end of a chapter

Hi all,

Today marks the one week deadline until I'm back in the U S of A–24 hrs X 7, as I've been counting down lately. There's so many mixed feelings at this point in the semester, between the home-anxiousness, as I'll call it, the reluctance to leave a place as warm as Aix, and the stress that inevitably creeps up before finals–abroad or not, they matter. This is the last stretch in a section of my life that is as memorable & valuable as other periods of my life have been.

I'm also going through-as are many study abroaders-an uncertainty, sentimental period in figuring out how to say goodbye to a loving host family that were more meaningful than I could have imagined. Tonight, I'm feeling a bit emotional, as they've gotten back from a weekend at the hospital, as they watched Elisabeth's dad fighting for his life–he's been ill for months but only within the last week–eerily, since I met him last weekend–did his breathing get really bad, so there's been a whole roller coaster of emotions over here. I just saw Elisabeth for the first thing tonight when she got back & I couldn't help but feel admiration through my sorrow as I listened to her recount her emotions from the weekend. Today's another day where being away at home, in a place that could have seemed so distant and lonely, I'm surrounded by love, and I appreciate stronger & stronger my family, friends, and loved ones back home.

I hope this post wasn't too much of a downer, but rather a reminder to always be strong and take the time to reflect and appreciate all that you're blessed to have in life.

much love from the land of quiche,
c
xoxoxox

sweet, sweet success

I have a story for you all that would make Lilli, our program director, grin as wide as the Grinch does when he finally breaks down at the end of the movie and gives in to Christmas (PS-it is only NECESSARY that I watch that upon my return stateside).

Today I spent the afternoon with my second mono-à-mono session with my lovely traduction professor, Francesca. It's a funy thing. I'm not sure if it's just her, France, or AUCP that mandates that litereally every minute of class time missed, for example if a professor is running 10-15 minutes late, be made up at a separate time, by every single student. So, since I am the only 'étudiant' who goes on to Société Française after Traduction in the morning, I have had the pleasure of having 2 private tutoring sessions, if you will, with my translation professor.

So, we were sitting out in the garden, and seeing how earlier this morning was our last class, there wasn't a whole lot on the agenda to neither go over or prepare for, so, we just resorted to reading over my final project which I turned in this morning, cool. We had to translate a work we chose, so naturally I chose Confessions of a Shopaholic, 10 pages mind you, so we just started reading.

This is where it becomes Lilli's dream. Francesca and I are reading through it, unfortunately finding silly little errors, despite the fact that I'd probably read over it 10 times, and we have this magical moment where she says "Wow, you've really done well, you really did a good job translating and have improved so much since the start!" HALLELUJAH! So, although I might still get an eyesore of a grade, seeing how the French consider the equivalent of our 'C' to be a good grade, we'll see, but the point is, progress!! It's good to know that someone of authority also sees the effort and improvements I've made–not to come across as arrogant, but if I didn't have progress, there'd be a problem.

So now I'm off to finish practicing for tomorrow's presentation in another class with a motivating & warm professor. It's true what they say about small classes–those two are my smallest classes and the two in which I feel I've gained the most from–be it different learning skills or literary anaysis & presentation, it counts for something.

bisous,
c

au bord de la mer

I've just gotten back from approximately 24 hours at my host family's weekend getaway: Sausset, which is a little fisherman's town just along the coast from Marseille–in fact, it's got a stellar view of Marseille during the day or, even better, at night, when Notre Dame de la Garde is lit up above the skyline. I was 'tellement heureuse' to get away for a bit, from the windy 30 minute drive there, to the peaceful hour long walk my host mom & I took into town with 'Jipeur,' her brother's friendly & energetic dog, to the cozy-watch-for-the-snow ambiance we had all afternoon there today.

The whole weekend was like a mirror image of what my family does at home: going to our house in the country is one of the nicest luxuries we know. As many fun and relaxing things there may be to do at home, going out in the country is always peaceful & brings you back to the good ole times, where you read children's books for fun and play their games, too.

As I hit the 2 week mark (or the 48 hours X 7 as I like to call it), I continually find myself straddling this rope of happiness & nostalgia for leaving. There are SO many things I can't wait to do (or not do...like catch up on sleep!) when I get home, people to see, winter traditions to partake in, the like. But at the same time, I'm getting closer & closer to my host family, and it's sad to see this chapter of my life come to a close. Even yesterday–probably the 100th time I walked through a 'marché,' and I had a sense of just wanting to photograph every little bit of it, taste each type of fresh vegetable, somehow be able to bring it all back with me to show everyone what it's like. I have to keep telling myself that I'll be back & be able to live it again. Because one thing the French know, that's how to live.

xoxoxo, c

"It's character that makes the beauty of the soul"

skypey with billy

Quote of the night, in recounting the good and delicious at my family's Thanksgiving feast this year:

"The turkey was good, but it's not about the turkey! It's just the symbol of the Pilgrims."

