Le 27 avril 2005, mercredi; Paris, Louvre, Richlieu, 1st étage, 17:15
So I’ve just wandered through a portion of the Richlieu wing of the Louvre, and I have to say that I’m so happy I went to see the Jewish quartier, Josefov, while in Prague. A chance to see such a huge collection of Jewish artifacts and their richness was so nice. I feel I’ve finally seen some of these things, in comparison to all the Christian artifacts I usually see. In addition, I also visited, again in the Richlieu wing, the Islam arts department with its fabulous display of ceramics- oh I was in heaven then!- and also the Islamic antiquities. (Forgive me for still not knowing the difference between Islamic and Moslem- I’ll have to do some research.)
Friday, April 29, 2005
Skipping a few days and entries to be back in Paris.
Le 25 avril 2005, lundi: 15:13, Parc G. Brossens, Paris.
Speaking on the topic of Europe today. …but as I was walking to the park, I went past a lot of propaganda for and against the European Constitution- which France is voting on soon. One poster stated, “J’aime l’Europe, je vote non.” Another stated, “Europe = Chomâge; Pauvreté; Inflation; Delocalisations; Croissance Zero.” And it got me thinking about the beginning of the United States after the Revolutionary War, both right after, with the Articles, which failed, and twenty years later when the Constitution finally worked out. I mean, everyone knows, regardless of how much it is currently denied, that Europe is working towards becoming a nation like the US is, made up of many parts. They’ve already bypassed money, as one of the US’s early stumbling blocks, with the Euro as the common currency, and working on common laws so as to lead to common court system, etc. I understand the resistance to it, even I think I’d want to resist it if it were my future, - loss of true national identity, loss of diversity in various ways, but I also understand the need for what the subcontinent is trying to accomplish so they can continue to flourish in the future. But now on to the old guy on the train, as I’ve been promising for a while now. Let’s call him Monsieur Manette for lack of a name, and I’m tired of calling him the old French guy on the train from Metz. So M. Manette and I were chatting away for a good portion of our trip (in French of course). And for me, the most important subject we broke upon was that of the upcoming referendum vote within France on the European Constitution. To understand, let’s go over the basics: Chirac is for the Constitution, he could have just made the decision for France and already voted yes, but instead he decided that this is so important for France, the people and that nation, that he’s giving the populace the opportunity to make the decisions for themselves and tell him how they want him to vote. Unfortunately, at the moment, most of the population does not like him due to several of his recent political decisions concerning the country; results of which being less employment, inflation, the usual things we hate politicians for and happily blame them. The short of it being that Chirac will probably be voted out next election (2007), unless things radically change. And because he’s so pro-Europe, many people are determined to vote against the constitution simply because they do not like him. However, remember I’m not a poly-sci, non history major and these details are from one old M. Manette, and just as many people have just as many different reasons to vote for or against the Constitution. But at the end of our discussion I asked M. Manette if he thought France would vote for or against the Constitution, and he seemed to think that it might be close, but that the Constitution would pass. It would be odd if it didn’t, in my opinion, as Robert Schumann was French and because France is such an important nation within the various European communities.
So now you know some of what I know about the subject and you’ve finally heard the story of the old French man on the train from Metz.
Speaking on the topic of Europe today. …but as I was walking to the park, I went past a lot of propaganda for and against the European Constitution- which France is voting on soon. One poster stated, “J’aime l’Europe, je vote non.” Another stated, “Europe = Chomâge; Pauvreté; Inflation; Delocalisations; Croissance Zero.” And it got me thinking about the beginning of the United States after the Revolutionary War, both right after, with the Articles, which failed, and twenty years later when the Constitution finally worked out. I mean, everyone knows, regardless of how much it is currently denied, that Europe is working towards becoming a nation like the US is, made up of many parts. They’ve already bypassed money, as one of the US’s early stumbling blocks, with the Euro as the common currency, and working on common laws so as to lead to common court system, etc. I understand the resistance to it, even I think I’d want to resist it if it were my future, - loss of true national identity, loss of diversity in various ways, but I also understand the need for what the subcontinent is trying to accomplish so they can continue to flourish in the future. But now on to the old guy on the train, as I’ve been promising for a while now. Let’s call him Monsieur Manette for lack of a name, and I’m tired of calling him the old French guy on the train from Metz. So M. Manette and I were chatting away for a good portion of our trip (in French of course). And for me, the most important subject we broke upon was that of the upcoming referendum vote within France on the European Constitution. To understand, let’s go over the basics: Chirac is for the Constitution, he could have just made the decision for France and already voted yes, but instead he decided that this is so important for France, the people and that nation, that he’s giving the populace the opportunity to make the decisions for themselves and tell him how they want him to vote. Unfortunately, at the moment, most of the population does not like him due to several of his recent political decisions concerning the country; results of which being less employment, inflation, the usual things we hate politicians for and happily blame them. The short of it being that Chirac will probably be voted out next election (2007), unless things radically change. And because he’s so pro-Europe, many people are determined to vote against the constitution simply because they do not like him. However, remember I’m not a poly-sci, non history major and these details are from one old M. Manette, and just as many people have just as many different reasons to vote for or against the Constitution. But at the end of our discussion I asked M. Manette if he thought France would vote for or against the Constitution, and he seemed to think that it might be close, but that the Constitution would pass. It would be odd if it didn’t, in my opinion, as Robert Schumann was French and because France is such an important nation within the various European communities.
