I'm BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello ya'll!!

So I know that I just posted a blog I wrote back on March 11th and that is the last one I have done, so I have missed about 5 1/2 months of writing to all of my beloveds! I look at it in a positive way though, so yes, I was skipping out on informing all of my lovers at home about what I am doing and what my life has been like here in France, BUT, it just means that I have been really busy and having so much fun and more people to talk to and less time and energy to write my blog!!! I mean I think that is a good thing...ok, ok maybe it is a little bit lazy as well but I apologize!! I am going to try to catch you up on the big things that happened in the past months. I want to take the next week and a half before I come home (side note: EXCITEMENT!!!!!! WOOHOO!!! LET'S GET PUMPED UP TO MOVE HOME!!!!!) Anyways, I would like to just take time to reflect and fill you in on some of the things that I went through while here the past few months. Obviously, things will not be extremely detailed because I cannot possible remember EVERYTHING but I want to just write and see where my fingertips take me!!! A magical world of fingertips tapping on the keyboard...it will be a great adventure for everyone!

At this moment I am just getting prepared to move! I cannot even believe it is time to come home already! A whole year has passed and I am amazed at how fast time goes. Not only did I never expect to move to Paris, but I never expected life to zoom by the way everyone older than me says...like my parents! "You need to really soak up every moment and live life to the fullest because life is short and passes by so fast!" These words are what I live for and I have always found it incredibly important to live life to the fullest, but these words have never rung more clearly for me until now.

Pretty soon I will be celebrating my quarter of a century birthday and I don't know where that came from!!! It is out of left field!!! Can't believe it!!!! Did I mention that life is short and I am shocked?!?!?!?!?! Ok so I think you get the point...but to those of you who do not live by this motto I think you need to change your ways...ASAP!!!!!!!!!!!

LIFE IS SHORT...that is the best advice I can give haha...or maybe the advice would be LIVE IT UP!!!! Heck yes!!!

So in my final time here I am realizing that it is NOT my final time here...I just know that I will be back soon and I have so many contacts and people I know here in Paris and all over France that I will always have a reason to come back. To be honest I am looking for potential jobs here in Paris so I can stay.

I ABSOLUTELY want to come home but in the future I think I would LOVE to move back and it is very important to me to really keep working on my language skills...FRENCH ROCKS!!!

I am going to head to bed at the moment but don't worry because I will be back ASAP!!!

Let's get this blog rockin' and rollin' one more time before I skiddadle out of this great country!!!

LOVE YOU ALL PEEPS!!!

Keep it real up in hurrr.....Oh I forgot to mention I became really ghetto since I have been here...

HAHA JK!!!

OK PEACE OUT!!

MUAH

J

Hidden Blog!!

Hey peeps!! I wrote this Blog on March 11^th!! I just found it and never uploaded it so I hope you enjoy…I am going to begin to fill everyone in about the last few months!! I hope that you will all enjoy…but I must warn you that it is not going to be very detailed haha I am super excited to see you all very shortly!!

I have three words for you...

OUT OF SHAPE....

I am almost embarrassed to admit how out of shape I recently came to realize, yesterday, Wednesday March 10. The date is important because it marks the almost 5 month point since I came to France and that means that it has been nearly 5 months since I have really worked out hard core. In the states I had really gotten into my work out routine and regularly visited the gym, took classes, and was really fitness oriented. Well, living here, especially in Paris, things are very different. First of all, it is not easy to find a gym on every corner like in the states....there are gyms but since there are few to choose from then you really don't have much competition with the price. Paris being so expensive as it is, the gyms are no different and it is really putting a damper on my fitness.

Running outside, roller blading, going on walks, or riding a bike are all great things to do without having a gym. Plus, doing things like push ups and sit ups inside are great ways to stay in shape.

Let's rewind to the 3 little words riding a bike....these 3 little words were used yesterday, these 3 little words were the reason I realized my fitness level, and yes, these 3 little words signify the meaning of the other 3 little words that I previously mentioned. And just to hit it home and rub it in a little bit more for all of you...Riding a bike=Out of shape!! There I said it and now I really feeling worse....it sounded a little better in my head but now in writing it is cruel and more embarrassing than ever....

How can riding a bike seriously be that difficult? Well since I have been in Paris I have run outside at the park and around my neighborhood. That lasted a little while since I got here in October, and then Mother Nature took over. I am not a fan of cold weather....and especially not working out in it. I have never really been equipped to run outside in the cold....That's what gyms are for! Right?....So I gave it a shot every once in a while with a friend here....we would run through Paris and down the Champs Elysees and it was great....but even then I knew just how out of shape I was.

So now that it has been getting warmer, I have taken advantage of the nicer days and gone running, but I am now to the point where I am soooo out of shape that it is difficult to get back into that routine...

Maybe I should make this my cry for help and ask any of you for some advice or words of encouragement because I need to get back into shape....hello bikini season is calling our names!!!!

So the whole reason that I was on a bike yesterday in the first place began last week....

As I mentioned, Mami, the grandma, had me over to help out a lot with the cousins. At this time she was feeling really sick and not able to really do much or be herself. So I was glad to help out. When I was in Switzerland she went to the doctor and found out that she has Pneumonia....to me that is terrible! But I guess she has had it once before and has all of the proper medications for it now. I thought it was contagious but I was told it is not....so let's hope I don't soon wake up with a case of Pneumonia!

So, still being sick, I took over the usually job of Mami on Wednesdays and escorted J to cirque in the morning....Cirque is a class where the kids run around a lot, do gymnastics, ride unicycles, work on balance...all of that and it was really interesting to watch!