AMERICA!

i think i ate your chocolate squirrel.

Sorry to disappoint, Liza–this post title isn't to say that we saw any chocolate squirrels–we weren't that lucky–although Lena and I did pass enough chocolate to feed a hungry gaggle of mammoths – and – we did see squirrel memorabilia. Good times, good times.

Here's the photo evidence of the awesome weekend in France's attic. I've decided Brussels is top 2 of my favorite cities visited while here in Europe–I think I'd still place Prague as #1–but I HIGHLY recommend study-abroaders and Eurotripers alike to visit!!

Lenny & I shortly after being reunited!

In front of ... well, this is the way to the Christmas market!

Genuis. This shop had some of the most beautiful (& creative) chocolates I've seen.

In front of a governmental building, waffle in hand.

The goat cheese-apple-honey sandwich I can't stop raving about!


My yellow scarf & gloves combo from Faye blends in with the 'camion' ... in case you can't tell, that's a big thumbs up for the Belgium waffle!

Beautiful...the roofline, of course..

Free samples in every corner of the store??? Len & I 'profited' and tried em all here!

Merry Christmas! Without any 'sanksgeeveeng over here, everyone's been ready for the most wonderful time of the year since they brought out their winter parkas with the first sign of cold. Brussels was no exception, Christmas lights & spirit were a plenty! Pictured with my new hat =)

culturalisms

I love French culture. I JUST discovered this, you ask? Well, no. I've known it secretly all my life. The more and more I wander these zig-zagged streets of Aix-en-Provence I continually realize how glad I am to have had this experience here. As corny as it sounds, I hope this is only my beginning with French culture...who knows, hopefully I'll be lucky enough to come back and travel more in the land I currently call home :) Even on a day like today, cold to the bone–apparently that exists in the south of France, be warned, future AUCPers–I find myself smiling at my life. And this weekend–where I was lucky enough to have some quality time with my lovely roomie Lena–in Brussels, the annex of France, where I could not help but just eat it all up! Literally–it was hysterical. Down to my favorite cookie store in Aix–La Cure Gourmande–Brussels is exactly the same as France. No, it's really not (haha minimization, for those of my fellow classmates who've paid attention the past 2 Mondays in FCP...), but it was simply funny seeing all the similarities with it's southern neighbor. With every corner we turned as we wandered around Saturday–and happened to stumble upon every major governmental building, Christmas market, and chocolate plaza magically with each corner–there were more and more copies of stores & products as what I see in France. It was great!! Things I have not found in France, that obviously Brussels dominates: 1) Lena. it was so great to be reunited with my Copenhagen-obsessed roomie. And thank goodness I chose the south of France over northern Europe, she went home to a foot of snow! 2) Belgium Waffles. Much like the crêpe stands and trucks on every other corner in Aix, there was a plethora of waffle trucks. We tried one & were pleased to say the least. 3) a goat cheese, apple, honey, thyme sandwich. although i only had half along with a cup of carrot soup for lunch Saturday, I can guarantee you that it was the best sandwich I've tasted in Europe. Momma–we are definitely adding this to the repertoire upon my return! A good jar of honey, some goat cheese, and apple slices, and we're good to go. YUM.

Magically, there's less than 3 weeks left. 20 days until I leave France. 20 days until I'm home. 20 days until study abroad is over. 20 days until I kick in Kanye's Workout Plan. 20 days until I say goodbye to my cooler-than-cool host family....It's a lot to think about! I said this to my parents today–I'm beyond homesick now. I've got too much to worry about with school to get wrapped up in missing home, because before I know it, I'm there. Thanksgiving was really tough, I wanted to jump into my computer through skype just to be there. But now, I know that I don't have many more 'mistral' winds to endure on the walk to school and that soon enough it'll be the lake effect wind hitting my face. It's really a time of mixed feelings, but I'm too excited to see my family and be at home to get caught up in being too sentimental about leaving France. I'll always have France, the lovely city of Aix, and my host family loves to travel so hopefully they'll come over to my side of the pond soon. There's so much goodness in the future, I can't but help but feel thankful for all that I've been blessed with continually throughout my life. The little things..those don't matter when you have a great family & a place that you're itching to return to–from France, one of the most fantastic places in the world. Yep, I've got it good.

Happy almost December!!
xoxox, c

classic MM

"so the FCC won't let me be
let me be me, so let me see
they try to shut me down on MTV
but it feels so empty without me"

"under your skin like a splinter
the center of attention, back for the winter"

"no i'm not the first king of controversy
i am the worst thing since elvis presley"

8 mile's on my list of 'movies to rewatch' once i get home, it's powerful!