Tuesday, June 26, 2012

A Long Overdue Explanation

Two weeks without blogging...don't worry, I'm not dead!

So many things have happened in those two weeks too, which makes me feel badly because I never elaborated on any of them and thus you all are in the dark about my wonderful tales from Paris.

Wonderful indeed...haha

I have found that I have completely conflicting emotions concerning this trip, my experiences here, reflections, and really just everything in general. It's hard to pinpoint what I'm feeling, but here I'll try, just for you.

I know there have been several times where I've wondered about the progress of my language production and proficiency. It's hard for me because I continuously want to compare my experiences from being in France now and back in 2008. I have to consciously tell myself that it's like comparing apples and oranges because the purpose of the two programs is completely different. I don't like that I feel like I haven't gained proficiency in ANY way, but I suppose the fact that being here has kept me from losing proficiency is a compromise.

I keep on wondering if I'm going to wake up one day and forget English. I try and remember what my language was like after three/four weeks last time I was in France, and I'm pretty sure I was still struggling with some of the French production. However, this time around I am noticing a lot of "franglais" or times where I want to reply in French even if I know the person I'm talking to does not understand French. I actually think this will hold true for a few weeks back in America, so that's something to look forward to =P

I feel that once I set out to NOT be a tourist I started enjoying myself more. I didn't feel bogged down by going places I've already been or seeing things I've already seen, and that helped me let go of a lot of grudges I held for the city. The only sad thing about that is everyone else still wants to see the landmarks and be a tourist, so I ended up going on a lot of adventures by myself. The price you pay, I suppose. I have been blessed with the ability to look at a map, know where I am, and know how to proceed without being completely confused.

With that in mind, I have to say this trip did help my self-confidence quite a bit. I had always been afraid of living in big cities and relying on things like public transportation or walking everywhere not being able to trust the person next to you. Spending a month in Paris has shown me that I can adapt to the city life quite well. I know I still prefer suburbia, but at least I know I won't die if I move to intercity.

There have been some struggles, however. Besides home sickness and the mind numbingness of my classes, technology just hasn't been on my side this trip. First I thought I killed my mac charger, and now my mac just wants to follow suit. The backlight for the screen is refusing to work. Articles online say it could be from dust or the wire could be dislodged, or it might be damaged and need replacing, which is EXACTLY what I want to hear in France with a year left of university! Not... thankfully I have coaxed it into staying lit on literally the lowest setting without going completely black. And being back in the states in five days, hopefully I'll be able to sort this all out soon.

I don't like complaining about my courses because I knew from the beginning that I was going to be on the advanced side of the language, and there's nothing that my complaining will accomplish. I'm glad to be able to earn the credits I need for my major and I will say that I'm glad I came here. However, I feel that Ball State needs to reevaluate the necessity of an immersion experience in certain cases. But, that rant is for another time in a more conducive environment.

There were some great things that I got to accomplish here that I would not have been able to accomplish if I had gone to Quebec, like:

-Be part of a live studio audience for a major French news show
-See a ballet at the Opera Garnier in my own private balcony box with a friend
-Realize that I'll never get tired of seeing the Eiffel Tower lit up at night
-Create an English dub for a short film being entered in film festivals around the world
-Gain a full new appreciate for Paris

Even though I still have a few more days so I want to save my final reflections until then, I will say that if I hadn't come on this trip, then I would still have my nose in the air thinking that Paris is just a smelly city with lots of attractions for tourists who don't speak French. I don't think that at all anymore, and I can see myself actually wanting to return in the future.

And that's the final thing I want to talk about here today: returning. Just based on my homesickness from being here for a couple weeks, I am definitely not in a hurry to return anytime soon for an extensive visit. My two professors and the director of the program think that I would do very well teaching English here in France; and even though I think it would be a great opportunity I don't think I could live here for nine months with my friends, family, or significant other back in the states. However, I know Ben and I have talked about once we get jobs in schools teaming up have bringing students over here to learn about the language and history of the city. I feel that in that capacity where I get to play "expert" instead of tourist, and it's only for a week or two, I would enjoy it much more and be willing to return. And let's not mention that typically if so many students sign up the teachers get to go for free!

So I'm sorry that it has taken me so long to make any sort of update; even my other blog has suffered! I suppose just wrapping my head around the fact that I have been LIVING IN PARIS FRANCE FOR THE PAST THREE WEEKS is still something I struggle with. And of course we're leaving right when we start to get accustomed! I will say that my overall experience has been positive, but I am ready to be home.

Can't wait to see you all <3

Monday, June 11, 2012

Well that's Funny...

Just found out that all my friends here read my blog. Like, there were six of us in a room and they just started talking about my blog and asking if I had made any posts since Friday. Definitely took me by surprise. And now I'm posting this just to see if they'll see it and comment on it.

Now if only I could find a way to get Ben to do his rendition of the national anthem on film...

Friday, June 8, 2012

First Week Reflections

Well, it definitely is hard to believe that I've been here for a week! Things have become so regular already, it's hard to think of something actually notable to reflect on.

