i should really update this more often.

It's been really sunny here in France, but the temperature is dropping fast. Yesterday it was only in the 50s, and I had to whip out my coat. I guess global warming hasn't crossed the Atlantic yet to Western Europe (although I am sure it has, that's just a false statement because I hear it's so warm in Ohio and in other parts of the US). Before I come to write in this, I always have so many things to add, but as soon as I sit down and begin to write, they all disappear... I can tell you that last saturday our program took us on a day trip to Normandy, but it wasn't too the beaches, which was kind of sad. But, we visited an old Abbey, and then a really old chateau. Facebook picture stalking and thieving ensues. Over fall break I plan to take a train to the beaches in Normandy, and maybe I'll take a day trip to somewhere else...outside of france. Who knows. I've been doing a lot of aerobics lately, and it's just great. Last night there were two classes in a row, and I ended up staying for both.
I've had quite a bit of homework for my classes lately since midterms are next week, but I think they should go smoothly if I use my day off today economically. I don't think I've written enough about the people that I see on the metro. If it wasn't for the metro, my days would be much duller. A lot of times I see business men, carrying their daily newspapers, with their briefcases, ties (I distinctly remember one very stern looking man wearing a red tie with happy prancing dogs on it. that made me happy) and their thoughts about what the day will bring. Then, there are the performers. I've seen saxophone players, accordions, violins, french horns, singers, asian instruments, guitars, mandolins, and that's it for now. I've also seen a clown who made balloon animals, as well as preachers and just darn crazy people. I swear that I've seen famous models in the train because who else would bother to wear high fashion clothes and make-up? Most of the people look like normal people, but there are those few who just look like they came from a Chanel ad. Maybe they actually did. I saw the cutest baby on the metro, who began to play with my colorful scarf as we were riding. HOLY COW she was joyously adorable. It was sad when her and her mom had to leave. I also saw a tiny dog wrapped up in it's owner's purse, with just it's cute little head popping out. That made me smile. The metro also has its share of sketchy people, but i try not to focus on them. Did I tell you all how the kids enjoyed what mom sent them? Well, I gave them the Pez, glow sticks and candy corn, as well as a card she sent, and they seemed to really enjoy it. Mark Antoine (sadly not Mark Twain) really loved the Pez, and the mom had to literally pry them away from him when it was time for bed. I don't think candy before bed was the best timing on my part, but no one was hurt in the process. I told my host mom that I was planning on going to Amsterdam at some point while I was here, so she automatically told me that I needed to watch "La Jeune Fille a la Perle" (or the Girl with the Pearl Earring). It's set in the Netherlands and it is based on the painting by Johannes Vermeer "Girl with the Pearl Earring) as well as the book that was written about it. It was a pretty good movie, but it didn't really have a lot to do with the Netherlands other than that it was set there. They lived right by a canal, though, and that's a pretty integral part of the place, so I got a small glimpse as to what amsterdam might look like, at least in the 15th century. That's all for now, but I am sure that I'll think of more things to write later. A bientot!

La greve! Getting lost! My host dad being incredibly musically gifted as well as generous.

Ok, so as some of you may have read in the newspaper, the entire French train and public transportation system shut down today for a strike against the new government, which has only been in office for about 5 months. This is seriously what the French do best. They protest to get what they want. Every french person knew exactly how to deal with it, because there is (as I've heard) at least one major strike each year. Last night around midnight I heard people from my window shouting out in the street about the strike, and at 6:30am I began to hear the morning rush hour traffic outside with their beeping horns and angry yells. Tons of people take the metro, so there was no doubt that there would be more car traffic than normal, and there was. I had to walk to class, but luckily my grammar teacher canceled our 9:30am class, so I only had one at 2pm. I really wanted to make an effort to get out early and walk around so that I'd have enough time to make it to class. I left my house at 10:45 in the morning and didn't make it to the Center until 1:15-1:30. Mind you I got a tad lost and I stopped to get a sandwich for lunch, but it still took a ridiculously long time to walk to the Center. Additionally, I was able to see a lot of beautiful buildings and walk along the Seine for most of the walk, so that made it enjoyable. Plus the weather couldn't have been more agreeable: sunny, clear skies, and just a little chilly. Coming back, however, me and two of my friends got a little lost because it was getting dark, and the streets are confusing, but we made it home after taking at 30 minute "detour" in the wrong direction. Paris is beautiful all lit up at night, though.

