Last night, I was so excited because the Ukranian girl, Natalia, made dinner for us! She made pork in the oven and she fried potatoes in a skillet...but she used different sauces and methods of making them, so the potatoes definitely looked like fish to me! It was all DELICIOUS, and I ate a TON (shocking, right).
We sat around the table after dinner just talking, joking around, etc. It is always so interesting because we have the French family, Didiers, Catherine, and Jules, their friend Christine from Paris who is in town staying with us, the two Columbian girls, Daniella and Daniella, then Ukranian girl, Natalia, and me, the American : ) This makes for GREAT conversation every night, as everyone has different ideas for things based on where they come from and what is standard in their country. This means that every night our dinner lasts at least 2 hours, its great!
This morning, I went for my LAST jog in Montpellier. I was not so upset about this. I hate running, so I was very happy when that was over : )
We just got finished with class for the day -- I am about to head to a little shop to buy a bottle of wine for the family for dinner tonight -- then I will return "chez Gardair"...a.k.a. back to the Gardair house, my host family.
Tonight, I will be packing my bags, studying a good bit, and spending my last hours with my host family. Tomorrow, I will wake up early and go immediately to school for my final exam. I will then catch my train to Paris around 130, putting me in Paris just short of 5 o clock.
THE TIME HAS COME. I consider this the definition of "bittersweet."
I have now spent just about 2 months in Montpellier. It has been probably the most beneficial growing experience of my life thus far. I have learned so much about independence, taking initiative, and mostly about myself in general. I have loved living with people from different countries and cultures and learning to connect with them despite language barriers. This experience, to say the least, has put me out of my comfort zone, and forced me to immerse myself into a completely different environment in which I have learned and have grown more than ever before.
I am, however, ready to move on. I look forward to spending a week in Paris with my mom (WOOT WOOT!) and then returning back home to see my family, my friends, and MY collegetown : )
I will try and write again from Paris! (and possibly include some pictures too)
I'm off to enjoy what is left of my stay in Montpellier!
CIAO
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
BARCELONA : Sagrada Familia
the side of the church that represented the death of Jesus
Gaudi studied the geometry of nature, and built every facet of this church according to his discoveries...these windows were built to resemble honeycombs.
the side of the church that represented the nativity
some other of his geometry in nature symbols...i cant remember what these represented, but they look cool : )BARCELONA : Sagrada Familia
notice the crane outside the window! anddd all the pretty reflections on the pillar from the stained glass windows.
the church has been under construction for CENTURIES, because they are trying to finish Gaudi's plans. The construction is funded by generous donations as well as these tours, a.k.a i helped fund it :) so there was all of this going on while we were there! SO interesting!
i loved all the different shades of blue
GORGEOUS COLORS!BARCELONA : Mount Tibidabo
The 100 yr old Blue Tram we took halfway up the mountain
Then we took this rickety thing up the rest of the mountain...I could have sworn it was about to break down at times.
Me at the top overlooking Barcelona and the Mediterranean sea in the distance!
Some of the amusement park at the top of Mt Tibidabo!BARCELONA : Sports Complexes
The famous FUTBOL CLUB BARCELONA stadium!!...If only I got to witness a match...or even a riot in the streets afterward...I'll hafta go back.
1992 OLYMPICS
the Olympic stadium...beautiful!
where the torch was litBARCELONA : Port Vell
People relaxing in the park by the port.
So many yachts!
The water was SO blue!Sunday, July 19, 2009
oh, the exhausting life of being a tourist...BARCELONA!!!
I just returned back to Montpellier from Barcelona! The weekend was WONDERFUL! Aside from Paris, Barcelona is my favorite city I have visited in Europe. (okay, so I haven't visited THAT many, but still...i loved it!)
We took 2 different trains to arrive to Barcelona. The train tracks are different in Spain than in France, so we had to switch trains in Port Bou, Spain, just over the border.
Upon arriving in Barcelona, we were a little nervous about not speaking the language. Luckily, I took Spanish this past year at UGA, so while I am FAR from being capable of carrying on a conversation, I was at least able to recognize signs, etc.
Friday night, Erin and I splurged and went to a nice restaurant. We got SANGRIA which was delicious and tapas. We have been missing mexican food like CRAZY, so we were pumped to be able to order chips and salsa and quesadilla tapas :) We stayed there for hours just enjoying the atmosphere and chatting. We then walked down to the port and enjoyed looking at all the gorgeous yachts that I plan on having when I'm older.
