bonjour tous. we are nearing the end of our vacation : ( it went by too quickly. i slept and ate and drank a lot....oh wait that's every day. but it was really relaxing and nice to have nothing to do.
first of all, things i really really miss: (not in any order)
hash browns
grilled cheese
real chinese food
cereal and milk (even though it's available here i just dont eat it..)
in n out
big sizes of coffee
buddy
my bed
Davis
some recent happenings:
Todd, Ed, Max and I went to see Modeselektor last weekend! they're an techno group from Berlin.(is it nerdy to say techno? i dunno what to call them..) it was a lot of fun. The venue was cool, not too crowded- we got right up front with no problem! that would never happen back home. There were several funny occurrences that I can't really post on the blog. but we had a great time : ) and didn't get home til 5 30 AM, wooo party animaux! ; )
During the week, i was une fille parreseuse (like I said).the weather has been rainy so I didn't have much motivation to go out. Oh one productive thing: I opened a French bank account! it was quite the process. we ended up making friends with the banker who helped us (or I should say he made friends with us...) and he even invited us to see his band play at a bar! So last night we went to see him. we were only there for about 15 minutes cause it was kind of lame. and i don't know if it's an idée genial to be partying with your banker. But afterwards, we went to a house party full of french people! I haven't been to a house party in a while. but it was lots of fun. there were actually a lot of British people there so it was kind of an anglo-francais fete. we learned a new drinking game that im totally bringing back home but it's too hard to explain right now.
Right now I'm the only one home- Deyuanne is in Italy and Laura has been in Spain. lucky filles! i miss them, it's lonely being the only colocatrice here. I pondered what noun to use for a while just now, because I dont really know what we are. renters? guests? californians? i guess a mix of all three, but 'colocatrice' en francais seems to sum it up.
I have to get my fesse in gear and start working on a paper for my French litterature class. i would really rather have hot needles poked in my eyeballs than do this but that's what Im here to do so lezzzdoooeeeet! this is my way of self-motivation. i dunno if its working.
Oh oh happy almost halloween!!! halloween doesn't really exist here, although supposedly it's becoming more popular. but we are going to try to make it happen in Bordeaux, costumes and all. my lovely mom sent me a little halloween care package, with socks and a pencil and eraser (she's a true teacher). and a cute card :) it made me so happy! merci mom if you're reading this!
Missing CA but loving France :) gros bisous mes amis!
Friday, October 28, 2011
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Friday, October 21, 2011
as the weather gets colder, the french people get hotter
Bonjour mes amis. i can't believe how fast time is flying. it's actually insane. my last blog was on the 7th and it is now almost the end of October. quoi??!!
So, it is officially Les Vacances! we get a week off of school (i'm not really sure why but i'm not questioning it). Most of my friends are off traveling to exotic places, but yours truly is staying put in Bordeaux grâce à poor planning and financial woes. But i aint complaining! It's nice to have a break from school, sleep in and just do nothing. Plus, I am going to tear up the town with or without my comrades.
This past week I had my first exams in French school. they were pretty terrifying. I am kind of expecting my professors to say, 'you might as well go back to California'. But I think (hope) they understand our lack of comprehension when it comes to their university system, and maybe they will cut us some slack. However, this past week did motivate me to start trying harder and get my butt back in etudier mode.
So, it is officially Les Vacances! we get a week off of school (i'm not really sure why but i'm not questioning it). Most of my friends are off traveling to exotic places, but yours truly is staying put in Bordeaux grâce à poor planning and financial woes. But i aint complaining! It's nice to have a break from school, sleep in and just do nothing. Plus, I am going to tear up the town with or without my comrades.
This past week I had my first exams in French school. they were pretty terrifying. I am kind of expecting my professors to say, 'you might as well go back to California'. But I think (hope) they understand our lack of comprehension when it comes to their university system, and maybe they will cut us some slack. However, this past week did motivate me to start trying harder and get my butt back in etudier mode.
Brrrrr!!!!!
It's starting to get freezing cold!!!!! Bordeaux weather is a funny thing...when we first arrived, it switched between hot and muggy to random torrential rain storms. Now, it is just really really cold. I know I'm a spoiled California girl when it comes to weather, but my bones are chilled. I asked my mom to send some California sunshine along with my winter clothes she is preparing to send me. The worst thing is, my French friends say this is nothing. Just wait until January, they told us. I'm scared. i'm expecting to be waddling around like the kid from A Christmas Story, who is bundled up like a little marshmallow. Oh but of course the french pull off their winter style like fashion models, as per usual. Leave it to them to be able to battle 0 degree (ok,celsius) weather while looking like they stepped off a Vogue photo shoot. sigh.
