It's hard to believe this day has come. My last day (last 4 hours) in Nantes. In exactly 4 hours I'll be leaving to go to the train station, and 30 minutes after that I will be on my train to Paris. I can't really describe my feelings besides the fact that my feelings remind me very much of the night before my first day of Freshman year of college....leaving behind a life I created and lived for something new. At least this time, I know what I'm headed towards.
The director of my program here told us that when we go back, "you will have changed...but no one will understand or treat you differently."
I already know this is true; I can feel it. But I am the same Monica as always, just with more experiences, more knowledge, a more open mind...a piece of my heart will be left in Nantes tomorrow. This program has done something indescribable for me. I will never forget anything I experienced and I know that for the rest of my life I will look back on this trip in a light that is incomprehensible for anyone else to understand: fond memories but also incredible envy of my 19-year-old self and the life I once led, independent, in Europe. I will never be able to experience this again, but I am so thankful I had the opportunity to write this monumental chapter in my life.
With that said, I'm fricking ready to come home! I'm elated to be seeing you all again so soon!
Watch out, world. Monica is ready for you.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Beaucoup de Photos!
Hello from Portugal!
I just finished making captions for all of my online photo albums, so here are their links!
I'll do a broader update and an entry about Portugal when I get back to Nantes! So far Lisbon is AWESOME and I've met SOOOOO many amazing and fun people here in my hostel! I'm truly having the best time I could have ever hoped to have!
UPDATE:
I'm back in Nantes, now, and it's truly the home stretch. I have 2 papers due and my final exam at the fac next week, and then the following 2 weeks are class reviews and IES finals! I have 2 more trips planned: one through IES -- a trip to Clisson, France (this coming Saturday, the 24th)-- and another with 3 friends -- to the south of France to the large seaside city, Marseille (the following weekend, at the beginning of May).
Enjoy the photos and the commentary I added! Feel free to ask questions and I'll answer them in my next post!
I just finished making captions for all of my online photo albums, so here are their links!
I'll do a broader update and an entry about Portugal when I get back to Nantes! So far Lisbon is AWESOME and I've met SOOOOO many amazing and fun people here in my hostel! I'm truly having the best time I could have ever hoped to have!
UPDATE:
Enjoy the photos and the commentary I added! Feel free to ask questions and I'll answer them in my next post!
Monday, April 5, 2010
Le Weekend de Pâques
Bonjour tout le monde! Happy Easter and Passover!
I thought I had updated my blog, but it turns out I published it under another account by accident! Here's my most recent entry! I wrote this yesterday--keep that in mind when you read my plans for "tonight" and "tomorrow."
It's been a long, long time since I last posted a blog entry (over a month I think, unacceptable)! I recently uploaded all the pictures I've taken up until this point, and they're all online! I'm working on captions and have completely finished my album from London: Londres
I visited London the 19th through the 22nd of February, so a very long time ago! But here it is! I visited two friends from Ithaca, Rose (who I met way back in Orientation of Freshman year) and Laura (who I met through my sorority)! I stayed in their apartment, which is VERY nice, but very pricey as well. They're incredibly happy there because it's beautiful, very well situated, and their landlady loves them (and therefore gives them all of these random extra things like nice china). They live with a third student from Ithaca College named Kelly, who is also a very nice and fun person. (Ithaca has a college campus in London, so all of the students in their program are from Ithaca College, however they aren't fond of many of the other students, so they've become really close and have met and become friends with a lot of British blokes!)
This coming Thursday afternoon I'm leaving with my good friend Amanda to go to Lisbon, Portugal, and we're coming back the following Sunday afternoon (8th - 18th!). We are SO excited to go. We've heard so many amazing things about Lisbon and are staying in a hostel that's ranked among the best in the world!
I'm about to go to Amanda's house, actually, to eat dinner and sleep over (3-day weekend for Easter), so I'll continue writing captions and updating my blog tomorrow.
Update: I just got back from Amanda's house and we had a great time. I watched Paris, Je t'aime and Hannah Montana the Movie for the first time!
I miss everyone very much (especially since I wasn't with my family to celebrate Easter for the first time, I think) and I can't wait to come home, even though I'm also sad that I only have about 40 days left of this program. It's been an incredible experience with many ups and downs, but I've never regretted my decision to come here. I hope everyone is doing very well--please keep me updated if you have any big (or small) news!
À bientôt,
Monica
I thought I had updated my blog, but it turns out I published it under another account by accident! Here's my most recent entry! I wrote this yesterday--keep that in mind when you read my plans for "tonight" and "tomorrow."
It's been a long, long time since I last posted a blog entry (over a month I think, unacceptable)! I recently uploaded all the pictures I've taken up until this point, and they're all online! I'm working on captions and have completely finished my album from London: Londres
I visited London the 19th through the 22nd of February, so a very long time ago! But here it is! I visited two friends from Ithaca, Rose (who I met way back in Orientation of Freshman year) and Laura (who I met through my sorority)! I stayed in their apartment, which is VERY nice, but very pricey as well. They're incredibly happy there because it's beautiful, very well situated, and their landlady loves them (and therefore gives them all of these random extra things like nice china). They live with a third student from Ithaca College named Kelly, who is also a very nice and fun person. (Ithaca has a college campus in London, so all of the students in their program are from Ithaca College, however they aren't fond of many of the other students, so they've become really close and have met and become friends with a lot of British blokes!)
