Recently every form of media has been including pieces on the "The Best ### of the Decade" or the "Top Ten #### of the Decade." Why do people have such a need to divide up time, to chronicle and categories humanity's accomplishments achievements.
Every list I have seen has been about success - best technology, Usain Bolt as the fastest human, the most popular music. But what happened to the trends that fell by the wayside? Who had the most disappointing appearance in the Olympics? Which movie had the least profit? How many marine animals suffocated as a result of ingesting trash? By what percentage did we increase the hole in the ozone layer? How much larger is the United States carbon footprint - or better yet, how much larger is China's? Which country's mortality rate grew the most? Which country had the lowest GDP throughout the past decade?
It is only by looking at the failures of the past decade that we will understand what remains to be accomplished. There has been achievement, but there has been suffering: from September 11, to the War in Iraq, to the tsunami in South East Asia, to Katrina, to the earthquake in Iran, to the War in Afghanistan, to Israel-Lebanon War, to the more recent disappearance of the Air France flight over the Atlantic.
If we don't look at our past failures, not only will the achievement gap increase, but so too will the disparities between the rich countries and the poor countries, and as the disparity grows, so will the worlds' nations' ability to work together. Life is not fair, the world is not fair, but one can always make a difference.
Perhaps throughout the next decade, as the baby boomers' children come of age and graduate college, a change will happen. Citizens sick of war and bad decision-making will set out on paths prepared to repair the world. And the world does need repairing -- if not to create peace and to demilitarize our nations, then to begin to diminish countries' carbon footprint, helping to enforce sustainability.
They have said time and time again that it is up to my generation to save the world, to change it, to repair it. Our decade has finally arrived, and with college around the corner, I can finally say I'm ready.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
Le Tour de France - look out for me!
So most of you know I'm in France right now, but what you probably don't know is that the Tour de France will be coming through my village on Thursday, July 23!!
It's a time trial or TT (contre-la-montre in French, literally: "against the watch") and they'll be going around Lake Annecy. The TT is 42 km (a marathon) and although the last TT of the Tour usually decides the winner, the French critics say it won't be the case this year because the climb on the eve of the Paris arrival and final stage will really decide the outcome this year.
If you're watching on Thursday night, make sure you look out for me and let me know if you see me! I'm going to wear a grey Tour de France shirt and my pink Red Sox hat (to rep Mass a bit). There's a chance it'll be raining, in which case I'll be wearing a blue raincoat and will have a black umbrella with multi-colored polka dots. I'll probably be around Le Col de Bluffy (the highest point of the TT) which is around 3/4 through.
I know that it'll be a little boring - because each rider is separated by 2 minutes the whole time - but make sure you watch a bit at least, so you can see the paradise where I've been living for the past month!
I'll take lotsa pictures and will tell you all about it when I get home! I rode the route with my host brother today and had a great time. It's really beautiful and it'll definitely be fun for you guys to check out this gorgeous region of France.
Make sure you let me know if you see me!
All the best,
A tout a l'heure!
It's a time trial or TT (contre-la-montre in French, literally: "against the watch") and they'll be going around Lake Annecy. The TT is 42 km (a marathon) and although the last TT of the Tour usually decides the winner, the French critics say it won't be the case this year because the climb on the eve of the Paris arrival and final stage will really decide the outcome this year.
If you're watching on Thursday night, make sure you look out for me and let me know if you see me! I'm going to wear a grey Tour de France shirt and my pink Red Sox hat (to rep Mass a bit). There's a chance it'll be raining, in which case I'll be wearing a blue raincoat and will have a black umbrella with multi-colored polka dots. I'll probably be around Le Col de Bluffy (the highest point of the TT) which is around 3/4 through.
I know that it'll be a little boring - because each rider is separated by 2 minutes the whole time - but make sure you watch a bit at least, so you can see the paradise where I've been living for the past month!
I'll take lotsa pictures and will tell you all about it when I get home! I rode the route with my host brother today and had a great time. It's really beautiful and it'll definitely be fun for you guys to check out this gorgeous region of France.
Make sure you let me know if you see me!
All the best,
A tout a l'heure!
Friday, July 17, 2009
Off to the Alps
Heading off to the Alps for the weekend tomorrow morning. We'll be staying at Chamonix but hopefully seeing Mont Blanc as well. My days are numbered here and although I'm excited to return to my real family, it is going to be very sad to leave the boys and to leave my parents. More news soon. And pictures!
Friday, July 10, 2009
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Oh Boy!
Today, two of my host brothers and I had a wonderful conversation about expressions. They expressed to me how they believe that Americans constantly say "Oh my God," and so I proceeded to inform them of equivalent expressions of amazement.
We started with "Holy Cow," which I said had a literal translation as une vache qui est blessée. They were quite entertained by this - especially the 7 year old.
We then talked about "Jeez Louise."
But the absolute best of all was when I informed them of the expression "Oh Boy!"
Ben, who is always ready to pull out English words, quickly said to me, "Oh girl! Can we say that?" I started laughing as he quickly added, "Oh woman! Oh grandfather" in his superbly cute French accent. I explained to him that, no, you can only say "Oh boy" or "Oh man," for some reason, those are just the expressions that work.
We started with "Holy Cow," which I said had a literal translation as une vache qui est blessée. They were quite entertained by this - especially the 7 year old.
We then talked about "Jeez Louise."
But the absolute best of all was when I informed them of the expression "Oh Boy!"
Ben, who is always ready to pull out English words, quickly said to me, "Oh girl! Can we say that?" I started laughing as he quickly added, "Oh woman! Oh grandfather" in his superbly cute French accent. I explained to him that, no, you can only say "Oh boy" or "Oh man," for some reason, those are just the expressions that work.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
One Night Only
My one night at the Geneva Youth Hostel was great; my dorm-mates were lovely, the food was good for breakfast, the bathrooms were clean (although they smelled of formaldehyde), and the lockers seemed very safe (although I did sleep with my valuables in my bed as I saw the others in my room do).
I had a lovely time walking around Geneva and the Swiss Beach Volleyball Championship was in progress and it was free to watch so I spent close to two hours watching beach volleyball in a manmade court on the grassy shores of Lake Geneva. In this picture you can see the Jet d'Eau, a huge fountain which spews 132 gallons of water per second at an altitude of 140 meters (459 feet). At any given time, there are about 1849 gallons of water in the air. The water is shot up into the air at 124 mph!
We are also heading back to Geneva on Wednesday to visit the United Nations.
I had a lovely time walking around Geneva and the Swiss Beach Volleyball Championship was in progress and it was free to watch so I spent close to two hours watching beach volleyball in a manmade court on the grassy shores of Lake Geneva. In this picture you can see the Jet d'Eau, a huge fountain which spews 132 gallons of water per second at an altitude of 140 meters (459 feet). At any given time, there are about 1849 gallons of water in the air. The water is shot up into the air at 124 mph!
We are also heading back to Geneva on Wednesday to visit the United Nations.
French Manners?
We always think of the French as superbly polite, very European, and practically equalling the British in their achievement of perfect table manners. And yet, after my 24 days in France this spring, and again now, I find that this is not entirely true.
Worried about eating the "continental" way - fork in the left hand, knife in the right - many of the other Tufts students have recounted near-disasters in managing to bring their food to their mouths. And yet for me, someone who always eats that way, I find that I am the only person in my host family of five who continually has the fork in their left hand.
In addition, it is fascinating that for every meal, when I set the table, Valerie hands me les assiettes, les forchettes, les couteaux, et les verres but pas de serviettes (the plates, forks, knives, and glasses, but no napkins). And so, I am happy that it is hot outside and I can discretely reach down and rub a slightly sticky hand on my knee, or yesterday, when we were eating fresh baguette, still dusted with flower, I was able to inconspicuously caress my hand against the seat cushion, rubbing off the flour and returning my fingers to their normal (tanned) color.
And for some reason, which I find completely unfathomable, I was offered a piece of paper towel at lunch for the first time ever today. I put mine on my lap, but Vincent, who was the only other person who had taken a piece, kept his at the table, using it to wipe of his hands. And it was strange as it wasn't as though we were eating a particular messy meal - salad comprised of rice, cucumber, corn, hard-boiled egg, tuna, and soy bean sprouts - with baguette.
And yet it is these cultural mysteries which fuel my love for traveling and for discovering other cultures.
Worried about eating the "continental" way - fork in the left hand, knife in the right - many of the other Tufts students have recounted near-disasters in managing to bring their food to their mouths. And yet for me, someone who always eats that way, I find that I am the only person in my host family of five who continually has the fork in their left hand.
In addition, it is fascinating that for every meal, when I set the table, Valerie hands me les assiettes, les forchettes, les couteaux, et les verres but pas de serviettes (the plates, forks, knives, and glasses, but no napkins). And so, I am happy that it is hot outside and I can discretely reach down and rub a slightly sticky hand on my knee, or yesterday, when we were eating fresh baguette, still dusted with flower, I was able to inconspicuously caress my hand against the seat cushion, rubbing off the flour and returning my fingers to their normal (tanned) color.
And for some reason, which I find completely unfathomable, I was offered a piece of paper towel at lunch for the first time ever today. I put mine on my lap, but Vincent, who was the only other person who had taken a piece, kept his at the table, using it to wipe of his hands. And it was strange as it wasn't as though we were eating a particular messy meal - salad comprised of rice, cucumber, corn, hard-boiled egg, tuna, and soy bean sprouts - with baguette.
And yet it is these cultural mysteries which fuel my love for traveling and for discovering other cultures.
Watching Sports
As I sit here playing around with photos and writing emails, some members of my host family are watching the Wimbledon Final. One thing that is very interesting that I've noticed with watching things such as sports here in France is that the TV channels don't find the incessant need to have announcements, scores, or advertisements constantly flashing on and crossing the screen. This may also have to do with the fact that many of France's TV stations are government-owned, but it's hard to tell.
Alright, more pictures coming up shortly.
Alright, more pictures coming up shortly.
Beautiful Paris
I've just put pictures on my computer, and wanted to include one from my one-night stay in Paris. This was taken from the middle of the Champs-Élysées looking towards L'Arc de Triomphe at around 10 PM.
I love the light of the setting sun reflected in the windows of the Louvre.
I told Alexandra this was a "moon mist" sky. I just had to take this picture with the moon and the Eiffel Tower.
Make sure you click on the photos so that you can see them larger!
Monday, June 29, 2009
J'aime Ma Famille!
My family is absolutely fantastic. Valerie, my mom, is youngish - maybe in her early- to mid-forties. She is slim and very athletic. She is very pretty. It's like living in the good-looking house (I think I sound like Zoolander). The father, Vincent, is handsome and although short (maybe 5'5"), he is very strong with short black hair with a bit of gray. He is away right now in Paris for work.