We called it a night around midnight as we were very tired from traveling. We returned to our hostel, which was far from 5 star, but it was still pretty great :) Erin and I were the only girls in a room of 14 beds. Needless to say, I slept only 2 hours that night despite being exhausted. The guys in the room were really drunk and loud when they came in and then even when they fell asleep they managed to keep me awake with their snoring...but its an experience, right?!...
We woke up Saturday morning and, following the advice the columbian girls who live with me had given, we went to buy tickets for the Bus Turistic of Barcelona. We figured since we only had ONE full day here, we needed to participate in something touristy like this in order to see all the main attractions. The buses were so funny, they were double-decker and open on top so that you could take pictures and see everything...but it was windy, so by the end of the day, my hair was...as paul would say...SO GRITZY!
There were SEVERAL buses running the three routes and the style was called "hop on, hop off" because you could ride past and just look at one of the attractions, or you could get off when the bus stopped, spend as much time as you want there, and then catch another bus later. The buses ran from 9 am - 11 pm. Here's where I "hopped off:"
-Sagrada Familia - famous church designed by Gaudi, which has been under constant construction, according to what he designed, for centuries. It is expected to be complete it 2030!
-Tibidabo - a mountain that overlooks all of Barcelona. First, we took the famous 100 yr old Tramvia Blau - a blue tram, up the first part of the mountain, and then a cable car up the rest. At the top of the mountain, there is a basilica (and a wedding was going on!) and an amusement park!
-Futbol Club Barcelona - the pitch where the WORLD FAMOUS soccer team plays! It was so awesome being here, as it is SUCH an important part of their culture. I even bought a little something at the FCB Megastore!!
-Estacio de Sants - this is just the train station haha, we made a pit stop to buy our reservations for our train back :)
-Anella Olympica - the site of the 1992 Olympic Games! We got to see where the torch was lit and all the venues for the different events!
-Montjuic - this is a mountain in Barcelona, where we walked around in the Botanical Gardens.
-Port Vell - famous port of Barcelona! There is an IMAX here, an aquarium, and a little amusement park...not to mention all the BEAUTIFUL boats in the harbor! We got ice cream and sat watching the boats come and go.
At this point, it was about 6 pm, and we had seen everything that we thought was the MOST important. We were exhausted, after having eaten ice cream, we passed up the bus option and decided to walk back to the hostel.
We rested for a little bit, then got ready and headed out for dinner. We picked up sandwiches along Las Ramblas (i realize i spelled that wrong in the previous post). While walking after dinner, a guy stopped us and convinced us to attend the PUB CRAWL that night. We figured we were only in Barcelona once, so we might as well. The Pub Crawl proved itself a little pricey, but it was a great experience, as the group was comprised of mainly tourists from ALL over. We went to 4 different bars and got 1 or 2 drinks at each for "free" -- but they were actually covered in our initial charges for being part of the Pub Crawl. It was so fun!
I slept better Saturday (last) night because I was so tired from the long day. This morning, we woke up early again and ate our complimentary breakfast at the hostel :) We packed up our things, checked out, and headed to Las Ramblas. On the weekends, there are little markets set up, where local artisans can showcase their work. There was some really great stuff, but I didn't make any purchases. I controlled myself.
After that, we headed to the train station. I slept most of the way on the ride back, so it was not bad at all. This time we switched trains at Cerbere (which we called Care Bear) which is just on the French side of the border.
I'm so happy to have spent my last weekend of the program in Spain! What a great experience! I do not have my camera cord with me, but I will upload pictures one day this week -- when I am not busy with all the school work we have, as we are wrapping up!
I better head home and let my host family know I am still alive...
MISS EVERYONE!! ADIOS!
We took 2 different trains to arrive to Barcelona. The train tracks are different in Spain than in France, so we had to switch trains in Port Bou, Spain, just over the border.
Upon arriving in Barcelona, we were a little nervous about not speaking the language. Luckily, I took Spanish this past year at UGA, so while I am FAR from being capable of carrying on a conversation, I was at least able to recognize signs, etc.
Friday night, Erin and I splurged and went to a nice restaurant. We got SANGRIA which was delicious and tapas. We have been missing mexican food like CRAZY, so we were pumped to be able to order chips and salsa and quesadilla tapas :) We stayed there for hours just enjoying the atmosphere and chatting. We then walked down to the port and enjoyed looking at all the gorgeous yachts that I plan on having when I'm older.