This coming Thursday afternoon I'm leaving with my good friend Amanda to go to Lisbon, Portugal, and we're coming back the following Sunday afternoon (8th - 18th!). We are SO excited to go. We've heard so many amazing things about Lisbon and are staying in a hostel that's ranked among the best in the world!
I'm about to go to Amanda's house, actually, to eat dinner and sleep over (3-day weekend for Easter), so I'll continue writing captions and updating my blog tomorrow.
Update: I just got back from Amanda's house and we had a great time. I watched Paris, Je t'aime and Hannah Montana the Movie for the first time!
I miss everyone very much (especially since I wasn't with my family to celebrate Easter for the first time, I think) and I can't wait to come home, even though I'm also sad that I only have about 40 days left of this program. It's been an incredible experience with many ups and downs, but I've never regretted my decision to come here. I hope everyone is doing very well--please keep me updated if you have any big (or small) news!
À bientôt,
Monica
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Je Reviens!
I'm back!!
My winter break went very well, even though I had many problems traveling due to a general transportation strike in France. (Read the entire article...it's very interesting, especially the people's comments at the bottom.) I once thought I'd be stranded in Venice, and another time I thought that I'd be homeless in Paris for a night while suffering from a nasty bug (I think it was a combination of things I ate and drank in Venice). Neither of those things happened of course, although I did lose a little bit of money (although I have to say not nearly as much as some other students; many people were affected by the strike).
It's going to take me a while to make and caption my photo albums and then write an entry about my adventures, but in the mean time, check out the new links I put up! They're right under the the picture of the flag, always right above the most recent entry.
And here's proof that I actually DID travel!!!
Tchao!
Monica
My winter break went very well, even though I had many problems traveling due to a general transportation strike in France. (Read the entire article...it's very interesting, especially the people's comments at the bottom.) I once thought I'd be stranded in Venice, and another time I thought that I'd be homeless in Paris for a night while suffering from a nasty bug (I think it was a combination of things I ate and drank in Venice). Neither of those things happened of course, although I did lose a little bit of money (although I have to say not nearly as much as some other students; many people were affected by the strike).
It's going to take me a while to make and caption my photo albums and then write an entry about my adventures, but in the mean time, check out the new links I put up! They're right under the the picture of the flag, always right above the most recent entry.
And here's proof that I actually DID travel!!!
Tchao!
Monica
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Deux Jours!!
Ahhhh! I only have 2 days before my winter break starts! This is absolutely MIND BLOWING! I'm so excited, but at the same time, the time is going by too quickly :(
Change of topic so as to avoid depression, this weekend was really fun! Check it out (captions and all, don't fret!) in my new photo album! Le Rugby et Les Marraines
Today I took my first midterm! Even though I studied for just under 2 hours for it, I didn't feel as prepared for it as I'd hoped. But I'm sure I did well on it nonetheless. The teachers here are really nice in that they don't assign homework for the breaks (not that some classes ever give nightly homework, but you know, the ones that do)! When I asked my grammar teacher if there was homework over the break she responded, "Psh, do you think I'm that naive?! To assign homework over a break when you're all traveling around Europe?!" haha. Elle a raison.
I'm not going to bring my computer with me when traveling, so this might be the last entry until a week from Friday or so.
I bought a Twix Bar and I'm about to eat it. I'm really excited; it's my first piece of American candy since being here.
Bonne semaine,
Monica
PS - DNA in France is ADN
PPS - I bought 2 pairs of tights and a skirt for 15 Euros! (I'm finally satisfied with my wardrobe/selection, and I'm rather good at finding bargains; all the students were impressed with my finds!)
Change of topic so as to avoid depression, this weekend was really fun! Check it out (captions and all, don't fret!) in my new photo album! Le Rugby et Les Marraines
Today I took my first midterm! Even though I studied for just under 2 hours for it, I didn't feel as prepared for it as I'd hoped. But I'm sure I did well on it nonetheless. The teachers here are really nice in that they don't assign homework for the breaks (not that some classes ever give nightly homework, but you know, the ones that do)! When I asked my grammar teacher if there was homework over the break she responded, "Psh, do you think I'm that naive?! To assign homework over a break when you're all traveling around Europe?!" haha. Elle a raison.
I'm not going to bring my computer with me when traveling, so this might be the last entry until a week from Friday or so.
I bought a Twix Bar and I'm about to eat it. I'm really excited; it's my first piece of American candy since being here.
Bonne semaine,
Monica
PS - DNA in France is ADN
PPS - I bought 2 pairs of tights and a skirt for 15 Euros! (I'm finally satisfied with my wardrobe/selection, and I'm rather good at finding bargains; all the students were impressed with my finds!)
Friday, February 12, 2010
La Météo
Weather conditions in Nantes:
You'd THINK it snowed this much yesterday with the problems there were involving the public transportation system....Thursday, February 11, 2010
Le Club de Conversation!
I just finished making captions for my rather large new photo album! I have pictures of all sorts of things, so enjoy! Les Saints et Les Amis
Once again this week flew by....next Friday I head off to London for my first break and when I come back it'll be March. I honestly don't know where time's been going.
I'm pretty sure that I'm just going to London and Venice now, and not Belgium because I couldn't get the girl that originally agreed to go with me to commit. I don't think she's doing anything for break because she never planned anything...Oh well. I might check out Rome for a day by myself (because it's so cheap to get there from Venice) and then head back to Nantes the Friday or Saturday of my break. Mme. Rouchet (one of the directors at IES) said that students that travel the entirety of the breaks are always too exhausted, anyways, so it'd be a good idea for me to come back and have a day or two to rest.
