This past weekend, me and my friend Anna were invited by our friend Virgile to go to his families summer home in Loscolo Bretagne with his friends from Angers. It was a great weekend and the place really reminded me of Hornby as the weather and the relaxation were similar. Anyhow, I am adding a slideshow as well as 2 videos from the weekend. Enjoy!
The photos.
This one is of two guys playing pingpong, a guy inside on the piano, and virgile reading his book outloud.
Virgile playing amazing grace on some odd instrument.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
once again... off for the weekend!
Hello,
I am leaving this weekend. Again. This time to Bretagne (Brittany) with some friends from here, I will update you and show pictures as soon as I return!
-nancy
I am leaving this weekend. Again. This time to Bretagne (Brittany) with some friends from here, I will update you and show pictures as soon as I return!
-nancy
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Group Motivation
Yesterday, I had my midterm for my Religion and Society course. We were tested on Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism. There was a lot of stuff to learn (which I now know, so I am happy to answer any questions you may have, and put this new knowledge to use!). It was a crazy 3 days of cramming before the test and I was happy to have friends to study and go over concepts with. We had a lot of fun pronouncing names like: Muhammad ibn abd-al-Wahhab and Jnana Yoga and making up good acronyms (ex. Bananas and Mangos make Inuendos: an acronym for the names of the different Hindu Casts, in their English equivalent). The test was at the ungodly hour of 830am (noone should be asked to think before 10). After the test, which went OK, we went and got "Real America Pastries" from a bakery. yummmmm Carrot cake.
Today, I am working hard on getting a paper done for Tuesday. I planned to start it yesterday, but after a 4 hour exam, I was too exhausted. I was working at a friends house again, since I really find it easier to work with motivation around. So, when one person is slacking, the other can call them out on it. Also, it is better to stop and talk for 5 min to have a break, than to go online and chat on msn for an hour...
I have 6 more assignments to get done before the semester is over. Wish me luck!
Today, I am working hard on getting a paper done for Tuesday. I planned to start it yesterday, but after a 4 hour exam, I was too exhausted. I was working at a friends house again, since I really find it easier to work with motivation around. So, when one person is slacking, the other can call them out on it. Also, it is better to stop and talk for 5 min to have a break, than to go online and chat on msn for an hour...
I have 6 more assignments to get done before the semester is over. Wish me luck!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Child Beggars
On the metro this morning, a man came on with his child and gave a speech about why he needs money and then he and his young son went up the train to collect money. This child had experience doing this as he started walking and asking people for coins before his father was done his speech.
A few weeks ago, 2 young girls (about 10 and 6), were on the metro dancing to music with their music player, alone, with no adult, and also asking everyone for money. When they did not get any, the older girl got quite angry at the younger girl.
Sometimes when leaving the metro, there are parents with their children sitting on the ground begging for money also.
In all these instances I get really sad. I think it is horrible that the parents are using their children as leverage for people to give them money. These children are NOT being taught a good way of life, they are trained as children how to beg for money, and when they do not receive much, I am sure they resent the world. I explicitly would not give money to these parents using their children when they are begging as I think it is very wrong. Whether poor or not, these children should not be exploited by anyone, including their parents, and should be let to be as ignorant as possible to the world while they are really young. A nice Saturday afternoon with their parents should not be sitting down, looking as sad as possible begging for money in the metro. The French government is supposed to provide support for these people, and if they cannot receive it, then most likely they are illegal immigrants, but also there are just rings of beggars that do this for "work" in a very organized fashion. It is sad when we are told to watch out for child pick-pocketers and ones who will try and scam you with for example "the lost ring" trick, on the streets. This is Paris, but sometimes, it doesn't feel like it.
A few weeks ago, 2 young girls (about 10 and 6), were on the metro dancing to music with their music player, alone, with no adult, and also asking everyone for money. When they did not get any, the older girl got quite angry at the younger girl.
Sometimes when leaving the metro, there are parents with their children sitting on the ground begging for money also.
In all these instances I get really sad. I think it is horrible that the parents are using their children as leverage for people to give them money. These children are NOT being taught a good way of life, they are trained as children how to beg for money, and when they do not receive much, I am sure they resent the world. I explicitly would not give money to these parents using their children when they are begging as I think it is very wrong. Whether poor or not, these children should not be exploited by anyone, including their parents, and should be let to be as ignorant as possible to the world while they are really young. A nice Saturday afternoon with their parents should not be sitting down, looking as sad as possible begging for money in the metro. The French government is supposed to provide support for these people, and if they cannot receive it, then most likely they are illegal immigrants, but also there are just rings of beggars that do this for "work" in a very organized fashion. It is sad when we are told to watch out for child pick-pocketers and ones who will try and scam you with for example "the lost ring" trick, on the streets. This is Paris, but sometimes, it doesn't feel like it.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Good Volleyball!
