Thanksgiving in Lyon

Well it's now time for the promised Thanksgiving post- and I don't even know where to begin! I had an excellent holiday away from home with my friends here and I'll never forget it. Cooking began around 4:30 pm and we finally sat down to eat around 10 pm with 7 of us total in attendance. We had all the classics, including pumpkin pie, turkey, mashed potatoes, deviled eggs, stuffing, macaroni and cheese, and steamed veggies. The turkey was a bit of a challenge because in Lyon they don't sell full turkeys, so we had to settle for two huge pieces and find a recipe somewhere online that allowed for only a few pieces instead of the full turkey. We also bought two roast chickens to supplement our turkey pieces. But even though the food was excellent, the fellowship was even better. We all gathered in the kitchen and cooked and made an event of watching all the F.R.I.E.N.D.S Thanksgiving episodes, and then moved onto challenges of who can do the weirdest things with which extremities. I began my day a little teary eyed at the thought of being so far from all my family gathered round to give thanks, but ended the day more thankful than I could ever have imagined for my amazing friends :)

Life Thus Far In France

Unfortunately for this post, there are no photos to accompany it. I've lost my camera and have turned my apartment upside down in search of it but with no reward, but hopefully soon my luck will change. This is just an update to my life thus far in France, I suppose, so I can't promise you much excitement but I can at least give you something to read. Every day is a change of emotions for me- some of the days I feel myself settling in and being happy and feeling as if I'm at home, like yesterday for example. We wanted to have Subway for dinner since they, like many institutions in France and the European Union, have student prices or discounts. Not exactly a "French" choice but when you are low on funds you can't exactly go out to eat for a delicious 10.50 euro "Saladier Lyonnais" every day. So we stood in line, gave our orders, and specified that they were "à emporter" which is the French version of "to go." Of course Subway is a good test of your French language skills because you don't just order one thing off of the menu and wait- you have to indicate which kind of bread that you would like, what size, that you would like the "ménu étudiant" (student combo), and then correct them when they accidentally over-charge you. So I felt accomplished when I left the line with exactly what I had wanted when I entered it, and the exact price I had assumed. We walked back to the metro without even paying attention to where we were going because these acts are now so ingrained in our daily activities- it isn't even an actual thought process to figure out which direction to go now. Almost everything is instinct. And so yesterday evening I found myself wondering at the fact that possibly I could be happy here. As of right now it isn't my first choice, or even my second, but I still could make a life here if I must.

And then there are the other days, and I can't honestly figure out which is the most common of the two choices to be honest. It distresses me, because I can't actually remember having to work hard to be happy somewhere. But sometimes for my in Lyon that is the case. Most of the time it occurs when someone in an office somewhere has failed my American image of what a good business should be and how they should operate. During the second month, in particular, of my stay in Lyon, this was a huge problem. Frustration would overcome my entire being and my day would be ruined as I only saw the negative in all situations and wondered why in the world things can't be done "the better way." It was always a shock to me, during that second month (because the first month- or most of it anyway I stayed with a friend and her family and they helped me deal with things, but then for the second month I was on my own to face the world) how it seemed that people just didn't care about good business, which is a principle on which America operates.

Now, I'm coming to the end of the third month and the beginning of the fourth month in Lyon and I accept these things, not with resignation yet, but without surprise, that much is sure. Still there is frustration, but it's almost like it's wearing me down because I know that sometimes that's just how things are here. A friend recently explained it to me the best way I've heard so far: most of the jobs are government jobs, and in those jobs it's extremely difficult to get fired so there's not a lot of thoughts of working hard so that people keep their jobs- they're automatically safe. It's good for the employee but not for the general population when the employee doesn't care about doing their best since they don't really have to. It's the same with the university- for French students (unlike in America!) it's very cheap to go to University, so again the faculty is employed by the government and not extremely motivated to do an excellent job.

So at least I have an explanation and I'm not wandering around thinking "why why whyyyy!" anymore. And it's only certain times that these things happen, but it's always for very big issues, such as my "Carte de Sejour" which is my permit to live in France!

Life is in fact becoming more like home here though, and I am noticing it more every day. I'm looking forward to getting all the paperwork out of the way once and for all so that I can just enjoy the second semester with my new friends and travel as much as possible. Now that I know how the system works for choosing classes I expect next semester to go much smoother.

