So, shortly after I made that post I found out that I got into the Master's French TA program at OU. Woot. I called people from home (I will not get into that) and around 2 David called me and said Congratulations and then....*get ready to vomit from adorable ESL-ness* "You are the best in the world". So nice. So around 7:30 David and Nico came over and kidnapped me for a surprise. Around 9 we finally got to the surprise and it was dinner at a Chinese buffet! wooooooooooo! Asian Star!!!!!!!!! (Although AJ wasn't there and there was no crab rangoon...or however it's spelled).
I did eat a frog leg, though. Tasted like chicken. Nothin' too special.
Then we all went back to David's and played wii and hung out. Yesterday morning woke up, found out that Chelsea was home, ran home to get a shower, went to David's sister's house and hung out, then came back to Tours, went shopping, got picked up by Nico and went to MacDo (btw...the amount that these boys can eat is RIDICULOUS. I had a royal cheese, fries, and a coke and I was stuffed! David ate a 280, fries, another 280, and a cheesburger........and a coke. WTF. How does all of that food fit into somebody that size?) Then we hung out and watched X-men 2 and eventually I came home and hung with Chelsea and Liz.
Today is going to be a big day, but I look forward to having certain things done so certain people can move on with their lives. Plus, I think we're going to build a fort.
Always,
Amanda
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
Also, update on my activities.
Friday, watched Rocky Horror with Julien (not Emma's), grabbed a beer at happy hour, and we made pizza for dinner. Then I ran over to David's and met the tattoo artist (who's name is Julien also, but we call Ju-ju, apparently). He's super not sketchy. And is drawing me something completely original. Can you believe it? I can hardly wait.
Saturday, I went with David to Nico's house and we played Wii (and I pwn'd both of them....woot...except in Mortal Kombat... insert memories from Scott Quad Halloween two years ago here). It was A LOT of fun. Nico is so nice. I'm glad he's my friend.
Sunday, I hung out with David at is house. I made him and Nico valentines. They were cute. I'm not sure that either of them really liked them. I don't know if that's a cultural difference or just a guy thing. I dunno. I was just trying to be nice. And around eleven I came home.
I have no idea what I'm doing today, but I think Emma is coming home sometime in the future (perhaps tomorrow?) and maybe Chelsea too? idk. Soon-ish. And I can't wait.
Always,
Amanda
P.S. Sorry for the last post.
Friday, watched Rocky Horror with Julien (not Emma's), grabbed a beer at happy hour, and we made pizza for dinner. Then I ran over to David's and met the tattoo artist (who's name is Julien also, but we call Ju-ju, apparently). He's super not sketchy. And is drawing me something completely original. Can you believe it? I can hardly wait.
Saturday, I went with David to Nico's house and we played Wii (and I pwn'd both of them....woot...except in Mortal Kombat... insert memories from Scott Quad Halloween two years ago here). It was A LOT of fun. Nico is so nice. I'm glad he's my friend.
Sunday, I hung out with David at is house. I made him and Nico valentines. They were cute. I'm not sure that either of them really liked them. I don't know if that's a cultural difference or just a guy thing. I dunno. I was just trying to be nice. And around eleven I came home.
I have no idea what I'm doing today, but I think Emma is coming home sometime in the future (perhaps tomorrow?) and maybe Chelsea too? idk. Soon-ish. And I can't wait.
Always,
Amanda
P.S. Sorry for the last post.
Glad last night's homesickness is much more bearable now. And it's given me some insight into my life. So if you don't want to listen to my feelings/discoveries/crazy thoughts I would wait until the next post.
Today I have had the most awesome life changing epiphanies.
Firstly, I've come to realize exactly what Emma has been talking about since we've been here. Being abroad makes you realize exactly how little you've experienced of your own country. The US is HUGE and each region/state/city is extremely different. I've only experienced life in the midwest, and even then, just Ohio for that matter.
Tangent:
It would be amazing to live in France for the rest of my life, but, in all honesty, if I don't marry a French guy and/or don't find a job that's willing to get me a visa I can't legally stay here.
1. Now, it's true that very few girls my age would get stopped by the police and booted out of the country for being an illegal immigrant. I; however, wouldn't enjoy the daily stress that would be added by being in a country that I'm not allowed to be in at the moment.
2. Now, I'll still hold out hope that maybe, one day, a French guy will fall in love with me (yes, I phrased it that way....what? You think I haven't already fallen in love with a French guy? Have you heard them talk? *melt*) and we'll have a hasty wedding (even though that differs quite a bit from my previous views on marriage) and I'll get to stay here forever. How nice. How romantic. How unrealistic.
