4 days and counting

Caffeine free but a pounding headache- I am really trying here people. . .

Actually, I am in a somewhat reflective mood this morning. Last night we went to pizza to celebrate a birthday and I am not sure if it was the presence of Duane or the grinding lack-of-caffeine headache, but I just wasn't feeling like going to the party afterwards. I came home and msn'd the Barrister who very kindly talked to me and kept me company until I fell asleep.

Last Sunday was daylight savings time here so there is now an 8 hour difference between here and home. The only benefit to this is that the Barrister could call me to wake me up as he went to bed last night.

I am almost packed and ready to go to Paris. I have no idea what to expect from the experience. I have been spending a lot of time thinking and reflecting over the past few months and I am hoping to continue with that in some ways even though I will now have roommates!

More than I anything, I am very excited to have the opportunity to live in the conveniences of a city again. Not that this wasn't a good experience. . . As long as you don't look at any of the buildings, the campus is quite beautiful. The winding paths, the blooming trees, and the emerging green are all very exciting and make me want to explore the woods all the more. However, I have not felt very energized lately and part of it I think is due to the fact that it is very difficult to exercise here. There is a weight room-- sort of. If you count one rowing machine and 5 broken machines with no pins, then yes, HEC has state of the art equipment. With the weather being what it is and the lack of indoor facilities, I have really used that as an excuse to eat way too much chocolate. Tomorrow morning's top priority?-- find a gym!

Interruption-My cleaning lady just came in and we were able to get through an entire conversation with only one pantomimed action. She was talking very quickly and she used a word for something that I didn't know. I am now the proud vocabulary owner of the word dust. Who knew. . .

So to end this rambling entry, I will say this: Despite the neon green curtains, shitty weather and inconveniences of Jouy-en-Josas, I am a *little* sad to leave this place. In a short time, I have come to identify it as home and will miss many of the little quirks of living here. (I will not be missing the mud!)

Life's lessons not yet learned

Do not. . . .
I repeat . . . Do NOT . . . buy the family pack of Twix bars.

6 candy bars is not a replacement for lunch.



No one person needs to eat that much chocolate in one day.

david and goliath

Or should I say, Rosie and Goliath.

I dare you to tell me that this isn't cute.

* compliments of the Barrister's camera phone!

I want to put you in my pocket and take you home

"Wanna gummy bear? They've been in my pocket for a while, so they're nice and warm."

-Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Kay greatly alleviated my first true Duane day by leaving me surprise gummies outside my door. I might want to bring another 'too cute for words' European home with me in my pocket.

Barrister, there is room right?!

I am half way across the world and still lucky enough to find good people.

this campus is brought to you by the letters: E, Z , and the corporation: L'Oreal

So I am guessing we have all heard about the student protests. Right, so you would have to be living in a cave to miss it. Roy, a friend of mine from CSOM, wrote me asking about the HEC students reaction. I have spent quite a bit of time over the last couple of weeks thinking about this and the best way I can describe it is to say that the next best option to living in that cave would be living at HEC.

If it weren't for my addiction to online news, I wouldn't have known about the protests. It isn't that the students here don't care, it is that they are privileged in a way that I have a hard time even beginning to describe. If you ask the students directly how they feel about it they will say that they support the student efforts. However, by supporting I mean that they are most concerned about the possibility of class cancelling.

Now, let's talk about this privilege. When we first came to campus, the international student advisor touched on this fact during our orientation. She said to not be surprised if we hear phrases like 'we are the best' or that 'HEC is number 1.' Which made me giggle, Then she followed it up by saying that it was true. These students are the top of the field for their age. Each year HEC admits 300 students from 50,000 applications. Here is where the privilege becomes prevalant. In order to be accepted at HEC you must be tri-lingual and have completed 2 years of preparatory work with excellent marks. This is where things start to bug me a little bit- from what I understand preparation work for HEC means a intelligence yes, but also a considerable family financial contribution. Not to diminish the hard work that these kids have done in order to get in here, but I am sure that the fancy schools and private tutoring helped too.

