Late update number 20135

2nd to last late blog update on my insane Paris/world adventure

So the last time I’m updated on my blog was….a while ago. About halfway through the semester, I started to slack hardcore on this blog, but I wanted to at least give it a good ending! I’ve had quite the adventure on the other side of the ocean. If I remember correctly, the last time I updated it was just becoming warm and beautiful in Paris. I enjoyed my last days in Paris soo much, and because of that worked throughout the month of April trying to find a job that would allow me to stay in Europe for the summer. Eventually, thanks to the advice of a friend, I stumbled upon Aupair world. It’s an internet site that allows families and aupairs to connect and form a partnership. Ha. Well, I first found a family where I would be living in the South of France for the entire summer. However after some thought, I decided that I didn’t want to stay the entire summer…not to mention the father was text messaging and giving me the creeps. So I apologized and declined their offer. I was about to give up when I was contacted by a family that was located 30 minutes from Geneva, Switzerland. Originally going into the website to create my profile, I had limited my search to families looking for an aupair who lived in Southern France. This family contacted me informing me I would live near Geneva for the month of June, and then move on to multiple parts of Southern France for the month of July. It sounded wonderful! Full room and board, meals, 400 euros a month, and my own car were all included. So I took the job. I spent the month of May taking finals, running around like a chicken with my head cut off, researching graduate school opportunities, making new friends, dancing of course, and tying up things in Paris. I ended up working double the time in the month of May, and made an extra 300euros for the summer! It was a really nice extra bit. However, the last week things took a turn. As I tried to enjoy my last days to the fullest, things quickly became sad, and that is when the goodbyes started. My last night in Paris was rather rough; I was grabbed in the metro by a drunk man. It really was a downer. By the end of the night, I was lying in bed with my best friend, who just happens to be my roommate, sobbing. I’ve never been so upset to leave a place. The next day I worked in the morning to complete my work hours, and visited some favorite places. Emily and I had lunch at a place we shared a meal at the first week we arrived in Paris. It was the strangest feeling in the world to be sitting in the same place, the place we started so many months ago. We then took a walk around Bastille, and made our way back to our apartment…our last day living together. As I was leaving to get on the metro, we sat there in cried holding each other. Fittingly, it started pouring. I don’t care what anyone says, our apartment was a horrible place; budbugs, no heat, no hot water, constant problems with the landlord…however I would go back there to live with Em in a heartbeat. I cried all the way to the airport, that silent cry that you try to hide but every single person notices. I had two wonderful people try to comfort me. The first one being a young guy my age; is all he said was “everything’s going to work out alright (in French). The second was a wonderful woman who walked with me through the station, talking about change and how much it helps us grow. Paris has never been so kind to me.

When I finally made it the airport I was tired, drenched, and puffy eyed. Don’t you know it; my flight was delayed by an hour. I called the family and let them know I would be late. When I finally arrived in Geneva, the mother picked me up. In the ride to their house, she explained some of the upcoming events, and we had small talk. I looked around and loved the mountains. We got to the house and they showed me my room, and quickly allowed me to go to bed. She said I would ride with her to school the next morning with the girls until she had time to give me a quick lesson on…manual. Oh boy. I fell asleep uncomfortable, and woke up thinking I was in Paris. That used to happen to me all of the time when I would wake up in Paris thinking I was home. I guess I had made another home for myself.

The next morning I met the two girls, Keiko and Zoe. Zoe is 7 and Keiko is 5. All went well enough, we dressed them, and I learned quickly that things were not going to be explained. I was going to have to pick things up as I went. The girls went to school, and she dropped me back off at the house. I spent the day alone…took a walk into town, got to know the house a bit, slept. The next day was when things started to go downhill. It all started with our little driving lesson. After the girls were dropped off at school, I got into the driver’s seat. I had taken a few lessons in Paris, and felt pretty confident. That quickly went out the window. Forgot one little thing, I was living in the mountains and had no idea how to get up a hill. The woman was furious, yelled, screamed, and accused me of lying that I had taken lessons in Paris. It was lovely. I returned to the house and she went to work…I spent the day crying. She apologized later, but it was a very distant apology. The next day was the same until she finally realized I just didn’t know how to let the clutch up, I was using my whole leg instead of flexing my foot. So while she was at work, I spent the day practicing. Within two days I had it, and I wasn’t stalling! I felt extremely accomplished, but she was still not impressed. Monday morning I brought the girls to school while she was in the passenger seat. Again, horrible. She yelled at me for going to slow, as apparently you must go the exact speed limit in France to keep circulation going. I thought using caution was a good thing, apparently I was really really wrong. She made comments like something like that is dangerous, etc. Then I stalled at the light. Awesome. The girls saw this and quickly joined in on remarking on my driving. They still continue to do so a month later. The days were really starting to drag, and I still hadn’t met anyone. So that week, I started researching courses. The family had offered to pay for a French course in Geneva. So I signed up, bought a map of Geneva, and I was off. I missed the first class on account of being lost, big surprise, but still intended on signing up. Friday night at about 11pm, they let me know that I had Saturday off! I was so excited, as it was my first day free. I went onto couchsurfers and posted a message that I would be in Geneva all day and wanted to explore! Saturday morning I went to a beautiful market by myself in Sallaches, France. It was gorgeous, and I found many gifts. The Haute Savoie Region, where I’m living is absolutely gorgeous. I will never regret coming here, even though the family was a bit harsh. Later that day, I met up with a ton of different people! I ended up staying out until about 1am, but it was well worth it because I had finally made friends and had a good day. I was still rather lonely however at the house. I was trying to pick up as many things as I could living and working with the family, but I was definitely considered hired help. I started classes, and ended up meeting some other aupairs however. It was really nice to start hearing what other people were going through! Finally I met Kajsa, who has been my best friend here. She is absolutely the sweetest person I have ever met, who will go out of her way to help you when in need. After class every day, I go over to her house and we just hang out. She is from Finland, but speaks English fluently.

So as for the family, it’s like this. I am hired help, which is not overly surprising. I cook, clean, iron, take care of the girls in the mornings and the evening. There is no attempt made to get to know each other, it is more as if I am just a ghost who lives in the basement. The girls are horribly misbehaved, and it is a constant battle to get them to do anything as they don’t respect me (as they can see their mother doesn’t either). Constant crying is rewarded with what they want from the parents, so I don’t have much leeway. However they are kids, and they certainly have their moments when they can be slightly charming. Slightly. I was certainly sad, however thankfully I was able to talk to my friends and parents about it every day, not to mention seeing Kajsa. I was bike riding every day, exploring the region, and just admiring how amazing it is. I’ve never seen snowcaps like these, in the summer no less!

One evening however, the mother came home in a bad mood. She definitely rules the family, and the father never has too much to say or argue about. Everyone was walking on eggshells, and suddenly she turned on me. Keiko’s ballet outfit was missing, and no one could find it. Better yet, her dance recital was the next day. Great. She screamed at me, telling me I was irresponsible, and that I needed to find it. At 10pm, I went out into town to search for the missing ballet outfit as the mother was flying out to Paris the next morning for the day. Nothing. I had no idea where this outfit had gone, or how it had anything to do with me. I went to bed that night sobbing, and made the decision. I sent an email to my travel agent and asked for a flight that would take me home the beginning of June. I would stay until the girls finished school, and then I would leave. I called my parents, and they were very happy as they could tell things weren’t going well there for me. The next morning, I dropped off the girls and went on “Find the stupid ass tutu” mission. I first went to the auditorium where practice had taken place…nothing. Then, I went to the dance studio. I waited for an hour until it opened, and finally a woman walked in. I explained that I was “la fille aupair” of Keiko and Zoe, and what had occurred. I think she could tell either by my swollen eyes and my choked voice that I was on the edge. That second the mother called the studio…basically checking that I was there searching. The woman gave me a smile, and quickly went to work. She pulled out shoes and a tutu that would be a little big on Keiko but was the same color. She said she would call around, but not to worry as things would work out. She complimented my French, and seemed understanding of the family that I was dealing with. Haha, what I figured out about 2 weeks into living with them was that they were one of the richest families in town. He. So I headed back to the house still feeling rather defeated. If you’ve ever seen the Devil Wears Prada, I am the girl working hard to please the unappeasable. However, as I was driving home I received a phone call. I friend of Keiko’s had stolen her stuff and hid it in this woman’s van. Lovely, it hadn’t had anything to do with me. So the woman dropped off Keiko’s things, and I made plans to meet up with Kajsa right after the dance performance to I didn’t have to see the family. I finally received an email from my travel agent, and decided to fly out July 5, the earliest date in July I can leave. I didn’t care about a flight change fee, I just wanted to get home. It turned out only to be $85! I was expecting $250… The weekend with Kajsa was wonderful. We were going to drive to Italy, but at the last minute decided a day trip to Annecy, France would be just as beautiful and cheaper. We spent the day walking around the small winding streets, taking pictures, eating a fantastic French “raclette” dinner, and finally some ice cream. I dropped her off and prepared myself to speak with the parents about my early departure. I explained to them that I need to be home for family matters. They were fine with it, they weren’t going to pry me for answers. Over the next week I acquired my first parking ticket ever…in Geneva, Switzerland. Who would have thought. I quickly paid that off, and tried to tie up any loose ends there.

