Paris, Je T'Aime.

Here I am. Its 8:24am, and I am sitting at the gate waiting to board my plane back to the grand ol’ U S of A. Kate woke up with me at 5:00 this morning and walked me back to my apartment to help me bring my luggage down, say goodbye, and load up the cab. I definitely won’t miss the expensive cabs. He started charging me the second I arrived. Kate’s and my plans worked brilliantly. We figured if I slept over and we woke up at 5am to say goodbye, we’d be too tired to notice the fact that I was leaving. Success! I made up for it with tears in the cab home and if I could shoot fire from my glare, the passport control man is singed after stamping my passport and saying “au revoir!” with a smile. Not au revoir! Don’t wish me a bon voyage! I’d rather no voyage! I’m sitting at the gate now with my last croissant, tired and clearly in a vile mood (sorry for the ranting!) and looking through my pictures from the semester.

Getting through security was symbolic, to say the least. I knew 1 bag was overweight, but the second one was not! I loaded up my carry on to weigh more than I did, but figured it’d save a lot of money. I also had no room for my many coats so yes, indeed, I am wearing a fleece, a pea-coat, and my down long coat. The plan was to carry my duffel and very-XXL-purse on with my coats, which I’d hide inside each other, which would hide my little purse, and I’d buy a magazine to get a duty-free so I could carry on my mugs. FAIL. Epic Fail. They said at check-on that my computer made my carry-on weight too heavy, and my plan to put allllllll my books in my carry-on duffel gave me a total of 25 kilos worth of carryon. Its all beacsue I insist on only reading books in French right now, to keep current on the language, so its filled to the top with Voltaire, Flaubert, Balzac, Harry Potter (in French), Hugo, and Camus. Who knew that when they said a carry-on and personal item that was code for 18kilos of carryon per person, no matter how it works out! I sure didn’t. They offered me to take a later flight today and pay me $600, which would cancel out the cost of all the baggage (and hey! I’m all for making a profit too!) but Dad said there was too great a risk of disaster. Not that I’d mind being stranded here…plan foiled again! I made it, though, 3 checked bags and an overweight cost later. Woops. Sorry mom and dad…I hope my presents for you make you forget allll about this mess!

I think its fair to say that though New York might be the greatest city in the world, I found myself in Paris. I left thinking I was an adult, and I’m returning unsure of what it means to be a grown-up. Is it whether or not you deal with a landlady and pay bills? Is it the ability to do things by yourself? Wearing lipstick instead of gloss? Because I’ve been there. But I’ve also learned how much I don’t know, how big the world is, and how much I still have to experience. I’ve learned to forgive people, and accept things out of my control. Most importantly, my experience here has shown me who I can be and who I want to be. I didn’t know that self-respect and loyalty for others is not mutually exclusive. Perhaps that is the key to the person that I am coming back as. I hope she sticks around, because I quite like the new feeling of empowerment.

I’m going to buy January’s Vogue and guess what. 10 minutes until boarding. My tears have already allowed me to make some very nice new French friends who are going to visit New York (Hillary-style, some things can’t ever change). We’ve already exchanged numbers because:

If I can’t stay in Paris, then I’m bringing her with me. How? It’s simple! We’ll always have Paris.

T-24 Hours. Pret? Allez! (Ready GO!)

If someone told you that you had 24 hours left, what would you do? A bit dramatic, I admit, but the principle stays the same. 24 hours in the city called Paris. 24 hours to soak up every last cobblestone street, mentally photograph my favorite works of art, savor the buttery macarons and croissants (and goat cheese), admire the impeccably dressed French (especially the men; I feel I will be having a good-looking-fashionable-intelligent-sophisticated-and cultured-yet-straight–as-an-arrow-man dry spell. Is it bad that before leaving I didn’t like the pants around the knees, and upon a return, the mere thought of the boxers and sloppy shirts revolts me?), and hold on to everything.

Is this all doable? Nope. Am I trying? Not really, anymore. Why? Because I am in complete and totally denial that I will wake up tomorrow in a place I called home for so long, yet has never felt so unfamiliar.

One thing has not changed at all – my adoration of Audrey Hepburn. She glows in her roles, and though I have a developed an affinity for French cinema, the mark of a classic film is one which is enjoyed at a young age, yet understood and substantially appreciated at a later time: Breakfast at Tiffany’s. We saw it in Paris’ international film center. a quaint little theater, with blue satin walls and baroque, ornate, metal flower sconces. Only in France!

Yesterday Kate, Emma, and I walked. And walked. And walked. All day, all over Paris. I picked up a special treat for the Pearson clan, and just breathed in the air. Last night, we went to dinner at my favorite place near my apartment, Charles’ (the café that my friend Charles owns – I never did learn the real name of the café). Afterwards, Emma and Kate sat on top of my suitcases while I tried to zip them (fail) and we went to the Eiffel Tower for one last glimpse of the monument twinkling. To some, it’s a symbol of France. Now, I have walked by it everyday on my way to school, I have studied its history, written a final paper on its nationalistic critique and evolution, had lunch under it in the sun, taken pictures with it in the snow, and most importantly, it has seen the evolution of my person. Saying my moments there last night were my last for a while must mean I’m really going home. WOMPWOMP. (Told ya, I’m in denial!) The excursion was followed up by my favorite dessert (chocolate moeulleux cake) at the café La Terrace, we love there, and we love the waiters, and its right next to the tower! Tonight I’m spending the night sleeping with Kate and Emma – we’re going to stay up as long as we can watching Sex and the City’s series finale: An American Girl in Paris, Parts Une et Deux.

Oh Paris. Oh to stay here forever. What I would give to call it my permanent home.

But if I must return to NY, which it seems I must (I just ordered my 5:30am cab), at the very least I hope Melvin remembers me….

Suitcases and Happy Christmas!

Back from my trip! A quick Vienna summary:
Vienna was fabulous: Schonbrunn Palace, Belvedere, the KLIMTS!, Hofburg Palace complex, National Library, the Imperial State Opera, who could complain?

I learned that its very difficult to travel to other places solo where you don't speak the language - I felt a little vulnerable hearing men yell things in German and not only not understanding, but also not knowing what the appropriate response was.

Night train is the best way to travel. Go to sleep, wake up in another country, and no liquid restriction!

The art inspired me, and needless to say, I had a blast with myself :)

Words don't do Mozart's opera, Don Giovanni, justice, so I'll just tell you the following: I went to the opera in Vienna. And loved every moment.

I made it home in time for Christmas with my Jewish friends! On Christmas, I arrived back in Paris, raced home to shower (trains make you need them) and picked up LOTS of pastries to bring over to my friend Kate's. Kate's twin Emma is visiting now before she continues on to spend her spring semester studying at NYU in London. We feasted on croissants, brioches, viennoiseries, this list goes on.

