VANDY SEN10R

If you like my witty retelling of my life escapades (though one can hardly call them that), I would love nothing more than for you to continue to follow along at Vandy Sen10r. Do you like what I did there with the 10?

That's what Vandy education will do for you

(among other things).

Thanks!

"Every man has two countries- his own and France" -Thomas Jefferson

I didn't know if I was going to write this blog or not, but my awesome friend Kayla(lala) told me that I should. So, for once in my life, I'm going to take someone else's advice and just bite the bullet.

Being in France was a great experience, and though I miss it so, I will be hanging on to my American citizenship (at least for a while longer!) One of the biggest things that I realized was that I missed school- quelle surprise! I've always been one of those people who refuse to call school "home" even though I'm there 8 to 9 months out of the year, I live on campus, and some of my closest circles of friends are there. I'm stubborn- you might have noticed. But while I was abroad, I found myself wanting to see my parents, to see my friends, to sit out on the lawns or go to Rites of Spring... Please, allow me to clarify, I LOVED Aix and France, but I guess old habits die hard.

I think the thing I miss the most is just being able to speak in French!!! If I knew Spanish, I'd have someone to talk to anywhere, anytime. French people, il faut que vous déménagiez aux E.U.!!! I did, however, meet a guy and his wife and they were both from Haute Normandie. They lived in a small town close to Rouen which is where I had my exchange in high school. That meant that we had a little to talk about, and it was great to speak in French with someone. I miss it so. It's strange- in France I missed English and in America I miss French... Maybe I should just move to Canada and have the best of both worlds... That would mean learning Québécois, and I'm not sure I'm up for the challenge- hahaha! We'll have to see...

I've also been working on this post for about five weeks now- talk about a procrastinator. I blame that darned European idea of "taking your time" and "enjoying life"... blah, blah, BLAH!!! Things have to be done; we need to get on the ball, people!!! I've also decided that this will be the first of my random rants, so that I can keep this blog going for senior year... I might have to create another, Vandy-themed, blog- that would be a lot better, I believe.

So, the first thing I want to talk about is the economy. It's crap, yes, we've all heard, but the thing that gets me is that Congress is thinking about lowering lending standards again to try to get us out of the situation. Well, I'm not poli sci major or political commentator, but here's my theory. We're in this mess because people on both sides of the isle don't know what they're doing. Not to be disrespectful, but they're politicians not economists. If my memory serves me well- and it does- Mr. Clinton lowered lending standards a few years ago, and that's why we had people obtaining loans that they could not pay back. Of course, this is a bipartisan quagmire, because then Good ole W came in a relaxed regulations... and by 'relaxed' I mean all but ended. So, let's add this up, shall we? We have banks that are encouraged to give loans to people that shouldn't have then, and then we lose the ability to oversee this process and stop the banks before they go too far. And it seems that we might be about to start the cycle all over again. Hmm... Now, I'm no genius, but I'm rather smart (or so I'd like to believe), and this just doesn't seem to be the answer to our problems- not to me, any way.

Of course, it would be nice to just blame the banks, but let's not forget that this is America, we are a capitalist society, and- for better or for worse- we are all about making top dollar. Our stockholders want to see returns on their investments. Can you blame a CEO for doing his job? Sure. Should you? Probably not. Now, I'm not defending big-business either; I'm just trying to get a little perspective on the situation. We'll need a lot of reforms- maybe a new way of thinking about society- to solve this problem. Giving a loan to the guy who can't pay his electric bill is not going to cut it.

I also joined a gym, and I GO!!! Ha! I decided that I need to get back into shape before I left to go back to school. Needless to say, I did not workout the way I should've while I was in France, and now it has come back to bite me in my chunky butt! It's okay, though, because I've also started doing yoga, and I can't figure out for the life of me why I didn't do it sooner. It's fun, relaxing, and energizing at the same time. I can already feel some of the results... I stretch a lot farther than before. I'm sure that come in handy for something... wink wink. :) I've also found a few people to play racquetball with- I love racquetball. This is a big deal for me, because usually I have to go the summer without any partners, and now I've found, like, three. We go play, workout, and then grab something to eat if we have the time. It's good manly bonding time!

All in all, I'm really glad to be home, but I'm still trying to figure out how to get back to France. Luckily, I was home for the Harry Potter release!!! I even convinced my parents to come out to the midnight release with me!!! It was awesome! If you haven't seen the movie yet, you should go... now... like, stop reading this, grab you keys and go to your nearest movie theater. Seriously. If you have seen it, cheers to you! Now, go take a friend!

The least you need to know:

1. I miss France, but America will always be home.
2. Ladies and gentlemen of Congress, it might be time to burn the midnight oil... I'm just saying.
3. Gym+Racquetball+meals with new friends= a not so empty social calendar (i.e. happiness).
4. Oh, and I'm moving to Memphis, TN... the verdict's still out, but I'm an optimist.

Conclusions et remarques

In Tunisia, I noticed that they only thing the French really left was their language- and even that hasn't been acquired by everyone. French culture is so different from Tunisian culture. Even after having studied in Aix for a semester (I know, it's not a lot), I still was not prepared for the culture shock that I received in Tunisia. I think that Tunisia culture is a lot more oriental than people think. Even if Tunisia is supposed to be the most modern, and western of the Maghreb countries, we witnessed ruptures between the theory and the practice.

There, I met a Swiss German that was trying to find a way to get his girlfriend out of the country so he could marry her. The family of the young girl did not want her to marry a European; rather, they wanted her to have an arranged marriage. Sure, the girl could divorce her husband later, but that would mean alienating herself from her family, friends, her in-laws, etc.- it would mean giving up her life as she has come to know it.

I've already talked about the political situation, and how troubling that is. In my opinion, it was going to Tunisia that I received a real culture shock! I didn't have one here in Aix. In France, it was just a matter of adjusting to different habits and slight variations in lifestyle. In Tunisia, it's a completely different way on viewing the world. It is completely different from anything I've ever encountered!

In all though, I loved my stay there, and I don't think I'll ever forget it! And there was a beach, so, at the end of the day, it was more than worth it!