3. The truth is, I'm not going to spend the next 5 months waiting for someone to fall for me. And I'm not going to dream about my future based on that quite impossible possibility. If someone falls in love with me.....great....but I'm not going to go looking for it. If someone falls for me the fact that I could have a green card to France would be a happy coincidence, and I think I'd just have to be happy that someone finally cares about me the way I should be cared about.
Because, all in all, that's what really matters.
4. The first step to finding a job that would give me a visa to be here would be to get my Masters and TEFL. Okay, maybe not the masters, but def. the TEFL, and I might as well spend another year and get the degree anyway. Not to mention that this may give me a little time to figure out the next phase of my life. Which will officially be called, from now on, Amanda's Travelin' 20's.
So, let me introduce you to my plan for the next 8 years or so (if I live past 27).
Amanda's Travelin' 20's:
If I can't spend my life traveling in Europe I want to spend it traveling in the US. Luckily, this is possible for the following reasons:
1. Being abroad has given me this incredible feeling of empowerment. No, really. I hopped a plane with a few bucks and a job in line. That's it.
No really.
Think about it for a moment.
That's it.
In a week I made friends, found a place to live, and started a new job that I was/am quite under qualified for. At the age of 21. In a different language.
I feel, no, I KNOW I can do the same in the states. It's in English. I'm allowed to live there. And frankly none of that matters as long as you have the magic word........
connections.
2. After you have the confidence, it's all about connections. Luckily in this day and age, e-mail, facebook, and just the internet in general make, literally, ANYTHING possible. I met the girls before I came here and one of them knew somebody here and Grace was looking for places before we got here and etc. etc. etc. It's all about knowing people.
3. And I have come to the realization that I know people. I have met people since I've been here and, actually, I knew people before I came. I have an aunt and an uncle in Louisiana, Krystal and Chelsea are from California, Emma's brother lives in New York, Erin lived in Boston for a year, Diana's from Chicago, etc. All it takes is to call in a favor: "Can you give me the names of private schools in your area?", "Could you help me find an apartment?" "Is Target hiring?", etc. and some good old-fashioned google-ing. ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE. I can live anywhere I want. Who cares if you're working a crappy job for a month before you find something permanent? And if you don't like the place....you don't have to stay! Move on to the next destination. See the world (or at least part of it). Explore. Live.
4. I'm almost 22. People around me are getting married. People are settling into cubicle jobs. People are paying off their student loans. People are giving up. Today, February 15, 2010 I vow not to live that life. I'm not ready to settle down. I don't think I'll ever "settle down". This is a norm society has pushed on us, especially in Ohio, and I don't want it. Yes, it's scary to get out there. Yes, it's difficult. Sure, I probably won't ever be able to afford the car of my dreams, or maybe even own my own house. I might never be like everybody else. But, I'll get to see the world. We only have one life to live. And I don't want a life of mediocrity. I've already had everything stable in my life ripped from me, so what's the point of going looking for it? Why not create something new and exciting and truly, truly, possible?
5. And love. It always comes back to love. I've been searching for the one for quite some time. I've fallen in love with people I shouldn't've. I've fallen in love with people who don't love me back. And, I've fallen in love with people who have not treated me the way I deserve to be treated. And I'm done with it. I'm done trying. If someone wants to join me on my adventures in life, then of course they are more than welcome! And I more than look forward to that day. This is something I cannot control. This is something that will arrive or it won't. But, as of this day, it is no longer my focus. My focus is on living. Because that's what is truly important.
6. Don't forget friends, of course. I've realized over here that as I've always said, my friends are extremely important to me. Luckily, most of them have supported me in my jump across the ocean, and most of them have done an amazing job of staying in touch. My friends, the ones who truly care about me of course, are interested in what's going on and they aren't afraid to share details of what's going on with them. And yes, I misssssssssssssssss them. I miss them so much it hurts. But I love having these adventures and being able to share them with them and hearing their reactions and discussing what's going on with them and.........in essence.......still being friends. It's possible. It truly is. There's an ocean and 6 hours separating us, but I feel just as close to (most) my friends as I did back home. And sure, some of my friends have forgotten me. Some of them don't stay in touch the way I wish they would. It just truly shows who your true friends are. (And this is not a dig at those who don't stay in touch, no more passive-agressive bs from me. This is just the truth) And I love them. I love my friends so friggin' much for how much they support me. And I know that whatever dream I follow, they'll be there for me. Just as I'll be there for them (especially if they choose to participate in Amanda's Travelin' 20's........just so you know, the offer stands) no matter the path they choose.