So why are these kids not worried about job security for the under 26 market? Because they aren't worried about job security at all. HEC is a pretty sweet resume booster and they are guaranteed a job once leaving HEC. Students do not take academics seriously at all once they are here, but rest assured they do take 'networking' very seriously. It is because of the diminished academics, which mind you I am not complaining about too much, that I have time to reflect on life's greater issues.

What are the kids worried about? Drinking? Yep. Student government elections are this month and each group that runs is sponsored by a corporation. Now for a point of reference, when you run as an individual at CSOM you get $25 to help in your election, which almost no one uses. Each team of 20 individuals or so is sponsored by a corporation and is given $200,000 to campaign. Not a typo. There are 3 teams, so that means $600,000 being spent on drinking and bribing. Again, not a typo. I have heard that there are helicopter rides next week. Can't wait.

Last week was the week of 4 Thursdays, with each night a different party in the cafeteria (. . .this is the room ikea built) being transformed by each of the groups running. Yes, we are choosing our elected representatives based on their ability to throw a good theme party. Two
themes stuck out to me. 1. Girl Power- which had posters featuring pictures of lipstick and Kellogg's corn flakes- pointing out the fact that Corn Flakes is Fat Free. Yes, women can and should be epitomized by lipstick and fat free corn flakes. Yes I am being sarcastic, don't hate-mail me. The other theme was 2. Cowboys and the Rouges (the reds). I think the title alone is enough to see why it bothered me.

Part of the reason, I am a little thoughtful about this topic lately is because of something I witnessed in London during the March 18 protest of the war in Iraq. The 3rd anniversary was commemorated around the world with various protests and we were fortunate enough to particpate while we were in London. What struck me so powerfully about this event was the diversity of the protesters, many carried signs, many carried children and many carried Starbucks. All were in community and all were present to the issue, passionate about the cause. photos

So, due to the fact that HEC is 20 minutes outside of Paris, the greatest inconvenience is the fact that the trains haven't been running. In the meantime while Paris is off protesting the greater needs of student rights, we are playing Cowboys and Indians in the woods.

missing kindness anyone?!

Okay- the mystery is still unsolved, and I *hate to approach it this way. But desperate times, desperate measures.

Someone sent me a wonderful bottle of wine in the mail without a name on it and I don't know who to thank!!!

please help?

retraction

I am sorry to confuse people. I certainly did not mean to use the word "customer service" and "French" in the same sentence. No relationship whatsoever between "customer service and "French" should be inferred from the post.

The Easter Bunny, Santa and French customer service simply do not exist.

hee hee

the impossible dream

I overcame incredible odds.

I fought the unbeatable foe, I went where the brave dare not go in an effort to right the unrightable wrong. That's right folks, some would even say that I dreamed the impossible dream.

I stared deep into the evil eyes of French customer service and got what I wanted!

I successfully changed a class for the second 1/2 of the semester.

To my clever opponent, France: You may be winning the war. But this battle was all mine. Next week on the agenda, marching into hell for a heavenly cause.

with great thanks

I got mail!! Because I didn't ask these people first if it was okay to post this-- I will just say this-

Thank you
Thank you
Thank you


What a day maker!

Personal emails coming soon!

chocoland

The girls went to Belgium for the weekend- one day in Brussels and one day in Brugge. There is a lot that happened, and frankly Halfsies did a nice job describing it in greater detail.

part 1
part 2
part 3



Here is what I will add as my abridged addition to her post:
A. I ATE WAY TOO MUCH SUGAR. HMM CHOCOLATE. HMM WAFFLES.
B. Brussels, kind of non-descript
C. Brugge, very cool. See letter A.

Pictures HERE!

random

I am moving to Paris on Friday! How is that for random!?

glory to the dorms

So we all remember my porn loving, alien killing neighbor, right?!

It is 1 am and I am leaving for Belgium in 3 hours- let that set the stage. There was a knock on my door. But wait- it wasn't my door as much as the psycho neighbors door. She lives above the loud dude and can't sleep- it is the 3rd time she has complained! She asked howI was able to sleep. . . then I lost her and we switched to English.


If my french were better I would have asked her if it was more the explosions that bothered her or the women screaming.

Funny thing- I have pretty much tuned it out. I didn't even hear it tonight!

I hope you all think this is half as funny as I do

Often the morning after big parties, students will put a sign on the door asking the cleaning lady not to enter at 8 am. Think of it as the French equivalent of the Do Not Disturb Sign.

Here is why this is funny:

George speaks French much better than English. He is from Quebec.
The Clean Lady only speaks French. Frantic miming sessions can vouch for this fact. Ponder this: What is the universal symbol for garbage can?

I was walking to the bathroom this morning and passed George's door and immediately ran back to my room to get my camera.

In George's defense- he blames this on the fact that so many of his friends (me) prefer English.
George I will not clean your room. Promise.

travel adventures- coming soon!

I am going to Belgium tomorrow! Cool!

advice please

Dear Abby,

My hair. Yes, it is an odd subject for advice but this is desperation on my part.

I can't get my hair clean. The water here is very hard and my hair is getting sticky. Yes it is gross.. I thought at first that I wasn't rinsing all the shampoo out of my hair but that was over a week ago now and the situation is only growing more urgent. This is a new experience for me and I don't really have any thoughts on how to fix my issue. My hair doesn't really 'dry' anymore and the ponytail is becoming no longer a convenience as much as a band-aid for the situation. Oh wise internet--please advise!!

your friend in need,
dirty mop head.

teach me your dance- the second installment

t-shirt
Originally uploaded by mes vies.

A boy ran up to me in the cafeteria yesterday and started talking rapidly in French. I started to drool, which is generally what happens when people don't make a conscious effort to speak slowly. I responded the only way I knew how. . .Please slow down (in french. )

He said that I got a t-shirt because I learned their dance!

If I wear it, I will get my drinks faster. At least. . . that is what I think he said.


That's right- that makes me an official, 'shirt carrying' member of the team!

The dance team.

I found it!

Tesco!!!
Taaaa Daaaa!!



What do you say Mr. Belinda Jensen, since we went all the way to London to benchmark our client, does that make Federated the worst team ever? Have you seen wedding crashers?


Post script: I watched wedding crashers on the plane ride to Paris.

"booger"

I present a conversation:

Players:
Pip- A 20 something from MN who is frequently a bit immature
Kay (KIE)- a 20 something from Norway who is soooo considerate and kind, that several international students have dubbed him, "Cute Kay."


The scene:

Pip: . . . . . . . .oh booger.
Kay: What does "booger" mean?
Pip: UMM. Nasal discharge?
Kay: Nasal Discharge-- you sound so formal.
Pip: Right. Wasn't sure if "snot" would be considered slang or not.
Kay: No, no. I know what "snot" is. So what does "booger" mean other than "snot?" It is good for me to learn slang.
Pip: Uh Kay. . . "booger" isn't really slang that people use regularly. Um, just me. yeah.

Scene may have been altered slightly due to lack of memory, presence of alcohol, and to allow it to run in the time alotted.

mind the gap

So the Barrister, Matty and I spent the weekend in London. First and foremost I found it such an unbelievable relief to be able to speak in English all the time. I didn't realize how taxing it was to be confronted with a bit of fear every time you approach someone on the street for directions or try to buy anything- even a pack fo gum. (I certainly do not know the french translation for peppermint. I was half tempted to stock up on gum in preparation for my return to France where I pick my gum flavor based on the color of the packaging which I imagine is closest to what I think peppermint might be. Okay, I got distracted. . . .)

London was interesting to experience after being in France for a while. As odd as this sounds, I felt lighter somehow. The little things were more enjoyable. I was pleasantly amused by just reading the advertisements in the metro- which is not something I have the luxury of in France, or being able to read the tube map without having to translate. I also found the metro's loudspeaker announcements of "mind the gap" commentary to be somewhat funny. To be honest, it isn't that Paris is scary, I feel more comfortable in Paris many ways because it is so far from what I expected and so far out of my comfort zone that it just forces you to operate in a completely different way and without customer service in any way whatsoever, whereas London culture is just slightly different than US culture which messes with your mind.

