Back Across the Pond...

While I had a wonderful time in London, it is time for me to put back on my France brain! I have a few recommendations so you can have France-brain too!

Garance Dore: Garance Dore is an artist, photographer and fashion-stalker extraordinaire. She outlines all the fashions from around the world, but spends a lot of time on the streets of Paris. 

Garance Dore

Do It In Paris: Anyone planning a trip to Paris soon? This website will fill you in on all the great things to do in Paris after you tire of the Eiffel Tower and Champs-Elysses. It has all the up-to-date information on expositions, restaurants, etc. It's also quite fun just to browse. 

Do It In Paris 

*both blogs have English versions as well

Gerald de Palmas: He has a song that is 'très populaire' in France right now and I happen to love it. Amusez-vous bien!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmFxRPqtZFE 

My Tudors Obsession

I had several hours on a train in order to get to London, so I rented the last season of the Tudors series and remembered why I was so obsessed with the show...

While I know that Henry VIII did NOT actually look like this, a girl can dream that the King of England and his Dukes looked like this right?? It's much more glamorous that way...

Hellllooo Henry!

Eeks...

My English friends were so very impressed with my knowledge of all things 'Tudor' as we walked through the Tudor Gallery. ;) They told me that they were taught a rhyme as children about his six wives: Divorced, Beheaded, Died...Divorced, Beheaded, Survived. Quite clever!

The Tudors now has four seasons on sale on iTunes for your guilty viewing pleasure!

Welcome to London! We speak English!

As I previously mentioned, I was able to spend this past weekend visiting some of my best friends from Costa Rica who have since returned home to London. I can't even express how good it was to see them, especially in one of my most favorite cities in the world!

It was a whirlwind weekend but here are some highlights:

1. I arrived via Chunnel and was scooped up by my amazing friends and taken to the London Eye for a drink while overlooking the entire city! Touristy, yes, but totally worth it.

2. Fish and Chips at the Golden Union...obviously. Even though I spent almost a month in London when I was in undergrad, this was actually my first time having fish and chips. I thought that that would be the main highlight of the meal until Emma ordered her dinner...a chip buttie. A chip buttie, for those who don't know, is a french fry sandwich with butter. Yes, that's right. Act like you don't want that...

The guy in this picture is Maddy's German boyfriend who was a great sport for sticking with us all night--even when things got really high pitched. 

3. We spent the night at Milk and Honey, a private club in London. Apparently London has a lot of 'members only' bars and nightclubs which are quite 'posh' if you will. I clearly am not a member of any of these clubs but am lucky enough to have friends who are! Milk and Honey was really cool and had a speakeasy, cave-y feeling to it. Leave it up to a girl from Millstadt, Illinois to weasel her way into a club to hob-nobb with high society in London.

4. Next day gallivanting around town: This includes this particular run in...classic. Fun fact-this man was not actually British :)

5. Mimosas and Bloody Mary's atop the National Portrait Gallery

 Celebrating the Queen's Jubilee obviously!

6. Spitalfields Vintage Market where I wanted to buy EVERYTHING. I would highly recommend it if you're visiting London. It's easy to find but an off-the-beaten-path event for sure. Also, if you're in the market for home decoration with personality, this is your place. http://www.spitalfields.co.uk/

 

We did many more things (including Indian food on Brick Lane, yum), so if you're going to London any time soon let me know and I'd be happy to help you with some more ideas!  A big thanks for my saucy little British friends for planning a much needed girls weekend and a big thanks to Patrick for hooking it up so it wasn't a hostel world/bed bug weekend ;) 

Oh London, what a bloody wonderful town you are!

Londy Londy Londy

What, I'm too early you say?? Whoops! 

In a few short months, London is about to be BA nanas...the evidence is already mounting. Quite exciting!

Un Voyage à Londres

I'm off to London town for the weekend to visit some friends! Will post more when I return! 

Bon week-end everyone! 

Buns of Steel.

Sidenote: If you ever study in Caen, I hope that you enjoy stairs. I have never felt so out of shape in my life as I climb five flights of these things several times a day followed by huffing and puffing for about 15 minutes after I get to my class. 

What's a girl gotta do to get an elevator around here?? :)

A Wild and Crazy Mardi Gras

2012's Mardi Gras was definitely one for the books. Although this year, strangely enough, it actually did not include binge drinking and a blur of beads at 8 am!

It actually was one of the most precious things I have ever experienced. Yesterday, I was invited to attend a Mardi Gras celebration with the 'older population' of Caen where we had crepes and got to try other traditional foods from the Norman area. Then, the association members regaled us with their stories from the France of the past. One was even in Caen for WWII! 

Not to worry though, I still woke up with a hangover from overindulging in Nutella and red wine. Ohhh Mardi Gras

Meet my boyfriend...