We called it a night around midnight as we were very tired from traveling. We returned to our hostel, which was far from 5 star, but it was still pretty great :) Erin and I were the only girls in a room of 14 beds. Needless to say, I slept only 2 hours that night despite being exhausted. The guys in the room were really drunk and loud when they came in and then even when they fell asleep they managed to keep me awake with their snoring...but its an experience, right?!...
We woke up Saturday morning and, following the advice the columbian girls who live with me had given, we went to buy tickets for the Bus Turistic of Barcelona. We figured since we only had ONE full day here, we needed to participate in something touristy like this in order to see all the main attractions. The buses were so funny, they were double-decker and open on top so that you could take pictures and see everything...but it was windy, so by the end of the day, my hair was...as paul would say...SO GRITZY!
There were SEVERAL buses running the three routes and the style was called "hop on, hop off" because you could ride past and just look at one of the attractions, or you could get off when the bus stopped, spend as much time as you want there, and then catch another bus later. The buses ran from 9 am - 11 pm. Here's where I "hopped off:"
-Sagrada Familia - famous church designed by Gaudi, which has been under constant construction, according to what he designed, for centuries. It is expected to be complete it 2030!
-Tibidabo - a mountain that overlooks all of Barcelona. First, we took the famous 100 yr old Tramvia Blau - a blue tram, up the first part of the mountain, and then a cable car up the rest. At the top of the mountain, there is a basilica (and a wedding was going on!) and an amusement park!
-Futbol Club Barcelona - the pitch where the WORLD FAMOUS soccer team plays! It was so awesome being here, as it is SUCH an important part of their culture. I even bought a little something at the FCB Megastore!!
-Estacio de Sants - this is just the train station haha, we made a pit stop to buy our reservations for our train back :)
-Anella Olympica - the site of the 1992 Olympic Games! We got to see where the torch was lit and all the venues for the different events!
-Montjuic - this is a mountain in Barcelona, where we walked around in the Botanical Gardens.
-Port Vell - famous port of Barcelona! There is an IMAX here, an aquarium, and a little amusement park...not to mention all the BEAUTIFUL boats in the harbor! We got ice cream and sat watching the boats come and go.
At this point, it was about 6 pm, and we had seen everything that we thought was the MOST important. We were exhausted, after having eaten ice cream, we passed up the bus option and decided to walk back to the hostel.
We rested for a little bit, then got ready and headed out for dinner. We picked up sandwiches along Las Ramblas (i realize i spelled that wrong in the previous post). While walking after dinner, a guy stopped us and convinced us to attend the PUB CRAWL that night. We figured we were only in Barcelona once, so we might as well. The Pub Crawl proved itself a little pricey, but it was a great experience, as the group was comprised of mainly tourists from ALL over. We went to 4 different bars and got 1 or 2 drinks at each for "free" -- but they were actually covered in our initial charges for being part of the Pub Crawl. It was so fun!
I slept better Saturday (last) night because I was so tired from the long day. This morning, we woke up early again and ate our complimentary breakfast at the hostel :) We packed up our things, checked out, and headed to Las Ramblas. On the weekends, there are little markets set up, where local artisans can showcase their work. There was some really great stuff, but I didn't make any purchases. I controlled myself.
After that, we headed to the train station. I slept most of the way on the ride back, so it was not bad at all. This time we switched trains at Cerbere (which we called Care Bear) which is just on the French side of the border.
I'm so happy to have spent my last weekend of the program in Spain! What a great experience! I do not have my camera cord with me, but I will upload pictures one day this week -- when I am not busy with all the school work we have, as we are wrapping up!
I better head home and let my host family know I am still alive...
MISS EVERYONE!! ADIOS!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
im leaving on a jetplane...actually, more like the TGV.
Yesterday, after class, I got to see HARRY POTTER...IN ENGLISH! i was so excited :) and then i decided to go to the indoor Olympic-size swimming pool here in Montpellier. I swam 50 lengths, and my legs just about died from cramping up. Very good work out though :)
I had my LAST project due for Business French this morning! Now we're home free until the final next friday...WOO!
After class today, I went to the beach with a friend and we layed (laid?) out for HOURS enjoying the Mediterranean coast...welcome to the good life.