The Conversation Club started 3 weeks ago (3 Tuesday ago). The first night I was too tired after all my classes, so I didn't go. Last Tuesday and this Tuesday I DID go, though! And I will never miss another one again, no matter how tired I am!
It's the coolest club where IES students and French students from the University get together in groups of 10-15 in separate rooms and play social games or talk about a certain topic. Either half of the sessions is held is French and then the other English, or the American students speak in French the entire time and the French students speak in English the entire time (I've had both). It's really fun and you get to meet a lot of really nice, funny, and cool French students. It's an hour and a half so you really get a lot of time to practice speaking, listening, and getting to know each other. Plus, it's always reassuring to see other students your age trying to speaking your language with the same difficulties and mistakes as you have while speaking theirs. I love this activity; it's one of my favorite activities in the entire program here in Nantes.
I don't have too much else to tell you except for the fact that I can't really Skype with anyone. Ichat and OoVoo don't work either (other types of internet video chatting). The wireless internet here (and apparently all over Europe) just isn't good enough unless you have your own private internet router (which a lot of people actually don't have, including me). And the wifi offered at IES was horrible the one day I tried it.
So, if you'd like to talk to me more, my only suggestion is through AIM (AOL Instant Messaging). If you don't already have a screenname, you can quickly make one free of charge; then I can instant message you!
Lemme know,
Monica
Saturday, February 6, 2010
J'AI TROIS VACANCES!
I now have THREE vacations!! Jim just told me that he bought his ticket to....
He's definitely coming over his spring break (March 12-20)! We're gonna spend the 1st weekend in Paris and then he's gonna live in Nantes over the week so that I can go to classes and then show him around Nantes in my free time!! I'm so excited! He'll get to see where and how I live!! (And he'll have time to study for his 2 midterms he'll have to take when he gets back home.)
Just wanted to share the good news :) Gotta get to sleep because I'm getting up in 7 hours for my trip tomorrow!
Bon nuit et j'espère que demain vous passez un bonne journée!
Monica
He's definitely coming over his spring break (March 12-20)! We're gonna spend the 1st weekend in Paris and then he's gonna live in Nantes over the week so that I can go to classes and then show him around Nantes in my free time!! I'm so excited! He'll get to see where and how I live!! (And he'll have time to study for his 2 midterms he'll have to take when he gets back home.)
Just wanted to share the good news :) Gotta get to sleep because I'm getting up in 7 hours for my trip tomorrow!
Bon nuit et j'espère que demain vous passez un bonne journée!
Monica
Friday, February 5, 2010
La Dernière Chance...
...To change my schedule! Today was the last day of the add/drop period for IES and the University and I DID make one last change (haha I know, I've been very indecisive).
I am keeping all of the IES classes in which I was previously enrolled (Grammar, Phonetics, Middle East, and Art History). However, I decided to drop ("abandonner") the Archeology course at the University because I had missed a class or two (because the class started before the IES program started), I couldn't keep up with the professor, and because I wasn't very interested in the material I could understand. Therefore, I am replacing it with another course at the University: another Art History course, but a Contemporary Art History course (the one offered here at IES focuses on Neoclassical, Romantic, Impressionist, and other non-Contemporary genres of art). It meets 2 hours a week (Thursday 12-2) and it lasts only 7 weeks (starting mid March and ending in late April).
Pros:
*I can make it to all of the classes (I don't have to start off behind)
*I can concentrate on my 4 other courses for the time being and around finals time
*The professor has a good relationship with IES
*All previous IES students really enjoyed and succeeded in his classes
Cons:
*We'll just have to wait and see....hahaha
But I'm confident that I've made the right decision! I'm very happy with my course load and love all of my IES classes!
IES organized a trip to Normandie tomorrow. I will make a photo album and post an update on how the trip was!
For my winter break (Feb 19-28), I'm pretty sure that I'm going to Belgium (Brussels) after London and Venice. There will DEFINITELY be photo albums from these places!!
Bon weekend!
I am keeping all of the IES classes in which I was previously enrolled (Grammar, Phonetics, Middle East, and Art History). However, I decided to drop ("abandonner") the Archeology course at the University because I had missed a class or two (because the class started before the IES program started), I couldn't keep up with the professor, and because I wasn't very interested in the material I could understand. Therefore, I am replacing it with another course at the University: another Art History course, but a Contemporary Art History course (the one offered here at IES focuses on Neoclassical, Romantic, Impressionist, and other non-Contemporary genres of art). It meets 2 hours a week (Thursday 12-2) and it lasts only 7 weeks (starting mid March and ending in late April).
Pros:
*I can make it to all of the classes (I don't have to start off behind)
*I can concentrate on my 4 other courses for the time being and around finals time
*The professor has a good relationship with IES
*All previous IES students really enjoyed and succeeded in his classes
Cons:
*We'll just have to wait and see....hahaha
But I'm confident that I've made the right decision! I'm very happy with my course load and love all of my IES classes!
IES organized a trip to Normandie tomorrow. I will make a photo album and post an update on how the trip was!
Bon weekend!
Monica
Thursday, February 4, 2010
BON ANNIVERSAIRE!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO EVERYONE WHO HAS A LATE JANUARY/FEBRUARY BIRTHDAY!
