really

just kidding.

Anyway, after almost a month of being in Paris I FINALLY got to see the Moulin Rouge, which is kind of ridiculous as my arrondissement is next door. We arrive a little early, and because I'm picky when it comes to photography I insist that we wait until it gets dark so that I can take my pictures with the building all lit up.

Then things got ugly.

Turns out we didn't see the Moulin Rouge at all, we saw the flippin LIN Rouge! I couldn't believe it! Almost 5 years of anticipation to see the stupid thing and the 'M', 'O' and 'U' weren't even working! Completely unacceptable if you ask me. Maybe I'll return t

omorrow, make up some dramatic story of traveling from a far away land to take that one perfect photo of the Moulin Rouge only to have my hopes and dreams get crushed. Then maybe they'll give me free tickets to see the show (which happen to be about 200$). Heck, maybe they'll even give me the letters for the inconvience they've caused. Yes, I think this is exactly what I will do.

Thank you MOU.

not really

Moulin Rouge is [possibly] my favorite movie. If I were comfortable using the word "brilliant" I would say it is just this, malheuresement I find the word far too overused and the meaning is now lost. So I won't. Even though it is...

the end.

a digression from words

Je chante la langue française!

It’s approaching 3 am and I’d rather be writing Paris than dreaming sugar-plum (should have thought twice about eating chocolate so close to bedtime), so here I am.

It’s hard to believe that I’m entering my 4^th week already. I’ve done so much in this time that I will have to skip the details and get straight to the points.

My 2nd week in Paris looked like this: an Epiphany party with my host family, a ballet performance of The Nutcracker, market chaos, a tour of Victor Hugo’s house, a house party to meet my fellow internationals, the shipping of my 1^st batch of postcards, a night at the cinema to watch Le Petit Nicolas, a French language exam, a chocolate festival, and pastry-baking at a [Parisian!] friend’s apartment.

My 3rd week in Paris looked like this: the museum Carnavalet, runs in the park down the street, the great Versailles, daily readings of the local newspaper, late nights of wine and French conversation, a 3-day trip to Southern France, the climbing of a mountain and the view from the top, my first sample of a Nutella-banana-crêpe, the purchase of plane tickets to the British Isles / Rome, and the accomplishment of not once getting lost.

There is so much I could write about for each adventure I’ve had, but it would difficult to find the words, the space, and the time to tackle such a project. Instead I will let you do the work, just try to imagine the glory of living under the lights of such a bright city.

One last note with which to leave you- I bought a French bible today and it is beautiful.

A healthy relationship

Paris, je t’aime.

Because here I…

Walk through parks to get home, see baguettes poking out of children’s schools bags, put mustard on everything, greet people with kisses, am surrounded by enticing countries, get to hear and speak a romance language, am audience to accordion players on the metro, pass buildings from the 18^th century, drink more wine than oj, see more smart cars than I thought existed, find patisseries on every street, frequently spot Yorkshire Terriers, walk on cobblestone, borrow bikes for free, can live the life of both tourist and resident.

But, Paris, there are some things that confuse me.

Why oh why…

Are there no lids for the pots? Do we store milk and eggs in the cupboard? Does positive-reinforcement not exist? Does everyone smoke? Are the tp rolls so small? Does every male, female, adult and child look ready to be captured by the paparazzi? Is it so expensive? Do we eat dinner at 21h? Do we even call it 21h? Is cheese so delicious?

Heartily yours.

Cutting the French some slack

At the end of my street lies a park. I walked through the park today, as I do every day, on my way home from class. It was just after the local schools had gotten out and children were everywhere. I noticed two things: little girls with healed boots that went above their knees and little garcons with miniture-ties and freshly-ironed pantaloons. I don't know if they're uniforms, I'm not sure if it's better that they are or not.

Walking into the city I pass my share of homeless men (so far no women). Last week I passed a homeless party on Avenue Malsherbes. I did a double take to make sure I actually saw two bottles of Chardonnay and filled wine glasses. I did. There was a sign in front of one of the men's sleeping bags that read “Je suis malade. M’aidez s’il vous-plait”. Unreal.

The purpose:
I went to a chocolate festival yesterday, something I had been anticipating for over a week. I got off the metro and realized it was on “Avenue des Canadiens.”

I guess not all of Paris is backwards.

Originally entitled "Vent"

The thrill of being in a new place is beginning to wear off.