I cannot believe I only have one week left in Montpellier! I have already bought my train ticket to Paris to meet my mom once our final exam is over next friday. Its a weird feeling having everything wrapping up! No one can believe its almost over.
BUT I do still have a FULL WEEK ahead of me, and my friend Erin and I (she is in my sorority at UGA) have planned a trip to BARCELONA FOR THE WEEKEND!!
I am VERY excited that we are doing this for our last weekend of the trip, gotta go out with a bang right?! We are leaving tomorrow at noon after class for the 4 hour train ride. We have booked a hostel there that is off Los Ramblos (which Ive heard is the place to be there - very touristy). We are staying until we catch our train back Sunday night.
Hopefully I will have access to a computer there, but if not, I will just have to write ALLL about it and put up they MANY pictures once I get back :)
Have a good weekend yall!
I had my LAST project due for Business French this morning! Now we're home free until the final next friday...WOO!
After class today, I went to the beach with a friend and we layed (laid?) out for HOURS enjoying the Mediterranean coast...welcome to the good life.
I cannot believe I only have one week left in Montpellier! I have already bought my train ticket to Paris to meet my mom once our final exam is over next friday. Its a weird feeling having everything wrapping up! No one can believe its almost over.
BUT I do still have a FULL WEEK ahead of me, and my friend Erin and I (she is in my sorority at UGA) have planned a trip to BARCELONA FOR THE WEEKEND!!
I am VERY excited that we are doing this for our last weekend of the trip, gotta go out with a bang right?! We are leaving tomorrow at noon after class for the 4 hour train ride. We have booked a hostel there that is off Los Ramblos (which Ive heard is the place to be there - very touristy). We are staying until we catch our train back Sunday night.
Hopefully I will have access to a computer there, but if not, I will just have to write ALLL about it and put up they MANY pictures once I get back :)
Have a good weekend yall!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
travel duck!
Today, after going for a morning jog, I decided to pick up some lunch and have a little picnic in the nearby park.
When I finished eating, I decided to give the crust off of my sandwich to the ducks. There were a lot of little ducklings that were so cute, but they wouldn't come near me! I was able to coax one up onto the bank with the bread crumbs, and took some pictures for Averi :)
MARSEILLE
Welcome to Marseille!
it was gorgeous! i wanted to go hijack a boat.
i look rather large. pay attention the port, please.MARSEILLE
beautiful! me, that is..not the background...
there were gardens behind the palace, and i decided to pick this berry. i was going to eat it but it exploded all over my hand...then my friend read the sign saying that the berries were poisonous. my life was on the line and i had no idea.Monday, July 13, 2009
fun fact: having a train pass in europe does not guarantee you a seat.
On Saturday, the group met at la gare (train station) and we were off to Marseille! It is about a 2 hour train ride. It was SO crowded on the trip there that I had to stand most of the time and was SURROUNDED by people (good thing I'm claustrophobic, right?)
Marseille is the 2nd largest city in France, based on population, aside to Paris of course. We ate lunch upon arrival next to the beautifulll port that Marseille is famous for. There were fishermen and boats everywhere, it was great! We then walked to see different monuments, churches, blah blah blah. We went to the Palais Longchamps (yes, like the purse brand!) which was absolutely GORGEOUS. It is now a museum of fine arts.
I don't have my camera on hand, but I will upload pictures of Marseille as soon as I have it with me at this wretched, smelly, hot internet cafe. It is interesting though to see what other people are looking at on their computers. Its just like those times when you're on a roadtrip at 4 in the morning and you see other cars and think, "I know why I am here, but what the hell are you doing here?" ...the same feeling at an internet cafe.
Anyway. Saturday evening, a family from Kenya came over for dinner. They spoke both french and english, which came in handy when I needed to know exactly what was in our mystery casserole...it was a very fun evening. Jules played his new electric guitar for us after dinner. He just bought it and has not put it down since!
Sunday, I went to the beach allll day with the group. It was overcast, but I managed to get a little sunburn! It was very relaxing.
I somehow had enough energy to go for a run yesterday evening after returning from the beach...I think it was only to avoid studying for our midterm that we had today : P I studied for it last night and this morning, and I think it went pretty well.
We don't have classes tomorrow because it is BASTILLE DAY! It is of zero significance to me, but if it means a day off of classes then damn it, I will celebrate it.
