host dad said it was a compliment and something about the man wanting to be my french lover? i said im focusing on my studies lol FOR NOW ;)
-wrote this blog, now bed. BON NUIT!!!
-Class avec confusion w/ the prononciation of mort and amour
-lunch at the vague, i had chicken with a marinara-y sauce, orangina, some cheese from a cow, and gateau du pays basque a speciality!!
-went to l'eclair, the big supermarket, and bought shoes for rafting and a hairdryer...i think my hair will permanently be curly in france tho...it's VERY strange for me. frise is the mot for curly
-faire mes devoirs avec mes amies apres du shopping, got hmwk done quick! plus que parfait pour moi est parfait (lol jokkinggg)
-walked home...i want to pet all the dogs but it is not french. none of the dogs even approach u! i get so sad!
-tonight i went to choc frontal with my host dad, the first of the festival des ateliers, an amateur theatre weekend and it was soo good... messages were about growing up and being distant from one's parents, war and how sad it is to lose a parent but find a parent somewhere else, plastic surgery and how a female may love u if u r ugly (lol), how big boobs are in style, how strangers will see straight through you (a man got down to his boxers and there was a huge pause...i was so nervous i thought nudity!!!) and messages about how crazy the fads are for teenagers, all avant garde, very much like the piece i did for the 7th international play festival in its craziness!!! lots of running and silence and yelling. it was SO NEAT
- my host dad walked me to the chateau de pau to see it at night, SO gorgeous, also one of the bourgeoisie hotels b/c it gets all lit up, i cannot WAIT to go downtown Pau on a night soon, the lights the atmosphere! a man passed me and asked what do i find charming b/c he finds me charming lol he smelled. my host dad said it was a compliment and something about the man wanting to be my french lover? i said im focusing on my studies lol FOR NOW ;)
-wrote this blog, now bed. BON NUIT!!!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Allo!!
Allo!!! Greetings from Pau! I am an advanced student at the University of Pau now Class at 9am went well, class tomorrow at 8am not so good…I need lots of caffeine I think je pense oui. The teacher is nice and I know the class will challenge me a lottttt but I think it will help me develop my oral skills a lot, oral is the overall focus of the class and it will be everyday, 2 days a week start at 8am (mon dieu!) mais I think I will get through it. I will wake up at 6 30am tomorrow…boo.
After class, I went to la vague again, the student cafeteria, never would MAC serve us actual fish but I had it here! and corn which was delicieux with onions and peppers and some strawberry yogurt. Have I mentioned that in france nothing is skim milk or less than 2% milk? Lots of crème here and the yogurt was rich but delicieuse! Then the group of usac kids voyagent avec les personnes that are in charge of usac to la ville or the town of Pau, the downtown. We received a tour of the chateau de pau et les rues or streets and it was gorgeous, if not confusing a bit. A bunch of us stayed behind to eat ice cream (pistachio, mon favori!!) and go to a café and to h & m. I bought an edith pilaf cd and some post-cards b/c my mom loves them haha. We walked by a french man who had b.o BADLY and he wanted our numbers, him and i are dating? yes, i go for the homeless type lol. anyway, when we finished downtown, we bus-ed back to campus and visited the supermarche or supermarket which is in this super huge mall that I talked about earlier and I bought a couple of small cheeses to try, very rich quel surprise!
I headed back to my house to procrastinate devoir or hmwk and then had chicken and this dish of petits pois or peas but with pork and onion and it honestly was the most amazing thing! Usually I don’t love peas but these were so good and with the natural flavors of pork and onion SO good. Also, in france peas are different and called petit pois b/c they are smaller in france than in the states.
Tomorrow, I will go to my 1st French theatre production, Friday I will go to my second and Sunday my third all with my host family! There is a festival of amateurs of acting this weekend, im thrilled!
Now, hmwk. Dommage!!!!