And it is now the week of Thanksgiving in America. I've never been away from home for a holiday, much less Thanksgiving! It's difficult for me because I'm also not in America at all, which means it's just another ordinary day for France and I (along with the other Americans scattered around) will be the one thinking of my family back home with their giant Thanksgiving feast and Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and Football game and Christmas music. I'll be the one sleeping in on Friday while America hustles and bustles during Black Friday. I can't imagine not participating in those events, but this is one of the sacrifices I have to make in order to further my education and open as many doors for myself (figuratively speaking) as possible. So I am ridiculously ecstatic that I'm going home for Christmas for a few weeks, but I am very sad to be missing Thanksgiving.

However, my awesome friends here are coming together for a Thanksgiving feast of sorts of our own and for that I'm so grateful. I'd rather be around friends than be on my own for sure on that day. We will attempt to put together a Thanksgiving meal in Lyon! The country representations are (other than me- the lone American) Sri Lanka, Mexico, Italy, Canada, and the Netherlands. Such an international way to celebrate the American holiday! But I'm very excited and hopefully I will find my camera before then and be able to document the day in pictures as well as words for all to see!

So until the Thanksgiving post- à bien tôt!

Madrid

Unfortunately for the Madrid post, I am not sure what all the buildings are so I can't put captions on them! These are just snapshots of the beautiful Spanish city from my weekend spent there. I found it to be quite similar to New York City in the main downtown area, but with much more history added in! It's so strange to be in Europe where buildings and statues are more than 20 years old, and to think that you're walking on cobblestone streets where horses and carriages and people alike used to cross many many years ago. Hopefully these pictures will be able to help you to see what I saw and experienced during my short trip!

An outdoor gym

I had to donate some change to this man in order to take his picture!

Lyon

This is the just a small glance of my current home town, there will most likely be many more photos to come. It's impossible to describe with only a few photos and words, so hopefully my readers (all 3 of you) can come and visit and experience it for yourself. It's quite different than living America for many reasons, not the least of which is that most buildings are quite old. It didn't take long at all to get used to this fact- it brings a smile to my face to imagine the stories that the buildings carry with them through the years. The city in itself is quite nice because transportation is quite simple. If you absolutely have to, it isn't a huge deal to walk or bike to your destination, and it's a lovely view along the way. The streets are still old and cobblestone in many places, but a lot of them (especially the main ones) have been modernized to fit the vehicles that traverse them today. Again, these photos are just a taste of Lyon, and more will be coming to further illustrate life in one of the largest cities in France!

"Grenouille"! (Frog's Legs)

Restaurant by the river where we ate the frog's legs!

Cathédrale St. Jean in Vieux Lyon

Vieux Lyon

Vieux Lyon

Basilique Notre Dame de Fourviere

Vieux Lyon to have lunch with friends

View outside of the house in St. Genis Les Ollieres where I stayed upon my arrival in Lyon

It's been toooo long!

My DEEPEST and sincerest apologies- due to lack of internet and computer adaptor failure, it has been a while since I've updated my few readers with photos and proof that in fact am in Europe this year! So now I'll be adding pictures from my travels- which have so far been Madrid and Geneva and hopefully there will be many more to come! Thanks for hanging with me during my long period of silence!