So as to where I am at now. Currently I am sitting in Geneva airport (a week after all of this went down). I’m going to PRAGUE!!! I’m meeting with multiple friends I’ve made from across the world and meeting with them for my birthday in Prague. I am so excited and counting down the days until my return to the states. I will be in Prague Friday to Monday, and then I will only have 10 full days left with the family followed by four days in Paris. It will be fantastic. However, today was rather stressful. I was running a bit late to the airport today. I drove myself as the family didn’t offer and it just so happened that Kajsa lives only 10 minutes away! However, I ended up lost (huge surprise) and had to go straight to the airport! The plan was to pick Kajsa up and that she would drive my car to her house. I was worried on the phone and she could tell. So she had her wonderful family that she is an aupair for quickly race her to the airport to meet me with the keys. I’ve never met such wonderful giving people in my life. I will most definitely be getting them something wonderful in Prague….I’m just not yet sure what. It was so stressful, and ofcourse I get to the airport and my flight is delayed! Haha ah well, at least I didn’t miss it. I will probably arrive in Paris about midnight, stay with a friend for 4 hours, and then catch the bus to Paris Beauvais airport at 5am. My flight leaves at 8, and I will be in Prague by 9! I am so excited to see everyone, it is going to be amazing. I will see Emily (my Paris roommate), her friend Katelin who is backpacking with her, Kallie (a girl I have not seen in 2 years who I graduated high school with!), Kristi (an American girl I met snowboarding in Geneva), and Andy (a friend from Paris)! I will also be meeting two other guys from the states for the first time, and we will all by sharing an 8 person suite at a hostel in Prague. It’s going to be amazing. I will certainly write an ending to this story once I get back to the states, but until then it’s my birthday in Prague!!! Home on July 5! (Thank you to all my wonderful friends)

Vacations

At the beginning of April, I finally took the leap, and started traveling outside of France. It was absolutely the best vacation I have ever taken. It started when my buddy Scott from Albany (studying abroad in London currently) came to Paris to visit with his family. I was there Parisian tour guide for the week, which was awesome considering I went to a lot of museums and galleries I hadn't taken the time to see yet. It was also really nice to have a family around, at the time I was realllyy homesick. Everyone had family visiting, and it was hard knowing I wasn't going to see my family for at least another 5 months. But having Scott's family here was great. Last minute, Scott was like "Hey, want to go to Nice in the south of France?". Of course, I was like, "Alright". So, the journey began. I flew down to the South of France with Scott. It was the most beautiful flight I've ever taken. Not only did we lift off as the sun was rising, but we started landing right over the ocean. I actually thought we were crashing, because there wasn't a runway in sight. And then, all of the sudden we hit ground. Palm trees, teal/blue ocean, and beautiful beaches surrounded us, best moment everrr.

Pink lady. That sums up my hostel situation in Nice. Scott and his friends had already booked a hostel, so I had to go to one down the street. The information was sketch. "Walk in to the restaurant, and ask for the Pink lady". I imagined a scene similar to "Hostel" accompanying my stay alone in this hostel, but nope. Instead I was greeted by an 80 year old woman, wearing an entirely pink outfit (which I assume she sports quite often), in a mismatched and misfit restaurant suitable for Harry Potter. She brought me up into the hostel into a room I would share with 9 other people. It was sweet, bathroom, fully stocked kitchen, my own bed, it was great. Scott and I spent the first day hiking a nearby mountain, waiting for the arrival of his friends from London. The next few days included rollerblading (clearly I fell on my ass), eating fantastic seafood, and laying on the beach. By day two, I did not want to leave. Scott and I decided to start handing out applications to the local restaurants, hoping to find summer employment.

After Nice, I left right for Geneva, Switzerland. Another breathtaking and fantastic sight, but different. Flying in, I saw nothing but snowy mountains. It was awesome. I left the flight, only to hop on a train to Innsbruck, Austria. The transfer to the train station from the airport was a bit stressful, however I managed alright. Luckily I had quite a few hours between my flight and train. My friends meeting me in Innsbruck were not so lucky, they missed a flight as well as two trains. No good and expensive! I finally made it to Innsbruck at the same exact time as my friends, and it was so exciting! Emily, Megan, and I ran into each other's arms, and immediatly broke into stories and what not, considering an entire week had passed without eachother's presence. Our friend picked us up from the station, and the night began. We all went out to dinner and a local bar. It was cheap and delicious. We made it to bed pretty early however because the next day was snowboarding all day longgg. We woke up bright and early, bought ourselves some "Happy Morning Juice" and some banana milk. Yum yum. That day we snowboarded hardcore, and it was beautiful. We managed to try a local delicacy, some ridiculously long name, consisting of dumplings, fat, and deliciousness. We even learned quite a bit of german (which has inspired me to start studying german next semester. Haha). Ich bin bedrunken, Ich bin faloran (sp?), and Ich bin besoften. I am drunk, I am lost, I am hammered. Haha, key phrases of survival. That night we went out with the locals, and saw the entire city from the highest point.

Unfortunantly, I couldn't stay the next day as I was on my way back to Geneva for a couchsurfing festival! 40 snowboarders, one chalet, one week of snowboarding in the Swiss Alps, and a hell of a time. 8:30 am to 4:30 each day we would hit the slopes, which covered two countries (France and Switzerland). It was massive and the most amazing place I've ever boarded. 5 o'clock rolled around, and the beers started cracking. The chalet turned into a party house, and a different team from across the world would cook each night. The Italians, the dutch, the Americans (there was actually one other!). We of course chose a local delicacy: American Breakfast. I've never cooked so much french toast in my entire life. Truth or dare, wet teeshirt (or turtleneck) contests, bathing suit snowboarding, and an awesome time followed in suit. I made fantastic life long friends who were extremely open, and ready for anything. I never wanted to leave. Luckily we all plan to meet again this summer:). Most definitely the most wonderful vacation of my life, starting from sunning on the beach to sunning on a mountain. At one point we got lost in the swiss alps...for 3 hours. There were 5 of us extremely far from civilization, and it was pretty risque for a bit. However, we managed through...without too many scrapes. Finally the day came when I had to leave my new home in Champery:(. I hugged and bisoued the other goodbye, and headed to Geneva airport.

And that is when shit hit the fan. Unfortunantly, as I was checking into my flight, I realized I was missing something rather important, known as my passport. I assume it was stolen my second time through Geneva airport. So needless to say, I missed my flight, reported my passport stolen to the police, ran through the airport to try and make said missed flight, slept in the airport, was offered 10 euros for sexual favors, and was not sure if I would ever make it home to Paris. But, I held in the tears. After 12 hours in the airport, everything opened back up and I inquired about a flight. 400 euros. "I don't think so," I said. I proceeded to try my luck at the train station, only to find out the good old France rails were on strike. Fantastic. No tickets were allowed to be purchased, and again I was stuck. The nice gentleman behind the window then proceeded to offer me a bit of advice: "Get on the train without a ticket, there's a possibility you'll be arrested but also that they'll let you buy a ticket". So, smelly and sweaty, I rannn to the train. I squeezed into a seat on the already jampacked train, and did what I told myself not to do, fell fast asleep. I was woken up 2 times to change seats, as everyone else on the train seemed to have a ticket. However, to my knowledge, no one had come through yet to check tickets. Phew, major stressing. So sweating bullets, and literally 20 minutes before arrival in Paris at 10 30 am, the ticket woman came through. I was terrified. To my great relief, she allowed me to buy a ticket. 40 euro! Much better than 400. As I made it to the train station in Paris, I felt a rush of relief. However, next step. Run to class. I spent the next to days going to classes, working, and having no time to recover from my epic journey. Finally, Friday, 5pm rolled around. After a short mental breakdown of tears and calling home, I felt like a million pounds were lifted off my shoulders.

Life continued, although I knew I wouldn't be able to take my Spring Break trips to Dublin and Edinburgh as planned. Shitty. But then a little luck bounced my way. That's right, a volcano exploded, and this girl got a full refund on all my plane tickets:))). I may have been the only person in the world the volcano worked out for, as the American Embassy was absolutely plagued with French police trying to combat off angry Americans who were stuck in France. However, 150 dollars later, I managed to fix the passport situation. Now I must just wait.

As for summer employment, I now have a job! I have decided to be an au pair for the summer. The last week and a half aupairworld.com has been my crack. After making a profile, I sent and received numerous requests from multiple families. The family I will be working for is located 20 minutes from Geneva. I will spend the month of June at their house in the mountains, and then the month of July in the South of France in their summer home. Yes! Mountains and beach again, I cannot wait. I do have to practice driving stick as I get my own car, but I cannot wait! 90 euros a week, free lodging and food, my own car, room, etc; it's a done deal. Not too mention I'll have the opportunity to speak french with a family, good shit. Then on July 27, I'll be making my way back to the states. I can't wait to at least have a bit of summer with my friends, and move into the new apartment waiting at home! I'm psyched, and I may even have a bit of money. Nice. The kids look wonderful, and I think it'll just be a great summer. I plan on spending my birthday in Prague, and then I will have a week in July to do as I please. I'll probably take a trip to Spain, possibly Italy or Ireland as well. We shall see!

So that's the latest in a nutshell. Paris is finally warm, and it is beautiful. I've been able to see different parks everyday, and had a picnic with my friends today. I love it here, I'm going to be a big ass crying baby on July 27....

Ok-Mega Update Time

So, obviously I haven't updated in a while. Well, I will not share the story or stories with everyone.