So now you know some of what I know about the subject and you’ve finally heard the story of the old French man on the train from Metz.
Two Concerts in Two Nights! Living it up in Prague!
Sitting in St. Clement’s Church, Prague; 19:45, Waiting for Organ Concert; le 22 avril 2005, vendredi
Lest anyone become excited, both concerts have been classical music.
Miss Sophie’s, Room 15, bed 3, Prague; 23:30; le 22 avril 2005, vendredi
So today I went to the Josefov, the old Jewish Quarter. I took the tour of the synagogues, except for the Old-New Synagogue (which also happens to be the oldest and continuous synagogue in Europe). The Old Jewish Cemetery was included on the tour and it was beautiful. If I was a kid, it would have been a dream playground with all the tombstones leaning, falling and lying about… all the infinite combinations of jumping around! But it was very nice to just stroll through, with the sun dappling through the new leaves- like being in a park with all these stones lying around. But in the synagogues, you couldn’t take pictures and there were all these little old Jewish ladies who were standing guard- I did NOT have enough courage to mess with them. They argued with some obnoxious US grad student about getting the student ticket price- he was 35 or something, so I kind of agreed with the little old ladies (plus you've just got to respect them, it comes with the domain of little old ladies), but I sort of agreed with his because he is a student, but he was being such a jerk about getting the price, “…we can call the university in the States.” In the end, my conclusion is that those little old ladies should have given him the evil eye. (Should I hope for something like that, or does it jinx me too?)
Today was also shopping day. I picked up various gifts for the family, which I shall not reveal here in the off chance the family is reading this.
The organ concert tonight was a complete bust! It was just not what I had been hoping for. But I suppose I was hoping for a year and a half ago in Toulouse at St. Sernin for the highlight of the 8th Annual International Organ Festival—in the Basilica St. Sernin, where the organ was built for the first time. But it was still a nice concert, just not great and not what I wanted.
Also, I did something that scared me tonight! I went by myself to a sit-down restaurant for a meal. I went to a place that had some Czech customers but seems to cater mostly to tourists. But I was comfortable. I ordered a beer (oh my!) and the Czech goulash. The goulash was good and now I can say I ate it while in the Czech Republic.
Traveling alone is still difficult for me. But in some ways, I’m really coming to enjoy it. And I think I want to travel alone some more.
Oh, to explain my title for the night before… Listening to Dvorak’s New World Symphony, I could hear all the sounds of home in the various movements. And it made me realize that deep down, I’m still just a country girl. It reaffirmed what I already know- I shall need to return to the country to live eventually.
Lest anyone become excited, both concerts have been classical music.
Miss Sophie’s, Room 15, bed 3, Prague; 23:30; le 22 avril 2005, vendredi
So today I went to the Josefov, the old Jewish Quarter. I took the tour of the synagogues, except for the Old-New Synagogue (which also happens to be the oldest and continuous synagogue in Europe). The Old Jewish Cemetery was included on the tour and it was beautiful. If I was a kid, it would have been a dream playground with all the tombstones leaning, falling and lying about… all the infinite combinations of jumping around! But it was very nice to just stroll through, with the sun dappling through the new leaves- like being in a park with all these stones lying around. But in the synagogues, you couldn’t take pictures and there were all these little old Jewish ladies who were standing guard- I did NOT have enough courage to mess with them. They argued with some obnoxious US grad student about getting the student ticket price- he was 35 or something, so I kind of agreed with the little old ladies (plus you've just got to respect them, it comes with the domain of little old ladies), but I sort of agreed with his because he is a student, but he was being such a jerk about getting the price, “…we can call the university in the States.” In the end, my conclusion is that those little old ladies should have given him the evil eye. (Should I hope for something like that, or does it jinx me too?)
Today was also shopping day. I picked up various gifts for the family, which I shall not reveal here in the off chance the family is reading this.
The organ concert tonight was a complete bust! It was just not what I had been hoping for. But I suppose I was hoping for a year and a half ago in Toulouse at St. Sernin for the highlight of the 8th Annual International Organ Festival—in the Basilica St. Sernin, where the organ was built for the first time. But it was still a nice concert, just not great and not what I wanted.
Also, I did something that scared me tonight! I went by myself to a sit-down restaurant for a meal. I went to a place that had some Czech customers but seems to cater mostly to tourists. But I was comfortable. I ordered a beer (oh my!) and the Czech goulash. The goulash was good and now I can say I ate it while in the Czech Republic.
