Spring has sprung! Ok, not really. But in comparison to our MN springs, this is heaven. The days are getting longer and the sunshine is a much more regular occurance. Once again I'm having problems not smiling at strangers around me!
On top of that, I am so content right now. I have wonderful friends around me that are feeling more like family all the time, and my host family has become increasingly chatty. I still have language frustrations and my work load is more steep this semester, but I am enjoying it all. C'est le joie de vivre :)
It is funny how our perceptions change with change of local and habits. I laughed with my friends as one was saying the previous night, while at dinner, she was thinking about how much she had to do and how busy life has gotten. Then it hit her- I think my life is so busy yet I actually have the time to sit down for an hour with the fam for dinner! While at home (in the states) she recalls many nights scarfing somthing down whilst doing somthing else,. Though I still am such an american here, I have definitely picked up characteristics and habits of another life. Should be interesting to see to what extent.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Mon stage! (My internship!)
I remember having a conversation with Lindsay when I first arrived in Paris. I dont remember my exact location or what I was going through but I think her words will forever stick with me. I was telling her how uncomfortable I was ALL the time and how challenging it was. Her response really changed my point of view on how I was going to live my life- she said, "Well get used to it if you really plan on being a leader."
Kind of overwhelming when I am amidst the most uncomfortable moments, but I cant tell you how encouraging it is to see progress.
Anyways, I bring this up because I had to remind myself as I am again committing to push myself this semester. Next step for me: internship!
So I met with the woman in charge of Internships at my school here in Paris. She gave me the name of l'Atelier Guy Martin, this beautiful cooking school in the 8th. Amazing, right?! Guy Martin is a respected chef in Paris with several popular restos, but his school is for everyday people who love cooking and want to take either a class or several.
Its all in french but you should definitely check out the site:
www.atelierguymartin.com/site/
It just gives you a little idea of the atmosphere.
But, I didnt automatically just have the internship. I had to call them myself and set up an interview. Ahh. Horrible. I swear I have bad hearing so I have avoided the phone in french almost entirely up to this point (everyone texts anyways, right?!) So I ask to speak with the guy and ramble off my lines I practiced and he was like "J'ai mal a comprendre"_ or I cant understand you basically. Then he says "Would this be easier in english?" hahah ahh so Not the most graceful beginning, but I guess we all start somewhere. Luckily when I went for my interview this morning I could understand him and vice versa.
My job is to be translator :) I will start with translating their recipes into english, which in all honesty will be like learning an entirely new language! These are a little more complex than your mammas chocolate chip cookies so most of the terms I don't even know how to say in english, let alone in french! They also asked if I would be interested in helping out at big events? Yes please! He introduced me to all the guys and gave me a quick tour of the "offices," which include several gorgeous and fully equipped kitchens, private work spaces and then a room with a large table covered with everybodys laptops . That is where I will be working with my laptop :) so exciting!
So wish me luck- I start tomorrow morning 9 AM!
Kind of overwhelming when I am amidst the most uncomfortable moments, but I cant tell you how encouraging it is to see progress.
Anyways, I bring this up because I had to remind myself as I am again committing to push myself this semester. Next step for me: internship!
So I met with the woman in charge of Internships at my school here in Paris. She gave me the name of l'Atelier Guy Martin, this beautiful cooking school in the 8th. Amazing, right?! Guy Martin is a respected chef in Paris with several popular restos, but his school is for everyday people who love cooking and want to take either a class or several.
Its all in french but you should definitely check out the site:
www.atelierguymartin.com/site/
It just gives you a little idea of the atmosphere.
But, I didnt automatically just have the internship. I had to call them myself and set up an interview. Ahh. Horrible. I swear I have bad hearing so I have avoided the phone in french almost entirely up to this point (everyone texts anyways, right?!) So I ask to speak with the guy and ramble off my lines I practiced and he was like "J'ai mal a comprendre"_ or I cant understand you basically. Then he says "Would this be easier in english?" hahah ahh so Not the most graceful beginning, but I guess we all start somewhere. Luckily when I went for my interview this morning I could understand him and vice versa.
My job is to be translator :) I will start with translating their recipes into english, which in all honesty will be like learning an entirely new language! These are a little more complex than your mammas chocolate chip cookies so most of the terms I don't even know how to say in english, let alone in french! They also asked if I would be interested in helping out at big events? Yes please! He introduced me to all the guys and gave me a quick tour of the "offices," which include several gorgeous and fully equipped kitchens, private work spaces and then a room with a large table covered with everybodys laptops . That is where I will be working with my laptop :) so exciting!
