Vacation Time

     So, I leave for vacation (yes, I know I'm practically already on vacation so really I'm taking a vacation from my vacation but let's not dwell on that minor detail . . . ) tomorrow. I'm excited--Bordeaux! I've created a list of places to visit, things to do, etc. I haven't yet finished packing because I don't even know where to start. Packing is something that internationally sucks. It doesn't matter where you are, packing is difficult. 
     Anywise, today was great! The morning started out a bit slow (skyped with the parents which was nice) but then it picked up with going to climbing class and then getting lost with some friends and having to walk a few miles home--oh, good times!
     The main point of this entry is this: to let y'all know I won't be posting anything till earliest the 30th, but most likely the 6th of October. Why so long a repose? Because right after my 4-day vacation in Bordeaux, I leave the next day for yet another 4-day vacation in Nice, Monaco, and Cannes. I know, I lead a rough life here. But once I get back, school kicks into session and life really will become much more difficult. Therefore, while I can, I plan to enjoy these traveling days! I'll take plenty of pictures (so long as my camera battery doesn't die) and post them in about two weeks. I hope you (yes you, the reader) have a splendid day!

Sudden Realization

     I had a horrific realization today: my stay here is 1/4 over. I've been here for about a month and I only have 3 measly months left. Noooooo, don't make me come home! 
     In other news, I just killed a spider in my housemates room. Oh yeah, that's right, no animal 1/100th my size is going to intimidate me! Just kidding. Plenty of tiny insects (like crickets) scare me almost to death. But in all honesty, I think if God ever made a mistake, it was in creating crickets. But obviously they aren't a mistake . . . I just don't understand why they exist whatsoever. 
     Moving on . . . I went to Lyon with Sandra and Katherine (my two housemates) today! We just walked around and enjoyed ourselves. However, the enjoyment ended shortly. Why/how you ask? Let me tell you. I firmly believe that the only thing that is ever on time in France are the trains. Yet today proved me oh so wrong. Us girls had planned on catching the 17:00 train yet for some mysterious reason all the trains were delayed. Oh, a delay you say, that doesn't sound too bad. Yes, well, it was a delay of 4 hours. Yup. I hung out in a train station watching people for four hours. So France, you have failed me. I now can't even trust your trains to keep a schedule! But that's okay because who doesn't love to people watch?! And be honest because if you say no then you're just lying and lying is wrong.
     Alright! Oh, one last story which you'll enjoy: Yesterday was Alex the Scots birthday. As a present, I bought him two chocolate breads, a delicious brownie, flan, and a loaf of bread. However, none of that survived the walk home and I devoured every last thing. I know, I'm a horrible person but man! It tasted so good! And don't worry, I bought him a beer that night instead so it's all okay.
     Well, it's 0:48 so I'm pretty beat and after that train fiasco I'm psyched for my bed. Hope everyone is having a lovely time!

Mont Blanc...Aka A Little Slice of Heaven

Quiet honestly, I uploaded the photos first and I can't figure out how to manipulate them. Therefore, I'll be writing this post around the photos--sorry if it gets a bit crazy. But the photos that you see you, my lovely reader, are from a hike I did today (9/21). The hike was to an alpine lake near Mont Blanc. 

 For those that don't know, Mont Blanc is one of the highest points for skiing in France. And I hiked up it today. That's right. Honestly, my legs feel like they might fall off and I look a bit like a raggedy ann doll, but it was worth it. Every painful step. Every burning sensation in my lungs and legs. Worth it. In fact, I would repeat it all again. That's how beautiful this place was.

These photos are of Matt, Raluca (the girl in the blue shirt), Alex (the guy in the red shirt) and Valentina (the girl in the white shirt) and myself (if you don't know who I am then I don't even know why you are reading this blog...).

 The two-person photo here is Valentina (an adorable Italian girl) and myself. Oh yes, those beautiful mountains you see in the photo are even more breath-taking in real life.

 So although it was on September, these mountains were covered in snow! In fact, as I give these peaks the name of mountains, I feel like I should retract that name from the Smokey Mnts. Because in comparison? The Smokey Mnts. are like babies when gazing upon these beauties.

 I know I've said this before, but please leave me here to happily live out my life.

 For real, right now. This is where you need to leave me. THAT VIEW. I have no words (which is rare).

Alright everyone, that's all I have for you today. I know this post probably is crazy to read but I hope it was worth it! I'm having an insanely good time and I hope you all are, too!

