Random little Happenings

Some things that have gone on in the past few days:

1. My roommate Arnulfo asked me if I wanted to go see a movie with him and his friends. We saw Slumdog Millionaire and the theatre was packed! Besides the movie being great, the best part about it was that it was in English with French subtitles! And, when the characters in the movie would speak the Hindi language, I had to read the French subtitles to understand what was going on! After the movie we went over to his friend Lia's house and had some very sweet red wine. It was fun to meet new people and talk about life! They were all very nice to me!

2. I finished one my classes already! Marche du Vin (Wine Markets) was a week long class that I found to be very interesting, but difficult because I only understood about half of the lecture. And, the lectures were about 7 hours each day! So on top of being tired from having to work so hard to understand what was going on, I was trying to stay motivated and attentive in the very long class. We had two guest speakers, one was the Directeur Marketing des Vignerons du Sud-Ouest and the other a Professeur associe a l'Uiversite Montesquieu Bordeaux IV et Directeur du Master 2 de Droit de la vigne et du vin Bordeaux IV!!! I was supposed to have the exam today, but my professor canceled class and hasn't told us when it is going to be. I've asked him twice now because next week after my 8AM class on Tuesday I don't have class for 7 days and Anne and I want to go travel around France...this school system is a little bizzare.

3. Yesterday I had four different guys hit on me. One on the bus, one in the metro, another one on a bus and then one while I was walking down the street! I was with Anne for all the occasions and my theory is that they are attracted to women who don't shower. I had the worse case of greasy hair and face going on and Anne had just showered...but really, the French do shower.

4. Last night there was a wine tasting at my school! Only 5 euros. I took a placemat and the wine glass home (shh). It was very well organized. About 200 people were all sitting at long tables in the main foyer. They had a slide show going and information about each wine we tasted. There was food and music after. It was a lot of fun. The awesome part was that when we left, there were two guys standing at the gate of the school checking the drivers for their BAC. Anne wanted to see what her was..she blew a zero.

5. Anne and I went with my roommate Arnulfo to his friends going away party at an Irish pub. It was a lot of fun! The drinks are so expensive! I got cidar for 5 euros and then a vodka cranberry for another 5 euros. One of the Irish girls going back home lives near Dublin and said that when Anne and I come for St. Patty's (we are going to Dublin and Glasgow for St. Patty's Day) that we can all meet up! Very nice people!

Inauguration in Toulouse

What a cool experience to watch Obama's Inauguration in Toulouse! I am sitting here with wine, bread and cheese feeling French, yet so proud to be an American! It doesn't matter who you voted for, because now Obama is the president and we must support our country. Within minutes of his speech, religion and the Bible were mentioned. I'm happy to know that our country and most of the world is still based on religion and believing in a God. I was also tickled when he mentioned France because I'm here! If you haven't watched it yet, you probably should. It's only 20 minutes!

http://www.nbc.com/news/watch-the-inauguration-live-online/

Amsterdam!

The first thing people think of when they hear Amsterdam is marijuana. Although there are "coffee shops" on almost every street, I never saw anyone go in or out of them. From what I was told only regulars do that and they are losers. There is so much more to Amsterdam!

I had the chance to visit my very good friend Vanessa, who I've known for 12+ years. Her Dad lives in Amsterdam and she was visiting him. We had the time of our lives! Just to give you an idea of my four days in Amsterdam here is a look at some of the things we did!

Night 1: (thursday night)

Dinner at "The Mansion" a five story bar, night club, lounge, restaurant and private floor. Vanessa's father, Mr. Rondini made reservations for everything knowing that I was coming! The food and drinks were amazing! And our table was at the window which overlooked the streets! Then we went to Mr. Rondini's favorite neighborhood bar called "Harry's".

Day 2: (Friday)

Vanessa and I went to the Rijks museum! It was so cool to see! Then we did some shopping! For dinner Vanessa, her Dad, his wife and I went on the supper club dinner cruise! Everyone sat on beds and it was a five course meal with entertainment as we cruised around the bay area! It started at 7:30pm and we got back around midnight! Then, we went to "The Zeebra Lounge" which is a really fun and hip bar! There are special tables that only VIP customers get to sit at and so we did! We had champagne and all danced!