Later that day, Liz, the twins, and I, trekked out in the freezing cold. We though it would be fun to visit the Eiffel Tower, not knowing we'd wait on line in the below-zero cold for 2 hours. When we finally got to the top, we took a moment (literally a moment - it was freezing) to take in a breathtaking view that only was lacking the Tower itself. It was dark so the whole city was magical and lit up. Knowing the end of the semester is near, anticipating a return home, fearing drastic culture shock, wondering if the new-me will last in the United States, nostalgia, and a desperate desire and need to stay in this wonderful city quickly led to a small emotional explosion on top. No where like the top of the Eiffel Tower to bring the truth out in someone.

As Jews, no matter where you might be in the world, you have an obligation to eat Chinese food on Christmas. Unfortunately, all of the Chinese places were closed, so Japanese sufficed. The four of us met up with two of my friends from Israel at a restaurant and had a very merry Christmas!

Unfortunately, I believe I am sick so I've been keeping it cool and resting a lot. Suitcases presently adorn my living room, and I am about to finish packing. Kate and Emma and I have been galavanting around Paris, trying to see everything I haven't seen yet, and saying goodbye to all my favorite places.  Tonight we are going to Paris' international film theater and seeing Breakfast at Tiffany's...in French!

Tomorrow we'll go check out a hotel for Aunt Donna when she comes in the spring, and splurge on Angelina's hot chocolate for lunch one last time. I think we are going to show Emma the Saint Germain de Pres region. Tomorrow night, I just want to stand under the Eiffel Tower while it twinkles. We're going to have dinner at our favorite near-tower café complete with my favorite dessert - chocolate moulleux (aka chocolate fondant cake). Maybe we'll convince the very good-looking waiters there to give it to us for free...they usually do try to get our numbers! Hopefully I'll stay up all night so I'll sleep on the flight home. It makes sense I have one last Nuit Blanche, the cab is coming at 5:30am after all.

Oh, how I dread what's coming...

Ciao from Florence!

Florence

Buonjourno  from Florence!
I'll leave the deets of the train out because they're no fun (basically the train was 2 hrs late. I got super anxious and worried on it around 3am with all the lurching and sabrina wasn't there for me to wake up and make sing to me!!). While waitig in the station, I met a girl from cornell who grew in Westchester (Larchmont) and is bffs with Kaitlin Atlas at school! Small world. I did, true to form, make friends with my cabin mates: the two adorable and anciently old brothers from Sicily who told me their life stories. I made friends with the woman who needed me to translate her problem with her room into French. She had diabetes and needed a single room so she could inject herself and had paid extra for this! How dare they put her in a room with other women! I mean really, she's 57..it's not college dorm life and she deserved a single! Obviously this was an awkward translation to do for the conductor...

I did everything in Florence today: Duomo, Accademia, Bargello, the uffizi in it's entirety plus special Caravaggio exhibit (nope! Didn't skip one painting! Dad would've died-it's all renaissance through Michelangelo), Dante's house, Pontiac Vecchio, Palace de Vecchio, 3 gelatos, leather market ( present for mommy!), Santa Croce, and last but DEFINITELY not least, Santa Maria Novella. Longest day ever but I've decided it's easier to travel alone because you can accomplish as much as you want! 

I didn't wait anywhere...I guess Tuesdays aren't that popular-the city was basically deserted. At one point, the guard laughed at me bc I got all excited that it was just me and Botticelli! Face to face! I also haggled beyond brilliantly at the leather market if I don't say so myself...the guy said it was a Christmas present hahaha. Score for the keester s!

Florence was great but I stand by my word even stronger-I could only live in Paris or New York (or Tel Aviv for half the year..I need seasons). And oddly enough, unlike everyone else, I like Parisians better than the Italians in Florence. I get a warmer feel but that might be a language thing. Conpared to Sicily, Italians were nicer there than in Florence. However, I just like the Paris culture overall. Whatcha gonna do-guess I'm a francophile! 

Even though I don't know that I have a need to ever go back to Florence,  What a wonderful city! Art everywhere..it truly was my Renaissance textbook come to life! Lippi, Masaccio, Duccio, Cimabue, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, de Monaco, Fabriano, Fra Angelico, the list goes on and on. At one point in my life, all the Renaissance Madonna and Child images looked the same. When I walked into the Ufizzi and, left to right, immediately identified them Duccio's, Giotto's and then Cimabue's, I just wanted to hug the NYU art history department.

The only place I didn't get was the Pitti Palace...

David Donatello and David Michelangelo send their regards and want you to know they successfully defeated Goliath. 

Next update will come from Vienna! Pictures to come once I'm home in Paris and can get them up.
Ciao!

FINALLY!

My last final is today, and then I am freeeee!!!!!

In the meantime, here's another fun comparison. I must say, I much prefer the bobos.

PS

On my way out to my favorite studying café, I saw this! So,

In the spirit of finals (irony noted) and winding down the semester abroad,  here's the most recent from my favorite blog comparing New York to Paris.

FINALSFINALSFINALS

Despite my best efforts to stop this from coming, finals are in fact upon me. Like a flood. They say that going abroad allows less stressful class, and perhaps that's because the number of assignments due throughout a semester is limited, but this is NOT the case. Well, not in Paris anyways. My friends in Prague, Florence, London, and Cairo barely have any finals, a two-page paper here and there, and overall, are gliding right on through this time. NYU Paris gives us no such luck. 5 15-20 (one of which is not yet completed) page research papers later, all I have to look forward to this weekend is learning all of Byzantine art history for my Sorbonne final on Monday, a cumulative final for my European Painters final (cumulative art history finals are wonderfully unheard of in NY), 3 essays to outline for architecture, and figuring out what exactly my conversation final will be. Needless to say, the stress is no less in Paris.

Ali's visit last weekend made this weekend worth it. Only when I see her do I get less reluctant about my return home.

In other news, my United Way fellowship has THANKFULLY come to a close. Though I truly disliked the people in charge, and overall disliked the way this program was organized, the day of action went great. We set  up a day of "fun"for a lower-class neighborhood school out in the banlieus, an important part of Paris to see, and dedicated the profit of our book-drive to them as well. My favorite part was when the head of the United Way Organization in NY showed up and asked for feedback. These few months of (and I am not exaggerating) truly painful meetings paid off and I told him exactly what had gone on. Strongly worded,  but sweet as sugar! He said he'd take care of it for me. Score!

My train pass arrived yesterday! Unlimited trains anywhere in France Austria and Italy, 1 week when the semester ends, tons of fun! I'll be back for Christmas in Paris with two of my two best friends here (also Jewish). It turns out that one of my roommates and other friend from Israel will be here Christmas too, so CHristmas is shaping up to be one of the best ever.

