other blog

I suck at blogging. Here we go:

http://pyramadsong.tumblr.com 

celebrity crushes

Siiiigh...

^ Ryan Gosling, Zach Condon, John Krasinski. Yes, that last image is John Krasinski on stage with Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie. I think I love John Krasisnki so much because he looks identical to how my dad looked at his age. And you know, he's hysterical, intelligent, beautiful, etc. etc. etc. ...

wednesday wants

Happy Hump Day from Nantes!

Things are looking up. Although my life is a scattered, messy, roller-coaster-esque ride, I'm trying to enjoy it for what it is. Time to take advantage of this simple living here in France, for upon my return to the states, it will be work work work. Although I hate (and I mean really hate) being uncertain about my future, I am trusting in God and having faith that no matter what I do on a daily basis, it is what is meant to be. I know it sounds cliché, but we really never know how things will work out; we can only hope that they work out for the better, and enjoy our lives for what they are in the meantime. God's plan is already set out, we are just here to carry it out. All I can do is offer myself up as an instrument through which He works, you know? It will all be good. I am NOT about to give up. 

In other news, I realized that all I really want in my house when I'm older is a good bed. My bed at my host family's apartment is no good. Being 6 feet tall, a tiny (smaller than a twin) bed does not work out so well. And bed is so very important and cherished for me. I sleep about 9 or 10 hours a night, and if I could spend all day in bed, I would. It is a slice of heaven, in my opinion. So, this Wednesday's Want is...a big, cozy, lived-in bed. If you've seen The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (great flick), there is a line that says "...we lived on that mattress." I want that. I adore bed.

"...we lived on that mattress." 

Until next time,

I'll be resting in bed,

MG

gimme gimme!

I CANNOT wait to have my own place. 

Living with a host family here in France and constantly feeling like every move of mine is being watched or judged, the idea of living alone sounds scrumptious.

I want my bedroom to look like this...

Gimme gimme!

And I want exposed brick:

Siiiigh....

*CHANSON DU JOUR:

Bluish by Animal Collective. If you look up the lyrics, they explain just about all I want in life.

Let's just stay in, no one's here in our apartment babe.

I'm seeing their concert in Nantes on March 20 and am far too excited. Again, gimme gimme!

tuesday temper

I am currently in the middle of:

-Changing all my classes around because of the French strikes.

-Finding out more about my financial/loan troubles.

-Looking for work in Nantes (English lessons)

-Missing my family big time.

-Deciding what to eat for lunch.

Tuesday temper? ... contemplative & defeated.

march madness

Bonjour & Happy March!

With the strikes and the Blocus still continuing, I think I'll be changing some classes around. I haven't had classes in almost a month. A lot a lot a lot of financial troubles and school (back home) troubles are going on. My host father is back from work in Africa for a short while and my host house is crazy. I work, yet am still broke as a joke. I don't think I can even go anywhere for spring break. Needless to say, this March is going to bring about a lot of change, I think. It will be March Madness, and I don't know how well I'll be able to handle it all. But...

"Don't give up. Keep going. There is always a chance that you stumble onto something terrific. I have never heard of anyone stumbling over anything while he was sitting down." 

-- Ann Landers

Just gotta keep on truckin'. March Madness, here I come...

MG

thursday thoughts

This week included one of my favorite holidays: MARDI GRAS!

After a beautiful weekend of indulging in Paris (I think I spent all my money, but I deserved it), returning to Nantes for one final day of indulging was just what the doctor ordered. The French do it up right, too...the whole Fat Tuesday thang before the start of Lent.  Toast with Nutella and a double espresso for breakfast, a falafel sandwich with fries & a Coca Light for lunch, an entiiiire bag of Petits Oursons candies (my favorite in France...chocolate covered marshmallow bears. I'm actually salivating just thinking about them), and then we had soup, pizza, salad, some more fries for dinner, as long as my personal favorite for dessert -- ice cream. Needless to say, I actually ate so much to the point of feeling sick and literally wanted to fast for Ash Wednesday.

Last weekend in Paris was like a dream though. With Joleen living there, she knew her way around and I barely ever felt like a tourist, which is always nice. Now I'm back to normal life though. And when I say normal, I mean that I don't ever have class because of the "Blocus" strikes going on at my université, meaning the students have literally blocked off all entrances to classrooms and buildings so we are unable to have class. Professors are striking as well because apparently the French government is trying to change the university system -- give the president of the university more power, lengthen class duration, basically Americanize a little bit. And, of course, once the French hear the word "change," they flip. After over five months here, I'm finally starting to realize that striking is like a national sport in which everyone takes part. 

Three of the 400+ pictures from Paris:

Anyway, it was lovely. Things are low-key here in Nantes. I can honestly say that I don't do anything, ever. It's pathetic. All of my friends back home have midterms, papers & other craziness to take care of, while I am just sitting around being a fatty American in France. Hmmm. Even after an incredible weekend in Paris, I am still missing home big time. What do I miss most today? Besides family & friends, it's most definitely trail mix. You know, with cashews, almonds, raisins, other dried fruit, with M&Ms. Simply genius! I miss peanut butter and Mexican food everyday, so that's a given. I miss exercise centers and tall coffees on the go and sitting around without feeling judged by my host family. I miss being able to find work easily without having to worry about a student visa. Oh well, I will have all of that for the rest of my life -- guess I'd better take advantage of all France has to offer while I can, huh?

Well until next time,

Happy Lent!

MG