Spring Break is almost officially over. Technically it ends tomorrow at 2 pm French time when I go to my oral French class, but I'm done with my travelling, so the fun part is over. Now I get to work on homework that I've been avoiding for the past two weeks.
Our last days in Greece were very fun. We finally made it to Oia, which is the part of the island where The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants was filmed. Katie's a big fan, so we spent a large amount of time trying to figure out which parts of the city were used in the movie.
One of the restaurants by us housed my new favorite food. It was a homemade waffle with chocolate and Baileys on top. I'm recreating this when I get home, and possibly marketing it for large sums of money. It can be one of the items for sale in the fabulous bakery I plan on opening.
The bar right next to it housed some of the largest margaritas I've ever seen. I had a mango one, and it was one of my favorite alcoholic beverages. It came with an umbrella, as all good drinks should. It was only seven euros in Greece, so it would be roughly 300 euros in France WITHOUT the umbrella. We actually didn't get drunk. Usually we were so tired from our rough days of laying on the beach that we just crashed. Even though we're all 21, I think our actual ages can be placed more at 90.
The final day was definitely the best one. We booked a tour. They took us to a dock where there were a bunch of ships that looked like they should be in Peter Pan. I think my childlike enthusiam scared some people. I'm sure my "I'm sorry, I've just never ridden on a pirate ship before" definitely didn't help.
Don't worry, I took pictures.
The pirate ship took us to an active volcano and we climbed up the side of it. I wasn't told it was an active volcano until I reached the top, so thoughts of "This is going to explode... this is going to explode... I'm going to die in a fiery pit of lava just like Gollum unless the Eagle king comes to save me from the side of the mountain like he did for Sam and Frodo... But I don't know the Eagle king! I'm screwed!" Yes, most of my episodes of fear somehow turn into commentaries on Lord of the Rings.
But anyway, so apparently the volcano wasn't going to explode that day, so I just have a lot of pictures of igneous rock formations.
Next they took us to hot springs. I thought we were going to go on a little hike and BAM! the springs would magically be there. Nope, you gotta work for things in Greece. Our boat was parked some distance away from shore and they said, "Okay, so see way over there? That's the hot springs. We can't park there because there are a lot of jagged rocks, so you have to swim through this really, really cold water right here and then you reach the hot springs. Well, not really HOT, more lukewarm. But they're good for your skin! So you get to stay there and prepare for when you have to go through the cold water again to get to the boat."
I turned to Molly and Katie and said, "I think I'll pass." To which Katie replied, "You're from Chicago. You'd better be able to swim in the Greek version of cold." So the three of us jumped in along with two girls from Canada, who also thought they could take the Greek version of cold.
The Greeks and I have very similar versions of cold. Of course, I have slightly more tolerance so I psuhed my way to those hot springs, and basked in their luke-warmness. While floating, I noticed a clear circle in the water that kind of looked like a jellyfish, so I told everyone about it. No one heard me because it was at this time that Molly screamed because a plastic bag had touched her. Understandable, as plastic bags are known for their vicious sting.
Therefore, it came more as a shock to everyone else than it came to me when we swam back and were completely surrounded by a school (is it a school if they're jellyfish? I'm not up on my fish lingo. We'll just call it a gang then... a huge biker gang) of jellyfish. Much screaming and freaking out ensued. I stayed calm and just kept saying things like, "Just keep swimming" and "Maybe they don't sting in Greece." I supposed it kind of worked, because I sort of managed to calm down one of the Canadian girls.
We made it safely back to the boat, and all acknowledged that it would have been nice to know about the killer jellyfish before venturing out into the water. Some of us didn't express it that eloquently, but the sentiment was basically the same.
We then made it to Oia. The boat dropped us off at the bottom of a large cliff that had a beautiful, windy staircase. The city was at the top. Molly and one of the Canadian girls decided to walk up it, but Katie, the other Canadian girl and I decided to go on donkeys, just like they do in the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Also, the stairs were steep and at a 90 degree angle. After walking up about 10 of them I was winded, and I am in shape after carrying a 25 pound bag around Italy and Greece. A donkey doing the work for me sounded like a better idea.
