Le Diner de mes Reves

I'm living with a 4 star chef. So, going back to that whole "everything is so different" thing... eating here is the most amazing thing that I've ever encountered. The French are very traditional people (I mean, extremely traditional). Madame is no exception. She is absolutely set in her ways and you MUST do everything she says to show respect for her and her home. Before dinner, you sit down in "le salon" (the TV/living room) and have "appertifs" (before dinner drinks) which tonight consisted of glasses of "Kir" (a French port-ish like wine). Then, you proceed to the dinner table and begin with the salad course. Your bread must be kept ON THE TABLE no matter what, never on your plate, and "a la gauche" (to the right side) of your plate. You also never put your hands under the table, which is completely opposite from American culture in which putting hands on the table is rude. Not in France, oh no, you put your hands visibly on the table while eating. Anyways, the meal consisted of a salad course (which was cous-cous mixed with fresh tomatoes & cilantro), "l'entree principale" (the main dish- rice covered in a mushroom/chicken/cheese sauce SSOOO good), "la fromage" (fresh hand-picked cheese from "la fromagerie" (the cheese shop), "la mousse chocolat" (chocolate mousse), and "les bon-bons" (little sugar-covered pastries from the "la pattiserie" (the bakery). It was so good. Now, I'm ready to fall asleep for the first real sleep I will have had in 48 hours. Good night!

Le Jour Premier

Well, I'm here! What a LONG day/night! I'm so unbelievably tired right now but I can't even think about laying my head down. I'm too amazed by this place. It's absolutely breathtakingly beautiful. As you can see, to your left is a picture of the balcony off of my room. Madame Bayle's (Dominique) apartment is great! It's extremely small but very quaint. Well, I'll start with my arrival in Paris. I claimed my huge suitcase (thank God it wasn't lost :)) and headed towards the meeting place to meet my ISA Director, Gabriel. The papers I had said to WAIT THERE for the Director (specifically do not wander off if you don't see him at first). So, what did I do? I, of course, walked away after about 15 minutes of standing looking around like a lost child. I decided to use a payphone but that WAS NOT working for me so I drug my what seemed like 5,oo0 lb. suitcase back to the meeting point where I found Gabriel on the other side of the door (where he had been the entire 15 minutes I was freaking out). He asked me what arrondisement (neighborhood) I was staying in and when I told him, he raised his eyebrows, gave a thumbs up and said, "That is the nicest place in Paris." I felt so lucky. Five other girls from the program showed up and we all talked and waited around for about an hour and finally left for our homestays. Ok, the shuttle ride from the airport to my apartment is one that should go down in history. I was absolutely terrified. I honestly think the man driving us was on some kind of drugs. He was blasting Pink Floyd and air-strumming an imaginary guitar while barrelling down the narrow streets of Paris in a huge shuttle bus at, oh about, 80 MPH!!! I thought I would never actually see Paris because I would die on the ride there. Luckily, I'm still alive and I made it to my homestay safely (by the grace of God). Gabriel was not kidding when he described how nice this part of Paris is. It's the best part! I was starving so Madame Bayle made me a scrambled egg. But guess what she served with it? Tomatoe slices in olive oil and a French baguette. Oh, and coffee so strong that your nostrils feel like they're going to explode when you sip it (ha, just the way I like it :)) It was so good, though because I was STARVING. Now, I'm just waiting on Jamie to get here so Dominique can take us out around Paris. She said she's going to show us where the Metro stop is and around the Rue de Cherche-Midi area.

It's really ridiculous how I've only been here for 5 hours and I can already tell this place is NOTHING like America. There's no way to compare these two countries at all so I won't even try. Just know that everything is so different. Even though it's going to take a lot of adjusting, I will not allow myself to think, for one second, that the way of life here is any less accomodating than my way of life in Tennessee. I know I already love it here. It's awesome! I mean, just take a look at the pictures---it's beautiful.

Je suis fatigue! :(

I'm here in the Newark airport, really bored, and very tired. I got sick (like "I'm gonna hurl" sick) on the descent on the flight from Knoxville. It sucked. It's so embarrassing when I get like that. I didn't actually throw up like I did on the last flight I was on, though... THANK GOD! Haha! Well, anyway, on a happier note- I'm only about 10 hours away from being in Paris! I'm so incredibly excited yet very anxious/nervous at the same time... it's weird. I'm excited to see Jamie and hear about her time in Germany and France so far. I'm really glad she will be adapted a little bit once I get there so maybe there can be one sane person in our twosome. Ok, well, I'm going to stop for now but I have a couple pictures to share. They have absolutely NOTHING to do with Paris or my trip but I have to share them. This is my dog, Mayer, as America's Next Top Model! :) Bon soir!

Isn't she lovely?!! Isn't she beautiful? Ah, I love her and my little Johnny Cash man. I will miss them more than I can possible describe. :)

Leaving Friday

I'm leaving this Friday for Paris, the city of lights. I'm nervous but very excited.