When Emily and I first moved into our apartment, I started having allergic reactions. Hives, those extremely attractive things, covered me. I assumed I was allergic to a lotion, even the water. So obviously a month and a half went by, I couldn't figure it out, and I kept having reoccurring hives. At the same time, Emily started getting bites. Little bites localized on her hands, her neck, her back, even her ankle. One day Emily mentioned, do you think we have the same thing? "Nah," I said, "I get hives all the time, it's normal."

A couple weeks later, Emily asked our landlord if there was a bug problem in the apartment, and showed her our bites. Our insane landlord replied, Nahh, "Must be the ladybugs". Hmm. Ironically enough, the next day we walked into our apartment, and our landlord was CLEANING our apartment top to bottom, doing our laundry, rearranging our clothes. We said, "Nhat, what exactly are you doing?" Her response: "Sometimes children need help cleaning". Yeah, well I don't know about her, but I don't know anychildren that pay 460 euro a month rent.

So, after the crazy cleaning/bizarre landlord sesh, our friend came into the picture. As we were all sitting around a table at a dinner party, discussing our strange occurrences, a friend of ours asked, "Is it possible that you have bedbugs?"

And so that is where the story begins. That night we decided to stay at our friend's house, just in case this theory were to be true. The next morning we walked into our apartment, and looked around. I guess we thought they would just jump out at us. Well, they basically did. Not only we're they in our rooms, but in the kitchen, on our clothes, in the bathroom. It was the most disgusting experience ever. We quickly grabbed one pair of clothes a piece, and left the apartment to wash them. We had nothing but our books, laptops, and the set of clothes on our back. We were homeless. So after making a few calls, Emily got in touch with a family who lived outside the city. We made our way to their home, and it was lovely. Minus the fact that their daughter and exchange student thought we were diseased and refused to come near us. It was a nice stay, but due to the fact that it was so far outside the city, you had to pay to get out there as well as take a very long commute. So, so we started to stay with various friends. We jumped from house to house, and eventually broke down and bought new clothes. We would spend our days sitting in internet cafes, waiting until someone would send us a text saying they we're headed back to their house so we could get in. Ahh, it was terrible.

As for the apartment, we went to our program office, and they called our landlady. Let me tell you, she was pisseddd. The first step of the process was denial (we showed her some of the bagged critters), the second part of the process was embarassment, the third step was blaming it on someone else (us).

The funny thing about the french is that they think New York City occupies the entire state of New York. When I said I live in Northern New York once, a kid asked me if it was near Queens. So while my landlord was trying to find some way to blame us for the incident, a light bulb went off in her head. "Well, I hear there is a large problem with bedbugs in New York City," she told the program. I was ready to strangle someone. So when she mentioned this little fact to me in person, I very nicely commented that I lived 5 hours from NYC, and hadn't even taken my flight through there. Take that.

So, while she didn't have any other choice, she hired an exterminator. We emptied out all of our food in our landlords apartment, very awkward I might add, and the guy went to work. For 5 days we couldn't enter our apartment due to the fact the fumes were so bad. Our landlord insisted it was fine after less than 48 hours, she either has rocks for brains or is trying to kill us.

By week 2 of not having an apartment, it was starting to wear on me. The day that is imprinted most into my memory of this lovely adventure was this.

I was sitting in Mcdonalds with a coffee and my laptop getting internet. I needed to call my parents and update them on the situation, read emails, and do homework. To the right of me a homeless man had sat with his meal, however at the time I had been wearing the same clothes for about a week, so we actually looked rather cute together. I plugged in my headphones, and gave the ol' family a ring. That's when the mental breakdown started. The schizophrenic homeless man next to me though I was the same as him for a moment, so laughed at me as I started speaking to my computer. People stared, I felt gross, it was bad. So, as I was talking to my parents, I started crying, crying hardcore. People stared, the homeless man laughed, my parents sat confused on the phone not understanding my situation.

Ah so that was the day things hit rock bottom. However, from then on, things got much better. We finally were able to move into our apartment thankfully. Due to the fact that I had been feeling so homesick (probably due to the fact that I hadn't actually had a home for 2 weeks), I decided to take a break in the country side. A family friend outside of Tours invited me to his home for the weekend, as well as my two good friends. So together we took a train and left Paris for the weekend. It was so fantastic. We spent the weekend having phenominal food (chicken AND pork, the first meat I've eaten in a month), playing with kids, and driving their minivan around the countryside. It was priceless, and it definitely brought everything back to normal.

So, after a phenominal weekend, I just wanted to update everyone on my crazy Parisian excursions. All is well, I've started planning my spring break trips; I believe it's going to be Austria, Switzerland, Ireland, Scotland, Poland, and finally Prague! For the summer, I am trying to find a job so that I might be able to stay here. I've applied to a favorite it Spain, teaching english at a day camp, accomodation, great pay.

So that is all for now, sorry for the lack of updates, but when your homeless you don't get wifi. It's rough.

Updates soon!

Scratch backpacking-new idea

So, this weekend was pretty relaxed as compared to, well, the entire time I've been in France. I actually got full nights of sleep, and enjoyed only spending about 5 euro. Friday started a bit rough, considering ALL of my plans for this week had to be completely shifted. While my school is on winter break this week (first week of March), my program has decided that it is not. So, the one course I am taking through MICEFA is not canceled, and the teacher has in fact given everyone a presentation to do! I mean come on. So while me and my two friends had planned on spending the whole week traveling to different cities in Northern France, we unfortunately will not be making it to Tours this weekend to spend time with a family in the countryside. However, we have made plans to definitely do it during March. So tomorrow night, I will leave Paris by train, after 6 hours in the office of course, for Rennes in Northern France. I cannot wait! This will be my first time leaving Paris since I arrived, and it's going to be a blast. After a few days there, I'll meet Emily, my roommate, in Nantes. We're staying with a couple friends we have met through other friends, and it's just going to be a blast. We plan on making it back to Paris Thursday night, that we're alive by Friday morning for our 3 hour class=American-Franco relations with the Arab World. Joy. However, it did work out that we'll be back for the weekend, because my friend is having a "Dress as a cocktail" party in her flat! There will be some White Russians, some "Earth, Wind, and Fire", "Sex on the Beach", and a ton of others. I'm debating between "Assassin", "Miami vice", "Silver Bullet" or "Greek Martini". Haha, all in all it will be a blast, first costume party in Paris as well:P. This week, my two girlfriends and I have also been planning a ski trip:). The third week in March, we're going to fly to Marseille, and ski the Alps on the border of France and Italy. Ahh, I cannot wait! I didn't actually think I would be doing any skiing or snowboarding while I was here, I'm not sure why. So mom is sending me a care package complete with wool socks and underarmor. I've also signed up for another ski trip with couch surfers. An entire week in April, I'll be in Switzerland. It's going to be fantastic, and I'm pretty sure my friend from Albany, Scott (who is studying in London), will be joining. An entire week spent in a "Chalet" which is comparable to a mansion. Not too shabby.

So now for the ultimate news. I've been reviewing my finances lately, and determined the truth, I'm broke. Big surprise. So while I plan on finding a job in a pub in Paris, or even a babysitting job, I don't see that I'll be able to finance the entire backpacking trip of my dreams, at least not for now. Especially seeing as once I return home, I've got to find in apartment in Albany, graduate, apply to internships, etc. So, Scott, as brilliant as I now think he is, proposed working in Europe together for the summer. Neither of us want to leave, but we also cannot afford to stay. So, while I was bumming it this weekend, I started doing a bit of research. Let me tell you, I've hit a gold mine. I don't want to jinx anything, but Scott and I sent in two applications today, and we're going to continue researching. With luck, we'll find a resort that will hire us together for serving and what not. Ah, if only. We both decided if we ever did get these jobs, we'd just break down crying. But, I will speak more on that if it does develop.

So all in all, I just hung out this weekend around the apartment. Yesterday I did go to my favorite place in Paris, Sacre Coeur with some friends. We just walked around and took pictures, it was fantastic. Today I went on a two hour walk as well, I couldn't just sit in my apartment alll day. So now, I'm off. I've been putting off quite a bit of reading, and I know that it will be better if I try to get some notes taken before break, because there is no doubt in my mind this week is going to fly.

Hope everyone is doing well, I hear there some snow in the states...:P

A bientot

Slacker

I am the worst blogger ever, I have been such a slacker. Basically, live is just never going to slow down here. However, no complaints:). This week was mainly classes and work, and I've decided I most definitely need to find a second job whether it be singing terribly in the metro and scraping food off dishes. Last night, I went over to my friend Megan's for dinner to plan our ski trip. In 3 weeks, me and 2 of my friends from Paris, as well as my friend from the states, Scott, and his friends, are going to meet in Southern France for a weekend of hardcore skiing and snowboarding...under 100 euros. Ahh, love it. In April, I'm jetsetting to Geneva, Switzerland by myself to meet another 50 skiers and snowboarders. We're staying in a "Chalet", similar to a mansion, for the entire week snowboarding, eating, meeting new people, and of course, partying:P. I'm so excited, and even if this cuts my backpacking a bit short this summer, I know it will be well worth it. Might as well go for every oppurtunity I get.