7. Of course, making friends wherever you're living is super important to enjoying you're experience. It was my number one fear before coming over here, after all, who wants to be alone? The problem with being abroad/not home is that when you feel alone you feel truly alone. You wake up in the middle of the night crying from the dream that you had and have nobody to share it with. And it's scary. And depressing. And horrible. But then you wake up the next morning and you see your life, a town, everything before you and you're not homesick anymore. You wait several hours and then you get to call the people you love. Or write a letter. Or anything. Luckily, I have discovered that people like me. I'm a good friend. People like being my friend. I like being their friend. Perhaps I've never given myself credit for the person that I am. I, like many others, have never liked myself, and I probably never will. But as long as a few other people wherever I'm living do, then that's all that matters. I can make friends. I can make friends very easily (re: Otter). So, I guess that it's good that this is always my biggest fear, because it's the easiest one for me to do something about when I arrive.
So, overall, what's the plan you ask? The plan is as follows:
1. Get into grad school (fingers crossed!)
2. Spend time in grad school deciding where next adventure will be.
3. Call up connections, etc.
4. Get the hell out of Ohio.
Because it's worth trying. And I can do it. And if not, at least I can say I tried.
Always,
Amanda
Today I have had the most awesome life changing epiphanies.
Firstly, I've come to realize exactly what Emma has been talking about since we've been here. Being abroad makes you realize exactly how little you've experienced of your own country. The US is HUGE and each region/state/city is extremely different. I've only experienced life in the midwest, and even then, just Ohio for that matter.
Tangent:
It would be amazing to live in France for the rest of my life, but, in all honesty, if I don't marry a French guy and/or don't find a job that's willing to get me a visa I can't legally stay here.
1. Now, it's true that very few girls my age would get stopped by the police and booted out of the country for being an illegal immigrant. I; however, wouldn't enjoy the daily stress that would be added by being in a country that I'm not allowed to be in at the moment.
2. Now, I'll still hold out hope that maybe, one day, a French guy will fall in love with me (yes, I phrased it that way....what? You think I haven't already fallen in love with a French guy? Have you heard them talk? *melt*) and we'll have a hasty wedding (even though that differs quite a bit from my previous views on marriage) and I'll get to stay here forever. How nice. How romantic. How unrealistic.
3. The truth is, I'm not going to spend the next 5 months waiting for someone to fall for me. And I'm not going to dream about my future based on that quite impossible possibility. If someone falls in love with me.....great....but I'm not going to go looking for it. If someone falls for me the fact that I could have a green card to France would be a happy coincidence, and I think I'd just have to be happy that someone finally cares about me the way I should be cared about.
Because, all in all, that's what really matters.
4. The first step to finding a job that would give me a visa to be here would be to get my Masters and TEFL. Okay, maybe not the masters, but def. the TEFL, and I might as well spend another year and get the degree anyway. Not to mention that this may give me a little time to figure out the next phase of my life. Which will officially be called, from now on, Amanda's Travelin' 20's.
So, let me introduce you to my plan for the next 8 years or so (if I live past 27).
Amanda's Travelin' 20's:
If I can't spend my life traveling in Europe I want to spend it traveling in the US. Luckily, this is possible for the following reasons:
1. Being abroad has given me this incredible feeling of empowerment. No, really. I hopped a plane with a few bucks and a job in line. That's it.
No really.
Think about it for a moment.
That's it.
In a week I made friends, found a place to live, and started a new job that I was/am quite under qualified for. At the age of 21. In a different language.
I feel, no, I KNOW I can do the same in the states. It's in English. I'm allowed to live there. And frankly none of that matters as long as you have the magic word........
connections.
2. After you have the confidence, it's all about connections. Luckily in this day and age, e-mail, facebook, and just the internet in general make, literally, ANYTHING possible. I met the girls before I came here and one of them knew somebody here and Grace was looking for places before we got here and etc. etc. etc. It's all about knowing people.
3. And I have come to the realization that I know people. I have met people since I've been here and, actually, I knew people before I came. I have an aunt and an uncle in Louisiana, Krystal and Chelsea are from California, Emma's brother lives in New York, Erin lived in Boston for a year, Diana's from Chicago, etc. All it takes is to call in a favor: "Can you give me the names of private schools in your area?", "Could you help me find an apartment?" "Is Target hiring?", etc. and some good old-fashioned google-ing. ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE. I can live anywhere I want. Who cares if you're working a crappy job for a month before you find something permanent? And if you don't like the place....you don't have to stay! Move on to the next destination. See the world (or at least part of it). Explore. Live.