Bread, Butter, and Beer

     Dear friends, let us hope this doesn't become a trend but I'm sorry it's taken so long for me to write again. It's quiet honestly that I forget about life outside of Chambery. Let me explain: I live in a town surrounded by mountains in which you can easily loose track of time. The town closes down on Sundays, Mondays, and Wednesdays and one simply spends the day relaxing with friends. So, by the time you glance at your watch, you're shocked that you've lost several days. This is what happened to me. Chambery is like the Matrix. 
     I'll just give the highlights of the last few days. Okay, I'm going to do this in bullet format because it will be easier for you (my charming reader) and also myself:
     * I went running a few day ago and Taken 3 almost happened. I'm sure you all know the movie Taken with Liam Neelson. Well, that almost was my life except I ran my butt off and have never moved that fast (even for food!). Explanation time: I was taking a nice jog in the park and I passed a man on a bike awhile back. I kept running outside of the park since I wasn't tired yet eventually lost my bearings so naturally I stopped to try to orientate myself. Well, who should be right behind me expect the man on the bike I had passed about ten minutes ago. And, what is more, when I stopped to gain my bearings, he stopped. At first I was okay and we just talked. But then he started to ask me to go out with him and he started to touch my shoulder, etc. I began to get nervous. After a few minutes of me trying to get away and him asking me questions, I just told him I needed to get back to my run. I started to walk away and he said this: "okay, that's okay, I'll just follow you." My reaction: "uhh....crap." At this point, he was even more vocal and touchy-feely. I knew I needed to leave and quickly. I gave lies once he started asking me about where I was living, if I was dating someone, or if I was married. Fast forward: he is still biking beside me and I'm getting more nervous  by the minute. I see an off-the-trail path I can take so I slow my pace, letting Mr. Creepy Pants get ahead of me and then I sprint off down this side path. I sprinted almost all of the way home until I was in a well populated area. Okay, here's the crazy thing, Mr. Creepy Pants was doing this at 10 am. So! I'm thankful that it was just a scary incident and nothing else and I've learned that my little legs can carry me pretty fast.
     * Also, the kid (no, he is not a goat, but I call him kid) from my University arrived! His name is Matt. He's taken only a little French but I have complete faith that he'll pick up the language. After all, complete immersion is the best way!
     * I took my first rock climbing class today!! So much fun. So intense. Our instructor is nice but she expects us to actually care. Now, that's the funny part because I took the class to meet French people and practice the Angela and climbing is just a fun extra so it's a bummer that my instructor actually wants me to become good (I guess she's going to be disappointed...but she can eat her disappointment away in delicious bread and butter).
     * I've planned a 4 day trip to Bordeaux with my house mates. So excited!! I'm going to drink some wine, eat some bread, and then chocolate. Oh, not to mention see all the historic sites!
     * After Bordeaux what will I be doing you ask? Oh, posh, not school of course! I'll be visiting Nice, Monaco and Cannes. Ha, you poor mortals doing your school and work life. I'll toast to your good health! But in all reality, I'm extremely excited and thankful that I have been given these opportunities to see so much history and culture.
     Alright y'all, it is 10 pm here so you know what time it is. That's right, bed time! Although I am in Europe and I'm trying to adapt to the culture, I still love sleeping and waking up excited. Besides, I'm taking a Judo class on Thursdays (which is tomorrow) so I need to be well rested so that I won't get my butt kicked too hard!  

     Preface: I'm sorry I haven't updated this for the past few days (mainly talking to the parents here). Alright, now that I'm posting again!  
     Wednesday (9/11): My day: class, food, tour of Chambery, and a night out at Bar de la Boule with friends. The picture posted below is the group I went to Bar de la Boule with--some pretty awesome people. During the tour of the town I was expecting to be bored (maybe I was a bit) but on the whole, it was good. After awhile old buildings commence to look similar (please don't shoot me for saying that or stereotype me as an ignorant American--or do, I don't care too much).

     Thursday (9/12): I cannot tell you what I did this day. This is sad. I have honestly sat in front of my computer screen for about six minutes racking my mind about what happened on this day yet to no avail. Ah well, just another day passed. Oh! I remember, I had a tour of old Lyon! Gorgeous--photos are below. Although old building do begin to look all alike, that's not saying I don't love them. Because I do. The European ability to not only appreciate history yet use old buildings in a modern way takes my breath away--America could really take a lesson here. On the way back to Chambery, I had a serious discussion about how long I and some friends would last in prison. Don't worry, although initially I was dead after the first day, I convinced people of my toughness and rose among the ranks to become one of the top people in prison. So, you can sleep easy tonight knowing I would survive prison. Once I got back to Chambery, as always, I was exhausted and just went straight to bed. 

This is the oldest staircase in Chambery and also is a perfect spiral.