London was great all in all- although it is quite a bit more expen$ive than France. We did a lot of touristy type things including a bus tour and a visit to the Tower of London. I liked the Tower quite a bit and realized that I am way too tall to have lived in the 16th century. I would frequently have to mind my head. I mean, mend my head. We also spent an evening watching a rugby match in a bar and we spent another night at the Lion King. Like most theater productions, there were parts I enjoyed quite a bit and parts that drove me to giggle in the not-so-nice way. Matty was no help with the giggling thing. Can you feel the love tonight? Also the movie certainly did not feature a musical number, "Chow Down!" The stage version shouldn't have featured it either. . . The dance was great and many of the scenes were quite beautiful. A good spectacle that I rather enjoyed.
Being with my family in London was great. A brief moment where the gap between myself and home didn't seem so far apart.

sitting in the seat next to you

On the train to Normandy Matt and I switched IPods. I immediately started looking for any music that would fit in at a coffee house and I imagine he immediately started looking for any music that involved an electric guitar. After we noticed that all we were doing was looking for our own music on each other's IPod, Matty suggested a song for me to listen to that was more 'my style.' I didn't know the band, Butterfly Boucher, or the song, Another White Dash- but the first lyrics I really heard were:

There is something about having everything
You think you'll ever need
Sitting in the seat next to you


Indeed, life has a soundtrack.

good things still in my head

check back tomorrow. . . I actually have homework to do first! But alas not to worry, I have macroecon tomorrow for 3 hours which means that I will likely finish the blogs I started in class today.


bad blogger. bad.


(and bad student)


PS: Arnholt, Jay and Matt-- I took a very campy picture of myself at Tesco over the weekend. . but I can't find it! I am crushed. Tesco-who?

welcome home

Welcome home Barrister and Matty.
My room is much emptier,
but so is my life.

It has been 12 hours and I am already feeling sad pants.

I swear I have good things in my head

but they aren't coming out at the moment. I have had very many funny blog-able moments and thoughts. . . . but they will have to wait for my 3 hour strategy class tomorrow. We are covering Porter's five forces. . . . and I am planning on booking travel plans and blogging. I would feel guilty- but the guy next to me brings a pillow and sleeps through class without the blink of an eye.


new pictures on flickr.


again. 2 points for the pun. I kill me.

I'll be here all week. Try the veal. Tip your waitstaff well.

Guest blog compliments of Matty

Guess what.
I've got a fever.
And the only prescription is more Grey's Anatomy.

I waited five years to get my very own classically posed, cheesy study abroad picture

and here it is.

grey's anatomy really is that good.

Matty: "There are two new episodes? Let me guess, a man gets pregnant."
Pip: "Don't dis my show."
Matty: "George was looking pretty round."

Guest blog extrordinaire

So here I am, now taking over Dana's blog for a post. Or more...

I was thinking Yesterday about why the French are in France yesterday on our train ride to Normandy. As Dana has mentioned, the weather here is strange, it isn't particularly green right now, and the countryside of northern France is reminiscent of Central Minnesota with its mandatory two cafes and a tall church steeple in every village. Everything old was crumbling; everything new was, well, strange.

On the way back, after visiting the beaches of Normandy (which were entirely devoid of French visitors, which I thought a bit odd), I figured it out. The red sun was setting into the clouds over the ruins of a Norman castle and with Dana resting her head on my shoulder, France was perfect. It was just us together sharing a moment that nobody else seemed to see. I had the love of my life next to me enjoying the same sights, and there was no place we had to go, no rush to be anywhere, no language barrier to restrict our options, and no time mattered any more. No further words could better describe it-- it was perfection in life.

Maybe you can have a scene like that anywhere. But here when you do it, it becomes an art form-- a picture meant to last, an image burned into memory that generations later still exists and glows brighter than ever before.

From the graffiti covering every square inch of Metro walls to the halls of the Louvre, the French enjoy their art. Not to say they're the only ones, but the French certainly figured it out-- the art isn't just on the walls in France. You live it here-- being with the one you love here makes life not only bearable, but beautiful.