Until next time :)
Marseille is the 2nd largest city in France, based on population, aside to Paris of course. We ate lunch upon arrival next to the beautifulll port that Marseille is famous for. There were fishermen and boats everywhere, it was great! We then walked to see different monuments, churches, blah blah blah. We went to the Palais Longchamps (yes, like the purse brand!) which was absolutely GORGEOUS. It is now a museum of fine arts.
I don't have my camera on hand, but I will upload pictures of Marseille as soon as I have it with me at this wretched, smelly, hot internet cafe. It is interesting though to see what other people are looking at on their computers. Its just like those times when you're on a roadtrip at 4 in the morning and you see other cars and think, "I know why I am here, but what the hell are you doing here?" ...the same feeling at an internet cafe.
Anyway. Saturday evening, a family from Kenya came over for dinner. They spoke both french and english, which came in handy when I needed to know exactly what was in our mystery casserole...it was a very fun evening. Jules played his new electric guitar for us after dinner. He just bought it and has not put it down since!
Sunday, I went to the beach allll day with the group. It was overcast, but I managed to get a little sunburn! It was very relaxing.
I somehow had enough energy to go for a run yesterday evening after returning from the beach...I think it was only to avoid studying for our midterm that we had today : P I studied for it last night and this morning, and I think it went pretty well.
We don't have classes tomorrow because it is BASTILLE DAY! It is of zero significance to me, but if it means a day off of classes then damn it, I will celebrate it.
Until next time :)
Thursday, July 9, 2009
so much to do, so little time
The Ukranian girl came Sunday, and she gave me this really cool magnet that is made out of real grass, sticks, flowers, seeds, plants, etc. It is SO pretty! I cant wait to put it on my mini fridge :)
Since then, the days have been a blur of school work and working on the manyyy projects we have due for Business French. BLEH!
I did, however, get to catch part of the Tour de France on Tuesday after class, as it had passed through Montpellier that day. I wasn't too upset about having to miss most of it, because it will be ending in Paris at the end of the month when I am there with my mom!
On Wednesday, our classes were cancelled for our pre-planned trip to Arles to see a bullfight! It was SO interesting (I posted pics below). I also got to see where Van Gogh painted a lot of his pieces and even the hospital he went to after he cut off his ear :)
Wednesday night, after returning from Arles, the group went out to dinner for a girl in our group's birthday. We went to a creperie, where I ate a crepe that had ham, cheese, mushrooms, and RATATOUILLE! (I was think of the little rat movie when I hear that word) It was DELICIOUS! I then got a honey and almond crepe for dessert!
We have a few ideas for this weekend -- Toulouse, Marseille, Aigue-Mort, but we have not yet decided what we are gonna do...so many options!
I am sure that whatever we decide will be great and I'll end up posting tons of pictures after we go :)
Since then, the days have been a blur of school work and working on the manyyy projects we have due for Business French. BLEH!
I did, however, get to catch part of the Tour de France on Tuesday after class, as it had passed through Montpellier that day. I wasn't too upset about having to miss most of it, because it will be ending in Paris at the end of the month when I am there with my mom!
On Wednesday, our classes were cancelled for our pre-planned trip to Arles to see a bullfight! It was SO interesting (I posted pics below). I also got to see where Van Gogh painted a lot of his pieces and even the hospital he went to after he cut off his ear :)
Wednesday night, after returning from Arles, the group went out to dinner for a girl in our group's birthday. We went to a creperie, where I ate a crepe that had ham, cheese, mushrooms, and RATATOUILLE! (I was think of the little rat movie when I hear that word) It was DELICIOUS! I then got a honey and almond crepe for dessert!
We have a few ideas for this weekend -- Toulouse, Marseille, Aigue-Mort, but we have not yet decided what we are gonna do...so many options!
I am sure that whatever we decide will be great and I'll end up posting tons of pictures after we go :)
COURSE CAMARGUAISE
the introduction of the bullfighters!
the bull! they actually switch out bulls often so there were many. the red thing in the middle of his horns is what the bullfighters are trying to get. yes, there is a method to this madness.
so close!
yikes! one guy actually got trampled...his own fault. 2 points: bull.
COURSE CAMARGUAISE
The "raseteurs" (bull fighters) run and jump over the red fence once they get the bull to charge them.