The least you need to know:

1. Knowing French helps, but you should learn Arabic.
2. Don't talk about politics. Ever. "They're" watching...
3. I was serious about number 2.
4. Some people say it's a small world. I think the world's a lot bigger than people give it credit for.
   

Dernier jour de visites- le 21 avril

Today, we went to Sidi Bou Said. This city was really magnifique! I loved it! The houses are painted in white and blue, just like a lot of the homes along the Mediterranean or like in Greece. It was also a town built into a hill. We walked to the top of the hill and we could see the entire city from up there- it was a gorgeous view!

The guide told us that the city is one of the richest in the area. The guide told us that the homes there can cost around a million dollars. I never would have thought that this type of city would exist in Tunisia. We didn't see too many ostentatious things there, and that was unlike Aix...

In Sidi Bou Said, we bought some more things in the souk, as well. There, it was a little harder to bargain because there were so many tourists... As for me, I tried to do my best to buy souvenirs for my family. There were a lot more things at the souk than at the other one, but they costs a little more.

After having shopped for HOURS, we went to the hookah bar while waiting to go to the museum of costumes. In the hookah bar, it was really nice because everyone was sitting and talking quietly- even the guide sat and talked with us. That was really nice because we got to know him a little better. Then, instead of going to the museum, we decided to stay at the hookah bar and relax a little bit- it was a wonderful idea! And then we went back to the hotel.

Musée Bardo- le 20 avril

I really like the musée Bardo a lot! Like I've already mentioned, I find it amazing to see things that have been around for SO long. What's more, it was really cool to see these things conserved so well. I saw mosaics that were still colored and you could still see the mythological stories. It was really interesting! Then I asked if the Romans believed in their mythology the way we believe in our religions today. I would like to know what future generations will think about us and our religious practices... I think it'll be rather interesting. Especially when we start wars in the name of religion all the while preaching about peace. Today, another one of the students on the trip told me that Sweden is the country with the least amount of crime, and some researchers think that it might be because of the lack of religious practitioners.

We also learned that the museum was in the process of reorganizing itself. They want to make it so that the Tunisians can better understand their history. Today, the museum is more or less for the academics who research the topics of the museum. I found this to be a little bizarre because at the round table discussion, the students told us that about 80% of the Tunisians had a university education. I don't understand why these people wouldn't go visit the museum. They are the ones that make up the community intellectual... All the same, I am happy that the museum thought enough to change the way the expositions, so that everyone can understand what they're trying to conserve.

Kairouran et El Jem- le 19 avril

Today we went to Kairouran and went shopping in the souks! It's a completely different culture from what I'm used to in the United States. At home, I don't even try to bargain with vendors. The vendor tells me how much something costs, and if I like the thing, I buy it at that price; however, in the souks, c'est différent! In fact, one would be crazy to pay the prices that the vendors ask. You must MUST play the game: you look, you inquire, you offer, you walk away, you come back, you make another offer, you pay- it's a really LONG process! It's also very fatiguing. I had to take this first day to learn how to bargain with the vendors. I made sure that I stuck with my New York friends, and tried to pick up on as many pointers as I could. What an experience! I learned a lot, but I still don't like the process- it takes too much time! Haha!

In Kairouran, I noticed how close men are to one another. I've seen many men who walk down the street arm-in-arm. At first, I thought that maybe these men were couples, but then I realized that there were so many of them- not that there's anything wrong with that at all-I don't think that homosexual men would be so open about there relationships in Tunisia. In one of the cafés, I saw two men sitting, one with his arm around the other, and then he began stroking the cheek of the other- interesting, n'est-ce pas? What's more, Kairouran is one of the holiest cities in Islam. 7 trips to the mosque there would be the equivalent of a pilgrimage to Mecca. So, yeah, I was expecting a little more discretion... I decided to ask our guide about it, and he told me that men are just a lot closer here in Tunisia. It's actually normal for men to walk down the street holding each others' arms. In any case, I thought that the amount of comfort the men felt around each other was a great thing... if only they could feel that comfortable around women, maybe they wouldn't have to treat them so badly.

After having gone shopping, we went to El Jem. There, we visited the coliseum which is the third biggest in the world and the second biggest outside of Italy. Our guide told us that, in fact, the coliseum was once two coliseums that were merged into one. It was also in El Jem that i met the most forceful merchants ever! I had to help one of my friends by actually pushing a merchant away from her! I don't think things like that would happen in Aix, and never in the States. At first, the entire situation disturbed me, but then I began to think about why people would try to sell something so aggressively. I then realized that in El Jem life isn't as nice as it in in Aix or at home, and that these people have to make a living selling little trinkets to feed their families. Let's be honest, I don't regret having pushed the merchant, but I understand a little better his aggression.

When we got back to the hotel, we talked to one of the staff members at the bar. He talked to us about politics, religion, the state of women, etc. which is illegal in Tunisia. He didn't say too much against Islam and the government, but I was happy that he would even take the time out to talk to us about these topics. I did notice, however, that he had been really conditioned by society. This man did not critique his life situation; he just accepted it the way it was, and he did not want to change it. When we talked about the president, he said that the Tunisians did not need to change to the president because another one would just do the same thing. That reminded me of a conversation I had with my aunt once. She likes to buy plastic cups, but then she washes them. I asked her why- the point of plastic cups is that you can throw them away. She said that sometimes she doesn't mind washing them, and sometimes she does, but she likes to have the option. I think that's the thing. In the States, we know that we can change the president, even if we don't want to- more importantly, the president knows we can take away his position. That's what's important... having the option.

Carthage- le 18 avril

Today we went to Carthage. It was really neat to see and touch things that have existed for centuries. Sometimes I have a hard time imagining that the Romans built these monuments- it's really extraordinary. We don't have things like that in the States. It's was being in Carthage that made me realize just what it means when people say "the United States is a young country".

While on the tour of Carthage, we learned the history of the Carthaginians and how they were beaten several times by the Romans. I had studied this stuff in high school, but since I don't use it, it took a little time for it all to start coming back to me. We also talked about the what "Punic" and "Carhtaginian" mean. Punic is the mix between the indigenous people in Tunisia and the Romans, just fyi.