Until I got on the donkey. My donkey and Katie's donkey were having the donkey version of a pissing-contest. They both wanted to be in the lead and would try to run past each other and bump into each other. If they had understood English I would have yelled, "Stop trying to figure out who's got bigger balls. We are on a CLIFF!" Except being Greek donkeys, they only understood Greek.
We made it to the top alive, and I vowed never to ride a donkey again. Though, now when I watch the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants I can go, "yeah, I did that" when they're all on the donkeys. Which really is all that matters, bragging rights. In life, it's not what you do that's important, it's what you did that you're allowed to brag about that's important.
We then ate dessert and had wine on the terrace of a resaurant while watching the sunset. THAT I will do again.
I probably made the tour sound terrfying, but it was actually a lot of fun when I wasn't about to have a heart attack. We made friends because there's no way you can swim through jellyfish-infested waters and ride killer donkeys with people and be enemies with them. It's just not possible.
It was a good Spring Break.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
My Big, Fat, Greek Adventure
Trains, planes, buses, boats, and cars... I took one of each yesterday. Needless to say, today was a sleeping in day.
We're finally in Greece! Santorini is beautiful! We spent today at the beach. It was a little cold, but as Chicago girls we've had colder. We were the only people on the beach who actually braved the water. Molly did not listen to my many warnings about skin cancer, and now has a sunburn that makes her a lovely lobster color. Me and my SPF 30 worked quite well together. We plan on continuing our relationship for the next four days.
The ship to Santorini was a cruise-type ship. It took us to the island from Athens. They played My Big, Fat, Greek Wedding in English with Greek subtitles. It was strange to see, but it blended Greek with Chicago, so Katie and I were happy to be able to watch it. We both acknowledged while looking at the subtitles that we had no idea really what Greek sounded like... A little like Italian, but not really. I'm not sure what I was expecting. I've just never been in a country without the standard latin alphabet. It's really hard to guess what signs are trying to tell you, but thankfully some of them have English on the bottom.
Venice was just as beautiful as I remembered. Katie, Molly, and I went on a gondola ride and saw Marco Polo and Casanova's houses. I think that says a lot about the city: the famous people from it are an explorer and a man known for sleeping around.
I attempted to find Christine, but it sadly didn't work out. I'll have to wait until I get back to the States to see her.
We're going out tonight, so I have to go. Cross your fingers that Greek guys are less creepy than Italians!
We're finally in Greece! Santorini is beautiful! We spent today at the beach. It was a little cold, but as Chicago girls we've had colder. We were the only people on the beach who actually braved the water. Molly did not listen to my many warnings about skin cancer, and now has a sunburn that makes her a lovely lobster color. Me and my SPF 30 worked quite well together. We plan on continuing our relationship for the next four days.
The ship to Santorini was a cruise-type ship. It took us to the island from Athens. They played My Big, Fat, Greek Wedding in English with Greek subtitles. It was strange to see, but it blended Greek with Chicago, so Katie and I were happy to be able to watch it. We both acknowledged while looking at the subtitles that we had no idea really what Greek sounded like... A little like Italian, but not really. I'm not sure what I was expecting. I've just never been in a country without the standard latin alphabet. It's really hard to guess what signs are trying to tell you, but thankfully some of them have English on the bottom.
Venice was just as beautiful as I remembered. Katie, Molly, and I went on a gondola ride and saw Marco Polo and Casanova's houses. I think that says a lot about the city: the famous people from it are an explorer and a man known for sleeping around.
I attempted to find Christine, but it sadly didn't work out. I'll have to wait until I get back to the States to see her.
We're going out tonight, so I have to go. Cross your fingers that Greek guys are less creepy than Italians!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Italians, Italians, Italians
Rome was interesting. Our hostel was somehow a campsite a little ways from Rome. This entertained me greatly, and Molly has taped footage of me singing "Let's Get Togther" from The Parent Trap in the cabin.
Of course, there were guys. It's Italy. You pretty much can't escape them, I've found. (Well, maybe with the exception of Milan where the only worthwhile men are gay.) We were at the Trevi Fountain and a group of Italians started talking to us. They bought all three of us roses, but that was all we allowed for. Southern Italians are kind of a lot creepy. I told them all I had a boyfriend (does it matter whether or not it's true?) which only made them say, "If you're in another country, it doesn't count."
Italian guys have such great morals.