Before cirque we stopped by Mami's house to get J's necessary clothing for the class and while Mami was very tired and not feelings herself, she insisted we returned in the afternoon to each lunch there with her.

Before leaving for cirque we made some of her fresh squeezed orange juice and let me tell you..it was MAGNIFIQUE!!!

As we took off for the class the story of the bike begins....so in the town of Rueil, where Mami lives and where J has her Wednesday activities, things are very close by walking or bike...yesterday J and I rode bikes everywhere and the first place was the cirque class...although this class seemed to be really far...probably thanks to the fact that I am completely out of shape and found that riding that bike was not the easiest thing at first...

But in my defense, the bike is extremely old, has a basket on the front, and the seat would not move up at all.... Imagine, the scene I had playing in my head as I rode was the one from The Wizard of Oz with that music playing as the mean neighbor rode her bike with a basket on the front. And me, being so tall, my legs were very cramped as I peddled because I was unable to change the height of the seat and I made do with what I had.....

I am certain this was a great amusement for passer-byers haha....So anyway we got to the cirque and it was really fun to watch! J is really good with all of these physical fitness things....maybe I should take some pointers hahaha

After the cirque we stopped by the library to drop off some books....and the "woman" who helped us was indeed, I believe, in her previous life a man.....I asked J this but she said "No that is a woman! Always since I have known her and I have known her a long time"... hahaha I couldn't help but laugh...of course she probably knows nothing about the Male to Female transformations but I was positive that's what it was....

Once we arrived home we had to run to the BIO store for Mami to get some groceries. The Bio store is a great all natural store similar to Trader Joe's and Whole Foods in the states. They have really healthy things and everything that is good for the environment. This bike ride was getting easier for me because I was breaking myself in...

When we returned we found out we had to go back because we got the wrong kind of yogurt and it was getting colder out so I was thinking...are you kidding me hahaha but first we had to go to the Poney Club where J has her horse lesson....

And I'm back!

I tend to make a lot of little mistakes throughout life but when I say little I forget that I leave out the word BIG. The theme of my life might be categorized under fun, spontaneous, and well, frankly, a little oblivious. This particular story all began Tuesday, March 2.

G’s sister lives in Switzerland with her American husband and three adorable kids. I have spent time with them before and I could not get enough of them. On Tuesday, the two older children, 5 and 3, came for a visit on their vacation to stay with Mami, or Grandma. To bring them to Paris, Mami took a train to Switzerland the day before and brought the children back on the train with her. I met the gang at the Gare de Lyon where the train pulled in and from there we hopped on the RER A…now with 2 little children and luggage “hopped” might not be the most accurate word to describe it. Anyhow, throughout the course of the week I would head to Mami’s and help out with the children and spend some time cleaning or helping with meals. I really enjoy these children, they are behaved so well, they have awesome imaginations, they are caring, and they listen well. Also, a HUGE help to me is that they understand and speak English since their dad is American. Now, it is not perfect, but we were able to teach each other new words. Between the coloring, the Uno, the Legos, the drawing, the jumping, the walking, the running, the Poney Club, and all of the fun the week held, it was soon over. Time for the kids to head back home. This time it was my responsibility to accompany the two rascals back to Swiss town, something I was really looking forward to! Mami’s friend who helped out a lot throughout the week assisted us to the train station and helped us get situated on our train. Once we were on it was 3 hours of reading, coloring, snacking, playing Uno, and being the perfect little angels that they are. As we arrived at our stop, actually in France, we met the dad at the station and drove about an hour home to their house in Switzerland. The kids were really sleepy and cranky and I was super excited to see everything. We took the kids home and I saw G’s sister and the baby, he is about 10 months and heartbreakingly adorable! After the kids were situated and I spent a little time there the dad and I went to a part of town to get crepes for dinner. It was delicious! After a while of talking and eating, we took off for my hotel. I would have stayed with the family but the place is small and there really isn’t a lot of extra space for them to offer and besides I would have rather had my own space anyways. The hotel was nice, a chain called Ibis, somewhat on the same level of maybe Holiday Inn in the states. It is not luxury but it is good enough. The room was nice and very clean. Switzerland is known for being an extremely clean country and it definitely shows.

I forgot to mention, the family lives in the French region of Switzerland. There are technically 3 regions, Swiss-French, Swiss-German, and Swiss-Italian (but this region is miniscule compared to the rest). Switzerland itself is a very small country but it is GORGEOUS! The day I arrived, however, it was freezing and windy as heck! There had been a snow storm earlier in the morning there and when we arrived around 7 pm there was a lot of snow. I have to say, I was impressed because Paris never gets snow like that and I was missing it a bit from home. Since, you know, Ohio is obsessed with having snow around forever!

I basically just used the hotel room for sleeping because by the time I got there it was getting late. I happened to find some English speaking channels on the tv which was comforting and I watched CNBC for a while. I fell asleep only to wake up to a huge BOOMING party either next door or above, those walls are paper thin and the loud thumping music mixed with the raised voices and pounding footsteps were not in any way disguised. Besides the fact that I was interrupted for awhile at 3am, I still had a pretty good sleep.

I started my day at 9am and a little later the kids came with their mom to retrieve me. We checked out of the hotel and were thinking of plans for the day. Since it was Arctic weather, we were not able to go to the park that is right by their house, or visit the giant, beautiful lake with a beach, but we thought about maybe going to an indoor pool with heated water which would have felt great! The kids, however, were not full of their normal energy after a long trip away from home and a long travel back. So they would have been too exhausted for the pool that day. Instead, we packed up and traveled about 40 minutes away to a museum, that the name is escaping me, and we hung out there for the day.