Clearly I have no business blogging right now. The evolution and origins of the Byzantine Crucifixion is calling to me. Perhaps I'll upload some pictures on my next break.

Ali est Arrivée!

Check out my new favorite blog! New York vs. Paris...The picture below is one of my favorites. The entire blog is these little images that compare difference aspects of life in Paris and New York. This one is "l'obsession," or the city's big fad.

http://parisvsnyc.blogspot.com/

l'obsession

Yesterday my art class went to Musée Marrmarrton to see Monet's works and I hate to say it, but I am so over impressionism....

Which is why I just booked my train ticket and am stopping in Italy! I thought I was over the Renaissance, but I find myself missing the perspective-less, proportionless, Madonna and Childs that characterize the early Renaissance days. Not to mention that Leonardo and I haven't spoken in a while...anything to remember the world outside impressionism.

Im off to the airport to pick up my roommate, Ali, who, as we realized last night via skye, is in the words of Samantha Jones, "my soulmate." I don't know anyone else who managed to see the same person three times while studying abroad, but we managed a honeymoon in Sicily, a visit to Prague, and now Paris! I guess its my longest relationship yet - we are going on 3 years!

Must run to pick Ali up the official "WELCOME TO PARIS" snack  for when she gets off the plane...a chocolate croissant!

Lady Gaga? French Revolution? You Can Have Both!

I have recently discovered the new greatest thing. Lady Gaga + The French Revolution. What could make me happier? Please watch this video! Alicia and I have been watching it non-stop, and will continue to do so until we have all the lyrics and dance mastered. Apparently this youtube user named historyteacher has been putting all of these history lessons to modern day songs. It reminds me of the days when I memorized the James K. Polk song for American History junior year of high school, except that these are all stories from European History! This video is exceptionally well done and successfully includes many important and often-left-out details. Of course all the references to Art History make me super excited. Death of Marat, Liberty Guiding the People, Tennis Court Oath, the list goes on. They even included the change in calendar! SABRINA: learn this song and you'll ace the EHAP exam! In case you're wondering, yes, I have been downloading all of these songs (all the other ones too!) from youtube and listening all the time! In fact, I think I prefer listening to the "Bad Romance" French Revolution version better than the real one! Nothing gives me a high like art and european history.

I'm kvelling right now because not only did I just watch the French Revolution video yet again, but Clare is playing the Nutcracker music while we do our homework because it just started snowing!

Not to toot my own horn or anything, but the last reason I am glowing is because I have been very worried about writing my paper on the Iconography of the Crucifixion in Byzantine Art for my class at the Sorbonne. The ways of writing essays are very different here, and the vocabulary is unlike anything I'm familiar with - its my hardest class by far to understand because I am ill-equipped in the subject matter even in English. Anyways, I booked it to the library this morning and spent all day there and I wrote 3/4 of it! 8 pages in and I think I have a good shot at finishing it tomorrow! I don't know when it happened that I could write serious research papers in French but its super exciting. On the topic of fluency, let me digress a little. My cab driver the other day asked me where in Switzerland I was from because I sounded like I had a Swiss accent - not an American one! LIFE COMPLETE!

In any case, I have more work right now that I can handle. Dare I say I actually miss my chemistry problem sets right now? Now you know how many papers I have to write....

Thank you to Pearsons for visiting me on Thanksgiving!!!! I had the best time with you :) Macaroon classes, letting me gush my way through the Opera Garnier, SO MUCH FOOD, best time! Nothing beat Sabrina staying with me for the week...if only EHAP wasn't giving her so much work. Oh the Fredericks of Prussia..

AH SWAN LAKE TOMORROW
Back to work!

Bisous!

Are the Rumors True or False? And Some Celebrity Tangents

1. I applied to stay for the entire year. TRUE (150%, believe me...but that's another story for another time)
2. I was accepted!! Also True. Then NYU told me I have to come home or I won't graduate in four years. So now I'm dreading my return. True. I wouldnt be able to come home if Ali wasn't coming with me, but she is, so looks like we'll return! Better beware!
3. It will be a triumphant return on many levels. Very. True. Indeed.
4. The French are currently vying for recognition and patrimonial awards (aka international copyright) by UNESCO for yep. You guessed it. Their gourmet meal. They really are that ridiculous.
5. In place of our likes, ums, and hmms while speaking, the French have chosen a variety of funny sounds.
TRUE
My conversation professor made us a list of options to choose from while speaking. They are as follows: Beh, Bah, Beh, Hein, Euh, Buh. DISCLAIMER: Please don't try these at home. Chances are, if you don't speak French, they will not sound the way they are supposed to (everyone knows the French don't pronounce most of their letters, even in 3-lettered words)

6. I re-dyed my hair the color I want it and am now officially a redhead! The best way I can describe it to you before pictures go on facebook is that its very similar to my favorite doctor on TV, Addison Montgomery (aka Kate Walsh). This is not how I chose the color, but in retrospect, I am very pleased with myself. To be honest, I needed to prove to myself that I have changed. Pathetic? Perhaps. But I prefer to call it boldly and obviously honest and comfortable with yourself. Actually, looking in the mirror now, this is pretty much almost identically colored. :)



Speaking of television, Layla has gotten me completely hooked on the TV series called Veronica Mars. It aired while I was a freshman in high school (i didn't realize how long ago that was....am I really going home to complete my junior year?) Its about a girl who works with her dad, a private investigator who used to be the sheriff, but he was outed when he accused "the wrong person" of a murder (of course, he's on to something and turns out to be the hero). No, its not a chick-flick series. No, its not stupid. Its surprisingly well done. Unpredictable plot (even I couldn't figure out! Which already makes it better than Inception) and very witty but suspenseful screenplay. Full of irony, cynicism, sarcasm, lots of fun.  Plenty of honest social commentary. Starring Kristen Bell, if you're interested.

Recently, far too often, Layla and I have been asking ourselves, "What would Veronica do???" She really is fabu


Tonight we all lay low...its been I while since I got to behave like a vegetable, and my body is paying for it dearly. I'm drowning in art history flash cards (yay!) so I essentially spent lots of time hanging with my best friends (don't judge....dead artists can make very good company and they never say anything back to you!)

I also had a lovely chat with Aunt Donna, who inspired me to return to blogging more frequently :)

Tomorrow my family is getting here so I am going to pick them up from the airport! Maybe if they're lucky, I'll bring some treats....
SO excited! Next blog will probably be by my sister, so keep reading for a different Pearson Post!
Bisous bisous!

Here There and Everywhere!

