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

Weekend in Paris

I am in love with Paris, France.


I'm here in this beautiful city visiting a friend from high school, Joleen. It's her golden birthday today on Feb.20th. I know it's her birthday, but I am the one having the time of my life! Seeing her here, so indescribably happy with her life, has lifted me out of this funk I've been in since being back in France; refreshed me. I am deeply grateful to be here, and she is showing me a gooooooood time. Tomorrow's agenda will be incredibly touristy...and I cannot wait. Picnic in the park and climbing the Eiffel Tower, checking out the thrift store scene in the deuxieme arrondissement, back to her apartment for dinner, and then dancing the night away. Sounds fun, no?

Repeat: I am in love with Paris, France.

Until next time,
Feel Ridiculously Fine,
MG

Jour de Saint Valentin

The French, ironically enough, don't celebrate Valentine's Day like we Americans do. It's not neeearly as commercial here. No advertisements, no Valentine's Day candy section at the grocery store, barely any Valentine's Day cards. Maybe it's because they're always soo into their significant others, they don't feel the need to have this Hallmark "Holiday." But today, I am seein' the love. My host dad, Jean Jacques, is living and working in Sudan with the United Nations, while my host mom, Laurence, is here in Nantes with the fam. She woke up this morning to a huge package and a bouquet of flowers from her husband of 28 years. J'adore. She was so elated! Now, though I may not be a huge fan of Valentine's Day (I was a florist during high school and we literally dreaded this day), I guess I can be happy for all those who are cute & couple-y. I have no Valentine this year, as it is always my Dad, and he's 4,000+ miles away from me this year. But I am still a fan of love. 

Really though, aren't we all?

^ Mimi & Bob, circa the early 1980s. Matching LaCoste windbreakers?

Must be love.

How will I be celebrating my Valentine's Day? Well, I have my host family's apartment to myself for the weekend while they are at their house by the ocean, so after going to get a hair cut and enjoying today's sunshine, I'll make myself dinner in my jammies, watch a movie, drink wine & eat delicious French chocolate. Sounds heavenly. 

Amusez-vous bien, ce jour de Saint Valentin!

Sending lots & lots of love across the Atlantic,

MG.

thursday thoughts

My Mood as of recent?

weary wednesday

Hiiiii.

Another unproductive day here in Nantes. I taught English to les petits this morning...Marlène and Gabriel, whom I adore. Showered, came to the IES center, only to eat lunch and sit around...read...listen to music..."work," and eat ungodly amounts of candy. I find myself increasingly more aggrivated and annoyed with my daily life, I need some people and excitement in my life. As cliché as it sounds, my life here in France is really like a rollercoaster. Today is an "I hate this place" day.

If how I felt today had a song, it would be this one: