Je ne sais quoi

I thought about describing to you my doings of late. My trip to Montpellier (which was the best weekend of my life), my trips to Paris or even my mundane daily activities of... well...nothing. Instead I think I might just talk about random things.

Have you ever seen the movie or read the book the Outsiders? I like it because it talks about what it actually means to be an outsider. It seems at some point or another everyone in the book feels like they don't belong in either their own group or the other cliques that exist. I've been thinking about this situation a lot lately because lets face it I am an outsider in many ways. Then I realized that its ridiculous. It's a weird defense mechanism. Protecting yourself from being judged by giving others something to judge on purpose. That way what they are judging isn't you its your fake image. Brilliant. Now though, not only are you protecting yourself from the people that aren't in your "group" but those who are in it as well because once you step outside your house wearing a mask...you have to wear it all the time. Its not like Ross's british accent where you can slowly, sneakily get rid of it (it didn't even work in tv world). So en gros I shouldn't be afraid to talk to people just because I'm afraid they won't like me. Because that's stupid. The end.

Next I'm coming home on Monday and I've been thinking about lots of things lately.
Notably:
Dos XX
Refried beans
tortilla chips
baked beans
the 4th of July
outdoor swimming pools
ceiling fans
orange dogs that breathe in peoples faces

Last. All you LOST haters should just be quiet and let those of us who like it bask in the glory of the sweetest ending ever. Sure it didn't answer all of the questions that were ever posed on the show but hey, when in life do you have all the answers? Exactly. AND the show wasn't even about the questions it was about the people and I think the ending was perfect and open leaving you the viewer to interpret how you see fit. RIP Lost.

Love Leah

Do Ré Mi

Hello world,

I did two things this weekend. I went to a cute little island on the Atlantic coast called Île de ré and I finished Sarah Palin's book. Let's start with the island.
It was ADORABLE. Cute little white houses and flowers everywhere it was out of a picture book. We rode bikes everywhere on Saturday and saw all kinds of animals like baby lambs and a llama. Finally we got to the beach which was deserted but beautiful. The beach was huge, the water was a crystal turquoise color and the sand was pristine-no trash at all, and all along the coast you could see Blochauses, you know those concrete stations that the germans used to fight us off. It was really cool from a historical standpoint and as my friend Anne put it, "How could anyone fight a war on this beautiful beach?" We also saw the hugest jellyfish I've ever seen in my entire life. I mean seriously. So the water was a little cold but I had my ridiculous amount of excitement to keep me warm. I really love the  beach. So I went swimming and Mathieu attempted haha. All in all, a lovely weekend.

The second thing I did was read Sarah Palin's book. Before you judge me let me preface this with the fact that it is important and responsible to understand everyone's ideas even if in general you don't agree. Since we as an American public really didn't know Sarah Palin, I felt obligated to get to know her... even if it is too little too late. What I found out was that she did some things in Alaska, things that no other governor has done. I also found out that it wasn't her that ruined John Mccain's campaign, it was the campaign itself who decided to stifle her which is why only the bad shit got out which she admits was some pretty dumb stuff. They made a lot of mistakes in regards to how they dealt with her, even choosing her was a mistake but whatever. I also found out (well already knew) that the media is a horrible source of information. Finally, I found out that the people most to blame for how that election was handled is us. People who swallow disgusting rotten pieces of trash like pigs, instead of forcing our news to report things that are A) true and B) important. On both sides. Sure its my fault that I didn't do enough research before I voted, but I'm really disappointed with the picture that was painted for me of both sides. I always admitted that I liked John Mccain it was Sarah Palin that ruined it for me... I still would not have voted for her even after reading her book..
Yes we do need change in America but from where I'm sitting it doesn't look like we're getting a whole lot of it. Or maybe I'm just guilty again of listening to hearsay. I'll tell you one thing... I never realized just how free we are to do whatever we want in America until I lived here.

Love Leah

I do not heart Paris

Well hello,

Seems to have been a long time since I last wrote. I'm not really sure whats was going on last time I was here but lets see if I can bring ya'll up to speed. Lately I've been helping Mathieu move to Paris, well sort of helping him. We finally got all of his stuff into his new apartment which is cute and pretty large considering its Paris. Its in the 17th arrondissement and the area is pretty calm. But, even if these are all positive things I've been saying, I still get physically ill when I enter the Paris city limits. The more I go there and the longer I stay the more I realize I hate it, ok maybe not hate. You see, even though I'm not from the country , in Texas even the cities are the country compared to the dense metropolis that is Paris. Geographically its not that big but its like hundreds of thousands of people stacked on top of one another living in tiny apartments for hundreds of dollars. Sure its Paris, there's the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe but after awhile you get tired of going there, not to mention that it probably takes an hour on the metro to get there anyway. Everyone tells me, "but Leah theres so much to do in Paris." Yeah there is, like seeing the sights and looking at art in one of Paris' many museums. But I can't take advantage of that if I have a job, which I'll need to pay for the 6 euro beer.
Ok, ok  I know I'm being harsh, its just resentment because its a lot of change at once. Not only am I thinking about moving to place I never wanted to live but I'm wrestling with the fact that I might stay indefinitely across the ocean from my family and friends. I don't know if I can  handle it.
On a related note, this is the last week of work for me. I'm coming home in about 1 month. May 31st I'll be getting on a plane and setting foot in America for the first time in months. I want a steak, a baked potato, and some yellow squash. I want my phone back with my unlimited phone calls and text messaging. I want my sunday softball games and my breakfast tacos, my pure, untouched nature AND my right to sit on the grass anywhere I want to.

Anyway its springtime and I will say that France is absolutely beautiful in the spring. And I'm lucky enough to have someone who really wants me to be happy so I'm going to be happy. I'm going to try. If Paris is the sacrifice I have to make, then its totally worth it.

Love Leah

ps. I'm reading Sarah Palin's book.... ha ha

Pass the Courvoisier

Ah the sun, le soleil. J'adore. I had the best weekend. First Mathieu, Amanda (my roommate) and I drove to her house which is in Cognac country. Practically everyone that lives there works in the cognac industry. Whether it be growing the grapes, distilling, bottling, what have you. We stayed with Amanda's family who are the most friendly welcoming people, even though her dad was a little hard for me to understand because he has a thick accent and talks really fast. But anyway we walked around and went to a distillery and tasted some cognac...ok a lot of cognac. Amanda's family has a big ole Saint Bernard who is 6 months old and weighs over 100 lbs. He was so cute. And I got to play with Amanda's nephew Hugo who's so adorable I could have squeezed him to death... good thing I didn't.
So then, Mathieu and I said goodbye to her family and moved on down the road to Bordeaux which is a beautiful city, if not a little old looking. I really liked it, lots of flowers and its super sunny.So we spent about a half a day there and then we went to hang out with Mathieu's dad next to the ocean. Man I wished it were warmer I wanted to go swimming so bad. So it was beautiful and we drove forever to get home but all in all it was a perfect weekend really. I'll put some pictures up when I think about it.

Also, I'm gonna stay in France. I'm looking for a job, and even if I don't find one I'm coming back here. So, I'll be home in a month and a half, say goodbye to me then and hopefully it won't be the last time you see me.

Love Leah

An Automatic Kind of Girl

Long time no type! Its been a busy week because my parents were here! It was awesome and I'll tell you a little about it, unfortunately they took all the pictures so I can't enrich my post with photos like usual. Ok so I went to pick them up from the airport and then forced them to drag all of their luggage through many metros which was a huge pain in the ass but hey thats how people get around here. Finally we got to their hotel which was in a part of town I'd never been too so that was cool. It was around Gare St Lazare. So all we did pretty much was walk around and eat. Not too bad. On Monday I had to return to Orleans because I had to work. They came down Wednesday afternoon and we quickly realized that my mom had left her wallet on the train...byebye wallet forever. Luckily her passport was not inside. Then after many administrative wallet related shenanigans we ate dinner at my house with Amanda, Raina and Mathieu. We didnt' eat just any dinner mind you... we ate Raclette. MMMMMmm melted cheese and potatoes. Then the next day Mathieu was kind enough to drive us to a castle and then to a wine cave and we got a cool little tour and many glasses for wine tasting. Then we went out to eat and to one of my favorite bars where we partied way to hard. Saturday I met back with my parents in Paris and we went to Centre Pompidou and saw a really cool exhibit by Lucien Freud. I recommend it.  All and all it was a good trip for them. They really liked my friends I think and they really liked Mathieu which is awesome.

A completely unrelated but funny story. Yesterday Mathieu and I went to his mom's house to eat lunch. She lives in the country a little bit so we decided he should teach me how to drive a manual. I was a little apprehensive but whatever I have done it before. So I get into the car and he gives me a some last minute reminders and I start crying because I'm so scared (I was laughing at the same time and so was he at the ridiculousness of me crying) I think I have a phobia. So I calmed down and then started driving I even got it into second and went back down into first but then I had to turn around and I couldn't quite do a u turn so I was going to stop and do a 3 point turn. Then Mathieu starts aking what are you doing and I freak out and the car stalls because I didn't push the clutch while I was breaking or whatever. Then I really started crying because we were headed for a giant hole and I could've killed someone.

That is the end of stick driving for me... ill  just have my toyota shipped over.

Love Leah

Stickin to Croissants

Well it's official. I'm boycotting baguettes because one of them decided to injure me. I cut myself on the sneaky razorblade that is french bread. Its actually kind of a gross cut. I didn't think it was possible to hurt yourself on bread but I guess I was wrong. On the brighter....or less dark side I think it might be getting warmer...finally. I'm tired of being cold all the time. I'm tired of being told I look tired because my skin hasn't seen the sun in god knows how long. Anyway
Wednesday night we went to L'Astrolabe which is the venue of Orléans and I was pleasantly surprised at the sound quality there. There was a battle of the bands sort of thing going on but not like in Austin where, whoever has the most fans wins. Here there were actually judges. There were all different styles of jazz and some of the best saxophone playing I've ever heard. Not that I'm an expert on sax playing or anything but whatever, it was really good. I'm hoping they'll have some more good concerts because I was looking on the wall at who had come through there and it gave me high hopes that someone cool might play soon. There was however one band who totally sucked. (yep it's time for the rant) They were called the sound orchestra or something dumb like that. There were maybe 6 of them on stage, a dj, a bassist (with 6 strings mind you), a trombone player, a sax player etc... I guess since the bassist had a six string bass I assumed that they would either be good or reeaaalllly bad. Because honestly who buys a six string bass unless your trying to show off. Really good bassists can do amazing things on 4 or 5. So anyway, they turned out to be reeaallllly bad. They were just making noise. There was no rhyme or reason and it wasn't even pretty noise. The bassist was rubbing a spoon on the strings to play it. Oh I get it, that's why you need six strings, more surface area to rub your spoon on. It was ridiculous. At first we gave it a chance just in case they were just fooling us and were gonna break into some mad funk or something. Wrong. They made noise for thirty minutes. I'm sure in their dweeby minds they are making a statement about how music can mean anything. About the principle of jazz music and being avante garde and creative. Look dudes, there is a reason that people play music the way they do, because it sounds good. People have been playing music for thousands of years based on the musical theory we use today... because it sounds good. And really isn't that the principle of music? I think when people are being obstinate like that, just being different because its cool to be different, they are really missing their mark. Its hard for me to believe they actually thought what they were doing was good and interesting, but I imagine if I asked them they would have this speech prepared about what music really is and how they're redefining the scope of musical appreciation. A lot of big words to say nothing... I lived in Austin for 5 years I know how to spot musical bullshitters.

Then again maybe it made them feel good and happy to play that "music" and I can't hate on that.

Lately I've been thinking about how I should have been a lawyer, no matter what someone says I can argue with it. Maybe I'm wrong but I can usually convince someone I'm right for at least a little while. Or maybe I should have been in sales.
"He could make a woman in white gloves eat a ketchup popsicle"

Love Leah

Its a Lame One

There are two common english words that you quickly learn cannot be said in a french classroom;
Beach and Sheet. So now I say, do you like to go to the ocean and will you please take out a piece of paper.

Besides all that, classes are going ok. I still have issues with one of the classes full of 12 year olds at the ghetto school. There is this one kid that always starts teasing the other one, but quietly so I cant hear and when the other one retaliates the first kid screams at me "MISSES MISSES HE SAY  ZE BAD WORD!!!!!" Of course I tell him not to interrupt me and that "if you hadnt called him a douchebag first, he might not have called you a dickhead." So that way he learns cause and effect with his english. I also taught them the golden rule. No, not that whoever has the gold makes the rules... you know the one you learned when you were little and that most people quickly forgot. Yes that one, do unto others as you would have done unto you. Obviously they don't understand...

Anyway, its not too long before my parents come. YAY. That means Im getting peanut butter :) Im excited. Then after that its not too long before this job is over and I come back to the US. I've been looking for jobs for next year here and finally I got an interview as an english teacher at a university in Grenoble. But guess what... the interview is the day that my parents are here. So I asked for another day but its not looking good. Oh well its at least encouraging to get an interview.

Sorry France, you'll have to put up with me a little longer.
Love Leah

Terminé, Bonsoir

I know you've all been waiting to hear about Prague and how awesome it is. Well, here goes it. I wish that I could just recount my entire trip on this blog but that would take entirely too long and I know ya'll wouldn't read it anyway. So I've chosen some pictures and hopefully with my captions you can piece together how incredible my trip to Prague actually was.

So when we first arrived in Prague we put our stuff down in our hostel, which was cozy and had free coffee. Then we left to briefly explore our surroundings. Seeing as Mathieu chose a great hostel right in the middle of town this is one of the things we saw first. It is St. James Cathedral. Does it not look like it could be the castle in Sleeping Beauty? I think so. Anyway it was neat because you have this gothic building jutting up from these low renaissance buildings like a mountain next to hills. Which is a really good example of Prague architecture in general. Its a giant hodge podge of different styles and different eras all mixed together in one city. Ok next slide....

There were four of us that went to visit a friend. It was Raina, Alex, Mathieu and I going to visit Maxime, an Orléanais who is "studying" in Prague for the semester. I put studying in quotations because you don't study in Prague... you drink.

Here we are at Charles Bridge the oldest bridge in Prague and also the only bridge up until the late 1800's. Imagine that. Prague really isn't that big we walked everywhere and basically saw everything.

Here is some really horrible english that we saw standing outside of one of the many parties Maxime took us to. I guess instead of having class they have parties...until 6 in the morning. But thats cool

So here is a typical Czech meal. Pork and saurkraut...and lots of it. Oh yeah and potato dumplings. I'm not going to say Czech republic is the culinary center of the world, but their sausage is damn good. And look how they made it look.

Also an important thing to note is that the beer is not only cheap, but it's cheaper than water. So thats what you drink and there are only two kinds. Light beer and dark beer. Surprisingly the people of Prague aren't the obnoxious drunkards, its the foreigners.

Here is a traditional czech dessert. Its just fried bread and sugar. I'm positive that every culture has its own version of fried bread and sugar...doughnuts, sopapillas, beignets etc.


Ok well I'm tired of writing captions. But I should just tell you that it is really worth going to Prague. There is so much to visit. I spent an entire afternoon visiting a series of Jewish museums because Prague has the oldest Jewish cemetery in Europe... and you all know how much I love to visit cemeteries. The architecture there is like brain overload because everywhere you look there's tons of little details to look at. What I heard was that even though they were invaded by Germany Hitler decided not to destroy it so it still has a shitload of stuff to look at. Also think about this. We went out to a restaurant every afternoon and evening, we went to see museums and tours and we stayed in a Hostel... in all I spent 200 euros. That's all. Terminé Bon soir!

Love Leah

Glitter in the Air

Have you ever fed a lover with just your hands?
Closed your eyes and trusted
Just trusted
Have you ever thrown a fistful of glitter in the air?
Have you ever looked fear in the face and said, "I just don’t care."

It’s only half past the point of no return
The tip of the iceberg
The sun before the burn
The thunder before the lightning
And the breath before the phrase
Have you ever felt this way?

Have you ever hated yourself for staring at the phone?
Your whole life waiting on the ring to prove you’re not alone
Have you ever been touched so gently you had to cry?
Have you ever invited a stranger to come inside?