So wish me luck- I start tomorrow morning 9 AM!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Norvège
I actually wrote this right after my trip to Norway, about the 21st January.
Wow, my life is amazing. I am four weeks deep into my six week vaca and quite aware of how blessed I am! I returned tues evening from visiting a dear friend in Norway (aka Norvège in France and Norge by norwegians themselves.) Its been nearly ten years since I'd seen Marianne, when she herself was an exchange student in Lakeville (of all places!) Now she is married and teaches in the elementary school. She and her husband were too good to me- feeding me delicious meats cheeses and breads and taking me on a tour of downtown Oslo. I had picked a perfect weekend to come because the national competition of x -country skiing was being held in Mariannes hometown, only about two hrs north. Both sat and sun were spent in the snow, cheering on the skiiers as we roasted mallows and dogs over a fire. At night we did nothing but cozy near the fireplace as we chatted, laughed and, of course, ate amazing food. Marianne happens to have a little thing for chocolate- and for which I love her for :) but seriously, great great family. I not only laughed hysterically (her sisters are just a hoot), I really feel like I learned a whole lot about Norway
I am amazed over and over again how different each society meets the needs of its citizens (or atleast how they plan to!) It was fun to see how much Marrianne’s family love their country.
My last day I had the opportunity to go to class with Marianne and speak English with the class, aka one of the most adorable experiences of my life! I went into each third grade class and had kind of like a Q&A session with the kids. They were all around the age of 8 and most they informed me their favorite color, favorite food,etc. The questions they asked me were pretty simple- like what was my favorite color and if I liked dogs- BUT there were also some that caught me off guard! Some of the funniest were: do you know you are getting a new president today? Yes, but why do you- 8 year old norwegian girl- know that? Haha Another was why do you love America? Hmmm.. Had never really had to explain that before! Another drew a portrait of me ☺ At the end they all gave me big hugs! Such a fun experience to be the "real american girl" for them. Marrianne is so gifted in working with the children that her influence on their life is very prevalent. I feel blessed to be able to be a part of it all.
So before I left I was already planning the next time I could come, with plans to explore the west coast. Norway is such a beautiful country with a very welcoming culture- I definitely experienced that first hand this vacation.
Wow, my life is amazing. I am four weeks deep into my six week vaca and quite aware of how blessed I am! I returned tues evening from visiting a dear friend in Norway (aka Norvège in France and Norge by norwegians themselves.) Its been nearly ten years since I'd seen Marianne, when she herself was an exchange student in Lakeville (of all places!) Now she is married and teaches in the elementary school. She and her husband were too good to me- feeding me delicious meats cheeses and breads and taking me on a tour of downtown Oslo. I had picked a perfect weekend to come because the national competition of x -country skiing was being held in Mariannes hometown, only about two hrs north. Both sat and sun were spent in the snow, cheering on the skiiers as we roasted mallows and dogs over a fire. At night we did nothing but cozy near the fireplace as we chatted, laughed and, of course, ate amazing food. Marianne happens to have a little thing for chocolate- and for which I love her for :) but seriously, great great family. I not only laughed hysterically (her sisters are just a hoot), I really feel like I learned a whole lot about Norway
I am amazed over and over again how different each society meets the needs of its citizens (or atleast how they plan to!) It was fun to see how much Marrianne’s family love their country.
My last day I had the opportunity to go to class with Marianne and speak English with the class, aka one of the most adorable experiences of my life! I went into each third grade class and had kind of like a Q&A session with the kids. They were all around the age of 8 and most they informed me their favorite color, favorite food,etc. The questions they asked me were pretty simple- like what was my favorite color and if I liked dogs- BUT there were also some that caught me off guard! Some of the funniest were: do you know you are getting a new president today? Yes, but why do you- 8 year old norwegian girl- know that? Haha Another was why do you love America? Hmmm.. Had never really had to explain that before! Another drew a portrait of me ☺ At the end they all gave me big hugs! Such a fun experience to be the "real american girl" for them. Marrianne is so gifted in working with the children that her influence on their life is very prevalent. I feel blessed to be able to be a part of it all.