The oldest son, Benjamin, turned 17 in January and is very slim like the rest of the family, but also muscly as is common amongst the Deboissys. He plays tennis, and, as I understand is very good. He's cute, with black hair that matches that of his next brother, Hugo. Hugo is just turned 14 in May and is very sweet and smiley. He has braces and is very welcoming. He, also, plays tennis, and enjoys doing VTT biking (Mountain biking). He's very tanned and slim like the rest of the family. This morning, Hugo biked with me while I ran - very sweet.
The gem of the family, however, is their 7 year-old son Paul. He never stops talking and is superbly friendly, outgoing, and entertaining. Last night, at my first meal with the family, not more than an hour after meeting them, Paul told me, tu es adorable (you are adorable). He absolutely loves to color and his favorite coloring book at the moment is the Disney princess one. He's constantly asking me who my favorite princess is, and usually I tell him Cinderella. It's very fun learning the princess names in French. Paul's favorite is Blanc Neige or Snow White. Every time I pronounce "Snow White" in English for him, he laughs.
This evening at dinner, Valerie, Benjamin, Hugo, et Paul practiced their English with me. Paul was very proud upon telling me "I live in Menthon St. Bernard." I congratulated him. Valerie is intent on practicing her English because she has just returned from a 5 day conference in Dublin where she spoke English the whole time. She went for her work, for which it is becoming more and more important that she be able to speak English. Valerie tried to encourage Benjamin et Hugo to practice their English. Hugo was less shy about it than Benjamin was. Benjamin actually did the ESL program at Tufts last summer.
So last night (my first night here) for dinner we had cantaloupe, sardines (which I actually liked!), salad, baguette (bien sûr), and gateau that Valerie had brought back from Dublin.
Tonight for dinner we had absolutely DELICIOUS ratatouille and some pain complêt and then I had two apricots for dessert. The apricots were AMAZING!! Valerie said there is a lot of fruit available in France this summer because it was so warm out in the spring.
For lunch today I brought carrot sticks, a hard boiled egg (can you believe it Mommy!?!), a pomme pôte (yes!!), little cookies, and a nectarine. It was very good.
I'm going to try to post pictures tomorrow. i took some today. I really just can't comprehend how beautiful it is here - all I can say is that all of you MUST come visit Annecy some day. You will NOT regret it. I'm definitely thinking a bike touring trip and camping on the beautiful campground overlooking the lake.
We didn't start class until 11:30 today, so it was quite nice sleeping in a bit. I was, however, awakened at 4:30 in the morning by my phone ringing because Charlie called me to say good-bye before he left for his trip from Amsterdam to Paris. I guess he forgot about the time difference....
Alright, I still have 18 pages to read for IR and need to catch up in my journal.
A bientôt!
The oldest son, Benjamin, turned 17 in January and is very slim like the rest of the family, but also muscly as is common amongst the Deboissys. He plays tennis, and, as I understand is very good. He's cute, with black hair that matches that of his next brother, Hugo. Hugo is just turned 14 in May and is very sweet and smiley. He has braces and is very welcoming. He, also, plays tennis, and enjoys doing VTT biking (Mountain biking). He's very tanned and slim like the rest of the family. This morning, Hugo biked with me while I ran - very sweet.
The gem of the family, however, is their 7 year-old son Paul. He never stops talking and is superbly friendly, outgoing, and entertaining. Last night, at my first meal with the family, not more than an hour after meeting them, Paul told me, tu es adorable (you are adorable). He absolutely loves to color and his favorite coloring book at the moment is the Disney princess one. He's constantly asking me who my favorite princess is, and usually I tell him Cinderella. It's very fun learning the princess names in French. Paul's favorite is Blanc Neige or Snow White. Every time I pronounce "Snow White" in English for him, he laughs.
This evening at dinner, Valerie, Benjamin, Hugo, et Paul practiced their English with me. Paul was very proud upon telling me "I live in Menthon St. Bernard." I congratulated him. Valerie is intent on practicing her English because she has just returned from a 5 day conference in Dublin where she spoke English the whole time. She went for her work, for which it is becoming more and more important that she be able to speak English. Valerie tried to encourage Benjamin et Hugo to practice their English. Hugo was less shy about it than Benjamin was. Benjamin actually did the ESL program at Tufts last summer.
So last night (my first night here) for dinner we had cantaloupe, sardines (which I actually liked!), salad, baguette (bien sûr), and gateau that Valerie had brought back from Dublin.
Tonight for dinner we had absolutely DELICIOUS ratatouille and some pain complêt and then I had two apricots for dessert. The apricots were AMAZING!! Valerie said there is a lot of fruit available in France this summer because it was so warm out in the spring.
For lunch today I brought carrot sticks, a hard boiled egg (can you believe it Mommy!?!), a pomme pôte (yes!!), little cookies, and a nectarine. It was very good.
I'm going to try to post pictures tomorrow. i took some today. I really just can't comprehend how beautiful it is here - all I can say is that all of you MUST come visit Annecy some day. You will NOT regret it. I'm definitely thinking a bike touring trip and camping on the beautiful campground overlooking the lake.
We didn't start class until 11:30 today, so it was quite nice sleeping in a bit. I was, however, awakened at 4:30 in the morning by my phone ringing because Charlie called me to say good-bye before he left for his trip from Amsterdam to Paris. I guess he forgot about the time difference....
Alright, I still have 18 pages to read for IR and need to catch up in my journal.
A bientôt!
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Je suis arrivée
I have arrived safely in Talloires after an adventurous night at the Geneva Youth Hostel and a fabulous and stunning TGV ride from Paris to Geneve. I will write more tonight, but let me just begin by saying that Talloires is quite possibly the most beautiful place I've ever been in my whole life.
Please check back tomorrow for some more information and I'll try to have pictures up ASAP.
Please check back tomorrow for some more information and I'll try to have pictures up ASAP.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Civilized
This is D's word which I have been able to use to describe just about everything in the Netherlands. From biking to work in the morning, to self-generated bike lights, to high speed rail, to perfectly paved biked paths criss-crossing the whole country, to brick-paved streets, and bicycles that have the right of way, there is not much about this country that was done wrong or could be improved. it's all just so civilized!
Yesterday, L and I decided to go biking. We had wanted to bike to Germany, but 60 km each way seemed a little ambitious so instead we decided to follow the Stroomdal Route around L's region of Drenthe.
We slept late - until around noon - and then had a delicious breakfast of yogurt (which you pour and comes in a carton) and meusli and then made some sandwiches and gathered together some other provisions for our 48 km ride. Anett's neighbor let me borrow her bike, which was extremely nice. The bike was lovely and also came with a bike bag in which we put all of our food. I was too excited taking pictures so I just kept my camera out around my neck the whole time. One interesting thing is that even though there are tons of bikers, only the racers wear helmets. Biking without a helmet is a completely different experience. It's very free feeling and very exhilarating.
It took us a while to find the exact route we were supposed to be on after leaving Assen. Many of these routes pass through small brick streets past brick houses with thatched roofs with beautiful landscaping. I think I took close to 200 pictures yesterday afternoon alone. There are bike trails everywhere and the signage is also amazing and completely comprehensible.
(I am sorry there are no pictures included in this post, but my camera cable is in my big suitcase which is in the baggage section and I am currently sitting in my seat on the train and am unable to get up and go rummage through my suitcase. They will be posted soon, however)
One amazing thing about Holland is that it stays light until very late at this time of year. So, at around 5:30 we stopped for lunch and didn't arrive back in Assen until past 7 PM, and yet it was still very light outside. We showered, hung out, and finally had a little dinner around 10PM before heading into downtown Assen for TT. (it was only twilight at that point)
TT is the festival that accompanies the World Championship MotoCross Grand Prix race held in Assen every year on the last Saturday of June. The festival began Wednesday night and we also went out. Thursday night it was way crazier however. There were easily more than 10,000 people in Assen. There were many different concert venues we went to. For a while, L, G, and I just stood in one place and people-watched. We commented how the TT attracts a very Dutch-redneck crowd. It reminded us a little of the Dwight D'Eon concert in Yarmouth two summers ago.
We stayed out until fairly late - maybe around midnight - and then walked home. I quickly sat down to check email before going upstairs to pack for the next day's departure and saw that the status of one of my friends on facebook was "Michael Jackson died!?" This, of course, prompted me to do a little searching online. At that point (around 3:25 PM in LA), only one seemingly irreputable source had announced his death. L and I waited around for a while (maybe 10 minutes) and within that short amount of time, facebook statuses started remarking on MJ's death left and right - friends from all over the world - Canada, Israel, France, Italy, US. And at about 12:35 or 12:40 the LA Times confirmed the death. At this point, we knew it was real and felt we could go to bed worry free.
And that brings me to today:
I woke up before my alarm (which had been set to go off at 7:08 AM) and then was in a kind of half-dreaming mode for a while. Anett's chickens in the backyard bok every morning. This morning their cries made it into my dream - I kind of can't remember it now, but I do remember that we were at school and there was a bomb scare because they heard this crazy ticking and we were all standing outside of school in the parking lot, and it ended up that one of the preschoolers had brought to school an alarm clock that made a chicken noise as its tick. Very bizarre.
I caught the 8:22 train out of Assen. L accompanied me to the train station, and G came as well because she had to catch her train at 8:09 to school in Groningen. The train ride was easy and I slept part of the way to Amsterdam Schiphol. I paid 3,90 Euro for the train to Amsterdam Centraal and got there with over an hour to spare. Unfortunately, about ten minutes before my train was due, a train woman came over and informed me that my train had been cancelled so it would be necessary for me to take the train to Rosendaal and then the Thalys (high speed train) would be waiting there.
I sat next to two very nice older French women on the train to Rosendaal and it was fun translating the English that the conductor said into French for them.
It was simple transferring trains and then here I am, right now. I'm speeding through the Belgian country side on a high-speed train (there is a chance we're already in France, it's hard to tell). Paying the extra $12 for first-class was absolutely worth it. There is free wireless and I have a very wide and comfortable red velvet seat which is by itself on one side of the aisle because its 2 by 1.
I have already called ahead to A to let her know I'll be in to Paris about a half hour late, but for now I am very pleased to be in the warm comfort of the train as I look out at the gray sky threatening rain and lightning over green and yellow fields.
I'm not sure when the next time I'll be able to write will be, but thanks for reading this long post!
S
Yesterday, L and I decided to go biking. We had wanted to bike to Germany, but 60 km each way seemed a little ambitious so instead we decided to follow the Stroomdal Route around L's region of Drenthe.
