February 2011
3 posts
Fashion
Not everyone and their mother wears berets. Mostly just older men wear them… and tourists. But there are those bold few who are trying to bring them back into style.
Stripes are seen everywhere. I mean horizontal stripes are in, thanks to a French artist, whose name escapes me.
Heels… I mean just what the normal girl wears as she walks across a cobblestone street.
Khaki suit...
Over the next few weeks or possibly forever
I will just be posting differences/similarities of France to United States. This will hopefully teach people of things they never knew, and also erase some very strong stereotypes.
Long over due
I know, I have not talked about my processing back to the American way of life, but that is because it honestly has taken awhile. Like a lot of AFSers I had an amazing time in my host country. By the time I left I felt like I belonged, which made leaving that much harder to do. I was so excited to go back to Arizona but leaving France was one of the hardest things I have ever done. I cried nonstop...
January 2011
10 posts
Paris Today, New York, and Arizona Tomorrow
I think the title explains it all. Looks like I’m coming back to the USA.
lanaing asked: bonjour!
I just read your last post and I'm so happy that it is possible to become fluent with only a semester in France. I will be going in a year from now for my last semester of high school.
I was just wondering how long you studied french before you left... ?
Merci d'avance :)
I just read your last post and I'm so happy that it is possible to become fluent with only a semester in France. I will be going in a year from now for my last semester of high school.
I was just wondering how long you studied french before you left... ?
Merci d'avance :)
A la fin
It is coming to an end. I’ve been here five months in counting and loved every single day of it. All those worries I had about not learning the language in time are gone. All those worries of not making strong relationships have flown away. Today I went out with a good friend we spoke non-stop French, not once did I stumble or have her not understand, and we ranted on and on, laughing and...
Merci Beaucoup
You know what hurts more than anything? Getting really close to people, weeks before you have to tell them goodbye. This week especially I have gotten so very close with so many people, and when they find out I only have a week left we are practically reduced to tears. I never thouhgt in a millon years I could become so attached to people so fast. France has given me so much. I want to say a big...
Packing my Bags
Tomorrow I am buying a second suitcase (Fact: I had to rewrite that phrase because I kept writing the French equivalent). Thus my packing commences for returning to the United States… How that makes any sense, I do not know. Time went by like the hit of a button, the blink of an eye, the shot of a gun… You get the point.
C'est la vie. Et alors, la vie est belle.
About ten minutes ago I had a ten minute conversation with a concierge of a hotel in Paris. Not only did we speak French (rapidly by the way) but the topic had to do with a reservation, that fact that the person who made the reservation would not be coming, issues with how to pay for this reservation, and then finding solutions to a few problems.
Not only did I manage to say a whole lot,...
Cheesey
Just had a long conversation about cheese. Which ones were the best, which ones were the least strong, better smelling… So am I French now? Yeah I like to think so.
Oh yeah It's a New Year
So I guess I should update my blog in the New Year. My Winter vacation was great. Christmas was spent with lots of company, and we ate lots of good food. New Year was spent with tons of friends, and I celebrated with dancing, and of course chilling with nine different nationalities. Twas a good ending of 2010, and an amazing start to 2011.
December 2010
12 posts
Christmas in France
I’ve dreamed of one day living in France, looking out my winodw on Christmas and seeing old buildings, frozen leaves, cute little old ladies carrying bread baskets… Dream has now come true.
This year I spent my first Christmas without my family, but found that even without my real family, there is a way to find others who can manage to suffice. My host family made sure that although...
All Dressed Up
And I have lots of places to go. One thing abut living in France is that no matter what, there is always something to do. After lunch I am getting on the bus and going to Angoulême. I need to hunt for a vintage jewelry shop. I also need to have an excuse to walk around a lot because that is the only form of exercise I get. It is raining, AGAIN, so I can’t go for a run. Let’s just say...
“When good Americans die they go to Paris.”
– Oscar Wilde
Tournoi de Volley
In France, or maybe just my high school in France, there is a huge Volley Ball Tournament and every class participates. Basically it is two days long, you don’t have any classes, everyone dresses up , and normally each class has a different theme. My class theme is Dieux Grec (Greek Gods). Toga Party Anyone?
Plus when I say you dress up, I mean these people dress up. I have never seen...
Fête de Noël
So tonight I am leaving for Poitiers, AGAIN! Tomorrow night is the Fête de Noël with AFS and I am looking forward to sharing festive, international, holiday cheer.
Downfall?
It is obligatoire to do something for the fête. For example something that you do in your country. Danse (dance), chante (sing), anything… So since I have no talents, I will horribly be singing “It’s...
100th
Today is my 100th day in France. Not that I was counting down or anything, in fact I only knew because one of my exchange friends was ranting about it and it blew me away. I have been living abroad for 100 days… without my family, or anything that reminds me of home…except for the occasional goodie package.
I do however know I only have 51 days left in this beautiful country, and that...
IT IS POSSIBLE
Snow Day just went down. I woke up this morning (thirty minutes past my alarm went off) to a text saying (in French) “Stay in bed!! There is so much snow and the buses wont be working today! No school!”
I pretty much screamed like a little child, hoped out of bed and ran to a window. It is so pretty, why oh why do I not live somwhere with 4 seasons?
Now I just have to be careful not...
Ticket is bought
Going To Poitiers Saturday, then Paris Sunday. Seriously, when did I get this lucky?
November 2010
11 posts
Is it Possible?
Will I really experience my first ever SNOW DAY?
