I've changed blog sites...
All my blogs from here on out will be posted at
http://web.mac.com/jenaekimberly
thanks
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Before i begin i would like to explain why its been so long since i have updated my blog. Before Christmas I was actually working on a blog when my computer suddenly malfunctioned. I just recently got it back and am determined to be more regular with this thing. I can not believe i have been here for 5 months, it seems unreal. I have just started my second semester marking the halfway mark. A lot has happened since my last blog. Upon returning to France, from Ireland, i kept in touch with one of the friends i had made in Dublin. Through email conversations i was invited to return and spend christmas with him and his family. I can honestly say the intention of this trip was strictly platonic. After returning to this wonderful place it was decided we kind of REALLY liked each other. It might even be amusing to you that i stayed longer than just Christmas, in fact i spent my entire break being swept away by this Irish Charmer experiencing first hand how not to compete with the Irish and the amount of Alcohol they are possible of consuming. It was after leaving for the second time that i was stumped and confused as to why i picked a place like France to study. You might find it funny that i am now officially an American girl, doing a long distance relationship with an Irish boy and living in France. Yes i think i've gone mad! Its actually quite cool and loads of fun for I am getting to learn about two very different cultures while trying to find a place in both.
France, i have decided, is very much a love/ hate relationship. There are days when i hate it, absolutely would love to punch a few frenchies in the face, and then there are times when i am so lost in the beauty and uniqueness of the culture that i don't ever want to leave. I feel like i am learning how to balance and enjoy life a little more. One thing i have come to envy is the sense of carefree attitude the french have. They know how to indulge into one glass of wine, a piece of chocolate or a cigaret guilt free. There is no need to gorge a whole platter of treats down when one piece will ultimately satisfy. Self discipline in a way that it is not a diet nor a chore, its just something they do. You will not see these people jogging down the streets after work or early in the morning; yet the women have almost near to perfect figures. And not only do they have the perfect bodies, they look fabulous no matter what time a day it is. There is a reason Paris is home to the world's top fashion industry. In the south it is a bit more relaxed, but when you step outside the door, you are still expected to fit in with the beauty that is around you. This doesn't mean wearing low V neck shirts where your boobs are hanging out or short skirts and lots of makeup. These women will have a turtleneck and jeans on but they will look stunning because the clothes are picked carefully to insinuate every curve and inspire the natural beauty each posses. It is considered a little disrespectful to ignore this rule and thus why many tourists receive nasty looks when wearing their shorts, tank top and flip flops. Everyone plays a part in making this place beautiful, and dressing to play the part is essential. This rule really hit me one night when i decided to jog to volleyball practice. It is a good 25 minutes outside the city and most of it up hill. I thought great i will get a fantastic workout! I was on my way, enjoying the burning sensation in my legs when i saw a few girls from my team. I stopped to walk with them and noticed they were wearing street clothes. On previous nights i have observed that most of the girls show up in these clothes and then change back into them for the walk home. In my broken french i asked my friends about this. They simply responded that they don't want to walk through the city wearing their gym clothes. It was as if it was obvious and for a second i felt kind of stupid. It is through experiences like these that i can both appreciate this foreign culture while longing for my own.
Below are some pictures of Christmas, I hope that you enjoy them. My next blog will be about my trip to Austria and the infamous Sound of Music tour.
The first picture is of the food we had on Christmas. The traditional christmas meal is similar to our Thanksgiving feast. The main course is turkey with mashed potatoes, vegtables, and a very yummy soup. They eat this around lunch time then relax. The evening is spent at one of the realitives drinking mulled wine and eating turkey sandwhices. I am happy to say that I contributed with some delicious, homemade eggnog, which was quite a hit.
I have no pictures from Christmas eve because it was spent in the town's pub. Everyone in this pub was related, no joke! Did I mention i stayed in a very small town, called Offaly. In fact, his parents are neighbors with his grandparents and his aunt and uncles. It's much different than anything i've ever expereinced,but so much fun. There is a picture of his grandparents below. It is funny because you would think being in an english speaking country you would be able to communicate. Well, the Irish speak with a heavy accent where the enitre sentance is mumbled into one long word,. I serioulsy needed a translator when speaking to his Grandpa, it was quite hysterical.
