I added more pictures! I don’t really have stories to go
along with them, but I’m sure you can still enjoy them.
And I found a couple of companies where I can do interviews!
It’s pretty exciting because I was starting to get a little stressed out that I’m
supposed to be doing research and haven’t done that much yet. They’re at organizations
which advocate the importance of integration of seniors into society (through
education, employment, social events, etc.)…so somewhat biased given what I’m
studying, but it’s a start. I’m meeting with one next week, so I have a bit of
reading to catch up on. I also have my program orientation this weekend / next
week, so it’s good that I’ll have some places to mention. : )
On another note, I bought a small bureau the other week from
someone off Craigslist. No one really
uses Craigslist here, but it was an American going back to the US who was
selling her stuff, so it was a good deal! I also got some champagne glasses because
she was selling them and I like champagne. So I took the bus out to the 5th arrondissement
and bought the bureau and started walking back with it to the bus. It’s pretty
small (maybe 1ft x2ft x3ft), so it wasn’t super hard to carry. I just looked awkward, and people stared at me
on the bus. Anyway, as I was walking, this man (probably 40ish) smiled at me
and I smiled back because I realized how ridiculous I must look. Then we both
were waiting for the bus, and he kept smiling at me, so I just looked away and
people watched. And when the bus came, he offered to help me, which was nice,
but I said I was fine. Throughout the bus ride, he kept smiling at me (I was
not smiling at this point) and moving his hand down on the pole I was holding
onto to touch my hand…and I kept moving mine away. (But one time he trapped me
with two hands – one above and one below! Sneaky.) Eventually it was my stop,
and I was relieved to get off the bus. But it was his stop too! He offered to
help again, but I said no again, and he kept following me down the street.
Another girl was pretty sweet and started talking with me because she realized
what was happening, but then she had to leave to go to the metro. Finally I yelled at him, “Stop it! What are
you doing?” And he then he left. This
all happened during the middle of a Saturday, so there were a ton of people
around, but it was just annoying and creepy. French men. : )
And another stupid story comes from class this week. One class of mine splits up the sections, so
there was a new professor for this class. And she was going over the schedule
and mentioned the exam on the last class and asked whether anyone was not going
to take the exam. I didn’t hear her, but the girl next to me said (in French) ‘you’re
not going to take the test, right?’ since we’re in some of the same classes and
she knew I had mentioned that to other teachers. And I said ‘yeah, I’m not
going to take it, is that what she said?’ And she said yes and then told the
teacher I wasn’t going to take it. And the teacher asked why I didn’t say
anything, and I said I didn’t hear her. So she asked me something and I
responded “ouais” (which is like “yeah”) and she said we’re in France, we say “oui.”
Okay. And then she asked me some other
question, and I said I don’t understand, and she said if you don’t understand
then this is going to be a very hard class. And then the girl next to me said
she speaks English. And the professor said “We’re in a French university, so we
speak French.” So obviously I turned bright red. Later I went up to her to double check whether
it was ok if I just audit the course, and she was nicer and said yes, it’s
fine, but I don’t know if you’ll understand it, and I told her that I
understand most of it. So, I’m going to
practice saying “oui” more. Johan told
me I should say “oui madame,” but I’m pretty sure he was joking.
Lastly, I’m having a
lot of trouble figuring out which bakery is best. I like to think I have a
distinguished palate, but there are so many good things. I decided to buy two croissants this morning
to compare them at the same time, but one bakery was closed. Probably for the
best. But I’m planning a bakery crawl
for when Anna comes to visit and we can discuss the pros and cons!
And I don't know how to reorganize the photos...
Hotel de Ville at night (1 block from where I was living for a few weeks)
I happened to be by the Seine on August 15th, where there was a parade on the river for the Assumption of Mary and lots of boats with people singing...and firefighters spraying water. You can see Notre Dame in the background of this picture. I didn't know what was going on at the time and looked it up later...
I really like pictures at night...but I never have my nice camera with me. The iphone ones aren't bad though.
Paris Plage! For a few weeks during the summer, there's a lot of sand and chairs and sprinklers so you can pretend you're at a beach. I was told not to go though because only "beaufs" go there.
Another picture of hotel de ville
The picture I already posted, but with an awesome instagram filter.
French Senate in the Jardin du Luxembourg
My university!
Awwww
I don't remember where I saw this.
Baby ducks! Just like in Boston!
Palais Royal
Louvre
Inside the Louvre
Sweet exhibition
Okay, this is in Maine, but the clouds are pretty awesome. I don't know how to move these pictures to the end...
More from the Jardin du Luxembourg. And the Montparnasse tower in the background.
I thought she was cute...and that it was strange she was riding a pony through the gardens. I know, I'm a little creepy.
I actually craved a salad last week. I know I've been depriving myself of nutrients if I really want a salad. And yes, that's a croissant and baguette on the side.
Dinner the night before. Look at all the cheeses!!
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I'm wondering whether I should start a picassa site so I don't overload the blog with pictures..? Thoughts?
