december's agenda.
Everyone seems to be having a lovely start to December as it seems to be snowing all over in WA - from Bellingham to Seattle alike. I've already seen snow this season, so I can't say that I'm jealous, but I won't lie - I wish I were at home enjoying the snow with everyone else, too. :)
Life has been a whirlwind these days! Let me recap:
Saturday: I spent the day wandering around downtown in the cold chaos of Nantes. Now that the holiday season has begun, the streets are constantly packed on the weekends. The lights and decorations are fabulous, and to add alongside the Christmas spirit, they've opened up the seasonal Chrismtas marché here (little shops with adorable trinkets and treats for the holiday season).
And even though I swore that I would give up red wine for awhile, I've been drinking some vin chaud here - delicious and festive red wine served hot and with spices (cloves, cinnamon) and little pieces of oranges. I think it's the equivalent of mulled wine back in the States. I've had a cup of vin chaud everyday since Saturday, haha.
I also went to my friend, Hillman's, little "fete" on Saturday with Lindsay. Hillman is our Venezuelan friend from class. I've been spending a lot of time with my international classmates both inside and outside of class these days. It was here that I realized that nearly every single international student that I've met in France knows SOME English - it's ridiculous. As an American studying abroad, I have to say, I feel really catered to half of the time because so many people know English here. Which makes me feel a) stupid, and b) self-centered. I mean, is America really this self-involved? (rhetorical question, kthx)
Tuesday: Went out for Indian food and drinks in celebration of Mag's 23rd birthday. People in attendance: Irene, Linds, and our Turkish friends, Onder and Cahrman.
Wednesday: I had to give an exposée in class on my life in Seattle. It was the first time that I have felt comfortable speaking in French, and although it was far from perfect, it seemed like I was having an easy enough time speaking on the spot. Which I would like to take as a sign that my speaking skills are improving slightly ...
Also saw two films. Three Times, a Taiwanese film (Nantes is currently hosting a worldwide film festival) which I totally watched with French subtitles. I also saw Harry Potter & La Coupe de Feu which FINALLY came out here. I have mixed feelings, but for the most part, I loved it. Would've enjoyed the experience more with my usual crowd of insane Potter fiends, though. ):
Thursday: Onder's 22nd birthday. Was celebrated in style with American and English-speaking Erasmus students alike.
Secondly, I cannot believe it is December already! I have to start Christmas shopping soon. And I officially leave in less than a month. I'm not sure if I should be ecstatic or upset; I think I'm a little of both. I have no doubt that this will inevitably be the busiest month of my entire life:
8 - Soirée d'Adieu: The End of our Program
10 - 11: Excursions locally and spending time with my parrain
12 - 14: Comprehension exams and finals!!
16 - 19: Traveling to Brussels & Amsterdam with Linds (très impromptu trip)
20 - 21: Last days in Nantes, packing, rendez-vous with Amélie when she returns from Cardiff
22: Train to Paris, meeting up with Noah (!!), flying to Rome
23 - 26: Christmas in Rome, Florence, fly out to Spain
26 - 27: Spain for a few hours, Paris for a few hours, then back to Nantes
28: Leave Nantes, final goodbyes, crash near CDG
29: Fly out of CDG, return to Seattle
30 - 31: Move into Steven's Court (hopefully)
01: Celebrating New Years in Seattle .... back home ....
And because this month is going to be so busy and filled with so many people and social activities, I have decided to take this entire weekend for myself. I miss me time.
So, there are a lot of stereotypes about the French. Some of these stereotypes - such as dog crap on the streets, French snobs, the non-existent "doggy bag", and stores closing in the middle of the day and all day Sunday - are v. true, but one of the most true stereotypes is how open the French (all of Europe? ) are about sex and sexuality in general. You can see it the most in their advertisements for lingerie and movie ads; sometimes there will be women completely topless.
However, I think this stereotype was best proved yesterday morning when I ordered my hot chocolate at the school café - and with my cup of steaming goodness came a condom and some gel. I laughed so hard that I got more glares than usual (it's impossible to walk around France as an American and not get glares, sometimes). I think this was their way of promoting safe sex. Only in Europe, I swear.