In fact, the 2^nd-week slums have attacked (if there are such slums). Until I can get my student ID museums and movies, even certain restaurants are off limits; that is they are free once I am in official French student so why pay now? I’m also trying hard to save every penny for my travel-piggy-bank, thus limiting my day/evening activities in Paris. Basically this week consisted of going to half-days of orientation at the Middlebury school, walking around the city to take photos, and returning home to do small homework assignments. Skype dates in there too, of course.
I’m the only student studying at Le Catho so I’m only somewhat a part of the orientation, leaving me with a lot of free time and no one with whom to share it because all my friends here are getting their full orientation-experience. Speaking of free time, I have the whole mostly-empty week before Le Catho begins, after Le Sorbonne’s back in session, to do…something?? … with, again, no one because they’re all studying practical subjects at the Sorbonne.
France is breaking all sorts of records for being unnecessarily cold.

But instead of continuing on with this post in a similar direction as intended, because of my current state of loneliness and boredom, I’m going to stop here. Considering what’s going on in the world right now it feels wrong to be even slightly complaining; my apologies, I wasn’t expecting this to happen.

I am so blessed to be able to spend 7 full months in Europe in a beautiful home with a beautiful family; I have so much for which to be thankful and so much to which to look forward during my stay here in Paris. I am thinking about and praying for all those affected by the tragedy in Haiti, both in Haiti and in the world at large. I hope that those who are able may open their hearts and hands [today] to a country in need of more than we can imagine.

Extraordinary and heart-breaking.

Toujours la nourriture

I'm supposed to be writing a really serious, really profound and thought-provoking paper right now on why I am studying in Paris. But because it's not bringing me much happiness, I decided to turn to this --->
as a little pick-me-upper. This ---------------->
is what I will be doing on Saturday. This --------->
is why I am studying in Paris.

It's a hard knock life, eh?

Paris. Week 1. More of a tourist than an etudiante.

I’m a little hesitant to be managing a blog since, being somewhat of a perfectionist, I will probably spend way more time on each entry than necessary knowing that at least someONE will be reading it. But alas, I have given in to the blog-pressure and here we are (we being my blog and me). Je veux écrire en français parce qu’il fait 3 jours que j’ai parlé anglais, but I won’t, because that would be cruel. So, in English, here’s a little taste of week 1 in Paris…

(Well first I should mention that the flight over was great. I lucked out and got on business class with premium service, a steady flow of food, a chair that gives massages and turns into a bed, and an insightful neighbor who, for better or for worse, loved extensive conversation. I should also mention that flying business was truly an aberration, I’m usually stuck in 47B.)

- The proud French. From stereotypes I knew that the French were proud people, but little did I know how true this was until seeing it firsthand. NOTHING here is American! Well, almost. In two days and walking around all of Paris I came across one Starbucks, one Claire’s and only ONE McDonalds (Paris almost deserves a metal for the latter). Most else is unique to France- architecture, shops, food, even dress.

- Fitting in. Day 1 and I’ve already mastered how to come off local. After having two people ask me for directions I’ve reflected on what it is I’ve been doing consciously or subconsciously to seem like I know where I am and what I’m doing. My conclusion- walk with purpose and a baguette.

- Tacky tourist (ironic that this is after “Fitting in”). Before I get sucked into school work I’ve designated this week to being a tourist and photographing all the Parisian hot spots. I’m pooped. And lonely? This never happens to me! I guess the city of love really is meant to be shared with others. Seen the Eiffel Tower, l’arc de triomphe, Notre Dame, Luxembourg garden, le cimetière du Père Lachaise (resting place of V.Hugo, J.Morrison, and O.Wilde to name a few), eaten a baguette (or 2…or 3), walked the Camps Elysée, blah blah blah. All that’s left is some rowdiness at the Moulin Rouge and a Mickey-hug at Disneyland.

- My [humble?] abode. Way back when I was choosing what school to attend the idea of Le Catho was overwhelming for several reasons. To be going to a seminary was one thing, but when I saw the ‘institution’ today it seemed more like a Catholic prison than anything, with dark cement walls and a tall surrounding gate. I’m expecting to be frisked upon entrance.

- My other abode. I’m so fortunate to not only be spending 8 months in Paris but to be spending it in a beautiful home with a beautiful couple. For anyone who is familiar with the geographical structure of Paris, I live in the 17^th arrondissement, down the street from Parc Monceau and a 15-minute walk from the triumphant arch. The 4-bedroom apartment is being shared with (in addition to the Vilgrains) 2 other students, one of whom is studying at the music conservatory for harp. Yes, that’s right, the sounds of her harp waft through the apartment more often than not.

- Food. 2 quick things about food. 1) I’ve learned that I’m no good at buying groceries. Because I’m on such a tight budget and have to buy my own food, I spent a good 2 hours at the Supermarché yesterday trying to figure out what cheap foods would provide me with the most nourishment. An all-around stressful experience at which I hope to improve. 2) French food is good.

I will end here before I have to add a Table of Contents.

Happy Epiphany to one and all! (well it was when I started this)

1st.blog.ever.

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