...sometimes the bull decides to jump too.
and then the bull runs around in the crowd!Sunday, July 5, 2009
Le Week-end!
Friday night, Jules and Arthur made dinner for us. For an appetizer, they made little palm tree type things out of a cucumber and half of a tomato as the top...it was SO cute. We took a picture of all of them and it looked like a little jungle. For the main course, they had previously taken all of our orders for what we would like in our quesadillas, and they made them as we were eating the appetizer. For dessert, they made each of us a dessert plate--a fruit cup with chocolate sauce on top and an ice cream bar covered in whipped cream.
It was such a fun dinner! I was so impressed at the time and creativity these two young boys put into this meal! And they were cooking for 9!
Saturday morning, not only was I kinda bumming about not being with relatives for 4th of July, but also I was sad because Stella left :( I had SO much fun with her while she was here, I can't believe the 3 weeks went by so quickly! Im hoping to be able to visit her some time in the next few years--either at her house in Bologna or their vacation house in Tuscany. We're gonna keep in touch on facebook.
I was happier though when we left Saturday at noon to go to Pont du Diable to go cliff jumping! It was AMAZING!! Most of the people I went with and I went off the highest cliff you could go off without actually jumping off the bridge (which looked lethal). I went off this cliff no less than 10 times, and I could have sworn I blew my eardrum once haha.
I PUT PICTURES UP OF IT SO PLEASE LOOK AT THEM! ...Even though I feel like they don't do a justice for how beautiful the Rivière Hérault is.
Last night I went out with the group, and we met up with some people they had met who live here in Montpellier. It is always great being able to hang out with the locals and really put our french to the test :)
Today, I woke up and ate breakfast with Claude, my host grandma who is in town. It is so funny because she is a teacher, which is quite evident when she insists on correcting every mistake I make. I appreciate it though!
After that, I went to the Musée Fabre here in Montpellier and just walked around by myself. It is free the first Sunday of every month, so I did not want to miss the opportunity! I don't know much about art, so it was nice going by myself and being able to sit down in every room and read the information about each piece and really be able to examine all the work. I enjoyed it!
I have some homework I need to get done today...we are all kind of stressed about the workload we have on us right now, which is why we did not go on another excursion today. Plus we are all exhausted and sore from yesterday!!
We have a Ukranian girl coming tonight to live with us. I'm excited...I've never met a Ukranian person :)
Hope everyone had a great 4th!
P.S. dad, I found it funny that yesterday when I called you said you were out to dinner with PawPaw and all the uncles...and I immediately responded,"Cunninghams? Fish sandwiches?"
...now I know where you get your obessesion with going to the same restaurants all the time.
gotta love it. miss all of them.
It was such a fun dinner! I was so impressed at the time and creativity these two young boys put into this meal! And they were cooking for 9!
Saturday morning, not only was I kinda bumming about not being with relatives for 4th of July, but also I was sad because Stella left :( I had SO much fun with her while she was here, I can't believe the 3 weeks went by so quickly! Im hoping to be able to visit her some time in the next few years--either at her house in Bologna or their vacation house in Tuscany. We're gonna keep in touch on facebook.
I was happier though when we left Saturday at noon to go to Pont du Diable to go cliff jumping! It was AMAZING!! Most of the people I went with and I went off the highest cliff you could go off without actually jumping off the bridge (which looked lethal). I went off this cliff no less than 10 times, and I could have sworn I blew my eardrum once haha.
I PUT PICTURES UP OF IT SO PLEASE LOOK AT THEM! ...Even though I feel like they don't do a justice for how beautiful the Rivière Hérault is.
Last night I went out with the group, and we met up with some people they had met who live here in Montpellier. It is always great being able to hang out with the locals and really put our french to the test :)
Today, I woke up and ate breakfast with Claude, my host grandma who is in town. It is so funny because she is a teacher, which is quite evident when she insists on correcting every mistake I make. I appreciate it though!
After that, I went to the Musée Fabre here in Montpellier and just walked around by myself. It is free the first Sunday of every month, so I did not want to miss the opportunity! I don't know much about art, so it was nice going by myself and being able to sit down in every room and read the information about each piece and really be able to examine all the work. I enjoyed it!
I have some homework I need to get done today...we are all kind of stressed about the workload we have on us right now, which is why we did not go on another excursion today. Plus we are all exhausted and sore from yesterday!!