Le Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière

Today, I woke up at the late late hour of 2pm. I'm still getting used to reading that as 14:00 on the clock! I lounged around most of the day reading my last English book, the Time-Traveler's Wife, enjoying the beautiful weather and the calm breeze winding it's way through the trees above me. I'm in utter disbelief that I'm here, still. I walk downstairs and see a plate waiting for me to eat outside on the patio and lunch on the stove. I ate my lunch and spent the afternoon reading outside. In the early evening, I was invited to visit the Basilique Fourviere with my lovely hosts. I said yes almost immediately! I've been jumping at any opportunity to tour the area and see more of the sites that are brand new to my eyes. I'd seen this church from a distance while we were in the car and commented on how beautiful it was, so I guess that inspired our visit. I wasn't sure what to expect- I didn't know if we were attending a service or just visiting. I was excited for either opportunity. I cherish moments in the car as well for the air condition, so while I'm always excited to arrive at our destination, I also enjoy the little reminder of home that I don't get inside most buildings! We arrived at the Cathedral and I saw many tourists, so I was a bit relieved that I wouldn't have to feel like the lone foreigner in a large group of nationals! We parked the car and started the short walk up to the front of the Cathedral, me taking pictures all the way and yet still trying to pretend that I'm not foreign! I don't think that was much of a success. I saw off to the side a beautiful view of the entire city of Lyon and made a mental note to return and take pictures. Upon our arrival at the front of the Cathedral, an Asian priest asked if we could take his photo a certain way in front of it. Being the only fluent English speaker in my small group of 3, the task was passed to me. It was then my turn for a photo-op, and then we ventured closer, me taking photos all the way. There was a Mass in session so we weren't able to go inside yet, so instead we trekked down to an area behind the Cathedral where the area to see the entire city was. I was squeezed in amongst some other people who had also taken this opportunity to see the city from this view, and my lovely host and hostess, Fabienne and Gerard, were telling me about the city and the things at which I was looking, both in English and in French. I noted the Saone and Rhone rivers, and the Town Hall and Universities and the school at which Fabienne is a teacher and countless other things in this beautiful city. The view with the city in front of me and the Cathedral behind me was definitely something exquisite to behold. As I'm told, the story of Le Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourviere is that in the 19th century, there was a horrible epidemic, and the people prayed that if it ended, they would build a Cathedral in honor of it. And so it did end, and this Cathedral was built. I was also told of the Festival of Lights that occurs in early December that remembers this event. So we took a walk down the hill a little ways onto a bridge that overlooks more of the city, and saw in which direction is Paris and other noteworthy locations. We walked back up the path, me snapping pictures whenever I saw something remotely interesting, and then we saw her! High above, with her back to us, was the golden Lady for reverence of whom the Cathedral was built. She faces Lyon in all her golden glorious splendor, and I was anxious to be able to see her from the front. So we walked in the hot hot sun and cool shade until we reached the front of the Cathedral, and I found an ideal location to take the picture. We decided to stop in and have a cool drink to alleviate some of the heat that seemed to be radiating from our very bodies. A small cafe beside the Cathedral provided just the comfort we were in search of. We took our seats outside under cover of the shade and joined the small crowd that gathered there on a quest for the same sort of refreshment as us. The bells in the great Cathedral began to ring out for all to hear, signifying the end of Mass. A few more people came into the already crowded cafe and many people strolled the surrounding property, in search of that perfect angle to capture a photo of the golden virgin. As the bells tolled for several minutes, the waitress scurried around attempting to satisfy everyone's drink orders and clear tables at the same time. After many promises of returning soon for us, she finally took our order. The only thing in the world that I wanted at that moment was an ice cold Coke to quench my thirst. I know that water would be the most healthy thing, but there's something about Coke from an ice-cold glass bottle that completely satisfies my thirst every time. We only had to wait a short time for our refreshments, and while we waited I observed the other weary souls congregated in this small area for a drink. I've noticed that some people seem to look more like caricatures of people than the real thing, like the old man who was sitting further down on our table with the most prominent nose and lower lip I've ever seen in my life. He "tsk'd" impatiently when the waitress set their check down. Everyone seems to be a traveler here, whether they are French, Italian, Asian, or American, everyone has come together to see this beautiful place. It's something we all have in common. So after we finished our drinks and had our fill of bird and people watching, we rose from our seats and made our way towards the Cathedral once more. Now that Mass had ended, we were free to roam the inside. I did not feel that it would be appropriate to take pictures of the inside, and even if I did they would not have come out well enough for the viewer to grasp fully how you feel when you're inside. The smaller room was beautiful and colorful and everything you can think of in a small chapel. There were people towards the front meditating or praying, and in the back there was information posted on the wall regarding how the history behind the Cathedral, all etched in stone and marble and illustrated wonderfully. There was a small stand with Candles that were in honor of the Virgin Mary. Several were lit and there was a sign that asked for a 2 euro donation to light a candle to venerate Mary. I stood in awe of the room and its artwork and its stories. We left that room and moved towards the front and center entrance, towards the room that I had not entered before since their was a Mass in session. As I entered it, I realized that had I been in awe before, it was nothing compared to how I felt about this room, now. It was much bigger, with two large marble oblong bowls on marble stands on both sides in the back containing Holy Water. The artwork on the wall was colorful and golden and ornate and grandiose...every word that you could imagine. The walls were lined with confessionals and a few people were seated near the front- whether they were waiting for another service to begin or just praying as well I'm not sure. We began to follow the path around the room and I noticed more stands with candles to venerate Mary, each asking for donations of 2 euros for the candle and one asking for 4 as the candles were larger. History is etched on these walls and the high ceilings and portrayed better in a manner that makes me understand much better than any history book ever did. I feel at peace here, and it seems that everyone feels the same way. There's hardly any photography going on with the exception of someone taking a picture on their camera phone, but it's as though people sense that a flash would ruin the somber and worshipful atmosphere. A priest walks the aisle, stopping for anyone who requests his attention. A little boy on the far side of the great room drops something and it echoes loud and sharp on the wooden benches and stone walls and he cowers behind his mother in embarrassment, but attention is quickly brought back to the huge stained glass windows and the golden walls and the stories these pictures are telling. I don't want to leave this peaceful haven too quickly so follow Fabienne slowly around the room and she stop stops to point out certain things that are "tres jolie" even though it is all "very pretty" in my opinion. We stop after we have made a full circle of the room and Fabienne lights a candle for Mary and places it on the stand with many others. We pause for a moment so that I can read something and then carry on, out the back door and back into the sunlight. It's almost blinding compared to the inside of the Cathedral and it's dim lighting, which is mostly cast by candles. I realize that our tour is over and we must leave this place now, but I know I'll be coming back. It's too beautiful to only see once.