It was a very interesting building located in Bern, the capital of Switzerland. While waiting for the arts and crafts class to begin for the kids, the dad and I met a German woman who was just visiting and she spoke some English. She was the nicest old lady and she informed us that the German language and the Swiss-German dialect are nothing the same and she doesn’t understand the German spoken in Switzerland. I thought this was extremely interesting and crazy.

In the class, the kids got to make paper and then decorate it while it was still wet so the paint would set into the paper when it dried. Now I know how to make paper so ya’ll better watch out! After a great craft time we ate lunch in the cafeteria there and it was really good. I had some tuna sandwich with an amazing bowl of some kind of pumpkin soup. The kids ate pasta and were getting really conked out. As we ate, Maman took the little guy home and Papa stayed with the kids and I. We left and took a detour to a castle city where it is all medieval to get some ice cream for the kids. Well, there was a carnival going on so we had to park really far away and walk forever to get ice cream in the whipping, freezing winds so I did not see the town because we stopped at a place just before all of the attractions. I was not concerned because I really did not want to endure the chilling winds for longer than I had to. After the ice cream we went home and played, read some books, and I gave the little 3 year old a bath. Then it was my cue to head out to the train station.

First I would like to mention the Honda CRVs are great cars. That is one of the cars that the family owns and the dad had me drive a bit and I loved that car. Driving in Switzerland is incredibly similar to in the states with a few differences. Nevertheless, it was easy and it felt good to finally drive again because it has been about 5 months! I will be heading back to Swiss town to help out with the kids in April so I was getting used to the driving and acquainted with the roads this time for when I return. I can’t wait to go back! I love their family and I love Switzerland!!!

Ok so onto the train and this time I was taking a train for an hour to the other train station instead of having the dad drive an hour again. So I get some food and I notice it is getting close to the time of my trains departure. I go up to my platform and I notice a train waiting there already assuming it was mine and I could board early. So, I find a conductor and ask him if it isthe correct train and he tells me yes and I say ok it leaves at 18:02? and his reply was….yes! So I get on the train thankful that I have a little time to situate my things before we start moving….and then……The train starts moving…….

Ok so, don’t panic right? Well wrong because it was definitely not 18:02 yet and I was completely confused and feeling like an idiot! So I ask a man across from me and he didn’t know where I was supposed to be in relation to where we were but he was extremely nice and helpful as much as he could be. Then I saw another lady and I asked her and she said that she would suggest for me to stay on the train all the way to the end because I needed to take a TGV and that station had TGVs. For those of you who know or would like to look on a map and find out, I was in Neuchatel and was supposed to take a train from there to Frasne…instead, I was on my way to Lausanne…so as you can see I was not in good shape at the moment.

So my goal was to find a conductor and ask him what to do….when the train stopped at a station I had my plastic bag with food in hand, my purse on my shoulder, and I went outside to follow the conductor whom I saw get off for a minute. So all he told me to do was to go to the ticket office and talk to them, but at this time I left my luggage on the train next to the nice woman who tried to help me previously. As I was talking to the conductor the doors to my car shut because the train was about to leave! And I started panicking to the man and was like no my bags! My bags are on there!!!! And I saw the next car with the doors still open and people almost through so I sprinted to get on and as I did, everything in my plastic bag fell all over and I wanted to leave it but so many nice people helped me pick it up and I shoved it in my purse and frantically kept running to the door….and finally I made it….that scene from the point I got off to talk to the conductor to the point I threw myself back on seriously was like something from a movie. People around me were probably wondering what kind of crazy woman I was but my mind was so flustered I never even thought about anything but being stranded at this station while my bag traveled to a faraway place. PHEW! I got back on and still had NO FRICKIN CLUE what to do.

Eventually an angel overheard me talking with the woman about my predicament. Ok, well maybe he was not an angel per say, but he was definitely a savior. He was helping me look up other trains leaving from Lausanne because he had the internet on his phone. What he told me was alarming because he said the last one was at 7:22 and he was not sure there would be a place and that was the last train so I might be stranded in Lausanne over night. Ok, WHAT? I had no phone, not a lot of money, and I had NO CLUE where I would be!!!! So he kept saying I feel sorry for you and I hope you can get on the train….So as we pulled into Lausanne, he showed me where the ticket office was. Luckily, the man behind the counter saved my day!!!! I had the ticket from Neuchatel to Frasne and from Frasne to Paris. I explained how I took the wrong train and I was refunded part of the first ticket and I bought a ticket from Lausanne to Paris. I will be able to refund my other ticket from Frasne to Paris which I did not have to pay for in the first place so in all, this random act of stupidity costed me about 30 euros. Hey, I can live with that! And so I made it home safe and sound with the help of a very amazing team of train friends, no thanks to the conductor.... hahaha.

I always seem to make little mistakes that have their way of turning BIG when I least expect it. It doesn’t make me mad though because it really does make my life more interesting and it definitely makes for good stories! Hahaha

So I know it has been a long while since I have written but I want to start again! I am leaving out everything I already missed and picking up from here. I will try to continue to do interesting things so I actually have something to write about. On Wednesday I will be volunteering for my first day at a place and I am not exactly sure where or what I will be doing yet. I will let you all know in a few days!!!