Traveling alone is still difficult for me. But in some ways, I’m really coming to enjoy it. And I think I want to travel alone some more.
Oh, to explain my title for the night before… Listening to Dvorak’s New World Symphony, I could hear all the sounds of home in the various movements. And it made me realize that deep down, I’m still just a country girl. It reaffirmed what I already know- I shall need to return to the country to live eventually.
Thursday, April 28, 2005
Learning.
Some park in Prague, Foot of the Royal Way: le 21 avril 2005, jeudi: 17:15
So today's been one of those learning days. As it's been three years since I've truly traveled and visited a place on my own, I've had to relearn how to do it. It's truly not so much being alone, as it is having to organize and make my own decisions. When it comes to traveling, I like to see everything and whatever. So having to figure out what I want to see has been difficult. Typically I just follow along with what everyone else wants to do, as I said, I just want to see it all and so I just follow along. Now I have to choose myself and it's hard! Part of it depends on the fact that I only have so much time here, and I can't just spread my visits out to when I feel more comfortable. I mean, I'm not really living here, like in Metz or Toulouse, even Paris in a fashion. So I decided to take the City Walks tour- the Insider Tour and see what they could tell me an show me. It was ok, I really enjoyed having some more history, but it wasn't really much more than I'd already read. Later tonight I'm going to a concert of Dvorak. A bit pricy, but should be worth it and besides, I'm in Prague-- il faut!!
There's these Italian boys sitting on the grass nearby, singing all sorts of songs! They're about lycée- so a little like my troisièmes. I miss my kids!
Sitting in the Municipal Hall, waiting for the Dvorak concert: Prague, 20:15
Reviewing my photos a few minutes ago reminds me that in the photo of me with the Charles Bridge in the background, you can't see my fabou green polo shirt- and my undying faith that polos never go out of style!
I think I could want to live here for a few months. Except for all the Anglos, who might eventually drive me nuts!
I'm a Country Girl
In room, Miss Sophie's: 23:00 Prague, le 21 avril 2005, jeudi
So this morning I missed the walking tour and thus ended up back at the hostel feeling a bit lost, not knowing what to do. So I borrowed the french girl's guide to read up in english. That helped to ground me. Then I went out to get my ticket to the Dvorak concert. I ended up watching the Astronomical Clock in the Old Town Square at noon and then got lost on the way from the Municipal Hall to the Weneslaus Square to meet the walking tour. But I was only a few minutes late and so caught them. After the tour I came back to the Old town to get a falafel for dinner and come back to the hostel to rest for a bit. The concert was lovely! The Municipal Hall is an Art nouveau building with influences from the Czech School of Art Nouveau. And the music was nice. Not amazing but fitting to listen to Dvorak in prague. I forget the first piece, but the cello soloist was ok as a player, but dreadful as a performer- he acted exhausted all the time, except like he was overembellishing it. The second piece was Dvorak's "The New World Symphony"- one of those reasons I love Prague is the connection between in and Iowa on account of Dvorak's living in bitty Springville Iowa in 1892-1893 (that should be correct...). And the New World Symphony sounds likes the melodies of the Iowan countryside- the animals, the wind blowing through the fields, and even the people somehow. I wish my parents could have been there.
There are two Australian girls in tonight at the room- their friend is sort of MIA though. Her flight came into Brno and then she didn't have money or transport I guess, so she started to walk into Brno and that's the last they've heard as her phone died.
(Below are the photos from my first day in Prague.)
So today's been one of those learning days. As it's been three years since I've truly traveled and visited a place on my own, I've had to relearn how to do it. It's truly not so much being alone, as it is having to organize and make my own decisions. When it comes to traveling, I like to see everything and whatever. So having to figure out what I want to see has been difficult. Typically I just follow along with what everyone else wants to do, as I said, I just want to see it all and so I just follow along. Now I have to choose myself and it's hard! Part of it depends on the fact that I only have so much time here, and I can't just spread my visits out to when I feel more comfortable. I mean, I'm not really living here, like in Metz or Toulouse, even Paris in a fashion. So I decided to take the City Walks tour- the Insider Tour and see what they could tell me an show me. It was ok, I really enjoyed having some more history, but it wasn't really much more than I'd already read. Later tonight I'm going to a concert of Dvorak. A bit pricy, but should be worth it and besides, I'm in Prague-- il faut!!
There's these Italian boys sitting on the grass nearby, singing all sorts of songs! They're about lycée- so a little like my troisièmes. I miss my kids!
Sitting in the Municipal Hall, waiting for the Dvorak concert: Prague, 20:15
Reviewing my photos a few minutes ago reminds me that in the photo of me with the Charles Bridge in the background, you can't see my fabou green polo shirt- and my undying faith that polos never go out of style!
I think I could want to live here for a few months. Except for all the Anglos, who might eventually drive me nuts!