St Genis Les Ollieres

Well I'm finally in France! It seemed like a long time coming and now I have to sit back and try to comprehend the fact that I'm actually here- how cool is that! I've been too lazy to take pictures up until today so I don't have any of the city of Lyon yet, only of the town on the outskirts which I'm staying in until I find an apartment which will hopefully be next week. It's so peaceful here; I didn't even know such a place could exist. I'm sure the pictures can't even capture the mood of the area but it's an excellent location to recover from mono- that much is for sure. I'm already in love with the city and the surrounding area and I'm understanding more and more French everyday. I'm getting a lot of conversation practice at the house I'm staying at which belongs to my friend and her family who've been so helpful to me ever since I got here. I'll update more as more events occur but not much can be posted about apartment hunting that comes with pretty pictures, so for now I'll let these be the images of my life in Lyon so far.

i LONG to return to write so badly to this page- but actual responsibilities cloud my vision and I am forced to stay my imagination for the time being and keep my stories to myself...how horrible it must be for those who keep theirs stories to themselves all the time- surely they feel trapped by their life that is shared with none other. It's not necessary to broadcast your affairs but when you can find someone that you can share your heart with I think you should give it wholeheartedly and see what they give you in return. Be ready to accept gifts of insight that you could never have imagined yourself..
The monster I face today isn't a demon, I do actually get to write, but he is NOT my friend and our relationship will remain at this stagnant level until Wednesday when I get to breathe for a season and perhaps sit down here again and let my imagination take flight...

Rain

The rain is pouring down outside the window of my classroom in sheets. It's a beautiful sight… everyone's footsteps can be heard from the end of the hall squishing their way towards the door. The sound of the rain dropping outside the window sounds exactly like coffee percolating, and I became so excited when I walked through the door thinking some angel had brought us coffee on this oh so rainy of days! But as I frantically looked around and attempted to locate the saving lifeblood, I realized that it was only the sound of the rain hitting the drain pipe. Outside, inches of rain washed over my flip-flop clad feet as I made my way up the hills on my way to class. This is why I'm glad I didn't wear jeans, I thought. They would have been wet and sticking to my legs all day…instead my skirt will dry rather rapidly- already the spots are fading. And the rain caresses my bare legs and I forget about the heavy burden on my shoulder...