I haven't blogged in ages...I'm sorry! I feel badly. Mostly for myself - my blog has become therapeutic and a kind of diary of my travels. I read my first post ever and my, oh my! How times, I, things, have changed....

The reason I haven't posted recently is because I've been galavanting around Prague and drowning in an absurd amount of research papers...done in French, of course. I'm loving my work, though, and am super interested in my topics so I'll be sure to blog about them soon.

Now I must finish planning my semester's travels...which are coming to a rapid close. I don't know when it got to be November 17. Or 2:00am...

Which means, forget planning. Until tomorrow! GOODNIGHT!

On top of Paris (where I being) on the Prague Airport's World Map!!!

Life in the WAR ZONE and Wishing I was a Princess

Last night, I saw La Princesse de Montpensieur, a movie about the princess in love with Henry Guise but forced to marry the Duke of Anjou, all amidst the French Wars of Religion. 1562 to be exact. Love triangles (or rhombuses rather), politics, fighting, religion, monarchies, deception... Basically, everything I could want in a movie. Cinema here is a form of art, and everything sounds more beautiful, more proufound, better, in French. I could go on and on about this movie (and probably will later) but for now, I have a zillion things to do.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Mn6rMAJme8

I only have time for a very quick post because I need to finishing packing and finish all my work due for class at 2:30. Straight from class I am going to the airport and going to PRAGUE to see Ali and Emily :)

Needless to say, this morning is a little crazy.

The last thing I thought of before I fell asleep last night was "Wow. So this is life in a war zone!" My Sorbonne school, Paris I, has a hugely politically active campus. It was closed for a week and a half because the students barricaded themselves inside and rioted against the government. Between that, and the recent terrorist tapes released targeting Paris, the school is completely surrounded with Genderarmes and police, and the gates are closed! I've never been searched going to school before! Don't worry, its completely safe and just procedure.

More after Praha! Wish me a safe flight :)

Riots, Missing Trains, and a Great Night

...And I'm back!

Liz Alicia Clare and I went out dancing with some of our French friends last night. Its so much better here than in New York. The clubs play every kind of music - French techno, French folk, Vampire Weekend, French rap, American rap,  Louis Armstrong, Lady GaGa, The Beatles, Havah Negilah, Cotton-Eyed Joe, Shalom Alecham, the list goes on. The dancing is different too! Not nearly as much of the skeevy sketchiness. I got twirled around and actually danced! It was so much fun. I sang so much and so today I have no voice, not that I'm being particularly useful today anyways so its ok! 

Before we left Lille, we took a tour, but it was cold and dark so unfortunately, I'm not sure it was as informative as it could have been. I had gotten a text from my French friends asking us to go out dancing with them that night, so Alicia, Clare and I were very excited to get home. Getting home was a bit messy...

1. Boarding the bus, typical Hillary-style, I seemed to have missed the small random iron fence on the ground so my foot got wedged under it and I went flying into the bus. 

Bruised foot + loud bang into the bus = lots and lots of embarrassment. You can laugh now, its ok, It was funny and plus the bus was probably hurt more than I was.

2. Somehow, the train schedule changed and NYU did not know about it. There was a riot in Lille while we were there (I WALKED IN THE PROTEST!) and so everything was delayed and reorganized. Imagine 60 Americans sprinting across the city to the other train station in the hopes of catching a train. I would have done whatever I could have done to get home!

3. Once on the train, they told us to sit in the wrong seats so once we were all comfy, we had to move. 

4. Upon arrival, it was pouring. :( On the upside, I did get a picture with the Harry Potter ad. Police and Genderarme were everywhere in the train station and it was evident that something had been going on, but no news is good news so everything is fine.

All in all, life is great. I'm watching French movies today and having veg-out day because its raining. Perhaps I should get a head start on some of those papers....

Lille, Arras, Cambrai - Hooow Chahming...

I have not been home in days, which explains why it is 13:00 and I am still in bed, very reluctant to get up, not to mention that it is raining cats and dogs outside. Friday morning we left to go on an NYU organized trip to Lille, Arras and Cambrai, cities in very northern France - Lille is the northern most city on the tip of France, right on the border of Belgium. Truthfully, the trip probably could have been organized a little bit better because we spent so much time on the bus (we know how I love that), but all my friends and I were together so it was still a blast. 



First stop was Carriére Wellington in Arras, a complex of underground tunnels used by the British and French forces during World War I. The Germans didn't know about this at the time so the soldiers were safe here, but there were exits, like this one (Exit No. 10) where soldiers would leave the tunnels to fight. The network was like a little city! We took a tour along the way, seeing beds, food stations, letters, graffitis still remaining on the walls... The audio clips we heard, of course, were in French, but every once the narrator would say and English expression with British pronunciation but the heaviest of accents. The French pronounce every syllable, so all weekend we imitated him and his discussion of "cor-ned beef," and inserted "how chahming" and "of coouurse" into our conversations. Next stop was a candy factory in the town of Cambrai. Les  Bêtises are the candies native to Cambrai. They were made by mistake, and now they are somewhat of a national delicacy. We saw the factory and participated in a candy tasting. Don't worry, I'm bringing some home!

        

We spent the night at a chateau in Cambrai. Dinner was pretty good and when you put 40 hungry NYU students in  a dining room with good food after being on a bus all day, things can get a little bizarre. Dinner was tons of fun but we were all a bit delirious...pictures speak a thousand words. Except my rendition of Tevya's dream scene from Fiddler on the Roof isn't videoed so I'll just give you that one. We ran around the fields behind the chateau after dinner and sang Pocahontas songs under the willow tree. All in all, a relaxing evening.


Yesterday, we drove to Lille, and then I wished we had spent the entire weekend there. Before arriving, we stopped to do a beer tasting. CH'TI beer is fine beer is produced by Brasserie Castelain and has won tons and tons of awards for its Amber beer and Christmas beer. NYU should have known better than to make a beer tasting as 10:30 in the morning, but I learned all about different malts, and hops, and yeasts! Its interesting going to these tastings and such. Our French friends think its very uncultured to not know how to distinguish between wines, but they have been learning about it for years! Its incomprehensible to them that we can vote and defend our country but that drinking is illegal. There is no line between French culture and wines. Even the beers taste classy. 

Lille was adorable. The architecture was as if a dollhouse had been blown up! Julie, Kate, and I hd the greatest lunch and.....BEST DESSERT! We had been on the prowl from chocolate moulleux cake (aka chocolate fondant) and finally found it! Just trust me, cake with molten chocolate and vanilla ice cream in the best in the world. All the food is Belgian because Lille is so close to the border, so we also had mussels and great french fries (GREAT fries) and of course, treated ourselves to Belgian chocolate.