We saw the Pope! It's his birthday soon so everyone was singing to him in different languages. I was happy becuase I understood most of the French, Spanish and English that was spoken, so I got the homily in three languages. Italian might be my next one. We'll see.
Now we're in Venice, my favorite and the prettiest city of all of Europe. We got a surprisingly nice hotel that comes with free internet and breakfast, so I'm pretty excited. They recommended this restaurant that gave us some amazing pasta for not too expensive. We already plan on going back.
The guy at the concierge of the hotel also just asked for my number... Italians are extremely forward. We already had the guys at the restaurant we went to tonight ask if we wanted drinks as well. I think I should just have a sign plastered on my forehead that reads, "I'm married with three kids" or "Being An American Girl Does Not Equal Easy." I think both would keep them away. Giovanni informed me that the guys are less crazy in the North, but Venice so far has not been agreeing with that.
Many people (like Christine) are going to be here this weekend, so I'm really happy that I get to see a bunch of friends before going to Greece.
Although, I just found out I have to write my thesis proposal by next week. I was not informed of this, and I am NOT happy about it. Ah well, I'm in Venice!
Of course, there were guys. It's Italy. You pretty much can't escape them, I've found. (Well, maybe with the exception of Milan where the only worthwhile men are gay.) We were at the Trevi Fountain and a group of Italians started talking to us. They bought all three of us roses, but that was all we allowed for. Southern Italians are kind of a lot creepy. I told them all I had a boyfriend (does it matter whether or not it's true?) which only made them say, "If you're in another country, it doesn't count."
Italian guys have such great morals.
We saw the Pope! It's his birthday soon so everyone was singing to him in different languages. I was happy becuase I understood most of the French, Spanish and English that was spoken, so I got the homily in three languages. Italian might be my next one. We'll see.
Now we're in Venice, my favorite and the prettiest city of all of Europe. We got a surprisingly nice hotel that comes with free internet and breakfast, so I'm pretty excited. They recommended this restaurant that gave us some amazing pasta for not too expensive. We already plan on going back.
The guy at the concierge of the hotel also just asked for my number... Italians are extremely forward. We already had the guys at the restaurant we went to tonight ask if we wanted drinks as well. I think I should just have a sign plastered on my forehead that reads, "I'm married with three kids" or "Being An American Girl Does Not Equal Easy." I think both would keep them away. Giovanni informed me that the guys are less crazy in the North, but Venice so far has not been agreeing with that.
Many people (like Christine) are going to be here this weekend, so I'm really happy that I get to see a bunch of friends before going to Greece.
Although, I just found out I have to write my thesis proposal by next week. I was not informed of this, and I am NOT happy about it. Ah well, I'm in Venice!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
In the Land of Nutella
We made it into Rome ok! We just arrived about an hour ago. The traveling hasn't been too bad. I'm already not very fond of my bag, but that was to be expected.
Milan was a ton of fun! We've been walking around a lot. Molly, Katie, and I found Jenee while we were walking through the Milan metro system, so we spent the past two days with her. We haven't gone out yet, so I can't really comment on the Italian nightlife. The food has been amazing, but I already miss pain au chocolat. I'm going through withdrawl.
We did a little bit of shopping. We actually made an Italian friend during our time in Sephora (it's a makeup store for all those who aren't shoppingly-inclined). Jenee had seen Victoria Beckham in there the day before, so we wanted to check it out. We actually met the guy who applied her makeup while she was in there (she got fake eye lashes applied and talked to David on the phone while in the store... I'm better at celebrity gossip than the National Enquirer). His name was Marco, and he felt the need to inform us that he was gay very early into the conversation and that "if we had a cute brother, we should introduce him." I wanted to say, "You work at Sephora, your hair looks nicer than mine, and you're wearing mascara. Don't worry, we were aware." He was fabulous though. He made us come back to see him today, and we took a picture with him.
All four of us really wanted to see Leonardo DaVinici's "Last Supper," so we went to the building where it was housed only to find out that you needed to have an appointment two weeks in advance. This just didn't work for us. We wanted to see that painting, so we told the girl, "We'll be standing right there. If anyone doesn't show up for their appointment, let us know." We all used Oprah's idea of positive thinking and said , "We're getting in. No lies. Someone will cancel." We also prayed for good measure (just in case Oprah didn't work), and someone cancelled! It was perfection. I got to see "Last Supper!" Yay controversal paintings! The androgenous person next to Jesus is totally a woman, in case anyone was wondering. Either that, or it's a man who was taking styling tips from Marco.