...his name is Skype. You may remember that we dated for about six months while I was in Costa Rica. Well, we're back together.

Anyone who has ever had a long distance relationship will tell you that Skype and strong wireless internet connection are a MUST to making it through alive. Cheers to free calling programs on the internet! Also, if you can't have internet, I heard (by heard I mean saw on Pinterest) that there are pillows that you can each have that light up when the other one is sleeping. Très romantique!

Morning Run

Looky what I found on my run this morning...

Not too shabby, eh? This particular place is called Abbaye aux Dames. Construction started in 1062 by William the Conqueror and his wife, Matilda. The building was involved in both the Hundred Years War and the French Revolution, but luckily it made it through the WWII bombings. I'm glad because it is quite the sight! 

Tout à l'heure!

Best Seller...

Sign of the Apocalypse?

 

La Vie Quotidienne*

Daily life here in Caen is quite different than my normal day in St. Louis...

For example, I walk to school everyday and on that walk, I cross through a castle built by William the Conqueror (Guillaume le Conquérant) around 1060. 

Sooo, that's different. 

Here are just a few pictures of the 'everyday' sights.

I miss everyone and hope you are enjoying Mardi Gras weekend! French Mardi Gras posts to come!

*daily life

French Parenting

My Aunt Debbie recently sent me a very interesting clip from the Today Show showcasing a new book about French parenting. The book's author is an American living in Paris who is experiencing bringing up her children the 'French' way. Her book is about the differences she has found between American and French parenting norms. 

While I don't have any bébés myself, I still found this to be quite intriguing. However, I must say that after living with a French family raising children, some of these are a bit of a stretch. I guess my verdict is still out at the moment.

My Aunt says she thinks she might incorporate 'La Pause' into her life with everyone she knows, not just kids :) Enjoy the clip!

Bonjour Bébé 

 

le Jour de la Saint-Valentin

You KNOW I had to do a post of the day o' love from the city o' love right??

Today is Valentines Day and although I thought I would be depressed without my big American valentine, it actually turned out to be a pretty great day.

Case in point--the surprise dozen roses waiting for me in my room when I got home from school! Patrick, you are quite the smooth one! My host family and roommate were waiting to take pictures of me finding that giant box (see below) and they said that even the mailman told them that this delivery made his day! My 'host dad' told me that they were so excited for me and VIVRE L'AMOUR! 

But enough about my sappy love story :) I've posted the link below of some absolutely beautiful pictures of l'amour in Paris. Not too many other places in the world where life is love and you better express it while French kizzzzinnggggg. 

Love and Romance in Paris

Love and Bisous from France!

les soldes

Les Soldes = the greatest event for shoppers in France since the introduction of Galeries Lafayette

In short, it is the bi-annual sale that all stores in France participate in and it is magical! There are no other sales anywhere the rest of the year. It is just a month each January-February and then June-July. It is a can't miss, especially if you're shopping on the dollar! Tomorrow is the last day of the soldes d'hiver and I am in the process of mourning my loss. See ya in June Zara!

Beach Day?

My 'host mom' has relatives that have a place on the beach near Caen. They invited me one afternoon to go see the beach and have a little coffee and tea with their extended family. 

I must say, it is the first time I have ever seen the beach with snow on it. My roommate was also with us and being from the South of Spain, snow on the beach was quite the sight for her as well! 

The picture above is of myself and my 'host parents.' Aren't they cute? :) 

Métro, Boulot, Dodo

The title of this post is Métro, Boulot, Dodo. The literal translation is subway, work, sleep, or in other words, 'same old routine,' or we sometimes say 'work, work, work.' As you can see, the French have developed their own saying for this common state of being. However, it has been my own personal observation that there is a fundamental difference with the idea of working and what you do for a living between France and the United States.

Let me explain...

When you first meet someone in the United States, what is one of the first questions you always ask?

What do you do?

That says a lot more than just the name of your profession, does it not? This question is considered rude and imposing to ask a French person upon first meeting. Not only is it a question about how much money you make (biggest faux pas out there) but it implies that what you do is essentially who you are. That is not the French way of thinking. Life is about enjoying life and not just métro, boulot, dodo!

Perfect example: 

I am taking a class called Simulation Globale where you essentially create your own little city and characters within the classroom. A French Sim City, if you will. (The photo is of my friends and I in this class.) 

The professor walked us through how to create the characters that we would 'be' for the rest of the semester. Each time, he would pose the question of what should we develop/decide about our characters next? All of the American students (including me) kept thinking that the next step would surely be the persons job. How can you develop a personality if they don't have a profession? Sure enough, each time, he shot us down and was almost confused as to why we kept saying that that information should be next. We had to answer all these questions about our new personality/character before ever even thinking about their job:

-likes/dislikes

-where they are from

-marriage status

-meaning of family name

-meaning of first name

-birthday 

-astrological sign 

-Chinese year we were born

-quirks and pet peeves

-how they might carry themselves and present themselves

Next class, we will decide on the job...maybe...