It’s only half past the point of oblivion
The hourglass on the table
The walk before the run
The breathe before the kiss
And the fear before the flames
Have you ever felt this way?

La La La La La La La La

There you are, sitting in the garden
Clutching my coffee,
Calling me sugar
You called me sugar

Have you ever wished for an endless night?
Lassoed the moon and the stars and pulled that rope tight?
Have you ever held your breath and asked yourself will it ever get better than tonight?
Tonight

------

I saw this on the Grammy's and thought it was awesome. Sweet and simple just the way I like it.

Love Leah 

Snow Angels

Apparently this has been the worse winter in 22 years. Thanks. At least next week I get to leave the country and go to Prague. YAY! And after that its only a month until my parents come! YAY! Well at least thats what they say... I'm not gonna get really excited until they buy their tickets. I don't really have anything to say I'm just bored and I thought I'd write.

Oh I sent my first batch of resumés out to french universities hoping they'll hire me for next year. We will see.

Love Leah

Gala 2010

Man prom would have been so much better if you could drink.
Last night was the infamous gala that Ive been talking about and it was exactly like a prom except you could drink and boy did we. Well not so much me because I had to sing but anyway. What was even crazier was the horrible ratio between dudes and girls there. I could have been 300 hundred pounds and gotten hit on I think. First we got ready at our house (Amanda, her friend, Raina, and I) and then we took a bus to get there.

That is me and David and here is Amanda and her friend

They were so pretty... well they still are haha anyway... You went in and there was a runway show in one room and in another room bands were playing (thats where I sang). It was pretty tight and then there was this huge room with a DJ and it was awesome everyone was dancing I mean like hardcore sweaty dancing. Especially Mathieu who at one point had his shirt unbuttoned and his tie around his head. And people say engineers are boring ha. Anyway it was really really fun. And apparently the band I sang with wants to record the songs so maybe you guys can hear them. Well Im off to clean my room and nap.

Ah I forgot Im on vacation yay!!!
Leah

Speak to Us Of Love

When love beckons you follow him, though his ways are hard and steep. And when his wings enfold you, yield to him, though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you. And when he speaks to you believe in him, though his voice may shatter your dreams as the north wind lays waste the garden. For even as love crowns you, so shall he crucify you. Even as he is for your growth he is for your pruning. Even as he ascends to your height and caresses the tenderest branches that quiver in the sun, so shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth. Like sheaves of corn he gathers you unto himself. He threshes you to make you naked. He sifts you to free you from your husks. He grinds you to whiteness. He kneads you until you are pliant; And then he assigns you to his sacred fire, that you may become the sacred bread for god's sacred feast.
All of these things shall love do unto you, that you may know the secrets of your heart and in knowledge become a fragment of Life's heart.

But if in your fear you would seek only love's peace and love's pleasure, then it is better for you that you cover your nakedness and pass out of love's threshing floor,
Into a seasonless world where you will laugh but not all of your laughter, and weep but not all of your tears...

... But if you love and still have desires, let these be your desires:
To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.
To know the pain of too much tenderness.
To be wounded by your own understanding of love;
And bleed willingly and joyfully...

-Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet

Put Another Dime In the Jukebox Baby

Hello world,

So this week marks the end of another chunk of school which means that Friday marks the beginning of yet another vacation. I thought teaching in the US would be awesome because of summer but this is just ridiculous. Anyway for this vacation Ill actually be doing something interesting, IM GOING TO PRAGUE! So thats exciting. Ill be sure to send lots of postcards.
So we had a dress rehearsal for the gala and apparently our group was one of if not the best. I wish that meant we were totally awesome (we were good) but it really just means that the rest of the groups werent so good. This one group covered some of my favorite songs that Ive always wanted to cover and they did it horribly. Oh well. It made me feel better at least. So the list of songs Im singing includes... Hit the Road Jack, Sunny, I love Rock and Roll, Fever and then some back up stuff. Its cool.
In other news I have to tell my gym when i want to end my subscription and send a letter to my landlord about when Im moving out... sadness.
Im doing Valentines Day with the kids today. Last week I had to break up a fight in this class so we'll see how it goes. I changed the seating chart so I dont think it will be a problem anymore. Plus they are 12 and barely come up to my chest so if they do get in a fight its not like Im risking injury in pulling them apart. But who gets in a fight during a lesson about Valentines Day, its LOVE people!! Im having them write poems. I realize it could be kind of cruel to make middle school kids write love poems considering its the most awkward age ever but oh well, theyll learn someday. And why not today? Ok Il faut que j'y ailles.