Tomorrow we head off to the Vatican for Easter. I'm not sure whether or not we'll make it up for Mass (it's already almost 2am and we're an hour out so we'd have to wake up at the crack of dawn... don't know if I like that idea), but we will GO to the Vatican for Easter, and that's what really counts here.
I hope a chocolate store is open. I want to buy a chocolate bunny.
Happy Easter, everyone!
Milan was a ton of fun! We've been walking around a lot. Molly, Katie, and I found Jenee while we were walking through the Milan metro system, so we spent the past two days with her. We haven't gone out yet, so I can't really comment on the Italian nightlife. The food has been amazing, but I already miss pain au chocolat. I'm going through withdrawl.
We did a little bit of shopping. We actually made an Italian friend during our time in Sephora (it's a makeup store for all those who aren't shoppingly-inclined). Jenee had seen Victoria Beckham in there the day before, so we wanted to check it out. We actually met the guy who applied her makeup while she was in there (she got fake eye lashes applied and talked to David on the phone while in the store... I'm better at celebrity gossip than the National Enquirer). His name was Marco, and he felt the need to inform us that he was gay very early into the conversation and that "if we had a cute brother, we should introduce him." I wanted to say, "You work at Sephora, your hair looks nicer than mine, and you're wearing mascara. Don't worry, we were aware." He was fabulous though. He made us come back to see him today, and we took a picture with him.
All four of us really wanted to see Leonardo DaVinici's "Last Supper," so we went to the building where it was housed only to find out that you needed to have an appointment two weeks in advance. This just didn't work for us. We wanted to see that painting, so we told the girl, "We'll be standing right there. If anyone doesn't show up for their appointment, let us know." We all used Oprah's idea of positive thinking and said , "We're getting in. No lies. Someone will cancel." We also prayed for good measure (just in case Oprah didn't work), and someone cancelled! It was perfection. I got to see "Last Supper!" Yay controversal paintings! The androgenous person next to Jesus is totally a woman, in case anyone was wondering. Either that, or it's a man who was taking styling tips from Marco.
Tomorrow we head off to the Vatican for Easter. I'm not sure whether or not we'll make it up for Mass (it's already almost 2am and we're an hour out so we'd have to wake up at the crack of dawn... don't know if I like that idea), but we will GO to the Vatican for Easter, and that's what really counts here.
I hope a chocolate store is open. I want to buy a chocolate bunny.
Happy Easter, everyone!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
What Happens on Spring Break Stays on Spring Break
I'll try to write an entry today AND tomorrow because I don't know when I'll be able to write again in the next two weeks. I'm sure I'll find some internet cafes, so be on the lookout! I'm leaving tomorrow for an Italian tour (Milan, Rome, and Venice) and Greece (Santorini). I'm going with Molly and our friend, Katie. We all have decided that we're going to have a ridiculous amount of fun and our motto will be "What Happens on Spring Break Stays on Spring Break."
With a motto like that, I hope we'll all still be talking when we get back. Imagine the damage that could be done...
Don't worry, Mom. I will make intelligent decisions. I'll also resist getting sold into white slavery.
I have a language exchange tonight, so I'm looking forward to that. I get to see all my friends one last time before going off on my grand Greecian and Italian adventures. Molly and I have decided to dress up for this one: her to convince Aurélien that he wants to have a torrid love affair with her and me... for no real reason. A girl doesn't need an excuse to look pretty.
Hugo was supposed to be there tonight, but he called me last night and said, "I can't come tomorrow, but I want to see you before you leave! Do you have time to go out for a drink tonight?" When I agreed, he said, "Ok, meet you at the train station in an hour."
I don't think the male gender understands sometimes how long it takes to get ready. An hour did not seem like a sufficient amount of time to make something to eat, eat it, put on makeup, straighten my hair, change my clothes, and walk to the station, but I am Superwoman. I did it all AND beat him to the train station. When he told me I looked really nice, I said, "You should have seen me an hour ago. My face alone would have made children run in fear."