The ride home and last night will have to wait for a post in a few hours because I want to go wander around the D'Orsay, and I need to finish my laundry. I'll finish this soon!

IAMSTERDAM

FINALLY! I'm FREE! Midterms are finally over. I just got back the art history one I took last week and and I am very happy with the results :) I hope today's was ok...

Amsterdam was good. Just good. But I was homesick for Paris! Even though we only went for 2 nights, we got a great feel for the city. It's really small so we walked everywhere. By the end of the weekend we had covered the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh museum, a walking tour, the Anne Frank House, and successfully found the letters I AMSTERDAM. Yes, it's true. Amsterdam has huge lifesize letters spelling IAMSTERDAM that move all over the city for people try to track down and climb all over! Waffles, muffins, pancakes, baked-goods galore. That's all they eat there, and it's wonderful! We went to the best pancake house, called Pancake! and let me tell you. It was fab.
                           

I think would have liked it better had I not seen the Red-Light District. During a walking tour, the guide tried to explain to us how prostitution is working in Amsterdam, and how all prostitutes are self-employed and allowed to turn down any man they want. I don't think there is any justification at all for prostitution. There is no reason in the would a woman should have to sell herself, and especially if she's self-employed, there must be something wrong. We walked through at night, and the street was lined with floor-to-ceiling windows illuminated with black lights so everything the girls wore glowed (and they didn't wear much). To their credit though, I was surprised at their cleanliness. They didn't look dirty as I perhaps unfairly imagined.The area is under constant surveillance and no photographs are allowed. As if that makes it any better. The women are like animals, standing in these window-boxes on display. The worst was when the curtains of the window were closed. We were told that the youngest is 18 (age limit) and the oldest is 82 with a 2 week waiting list! I mean, whatever floats your boat....The city just felt dirty after that. I thought I knew what to expect but, I am in fact, surprised at how upsetting it seemed. Don't get me wrong though - its a beautiful city and the waffles are reason enough to go there. There are pictures online. You can look, but I'm not posting them.

The Anne Frank house was not at all what I expected. I thought it would be a small room on display but it was a warehouse preserved exactly how it was left during the war, with quotes from her diary all over the walls. Her diary was on display. It was like a scrapbook of her life! She always intended on writing a book after the war about her time in hiding called "The Annex," so knowing that, her diary as a novel has even more meaning. After we walked through the the hidden rooms, the exhibit continues into testimony from Otto Frank. Deeply profound, he expressed that although he maintained a close relationship with his daughter, he found that reading her diary proved he didn't really know her at all. His conclusion? "A parent never truly knows their child. No matter how close," he said. I wonder if this is true. Part of me hopes its not, part of me thinks that to an extent, thats inevitable. But not just between parent and child, but between anyone. Do we every really know someone? Know what someone might be capable of?
                                         
On that dark note, I'm going to watch a French movie with Layla!
Ciao ciao

"Studying in Paris" Should be an Oxymoron.

Back from Amsterdam.
Moliere play tonight.
Obviously thats a lot to update on.
But right now:
life story = midtermsmidtermsmidtermsmidtermsmidtermsmidtermsmidtermsmidterms




So tomorrow when I'm done.....I'll be back in action.
In the meantime, help me procrastinate and  join me in a snack!

            
On toast with raspberry jelly? mmm.....

Saperlipoppette!

Saperlipoppette! My new favorite word in the French language. A fabulous word! Yell it out! YELL it! It gives off every sentiment you could imagine, depending on your tone. Versatile, fun to say, best. word. ever. Never mind that it was popular during the days of Beauty and Beast, during the 17th and 18th centuries - its old news I don't belong in the 2000s! I use it all the time. I usually yell it if I stub my toe because in my mind, it gives off that exact sentiment. I use it in moments of extreme frustration. I use it in place of moments that require my infamous wompwomp.

Never mind that I get laughed on all the time on metros for using it - it helps make friends? Never mind my French friends think its hilarious. Never mind the literal translation...

saperlipopette: french interjection; goodness me!, fiddlesticks!, woopsy-daisy

Pronounced: Sah-pear-lee-po-pette! And if you're really passionate, add an euh to the end. 
Sa-per-li-po-pettt-euh!!!!! Never mind the literal translation. Its still my favorite word. And Paris get ready...its making a come-back!

Dating in Paris 101 and the Spoils of War!

If you decide to date in France there are 10 crucial things about which you must be aware.

1. If a Frenchman asks for your number, he will call you. Its not a matter of politeness, he will call. True fact. You don't need to wonder, or wait by the phone, if he asks for your number he plans on calling you the next day. Or the next hour. If you don't want to hear from him, don't give your number.  Be prepared to have to answer why. Being blunt is ok. An "I won't respond to you" will do it. He might try and convince you anyways. But if you want him to have your number, he'll use it. This is always true.

2. The first date is the first date in a long term relationship. Re-read it again. You probably have to.  I did. You might be thinking, "how could this be? That doesn't make any sense? What if you don't like the person?" Well, as it turns out with most things French, this way is better. There is no room for games, or anticipation, we americans can't fathom it because its too simple for us. The United States culture makes us grow up with the notion of having to "experience different people," "search for the one," even if we are happy with the person we are with at the present moment. We are always looking. Not here! If someone makes you happy, c'est tout! Thats it! You are dating. And I suppose the question is, why not? Why do we always have to be looking? It is what it is. When you don't want to date the person anymore, you just stop calling. Call it stupid all you want, but in actuality its simple, straight forward, and honest.

3. The "talks" that every girl hates, anticipates, and initiates, are non-existant. So don't ask questions. Just go with the flow. If you do, you'll be wined and dined, and who doesn't want that? The truth is, since no "talk" happens, it is possible, in theory to date more than one person. What usually ends up happening, though, is by some point, you spend too much time with one person to see anyone else.

Inevitably, he'll introduce you as "son copine," his girlfriend, as opposed to "une copine," a friend. Or, you'll get introduced as "son amour," his love, which is invariably somewhere in-between the two, like a friend with benefits. Literally - his love(r). I promise, at some point, you'll get called all three. And then you'll know! Or just ask. But they'll think its weird.

When in doubt, ask to meet the friends. This is all very clear to the French girls. I don't know how. They never wonder about relationship statuses!

4. The French don't have a term for "dating" or for "hooking-up..." not even in slang. This is very much in conjunction with #3, but the moral is to not label anything in front of the French. Save terms for your american friends, or be prepared to either be laughed at, or be looked at in disbelief of the complexity of the american dating scene.