I'm a Country Girl
In room, Miss Sophie's: 23:00 Prague, le 21 avril 2005, jeudi
So this morning I missed the walking tour and thus ended up back at the hostel feeling a bit lost, not knowing what to do. So I borrowed the french girl's guide to read up in english. That helped to ground me. Then I went out to get my ticket to the Dvorak concert. I ended up watching the Astronomical Clock in the Old Town Square at noon and then got lost on the way from the Municipal Hall to the Weneslaus Square to meet the walking tour. But I was only a few minutes late and so caught them. After the tour I came back to the Old town to get a falafel for dinner and come back to the hostel to rest for a bit. The concert was lovely! The Municipal Hall is an Art nouveau building with influences from the Czech School of Art Nouveau. And the music was nice. Not amazing but fitting to listen to Dvorak in prague. I forget the first piece, but the cello soloist was ok as a player, but dreadful as a performer- he acted exhausted all the time, except like he was overembellishing it. The second piece was Dvorak's "The New World Symphony"- one of those reasons I love Prague is the connection between in and Iowa on account of Dvorak's living in bitty Springville Iowa in 1892-1893 (that should be correct...). And the New World Symphony sounds likes the melodies of the Iowan countryside- the animals, the wind blowing through the fields, and even the people somehow. I wish my parents could have been there.
There are two Australian girls in tonight at the room- their friend is sort of MIA though. Her flight came into Brno and then she didn't have money or transport I guess, so she started to walk into Brno and that's the last they've heard as her phone died.
(Below are the photos from my first day in Prague.)
Let's Discuss Globalization, Americanization... or The first night in Prague...
le 20 avril 2005, mercredi: 21:15, Miss Sophie's Hostel, Prague
These last few days have been so intense. I moved out of my studio in Metz on Monday afternoon, took the train to Paris and lugged my five bags with Thanh Ly to Kim's place down in the fifteenth. Worked up enough sweat to justify washing my hair on Tuesday morning so I could justify foregoing the shower on Wednesday (this am), as I had to leave Kim's apartment at 6am to catch my flight to Dortmund, to wait there for about five hours so I could catch my flight to Prague and so arrive here.
On moving: I can't believe I'm technically homeless in France again, as I haven't got a proper address. But I'm using Kim's address as necessary- though hopefully not more than for my luggage tags. I'm totally going to miss my baby studio in Metz. I'm already missing Metz, and Dyna, Bobby, and Louse. They're all in Spain for the week- where it's warm and sunny! But it's lovely to be with Kim and Thanh Ly as it's forcing me to actually use French even when I'm disinclined to do so, as in I don't know the words. And they're just great people to be with! Also it's hard to realise that I've moved out from Metz because I'm still in France and well, Europe. And I don't go home for another three and a half weeks. Realisation hasn't sunk in yet truly that this year is over- also I guess that I'm so excited to go home this time means that I'm not dreading or anxious in any form about leaving. But it's just that it hasn't all sunk in. Though I miss the kids (aka the monsters) in Metz and Ste. Marie already.
On the hostel: It's apparently a sister hostel to Sir Toby's in Prague, but that's a bit further out. It's mainly an anglophone place, but it's new and really nice. Not too expensive and really super clean. It's also not in the old town/centre of Prague, but rather an easy walk and in a quiet neighborhood. There is unfortunately no kitchen though.
On first impressions of Prague: Wow! Can we discuss globalization and americanization! I would have to say that over 50% of the posters and signs here are in English. Karin, the french woman in my dorm, said that "Prague is a good place for non-English speakers to improve their English."
Random other impressions: no dog crap on the sidewalks- small bricks and squares for sidewalks like in Paris- a pleathora of gorgeous buildings- KFC on every corner!- Macdo on every corner (typical now)- even saw a TGI Fridays! (we don't even have those in Iowa anymore- what gives!)- the Astronomical Clock (quaint, but shorter than I thought) and crowds of people- more English (american and british) on streets than maybe even Paris- American college students playing frisbee in Old Town Square- music everywhere!
But can we discuss Americanization! The best way I can explain it is to say that after seven months in France, a country so determined to resist a lot of these influences (have since found a KFC is Paris, near Les Halles), it's almost overwhelming to my senses to see all of this-- insanity. And as I'm coming from France, where I can speak the native language, it's hard to be here and know I can only really rely on my native language- that even attempting a non-native language won't work here- one as I know no others, two except for Czech. Everyone, even the street snack stand people (maybe especially them), knows English. I feel so horrible not even knowing some basic words yet either. I'll have to see what the next few days bring.
These last few days have been so intense. I moved out of my studio in Metz on Monday afternoon, took the train to Paris and lugged my five bags with Thanh Ly to Kim's place down in the fifteenth. Worked up enough sweat to justify washing my hair on Tuesday morning so I could justify foregoing the shower on Wednesday (this am), as I had to leave Kim's apartment at 6am to catch my flight to Dortmund, to wait there for about five hours so I could catch my flight to Prague and so arrive here.