Deuxieme chose. In the past 24 hours I have watched 3 long, and politically and emotionally charged movies. The first was "The Battle of Algiers" which was made in 1966 about Algeria's revolt against french colonization. The french took over Algeria sometime in the mid 1800s, and then right after WWII, the Front Liberation Nationale was secretly created in Algeria to counter french colonization. It was a bloody bloddy war, which began in the early 1950s and didn't end until Algeria's independence in 1962. The movie was banned from being shown anywhere in France until very recently (not even a few years), and even then it was a huge controversy. This is a huge part of french history that a lot of french tend to "forget." I told my host mom that I had watched it and she had never heard of it, and she's a very educated and cultured woman. You all must see it. The second movie I borrowed from my host family, and it was "Ghandi." I cried at the end. It is an awesome (but long, so brace yourselves) film and I highly recommend it to any that's interested. it made me question a lot of my beliefs and approaches that I take in life. Dad, I think you would like this movie a lot. And Ghandi. The third movie was called "Au Revoir les Enfants" (Goodbye, Children), and that was set during German occupation of France during WWII. It was set outside of paris at an all boys Catholic boarding school. It was centered around mainly 2 boys, one secretly jewish who is in hiding there, and another who is not jewish, but finds out that the other one is and ends up befriending him. I don't want to give a lot of it away, though, so I will just say that it is very good and that again, you should all see it.
Finalement. My host dad, (as well as all of their children) plays the piano. As I walked into the house this evening, I hear these beautiful sounds emanating from the salon, and I ask Guyonne (one of their daughters) who is playing the piano. She said it was her dad and I told her that I thought it was really lovely. I asked if she knew the song, and she didn't, so we went and asked him. He was playing songs from the opera "La Forza del Destino" by Giuseppe Verdi. I want to play the piano like him. It was astoundingly wonderful, and he just said "oh no, I am not that good right now because I don't know the music well." Yes you do!!! I really appreciate that they all play the piano and I get to listen to them play. He also offered that I borrow the CD of the opera so that I can put it on my computer, and read the english translation of the play. What a gem. I feel a bit "uncultured" though when they ask if I play the piano, and I say no. But I think I won points by telling him that both of my parents went to music school, and that I took singing lessons for a while at school (at Oberlin through the conservatory). Now Guyonne wants to hear me sing. She seemed pretty adamant about it, so I don't doubt she'll ask me in the future. That's ok, though, because I like to sing. Anywhoo...I need to do some homework. Talk to you all later!

haircut

Since I got my haircut a while ago and I still haven't gotten any pictures to show you guys, I will steal them from facebook and post them here, because I can. So, here is my haircut!

I can't think of an intersting title

I should really update this thing more. What have I been up to?? Well, some people that I met through Ruth when she was here invited me over to make crepes with them last week, so that was fun, except for the fact that it was raining when I was trying to find her place, and that was the only time I forgot to bring my umbrella with me. It was already dark, I was on the outskirts of Paris (I think if I would've walked another block I would've been officially out of Paris) and it was cold and rainy. NOT FUN. But when I got there she offered me some dry socks and I hung up my hoodie. Then we had some nutella crepes and everything was good. This past saturday was the France vs. England semi-finals match. France had high hopes for their team (Les Bleus) since the previous saturday they knocked out New Zealand (the All Blacks) from the tournament, and they were said to have been the best team in the tournament. So, me and a few friends decided that we should go to a bar to watch this semi-historic game. We decided on a bar called the Frog and the Princess, which is in the 5th district. We arrived an hour before the game (8pm) and the entire street was packed. The bar, unfortunately, was also packed. We waited in line in the hopes that they might let us in, but they couldn't because it was so full. Everyone in the street was either dressed in the colors of England or France, waving their flags and singing the Marseillaise or God Save the Queen ( I think that is the song) , so that was cool to witness. Some of us wanted to just find a place to watch the game, though, so 3 of us left the group of 5 and found another place where we could watch it. We found a bar called the Old Navy and stood and watched the game. Sadly France lost 14-9, so there were no riots in the streets, or loud singing or parading. Just a somber walk home for the French. During the game, though, everyone was rowdy and optimistic and full of french nationalism. I loved watching the people in the bar as much as the game.
Earlier that day me and two other people decided to visit a museum in the Marais called Musee Carnivale. It was free AND full of awesome things. It had medieval french artifacts, a lot of Louis XV's possessions, and an entire floor dedicated to the French Revolution. All in all it was freaking awesome. I am definitely going to go back. After that we walked around and eventually found a good falafel place to have lunch. Then we walked around some more and checked out the BHV, which is an ENORMOUS (I had to put it all in caps, because it is just that huge) department store. I need to go back because I am in dire need of shoes. The Parisien streets are eating my current ones up. On sunday I checked out an open market and saw some really cool stuff, but I didn't buy anything. I think I'll go back now that I know what to expect to find there. After that I did my homework, which is boring. I think I'll write another update later because I have to go to aerobics right now!