Also, I cannot believe it is already March 8^th, In about 3 weeks I am headed back to Switzerland, and then at the end of April my parents are coming for 2 weeks!!!! While they are here we are going to Budapest for a few days and I cannot wait to show them all around Paris! Then when they leave I wait about 2 more weeks and Kaylie and Amy are coming!!!!!!!! I can’t wait for an amazing spring!!!! Then it will be summer and the weather will be nice!!!

I can’t wait for some warmer weather…this weather is just getting old! It is always good to hear from all of my friends and family and I can’t wait to see you all in about 5-6 months!

LOVE YOU ALL!!

JESS

Long Time No Talk...

Well hello my lovers!!! I am sure you have all noticed that it has been quite some time since my last entry...I realize that I need to continue writing....the last post was around Thanksgiving....A lot has happened since then but I am going to tell you now that I will not be able to remember everything! I will probably just pick up today with everything and go from there...
Well, first of all my holidays were really good! I had a great time, we celebrated Christmas several times! I really enjoyed my trip to Corse....soooo beautiful! Those of you who have facebook you may have already seen my pictures from there. The family is sooo great and amazing! I am going to help one family memeber try to get an au pairing job in the states for a boy. He really wants to move there....if you know anyone who would like a french speaking au pair keep me in mind and I can tell him :)
So after Corse on Christmas we really didn't do much. I ate lunch with G and his brother and the girls came back on Saturday. We went to the g-ma's house for dinner on Saturday night and then Sunday morning we celebrated at the house with just G, the girls, and I. It was really fun! I got a book on art so that will be good to learn about!
I really missed being at home for the holidays but this was really a great Christmas nevertheless. It has really shown me how much I am growing and becoming independent. I think it is the perfect experience!
For New Years I went out with my friends and we ended up at the Champs Elysees and it was CROWDED and RIDICULOUS! We had a good time!!! Maybe one too many drinks with vodka...but that is besides the point haha
Since New Years I have been just trying to have an AMAZING 2010! I am looking into travelling soon and I really want to. I have a lot of travelling to do in the Spring and a lot of people are coming over to Europe so I CANNOT WAIT!!!!
This is a pretty sub-par blog, I know, but I am getting back into the swing of writing and since there is wayyy to much from the past month I really can't go into to details because it is difficult to remember things.
My parents will be here in April which is AMAZING!!
Today I am just hanging out proofreading some papers for some people and later meeting my friends for a great nutritious dinner at Mcdonalds haha
My friend's birthday is on Monday so we are going to do a lot on Sunday to celebrate!
I have made it to Notre Dame a few times and I love it even though it is in French. On Sunday I am going to an earlier mass which is the international mass and I think it is in English. I just miss that nice Catholic rythm to my mass in English that is not the same in French!!!
I have been keeping in touch with so many of you and I am soooo happy! I hope we all keep in touch and I want to say that if I don't have a lot of time to message everyone please don't feel like I have forgotten you! I really love to keep in touch with everyone so don't worry I have not given up!!!
I have been doing a lot of laundry today so I am going to go work on that now....I will be back with a great new blog later!!!
LOVE YOU ALL!!!
MUAH

BISES!

