Une Grande Liste

Voila ma grande liste:

1. Anood is the falafel place right across the street from me. It is family-owned by several Moroccan brothers who give my housemates and I free, sweet, delicious, natural, Moroccan tea whenever we go - which is far too often (probably why we get free tea). The other day, my housemate and I went after class and sat down at a table instead of eating "pour emporter" (eating to-go). One of the brothers came and put a small glass of espresso down at our table, so, because we always get free tea in the same glasses, we assumed that he wanted us to try the coffee. We did. And told him it was delicious (Moroccan coffee with sugar - never thought I'd like it without milk but everything is sweeter here!). And then he sat down with us. And his cup of coffee. Oops. He thought it was funny that we drank his drink and we just chalked it up to being American. You can use the American-card for anything here!

Here are some examples thus far:

You trip in the street: "I'm American"

You speak French well and get credit: "Thanks! I'm American"

You speak French badly and aren't understood: "Oops. I'm American"

Trip in the Street: "I'm a clumsy American"

People think you're adorable: "Aw thanks! Its because I'm American"

No matter what it is that happens - good, bad, proud, embarrassing - just always be American. Despite what the news might tell you, Americans (particularly New Yorkers) are adored here. But I digress. Here's a little tidbit about our new friends across the street! They love really talking to us so its the best language practice I've had yet.

2. I know you don't speak French, but there is a very famous rap by a renowned French comedy troupe, Les Inconnus, mocking the wealthiest neighborhoods in Paris: Auteuil, Neuilly and Passy. (Passy is where the NYU center is - surprise, surprise). Even if you don't understand the words, this is very French, and the point they are getting across can be universally understood! If you have time and/or are curious (I'm sure you don't), all of the translations and lyrics are also on google. Its very popular here and everyone knows it so I guess you should know I'll be coming home as a French rapper (not as good as MC Solar, though)!  No one raps it with a legit dance like Patrick my phonetics professor.

3. I received a fellowship to complete while I'm here with the United Way Association and we had our first meeting last night! Talk about intimidating! I applied for this on a whim and no one knew anything about it, so imagine my surprise when I walk into a HUGE, grand and ornate estate for this first meeting. Red carpets, chandeliers, fabric walls, oy vay. I still am a little confused as to where this project is going, but I think it'll be great. There are 6 of us - 3 French, 3 NYU, ranging from 20 years old to 29 - who are charged with putting together a project to promote volunteerism in Paris. Frenchies speak in English, we speakin French. Overall though, its a French project. That's all I know so far. That, and we get some cool sponsors, like Disney, and at the end, we get present to get approval from the United Way In   ternational Committee and the US Ambassador to France! Cool! I guess its a big deal..

4. During a discussion, I told my class the other day "Je suis en accord" instead of "Je suis d'accord." The latter means "I agree." The former means "I am in an accord with someone," as in "I have found my true love and we are inexplicably linked with the fates. We are of the same mind, heart, soul, destiny, and belong together forever." We were discussing the differences between private life and public life here and in the United States. WOOPSIES. (Mostly because I argued I was right. And have used the statement very frequently outside class. Poor Patrick who had to explain that one. Or poor me rather...)

5. The other night, I met up with an old friend who is studying abroad in Berlin for the semester. We haven't spoken to each other in years, but I guess when you both end up in Paris, its nice to touch base. Its a small world. And a fun night; always interesting to be with old people in new places. On the way back to my apartment at night (the metro system is totally safe all the time - entirely different from New York, but that's for another post).

6. Ahhh. Trips. I am still shopping for my classes at the Sorbonne. The inside of the building is not what you might think, aka we are spoiled rotten. More like high school/NYC public school and the layout is confusing! Only the 3rd year masters students get to take their classes in the famous building of the Sorbonne complex. Its very different from anything I've experienced. Everyone is dressed impeccably and more importantly, very very nice.  They all want an American friend! So, enter Hillary into the French social scene. Not much to say yet because classes don't start there until October. Next weekend though, NYU is taking us on a day trip to Provins, an old walled medieval city, and then I believe a bunch of us might take an overnight trip to Mont. St Michel. The following weekend is Brussels!

7. My apartment has a puzzle of the Unicorn Tapestries in the Cloisters museum. We know how I love puzzles...

8. The French are not fans of skim milk. Nor does any one brand of skim milk taste the same. The never ending search for non-exhorbitantly-priced skim milk is on!

THE PRELIM CLASS IS FINALLY OVER!! Nothing but happiness about that! Last night to celebrate, we went to a fondue party and were worry free because for this one weekend, we have no homework! We met lots of French people who invited us out with them next weekend. Today I woke up as late as I wanted and tackled laundry. Buying more underwear is no longer an option. Its been almost 3 weeks and so laundry imposed itself on my morning. Good thing I can't understand what is written on the machine. At least I don't have to carry my clothes to the laundromat, though! Lost of errands today because everything closes Sunday and I don't want to run errands when I'm fasting for Yom Kippur (psyched for Kol Nidre tonight - its my favorite service of the year!) and because this weekend is packed already! More on that in tomorrow's post, though.  Laundry, school supply shopping, nail polish remover, more milk (always more milk), a day in the life!

(Feel free to comment or email - I'd like to hear how all of you are doing!)
Love, love, and more amour to all; hugs and kisses from the other side of the pond!