Love, 
:D
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ZEDO!!! I HOPE YOU HAD A GREAT DAY!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AUNT PATTY!! I HOPE YOUR DAY WAS RELAXING!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AUNT ALICIA!! I HOPE YOU HAVE A FUN DAY OF CELEBRATION!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PAIGE!! HAVE A BLAST AND I HOPE YOU GET EVERYTHING YOU WANT ON YOUR BIRTHDAY!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOMMY!! I'LL MISS YOU ON YOUR BIRTHDAY BUT I'LL BE THINKING OF YOU! YOU DESERVE THE BEST SO TAKE IT EASY! AND GET A CAKE LIKE THIS BECAUSE I KNOW YOU WANT IT!
That's all for this post; I just wanted to let everyone know I was thinking of them :)
Love,
Monica
PS - I was home for Uncle Stefan's birthday, but once again, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, UNCLE STEFAN!
Here's a cake for you too....
:DTuesday, February 2, 2010
Nantes Est Vraiment Une Ville Historique!
Here's a little tour of my room, my street, and some historical Landmarks in Nantes.
This past Thursday through Sunday was Nantes' world renowned music festival,
La Folle Journée.
The festival started out as a 1-day event, but as it became more and more well known and attracted more and more prestigious artists, the event expanded into an extremely well attended 4-day event!
La Folle Journée.
The festival started out as a 1-day event, but as it became more and more well known and attracted more and more prestigious artists, the event expanded into an extremely well attended 4-day event!
There were also some "pre-festival" high school concerts at the music conservatory, "Conservatoire," in Nantes. It is the music school where 3 of the children in my host family studied (Priscille still studies there). Wednesday night my host family took me to see a concert at the Conservatoire and I was VERY impressed with the students' performance. A 24-year old alumni returned to accompany the band/orchestra on the piano for a few songs. It was a very beautiful concert!
The pianist I saw at La Folle Journée also played a very beautiful concert. He played 4 pieces which lasted about 45 minutes. IES provided us with "free" tickets (prepaid in tuition) and we got to choose 1 of 6 concerts (a choice of 3 concerts on Saturday and 3 concerts on Sunday). There were also free concerts in "La Grande Salle," The Great/Grand Hall in the middle of the building. Oh, by the way, the building was called "The City of Congress." And it was a big complex! They had a red carpet leading up to the doors where you entered the building!!
Le Bâtiment est vraiment chouette!
I'm working on adding videos to my online photo/video archive and when I finally succeed (I WILL) I will post a few short video clips of performers from La Folle Journée.
The pianist I saw at La Folle Journée also played a very beautiful concert. He played 4 pieces which lasted about 45 minutes. IES provided us with "free" tickets (prepaid in tuition) and we got to choose 1 of 6 concerts (a choice of 3 concerts on Saturday and 3 concerts on Sunday). There were also free concerts in "La Grande Salle," The Great/Grand Hall in the middle of the building. Oh, by the way, the building was called "The City of Congress." And it was a big complex! They had a red carpet leading up to the doors where you entered the building!!
I'm working on adding videos to my online photo/video archive and when I finally succeed (I WILL) I will post a few short video clips of performers from La Folle Journée.
Bonne Soirée Tout le Monde!
Monica
Friday, January 29, 2010
La Première Semaine
Bonjour!
I'd like to start out by saying that I'm very excited to be posting a new entry...my last post was a whole week ago! Oh là là!
Unfortunately the internet at my house works very poorly on my computer. I can only stay connected for about 10 minutes if I am able to connect at all (it's strange, I'm currently at the IES building which is 15 minutes away from my house, using the same network as the the one my host family uses, and I have full connectivity).
So, as much as I've wanted to update this blog, I haven't had the time or the ability to do so :(
I switched some classes and this is the schedule I believe I am going to keep for the rest of the semester (but who really knows what I might decide next week, haha):
Monday
11:00-12:00 French Language
1:00-2:00 Gallo-Roman Archeology (at the University/à la fac)
Tuesday
11:15-12:30 France & US in the Middle East
3:15-4:30 France & US in the Middle East
(the professor doesn't live in Nantes so both sessions are held in one day)
Wednesday
10:00-11:15 French 19th and 20th Century Art History
11:30-12:30 Phonetics Theory
12:30-1:30 Phonetics Conversation
1:30-3:30 French Language
5:30-6:30 Phonetics Lab (à la fac)
Thursday
10:00-11:15 French 19th and 20th Century Art History
5:30-6:30 Phonetics Lab (à la fac)
Friday
11:00-12:00 French Language
I've only received homework in the French Language class (the professor teaches grammar and commonly used phrases, we practice speaking, we read articles, etc), but I have to purchase several books for my other classes (typically 1 book per class...there are many less required books than there are at Ithaca or other typical American university).
Yesterday I bought a bag from a street vender! besides cheapo bags at H&M (the good ones were all sold out), all other stores sold bags for extremely high prices (EVEN though there are huge sales right now!). I got a very good deal on this little number! Plus, I look more European with it, right?
For many more pictures, stories, and answered questions...
I'd like to start out by saying that I'm very excited to be posting a new entry...my last post was a whole week ago! Oh là là!
Unfortunately the internet at my house works very poorly on my computer. I can only stay connected for about 10 minutes if I am able to connect at all (it's strange, I'm currently at the IES building which is 15 minutes away from my house, using the same network as the the one my host family uses, and I have full connectivity).