I added some pictures of the two of us, (mostly for you mom and Dori of course :) The last photo was taken at Anthony's roomates parents house a few days after Christmas. Eoin is Anthony's roomate and one of 9 brothers and sisters (i thought i had a big family) Anyways we were invited over for an after christmas dinner. It was a lot of fun. I really like Dublin a lot. The people are great and the atmosphere was wonderful! I can't wait to return.
France, i have decided, is very much a love/ hate relationship. There are days when i hate it, absolutely would love to punch a few frenchies in the face, and then there are times when i am so lost in the beauty and uniqueness of the culture that i don't ever want to leave. I feel like i am learning how to balance and enjoy life a little more. One thing i have come to envy is the sense of carefree attitude the french have. They know how to indulge into one glass of wine, a piece of chocolate or a cigaret guilt free. There is no need to gorge a whole platter of treats down when one piece will ultimately satisfy. Self discipline in a way that it is not a diet nor a chore, its just something they do. You will not see these people jogging down the streets after work or early in the morning; yet the women have almost near to perfect figures. And not only do they have the perfect bodies, they look fabulous no matter what time a day it is. There is a reason Paris is home to the world's top fashion industry. In the south it is a bit more relaxed, but when you step outside the door, you are still expected to fit in with the beauty that is around you. This doesn't mean wearing low V neck shirts where your boobs are hanging out or short skirts and lots of makeup. These women will have a turtleneck and jeans on but they will look stunning because the clothes are picked carefully to insinuate every curve and inspire the natural beauty each posses. It is considered a little disrespectful to ignore this rule and thus why many tourists receive nasty looks when wearing their shorts, tank top and flip flops. Everyone plays a part in making this place beautiful, and dressing to play the part is essential. This rule really hit me one night when i decided to jog to volleyball practice. It is a good 25 minutes outside the city and most of it up hill. I thought great i will get a fantastic workout! I was on my way, enjoying the burning sensation in my legs when i saw a few girls from my team. I stopped to walk with them and noticed they were wearing street clothes. On previous nights i have observed that most of the girls show up in these clothes and then change back into them for the walk home. In my broken french i asked my friends about this. They simply responded that they don't want to walk through the city wearing their gym clothes. It was as if it was obvious and for a second i felt kind of stupid. It is through experiences like these that i can both appreciate this foreign culture while longing for my own.
Below are some pictures of Christmas, I hope that you enjoy them. My next blog will be about my trip to Austria and the infamous Sound of Music tour.
The first picture is of the food we had on Christmas. The traditional christmas meal is similar to our Thanksgiving feast. The main course is turkey with mashed potatoes, vegtables, and a very yummy soup. They eat this around lunch time then relax. The evening is spent at one of the realitives drinking mulled wine and eating turkey sandwhices. I am happy to say that I contributed with some delicious, homemade eggnog, which was quite a hit.
I have no pictures from Christmas eve because it was spent in the town's pub. Everyone in this pub was related, no joke! Did I mention i stayed in a very small town, called Offaly. In fact, his parents are neighbors with his grandparents and his aunt and uncles. It's much different than anything i've ever expereinced,but so much fun. There is a picture of his grandparents below. It is funny because you would think being in an english speaking country you would be able to communicate. Well, the Irish speak with a heavy accent where the enitre sentance is mumbled into one long word,. I serioulsy needed a translator when speaking to his Grandpa, it was quite hysterical.
I added some pictures of the two of us, (mostly for you mom and Dori of course :) The last photo was taken at Anthony's roomates parents house a few days after Christmas. Eoin is Anthony's roomate and one of 9 brothers and sisters (i thought i had a big family) Anyways we were invited over for an after christmas dinner. It was a lot of fun. I really like Dublin a lot. The people are great and the atmosphere was wonderful! I can't wait to return.
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