A slight breeze softly caresses the lake, rippling the water ever so softly. Tread lines follow individual ducks as they paddle across the peaceful scene of serenity reflecting all beauty around it. Capturing one moment portraying the extraordinary artwork that God has blessed our eyes to witness. A blazing sun smiles in the sky and provides a feeling of warmth and comfort. A group of ducks swim together as a male and female provide companionship to one another....this my friends, is nature... it is all around us and sometimes we forget about its serenity and beauty....we forget how it can put us at peace if only for a brief moment....
Today, (Saturday, November 21st), I went running in a popular park, Bois de Boulogne, and this is just a moment in time that I captured with words but the day was perfect and the park is beautiful!
So it has been some time since I have written you and today marks the day of the Pilgrims feast!!! That's right it is THANKSGIVING!!! I have sooooo much to be thankful for but I think I might start off where my last blog ended and then catch up to the current time.....
Well I know you have all been patiently awaiting my grand sending of the post cards and I must say I have made it one step further along that path...I bought a bunch and I have a list of where to send them BUT I still need to write them and send them...SO CLOSE!!!! The last time I wrote on here it was 2 weeks ago today! I hope I can remember everything to tell you!!!
So on Thursday 2 weeks ago I was going to look for my friend's wallet at the bar but the bar was not open so I called later for her and luckily they had it!!! Everything was still in it except for the cash, of course, but that was such an awesome thing!!! On Friday I think we all just stayed in because the girls were here and that was C's birthday weekend celebration at our house! She turned 5 and she had a great birthday!!! G had to run some errands in Paris and had a meeting and so the girls and I hung out all day. We worked on some English and played a lot of games and just had a lot of fun! We had a really delicious chocolate cake on Saturday for her birthday and then on Sunday we celebrated it further with G's dad and his wife! We had a really good cake with ice cream, strawberries and meringue. YUM! She got a lot of gifts and we all hung out all day! Then we went to bed and on Monday my new week began!
I really need to keep updating blogs more frequently because nothing is fresh in my mind and it is difficult for me to remember everything. So, on Monday I don't think I really did much of anything...
OH WAIT! I forgot to tell you about Friday the 13th....wow I did not realize that was the day until just now! And on this day which is a little ironic...I went to the cemetery where Jim Morrison is buried! My friend, Alison and I went there and saw Jim Morrison's grave as well as Oscar Wilde's grave...it was so fun and the weather was beautiful!!! I really liked that day! Later this night we went out again and it was really fun!
So on Monday I don't think I did much and on Tuesday I don't think I did much and on Wednesday, I don't think I did much...ok so you get the point...One of these nights, I think it was maybe Thursday or something...no wait it was Tuesday haha I went to a place called UFO and they serve a Brazilian drink called caprihana or something like that and it was sooooo strong but it was not too bad after a little while hahaha...
So then on Friday I watched Australia with G and I love that movie!!! It is soooo good!!!! and on Saturday I went running like the beginning of my blog describes...it is much needed and more often because I am soooo out of shape!
On Saturday night I went to the TGC "The Great Canadian" to watch the OSU Michigan game!!!! It was sweet.....surprisingly enough there were literally like 30 OSU fans and it is such a small world because I could have connections with some!! There was a group from OSU who was studying abroad in Milan and came to Paris for their break and they were at the bar...one of the girls went to Watterson and now I really don't know her name but I have a picture with her to show all you Watterson peeps...I think she graduated in like '07 or something??...Then there was an older couple who A. The man went to Bishop Reedy I think and B. My dad might know his cousins, C. The woman went to worthington! and D. It was sooo crazy. So then there was a bandee from OSU there but he was much older and is currently teaching in Nice as an astrology professor...but he was nice and the thing about him was..he spoke Hungarian because his parents were full blooded off the boat Hungarian and that was amazing to me!
ALSO! I met another girl who was there and she is Hungarian and was in Paris buying clothes for her store because she has a store in Budapest!
The night was crazy and there were also some Michigan fans there!!
So, then I met this guy who was a lot older and was there with s french girl I got to know pretty well and he went to Thomas!!! And I was just amazed haha...but anyway so the girl I met that was friends with him and his friend wanted me to come with them the next day to sight see and show the american men around so I said I woul love to go with her. So on Sunday we went to Notre Dame, on a boat tour, to a good place to eat, and just had a really good time showing them around Paris!
Notre Dame...let me tell you that place changes you as soon as you walk in. The way you feel as you enter the doors is priceless and just so spiritual. I cannot even describe it...there are no words!!! AMAZING....but It is HUGE and as we went in there was a mass going on so I got to see part of one which I will be attending soon because I am very excited!!! I bought a BEAUTIFUL rosary there and cannot wait to go back.
On Monday I once again did much of nothing and then on Tuesday I had class and then went to my friend, Yuliana's, for lunch after! It was so fun and we have a lot in common which is awesome! On Wednesday, yesterday I had to help a guy from the electric company look at the meter and some pipes and try to understand him but it was rapid french so most of what he got was a blank stare and a laugh haha....but he was very very nice and it was ok!
Then our cleaning lady came and I love talking to her because she only speaks Portuguese and French so we have to talk in French and she invited me over to her place sometime for tea or coffee or a coke or something. She has a 17 year old daughter and I told her I could hang out with her sometimes and help her with some english and she can help me with french and whatever. So then on Wednesday I went to a shop here in Paris called Thanksgiving! How perfect! It is an American grocery store that I found and they have everything from Hellman's mayonnaise to pop tarts, to nerds, to philadelphia cream cheese, to Jif peanut butter!!! I was looking for some pumpkin pie mix to make for TODAY!!! I found some and it was amazing but the only problem with this place is that the prices are GARGANTUAN!!! I bought a large can of pumpkin pie mix for 7.50 euros...and with the dollar being about 1.65 per euro right now you can do the math to figure out how much that is in dollars...outrageous!!! They had stovetop stuffing there as well and I was sooooo tempted to buy some after my already made plan to make my own stuffing...sooo I definitely stuck to my plan and decided to make homemade, made from scratch STUFFING!!! and I completely succeeded!! I am soooo happy!!! So it was really easy and G had a turkey but not a real turkey just like a loaf of turkey hahaha like a small, wrapped in net, rotiseri type hunk of turkey...so it was still good though....I was going to make green bean casserole and had the stuff but did't get around to it. By the time we ate dinner it was like 9:30 at night because there was no time earlier in the evening to prepare the meal....but everyone loved my stuffing!!!! G and J did but J hates pepper and could taste the little bit of pepper that there was. G's dad and his wife came over and they liked it too! The pumpkin pie was good but not completely ready when we ate it but oh well :) I loved Thanksgiving today!!! It was sooooo amazing and I am soooo thankful that I have such a great family here to share it with!
Also, I cannot leave out the middle of my day. Some other American girls from my class were having a get together for Thanksgiving and we each contributed a dish and we had green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, rice, turkey, ham, bread, and salad! And then I took some apple tarte and chocolate pie stuff for dessert...it was MAGNIFIQUE! I am so lucky to have such an awesome group of friends here and a great family to spend time with. I love it and I am so thankful for all of my loved ones at home who always support me and who are always there for me no matter what...I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!
So here is it about 1:30 am after Thanksgiving and I am finishing my blog because I am tired. I know this is not the best blog ever but I promise to try and not wait so long between blogs because then it will be better!!! My birthday is on Sunday and I am going to see Zorro tomorrow night with the family!!! We will be celebrating my bday with cake and everything that G is surprising me with so that should be interesting!! haha But I am so glad to be here and I can't believe I will be 24!!! I feel very young and I am young at heart right guys? hahaha I LOVE YOU ALL!!!! I will talk to you soon and XOXOXOXO
Bisou Bisou
LOVE J

AC?

