did I just not notice this before? I have just started seeing things using SMS to mean text (on a cell phone) here in the States.
It makes me si contente, as the English assistants last year all used sms was both noun and verb, in place of text/ing.
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
So, tonight, I'm sitting here going through MORE backlog paperwork. I've found it after I thought I had already filed everything... my room is a pit. And as I am going through all these papers, I come across some of the reports of my Cornell bills, in particular, the bills from my last year there. The space is entirely filled by additional Stafford Loans (uh-hmmm.. unsubsidized), Off-campus Residence/Dining designations, and Adjustments to my scholarship, tuition, etc. And I have to say, it made me smile. All that adjusting and extra work- so I could go abroad. And I don't regret it- it was the best experience of my undergraduate career. To be all cliché, it changed my life. I almost want to frame the damn thing, as a reminder of what taking risks and doing all the paperwork can mean. Seriously, if I hadn't ran all over campus to get every imaginable and necessary signature, pushed to get the financial aid, visit Mike in the Business Office about once a week, and generally demand the right to study abroad (as long as I was paying out of pocket for it), I wouldn't be able to tell you the crazy return trip from Barcelona story! So here's to sleeping on the floor of the Narbonne train station for two and a half hours at 1am- just to make it home to Toulouse in time to take a mid-term! And all because we got on the wrong train in the first place!
Maybe this is all just from too much dust...
Maybe this is all just from too much dust...
Friday, January 27, 2006
Monday, January 23, 2006
January is quickly coming to a close and I'm quite bummed about the lack of lychee in my diet. It's a newly foreign idea to me; January without lychee, how does that happen?
I had a conversation tonight with someone who told me they had seven televisions in their house- there are only four or five people in the house. It amazes me that one house can have more tv's than people. Coming from a household that only ever had one, and only in color for the last 13 years, it astounds me. And for all the time we don't have the television on, it makes the most sense to have only one. It's really a personal choice, but what's the use of seven tv's? What purpose does having the tv's in various rooms accomplish, other than a constant distraction? It confuses me greatly; especially knowing as I do, that'll probably be another five or six years before I contemplate buying my own- if even that soon. Perhaps it would be sooner, if I were ever to live in my own space- but I think it would mostly be for watching videos or the news- until then, my computer is fine enough for watching movies when I have the time. I guess in other words, don't be adding a television to my wish/Christmas list- just stick with the Wigwam socks.
I had a conversation tonight with someone who told me they had seven televisions in their house- there are only four or five people in the house. It amazes me that one house can have more tv's than people. Coming from a household that only ever had one, and only in color for the last 13 years, it astounds me. And for all the time we don't have the television on, it makes the most sense to have only one. It's really a personal choice, but what's the use of seven tv's? What purpose does having the tv's in various rooms accomplish, other than a constant distraction? It confuses me greatly; especially knowing as I do, that'll probably be another five or six years before I contemplate buying my own- if even that soon. Perhaps it would be sooner, if I were ever to live in my own space- but I think it would mostly be for watching videos or the news- until then, my computer is fine enough for watching movies when I have the time. I guess in other words, don't be adding a television to my wish/Christmas list- just stick with the Wigwam socks.
Sunday, January 22, 2006
what happens when you google yourself!
I recently had a necessity to google myself. And oh, what do I find?! SIT used one of the photos I sent in for the Alumni Photo Contest (I didn't win by the way- no return larks to France for me in the near future) on their web page about the France program, SIT Study Abroad - France: Culture and Society!
In case you're curious, it's from the ramparts tour on the Old City walls of Carcasonne. A couple of us took a fabulous little weekend daytrip there- with the result of many great stories! It's totally a tourist trap, but so thoroughly well done, you don't even notice it! And it's completely worth it, simply for the atmosphere, or the military butts, if you're lucky enough to be there on one of the days the local military bases lets the boys out as part of return to civilian life after their version of Basic!
(Patience, if you ever check in here- just remember, you're shitless! gros gros bisous!)
