Well, I have officially passed my last day of uni here in Chambery, France. I honestly cannot believe that I have spent the last semester here--time has just flown by. You know what's weird, dear reader? I don't know what to say to you. For that matter, I don't know what to tell myself as I'm winding up this chapter of my life.
I keep saying goodbye to people but I'm in denial. Why, you ask? Because I keep saying au revoir, but I honestly expect to see some of these crazy kids again and it'll be weird not making the 25 minute trek up to university and seeing them. Or stranger yet? Not going to bar and chilling for hours and laughing so much it hurts. Any, I've just finished packing and cleaning my room so I guess it's done. It's strange that this room will retain no trace of me--I was just like a shadow passing through the day. Strange thought. Well, I get to see my family (my dad and two sisters) tomorrow! With them, we'll be exploring Italy together. I'm sure we'll have arguments but I can't wait to argue with my family!
Friday, December 20, 2013
Monday, December 16, 2013
Alsace
The trip: well, getting there was crazy because it was a very long bus ride and we left at 3 a.m. We arrive in Strasbourg around 9 a.m. and had the entire day to explore the town for ourselves. And go exploring we did. I saw so many amazing creations, ate delicious food--including traditional German sauerkraut (choucroutte in French) and several types of bretzels (that's how it was always written--but they were pretzels), and saw gorgeous buildings--including the Strasbourg cathedral!). That night, I stayed in a castle which had been renovated into a hostel. How cool is that! The next day was Colmar, France. How to explain Colmar . . . hmm. That's a hard one. It's basically a mini-replica of Strasbourg. So, after a busy Saturday and Sunday, I returned to my home in Chambery around 23:00h. That brings us to today. Let's see, well, nothing very exciting happened. I have a final in my course of civilization tomorrow so I really should be studying for that but this blog and The Hobbit soundtrack are rather distracting.
*I ate liver for the first time. It looked like poop. It tasted what I imagine feces would taste like. All in all: gross.
*France doesn't believe in peanut butter: it's like they don't comprehend the creamy--or crunchy if that's your thing--goodness that is also known as peanut butter.
*square pillows: they are stupid. Every
single pillow I have yet used in Europe--which include France, Spain, Germany, and Switzerland-- has been square. I don't like this.Also, I've been asked several times, both in France and also back in the States, why/how I landed on a humanities major and what I want to do with it. Well, I never knew how to put this into words but after being asked dozens of times, I think I might have an answer. Ready?
I am a humanities major because I want to help people. If you know me, you know my ultimate career goal. I wouldn't be able to reach that goal if I had taken a science route. In essence, I am a humanities major because we have enough science-minded people who are daily striving to make scientific breakthroughs, etc. But I don't think we have enough people striving to help other people. Sure, with our scientific community, our world has phenomonal medicine, nuclear power, cell phones that can be turned on by another computer, etc. But we don't have enough people desiring to help the helpless--because what good is a cell phone going to do a starving child or a sexually trafficked mother? As fantastic as our cell phones and modern luxuries are (and trust me, I enjoy them), I dislike the thought of others suffering while I have the ability to help them. So that's why I am not a science major--not to mention the fact that science is practically Greek to me. With this being said, I don't think science majors are wrong for having their major, society needs them. But I am saying that society also needs a realignment of values. 
What else? Oh, you see that picture of a road and mountains in the background at sunset? Yeah, that's the view from my campus. I know, it's beautiful. That's why I don't want to leave. That and also the very last photo on this post. You see the photo of me with a group of people all sitting around a table? Yes? Well, let me tell you, this group of kids is one of the strangest I've met but the best. We range from 20 to 26 years old and our sense of humor includes laughing at bathroom jokes, imagining bizarre scenarioes for how one can die, Mean Girl jokes, and puns. As I'm coming to the end of my stay in France, I can say I've seen some stunning places, learned about other cultures more than I thought I would, but most importantly I've made some pretty cool friends and it's thanks to them that my stay has been as great as it has. Alright, now I really do need to study for my exam tomorrow so bonne nuit a tous et toutes!