So I'm officially on vacation for the next week, although I do have to go to work on Monday. Then, I will be going to Rennes in Northern France, catching a ride down to Nantes, and then returning to Paris on Thursday. Friday and Saturday will be spent with a "Dress as a cocktail party" as well as listening to stories of everyone's travels. I'm so excited for everything coming my way. Today is my hangout day, I'm trying to catch up on all of the little things I've been putting off for weeks...laundry, cleaning my room, organizing all my papers, etc. I'm also doing some hardcore job searching, but I suppose I'll just wait a week until the next FUSAC (english speakers magazine which posts jobs) to come out. I've been going through a lot of adjustments lately, with classes starting and making even more friends. I've been studying with french students at the university, so while they try to practice their english I work on my french. It's a great deal, but now I just need to find something that is paid, I'm officially broke. Haha, not to mention I need to somehow find a place to live as soon as I get back to the states. Ahh, life. I will try my best to update a bit more often, but the days and weeks just fly by here. Hopefully traveling next week will be a blast, and I wish be sure to post some pictures!

1000 squat thrusts and 2 all nighters in a week

Ah, so I am currently writing to you all after having written my final draft of my 6 page hand written paper. I love the stone age. To improve things, I have finished doing so at 7:30am on Thursday morning, that is right, another all nighter. However this all night was not the fun filled dancing all night I experienced this weekend. Nope, this night was filled with writer's cramp, a few laughs seeing as Emily and I were in the same boat, and pasta, lots of pasta. So now that I am about 500 hundred pounds heavier and extremely groggy, I must attend 3 classes. After, I'm going over to my friend Matthieu's for dinner, and then out to the bar with friends. I don't quite now how I will make it through this day, but at least a 2 hour nap will be squeezed in. I feel alright now, but I have a slight feeling that by class 2 I will be falling asleep at my desk, and the nice professor will then collect my ridiculous paper, and fail me. Haha, all in all things are going well. The accounting job is good, more hours=more money. However, after 5 hours of accounting my quads are sore from crouching all the time and my eyes are crossed from reading and sorting so many papers. Very attractive look I might add. This is my last week for a bit of teaching susie classes which I'm very disappointed about. However, my boss says once he fires a bunch of teachers he will have me make more classes. Tonight, my class was held in a bar, and my regular bunch showed up. When I first applied to the position, my boss said that these guys (a 99% male school) would be mouth breathing nerds. However, I absolutely love talking to them. They are all genuine guys who just like to hang out and talk. Some speak in english a bit more than others, but whatever, each 2 hour class goes by quickly. These guys are quickly becoming more my friends than my students, and while it's not something the boss man prefers, ah well. But for now, I must go try to stay awake at least until noon, while somehow straightening out my back that has been hunched over a desk all night. Ah the joys of student life.

Lata Lata folks

Stolen Identity

Haha, don't worry, I haven't had my purse stolen...yet. There were a number of crisis this week however, ofcourse only making me love Paris more. I have been extremely busy since the weekend, trying to finally get settled into classes, work, and life.

I spent the superbowl night working while all my friends went out to bars, but surprisingly it was well with it. I work as an english teacher for a computer engineering school in Paris. So needless to say, the boys are on the nerdy side (and they are all boys). However, I love hanging out with them, they all have a great sense of humor, and party hard. So even though superbowl started at 12 midnight here, and I didn't get to bed until 6 am, it was a great night.

However, at 9am the next morning, I had a doctor's appt. with the french government. Ahh. That was an experience in itself. After 3 hours, stripping of my clothes in a room of strangers, and feeling molested by the french government, I received the sticker inside my passport that said I was now legal in France. Good.

The rest of the week was a blur, running to classes, teaching classes, missing classes, and finally getting a "promotion". Wednesday, I was at the Engineering school ready to teach my reading class of 3, and no one showed up. So luckily, I got to enjoy 2 hours of office work. I've interned for offices before, so I don't mind office work, but it's certainly nothing I want to do for the rest of my life. On this particular day, my boss took interest in me. He dragged me away from the English department, and now I am the newest member of a completely french payroll office. I had whiplash by the end of the day, but it will be a great oppurtunity. I will only be able to speak french, get 3 extra hours a week, 150 extra euros a month, and another easy job. All in all, I'm happy.

I picked up another class at Sorbonne Nouvelle this week, but I'm still missing at least one. Ah, perhaps next week! Haha. My class this morning has been cancelled, so I'm going to take the day to relax, be a slob, buy my train ticket for my trip to Tours at the end of the month, activate my french bank account, and then going out hardcore this weekend. All of my friends are in town, and we have decided to make it a weekend of english pubs, sheek clubs, and Parisian soirees (parties). Hopefully my bank account and I will make it through the weekend, but parties always help, just need a bottle of euro wine and yourself. Haha.

I will be sure to update on my new job, my planned travels, and my weekend next week!

Pub Crawl, I think yes!

Wow. Things are just insane here. I'm constantly on the move, never having any clue how busy I will be from one moment to the next. However, I love it. This week, I attempted to sign up for classes, which was ridiculous. At Sorbonne-Nouvelle, each department tapes their classes to a wall, a thousand students rush said well, and then you individually talk to the meanest secretaries in the world trying to sign up for the class. Easy right? Well as if the process wasn't old fashioned enough, add the fact that I have yet to receive a student card, and there. We have a bit of an issue. In desperation on Wednesday(the day before classes started), I was ready to sign up for Porteguis and theatre, clearly the best way to go. However, I instead attended one of the classes I was interested, and to my surprise it was absolutely fantastic. In a class of 20 or so students, a good 60% are international students studying language and culture. Our teacher is Romanian, so does not follow the strict french teaching methods of her collegues. I was able to handwrite my name on a piece of paper, and bam, I am taking "Langues et societe".

As for signing up for other classes, just going to go with the flow I guess. Haha, we'll see what happens. Today I'm going to attend an Arabic conference at school, so I'm hoping to gain a bit more insight into the department. Now on to the social scene, this past Wednesday was our friend's birthday. It was so much fun. Considering the fact that we are the only people with an oven, I baked a birthday cake. What an issue that was, let me tell you that there is no such thing as frosting in France, and that the cake batter comes in a bag, premade and ready to bake. So, with a bit of nutella and some magic, we had a frosted birthday cake. Now, we just had to get the birthday cake from one side of the city to another, without a cover. So, running through the metro like crazies with a birthday cake in hand, we managed to get the birthday cake safely to the party.

It was a really fantastic time with all our closest friends:). The next night we went to Le Mix again, the dance club I visited the week before. Really fun place, but unfortunantly I have yet to dance the night away in Paris due to the fact that my first day of work was Friday (yesterday).

My first day of teaching english classes went really well. I had 3 classes over a period of 7 hours; the first class of 4, and the second and third made up of 10. They were all great though, and the classes went by quickly. Most definetly the easiest job I've ever had. I'm still waiting to meet with a woman about babysitting her four month old, so hopefully that pulls through. Having both my jobs would completely pay for my rent as well as give me an extra 200 euro a month. Exactly what I need considering I plan on going backpacking this summer.

In other news, I'm going to be visiting a friend of a friend in Tours, about an hour from Paris, at the end of February. I'm so excited! I have never had the chance to experience a french family, so my roommate and I are going to stay with them for the weekend. In all of our email exchanges, they have been so nice. As annoyed as I was when my mother kept bothering me to email them, I'm really happy I finally did.

Tonight, I plan on going on a pub crawl through Paris with all my friends. It consists of hitting 5 bars, before eventually ending up at club dancing all night. It's relatively cheap, and will give us a chance to explore the city a bit. I'm thinking about doing some driving in France, so I'm looking to have my license tranlated seeing as my US license is valid (seeing that there is a translation attached). All in all, things are going very well, with so many things to do!

I'll post again when I can, A+!

Big Slacker

Officially slacking on the blog. However, seeing as it is 2:30 am, and I cannot sleep here we go.

Monday I finally got my Ac adapter in the mail which is a hugee help. Now instead of stealing Emily's constantly, I can use my computer. Good stuff, right? Ahh, then things went down hill. Signing up for classes has been an absolute struggle here. While the french society is too stubborn to adapt to a new thing called the internet, students must run around to every department in the school that they would like to take a class in. You then must scan every white wall in said "department" or hallway, to find a few pieces of paper that are the courses offered that semester. Once you have found a few courses you like on the 2-8x10 papers, you then proceed to speak with each terrifying office woman of each department.You better have a pretty amazing question if you plan on uttering a word, otherwise just don't. After whipping out your tablet and stone, you then proceed to sign your name on a piece of paper, and bamm. You are now enrolled in a class. And when do they start? In about a day. It's making me a wreck, but it's definetly an experience lemme tell you.

So then, the next step of the day after enrolling in classes. Finishing the extremely ridiculous process of opening a bank account in France. After returning to the same bank for the 5th time, Emily and I finally signed our names on the little piece of paper saying we had deposited some euros into the account, and BAM. Debit cards, right in our hands. Ahh, so lovely.

This week is going to most definetly be fun, celebrating some birthdays, clubbing, starting work, etc. However, very hectic. I have an interview for a babysitting position coming up this week. The woman needs someone Mondays and Tuesdays, 9 euro an hour, one four month year old. Dope. I'm rather happy. So hoping all goes well, I'll hopefully be starting that position soon.

Tonight I went to dinner at my friend's host family's house. It was so nice to get outside the city for a home cooked meal. Emily was gone to another part of France for the weekend, so I slacked a bit on the cooking dinner thing. My meal of the day consisted of baguette and cheese...all weekend. Real healthy. So tonight, we enjoyed potatoes, ham slices, and baguette all with fondue cheese melted on top, a typical french dish. The name of this fondue contraption has slipped my mind, but it was definetly so good.

