I've been avoiding looking at my on-line bank statement since my shopping therapy session yesterday. There are huge sales in All of France right now. Stores aren't allowed to have sales whenever they please or feel like it here. Here, they get to have sales twice a year and they all have to participate at the same time...it's only fair.
Well I managed to arrive during one of the sale times and thought I would take advantage of it.
I started shopping around noon yesterday and finished around 7pm....
7 hours and several shopping bags later, I arrived at Pauline's crêpe party with a pair of boots, a pair of flats, a dress, scarf, blowdryer, hair products, lacey bras, stockings, umbrella, 2 handbags, a sweater, and a cake for the party....did I mention the dent in my bank account?
Well, I had fun and that will be the majority of my shopping while I'm here. My money is to be spent on travel, food, and other needs that may arise.
Tomorrow I'm going to Paris to visit Le Louvre and also to rehearse with this art choir I'm performing with next weekend! So excited.
Life is good. God is Great!
-R
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Life has a funny way of making you feel better
For your viewing pleasure...
Pauline's apératif party
Last nite at Le Rétro
I went to this resturaunt/bar called Le Rétroviseur where a jazz band played Django Reinhardt covers (Reinhardt was among the first people in France to appreciate the music of Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie and an amazing musician).
Pauline's apératif party
Last nite at Le Rétro
I've been in France for 21 days now. The longest I've ever been away from my baby (Choko), the longest I've been away since I moved back to Omaha in 2005 and it's a good/strange feeling.
I'm surrounded by beautiful, skinny girls and have been feeling so sub-par...Not that I'm proud of this feeling or proud of the fact that it takes other people's opinions to make me feel better but, while I'm walking around hating my body, others actually find it attractive. I got the greatest compliment today by one of these girls. She said I have the body of a pin-up girl and that seriously made my day.
I know, we shouldn't base our opinions of ourselves off of what other people think but when you're feeling low, it's nice to get a good, honest compliment.
So last night was F.U.N.!!!
I went to this resturaunt/bar called Le Rétroviseur where a jazz band played Django Reinhardt covers (Reinhardt was among the first people in France to appreciate the music of Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie and an amazing musician).
I got hit on by 3 different guys, one who insisted on buying drinks for me and my friends all night!
BIG FUN.
You may or may not know that France is under a serious strike right now go here http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20090081779&ch=1/29/2009%2011:42:00%20AM
Today classes were cancelled and public transport was at a minimum if at all. Kind of exciting to be around for all this! Historic times and I'm right in the middle!
I've got some exciting news...I'm going to Paris on Sunday to visit Le Louvre and also to attend a rehearsal with this choir I'm going to perform with the following Sunday. I will be working with my dear friend and artist, Franck Leibovici and the host of the event is none other than Lee Rinaldo of Sonic Youth (one of my favorite bands).
I've got my ticket for Glasgow, Scotland and will be spending a week there!
I'm so excited!
-René
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Adrenal Fatigue??
I know it's in my genes to sleep late. I've never been an early morning riser. I'm also an avid fan of nap taking.
Perhaps it's the consistancy of overcast days here, cold weather and lots of new things including French language everyday....But I feel exhausted.
I'm not sick anymore, thank GOD! but I seriously wake-up everyday around 10:30am and could stay in bed much longer if I allowed myself.
I'm taking vitamins, could be drinking more water, and I'm sure my one meal a day isn't helping...
I'm getting there though...My French feels like its getting a little bit better. Some of the professors talk really fast and that tends to give me a brain melt but I am picking up more..
Going back to bed for a bit, then gonna do some studying. It might be a good idea to eat something as well.
ttfn,
R
Perhaps it's the consistancy of overcast days here, cold weather and lots of new things including French language everyday....But I feel exhausted.
I'm not sick anymore, thank GOD! but I seriously wake-up everyday around 10:30am and could stay in bed much longer if I allowed myself.
I'm taking vitamins, could be drinking more water, and I'm sure my one meal a day isn't helping...
I'm getting there though...My French feels like its getting a little bit better. Some of the professors talk really fast and that tends to give me a brain melt but I am picking up more..
Going back to bed for a bit, then gonna do some studying. It might be a good idea to eat something as well.
ttfn,
R
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Sunday in Amiens
Everything here is closed on Sunday. So if you have no food, you better hope you got some by Saturday. The apéro party was really fun! We ate lots of yummy cheese and different types of ham on baguette and drank this yummy punch with lots of drunk fruit in it. Played a silly game and then Denae and I realized the buses weren't running anymore so we walked home.