We have a Ukranian girl coming tonight to live with us. I'm excited...I've never met a Ukranian person :)
Hope everyone had a great 4th!
P.S. dad, I found it funny that yesterday when I called you said you were out to dinner with PawPaw and all the uncles...and I immediately responded,"Cunninghams? Fish sandwiches?"
...now I know where you get your obessesion with going to the same restaurants all the time.
gotta love it. miss all of them.
pont du diable...CLIFF JUMPING!
sarah jumping off our other favorite cliff there. she had chacos on...i was SO jealous, as my feet were THROBBING from climbing all over the rocks!
me jumping! i dont know why but i cant jump without plugging my nose...and yet i still manage to let go right before i hit the water and end up getting water up my nose every time. doesnt make sense.
all those years of ballet...look at my form.pont du diable...CLIFF JUMPING!
pretty background!
NOTICE the guy standing on top of the bridge. he jumped right after i took this. about 3 or 4 people jumped off of it while we were there. one guy ripped the whole back of his bathing suit doing so.
i live for places like this.
NOTICE the boy hanging out in the little arch of the bridge...he is CRAZY!Thursday, July 2, 2009
FREN 4150
Business French started today...looks like we are gonna have TONS of work, but it seems very interesting!
We have our Final paper due tomorrow on Medieval Paris for the class we took while we were there.
I also have a final project for Le Midi (our southern France class from last month) that I will be making a film for this weekend. I decided to do it on National Parks and Outdoor Activities (bird watching, hiking, etc) in the south of France. I am going to visit some places and make a video.
So much work for such a short period of time!
Anyway, enough with the boring stuff, the dinner went VERY well last night! With all the exchange students, the family, the grandma, and Jules's inseparable friend Arthur, we had to cook for 9! We made the pasta bolognese and then for dessert, we made little cups for everyone with layers of crushed up cookies, carmelized pears we cooked, vanilla yogurt, and honey. Everything was a big hit!
Tonight, the two columbian girls are making one of their typical dishes...it is interesting because they were telling me that in Columbia, any family that is fairly well-off has a maid who lives with them, cooks all meals, and cleans. The girls called their maids last night to get recipes, but told Catherine (our host mom) to have the number for the pizza man ready in case things go wrong! ...theyve only cooked twice before they said. Hopefully they get it right though and it is delicious!
Seeing all of this, I think Jules and Arthur wanted to be like the older kids, so they said they are cooking for us tomorrow night. They said it is a "surprise"...slightly nervous about that!
Well, I need to get working on homework! I put up some more pictures from Paris!! I think thats all Im gonna post from that trip...I have WAY too many photos!!
BISOUS
We have our Final paper due tomorrow on Medieval Paris for the class we took while we were there.
I also have a final project for Le Midi (our southern France class from last month) that I will be making a film for this weekend. I decided to do it on National Parks and Outdoor Activities (bird watching, hiking, etc) in the south of France. I am going to visit some places and make a video.
So much work for such a short period of time!
Anyway, enough with the boring stuff, the dinner went VERY well last night! With all the exchange students, the family, the grandma, and Jules's inseparable friend Arthur, we had to cook for 9! We made the pasta bolognese and then for dessert, we made little cups for everyone with layers of crushed up cookies, carmelized pears we cooked, vanilla yogurt, and honey. Everything was a big hit!
Tonight, the two columbian girls are making one of their typical dishes...it is interesting because they were telling me that in Columbia, any family that is fairly well-off has a maid who lives with them, cooks all meals, and cleans. The girls called their maids last night to get recipes, but told Catherine (our host mom) to have the number for the pizza man ready in case things go wrong! ...theyve only cooked twice before they said. Hopefully they get it right though and it is delicious!
Seeing all of this, I think Jules and Arthur wanted to be like the older kids, so they said they are cooking for us tomorrow night. They said it is a "surprise"...slightly nervous about that!
Well, I need to get working on homework! I put up some more pictures from Paris!! I think thats all Im gonna post from that trip...I have WAY too many photos!!
BISOUS
LE LOUVRE
ME ME ME!
pretty sure yall know what this one is :) this always reminds me of scott....
DaVinci
DaVinciLE LOUVRE
Géricault painting...the story behind it is awesome, but I don't have room to write it here :(
What a typical room in the Louvre looks like...high ceilings, awesome art, lots of people...
Egyptian Sphinx!
Vénus de Milo
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