Ok, so I didn't say that, but next time I will. Probably.
We went to his friend's appartment (his friend is also in the language exchange) and drank wine, listened to old French songs, and some people smoked cigarettes (I spared them my cancer speech, but it was so tempting... Hugo doesn't smoke, which I was happy to learn). It was all very French. The conversation was also mostly in French, so I understood only about half of it... or more like a fourth of it. But every so often Hugo would ask if I understood and then everyone would give me a group French lesson. Having French friends is so much more helpful than actually going to school. Too bad "hanging out with French people" isn't a class. I would ace that one.
I returned the favor by teaching them more American slang. They needed to have it expanded from "OMG" and "LOL." They proceeded to call each other "tools" for the rest of the night. I don't know that I'll ever teach them "pimp" as the last thing I need is to hear a large group of self-assured Frenchmen calling each other pimps. Though it would be fun to hear in a French accent. I'm teaching Arnaud all the ghetto terms I can think of for this purpose. So far he can say "What's up, homie g?" and calls me "shawtie" (shawtie=shorty=attractive girl).
Today Hugo sent me a text message that said, "Have a goodtime and dont pay attention to italian or greek guy's! French are the bests!!" (The grammar is his, not mine.) I told him I would say, "I'm sorry, you're not just not French enough" to any guy who tried to approach me. I'm sure this will work as the perfect repellant, because Greecian and Italian males are known world-wide for giving up easily when a woman turns them down.
And now I have to go do homework and prepare for tonight. Time to get pretty again...
With a motto like that, I hope we'll all still be talking when we get back. Imagine the damage that could be done...
Don't worry, Mom. I will make intelligent decisions. I'll also resist getting sold into white slavery.
I have a language exchange tonight, so I'm looking forward to that. I get to see all my friends one last time before going off on my grand Greecian and Italian adventures. Molly and I have decided to dress up for this one: her to convince Aurélien that he wants to have a torrid love affair with her and me... for no real reason. A girl doesn't need an excuse to look pretty.
Hugo was supposed to be there tonight, but he called me last night and said, "I can't come tomorrow, but I want to see you before you leave! Do you have time to go out for a drink tonight?" When I agreed, he said, "Ok, meet you at the train station in an hour."
I don't think the male gender understands sometimes how long it takes to get ready. An hour did not seem like a sufficient amount of time to make something to eat, eat it, put on makeup, straighten my hair, change my clothes, and walk to the station, but I am Superwoman. I did it all AND beat him to the train station. When he told me I looked really nice, I said, "You should have seen me an hour ago. My face alone would have made children run in fear."
Ok, so I didn't say that, but next time I will. Probably.
We went to his friend's appartment (his friend is also in the language exchange) and drank wine, listened to old French songs, and some people smoked cigarettes (I spared them my cancer speech, but it was so tempting... Hugo doesn't smoke, which I was happy to learn). It was all very French. The conversation was also mostly in French, so I understood only about half of it... or more like a fourth of it. But every so often Hugo would ask if I understood and then everyone would give me a group French lesson. Having French friends is so much more helpful than actually going to school. Too bad "hanging out with French people" isn't a class. I would ace that one.
I returned the favor by teaching them more American slang. They needed to have it expanded from "OMG" and "LOL." They proceeded to call each other "tools" for the rest of the night. I don't know that I'll ever teach them "pimp" as the last thing I need is to hear a large group of self-assured Frenchmen calling each other pimps. Though it would be fun to hear in a French accent. I'm teaching Arnaud all the ghetto terms I can think of for this purpose. So far he can say "What's up, homie g?" and calls me "shawtie" (shawtie=shorty=attractive girl).
Today Hugo sent me a text message that said, "Have a goodtime and dont pay attention to italian or greek guy's! French are the bests!!" (The grammar is his, not mine.) I told him I would say, "I'm sorry, you're not just not French enough" to any guy who tried to approach me. I'm sure this will work as the perfect repellant, because Greecian and Italian males are known world-wide for giving up easily when a woman turns them down.
And now I have to go do homework and prepare for tonight. Time to get pretty again...