In Carthage, we went into the Cathedral of St. Louis. It was enormous with byzantine art that was really pretty. Unfortunately, when Tunisia won its independence, most of the catholic churches were closed or turned into administrative buildings. I find that absolutely saddening because it's as if the state prohibits the practice of certain religions. I imagine it must be difficult to a Catholic in Tunisia. Let's say, for the sake of argument, there were a family that wanted to live in Tunisia, but this family also happened to be really religious- namely, really catholic. I don't think they would be willing to pay the price of giving of their religion in order to move. This whole closing of the churches thing also makes me feel that there is a lack of tolerance in Tunisia. We talked to guide about homosexuality, and he told us that homosexuals were treated in a "disagreeable manner". I found that astounding, because even in the States people at least pretend to be tolerant, and hold their tongues... What's more is that in Tunisia, it's not just the people who are intolerant- it's the government!

Tonight, we went to a show in the Cultural Center of Carthage. There, one of our professors had a part in the play. The play was about the walls that we build that just foster more misunderstandings between countries- the Berlin wall, the one they want to build between Cali and Mexico, etc. But, I also saw other "walls"- the one between men and women, the one between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat, and the one between the people and the government. It was a really interesting play especially since I like to analyse those kinds of things.

After the play, we were invited to a celebration because it was opening night for the show, and they wanted to celebrate its success. Well, what I think was supposed to be a small celebration was transformed into a big dance party- typical of Americans (and Tunisians, I suppose). In any case, it was a really great night! Everyone was really nice and welcoming!

Université de Tunis- le 17 avril

Today, we went to the university of Tunis at Carthage. I really appreciated the students a lot because they were super nice! I had started to believe that the Tunisians weren't very welcoming, but they totally blew that theory out of the water. I've concluded that it's a person by person case, and not a generalization that can be made about the entire country- haha!

At the university,the students study languages applied to business. Therefore, they learn French, English, German, and Chinese. Along with these languages, they learn economic theory, and business organization. They master languages and they go to business school as well. I find that to be an awesome idea, and I wish I could find a major like that at Vandy... c'est dommage. I mean, these students are learning all the languages that are important for international business affairs, and they also speak Arabic because they're from Tunisia (or other parts of Africa); thus, they will be able to close business deals with other Arabic countries- Iran, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, etc.

Unfortunately, I also found the students to be a little rowdy and unfocused in their classes. The professor had to stop several times to call the class back to order. For me, it was like being back in sixth grade and not so much like being in a university. I also remarked that some of the students didn't speak French very well. It was then that I learned that French is not an official language of Tunisia; it's Arabic. Even in the hotel, there are servers who don't speak French very well. This makes it a little difficult to communicate with the people there, especially if they're not educated. In the hotel, I've noticed several times when a manager has had to translate from French to Arabic for me...

Next, we had a round table discussion with the fac and students of the university. It was really nice thought, but I didn't like the themes too much. We talked about the financial crisis which is important, but I would have liked to talk about the culture or even about how the students will react to the crisis. First off, there was an official government representative there- overkill much? Yep. He talked the entire time and he only gave the "official" answers to our questions. Also, we couldn't talk about politics. This is completely different from what happens in America and definitely different from what happens in France! When one of our group members asked about the president, the entire room went silent. I have never witnessed something like that. And Tunisia's supposed to be a democratic country! Even the professors- who are usually the source of critique in a society couldn't answer our question. It was stupifying.

Later that night, we went bowling with some the students from the university. We played several games together and it was a really great chance to talk to them about their lives and their studies in Tunisia.

In all, though, I really enjoyed the day. I liked meeting the students and the entire situation made me feel better about the people here.

Tunis, Tunisie- le 16 avril

So, I know it's been a while since I've written, but I'm going to try to do better. I have a few things to catch up on, but I want to start with my trip to Tunisia. I had to keep a journal while I was there, and I'm just going to translate my journal entries from French to English and put them on the blog, so here goes!

I just arrived in Tunisia and I am finding it extraordinary! It's really funny for me to imagine being able to go to Africa by taking an hour-long flight- it's really crazy what technology has given to us!

The first thing that I noticed was that even though Tunisia is a country with a strong Muslim presence, and a lot of extremists (according to my Maghreb class), there are a lot of people who dress with a western style. Personally, I don't know if it's because we're in a big city which has a really strong European influence, or if the people here just have western habits, but it's a image that we don't get to see very often when speaking about Africa.

On the trip from the airport to the hotel, I noticed that there was a lot of construction. I wonder if it's because the area is developing and Tunisia's growing bigger or what. It's a question that I will have to ask later... perhaps. I also noticed that people drive a lot more here in Tunisia. In Aix, you don't really need a car for everyday things- the city's small enough that you can walk everywhere! In Tunis, however, I see only a few people walking; most people are driving in cars or riding on the bus.

Another thing, I noticed that there aren't as many recycling bins as there are in Aix. Granted, we're in the middle of a touristy city, but it just seems to me that recycling isn't as important here as it is in France. The driving and the lack of recycling makes me the think of an American city...

On the other hand, I realized to what point tourism is important for this city. I dare say that I've met more foreigners here that "real" Tunisians- and it's really shocking! We talked a lot about how tourism is the big industry here before we left Aix, but I never realized how big it was! I've met Englishmen, Germans, Asians, etc.- and it's really interesting.

The other big thing that I noticed is that the hotel staff is a little curt at times. They don't have a lot of patience. Even so, I try to speak to them politely in French... they're a little spéciaux. Despite that, the hotel is AWESOME! It's on the beach, there's a pool, a tennis court, etc.- it's great! I also really like the other guests at the hotel too- they're really nice.

Au théâtre

It's been a while, but I finally have some free time to get some things out on paper.

First off, I went to see a student production about a week ago. It was called Personne ne voit la vidéo. It was a pretty good show- a little comical at times, a lot of social commentary, and perhaps a little philosophy as well. Let's just say that it made me very happy to have gone to see it. What was it about? Well, it starts off with a woman who has just been left by her husband. Because of this, she has to find a job to support or herself and her teenage daughter. At least, that's the main point in a nut shell- I won't bore you with details. The interesting part is what the play has to say about consumerism. The lady's job is to get people to talk about the products they buy and why. With this information, the company tries to create new products that consumers would also buy. Since most people feel the need to explain the situation leading up to a purchase, the manufacturing company is able to anticipate different markets... I hope that makes sense.