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Differences
Oh my gracious, I don't even know where to start. Basically I've complied a list of the banal things I don't want to forget. You see, I figure that I'll remember the big things, but I don't want to forget the small things. So here is my list:
*the word "cool": the french say "c'est tres cool" to say something is interesting. And they say it with such a cute accent and it sounds like 'kewl'--it's adorable
*tu vs. vous: trying when to figure out when I need to use the formal vs. the informal
*smoking: my morning tradition was this--to wake up, drink coffee, step outside and inhale a massive breath of smoke
*old building: when I look up and realize I'm standing beside something that is hundreds of years old. Months later? It's still breathtaking every time.
*people always being in a relationship: I've asked the French and they admit that they often define themselves based on whether they are dating someone or not...interesting
*thursday night party: I still don't understand why the French college students always party on Thursday night and go to Friday classes hungover/still drunk
*winking: people here just wink at you to signify a joke, a laugh, etc. I'm probably going to start doing this in the States and people will think I'm flirting--but I won't be
*bisous: when you stare at someone for more than 2 seconds, it's obligatory to do the French bisous (kiss) greeting
*burning cars: people here burn cars (by burn I mean the car is beyond recognizably burnt) just for fun
*men peeing everywhere: seriously. I have seen way too many men peeing in the streets--even in broad day light
*dog poop: ah yes, this is everywhere. When walking, you are obliged to look down at your path in order to assure that you aren't stepping in dog crap
*beeping the horns for marriages: a caravan of cars full of people sticking their heads out of the windows while screaming, blasting music, and incessantly beeping obviously signifies a marriage. I'm just curious why they make so much noise for a marriage but nada for all the divorces . . .
*walking everywhere: ah, yes--walking a few miles every day is nothing now. What's stranger? I really enjoy this.
*French people are obsessed with their image: I've actually had several conversations with my teachers and French friends. They all admit that the French are overly obsessed with their body image--it's fascinating to ask why they are like that though because they give so many different answers.
*france is the #1 country in regards to an increase in meat consumption: I actually just find this interesting . . .
*being able to hop on a train and explore other countries: seriously America, why haven't you jumped on board with this idea yet? It's lovely to spend a weekend in Switzerland and then return to France.
*hearing a swirl of languages about you: it's like you're catch in a whirlwind of chinese, spanish, french, etc. It's lovely.
*how people can just walk away from goodbyes: somehow people just can walk out of your life without acknowledging that you'll never see each other again. They say "au revoir" which literally translates to "till the re-seeing" but you know you'll never see them again.
*religious symbols but lack of religion: there is a massive cross that overlooks the city and the entire town shuts down on Sunday but there is no alive religion to be found
*strikes: I think the French people just sincerely enjoy going on strike. Yesterday I walked by a strike against Hollande and his policy on horses--no joke.
*the police: I've never seen the police do anything useful. Even the people in Chambery say that. The one time I saw them at work was when they were stopping traffic so that the people who were striking about the horses could take up the entire road . . .
*delicious tarts: need I say more? just yum
*bars: I'm going to miss how bars aren't pick up joints but they're just a place to hang out with friends--and I might add that I have some pretty great friends here
Well, I'll probably add more later but that's it for now! Oh, I saw a guy do an amazing dance tonight with a yo-yo. Seriously--it's too awesome for words and I don't know how to upload videos on a blog so oh well! Bonne nuit a tous et a toutes!
*the word "cool": the french say "c'est tres cool" to say something is interesting. And they say it with such a cute accent and it sounds like 'kewl'--it's adorable
*tu vs. vous: trying when to figure out when I need to use the formal vs. the informal
*smoking: my morning tradition was this--to wake up, drink coffee, step outside and inhale a massive breath of smoke
*old building: when I look up and realize I'm standing beside something that is hundreds of years old. Months later? It's still breathtaking every time.
