Today is my last day of class for Semester 1 at Sciences-Po! For those of you who worried about my academic commitment here (Mom, Dad..), I assure you that I have spent plenty of time studying here. Of course, it is not my top blog priority to describe the exciting days in which I sequester myself in my room and work on my essays for 12 hours straight at a time. I have now handed in ALL my homework and it feels great. I do not know many marks yet, but for the ones I have received back, I am doing well enough. Also, if you are worried about me traveling so much, keep in mind that the school system is set up very different here. I was in school from October - Mid Feb for Semester 1, a total of 4.5 months, where as at home semester one would only be 3.5 months. And now between semesters I have an additional 2 weeks off after my exams. Semester 2 will go from Feb 23 - the end of June, just over 4 months, again longer than at home. Since we are in school for longer we get more time off and more breaks. The entire month of September I was in the Welcome Program which ran 3 weeks and allowed me the last week to travel to Switzerland. So, if you do not hear about the homework, it does not mean it doesn't exist.
Anyways, I am off to my last day of class. I have my French course today in which we are having a "tasting", each person was assigned something to bring from wine to cheese, to grapes ( I am bringing white grapes). What a tough course it will be. I then have a volleyball game, will come home to pack for leaving tommorow, and then I have a dinner with my team. I will be in switzerland as of this saturday until feb 2nd, when I will return to Paris to study and write exams. Adios for now.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
Smell of the day
Fondue!
After having people over for fondue last night, and reheating the leftover cheese for myself today my place has a distinctive fondue smell.
In general, my room picks up whatever was last cooked here, so everyday when I get home I am welcomed with a reminder of the previous nights dinner lingering around. I have been noticing this smell du jour for a while..
In addition, when I have neighbours here they shut the door of our hallways. This traps in their cooking smell into the hallway. It usually is not so bad, but it is interesting how different it is from day to day.
What shall it be tommorow? Who knows!
After having people over for fondue last night, and reheating the leftover cheese for myself today my place has a distinctive fondue smell.
In general, my room picks up whatever was last cooked here, so everyday when I get home I am welcomed with a reminder of the previous nights dinner lingering around. I have been noticing this smell du jour for a while..
In addition, when I have neighbours here they shut the door of our hallways. This traps in their cooking smell into the hallway. It usually is not so bad, but it is interesting how different it is from day to day.
What shall it be tommorow? Who knows!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Little events
Hello,
I have been very bad at updating this regularly recently. I am very busy finishing up my final paper, preparing for exams, and booking tickets to travel!
This past week had a few neat suprises. I went to an Asian Food party last night, and a Japanese girl from my Asian cinema course was like: "I brought you manga! It has Jesus in it", since she knew I went to church. The manga, which she translated for me was about Jesus and Buddah who were roomates going on vacation. It was comedic, but we didnt read it all, since it was a long book. Interesting, and made my day. Also, another girl brought me dried seaweed :). She found it in the Asian area for 80centimes, whereas at Monoprix 7 sheets of seaweed is 11 euros! Way unaffordable.
This morning I decided I would venture to Hillsong Paris, to check it out. But, it was cancelled today. There were a lot of people who showed up though, who had not received the memo. It was ok though, we had coffee instead. I was happy, becuase the guy telling us the unfortunate news noticed my new boots. :)
I bought boots at Gallarie Lafayette 2 days ago on Solde. They are real leather, but I have not broken them in yet, and have gotten some blisters now... hopefully that will not persist.
After the coffee I went to my friends house. She was supposed to come to Church with me, but had fallen back asleep after I called her. She was lucky to not have made the trek I suppose. She is the girl I will be traveling to Morocco with, along with another Canadian girl, and a guy from the Netherlands. It should be a nice trip, but we still haven't bought our tickets! That is on todays to-do list.
I feel bad leaving Paris so much, next Friday I will leave to Annecy, and then go to Switzerland to visite family. On the other hand, I am happy to be able to profit from being in Europe and having everything so near. I have 1 week of courses left, 12 days off, 2 exams and then another 12 days off before Semester 2 starts. Meaning, I will hardly be here the entirety of February!
When I come back, it will nearly be March, and the 1st weekend I am going to Lille for sports training. As of Christmas, the time here has started to really fly! Anyways, before it flies too far, I need to finish my essay!
I have been very bad at updating this regularly recently. I am very busy finishing up my final paper, preparing for exams, and booking tickets to travel!
This past week had a few neat suprises. I went to an Asian Food party last night, and a Japanese girl from my Asian cinema course was like: "I brought you manga! It has Jesus in it", since she knew I went to church. The manga, which she translated for me was about Jesus and Buddah who were roomates going on vacation. It was comedic, but we didnt read it all, since it was a long book. Interesting, and made my day. Also, another girl brought me dried seaweed :). She found it in the Asian area for 80centimes, whereas at Monoprix 7 sheets of seaweed is 11 euros! Way unaffordable.
This morning I decided I would venture to Hillsong Paris, to check it out. But, it was cancelled today. There were a lot of people who showed up though, who had not received the memo. It was ok though, we had coffee instead. I was happy, becuase the guy telling us the unfortunate news noticed my new boots. :)
I bought boots at Gallarie Lafayette 2 days ago on Solde. They are real leather, but I have not broken them in yet, and have gotten some blisters now... hopefully that will not persist.