American in Da House.

This past week, I had the opportunity to go with my 'host mom' to the school in which she is an English teacher. (Did I mention she is French but has an impeccable British accent?? Incroyable!)

Anyway, she brought me in as a sort of 'show and tell' since I am American and they were doing a unit on New York City. She thought it would be interesting for the students (junior high age) to hear my accent because there really aren't a lot of Americans (if any) in the small town where she teaches. Of course, I accepted the invitation and had a really great time! 

Here are just a few of my favorite questions from the students:

-Do you know all the celebrities? 

-Do you like football and bazzzeball? 

-Can we hear you speak French?

-Are you friends with Barack Obama?

Although this was all very entertaining for me, I will say, these junior high age students practically understood everything I said. I think that is such an accomplishment and I would give anything to go back in time and learn a language at a younger age. Obviously I'm biased, given my future career path, but knowing more than one language is just so damn cool. Especially when you're 12... :) 

Tout à l'heure everyone!

 

France Playlist of the Moment

 

Blue Jeans- Lana Del Rey

Rococo- Arcade Fire

Rocket Man- My Morning Jacket

40 Day Dream- Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

Beach Baby- Bon Iver

Caravane Rabouine- Emil Prud’homme

Bonne Idée- Jean-Jacques Goldman

Simple Song- The Shins

No Light, No Light- Florence + the Machine

Ces bottes sont faites pour marcher- Eileen

Hang On Little Tomato- Pink Martini

Chérie Coco- Magic System

Amor Fati- Washed Out

Steve McQueen- M83

Phantom Limb- The Shins

Garçon- French Connection

Charlie Brown- Coldplay

Paris (Aeroplane Remix)- Friendly Fires

Une Seule Vie- Gerald de Palmas

Young Blood- The Naked and Famous

Heart of the City- Jay-Z

You Got It- Roy Orbison

Radio- Lana Del Rey

Americano- Lady Gaga

Moth’s Wings- Passion Pit

Good Morning!

Bonjour from Caen! I hope everyone has a great day!

Les Livres d'Occasion

There is something so romantic about a used book. 

I love being able to say I found that little gem on my bookshelf in a used bookstore, and in Caen, I have hit the mother-load! The downtown area is filled with used book stores just waiting to be sniffed through. My favorite has several chandeliers and even a little cafe to take a break between your pursuing. 

If anyone is looking for a specific book, I would be happy to find it for you there! Here are some pictures of my favorite little place:

French Women Don't Get Fat...

...but let me be the first to assure you, American women DO. Rather, this American woman does!

The presence of boulangeries (bakeries essentially) on every corner, along with my unhealthy obsession with French cheese, has made living in France a big problem for this American girl's waistline. I have had to come to terms with the fact that I can't eat the same foods as French women and even possibly wear a swimsuit come June. But whhhyyyy??? Why can they eat those delicious foods and I can't?? (insert whiny voice)

Well, my hungry American friends, I realized that each time I've been in France, I was eating like someone visiting France, not a French person. In general, they eat most meals at home, so they can enjoy just a petit taste of Nutella each day instead of housing half the jar. A French woman can eat whatever she wants, just in much smaller portions than I'm accustomed. So, while I would prefer to eat that whole yummy demi-baguette, I know that if I want to live here like a vraie francaise, I have to take note from my French-y sisters and put down that second half of that buttered croque monsieur! Wish me luck :)

*act like saying no to this wouldn't be hard for you either...

 

Yes, please.

I just thought I should share this with you all. This a photo my friend snapped recently on a quick run to the corner grocery store. This depicts about a third of the choices available at this relatively small grocer. 

Heaven. 

The Beauty of Snail Mail

I have found that living in a place far, far away from home makes me appreciate certain things that might not have been as big of a deal before. One such thing for me is, mail! 

Since I have been here, my parents have sent me a care package along with some nice cards from other loved ones. Although that is always nice to receive, you would have thought I was 5 years old and it was Christmas morning in France! I will always remember how it feels to be all alone and then receive a little piece of home the old fashion way that just isn't possible via technology. In summary, hooray for snail mail!

Faire la Moue

I have been in France for about two weeks now and as I listen to French all day, I realize there is something I am obviously missing. I couldn't put my finger on it, but now I think I've got it...

I don't know how to do the French pout, or, faire la moue. 

I believe that this is an essential part to, as strange as it sounds, having correct pronunciation. I have found that when I emulate what they are doing with their mouths, which to me looks like a flirty pout, I actually sound better! But alas, I'll just let Vanessa Paradis and Brigitte Bardot do the pout-y talking...

Tout a l'heure! (insert pout-y lips)