God lives in France this time of the year

Yesterday we based a lot of our trip on chance. We got up in the morning and took a trip to Bayeux which is the closest train stop to Omaha beach. I had a hard time finding solid information about how to actually get to the beach but I was hopeful that we would be able to figure it out once we got to the train station. I believe I said the words. . . "I am sure we will find a large sign that says TOURS OF OMAHA BEACH THIS WAY -->"
We went into Paris to look for the large UBER station that would take us to Normandy. We eventually found the large train station and the attendant was nice enough to let us get on an earlier train which meant that we wouldn't have to transfer at Caen. Win number 1. After passing through Caen which looked like a pretty big town with signs everywhere to visit beaches, we continued on for 20 minutes or so to Bayeux. Okay- so Bayeux is not the metropolis that I had hoped. In fact, it was smaller than Jouy. Quaint, with a big, beautiful, gothic church and a bar. . . . and in the middle of fucking nowhere. Drats. So, trying to be optimimistic we left the train station and started walking toward the bar. About 10 seconds later we saw a giant sign pointing to the bar that said: TOURS OF OMAHA BEACH THIS WAY --> win number 2. The tour place was 'quaint' as well. . . but the tour man was very nice- especially when he told us that we had unfortunately missed the last tour of the day but he could get us a driver to take us to all the sights. win number 3.
So we all piled into an old van and the cutest french man ever, who we later realized was probably just the cook, drove us to the cemetary, Omaha beach and Pont Du Hoc. Very cool . . . very very cool. I also got a message from Aunt Sparky that mentioned that my grandfather had landed there in WW2, so that was pretty neat to think about as well. The final win of the day came when we missed the last train from Versaille to Jouy. Right, doesn't sound like a win-- in fact we thought we might need to get a hotel 10 minutes away from campus. But wait there is more! We walked out of the train station towards the town of Versailles in hopes of a bus or cab that might out of pure luck be willing to go to Jouy en Josas. Right in front of the train station was a cab, I asked the cab driver in French if he spoke English. And he said "No. . . (pause). . .HEC?" Win number 4. 15 euro later, we were back on campus and we didn't even have to walk the mile uphill from the train station in freezing weather. That is a damn bargain if you ask me.

As Matty put it: "God must be in France this time of year"

Few pictures included and more available on the flickr site:



The last few days have been really fun. The Barrister was pretty sick when he got here and now Matty has come down with it as well. We have been taking it easy just kind of heading to Paris as people feel well enough. Tomorrow we head to London. With our luck, let's hope God has a timeshare in London as well.

exploring negativity

pip: 'What do you mean a can of diet coke is a 1 euro 60?!?! France sucks.'
halfsies: 'Wow. That is the first time I have heard you say that.'

beautiful parents

Dear beautiful parents,

Thank you SO much for the cookies and the movie, it totally made my day! I also have to say thanks for taking care of Sophie while we are gone! (hide the ham!) I got a letter from Andy last week as well which was pretty awesome- it makes me feel so happy to be a part of such a wonderful family! I miss you all and can't wait to see you again.

I thought you might appreciate this- the french translation for mother-in-law and father-in- law is La Mere Belle and La Pere Beau. (Beautiful Mother and Beautiful Father)

we share DNA

I love this kid.
Can you blame me?

feels like home

Last night while I was trying to fall asleep I was thinking about how blessed I am in so many ways. The barristers arm was draped across my stomach and for the first time in weeks I felt an unconditionally love that was familiar but has been missing in France. Since being here I have often thought of home, but last night a new thought hit me. Home is not a location nearly as much as it is a someone. Home is wherever the person you love resides.

proud day

"Look dear, you would be proud of me. I bought underwear on my own."


yes. yes. very proud.

how to get sick

halfsies with halfsies
Originally uploaded by mes vies.

step 1: walk around all day in a very wet paris
step 2: share a cup of very famous (read between the lines. . . . expensive) cup of hot chocolate with a friend.
step 3: don't get out of bed the next day.

halfsies with halfsies didn't work out so well. oops.

post script. After an entire box of kleenex, I am feeling much better today!

this will only make sense if you have seen disney's 'beauty and the beast'

Remember the scene where Belle is walking down the street in her village. . . .