On moving: I can't believe I'm technically homeless in France again, as I haven't got a proper address. But I'm using Kim's address as necessary- though hopefully not more than for my luggage tags. I'm totally going to miss my baby studio in Metz. I'm already missing Metz, and Dyna, Bobby, and Louse. They're all in Spain for the week- where it's warm and sunny! But it's lovely to be with Kim and Thanh Ly as it's forcing me to actually use French even when I'm disinclined to do so, as in I don't know the words. And they're just great people to be with! Also it's hard to realise that I've moved out from Metz because I'm still in France and well, Europe. And I don't go home for another three and a half weeks. Realisation hasn't sunk in yet truly that this year is over- also I guess that I'm so excited to go home this time means that I'm not dreading or anxious in any form about leaving. But it's just that it hasn't all sunk in. Though I miss the kids (aka the monsters) in Metz and Ste. Marie already.
On the hostel: It's apparently a sister hostel to Sir Toby's in Prague, but that's a bit further out. It's mainly an anglophone place, but it's new and really nice. Not too expensive and really super clean. It's also not in the old town/centre of Prague, but rather an easy walk and in a quiet neighborhood. There is unfortunately no kitchen though.
On first impressions of Prague: Wow! Can we discuss globalization and americanization! I would have to say that over 50% of the posters and signs here are in English. Karin, the french woman in my dorm, said that "Prague is a good place for non-English speakers to improve their English."
Random other impressions: no dog crap on the sidewalks- small bricks and squares for sidewalks like in Paris- a pleathora of gorgeous buildings- KFC on every corner!- Macdo on every corner (typical now)- even saw a TGI Fridays! (we don't even have those in Iowa anymore- what gives!)- the Astronomical Clock (quaint, but shorter than I thought) and crowds of people- more English (american and british) on streets than maybe even Paris- American college students playing frisbee in Old Town Square- music everywhere!
But can we discuss Americanization! The best way I can explain it is to say that after seven months in France, a country so determined to resist a lot of these influences (have since found a KFC is Paris, near Les Halles), it's almost overwhelming to my senses to see all of this-- insanity. And as I'm coming from France, where I can speak the native language, it's hard to be here and know I can only really rely on my native language- that even attempting a non-native language won't work here- one as I know no others, two except for Czech. Everyone, even the street snack stand people (maybe especially them), knows English. I feel so horrible not even knowing some basic words yet either. I'll have to see what the next few days bring.
Things to be thankful for...
1) being in Paris with an international cell phone number that isn't listed on the Cornell Alumni Association. No money demands yet! Thankfully for the sake of the assistant's salary.
2) returning soon to the US where my most inexpensive lunch PB&J doesn't consist of PB that costs twice as much for half as much as it does aux States.
Confused, refer to latest blog and comments on Amourous Troubadour.
2) returning soon to the US where my most inexpensive lunch PB&J doesn't consist of PB that costs twice as much for half as much as it does aux States.
Confused, refer to latest blog and comments on Amourous Troubadour.
Friday, April 22, 2005
Greetings from the Golden City...
...and typing on a Czech keyboard. Which really isn't as monstrous as you'd think, given that's almost exactly the same as an english or american keyboard and not nearly as screwy as a french keyboard.
Ok that's all for now, as I spent the day walking all over again and doing gift shopping (I really am not a fan of shopping) and now I'm exhausted. Also the organ concert tonight was definitely not on par with the organ concert in St. Sernin in Toulouse a year and a half ago... maybe something about the one in Toulouse being the highlight of the 8th Annual International Organ Festival... maybe not.
Must go do some postcarding (I enjoyed the Prague post office today, nicer people than in some of the french offices), but huge promises to all my two readers to post about Prague and include pictures (I'm even in one of them!) in the upcoming week when I'm back home in Paris. Hopefully I can keep pinching time at the American Library!!!
Ciao and bonne nuit.
(Get some sleep all you people who aren't on spring break and have exams coming up next week while I'm wandering the streets of Paris leisurely!)
And it's actually 11:19pm, I just never changed my clock settings these last seven and a half months!!! Muahhahahaha ha.
Ok that's all for now, as I spent the day walking all over again and doing gift shopping (I really am not a fan of shopping) and now I'm exhausted. Also the organ concert tonight was definitely not on par with the organ concert in St. Sernin in Toulouse a year and a half ago... maybe something about the one in Toulouse being the highlight of the 8th Annual International Organ Festival... maybe not.
Must go do some postcarding (I enjoyed the Prague post office today, nicer people than in some of the french offices), but huge promises to all my two readers to post about Prague and include pictures (I'm even in one of them!) in the upcoming week when I'm back home in Paris. Hopefully I can keep pinching time at the American Library!!!
Ciao and bonne nuit.
(Get some sleep all you people who aren't on spring break and have exams coming up next week while I'm wandering the streets of Paris leisurely!)
And it's actually 11:19pm, I just never changed my clock settings these last seven and a half months!!! Muahhahahaha ha.
Friday, April 15, 2005
Please remember to register first...
