tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21489600858959119822024-03-12T21:38:32.008-07:00Nance in Francegirl on the goNancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00679850236881450654noreply@blogger.comBlogger124125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148960085895911982.post-44607627387488043642009-07-20T15:18:00.000-07:002009-07-20T16:24:25.504-07:00ItalySo, I am in Italy now and have been here for a week. Internet access for me has been very limited and most of it has been dedicated to my course selection for back at SFU, and searching for hostels and researching cities. I stayed in Florence for 5 nights at 2 different hostels, and then I went to a small town called Sora for 2 nights. I am in Florence now and it is really nice. I will try to see some museums tomorrow and I am usure where I shall go next. I will go to Berlin in 1 week to see friends, and then to Switzerland to see my family there. I have 3 more weeks in Europe before I return home, it has been really good here. I will writeout some stories soon if I can... or else I will just have to tell them all to you in person when I return home.Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00679850236881450654noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148960085895911982.post-48476739457044547822009-07-10T15:02:00.001-07:002009-07-10T15:22:13.031-07:00EilatFrom Monday - Wednesday we enjoyed the sun by the Red Sea in Eilat. :) It was beautiful there and very hot. In the afternoon it was over 40 degrees! Eilat is at the South-Eastern tip of Israel on the Red Sea. The Red Sea is at the meeting point of four countries: Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. From Israel, the only country you can easily visite is Jordan where you can go on a day trip to Petra, but we did not have time to go this trip.<br /><br />Instead, we spent the trip lazing around the pool of our hotel (Isrotel Riviera Club) and snorkeling at the coral reefs. The coral reefs in Eilat were amazing, we swam and were completely surrounded by fish. We spent a lot of time in the water and then went to Aroma Cafe for a nice salade and Ice Aroma.<br /><br />We then went back to continue snorkeling and I cut my foot on the dock. I had the lifeguard get me a bandaid, and we were invited back up to the lifeguard area and were given popsicles and cold water. :)<br /><br />Other events included shoping. I bought a nice dress from Mango, and a tank top from Top Shop. These are both stores that are not found in Vancouver (except I hear that Mango has a boutique at the Vancouver airport?). Eilat was the perfect place to buy them since Eilat is tax free!<br /><br />In the evenings we went one evening to a place called Monkeys, which is very popular and had a live cover band. And the second evening we went to a lounge on the beach and watched the stars.<br /><br />All in all, we had a great time in Eilat. If i went again I would try to participate in a water sport there. They have boats and water toys that can be rented. One of the most popular things there is Kite Boarding. I would also make time for a day trip to see Petra.Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00679850236881450654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148960085895911982.post-70800499622809190002009-07-05T13:01:00.000-07:002009-07-05T13:14:19.135-07:00Israel, out and aboutSince camping ended, Gloria and I have not stopped moving. We spent the next day in Tel Aviv going to the Carmel market, Nevetsedik (a cute road) for lunch and then to the Beach. We started near the Dolphinarium and made out way up. On the walk up, 2 guys who happened to be walking at the same pace as us as my friend in Hebrew where Gordon beach was. It is a well known beach, and this may or not have been a conversation starter. Anyhow, we ended up hanging out with them for the afternoon at the beach. The people in Israel are very friendly. :). I also found it very interesting to speak with them, as they were my age but due to the circumstances of their country, doing very different things than I am. At 21, an Israeli is generally finishing up their army service, while a Canadian is finishing up university. They have to put thier lives on hold to serve their country and after, most want to travel. Here in Israel military service is mandatory for males and females. So, when we were talking to people at the Clara that night (a beach club... sooooo nice), it was noted that really, we were not that unsafe in Israel as everyone there is a soldier. Also, it is interesting to think that everyone we meet, their mothers even had to serve in the Army.<br /><br />The next day we woke up early and went to Ein Gedi, Masada (great view!!.. a hilltop village) and then to the Dead Sea. We decided to go to the Ein Gedi Spa, as having somewhere to wash off after the Sea is important. We started off by a quick dip in the pool and then to cover our bodies in mud. It was great, covering myself from head to toe in mud. I love mud. Anyhow, after we went into the Dead Sea. It is true that you actually float! I lifted my feet and they went straight to the surface! Flipping onto my stomach, I had a hard time putting them back down... took a lot of muscle! After the nice day, we drove back to Tel Aviv and went to my friend's sister's house to watch a movie.