The mother was definetly one of the craziest people I've ever met, but in a good way. She's a headstrong business woman with a ton of ideas. Her main business ventures are in the field of fashion, and she offered Emily and I on the side modeling/babysitting positions as they came up. Pfft, who would have ever thought?

Is all I know is that hopefully by the end of the month, I will be making enough money to pay for my rent plus a bit extra. I'm planning on visiting a family in Tours soon (a friend of a friend), as well as traveling the french countryside. I've begun the process of preparing for a backpacking trip for the month of June, maybe July. We'll see, if the oppurtunity came up I may stay for fall semester as well. But, I've decided that I need to stop planning so far ahead in life. Not only is it unhealthy, it makes me seem like a nutcase. Haha, all in all things are going, and I'm still loving it here. By the looks of it I will be taking all of my courses in the Arab Studies department, and end up with a total of 15 to 18 credits, not to shabby. I will try to update soon, but I'm always on the run. A bientot!

Oh Paris

So after a week of a few troubles, no cell phone, no ac adapter which meant no laptop, among other things, I have managed to make it through alive. Even with my lack of human connection, I went to class, finished up my intensive french course, went to the market, and have settled into life here for the most part. My next step will be to pick at courses at my university, start teaching english classes (this friday), find a babysitting a tutoring position, finish opening my bank account, and ofcourse, going out in Paris.

I've even gotten used to the sounds here. I can admit, I was almost homesick there for a bit (with everything going crazy), but I love it here. Each morning, I wake up to the sound of roaring traffic, ambulances, the kids next door who love irish rock, the music conservatory student who lives somewhere in this building who practices flute 24/7, and the sounds of our hot water heater ready for lift off. Haha, all in all, I love it. I get a free concert each day, as well as some fun neighbors, not bad.

Last night, my program hosted a dinner to celebrate the finish of our french intensive class. It was a really great, light meal, composed of tons of cheese, salads, sandwich slices, and ofcourse, wine. After, a group of us hit up one of our favorite bars in Paris (The Student Bar-so original), where it's happy hour until 11 and every drink you can think of is 4.50 euro. So, in our dinner attire and with good friends, we stumbled across a club for international students, Le Mix. They have ERASMUS (exchange program for students in Europe) parties every Thursday night, and there is no cover. So we thought, hey, let's go in and try it. Haha, good choice! Crazy fun, and met a lot of students from all around Europe. It was better than any club I've been to in Albany or New York, and we didn't even stay the whole night! Next week, we hope to live up to the french student standards, and pull an all nighter dancing until the metro starts again.

In other news, work starts on Friday, and I'm pretty nervous. Each week, 8 days in advance, I'm supposed to schedule 3 courses. One in reading, one in culture, and one in fun. So, I've been brainstorming, and trying to come up with some ideas. Unfortuantly, by the time I made my classes I had to schedule them all for Friday, not exactly against the rules, but not something I should have done my first week. So Friday will be an exhausting day, but I'll hopefully get the feel for teaching. I'm also looking for a babysitting position, seeing as Emily, I, and a few other friends are planning trips to Spain, Ireland, Scottland, England, and visiting the rest of France. Then in June, I hope to go backpacking the rest of Europe with some friends. So money would be a good idea, and hopefully I can develop some connection for when I return for grad school. Yep, I'm definetly coming back. Maybe for a year, or perhaps I'll do my entire grad program here? We'll see, but I know it's a great place to be, and I will get more international experience here.

So, I apologize for the slacking of updates, but I will have use of the computer all weekend, so I will try to be more thorough!

Later, bisou bisou!

Walk of shame

The most epic night of my life occurred last night. Basically it was just a fantastic good time with some french friends as well as some American friends. One of the things I love the most about Paris is the Bisou bisou, which replaces the traditional hand shake. Even when you first meet someone, a kiss on each cheek follows. Interestingly enough, the number of bisous varies by region in France, sometimes its 2, sometimes 4.

So, with a ton of wine and a bit of cheese, we all partied until morning. One things I've quickly figured out is that friendship here is even a bit different. These new friends that I have made will always be my friends. French friends will be there, whether you are rolling around in dirt or just need a place to stay, definetly a great concept. So, we had a dance party, and I met a couple different people. Needless to say I had enough wine to last me for the week. Haha We had lebanese for dinner, it was a fantastic place right next to our apartment, very homey and cheap. Unfortuantly that is all I accomplished today, but tomorrow I plan on going to Place Monge for a market and then Sacre Coeur:) I'll update soon!

It's bedtime

Even as I stood in line yesterday at the Carrefour grocery mart staring at the umbrellas, I still did not proceed to buy one. Very bad decision on my part, considering I woke up to the serenading sound of rain. On the plus side however, after sliding Emily's extra mattress on the floor next to her bed, so that we could share the little heater that had been offered, and I could try to stay clear of hypothermia, I woke up warm. A very thrilling moment in my existence. The day proceeded something like this:

It rained. I was cold. I went to class. I froze. I walked outside, wanted to die. Froze. Went back to the apt., set up heater next to my as I slept, and guess what. The landlord came in while I slept, and took it. And now, I'm cold.

So now as I deal with the lovely hassles of not having heat, a working AC adaptor for my computer, and looking for a job, I still can say I'm enjoying myself. Today we had a huge debate in class, and I'm pretty sure that may be one of the reasons I love living here so much. I love to discuss and debate, and that may be the French's favorite pasttime as well. Good stuff. That's all for now!

Shit continues to hit the fan

So, I'll start with the good news. I got the job teaching for 300 euro a month, so good stuff right? Wrong. I arrived back home to my apartment to not only find that the heat was still not working for the 2nd day in a row, but that it would be broken until Friday when the plumber came. Fantatic, but it gets much worse. So as if I don't feel like we're living under a bridge already, but the oven is also broken as well. So much for "La pomme de terre au gratin" tonight! (potato casserole). We continued to learn that the wifi was still not working as well.

So holy crap, we definitely were living under a bride, paying a about 460 euro a month (x 1.5=american dollar). Donq, il est une probleme. However, things fix themselves rather quickly. Our landlord showed up at our door with a small heater (better than no heat at all), our oven suddenly lit, and our neighbor has given us his passcode for wifi in exchange for enlgish lessons for his son. Good shit, I am sooo much more at ease. I was just simply worried about the whole heat situation quite honestly, but things seemed to work themselves out. Emily and I devoured our Potatoes au Gratin with a bit of baguette and cheese. I'm happy. I have also almost officially been enrolled at Paris 3 (Sorbonne Novelle), almost officially decided to do a year of grad school here (as well as a month backpacking in June). I don't know, it's all very up in the air right now, but I'm so game for such things. I'm ready to explore, learn, and live the way I've always loved, simply, independantly, and crazy all at once.

So for now, I'm going to leave things at that. While hot water heaters and heaters are exploding, life is crashing, and shit is hitting the fan, I am still immensley enjoying myself. I love it here, and hope to one day (after retirement from the FBI of course), have the tea shop/bakery/book store of my dreams. Haha I'm a nut.

Shit's hitting the fan

So, no internet at the apt. still, which is a bit of a drag, and denies me the freedom to update my blog on all the interesting things happening. So I'll try to work backwards a bit. The night before yesterday, (Sunday), Emily and I did our homework together, trying to benefit from the extra practice. It turned into a session of breaking open a bottle of wine with a spoon (due to a misguided cork incident), and a few drops of wine landing on the homework. What can we say, i was hilarious, and our homework still was handed in on time the next morning. Yesterday morning, I woke up and just knew it was going to be one of those days. I couldn't sleep due to rush hour heading into the city, and a conversation that I heard clear as day from the street (mind you we are on the 3rd floor, windows closed). It was freezinggg in our apt., and the hot water tended to drift in and out as I showered. As I proceeded to do the dishes in my towel, I broke a glass on the floor, and swept it up using my hands (due to lack of a broom). All of a sudden, water shot out from the heater/hot water heater, which couldn't have been a good sign. So, Emily and I settled into our morning routine of drinking a few cups of tea, and before we knew it we were 20 minutes late to class. Grand. We ran around most of the day, and lucky class went by quickly. We did our first grocery shopping trip together, stocking our apartment full of great food that will save us money on eating at a cafe everyday. We shared a baguette for lunch, and I then proceded to my program's office for my academic advisement appointment. Basically, it consisted of me telling them what's what, and them asking for a signature. So much for advisement, haha. When we returned to the apartment, we found out our heat is actually just not working, perhaps the reason I've been so cold. But, I cannot complain, because our landlords are truly the sweetest people. They promised to send a plumber over today, and to solve the internet problem themselves. So we shall see what will occur once I return from this internet cafe. So, last night emily and I shared a delicious veggie, ham, and assortment of french cheeses omelet. It was sooo good. The day all in all turned out well, and by the time we both got homework out of the way, we were in bed by 11. Not bad. Today went a little more timely, and now I write sitting in a cafe drinking my petit cup of coffee, stealing their internet. I have an interview at 3 for a job teaching student english, so wish me luck!

Au revoir et bientot!

Pizza Time

So, I currently have no internet at my apartment, but hope to change that in the coming days. I simply have to retrieve the code from my cute little chinese landlord, but have yet to do so. So, Emily and I explored the area outside our apartment, and found a very cute pizzeria with wifi. There was also two movie theatres, a million bars and cafes, a butcher, and some great places less than a block away. Perfect. We unfortunately look like typical Americans on our laptops at dinner, but oh well. Tonight we're going to stay in, then tomorrow visit the local markets, and perhaps even do some sightseeing.

