Frenched up in Frustration

So it's been 10 or so days since I've last posted. In that time I've worked my behind off trying to cram in all of the things I should have learned this semester in preparation for my exams. Thus far I've sat 3 of my 5 exams and I'm trying to forget about how I went... Because I'm really unsure. I'm hoping to pass, but this semester was super hard and the classes really disorganised. At present I'm desperately trying to become an expert in US/Latin American relations before Wednesday so that I can write the 4 essays in 2 hours that I'll have to do to pass (did I mention that the exam's worth 100% of my grade?GOTTA LOVE FRANCE!) I suppose time will reveal all...

So following the theme of French university frustration, below are some pictures that I have collected on my phone, during my adventures around school:

WHY ON EARTH ARE THE RAMPS (the only wheel-chair access) DANGEROUS AND ARE NOT FOR WHEELCHAIRS??? WHAA?? Sandra, what do you think about this???

So also, in France people generally park wherever they want. Anyone who's been to Paris would have noticed that the cars there are parked at awkward places at just about any intersection. Why? Because they can, (of course not legally)!

Look at this lovely obstacle that I had to pass on my way home from class on Wednesday night!

For further convincing, see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpfDuACYHEQ


In other news, the French national election has been making headlines this week. The first round of elections (there are two rounds) took place last Sunday. The two candidates left, Nicolas Sarkozy (France's current president) and François Hollande (leader of the socialist party) will go head to head a week from this coming Sunday.

Hollande

VS

Sarkozy


France is particularly concerned about the success of Marine le Pen (who came in third, following the first round). She's the leader of the 'National Front' party, which is extremely right wing. Her campaign included drastic (even racist) changes to immigration laws and a desire to cut France off from the rest of Europe. Each time she appears on TV, Caroline yells out 'grosse pute!' which means something along the lines of 'fat whore!' What can I say? The French are expressive and full of passion. But really, who wouldn't be when such a radical character nearly becomes president?

Le Pen

Ok, so enough political speak now. Since Jordan's been gone we've both been mopey on different sides of the world... But we're trying to remain positive. 


WARNING: WE DO NOT PHYSICALLY LOOK THIS WAY. THIS IS AN EMOTIONAL REPRESENTATION ONLY


This is a picture reflecting how I feel these days without Jordan:

This is an image reflecting how Jordan feels without me:

So there you have it - direct from a mopey, frustrated and stressed student trying to learn the history of the relations between the states and Latin America in 4 days. Oh.. Did I mention it's in French too?

The only happy one here is Mela, who is lying in the sun and trying to catch flies...



Fly catching... Mela's favourite hobby.

I hope you're all feeling bright and chipper! Over and out

Alice

Mini Post

I forgot to give you guys the link to Jordan's blog:

http://rdponyboy.blogspot.fr/

Tis all fer now!

North and South

Jordan and I headed up to Denmark to spend the Easter weekend with my extended family.

As most of you are probably already aware, flying and I don't mesh too well. We had to board a tiny plane for Copenhagen from Lyon. 

Jordan held my hand and sang 'you are my sunshine' during the flight, which meant that of course we were fine.

Ok, ok, trip to Denmark - It was fantastic! We were able to drive to Roskilde on our own and then meet up with the family there the first day. Roskilde is a town where many viking-type things have been found. There's a museum there and also the cathedral where Denmark's royalty are buried. It was all very lovely. Look!

Old viking ship at the museum

It was cold!

We had a great time with Johan and Asger as we always do. They kept us entertained every day but particularly during the evenings. 

               On Saturday we went to wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen with Micha + Søren (without the children). It snowed that morning. I was very cold. Mr. 'I'm from Utah was fine'.

We love Copenhagen

               The next day was a trip down to Møns Klint where the big, white chalk cliffs are. That evening, we all had a haircut (except Jordan). We took Asger to Møns Klint and tugged him up and down hundreds of steps (no exaggeration). 

We somehow missed the cliffs in this one

Haircut!

We then took the scary teeny plane back to Lyon. Here is a 'I'm in a scary teeny plane' pic

We had dinner out the evening that we arrived home. Look how sweet Jordan looked! (I think he suits up well)

                                             SOUTH

 On Tuesday we jumped on a bus and headed down to Avignon in the south of France. It's a cute little Medieval town that used to be the home of the pope (there were apparently two back then). It was stunning. We danced on the bridge, as the French children's song counsels and laughed at our dumpy accommodation.

The bridge in Avignon!

We had a day trip to the town of Nîmes, where there are a lot of well preserved Roman constructions. The world's best preserved Roman theatre is in Nîmes. We went there to check it out and we were both equally grossed out by the gladiator stories, but enjoyed climbing to the tops of the theatre (seriously! Where were the railings??? This would never happen in Australia).

The 4 and a half bus ride that we had to take back home was exhausting... But we made it! And hey, we only paid 15 euros each way (thank you, Eurolines). Jordan's last days here were spent talking to me and listening to Bob Dylan, basically. It was good, it was very lovely. We were very happy kicking back after all that travel.

Food Art

Then Jordan left and we were both very sad... And the reality of exams starting up next week and the fact that minimal preparation has been done for them finally started to set in. AHHHHHH! Bad day.

The End

I Forgot to Mention

 Part I - Mr. Medina

Jason is my home teacher from church. He’s working here in France for a nuclear power company (he’s American). He has three cute kids and an adorable wife. Here are 3 reasons why Brother Medina is a cool guy :

1.    * He rocks burkenstocks with socks

2.   *   He invites me round to eat delicious goods that his wife Mariann has baked

3.    * He has a soft heart and will always lend an ear

A while back on my way to school, I noticed a new kebab joint that had opened up along the way, called ‘Medina’s’. Brother Medina and my other home teacher, David went there last Friday for lunch (mainly to take pictures). Here are the pictures we took :

Brother Medina, YOU have officially featured on my blog ! Thanks for being a good friend to me here in France ! 

Part II - Nounou

So a while back I got a job as a nanny (nounou in French). I now look after 2-year-old Giulia. She's teeny, cute and full of beans (when she's awake that is). A lot of the time she's sleeping... But we like to ride bikes in the garden and eat the gourmet food that her mum has defrosting for us (oh the French). 

The entertainer

Look how responsible I am these days!

Part III - Jordan 

So, probably more importantly, I forgot to mention that Jordan and I have been dating for a few months now. He's my nerdy, LDS equivalent and hails from Utah, USA (no, the American jokes never wear thin). After talking for hours and hours and houuuuuuurrrrsssss every day for a very long time, he arrived in Paris last week and I picked him up from the airport and brought him back to Lyon. We've had a great time so far. He'll be here another 10 days. Here are some pictures from our adventures (look how lovely he is!)

See? It was meant to be!

This picture serves as confirmation of the previous statement.

We explored the beautiful city of Lyon. We went to the Croix Rousse, to Vieux Lyon, Hôtel de Ville and to Fourvière.

La cathédral Saint Jean behind the ruins of the oldest Roman church outside of Rome (circa 150 AD)

Walking back down to Vieux Lyon

Getting to know our kitten, Mela


After a fun-filled week in Lyon, I took Jordan to Denmark to meet my family. It was fine. I'll blog about that next time.

Happy Easter

- Alice