<br /><br />Today, we just lazed around and went to the beach in Tel Aviv again. I got to go SURFING with her sister's husband. I managed to catch a couple waves but never to fully stand and stay up. I didn't do too badly for my first hour of surfing. Some people there were really great. Surfing is not the first thing that comes to mind when I think of Israel, but people here really love it and there are great waves. I had to stop after only and hour because my legs were raw from rubbing the board. So, Gloria and I played a paddle game that is very popular here.<br /><br />So, I will update again in about 3 days with news from our trip down to Eilat. :)Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00679850236881450654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148960085895911982.post-45953056284883544752009-07-03T00:46:00.000-07:002009-07-04T13:35:28.231-07:00Camping in Northern IsraelFrom Tuesday to Thursday Gloria, her nephew, her mother and I went camping in Northern Israel. The day was off to a rough start when we stopped by her mother's house to pick her up. We stopped in front of the stairs that lead up to her house and I waited in the car with her nephew... double parked. After about 5 min a man wanted to leave his parking place so I had to move the car. I called her to get the code to unlock the door and slowely was able to pull forward (my first time driving since last August). Moments after I pulled forward a police officer came up to my window and started yelling at me in Hebrew. Eventually I was able to speak to say I did not speak Hebrew and then he repeated his speach in English. It was not that bad and luckily Gloria soon returned and was able to get the officer to offer to help her with her bags!<br /><br />Finally we were off, driving north up to Ceasarea, an old city built by Harrod that had a splendid port which is now sunken into the sea. We spent most of the afternoon there and went swimming by the old aquaduct. Our next destination was Mogiddo (Armageddon) where we walked up the hill to see the valleys where it is written that that will take place. By this time it was getting late and we had no time to stop in Nazereth, so we just drove through it.<br /><br />After a billion wrong turns (no roads in Israel are well marked) we arrived at our first nights camp ground. It looked very odd... basically there was no grass and no trees, just gravel covered by huge canopies. There were 3 other people at the site who invited us to dine with them. They also informed us of a yellow snake that they had just seen. Needless to say, we all just laughed nervously at the state of the site, the people, and the snake. We considered leaving but ended up staying since it was late. It ended up being a nice evening where we had a campfire together and the 4 of us slept in a tent.<br /><br />The next morning we woke up all hot and sweaty from the heat. We made our was straight to Caperneum, which has one of the synagogues that Jesus preached at. It is also the small town that a number of the Apostles are from. Next came the Mt. of Beatitudes and then Tel Dan which was the major destination for the day. Tel Dan, where the tribe of Dan lived, became idol worshippers and were then cursed. It was a beautiful park to walk around though. The last stop of the day was Nimrod's Fortress which is near Mt. Hermon (the tallest mountain in Israel). Nimrod's Fortress was fun because it was built a bit more recently, in the early 13th century, and therefore was more intact so we could go climbing through it, down creepy staircases and sneak through secret passages. That night we slept near Tiberius at a B&B.<br /><br />Our final day, we went to the Jordan river (where Jesus was baptized) and then to Beit She'an to see another archeological site. We wanted to see one last site and to get there a route was chosen that would take a main highway... through a Palestinian controlled area. So, we arrived at the border and not allowed through. So we asked the guards an alternative route; they were all very friendly. About 4 helped us, and another 5 were standing further away calling out "we speak English!". We were unable to see the site, and went straight back to Tel Aviv. A great 3 days of camping came to an end.Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00679850236881450654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148960085895911982.post-52172541154586359592009-06-28T23:23:00.000-07:002009-06-28T23:27:50.030-07:00Israel!Just letting everyone know that I arrived safely in Israel Sunday morning... at about 4 am! I spent yesterday at the beach in Tel Aviv getting a bit of a suntan and relaxing. There were really large waves and lots of people surfing. I hope to get a chance to surf before I leave, but yesterday we just got beat up by the waves while walking through the water. The water is even saltier than in Vancouver. We then went to Jaffo. It is gorgeous here, and not too hot!<br /><br />Today we are off to Jerusalem.Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00679850236881450654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148960085895911982.post-79821065337744134572009-06-26T06:40:00.000-07:002009-06-26T06:43:17.270-07:00Bye Parisian Student Life!I leave for Israel tomorrow. My exams went well. I have no internet access at my place and no time here at a friends. The past week has been very crazy. Everynight a goodbye party, my final exams, packing, etc. I will miss Paris and everyone here a ton. I will (I promise) write about what has happened here in June as soon as I can. I have a ton of pictures and stories to share. Hope all is well! A bientot.Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00679850236881450654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148960085895911982.post-88627369290319313762009-06-17T04:30:00.000-07:002009-06-17T10:19:55.892-07:009?Today, is an intense study day waiting to happen. This morning I went to coffee with a friend from school, and then proceeded to have lunch with another. What occurs to me, is this is the last time I will have one-on-ones with these people, as I only have 9 days left here! I may see them in passing, but the days are so numbered!<br /><br />I again bring little news... Last night there was a BBQ for all the people from Vancouver and all the Sciences-Po students going to Vancouver next year. It is neat that there will be at least a little continuity in the people I know. They all showed up late, but that is normal here. If you set a dinner for 6, don't expect people until 730, etc.<br /><br />Continuing todays procrastination, I read other people's blogs... when I found this (<a href="http://thedailycompliment.wordpress.com/2009/06/13/nz-vancouver-bc/">click here</a>) and recognized that I am NZ from Vancouver :P. It was fun hanging out with her. Her, being a girl from my Media and Politics class. However, do I actually ever talk like that? I honestly cannot believe I said "Blast", but I suppose it is possible.<br /><br />I promised to put up picture, but that will be tomorrow. :)Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00679850236881450654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148960085895911982.post-79215210141721394232009-06-16T01:46:00.000-07:002009-06-16T01:49:31.022-07:0010 -- last 10 daysI leave here in 10 days and so much is going on. Finals, trip planning, choosing courses for SFU in the fall, saying bye to friends, trying to check off all the things I have yet to do in Paris.<br /><br />The past while has been VERY rainy, but it has been fun. I will post some pitcures tomorrow of things that have happened, my thoughts are not organized enough at this moment to properly write a post.<br /><br />A bientot.Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00679850236881450654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148960085895911982.post-10665553556576216612009-06-03T07:12:00.000-07:002009-06-03T07:21:53.714-07:00So French, so Roland GarrosHey all, <br />This past week has been very busy, yet relaxed. I had all my homework deadlines extended until this coming monday (so, I shall have a very fun weekend), and last weekend was a long weekend (again), so I took advantage of it around Paris. It all started on Wednesday night when I went with friends to watch Barcelona FC kick Manchester Uniteds ass. I was thrilled that Barcelona won, since I got to see them play live last fall, meaning I got to see the best of the best live! <br /><br />On Fridat night, I went to a Ballet at Opera Garnier (beautiful Opera house in Paris) and saw a Ballet based on a Marcel Proust novel. It was one of the weirdest ballets I have seen...very strange. After the ballet I joined up with friends on a friends rooftop where we took in a nice sunset over the city. <br /><br />Saturday morning, I was heading to Laure's house to have lunch and throw in my laundry. When I told her I was planning to go line up for evening tickets at Roland Garros (French Tennis Open), she was like, "O! I didn't realize you were interested in going! I had some tickets earlier this week that I could have given you". Although she had no tickets for that afternoon, she was able to work her magic and snag me and my friend general entry tickets. So, within an hour of arriving at her house me and a friend were soaking up the French Open. It was lovely there. We got to see Del Potros play against Andreeve, and then Robredo vs. Gonzalez (my spelling may be way off). We then saw some doubles play, including a Canadian player Nestor. <br /><br />The rest of the week consisted of 2 going away dinners :(... I am so sad people are already leaving, a couple picnics in parks and a lot of shopping. You see, I have the Sciences-Po Gala this Saturday, so I had to go dress shopping with friends. I found one that I really like, but it is a bit odd... so I may have to go to the shops again to see if I find anything better. Anyways, back to writting my exciting presentation on the "Birth and developpment of Yoga in the Occident".Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00679850236881450654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148960085895911982.post-69306598515532933282009-05-26T07:18:00.000-07:002009-05-26T07:27:14.473-07:00Loscolo, BretagneThis 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!