So, as much as I've wanted to update this blog, I haven't had the time or the ability to do so :(
I switched some classes and this is the schedule I believe I am going to keep for the rest of the semester (but who really knows what I might decide next week, haha):
Monday
11:00-12:00 French Language
1:00-2:00 Gallo-Roman Archeology (at the University/à la fac)
Tuesday
11:15-12:30 France & US in the Middle East
3:15-4:30 France & US in the Middle East
(the professor doesn't live in Nantes so both sessions are held in one day)
Wednesday
10:00-11:15 French 19th and 20th Century Art History
11:30-12:30 Phonetics Theory
12:30-1:30 Phonetics Conversation
1:30-3:30 French Language
5:30-6:30 Phonetics Lab (à la fac)
Thursday
10:00-11:15 French 19th and 20th Century Art History
5:30-6:30 Phonetics Lab (à la fac)
Friday
11:00-12:00 French Language
I've only received homework in the French Language class (the professor teaches grammar and commonly used phrases, we practice speaking, we read articles, etc), but I have to purchase several books for my other classes (typically 1 book per class...there are many less required books than there are at Ithaca or other typical American university).
Yesterday I bought a bag from a street vender! besides cheapo bags at H&M (the good ones were all sold out), all other stores sold bags for extremely high prices (EVEN though there are huge sales right now!). I got a very good deal on this little number! Plus, I look more European with it, right?
Friday, January 22, 2010
La Sandwiche Américaine
Ya know, I had hoped that I wouldn't encounter negative stereotypes of Americans and the United States in general when I decided to travel abroad. And America's image has improved globally solely because of Barack Obama (the French REALLY like him...many, many, many people bring him up and he's always in their news), so I had high hopes...
But does THIS look like it POSITIVELY reflects American food?!
The picture's washed out because I accidentally messed up a camera setting, but it's a cheese steak with ketchup/mayo, lettuce, and FRIES. Oh and in attempt to be healthy, I got a few clementines hahaha ;)
Kate and I both got one and enjoyed them very much! There were 4 other French customers in the store with us...all of whom ordered the American Sandwich.
Were we proud of America? To be American citizens?
pshhh, why not, lol.
The French can have their fancy, historical architecture...I'm going to enjoy the sandwich more anyway.
(JUST KIDDING!)
I saw someone eating this for lunch today and they let me try a little…it’s absolutely delicious, I had to limit myself to just one piece-of-bread’s worth of cheese.
Kate and I both got one and enjoyed them very much! There were 4 other French customers in the store with us...all of whom ordered the American Sandwich.
Were we proud of America? To be American citizens?
pshhh, why not, lol.
The French can have their fancy, historical architecture...I'm going to enjoy the sandwich more anyway.
(JUST KIDDING!)
Today I also did a little shopping and for just about $14 US (I'm estimating) I got...
About 10 apples, a sandwich, big carrots, multigrain nut bread, couscous, une baguette, and YUMMY CAMEMBERT CHEESE!
I’m very excited to eat the rest.
Even though it’s not necessary that they feed me more than 5 dinners a week (Monday through Friday usually), my host mother offered to feed me all of this weekend. I showed her everything I bought and apologized because it took up a decent amount of space (the fridge is decent sized but the freezer takes up almost half of it so the actual fridge part isn’t as big as mine back home). She asked why I didn’t put it in the fridges at IES and I explained that I had bought it for weekend meals…and she was very confused by that because she assumed I knew that in the beginning of the program, when everything is still new, the students are almost expected to eat with their host families (what else are we going to do? We haven’t even found affordable restaurants yet). I’m very fortunate to have such a considerate and generous family.
It’s Friday and I’m so excited for a true break and SLEEEEEP! Tonight I’m going out with a few friends, one of whom has a friend that lives in Nantes (he was a “native speaker” at her school…annually, her school brings in native speakers from around the world to teach classes and she kept in touch with a French young man who happens to live in Nantes). We’re going to a bar where a band is going to play live music; it should be very fun!
The bar is located in “Bouffay,” the primary restaurant/bar/shopping district in Nantes. It’s very cute! I’m excited to see what the night-life is like! I’ll get back to you!
Tchao,
Monica
Les Cours Que J'ai Choisi
Bonjour tout le monde!
I'm officially signed up for 6 courses, 18 credits. (Although, not gonna lie, I already want to make some changes...but I'm gonna try these out for now!)
IES Classes (all 3 credits each):
1. Advanced French Language and Composition II (I placed into level II of IV and a bunch of my friends are in the same section as me!)
2. A Panorama of French Theater (17th - 20th Century Literature Course)
3. The European Union and France
4. Phonetics (each week is 1 hour of theory, 2 hours in a language lab, and 1 hour of conversation)
(The class I'm MOST excited for!!)
Classes at the University of Nantes (both are Level 2 of 3 offered at the University):
1. Sociology of Art
2. Gallo-Roman Archeology (Religion, Rights, and Funeral Practices)
I'm signed up for these now but one of my friends said that her adviser told her that the professor that teaches the Theater class is very hard and strict, so I might switch to a Translation class that my friend is taking at the University, which unfortunately conflicts with the Archeology course, so I'd just drop that all together (I'd still have 16 credits). Anyways, those are the classes I've chosen! We had a large selection, too! I was satisfied with the amount of options I had.
