So, you're just going to have to forgive the title, as it's late.
So last week, I missed the note about how everyone coming back for graduation etc was back during the days leading up to Saturday, so I only made it over to the area on Saturday about noon and then spend happy quality time with the family. So sorry to everyone I missed seeing, in case it was that important to you to see me then.
However, missing said note did allow me to complete a few interviews- necessary for those student loan payments- and even a surprise one for the summer job that I'd really wanted on Friday!
Finally participated in a female tradition in my family (started by my aunts!), the tradition where I go through all my crap from my entire life and sift through it (aka discard about 75% of it) and pass it along to my young female cousins so that they in turn might do the same to even younger cousins or potentially my female children. Wow, who knew my aunt's daughters might inherit some of her childhood things in the long run!
I also managed to get reacquainted with the insect population of Iowa; mosquitoes still like me...
I was also reminded of the joys of Phedre this weekend. Oh how I miss Intro to Lit 311!
Managed to consume more fried foods this weekend than in (probably) all my time in France this past year.
Ditto on soda.
Got mildly caught up on the EU Constitution referendum in France and the "No" result. (Check the BBC for some overview.)
And happily also managed to surprise Angela with a visit to her summer pad so we could at least scratch the surface of all the stories we need to catch up on!
And finally, got the summer job I wanted (surprise interview one!)! Plans are potentially falling into their necessary places!
I miss France, but it's awfully good to be home.
Monday, May 30, 2005
Monday, May 23, 2005
France and the EU constitution- BBC News
BBC NEWS | Europe | France and the EU constitution
On the upcoming French referendum on whether to accept the EU Constitution. The comments on the article are just as interesting.
On the upcoming French referendum on whether to accept the EU Constitution. The comments on the article are just as interesting.
BBC NEWS | In Pictures | Day in pictures
BBC NEWS | In Pictures | Day in pictures
Check out the caption on this page and let me know if you too found the obvious error. I guess the BBC strike is effecting even their editing staff.
Check out the caption on this page and let me know if you too found the obvious error. I guess the BBC strike is effecting even their editing staff.
My clocks are finally synched...
Or in other words, I'm back on the North American continent... or home, whatever that's supposed to mean...
Don't get me wrong, it's wonderful to be back with my family- as that's what home is mostly to me. I'm having a hoot! It's been fabulous that the weather's been mostly nice in my week and a half back. I'm enjoying a stressless adjustment period of hiding out in my parents' house, of finding a job, of not having to deal with the compounded energy of at least 300 other people who are perfectly intune with their internal clock while I'm still confused about what times I'm suppose to be tired and sleepy at... That's been the best bit of being back- just having the time to coast back into a regular sleep and time schedule again. The eating schedule is something all together else though... I think I just need the world's best cereal from LeaderPrice and then everything would be all better though! So being back... overall, not too bad.
Except as usual there's all the things I miss. Like, crazy but mild weather, the river and the riverwalk, the parks, stealing daffodils out of the public gardens, my cafe, walking around centreville, destroying my shoes' soles on the cobblestones, running errands on foot except for the occasional hoof and bus trip to Cora, missing the construction of the new Pompidou in the Quartier Amphitheatre, my boulangerie on the corner, St. Jacques and all the tables, the Cathedral, and probably most of all, the bells ringing to remind you of where in the day you are- every fifteen minutes... the bells never bothered me as they might have others, I liked them and I could sleep through them during my afternoon naps, so I miss them. I tell you what, a tornado siren at noon does nothing to replace them and everything to stop my heart-- I mean, come on people, it's not the first Wednesday of the month here... everyday is a bit obsessive, except for the fact that we live in a tornado prone area I suppose...
And I miss Paris even, it's a great city if just too much some days! I miss my seat in the Luxembourg Gardens and I miss subtlely chasing the piegons down the streets and I miss the trains and I miss well, everything I love about being in France... I miss that I'm missing late spring and early summer in Europe... for those still there, remember to truly enjoy it!
And now that I've decided to cut off my list of things I miss, so as not to become overwhelming homesick, I'm going to go think about why it is I'm not going back next year... sigh.
So maybe next time I'll be up to bringing you up to date on why being guide and translator can be so exhausting... just as Kim warned me it would be!
Don't get me wrong, it's wonderful to be back with my family- as that's what home is mostly to me. I'm having a hoot! It's been fabulous that the weather's been mostly nice in my week and a half back. I'm enjoying a stressless adjustment period of hiding out in my parents' house, of finding a job, of not having to deal with the compounded energy of at least 300 other people who are perfectly intune with their internal clock while I'm still confused about what times I'm suppose to be tired and sleepy at... That's been the best bit of being back- just having the time to coast back into a regular sleep and time schedule again. The eating schedule is something all together else though... I think I just need the world's best cereal from LeaderPrice and then everything would be all better though! So being back... overall, not too bad.
Except as usual there's all the things I miss. Like, crazy but mild weather, the river and the riverwalk, the parks, stealing daffodils out of the public gardens, my cafe, walking around centreville, destroying my shoes' soles on the cobblestones, running errands on foot except for the occasional hoof and bus trip to Cora, missing the construction of the new Pompidou in the Quartier Amphitheatre, my boulangerie on the corner, St. Jacques and all the tables, the Cathedral, and probably most of all, the bells ringing to remind you of where in the day you are- every fifteen minutes... the bells never bothered me as they might have others, I liked them and I could sleep through them during my afternoon naps, so I miss them. I tell you what, a tornado siren at noon does nothing to replace them and everything to stop my heart-- I mean, come on people, it's not the first Wednesday of the month here... everyday is a bit obsessive, except for the fact that we live in a tornado prone area I suppose...
And I miss Paris even, it's a great city if just too much some days! I miss my seat in the Luxembourg Gardens and I miss subtlely chasing the piegons down the streets and I miss the trains and I miss well, everything I love about being in France... I miss that I'm missing late spring and early summer in Europe... for those still there, remember to truly enjoy it!
And now that I've decided to cut off my list of things I miss, so as not to become overwhelming homesick, I'm going to go think about why it is I'm not going back next year... sigh.
So maybe next time I'll be up to bringing you up to date on why being guide and translator can be so exhausting... just as Kim warned me it would be!
Friday, April 29, 2005
Hanging out in the Louvre.
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.)
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.)
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.
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