While in the interview, consumers are often asked what they bought and why. While most can answer what they bought, they have a hard time telling why they bought something. And thus, our female protagonist comes up with the idea that people have money and they also have the need to spend it. It's not a question of morality because purchasing something can't be a good or bad act. At least, that's what she thinks. I guess you have to make that decision for yourself. I mean, I kind of agree, but I also know that I buy into the consumer culture of America (and the Western world for that matter). I try my best to make sure that I'm a conscientious consumer, but who knows how good I am at that, and at the end of the day sometimes I just want a new pair of shoes... at the end of a lot of days, in fact.

The other part of the play was the philosophical part. It sort of complemented the consumerism part, insomuch that the actors tried to find a way to define themselves. They sort of asserted (implicitly, of course) that people try to define themselves through material possessions. The actors say that one should be defined by the people one meets, the places one goes, etc. I like that idea, but I'm all for allowing people to define themselves in whatever manner they want. Part of being a person is comparing yourself to others. On ne peut pas s'accomplir sans l'Autre. I'm sure (almost) that's from Sartre... Great guy.

The other thing I want to talk about is High School Musical. I watched all three movies this weekend, and maybe I'm sentimental, a wuss, sensitive, blah blah, but it made me really sad. Especially the last one. Of course, I had my moment of depression when it was time for me to leave my friends and family behind to go away for college, but I never considered what it would be like leaving college behind! You go off to college, but I think most people have this idea that they'll go back to their hometown to work or whatever... I know I do. But after college what do you do? Wait ten years for a reunion that you may or may not be able to go to? Promise to "keep in touch"?

I've always wondered why humans have the need to make friends especially when they know they'll have to say goodbye. What in us makes it worth the heartache and pain to go through getting to know someone, being there fore them, etc, and then having to let them go for whatever reason? What is it in us, that against all logical, self-preserving thought, makes it worth it? That's one of the reasons I've always maintained that Rousseau's wrong about man not being a social creature. Solitary living is not for us- that's why we band together. Even the most primitive among us lives in tribes where they look after one another and depend on each other. But having to graduate and knowing that I may not see some of my friends again is a really sobering thought. Especially when so many come from so far away- Cali, Mexico, CHINA.

On a happier note, I think I want to stay in Aix for the summer. Although I'll be officially finished with my French major by the end of the semester, I've proposed to work on an honors thesis. While in Aix, I want to do research on immigration and how the French state deals with immigrant issues. It would great to work here, because I'm just 30 minutes or so away from Marseille which houses a large population of North African immigrants. I think it would be great to hear from the people who actually are dealing with the issue at hand. It also helps that my thesis advisor would be the professor-in-residence during the summer. I think I've launched a pretty good argument, let's just hope it works.

Lastly, I give you the best news of all- I've purchased my tickets to GREECE!!! I'm really excited to be going even though it's like a month away. Being able to see where Western civilization started will be so cool. Not to mention that the Greeks are HOT!!! Sorry, I couldn't help it. So, the plan is to go Nice for a day trip, fly up to Paris the next day, and then head over to Athens. I'll be meeting a lot of my friends who are abroad this semester which will be awesome because I haven't seen them in such a long time!!!

The least you need to know:

1. When consumerism meets existentialism a great show is afoot!
2. HSM- critique of human interactions at its best. That's right; I said it.
3. Give me my honors thesis research time this summer in Aix or DEATH!!!
4. Food for thought: if the 10 year reunion were in Greece, I bet more people would come.
   

Maman, j'ai raté l'avion

To start off with: DON'T BE AFRAID TO LEAVE COMMENTS! I'd really like to know what you think, if you have questions, if I have spelling/grammar mistakes, etc. I'm trying my best to include everything (this blog is as much for me as it is for you), but I might leave out things! Help me out!

Ok, so, here goes, just to prove that the best of us have faults, I'd like you all to know that I missed my flight this morning. I was supposed to be visiting one of my good friends in Copenhague. My Moroccan colloc woke me up this morning, and I though "oh, I'll just get a few more minutes' rest". Flash forward to 1230. My roommate comes back to find me still in bed. "Marquise, mais qu'est-ce que tu fais?!? C'est sur, tu vas être en retard. C'est impossible!" Yes, I had my moment. Hand me my sign. I called Air France and told them about the situation. I let them know that I was still planning on going to Copenhagen at some point, so they just gave a code to book another flight there at a later date (with a small fee attached, of course). The good news is my friend was not mad at me- to the contrary, she found it hilarious. I don't have classes on Friday, so I intend to leave one Thursday night and have a nice, long weekend in Copenhagen (and Paris, Madrid, Rotenburg, Rouen, Nice...).

So, what have I been doing in my spare time, you may ask. READING!!! During the semester? Yes!!! At Vandy I barely have time to pick up a book for fun. I'm always reading French literature or some philosophic text. It's nice to able to pick up a book and just read for fun. So far I've read The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. It's really cool mostly because it's from the point of view of a dog. This dog is convinced that dogs will become humans in their next life, so he tries to understand as best he can human interactions, dreams, ambitions, etc., so he doesn't have to waste time when he gets there. It's a really interesting, easy read. I've also read An Arsonist's Guide to Writer's Homes in New England by Brock Clark. It's a hilarious novel. It's so funny because the narrator has some of the most random logic. For instance (don't kill me for this- I'm trying to pique your interest), in the story his wife accuses him of cheating on her. At first he denies it. After a while, however, he just agress with his wife (though he isn't cheating on her) because he knows that she will never believe him any way. Hilarious, right? Now, I'm working on a book called A Spy's Life by Henry Porter. It's pretty good so far, but I'm only on chapter 7, so we'll see how that goes. I left my collection of Harry Potter books at home- too much weight for the suitcase-, but my parents, being the awesome people that they are, bought me all 7 on CD. When I'm particularly bored, but not quite wanting to read, I just put in my headphones and listen to Jim Dale read the stories to me. Yeah, I'm one of those people.