Jouy en Josas reenactment compliments of yours truly.

Bonjour! Bonjour! Bonjour!

guess what monkey butt

Barrister and Matty will be in France in 20 minutes! Hard to concentrate in classs. WOO HOO.

highlights from my first presentation in france

Pip: "blah blah blah blah electricity infrastructure blah blah blah"

Random french guy who didn't do any work: (whispered)(during the presentation) "What's the name of the company?"

Pip: (gulp) "Mercatronic."


WHA?!?! I spent how many hours trying to read this case in French and he doesn't know the name of the company.


Je suis salty.

christmas gift is quite helpful

I save these for very rare occasions. . . but!

It is cold, and dreary and dank and I feel like a crank.

If the weather and my mood does not clear up these puppies will be my foundational undergarments for tomorrow.

I miss my friends and family ;(


*thanks for all your your warm thoughts and messages- it has really meant the world to me and has kept me from having to wear these yet!

french weather

picture from my run
Originally uploaded by mes vies.

A picture from my afternoon run.
I swear to God that it was sunny an hour earlier. The weather in France has PMS

teach me your dance

The Thursday Party
Originally uploaded by mes vies.

Remember how I was saying that the french do the Macarena? Or at least some group aerobics type dance that looks like the Macarena? Well my public, for you I have answers. . .

Ok- so the Thursday parties are still one of the most fascinating events at HEC. This particular Thursday was the "big party"-- meaning they take the entire cafeteria, which looks like a room that was furnished entirely with neon, plastic, Ikea furniture and turn it into a dance club. Note the picture.

So, anyway before the party- there is the "pre" party- complete with as much vodka pomme (apple juice and vodka, the HEC drink of preference) as you would like. It just so happened that pre-party was in the same building as the french YMCA convention! Yay! Answers!

So, after more than one (or two. . . or. . . ) vodka pommes I hopped over to the room with the dancers/ exercisers and got the scoop from my new 19 year old friend, Pierre.

They are first year undergrads running for student senate- each team of about 40 students or so has to create a dance and perform it the day of elections. So you guessed it. . . I am a proud honorary member of SeenInnocence*, one of the groups campaigning. *I don't get the play on words. . .

Pierre and his posse taught me their dance (to Touch Me) and it has all of the following "moves":
surfing
guns shooting in the air
hip thrusting
cat scratching
rocky like bag training
hands pulsing over a beating heart

I am sure I can find a way to integrate this into the Music Man.

*my favorite part is the 20 or so students all calling out the moves in unison:
droit!
gauche!
droit!
gauche!

home sweet home

so this is really my building
and really where I live.
pretty.
probably not the best example of beautiful, french architecture.
unless that beautiful, french architecture happened to be built in the 60's.
the 1960's.

success

I have been working on my RRRRR pronounciation since I got here-- and I am proud to say that I have had 2- count em 2! successful R's today. Eat that Tirez!

beaucoup cartes

At CSOM, there is 1 card for damn near everything

At HEC, there are 6 cards needed to operate as a student

Cards Needed:
1. student card
2. student activities card
3. printing card
4. copying card
5. dining card
6. coffee/vending card

Operational efficiency at France's top business school.

HEC quote of the day

"We may not have internet, but at least the water is back on." Halfsies

prom with smoke and booze

So this is a wee late, but here is a quick description of the gala.

All day I was in class for this mandatory seminar that I am doing this weekend and next weekend. Which was a major bummer because it meant that I missed Kirsten’s wedding. More on that later. After being in class for six days straight, I was pretty jazzed about doing “something” during the evening- especially if that “something meant getting out of Jouy en Josas. There was a fundraising- gala put on by the school and it seemed like as good of a plan as any. The gala was really the prom with cigarettes and alcohol in a very beautiful location. There were six of us who went in one itsy-bitsy euro-car (driven by someone else). A very kind student drove us there- which totally rocked because it was quite chilly to be parading to the train station in dress and heels. Highlights: The Westin is beautiful, so beautiful that it has bodyguards at the door. Apparently I sound the same when I say champagne and alcool—(how is that for a bad accent?). The French can dance easily with a lit cigarette in their hand and I managed to not get burned once. There are NO cabs at 4:30 am in Paris. NO CABS. We got another ride home with another very kind student. Yay for the French people! It was quite a bit of fun however and I am growing increasingly concerned about the welfare of my liver- especially since the BIG Thursday party is this week- the one that goes to 5 am instead of 3 am. Can’t wait to see that madness. Gala pictures available here.