<br /><br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="400" height="300" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&captions=1&noautoplay=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fnancy.zenger%2Falbumid%2F5340128708176721873%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed><br />The photos. <br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hj_NESSKZ9E&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hj_NESSKZ9E&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />This one is of two guys playing pingpong, a guy inside on the piano, and virgile reading his book outloud. <br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/m_OtQC33j0I&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/m_OtQC33j0I&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />Virgile playing amazing grace on some odd instrument.Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00679850236881450654noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148960085895911982.post-12309463634753394672009-05-21T16:47:00.000-07:002009-05-21T16:48:19.919-07:00once again... off for the weekend!Hello,<br />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!<br />-nancyNancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00679850236881450654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148960085895911982.post-82546872961129453732009-05-17T08:16:00.000-07:002009-05-17T08:25:21.438-07:00Group MotivationYesterday, 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.<br />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...<br />I have 6 more assignments to get done before the semester is over. Wish me luck!Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00679850236881450654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148960085895911982.post-68971774344265073412009-05-14T13:19:00.000-07:002009-05-14T13:28:29.745-07:00Child BeggarsOn 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Sometimes when leaving the metro, there are parents with their children sitting on the ground begging for money also.<br /><br />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.Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00679850236881450654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148960085895911982.post-21378174952283828982009-05-12T14:47:00.001-07:002009-05-12T14:53:18.791-07:00Good Volleyball!After the fun tournament this weekend, I was up for even more volleyball, and boy did I get it!<br />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!Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00679850236881450654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148960085895911982.post-35164818988060153322009-05-11T05:30:00.000-07:002009-05-11T05:37:37.307-07:00SearchesI 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.Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00679850236881450654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148960085895911982.post-51666675813329512592009-05-10T15:31:00.000-07:002009-05-10T15:48:00.223-07:00Planes and DanesMy 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. :)<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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!<br /><br />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.Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00679850236881450654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148960085895911982.post-50034699579623188702009-05-03T02:11:00.000-07:002009-05-03T02:22:09.063-07:00from 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.<br /><br />Lady: I see, so which side of Canada are you from? The French side or the American side?<br />Friend: *look of disbelief*<br />*Lady interprets this look as her not understanding what she said in French, so she reiterates*<br />Lady: I mean, are you from Montreal or Toronto?<br />Friend: *Another look of astonishment* I am from Vancouver! and highly insulted. *pays the ticket and leaves*<br /><br />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.Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00679850236881450654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148960085895911982.post-299113363000870012009-05-02T06:12:00.001-07:002009-05-02T06:26:25.595-07:00Swim with the SwineToday 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"<br /><br />I am sorry, but some people are overly paranoid!<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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?<br /><br />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!!!Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00679850236881450654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148960085895911982.post-32277454947240679832009-04-29T09:30:00.000-07:002009-04-29T09:49:00.196-07:00Vancouver in Paris (and vice versa)My mother AND Peter are here in Paris with me now. I am happy to have them both here, as they can entertain each other while I stay at home and do productive things, like writing this blog post.