I can't believe it's almost the end of March! Where has all the time gone? Just last month it was September, I was getting off a train with all of my baggage, wondering where in the world I was (I was Grenoble, France, I knew) but I had no idea how to get where I need to go. Now I know this city, how to get from place to place, tram times, which mountain I will see if I look a certain direction, how long it takes me to get from point A to point B, and I have not driven a car (or needed one) in over 6 months- public transportation here is amazing. I've seen summer go, fall almost completely skipped, winter start from top, working it's way down to bottom, and spring start from bottom, working up. I've seen the days get shorter, the mountains become white, and the people turn black (that's what happens in winters here- the french wear black, black and more black), and now the sun's back out, spring on its way, birds chirping, the people turn back, the days get longer, the sun gets warmer, and the cafe's are filled with people and the campus is hopping with students sitting outside enjoying the warmth. Classes are coming to an end, stress for exams is piling up, and all I want to do is play outside and enjoy the last two months I have here in Grenoble.
Unfortunately, the snow on the mountain is melting, meaning snowboarding season is coming to an end for me.. which completely bums me out, but I've had the best season of my life and would never take it back! I still have a few more weeks, let's hope, because I would hate to spend my spring break trying to board the Swiss Alpes in two weeks with no snow.
Apart from the 4 exposes I still have to do before classes end, the studying, the beautiful weather outside when I'm stuck in class (writing this)- I'm still relatively happy and worry-free. I feel like running to the world's end and back. I have so much energy for life! (or maybe that's just the petite cafe I drank to keep me awake during this class) Either way, I feel this overwhelming happiness of life. God is great! None of this would be possible without Him. I don't think I'd feel this joy otherwise.
I have wonderful things to look forward to in the future- travels, family, friends and new things when I get back to the States- just a whole new chapter of my life. I think God can use me for great things!
I never want to be bored with life. I love the excitement, anxiety and freshness of change. I love the rush of being constantly busy. I think it's my way of life.. it always has been. Thanks Mom ;)~
Speaking of which, my mom and Aunt Faye come in less than 2 months to visit! It will be 8 months in May since I've seen my family. I wish my dad was able to come too, since I won't see him until after my summer travels.
And to pass away boring time, I'm glaring outside every 3 minutes, half-listening to the expose being presented and looking at this french guy (the one "acquaintance" I have in this class) and making "omg.. I'm so bored, please shoot me" faces. I wish my french was better.. there are so many things I would like to say but just can't get it out fast enough to keep up in conversation with all the frenchies. I really thought by this time I would be so much better than I am. Dang it for not finding a french boyfriend! Although, most of the french guys I've met and had some attraction to were wankers- and we all know there can only be one wanker in a relationship (and definitely not two defined on one person!) :)- Maybe next time around.. Je dois revenir!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Amsterdam!
When they tell you that this place is smoker's paradise, hooker heaven and laid back like no other, whoever "they" are, tell the complete truth. I walked down the streets mid-day, heading no where in particular, people watching as they walked past me. Here, you can't tell who's high or not. Apart from the group of British guys laughing uncontrollably with a spliff in their hand, anyone could be blazed and you would never know. It hit me how magical this place is when we were in a coffee shop and this older couple walked in. They had to be in their late 50's, early 60's, hanging out on vacation. The dialogue between the older lady and the cashier was priceless. The older lady ordered a space cake, asked a few questions about it, all before mentioning that she could stand the smoke so she and her husband were going back to the hotel to eat it. She asked if it was legal to take it to her hotel. It made me laugh. John, Fabi and I couldn't help but ask the cashier how often that happened.. she just smiled and said all the time. I wonder what the couple did after eating the cake? I hoped I would run into them later in the day, but I never did.
The laid back part of this city was discovered when all the plans we had for the "touristy" part (besides one) didn't happen. But I think that's how Amsterdam is... that's how you discover this place. We realized it was enough to walk around and do nothing. Although doing nothing meant eating and gaining a dress size (in 5 days), we were content, happy and full- pretty much all the time. Venturing to the Anne Frank House was the one thing we managed to do, and although the walk wasn't that far, it felt like miles. The house itself (the office) was touching, yet depressing as we walked through the bookcase we all read about in 7th grade; maybe it was the fact of knowing the ending of the book and the seeing the seclusion Anne Frank was in for the last years of her short life?