Recent Adventures
Oh so last weekend, Erika took us on a lovely trip to her nephew's home in the countryside! He is a rich doctor who I want to marry. his house is amazing. it's on acres of grassy fields where cows graze and flowers grow (wow I am so poetic!) And the Dordogne river is just on the other side. it was one of the last days of warm, sunny weather, and we enjoyed a delicious lunch outside on his patio, listening to Elvis of course. it's my new goal to live there. see for yourself:
It was a great way to say good bye to the warm days of summer and welcome the chilly autumn and winter.
My friends and I also checked out la Fête Foraine the other night. It's the carnival in Bordeaux! it was pretty cheesy like most fairs, but worth the experience. It was interesting to see how Americanized everything was. all the rides, attractions and food were printed in English with American-type pictures all over the place. i think it's something Americans don't realize until they have traveled outside the states, how wide-spread our culture is. Not only at the fair, but my french friends know everything there is to know about our music, tv shows, movies...everything. it's quite surprising.... interesting fact. But anyway, the fair was over priced and fun. we rode the ferris wheel (la grande roue)
Oh my god, then I made a horrible mistake and went on a roller coaster that seemed harmless, but in reality was terrifying. THis thing spun around in circles for 10 minutes!!!!!!! super fast, with smoke blowing in your face, and the seat things spun wildly around. max and i almost died. there is a reason i don't do roller coasters....
ps, it was called sexy dance. ya i dont know. It was a fun experience all around though!
Well, hot chocolate and movies in bed is calling. I am too scared to go outside and brace the cold so I'm spending the day safe inside my covers. Tonight, though, Todd and I are storming the city. watch out Bordeaux ; )
A bientot! love to all :)
Friday, October 7, 2011
Que sera, sera
I think it's time for an update! i've been neglecting my blog. so bonjour! Lots has been happening here in bordeaux-land. I am slowly starting to feel like I really live here. Before, I felt like a tourist, thinking that this amazing vacation must end soon, and I'd have to go back to reality. it's a trip knowing I have many more months ahead of me :)
The Opera
So we went to see an opera! At the Grand Théâtre! It was awe-inspiring being at such a magnificent and historical opera house. We saw Madame Butterfly, which turned out to be a very depressing story. And, we had not-the-best seats (and that's putting it nicely). basically we were in nose bleed land. i actually couldn't really see anything. But, it was really fun getting dressed up and being classy at the opera :)
(merci Sara pour les photos :) )
St. Emilion
Erika took Laura and I on a little day-trip to a town just outside Bordeaux, called St. Emilion. it was so cute! it reminded me of Carmel back in California, very quaint and charming, expensive. It's best known for its wineries and wine. we walked around and went into the cute little shops and wished we could afford anything. however we did splurge on delicious macarons, which actually originated in St. Emilion! i tried Nutella and Laura tried caramel. both amazing. afterward, we déjeunéd at one of Erika's favorite restaurants. then we went on a surprise tour of a chateau/ winery! i wasn't expecting it but it was quite exquisite. we also got to have a degustation (wine tasting) of some very fine wines. it was funny because laura and I downed our glasses, while the rest of the group delicately tasted, smelled and enjoyed the flavors of each wine. but then they spit it out into an urn-type thing! hey, I can appreciate wine, but if I'm tasting it I'm gonna swallow that! anyway, it was quite a long but adventurous day.
Erasmus Parties/ Partying in General
Oh mon dieu. we do a lot of partying here. the french know how to do it well! Erasmus, which is study abroad in Europe, organizes a lot of parties for all the foreigners here to get together and mix all of our different languages together into one drunken slur. Just kidding, but not really. they are always shit shows. On tuesday (yes like the middle of the week), there was one that we attended. as my friend Sara said, NEVER AGAIN! wednesday was living hell, I'll let you imagine why. we learned a valuable lesson:keep the partying to JVS. On a better note, our French friends invited us to their apartments for a real frenchy party. it was so fun! all their friends are so nice and friendly. it reminds me of our little kickbacks at Davis...but...everyone is speaking French.
