Day before New Years and I am so excited for tomorrow! Going out with some friends and getting super dressed up. We are going to party like it's 11 years after 1999!! I've been pretty sick the past two days, but with some good rest and medicine, I'll be ready for tomorrow.
I feel savvy about pretty much everything here - and really different in fact. When I first arrived I thought a lot of things wouldn't surprise me but that is not the case at all. Things still surprise me all the time. Not nearly as much as when I first arrived - but little everyday things that don't happen in the U.S.
I don't know if a lot of people read this blog (above all because I haven't made a lot of entries) , but it's a little difficult for me to write about things that right now are completely normal. It's hard to discern now between the things that would be completely foreign to Americans or not too different. There is so much to say!
Because of this, I would love if anyone who reads this blog to respond with things that strike them as strange or just strikes their interest, by asking questions - any question! If you have a questions regarding cultural differences, mentalities, diversity, stereotypes... It doesn't matter what the topic, nothing should be taboo in this world because everything is of importance, whether it is good or bad.
I wish everyone out there a Happy New Year and would love to respond to things that cross your mind!
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Sunday, December 27, 2009
A Wonderful Christmas
This month has been the best one yet. Bordeaux during the holiday season is absolutely beautiful and the vacation and the last two days have been wonderful. Christmas Eve, we had a huge meal at Mami and Papi's (grandparents) home and afterward opened all of the presents. Aunt Geneviève and Guy were there from Paris and Hélène and her boyfriend, Yanic.
For dinner, we had a 9 course meal. For the aperatif, there were small pretzel and chip snacks with and du vins blanc d'oranges done by Mami and flavored with oranges from the garden or another more savory, less acidic flavored wine which I forgot the name of 1. a savory vegatable soup 2. a small salmon entrée on a miniscule crépe with a smigdon of orange on top 3. a mixture of beef, potatos, garbanzo beans, and vegatables as main dish 4. 4 cheese plate 5. fruit 6. 2 cakes (home made lemon meringue) with coffee or tea 7. chocolates 8. and of course bread always
After dinner, we opened all of the presents and I recieved some lovely jewelry, a book, and a bag and beatiful things from my parents (Thanks everyone!). Olivier adored his hat and Laurent his shirt. Yanic and Helene loved their teapot.
The next morning, Oliver departed for Paris to see his cousin Francois and he is coming back Tuesday. Christmas also was lovely. We had the meal at our house and we had an enormous turkey with stuffing inside. Francoise cooked it with olives and chestnuts. There was also a gratin of carrots and celery and other vegatables, fried potato balls (addictive), foie gras (from the turkey), a quiche of tomatoes and a fish called red mullet or chigger. Haha I have never had that fish before, but that's what I got from the translation for rouget. Cheese or yogurt later, then a dessert of two chocolate bouches de noel, or yule logs. The meal lasted roughly 4 hours, but it was worth it. Later that evening, I went to Mami and Papi's place by myself. I listened to the record player and found JULIAN LENNON - Valotte is the best album I've heard in a while. I listened to the whole thing and loved it. Halfway through, Papi came in and showed me some pictures of his family's old 'ranch' before Algeria gained its independence in 1960 and all French people were forced to leave - or killed. The Algerian government seized all of the French peoples' property and familys basically fleed to Southern France.
He had told me many stories before about Algeria and it's all very fascinating. There's too much to explain in this blog. Later we talked about the immigration of Muslim Algerians to France and now I feel I have a complete comprehension of the situation regarding this very touchy controversy that is taking place in France.
Yesterday was so fun - we went to Arcachon - a beachside village/city resembling very much the beach at home - Torrey pines everywhere and pretty appartments.
Arcachon is famous for its natural phenomenon La Dune de Pyla, the tallest sand dune in Europe. We had a great lunch (third time I've been out to eat in France!) because it is not common for people to go out. Later we hiked the dune that was much like hiking through snow and was just as difficult. Here are some photos of our really fun outing and later when we had a some hot drinks and crepes.
