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