My classes are going well. I am taking a French Conversation and a French Literature course. Currently, both are extremely easy and set at a more intermediate rather than advanced level of language usage. Although it greatly annoyed me at first, it makes sense since this is the first week of class. I'm hoping that it'll get more advanced as the weeks go by.

The hardest challenge (with little surprise) is getting up for my 8:30 class. I currently have three alarms set to help me get up...here's hoping they continue to work!

The weather has been so interesting. I have to say I'm glad it's not in the 90s and humid like it is back home, but there is just a tad bit more rain than I would enjoy. Now don't get me wrong, I enjoy the rain. But with as big of a walking city Paris is and everything being outside, the rain gets in the way sometimes.

However, I have finally adjusted to the pace here. No more blisters and shin splints!

There are a lot of students who enjoy going out at night and going to a bar or a club, and I'm glad that the group of friends I typically with are not that way. There has been a lot of just exploring the city and hanging out in groups at the FIAP, so I'm glad I don't feel pressured or anxious to do other sort of things.

I still have mixed feelings about going out and drinking. I actually have not had any alcohol since the plane ride to France. I don't know if it's because I don't want to spend the money or if it's because I don't know what to drink or what. I just have not had a big pull to drink here in Paris. Again, it's only been the first week, so we'll see if that changes ;)

I really just feel like I'm back in college. Like, I have my routine, I have my homework, I have my friends. And I think that's probably why I'm still thrown off by the time difference, because everything here feels so normal. And of course my instant access to talk to everybody back home makes it feel like they're a couple cities away, not across the ocean lol.

Of course, the fact that there is no dining open 24/7 like at college and a lot of eateries on this side of Paris close around 9 pm...that part is still taking a little getting used to lol

Unfortunately, I have already lost interest in the city. People are still talking about wanting to visit places and take pictures and I'm just like...eh... And then people act like we'll never come again and that really doesn't sound like the worst thing in the world for me...I swear Ben is going to shank me if he reads this =P

But who knows? Maybe I'll have a change of heart in the next week and be completely in love. I'm not being pessimistic and purposefully trying to have a bad time because I'm not having a bad time at all! In fact, I think I've laughed more here than I have in the past month back home! It's just if this program were to be in Kentucky or Quebec or anywhere else I'd probably be have just as much fun as I'm having here.

Everything I would say is going well. I keep baring in mind that it's just been the first week so there's still lots of time for things to change. here's to keeping an open mind and enjoying the rest of the trip!

Monday, June 4, 2012

On That Note,

The way the internet works is a little finicky, and I think I should explain it so that we're all on the same page.

I have an access code that is good for the entire month. However, with this access code I can only be on one device with it. I can change devices, but if I'm on my computer, I can't be on my phone. If I'm on my phone, I can't be on my computer. It's a little tedious, especially when I'm doing homework but want to text someone, but I'd definitely take that over nothing at all!

Also, the internet is only in the FIAP. There are some other places that have wi-fi, such as the parks, but I have not ventured out for those yet. So, if we're texting and all of a sudden it seems like I've stopped, I'm probably just out of the wi-fi zone, or I've switched to my computer. I'll try and say something first, but if not, don't freak out lol.

Bonjour vs Bonsoir

I have a really big problem with still saying "bonjour" (literally, good day) in the evening. I'm used to it just translating to "hello", so whenever I want to say hello I say "bonjour". But apparently, once evening is upon us, it is customary to say "bonsoir" (literally, good evening). This gets REALLY interesting, because one does not say bonnuit (literally, good night) as a salutation, only as a good night, good bye sort of thing. Oh the French...

The past few days have been very relaxing. We're all just trying to gain some semblance of a routine going. Our classes started on Saturday but they were considered a "preview" because today (Monday) was the last day we could make changes. For me, dropping or changing my classes really isn't an option because these are the only two classes offered in French which I need for finishing my major. But it's ok, because I really don't want to change them, anyway.

I never thought I would say thing, though, but I think I'll enjoy my literature course more than my conversation course. Not that I have anything against literature, I just usually struggle with reading comprehension in English let alone French, and I thoroughly enjoyed my previous conversation classes whereas my literature ones are pretty hit and miss. However, I think that I'll like the literature course better because it's asking for a more advanced use of the French language, whereas the conversation class is still in an intermediate level. We're going over regular verbs and grammar points that I learned in my first year of French.

Anyway, needless to say my classes will not be a problem. Otherwise things have been going fairly well. I had a rough day on Saturday; I think a combination of jet lag, blisters, and disdain for the lack of immersion in this program just had me beaten down. However, some time with friends helped put my mood back in the green.