For dinner, we had a 9 course meal. For the aperatif, there were small pretzel and chip snacks with and du vins blanc d'oranges done by Mami and flavored with oranges from the garden or another more savory, less acidic flavored wine which I forgot the name of 1. a savory vegatable soup 2. a small salmon entrée on a miniscule crépe with a smigdon of orange on top 3. a mixture of beef, potatos, garbanzo beans, and vegatables as main dish 4. 4 cheese plate 5. fruit 6. 2 cakes (home made lemon meringue) with coffee or tea 7. chocolates 8. and of course bread always
After dinner, we opened all of the presents and I recieved some lovely jewelry, a book, and a bag and beatiful things from my parents (Thanks everyone!). Olivier adored his hat and Laurent his shirt. Yanic and Helene loved their teapot.
The next morning, Oliver departed for Paris to see his cousin Francois and he is coming back Tuesday. Christmas also was lovely. We had the meal at our house and we had an enormous turkey with stuffing inside. Francoise cooked it with olives and chestnuts. There was also a gratin of carrots and celery and other vegatables, fried potato balls (addictive), foie gras (from the turkey), a quiche of tomatoes and a fish called red mullet or chigger. Haha I have never had that fish before, but that's what I got from the translation for rouget. Cheese or yogurt later, then a dessert of two chocolate bouches de noel, or yule logs. The meal lasted roughly 4 hours, but it was worth it. Later that evening, I went to Mami and Papi's place by myself. I listened to the record player and found JULIAN LENNON - Valotte is the best album I've heard in a while. I listened to the whole thing and loved it. Halfway through, Papi came in and showed me some pictures of his family's old 'ranch' before Algeria gained its independence in 1960 and all French people were forced to leave - or killed. The Algerian government seized all of the French peoples' property and familys basically fleed to Southern France.
He had told me many stories before about Algeria and it's all very fascinating. There's too much to explain in this blog. Later we talked about the immigration of Muslim Algerians to France and now I feel I have a complete comprehension of the situation regarding this very touchy controversy that is taking place in France.
Yesterday was so fun - we went to Arcachon - a beachside village/city resembling very much the beach at home - Torrey pines everywhere and pretty appartments.
Arcachon is famous for its natural phenomenon La Dune de Pyla, the tallest sand dune in Europe. We had a great lunch (third time I've been out to eat in France!) because it is not common for people to go out. Later we hiked the dune that was much like hiking through snow and was just as difficult. Here are some photos of our really fun outing and later when we had a some hot drinks and crepes.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Friends...
Hey Everyone,
I think I'm at the point of not being afraid to talk, which is a good feeling. Today, I talked a little with some girls in line for lunch and I ended up eating lunch with all of them. It's good to get to know more people.
I'm eating dinner in an hour or so - and have been back to eating carrots like I always do :) The weather has been kind of miserable, but I suppose that's winter for you. Christmas is completely different here. People don't really 'get ready' for Christmas. I mean there are some decorations and things like that - but not nearly as commercialized and idealized like in the States. I miss commercialization - it's such a beautiful illusion. I don't think we're even going to put up Christmas lights because the boys don't really feel like it. But I suppose it's not a big deal because we have such a long driveway, it's not like anyone would see them anyway.
This weekend I think I am going to go out a little with some friends and since I don't have school tomorrow I'm going to try to do some shopping in Bordeaux. We'll see...
I think I'm at the point of not being afraid to talk, which is a good feeling. Today, I talked a little with some girls in line for lunch and I ended up eating lunch with all of them. It's good to get to know more people.
I'm eating dinner in an hour or so - and have been back to eating carrots like I always do :) The weather has been kind of miserable, but I suppose that's winter for you. Christmas is completely different here. People don't really 'get ready' for Christmas. I mean there are some decorations and things like that - but not nearly as commercialized and idealized like in the States. I miss commercialization - it's such a beautiful illusion. I don't think we're even going to put up Christmas lights because the boys don't really feel like it. But I suppose it's not a big deal because we have such a long driveway, it's not like anyone would see them anyway.
This weekend I think I am going to go out a little with some friends and since I don't have school tomorrow I'm going to try to do some shopping in Bordeaux. We'll see...
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