We slept late - until around noon - and then had a delicious breakfast of yogurt (which you pour and comes in a carton) and meusli and then made some sandwiches and gathered together some other provisions for our 48 km ride. Anett's neighbor let me borrow her bike, which was extremely nice. The bike was lovely and also came with a bike bag in which we put all of our food. I was too excited taking pictures so I just kept my camera out around my neck the whole time. One interesting thing is that even though there are tons of bikers, only the racers wear helmets. Biking without a helmet is a completely different experience. It's very free feeling and very exhilarating.
It took us a while to find the exact route we were supposed to be on after leaving Assen. Many of these routes pass through small brick streets past brick houses with thatched roofs with beautiful landscaping. I think I took close to 200 pictures yesterday afternoon alone. There are bike trails everywhere and the signage is also amazing and completely comprehensible.
(I am sorry there are no pictures included in this post, but my camera cable is in my big suitcase which is in the baggage section and I am currently sitting in my seat on the train and am unable to get up and go rummage through my suitcase. They will be posted soon, however)
One amazing thing about Holland is that it stays light until very late at this time of year. So, at around 5:30 we stopped for lunch and didn't arrive back in Assen until past 7 PM, and yet it was still very light outside. We showered, hung out, and finally had a little dinner around 10PM before heading into downtown Assen for TT. (it was only twilight at that point)
TT is the festival that accompanies the World Championship MotoCross Grand Prix race held in Assen every year on the last Saturday of June. The festival began Wednesday night and we also went out. Thursday night it was way crazier however. There were easily more than 10,000 people in Assen. There were many different concert venues we went to. For a while, L, G, and I just stood in one place and people-watched. We commented how the TT attracts a very Dutch-redneck crowd. It reminded us a little of the Dwight D'Eon concert in Yarmouth two summers ago.
We stayed out until fairly late - maybe around midnight - and then walked home. I quickly sat down to check email before going upstairs to pack for the next day's departure and saw that the status of one of my friends on facebook was "Michael Jackson died!?" This, of course, prompted me to do a little searching online. At that point (around 3:25 PM in LA), only one seemingly irreputable source had announced his death. L and I waited around for a while (maybe 10 minutes) and within that short amount of time, facebook statuses started remarking on MJ's death left and right - friends from all over the world - Canada, Israel, France, Italy, US. And at about 12:35 or 12:40 the LA Times confirmed the death. At this point, we knew it was real and felt we could go to bed worry free.
And that brings me to today:
I woke up before my alarm (which had been set to go off at 7:08 AM) and then was in a kind of half-dreaming mode for a while. Anett's chickens in the backyard bok every morning. This morning their cries made it into my dream - I kind of can't remember it now, but I do remember that we were at school and there was a bomb scare because they heard this crazy ticking and we were all standing outside of school in the parking lot, and it ended up that one of the preschoolers had brought to school an alarm clock that made a chicken noise as its tick. Very bizarre.
I caught the 8:22 train out of Assen. L accompanied me to the train station, and G came as well because she had to catch her train at 8:09 to school in Groningen. The train ride was easy and I slept part of the way to Amsterdam Schiphol. I paid 3,90 Euro for the train to Amsterdam Centraal and got there with over an hour to spare. Unfortunately, about ten minutes before my train was due, a train woman came over and informed me that my train had been cancelled so it would be necessary for me to take the train to Rosendaal and then the Thalys (high speed train) would be waiting there.
I sat next to two very nice older French women on the train to Rosendaal and it was fun translating the English that the conductor said into French for them.
It was simple transferring trains and then here I am, right now. I'm speeding through the Belgian country side on a high-speed train (there is a chance we're already in France, it's hard to tell). Paying the extra $12 for first-class was absolutely worth it. There is free wireless and I have a very wide and comfortable red velvet seat which is by itself on one side of the aisle because its 2 by 1.
I have already called ahead to A to let her know I'll be in to Paris about a half hour late, but for now I am very pleased to be in the warm comfort of the train as I look out at the gray sky threatening rain and lightning over green and yellow fields.
I'm not sure when the next time I'll be able to write will be, but thanks for reading this long post!
S
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Photos
I've been asked already to hold another photo contest. You're welcome to submit guesses on the following dates:
6/26
7/25
7/29
These mark the dates when I leave one destination and travel to another place. If you'd like, you're more than welcome to guess in between as well!
Thanks so much,
S
P.S. The number's already getting up there!!
6/26
7/25
7/29
These mark the dates when I leave one destination and travel to another place. If you'd like, you're more than welcome to guess in between as well!
Thanks so much,
S
P.S. The number's already getting up there!!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
A Walk Around Amsterdam
My flight to Reykjavik was at 9:30 so M, C, and I went out to dinner in Boston before hand. The meal was delicious, and it was a little upsetting to think that that would be my last time consuming decent Asian food (aside from my homemade sushi) for over 2 months. 
The flights were both very easy. I didn't sleep much on the way to iceland, i watched Slumdog Milionaire and it was also hard because, as we were flying East, the sky kept getting ligther and lighter. The sunrise was spectacular - a full rainbow of colors on the horizon, beginning at fiery red and ending in a pale blue. It was beautiful flying into Reykjavik, it's very scrubby and there are purple fields of lupins everywhere.
I got my passport stamped for my entrance into the EU, and then walked around the airport a bit before boarding my flight. I had window seats on both flights which was lovely, and I also had two men in my rows on both flights as well. I slept for most of the 2 hour 40 minute flight to Amsterdam. We flew in from the North (and didn't even fly over land, because we flew north of Scotland as well) and the water was beautiful.
It was very easy getting through the airport, getting my suitcase and finding Lyd! She had a Welcome to Holland sign with my name in big letters, and presented me with a lei which she had gotten for free from the train company the previous weekend.
We headed to her friend's apartment and then walked around Amsterdam for close to 6 hours.
There are bikes just everywhere. And the paniers are so cool!! Really bright colors and prints.
The bikes are also crazy colors.
In Amsterdam we saw all of the museums, and walked around just about the whole city.
We visited the Red Light District and even walked into the entranceway of a coffeeshop.
This is all I'm going to write fr now as we are heading off to the good-bye party of Lydia's Finnish friend, but the weather here is beautiful and I have already eaten some absolutely wonderful Dutch food.
I'm exhausted, because of extreme lack of sleep, but I know how important it is to enjoy the short time I have here, so I'm putting off sleep and experiencing the Netherlands with Lydia!
The flights were both very easy. I didn't sleep much on the way to iceland, i watched Slumdog Milionaire and it was also hard because, as we were flying East, the sky kept getting ligther and lighter. The sunrise was spectacular - a full rainbow of colors on the horizon, beginning at fiery red and ending in a pale blue. It was beautiful flying into Reykjavik, it's very scrubby and there are purple fields of lupins everywhere.
I got my passport stamped for my entrance into the EU, and then walked around the airport a bit before boarding my flight. I had window seats on both flights which was lovely, and I also had two men in my rows on both flights as well. I slept for most of the 2 hour 40 minute flight to Amsterdam. We flew in from the North (and didn't even fly over land, because we flew north of Scotland as well) and the water was beautiful.
It was very easy getting through the airport, getting my suitcase and finding Lyd! She had a Welcome to Holland sign with my name in big letters, and presented me with a lei which she had gotten for free from the train company the previous weekend.
We headed to her friend's apartment and then walked around Amsterdam for close to 6 hours. There are bikes just everywhere. And the paniers are so cool!! Really bright colors and prints.
The bikes are also crazy colors.
In Amsterdam we saw all of the museums, and walked around just about the whole city.
We visited the Red Light District and even walked into the entranceway of a coffeeshop.
This is all I'm going to write fr now as we are heading off to the good-bye party of Lydia's Finnish friend, but the weather here is beautiful and I have already eaten some absolutely wonderful Dutch food.
I'm exhausted, because of extreme lack of sleep, but I know how important it is to enjoy the short time I have here, so I'm putting off sleep and experiencing the Netherlands with Lydia!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Friendship
As I lie in bed, pitifully typing on my iPod touch, I'm reminded that this is the last night I'll spend in my bed until the twenty-something of august and we're ready (or perhaps not) to be seniors. It was sad saying goodbye to so many people last night and today and it's even harder to imagine that there are some whom I won't see until they come back to visit from college. Will our friendships ever be the same? Will they even survive?(our friendships, that is). I'm going to sleep, but with the sincere hope that whatever this summer may bring, the friendships made as well as the friendships preserved and put on hold will remain strong and true.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Une Soirée et Un Nuit Ensemble
I'm at Bekki's exchange student Anais's house right now and it's roughly one o'clock in the morning on Friday morning (very early). We had a lovely party-type thing tonight and tomorrow ( or today ) Friday is our final day here.
In the morning I'll be heading into Paris to meet Alexandra and get a chance to meet her family!
After spending the afternoon with my long lost friend, I'll say a sad good-bye (preparation for the inevitably painful au revoir to France) and then return to Maurecourt to quickly faire la valise et après I'll head into Paris with Jean, Catherine, Thierry, Eliza, and her exchange student to see Paris at night and to watch the aura of the Eiffel Tower and its lights.
Today it was very warm in Paris. Slightly sunburned on my face, chest, and a definite flip flop tan appearing. We started the morning at the Musée d'Orsay where the paintings spoke to me in a way no painting ever has before. I'd love to be able to describe my quickening heart and the all-encapsulating awe, but unfortunately it's a little late for descriptive words to be coming forth from my fuzzy, exhausted, French/English brain. The Monets captivated me and I had a much better time than I'd had at the Louvre several days prior.
From the Musée d'Orsay we took the subway underneath the Seine to the base of Montmartre where, in order to escape the métro station, we climbed approximately seven to eight flights of stairs - there was an ascenseur or elevator option, however.
We climbed the steps up to Sacre Coeur and then split for lunch. I had brought the pita that I'd bought while in Le Marais, hoping to go to a small market and purchase something to eat it with, but there were only touristy cafés so I sucked it up and spent the 4,50 Euro on a baguette sandwhich.
We walked around the ever-colorful Montmartre afterwards, attempting to evade the pushy portrait-painters elbowing each other for a chance to sketch our portraits. We made several purchases in the kitchey souvenir shops and then I treated myself to ice cream for the first time since we've arrived in France.
I got one boule of Toblerone ice cream and one boule of "cocco" or coconut. It was absolutely delicious and was worth the nearly five dollars.
I won't post again before I return to Amherst, but I can't wait to see all of you and thanks so much for keeping up with our adventures these past three weeks.
Please stay posted for the slideshow that will inevitably follow with my photos - which now number over 5000 - a record, even for me.
Bisous,
SRL
P.S. Some funny lines from tonight:
Bekki: Does putting choue at the end of a name imply affection?
David: Yes, it means cabbage!*
*While choue does in fact translate to cabbage, it is used more often as a diminutive to express that someone is "cute" or "sweet."
In the morning I'll be heading into Paris to meet Alexandra and get a chance to meet her family!