*people always being in a relationship: I've asked the French and they admit that they often define themselves based on whether they are dating someone or not...interesting
*thursday night party: I still don't understand why the French college students always party on Thursday night and go to Friday classes hungover/still drunk
*winking: people here just wink at you to signify a joke, a laugh, etc. I'm probably going to start doing this in the States and people will think I'm flirting--but I won't be
*bisous: when you stare at someone for more than 2 seconds, it's obligatory to do the French bisous (kiss) greeting
*burning cars: people here burn cars (by burn I mean the car is beyond recognizably burnt) just for fun
*men peeing everywhere: seriously. I have seen way too many men peeing in the streets--even in broad day light
*dog poop: ah yes, this is everywhere. When walking, you are obliged to look down at your path in order to assure that you aren't stepping in dog crap
*beeping the horns for marriages: a caravan of cars full of people sticking their heads out of the windows while screaming, blasting music, and incessantly beeping obviously signifies a marriage. I'm just curious why they make so much noise for a marriage but nada for all the divorces . . .
*walking everywhere: ah, yes--walking a few miles every day is nothing now. What's stranger? I really enjoy this.
*French people are obsessed with their image: I've actually had several conversations with my teachers and French friends. They all admit that the French are overly obsessed with their body image--it's fascinating to ask why they are like that though because they give so many different answers.
*france is the #1 country in regards to an increase in meat consumption: I actually just find this interesting . . .
*being able to hop on a train and explore other countries: seriously America, why haven't you jumped on board with this idea yet? It's lovely to spend a weekend in Switzerland and then return to France.
*hearing a swirl of languages about you: it's like you're catch in a whirlwind of chinese, spanish, french, etc. It's lovely.
*how people can just walk away from goodbyes: somehow people just can walk out of your life without acknowledging that you'll never see each other again. They say "au revoir" which literally translates to "till the re-seeing" but you know you'll never see them again.
*religious symbols but lack of religion: there is a massive cross that overlooks the city and the entire town shuts down on Sunday but there is no alive religion to be found
*strikes: I think the French people just sincerely enjoy going on strike. Yesterday I walked by a strike against Hollande and his policy on horses--no joke.
*the police: I've never seen the police do anything useful. Even the people in Chambery say that. The one time I saw them at work was when they were stopping traffic so that the people who were striking about the horses could take up the entire road . . .
*delicious tarts: need I say more? just yum
*bars: I'm going to miss how bars aren't pick up joints but they're just a place to hang out with friends--and I might add that I have some pretty great friends here
Well, I'll probably add more later but that's it for now! Oh, I saw a guy do an amazing dance tonight with a yo-yo. Seriously--it's too awesome for words and I don't know how to upload videos on a blog so oh well! Bonne nuit a tous et a toutes!
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Countdown Begins
It doesn't matter where you are. If you are a collegiate student, the week of finals has arrived. However sadly, this still holds true in France. But that's not dwell on that unsavory little tid-bit.
Today is going to be crazy--I'm writing this at 7 am instead of studying...--but it'll be the good type of insanity. Today: I have an exam in uni, go home and study, then climbing class, follwed by meeting up with some friends, and then meeting up with a different friend later, only to come home and go to bed due to the fact that I have two more exams on Thursday. Alright, let's do this.
It is now 10 p.m. My day has passed and it was excellent. My exam was okay--not super difficult so I count that as a win. I have two exams tomorrow and then I'm done until next Tuesday with tests! But anyway, I had my last climbing class which was amazing. Why? Because we did: blind climbing (when you use a mask and you cover your eyes so you can't see and have to climb "blind"), single-handed climbing (it's when you bind your two hands together with a type of exercise band so that you basically are only climbing with one hand), and other things but those two were the most interesting. And then I met up with two friends at our local bar and it was just lovely:) And that brings us to now: me sitting at my desk writing this.
Well, I need to hit the hay because I have those exams tomorrow and also more things to do! Tomorrow after course I'm meeting a friend and going to the home of a lady from the church I go to and then I'm meeting up with some friends to go watch a dance recital.
I'll try to write about some differences that I've noted since I've been in France. I hardly notice them anymore but I'd like to recount them to y'all so that I can better remember. But!--Bonne nuit a tous et a toutes!