Someone told me that if it snows a ton tomorrow the buses won’t work. Cross your fingers everyone, I just want to say I have had a snow day, since you don’t get a lot of those in Arizona… ;)
I don't want to leave
I love France too much. I love my friends too much. Today I saw what it is like to leave this place. I never want to go through that. 2 months seems like nothing. It is time to just live, and enjoy what little time I have left.
Being Thankful
Today “chez moi” (literally “my place” ) it is Thanksgiving, but since it is an American Holiday I thought I may miss out on all the good food, and love I feel at home. Did I stand corrected? Of course I did. My host mom could not find a big turkey, but she did find some turkey, and she made vegtables and I supplied the spice cake. She made me a thanksgiving card which was...
Oh the weather outside is frightful
It is getting cold, and that only reminds me that it is getting around to that time of the year… CHRISTMAS!!!! Or should I say, Nöel!!!
The other day I had a small fortune worth of macarons and chocolate and did not eat any of it. Instead I packed it all up in a box to send off to my family. I am not kidding though, 300g of La Truffe chocolates costs 17£60. And 16 macarons cost 16£.
So it...
Hold Up
Rewind, scratch that, did I hear myself right, am I actually speaking French?
Am I actually participating in class? Am I really getting stopped for directions, and able to actually give them? Am I actually funny in two languages? Am I 100 percent in love with this country?
The answer to all of the above, is yes. I had only ever hoped I would progress this fast, and now that I am at this point I...
Just the usual
It is raining here in La Couronne, like it has non-stop for the past 2 weeks. This is keeping me inside instead of out taking my usual mid-day run. Speaking of which, my runs have taken me to different corners of this litttle town, and recently completely out of town. Here is the kicker, I run through trees, along side farms, I mean in real hardcore, beautiful, raw, nature.
Call me nerdy, but it...
Ocean in Winter
Went to La Rochelle today, spur of the moment and had nothing planned to do, but I ate some good seafood, and my hair smells of salty sea air.
Peut-on rechercher le bonheur sans passer par une...
Can one seek happiness without passing by an awakening of oneself?
That is my essay question for Philosophie. I cannot even answer that in English. I have a long night ahead of me.
Grades are in
Well, I am doing outstanding at English, teehee I wonder how. The only downer is the other five classes I have are not working out so well. I mean I participate in class and I do the homework, but come test time let’s just say I don’t do the best.
Can you say 3 out of 20? Yeah, math in French is not my strong point.
It is funny being a straight A student from where I come from, and...
October 2010
8 posts
Au Revoir La Couronne
I am going to Toulouse and Les Pyrénées for 8 days. So that means no blog posts, but do not worry I will be keeping a diary while I am away so I can write a bunch when I get back.
Woohoo vacation in France (as if my life here wasn’t already one)!
No school AGAIN
Today there was another blocus (students blocking the doors) at school. Meaning I stayed at home and studied. Studied french, and studied for the four upcoming tests I have. Something tells me my grades are about to suffer just a bit.
American Morning
I made my host parents pancakes, and huge omelettes. I don’t think I made the pancakes as good as I could have, but I did what I could with what I had. Story of my life.
Sales!!!!
So today in Angoulême there was a huge sale for all the stores, so of course I went, and barely bought anything. Actually that is a lie. While everyone was hustling and bustling around me trying to grab the cheapest pair of shoes or purses (all made in China by the way, it was so hard to find anything actually made in France), I was going for the food…AGAIN. Crêpes from vendors, macarons the...
Walking
I love walking around here. I want to say it is my favorite thing, but everyday I find a new favorite thing. The other day I walked so much my shins were aching throughout the whole day. Then today I walked around Angoulême from 1-5. I mean I also ate some pastries (Paris Brest, and a raspberry thing, so good). I sat on a park bench eating good french food with a close friend after a long day of...
AFS Week-end
I love everyone in my chapter. There are only 16 people in the chapter of France I’m in, but we get along so well. It is so awesome because normally I’m just shocked by things in France, but getting together with the other kids from around the world is like a big cultural stew. We shared experiences, stayed up late, ate lots of food, and made memories. The AFS kids probably make this...
September 2010
10 posts
I will be poor soon
You might think an exchange student with a limited time in France would spend all her money on clothes. Maybe even shoes. Perfume. Scarves. Native trickets. Jewelry. Purses. Yeah, wanna know what I could and often do with the vast majority of my money? I buy macaroons. I mean, there is also chocolate, and other treats but macaroons take up quite a large quantity of things I buy. Menthe fraiche...
Salut (Hey)
This is a late post because the family computer did not work for a whole week, but it is all better now. In a way having no computer was amazing. I did so many things and have been having the time of my life. In fact I traveled, ate, shopped, spoke complete french! I feel like I am really progressing. You could say this first month here in France (it went by so fast by the way) has been one of the...
The Market
Today I went to the market, which takes place on Saturday mornings only a minute away by foot. I got to help pick out cheeses, fruit, vegatables, and meat. It is Ece’s last day here (my host parents’ old host student). So we are having a lot of company and a lot of food.
Food
Dear future AFS students and people who may want to travel to other countries,
Never ever care about gaining weight on your trip. Seriously the food is way too good to pass by. EAT THE FOOD.
Oh Française
I can see myself progressing and understand the French language, but speaking it, is so hard for me. So I devised a plan (and it is working). I just read the English to French dictionary.
I know, I know, reading the dictionary has always been a geeky thing to do, but seriously it has helped so much. So now at school I have made a plan. I know this will sound bad but in Economics I don’t...