Well hello everyone!!! I am sitting at home at 10 am and getting things together and cleaning my room after I write this! I am going to a bar at 1 with a girl I met in class because we went there the other night and she cannot find her wallet so hopefully it will be there! Going out in Paris is a lot different than at home! And if you want to wear heels it is really a good idea to rethink that decision because there is wayyyyy too much walking and cobble stones do not like heels....it was horrible!
But we had a lot of fun! I am excited because we have been talking about doing a lot of things together since we both have free time and we want to volunteer somewhere! I think that woul dbe something so fun for me because I love volunteering and I could meet more people and really make good use of my time! I am really going to look into this I am so excited :)
Yesterday I ate falafel with Flo, the old teacher from OSU! It was really good....we went to the Jewish area of Paris near Le Marais...the stop on the metro is St. Paul....it was a really cool area and the food was delicious! After that we went to walk around for a while and just look for ice cream because I really wanted some but we couldn't find anything so we just went to Mcdonald's and got some....I got a Mcflurry with M&Ms but they use peanut M&Ms which is different....but anyways I think we ended up sitting in Mcdonald's for over 3 hours just talking about french and he gave me a presentation workshop that he had to give at his work about improving your ability to learn a different language and the steps you need to take and such...it was very interesting. I am very ambitious now and I realized that I want to take this whole learning french thing completely seriously...which means practice practice practice!!! I want to be so fluent and really be able to understand everyone! I already feel like I have caught on a lot better to things but that is not enough!
I am going to have to just learn at my own pace but stay positive and really just practice every chance I get!
So my friend Heath...(another shout out for my boy!) haha has introduced me to an AMAZING new song haha. It is from 1970 but I love it and it's soooo Happy....you should look it up on Youtube: "Les Champs-Elysee" Artist: Joe Dassin....I am telling you its amazing!!!
So I am planning on going to Monmarte soon and to Notre Dame for mass....I am really glad I met the girl in my class because I think we will have a lot of fun hanging out together and doing a lot of new and exciting things!
So Thanksgiving is coming up but I do not think I will be celebrating it with all of the proper American festivities because that is the day we are going to see the play Zorro outside.....I do not think turkey and stuffing are in the picture but that is alright....it will just make me more ready for Thanksgiving next year!!!! After Thanksgiving it will be my birthday!!! I can't believe I will be 24...sooo crazy....and I feel like my time here is already flying by....It has already been a month and I have soo much to do still. I just think the time here will go by quickly so I need to cherish every moment I have!
I really need to get into a routine here and start working out everyday or something...I want to have a reason to wake up everyday even if there is nothing for me to do for work. I just think I would make the most out of my day if I work out first....so wish me luck on that! Which means I need to start going to bed early and I can't talk to everyone on facebook...:( that makes me sad though...I really get so caught up on the computer with everyone that I don't realize how late it is and then I don't get to sleep very early....it is becoming an issue hahaha
Today, like I said I am going back to the area where I was last night and then I am picking J up at 4:30 with her violin and staying at her mom's until G picks us up at 6! I am going to get going and get my day into productive gear but I will talk soon!
Oh P.S. I finally did some shopping so it was really fun! I am excited to shop again! woohoo!!!
I am still working on post cards for you all don't worry!
LOVE YOU!
Jess

Hello My Darlings!