P.s: Only ten days left in France :(
Today is going to be crazy--I'm writing this at 7 am instead of studying...--but it'll be the good type of insanity. Today: I have an exam in uni, go home and study, then climbing class, follwed by meeting up with some friends, and then meeting up with a different friend later, only to come home and go to bed due to the fact that I have two more exams on Thursday. Alright, let's do this.
It is now 10 p.m. My day has passed and it was excellent. My exam was okay--not super difficult so I count that as a win. I have two exams tomorrow and then I'm done until next Tuesday with tests! But anyway, I had my last climbing class which was amazing. Why? Because we did: blind climbing (when you use a mask and you cover your eyes so you can't see and have to climb "blind"), single-handed climbing (it's when you bind your two hands together with a type of exercise band so that you basically are only climbing with one hand), and other things but those two were the most interesting. And then I met up with two friends at our local bar and it was just lovely:) And that brings us to now: me sitting at my desk writing this.
Well, I need to hit the hay because I have those exams tomorrow and also more things to do! Tomorrow after course I'm meeting a friend and going to the home of a lady from the church I go to and then I'm meeting up with some friends to go watch a dance recital.
I'll try to write about some differences that I've noted since I've been in France. I hardly notice them anymore but I'd like to recount them to y'all so that I can better remember. But!--Bonne nuit a tous et a toutes!
P.s: Only ten days left in France :(
Sunday, December 8, 2013
La Fete De Lumieres
Hey all! I don't have much to write. This week has been, quite honestly, very normal yet busy. Everyone has realized that we only have two--painfully short--weeks left in France so we're all cramming in hang-outs while managing to somehow study. It's like that picture you always see of a triangle and on each corner is one of the words: sleep, homework, social life. Then, above the triangle is this saying: College: you can only pick two. That's my life right now except I'm trying to cheat and have all three but it's failing. 
Anyway, these photos are all photos of the Lyon Light Festival--which celebrates saint Mary-- (La Fete de Lumieres) which happens every year on December 8th. It was amazing. Quiet honestly probably one of the most cultural things I've done since I've been in France. The old buildings in Lyon synch up to symphonic music and a display of lights are played upon the facade of these buildings. It was really just beautiful to see the lights. But you know the phrase "stuffed in like a sardine"? Yeah, that's what it felt like. Over 5 million people were there. This festival is one of the top 4 festivals in France every year. The worst part? No. Public. Restrooms.
Well, that's about it. I have three tests coming up this week--super duper nervous--and I can feel the panic starting to rise to I need to get off this blog and study. I hope everyone has an excellent week and I'll be seeing you guys in less than one month!
P.S.: Nest weekend I get to go to Alsace and visit Strasburg!
I hope you all liked the photos!!
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Fly You Fools
Yeah, I don't really know why I have a Gandalf quote as my title. Except for the fact that The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug comes out in 8 days!! That's exciting. Anyway, I have a test this coming Wednesday and two others scattered in these next two weeks so three tests left until I'm done! I feel like I just got here but I'm about to leave. Strange.
Anywise! Climbing class yesterday was extremely fun since I have friends in it now. There wasn't anything extraordinary about climbing that made it special--it just was. And judo is today! :D I'm writing this section in the morning so we'll see how I feel about judo once I come back and finish this post. However, right now, my 20-25 minute walk to campus is calling me.
Alright, the day is winding down. Judo was okay--I have homework to do for this class so that's kinda dumb. Anywho, I was grappling with a girl and got hurt a bit but the rest was good! I think I'm going to go out and grab a beer with a friend tonight. And then tomorrow I have afternoon class but I leave at 17:00 for the Lyon Light Festival and don't get back till 3am! Crazy! So, on the next post, expect pictures of the festival!
p.s: you want a good song to listen to? Artist: The Devil Makes Three and the song is called Old Number Three.