After class, I went to la vague again, the student cafeteria, never would MAC serve us actual fish but I had it here! and corn which was delicieux with onions and peppers and some strawberry yogurt. Have I mentioned that in france nothing is skim milk or less than 2% milk? Lots of crème here and the yogurt was rich but delicieuse! Then the group of usac kids voyagent avec les personnes that are in charge of usac to la ville or the town of Pau, the downtown. We received a tour of the chateau de pau et les rues or streets and it was gorgeous, if not confusing a bit. A bunch of us stayed behind to eat ice cream (pistachio, mon favori!!) and go to a café and to h & m. I bought an edith pilaf cd and some post-cards b/c my mom loves them haha. We walked by a french man who had b.o BADLY and he wanted our numbers, him and i are dating? yes, i go for the homeless type lol. anyway, when we finished downtown, we bus-ed back to campus and visited the supermarche or supermarket which is in this super huge mall that I talked about earlier and I bought a couple of small cheeses to try, very rich quel surprise!
I headed back to my house to procrastinate devoir or hmwk and then had chicken and this dish of petits pois or peas but with pork and onion and it honestly was the most amazing thing! Usually I don’t love peas but these were so good and with the natural flavors of pork and onion SO good. Also, in france peas are different and called petit pois b/c they are smaller in france than in the states.
Tomorrow, I will go to my 1st French theatre production, Friday I will go to my second and Sunday my third all with my host family! There is a festival of amateurs of acting this weekend, im thrilled!
Now, hmwk. Dommage!!!!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Une autre chose
I forgot to say that my host family had friends over tonight for an adult game of cards while Emilie and I watched house, i think i like that A LOT and want to do that in ada :) just a thought!!
also i tried a cow cheese tonight, SO GOOD so i still like cheese. goat may grow on me but i dunno....time will tell!!!
BON NUIT
also i tried a cow cheese tonight, SO GOOD so i still like cheese. goat may grow on me but i dunno....time will tell!!!
BON NUIT
Day One as a Universite de Pau etudiante!!
Classes didn't start today but the students went to the university about 9am, my house mom drove me which was a DELIGHT. I had french cafe or coffee and OH.LA.LA. tres bon, very good with lots of french milk and sugar and it tasted so french and good. then i also had some bread and confiture which is jam and beurre or butter and it twas delicieux. I cannot stop inserting french mots ou words! i speak french constantly with my house family and it is hard to turn that on and off but most students do.
anyway, i went to the university and took a placement examen right away toute suite and then we had an oral examen and then a couple of us went to the mall place nearby, l'eclair or something and it has 30 boutiques in it with a supermarche or supermarket included and we all got cell phones! i have a pay as you go phone and it can be used internationally but that costs more so i will mostly use it locally and utlise skype more.
since getting a phone took us eight years lol, we then had to go back for campus tour. it was HOT HOT HOT (like the song?) but i had fun and then ate a cordon bleu and potatoes and a mousse yogurt at the vague which is our cafeteria.
and then we all had orientation which consisted of our professors talking about the classes we might take and the excursions that we will go on, very exciting about rafting, a spa and the pyrenees viewing!!!
then after orientation, we all took buses downtown and i had my first cafe or coffee that was iced and it was basically 3/4 whipped cream and 1/4 cappacino iced and it was delcicious if not too creamy :) but it was an adorable french cafe, i was SOOO pleased to see how beautiful the downtown is.
did i mention the houses here look like they are in movies? so romantic-looking with window shutters blue, red, and mine are green. i love them and my view of my street. pictures later!
then i stopped at home to change my shoes and drink some jus d'pineapple. then i got lost with bri trying to find her house lol very VERY lost but we had fun and i bought myself a croissant with chocolate.
then i had pork sausage, veggies, and strawberries with CREME soooo gourmet soooo good with my family and met the dad and he is so nice. we all decided to go to the theatre on sunday night together to see the family that hosted me first as actors in a play. i am SO excited to see them.
then i watched house with emilie, the daughter, and hung out inside b/c i had my first pau rain. i didnt understand house as much as i usually do b/c it was in french but it was okay.