Bon Soir!
I need to keep writing to all of you because I have had many requests for more blog entries haha. I find it difficult at times to write but I will make sure I keep up with it because I know this will be good for me in the future and a lot of you enjoy reading which makes me happy :). Soooo it's Monday evening, J is upastairs practicing violin and I am just writing a quick blogaroo...I hope you realize that when I say I miss you every single time that I really do miss you! My heart never stops missing you all!!! Ok so...my last entry was on Thursday and I have had some fun since then!
I went to Germany on Friday morning which was really really early. I had to be at Paris Nord which is a train station at 6:25 AM because that was when my train left for Koln or Cologne in french and we pronounce it Koeln...the German version which is the first one up there is supposed to have 2 little dots above the O but I really don't know how to add those so sorry about that! hahaha But my idea was to leave the house very early so that I had plenty of time to find my train and prepare for my trip and pray that there were no strikes..
Well I have a listing of the time table for the train by my house and it said the first train came at 4:40 AM....so I left the house at like 4:32 and literally sprinted...full sprint not kidding here....with my luggage and all....in my boots....worked up a sweat....got it? Haha ok so I sprinted to the train station to guarantee that I would catch the earliest train.....WELLLLLLLL apparently that time table was wrong because as I approached my platform the screen informed me that my first train would arrive at 5:20....cold and alone I sat and waited for the 45 minutes that it took for my train to arrive. It was pitch black outside too because it was soo early....but I felt good after my small little work out of sprinting to the station to start my day....I finally got on the train when it came along with a mere 5 other people and arrived at Le Gare St. Lazare where I had to catch the RER E which is similar to the metro....I took the RER E from there to Paris Nord and then found my train in Paris Nord. I was excited that it was not on strike and once the screen signified which platform my train was on I walked to find my seat.
I was finally on the train! I was headed for Germany and it was exciting! The train was full and I had to use my ticket from the previous day because there were no cheap tickets if I wanted to exchenge it...the lady told me it would be ok to use my ticket on Friday and it would be the same as if I had gone on Thursday. I was worried about this and I was hoping there weren't going to be any problems with my seat or anything. There was a group of high school age kids with a leader who said that their seats included the one I was sitting it but it didn't matter because there were enough seats in that car so it was no big deal. PHEW that scared me but I was fine after that. Once the ticket man came around to check the tickets I was nervous as well because I was not completely certain my ticket was alright but I was just going off of what the woman had told me the day before and I assumed she knew what she was talking about because she worked for the train company :)....The group of high schoolers that I mentioned really made me realize how crazy languages are...What I mean is that they were all interchangeably using German, French, and English! And not just the formal versions of these languages that we learn in school but really sounded like they knew the slang and all of the normal talk that we use in English. It made me really jealous that they could easily transition from one language to another and know each language so well!
I think a lot of German people are required to learn English in school and I think I have heard before that when you learn at least 2 languages when you are young it is easier to learn more languages later in life, and also that your brain is more advanced and children who know multiple languages growing up are more educationally advanced...now I have not done any studies on this nor do I know that it is a fact but in theory it sounds like it could be true!
I really think it made me realize how hard I want to work to learn French because I just love hearing the language and I want to be able to speak it and understand everything. Sometimes I get caught up in the little things and realize how overwhelming everything is when you think about all of the tiny steps it will take to get to where you want to be...BUT I have recently decided to focus only on the big picture and just keep my goal in mind so that I do not freak out with all of the small steps along the way. I just need to make each small step apart of the big picture and I will eventually be so good that you would think I was French!!!
Question...would you Americans still love me if I turned French? I mean I am quite irresistable I know but...hahaha Just kidding :)
So I was riding the train and studying French and listening to music and playing games on my phone and it was really relaxing and peaceful! The train ride was about 3 hours and 45 minutes but there were a few stops on the way. finally I arrived in Koln where I had to wait about an hour to catch another train to my destination, Paderborn! Here I had to ask an information lady which platform my train would be on and I heard her speaking English to people just before me but she gave me a little attitude when I was asking her questions....that did not make me feel very welcome haha but Oh well...I was told that German's often sound angry whenever they talk so maybe that is what it was hahaha
I found my train and got on...the ticket I had was printed from the internet and I had to show proof of my credit card when I was on the train to make sure it was me. I forgot about this and the man asked me to see my Visa....ok so I got out my passport and he said no Visa card...and then I felt silly but I realized what was going on! hahaha ohhh those visas....
So the train from Koln to Paderborn was very desolate for a while until we stopped a few more times and then it filled up! I was having a lot of fun because Germany is soooo pretty and the land is beautiful and as the train sped by I captured pictures of the scenery. The train from Koln to Paderborn was about 2 hours and 20 min but there were sooo many stops on this train. Without stops it would have been a lot faster I am sure!
I arrived in Paderborn!! YAY!! sooo exciting! And I walked out front and Twig was waiting! I was happy to see him and it really felt good to see a familiar face....very comforting! So we drove around for a little bit and then went to Mcdonalds! My first experience with fast food on this trip....and it was delicious! Twig was busy with basketball stuff so for a few hours I just chilled at his apartment and watched a movie. His apartment is really nice though and he has a million and one movies...not exaggerating hahaha After he had practice we went to the grocery store and made dinner and then just watched a movie and I drank some beer...which by the way German beer is very good! I was worried it would be bitter because I HATE bitter beer but the kinds that I had were not bitter at all so I was happy about that.
So the next day we drove around the city some more but the weather was bad and rainy so we didn't get out to walk around but we decided that I would try to drive his car since it is a manual. I need to get some kind of practice in before these driving lessons that I will have coming up....that will be a laugh! hahahahaha
So I was excited to drive the car and as I began I surprised myself and Twig because I was actually not that bad....of course the transition from stop to start was not the smoothest and my confidence was low but once I tried it for a few minutes my confidence grew and I got better! It is not as difficult as I thought but we were only in a parking lot and I was too scared to go near any cars. I ended up driving onto the road but pulled over to the side when I realized the road led to a busy area....NOT COOL!!! hahaha so we switched and went back home. Twig's game was far away on Saturday so I could not go :( I was sad but oh well...haha I am going to try to go back again and actually see a game! So while he was gone I started to walk into town and I found a couple of shoe stores along my way. I looked for a while and at the second store I found a really cute pair of shoes that took me a while to decide on buying but they were only 30 euros and they were my size and they were sooooo cute! It is very difficult to find my size in France (even though I haven't looked yet) but I was really happy and excited...I am at the check out and they tell me that they do not accept VISA!!! What the heck? Visa is supposed to be accepted everywhere! Then I got out my American card and tried to use that because it was MasterCard....BUT that was unacceptable as well....I was sooo upset....the shoes I really wanted had to say goodbye :( Oh well so I kept walking until I reached the supermarket where we bought our groceries the night before and there was a little stand with a man making gyro-type things and I got one and then started to head back to the apartment because it was really dark and things were closing. On the way back I stopped by the gas station where I bought some more beer and THEY accepted Visa so I was happy about that!!!
