More than just music Monday

Hey everyone!

I hope everyone has been doing well. I have been pretty busy lately, but things are starting to slow down quite a bit...which is a welcome change. So, here's the rundown since my last post:

 

1)Took the OGET. I am applying to get into the MBA program, but I am also extremely interested in teaching French. I had to take this test in order to qualify for any programs in case that's the route I decide to take. I thought it went well...meaning I didn't leave the testing center with tears streaming down my face. I might even go as far as saying that I think I may have done well, but I still have a few weeks before I know for sure.

 

2)Turned in an 8-page essay for my french civilization class. This may not seem like much considering we've had the whole semester to work on it...BUT due to other homework and things going on, I was unable to get a major start until about a week before it was due...which might as well be nothing when trying to write in another language. We were able to choose a current topic. I chose to write about the identity of MARIANNE and how her image has changed over the years. We did get the papers back already and I got an A, so that's a good feeling. In case you all don't know who this Marianne is:

3)For the same class, I had to put together a 12-15 minute presentation. I chose to work with a partner. We did our presentation over gender equality in France today. It is pretty much the best presentation ever. It's more like a stand-up act. To give you a hint at how ridiculous it is, here's a clip we're showing...

4) I polished off my capstone class for French. What did this include?? A 10-page paper in french where I discussed protesting and marches in France throughout history and how the reflect citizens. I also had to give a presentation about it...which wasn't too crazy. Wouldn't call it fun though.

 

 

5) I took the GRE on Sunday. Just need to finish my applcation now. Other than tests and a few small assignments...I am done!

 

Also, just 16 days until FRANCE!!

 

Now for some music...

 

 

Some new, some old...I love them all.

 

You all have a great night!!

 

TBT + Quelques Nouvelles {Some News}

Rebonjour tout le monde!

 

It's been a while and things seem to be getting more hectic given the time of year {i've heard you only get as much as you can handle...someone out there must think i'm a rockstar}. This time in the semester is always just awful in a variety of ways. Enough pessimism for now. The silver lining is that in under 4 weeks, I will be on a plane to France!! Needless to say, the excitement is building. To add to this already bursting balloon of excitement, I got an email the other day with my school placements for my time in Amiens. For those of you who don't know, I will be assisting at different schools throughout Amiens. The idea is to not only immerse yourself completely in France, but also learn a bit about the education system in France/different teaching techniques. So...here is what I drew out of the black satin hat:

 

Part 1- Lycée Edouard Gand {students aged 15-18}

Part 2- École Primaire Delpech {elementary students}

Part 3- Collège Jean-Marc Laurent {students ages 11-14}

 

Once I got my placements, I felt really excited but then had this wave of nervousness hit me. There are 4 other people going with me to Amiens for this program. What didn't occur to me until now, as the idea of it is getting more and more real, is that although I will be spending time with these people, I will essentially be completely separated from everyone the rest of the time. Other than my trip to France the first time {even though I was around some english speakers}, this will be the first time for me to be in the country completely surrounded by the language without my "security blanket," which in this case is the ability to expect to hear english at any given moment. That can be pretty scary, but I really think it's going to be fun and help my french at the same time. Hopefully I can speak the language as well as I think, and won't say or make too many huge mistakes. I want to get a chance to get to know the students and have actual conversations, instead of getting my words jumbled all the time. Guess it's time to do a final review of my tenses.

 

In honor of all of the above, today's TBT is dedicated to the first time I knew I was French in a past life.

 

 

first glass of wine in France

 

In front of Notre Dame de Paris

Musée Rodin

 



Centre Pompidou

 



 

just a little coffee break

 

bonne soirée tout le monde

 

Music Monday- 90's Edition

On my drive today, I was listening to the 90's. There are some awesome songs from this decade. Here's a few off my "Best of the 90's" mixtape. Short and sweet post today. Hope everyone has had a great day!

 

I'm going to stop myself here...and the list goes on. Everyone needs a good 90's compilation. Go get to it.

 

Worldly Wednesday

wan·der·lust

noun

A very strong or irresistible impulse to travel.

 

I am by no means a travel expert, but I have been lucky enough to go on some pretty amazing trips thus far. I'm definitely not denying that fact, but I can also say that the little bit of traveling I've done up to this point has only left me eager to see more...as much as possible. Hopefully I'll be lucky enough to be able to see a lot more. So, as I sit here procrastinating  homework just a bit longer, I might as well tell you a few places on my bucket list.