Love
Leah

Angel Whispers

I believe in Karma now more than ever. People are being so patient with me right now and I can't really seem to figure out why. The only way I can explain it is that normally I'm the one who is patient... so the world is rewarding me. Awesome, I'm really lucky that people will put up with me sometimes. Anyway. The gala is approaching and I'm kind of nervous about it. The gala is like a graduation ceremony for the engineering school and most of my friends are in the engineering school... when I say most of I mean all. And I'm singing at it which is cool and I'm not really nervous about singing but I don't really know whats going on and I don't like that. I don't know what we are going to do on stage, I don't know what order the songs are in, I just feel unprepared and that makes me nervous. I bought a really pretty dress though so at least I'll look good ;) And since Polytech is mostly dudes I guess it really doesn't matter what I do or how I sing haha I'm wearing a dress. So i'm excited.

I got the best birthday present. A my little pony!!! Sarah is awesome. She also sent me my favorite type of scented candle called Angel Whispers... who names a candle Angel Whispers? 

Anyway tout va bien and its sunny today so thats good

Love Leah

Flowin Like A River

So even though I'm tired... I don't want to go to sleep. I'm not really sure why, so I guess I'll just write in here, even though everyone knows nothing good comes from talking (or writing) late at night. Lately I've been thinking about the future. Its time to start making some decisions or at least start setting myself up to make decisions. For instance, whether or not I want to come back to France I still have to find a job here and at home so that way, no matter what decision I make I will have something waiting for me. This means I need to make a to do list.
1. Finish online teacher training
2. Register for the last two tests that I have to take, Oral French and Pedagogy
3. Finish my CV in French and send to every university in France
4. Check and see what one must do to have a permanent job in France
5. Apply  for teaching positions in Austin

I'm sure there is more but I really need to get on this shit or else when I get home I will have no prospects. It was nice being here for awhile and not thinking about anything except what I'm doing right now. I think one day it will be kind of cool knowing that I can have a stable job for awhile. Of course I say that but I'm sure after a year at any given job I'll be itching to move. You never know though. I think this is about to turn into a random stream of consciousness post. I bought a dress for the gala.. I hate shopping, mostly because I hate trying things on. Its funny  because I feel like the average girl is shaped like me but the fashion world doesn't want to accept that they would sell more clothes if they were made for curvy people. I've been really sensitive lately and god knows that shopping for clothes doesn't make me feel any more confident.. although at least I wasn't bathing suit shopping.  Can't wait for that to happen. Psyche. Hmm what else. Oh yes, If you ask someone for advice... either take it or don't. The end. I like it when people notice how I'm feeling without having to ask. That saves me the trouble and embarrassment of telling them, it also means they are sensitive and thus we have something in common. I like it when people tell me things they don't normally tell other people because it makes me feel special. haha. I have no idea what I am writing right now. I'm not drunk I swear. I recently read a really good book called The Mysterious Case of the Dog in the Nighttime. Its written as if its told by a boy with mild autism and I really enjoyed it because it really lets you in and lets you understand what the train of thought is for someone with Asperger's syndrome ( I tutored a kid with Asperger's) The book is endearing and funny and kind of a quick read. I recommend it.

Alright maybe I should give it a rest,
Goodnight all... well for some of you good evening enjoy your din din ;)
Love Leah

In The Middle

Just have to add something,

I was watching Larry King Live this morning. Can I just say that nothing pisses me off more than republicans and democrats who fight instead of debate. When I hear someone say "Oh please, you think that Bush would have done that yeah right" on national television it makes me crazy. Not only are you people making it ok to not think before you are speaking, you are making it ok to disagree with someone just because they are the opposite side. These people have been talking for about 10 min and have not said anything but "remember what Bush did or remember what Clinton did or Obama is an idiot." All they are doing is saying negative things about the other side instead of saying anything constructive. Isn't this what the Taliban wants? For us to hate each other and eventually ruin the country ourselves? I mean its less work for them... I've said it before and I'll say it again. We will NEVER EVER EVER be able to change anything unless we swallow our bi partisan pride and work together. Both sides have good ideas and both sides have very bad ideas. But if the American people could just learn to accept that sometimes their party is wrong and that it is important to listen to the other side we would be much better off.