Life has been a whirlwind these days! Let me recap:
Saturday: I spent the day wandering around downtown in the cold chaos of Nantes. Now that the holiday season has begun, the streets are constantly packed on the weekends. The lights and decorations are fabulous, and to add alongside the Christmas spirit, they've opened up the seasonal Chrismtas marché here (little shops with adorable trinkets and treats for the holiday season).
And even though I swore that I would give up red wine for awhile, I've been drinking some vin chaud here - delicious and festive red wine served hot and with spices (cloves, cinnamon) and little pieces of oranges. I think it's the equivalent of mulled wine back in the States. I've had a cup of vin chaud everyday since Saturday, haha.
I also went to my friend, Hillman's, little "fete" on Saturday with Lindsay. Hillman is our Venezuelan friend from class. I've been spending a lot of time with my international classmates both inside and outside of class these days. It was here that I realized that nearly every single international student that I've met in France knows SOME English - it's ridiculous. As an American studying abroad, I have to say, I feel really catered to half of the time because so many people know English here. Which makes me feel a) stupid, and b) self-centered. I mean, is America really this self-involved? (rhetorical question, kthx)
Tuesday: Went out for Indian food and drinks in celebration of Mag's 23rd birthday. People in attendance: Irene, Linds, and our Turkish friends, Onder and Cahrman.
Wednesday: I had to give an exposée in class on my life in Seattle. It was the first time that I have felt comfortable speaking in French, and although it was far from perfect, it seemed like I was having an easy enough time speaking on the spot. Which I would like to take as a sign that my speaking skills are improving slightly ...
Also saw two films. Three Times, a Taiwanese film (Nantes is currently hosting a worldwide film festival) which I totally watched with French subtitles. I also saw Harry Potter & La Coupe de Feu which FINALLY came out here. I have mixed feelings, but for the most part, I loved it. Would've enjoyed the experience more with my usual crowd of insane Potter fiends, though. ):
Thursday: Onder's 22nd birthday. Was celebrated in style with American and English-speaking Erasmus students alike.
Secondly, I cannot believe it is December already! I have to start Christmas shopping soon. And I officially leave in less than a month. I'm not sure if I should be ecstatic or upset; I think I'm a little of both. I have no doubt that this will inevitably be the busiest month of my entire life:
8 - Soirée d'Adieu: The End of our Program
10 - 11: Excursions locally and spending time with my parrain
12 - 14: Comprehension exams and finals!!
16 - 19: Traveling to Brussels & Amsterdam with Linds (très impromptu trip)
20 - 21: Last days in Nantes, packing, rendez-vous with Amélie when she returns from Cardiff
22: Train to Paris, meeting up with Noah (!!), flying to Rome
23 - 26: Christmas in Rome, Florence, fly out to Spain
26 - 27: Spain for a few hours, Paris for a few hours, then back to Nantes
28: Leave Nantes, final goodbyes, crash near CDG
29: Fly out of CDG, return to Seattle
30 - 31: Move into Steven's Court (hopefully)
01: Celebrating New Years in Seattle .... back home ....
And because this month is going to be so busy and filled with so many people and social activities, I have decided to take this entire weekend for myself. I miss me time.
So, there are a lot of stereotypes about the French. Some of these stereotypes - such as dog crap on the streets, French snobs, the non-existent "doggy bag", and stores closing in the middle of the day and all day Sunday - are v. true, but one of the most true stereotypes is how open the French (all of Europe? ) are about sex and sexuality in general. You can see it the most in their advertisements for lingerie and movie ads; sometimes there will be women completely topless.
However, I think this stereotype was best proved yesterday morning when I ordered my hot chocolate at the school café - and with my cup of steaming goodness came a condom and some gel. I laughed so hard that I got more glares than usual (it's impossible to walk around France as an American and not get glares, sometimes). I think this was their way of promoting safe sex. Only in Europe, I swear.