 

-India-

I've wanted to go to India for quite some time. It seems like a really unique place. I have always loved the colors, and the people seem nice. I'd really love to experience standing in front of the Taj Mahal one day...

 

 

 

 

It would also be pretty awesome to be in India during HOLI, also known as the festival of colors. Holi is a religious celebration welcoming in spring. Looks like a blast.

 

-Cairo, Egypt-

 

When I was younger, I was obsessed with all things Egyptian. The idea of crawling through the pyramids was pretty intriguing. There was even a chunk of time in my childhood where I wanted to be an Egyptologist. No lie...this lasted for years too. I was a weird kid.

 

-Santorini, Greece-

 

There's no particular reason behind me wanting to go here other than the fact that it looks so unbelievably beautiful, and relaxing.

 

-Mont Saint Michel, France-

 

Dream world...







Ok...back to reality I guess. This bucket list of mine is about to need a second hard drive. Hope everyone has a great night! {bisous à tout le monde}



Tuesday Ten: Book Club

For those of you who know me well, you know I can be a bit of a bookworm. Lately, I haven't had time to read anything for pleasure. I have been reading a lot of french books for class, and although I have enjoyed most of them, I look forward to being able to sit down and read for fun again. Here is a list of my top ten books {at the moment} in no particular order.

 

-1-

 

 

I read A Time for Dancing for the first time in middle school I believe. I grew up dancing, so I was immediately interested because of the the title and cover picture. It turns out to be a really amazing story, very sad yet motivational at the same time. I picked the book up again last summer and was surprised to enjoy it just as much now as I did the first time I read it.

 

-2-

 

I am in love with Donald Miller's Blue Like Jazz. This book manages to wake me up every time I read it. It's religious, but not so much to be condescending or make you feel like a bad person. If fact, if anything, this book has the power to make everyone feel a little better about where they are religiously or spiritually in life. It's just the story of a normal young adult trying to find a good balance in his life. I always find it to be extremely helpful. Worth reading whether you are christian or not.

 

-3-

 

Who doesn't love this classic? Those french stories of justice and revenge never get old. This book has a lot of action in it---READ IT!

 

-4-

 

So, I read this book over the summer. I had been wanting to read it for several years but finally decided to pick it up once I saw there was a movie coming out. The movie looked good and I had to read the book before, so here we are. Seriously, this book is so amazing. There are definitely a lot of controversial subjects in the text; drug use, sex, crime, experimentation, etc. I loved every bit of it for what it is. Kerouac is an amazing author to say the least. There is a certain energy that jumps off the pages and makes you excited about life and excited to be young{ish}.

 

-5-

 

 

Oscar Wilde is a really clever author. This is the first book I had read by him. Good place to start if you're new to his work. Interesting book with a good lesson in it. I think every reader takes something different from the book.

 

-6-

 

Who needs to go to Asia when you can read this book? Well, I still want to go to Asia...but the book is excellent. Had to read it in high school and have read it several times since. Doesn't get old.

 

-7-

 

Oh, Lola! My lovely friend, Tiffany, used to read this book every summer. Not sure if she still does, but she finally rubbed off on me and got me into it. Considering the content, there is a surprising lightness to the book. Keep an open mind if you decide to indulge. Makes for a perfect summer read.

 

-8-

 

Another great summer read, only this time following Cécile on the French Riviera in the 1950s. A great coming of age story with just enough suspense to keep things exciting. Despite the french title, this particular version is written in english.

 

-9-

 

Dan Brown is great. This book is really interesting. The story takes place in Paris and eventually throughout other parts of France. Puts a spotlight on religion, secret societies, and the secret messages/meanings behind certain art work. There are a lot of historical references as well...some accurate, some not so much. Cool book regardless.

 

-10-

 

I've read this book about 3 times now. Really an amazingly sad story, yet fascinating and powerful considering she was so young when she wrote it. She's very honest and funny in her writing. Despite her horrible situation, she's hopeful and normal, just the way you'd think a young girl should be. We could all learn to take things in stride like she did. She definitely puts some adults to shame.

 

 

What are some of your favorite books??