<br /><br />Paris, is definatly not a city to go to if you want to seclude yourself from the world and people you know. Had I chosen to go on exchange in, I don't know, Dubai, I expect the number of visitors I would have received would have been a lot fewer. So far, I have seen nearly 15 people I know from home in Paris, with at least 4 more passing through before I leave. In some ways, it would be nice to have a complete break from my "old" life in Vancouver for the year to be able to fully submerge into my one here. However, I think I am doing a good job balancing the two, and it is nice being able to share the city with people I know so that once I return home, there will be people around who will have some idea of what I am talking about when I speak of things, people, and places that I have grown to love here.<br /><br />Besides the fact that I have seen a lot of people from Vancouver here, the complete break is not possible, or at least would be difficult due to the internet. The internet is also a mixed blessing when integrating somewhere new. It serves as an awesome tool to learn and connect with people here, but it also tempts one to spend more time online talking to people I know, than to go out and talk in person with friends I have made here. In addition, I am getting a lot of news via Canadian and American media. I frequent the same news sources as I did before: theGlobeandmail.com, some blogs, cnn, and I nearly daily watch the daily show and the colbert report (which just yesterday became unavailable for people outside the US, making me download them from illegitimate sites, seriously, blocking out the official version will not stop anyone from watching it...). I am also able to watch my favourite TV shows here, even though I have no TV due to them being available for streaming online.<br /><br />It is weird to think that in only a couple months, I will be back home, and seeing people I know from there for real, and feeling nostalgic for the friendships I have made here. However, by late August, I will have hopefully seen at least 3 people I have made friends with here, who will be passing through Vancouver, and more in the future I am sure. This experience has really made me realize how small the world is, and I have no doubt that when I do leave Paris, I will at some point re-connect with many of my friends from here, just as when I return to Vancouver I will re-connect to people from there. I am not sure I will always stay in Vancouver as I realize that it is not really that bad moving somewhere new and that making friends, when you have motivation to is also not impossible.<br /><br />To conclude, I am happy to see Vancouver in Paris, and am excited for when Paris comes to Vancouver. Now, I hope my parents won't mind having some house guests :). To end on a cliche again, the world really is a small place, at least with decent priced flights and some vacation time!Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00679850236881450654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148960085895911982.post-14941285138330975362009-04-28T08:07:00.000-07:002009-04-28T08:31:17.585-07:00SWINE!<div>You have all heard of it by now: The Swine-Flu. Horrid name but to make it worse, some reporters are already referring to it as "The Mexican Flu"! In French the name is la gripe procrine. Frist mention of this virus that I heard was on Facebook where a friend was wondering why they couldn't have called it the "Piglet flu" or something... </div><div> </div><br /><div>Anyhow, as it has been mainly in Mexico, I have not felt the need to worry about it... until today.</div><div> </div><br /><div>Today at my morning volleyball practice, a girl from Hong Kong on my team had just gotten back from her Spring Break in Mexico. I did not think anything of this, and before I asked she said, "Don't worry, I have already seen a doctor". I found this nearly amusing, since I didn't realize the severity of the problem. </div><div> </div><br /><div>I get to class (Media and Politics) and we sit next to each other and look at the International Wall Street Journal together where articles on the Swine Flu cover the front page. According to it, the first case in Spain occurred when a student got back from a short trip to Mexico and got back on the 22nd (she got back a couple days later). The Journal also talked about how you need to be careful around people who have just returned and gave a recommended 15 day period where you should avoid contact with them. Dun dun dun, I think as I realize she just returned 3 days ago. According to her the virus can show up up to a week after returning, but as she went to the doctor, and has a 1/1 000 000 chance of being infected, I think I'll be OK. Also, France has a huge supply of Tamiflu, so I don't think the French are too worried in general. Plus, there have been no cases there...yet. Canada has 6 at the moment, and is important to note that deaths have only occurred in Mexico so far.<br /><br />For the answer to 6 questions about the Swine flu, I recommend looking at the Daily Beast's article as it is really short and information (<a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/big-fat-story/2009-04-28/global-outbreak/">click here</a>).