The long way. I'm guessing by the amount of time it took us to walk we probably walked about 4 miles maybe 4.5. It wasn't too cold so that was a plus. But we didn't have a map only knew the general direction so we took a very round-about way of getting home. None-the-less it was still a nice walk.
Today I'm cleaning my dorm, checking out what classes to take for tomorrow and gonna do some homework.
I received my first letter yesterday which made me SOOOO happy! Thanks, Joe!
My first class isn't until noon which is nice since I've been sleeping until 10:30 every morning.
Give me some sugar!
-R
The long way. I'm guessing by the amount of time it took us to walk we probably walked about 4 miles maybe 4.5. It wasn't too cold so that was a plus. But we didn't have a map only knew the general direction so we took a very round-about way of getting home. None-the-less it was still a nice walk.
Today I'm cleaning my dorm, checking out what classes to take for tomorrow and gonna do some homework.
I received my first letter yesterday which made me SOOOO happy! Thanks, Joe!
My first class isn't until noon which is nice since I've been sleeping until 10:30 every morning.
Give me some sugar!
-R
Saturday, January 24, 2009
24th Janvier
Two Adorable people!
Sick in my favorite pj's
Yummy Chocolate Fondue made by Pauline!
So, I'm finally starting to feel better but am, indeed, still sick.
Yummy Chocolate Fondue made by Pauline!
So, I'm finally starting to feel better but am, indeed, still sick.
No going travelling this weekend with my sickness and the rain it just wasn't a good idea.
I've been dreaming of home. good dreams and bad. I suppose it's all normal and part of being homesick...So I'll take it.
went and saw Revoultionary Road yesterday. Don't know if I liked it or not.
What else? well, since I've been sick I honestly haven't done anything too exciting.
Oh, I went out Thursday night for a girl's birthday, that was fun. Met Pauline's adorable younger brother, Guillaume. Went to a niteclub called the Millenium that was in the middle of nowhere, maybe I would have liked it more had I not been sick and tired.
If you sent me a care package, I would love some microwave popcorn, ranch dressing (no trans fats), and peanut butter.
tonite I think I'm going to Pauline's for an apéro party...for now, cleaning, studying, relaxing.
C'est tout!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Je suis malade
Well, I'm still sick but I've managed to make it to 3 classes.
I really like them. I'm taking to translation classes a cinema class
and this amazing master's level class called Sex, Gender and religion in English speaking countries...wow.
I have to find 3 or 4 more classes to take! but I'll try again next week.
It's been chilly and rainy here. i have more photos for you and just need to get motivated to put them up.
gonna take a nap (it's 2:46pm) then go out tonite for one of the ISEP students birthday. Tomorrow I'm supposed to go to Dover (England) for a movie premier but we'll see how I'm feeling and how the weather is.
-More soon
-R
I really like them. I'm taking to translation classes a cinema class
and this amazing master's level class called Sex, Gender and religion in English speaking countries...wow.
I have to find 3 or 4 more classes to take! but I'll try again next week.
It's been chilly and rainy here. i have more photos for you and just need to get motivated to put them up.
gonna take a nap (it's 2:46pm) then go out tonite for one of the ISEP students birthday. Tomorrow I'm supposed to go to Dover (England) for a movie premier but we'll see how I'm feeling and how the weather is.
-More soon
-R
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Sick Girl
Classes started yesterday and so did my sickness.
I managed to make it through most of yesterday before I realized how truly sick I was.
I went to school to look for classes, went to the supermarket, carried my heavy groceries back to my dorm and cooked dinner for myself and 2 other girls. By the time dinner was over, the fever set in. It took hold of my system for a good 16 hours before breaking. No medication could touch the heat coiled around my brain and body.
Between sweats and the chills it finally released me around 5pm this afternoon, right after the tour ended that I was supposed to go on. Right after I was too recieve my student ID card and get vital info on my classes. But alas, my body willed me to stay in bed.
I'm feeling much better now, still not completely well ,but better.
How is it that I get sick right during the time I'm supposed to take care of important business?
Today, I mostly stayed in bed, made it to Pauline's to watch Obama take his rightful crown, got some Chinese soup and now back at the dorm for more rest.
Hopefully, gonna make it to classes tomorrow.
-R
I managed to make it through most of yesterday before I realized how truly sick I was.
I went to school to look for classes, went to the supermarket, carried my heavy groceries back to my dorm and cooked dinner for myself and 2 other girls. By the time dinner was over, the fever set in. It took hold of my system for a good 16 hours before breaking. No medication could touch the heat coiled around my brain and body.