Last night we went out with our new french friends again and it was fantastic. They are all so much fun, and so interesting to talk to. We tend to speak franglais when together, but it's working out. We all plan on going dancing next weekend, for today it's raining and both Emily and I have woken up with colds. But otherwise, things are great!:).


I will update furthur once I have better internet, but until then Bon soir!

Move-in day

Alas, I've moved half of my things into my apartment, and the rest will follow today. It's extremely homey, and Emily and I are so happy that we decided on this place. Last night, as we sat in a cafe drinking cafe au lait and eating crepes, we discussed our apartment. We're both no-bullshit kind of girls, so we basically ruled, "If you have a problem, say so bitch". Haha, we both have a similar sarcastic sense of humor, as well as a thrill for traveling, arabic language, among other things. So this stay should work out nicely. We plan on having a big new apartment dinner tonight with pasta and vegtables, while Alex and Dylan plan on bringing over some wine and baguette. The best part will be grocery shopping, and stocking our kitchen so we can stop spending so much money going out. Tonight the plan is to eat, go to the theatre with our group, and then disperse to various bars. Having tomorrow off, I hope to write up a CV (french resume), and start looking for a tutoring position within a family. They pay about 13 to 20 euro an hour for english tutoring, so I plan on making bank, lemme tell ya.

Yesterday night, I had my teacher orientation. A job interview is scheduled for next week as far as I know, so I am hoping to have this job, as well as another tutoring position. It will make me feel very comfortable spending my life savings knowing I have some extra money coming in.

So, that's pretty much all for now. On Monday I have my academic interview, where I plan on enrolling into the Arabic Studies department at Sorbonne Nouvelle. For now I simply have my intensive studies program, and I'll be sure to comment on anything interesting that occurs tonight!

Au revoir et a demain

House warming parties avec le vin et le fromage!

Donc, most of my friends have also now found apartments. It's really nice to know no one is actually going to end up living under a bridge. It was kind of a nice rush though, trying to find a place to live in a limited amount of time. So now, we move forward. House warming parties commence this evening with a cheap night of wine less than 5 euro, and of course some baguette and cheese!

So, within the last few days ( I will have been here a week tomorrow), we've all developed a theory. Why is it, that after such a short period of time, we have all managed to click so well? Is it because we've been put in a place together, where we are outside of our normal comfort zone, so we cling to anything that can give us a sense of comfort (other people similar to us)? Or is it that by the process of elimination, this group was formed. After months of paperwork, a common interest to study abroad, an interest in French culture, and the need for a highly independant program; were we basically designing this group of people just like us unknowingly? And then finally, is it just how it is. We were we meant to all meet eachother and become good friends? Was it just in the cards?

It's very interesting how we can go from exploring the areas various sex shops to discussing highly philosophical topics, but I think it's the way we mesh.

So, in the next couple days, many things will again be changing, and uprooting us all once again from whatever semblence of a schedule we had made. This morning the group met and watched a movie "L'aurberge espagne", which was a movie about a french student studying abroad in Spain. However, what I saw was exactly what I had been going through. From crying at the airport, to getting lost, to making a million good friends. And, it was hilarious, always a good additive.

Tomorrow we start our intensive french courses, which will basically make sure we can survive taking legitimate french classes without failing out. We've all been seperated into different sections based on our strengths and weaknesses. It's good, especially because class is not until 12:30, which means I may actually get some sleep in the next few weeks. Soon, we will pick out courses for February, and plan our semester. All in all, I feel as if there will be something new going on each day, and that's good. I've come to figure out quickly that when you are thrown outside your comfort zone, it only makes you more aware of who you are. I've figured out rather quickly that although this program may give me a heart attack every once in a while, this is what I do. I'm insane, I'm always moving fast, and trying to new things. My friends can attest to the fact that I am an absolute headcase, but it's definetly who I am. The fact that I decided to leave the states for 6 months most likely did not surprise anyone, and it would not surprise anyone most likely to know that I hope to return for at least a year. We'll see.

The best thing I can say about my first week in France is that I remembered that I am 19, and although I graduate next year, I have plenty of time to live and do the things I want to do.

That's all for now, cheers to an absolutely fantastic and hilarious first week of craziness.

Triumphant!

So, I found an apartment yesterday. Not any of the choices in fact that I listed last time, but the two bedroom place I looked at yesterday morning. Emily (my friend in the program) and I ended up signing for the apartment together. It wasn't what either of us planned on doing, but we are completely thrilled. It includes everything, washing machine (huge huge deal in Paris), security code entrance, internet, full kitchen (another big deal), and a room that is bigger than my pinky toe. It's a great part of town, part residential, part old school, part new. In fact, there's a KFC near by (who would have thought) as well as multiple cafes and patisseries. So it's perfect, and I'll post some pictures at the bottom.

As for another big deal, our good friend Alex also found his place. He's got his own floor in a house, and for 600 euro a month, he'll be cooked and fed by the mother (owner of the house). The best part though is that she is a major fashion designer in Paris, and plans on designing clothes for him. Do not think that I will not be mooching off that, I would definitely offer to pay for clothes that are designed for me! So basically things are fantastic. This morning I had my french oral exam which was simply an interview. It was simple conversation, and hopefully tomorrow I will know what school I'm going to. But for now, it's time to go to Notre Dame for celebritory drinks with my friends!

Au revoir et a demain

Housing Interviews

So, I'm not sure if I mentioned this subject before, as it is 7:30am on the morning I have the first half of my test. But just in case I hadn't, the invention that I have finally figured to be a towel warmer in my bathroom may just be the best invention ever. What may look like a heater is actually designed to keep you toasty at all time, not only by heating the bathroom ever so slightly, but giving you soft warm towels after your shower. Fantastic.

So moving on. I was up late last night once again unfortunately. After a beer and some small talk with friends, then a quick run to the metro station, the night ended up going to about 2 am again. So now I'm up, ready to down a croissant and cafe au lait, perhaps even some of the delicious peach tea leaves I stumbled on in a shop by accident.

As for housing, I have an interview at 10:30 this morning before my exam. I'm not so worried about the exam, for it's similar to the SAT, what exactly can I study at this point? So, as for housing, this morning Emily (my new good friend) and I will be looking at a 2 bedroom apartment together. I'm very excited, but I also have 3 other housing options hanging over my head.

The first would entail living with an Irish student, sharing a loft. Including everything from tv, to wifi, to an actual kitchen (which is sooo rare in France considering my small budget), it's going to be about 450 euro a month. Not to bad, as long as I don't think about the conversion rate:P.

The second choice consists of my own chambre de bonne (a 12m2 maid chamber) for about 460 euro. However, this particular apt. is located in my most favorite part of town, Montmatre and Sacre Coeur. It has the best view of the entire city of Paris, with everything included (yes even a non-turkish toilet!).

The last choice though is rather tempting. A tutoring position staying with a family where I would simply become a part of the family, and speak english with everyone from time to time. The mother and two daughters seemed absolutely wonderful, and here's the best part. It's free. The only few downsides I could see to this would be the fact that it's 20 minutes outside the city of Paris, so while I would have to spend an extra 20 or 30 euro for the extended zone pass, I really believe it would be a fantastic oppurtunity. I'm so excited. However, I must ask, will it be a problem for me to arrive back later in the night, or bring my boyfriend to stay when he visits for a week? We shall see.

I've also applied to a job with a tutoring agency, teaching 3 classes a week, 6 hours total. I'm very excited, and I hope the interview process begins school. So in lieu of this conundrum, I'm going to visit every single place, and simply decide which one feels right.

If anyone has any opinions, let me know!!

I'm going to be living under a bridge in Paris

So, I'm quite busy at the moment. I have about 6 more days to find an apartment in Paris, along with take a placement test, start classes, make an academic profile, and go on house visits. It's insane, but I'm loving every minute of it. Last night I bar hopping by Notre Dame with other students, it was a blast. 20 shots, 4 beers, 4 people. SO much fun, and that was just the pregame. The apartments I have visited so far are interesting to say the least, I will certainly be living a simple life, but it's exactly what I've been waiting for. The chambre de bonnes (old maid chambers) are where most of the "studettes" are located. The views are amazing however, but usually you have to climb about 7 or 8 flights of stairs, for there is no elevator. I just hope to find something with a kitchenette, bathroom non communal, and a small space for about 400 euro. But we will see! I have pictures posted on facebook, and let's hope that by the end of this ordeal I will have found an apartment, and not be living under a bridge in this crazy freezing weather!

Brrr Paris!

Where to start? The first day felt like 12 days. As you all know, sleep did not come, but that kicked me in ass later in the day. I had breakfast with my family and friends at a local diner, my final banana pancakes. Ahh, but man, the food here knocks the socks of those final banana pancakes, lemme tell you. Boarding the plane was absolutely the most horrible thing. Everyone was crying, me, my mom, Bobby, my dad was a wreck (as predicted), even the customs guy was tearing up. It was rough. In a heartbeat I realized I was not ready to go, that mentally I had not prepared for this moment. I must have hugged Bobby 30 times, before I could finally pull myself toward the metal detector. The last thing I saw was everyone waving goodbye. It was absolutely horrible.