4. I'm almost 22. People around me are getting married. People are settling into cubicle jobs. People are paying off their student loans. People are giving up. Today, February 15, 2010 I vow not to live that life. I'm not ready to settle down. I don't think I'll ever "settle down". This is a norm society has pushed on us, especially in Ohio, and I don't want it. Yes, it's scary to get out there. Yes, it's difficult. Sure, I probably won't ever be able to afford the car of my dreams, or maybe even own my own house. I might never be like everybody else. But, I'll get to see the world. We only have one life to live. And I don't want a life of mediocrity. I've already had everything stable in my life ripped from me, so what's the point of going looking for it? Why not create something new and exciting and truly, truly, possible?
5. And love. It always comes back to love. I've been searching for the one for quite some time. I've fallen in love with people I shouldn't've. I've fallen in love with people who don't love me back. And, I've fallen in love with people who have not treated me the way I deserve to be treated. And I'm done with it. I'm done trying. If someone wants to join me on my adventures in life, then of course they are more than welcome! And I more than look forward to that day. This is something I cannot control. This is something that will arrive or it won't. But, as of this day, it is no longer my focus. My focus is on living. Because that's what is truly important.
6. Don't forget friends, of course. I've realized over here that as I've always said, my friends are extremely important to me. Luckily, most of them have supported me in my jump across the ocean, and most of them have done an amazing job of staying in touch. My friends, the ones who truly care about me of course, are interested in what's going on and they aren't afraid to share details of what's going on with them. And yes, I misssssssssssssssss them. I miss them so much it hurts. But I love having these adventures and being able to share them with them and hearing their reactions and discussing what's going on with them and.........in essence.......still being friends. It's possible. It truly is. There's an ocean and 6 hours separating us, but I feel just as close to (most) my friends as I did back home. And sure, some of my friends have forgotten me. Some of them don't stay in touch the way I wish they would. It just truly shows who your true friends are. (And this is not a dig at those who don't stay in touch, no more passive-agressive bs from me. This is just the truth) And I love them. I love my friends so friggin' much for how much they support me. And I know that whatever dream I follow, they'll be there for me. Just as I'll be there for them (especially if they choose to participate in Amanda's Travelin' 20's........just so you know, the offer stands) no matter the path they choose.
7. Of course, making friends wherever you're living is super important to enjoying you're experience. It was my number one fear before coming over here, after all, who wants to be alone? The problem with being abroad/not home is that when you feel alone you feel truly alone. You wake up in the middle of the night crying from the dream that you had and have nobody to share it with. And it's scary. And depressing. And horrible. But then you wake up the next morning and you see your life, a town, everything before you and you're not homesick anymore. You wait several hours and then you get to call the people you love. Or write a letter. Or anything. Luckily, I have discovered that people like me. I'm a good friend. People like being my friend. I like being their friend. Perhaps I've never given myself credit for the person that I am. I, like many others, have never liked myself, and I probably never will. But as long as a few other people wherever I'm living do, then that's all that matters. I can make friends. I can make friends very easily (re: Otter). So, I guess that it's good that this is always my biggest fear, because it's the easiest one for me to do something about when I arrive.
So, overall, what's the plan you ask? The plan is as follows:
1. Get into grad school (fingers crossed!)
2. Spend time in grad school deciding where next adventure will be.
3. Call up connections, etc.
4. Get the hell out of Ohio.
Because it's worth trying. And I can do it. And if not, at least I can say I tried.
Always,
Amanda
Sunday, February 14, 2010
I don't understand why French people believe that if they pull over in their car when it's dark outside (no matter how late it is) and I am walking alone I will not approach them. Even if they call out, "Excuse me!" or "Miss!" or honk their horns. These people are only calling me over for one of three reasons:
A. They think I'm a prostitute and are soliciting me.
B. They are going to kidnap me.
C. They need directions.
If it is option A: It would be quite the awkward conversation to explain that I am, no matter how poor, not going to become a hooker. It would seem reason enough not to approach a car for the 1 in a thousand chance that this is the case.....but we must not forget.......
If it is option B: I do not want to be kidnapped. I know I'm in the minority in thinking this, but I don't believe I would enjoy this experience at all. Not to mention that it would be quite the buzzkill in my awesome stories about France.
If it is option C: I would be more than happy to give directions to anybody during the day, when my French is at its peak, and with other people around. If it is dark my French is probably not at its finest and I probably wouldn't even give directions to someone walking. Also, the fact that this encounter could be possibly option A or B (perhaps 1 in two thousand....hey, that's still too high of odds for me) makes it obligatory that I decline your offer to show off my knowledge of my little city of Tours.
There are other people walking around.
You can get directions from one of them.
So please leave me alone and don't make me look like a tool ignoring you.
'cuz that's all you'll get from me.