Refocused

Today I am refocused. Perhaps it's the coffee in my system, but it's a Monday so it's likely that a force more powerful than that is needed and at work. It began as any other unlucky Monday- I woke up and made breakfast for myself and my little brother, who continues to remind me that his 12th birthday is tomorrow and what he would like for breakfast then. I prefer to wake early because the morning, he is not my friend so I need extra time each day to laze about and get to know him all over again. I made my coffee and my lunch and a snack and a water bottle…at any given time I'm walking around with enough food and water in my bag to feed a small army. And then the problems began. My gas take was screaming to be refueled, and on the mile-long trip to the closest gas station, I managed to spill my coffee on the leather seat of my car and on my bag. Quite an accomplishment for such a short trip. So I arrived at the gas station, sold a kidney for just enough gas money to half-way fill my tank, and cleaned my small mess. No sooner had I pulled out of the station and gotten a little ways up the road then I realized I'd spilled coffee on my white shirt- twice! As I pulled onto the interstate, I fumed at the thought that I would have to wait for a while until I could fix it and by that time surely the coffee would turn into a stain. As I became increasingly angrier at my one ally in turning on me during my time of greatest vulnerability, I thought that possibly I could pour my water on my shirt and thereby keep the coffee from drying in and creating stains. So as I swerved across several lanes trying to save my shirt while in turn endangering my life, I imagined how humorous (in hindsight) it would be if a cop was unlucky enough to pull me over on this morning. Surely my temper would get the best of me and that would never end well. But as I settled in a single lane (and could almost hear the collective sigh of relief from the cars following mine) I began to feel better about this day…maybe it was the coffee rushing through my veins and curing the inner wounds of a Monday like a healing balm. But I think it was more than that- only God could salvage my mood on this day. The thing that began to turn my mood was that I began to imagine writing about these events, and immediately my day turned around. It was then that I realized how much of a relief it is to me to write…how calm I feel just when I plan to write- not to mention when I sit down to actually do it. As I'm writing now in my politics class, the guy who afflicts me with his endless comments isn't even such a bother when I write. It changed my whole mood around so much so that I had an extra bounce in my step when I put in my iPod (and decided it's time for a new one) and walked to my class. However I do tend to get lost in my own little world, and in the midst of the crowd I noticed the sweet taste of coffee lingering on my lips and without thinking began licking them slowly to enjoy what little was left of my pleasurable morning…only to notice a guy staring at me with a funny look on his face…and I realized I had been walking towards him and licking my lips seductively while not even realizing what I was doing. Such is life.

So I have a million things I could be doing, not the least of which would be preparing for another visit from the exam demon on Monday, but instead I choose to blog. I sit in my room full of boxes and clothes and random pieces of my life scattered about, draped on a Foosball table, a workout machine, and my antique bed frame with it's high ends. Dirty laundry is struggling to escape the confines of the white basket I've trapped it in. I of course will wake up in the morning and berate myself for not doing the laundry for I will have "nothing to wear"...at which point lightening will strike me for such a lie on a Sunday. I'm recovering from an enraging message from the institution where all my money goes, and suddenly I feel so small. I feel like a tiny, helpless frog looking up at a giant cyclist coming my way and being at the mercy of whichever way he turns his wheel. Who put this much power in the heads of a school and why are there so few lawful ways to fight the powers that be? But what can I do? It doesn't seem fair, but for my whole life my mother has drilled into my head the fact that life is indeed, not fair. So what can we do, the little frogs at the mercy of the cyclist? Should we form a union and defeat this monster that hands down judgment? Or should we accept these lessons as ways of learning, for future reference, how to deal with the Cyclists? Either way I'm highly angry. But who do you call when the reason for your anger is the one you did choose to call? What if your faith in the institution to do the right thing was useless? When I put my faith in something and it falls through, it's the end. There are no second chances for that kind of thing. So, contemplating all this, I stare at my laundry basket and my boxes and decide that I won't let this one thing ruin my whole day. I will be productive still, and if the powers-that-be have a problem with it, well THEN I will fight them.

It's raining again. Today, I tried my best to outsmart the rain. Not because I hate being rained on, because I actually don't. I quite enjoy it. I ran to protect my precious laptop because the zipper on my bag no longer functions as it should- or at all. So in order to protect my laptop I decided to spring (or at least MY version of a sprint which most likely doesn't match up with the general population's) across a clearing to a patch of trees, from which point I would be able to finish the seemingly endless journey under the protection of the leaves, which bore the brunt of the rain on my behalf. So as I began my sprint across the open grass towards the shelter of the trees and then my car, the rain came down harder. The moment I reached the shelter of the all-protective trees, the rain stopped. So I waited for a moment to be sure it wasn't a trick and the rain wouldn't restart just as soon as I left the watchful eye of the trees...and I scampered across the street to my waiting car, which, regardless of the pleasant temperature outside, was hot and stuffy. Not the most welcoming of situations after a long day at work and school. But such is life, I suppose. Obviously, my laptop is none the worse for wear, and neither am I. Except, perhaps, for the fact that I missed an opportunity to enjoy the rain without having to worry about my possessions. This is why they say that you shouldn't wrap your time and money up in possessions. So, someday soon, the weather owes me a pleasant shower when I have nothing to worry about! As I drove home contemplating the irony of the rain bullying me as it did, I grew sick of the music I've been listening to for days on end. Suddenly all I care to listen to is the really good stuff. The music you find in coffee shops and obscure places and latch onto because it makes you feel alive or at home or in love...or any other slew of emotions that comes to your mind when you find that music that truly hits home. Me, I love Dave Matthews Band and Dashboard Confessional...but more than that I cherish a playlist that was made for me and my cohorts during our senior year of high school by the one woman (other than my mother) who was most influential in my young life. It's an eclectic mix of music that lifts my spirits like no other. I feel at peace when I listen to it and at this time in my life when I seem to be in a state of frustration quite often, it's exactly the medicine I need.
But the real world hits, and as it turns out I can't actually blog all night long because the exam demon will strike again at approximately 11:30 am tomorrow, and I have precious few hours to prepare to defend myself upon his arrival...