On another note, we met some really cool people, and some really bad people, too. My camera was stolen in our first hostel, and still, every time I think about it I either, want to cry, or kill someone. Unfortunately because of that reason there won't be any photos until John or Fabi post some for me to steal. But the photos captured in my memory are enough for now. 5 days in Amsterdam when by so fast, and so slow at the same time. Although I would say 5 days there is too long and you get easily burnt out, it wasn't until our last day that we sat down on the edge of a canal and watched Amsterdam go by. We had stayed in the "Red Light District," walked by women in windows, stopped in the various sex shops, took a break in the coffee shops, gone into the condomiere factory store, made epic shopping trips, watched March Madness, had Mexican (twice), and tried to rent a bike (which did not happen due to the 150euro deposit they wanted), took an interesting "Red Light District" tour- that we bailed from half way through to get food, but it still wasn't until the very last day that we saw the Dutch in their daily lives, Amsterdam as a town, and felt the sun as we watched the water go by and the ripples from the boats, fade away.
Even after the crazy excursion to get to Geneva, having to sleep in the doorway of the airport (what airport closes in the middle of the night? seriously now), hardly getting any sleep, and all the money I spent, the 5 days (minus the stolen camera), all became worth it. By the end of the trip- after another night of sleepin gon a floor (in a corridor under the airport), the strike, and Fabi and I hitchhiking back to Grenoble, we were WORN OUT!!!
My crappy Berlioz bed and shower felt like a luxury and the beautiful 65 degree weather and snow topped mountains back in my view relaxed me. As mush as I love traveling, it's always nice to come back to somewhere familiar. Grenoble has become my home, that I will soon be leaving- taking off on another epic adventure! Yes this time it will be for 3 months, not 5 days, and I wonder by the time it's over, where I will feel like "home" is?
People always say home is where your family and friends are, but I believe it can become anywhere you feel comfortable, you enjoy, and have people who care about you. Virginia will always be where I'm from- but I think home is in my heart. That's why I'm an adventurer, a traveler, a wanderer, because wherever I go, I bring home with me!
The laid back part of this city was discovered when all the plans we had for the "touristy" part (besides one) didn't happen. But I think that's how Amsterdam is... that's how you discover this place. We realized it was enough to walk around and do nothing. Although doing nothing meant eating and gaining a dress size (in 5 days), we were content, happy and full- pretty much all the time. Venturing to the Anne Frank House was the one thing we managed to do, and although the walk wasn't that far, it felt like miles. The house itself (the office) was touching, yet depressing as we walked through the bookcase we all read about in 7th grade; maybe it was the fact of knowing the ending of the book and the seeing the seclusion Anne Frank was in for the last years of her short life?
On another note, we met some really cool people, and some really bad people, too. My camera was stolen in our first hostel, and still, every time I think about it I either, want to cry, or kill someone. Unfortunately because of that reason there won't be any photos until John or Fabi post some for me to steal. But the photos captured in my memory are enough for now. 5 days in Amsterdam when by so fast, and so slow at the same time. Although I would say 5 days there is too long and you get easily burnt out, it wasn't until our last day that we sat down on the edge of a canal and watched Amsterdam go by. We had stayed in the "Red Light District," walked by women in windows, stopped in the various sex shops, took a break in the coffee shops, gone into the condomiere factory store, made epic shopping trips, watched March Madness, had Mexican (twice), and tried to rent a bike (which did not happen due to the 150euro deposit they wanted), took an interesting "Red Light District" tour- that we bailed from half way through to get food, but it still wasn't until the very last day that we saw the Dutch in their daily lives, Amsterdam as a town, and felt the sun as we watched the water go by and the ripples from the boats, fade away.