Always,
Amanda
A. They think I'm a prostitute and are soliciting me.
B. They are going to kidnap me.
C. They need directions.
If it is option A: It would be quite the awkward conversation to explain that I am, no matter how poor, not going to become a hooker. It would seem reason enough not to approach a car for the 1 in a thousand chance that this is the case.....but we must not forget.......
If it is option B: I do not want to be kidnapped. I know I'm in the minority in thinking this, but I don't believe I would enjoy this experience at all. Not to mention that it would be quite the buzzkill in my awesome stories about France.
If it is option C: I would be more than happy to give directions to anybody during the day, when my French is at its peak, and with other people around. If it is dark my French is probably not at its finest and I probably wouldn't even give directions to someone walking. Also, the fact that this encounter could be possibly option A or B (perhaps 1 in two thousand....hey, that's still too high of odds for me) makes it obligatory that I decline your offer to show off my knowledge of my little city of Tours.
There are other people walking around.
You can get directions from one of them.
So please leave me alone and don't make me look like a tool ignoring you.
'cuz that's all you'll get from me.
Always,
Amanda
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Hey all! I apologize for the typos and punctuation now because I'm on a French laptop. Anyway: here's a quick rundown of my activities.
Saturday night's party was awesome! After chilling for awhile in our apartment we headed to gros bar and then Emma, Julien, Julien, Amèlie, Grace and Grace's friend went to Cafe Chaud and we danced the night away. Around 3 I went home, made pasta, and went to bed. Sunday we did nothing. Monday we ran errands and I got into a fight with David. We're cool now... mostly... time will tell. Tuesday everybody left for the UK and I did nothing all day and then went over to David's that night and watched Underworld for the first time. It was very well done.
Yesterday, which was wednesday, I went and got a coffee with Julien. I had a really good time just chilling and talking at le palais although it was hard to hear at times, bleh. We decided to watch the movies that I suggested to him a couple of weeks ago. I think we are going to watch the Rocky Horror Picture Show later today.
Good times. Good times. Overall break is going pretty well.
And it snowed last night. woot.
Always,
Amanda
Saturday night's party was awesome! After chilling for awhile in our apartment we headed to gros bar and then Emma, Julien, Julien, Amèlie, Grace and Grace's friend went to Cafe Chaud and we danced the night away. Around 3 I went home, made pasta, and went to bed. Sunday we did nothing. Monday we ran errands and I got into a fight with David. We're cool now... mostly... time will tell. Tuesday everybody left for the UK and I did nothing all day and then went over to David's that night and watched Underworld for the first time. It was very well done.
Yesterday, which was wednesday, I went and got a coffee with Julien. I had a really good time just chilling and talking at le palais although it was hard to hear at times, bleh. We decided to watch the movies that I suggested to him a couple of weeks ago. I think we are going to watch the Rocky Horror Picture Show later today.
Good times. Good times. Overall break is going pretty well.
And it snowed last night. woot.
Always,
Amanda
Monday, February 8, 2010
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Huzzah. It's officially vacation. I am quite content. Yesterday's classes were fun. Taught the hokey pokey to my afternoon classes, gave some tests, etc. Came home, went to happy hour, had one beer too many, ran to simply market, did drunk grocery shopping, did drunk cooking (burnt the garlic bread), did drunk washing up (had to rewash the dishes this morning), went to bed. Last night's happy hour was actually an odd assortment of people. It was Grace, her friend from home, Lyd, and Julien (not Emma's Julien, but the one that Chelsea met in CA and then we ran into at le gros bar. He's fun to hang out with, speaks excellent English, has a super easy French accent to understand, and is moving to Paris soon (boo). I would like to add that one of my favorite activities in France is to spot occasions when I can say odd verbs and then get approval from native speakers for using the verb correctly. Yesterday was "éplucher" which means "to peel". Amanda 1 French 0. After shenanigans I went to bed and woke up at 8 (damn you body!) so I decided to clean the apartment for the party tonight. which I did. And discovered a mushroom growing in the shower room (ick!). I conquered it. So, the house is clean, my hands hurt from the chemicals, and I think I'm going to go back to bed.
However, before that, I would like to discuss something that I just recently thought of as I was looking back on earlier blogs. It's hilarious that the first time I came to France I was gone for 3 months and at the end I couldn't wait to come back. I haven't even noticed, but I've been here for 4 months and the last thing I want to do right now is go home. I mean, I miss people, places, and food (buffalo chicken sandwiches where are yOUUUUUUUU?)) but when it comes down to it, I'm pretty damn happy here and wouldn't trade this for the world.
Ok. Maybe the world. But that's the least I'd go for.
It's odd how we change over time. hmm.