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Gardens and Parks
Apparently, Sarkozy doesn't like the youth of America, because the free admission to the museums is only for European Union citizens. :(
I went with a group from Central College and Aurélien (my friend from the language exchange). Because we had already been to the Chateau recently, Molly and I turned down paying the large amount of money they demanded. We said, "We're going to go to the free gardens because it's nice outside." Two others from the Central College group joined us, and so did Aurélien (even though it was free for him, he's lived 5 minutes from Versailles his whole life, so he didn't need to see the Chateau).
I didn't get to bike, but I DID do something infinitely cooler: all 5 of us rented a boat and rowed along the pond by the Chateau. I thought the view was beautiful. Molly thought Aurélien was beautiful, and finally accepted my invitation to come to the language exchange this week.
Today, I planned on going to a museum with Giovanni, but he cancelled... again. This time he was sick or something. Tired of him cancelling on me (we're not dating, for all those concerned), I invited Hugo (the guy I danced with on Thursday) and Molly to come with me. As soon as Giovanni found out Hugo was going to the museum, he decided that he just might be able to come as well.
Molly and Giovanni both ended up having too much homework to do, so Hugo and I went to a park together instead. We sat in the park for 2 hours and alternated between speaking in English and French. I think my French improved a lot, and I also learned a lot of slang words. Hugo got excited when he found out that I sing. He plays the guitar, so he told me the next time we came to the park, he was bringing his guitar and I would sing. That's right, I'm having a jam session (or a Boeuf in French) in a French park! He said if we were good enough we could play on the metro for money. While I'm sure we'll be fabulous, I turned down the metro idea.
The brunch this morning was fabulous. I had 2 pain au chocolats, sausage, eggs, bread, breakfast potatoes, orange juice and hot chocolate all for 2.85! Tamara, Molly, and I agreed we would be repeating this adventure.
But not next week because I leave for Italy on Thursday! I can't wait!
I went with a group from Central College and Aurélien (my friend from the language exchange). Because we had already been to the Chateau recently, Molly and I turned down paying the large amount of money they demanded. We said, "We're going to go to the free gardens because it's nice outside." Two others from the Central College group joined us, and so did Aurélien (even though it was free for him, he's lived 5 minutes from Versailles his whole life, so he didn't need to see the Chateau).
I didn't get to bike, but I DID do something infinitely cooler: all 5 of us rented a boat and rowed along the pond by the Chateau. I thought the view was beautiful. Molly thought Aurélien was beautiful, and finally accepted my invitation to come to the language exchange this week.
Today, I planned on going to a museum with Giovanni, but he cancelled... again. This time he was sick or something. Tired of him cancelling on me (we're not dating, for all those concerned), I invited Hugo (the guy I danced with on Thursday) and Molly to come with me. As soon as Giovanni found out Hugo was going to the museum, he decided that he just might be able to come as well.
Molly and Giovanni both ended up having too much homework to do, so Hugo and I went to a park together instead. We sat in the park for 2 hours and alternated between speaking in English and French. I think my French improved a lot, and I also learned a lot of slang words. Hugo got excited when he found out that I sing. He plays the guitar, so he told me the next time we came to the park, he was bringing his guitar and I would sing. That's right, I'm having a jam session (or a Boeuf in French) in a French park! He said if we were good enough we could play on the metro for money. While I'm sure we'll be fabulous, I turned down the metro idea.
The brunch this morning was fabulous. I had 2 pain au chocolats, sausage, eggs, bread, breakfast potatoes, orange juice and hot chocolate all for 2.85! Tamara, Molly, and I agreed we would be repeating this adventure.
But not next week because I leave for Italy on Thursday! I can't wait!
Friday, April 3, 2009
The Helpful French (Not an Oxymoron)
I've been hanging out a lot with my roommate, Tamara. She doesn't speak really any English, so this has been very interesting. We've been having a lot of fun. She's been joining Molly and me for dinner. There are student restaurants throughout Paris where you can get a large meal for only 2.85 euro. Nothing is that cheap in France, so this is lovely.