5. Many men, due to the wonderful films released at home (sarcasm noted) believe all american girls are from the movies and immediately decide that we are easy. This is a constant war. If you prove you are not easy (unlike so many), you will land a keeper. Sometimes it takes the guys a little while to figure you out. In the meantime, the road to proving this is war. And war is war. Though you'll probably end up winning the war in the end, don't forget to win each battle because the spoils are the best - even if they're a secret. A scarf, a t-shirt, a hat, whatever. A scarf. Did I say a scarf? The spoils are yours. Revel in them.

6. Texting is almost non-existant. Except for "la flirte," which does translate literally, so its self explanatory. In retrospect, this is as it should be! Guys will occasionally text you to see if you're available if you respond, they will instantaneously pick up the phone and call, quickly followed by an "I am interrupting?" Plans are always made via phone call.

7. Spontaneity is a must. French men never plan in advance. If you don't hear from him in a while, it just means he's not free -not that he's ignoring you, or doesn't like you anymore, or you should worry you did something wrong, or anything of the sort. Chances are, around 8:33pm, as soon as you've sat down to do your homework, you'll receive a text message asking if you are free for drinks. You only hear from them the moment they are free. Schedules? Out the window. Plans happen at the very moment. One moment at a time.

8. Its weird if the girl pays for any part of a date. Its weirder if she offers. So don't. Its not rude, its just that chivalry is not dead and that's how things are done here. If you offer to pay, they'll be offended and worry that you want to exercise woman's rights and equality and immediately back down. And then you're stuck paying. So just don't even blink when its pay time.

9. DO NOT. I repeat. DO NOT over-analyze anything said to you. The French say exactly what they feel and what they want in every moment. Complete bluntness. No games or tricks. And don't be surprised at the things said. No filters, and extreme feelings! Rumors and stereotypes, for the most part, hold true!

10. In New York, if you see a well-dressed man, especially at NYU, you assume he's gay. Here, assume he's as French as they get and you're lucky! Incredible fashion sense here. It just means that he's about to show you a thing or two about fashion. His advice will be good. The best, actually. Because go figure. French men would know more about fashion than even american woman.

These are the 10 important things to know. There are, of course, other subtleties, but the biggest one to keep in mind s that mostly, there is nothing subtle, shy, timid, about the French at all! Everything about Paris makes it the city of love. The history, the charm, the wine, the art, the monuments. Even the sky is more vast and air is fresher and more exciting. And everyone knows it. Especially the French...they try to use it to their advantage. Its not manipulative, its genius. So let them do their thing.

Dating in Paris is a whole other world and its very odd for us girls to be thrown into it. We come from such an overly complicated and over-dramatcized, lack of passion environment that its mind-blowing to be placed in this one!

Back to studying........

Le Petit Prince

I took a different route home from the grocery store today and passed by a little bookstore. On a whim, I walked in and saw the Little Prince. This is one of my all time favorite books because it contains so many of the themes by which I live, and it is so beautifully written in French. Based on the noises French people make (for another post...), spoken French is not always lovely, but written literature is truly beautiful. Le Petit Prince is officially added to my French book collection!

One of my favorite quotes, and my mantra:
Voici mon secret. Il est très simple: on ne voit bien qu'avec le cœur. L'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux.

(Here is my secret. It is very simple, one can only see with the heart. What is essential is invisible for the eyes)

I have been skimming it and am proud to say that my life in Paris has absolutely been reflecting the themes of the this story. Life has been simple. I do what I feel and nobody tells me otherwise. No one tells me I have too many feelings, no one makes life complicated, its just....glorious! Parisians. just. live. and let be. I am finally in a place where I can do exactly what I feel - just how I have always wanted to live. And I haven't been this happy or contented with my place in the world in a long time. Ever maybe. Oh, j'adore Paris.


On that note, I'm off to the Sorbonne for the day. Also, not to give too much away but to just to hint, Alicia, Clare and I are about to acquire ourselves Sciences Po t-shirts...

I CANNOT WAIT FOR TOMORROW TO END. I have an art history midterm, a transcription, an oral presentation of an article, and a rendition of one of Edith Piaf's songs (more memorization). AKA my brain is fried (the memorizing section anyways). I am also exhausted from this weekend, which consisted of solidifying a true french social life (this weekend also deserves its own post when I have more time...)

Ciao ciao!

To the Ban Loos

The striking here is getting really bad and riots are breaking out! Some of my good French friends even attended the anti-capitalism rally this past weekend. Having taken this French history class, I now understand why the French are anti-capitalism. Laissez-faire just does not work here - and never has. The government has gone into emergency crisis control because if the strike does not end by the end of the week, rough estimates worry that the countryside of France will be entirely out of gasoline. Paris isn't in that much danger. Yet.



Tomorrow, for my fellowship, we are meeting in the 19th. The 19th arrondisement is located in the banlieus (suburbs of Paris) or, as Alicia says, the banloos. In any case, tomato, tomahto, I'm sure I will get a better taste of what's happening with the strike tomorrow. In case you don't know, the banlieus of Paris are not exactly...nice? safe? desirable neighborhoods.

I have many more thoughts on this and could continue to blog but that will have to wait until tomorrow or later this weekend. Just wanted to give a quick update before going back to work!

I hope the Yankees get it together. I know they need my lucky hat, but I have full faith that for this one year, they can do it!!!!

Angelina's, Garnier, et les Tuileries, These are a Few of My Favorite Things!

List of Favorites!!!

Favorite building: L'Opera Garnier



Favorite stores: NafNaf and Kookai

Favorite Boulangerie: the yellow one next to school!

Favorite dessert and hot chocolate/sit down lunch: Mont Blanc (seriously. best food ever) at Angelina's

Favorite crepe: nutella, or lemon with sugar mmmmm

Favorite ice cream: Bertillon stand near Notre Dame



Favorite night scene: With the Science-Politiques crew


Favorite park: Tuileries or Place des Vosges (Champ du Mars under the Eiffel Tower is solid too...)


     
                                                        
Favorite patisserie: Patisserie des Rêves. Truly the bakery of dreams.



Favorite class: European Painters


Favorite "House of": House of Delacroix. I have developed an unhealthy something or other for this artist. I keep having to remind myself he's dead.....



Favorite metro: 10! It gets me so close to home


Favorite neighborhood: Latin Quarter or Marais


Favorite Church: St. Sulpice. Those Delacroix frescos...
 


Favorite apartment: 10 Henri Duchène (mine!)

Mama and Papa chez moi :)

If you ever get the chance to come, I promise these places are worth stopping at! Or just come visit me!