So just a little ditty, but still, it's a weird day again. The public department archives were a bust for finding any info on the family origins- quelle surprise! But I do have another card now... yay, something else to clutter up the wallet whenever I happen to actually find one. Why is there no H&M in Metz!? Who wants to go with me when I'm in Paris... Ok, so I'm going to be in Paris and where am I going shopping, but at H&M! Ok, but still you try and live on an assistant's salary! Maybe I can find something in Prague if all else fails! I can't believe my life this evening... sitting and chatting on the internet with my sixth grade french students. I so have a cool life!
Thursday, April 14, 2005
Up and Down.
Check the title. That describes today. I would rather write this on my computer in my studio instead of typing it on the internet was I'm composing it but I just need to get this all down. So forgive my faults in othrograph and grammar. (Listening to fabulous french music- Dominique A).
Today was my last day teaching classes. It was with some of my most penible students, but for the most part the day went well considering that the classes didn't have much structure at all. I was having each class group write a short "letter" to me so I can make a book to remember them by, playing the Beach Boys for them and handing out a mini Reese's cup to each kid so they could try a classic american candy. Most of my classes had gone fairly well like this for the last two weeks, but one of my classes was so autrious (?) today, that they got neither music nor candy. I left the candies with their teacher so they can have them tomorrow I suppose. And when they finished these little letters they could draw a picture if they wanted. So one of the pictures I got was of the airplanes crashing into Twin Towers... and so in shock I handed it into the teacher I was working with today and just asked in addition to any punishment he received that he be made to research the event. Otherwise my last day was pretty much a standard day except for at lunch when I was waiting to go catch my bus back to Metz and my coordinating teachers gave me a book that they had made with all the kids in all my classes that included their pictures! Wow, it was super great and I've already enjoyed it so much!
My doctor's appointment today went super great too as I told the gyno I was going back to the States and wouldn't have insurance there, so she gave me a renewed prescription for 6 months and then two months of pills for free! I think because she felt sorry I was going back to a country that doesn't provide health insurance for its citizens. Something I should definitely blog about more. Tomorrow's the dentist! I love how cheap it's here anyway even without possibly getting reimbursed!
Getting back to home, I found one of the best surprises of today... a package from my fairy goddaughter, Amelia! I was super excited and so happy and like a kid at Christmas and practically torn open the package! I love that someone else besides me uses EasyMac or Poptarts boxes to mail things in! She totally sent me the equivalent of gold for an American in France........ EASYMAC!!!!! Plus letters from my sisters and a photo from Spring Pledging! YAY!!!!!
And in addition to my package today I got a package from Kim yesterday, sending on a purchase I forgot to make in Switzerland when I was visiting her near the border. So mail's been great the last two days.... but please, if you're going to send anything to me from today on, send it to my US address, as I move out of this address on Monday. (This is so unreal.)
It turns out after reading others' blogs tonight that Iowa's getting a flood of former Cornellians in May. And speaking of Cornell, it turns out that one of the great professors I had at Cornell died last October, Randy Ziegenhorn. I have to say that besides the wonderful Professor Alfrieta Monagan, he was the other influencing factor for me to continue with my anthro dreams and degree past freshman year. His classes were brilliant with amazing people in them, his insights into important issues and his opinions, and his stories that filled in the spaces between... It's definitely been an up and down day.
Leaving the school today didn't really feel like the last time and it was. I will likely never see those kids again, unless Vincent does become a famous french tv news reporter, or one of the Thomas's does actually visit me in the US (haha), or one of the Homers (their English name- and they didn't get it from the great Greek author) makes it into my luggage, but as I'm not sure I can even get all my stuff inside my suitcases, that's unlikely. And as I have another three and a half weeks still in France, it just feels so weird that today is suppose to be my last day... I'm not leaving for the US yet but I'm done with my students. I'm packing up to move, but not home... instead to camp out with friends in Paris for more than a week, interrupted by five days out to Prague and back.
Then Anna left today to catch a flight home, I mean really home, to New York. She gets here after me and leaves before me. I stood out on the computer lab balcony for a bit because I could see her window from there and into her room. It's just so empty. All so unreal. Up and down.
I'm sure there's more but I think nows just a good time to stop. I'll write when I'm not so out of it and melancholy or next time I have some internet access.
If anyone wants a french teenage coorespondant.... haha, not really I couldn't subject you to my little monsters!
Thanks too, Amelia! You totally made my day! Biz.
Today was my last day teaching classes. It was with some of my most penible students, but for the most part the day went well considering that the classes didn't have much structure at all. I was having each class group write a short "letter" to me so I can make a book to remember them by, playing the Beach Boys for them and handing out a mini Reese's cup to each kid so they could try a classic american candy. Most of my classes had gone fairly well like this for the last two weeks, but one of my classes was so autrious (?) today, that they got neither music nor candy. I left the candies with their teacher so they can have them tomorrow I suppose. And when they finished these little letters they could draw a picture if they wanted. So one of the pictures I got was of the airplanes crashing into Twin Towers... and so in shock I handed it into the teacher I was working with today and just asked in addition to any punishment he received that he be made to research the event. Otherwise my last day was pretty much a standard day except for at lunch when I was waiting to go catch my bus back to Metz and my coordinating teachers gave me a book that they had made with all the kids in all my classes that included their pictures! Wow, it was super great and I've already enjoyed it so much!