Tamara told us the other day (whilest we were yearning for pancakes) that the student restaurants have the best brunch. Apparently you can get pain au chocolat, a hot chocolate, bread, bacon, sausage, and potatoes altogether for 2.85 euro. Or maybe it's even more food than that. Point: there was a lot of food for cheap. I was especially excited when she said (in French), "And you'd expect the pain au chocolat to taste horrible, right? But it's actually really good!" Which is like the magical phrase that made me say, "WE'RE GOING. ALL OF US. SUNDAY. I'M NOT GIVING YOU OPTIONS!" Tamara and Molly were both unresistant. Though I suppose it would be strange for someone to say, "No! I don't want a lot of good-tasting food for cheap! You can't make me go!"
The language exchange went well. I had a test the next day, and I thought it might be a good idea to study there. It was mostly Frenchmen, so I made them all help me study for my test. In return, I taught them more dirty American expressions. I felt it was the least I could do for their efforts. They were helpful until someone said, "You know how drinking alcohol makes it easier to speak a language? You should just get drunk before your test. You'll do really well then." The rest really enjoyed this idea, and the studying deteriorated somewhat after that.
I did not get drunk for my test. I also think I kicked its butt.
I went with Ben and Arnaud to the club with the open bar again last night. Giovanni couldn't go yet again, so he had to miss out. I danced mostly with Ben's brother, Hugo. Hugo turned out to be a surprisingly good dancer for a Frenchman, so he gets an A+. He also helped me get home on the metro so that I wouldn't have to go home late by myself. Apparently, chivalry isn't dead in France. I know everyone always gives the French a bad rep, but I've met some very nice ones.
Tomorrow I head off to Versailles! I'm going with some of the people from Central College and I'm going to meet up with one of the guys from the language exchange in the gardens. (I think I just made it sound like I was going to have an affair in the gardens of Versailles... well, I wouldn't be the first.) I'm really excited and hope to fulfill my dream of biking through the gardens in Paris spring...
Tamara told us the other day (whilest we were yearning for pancakes) that the student restaurants have the best brunch. Apparently you can get pain au chocolat, a hot chocolate, bread, bacon, sausage, and potatoes altogether for 2.85 euro. Or maybe it's even more food than that. Point: there was a lot of food for cheap. I was especially excited when she said (in French), "And you'd expect the pain au chocolat to taste horrible, right? But it's actually really good!" Which is like the magical phrase that made me say, "WE'RE GOING. ALL OF US. SUNDAY. I'M NOT GIVING YOU OPTIONS!" Tamara and Molly were both unresistant. Though I suppose it would be strange for someone to say, "No! I don't want a lot of good-tasting food for cheap! You can't make me go!"
The language exchange went well. I had a test the next day, and I thought it might be a good idea to study there. It was mostly Frenchmen, so I made them all help me study for my test. In return, I taught them more dirty American expressions. I felt it was the least I could do for their efforts. They were helpful until someone said, "You know how drinking alcohol makes it easier to speak a language? You should just get drunk before your test. You'll do really well then." The rest really enjoyed this idea, and the studying deteriorated somewhat after that.
I did not get drunk for my test. I also think I kicked its butt.
I went with Ben and Arnaud to the club with the open bar again last night. Giovanni couldn't go yet again, so he had to miss out. I danced mostly with Ben's brother, Hugo. Hugo turned out to be a surprisingly good dancer for a Frenchman, so he gets an A+. He also helped me get home on the metro so that I wouldn't have to go home late by myself. Apparently, chivalry isn't dead in France. I know everyone always gives the French a bad rep, but I've met some very nice ones.
Tomorrow I head off to Versailles! I'm going with some of the people from Central College and I'm going to meet up with one of the guys from the language exchange in the gardens. (I think I just made it sound like I was going to have an affair in the gardens of Versailles... well, I wouldn't be the first.) I'm really excited and hope to fulfill my dream of biking through the gardens in Paris spring...
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Meghan's Brain Has Been Fried From Homework
Happy April Fool's Day! I was tempted to write an entry saying I'd gotten engaged/ married/ had been thrown in jail for drug possession, but I resisted. You're all very lucky as one of my friends informed his parents that he wasn't coming back to the States because he'd fallen in love with a French girl and her baker father was giving him an apprenticeship at his bakery. Another girl wrote her parents telling them she hadn't written them in awhile because participating in a protest got her put in jail. I'm being nicer and not lying.
Sarkozy decided to make museums free for all people under 25, so he and I are friends right now. A bunch of people from the Central College group are going to Versailles on Saturday (I'm going to bike in the gardens and I refuse to be held back!) and then Giovanni and I are going to some other museum on Sunday. No idea which one yet.