After spending the afternoon with my long lost friend, I'll say a sad good-bye (preparation for the inevitably painful au revoir to France) and then return to Maurecourt to quickly faire la valise et après I'll head into Paris with Jean, Catherine, Thierry, Eliza, and her exchange student to see Paris at night and to watch the aura of the Eiffel Tower and its lights.
Today it was very warm in Paris. Slightly sunburned on my face, chest, and a definite flip flop tan appearing. We started the morning at the Musée d'Orsay where the paintings spoke to me in a way no painting ever has before. I'd love to be able to describe my quickening heart and the all-encapsulating awe, but unfortunately it's a little late for descriptive words to be coming forth from my fuzzy, exhausted, French/English brain. The Monets captivated me and I had a much better time than I'd had at the Louvre several days prior.
From the Musée d'Orsay we took the subway underneath the Seine to the base of Montmartre where, in order to escape the métro station, we climbed approximately seven to eight flights of stairs - there was an ascenseur or elevator option, however.
We climbed the steps up to Sacre Coeur and then split for lunch. I had brought the pita that I'd bought while in Le Marais, hoping to go to a small market and purchase something to eat it with, but there were only touristy cafés so I sucked it up and spent the 4,50 Euro on a baguette sandwhich.
We walked around the ever-colorful Montmartre afterwards, attempting to evade the pushy portrait-painters elbowing each other for a chance to sketch our portraits. We made several purchases in the kitchey souvenir shops and then I treated myself to ice cream for the first time since we've arrived in France.
I got one boule of Toblerone ice cream and one boule of "cocco" or coconut. It was absolutely delicious and was worth the nearly five dollars.
I won't post again before I return to Amherst, but I can't wait to see all of you and thanks so much for keeping up with our adventures these past three weeks.
Please stay posted for the slideshow that will inevitably follow with my photos - which now number over 5000 - a record, even for me.
Bisous,
SRL
P.S. Some funny lines from tonight:
Bekki: Does putting choue at the end of a name imply affection?
David: Yes, it means cabbage!*
*While choue does in fact translate to cabbage, it is used more often as a diminutive to express that someone is "cute" or "sweet."
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Vite
Super quick.
Tuesday - La Tour Eiffel in the morning, except it was freezing in Paris. Prob close to 45 degrees in Paris with a huge wind at the top of the monument. From there we headed to Le Marais, the Jewish quarter of Paris which was just lovely as I got to have chicken curry in a pita bc it was all kosher!! the falafel was amazing too ( i tried some other people's) but I had to get the chicken because surprisingly, i was missing meat just a bit.
Today - out to the Loire Valley to visit the chateaus, Amboise and Chenonceau. Very beautiful, but I'm a little castled out and will be thrilled to head to the Musée d'Orsay tomorrow morning and to then visit Sacré Coeur and tour around Montmartre.
Friday I hope to hang with Alexandra in the morning - it's another jour ferié or holiday, so there's no school/work and then in the evening will go into Paris with my family to watch the Eiffel Tower being lit up. So lovely! I can't wait. There's a chance this will be my last time writing from here. If that's so, thanks for reading, I hope you're doing well and I can't wait to see all of you when I return. Or, as the case may be, when I return to France this summer!
In that sense, leaving is not as bittersweet because I know that I'll have the chance to spend the night with Alexandra this summer and that I'll be cruising through Paris on the métro and will get to see the Tour de France in person as well as see Lyd!! I'll just have to get through a month and a half of school, 3 AP tests, ACTs, SATs, Ronnie's graduation (fingers crossed), a fabulous but hectic concert, prom, and perhaps several other challenges/pleasures.
A tout à l'heure,
Sash
Tuesday - La Tour Eiffel in the morning, except it was freezing in Paris. Prob close to 45 degrees in Paris with a huge wind at the top of the monument. From there we headed to Le Marais, the Jewish quarter of Paris which was just lovely as I got to have chicken curry in a pita bc it was all kosher!! the falafel was amazing too ( i tried some other people's) but I had to get the chicken because surprisingly, i was missing meat just a bit.
Today - out to the Loire Valley to visit the chateaus, Amboise and Chenonceau. Very beautiful, but I'm a little castled out and will be thrilled to head to the Musée d'Orsay tomorrow morning and to then visit Sacré Coeur and tour around Montmartre.
Friday I hope to hang with Alexandra in the morning - it's another jour ferié or holiday, so there's no school/work and then in the evening will go into Paris with my family to watch the Eiffel Tower being lit up. So lovely! I can't wait. There's a chance this will be my last time writing from here. If that's so, thanks for reading, I hope you're doing well and I can't wait to see all of you when I return. Or, as the case may be, when I return to France this summer!
In that sense, leaving is not as bittersweet because I know that I'll have the chance to spend the night with Alexandra this summer and that I'll be cruising through Paris on the métro and will get to see the Tour de France in person as well as see Lyd!! I'll just have to get through a month and a half of school, 3 AP tests, ACTs, SATs, Ronnie's graduation (fingers crossed), a fabulous but hectic concert, prom, and perhaps several other challenges/pleasures.
A tout à l'heure,
Sash
Monday, May 4, 2009
5,000 Calories & the Most Expensive Hot Chocolate I've Ever Seen
Eating has been amazing here, to say the least. Amazing tastes, amazing foods, amazingly high prices, amazing appearance, and amazingly large numbers of calories!
For example, I'll recount to you my day's eating.
Breakfast Two pieces of some type of gingerbready thing that Catherine had made, tea, an orange, and soy yogurt with meusli.
Lunch A sandwich "chaud" at Pomme de Pain (Pinecone) on the Champs-Elysées. The sandwhich was fresh mozarella, lettuce, sun-dried tomatoes, pine nuts, and olive tapenade on an exquisitely amazing baguette. Then a granola bar and an applesauce.
And then we arrive at the second part of my title.
Maison du Chocolat. Roberta had told me that it was necessary that I go to the aforementioned eatery and order a chocolat chaud or hot chocolate. So this is exactly what Katie, Hilary, Becca, Andrea, and I did this afternoon. We first had to ask several people on the Champs-Elysées where it was, but finally we found it and thank God we did because I can safely say that we all were in a euphoric stupor solely upon entering the store/ café. Becca, Hilary, and Andrea ordered the more milk chocolate chocolat chaud while I ordered the "Caracas" which, as the waitress described it, was plus fort or stronger. Katie got a little 100g container of chocolat noir glace. So, I guess it is necessary to mention that the chocolat chauds cost us 6,70 Euros apiece. But they were worth it. I mean, who wouldn't pay over 10 dollars for liquid chocolate. They came in little white capuccino mugs with an olive tray type dish full of whipped cream with cocoa powder on top.
Upon the first dip of my spoon into my mug, I was instantly amazed by the viscosity of the liquid. Truthfully, the only way I can describe it is by comparing it to melted chocolate. The liquid stuck to the spoon. When in the mouth, the liquid tasted as though I had just eaten a chocolate bar and had left some in my mouth to melt.
David, Roberta's son, had warned me about his experience at Maison du Chocolat and how when he had left, he had a headache and couldn't see straight as a result of the near-pure cacao. I had smiled when he told me, only half-believing his surely exaggerated tale. But it was true. Becca and Hilary felt the chocolate first and so therefore didn't finish their chocolat chauds. This was lucky for me and Andrea, as she finished Hilary's and I scarfed down Becca's, all the while trying not to start jumping up and down from the sheer goodness of the chocolate.
Becca, Katie, and I all made small purchases and as we walked out of the café and headed down the Champs-Elysées to meet the rest of the group, I was worried my head would burst, as the pressure behind my eyes seemed to be building. I had a stupid smile on my face which I wasn't able to wipe off and walking straight seemed to be a bit of a struggle.
It was true, I was drugged. So no matter that I spent over 10 dollars on a hot chocolate, and no matter that I probably ingested over 1000 calories in one mugful, it was absolutely, positively, 100% worth it.
Dinner Both of my French mothers have decided that since I'm not eating meat while I'm here, fish is the next best thing and they must feed it to me constantly. Therefore, tonight, I had salmon lasagna - what an experience. That too probably had over 1000 calories in it. And after dinner, I was forced ( or shall I say strongly encouraged ) to try Rochefort, a very smelly, slightly moldy, very strong French cheese. It was quite unappetizing but they kept telling me that I had to take a large piece because it was so good. Not wanting to be rude, I cut off the corner of the block, tried not to gag as I swallowed it with the help of my bread and my mineral water, and as soon as the taste was out of my mouth, I reached for the chèvre and fig cheese which I so loved on Saturday lunch. Thierry asked if I wanted anything else and I politely told him, "Non, merci", all the while wanting to scream, "J'ai trop mangé!!!" But which I know is slightly rude, and so I kept it to myself.
After dinner, Catherine asked if I wanted to run tommorow. I agreed, wondering if perhaps she, too, has noticed my not-so-obvious-anymore weight gain.
For example, I'll recount to you my day's eating.
Breakfast Two pieces of some type of gingerbready thing that Catherine had made, tea, an orange, and soy yogurt with meusli.
Lunch A sandwich "chaud" at Pomme de Pain (Pinecone) on the Champs-Elysées. The sandwhich was fresh mozarella, lettuce, sun-dried tomatoes, pine nuts, and olive tapenade on an exquisitely amazing baguette. Then a granola bar and an applesauce.
And then we arrive at the second part of my title.
Maison du Chocolat. Roberta had told me that it was necessary that I go to the aforementioned eatery and order a chocolat chaud or hot chocolate. So this is exactly what Katie, Hilary, Becca, Andrea, and I did this afternoon. We first had to ask several people on the Champs-Elysées where it was, but finally we found it and thank God we did because I can safely say that we all were in a euphoric stupor solely upon entering the store/ café. Becca, Hilary, and Andrea ordered the more milk chocolate chocolat chaud while I ordered the "Caracas" which, as the waitress described it, was plus fort or stronger. Katie got a little 100g container of chocolat noir glace. So, I guess it is necessary to mention that the chocolat chauds cost us 6,70 Euros apiece. But they were worth it. I mean, who wouldn't pay over 10 dollars for liquid chocolate. They came in little white capuccino mugs with an olive tray type dish full of whipped cream with cocoa powder on top.
Upon the first dip of my spoon into my mug, I was instantly amazed by the viscosity of the liquid. Truthfully, the only way I can describe it is by comparing it to melted chocolate. The liquid stuck to the spoon. When in the mouth, the liquid tasted as though I had just eaten a chocolate bar and had left some in my mouth to melt.
David, Roberta's son, had warned me about his experience at Maison du Chocolat and how when he had left, he had a headache and couldn't see straight as a result of the near-pure cacao. I had smiled when he told me, only half-believing his surely exaggerated tale. But it was true. Becca and Hilary felt the chocolate first and so therefore didn't finish their chocolat chauds. This was lucky for me and Andrea, as she finished Hilary's and I scarfed down Becca's, all the while trying not to start jumping up and down from the sheer goodness of the chocolate.