So before I left I was already planning the next time I could come, with plans to explore the west coast. Norway is such a beautiful country with a very welcoming culture- I definitely experienced that first hand this vacation.
AH! So much to say!
OK, I have been just horrible and now I have to pay for it ! I returned to school this week after nearly 7 weeks of vacation and havent written about nearly any of it. Not only is that seven weeks to catch up on but they were possibly the most adventurous and crazy seven weeks of my life ! I have travelled to seven different countries since I returned from the south, all completely different and beautiful in their own way. So I think the best way to catch up is one post at a time..
But before my traveling even began I was blessed by a visit from Caroline, one of my best friends from back home. After a veeery long journey to Paris (several flight changes, cancellations, reroutes and lost baggage !) we had only a few hours to shop and prepare before going out to bring in the New Year correctly. Though we had plans to meet up with friends at several different locations throughout the night, all plans were abandoned and we had an outrageous night at a little establishment juste à côté to the Champs Elysée. After a lost scarf, a new scarf, many international encounters and several prom poses, the wee hours of morning came and told us it was time to make it to our beds. After not enough sleep, we woke up and had lunch with my host family. As they can not really speak english and Caroline isnt exactly proficient in French, I got to play translator ! So much fun ! I think it is a lot easier translating someone elses thoughts rather than your own, interestingly enough.
The week passed so quickly,, each day filled with sites and lots and lots of laughter. We definitely did not sleep a healthy amount, but that isnt too suprising- we didnt want to sleep away our week together !
There were several interesting realisations I had that week, the first being that there is actually less english spoken here than I realized. I feel like I meet english speakers everywhere all the time ! I cant tell you how many people we met that week that could barely utter a phrase in english. Athough I enjoyed playing translator, it isnt quite as fun to have to have a translator. Caroline was a real trooper though. Ive spoken my fair share of « franglais » since september, but I realised if I didn’t have a little french to put into that mix I wouldn’t have gotten so far. I feel like I have so far to go before I am efficient in this second language, but it also made me realize that I have been underestimating what I do know.
The other realisation is that my love for learning other cultures isnt necessarily normal, but more so a great passion. I know, kind of ridiculous that this just came to me but I am usually surrounded by people- especially here- that are sometimes even more passionate than I am about learning cultures other than our own. So in « my world » it is normal. But this funny little realisation kind of stirred in me some new dreams. I think my love for cultures is truly something God has placed inside me and will always be a big part of my life and how I bring glory to him.
But before my traveling even began I was blessed by a visit from Caroline, one of my best friends from back home. After a veeery long journey to Paris (several flight changes, cancellations, reroutes and lost baggage !) we had only a few hours to shop and prepare before going out to bring in the New Year correctly. Though we had plans to meet up with friends at several different locations throughout the night, all plans were abandoned and we had an outrageous night at a little establishment juste à côté to the Champs Elysée. After a lost scarf, a new scarf, many international encounters and several prom poses, the wee hours of morning came and told us it was time to make it to our beds. After not enough sleep, we woke up and had lunch with my host family. As they can not really speak english and Caroline isnt exactly proficient in French, I got to play translator ! So much fun ! I think it is a lot easier translating someone elses thoughts rather than your own, interestingly enough.
The week passed so quickly,, each day filled with sites and lots and lots of laughter. We definitely did not sleep a healthy amount, but that isnt too suprising- we didnt want to sleep away our week together !
There were several interesting realisations I had that week, the first being that there is actually less english spoken here than I realized. I feel like I meet english speakers everywhere all the time ! I cant tell you how many people we met that week that could barely utter a phrase in english. Athough I enjoyed playing translator, it isnt quite as fun to have to have a translator. Caroline was a real trooper though. Ive spoken my fair share of « franglais » since september, but I realised if I didn’t have a little french to put into that mix I wouldn’t have gotten so far. I feel like I have so far to go before I am efficient in this second language, but it also made me realize that I have been underestimating what I do know.
The other realisation is that my love for learning other cultures isnt necessarily normal, but more so a great passion. I know, kind of ridiculous that this just came to me but I am usually surrounded by people- especially here- that are sometimes even more passionate than I am about learning cultures other than our own. So in « my world » it is normal. But this funny little realisation kind of stirred in me some new dreams. I think my love for cultures is truly something God has placed inside me and will always be a big part of my life and how I bring glory to him.
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