Samoëns

Wow, the Alps are pretty much as cool as theyre repped to be. I went to this adorable little ski town called Samoëns in the French Alps, leaving Paris thursday night and coming back sunday night -tanned, happy and exhausted.

First of all, the french actually have days of the year designated for strikes. So French. So, if it hadnt been for the quick work on Bertrands part we would have had to cancel our trip due to our train cancelation. Instead we rode in style- a huuuge "magic" bus with 15 beds and two couch areas to hang out. So nice. We were a tiny group of eleven so I feel like we all got to know each other pretty well over the spanse of the weekend, which I guess is what generally happens when you have the combination of close quarters and long drives (slightly reminiscent of my crew days.)

I was nervous cuz it had been several years (sadly) since I'd actually strapped into my bindings, but the first day wasnt too rough. On the contrary, it felt so good to be back on a board! I dont even pretend to be a dare devil, but just riding is one of the most liberating feelings Ive ever experienced- can't get enough! Suprisingly, only 3 of us out of the 11 were snowboarders. Apparently skiing is making a huge comeback (who knew?!) I guess what is really becoming popular is telemark skiing, a.k.a. people trying to achieve thighs of steel. Id love to try it someday but it has to be just incredibly hard- youre basically doing lunges the entire time. Ouch! So anyways, of us three snowboarders, one of them was Bertrand- our activities coordinator- and he actually used to be pro! He has also gone heli-boarding and all this other intense stuff. Needless to say, he was amazing. Even cooler, he gave me some advice on my stance so that actually really helped me out.

We stayed at l'auberge Savoyarde, which is kind of like a bed and breakfast.. and they made our dinner. But it was perfect because we could just get cleaned up and go downstairs and dinner was served. Saturday night we were all a little bit more comfortable with each other and we just sat around the dinner table for hours chatting and laughing with each other. It was just such a fun night!

Hard to believe but it is already the weekend again! This weekend is actually a suprise- I am packing an overnight bag tonight and meeting my friends at the train station tomorrow morning. For a birthday present they bought me a train ticket for a special weekend but they won't give me details until I have to actually have my train ticket in hand!! How great are they?!?! I have amazing friends. The only details they gave me was to bring my carte de sejour (visa, so we are leaving france??), pack light, have comfortable enough shoes to walk around all day but still look cute. And that is all they will tell me haha I guess we will see in the morning!!

Lindso Bindso

Ok time is escaping me. Lindsay would laugh at me because almost everynight I would say I can believe its already 6! or whatever time- the point is I truly can't believe it! So its been over a week since Lindso left and I am now back into my normal routine. We had such an awesome tome together- first exploring London and then hanging in Paris. Lindsay probably walked over thirty miles while she was here! I still had classes so a couple mornings I just sent her off with a little map and she explored Paris on her own, walking around for hours. I was totally impressed by how much french she has remembered from her classes she had nearly eight yrs ago! Needless to say, we had such a great time just hanging out and chatting. Our first day in London Town was rainy rainy rainy, but we didn't let that stop us! We saw westminster, Big Ben and the London Eye- all with no crowds! Haha I actually think my favorite part is looking at the ridiculous pictures now! We are posing for pictures as the wind is blowing our hair and the rain is pouring down- it looks like a joke. But we just really wanted to experience London culture: rainy. Luckily the second day was pretty beautiful. We spent the morning in Notting Hill- loooved it! I even made Lindsay take pictures of the "Blue" door, that is now unfortunately black. I actually met a londoner (?) When I was staying in Barcelona and he told me thay painted it a few years back because they would always get tourists knocking on their door wanting to take pictures! Haha Ridiculousness. We then spent our afternoon walking around- we actually ended up walking to an area where there were no undergrounds nearby. What are the chances?!? To award ourselves for the immense amount of walking around we had done we went to an adorable pasta bar for lunch that we had walked by the night before. Delicious!

Unfortunately when we got back to Paris I still had classes, so Lindsos first day in Paris I sent her off with an apple and a map! She walked to the Eiffel Tower and the arch de triomphe- aka a loooot of walking. She also found an adorable bistro we went back to the following day- "pub kleber." Ok but this pub has a really funny story along with it. So when she first went she had this waiter who was just so sweet to her and took very good care of her, using the little english he knew- in large part why we love it so much. So when we went back, after we were done eating, this waiter does a double take when he looks at me, gives me a huge smile and says "bon appetit!" This kind of kindness from a waiter isn't always a norm in Paris- especially aafter you've eaten aand he isn't your waiter. Thrown off guard I just acknowledge it with a half smile and say "merci." I tell Lindsay and she is says. "That was my waiter! He totally thinks your me!" We laughed and I kinda felt bad that I didn't aknowledge his kindness more, but he had the wrong girl! To make things worse/funnier, when we were walking out the door he barely looks at Lindsay and says, "merci" while he then says "thank you very much!" To me! We just about died, he most definitely thought I was Lindsay WHILE lindsay was right there! We had a good laugh about that one. The rest of her time here we just did what anyone would want to do in Paris- spend hours chatting over delicious plats at adorable restaurants.