Becca, Katie, and I all made small purchases and as we walked out of the café and headed down the Champs-Elysées to meet the rest of the group, I was worried my head would burst, as the pressure behind my eyes seemed to be building. I had a stupid smile on my face which I wasn't able to wipe off and walking straight seemed to be a bit of a struggle.
It was true, I was drugged. So no matter that I spent over 10 dollars on a hot chocolate, and no matter that I probably ingested over 1000 calories in one mugful, it was absolutely, positively, 100% worth it.
Dinner Both of my French mothers have decided that since I'm not eating meat while I'm here, fish is the next best thing and they must feed it to me constantly. Therefore, tonight, I had salmon lasagna - what an experience. That too probably had over 1000 calories in it. And after dinner, I was forced ( or shall I say strongly encouraged ) to try Rochefort, a very smelly, slightly moldy, very strong French cheese. It was quite unappetizing but they kept telling me that I had to take a large piece because it was so good. Not wanting to be rude, I cut off the corner of the block, tried not to gag as I swallowed it with the help of my bread and my mineral water, and as soon as the taste was out of my mouth, I reached for the chèvre and fig cheese which I so loved on Saturday lunch. Thierry asked if I wanted anything else and I politely told him, "Non, merci", all the while wanting to scream, "J'ai trop mangé!!!" But which I know is slightly rude, and so I kept it to myself.
After dinner, Catherine asked if I wanted to run tommorow. I agreed, wondering if perhaps she, too, has noticed my not-so-obvious-anymore weight gain.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Trois Jours à Paris
First of all: things are going fabulously here and I'm thoroughly enjoying my family.
Second: This is highly abbreviated as I feel very rude staying on their computer for a long time.
Thursday: headed into Paris in the morning. We got off at the Opera and walked towards the Seine through les Jardins des Tuilleries and then to the Louvre where we got to see IM Pei's pyramid and then we cross the Seine and walked along the Quais and then headed onto Ile de la Cité where we visited Notre Dame and then strolled around the Latin Quarter for the afternoon.
Friday: Premier Mai!!! Or Labor Day in the rest of the world besides the US. I was given Lilys of the Valley from the parents as is the tradition and then the mom and I did an RBT around Conflons (RBT= Run Bike Tandem) and it was lovely to see every shop closed except for the flower shops. Came back to the house, quick shower, and then we headed to La Gare to meet Alexandra! It was so fabulous seeing her. It felt just like old times. We talked the whole way into Paris. We got off of the Metro at L'Arc de Triomphe and walked down the whole Champs-Elysées to Place de la Concorde and then across the Seine where we wandered in the Quartier Latin for over 3 hours. We visited the Jardin de Louxembourg and walked around the Sorbonne.
As Labor Day is a huge day for Socialists and Sarcozy is not exactly what you'd call a Socialist, there was a HUGE manifestation in Paris which we had to dodge several times.
Alexandra dropped me off at the Gare de Conflons where I came home, changed, and then we headed to Romain's house. He lives in a mansion which I will have to explain in greater detail later. Let's just say that our soirée was held in the dance studio/night club that they have in their basement. We slept over - I slept on the floor in Becca's room while Becca, Cassie, and Hillary slept on the bed.
Saturday: Came home, showered, and headed to Versailles with Luke and Cassie! It was just fabulous. Everything was beautiful. Luke has lost his camera so I've been letting him use mine because I know how upset he is. Between the two of us, we managed to take upwards of 300 photos! The gardens were lovely.
Tomorrow we're off to EuroDisney... hmm
I prob won't write again until Monday night, as I don't like to use their computer too often.
Bisous
Second: This is highly abbreviated as I feel very rude staying on their computer for a long time.
Thursday: headed into Paris in the morning. We got off at the Opera and walked towards the Seine through les Jardins des Tuilleries and then to the Louvre where we got to see IM Pei's pyramid and then we cross the Seine and walked along the Quais and then headed onto Ile de la Cité where we visited Notre Dame and then strolled around the Latin Quarter for the afternoon.
Friday: Premier Mai!!! Or Labor Day in the rest of the world besides the US. I was given Lilys of the Valley from the parents as is the tradition and then the mom and I did an RBT around Conflons (RBT= Run Bike Tandem) and it was lovely to see every shop closed except for the flower shops. Came back to the house, quick shower, and then we headed to La Gare to meet Alexandra! It was so fabulous seeing her. It felt just like old times. We talked the whole way into Paris. We got off of the Metro at L'Arc de Triomphe and walked down the whole Champs-Elysées to Place de la Concorde and then across the Seine where we wandered in the Quartier Latin for over 3 hours. We visited the Jardin de Louxembourg and walked around the Sorbonne.
As Labor Day is a huge day for Socialists and Sarcozy is not exactly what you'd call a Socialist, there was a HUGE manifestation in Paris which we had to dodge several times.
Alexandra dropped me off at the Gare de Conflons where I came home, changed, and then we headed to Romain's house. He lives in a mansion which I will have to explain in greater detail later. Let's just say that our soirée was held in the dance studio/night club that they have in their basement. We slept over - I slept on the floor in Becca's room while Becca, Cassie, and Hillary slept on the bed.
Saturday: Came home, showered, and headed to Versailles with Luke and Cassie! It was just fabulous. Everything was beautiful. Luke has lost his camera so I've been letting him use mine because I know how upset he is. Between the two of us, we managed to take upwards of 300 photos! The gardens were lovely.
Tomorrow we're off to EuroDisney... hmm
I prob won't write again until Monday night, as I don't like to use their computer too often.
Bisous
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
From Paris to Paris
I know what you're probably thinking, "Paris to Paris?" so I have to explain. The Courdours' fish is named Paris Hilton and it was equally sad saying good-bye to the fish today as it was to say good-bye to the whole wonderful family.
I'm sitting in my new house in Paris feeling homesick - but for Valence, not Amherst.
Yesterday afternoon after school Audrey and I headed to Julien's to prepare crepes for the crepe fete we had last night. We ate, danced, sang, played wah, played cache-cache, and thoroughly enjoyed our last night together. There were about 14 people there total.
This morning, saying good-bye to Sylvie, I wasn't superbly sad but people were crying at school and we had a meeting in the morning while the Frenchies were in class and then at 10, when they came out of class, the flood gates opened. I was doing alright until Audrey came downstairs and as soon as I hugged her everything just let loose. I couldn't stop crying. It was just like last year, except I wasn't able to say, " we'll see each other next year!" We'll just have to hope for sometime in the future.
It was very painful saying good-bye. I feel like they're my second family. I was thoroughly comfortable in the house and in my room and it's a big change here in Paris, sleeping on a pullout couch and living out of my suitcase.
So anyways, hopped on the TGV to Paris - it was a little nerveracking however because the train stops for only four minutes and we needed to pile 20 Americans with large suitcases on as well as all of the other passengers. We sat on the upstairs level and within minutes of departing the station, the train was cruising North at speeds infinitely faster than the Amtrak has every gone or ever hopes to go.
I really can't write much because they only have one computer and I don't want to use it for too long, but I'll try to write some short posts about our sight-seeing. Unfortunately I think we have reached the end of my witty posts though.
Desolée.
A demain,
SRL
I'm sitting in my new house in Paris feeling homesick - but for Valence, not Amherst.
Yesterday afternoon after school Audrey and I headed to Julien's to prepare crepes for the crepe fete we had last night. We ate, danced, sang, played wah, played cache-cache, and thoroughly enjoyed our last night together. There were about 14 people there total.
This morning, saying good-bye to Sylvie, I wasn't superbly sad but people were crying at school and we had a meeting in the morning while the Frenchies were in class and then at 10, when they came out of class, the flood gates opened. I was doing alright until Audrey came downstairs and as soon as I hugged her everything just let loose. I couldn't stop crying. It was just like last year, except I wasn't able to say, " we'll see each other next year!" We'll just have to hope for sometime in the future.
It was very painful saying good-bye. I feel like they're my second family. I was thoroughly comfortable in the house and in my room and it's a big change here in Paris, sleeping on a pullout couch and living out of my suitcase.
So anyways, hopped on the TGV to Paris - it was a little nerveracking however because the train stops for only four minutes and we needed to pile 20 Americans with large suitcases on as well as all of the other passengers. We sat on the upstairs level and within minutes of departing the station, the train was cruising North at speeds infinitely faster than the Amtrak has every gone or ever hopes to go.
I really can't write much because they only have one computer and I don't want to use it for too long, but I'll try to write some short posts about our sight-seeing. Unfortunately I think we have reached the end of my witty posts though.
Desolée.
A demain,
SRL
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Photo Count - PLEASE RESPOND
Many of you know that I am a slightly excessive photo-taker. Therefore, I am inviting you to guess (for a prize, of course) how many pictures I have taken so far ( the number may surprise you ) and also how many pictures you think I will have taken by the time I return to Massachusetts.
Please respond with your guesses as comments or on facebook or through email - your choice, but I'd love to hear!!
And the correct guesser may just receive some delicious Valence-made candy!!
Sash
Please respond with your guesses as comments or on facebook or through email - your choice, but I'd love to hear!!
And the correct guesser may just receive some delicious Valence-made candy!!
Sash
Notre Weekend Final en Valence
Friday - We headed 1.5 hours south to Avignon, passing on the way close to 30 windmills and one very large nuclear power plant. But, you know the French, and their love for effectively using their energy, SO... across the street from the nuclear plant is the French Magic Wings, but instead of butterflies there are crocodiles. They take the hot water from the nuclear plant and use it to heat the crocodile farm.
But on to Avignon. We visited the famous Pont, sang the song, and headed up to the Palais des Papes, left over from the Great Schism and those few years in history when there were two Popes, one in Rome and one in Avignon. We had two hours to roam. I ate the picnic lunch Sylvie had packed for me which consisted of a very delicious pasta salad with carmelized onions and zucchini, AND - very interesting - a fruit salad type thing with pamplemousse (grapefruit) and avocado. HMM. It was actually quite good together. (One highly interesting point is that in the morning, before I left, Sylvie asked me if I'd like to put mayonnaise on the grapefruit and avocado, I looked at her as though she were slightly insane, politely declined, and then proceeded to stare inredulously at Audrey as she liberally squeezed mayo on her pamplemousse and avocat.
So yes, Audrey did journey with us to Avignon, as did Carey's Sybille, Becca's Anne-Sophie, Eliza's Margaux, Luke's Julien, David's Alexandre, Lauren's Tatiana, and I think that was it....