If my schedule stands as is, my weekly schedule will be as follows:
Monday
11-12 am - Adv. Lang & Comp
1 - 2 pm - Archeology
3 - 4:15 pm - Theater
Tuesday
12:30 - 1:45 pm - Theater
5:30 - 7:30 pm - Phonetics Lab
Wednesday
11:30 - 12:30 pm - Theory of Phonetics
12:30 - 1:30 pm - Phonetics Conversation
1:30 - 3:30 pm - Adv. Lang & Comp
Thursday
8:15 - 9:45 AM (RUT ROH!)
10 am - Dinner - Sleep
Friday
11 - 12 am Adv. Lang & Comp
I just noticed a schedule conflict...I'm not going to be able to take Sociology of Art which I was very excited for. Oh well, I'll keep looking...
That's all for now!
À tout à l'heure,
Monica
I'm officially signed up for 6 courses, 18 credits. (Although, not gonna lie, I already want to make some changes...but I'm gonna try these out for now!)
IES Classes (all 3 credits each):
1. Advanced French Language and Composition II (I placed into level II of IV and a bunch of my friends are in the same section as me!)
2. A Panorama of French Theater (17th - 20th Century Literature Course)
3. The European Union and France
4. Phonetics (each week is 1 hour of theory, 2 hours in a language lab, and 1 hour of conversation)
(The class I'm MOST excited for!!)
Classes at the University of Nantes (both are Level 2 of 3 offered at the University):
1. Sociology of Art
2. Gallo-Roman Archeology (Religion, Rights, and Funeral Practices)
I'm signed up for these now but one of my friends said that her adviser told her that the professor that teaches the Theater class is very hard and strict, so I might switch to a Translation class that my friend is taking at the University, which unfortunately conflicts with the Archeology course, so I'd just drop that all together (I'd still have 16 credits). Anyways, those are the classes I've chosen! We had a large selection, too! I was satisfied with the amount of options I had.
If my schedule stands as is, my weekly schedule will be as follows:
Monday
11-12 am - Adv. Lang & Comp
1 - 2 pm - Archeology
3 - 4:15 pm - Theater
Tuesday
12:30 - 1:45 pm - Theater
5:30 - 7:30 pm - Phonetics Lab
Wednesday
11:30 - 12:30 pm - Theory of Phonetics
12:30 - 1:30 pm - Phonetics Conversation
1:30 - 3:30 pm - Adv. Lang & Comp
Thursday
8:15 - 9:45 AM (RUT ROH!)
10 am - Dinner - Sleep
Friday
11 - 12 am Adv. Lang & Comp
I just noticed a schedule conflict...I'm not going to be able to take Sociology of Art which I was very excited for. Oh well, I'll keep looking...
That's all for now!
À tout à l'heure,
Monica
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Réponses aux Questions
I will use this post to answer questions people have asked me. If you have any more questions, comment on this post and ask me your question(s). I will edit this post and update it with answers.
People have been asking me about where I live so I will explain.
I live just outside the heart of the city, but definitely in the city of Nantes. The commute would be too long if I lived in the countryside...no students live more than a few miles out of the center of the city, although some do live in suburbs. I will take more pictures in the coming weeks and show you where I live.
Next, I do not drink wine with the family (they offered me some on the first day but I had to pack for my orientation trip so I did not have time, but I did have a small cup of espresso).
I'm not comfortable taking/sending pictures of the family yet. If I see a picture of them around the house, I will take a picture of it on my camera and email it to anyone who wants to see. Like-wise with their house, as I should not put pictures of it on the internet.
There are around 60 students in the program. I'd say my skill level is right in the middle. By the end of the program I will improve dramatically (I've already improved so much)!
I've met one of the professors as she is teaching one of the orientation classes. All of the professors that teach at IES also teach at the University of Nantes. I will have very good professors in all of my classes.
Also...no, I will not make the mistake of wearing pj's into a European restaurant again, and no, I haven't frozen any cats lately.
I think that sums it up for now. Please ask questions if you have them; I like answering them!
À votre service,
Monica
People have been asking me about where I live so I will explain.
I live just outside the heart of the city, but definitely in the city of Nantes. The commute would be too long if I lived in the countryside...no students live more than a few miles out of the center of the city, although some do live in suburbs. I will take more pictures in the coming weeks and show you where I live.
Next, I do not drink wine with the family (they offered me some on the first day but I had to pack for my orientation trip so I did not have time, but I did have a small cup of espresso).
I'm not comfortable taking/sending pictures of the family yet. If I see a picture of them around the house, I will take a picture of it on my camera and email it to anyone who wants to see. Like-wise with their house, as I should not put pictures of it on the internet.
There are around 60 students in the program. I'd say my skill level is right in the middle. By the end of the program I will improve dramatically (I've already improved so much)!
I've met one of the professors as she is teaching one of the orientation classes. All of the professors that teach at IES also teach at the University of Nantes. I will have very good professors in all of my classes.
Also...no, I will not make the mistake of wearing pj's into a European restaurant again, and no, I haven't frozen any cats lately.
I think that sums it up for now. Please ask questions if you have them; I like answering them!
À votre service,
Monica
Miam Miam!!
Miam Miam: How the French say, "yummy!!!"
Oh yes, I ate many more delicious things today. I ate a salad I bought at the market a few days ago (that was decent), I bought chocolate croissant for dessert, and a piece of bread to eat with my salad. (I also bought another piece of bread later to eat on our walking tour of Nantes...hey, it's hard to have self control when you pass so many boulangeries that you know sell nothing but delicious bread and pastries!!!)