Mama and Papa and Aunt Meg came to visit this past weekend. We had the BEST time. Everything in Paris has been so busy, and new, and exciting, that I haven't really taken the opportunity to stop for a minute and realize how far from home I am... It was really nice to see family (no problems with constant supply of good food either!) The four of us crammed a week's worth into 3 days (Papa style) and did everything from museum tours to wandering around the Marais. Don't worry! I didn't let them leave without getting to some of my favorite places too :)


Midterms start next week so the pressure is on. I also realized why people don't take 3 art history classes at the same time. You end up with an absurd amount of research, and a whole lot of papers! Good think I love art! And I've found French people to edit my papers for me...


Tickets and hostel for Amsterdam is all booked! As is Barcelona the following weekend! Its funny, because I thought I was going to want to travel every weekend while I was here, but now that I found Parisians and know the city, I really just want to stay in Paris. Dare I say stay forever? I have found a independent, confident, carefree and happy person here that I love being, and I never want her to go away.


Now I am procrastinating research proposals (yep - thats plural) and finishing the zillions of flashcards I must memorize! I also have to find an article to present for Adv. Convo. I think I'll do an article from Le Monde about an old hospital/museum fighting foreclosre. That, or an article on the "Trocs," the male ballet troupe on pointe! Looks like a Nuit Blanche (white night, all nighter)

Francesca e Maria Vanno in Sicilia!

EPIC honeymoon weekend with Ali. Or should I say Maria. But let's start from the beginning...

Thursday night: went out with my friends and attempted to meet up with my French friends but it got too late. I had an early flight to Milan to meet Ali and was leaving at 5:30 so I just stayed up all night. (NOTE: Beauvais Airport, Paris, is NOT in Paris!!!! Its actually an hour and a half outside of the city! wompwomp) When i arrived in Milan, Ali was already there and Milan airport was not nearly big enough for the scene we made. Let me tell you, Italians are not used to the massive displays of excitement and squeals that came from Ali and I reuniting around 8:30am. We caught up lots and finally boarded our flight to Palermo, conveniently befriending the flight attendant, Ivan.

Sicily was fantastic! When we arrived in Palermo airport, we haggled a cab and were on our way to Castellammare del Golfo, the greatest town in the world. Small, quaint, on the beach, best food, big portions (unlike Paris), greatest people. But we'll get to the people. We had a great dinner at the best restaurant in town, tasted several wines (including a great sweet dessert wine) and crashed. Saturday we spent on the beach. On our walk there. we met a dog who we named Alberto. I swear Alberto was human in a past life. Seriously! This dog LED us to the beach. When we wandered down a hill that led to nowhere, he waited at the top of the hill for us and proceeded to walk towards the sand. This dog was incredible! Beach: hot, sunny, lots and lots and lots of pictures. Water + surrounding mountains = so peaceful. Not to mention I brought all my art flashcards with me so I was beyond thrilled. Wait until you see the pictures - it really was our honeymoon! We already are planning on printing and hanging many of the pictures in our apartment-to-be! The fun really started in the afternoon...

We went wandering around the town and, being us, found a great shoe store. To make a very long story short, I couldn't decide between two pairs of boots so the guy working there, Emilio, told me to forget the boots, took one of each pair, and brought them across the street to treat Ali and I to cappuccinos. The boots got their own seat at the table. As it turns out, that night was Bruno's (Emilio's brother) birthday, and we got invited to the birthday! the first ting they did, was christen me and Ali with Italian names. From here on in, I am Francesca and Ali is Maria. Ali and I got to see the city of Palermo, and it was a great night with all of our new Italian friends (there are many of them and all talking on facebook now! Emilio, Bruno, Roberto, Nino, Vincenzo, Rosselia, etc...) This post will get too long so perhaps I'll respond to individual emails for more details, but definitely one night that Ali and I will put down in our history. Epic and fabulous! The people in this small all know each other, and in the words of Emilio, "are one big family!" Ali and I met Bruno and Emilio's parents, grandmother, and he knew everyone in the town.

Side note: I was very excited because my French friends texted me to hang out on Saturday while I was away. It made me so happy that I really have legitimate French friends :)

Sunday, needless to say, we were exhausted. We wandered around Castellammare some more and went to see the little castle there! Mostly, we just ate and enjoyed each other's company. Emilio and Bruno came to see us on our castle wanderings. I think its very symbolic that I was in total paradise with Ali in Sicily, and I loved Italy, but I MISSED PARIS. I missed Paris. I didn't miss New York. But I felt sad without Paris!!! (A sign perhaps?)

Our flight left for Milan at 10:30 and we landed at midnight. Tired. And...cranky? True story. We had a 7 hour layover. While the rest of the people in our situation came prepared with sleeping bags, and pulled up floor to go to sleep, Ali and I recapped our trip with picture reviewing. Around 3:30, we were crying with laughter and I'm not sure we let everyone get the sleep they wanted. In any case, the security guard woke us up around 4:45 to make sure we weren't homeless or dead. Never mind all the other people doing the exact same thing as us. Talk about life as a traveling student. Never again. What an experience. Would have been terrible. But what could be bad when Ali and I are together?

When I got back to Beauvais airport, I realized it was going to be a real pain getting to Paris. I took a train back but the traffic was bad, so although the weekend was unforgettable, I was in a vile mood and lugging luggage in heeled boots (they made my suitcase too heavy) by the time I got to Paris. Finally! Home! I am in serious Ali-withdrawal  and Italians are fabulous but I belong in Paris. I could not have felt more at home arriving at my apartment. Ali she is buying her Paris tickets and I'm all set to visit her in Prague, so I'll be seeing her soon enough!

My Sorbonne class was a killer yesterday, but I found out that my favorite art history professor will be my personal tutor at NYU for it so I am psyched. Lots of work to catch up on and I am sleepy (so I apologize for the fragmented sentences - I promise I am usually a stickler for grammar!)

Pictures to come!
Also to come tomorrow...MAMA AND PAPA! Can't wait to see them.
I haven't forgotten my lists of favorites! Those are coming too!
Mon amour to all :)

Paris, I'll Miss You!

Quick post before leaving at 5:30am tomorrow!! Ali, my best friend/roommate/soulmate and I are going to SICILY for the weekend! Milan airport had better prepare itself for our meet-up...it has a scene coming!

Tonight's plan? Going out tonight with my friends, packing, and sleeping a little bit. Hopefully.

Today, all of my classes were out in Paris, so I went to Delacroix's house, St. Sulpice, and the Pantheon! More to come on all the mind-blowing sights. Clare, Alicia, and I (all art majors) spent a few hours this evening doing arts and crafts (aka making our art history flashcards) while listening to Layla teach us everything she's been learning in her wine tasting class. I should probably mention the simultaneous American music blasting from our apartment right now.

Last night I had another United Way meeting. I am getting a little concerned that this project will be harder to pull off than previously anticipated. All of a sudden, it feels like the semester is very short, and so I hope we have enough time to pull off a great project.