During our two free hours in Avignon, I hung out with Olivia and Andrea. They stopped and got Nutella crepes and then several storefronts down the road, happened to see Nutella ice cream and decided they needed that as well. I was handed two untouched, steaming Nutella crepes while they split the Nutella ice cream. It was all I could do to not eat the crepes.
From Avignon, we headed north to Orange to see the Roman amphitheatre. It was old, interesting, and huge. We then headed home to Valence, where we got changed and then went back to school for the potluck.
"Potluck" is a new word for the French exchange families who participate each year, and as Pierre loves making jokes out of everything - and consequently he never resists when he can figure out an English joke to make - he made up a very funny potluck joke in the car on the way to school.
So in French pote means "pal" or "buddy" so Pierre told us that "potlucks" are for when vos copains ont besoin de la chance or when your friends are in need of luck.
The potluck was lovely, many of the students from last year were there, and they showed a (very long) video of last year's exchange.
Saturday - School in the morning, so we Americans went on a walking tour of old Valence, and in the afternoon Audrey, Tony, Luke, Julien, Caleigh, Claire-Lyse, Eliza, Margaux, and I headed to Lyon on the train. It was very Harry Potter-esque, complete with little compartments and little tables and VERY high speeds!
Lyon was lovely, and we had a small party last night at Margaux's house.
That's all for now, Pierre, Sylvie, and Nico are in the kitchen singing along to very loud very bad American music. From here in the computer room I can hear them yelling/singing along to Katy Perry's "I Kissed A Girl"
Only 2.5 days left in Valence - not happy.
But on to Avignon. We visited the famous Pont, sang the song, and headed up to the Palais des Papes, left over from the Great Schism and those few years in history when there were two Popes, one in Rome and one in Avignon. We had two hours to roam. I ate the picnic lunch Sylvie had packed for me which consisted of a very delicious pasta salad with carmelized onions and zucchini, AND - very interesting - a fruit salad type thing with pamplemousse (grapefruit) and avocado. HMM. It was actually quite good together. (One highly interesting point is that in the morning, before I left, Sylvie asked me if I'd like to put mayonnaise on the grapefruit and avocado, I looked at her as though she were slightly insane, politely declined, and then proceeded to stare inredulously at Audrey as she liberally squeezed mayo on her pamplemousse and avocat.
So yes, Audrey did journey with us to Avignon, as did Carey's Sybille, Becca's Anne-Sophie, Eliza's Margaux, Luke's Julien, David's Alexandre, Lauren's Tatiana, and I think that was it....
During our two free hours in Avignon, I hung out with Olivia and Andrea. They stopped and got Nutella crepes and then several storefronts down the road, happened to see Nutella ice cream and decided they needed that as well. I was handed two untouched, steaming Nutella crepes while they split the Nutella ice cream. It was all I could do to not eat the crepes.
From Avignon, we headed north to Orange to see the Roman amphitheatre. It was old, interesting, and huge. We then headed home to Valence, where we got changed and then went back to school for the potluck.
"Potluck" is a new word for the French exchange families who participate each year, and as Pierre loves making jokes out of everything - and consequently he never resists when he can figure out an English joke to make - he made up a very funny potluck joke in the car on the way to school.
So in French pote means "pal" or "buddy" so Pierre told us that "potlucks" are for when vos copains ont besoin de la chance or when your friends are in need of luck.
The potluck was lovely, many of the students from last year were there, and they showed a (very long) video of last year's exchange.
Saturday - School in the morning, so we Americans went on a walking tour of old Valence, and in the afternoon Audrey, Tony, Luke, Julien, Caleigh, Claire-Lyse, Eliza, Margaux, and I headed to Lyon on the train. It was very Harry Potter-esque, complete with little compartments and little tables and VERY high speeds!
Lyon was lovely, and we had a small party last night at Margaux's house.
That's all for now, Pierre, Sylvie, and Nico are in the kitchen singing along to very loud very bad American music. From here in the computer room I can hear them yelling/singing along to Katy Perry's "I Kissed A Girl"
Only 2.5 days left in Valence - not happy.
Volleyball - The French Way
So Thursday night, my host parents had a volleyball match with their team. The match started at 9PM, and because the French generally eat around 8, Pierre and Sylvie usually have a little picnic with their teammates when the match i finished around 11 or 11:30. Audrey, Nico, and I decided to go with them.
Pierre and Sylvie had their gym bags, as one who was going to play sports normally would, but wafting out of Syvlie's gyme bag was the scent of the quiche she had just baked and sticking out of the top of Pierre's were the necks of two bottles of wine. This was volleyball: French style.
One of the men on Pierre and Sylvie's team had a very prominent stomach and Audrey pointed him and told me enceinte or pregnant.
The game was fun, I watched a little and read a little and the party afterwards was entirely entertaining.
We returned home close to midnight and woke up Friday, slightly exhausted but not regretting the volleyball excursion in the least.
Pierre and Sylvie had their gym bags, as one who was going to play sports normally would, but wafting out of Syvlie's gyme bag was the scent of the quiche she had just baked and sticking out of the top of Pierre's were the necks of two bottles of wine. This was volleyball: French style.
One of the men on Pierre and Sylvie's team had a very prominent stomach and Audrey pointed him and told me enceinte or pregnant.
The game was fun, I watched a little and read a little and the party afterwards was entirely entertaining.
We returned home close to midnight and woke up Friday, slightly exhausted but not regretting the volleyball excursion in the least.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Maison Pic
Yesterday I went to my first 3 star restaurant - the most a restaurant can have in the Guide Michelin. The chef is female - the only female chef at a 3 star restaurant in all of France... and I got to shake her hand!!! It was exquisite. Pierre was regaling me with stories of meals he's had there and he told me that to eat a meal there and to order le grand répas it costs upwards of 400 Euros!! TROP CHERE!!!
We also had a chance to visit her new cooking school - Le Scook (combination of School and Cook) and some of the students prepared some food for us which was just amazing. I have TONS of pictures. We had a white mousse, which was mozarella and basil. What!?
Here's the website in case you'd like to do some searching- http://www.pic-valence.fr/index-fr.php
Hope life's good. It was prob above 75 here in Valence today. Lovely, but un peu chaud.
Tomorrow we're heading to Avignon for the day ( yes, I know it makes you want to sing the song...) and then tomorrow night we have the potluck (a horribly difficult word for the French to pronounce) for les étudiants d'échange et leurs familles.
Au revoir.
We also had a chance to visit her new cooking school - Le Scook (combination of School and Cook) and some of the students prepared some food for us which was just amazing. I have TONS of pictures. We had a white mousse, which was mozarella and basil. What!?
Here's the website in case you'd like to do some searching- http://www.pic-valence.fr/index-fr.php
Hope life's good. It was prob above 75 here in Valence today. Lovely, but un peu chaud.
Tomorrow we're heading to Avignon for the day ( yes, I know it makes you want to sing the song...) and then tomorrow night we have the potluck (a horribly difficult word for the French to pronounce) for les étudiants d'échange et leurs familles.
Au revoir.
Observations
Très vite.
The following are several observations/ exciting things we've done.
1) Obama is such a big thing!! Today, I wore my Obama shirt and I was in two different English classes for seconde and they wanted to know all about the reactions to Obama in the US and one student asked me to describe what it was like on election night. Another, when I talked about 20 January and how we all watched the Inauguration in school, she was beyond delighted that 20 January is also her birthday.
2) Thursday is the day the Coudour family goes out to lunch. Because we have 1.5 hours for lunch, they go into town to the restaurant of their friend. The restaurant is quite fancy and we didn't even have menus. At the end of the aboslutely delicious meal, after their friend listed the desserts, she also handed me a menu so I could see ALL of the desserts they have. That was when I saw that an entrée costs 29 Euros!! OY
3) Signals, used around the world for when a car is turning a particular direction, are completey obsolete here. You're never really sure in what direction the approaching car is planning on going, and therefore getting anywhere takes more time because instead of pulling out into the rond-point when the car coming towards you is about to turn, you have no idea whether or not he'll be turning because THEY DON'T USE SIGNALS!!!
The following are several observations/ exciting things we've done.
1) Obama is such a big thing!! Today, I wore my Obama shirt and I was in two different English classes for seconde and they wanted to know all about the reactions to Obama in the US and one student asked me to describe what it was like on election night. Another, when I talked about 20 January and how we all watched the Inauguration in school, she was beyond delighted that 20 January is also her birthday.
2) Thursday is the day the Coudour family goes out to lunch. Because we have 1.5 hours for lunch, they go into town to the restaurant of their friend. The restaurant is quite fancy and we didn't even have menus. At the end of the aboslutely delicious meal, after their friend listed the desserts, she also handed me a menu so I could see ALL of the desserts they have. That was when I saw that an entrée costs 29 Euros!! OY
3) Signals, used around the world for when a car is turning a particular direction, are completey obsolete here. You're never really sure in what direction the approaching car is planning on going, and therefore getting anywhere takes more time because instead of pulling out into the rond-point when the car coming towards you is about to turn, you have no idea whether or not he'll be turning because THEY DON'T USE SIGNALS!!!
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
La Nourriture and News
Food is excellent - I'll just highlight a few things.
1) Every meal is at least 3 courses. Salad, main dish, cheese/yogurt course, dessert.
2) Sugar is worshipped here. For example, we eat plain yogurt after dinner, but they all put sugar and nutella in it bc its plain. But if you wanted sugar yogurt wouldn't you just buy it directly?! Also, Sunday night we had crepes and we ate Nutellq on them. For some inexplicable reason, Pierre put sugar on top of the Nutella on top of the crepes. huh.
3) Bread is eaten after the meal either with the cheese or to mop up what's on your plate. Bread is not kept in baggies or in air tight storage, just in this large canvas sac type thing that looks like a laundry basket. Bread is also not put on a plate. For example, I eat toast for breakfast and the thought of giving me a plate for my toast is unheard of - so I eat it off the table. Interesting.
4) Today I had my first pain au chocolat in France. Very good. I paid 95 centiemes for it and Becca documented my consumption of it and called it an orgasmic exerience.
5) Thats all I can think of right now.
NEWS:
In case any of you heard on the news today that there was a very serious bank robbery in Valence this morning, dont worry. We're all safe. Yes, the burglars blew up part of the bank and shot the police car tires and perhaps the police cars, but we French shrugged it off and we're doing just fine now.
Every night, we watch the news at 8 - usually during dinner but quelquefois après le diner ( we eat very late). I understand just about all of the news and I really like watching it. I also understand just about everything people say to me. Today I was speaking to some of Nico's friends at school, and they kept telling me I spoke French very well and that they were very impressed. Audrey loves to brag that no matter how fast she speaks, I can still understand (which is true) and then she starts talking really quickly to prove it and I nod and smile and her friends are impressed.