i am not going in depth b/c it is 11pm!!! je suis fatiguee i am SO tired. getting lost took a lot out of me and my legs will feel it tomorrow. i am excited to see how well i tested and meet all my professors tomorrow!! i will hopefully get a chance to write more later!!
anyway, i went to the university and took a placement examen right away toute suite and then we had an oral examen and then a couple of us went to the mall place nearby, l'eclair or something and it has 30 boutiques in it with a supermarche or supermarket included and we all got cell phones! i have a pay as you go phone and it can be used internationally but that costs more so i will mostly use it locally and utlise skype more.
since getting a phone took us eight years lol, we then had to go back for campus tour. it was HOT HOT HOT (like the song?) but i had fun and then ate a cordon bleu and potatoes and a mousse yogurt at the vague which is our cafeteria.
and then we all had orientation which consisted of our professors talking about the classes we might take and the excursions that we will go on, very exciting about rafting, a spa and the pyrenees viewing!!!
then after orientation, we all took buses downtown and i had my first cafe or coffee that was iced and it was basically 3/4 whipped cream and 1/4 cappacino iced and it was delcicious if not too creamy :) but it was an adorable french cafe, i was SOOO pleased to see how beautiful the downtown is.
did i mention the houses here look like they are in movies? so romantic-looking with window shutters blue, red, and mine are green. i love them and my view of my street. pictures later!
then i stopped at home to change my shoes and drink some jus d'pineapple. then i got lost with bri trying to find her house lol very VERY lost but we had fun and i bought myself a croissant with chocolate.
then i had pork sausage, veggies, and strawberries with CREME soooo gourmet soooo good with my family and met the dad and he is so nice. we all decided to go to the theatre on sunday night together to see the family that hosted me first as actors in a play. i am SO excited to see them.
then i watched house with emilie, the daughter, and hung out inside b/c i had my first pau rain. i didnt understand house as much as i usually do b/c it was in french but it was okay.
i am not going in depth b/c it is 11pm!!! je suis fatiguee i am SO tired. getting lost took a lot out of me and my legs will feel it tomorrow. i am excited to see how well i tested and meet all my professors tomorrow!! i will hopefully get a chance to write more later!!
Monday, May 24, 2010
Le premier jour
I thought I'd extend my day a bit.
Homestay dinner was quiche (LOVE) tomato salad, bread and YES I DID IT I TRIED GOAT CHEESE...it was interesting. I like cow cheese best still.
My homestay mom took me on a walk to campus so I'm not as freaked out, but still a little bit. We talked (in French) how green Pau is and I told her the houses here look like they were in movies (I AM IN A DREAM it's fine) and she talked about how simple it is to get around and how much it rains (whatup Ada, France?) It was nice. She knows my French isn't perfect and she is patient with me.
Right now, I'm jetlagged exhausted and I just survived a nose bleed that probably was caused by two plane rides and too much air pressure. Oh well, I don't ever have to do that again. Tomorrow I will get to meet all 50-some kids of the program and take a placement test which may not go so well...we'll see. Either way, I survived day one!
Homesickness not too bad, I'm missing some people a wholeeeeee bundle though :( Wish I could share this WITH you guys but I do think some of the usac kids will like me!! Fingers crossed!!!!!!!!
Homestay dinner was quiche (LOVE) tomato salad, bread and YES I DID IT I TRIED GOAT CHEESE...it was interesting. I like cow cheese best still.
My homestay mom took me on a walk to campus so I'm not as freaked out, but still a little bit. We talked (in French) how green Pau is and I told her the houses here look like they were in movies (I AM IN A DREAM it's fine) and she talked about how simple it is to get around and how much it rains (whatup Ada, France?) It was nice. She knows my French isn't perfect and she is patient with me.
Right now, I'm jetlagged exhausted and I just survived a nose bleed that probably was caused by two plane rides and too much air pressure. Oh well, I don't ever have to do that again. Tomorrow I will get to meet all 50-some kids of the program and take a placement test which may not go so well...we'll see. Either way, I survived day one!