Day 3: (Saturday)

Vanessa and I went to Anne Frank's house, but there was about an hour long line and it was raining, so we decided to say hi (she has been twice before) and then went shopping! Had coffee at a cute restaurant...and had Indian food for dinner! Then we went to a famous bar called "Three Sisters".

Day 4: (Sunday)

Got up and went to another cute little cafe for breakfast! Then we bought all the dutch donuts we could find! They were huge balls..the size of your fist and very dense with powder sugar on them! Some had fillings like bananas, strawberries and cream! Then I headed back to the airport!

Some of my favorite things I have done is eating or getting drinks in little tucked away cafes and bars! You never know what you're going to find or eat! This past weekend in Amsterdam was an experience of a lifetime!

Is is true that the French are rude to Americans?

Donc, aujourd'hui j'ai achete des nourriture a une epicerie. C'etait bon passee mais une fille etait impoli a moi! Il y a un garcon qui a parle avec moi, et je ne l'ai compris pas. La fille a dit "c'est ton cheque".

Today I bought some food at a grocery store. It was all going well except when I was checking out. A guy was ringing me up and handed me the receipt. I wasn't really paying attention and put it in my bag. He said something very fast and I did not understand him, so I said "sorry, I don't understand, what?" He said something else, handed me my receipt - which was when I realized that the first one I was supposed to sign. But, who hands someone a receipt that needs a signature without a pen? He asked me if I was English, I told him American and then....the other employee working, a girl - said "That's your receipt" in a very rude tone.

I might be taking this out of context, but she was only rude once she found out I was American. That was the first time something like that has happened to me while I've been here. Even when I was in Paris, if they found out I was American they tried to speak slowly and use hand gestures so I understood better. Which is usually the case here as well.

Maybe she just having a bad day. Or is a rude person in general. I'll never know. But, I walked out of there with a smile on my face...said merci and left with my two bags of groceries.

I am very excited for my new food! I bought duck! Along with many other normal things! It's weird what is expensive here compared to what is and isn't back at home. For example, I bought a bag of Lays Barbecue chips and they were 1.46 euros or $2.00. For the same size bag at Jewel it costs almost twice as much. I also bought some ham lunch meat for school. It cost 3.98 euros or $5.45 for only 6 slices. The slices are a little larger than the normal American lunch meat, but that is still a lot for only 6 slices. It will take a while for me to figure out what is or isn't a good buy. For now though, I'm doing just fine!!!

Sunny in Toulouse

Last night Anne, Dan and I went out! I slept over at Anne's because I didn't want to walk the 20min back alone at night to my flat. This morning I woke up to a protest going down their street for justice among palestinians in Israel. It was huge and very loud!

It is a beautiful and sunny day so I'm going to go explore with my camera!

The one interesting thing I've picked up on is the amount of American music played everywhere. Cafes, bars, stores, people's flats etc.

I find it flattering when people know I'm not French but they don't assume I'm American right away. Not because I'm not proud to be an American, but because that must mean when I speak french I don't have a super strong American accent!

Snow in Toulouse!!!

Today it snowed all day long and it "never" snows in Toulouse! Anne, Pierre, Bensuss, Vincent, Guillum and I had a snowball fight in the streets. It was very cold. And, I do not have boots because it's not supposed to get this cold here! However, it is the huge "sale" week for all the stores in Toulouse...so I think I'll just have to pick up a pair!

Last night I went to Anne's apt. and the boys had a huge party! It was strange because among their friends, who are all students of Purpan if you are invited to a party you just bring a bottle of something for everyone to share. So, there were many different kinds of drinks there. I didn't like very many that I tasted. Maybe because they are poor college students and drink how we drink at college? LOL.

Tomorrow I find out what classes I will be taking! Tres exciting pour moi!

First Day in Toulouse!

This was the first time I flew abroad by myself! It was a little scary, but I did it!
Two girls my age from Purpan (the university I'll be going to) picked me up from the airport and were very nice! The radio station in her car was playing American music.
I am now sitting in my new room after figuring out how to get to school tomorrow! I cannot believe I am here. I have several emotions flowing through me!