Even after the crazy excursion to get to Geneva, having to sleep in the doorway of the airport (what airport closes in the middle of the night? seriously now), hardly getting any sleep, and all the money I spent, the 5 days (minus the stolen camera), all became worth it. By the end of the trip- after another night of sleepin gon a floor (in a corridor under the airport), the strike, and Fabi and I hitchhiking back to Grenoble, we were WORN OUT!!!
My crappy Berlioz bed and shower felt like a luxury and the beautiful 65 degree weather and snow topped mountains back in my view relaxed me. As mush as I love traveling, it's always nice to come back to somewhere familiar. Grenoble has become my home, that I will soon be leaving- taking off on another epic adventure! Yes this time it will be for 3 months, not 5 days, and I wonder by the time it's over, where I will feel like "home" is?
People always say home is where your family and friends are, but I believe it can become anywhere you feel comfortable, you enjoy, and have people who care about you. Virginia will always be where I'm from- but I think home is in my heart. That's why I'm an adventurer, a traveler, a wanderer, because wherever I go, I bring home with me!
Sunday, March 14, 2010
XGames Europe and Reflection!
What a killer weekend! I can't believe the things I get to do here!
After a crazy week of exposes, dissertations and exams that I didn't know about, I took off for a weekend of fun, après-ski and snowboarding! Just the sight of the 6 meter tall, 122 meter long half pipe and the huge slope-style jumps made my knees shake in excitement! I couldn't believe I was at the first ever XGames Europe! Something I'd always watched on TV, hoping one day I would get to see it live, finally happened. Although I didn't get to see Shaun White pull out a Front Double Cork 1080, or a 1260 Double McTwist, but I got to see some of the other best pro-snowboarders of the day. Unfortunately, I didn't get to take my own board, but was able to test out the new Oxbow girls line for the day while riding up the lift watching the men's slope-style. The evenings were spent standing at the base of the super-pipe watching the men pull out their tricks! I don't want to sound anti-feminist when I say this, but apart from Torah Bright, the girls just really have a hard time pulling out the same tricks as the guys.
It sure did make me want to pick up a board, pretend I was pro and give it a shot!
Anything is possible right? Ha.
Après-ski was amazing, hanging out with awesome people and having a good time. The company of the whole weekend was excellent and the atmosphere, perfect.
Not to mention, I got to see David Guetta play!
On the other note, I came to the realization how much I'm going to miss this place when I leave. I've fallen in love with the culture, the opportunities, the traveling, the mountains, the lifestyle, the people.
I have only another two months left in this beautiful place. I don't know how time has gone by so fast.
I have no idea what my future holds for me and I have no intention on trying to figure it out...yet- it's in God's hands and when He's ready, He'll tell me, I just have to be ready to listen!
My life is like a never-ending rainbow... even when there is rain, the sun is always shining bright enough to show me how beautiful the colors of my life really are!
And it's oh-so amazing!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Wahhhhhh!!!!
It's 1:30am, I'm still wide awake- I think I'm catching all my friends insomnia. I still haven't finished all my school work, not even attempting at this point in the night and I still want to get up by (at the most) 8:30am to start working on the 2 exposes and dissertation I have to do before Monday. But my butt is NOT missing out on a weekend of snowboarding for school work!
Last weekend turned out to be absolutely, "crazy" insane. 17 friends, 1 hotel, a hot tub pool, snowboarding, and a Saturday night in Les 2 Alpes... what could go wrong!?!
Well.. for those of us who were there... we know Sunday morning was just as memorable as Saturday when we had to leave our hotel within 30 minutes before getting charged 200Euro- plus the rain, and no bus back. Thankfully after lack of motivation to go boarding in crap weather, it began to clear up by 1pm and turned into a beautiful day.. my butt tried skiing for the first time in 10 years- NEVER AGAIN! and we just hung out enjoying the sun thinking about the crazy night that had just passed.
P.S. Old men with gray hairy chests should Never be allowed to dance on poles...
Now I'm thinking about weekends ahead- First XGames Europe, snowboarding for a week in the Swiss Alps with random people, Amsterdam... opportunities are endless!
Did I mention how blessed my life is?
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