Apart from the crappy weather and the lack of BBQ, last night was an AMAZING Goodbye Party! I again want to thank all of my friends who came out to wish me farewell and safe travels this summer! Ya'll have no idea how much I'm going to miss you!
This has been one hell of a fantastic year!
I've met so many wonderful people, done so many exciting things, and if I continue on, I'm going to run out of adjectives to describe how "epic" my year in Grenoble has been!
But it's coming to an end.. 2 more days until I meet my mom and aunt in Lyon... doing our travels, 2 more days in Grenoble to take care of some things... then Goodbye.
The worst part about it, is that it's never the same once you leave. You'll always have those memories, but when you come back, the people, the town, your life, will have changed.
It's come and gone so fast.. and I don't think I can keep up with it. Life.. just slow down a little for me, please.
My life is a beautiful rainbow.. and I want to explore every color in and out.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Sunday, May 9, 2010
I would...
Instead of taking this precious time to study.. what do I do? Write a blog! I've also spent most of the afternoon looking up interesting places to volunteer during the 3 weeks I have "free travel" during the summer. I figured I've been taking the last year for "me time" I might as well give some of that back.. whether it is just something small, something I enjoy (i.e. working with horses) and isn't for a long period of time. Speaking of which, "me time" this weekend has been amazing. After celebrating 2 birthday's, going into town 2 out of 3 nights, intensely living up Berlioz, and staying up dancing a night away, yet again, I'm exhausted! I can't wait to see what this summer is going to be like! Can a body really run on 4 hours of sleep a night? It can't be healthy, but it sure is fun!
Last full week here in Grenoble. The current crap weather is making me ready to start my travels... yet the continual snow-topped mountains keep my mind complacent and content.
Just a side note: I found out that Cafe Berlioz- (the little cafeteria outside of my residence) sells beer! I'm going to miss the lack of alcoholic obedience when I get back to the States. It's a shame when you find an alcoholic restrictive country (US) has more problems with alcohol than a country where you can have table wine at whatever age your parents decide to give it to you, and you can purchase legally at the age of 16. Maybe the U.S. should think this through a little. It doesn't help that the lack of public transportation plays a big role into it. But when a majority of the population already drinks under-age and can seriously be penalized for having even the smallest amount consumed, I hate to say it, but "Vive la France!"
People here respect it here, drink wine with almost every meal. It's not until you're restricted from doing something that you truly want to rebel.... Or you could just be a college student. I'm rambling thoughts from my head.
Wishing the sun would come out, my exams would be over, or I had at least some motivation to study in the first place, and mainly that time would slow down!
Must.Live.Up.Live!
Last full week here in Grenoble. The current crap weather is making me ready to start my travels... yet the continual snow-topped mountains keep my mind complacent and content.
Just a side note: I found out that Cafe Berlioz- (the little cafeteria outside of my residence) sells beer! I'm going to miss the lack of alcoholic obedience when I get back to the States. It's a shame when you find an alcoholic restrictive country (US) has more problems with alcohol than a country where you can have table wine at whatever age your parents decide to give it to you, and you can purchase legally at the age of 16. Maybe the U.S. should think this through a little. It doesn't help that the lack of public transportation plays a big role into it. But when a majority of the population already drinks under-age and can seriously be penalized for having even the smallest amount consumed, I hate to say it, but "Vive la France!"
People here respect it here, drink wine with almost every meal. It's not until you're restricted from doing something that you truly want to rebel.... Or you could just be a college student. I'm rambling thoughts from my head.
Wishing the sun would come out, my exams would be over, or I had at least some motivation to study in the first place, and mainly that time would slow down!
Must.Live.Up.Live!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Science Politique - Grenoble
Just a little reflection of studying political science in Grenoble...
Maybe it was the fact that I wasn't french, I came in half way through the year, or that I didn't speak much french while in class in order to join in the conversation (when you're trying to just keep up with what's going on, it's a little more difficult to say what you're thinking), but I never once felt like I belonged there. In regards to the fact that it's extremely difficult to get into (in France), everyone seems like they have a stigma about them that makes them just a little above the rest, which may be the case, but I found it was flaunted. And to be honest, I don't think they would survive if they came to an American University to try and study political science. As I mentioned to Diana, who was also studying there, if this semester would have been in English, I think it would have been a fairly easy one. Apart from the +10 exposes I wrote this semester (which caused a lot of difficulties because they were all in french - and not all of them were for poli sci) the classes seemed fairly simple and I wouldn't have stressed too much, but did because of the language barrier and that there is only one exam at the end that determines everything (this is the case for all studies in France). Overall my experience at Science Po Grenoble wasn't as interesting as hoped and for others (foreign students) who are interested in taking classes there, I would suggest preparing for the fact that it won't be like anything from your home university.
Or maybe this was just my case and I'm the outlier? I never felt welcomed at events that were going on inside the building, and never even thought of going to night events for the fear that I would be looked down on. I would rather stick to the awesome friends I have outside of science po.