School (La Fac)
So we're in our third or fourth week of school now. I still feel a little lost. like this :
And, it doesnt help that i have a horrible sense of direction, and half the time don't know where I am going. it's definitely one of the hardest things I've had to adjust to. It's like when I felt overwhelmed in my French classes at Davis, except every class I'm taking is like that. but, it's coming along. it definitely expands my comprehension and vocabulary. and we made a friend in our classes who is also very sweet and clues us in on what is going on. This semester I'm only taking litterature courses, so it gets a little monotonous. Hopefully by next semester I'll be able to take psych. i miss it! One of our professors loves California and is really excited there are Californians in his class. he always makes references to us/CA/ the states, and I think the other french students are getting a little tired of it. but it's nice to get a little reminder of home :)
Speaking of home, I do miss it. I'm not homesick necessarily, but from time to time things pop in my head and I'm like, awwwww if only I were back in CA.
Like Buddy:
And my mommy:
And Sol Food:
And my bed...and my friends...and other things. But, i am living in France so I really can't complain!
Well mes amis, i think that just about summarizes my last few weeks in francey france. i can't describe how much i love it. but i dont want to bore you :) so there you go! love to all.
The Opera
So we went to see an opera! At the Grand Théâtre! It was awe-inspiring being at such a magnificent and historical opera house. We saw Madame Butterfly, which turned out to be a very depressing story. And, we had not-the-best seats (and that's putting it nicely). basically we were in nose bleed land. i actually couldn't really see anything. But, it was really fun getting dressed up and being classy at the opera :)
St. Emilion
Erika took Laura and I on a little day-trip to a town just outside Bordeaux, called St. Emilion. it was so cute! it reminded me of Carmel back in California, very quaint and charming, expensive. It's best known for its wineries and wine. we walked around and went into the cute little shops and wished we could afford anything. however we did splurge on delicious macarons, which actually originated in St. Emilion! i tried Nutella and Laura tried caramel. both amazing. afterward, we déjeunéd at one of Erika's favorite restaurants. then we went on a surprise tour of a chateau/ winery! i wasn't expecting it but it was quite exquisite. we also got to have a degustation (wine tasting) of some very fine wines. it was funny because laura and I downed our glasses, while the rest of the group delicately tasted, smelled and enjoyed the flavors of each wine. but then they spit it out into an urn-type thing! hey, I can appreciate wine, but if I'm tasting it I'm gonna swallow that! anyway, it was quite a long but adventurous day.
Erasmus Parties/ Partying in General
Oh mon dieu. we do a lot of partying here. the french know how to do it well! Erasmus, which is study abroad in Europe, organizes a lot of parties for all the foreigners here to get together and mix all of our different languages together into one drunken slur. Just kidding, but not really. they are always shit shows. On tuesday (yes like the middle of the week), there was one that we attended. as my friend Sara said, NEVER AGAIN! wednesday was living hell, I'll let you imagine why. we learned a valuable lesson:keep the partying to JVS. On a better note, our French friends invited us to their apartments for a real frenchy party. it was so fun! all their friends are so nice and friendly. it reminds me of our little kickbacks at Davis...but...everyone is speaking French.
School (La Fac)
So we're in our third or fourth week of school now. I still feel a little lost. like this :
And, it doesnt help that i have a horrible sense of direction, and half the time don't know where I am going. it's definitely one of the hardest things I've had to adjust to. It's like when I felt overwhelmed in my French classes at Davis, except every class I'm taking is like that. but, it's coming along. it definitely expands my comprehension and vocabulary. and we made a friend in our classes who is also very sweet and clues us in on what is going on. This semester I'm only taking litterature courses, so it gets a little monotonous. Hopefully by next semester I'll be able to take psych. i miss it! One of our professors loves California and is really excited there are Californians in his class. he always makes references to us/CA/ the states, and I think the other french students are getting a little tired of it. but it's nice to get a little reminder of home :)
Speaking of home, I do miss it. I'm not homesick necessarily, but from time to time things pop in my head and I'm like, awwwww if only I were back in CA.
Like Buddy:
And Sol Food:
And my bed...and my friends...and other things. But, i am living in France so I really can't complain!
Well mes amis, i think that just about summarizes my last few weeks in francey france. i can't describe how much i love it. but i dont want to bore you :) so there you go! love to all.
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