It's finally starting to warm up here. I'm so glad because the city's so nice, but I haven't seen too much of it because I refuse to walk around in the cold- don't forget about the constant threat that is le Mistral (see earlier post). Now that it's started to warm up some, though, I don't mind being a little more adventurous. Aix is really a nice town, and the Aixois don't have that provincial accent which is great because franchement, c'est l'horreur!!! Everyone I've met has been really nice and very helpful. I mean, I can be walking home from going out at 4 in the morning, walk up to a random stranger and ask how to get to la Rotonde, and they'll give me directions. A few have even offered to walk with me. I guess southern manners are everywhere- who knew? No offense to the Northern readers- I appreciate New England (especially CT- woot woot!!!).

While at the Muséum d'histoire naturelle, I watched as another intern gave a tour of our dinosaur exibit to a group of primary school students. I was pretty interesting and I followed along pretty well. At the end of the tour, we give the students a sheet to fill out. It has pics of the dinosaurs and asks for their names, weight, diet, etc. It also asks how they defend themselves. One of the dinosaurs we have on exibit is Anklyosaurus- the one with the spiked back and the ball of spikes on its tail. Well, spiked-back in French is simply called bouclier like "armour", but I didn't know that. So, a little guy walks up to me as says "Monsieur, c'est quoi un bouclier". To which I'm forced to reply, "Ben, je ne sais pas, moi". My French was on the same level as this little guy. Luckily for me, I possessed something he had not yet developped- critical thinking skills and how to elimate options when given multiple choices! Yes! I felt better, however, when I know the difference between un oeuf and les oeufs; un os and les os (in both cases, you pronounce the final consonant in the singular, but not in the plural). Thank you phonetics!

The least you need to know:

1. If you have a flight, set MULTIPLE alarms and know that the bed is your ENEMY!
2. If at first you don't succeed, try to fly again.
   
3. I might have to stay in France, so I can keep reading!!!
4. I might have the vocabulary of an 8 year old, but I can read the international phonetic alphabet!!!
   

Le Carnaval de Nice

This weekend I went to Nice. For those who aren't familiar with French geography, Nice is in the South of France and right on the Mediterranean. As requested, I will try to include more pics in my blogs that way you can see first-hand what I'm seeing while I'm here.

Of course, I love the beach, so when I got off the bus and saw blue water, I was sold. Aix is nice- no, correction, Aix is awesome, but Nice has the beach... It would be stiff competition for any city to compete with. But what's more is that there are also mountains. That's right, ladies and gentlemen, I could wake up and go for a morning swim (the Mediterranean waters tend to be warm), and then go for a hike, or even skiing. It's like being home in Virginia where the mountains and beach are both a few hours away!!! If you look at this pic, you'll see what I mean.

The downside would be that the beach isn't sandy. Don't let the pic fool you!!! There are cailloux (pebbles) down there. Granted, that didn't stop people from having an awesome time!!! As you can see, there were still people on the beach, running along the beach, taking pics of the beach... you get the idea.

Why was I in Nice, you may ask. Well, every year there's the Carnival of Nice. It's kind of like Mardi Gras in New Orleans. It's supposed to be a festival to get ready for Lent. The celebration that we went to is called la Bataille des Fleurs (The Battle of the Flowers). A lot of the floats had flowers on them, and they were supposed to represent a tribu (tribe) of Nice. That was pretty cool because you got to learn a little bit about the history of the city while looking at all the floats and stuff.

Another thing that was really cool- the costumes. They were really elaborate and flashy, and they made me feel really happy. This particular costume was really cool. I call it the Peacock-angle Man. As you can see, he seems to have both wings and feathers. I don't know exactly what they were going for, but it looks cool!!!


My favorite float of the day, however, had to be the dragon!!! His head moved, he had smoke coming out of his nostrils, and he was not afraid to get ridiculously close to the crowd. It was really nice!!! To think that people put all that hard work into a float that will only be used this one time... It's an amazing thought!!! That's dedication!!!


Finally, as I contemplated my trip, I thought to myself, "I could live here". And what do you know, they have a palais de justice. So now, all I have to do is find a French law school that will have me, move to France, become a lawyer (then judge), and pass my days swimming, presiding, and skiing. What luck!!!

The least you need to know:

1. Nice was nice!!! See what I did there?
2. Le Carnaval was a chance to learn a little about the city's history, and a great time to have fun.
3. I want to go back; perhaps to visit, perhaps to live. I'll keep you posted.
   

Stage, Manifestations, et les Maghrebins

This week was a good week for me. I've met a lot of people, I've tried new things, and now I'm going to write about it. For the Anglophones, the title of this article is "internship, protests, and the maghrebins (those from the Francophone region of Northern Africa). I just want to discuss these things a little bit.

I'm working at the Muséum d'Histoire naturelle (the Natural History Museum). I'll be there all this semester, and I'll be able to help them with their new exhibits. The museum has a sister institution in the United Kingdom, and they also have a lot of anglophone visitors. My job is to translate the signs beside the exhibits into English, so that English-speakers who take the tour can understand what's written. It's kind of fun. I'm learning a lot of vocab; of course, I don't know how often I'll use the word "scavenger" in French...

While at the museum, I'll be working on two exhibits. The first will be on Darwinism. We're starting with Lucy and working our way up to all the modern-day discoveries. It all seems to be really interesting. Granted, this kind of research doesn't really help me with my French or philosophy major, but oh well. The second exhibit will be a lot more interesting. It's called Métamorphose (metamorphosis). It will analyze the half-human, half-animal creatures that appear in mythology, and try to determine where these images came from- that is to say, whether or not they have any foundation in reality. I'm curious about it, although I already have my answer (or at least I think I do). This exihibit will at least help me with my philosophy major because there are tons of references to Antiquity in philosophy, and I'm a nerd and I like mythology.

