"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!"