Tomorrow afternoon I'm going to be with a girl from Audreys class who is Jewish. I think they're very worried that I'm being deprived of Jew-contact, and Sylvie is quite worried. Aussi, this afternoon walking around Valence, I found the synagogue and took some pictures of it.
Speaking of pictures, I took over 600 today!!! We climbed to the top of a 700 or so meter peak where there are Roman/Gaulic ruins. The view was magnificent and it was fun eating our French pique-nique lunches that our host mothers had packed for us. We ate looking out at the whole Rhone River Valley and at the Ver-Cours Mountains and at the Ardeche Mountains (sp?).
Please Google "Crussol" and you will be able to see where we were.
Don't have much more time, but make sure that you CLICK on the pics from yesterday, bc then you can see them big!!!
Tomorrow we're going to Restaurant Pic, the only 4-star restaurant in Valence, and the only one in France with a female chef. Unfortunately we aren't going to be able to eat anything (trop chère), but it's a treat just to look!
A bientot,
Bisous,
Sash
1) Every meal is at least 3 courses. Salad, main dish, cheese/yogurt course, dessert.
2) Sugar is worshipped here. For example, we eat plain yogurt after dinner, but they all put sugar and nutella in it bc its plain. But if you wanted sugar yogurt wouldn't you just buy it directly?! Also, Sunday night we had crepes and we ate Nutellq on them. For some inexplicable reason, Pierre put sugar on top of the Nutella on top of the crepes. huh.
3) Bread is eaten after the meal either with the cheese or to mop up what's on your plate. Bread is not kept in baggies or in air tight storage, just in this large canvas sac type thing that looks like a laundry basket. Bread is also not put on a plate. For example, I eat toast for breakfast and the thought of giving me a plate for my toast is unheard of - so I eat it off the table. Interesting.
4) Today I had my first pain au chocolat in France. Very good. I paid 95 centiemes for it and Becca documented my consumption of it and called it an orgasmic exerience.
5) Thats all I can think of right now.
NEWS:
In case any of you heard on the news today that there was a very serious bank robbery in Valence this morning, dont worry. We're all safe. Yes, the burglars blew up part of the bank and shot the police car tires and perhaps the police cars, but we French shrugged it off and we're doing just fine now.
Every night, we watch the news at 8 - usually during dinner but quelquefois après le diner ( we eat very late). I understand just about all of the news and I really like watching it. I also understand just about everything people say to me. Today I was speaking to some of Nico's friends at school, and they kept telling me I spoke French very well and that they were very impressed. Audrey loves to brag that no matter how fast she speaks, I can still understand (which is true) and then she starts talking really quickly to prove it and I nod and smile and her friends are impressed.
Tomorrow afternoon I'm going to be with a girl from Audreys class who is Jewish. I think they're very worried that I'm being deprived of Jew-contact, and Sylvie is quite worried. Aussi, this afternoon walking around Valence, I found the synagogue and took some pictures of it.
Speaking of pictures, I took over 600 today!!! We climbed to the top of a 700 or so meter peak where there are Roman/Gaulic ruins. The view was magnificent and it was fun eating our French pique-nique lunches that our host mothers had packed for us. We ate looking out at the whole Rhone River Valley and at the Ver-Cours Mountains and at the Ardeche Mountains (sp?).
Please Google "Crussol" and you will be able to see where we were.
Don't have much more time, but make sure that you CLICK on the pics from yesterday, bc then you can see them big!!!
Tomorrow we're going to Restaurant Pic, the only 4-star restaurant in Valence, and the only one in France with a female chef. Unfortunately we aren't going to be able to eat anything (trop chère), but it's a treat just to look!
A bientot,
Bisous,
Sash
Driving = A Near-Death Experience
So in regards to the title, driving is definitely one of the scariest things here. There is really no such thing as a speed limit first of all, which is where our first problem lies, the second problem comes from the fact that you can't go anywhere without traversing a rond-point (rotary). All the cars (autos or voitures - car means "bus" in French) are standards and are quite small. Consequently the roads are also quite nonexistent, meaning that every road (as soon as you get two min outside Valence) is like Station Rd (for all of you Amherst folks) in terms of their lack of shoulders, guard rails, and the fact that you must slow down every time another car comes your way.
The speedometer regularly approaches 110 km/h on the backcountry roads and when we go into the centre-ville of Malissard (Audrey's village) there are many spots where you must pull over to let the oncoming car pass between the sidewalks.
Because it takes so long to get a driver's license in France and it's such a big deal, there are stickers you put in the car when there's a chance that an accompanied teen may be driving.
The speedometer regularly approaches 110 km/h on the backcountry roads and when we go into the centre-ville of Malissard (Audrey's village) there are many spots where you must pull over to let the oncoming car pass between the sidewalks.
Because it takes so long to get a driver's license in France and it's such a big deal, there are stickers you put in the car when there's a chance that an accompanied teen may be driving.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Wonderful Sunday
Suday (yesterday) was absolutely excellent. I woke up nice and late and Audrey and I did an Run Bike Tandem (for all of you non-runners it's when on person runs and the other bikes). I think I ran for about 6 kilometres. While out in the GORGEOUS French countryside, we passed an empty freshly-tilled field on which Audrey informed me her dad and a friend were planning on planting trees and beginning a forest so eventually they could harvest truffles. Très cool!
I took a shower and then we had lunch. The French love to have many courses at all meals and so we had salad and fish and some eggplant thing that Sylvie had made. Nico taught me a fairly bad word to describe the eggplant dish (we'll just say it wasn't very appetizing looking).
Afterwards we headed up into the Ver-Cours Mountains (the foothills of the Alpes, i can see them from my bedroom window! - they were a very well-known hideout out for the Resistance during the Deuxième Guerre Mondiale or WWII). We went to the Equestrian Center that the uncle of Tony owns. And we went trail riding!!
It was absolutely beautiful.
Afterwards we came home and Audrey, Tony, Nico, et moi played card games for the afternoon. Afterwards there was just so much going on in the house!!
Sylvie was making crepes for our dinner, Pierre and Nico were golfing in the yard (and only occasionally hitting the house) and Audrey and I were playing this VERY fun game where you hit a tennisball but its attached to an elastic string attached to a base. That is, until we got it caught in a tree and Nico had to get it out using a ladder and a golf club. the best part wes the 80s music blasting from the iPod in the driveway and Pierre dancing along.
Alright, that's all for now, I need to go to bed. We're hiking up to a Roman ruin tomorrow.
Ciao
Bisous
I took a shower and then we had lunch. The French love to have many courses at all meals and so we had salad and fish and some eggplant thing that Sylvie had made. Nico taught me a fairly bad word to describe the eggplant dish (we'll just say it wasn't very appetizing looking).
Afterwards we headed up into the Ver-Cours Mountains (the foothills of the Alpes, i can see them from my bedroom window! - they were a very well-known hideout out for the Resistance during the Deuxième Guerre Mondiale or WWII). We went to the Equestrian Center that the uncle of Tony owns. And we went trail riding!!
It was absolutely beautiful.
Afterwards we came home and Audrey, Tony, Nico, et moi played card games for the afternoon. Afterwards there was just so much going on in the house!!
Sylvie was making crepes for our dinner, Pierre and Nico were golfing in the yard (and only occasionally hitting the house) and Audrey and I were playing this VERY fun game where you hit a tennisball but its attached to an elastic string attached to a base. That is, until we got it caught in a tree and Nico had to get it out using a ladder and a golf club. the best part wes the 80s music blasting from the iPod in the driveway and Pierre dancing along.
Alright, that's all for now, I need to go to bed. We're hiking up to a Roman ruin tomorrow.
Ciao
Bisous
Saturday, April 18, 2009
un autre jour
i can write only very quickly. good day so far. i slept a lot. Went o the movies. we are now going to watch handball and then to a friend's house for fajitas. I'm starting to think in French more and more!!
Friday, April 17, 2009
arrival - and different keyboard!
So besides the jet lag and the foreign language, it appears that in order for me to communicate i'll have to get used to the keys being in a different place.
The flight was long, it was raining in London when we arrived at 7 AM - i with only 2 hours of sleep. We had to change fro, terminal 3 to terminal 5 which involved taking a bus. we then had to go though security again.
Terminal 5 is just gorgeous. Very modern.
We headed to gte A10 for the flight to Lyon, and boarded another bus which brought us out onto the tarmac where we had to walk through the rain to board the plane.
The flight from Heathrow to Lyon was super easy - terrific landing. I loved watching the french countryside below the plane as we flew amost the length of France. I slept for just under an hour - I fell asleep immediately after takeoff, and was awakened by David when there were maybe 30 minutes left. David said I was sleeping so deeply that it took hi, several tries to wake me up.
Basically successful collecting our checked ites Beccas suitase was still in London (Londres in French), but it's coming tomorrow.
Gorgeous hour long bus ride to Valence, I sat w Olivia B.Got to the Lycée St. Victor - I got a HUGE sense of happiness and relief when I saw Audrey, and Tony was with her. As soon as I got off the bus we ran to each other and hugged. :-)
We hung out in Valence for some of the afternoon with Luke and Julien (it's Lukes bday today) and some others. Tony then met us again and we headed back to the car where we waited for Sylvie.
then to the house. I going to go unpack, Audrey is having a math tutoring session right now in the dining room
Their dog is SO cute. A Yorkie named Socrates.
I feel like my French is a tad rusty - definitely don't understand everything like when they left last year but I'm going to blame that on exhaustion and lack of practice.
A bientot,
Sasha
The flight was long, it was raining in London when we arrived at 7 AM - i with only 2 hours of sleep. We had to change fro, terminal 3 to terminal 5 which involved taking a bus. we then had to go though security again.
Terminal 5 is just gorgeous. Very modern.
We headed to gte A10 for the flight to Lyon, and boarded another bus which brought us out onto the tarmac where we had to walk through the rain to board the plane.
The flight from Heathrow to Lyon was super easy - terrific landing. I loved watching the french countryside below the plane as we flew amost the length of France. I slept for just under an hour - I fell asleep immediately after takeoff, and was awakened by David when there were maybe 30 minutes left. David said I was sleeping so deeply that it took hi, several tries to wake me up.
Basically successful collecting our checked ites Beccas suitase was still in London (Londres in French), but it's coming tomorrow.
Gorgeous hour long bus ride to Valence, I sat w Olivia B.Got to the Lycée St. Victor - I got a HUGE sense of happiness and relief when I saw Audrey, and Tony was with her. As soon as I got off the bus we ran to each other and hugged. :-)
We hung out in Valence for some of the afternoon with Luke and Julien (it's Lukes bday today) and some others. Tony then met us again and we headed back to the car where we waited for Sylvie.
then to the house. I going to go unpack, Audrey is having a math tutoring session right now in the dining room
Their dog is SO cute. A Yorkie named Socrates.