This comes the point where we get to "métro boulot dodo" where I do the same thing each day. Just to clarify this is by no means a daily post blog. If you want one, go to my other blog. I'll post if I have something I need to just be blunt about or I just want to generally recap what has been going on in the past few days. So, if you wanted specific information, I suggest you e-mail me =)

I tried getting Ben to repeat a French phrase after me, and I swear everyone at the table was laughing so hard from his pronunciations we all had muscle aches from smiling and laughing. He would say it close enough to be considered comprehensive and then literally the next time he would completely butcher it. Of course, his strong accent didn't help things at all =)

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Delayed Reaction Jet-Lag

Just realized that my jet-lag is not just being unwilling to wake up at 7:30 am when my body thinks it's 1:30 am...it's also being able to go to sleep at 11:30 pm when my body things it's 5:30 pm. I have yet to go to bed before 1:00 am here...and this is currently a problem because I have class at 8:30 am tomorrow morning and I'm sure my body will be resistant because it thinks it's only just 1:30 am when I try and wake up. GLORIOUS!

Just thought I'd share that little tidbit...where did I put my melatonin again?

Friday, June 1, 2012

My Catch Phrase

"What's that? I can't hear you over my view of the Eiffel Tower!"



Today, we woke up at 8:15 to get breakfast and plan our day off. We decided to go to the Eiffel Tower and have a picnic lunch right in one of the parks nearby. Today, not only was I the translator but I also played métro navigator, as it seemed I was the only one familiar enough with directions to navigate the train system. We ended up spending about five hours just roaming around that district of Paris, also finding the first model of the Statue of Liberty as well as taking several leisurely walks on and across the Seine.

When we got back to the FIAP, we had about 2 hours to kill before the one thing we had to do today. I ended up just going online and checking up on everything, making sure that I got the internet figured out and such. We had to go to a photo booth and get pictures taken for a couple of our passes, so I also cut the pictures to size and placed them accordingly. I tried to drink as much water as possible throughout the day to avoid dehydration, but around 4:00 pm I was getting too tired so I indulged in a "Coca-Light" (Diet Coke) to get my energy back up.

A lot of us weren't looking forward to the tour we had scheduled this evening because we were under the impression that it would be comparable to what we did the day before. Thankfully we didn't skip out because we saw a whole new side to the district, that's for sure. I had no idea we were so close to the catacombs! And the tour guide showed us a lot of useful stores and shops for our day-to-day usage as well as the "cheap food" district for meals. I know a bunch of us are planning to start exploring come tomorrow.

I am happy to say that my lunches so far have only been about 5-10 euros. If you convert it to dollars it seems terribly expensive, but considering what I budgeted, it makes me happy that it's actually that low.

After the tour, we went back to FIAP for dinner which was not my favorite. I'm really trying not to be picky about what I eat and try everything at least once, but I'm pretty sure tomorrow I'm going to play it safe with either quiche, chopped steak, or pizza.

After dinner we sat and talked for a bit. When the sun goes under buildings it actually gets quite cool outside, especially with the wind. It's hard to think about how I just got here when it feels like I'm already accustomed to everything. Highlight of the day was definitely booking tickets to see a ballet at the Paris Opera House!!!

Unfortunately, one cannot enjoy such a vacation without some negatives the balance out all the good. I don't want to sound like I'm not enjoying myself, because I am, but already there are some things that are starting to bug me:

-There is a clique already forming of "those" kind of Americans. Very stereotypical, very inappropriate, and very condescending. Hopefully being around the culture long enough will help take the edge off

-I have very little to no excitement to explore the city. Seeing the Eiffel Tower was nice and I am very excited to go back to the Opera House, but when we were just exploring I felt no sense of adventure in me. Unfortunately it reminded me often why I wanted to go to Quebec instead of Paris in the first place.

-The vast majority of participants on this program are from Kentucky, and they have that VERY thick and strong accent. I have always been a fan of the accent, I think it sounds soothing. But I'm noticing it start to come in my English drawl, and I don't like that. It's harder to speak French with exaggerated diphthongs...

-I lost my room key today and had to get it replaced. Did not realize I was going to be THAT girl. Rawr...

However, I feel the need to spread the word about some really positive points I've already noticed:

-When I speak French in town, I'm not looked down at as some silly American. Last time I came to Paris I didn't like the fact that they recognized my accent and automatically thought we couldn't speak the language, even when all we spoke was French. Currently, if I speak French to them, they reply back in French with no hesitation or English. That's definitely something that makes me smile =D

-Along with that, word must be getting out that I'm the token French major because more and more people are asking me to either translate or just give random vocabulary out for usage. I definitely love using the language like this.

-I had made a joke that if I didn't speak French I wouldn't have made as many friends so quickly, and almost everyone came back and countered it with that we would still be friends no matter what language anyone spoke. Even though I try and be as extroverted as possible, that definitely helped me not be so shy towards others in the group that I hadn't gotten to know yet.

-Even though I wasn't enjoying exploring Paris myself, I was definitely enjoying seeing everyone else enjoy exploring. I loved taking pictures of everyone and seeing their faces when we happened upon something historical or monumental. Not to mention being surrounded by people I consider friends, no matter where we are, it's definitely a good time.

There see? The bads don't cancel anything out. The bottom line is I'm glad I'm here to take classes and meet new people and gain experience in the language and society. Tomorrow the only thing I have on my plate is class from 1-3, and then I think we're going to tour the neighborhood on our own just to make our own discoveries. Should definitely be fun!