Between sweats and the chills it finally released me around 5pm this afternoon, right after the tour ended that I was supposed to go on. Right after I was too recieve my student ID card and get vital info on my classes. But alas, my body willed me to stay in bed.
I'm feeling much better now, still not completely well ,but better.
How is it that I get sick right during the time I'm supposed to take care of important business?
Today, I mostly stayed in bed, made it to Pauline's to watch Obama take his rightful crown, got some Chinese soup and now back at the dorm for more rest.
Hopefully, gonna make it to classes tomorrow.
-R
Sunday, January 18, 2009
I wrote this on Jan. 15th (Arrival day)
15th Janvier
Today I arrived in Amiens! It is such a beautiful little town!
I met my exchange advisor, Pauline and we get along famously. She loves to cook, shop and collect products (hair, make-up, skin)…all things I love.
Today I ate pork for the first time in 16 years (give or take). Pauline made Jenny and me this warm soothing soup with potatoes, zucchini and some other vegetable and then quiche with ham that was so amazingly good.
My dorm is very cute too. I have one window a mini-fridge, a little closet and my own bathroom. The shower has the best pressure ever and it’s HOT, but it is barely big enough for me to stand. If I bend any way I am no longer standing in the shower but in the area with the sink and toilet, so it’s about the size of a small closet. My closet is a quarter of the size of the bathroom. I have a desk, a single bed and lots of little shelves and storage space that even with all my stuff, I have not managed to fill.
The floor is a pretty soft purple and most of the décor is yellow with silver “chrome” I bought hot-pink sheets and a cute bath mat with flowers.
There are sooo many American students here, I think 19 total but they are all super young. I hung out with them for dinner tonight and they’re great but I’m really not sure how involved I’m going to get in that scene.
There are more Black people here than I thought which is comforting. I just like not being the only one and I also just appreciate being surrounded by all different kinds of people. There are students from all over!
I made friends with this girl Denae. She’s studying languages as well. She and I have a date to go to London for the premier of Underworld…I know, you’re jealous!
I will have a phone and internet tomorrow so I will finally be able to fully communicate with the rest of the world.
My homesickness has subsided for the time being. I’m sure it will come and go.
Okay there is an alarm going off in my dorm…a fire? Smoke? Why am I not jilted?
À bientôt (see you soon)
-René
Today I arrived in Amiens! It is such a beautiful little town!
I met my exchange advisor, Pauline and we get along famously. She loves to cook, shop and collect products (hair, make-up, skin)…all things I love.
Today I ate pork for the first time in 16 years (give or take). Pauline made Jenny and me this warm soothing soup with potatoes, zucchini and some other vegetable and then quiche with ham that was so amazingly good.
My dorm is very cute too. I have one window a mini-fridge, a little closet and my own bathroom. The shower has the best pressure ever and it’s HOT, but it is barely big enough for me to stand. If I bend any way I am no longer standing in the shower but in the area with the sink and toilet, so it’s about the size of a small closet. My closet is a quarter of the size of the bathroom. I have a desk, a single bed and lots of little shelves and storage space that even with all my stuff, I have not managed to fill.
The floor is a pretty soft purple and most of the décor is yellow with silver “chrome” I bought hot-pink sheets and a cute bath mat with flowers.
There are sooo many American students here, I think 19 total but they are all super young. I hung out with them for dinner tonight and they’re great but I’m really not sure how involved I’m going to get in that scene.
There are more Black people here than I thought which is comforting. I just like not being the only one and I also just appreciate being surrounded by all different kinds of people. There are students from all over!
I made friends with this girl Denae. She’s studying languages as well. She and I have a date to go to London for the premier of Underworld…I know, you’re jealous!
I will have a phone and internet tomorrow so I will finally be able to fully communicate with the rest of the world.
My homesickness has subsided for the time being. I’m sure it will come and go.
Okay there is an alarm going off in my dorm…a fire? Smoke? Why am I not jilted?
À bientôt (see you soon)
-René
lots of catching up
ok, i've got a lot to write
i am using qa french keyboard and it's a bit different
it takes me longer to type
the q is located where the a is!
anyway, lots of photos i will upload tonite
the phone number i posted , well the country code is wrong
you have to dial 001 33 and then the number but now i have to figure out how to put the credit i bought on my phone!
until tonite!
p.s. i had another dream about choko...mama's baby
i am using qa french keyboard and it's a bit different
it takes me longer to type
the q is located where the a is!
anyway, lots of photos i will upload tonite
the phone number i posted , well the country code is wrong
you have to dial 001 33 and then the number but now i have to figure out how to put the credit i bought on my phone!
until tonite!
p.s. i had another dream about choko...mama's baby
Friday, January 16, 2009
I'm still here w/ no internet but doing great!