The professors, however, were reasonable with the fact I was "ERASMUS" and helped me out as much as possible, which was reassuring. And on a side note- there were a few students who showed some sympathy to my "foreigness" and alienation in the Science Po Grenoble community. Maybe it was because they were stuck with me doing projects and it was the only way to make sure we did a good job? Otherwise, I don't think I would want to go back for another year there. I would prefer the history department, where I took a very interesting class and students were a lot more friendly and I might even stretch to say that my french literature classes were better than science po, but again, that's a stretch.
I can't wait to get back to structure, blackboard, and having professors let you know what the crap is going on, books to read for additional understanding, and as much as I can't believe I'm saying it, more than one "Final Exam." At least that way I know how I'm doing throughout the class, what I need to work on, and I don't feel like such a slack the whole semester. I also learn so much more back home (but that again, could be because of the language).
Hey! At least my french is better! ;-)
Maybe it was the fact that I wasn't french, I came in half way through the year, or that I didn't speak much french while in class in order to join in the conversation (when you're trying to just keep up with what's going on, it's a little more difficult to say what you're thinking), but I never once felt like I belonged there. In regards to the fact that it's extremely difficult to get into (in France), everyone seems like they have a stigma about them that makes them just a little above the rest, which may be the case, but I found it was flaunted. And to be honest, I don't think they would survive if they came to an American University to try and study political science. As I mentioned to Diana, who was also studying there, if this semester would have been in English, I think it would have been a fairly easy one. Apart from the +10 exposes I wrote this semester (which caused a lot of difficulties because they were all in french - and not all of them were for poli sci) the classes seemed fairly simple and I wouldn't have stressed too much, but did because of the language barrier and that there is only one exam at the end that determines everything (this is the case for all studies in France). Overall my experience at Science Po Grenoble wasn't as interesting as hoped and for others (foreign students) who are interested in taking classes there, I would suggest preparing for the fact that it won't be like anything from your home university.
Or maybe this was just my case and I'm the outlier? I never felt welcomed at events that were going on inside the building, and never even thought of going to night events for the fear that I would be looked down on. I would rather stick to the awesome friends I have outside of science po.
The professors, however, were reasonable with the fact I was "ERASMUS" and helped me out as much as possible, which was reassuring. And on a side note- there were a few students who showed some sympathy to my "foreigness" and alienation in the Science Po Grenoble community. Maybe it was because they were stuck with me doing projects and it was the only way to make sure we did a good job? Otherwise, I don't think I would want to go back for another year there. I would prefer the history department, where I took a very interesting class and students were a lot more friendly and I might even stretch to say that my french literature classes were better than science po, but again, that's a stretch.
I can't wait to get back to structure, blackboard, and having professors let you know what the crap is going on, books to read for additional understanding, and as much as I can't believe I'm saying it, more than one "Final Exam." At least that way I know how I'm doing throughout the class, what I need to work on, and I don't feel like such a slack the whole semester. I also learn so much more back home (but that again, could be because of the language).
Hey! At least my french is better! ;-)
Monday, May 3, 2010
Why live if you're not living?
As tired as I am, I always find someway to procrastinate, no matter what it is I'm trying to do, in this case, sleep. I think it's one of my worst qualities, but I do discover some pretty interesting things with my procrastination habits. Trying to avoid the thought that I may have failed my exam I took today, avoiding all the necessary things that I need to be doing, I decided to catch up on some reading. But this isn't your typical reading.. I wanted to read about the lives of other people, so I searched Blogger. Although I didn't always come across the most interesting lives, stories, or whatever you want to call them, I found myself scrolling down the page, entertaining myself with what other people had to say. I could only imagine if my entire life was documented for people to watch.. would it be entertaining and exciting? I love my life, but I've found it important to remember that it's Your life and what others think about it doesn't make any difference. My life is entertaining to me and that's all that matters. I will admit the lack of audience response as I was singing "Don't Rain on My Parade" in the finals at the Condorde de Chant this past weekend, really bummed me out. I thought singing an upbeat, musically difficult song would be entertaining, but it didn't seem to appeal to the audience or the judges *as I later found out*- it was a bad song choice I was told. I guess you live and you learn. I had fun doing it and that's all that counts anyway.
The boring aspects are coming into play with the 2 exams I have to start studying for on Tuesday next week. I'm praying for at least a 10 out of 20 on these *that's all I need to pass*, and being as they are all in french, it poses more difficulties.
Going to continue to think positive, keep a smile on my face and shoot for the stars! That's all I can do!
Time's running out.. I don't know how to make it slow down.. make my life boring *that always seems to make time go by slower* but then what's the point of having it slow down if it's not going to be interesting. My philosophy "why live if you're not living!"
The boring aspects are coming into play with the 2 exams I have to start studying for on Tuesday next week. I'm praying for at least a 10 out of 20 on these *that's all I need to pass*, and being as they are all in french, it poses more difficulties.
Going to continue to think positive, keep a smile on my face and shoot for the stars! That's all I can do!
Time's running out.. I don't know how to make it slow down.. make my life boring *that always seems to make time go by slower* but then what's the point of having it slow down if it's not going to be interesting. My philosophy "why live if you're not living!"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)