After the fun tournament this weekend, I was up for even more volleyball, and boy did I get it!
This morning I had my regular practice with my Sciences-Po team, and tonight I went to play with the N2 Vincennes Volley Club team. In France this is the 3rd highest league following Professional and National 1. It was the most intense practice I have attended perhaps ever in my life and after playing only mediocre volleyball the past year, my muscles were tensing up after only the warm up. Also, it was all in French, and I had a lot of trouble following what was going on. All in all, it was a great experience, and as their season is done, they don't mind having visitors at their practices so I plan to go again on Thursday, and then perhaps 2 times a week until I leave if I can. It is a lot of time, but it was excellent volleyball and I would really be able to improve my game by going. The coach liked that I am Canadian, and said that in general, Canadians are fighters and have a really good work ethic and that for that reason, I can stay. Wish me luck keeping up to the girls there, or at least avoiding embarassment!
This morning I had my regular practice with my Sciences-Po team, and tonight I went to play with the N2 Vincennes Volley Club team. In France this is the 3rd highest league following Professional and National 1. It was the most intense practice I have attended perhaps ever in my life and after playing only mediocre volleyball the past year, my muscles were tensing up after only the warm up. Also, it was all in French, and I had a lot of trouble following what was going on. All in all, it was a great experience, and as their season is done, they don't mind having visitors at their practices so I plan to go again on Thursday, and then perhaps 2 times a week until I leave if I can. It is a lot of time, but it was excellent volleyball and I would really be able to improve my game by going. The coach liked that I am Canadian, and said that in general, Canadians are fighters and have a really good work ethic and that for that reason, I can stay. Wish me luck keeping up to the girls there, or at least avoiding embarassment!
Monday, May 11, 2009
Searches
I was just checking over the report on who visits the blog which includes information as to how many visitors there are a day, which country they are from, and how they accessed it. I have about 20% of you coming in from search engines. Out of those searches, the majority are directly trying to find my blog, but there are also other random things searched such as people trying to find information on the city "Nancy" in France or about my school, or about the sports tournaments I went to. I think the one that amused me most is the person who visited my blog while trying to find information on "swimming pool etiquette in france". I am glad there are people who would like to know about proper swimming pool etiquette, but unfortunatly, as I have previously written, it is non-existant in France. I would love to write a guide for the French people on matters such as: "swimming pool etiquette" or "walking down the street etiquette" and "stopping for pedestrians etiquette". They obviously lack one on these subjects. I know I am being incorrect in say this, and I should just accept that their culture is different, not wrong... but at times, it is hard. Anyhow, point being, it is nice that there is someone out there, who is interested in knowing "swimming pool etiquette in France", that there is a person who values proper conduct at the pool. I hope I meet them.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Planes and Danes
My family has all left Paris as of last Thrusday. Needless to say, I was very busy while there were here, and have been busy catching up with school work since they have left. This past weekend I also participated in the Eurocup tournament which was held in Paris. It was a tournament with schools from all over Europe in many different sports. We places second for volleyball. The general consensus was that the Danish people were the coolest :P. The guys and the girls were so nice. I met one girl who just got back from being on exchange at SFU. My team placed 2nd, loosing to the team from Bratislava. I hope this week to go and train with an N2 volleyball team here which has completed their season. This way I should get a couple weeks of good practice in, as I want to be able to make my club team again when I return home. It was nice at this past tournament to have a real coach there. This coach complemented me and two others as being the best players on the team and saying that our level was above that which we were playing in. This is really nice to hear, and also, before it was our Captain who chose who played, and as we play the same position, she would nearly always choose herself to play over me. So, this tournament I was able to play 100% of the time, while often it is a lot less. :)
The other exciting thing about this past week was that I rebooked my ticket home, and I booked my ticket to visite Israel. I am now coming home on Aug the 11th, and I am going to Israel from the 27th June until the 12th of July. My ticket to Israel has a stop over in Rome, and on the way back, if possible, I will just stay in Rome. It should be possible since I only plan to take carry-on with me. I will then stay in Italy for a week or 2 (possoble WWOOFing, google search that if you do not know what it is), and if not just moving onto another country. I then hope to visite Switzerland and my family there for a couple days, before returning to Paris for a couple days before flying home. Flying out of Paris coming home was important to me, since I want the chance to say goodbye.
It is really sad here already as all my friends are buying there tickets to leave Paris. Some are leaving as early as the end of May (people at other Universities), but most will be leaving between the 25th-30th of June. I am already not looking forward to saying goodbye! But, I have no doubt that I will see a number of these people at some other point in the future. I am convinced this will happen especially after seeing so many people from home, in Paris!