Always,
Amanda
However, before that, I would like to discuss something that I just recently thought of as I was looking back on earlier blogs. It's hilarious that the first time I came to France I was gone for 3 months and at the end I couldn't wait to come back. I haven't even noticed, but I've been here for 4 months and the last thing I want to do right now is go home. I mean, I miss people, places, and food (buffalo chicken sandwiches where are yOUUUUUUUU?)) but when it comes down to it, I'm pretty damn happy here and wouldn't trade this for the world.
Ok. Maybe the world. But that's the least I'd go for.
It's odd how we change over time. hmm.
Always,
Amanda
Friday, February 5, 2010
Soooo close! It's Friday and I only have 3 more classes to teach until VK! woot woot!
Yesterday was really long and difficult...silly French kids making fun of my French, but at least it's over. Last night I made a turkey coconut curry pasta (based loosely off of one of David's recipes) and it was quite delicious. yum. Today is Friday which means Happy Hour tonight, followed by drunk Simply Market-ing and glorious glorious friend hanging out time. etc.
Today on the way to my morning class I thought that I would share a treat with you, valued reader. Here are some lists (you all know how much I enjoy making lists). Edited, of course, for public consumption. Enjoy. (P.S. Sorry they're not parallel)
Things I love:
Dashboard Confessional.
My friends.
Playing guitar and listening to my friends sing along.
Stars.
Feeling needed.
Warm baguettes.
Grocery shopping in France.
Surprising people with parties/gifts/thoughtfulness.
Irish Car Bombs.
Chuck Taylors.
Tattoos.
Taking care of people.
Driving down Riverside with AJ.
Bathtubs.
Stalking Chris Carrabba.
Happy hour at Frederick's.
Thinking/arguing about Twilight.
Athens, OH.
Hot pink hair.
Falling in love.
Writing new songs.
Making dinner for lots of people/throwing parties.
Dollar Pitcher Night.
Acting like an adult when needed.
Acting like a child whenever possible.
Coconut Chip Ice Cream.
Attention.
My surrogate family (holla! Mama and Papa Janice...and Bob, I guess)
Being a groupie.
Clementines.
Listening to French boys speak French.
Polka dots.
Pineapple Upside Down shots.
Edward Cullen.
Refusing to accept the Looking Glass theory.
Shoulders.
Coloring my hair (no matter the color).
Doing dishes.
Knowing an exact lyric that fits my mood at any given time.
Chivalry.
Hugs.
Skirts and Hoodies.
Coloring.
Watching the same movies over and over again.
Target.
Doing the bare minimum work to get A's in classes.
Staying up late.
Daisies.
Dreaming of things so impossible.
Snuggles.
Snuggling in my snuggie.
French people who are nice to foreigners.
Strong coffee.
Reading really good books/really bad books.
Live music.
Teaching.
Making lists.
Things I dislike (because hate is a strong word):
Being late.
Waiting for people because they are late.
Getting out of bed before 10.
People who are flaky.
French vowels.
Rounded-toe shoes.
Loosing Earrings.
Money and the way I use it.
Pants.
Experiencing new things alone.
Dating "games".
Canal Winchester.
Painting my fingernails.
People that don't really listen when I talk.
Beets.
Hipsters.
Confrontations.
Drawing pictures.
Babies.
All of my ex-lovers.
Mulan.
People who don't stay in touch.
Being called immature/people who think I'm immature/people who can't loosen the f up sometimes.
Rum/Whiskey/Tequila.
Religious propaganda/people who try to push a certain religion on to me.
My ex-mother.
Grading papers/tests.
People who tell lies.
Paradise Lost.
Yolks of hard-boiled eggs.
People who are super socially conservative and want to press their views onto others by doing things such as banning abortion, making English the official language of the US and banning gay marriage.
Being ignored.
Clothes shopping in France.
Teaching people things that I learned naturally.
My natural hair color.
People who respond, "Not so good, today I...blah blah blah" when asked how they are in passing.
Being judged.
Cold showers.
Talking about how I feel.
Abercrombie and Fitch.
Sweeping floors (that is, vacuuming OR broom-ing).
Close-minded people.
French conditioner.
Ending lists.
Always,
Amanda
Yesterday was really long and difficult...silly French kids making fun of my French, but at least it's over. Last night I made a turkey coconut curry pasta (based loosely off of one of David's recipes) and it was quite delicious. yum. Today is Friday which means Happy Hour tonight, followed by drunk Simply Market-ing and glorious glorious friend hanging out time. etc.
Today on the way to my morning class I thought that I would share a treat with you, valued reader. Here are some lists (you all know how much I enjoy making lists). Edited, of course, for public consumption. Enjoy. (P.S. Sorry they're not parallel)
Things I love:
Dashboard Confessional.