My Twilight expose (speech) went alright. I got nervous so it's possible that I might have spoken too fast. It's also possible that I might have mentioned that Twilight has both bad writing (the grammar is really poor) and is slightly antifeminist as well as having shallow characters, and when my teacher asked, "Then why is it so popular?" I may or may not have said, "Because it's amazing!!!!!!!!!!"
I'm pretty sure everyone in that class thinks I'm mentally unstable. Ah well, I'll never see most of them after I get back to the States, right?
For some reason, this has been intense homework week. With my expose, projects, test and papers, my brain has been destroyed. It hasn't been used to having this much work since... Loras finals week. It's much harder to concentrate in Paris than it is in Dubuque. I've gotten all my work done, it just takes longer.
I met Giovanni's friends this weekend. They were a bunch of nerds, so we got along really well. One of them was a literature major who only spoke French and Italian... very little English (he's Beligian), so we discussed books and our favorite authors and genres in French. I had no idea I knew that much French, so that was fun. The other two were Italian mathematicians. One of them specialized in Algebra Geometry, which apparently is NOT a mix of algebra and geometry, and should never be thought of as such. I still have no idea what algebra geometry is, but it just SOUNDS unfun and like a class I would have slept through in high school. Both Italians spoke English, but not French. Occasionally, they would forget I didn't speak Italian and attempt to ask me something. Thankfully, most of the time someone would go "MEGHAN DOESN'T SPEAK ITALIAN! ENGLISH, GUYS!" I would usually forget most of them didn't know French and respond in French, so there were a lot of miscommunications. I think we all did well though.
I'm going to a club again on Thursday and I'm really excited. Arnaud and Ben invited me again. They said it was similiar to the one last week, so it should be a good time all around. (Don't worry, Mom. I'll be careful.)
Alright, my friend David and I are seeing the rest of Pere Lachaise (Oscar Wilde!) because our class got cancelled so we have beaucoup de temps.
Sarkozy decided to make museums free for all people under 25, so he and I are friends right now. A bunch of people from the Central College group are going to Versailles on Saturday (I'm going to bike in the gardens and I refuse to be held back!) and then Giovanni and I are going to some other museum on Sunday. No idea which one yet.
My Twilight expose (speech) went alright. I got nervous so it's possible that I might have spoken too fast. It's also possible that I might have mentioned that Twilight has both bad writing (the grammar is really poor) and is slightly antifeminist as well as having shallow characters, and when my teacher asked, "Then why is it so popular?" I may or may not have said, "Because it's amazing!!!!!!!!!!"
I'm pretty sure everyone in that class thinks I'm mentally unstable. Ah well, I'll never see most of them after I get back to the States, right?
For some reason, this has been intense homework week. With my expose, projects, test and papers, my brain has been destroyed. It hasn't been used to having this much work since... Loras finals week. It's much harder to concentrate in Paris than it is in Dubuque. I've gotten all my work done, it just takes longer.
I met Giovanni's friends this weekend. They were a bunch of nerds, so we got along really well. One of them was a literature major who only spoke French and Italian... very little English (he's Beligian), so we discussed books and our favorite authors and genres in French. I had no idea I knew that much French, so that was fun. The other two were Italian mathematicians. One of them specialized in Algebra Geometry, which apparently is NOT a mix of algebra and geometry, and should never be thought of as such. I still have no idea what algebra geometry is, but it just SOUNDS unfun and like a class I would have slept through in high school. Both Italians spoke English, but not French. Occasionally, they would forget I didn't speak Italian and attempt to ask me something. Thankfully, most of the time someone would go "MEGHAN DOESN'T SPEAK ITALIAN! ENGLISH, GUYS!" I would usually forget most of them didn't know French and respond in French, so there were a lot of miscommunications. I think we all did well though.
I'm going to a club again on Thursday and I'm really excited. Arnaud and Ben invited me again. They said it was similiar to the one last week, so it should be a good time all around. (Don't worry, Mom. I'll be careful.)
Alright, my friend David and I are seeing the rest of Pere Lachaise (Oscar Wilde!) because our class got cancelled so we have beaucoup de temps.
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