After the coffee I went to my friends house. She was supposed to come to Church with me, but had fallen back asleep after I called her. She was lucky to not have made the trek I suppose. She is the girl I will be traveling to Morocco with, along with another Canadian girl, and a guy from the Netherlands. It should be a nice trip, but we still haven't bought our tickets! That is on todays to-do list.
I feel bad leaving Paris so much, next Friday I will leave to Annecy, and then go to Switzerland to visite family. On the other hand, I am happy to be able to profit from being in Europe and having everything so near. I have 1 week of courses left, 12 days off, 2 exams and then another 12 days off before Semester 2 starts. Meaning, I will hardly be here the entirety of February!
When I come back, it will nearly be March, and the 1st weekend I am going to Lille for sports training. As of Christmas, the time here has started to really fly! Anyways, before it flies too far, I need to finish my essay!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Procrastination #5
Hello Mr. Skater Man! See Lisa post. Click here!
The world is ending!
How I got fit.
To hear Quality French Music click here!
I have 1 essay left to go! 2 finals, and then I am off! To where? undecided...
The world is ending!
How I got fit.
To hear Quality French Music click here!
I have 1 essay left to go! 2 finals, and then I am off! To where? undecided...
Monday, January 12, 2009
Jeans in 12 days
After a fall of new pastries and then a Christmas filled with food I definatly put on some weight in Paris. I am happy to say that only 12 days after new years, I finally fit in my jeans again! Thank you intensive swimming work outs and the start of volleyball again!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
A new week
The Christmas season is officially over. On Jan. 7th Les Soldes started in Paris meaning everyone has gone shopping crazy. It is mad, but everthing is 50% off. I plan to buy a nice pair of boots, but have not been able to fine "the" pair yet. I found a really nice pair, but I hesitated, and when I went back to the store, they were gone. I can no longer afford to let quality goods get away! It is so hard to choose a good pair though, I'm still unsure what I want: brown or black? how tall? do i want a buckle? any heel? cut of the top? a zipper? ect. Any suggestions?
Beyond consumerism this week has started off well; volleyball started again and I FINALLY went swimming with a girl from Toronto. We met on election day and have been planning to go everyday since, but this weekend was the first time it actually happened. In Paris, there are a number of pools run by the city and you can buy a 3 month pass that is good at ANY pool. It is really a good deal. There is a pool about a 5 min walk from my house so I plan to go to it often. Now that I have started, it should be easier to continue. Plus, the weather has been -5 or worse the past few days, so running outside is not a nice option. This exercise is completely necessary after all the dining during Christmas.
Beyond consumerism this week has started off well; volleyball started again and I FINALLY went swimming with a girl from Toronto. We met on election day and have been planning to go everyday since, but this weekend was the first time it actually happened. In Paris, there are a number of pools run by the city and you can buy a 3 month pass that is good at ANY pool. It is really a good deal. There is a pool about a 5 min walk from my house so I plan to go to it often. Now that I have started, it should be easier to continue. Plus, the weather has been -5 or worse the past few days, so running outside is not a nice option. This exercise is completely necessary after all the dining during Christmas.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
New Years In Paris
Happy 2009 everyone!
2008 was a great year, and I am finally reflecting on it. I think what made 2008 so great was all the new things I got to experience and the friends I made.
New things!
The New Years festivities in Paris were not amazing per se. The fireworks at the Eiffle tower were cancelled due to the financial crises (or fear of riots?). I went to the Champs Elysees with other girls from SFU and we stayed there for 3 hours before I went home. There were a number of sketchy people there who would swarm us, and we had to pay a lot of attention to our bags. I was nice seeing the mass of people with their cheering and champagne :)
Resolutions:
2008 was a great year, and I am finally reflecting on it. I think what made 2008 so great was all the new things I got to experience and the friends I made.
New things!
- I went to the Dominican Republic, my first Southern country
- I started co-op and experienced full-time work
- I finally had a Joint Birthday Party with Carly
- I got accepted to go on exchange
- I got reconnected with the young adults group at my Church
- I played v-ball nearly every summer friday night
- I mastered the games of ping-pong and rock band due to my work
- I played in an Ultimate Frisbee league
- I went camping in Kelowna
- I had a going-away party
- I started school in Paris
- I lived on my own
- I learned to survive on my own
- I stayed single the whole year
- I made a resolution to eat anything fed to me, which included meat, seafood, and frogs.
- I visited: Barcelona, Berlin, Dusseldorf, Montpellier, Perpignan, and Stockholm
- I spent Christmas away from home
- I ended the year a lot happier and at peace than I started the year!
The New Years festivities in Paris were not amazing per se. The fireworks at the Eiffle tower were cancelled due to the financial crises (or fear of riots?). I went to the Champs Elysees with other girls from SFU and we stayed there for 3 hours before I went home. There were a number of sketchy people there who would swarm us, and we had to pay a lot of attention to our bags. I was nice seeing the mass of people with their cheering and champagne :)
Resolutions:
- Continue experiencing new things, and be fearless
- Learn a lot at school
- Make progress in my life plans
- Keep fit
- Love my friends and family
- See all the sights in Paris
- See more live music
- Try an extreme sport
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Undeck the Halls
To start off the new year, we play musical christmas crackers at Ulrika's place. Each person had a different note, and it was my job to tell them each when to play. Can you make out the tune? I think I may have finally found a viable future dream: Conductor.
Friday, January 2, 2009
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