Dinner was simple but incredibly delicious and surprisingly filling. We ate:
First, a bowl of vegetable soup. But my host mom doesn't just make regular veggie soup...she cooks all the veggies to soften them, then blends it all up so that it turns into a smooth, dense, brown soup. And it is DELICIOUS, especially when you mix in a little butter (which they always do, with rice too).
Next, we had blended spinach, which was also very dense. We cleaned our plates clear with bread and the combo (bread + spinach) was sooooo tasty!!!
Finally, we had yogurt and sugar (you mix brown refined sugar into sugar-free yogurt "yaourt naturel") followed by a light, fluffy, but at the same time, dense cake. The meals here are so interesting and very, very tasty.
I was talking to my host mom after I got back from my day at IES about many things, and one thing we discovered is that French people (or at least my host family) don't know the word "carbohydrate" (it's "hydrate de carbone" in French). I explained that everyone in the States is obsessed with weight loss and that there are constantly adds for diets, and diets that restrict you from eating "carbs." She said that the only remotely similar phrase used in France when discussing weight or what one eats is, "being over weight." It was very strange to me that she had never heard the word before; but honestly, I wish I had never heard of it either.
Anyways, obviously I don't care about carbohydrates because one of the reasons why I wanted to come here was for the food (a small reason, but still a reason).
On the way home, in fact just a few hundreds yards away from my house, there's a--guess what?? you're correct!!--boulangerie!
Oh yes, I ate many more delicious things today. I ate a salad I bought at the market a few days ago (that was decent), I bought chocolate croissant for dessert, and a piece of bread to eat with my salad. (I also bought another piece of bread later to eat on our walking tour of Nantes...hey, it's hard to have self control when you pass so many boulangeries that you know sell nothing but delicious bread and pastries!!!)
Dinner was simple but incredibly delicious and surprisingly filling. We ate:
First, a bowl of vegetable soup. But my host mom doesn't just make regular veggie soup...she cooks all the veggies to soften them, then blends it all up so that it turns into a smooth, dense, brown soup. And it is DELICIOUS, especially when you mix in a little butter (which they always do, with rice too).
Next, we had blended spinach, which was also very dense. We cleaned our plates clear with bread and the combo (bread + spinach) was sooooo tasty!!!
Finally, we had yogurt and sugar (you mix brown refined sugar into sugar-free yogurt "yaourt naturel") followed by a light, fluffy, but at the same time, dense cake. The meals here are so interesting and very, very tasty.
I was talking to my host mom after I got back from my day at IES about many things, and one thing we discovered is that French people (or at least my host family) don't know the word "carbohydrate" (it's "hydrate de carbone" in French). I explained that everyone in the States is obsessed with weight loss and that there are constantly adds for diets, and diets that restrict you from eating "carbs." She said that the only remotely similar phrase used in France when discussing weight or what one eats is, "being over weight." It was very strange to me that she had never heard the word before; but honestly, I wish I had never heard of it either.
Anyways, obviously I don't care about carbohydrates because one of the reasons why I wanted to come here was for the food (a small reason, but still a reason).
On the way home, in fact just a few hundreds yards away from my house, there's a--guess what?? you're correct!!--boulangerie!
I picked up this little guy...
Even the presentation of food TO-GO is delightful en France...ugh, they try too hard (just kidding I really like and appreciate it and it just makes everything classy)
So, want to see what's inside?
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Trois Petites Choses
1. One student lives in the IES building, a floor above the school. The school owns two of the floors. Even if there are businesses, there are almost always also apartments in every building because the buildings are long and many stories high -- not sky scrapers, but 5 to 7 stories. Also, all of the buildings are the same height.
2. The French do not laugh like "ah hohn hohn hohn." (I was a little disappointed because I always laughed like this in an accent but it's probably better they laugh normally...)
3. Everyone carries baguettes. Everyone eats bread...ALL THE TIME.
Hope this was interesting!
Be jealous that I have an excuse to eat so much delicious bread,
Monica
2. The French do not laugh like "ah hohn hohn hohn." (I was a little disappointed because I always laughed like this in an accent but it's probably better they laugh normally...)
3. Everyone carries baguettes. Everyone eats bread...ALL THE TIME.
UNLIMITED SUPPLY!!!!!!!!!!
Boulangerie after Boulangerie...it's incredible!
Be jealous that I have an excuse to eat so much delicious bread,
Monica
Vous Me Manquez
I miss you. I really do miss all of you.
But it's ok because I have PJ with me to cheer me up!
Just know that thoughts of you all help me get through the harder times...
I look at pictures!! (Remember this one?! From Christmas!)
I wear Jim's pajamas he gave to me!! :)
OH! ANECDOTE:
If you can't see the pattern on the pj's, here's a close up...
Jim loves penguins and so do I! (And so does this girl Caroline that I met at IES)
(and yes that's my butt...it's going to be a very nice shape after all the walking and stair climbing I do)
One morning when we were on our orientation trips to Tours, my roommate and I woke up later than we planned (something happened with the alarm...) and we thought that breakfast was going to stop being served just a few minutes later. I quickly brushed my teeth and threw on a shirt and shoes and figured it would be better to eat than get completely dressed and miss breakfast.