           
            Just a random shot of the city town center and the sun peeking through. 

     Friday (9/13): My day:last day of class and Katherines&Sandras birthday celebration at (where else of course?!) Bar de la Boule. Let me go into more detail here about the last day of class. First off, I'll start by saying I enjoyed this day. And no, not only because it was the last day but because I had a conversation (maybe I should call it a passionate discussion...) about America's healthcare system with a person from Ireland. Maybe I'm growing up because (and I can't believe I'm about to admit this but...) I found talking about the healthcare system fascinating. Yes, I know, I just passed a milestone in my life (no more just talking about clothes, books, and tv shows).
     Saturday (9/14): Relaxed. I ran errands and also visited several museums and the old castle in Chambery. What's better? The visits were free. Why were they free? Because Chambery does this thing where once a year, they open the attractions (like the castle, government building, museums, etc.) to the public. I've posted below pictures of Chambery and Lyon. And now? Well, it's 7:43 pm and I'm tired world. So, enjoy the below photos and I hope dear reader that you, yes you, are doing well!

       Malcom and I enjoy posing with weird statues. Don't judge.

  Oh, hey, no big deal, but that's an ancient ruin (even though you can't tell). And hey, check out the flying buttresses on that Cathedral, oh baby!

 One of the oldest working clocks in Europe. You know, not a big deal. Oh wait, yes it is. And I saw it!

I wanted viewers to see these two weirdos. Left: Malcom, right: Alex. What special kids! They're great!

Riddle Me This

     Riddle me this non-Americans: what does social mean? Taking into the fact that I am a young, female American girl who hangs out with her friends a good number of times a week, I consider myself social. Now picture this: change of scenery (say maybe France?) and all the sudden people think I am unsocial. Why? Because I like having a day or two to myself. 
     Lesson learned? Yes. What's the lesson you ask? Simple, that Europeans are crazy, insane, social butterflies that flutter about sans cesse. So, I have a new conclusion about myself and it is this: I am only partly social. I am okay with this. In fact, I like this. I like me. And when I say me, I mean being by myself and not being constantly surrounded. I like hearing the voices in my head and I can't do that with people talking around me. Ha, just kidding! I'm not crazy but I do enjoy my quiet time and that's okay. It's also okay that Europeans are more social than me. It takes all types to make the world go round.

Beer? Of Course

    On the bright side, the sun is out! And class was honestly pretty fun today (shh, I won't repeat that again). After class, a bunch of us went out to the local lake ( I posted pictures of it--the lake-- earlier in the blog). It was fun! I actually went swimming and then the sun immediately set so I began to freeze. Regrets? None. After that? Oh, of course, beer! I went out with some friends and just got beer. Typical night thus far. And now? Bed time. Although today was fun, nothing holds a candle to crawling into a bed when exhausted. Nada. Nothin'. Rien.  Bye y'all!

Rain Rain Go Away

    Rain rain go away, come again  another day. Yes, that describes the past few days accurately. I'm so sick of rrrraaaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnn. That is all. Hope everyone back home is having a lovely time:)

Be Jealous :)

     Hey y'all, strap on your seat belts and prepare yourself for jealousy. Ready? Well, ready or not, here we go:
    on Thurday (9/5): Had class, ran errands, went out. What time did I go out? At 10 pm! That's right, I'm a late night person. Just kidding. My housemates and I met up with some other international students and we went to a local bar. I met and spoke with some super duper nice Italian girls. Bonus? I spoke French the whole time. That's right, pas d'anglais! For the whole day, this girl right here spoke in French. *Pats self on back* Anywho...went home at 12 and got hollered at by French guys, ewwww. Sttaaahhppp it. Then bed:)
     on Friday (9/6): Annency, cheese, and wine! This is where you get jealous:) So, summary: I had a tour of a cheese factory and we had a wine tasting. So, the cliche French today of wine and cheese. And you know what? I enjoy cliches. So, now for Annency. Oh my gosh. If I don't come back, it's because I've moved there. So don't worry yourself. I won't waste your time with descriptions, just check out the photos below!
     on Saturday (9/7): So, you remember those photos I posted before of the mountain of Chambery? You can see a tiny little cross on the top of the mountain? I hiked up there today. It was so hard. Very hard. But worth it. SO worth it. My legs will be sore. But I don't even care. At all. It was so gorgeous. This must be what it feels like to be falling in love with a city. Don't take me home, leave me here.

Local cheese factory! Oh yes, that's all cheese. "Would you like some cheese with your wine?" "Oh, yes, actually, yes I would!"

Largest natural lake in
France!


If I never come home, I'm here. Don't come find me. I won't leave.