Okay. I have no internet and I am feeling a bit disconnected! But, I LOVE Amiens. It is a beautiful little town.
I have a phone.
Here is my number...You have to call me because it costs me $2 USD to call you
#033 63 76 34 31 6
I may not have internet until Friday, so be patient. I wrote a great blog last nite but can't post it! I have photos of my dorm and all
Later,
Rene
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
My Ruby Red Slippers are named "Choko"
I am excited to see where I will be living for the next 5 months.
If I could leave everything I packed behind so I could bring Choko, I would. I know, I'm a nerd. It's not that I don't miss my friends and family. It's just that, I can at least talk to them....my puppy can't talk, she doesn't even know what's going on.
I miss her little nips and barks and the pitter-patter of her feet on my wood floors.
I'm homesick today...and that's, okay.
I think Franck gave me some semblance of home and when he left I really felt alone. I can't tell you how amazingly well he took care of me, making sure I am comfortable, fed, understanding conversations....
But now Jenny (another exchange student from UNO) is here to share this adventure with me and I, with her!
The ebb and flow of an amazing experience,
R
If I could leave everything I packed behind so I could bring Choko, I would. I know, I'm a nerd. It's not that I don't miss my friends and family. It's just that, I can at least talk to them....my puppy can't talk, she doesn't even know what's going on.
I miss her little nips and barks and the pitter-patter of her feet on my wood floors.
I'm homesick today...and that's, okay.
I think Franck gave me some semblance of home and when he left I really felt alone. I can't tell you how amazingly well he took care of me, making sure I am comfortable, fed, understanding conversations....
But now Jenny (another exchange student from UNO) is here to share this adventure with me and I, with her!
The ebb and flow of an amazing experience,
R
Tomorrow Amiens!
Soupe À l'oignon (French onion soup)
Krista
Breakfast that Franck made for me!
Dessert! Chocolate cake, Lichees and mandarin oranges
Krista
Breakfast that Franck made for me!
Dessert! Chocolate cake, Lichees and mandarin oranges
Franck left today for a job in Lyon. Jenny arrived a few moments ago. I already miss my French friend but know I will see him again soon.
Yesterday I didn't get out of bed. I was so tired, a bit nauseous and still jet-lagged.
I think Jenny and I will wonder around for a bit, go to the supermarket and chill. We have to catch the train at 10 am tomorrow morning and will also be moving into our dorms!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Hier Soir (Last Nite)
First I want to Praise and thank God for all He has given me including today and the very breathes I breathe!!
I was very relaxed yesterday and stayed in Montmartre. I met up with my study abroad advisor from Omaha and her friend and we had lunch and walked around Le Sacre Coeur. Last time I went to this church I didn't go inside because I didn't know I could. Well, I went yesterday and it is breathtaking! The moment I walked through the doors I got shivers and tingles and seriously had a very spiritual moment. I know and believe that God is EVERYWHERE but I definately felt the presence of the Holy in this church.
I woke up pretty late today because I was up until 4:30am!
Franck and I went to his friends apartment for dinner (they do that a lot here, have each other over for dinner and conversation, yes, even the men!)
Franck's two friends didn't speak much english so my brain was at work! By the time we left (4 hours later) I was exhausted!!!! I definately think it's helping my French though, to be in those kinds of situations where I am forced to speak and listen, but I have to be honest, after a while I started to zone out too because it can get pretty overwhelming.
I've got some more photos to post but I'm going to procrastinate and it later.
Much Love...
I was very relaxed yesterday and stayed in Montmartre. I met up with my study abroad advisor from Omaha and her friend and we had lunch and walked around Le Sacre Coeur. Last time I went to this church I didn't go inside because I didn't know I could. Well, I went yesterday and it is breathtaking! The moment I walked through the doors I got shivers and tingles and seriously had a very spiritual moment. I know and believe that God is EVERYWHERE but I definately felt the presence of the Holy in this church.
I woke up pretty late today because I was up until 4:30am!
Franck and I went to his friends apartment for dinner (they do that a lot here, have each other over for dinner and conversation, yes, even the men!)
Franck's two friends didn't speak much english so my brain was at work! By the time we left (4 hours later) I was exhausted!!!! I definately think it's helping my French though, to be in those kinds of situations where I am forced to speak and listen, but I have to be honest, after a while I started to zone out too because it can get pretty overwhelming.
I've got some more photos to post but I'm going to procrastinate and it later.
Much Love...
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