THIS might be the most wonderful of things- it's pouring rain outside and they're calling for snow in a few hours (we'll see if that happens or not...still not sure whether I'll be a believer) and my lovely roommates and I are doing as we did when we were little girls. We've gathered all the comforters and blankets and pillows and music players down into the living room. In an effort to save electricity (and win a competition for being the most economically friendly apartment) the lights haven't been on today and they probably will not be until we can see absolutely nothing on our own. The big window in the living room provides a movie screen of sorts for us to view the rain as it comes down on the facing townhouses and cars and bushes. I have the playlist going on my iTunes that was created by the english teacher from my junior and senior year of high school. She is so very dear to us...Brett Dennen, Rufus Wainwright, Ray laMontagne, the Beatles, Norah Jones, Nickel Creek, Fiona Apple, The Wailing Jenny's, Holly Palmer, Eva Cassidy, Suzanne Vega, Waterdeep, JayMay, and more populate this list that brings back so many peaceful memories and inspires new ones. On days like today it's so easy to forget what's on the to-do list and just write...for me at least. I'm sure that a lot of people would find other ways to spend a day like this but I see writing as the ultimate escape. There are forms to fill out for France...they will probably find their way onto my lap sometime soon because that is so important to me. But for now I write...and enjoy. Rain on the weekends is such a beautiful thing...

I've decided that I would like to stay in France for a whole academic year next year instead of just a semester. The benefits of staying in a country for that long as opposed to just 4 months are many; language proficiency being just one of them. It's a big decision to be sure...I haven't even broken it to my parents yet that I plan to leave them for a year! Most of my friends don't know either...I need this to be a decision about me. It's an independent choice I've made and I feel extremely confident about it. Most of the time I'm afraid I'll change my mind but I don't fear that at this point. I feel very good about this decision and that's the important thing- I have no regrets. So here's to new choices and new plans and scary new situations!

suddenly i want hamburger helper...i think it's because i got an e-mail from my lovely mom saying that she hoped i wasn't embarrassed by the fact that she served hamburger helper when my friends came home for lunch on Sunday. This is so silly! I told her that if I did actually bring people home who cared about what was served (aside from personal preference, religious beliefs, or dietary lifestyles) then they wouldn't be my friends! Just some strays I picked up from various places. And then my roommate bought my family a delicious cheesecake for dessert so they would rather have her than me now...thanks Kate!
So since I should be studying but am instead am plagued by thoughts of complex carbohydrates in the middle of the night...you get to all hear about it.
:D

It's about revolution...change in life. Some are happy with the mundane- at least they think they are. I'm not one of those people. I love anything new. I'll try any food once (ex: fungus and several other questionable foods in Taiwan) The blog name idea came from Pray and you can find her blog on the left. It was originally a joke, but when it comes down to it, it's really the best idea isn't it? Isn't embracing everything we possibly can in this life what we're here for? Shouldn't we try as many new things as possible even if we're sure we'll hate them? Anyone who knows me knows I'm not so much one for the outdoors, but that does not mean I don't wish to explore and see new things. In my opinion it all depends on the company you're with- I love being in the city and I love getting lost and finding my way around. I have to love it since the directional section of my brain never developed fully (thank you mom for that gene!) I love beautiful scenery and I love to write when that scenery inspires me too. I love thunderstorms, I love coffee, I love warm weather, I love spending time with my friends, and I love french music. I hope to be in France in the fall but even if I'm not I'm sure I'll find something here to occupy my time...we'll just have to see! stay tuned...