Homesickness not too bad, I'm missing some people a wholeeeeee bundle though :( Wish I could share this WITH you guys but I do think some of the usac kids will like me!! Fingers crossed!!!!!!!!
Je suis arrivee!!!
what a journey today has been. i woke up at 9am to buy books at Borders and left about 2pm for the airport. I met a bunch of fellow usac-ers at the airport waiting which made me a little more calm. the actual flight was okay, i sat with a girl on her way to alicente where my brother studied and she was a delight so maybe i will make it to spain during my stay here! we had chicken for dinner and then i tried to sleep...mostly unsuccessfully. then we landed about 12pm Paris-time, about 5am Chicago time, and set off on a shuttle bus adventure, never have i taken so many buses in one day before haha. it was terminal after terminal and then an hour wait with my 1st french food: a quiche yum and a coca cola zero which is made with less corn syrup so it tastes better!!
then we jetted off to pau via more buses and when i got there i realized my bags were too heavy haha. oh well. my family was on holiday so a different family took me to their house to explore for a bit, it was beautiful, classic french and we listened to edith pilaf. then my homestay woman came and she doesnt speak english at all and actually teaches spanish! the house will have the lady, her husband and daughter. i have my own delightful room with a view of the street and the wifi works so im happy!!!
tomorrow we get orientation and maybe i get to see the city! it's so hot today but may rain tomorrow. i hope i can find an umbrella.
i speak french a lot here, i hope i understand what i'm saying haha.
dinner is at 9pm, 2pm chicago time. then, it's off to bed.
then we jetted off to pau via more buses and when i got there i realized my bags were too heavy haha. oh well. my family was on holiday so a different family took me to their house to explore for a bit, it was beautiful, classic french and we listened to edith pilaf. then my homestay woman came and she doesnt speak english at all and actually teaches spanish! the house will have the lady, her husband and daughter. i have my own delightful room with a view of the street and the wifi works so im happy!!!
tomorrow we get orientation and maybe i get to see the city! it's so hot today but may rain tomorrow. i hope i can find an umbrella.
i speak french a lot here, i hope i understand what i'm saying haha.
dinner is at 9pm, 2pm chicago time. then, it's off to bed.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
So...I guess I leave in 3 hours for an airport?
It is May 23, 2010 and currently I am sitting in my basement pondering the road of my life...
...as well as having a mini panic session about the fact I will be leaving the country. I feel calm, I look calm, but I'm freaking.
Will people be nice? Can I adjust to the customs? Will I have the proper clothes? Will I attract so many French gentlemen that I can't even manage the number of dates I get asked on?
Those are some of my worries. But I am excited, nervousexcited. I will be using this blog as a journal of sorts to help sort my boggled thoughts into bloggled thoughts (bahaha). My flight is at 6pm, I will arrive in Paris about 12pm France-time and then jet off to Pau and arrive about 2pm. I will miss an entire day, but hopefully my French family will supply me with plenty of vin (wine) to ease my troubles.
I will be going to Pau, France for 5 weeks then Paris, France for 5 weeks. Pau is first, here goes!
...as well as having a mini panic session about the fact I will be leaving the country. I feel calm, I look calm, but I'm freaking.
Will people be nice? Can I adjust to the customs? Will I have the proper clothes? Will I attract so many French gentlemen that I can't even manage the number of dates I get asked on?
Those are some of my worries. But I am excited, nervousexcited. I will be using this blog as a journal of sorts to help sort my boggled thoughts into bloggled thoughts (bahaha). My flight is at 6pm, I will arrive in Paris about 12pm France-time and then jet off to Pau and arrive about 2pm. I will miss an entire day, but hopefully my French family will supply me with plenty of vin (wine) to ease my troubles.
I will be going to Pau, France for 5 weeks then Paris, France for 5 weeks. Pau is first, here goes!
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