Well, not only did it turn out that breakfast didn't close for a long time (at least an hour after I went down), but no one else in the restaurant was wearing pj's (like what is very common in US hotels). People looked at me and I stuck out like a sore thumb, but hey, who doesn't like penguins?! I hope people weren't offended, but rather that their days were made more cheery by my cute little pants!
Ok so back to other things....
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
La Bible de Mme. Rouchet
Well, orientation week has started and I've officially and successfully commuted to and from the IES building multiple times now! It's so easy; I honestly wasn't nervous doing it alone for the first time. However, this morning when I arrived at my tram stop, I realized that the ticket machine only accepts coins (currency here is similar to Canada in that there are €1 and €2 coins) and alas, I was coinless. The walk is far too long (6 tram stops) and I had given myself just enough time to get there with the tram. So...I exchanged money at a bar along the way to the next tram stop (easy enough). I was 10 minutes late but other students were up to 30 or 40 minutes late, which I honestly did not understand.
Next month I will be able to purchase a monthly pass at a discounted price (for people under the age of 26) and the price of my commute will be much more reasonable. A few hours ago I purchased "un carnet de tickets," which is a packet of 10 tickets sold at a discounted price. It's amazing how many "Tabac"s there are around the city (tobacco/cigarette stores that also sell magazines, candy, tram tickets, phone cards, and lottery tickets).
A lot has happened over the last two days...
Next month I will be able to purchase a monthly pass at a discounted price (for people under the age of 26) and the price of my commute will be much more reasonable. A few hours ago I purchased "un carnet de tickets," which is a packet of 10 tickets sold at a discounted price. It's amazing how many "Tabac"s there are around the city (tobacco/cigarette stores that also sell magazines, candy, tram tickets, phone cards, and lottery tickets).A lot has happened over the last two days...
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Le Début
Arriving in Nantes was very easy but only thanks to the help of 15 other IES students (we all took the same train). Finding my host family at the train station, however, was a little more difficult.
We agreed to meet at the North Exit of the train station, and so I wandered away from the rest of the students who were taking taxis. However, when I searched the main level of the train station (you had to go up stairs or elevators to get there from the train) I could not find the Doucet family for nearly a half hour. In fact, I asked a few women if they were "Madame Doucet" and explained I was a student looking for my host family.
When I finally met up with some students and IES staff at a taxi station, they gasped "MONICA?! Oh no! Your family JUST left within the past minute! They've been looking for you for 30 minutes downstairs with the rest of the students!"
Turns out, we had both been looking for each other in different places. Also, they had taken the stairs, and because of my heavy suitcase, I had taken the elevators.
But one staff member called the family and they came back for me within 10 minutes (all is well that ends well, but sheesh it frazzled me).
That night (the first night) was fairly rough for me as I felt like an extreme outsider in my host family's house and especially at meals when I understood about 5% of the conversation. I'd say that now I can understand at least 25% of their dinner conversation (they do directly talk to me and then I can understand it). They've learned to speak more clearly to me and use phrases that I can more easily understand. My family is incredibly nice -- I could not wish for nicer or more comfortable accommodations.
The first night, my host mother showed me the way to the school (we had to sign in and pick up some packets of information) and she even bought me my first few tram tickets (I have a 20 minute commute: 5 minute walk to the tram, 10 minute tram ride, 5 minute walk to the school). Instead of taking the tram back home, we walked around the two "centres villes" (main parts/centers in the city) and asked several questions of each others' homes, climates, cultures, and lives. It was really a nice conversation.
The program started the next day--orientation. We traveled 3 hours east of Nantes to visit famous castles near the city of Tours for the first of our nearly 2 week long orientation. We stayed in Tours Thursday through Sunday.
We agreed to meet at the North Exit of the train station, and so I wandered away from the rest of the students who were taking taxis. However, when I searched the main level of the train station (you had to go up stairs or elevators to get there from the train) I could not find the Doucet family for nearly a half hour. In fact, I asked a few women if they were "Madame Doucet" and explained I was a student looking for my host family.
When I finally met up with some students and IES staff at a taxi station, they gasped "MONICA?! Oh no! Your family JUST left within the past minute! They've been looking for you for 30 minutes downstairs with the rest of the students!"
Turns out, we had both been looking for each other in different places. Also, they had taken the stairs, and because of my heavy suitcase, I had taken the elevators.
But one staff member called the family and they came back for me within 10 minutes (all is well that ends well, but sheesh it frazzled me).
That night (the first night) was fairly rough for me as I felt like an extreme outsider in my host family's house and especially at meals when I understood about 5% of the conversation. I'd say that now I can understand at least 25% of their dinner conversation (they do directly talk to me and then I can understand it). They've learned to speak more clearly to me and use phrases that I can more easily understand. My family is incredibly nice -- I could not wish for nicer or more comfortable accommodations.
The first night, my host mother showed me the way to the school (we had to sign in and pick up some packets of information) and she even bought me my first few tram tickets (I have a 20 minute commute: 5 minute walk to the tram, 10 minute tram ride, 5 minute walk to the school). Instead of taking the tram back home, we walked around the two "centres villes" (main parts/centers in the city) and asked several questions of each others' homes, climates, cultures, and lives. It was really a nice conversation.
The program started the next day--orientation. We traveled 3 hours east of Nantes to visit famous castles near the city of Tours for the first of our nearly 2 week long orientation. We stayed in Tours Thursday through Sunday.
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