I am really looking forward to my summer here, and I am happy to have booked those major tickets. The rest of my travel will likely be by train, and those I will not book until a lot later. Now that these cornerstones are set, I am free to be spontaneous in my travels within those limits. I can now stop looking at tickets everyday and concentrate on finishing my semester here.
The other exciting thing about this past week was that I rebooked my ticket home, and I booked my ticket to visite Israel. I am now coming home on Aug the 11th, and I am going to Israel from the 27th June until the 12th of July. My ticket to Israel has a stop over in Rome, and on the way back, if possible, I will just stay in Rome. It should be possible since I only plan to take carry-on with me. I will then stay in Italy for a week or 2 (possoble WWOOFing, google search that if you do not know what it is), and if not just moving onto another country. I then hope to visite Switzerland and my family there for a couple days, before returning to Paris for a couple days before flying home. Flying out of Paris coming home was important to me, since I want the chance to say goodbye.
It is really sad here already as all my friends are buying there tickets to leave Paris. Some are leaving as early as the end of May (people at other Universities), but most will be leaving between the 25th-30th of June. I am already not looking forward to saying goodbye! But, I have no doubt that I will see a number of these people at some other point in the future. I am convinced this will happen especially after seeing so many people from home, in Paris!
I am really looking forward to my summer here, and I am happy to have booked those major tickets. The rest of my travel will likely be by train, and those I will not book until a lot later. Now that these cornerstones are set, I am free to be spontaneous in my travels within those limits. I can now stop looking at tickets everyday and concentrate on finishing my semester here.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
from Vancouver!
A friendtrying to get into the Arc de Triumph for free because all museums and monuments are free for residents of the EU who are under 26. She shows them her Carte de Sejour (visa) to prove that she lives in Paris at the moment and that she is a student here. The women refuses to accept this, and asks for her passport. She shows the lady her Canadian passport.
Lady: I see, so which side of Canada are you from? The French side or the American side?
Friend: *look of disbelief*
*Lady interprets this look as her not understanding what she said in French, so she reiterates*
Lady: I mean, are you from Montreal or Toronto?
Friend: *Another look of astonishment* I am from Vancouver! and highly insulted. *pays the ticket and leaves*
Three things are wrong about this situation. Fristly, the anglophone speaking side of Canada being referred to as the American side. Secondly, that it is reduced to only two cities. And thirdly, the fact that the woman would have let my friend into the monument for free had she said she was from Montreal whereas with her Visa she should have been let in for free no matter which side she is from.
Lady: I see, so which side of Canada are you from? The French side or the American side?
Friend: *look of disbelief*
*Lady interprets this look as her not understanding what she said in French, so she reiterates*
Lady: I mean, are you from Montreal or Toronto?
Friend: *Another look of astonishment* I am from Vancouver! and highly insulted. *pays the ticket and leaves*
Three things are wrong about this situation. Fristly, the anglophone speaking side of Canada being referred to as the American side. Secondly, that it is reduced to only two cities. And thirdly, the fact that the woman would have let my friend into the monument for free had she said she was from Montreal whereas with her Visa she should have been let in for free no matter which side she is from.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Swim with the Swine
Today 10:02am: friend: "i wanted to check out the pool today, but i dont know if its a great idea to go there with the swine flu scare and stuff"
I am sorry, but some people are overly paranoid!
Firstly, from what I understand, you can't get the flu at the pool, in the sense that if another swimmer sneezes in the clorinated water, it won't travel to you and infect the other 100 people. If flus were spread that easily, I do not think many people would dare to go to the public pool where everyone would leave a swim session sick from whatever the other swimmers have. It is a public swimming pool, not a public brothel.
Secondly, in ALL of France there are so far 2 confirmed cases, people who have returned from Mexico and are now hospitalized in Paris. So, as there are only a couple other possible cases out there at the moment, the chances getting it is an insignificant worry. And what is the chance that they would be at the swimming pool anyhow? How many people with a flu decide that the best place to spend an afternoon is doing a physical workout?
Anyhow, there we are. I would recommend that my friend go for her swim and not worry about catching the Swine Flu at the pool!!!
I am sorry, but some people are overly paranoid!
Firstly, from what I understand, you can't get the flu at the pool, in the sense that if another swimmer sneezes in the clorinated water, it won't travel to you and infect the other 100 people. If flus were spread that easily, I do not think many people would dare to go to the public pool where everyone would leave a swim session sick from whatever the other swimmers have. It is a public swimming pool, not a public brothel.
Secondly, in ALL of France there are so far 2 confirmed cases, people who have returned from Mexico and are now hospitalized in Paris. So, as there are only a couple other possible cases out there at the moment, the chances getting it is an insignificant worry. And what is the chance that they would be at the swimming pool anyhow? How many people with a flu decide that the best place to spend an afternoon is doing a physical workout?
Anyhow, there we are. I would recommend that my friend go for her swim and not worry about catching the Swine Flu at the pool!!!
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