Let's be honest, the French protest a lot. When we first arrived, a lot of the buses and trains were shut down because people wanted to know what the French government was going to do about the economy. They wanted to make sure that they wouldn't be fired, that there would still be jobs, and that they would not loose pay. They called for President Sarkozy to come forward and let them know, concretely, what he was planning to do. Now, a few weeks later, we have another strike. This time it's in the educational sector. The French government is trying to reform the educational systems, and a lot of students and professors do not approve. The government is trying to decrease the amount of hours a professor can work while also increasing class sizes. They also want to make acceptance to universities more selective. As it is now, if you pass you bac, you have the right to attend any public university in the country. The process is only more selective if you're going to one of the Grandes Ecoles (like Sciences Politiques in Paris, for example). The thing about the bac is that a passing grade is considered to be 10/20 or higher. It's a little bit harder in America, right? Yes. The good thing is a lot of students get to pursue a higher education. The bad thing is the government is having a hard time funding the education sector which is already where France spends most of its money. The government also want to increase the fees for attending a university. Whenever I bring up the 50k dollar cost of a Vandy education, the French look at me; mouths hanging wide. Here, even the Grandes Ecoles (the schools that will form the French elite) cost about 6k euros. Yeah, crazy. And so, they strike and protest to say that they don't agree with the present legislation, that it needs to be reviewed, and that another solution must be found.

It's definitely something that I haven't seen before in America. I don't think we strike or protest as much. We just call up our representatives and have our elected officials do that for us. It makes life a whole lot easier. Maybe we're lazier, but it makes me happy to know that political change is only a phone call away.

The last thing that I want to talk about are the Maghrebins. I don't know if that's an English would, but in any case, it's the people who live in the northern, francophone region of Africa. For one of my classes, we study the history of this region and we're also going to Tunisia this spring. For the class, our professor invited 4 men, and 5 women to come to class and talk to us about Islam, Maghreb, and just the general cultural differences. It was a really interesting conversation. These students were really into their faith, and it was the first time that I've had my beliefs confirmed- that Western thought is just different from the Middle-Eastern thought. For example, we were talking about polygamy and one of my friends asked it the women would feel ok if their husbands had to go out and find someone else to fulfill their "needs". In America, a woman would say "yes", and that kind of behavior would even be grounds for divorce. But these women said that it was not that bad, that they would approve, that a man should do that instead of suffering. What?!? Pardon? Comment? Excusez-moi?! I've always said that we all just have a different way of seeing the world, but now I've had that belief confirmed. I love being right. It makes me happy.

It was still nice to hear their reasoning. To be fair, the other side of the polygamy argument was that the husband had to ask permission from his wife, and he must do for one what he does for the other. That is to say, if he buys one wife a gift, he has to buy one for the other; if he spends the night with one wife, he has to spend the next night with the other. I guess that makes it better... The only thing I can say that made me unhappy about the process was how they refused to be critical about their religion. I'm a pretty devout Catholic, but I'll argue against Christianity just to have an interesting debate. They would never do that, and I think that's a little unfortunate. I feel the best way to ensure you really believe something is to be able to argue against it; to question it. How else can you be sure that you're convictions are justified?

In all, though, the people were really open about the entire thing. They answered our questions without reservations, and even offered to hang out with us afterward. It was really a great experience, especially since I've never hung out with Muslims and talked about religion. It was an enlightening experience. I think I'd like to continue the dialogue.

The least you need to know:

1. Darwinism and Metamorphosis- what more can a guy ask for?
2. Free time? Let's go protest!!!
3. Intellectual conversations surrounding Islam can be entertaining. And my parents always told me not to talk about religion in polite company...
4. I'm going to NICE tomorrow. Yeah, that's right.
   

"Oui, tu peux enlever ton pull"

I usually like to find themes when I'm writing this blog, but it turns out that I can't think of one. So, much like the random quotation that serves as the title, this blog will be about some random things I've noticed since I've been in France.

Random observation the first: Imagine you're walking down the street (singing doo wah didee didee dum didee doo), and you see a parent with their children. If you're in America, it's more than likely that the parent is the mother of the children, but here in France, au contraire, it's the father. I really enjoy the fact that fathers go out with their children, take them to the park, or push strollers around the city. It's really nice to see the sharing of parental responsibilities. Why is this important? Well, if you want to be really scientific about it, Freud said that it's the father's presence that helps a child develop his surmoi (super-ego). You know, that thing that helps you define proper behavior and keeps you from doing things that are socially unacceptable- stealing, killing, lying, breaking your brother's toys, etc. Of course, Freud was wrong about a lot of things, but let's be honest, how many times have you heard "wait until your father comes home"? I rest my case.

Random observation the second: Here in PACA (the region Aix is in) there's this little wind called le Mistral- literally the Master- and when it blows it goes all out! One night this week, I heard it howling all night in the streets. I could NOT sleep AT ALL because it was blowing ferociously, pushing around shutters, scaring cats, stealing first-born children (j/k... I think), etc. That's not the worse part, oh no. We should hope to only loose a couple of hours of sleep. No, during the day which can get a little chilly, the Mistral chills you to the bones. I guess it could be refreshing in the summer, but in the winter it just brings tears to my eyes- not an exaggeration.

Random observation the third: There are dogs everywhere!!! It's like Christmas!!! And they're so well-trained. There are no leash laws in France, so they kind of just walk beside their owners down the street, stopping here and there to smell a spot, and then continuing on their way. Some of the dogs can even be trusted INSIDE THE STORES!!! Could you imagine a dog in a store, or, God forbid, a restaurant in America? No, because it would not- could not happen. They don't bark or try to bite you as you walk by. It's an excellent process. But as with all great things, there comes a consequence. Walking is now an Olympic sport. You must have one eye on the ground at all times. There is crap all along the sidewalk, and no one stops to pick it up. No, no. Again, in America, this would be illegal. Normally, you'd have your little plastic baggie, you'd turn it inside out, you'd pick up the poo, and then place it in the trash can. Not in France. There are tons of trash cans, and tons of plastic bags, but no one has yet made the connection.

Random observation the fourth: The French like to learn. I can't begin to count how many times I've had intellectual conversations here in France. It's no big deal to be at a house party and to start talking about les droits de l'homme, religion, existentialism. I LOVE it. Mostly because I'm a philosophy major, I like hearing well-structured arguments, and I like debating. There are no hard feelings afterwards, in fact, there's usually just a lot more to talk and think about. How great is that? It's like Voltaire said "on a le devoir d'être intelligent". Of course, it could be that most of the Frenchies I'm friends with are college kids, but really, how many times have you been at a frat party and started talking about the Absurdity of suicide? Check and mate.