I was walking and enjoying the feel of the country and I just got this feeling that Germany was really safe and clean and that no bad things happen there because that is how it seems....then all of a sudden right after this thought crosses my mind, a GIANT white van pulls up onto the curb slowly, right in front of me and next to where I would be walking in like 2 seconds......and a man gets out and starts speaking to me in German and I think he was asking for directions but I don't really know and all I said to him was "English" "English" hahahaha...soooo that kind of creeped me out but then I realized they were not creepers they were just lost....
I made it back to the apartment to watch some movies and use Twig's phone that could call numbers in the US...I know I did not get the chance to call ALLLLLL of you but it was good to hear some familiar voices! I think we really take using the phone for granted :)
Twigster got home at like 1:30 AM or something and I had the key so he had to ring the bell but I was confused and scared that it was someone else because in the hallway it was pitch black...I was on the phone with Shay at the time...remember that? hahaha But then I realized I had to push a button and it was all ok!
On Sunday we just chilled in the morning until T drove me to the train station at like 2PM and we bought a ticket and then said goodbye and I was on my way back to Paris. The train I took back to Koln stopped in Hamm and I had to catch another train but that was easy peasy....The thing that I screwed up on was getting off in Koln...what an idiot!!! SO I got off at the station before the one I was supposed to be in and I was like ummmm this does not look familiar and this is definitely the wrong station...it said Koln but it was not the main Koln...I was walking and trying to tell myself that I was right and it would all be ok but then I realized I was DEAD WRONG!!!! I just went back up to the area where I had gotten off and found a nice young boy who knew how to speak some English! I was telling him my dilemma and he pointed me to platform 10...which means nothing to you I know haha....but he told me that platform always stops in Koln Hbf which is the main station....sooooo I got on the train and everything was ok and I ended up in Koln!!! YAY!
While I was in the station waiting for my train I used the restroom and had to pay 1 euro and that was the first time I did that...actually no I take that back after I saw a movie in Paris I payed to use the restroom as well but it was different because in Paris it was a man who just took my money and at the train station in Koln it was a machine that would not open unless you put money in kind of like at the train station when you are exchanging trains or on the metro when you pass through the thing....for those of you who know what I mean....But I remember things like that when my family and I traveled to Europe in 2007.
That is another reason why America is so great hahaha we never have to worry about paying to use a restroom...I mean that seems odd but I can understand it I suppose....
So I made it back to Paris and it seemed to me like I had a sign on my back that said "Take me please" because a lot of things have been happening that make me feel like people notice me easily or might take me....hahaha of course this is a bit of an exaggeration (Parents do not be alarmed) but I just think it is funny! I forgot to mention that when I was waiting for my train from Koln to Paderborn a man was talking to me and told me that he saw me waiting at the Paris Nord station....and he was asking me what I was doing and said that he hoped to see me again in Paris...it was really weird and I did not like that haha Luckily he did not get on the same train to Paderborn!!!
But when I was back in Paris I was looking at the screen to be sure which platform to go to so I could get back to St. Lazare...a man came up to me while I was looking and said "La Gare St. Lazare?" And I was like yes, it's here? And he said yes...and then he asked where I was from and I said USA! hahaha But it's like how did he know that I was going to La Gare St. Lazare?? I found that a little odd but I guess it is a pretty big station and I was near that platform so maybe he was just trying to be nice....for now I will just stick with the "everyone is trying to take me" theme because it is more entertaining! hahaha
I got home around 10:30 and I felt good to be back! I had such a great weekend but I realized something on the train back to Paris....The French language is now beginning to sound familiar and provide comfort to me, just as English does when you are in a foreign place. That made me realize that I have finally made this my new home and I am so happy that it brings me comfort. Sometimes you have to take a step back and re-evaluate what you have to realize it's something worth having. I think we all need to do that with a lot of things in life because we lose sight of these things too easily and it is so important to stay grounded and really keep in mind the blessings we have. I just think from now on I will try harder to not take things for granted...it is a very difficult thing to do but I will try.
I have been doing a lot of self exploration since I have been gone and I really want to become a better person...there are a lot of things I should work on which will take a while...but hey, realizing it is the first step right?
I am grateful for the opportunity to be sitting here in Paris and be able to really have amazing experiences and really reflect on myself as a person. I just really, truly love my life and I could never have done any of this without all of you! You guys are amazing and I pray for you all of the time!!! You are forever in my prayers and my heart. A quote I keep in mind a lot is this:
~**Never make your home in a place. Make a home for yourself inside your own head. You'll find what you need to furnish it - memory, friends you can trust, love of learning, and other such things. That way it will go with you wherever you journey**~
I found this quote online and I do not remember who it is by but it is soooo true!!! It is amazing and I love it..when I first got here I missed home and felt like I was not at home but when I think about it....no matter where I am I will always have my friends and family, I will always have my memories and every experience I have had....those will always be there....my physical home and my town or country...those may not always be there and I may not always stay in one spot...this quote is really the best quote!!!!
I hope you all know that you each help make up part of what I consider to be "home" and it feels so great to know that I have such a strong support system.
I thank God everyday for an amazing life!
I Love you sooo much and I will again soon but I am actually not done with this blog yet....
Ok sooooo I woke up today and I had my french film class which is a JOKE...not like it's stupid but it's hilarious because it is not about French film really....I met a girl in my class who seems awesome so that is good! And she doesn't live too far from me so we are going to try to hang out soon! But in this class the man is really funny but the thing that makes me laugh is because it is mostly about learning verbs and things and not really watching films...I went today for the first time and was 30 minutes late because of my great sense of direction again! hahaha but it is really relaxed and not a big deal and plus, I have been studying a lot of french on my own!
I am excited for this class because it is funny, interesting, and really intriguing...I think I will get something out of it!
After class I came back to the house for a little bit to eat lunch and chill and then pick J up from school and go to her mom's to do homework and learn a little bit of English. I need to get in touch with some people who teach ESL or English in general because I would like some advice but for now I am doing alright I think. I am probably going to try to print some worksheets offline and try to keep it fun! If you have any suggestions or know anyone who might I would love to know!
I know a lot of teachers as well so I am working on contacting them to see if they know of anything that would help me!
Now I am just finishing this blog after dinner...cordon bleu and pasta...it was good! But I need to go take care of some paperwork and I will write again soon....I promise...I hate to leave ya'll hanging! hahaha
MUAH XOXOXOXO Bisou Bisou!!!
Love You ALL!!
Miss you ALWAYS!!
Talk SOON!!
Jess