Chris Brown in Paris

Last night Coralie and I went to see Chris Brown in Paris. It still amazes me that in 40 minutes I can be in Paris...LOVE it! It was really interesting to see an American concert in France. They didn't change the show at all. He would sing these really popular songs and leave out words so the audience would sing them...BUT...apparently Chris forgot that they don't speak English in France. There were a bunch of Americans there but we were really the only ones who knew the words. Also inbetween the songs they talked...but in really heavy American slang! We had floor seats which didn't actually mean seats...just that we stood on the floor but we were SO CLOSE! Overall amazing show...he is such a great dancer!!!

Dogs

French people love dogs...this is a steryotype but I find that steryotypes exist for a reason. Dogs are allowed everywhere here...I mean everywhere. Resteraunts, grocery stores, shops, bars, etc. And the really crazy thing is that 99 percent of them aren't on leashes! They are the most well behaved and loyal dogs I have ever seen. They just follow thier owner around wherever! I have never seen any of them bark or bother anyone or come up to anyone. Also when they pass other dogs in the street they don't even stop...its amazing. I don't know how they train these dogs but its working!

Late

I have a problem. I'm about 5 minutes (minimum) to everything. At home this isn't too much of a problem b/c if I leave 5 minutes late, I drive where I need to go and arrive 5 minutes late. Here...I take public transportation. Today I arrived at the platform as the train was slowly pulling away. The next one isn't until an hour later and by then I will have missed my class. Ugh...sometimes I miss my car (never thought I would say that).

March for Palestine

Yesterday there was a huge march for Palestine and it was crazy! It took up the entire street and there were so many people yelling and jumping around. I managed to get some pictures...also there were some unicyclists in front of the theatre that ill include! (note the sunshine)

One Week

Today marks one week since I left NC and its been quite a productive week. I haven't forgotten as much French as I thought I would! I started running in the mornings again and its COLD but I forgot how much I used to love working out in the mornings. I also sat down and layed out what I need to get done in the coming months.

A lot of exciting events are coming up this spring...Chris Brown concert in Paris, Carnival de Dunkerque, and our first long break at the end of February. It is so cheap to travel around Europe! Im planning on visiting my friend from skating Alex Tregre in Edinburg, Scotland for the first week of break. My two best freinds here Kim and Abby and I are looking into Morocco for the second week. An all inclusive package from Paris including flight, hotel, and food for 8 days 7 nights is only 450Euro! All of these things will encourage to get me through the job!!

The best part about being back is that it has been sunny for 5 days!! Today is the last day of the 'good' weather and then the drip is back. Also the sales started on Wednesday which means everything in the city is 50% off. Its wierd here b/c there arent sales throughout the year, just 3 huge ones per year. I've only bought some necissary boots b/c I'm saving up for all of my trips!

Back in France

After 3 long flights, one missed connection, 2 trains, and one very long walk back to the apartment, I'm back! I wonder if it was a good idea to go home for Christmas. I loved it so much I just wanted to stay in Cary with my friends and family. Now its 5 whole months before I get to see any of them again. The good news is that I have 4 weeks of paid vacation and I don't have to work this week except for Thursday.
Everything here is the same so far. Even the Christmas decorations are still up in the streets. My roomate has aquired a boyfreind over the holidays so that will be a little different but he is nice and I approve! Im having coffee with the other assistants today so we can catch up on everyone's break.
Not too much going on yet...I'm looking up travel costs for my vacations in hopes of curing my homesickness. I need to take advantage of living in Europe and cheap airlines!!!
Also the sales start tomorow!! In France there are 3 big sales a year but no ongoing sales throughout the year. It was wierd being home and at the back of every store there was a sale section...I miss it! Besides the sales, I already miss everyone from home. THANKS so much for making my Christmas trip better than I imagined!!!!

Lille Weather

It got cold…not terrible cold, just winter cold. We had a huge snow on Sunday that was a lot of fun but they say it doesn’t snow much here. Also the ground is pretty much always wet from the daily rain…no big deal until it got cold and now in the morning when I walk to the train station its all ice! Should be familiar to me I know but its kind of hard to maneuver without blades!! People are falling down everywhere and it’s pretty funny until you eat it on the steps! The biggest difference in the whether is that in France, I have to be tough and deal with it more. If it’s cold in NC, I only have to endure it for the 5 min. walk to and from the car. Here, my only means of transportation is walking so I’m outside in the elements weather it rains, snows, or hails (which I have been caught in a few times)! I’ve learned to live with wet toes…apparently my southern boots aren’t waterproof enough for Lille!