it's been too long

I haven't written in here in a long time, so I think I am due for another entry. I left off last thursday, but that was just about the Indians, who I am so happy for!! I guess I could let you in on what I did this weekend...
On friday afternoon the Center took us on a weekend trip to Dijon. We took a bus to get out there, but it took us over an hour to exit Paris, so our bus ride ended up being about 6 hours. After that fun journey we finally made it into the town of Dijon. We ate dinner around 9:30 because we arrived so late, but the food was amazing. There were jugs of wine on our tables and it seemed as though each time it ran out, the waiter brought back more wine. They really like their wine here. Anyway, for the main course steak with a grilled and stuffed tomato and potatoes au gratin were served. Since I have to be the oddball and be a vegetarian, they served is an amazing pizza with tomatoes, peppers, onions, mushrooms and artichoke hearts. I think it was the best pizza I have ever eaten (sorry, Elmton...). Then for dessert (yes, dessert!!) we had creme brulee!! I think I gained ten pounds just by looking at it let alone eating it, but it was worth it. The next day we took a walking tour of Dijon and saw the Notre Dame of Dijon and the open markets and took a look at the architecture on some of the old homes. I wouldn't mind living there. Then we had lunch and some free time. I spent it walking around the town with some of my friends and then going back to our hotel to take a nap. Later we ate dinner at another restaurant (mind you that we didn't have to pay for any of the food all weekend...) where escargots were served (sadly I didn't eat any) for the appetizer, and then duck with potatoes. I had pasta and was underwhelmed with it, but hey it was free. Then for dessert we had a heavenly chocolate and hazelnut layer cake. I actually died and then came back to life when I ate it. Or maybe I just blacked out from all of the calories that I had consumed. I actually don't know, but I'll go with the first option. On sunday we took an hour ride to a town called Beaune (pronounced "bone") so that we could take a look at the Hospice of Beaune and have a wine tasting at a local vineyard. It was a more rural town but I really liked it and wouldn't mind coming back someday. Anyone want to come with me?? The wine tasting was interesting and we learned about the different levels of wine and which one is the most expensive. my favorite was the Pinot Noir for the red wine and the Bourgogne Aligote for the white wine. I bought some Dijon mustard and Creme de Cassis for my (real) family, so I have to get that sent along soon. The Creme de Cassis is a highly concentrated blueberry liquor that's used to make Kir, and french drink. You can either use white wine or champagne, and then you add a few drops of the creme de cassis and it gives the drink a sweeter taste. it's really good.
Up until now I have been pretty busy with schoolwork and stuff. I have to make a trip to the American Embassy so that I can request an absentee ballot. If I am sending one in from overseas then Ohio will accept it 20 days after election day. I don't plan on sending it in that late, but if it comes down to that, at least I can still vote. I am in a class called Muslim Presence in Europe and right now is the month of Ramadan. Our teacher thought that it would be a good idea to take us to a restaurant so that we could celebrate the breaking of the fast. She brought along one of her friends who is a practicing muslim and we talked about all kinds of things. it was a great dinner and I am really glad that our teacher put it together. Plus, once again, it was free. That's about all right now. I don't have classes today so I am going to run some errands, do homework, maybe some laundry and then watch a movie for one of my classes. Hopefully the weather clears up because it's raining right now. Talk to you all later!

woo!

GO INDIANS!!!


They'd better beat the Yankees!

ahort entry

I have to finish my homework, but I just wanted to post a few things. First, my host family couldn't be any better. Even though I've been here for almost a month, I am still feeling hesitant around them and little uncomfortable. To top that off, I've been homesick because I don't have any close friends here, or a regular group of friends to hang out with. That being said, last week when the parents left for New York, they had first asked me to walk their two youngest kids down the street to their school at 8:30 the next morning. I said, OK, but then they discussed it and said that I didn't need to. The next morning, thinking that I didn't need to take them, I took a shower at my normal time, but around 8:20 I get a knock at my door (mind you I am in my towel..) from Pauline saying that we have to leave in 5 minutes. Fuddling around I say OK, hurry to get dressed and walk them down the street. I had forgotten about this until tonight at dinner when the mother said that she had a present for me for taking the kids when I didn't have to. It was a tea strainer with 4 types of really good tea!! What a great gift! She didn't have to do that for me, but it was a really nice gesture. After dinner I explained to the mother that I was homesick, and that when I am sad I tend to stay to myself but I would like to interact with the family more. She said that' absolutely acceptable and at any time I can just come into the kitchen or living room to do work or to sit with the kids or just to sit while the mom is busy running around with them. That made me feel a little more comfortable to be in their house. I should stop feeling like a tenant or a burden and start feeling like a part of their family (even though I am not...). I also found out that making international calls from their phone is free, and she said that I can call my family at almost any time that I want (except weird hours of the night, of course) so that made me extremely happy!! Anyway, I need to finish some work before bed. good night.