My doctor's appointment today went super great too as I told the gyno I was going back to the States and wouldn't have insurance there, so she gave me a renewed prescription for 6 months and then two months of pills for free! I think because she felt sorry I was going back to a country that doesn't provide health insurance for its citizens. Something I should definitely blog about more. Tomorrow's the dentist! I love how cheap it's here anyway even without possibly getting reimbursed!
Getting back to home, I found one of the best surprises of today... a package from my fairy goddaughter, Amelia! I was super excited and so happy and like a kid at Christmas and practically torn open the package! I love that someone else besides me uses EasyMac or Poptarts boxes to mail things in! She totally sent me the equivalent of gold for an American in France........ EASYMAC!!!!! Plus letters from my sisters and a photo from Spring Pledging! YAY!!!!!
And in addition to my package today I got a package from Kim yesterday, sending on a purchase I forgot to make in Switzerland when I was visiting her near the border. So mail's been great the last two days.... but please, if you're going to send anything to me from today on, send it to my US address, as I move out of this address on Monday. (This is so unreal.)
It turns out after reading others' blogs tonight that Iowa's getting a flood of former Cornellians in May. And speaking of Cornell, it turns out that one of the great professors I had at Cornell died last October, Randy Ziegenhorn. I have to say that besides the wonderful Professor Alfrieta Monagan, he was the other influencing factor for me to continue with my anthro dreams and degree past freshman year. His classes were brilliant with amazing people in them, his insights into important issues and his opinions, and his stories that filled in the spaces between... It's definitely been an up and down day.
Leaving the school today didn't really feel like the last time and it was. I will likely never see those kids again, unless Vincent does become a famous french tv news reporter, or one of the Thomas's does actually visit me in the US (haha), or one of the Homers (their English name- and they didn't get it from the great Greek author) makes it into my luggage, but as I'm not sure I can even get all my stuff inside my suitcases, that's unlikely. And as I have another three and a half weeks still in France, it just feels so weird that today is suppose to be my last day... I'm not leaving for the US yet but I'm done with my students. I'm packing up to move, but not home... instead to camp out with friends in Paris for more than a week, interrupted by five days out to Prague and back.
Then Anna left today to catch a flight home, I mean really home, to New York. She gets here after me and leaves before me. I stood out on the computer lab balcony for a bit because I could see her window from there and into her room. It's just so empty. All so unreal. Up and down.
I'm sure there's more but I think nows just a good time to stop. I'll write when I'm not so out of it and melancholy or next time I have some internet access.
If anyone wants a french teenage coorespondant.... haha, not really I couldn't subject you to my little monsters!
Thanks too, Amelia! You totally made my day! Biz.
Saturday, April 09, 2005
Sheet, sweet, sheep, and... sh...
Haha! I was just re-reading my post on April 6 and realised that I had typed sheet for sweet, which in turn reminded me of the day I broke down and did a five minute lesson with two of my classes because I couldn't handle their giggles anymore each time I said "sheet". (Long sentence there...) Haha... so for five minutes my class sure did have to properly pronounce sheet, sheep, and well shit, over and over and over. I sure did want to laugh a lot! Mmmm... ha... french kids who think they're so clever.... I'm going to miss the monsters. Middle school is such a funny age... I think if I was going to be a teacher I would want to teach in one of those little country schools that makes you teach in the middle and the high school, just so I could get both worlds. I might actually have a fondness for that age now, if it wasn't for the fact that they are such monsters! Lov'em!
Oh, and just fyi, I'm not too lazy to talk about that little sheet/sweet error, but I am too lazy to go edit it! I love Saturday mornings!
Oh, and just fyi, I'm not too lazy to talk about that little sheet/sweet error, but I am too lazy to go edit it! I love Saturday mornings!
Friday, April 08, 2005
Dentist?
Does anyone know a good dentist in Metz, who's conventionée? I need a dentist in Metz! And quick! I only have about a week left in Metz... so I need something soon! Before I leave this blessed country that foots most of the bill for things like dental cleanings! Anyone wanna help me call the list in the phone book?
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
How the Hundred-Acre Woods became the Forest of Blue Dreams…
Le 6 avril 2005.
Sometimes I wish I could just have a little audiovisual recorder of all I see and hear and think during the day. But as that is also extremely creepy big-brother and would probably be truly annoying, I’m not to upset that I don’t… it just means that I usually end up forgetting some of the crazy things that happen on a daily basis and you don’t get to hear about them.