French is coming easier and easier to me and I don't even think twice before speaking it anymore!

At some point, when I'm back from Sicily, I need to further explore some of the cultural differences with you. Its a life-changing process learning to integrate myself into French youth life - everything is done differently here! Eating, hanging out, dating, even the way people talk to each other. More on this to come...I have a lot to say on the matter.

I've also made a list of favorites to share with you!

I'm off to Chez George, one of the bars that tends to have a young scene. My French group likes it there anyways!

Lots of love, and talk to you from ITALIA!

Loving Life

Nuit Blanche was fantastic! Hotel de Ville and Notre Dame and all the exhibits nearby were really cool. Nuit Blanche is the one night of the year in Paris when the metros stay open extra late (this is NOT New York) and various modern artists create exhibitions on buildings throughout the city. All of Paris stays out, its like Times Square after a show at night! Nuit Blanche literally translates to "white night," as in an "all-nighter," or literally, white night. All the exhibits have to do with light and manipulting stark white light in the pitch black night. We heading back around 3:00am and ran to the nearest metro, which was completely mobbed because it was the last one on the line for the night. Never, even New York, have I been trapped in such a crowd. When a riot broke out on the metro it was all I could do not to yell! Two of my friends got stuck in the crowds and I was actually nervous for getting out of there alive! We did, though, but when we ran for the subway transfer, the second line we needed was closed. Let me tell you. It was a long walk home. I passed out around 6am. A true Nuit Blanche!

Inside Notre Dame - light and mirror exhibit

Hotel de Ville - "Love Differences" in several languages

Sunday we all slept very late, after our long night, and spent the day working in Champs du Mars, the park under the Eiffel Tower. I fell asleep so I wasn't as productive as I should have been, but I enjoyed myself nonetheless! Sunday night I went out. Perhaps more on that later, if necessary.


I had my first class at the Sorbonne yesterday! It was quite intimidating, and it seems I'm going to have to give a big presentation in from of all the French students at some point, but I'm trying not to think too hard about that right now. It's hard enough learning all the vocabulary in an art class in English, learning the vocab for Byzantine Art in French is a whole other game! Having said that, I did make a new French friend :) (I am up to about a dozen French friends!)


This morning, when I woke up, it was still dark out. Not fair. I had a United Way meeting early before class, for the fellowship program of which I am a part. Though bitter at first, we all know how much I love doing team-building activities and brainstorming project ideas for community service and social action. Plus, they gave us orange juice and the Nestle After Eight mint chocolates that I love so much. I had to run from that meeting (which is held in a fancy old estate home) to my European Painter's class. I found out that the professor this class, that one that I love SO much, is also going to be my extra support for my Sorbonne Byzantine Art class! Definitely a good person to start running Senior Honors Thesis proposals by...


Tomorrow, I must tell you all about La Pâtisserie des Rêves - truly a patisserie of dreams. Also, I'll fill you in on my bilingual advanced conversation exchange class, leading me to fluency! C'est fantastique! I am waking up early again to run to the Musée D'Orsay for a project. I have also discovered that this museum has 6 puzzles of FRENCH artists; works I have not yet done. I've done all the ones in the Louvre (except for one work by Veronese, an Italian artist, a puzzle I will not buy while in France) and I was getting discouraged! Perhaps tomorrow, I'll pick up the Renoir. 

My work load has piled to tremendous amounts the past few days, so I apologize if this entry is a little incoherent - today was spent reading for hours and hours, and I am un peu fatigué tonight. I will reread it tomorrow, so if this doesn't make sense please don't judge!
At long last, time for bed. It's exhausting having so much fun!!!

Femme Fatale, Femme Fidèle or Femme Hillary

I have not had one moment to blog since my last post. Thursday was spent at the Louvre (I had two of my three classes there) and then ran back to school for my advanced conversation class, where I got a care package! :)

Let me skip to Friday afternoon before I tell about Thursday night because it was so exciting!

Friday I woke up and ran to yet another class at the Louvre (I hope I'm not sick of it by the time I leave, but I feel that it may be unavoidable). Alicia, Clare, Kate and I found a café right near by that has become our "After-Louvre" spot, so we lunched there. until 2:30...

Because, at 2:30, the Dior gates for fashion week in Paris opened! Guess who was filmed??? Yours truly! The press was everywhere, we saw some famous people, and then I got put on camera! How cool! There is nothing quite like Paris Fashion week, I'm learning.

The shoes were amazing and it was surprisingly intimidating to be surrounded by so many fashionistas (who are deceivingly scary and serious). In any case, I just love that I got to sign press-relaese authorization forms. Its just so unlike something that would happen to me in New York - like a movie!

                            

  

The rest of Friday was spent doing homework. It was rainy and yucky out, and after an afternoon like that, anything seems dull.

Friday night was a bit crazy so I won't go into it, but we went to a French friend's party (actually, he was the friend of a French friend) and met a lot of new French people with whom we all exchanged numbers.  They all recently graduated Science Po, which is like the Harvard of Paris, and all of them are intellectual and very cool. They told me my French is good and such- need I say more? I don't think I should.

Sorry for the disorganization - I just had to tell abut Dior first. But backtrack with me a little...

Thursday night, I went to see the Wagner opera, The Flying Dutchman. Equally as fabulous as the ballet, but it was in the Opera Bastille, the modern opera house, so it wasn't nearly as grand. As I began to explain in my last post, the French are doing all the mixing of old and new, but when I go to the opera, I want it to be grand! The house was stark, black, and modern: art in and of itself, but not the ambience desired for opera viewing. The opera was about this woman, Senta, who pledges her
everlasting fidelity to the Flying Dutchman so that his soul can rest.

This brings me to the title of this blog entry. The ballet on Wednesday was all about the femme fatale, the woman whose existence ultimately brings about the demise of the man, whereas the opera shows a faithful woman, - quite the opposite - the femme fidèle. In fact, HIS existence brings about her demise. Talk about having different feelings evoked in two nights! What is better to be: Fatale, or Fidèle? Every girl who saw both the ballet and the opera is currently having an intense internal chat with herself. Its very interesting, the directions these two story likes went. I left the ballet feeling powerful, as in "Wow! Look what a woman can do! Look what she is capable of!" However, I left the opera with the hopeless romantic part of me thinking, "Oh. That was so romantic, that's true love." Verrry interesting. Just some food for thought!

Now its 1:00pm on Saturday afternoon. I just woke up a few minutes ago and posted this, to find myself with mountains of work to do. Tonight is Nuit Blanche, meaning white night, or all-nighter. The metros stay open all night (instead of closing at their usual relatively early hour) and people run around Paris to see all of these outdoor art exhibits! It's supposed to be great, so I'll keep you posted!