In case you're curious, it's from the ramparts tour on the Old City walls of Carcasonne. A couple of us took a fabulous little weekend daytrip there- with the result of many great stories! It's totally a tourist trap, but so thoroughly well done, you don't even notice it! And it's completely worth it, simply for the atmosphere, or the military butts, if you're lucky enough to be there on one of the days the local military bases lets the boys out as part of return to civilian life after their version of Basic!
(Patience, if you ever check in here- just remember, you're shitless! gros gros bisous!)
Monday, January 16, 2006
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Thursday, January 12, 2006
So after inquire within's comments on the cost of public transportation in London, I was curious to compare it to what I'd known in France.
It ends up he's paying quite a bit more than it would have cost for a month in Paris, unless you get the student discount, which is considerably helpful. The current rate in Paris is about $62 USD a month without the student discount, with it's : $36 USD. The weekly pass I purchased in April cost me about $18 USD.
In Metz, the monthly bus pass cost about $40 USD, I think; though with the student discout it was $30 USD. I never had to buy the monthly pass as I didn't bus around Metz all that much.
The best I've ever seen was Toulouse, where the montly pass for the student was $25. Though Toulouse (600,000) is rather isolated, and you tend to go there only to study, live, or work, and it's really just a massive uni town. But still, a simply great city to live in!
That's it- I was really just advertising the greatness of Toulouse.
It ends up he's paying quite a bit more than it would have cost for a month in Paris, unless you get the student discount, which is considerably helpful. The current rate in Paris is about $62 USD a month without the student discount, with it's : $36 USD. The weekly pass I purchased in April cost me about $18 USD.
In Metz, the monthly bus pass cost about $40 USD, I think; though with the student discout it was $30 USD. I never had to buy the monthly pass as I didn't bus around Metz all that much.
The best I've ever seen was Toulouse, where the montly pass for the student was $25. Though Toulouse (600,000) is rather isolated, and you tend to go there only to study, live, or work, and it's really just a massive uni town. But still, a simply great city to live in!
That's it- I was really just advertising the greatness of Toulouse.
Monday, January 09, 2006
Sunday, January 08, 2006
Sunday, January 01, 2006
Louise phoned today! She is home for a bit, which is exciting as she hadn't thought she would be. Her parents wanted to see her so they bought her plane ticket home for the holidays. I was just delighted to talk with her for a bit. She leaves Tuesday, as does Kristen and that makes me sad.
I know that I will miss my phone calls with Kristen now that she's going to be far away again. I could say we'll still chat from time to time, but honestly, after I came back during holiday 2003 and she was there still for the spring, we never phoned! It's just rather expensive. But I also know that my jealousy will probably over-balance missing her, so I doubt I'll be terribly sad!
I wish I could see Louise's apartment this year, as she's in a truly ideal location and I'm sure it's adorable. How I miss all the little hassles she's currently going through- as ridiculous as it is for me to say that!
So all in all, even though I had to be back in town to work at noon today (even though I'd rather have continued sleeping), the day's turned out decently well. My headache didn't last for too long, everyone on the Interstate and CR was driving nicely, work ended early (annoying) but I got a crazy big bag that was a Wedding Crashers promo (which makes up for not getting all my hours!), and Louise called.
Well I'm off to watch holiday kids' movies with mum and be productive on the whole grad school app front (this is the last one--- I hope I hope I hope!).
Bonne Année!!!
I know that I will miss my phone calls with Kristen now that she's going to be far away again. I could say we'll still chat from time to time, but honestly, after I came back during holiday 2003 and she was there still for the spring, we never phoned! It's just rather expensive. But I also know that my jealousy will probably over-balance missing her, so I doubt I'll be terribly sad!
I wish I could see Louise's apartment this year, as she's in a truly ideal location and I'm sure it's adorable. How I miss all the little hassles she's currently going through- as ridiculous as it is for me to say that!
So all in all, even though I had to be back in town to work at noon today (even though I'd rather have continued sleeping), the day's turned out decently well. My headache didn't last for too long, everyone on the Interstate and CR was driving nicely, work ended early (annoying) but I got a crazy big bag that was a Wedding Crashers promo (which makes up for not getting all my hours!), and Louise called.
Well I'm off to watch holiday kids' movies with mum and be productive on the whole grad school app front (this is the last one--- I hope I hope I hope!).
Bonne Année!!!
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