Anywise! Climbing class yesterday was extremely fun since I have friends in it now. There wasn't anything extraordinary about climbing that made it special--it just was. And judo is today! :D I'm writing this section in the morning so we'll see how I feel about judo once I come back and finish this post. However, right now, my 20-25 minute walk to campus is calling me.
Alright, the day is winding down. Judo was okay--I have homework to do for this class so that's kinda dumb. Anywho, I was grappling with a girl and got hurt a bit but the rest was good! I think I'm going to go out and grab a beer with a friend tonight. And then tomorrow I have afternoon class but I leave at 17:00 for the Lyon Light Festival and don't get back till 3am! Crazy! So, on the next post, expect pictures of the festival!
p.s: you want a good song to listen to? Artist: The Devil Makes Three and the song is called Old Number Three.
Monday, December 2, 2013
Ramblings
This post will consist of nothing very substantial. I simply want to remark that I have only 3 weeks left in Chambery. How does this make me feel you might ask yourself? Pensive. I've met some people that I haven't liked quite so much while others seem to have woven themselves into the fabric of my life. So, as the French so elegantly put it, what will find itself missing from me? Because you see the French don't think that when you miss something, that it is actually you that is missing it. The French believe that it is the thing that is missing from you. I like this idea. Thus, in following that idea: The mountains will miss me. The town will miss me. The culture will miss me. But more importantly? The people will miss me.
Don't get me wrong. I am excited to get home. I'm eager to get back into my campus ministry. I can't wait to eat mac&cheese again. And bacon? Let's not even touch on that topic. The anticipation of cuddling my cat is almost killing me. The thought of laying in my own bed is such joy. But, despite these thing and more, I am never going to be able to look at life in the good ole' U.S. of A the same. People here live differently. Think differently. And I like that. I'm grateful that I've had this experience. I wish everyone could live abroad for a least a short time.
Anyway! Enough of this. I hope you all have a lovely day:)
My funny story for the day: I remember today--about a month before Spring 2014 semester-- that classes actually require that you buy textbooks. I had forgotten that because that doesn't happen in France. Haha, oh you silly French.
Don't get me wrong. I am excited to get home. I'm eager to get back into my campus ministry. I can't wait to eat mac&cheese again. And bacon? Let's not even touch on that topic. The anticipation of cuddling my cat is almost killing me. The thought of laying in my own bed is such joy. But, despite these thing and more, I am never going to be able to look at life in the good ole' U.S. of A the same. People here live differently. Think differently. And I like that. I'm grateful that I've had this experience. I wish everyone could live abroad for a least a short time.
Anyway! Enough of this. I hope you all have a lovely day:)
My funny story for the day: I remember today--about a month before Spring 2014 semester-- that classes actually require that you buy textbooks. I had forgotten that because that doesn't happen in France. Haha, oh you silly French.
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Marche de Noel
Hey y'all! Well, today has been good. That test I took on Thursday in my grammar course? I actually did really well so I'm thankful for that! Also, that lovely picture of the food on the left? My roommates and I cooked a Thanksgiving dinner today. It was delicious:) Dinner consisted of: eggplant parmesan, corn, peas, green beans, turkey, mashed potatoes, apple stuffing, gravy, Brazilian chocolate pudding, and vin chaud. Sooo good. Well, all this food was after I went to church this morning and for a run. The run was absolutely amazing. Why you might ask? Because I got lost running on the outskirts of Chambery. I never felt too lost though that I couldn't get back so that's good. It was just amazing to feel the cold air in my lungs and pounding some pavement.
So, the rest of these photos are from the Marche de Noel in Chambery. The elephants are found in the centre ville and it's adorable because they've put up lights--really, it is quite nice. The other two photos below are just of the streets and of the market. I went with my roommates and Alex the Scot.
The market was amazing which makes me extremely excited for Strausbourg because I've heard the Christmas markets there are to die for. Well, it's already night time and I need to do some homework . . . yeah, I know, that's discusting. I hope you all have a lovely night! I come back to the good ole' U.S. of A. in less than one month. It's weird to think that I've lived in another country for over three months now. Please, don't make me leave. Bisous bisous de France!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)