This weekend we're going to Nice for Carnaval. It should be AWESOME!!! I'm really looking forward to it. I might have to make a separate post just for the occasion. Don't hold you're breath, though, I'm pretty lazy.

On a sadder note, I had my second huge bout of homesickness yesterday. I listened to Bublé's "Home" and it got me. I'm good now, though. More good news- I got some letters today!!! Thanks to all the people back home who wrote to me!!! I'll be responding soon. I can't afford to loose my mastery over the English language. Someone has to know the rules!!!

The least you need to know:

1. French dads, deux fois bravo for spending time with the kids.
2. The Mistral is kidnapping kids- BEWARE!!!
3. Dogs are cute; their poo- not so much.
4. Take a stance and defend it!!!
5. Nice, here I come. "The day of reckoning is upon you!"
   

On sort ce soir?

Oh, France at night; is there anything more beautiful? Or at least as hilarious? I've noticed a few things about the nightlife here in France. For starters, if you like to go out and then get back in before it gets too late, just stay home!!! The bars don't really get busy until after midnight, and most of the clubs don't even open until 2 in the morning!!! These little facts turn a Saturday night into the latest night of your life. It's nothing to come back home at 4 or 5 in the morning, and then to sit up with friends and chat about life afterwards. This also means that you sleep until 1 or 2 in the afternoon on Sunday. It's pretty intense. People like me have had to step up our game!!!

The greatest part by far is the drunk Frenchies!!! They make me laugh and fill my heart with joy. Last night I went to a house party... Not really a house party because it was in a studio apartment. There were so many people and there was sooo much smoke, but it was great!!! I really had a good time. The French are so nice. I actually met a guy who has a girlfriend that goes to Yale, and he's even going for an internship where he'll only be able to speak English. Imagine me and the Frenchie speaking to one another, he to me in English, and I to him in French. It was very interesting. It was also hilarious to see the French guys and their drunk interactions. They have no qualms with kissing one another, or grinding on one another... It gets really steamy very quickly... I try not to judge.

I also like the option between going out to a bar or club or going to a friend's house to hang out. They both have different atmospheres, and different pros and cons. At a club you can DANCE. I love to DANCE- it's the best past time EVER!!! Unfortunately, you can't talk to other people (mostly because you can't hear them), and some of the other people at the club can be a little sketchy... I'm just saying... For example, one of my first nights out, I went to a club called IPN. It's supposed to be a typical college student club. It was a lot of fun, and then i met Quentin. Quentin cam up and introduced himself, so of course I introduced myself. I thought he was just being an overly-friendly, drunk French guy- it happens. But then he proceeded to hit on me the ENTIRE night. Literally. Now, I'm not a confrontational guy, and, what's more, I'm not use to being hit on (and definitely not as aggressively as Quentin was hitting on me). I mean this guy was talking to me, offering me drinks, asking to dance, etc. All my friends just laughed at me because lack of experience showed through my "calm" facade. In retrospect, he was a pretty nice guy (and hot from what the girls who were with me say), and I guess I'm pretty flattered. It's a memory.

Going to a friend's house is also very great. There's still music, but at least here you can really talk to the French students and get to know them. I've made a lot of friends here- they're all so very welcoming (that might have something to do with the amount of "liquid courage" they consume). I guess this might be my second favorite setting. I really like getting to know the others, and I love hearing them try to speak English with their little accents. It's adorable. It's also a great time to test my own French comprehension. These kids don't hold back when they speak! There's slang, they don't articulate, and they speak wicked fast (especially if they're from Paris or northern France); it's really the French of everyday people and not professors. I love it!!!

My least favorite, you might have guessed, is the bar. It's loud so you can't hear, there's no music, and people are usually really drunk, so even if you could hear, they probably wouldn't be saying anything worth listening to any way. I tolerate the bars if they're a means of getting to a club or another party. Otherwise, I'm usually outie.

So, this is a summary of the night life here in France (in Aix, at least). The least you need to know:

1. Drunk Frenchies are HILARIOUS!!!
   
2. You stay out late and sleep in- French clubbing is not for the faint of heart.
3. Clubs, house party, bars- you've gotta prioritize, people!!!
4. The French you learn in school is not the tip of the iceberg...

Allez hop, on mange!!!

FOOD!!! Miam miam!!! How could I come to France, write a blog, and not talk about food? Well, I can't; I couldn't!!! It's physically impossible.

Needless to say, the food here in France is DELICIOUS! I don't know what I'm going to do when I get back home... I will say, however, that it's a little bit harder to find vegetarian food. I don't quite understand that. You'd think the French would have caught on by now. Well, I guess you can't have your cake and eat it too. In their defense, however, I will say that they go to great lengths to maintain the integrity of their food. You can go to open-air markets, or to the local grocery store for your produce. They make sure (unlike in the U.S.) that the food has not been genetically engineered (if it has, they seller has to mark it as such), and that's awesome in and of itself. They also have organic food (biologique ou bio) which is even more delicious!!! The French really take pride in their food!!!

I've mentioned this in another blog, but I eat with a French family four times a week. They live a little outside the centre ville, so it's always a fun, albeit cold walk to dinner. Nonetheless, I love the opportunity to eat with a French family because I learn so much about the culture from people who really live it everyday. The mother of the family serves us traditional French foods, and special foods from the region as well- it's great. But what I love the most about the entire thing (the reason I keep going back) is the fact that dinner in the French family is an art form. From the presentation of the food to the conversations we have; everything is controlled and, most importantly, thoroughly enjoyed.

• Appetizer: we usually talk about our day. How our classes went, and what we learned. They'll make a comment or two on how our French is improving, or maybe through in a new vocab word that we will take note of for future reference. At the beginning, we talked about our family and the kinds of things that we liked to do at home to pass the time. Now, we talk about how we continue these activities while in France. It's nice.
• Main course: This is where we lose all pretense and really go for it. We talk about religion, politics, and all those things that I was raised never to mention at the table. We've talked about the inauguration and what that means for the United States, we've covered the growing Chinese economy and how they will soon dominate the world market, we've talked about tragedies at American universities and in other countries. We leave no stone unturned and every opinion is welcomed (as long as it can be thoroughly defended!).
• Salad and cheese: We usually continue with the main course conversation, but start to bring it down a little bit. We make our final points, and hope that we haven't stepped on too many toes; although, that would be a necessary casualty of getting our point across.
• Dessert: This is where we move into safe territory. We talk about our homework, our plans for the night, our plans for the weekend, or anything that comes to mind really. It's a good way to make sure there are no hard feelings. They even give us chocolate to make sure that we keep coming back- haha.