After about an hour of waiting, I finally boarded the plane (still whining like a big baby). Then, I saw something that took my mind off the fact I was leaving home. That's right, I was flying for 45 minutes inside a tin can. This thing was as small as my pinky finger. Talk about turbulance, I was about to scream out "we're going down!" about 40 times. I think the woman next to me realized my train wreck status, so she began talking to me. As it turns out, she went to St. Rose College, a school very close to mine. What a coincedence! She had also gone to school for speech pathology, which is exactly what my roomate is going for (callout to Rachel)!! It was freaky, but very interesting. Her husband, seated across the aisle with her daughter, was the only natural born deaf professor in the country at Syracuse University. It was extremely fascinating, and the plane ride from hell went by rather quickly.

We finally landed in Washington Dulles, and I went to meet the two other girls that had reached me via email that were in the same program. It was so nice meeting up with them, not only to cure a bit of our anxiousness, but to also make the 7-8 hour layover go a bit faster. Nothing to exciting during that time, and finally we boarded the plane. Luckily, this plane was a lot bigger, big enough to have 10 rows across with 2 aisles, not 4.

This was when I was ready to get some sleep and relax. We, that didn't happen. I ended up sitting to a kid who was 23, and going to Spain to study abroad. This kid and I must have talked for 6 hours straight, about everything from religion, philosophy, traveling, jobs, colleges, Canada (his original home), and more. It was a very cool talk, and by the time I closed my eyes for a quick snooze, we had made plans to get in touch if we ever visited eachother's destined country. Plane rides are most definetly the best place for meeting interesting people.

The two other girls and I met at the end of the terminal, and went nuts. We were finally in Paris. It was about an hour and a half later than our planned arrival, so we were mega jetlegged, considering it was about 7:30am parisian time. We caught a cab into paris after having a very difficult time with the moving floor (that is supposed to accelerate your walking time). The cab ended up costing 60 euro, which we split between the 3 of us, not bad. We had a bit of a time finding our housing, until some very nice french people helped out. The language felt a bit awkard on my tongue, but communicating was easy.

Ah, then finally our rooms! Well, first off, my door would open. Fantastic. So the main dude came, and helped me. There's quite the little dance in opening the door, along with some codes, and two weird objects that are laser censored to open the 97 thousand doors the just get into this building. Finally however, I entered my room. Yes! Opposed to what I was thinking though, the attendants suggested we immediatly start looking for housing. So on very very little sleep, we made our way across Paris with a few more students, and a map. Once we made it to the main office of our group, we had a quick lesson on where to buy a cell phone, and then started looking at ads. I'll keep you up to date as to what housing I find, for I have some interviews tomorrow. Is all I know is if you don't look at an apt. before you buy, you may end up with a turkish toilet (a hole in the ground for a toilet). This 21st century features is common among most studettes (or the cheapest housing you can find in Paris, smaller than the tin can housing.

After that quick session, we grabbed a "jambon bebe", or a ham sandwich. I bought myself an absolutely revolutionary Nokia pay as you go phone, sleekest thing around. (Just kidding) I then hit up a boulangerie for a baguette, and headed back to the room. I finally showered, which felt amazing except for the fact that it was made for a 7 year old child, and that I kept hip checking the tempature control, therefore causing myself to have 3rd degree burns by the end. Haha. I finally crawled into my twin bed after some apartment searches, and passed out (even though my room was 0 degrees due to Paris' fluke cold spell that only happened once we arrived!)

I slept extremely well, and this morning went to the petit introduction at the college I would like to attend, Paris 3- Sorbonne Nouvelle. Basically they informed us that housing and the fact that we may become extremely depressed due to culture shock was the main priority. We don't have to start worrying about academics for a while, which is a damn good thing. I need a major mental preparation for that, let me tell you.

So now I must go, I have to do some apartment searching with a friend, and there are many interviews tomorrow. Bonsoir!

Waterworks

As I originally predicted, little to no sleep last night. You know that feeling when you wake up, and you fear that you have overslept your alarm? Yeah, had that feeling about 15 times before my alarm rang. Fantastic. So it is 4 am, and I'm checking into my airline with my electronic as well as paying my $45 baggage fee. Last minute I decided two suitcases was the way to go considering I will most likely return with more crap than I left with, not to mention the overweight baggage fee for international is $300. Pfft, no thank you. So, I just wanted to quickly write off my nerves, and say au revoir. I will be departing for my 14 hour travel session at 10:15 am, hoping that my flights are not delayed due to mass snow storms. We shall see, but for now I'm going to cuddle with the boy, and hope the next few hours go by quite slow:(. Overwhelmed with excitement and nerves, but ready to go as well:).

It's the Final Countdown

At 7 am this morning, I woke up to the sight of my 500 lbs. of luggage. That's when it hit me like a brick wall. I am leaving tomorrow morning, and not coming back for at the very least 6 months. I have a bad habit of planning far too much in advance, and I'm hoping my escape to the laid back french lifestyle will cure this issue. As most people know, when you plan, it never tends to go the way you wanted. Multiply this by about a million, and you have the situations I often land myself in. Not that I can complain however, I believe a life that is nothing as you planned is a better life all in all.

Another theory that struck me this morning. I was wondering exactly what was nerve wracking about this specific situation. I'm not so afraid of finding an apartment in Paris in under 10 days, or grocery shopping in a completely foreign country, or even testing my language skills to the max. I think the scariest part is what I'm going to miss out on here in the United States. My beloved roommates are going to continue to have movie/sushi nights, stumble around our crazy city, visit Yoni's Lounge, and make grilled cheese on the foreman. My boyfriend Bobby is staying behind, starting to make plans for a possible move to Baltimore this summer. How many movie nights, near decapitations by a frisbee, and dates at the gym am I going to miss? And then finally my family, most certainly my baby.

Yep, that's her. She's the hardest to leave, because she has no idea what the hell is going on. However, even my parents notice how close she stays to my feet, and how often she jumps into my arms when she sees those suitcases roll out. Once I return from my trip, I finally be able to settle into my apartment with her. But for now, I just have to finish what needs to be done. She'll be in the care of Grandma and Grandpa until then. Haha.

My parents are an entirely different story. My dad has asked me probably 14 times a day if I'm ready to go. "Yep Dad," I respond each time. And each time, a lecture ensues of what safety precautions I should take, etc. I know for a fact Dad will be on that airport floor crying in the fetal position, but don't worry; I'll include photos. Haha, he's funny, and very worried about me. Opposite of my Dad, my mom just pretends I'm not going, and doesn't even mention my trip much. They both worry about the news stories they see, whether it concerns airplanes or metros getting stuck in the English Channel.

My Mom's reaction was relatively similar to my boyfriend's. He refused to talk about it, I guess assuming it wouldn't come as fast if we didn't discuss what was going on. Well, I'm a talker, so that shit doesn't fly. So, once I beat it out of him (just kidding:P), we talked about the future, what we're going to do. He gave me a Kay Jeweler's box 2 weeks ago, and I about shit my pants. Don't worry, just a promise ring. I'm less than ready for any engagement, and we talked about exactly what it meant to us. We don't know what's going to happen in the future, I have a lot of goals and things I need to do. I want to get an apartment with my girlfriends, obtain a stable career in law enforcement, go skydiving, travel, and get a few more years of experience under my belt before any decisions are made. And that's exactly what is so great about him, he understands that. He tells me he's more than willing to wait and see what happens. So that's what were doing, and it's comforting to know he's supportive of my crazy ass goals.

So, tomorrow morning at 4am after a restless night of sleep, I'll get out of bed. I'll walk through the house, and make sure I have EVERYTHING that I need for the next 6 months. I'll watch my boyfriend sleep (yep, big creeper), feed the dogs for the last time for a while, and probably scramble of some sort of blog as I have a mental breakdown. My parents will wake up annoyed as they here me rumbling through the kitchen, and finally get up. I assume my boyfriend will get up with me, since I will need someone to listen to me whine. Haha.

Then, we'll all load into a car along with all my shit, hopefully avoiding anyone falling on there ass at 7am (it's a bit icy). We'll meet friends and family at a local diner, so that I can stuff my face with a short stack of banana pancakes with whipped cream on top. I've been sure to target all of my favorite foods the last couple weeks, chinese, outback blooming onion, homemade potato soup, bbq pulled pork sandwiches, homemade scallops and salmon, among an array of homemade christmas desserts and all the banana bread I want. Thankfully, Bobby and I worked out at the local gym a good amount to avoid too much holiday buldge (but considering I'll be purchasing all my own food, I assume the first few weeks will be a weight loss program of it's own. With this thought in mind my mom has continued to stuff me full).

It's the final countdown (Europe=80's hair band), and I will be sure to update you all on any hilarity that ensues in the morning. Bon voyage tout le monde!

The Beginning

It was mid-June 2009 when the fantastic idea struck me. I'd always planned on studying abroad my junior year, however my junior year was originally scheduled for 2011. Apparently my life wasn't crazy enough with my dual major-minor program, and you know what I said?

"Hell, I'll graduate a year early, and study abroad this coming spring!".

Stupid. I immediately emailed my university study abroad office, assuming I was far to late to apply for a program less than a year away. Boy was I wrong. My school's specific study abroad plan consists of the following rule: Push every single detail off to the last minute, bringing you to within an inch of your sanity with no true outside help, and then get on a plane and leave for six months. Haha, so true. So, as I geared up for my 17 credit fall semester, it never crossed my mind that I was jumping head first into a 2 foot swimming pool.

However, the semester certainly wasn't boring. In my opinion, the process of applying to study abroad should be a 3-credit class in itself, along with the lovely visit to the consulate to obtain a visa, the search for a flight that doesn't rip the money from every source you have, and the final days of packing up for the trip ahead.