My friends.
Playing guitar and listening to my friends sing along.
Stars.
Feeling needed.
Warm baguettes.
Grocery shopping in France.
Surprising people with parties/gifts/thoughtfulness.
Irish Car Bombs.
Chuck Taylors.
Tattoos.
Taking care of people.
Driving down Riverside with AJ.
Bathtubs.
Stalking Chris Carrabba.
Happy hour at Frederick's.
Thinking/arguing about Twilight.
Athens, OH.
Hot pink hair.
Falling in love.
Writing new songs.
Making dinner for lots of people/throwing parties.
Dollar Pitcher Night.
Acting like an adult when needed.
Acting like a child whenever possible.
Coconut Chip Ice Cream.
Attention.
My surrogate family (holla! Mama and Papa Janice...and Bob, I guess)
Being a groupie.
Clementines.
Listening to French boys speak French.
Polka dots.
Pineapple Upside Down shots.
Edward Cullen.
Refusing to accept the Looking Glass theory.
Shoulders.
Coloring my hair (no matter the color).
Doing dishes.
Knowing an exact lyric that fits my mood at any given time.
Chivalry.
Hugs.
Skirts and Hoodies.
Coloring.
Watching the same movies over and over again.
Target.
Doing the bare minimum work to get A's in classes.
Staying up late.
Daisies.
Dreaming of things so impossible.
Snuggles.
Snuggling in my snuggie.
French people who are nice to foreigners.
Strong coffee.
Reading really good books/really bad books.
Live music.
Teaching.
Making lists.
Things I dislike (because hate is a strong word):
Being late.
Waiting for people because they are late.
Getting out of bed before 10.
People who are flaky.
French vowels.
Rounded-toe shoes.
Loosing Earrings.
Money and the way I use it.
Pants.
Experiencing new things alone.
Dating "games".
Canal Winchester.
Painting my fingernails.
People that don't really listen when I talk.
Beets.
Hipsters.
Confrontations.
Drawing pictures.
Babies.
All of my ex-lovers.
Mulan.
People who don't stay in touch.
Being called immature/people who think I'm immature/people who can't loosen the f up sometimes.
Rum/Whiskey/Tequila.
Religious propaganda/people who try to push a certain religion on to me.
My ex-mother.
Grading papers/tests.
People who tell lies.
Paradise Lost.
Yolks of hard-boiled eggs.
People who are super socially conservative and want to press their views onto others by doing things such as banning abortion, making English the official language of the US and banning gay marriage.
Being ignored.
Clothes shopping in France.
Teaching people things that I learned naturally.
My natural hair color.
People who respond, "Not so good, today I...blah blah blah" when asked how they are in passing.
Being judged.
Cold showers.
Talking about how I feel.
Abercrombie and Fitch.
Sweeping floors (that is, vacuuming OR broom-ing).
Close-minded people.
French conditioner.
Ending lists.
Always,
Amanda
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday!
Silly body clock woke me up at 9 and then Emma came home and we hung out a bit and she fell back asleep. I, on the other hand, am in the midst of trying to watch Memento (but it just keeps putting me to sleep) so I gave that a valid try and only have 50 minutes left in the movie! woot! Today I plan on calling loan places and dealing with that stuff...ugh... If you know me, you know I DETEST calling companies and official people and stuff like that. It especially helps when I don't know wtf is going on and such. Anyway, it'll be okay....and in the least....it'll be in English. If I can deal with the CAF and OFII paperwork in French then I can deal with this stupid stuff in English. Afterwards everything will be better.......hopefully.....
So far this week.....hmm...
Monday I woke up early, graded tests, did lesson plans, etc. Then I went and taught classes. One of the major problems with having a school really far away is that the bus ride there and back provides copious amounts of reflection time. Sometimes this is good. Sometimes I think about the conversations I've had with people in French, common mistakes I make in French, friends, good times, etc. Sometimes; however, I think about OU. And people. Very specific people. And things I miss (i.e. buffalo chicken sandwiches). Monday was one of those days where I was really really missing people and was just not super happy. This was fixed when I went home, decided to suck up my pride and make a phone call. Luckily, what I thought was going on was not going on (unless somebody is telling lies........which is highly improbable) and things are good again. Then I went over to David's to watch the second Star Wars dubbed in French (bwhahahahahaha). I stayed there and grabbed the bus in the morning to teach at Poulenc.