<br /><br />I am amazed at how fast this Flu is spreading, and any disease does these days with our high tech transportation and globalization. I wouldn't have expected that just after learning about a flu outbreak in Mexico I would sit next to a girl from Hong Kong, in Paris who just came from the affected zone. If she had been sick, just like that, my entire school could have been infected. Being from Hong Kong, where SARS caused many deaths, the Hong Kong people take infection very seriously and I am glad she got checked, just in case (went to the doctor for a mild cold that would have usually been ignored). In Mexico, some exchange students are cutting their stay short due to the Swing Flu. To end on a cliche, better safe than sorry.<br /></div>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00679850236881450654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148960085895911982.post-57223340904765593472009-04-26T05:35:00.001-07:002009-04-26T09:01:27.601-07:00Family weeksPeter came on Thursday, my Mom will come Monday, and Geoff and Brittany will come the next week. 2 weeks of family in Paris. This should be... fun.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329030718044753314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwmKo4DKIRBuYitLwjcnxSK51Gd09sz8W7JGCwzwkMeeVw49_mq6t3uIQkPgxMoIQSYX6SQL6_0WD9bE2iFhuq-9poA0F9BiVnidBIcsO9ed0VZ-iHYlWBzOn2lho-Mz999Ns95z_cYQT/s400/DSC05369.JPG" border="0" />Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00679850236881450654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148960085895911982.post-36484165592923816162009-04-21T13:54:00.000-07:002009-04-21T15:00:11.397-07:00Spring Break PicturesEnjoy, they are captioned this time. <br /><br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="400" height="300" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&captions=1&noautoplay=1&RGB=0x000000&feed=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fnancy.zenger%2Falbumid%2F5327252752214019905%3Fkind%3Dphoto%26alt%3Drss" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00679850236881450654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148960085895911982.post-54316297889684928712009-04-20T14:51:00.000-07:002009-04-20T14:53:53.471-07:00Hockey FeverRumour has it that Hockey fever is taking over Vancouver once again with the Canucks doing well in the playoffs. This is actually one thing I do not miss about Vancouver, how most guys and some girls turn into..... just watch this....<br /><br /><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/sJXZLnMPiQ4&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/sJXZLnMPiQ4&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00679850236881450654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148960085895911982.post-24358380064762513952009-04-20T03:22:00.000-07:002009-04-20T03:24:34.589-07:00Wing suitsA couple months ago my dad sent me a link to people base jumping in wing suits. Here is a TED Talk by a guy who does them, followed by a film of it. I thought it was pretty neat so voila, enjoy.<br /><br /><object width="446" height="326"><param name="movie" value="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="bgColor" value="#ffffff"></param> <param name="flashvars" value="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/embed/UeliGegenschatz_2009-embed_high.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/UeliGegenschatz-2009.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=502" /><embed src="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf" pluginspace="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" bgColor="#ffffff" width="446" height="326" allowFullScreen="true" flashvars="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/embed/UeliGegenschatz_2009-embed_high.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/UeliGegenschatz-2009.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=502"></embed></object>Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00679850236881450654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148960085895911982.post-35213809931970391522009-04-18T09:38:00.000-07:002009-04-18T09:45:27.338-07:0021!For anyone who does not know yet, yesterday was my birthday! Wooot, my first birthday not in Vancouver.<br />I spent the day on the beach near Montpellier with 3 friends. On the bus there we ran into two Americans heading to the beach, so the 6 of us all hung out together. We ate some apple tart and they all sang happy birthday. Throughout the day I was pleasently suprised with a number of phone calls and text messages, and then when I finally got online, a couple emails. The evening was not out celebrating with friends, but on the train back to Paris.<br />So, I am now 21. And as I would say, "21, c'est la Lee-bare-tay!" as I through in random American pronounciations of French words.<br />My trip to the south was really great and we ended up visiting Lyon, Geneva, Montpellier and Marseille. It was extremely relaxed and somewhat uneventful. We would walk around and then have siestas in random parks.<br />I really love traveling with other international students as we make due with very odd sleeping situations. Re: in Lyon there were 6 of us the last night in a small studio that had 2 single matresses. One guy had to sleep in the Kitchen, 2 on the bed, and the other 3 using a third of the matress each on the floor. I will share some nice anecdotes about the trip soon and post pictures of course. A bientot!Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00679850236881450654noreply@blogger.com2