I feel like my French is a tad rusty - definitely don't understand everything like when they left last year but I'm going to blame that on exhaustion and lack of practice.
A bientot,
Sasha
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Packing
My clothing is spread out on the floor around me, my suitcase is in the hallway awaiting permission to enter my room, and my camera is patiently sitting in my camera bag.
Hopefully, I have remembered most things. I still have to pack my toiletries and jewelry tomorrow. Right now I'm going to go put some laundry in the machine (a black load) - the last before I leave.
It's hard to imagine that in less than two days we'll be on our way! I can't quite process the fact that it's been a whole YEAR since I last saw Audrey. This year has seemed to pass so quickly, what with NYC, Hazon, a great summer in Nova, Matteo, XC, 3 APs, STAND, Nordic, Lydia's journey, Ronnie, SATs, the musical, and everything else life has thrown at me.
Have to run to keep packing, but make sure you stay tuned!
-Sash
Hopefully, I have remembered most things. I still have to pack my toiletries and jewelry tomorrow. Right now I'm going to go put some laundry in the machine (a black load) - the last before I leave.
It's hard to imagine that in less than two days we'll be on our way! I can't quite process the fact that it's been a whole YEAR since I last saw Audrey. This year has seemed to pass so quickly, what with NYC, Hazon, a great summer in Nova, Matteo, XC, 3 APs, STAND, Nordic, Lydia's journey, Ronnie, SATs, the musical, and everything else life has thrown at me.
Have to run to keep packing, but make sure you stay tuned!
-Sash
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Notre Jour Final
I don't have much time to write - but we'll just begin by saying that I cried for over an hour tonight. I can't quite write about our last trip to jail yet because I'm afraid I'll break down again, but I am going to say that Ronnie and I had a beautiful last day together.
After a lovely cuddle for most of the morning, I showered, and we headed to town where Ronnie did a little modeling on the Common.
From there we went to the Eric Carle Museum to see if we could find any little kids as distractions. Unfortunately the museum was empty on Easter, but Ronnie and I did manage to find a GIANT cake celebrating Eric Carle's 80th bday and the Very Hungry Caterpillar's 40th.
We then headed to the Landfill where we got to do Dog Club with Lilly, Maisy, Koda, and Cricket. Ronnie LOVED cavorting in the water.
Maisy was a bit overwhelmed by the lab party so she decided to leave early. Lilly felt left out as the only Yellow Lab, so she stuck by me while the black labs paraded around.
Ronnie and I did a few tricks for the last time before we left for jail.
And then we took our last picture together ever.
After a lovely cuddle for most of the morning, I showered, and we headed to town where Ronnie did a little modeling on the Common.
From there we went to the Eric Carle Museum to see if we could find any little kids as distractions. Unfortunately the museum was empty on Easter, but Ronnie and I did manage to find a GIANT cake celebrating Eric Carle's 80th bday and the Very Hungry Caterpillar's 40th.
We then headed to the Landfill where we got to do Dog Club with Lilly, Maisy, Koda, and Cricket. Ronnie LOVED cavorting in the water.
Maisy was a bit overwhelmed by the lab party so she decided to leave early. Lilly felt left out as the only Yellow Lab, so she stuck by me while the black labs paraded around.
Ronnie and I did a few tricks for the last time before we left for jail.
And then we took our last picture together ever.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Penultimate Weekend
I am having mixed emotions right now. I have had Ronnie since the end of October. She came to me on her third inmate, and I am her third weekend person.
As a high school student, my weekends have been busy, but Ronnie and I have spent as much time together as possible. In November, when we had a 24 hour marathon at my high school for my cross country running team, Ronnie ran more miles than several of my teammates, and slept on the gym floor amidst all of our sleeping bags, waking up with me every two or three hours to run a mile. In January, she came with my parents to one of my Nordic skiing races, braving the 4 degree Fahrenheit (-20 with the windchill!) weather to watch me.
And in February, she accompanied me on college visits to Tufts and Brandeis.
Although Ronnie still has about a month left before they want her back at NEADS, I'm leaving on April 16 to go to France as an exchange student for 24 days and most likely, by the time I return on May 9, she'll be gone.
I was feeling quite upset last night and was regretting all of the times we just sat around at home, and wasted an afternoon when we could have been out and about, so I was just playing around on the NEADS website and happened across the graduation pictures. Not only did they bring tears to my eyes, but they invigorated me and reminded me why I have Ronnie and what we're working towards together.
Next weekend, when I have to say good bye, it will be nearly impossible. And yet in some ways it will be bittersweet as I know that our parting will signal my imminent departure for France.
Unfortunately, it seems likely that the Prison Pup Partnership Program at the Hampshire County Jail and House of Correction (in Northampton, MA where Ronnie is right now) will be phased out after Ronnie, Barrett, and Dutch are done. I'm quite disappointed because I know that next year, as a senior, no matter whether or not I'll have college applications, college classes (in addition to my high school classes), and constant stress, I'd still be willing to donate my time to raising a puppy.
Ronnie and I rode on the PVTA (local public transportation) bus this weekend. We went shopping at the Holyoke Mall today. Every challenge I've presented to her this year, she has handled masterfully, and I've never seen her give up or step away or retreat from something I've asked her to do for me.
Each week it's hard bringing her back to prison, especially on those Sunday nights when, as the guard is walking her towards the doors to the trap, she stops, turns around, and regards me with her deep, soulful, pensive, brown eyes. And yet I have to remind myself that although she may melt my heart each time I look at her; I, in no way, rely on her or on her love in the way that I imagine her inmate must and in the way that her partner will someday.
Since that first weekend in October (or was it November?) Ronnie has developed a heartwarming relationship with Lilly and Maisy. Each morning when she wakes up, the first thing she does is lick all of Lilly's face, her tall wagging nonstop. Ronnie delights in teasing Maisy as she runs around the house dragging a towel, eagerly anticipating when Maisy will become exasperated and finally give chase.
Ronnie has had a special impact on my life and on our family, and I can't wait to see who she gets to help next.
I love you Ronnie.
As a high school student, my weekends have been busy, but Ronnie and I have spent as much time together as possible. In November, when we had a 24 hour marathon at my high school for my cross country running team, Ronnie ran more miles than several of my teammates, and slept on the gym floor amidst all of our sleeping bags, waking up with me every two or three hours to run a mile. In January, she came with my parents to one of my Nordic skiing races, braving the 4 degree Fahrenheit (-20 with the windchill!) weather to watch me.
And in February, she accompanied me on college visits to Tufts and Brandeis.
Although Ronnie still has about a month left before they want her back at NEADS, I'm leaving on April 16 to go to France as an exchange student for 24 days and most likely, by the time I return on May 9, she'll be gone.
I was feeling quite upset last night and was regretting all of the times we just sat around at home, and wasted an afternoon when we could have been out and about, so I was just playing around on the NEADS website and happened across the graduation pictures. Not only did they bring tears to my eyes, but they invigorated me and reminded me why I have Ronnie and what we're working towards together.
Next weekend, when I have to say good bye, it will be nearly impossible. And yet in some ways it will be bittersweet as I know that our parting will signal my imminent departure for France.
Unfortunately, it seems likely that the Prison Pup Partnership Program at the Hampshire County Jail and House of Correction (in Northampton, MA where Ronnie is right now) will be phased out after Ronnie, Barrett, and Dutch are done. I'm quite disappointed because I know that next year, as a senior, no matter whether or not I'll have college applications, college classes (in addition to my high school classes), and constant stress, I'd still be willing to donate my time to raising a puppy.
Ronnie and I rode on the PVTA (local public transportation) bus this weekend. We went shopping at the Holyoke Mall today. Every challenge I've presented to her this year, she has handled masterfully, and I've never seen her give up or step away or retreat from something I've asked her to do for me.
Each week it's hard bringing her back to prison, especially on those Sunday nights when, as the guard is walking her towards the doors to the trap, she stops, turns around, and regards me with her deep, soulful, pensive, brown eyes. And yet I have to remind myself that although she may melt my heart each time I look at her; I, in no way, rely on her or on her love in the way that I imagine her inmate must and in the way that her partner will someday.
Since that first weekend in October (or was it November?) Ronnie has developed a heartwarming relationship with Lilly and Maisy. Each morning when she wakes up, the first thing she does is lick all of Lilly's face, her tall wagging nonstop. Ronnie delights in teasing Maisy as she runs around the house dragging a towel, eagerly anticipating when Maisy will become exasperated and finally give chase.
Ronnie has had a special impact on my life and on our family, and I can't wait to see who she gets to help next.
I love you Ronnie.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Brown Visit
Visiting Brown was great. Below are several pictures I took. I went with M, IRM, Terry, & Matt. Quite enjoyable. The day was gray, but Brown is brown and I got to miss a day of school.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Waxing Days
The days are waxing! And with it I'm potentially starting to feel color and warmth in my body again. Except we still have February to chug through. That may take some doing.
The above pictures were from our vacation in Bermuda. They were taken on Horseshoe Beach. Bermuda was a lot of fun- not tropical like St. John was, but certainly refreshing after icy Massachusetts. We met a lovely family from Boston and were able to hang with them quite a bit. The wife is British and works at Tufts (I'll definitely sit in on one of her classes when I go visit) and the husband was very nice. Both are Jewish. They have 7 year-old twins named Analise and Ilan.
The last night in Bermuda we ate at the restaurant at the hotel which is considered the fanciest restaurant in all of Bermuda. The meal was exquisite- in terms of presentation, taste, quality, and service. The exorbitantly large bill was definitely proof of its immaculateness.
Dessert was amazing (as was the rest of the meal, but dessert is, of course, what matters most!). I had raspberry crême brulée with many garnishes including spun sugar.
We returned home to the dreary weather, but it's alright because that just mean that skiing season got underway. For the remainder of break, I divided my time between skiing and Matteo.
There have been multiple quizzes and tests recently, and grades close tomorrow for midterms.
Matteo left a week ago this past Saturday. Last week was hard for me, but now I'm looking ahead to Isabelle's visit on Friday. She'll come to school with me and then we'll hang out Friday evening/night. I'm quite excited to hear how her Mountain School Adventures go.
We had a ski race on Saturday. It was 4 degrees with the wind chill in Dalton where Wahconah is located. It was a sprint race and I came in second for Amherst.
As Schools Match Wits was on Saturday night. My family watched (accompanied by Bryna) at Catherine's house. It was quite embarrassing- last year it wasn't as bad because at least we won!
Well, Cherry Hill today, Cherry Hill tomorrow, Empty Bowls Dinner tomorrow, Northfield on Wednesday, babysitting on Wednesday, Thursday requires baking for STAND, and then Friday=ISABELLE!
I'll try to post more often. Next step is Nordic Ski pictures.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)