Oh I almost forgot to mention the craziest part for me- hearing my host family speak english! Sunday afternoon we had lunch with the family and my family decided to whip out their english- it was so weird for me! I am so glad they did because it was definitely more enjoyable for Lindso but for me it was the kind of weird that it is when I speak french with my american friends- semi un-natural. But it was so fun and I am glad that Lindsay got to meet my family and see how wonderful they are!

I am so glad she had the chance to come and hang out with me here, see a little bit of what my life is like and enjoy the french culture.

Well, mid-term studying is calling! Then tomorrow night I leave for snowboarding this weekend in the French Alps. Awwwwww.

La joie de vivre!

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.

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!

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.

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.

Bonnes Fetes!

Joyeux Noel! I know Im late on the ball, but I just enjoyed being "disconnected" the last week in the south of France :) Our Christmas actually began last sunday afternoon in Paris. Not all of the family was able to travel south for the holiday, so our usual family sunday brunch was turned into a christmas feast. Before the food was served santa paid us a little visit and left gifts at each persons place setting. Santa even came for me! My host mamma gave me these adorable black slipper socks that had fuzzy white stripes! Then my host sister who works in thailand gave me a rosemary soap stone and a wooden elephant, both from thailand. Since probably the middle of november I had been going back and forth on what to give my family. In the end I decided on a classy pairing of pink champagne and a box of macaroons from the celebrated tea room Lauduree. Lucky for me, I had no idea what a hit it would be! The box came with all different flavors of macaroons and we all laughed as we "oooed" and "awwwed" and passed each around, everyone taking a little bite for taste.

Monday we left for the south- more specifically- we stopped in Barpeaux to have dinner with my host mothers mother-in-law, which is right next to Dordonne, before going on to pamier in the district of Ariége, where we stayed until the following monday. I now understand, before we went I had no clue. Iswear everytime we talked about christmas the location changed! Are we going to Dordonne? No, Ariége? Wait, your grandma lives in Pamier- i thought it was Ariége? I thought I was going craaazy! The south was wonderful- Bonne Mamman (grandma) lives in the foot hills of the Mountains and our view was unreal. All I really did was eat, sleep and read. And let me capitalise on all I really did was EAT. My host mom has a huge family (she is one of 7 children) and about half of them were there for the holidays. Just about every meal turned into several hrs sitting around the table chatting about anything and everything- which unfortuantely shined a light on just how much I do not know about my own country! We almost always followed the main course with cheese, then dessert and then coffee. Mmm! And lets not forget our delicious pairing of wine and champagne with everything. This girl was never hungry. I also had a bunch of "firsts" because, due to it being christmas time, we had a bunch of delicacies like foie gras and tamara. I also had a slice of homemade bouche de Noel (the traditional Christmas cake.) I couldn't help but laugh when one of the Uncles pulled out a "Recipes of South Carolina" booklet, asking me if Id make a pecan pie. Of course I did (with the help of a few other hands) and it was delicious.

On Christmas eve I went to mass with my host family, which took place in the beautiful " town church"- the same church that my host sister was married in and Madame's father was buried in, Madame told me as the service began. My host family is catholic- well, they go to a catholic church on holidays- and as I sat in the service I was transported back to Adams, MN. Don't get me wrong- I am so very thankful of the Lord and the real meaning of Christmas is very important to me- buut all I really wanted during the service was my mom and sisters to joke around with! Instead I settled for smiling to myself as an elderly women lead us in singing hymns, waving her right hand like she was instructing a choir.

I did miss home this Christmas, Dommie's plaid christmas skirt and all. I missed the hectic christmas shopping, the snow and the christmas music. I really missed going to coffee with all my girlfriends. BUT I definitely don't feel like I missed out this Christmas, not in the slightest. I am entering into this new year feeling completely blessed and thanking God for all he has provided me with. It was an amazing experience to take part in my French familys christmas traditions and feel like part of their family.

Now dont be too jealous, but my vacation is only just beginning..I leave to pick Miss Caroline up at the airport tomorrow morning at 11 and I know Im about to enter into a week long workout from laughing!!

Ill add some pics from Christmas soon..

Gros bisous à tous!