My recent extracurricular activities have been mostly researching and organizing the family trip in May through France. And it’s been fun in a bit of a weird way watching all the pieces come together- the train tickets arrived the other day, the parents got the hotel reservations for Paris (based on my recommendations so let’s help they were good recommendations!), and I just spent the day getting blisters from the new shoes while walking around Metz to check on car rental prices and check out some of the hotels. And in true typically French style, one of the new hotels that was to have opened in March doesn’t even have the entrance finished yet! I honestly couldn’t find the street number nor the door! Oh well, the one down the street was really nice, so we’ll probably stay there. Now I just have to find a couple of restaurants that are suppose to be nice here in town. Also need above-mentioned car rental and hotels in Toulouse.
Also on the trip-planning front, I have made all my arrangements for the trip to Prague! I have the flights reserved and a hostel in Prague all set, and one in Dortmund as my return trip includes a 24-hour layover in Germany. I’m pretty excited to be going even if I’m going alone. Also the hostel in Prague is a new one so there weren’t many comments on it so we’ll see what happens. I’ll try to keep you posted.
It’s been insane realizing that I have only about 12 days left in Metz as a resident… all the things I need to get taken care of before I go… the packing I really should start soon so I’m not up all night before I leave… But at this point I have to totally give the French health care system snaps (even if it’s probably going to crash sometime in the not too distant future) for at the moment I get some of these services paid for and for some reason I don’t have to make these appointments months in advance. In all reality, it appears that a week is sufficient. Love it!
My French mom wrote the other day in response to a letter I finally sent them! I mean, it’s totally my fault as they couldn’t have known where to contact me as I hadn’t given them any address or phone number. I was completely exciting to hear from her and how the family is doing. And here’s the bit that totally touched my heart, I had mentioned in a phone call over the summer that I might be coming to visit Toulouse with my family if and when they came to visit in probably May, and Nelly totally invited us all to visit them if and when we came- she had no idea if we were even coming or not but she made sure to invite us! I always knew I had lucked out with my host family last year, but this totally reinforces it. And she just wrote one of those sheet and fabulous letters that makes you feel so happy and special. It totally made my day.
Well, as I haven’t got much interesting to talk about today I’m just going to sign off and leave all be. Hopefully I haven’t bored anyone too much!
Sometimes I wish I could just have a little audiovisual recorder of all I see and hear and think during the day. But as that is also extremely creepy big-brother and would probably be truly annoying, I’m not to upset that I don’t… it just means that I usually end up forgetting some of the crazy things that happen on a daily basis and you don’t get to hear about them.
My recent extracurricular activities have been mostly researching and organizing the family trip in May through France. And it’s been fun in a bit of a weird way watching all the pieces come together- the train tickets arrived the other day, the parents got the hotel reservations for Paris (based on my recommendations so let’s help they were good recommendations!), and I just spent the day getting blisters from the new shoes while walking around Metz to check on car rental prices and check out some of the hotels. And in true typically French style, one of the new hotels that was to have opened in March doesn’t even have the entrance finished yet! I honestly couldn’t find the street number nor the door! Oh well, the one down the street was really nice, so we’ll probably stay there. Now I just have to find a couple of restaurants that are suppose to be nice here in town. Also need above-mentioned car rental and hotels in Toulouse.
Also on the trip-planning front, I have made all my arrangements for the trip to Prague! I have the flights reserved and a hostel in Prague all set, and one in Dortmund as my return trip includes a 24-hour layover in Germany. I’m pretty excited to be going even if I’m going alone. Also the hostel in Prague is a new one so there weren’t many comments on it so we’ll see what happens. I’ll try to keep you posted.
It’s been insane realizing that I have only about 12 days left in Metz as a resident… all the things I need to get taken care of before I go… the packing I really should start soon so I’m not up all night before I leave… But at this point I have to totally give the French health care system snaps (even if it’s probably going to crash sometime in the not too distant future) for at the moment I get some of these services paid for and for some reason I don’t have to make these appointments months in advance. In all reality, it appears that a week is sufficient. Love it!
My French mom wrote the other day in response to a letter I finally sent them! I mean, it’s totally my fault as they couldn’t have known where to contact me as I hadn’t given them any address or phone number. I was completely exciting to hear from her and how the family is doing. And here’s the bit that totally touched my heart, I had mentioned in a phone call over the summer that I might be coming to visit Toulouse with my family if and when they came to visit in probably May, and Nelly totally invited us all to visit them if and when we came- she had no idea if we were even coming or not but she made sure to invite us! I always knew I had lucked out with my host family last year, but this totally reinforces it. And she just wrote one of those sheet and fabulous letters that makes you feel so happy and special. It totally made my day.
Well, as I haven’t got much interesting to talk about today I’m just going to sign off and leave all be. Hopefully I haven’t bored anyone too much!
The shoes I've been eyeballing all year and finally decided I couldn't live for the rest of my life without... I love them! Louise went with me to make sure I truly did prefer the brown and pink versus the pink and pink version. Even if they did give me a blister after walking all over Metz today, I love them!
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