 

 

The cutest town! Please, take me!

  Yuuuummmm, I destroyed this.

Just an adorable view:)

                     EEEEE, this toilette. 




This view. INCREDIBLE. The hike was hard. Very hard. SO worth it.

The Storm Beings

     Yesterday was insane. It was the first day of class. Oh, did I say class? I meant torture. That's really all I have to say about that negative subject. Moving on!
    After classes, a bunch of us hopped a bus and went to the lake. By lake, I mean drop dead, massive, gorgeous, lovely, and perfectly ideal lake (see pictures below). After the lake, as is quickly becoming the norm, we went to grab a drink. Being as super classy lady, I branched out and tried a light beer called 1664. It was actually pretty good. Yuummmm. By this time, it's easily 9 pm. So!
     Recap: wake up at 6 am, mid-evil torture until 5 pm, (aka classes) the lake around 5:30, and finally lovely lovely food and drinks until 9 pm. Oh, don't forget the homework around 10 pm! 
    Alright! I've posted some photos of the Savoie campus and the lake. Enjoy,

 Top left: Alex, Sandra, Catherine, Dayton.
Top right: Mount Chambery
Second left: the view from my campus

 This is Mount Chambery. At the top, is a cross. In a few days, I get to go there!

  


The view at the very top of the campus. Yup, I'll take this!

 From here on are pictures of the lake!

 This is Sandra and I (Sandra is a housemate of mine)

C'est fou!

      C'est fou! That's how my day has been, so crazy. Started out this morning with my placement exam--that went as well as it could've. Then it progressed into a tour of the campus and then l'heure apres l'heure doing paperwork with two hundred other international students. The room in which we were corralled into was small and thus hot and sweaty. But! Throughout all this, I met two people besides our group (recap: my group is Catherine, Sandra, and Alex).
     Alright, so the paperwork is done, we (my group and the two new kids) go to the center of town and run some errands together. After that, what do we do? But of course! Grab a cafe table and drink some wine:) Hey, when in France . . . 
     It was great, after hours of being in a room, it was nice to simply sit, sip wine, and talk and/or listen. If you choose to listen, instead of talk, imagine this: close your eyes, now you are hearing not only French and Enligsh, but French, English, Spanish, Dutch, Italian and more. The air was like a sea of babbling languages. After hours of actively engaging your brain to understand, it's nice to relax and listen to the babble
     This weekend we're trying to plan a trip to a nearby lake to swim. Oh, that's right. Swimming in an alpine lake. It'll be cold but hey, when near the Alps! Alright, it's my favorite time, that's right y'all, it's bed time! 
P.s: with everything going on today, I've only eaten a small bowl of oatmeal, an apple, and a glass of wine. That's it. No wonder the French are thin, they're so busy they don't have time to eat! Tu me manques. 

The Alarm Clock

     Today was a good day. I got my months grocery shopping done. I got a pay-per-minute phone. And I activated my Travelex cash card. After that I hung out with the two house mates( Sandra and Catherine) and Alex (who goes to school back in the States with Sandra). Overall, it was a great day.
    My biggest struggle? Figuring out how to set this alarm clock I got today. It sounds easy, but do not be deceived. I've spent the better part of an hour messing around with it now. But fear not, if the alarm clock doesn't wake me up, I have the sun giving me its full glory at 7:45 am latest. So, be it alarm clock or nature's heat force, I'll be up and ready to take my placement exam! 
P.s: more pictures will be posted soon. But at a great time of 11:30 pm, I'm calling it bed time.

New Roommate!

    It's September 1st! My classes start in three days (Sept. 3) and I'm excited. I have to take a test to determine the level that I'll be placed in which is nerve racking. But, c'est la vie.
    In other news (food news) I realize I'm going to have to learn how to cook. At least somewhat. I will admit this only once, but I cannot survive on oatmeal, bread, cliff bars, and yogurt. So this'll be an interesting adventure for me. Hopefully not too catastrophic. 
    Also, I got a house mate today! Her name is Sandra and she's originally from Spain. She's a sophomore who studies at the University of Nebraska. So, recap: She's from Spain. Studies in America. And is doing a study-abroad in France. She's seem so nice and it's nice to have another person in the house. I think the third house mate should arrive tomorrow.
    Well, that's about it for today. It's Sunday, so the entire town of Chambery literally shuts down. Nothing is open on Sunday, it's kinda refreshing.
P.s: I'm going to be a rebel today. How you ask? My house mom wants us to shower every day but today I'm not going to. I know I know, super rebellious. But I promise I'm clean! I did nothing super active today so . . . yeah, conserve water.