The initial process began in September, when I hurriedly arrived at the study abroad office, worrying that I had long missed the deadline for studying abroad in the spring. The woman at the desk stared at me as if I had a pea sized brain when I asked what the application process was for spring semester.

"You have plenty of time, we are currently only accepting application for winter programs. Here are the forms you can start filling out, and because you are going through another school, you should contact that school for more paperwork," she told me.

"Well good," I thought until she slapped a packet of paperwork weighing more than a math textbook on the desk. I quickly figured out that my school would not be very much helpful with this process, considering I had chosen a program at another school. However, this program was not only one of the cheaper options, but was very independent, and would submerge me in the heart of living in Paris. So, after contacting the school in which my program was being hosted, I tried to find out as much information as possible.

"When would I know I was accepted, who should I contact, where should I go?" It was quickly revealed to me that this school, being as it was located 2 and a half hours away, would also be less helpful as I originally planned. So, what to do? I decided I needed to ask someone who had been through the process. I began emailing a guy who had also studied abroad in the previous spring semester through the same program. He was certainly the most informational person I talked to throughout the whole process, sending me advice on where to go, what to do, what websites I should visit, cell phone plans to stay away from, and most important, the best student bars and happy hours:).

So, after learning this basic information, I pushed the process into high gear, and finished all of the paperwork I needed. I was in the financial aid office multiple times, asking questions, and finally obtaining a loan for $7500 to help finance my trip. I was quite the stress case, but I hoped that this coming spring would pay off. I was a nut job in the midst of this process, and I was sure to keep copies of everything as well as receipts. Once my appointments (as in more than one) with the french consulate came, I was more aware of why this was so important. But don't worry, I'll get to that nightmare.

After all the paperwork was finally handed in, I received my acceptance letter from the program itself. I was ecstatic, and I thought to myself, "Hm, should be all gravy from here." Pfft, yeah right. Since I had already obtained a passport in 2008, I now was on to the process of getting a French Visa.

First, we had to make a profile on a website, putting in information such as our language proficiency, our financial means, or schooling, and of course almost every detail concerning our lives. This joyous profile took about a week, but finally I was confirmed. I then made my visa appointment for November. I felt quite behind, but my coordinator insisted I was fine. He said to just not make any flight arrangements until we obtained our visa. Each week I just watched the flight prices go up, but I waited.

Finally, the appointment came. I took the "Megabus" bus service (which I highly recommend with their low prices) and arrived in New York City(2 and a half hours from my school), in order to have said "personal interview". Vague directions stated the paperwork I needed, as well as copies, passport, and a printed page saying I had an appointment. Right.

I made my way down to the city, taking a day off from school in order to finish this. To my utter delight, I made it to the embassy with my boyfriend without getting extremely lost. As I reached the door of the french embassy an hour early (as a precaution), I was greeted my a big man with an even bigger scowl. He was absolutely terrifying. I felt like I was a 5 year old as he grunted, "Where's your appointment page!" in his thick french accent. He looked disgusted as I produced a page that detailed an appointment in an hour, and quickly closed the door, muttering to come back at my appointment time.

"Well," I thought. So much for that. So, my boyfriend and I perused the ritzy french neighborhood for an hour, admiring the clean streets and endless array of fur and jewelry shops in this "Little France" sector of New York. We arrived back to the embassy, and my boyfriend continued on to look around the city a bit more, since no one is allowed inside the embassy with you. I began talking to the rest of the students standing and waiting outside the embassy, and quickly got the impression that this was going to be a less than enjoyable process.

Finally, we were ushered inside the embassy, undergoing a search comparable to international airport security by the lovely man at the door. He quickly pointed and grunted to go upstairs, and a few other girls and I climbed the stairs to our doom. Three hours went by as we waited in a line, not for an interview, but for a quick exchange with a french individual on the other side of a window.

Multiple times we heard the "Shhh" and "be quiet!" screams over the intercom. I felt like I was in a prison, and I would not have been surprised if they had made us don orange jumpsuits. Secretly sending text messages to my boyfriend who was waiting for me outside, I thought I was in danger of being arrested for possessing a cell phone that was turned on. As each person in front of me reached the windows, I heard them each get rejected. I started getting extremely nervous, "How can I return here, I have school?"

When I finally reached the front, my worst fear was revealed. Due to the fact that I did not have a copy of the notarized letter of financial stability from the father that was to the French Embassy, I was rejected. Why the hell I needed a copy of a letter to them was beyond me, and the lady threw some paperwork to me, and instructed me to return another day. I tried to quickly explain I was from 2 and a half hours away, a student, and that I would make a copy right down the street, but she refused to listen. She then called the next person, and I walked away. I was absolutely livid, exhausted, and defeated.

I walked out of the embassy, and immediately started crying. Obviously the best thing to do. My poor boyfriend had stood waiting outside the embassy, so not only was I pissed at the situation, but I felt guilty as hell. Stressed and disappointed, I made my appointment to return the following week by myself. My parents had been less than thrilled at my plans of studying abroad as it is, but my father was not so happy to hear of my tussle with the embassy. "I'm going to write a letter to every congressman, blah, blah, blah," I heard over the phone from my father. "Ok, Dad, whatever you want," I said miserably.

The next week I returned, copy in hand, ready to once and for all obtain my visa, and planning to return to school the same day. After battling the subway and becoming quite lost, I finally made it to my destination at about 11:20am. Well, guess what? The same lovely man at the front door shook his head as I showed him my return papers. "NO, you're late. Come back tomorrow." "Excuse me," I said, "I got lost, I've traveled two and a half hours to be here. I understand I am 20 minutes late, but I also know there's a line up there that will be at least two hours. Please, I can't afford to return here again". Apparently this man heart was comparable to a black hole, and he again denied me entrance.

I was seeing red at this point, and I did what a responsible, mature individual would do. I cried. I had nowhere to stay, no extra clothes, and I was ready to whip out some brass knuckles, and brawl with the french embassy. Luckily, I called a friend of a friend after a few quick text messages, and she offered a night stay at her dorm in N.Y.U. I was so relieved (considering I was weighing the option of staying in Penn Station for the night), and seeing as I was unable to handle the subways earlier in the day; I decided that walking over 100 blocks, "couldn't be so bad".

Shitty idea numero 10132.

By the time I reached her dorm at 6 pm, my legs were swollen and bruised, compliments of the french embassy. Luckily, I indulged on a chocolate cake and some macaroni and cheese, and immediately felt a bit more at peace.

The next morning, I woke to the lovely sound of freezing rain. After many thanks to the girls who had saved my life, I began my trek across the city. Having been wearing the same clothes for over 36 hours and absolutely soaking wet, I arrived as the embassy was opening. Nervously, I shot a dirty look at the same black hearted guard. The man acted as if he didn't know who I was, and proceeded to rifle through my things. The line was much shorter once I reached the top of those terrifying stairs,and I again compared stories with other students returning for the 4th or 5th time. I ended up reaching the windows in a little under an hour. Talk about fast.

The woman who had denied me before again barked at me to show her forms. When I had apparently satisfied her, she smiled slyly. "That wasn't so bad, was it?" I wanted to deck her in the face, but instead I smiled and walked away. I waited in the waiting area for another 45 minutes until a man came out with my passport, and showed me the new sticker that had caused me a week and a half of hair pulling stress, now safely inside my passport. I felt as if I had won a gold olympic medal.

Wet, cold, and ready to go home to my dorm room; I again trudged across the city. I had never looked like more of a trainwreck in my entire life. I stopped by a small pizza shop as I waited for my bus, and devoured a turkey cheeseburger with onion rings (props to that awesome little whole in the wall). Finally, after a snowstorm and hot shower, I was warm in my bed and spent the entire day elevating my legs.

That was definetely the worst part, the part where I questioned whether studying abroad was worth it. However, I know from talking to other people that it will be the best experience of my life, and I just needed to keep on trucking. So I did.

I ordered my plane ticket for a whopping $996 to Paris, France, a good $300 dollar more than the prices a month before. However, it was all real now. There was nothing stopping me from boarding my plane on January 6th.

So, I've spent the last couple days trying to fit 6 months of clothes into a suitcase. I've packed clothes for 2 seasons, and have ditched most of my electronic accessories (minus my laptop). I've learned that while laptops only require a $10 adaptor, hair dryers, straighters, etc. require a $50 adaptor. Pfft, forget that. I'm waiting to buy said appliances when I arrive. I've vaccuum sealed my clothes into bags, and stuffed them all into a very large suitcase (which really is a space saver!). If all goes well at the airport, it will hopefully not exceed the allowed baggage weight.

To sum it all up, this is the beginning of my blog. I'm writing this to keep my friends and family posted on my upcoming trip (entertaining all with my fantastic sense of humor), as well as to keep a record of all my memories. I'm flying out on Wednesday, and I'm both nervous and excited. I will be sure to post pictures at the airport, with my dad crying on the floor in the fetal position, my mother looking less than happy, and my boyfriend ready to kidnap me and take me as far away from the airport as possible.

On arrival in Paris, I have a hostel room for 10 days. Within those 10 days I plan on finding a tutoring position, taking a language proficiency test, getting into a school, finding an apartment with a french student, and becoming accustomed to the French way of life. So assuming a snow storm doesn't delay my flight, I will be extremely jetlegged and lost come Thursday morning in the city of Paris. I will be sure to update as often as I can!

Au Revoir for now!