Love Leah

PS If you go on National Television for a debate, please learn to debate first because its  not who shouts loudest that wins. In case you were wondering.

Je Suis Chanteuse

Its still snowing.... AND to top it all off the Longhorns are playing as I type these words and I have no idea what the score is. Oh well, tant pis. I got another singing gig... not like I'm getting paid but its just for fun again. Same deal sort of, with friends. Except for this one, its at a gala... I know snazzy right. I'm singing at a gala. Its also cool  because most of the french people I know are in the engineering school and its their gala so everyone I know will be there. Tight. It could be cool. I'm singing with two different groups, one is more of a funk type deal (I'm down) and the other is just random songs in English and there is another girl singing too. We'll see.
I have the morning off YAY!!!!!!!
Love Leah

Ps Mom, we are singing I gotta Feeling. It makes me think of you :)

Paris, Je t'aimes

Yesterday I spent the best day in Paris! Raina and Kyle and I decided to go to Paris for the day because, well we were tired of being in Orléans and we've all had really weird weeks. So we thought a little day trip and some drinks would do the trick. It did.

First the train was packed and people were standing...so we sat in the luggage room. I'm not sure why no one else was, but whatever.

The only thing we had on our agenda was starbucks and we decided to figure it out from there. We took the scary RER to the Montparnasse tower because Raina said it was really cool. As soon as we stepped off the RER we found the starbucks so that was cool. There was a huge  line to go up to the Montparnasse tower so we decided to go to the restaurant and grab a drink instead of waiting in line and paying 10 euros.  The view was incredible and the restaurant was really classy. I think the view is so good because you don't have to look at the Tour Montparnasse...because its kind of ugly haha. 

Along the way, we picked up a lonely british woman who followed us around, she was nice and apparently, she's a writer. You could kind of tell when she talked because she said really random things but they were at least imaginative. Anyway, so that was cool, making a new friend. Then we decided to wander around a little bit, ya know Notre Dame, Saint Michel, (we attempted the catacombs but they were closed) Then we needed a drink. So Raina pulled out her trusty tourist guide and found a sangria bar in the student district with 3 dollar sangria. We hiked it to the bar and finally found it. The british girl invited her french friend Bertrand. It was really weird because we all thought he was british for a long time because his accent was impeccable. Well at least to us Americans. He was really cool and gave us his card so we could stay with him next time. He has done loads of cool stuff in his life and I hope we get to hang out with him again. He was telling us about this other cool bar so he walked us to it and as it turns out I had been there before 3 years ago....weird! Its times like that you know you are in the right place doing the right thing. Anyway that bar happened to be closed for the holidays so we went next door and it was packed full of students. We got some beers, Kyle made new friends and then had to leave to get a kebab before our train. We searched for like 10 min and we saw nothing. Then suddenly we turned a corner and it was like kebab mecca. So we ate delicious kebab and headed back to the train station.

We hopped on our train at 11:40 and started our journey back to good ole Orléans. Here is Kyle with a bag of beer hanging out of the train haha. The train ride was pretty funny though because there was one other girl in our car and she probably hated her life because we were really loud and obnoxious, stereotypical Americans. Oh well we finally made it back to Orléans and we all stumbled home. Needless to say it was a really awesome trip. Try not to judge me :)

Love Leah

Sparkles

Its funny how communication works. I was talking to a friend, who is french, about being a translator. I said some people can perfectly translate words but that is useless if they don't know the culture. For example, the word for suburb in french is banlieue. But for an American when you say suburb they think of pretty white house all in a row with lawns and happiness. When you say banlieue to a french person (this is the exact translation) they think of the ghetto because in France the poorer socio-economic level lives outside of the city center which is the opposite of the states. So even though the word translates the meaning is different.

I think for my New Year's resolution I will be more careful about how I communicate with others.

Bonne Année
Love Leah