And, yes, we do eat four course meals four times a week- and they think the Americans eat a lot!!!

But as you can see, dinner is more than just a time to eat. It's a chance to express yourself, and this self-expression usually takes about an hour to an hour and a half. It's never rushed, and we always leave feeling like we've had a wonderful time.

The least you need to know:

1. French food is GREAT!!! DUH!!!
2. Dinner table conversaiton is like a dance- intricate, beautiful, and entertaining.
3. Yes, four courses!!! Count 'em!!!
   

A propos de la politique...

I guess the next big thing to talk about is politics. I know that a lot of the French have been waiting for Bush to pack his bags, and to be honest, I have too. BUSH IS NOT A GOOD CONSERVATIVE. Government spending has never been more out of control, the war in Iraq is a mess, and I'm sure we can find a few other problems with the administration. I just need to get that off of my chest, and also to show all the left-wingers out there that there are conservatives who are just as upset as they are.

Of course, I consider myself a conservative (in case you hadn't guessed), but I think I might be rethinking some of my politics. Now, let's not be crazy and think I'm going all liberal... but libertarian might not be that far off (I don't think I'm a very good one I might add). I'm still not for big government because I think that's absolutely ridiculous, but I'm starting to by into the French idea of la vie public contre la vie privée. Here in France, there is a clear distinction between the two.

***Quick digression: I eat with a French family 4 times a week, and I've discussed some of these issues with them.***

So, for instance, although the mother and father of my family don't agree with gay marriage, they don't feel like it's their place to make a political decision on how others should live their lives. Another huge difference to be mentioned is the complete separation between Church and State (the French call that laïcité). I think that we Americans should work on having a more defined definition between the two as well.While watching the inauguration of Obama, they found nothing more hilarious than the prayer at the beginning and in the middle of the ceremony. Again, they place religion in the private sphere and French politicians just don't acknowledge that part of their lives while working. And though I consider myself a devout Catholic, I still think that this might be a good deal for all parties involved.

Basically, I've come to the point where it's not that I don't care about social issues; rather, I feel like I don't have the authority to make those kinds of decisions for those around me. Of course, I can still choose to live a semi-traditional, conservative life, but I can't expect that from people who have different backgrounds and outlooks than me. I feel that this is a big step for me, and I guess this sort of separation makes me a libertarian (though I still want public schools, health clinics, and other things). I mean, let's be honest, as long as you're not messing with my funds, I'm good.

Oh, and let's not forget about marijuana. Of course, I'm not a smoker (of anything), but if the States were to legalize pot, think of all the money we could make from taxing it!!! I think it's a great idea. Granted, I hate smoking, the smoke in the air, the stench it leaves behind, and the stupidity that usually ensues, but I'll suffer stupidity if I can make some money from it. It's not my brain, after all. I know that's not how the usual argument runs, but I'm not the average guy.

The trip to France isn't what got me thinking about all of this. Actually, this last election cycle and all the campaigning had me thinking about the future of our country and the direction I want it to go in. I don't think the Democrats have all of the answers (or the majority of them, for that matter), but I don't think the Republicans have done all that well at leading the country. The war in Iraq was a horrible idea. The Republicans should have called Bush out on it. Forget partisanship!!! (I'm not for an immediate withdrawal though, because we've destroyed their way of life and we need to re-establish some sense of stability before leaving- just to clarify). So, the French didn't make me change my politics, but I think they do the best job of expressing what I've been trying to find all this time.

There's a lot of thinking left to be done about the subject, but I think I'm growing as a person. In my opinion, that's what college is all about- growing as a person, tolerating other perspectives, and thinking critically. Oh, and another thing- I don't like that people consider being open-minded with being liberal. That's not at all what it means. Being open-minded is the willingness to accept that there are people who live differently from you, have different values than you, or have a different worldview. It does not mean that you have to agree with these values, views, or lifestyles. You can very easily know about the differences and still think that they are not the best way to live one's life!!! There, now that that's all clarified, let's review.

The least you need to know:

1. A new president; a new era.
2. Libertarian? Yes? No? Maybe so.
3. Let's all try to be a little more open-minded ( but still maintain the definition of words... some things aren't open to interpretation).
   

En France, enfin!!!

So, I finally decided that I actually would try to keep a blog to immortalize all my adventures here in France for myself, my family, and my friends!!! I've been waiting for this trip for quite some time. In fact, when I first went to France, I told myself that I would come back. After about 5 years or so, here I am- FINALLY!!!

Now, where is "here" exactly? Well, I'm in a small town called Aix-en-Provence!!! It's a rather chic town, and a little expensive as well. I LOVE it, though. I'm study with the Vandy program, and I'm making a lot of French friends (for future visits, of course!) I'm living in an aparte with 5 other people. It's cool because this is the first time I've ever lived in a city all by myself. I'm cooking, going out, studying, and being responsible (Mom and Dad should be proud!) It's also really cool to see that my French is good enough to survive here... the next test will be my trip to Paris. I can fool them, then I can fool the WORLD!!!

Classes are good. I'm taking some cultural classes. The one that interests me the most is Political Ecology (which should make all the environmentalists out there very happy- I'm expanding my horizons!!!) I don't really know that much about the subject, so I figured tackling new things is what college is all about. I'm also looking for an internship to get out of the ever-present Vanderbubble. And, of course, I'm trying to join the university choir, because, let's be honest, a guy's gotta sing.

I think I've pretty much covered all the preliminary things. I'll probably post some more stuff in the next couple of days to get everyone up to speed, but here's the least you need to know:

1. France is fun- you should visit.
2. I'm adjusting quickly and doing well (not too homesick).
3. The classes are fun, the people are nice, and the food is wicked AWESOME!!!
4. I have never had so much wine in my life...
   
5. Did I mention that France is fun?