Tuesday was okay. I taught and then hung out with Grace. Then ran over to David's for some English learnin'. We went to Simply Market. The only thing that could make hanging out with David better would be hanging out with David in a grocery store (you know how much I love grocery shopping in France). So we had a lot of fun and learned some English at home and then ran over to Grace's for dinner with the girls. Julien showed up and made David uncomfortable. haha. And then Liz messed up the crepes (not that it was her fault) and I ended up making crepes (sometimes I'm proud of the weird things I know how to do).
You already know what's going on today, so how about some ramblings?
1. I have to rethink my tattoo. Turns out white tattoos have some major problems. Firstly, to inject enough white ink to make it show up they have to use a bigger needle (also because the ink is thicker). White ink is also prone to discoloration and extreme fading. And, finally, sometimes it can be mistaken for scaring as a body modification. I'm not into that. So...... I'm rethinking. err.... revising. I'm now thinking maybe, like, a light blue or an aquamarine or something. Your thoughts/opinions on this matter would be greatly appreciated.
2. Ask me a story about revision for CM1s. It is far too good of a story to post here, so you should just ask me about it the next time we talk.
3. Thinking about heading to Paris for Valentine's Day.....even if I'm alone. It could be fun.
4. Decided, about an hour ago, to throw a party on Saturday. We've been having one party a month for the past couple of months, but we missed January!!!! (Oh noes!) So, we're throwing something super sweet this Saturday to celebrate February and all the awesome American holidays that go along with it. (P.S. 6 more weeks of winter.....whhhhhatttttt???!?!??!?!)
5. I taught all of the kids in one of my classes to spell February wrong. How does one correct a mistake such as this? FAIL.
Always,
Amanda
Silly body clock woke me up at 9 and then Emma came home and we hung out a bit and she fell back asleep. I, on the other hand, am in the midst of trying to watch Memento (but it just keeps putting me to sleep) so I gave that a valid try and only have 50 minutes left in the movie! woot! Today I plan on calling loan places and dealing with that stuff...ugh... If you know me, you know I DETEST calling companies and official people and stuff like that. It especially helps when I don't know wtf is going on and such. Anyway, it'll be okay....and in the least....it'll be in English. If I can deal with the CAF and OFII paperwork in French then I can deal with this stupid stuff in English. Afterwards everything will be better.......hopefully.....
So far this week.....hmm...
Monday I woke up early, graded tests, did lesson plans, etc. Then I went and taught classes. One of the major problems with having a school really far away is that the bus ride there and back provides copious amounts of reflection time. Sometimes this is good. Sometimes I think about the conversations I've had with people in French, common mistakes I make in French, friends, good times, etc. Sometimes; however, I think about OU. And people. Very specific people. And things I miss (i.e. buffalo chicken sandwiches). Monday was one of those days where I was really really missing people and was just not super happy. This was fixed when I went home, decided to suck up my pride and make a phone call. Luckily, what I thought was going on was not going on (unless somebody is telling lies........which is highly improbable) and things are good again. Then I went over to David's to watch the second Star Wars dubbed in French (bwhahahahahaha). I stayed there and grabbed the bus in the morning to teach at Poulenc.
Tuesday was okay. I taught and then hung out with Grace. Then ran over to David's for some English learnin'. We went to Simply Market. The only thing that could make hanging out with David better would be hanging out with David in a grocery store (you know how much I love grocery shopping in France). So we had a lot of fun and learned some English at home and then ran over to Grace's for dinner with the girls. Julien showed up and made David uncomfortable. haha. And then Liz messed up the crepes (not that it was her fault) and I ended up making crepes (sometimes I'm proud of the weird things I know how to do).
You already know what's going on today, so how about some ramblings?
1. I have to rethink my tattoo. Turns out white tattoos have some major problems. Firstly, to inject enough white ink to make it show up they have to use a bigger needle (also because the ink is thicker). White ink is also prone to discoloration and extreme fading. And, finally, sometimes it can be mistaken for scaring as a body modification. I'm not into that. So...... I'm rethinking. err.... revising. I'm now thinking maybe, like, a light blue or an aquamarine or something. Your thoughts/opinions on this matter would be greatly appreciated.
2. Ask me a story about revision for CM1s. It is far too good of a story to post here, so you should just ask me about it the next time we talk.
3. Thinking about heading to Paris for Valentine's Day.....even if I'm alone. It could be fun.
4. Decided, about an hour ago, to throw a party on Saturday. We've been having one party a month for the past couple of months, but we missed January!!!! (Oh noes!) So, we're throwing something super sweet this Saturday to celebrate February and all the awesome American holidays that go along with it. (P.S. 6 more weeks of winter.....whhhhhatttttt???!?!??!?!)
5. I taught all of the kids in one of my classes to spell February wrong. How does one correct a mistake such as this? FAIL.
Always,
Amanda
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