Side note- I called the Idzerdies on Sunday and caught them together at lunch the day after Kirsten’s wedding, a very typical Idzerdy happening. It was good to talk to them on so many levels but it really gave me a real dose of sadness. As much as I am thankful for being here, I also feel a deep regret for missing the life events of the people who mean so much. Love you all SOOO much!

Congratulations Kirsten and Reggie!

for my public

These are the crazy photo's requested by my friend anonymous!


I heart anonymous.
I heart comments.
i heart having a public! (albeit, self declared)

additional photos available flickr

we share a shower

Georges- Etienne
aka: George
aka: G-E

He is holding a baguette, the staple of the student diet at HEC.

the french education system

Couple points I would like to share:

The positive:
1. Each class has a packet- and those packets are FREE!!! That's right! F-R-E-E!
2. There is a really cheap coffee machine immediately inside the building.
3. The school has a subscription to many newspapers- all of which are free for students to pick up.


The negative:
1. There are not assigned classrooms for classes so each and ever day you have to stop by this television which has shows a list of the room assignments for each class that day. Not so convenient in the morning when you are almost surely running late from trying to push your way through the mobs of French students. Would it be sooooo hard to assign a classroom for an entire semester? I mean the game of musical classrooms is fun and all.. . .but, still.
2. The queue for the coffee machine is quite long and the menu is in french. but it is perfectly acceptable to be late to class as long as you walk in holding the sacred dixie cup of coffee.
3. Who the hell has time to read newspapers for pleasure? I am too busy trying to read my damn marketing case and keep up my social life. Geez.

new hobbies

I came all the way to France to find Grey's Anatomy. yay!!!

fair and balanced

Just wanting to give another perspective on HEC.

From Halfsies.
(another exchange student at HEC. )

I wish you could have seen what I saw

So we exited my building to go to the "thursday night party" compliments of "pulp it up" I saw (through the window) that in all three lounges of the building next door groups of 20 or so students were huddled around a laptop doing dances in unison. The only way I can describe this is that it looked like some combination of jazzercise and the macarena. All three floors. . .

The 'thursday night party' went until 4 am, so I am a little bit tired. and hung over.

50 ways to use the toillette:

You just pull on the chain, Duane
Try to avoid the men, Ken
Stay in the stall, Paul
Just let yourself pee
Turn on that crank, Hank
Go quick and avoid the stank
Just use your knee, Lee
And get yourself free

Does not translate:

The student organization here is called:

"Pulp it up"

Is there some english reference that I am just not getting?

email from netflix shipping

In my email today I got an update from the good folks at Netflix.

For Thu: Scrubs Season 1: Disc 1
For Thu: Wedding Crashers
For Thu: Scrubs Season 1: Disc 2


I think *someone* was tired of me controlling the queue. :)
Happy viewing, dear! Lovies.

nap cures all

My spirits are up today folks. Last night I got--count em-- 10 hours of sleep! I followed it up by a 2 hour nap after class! Mad props over here. The debt of sleep deprivation has been paid in full, with interest.

My classes in general are not very difficult- except for the occasional blindsiding by the teacher-- for example my marketing strategy class has all the cases in French with no translation. Well, that's a bummERR (french for bummer) if I ever saw one.

Yesterday, I went down to Jouy en Josas to catch the train to Paris. (which deserves an explanation point) Paris! I heart Paris! There were three of us and we walked around the streets a bit- got cell phones switched over and exchanged money. I also got a new pair of jeans with glitter! Apparently my 20 year old friends think that I need to dress less matronly. . . . hence the glitter. Very chouette. I am getting a better feel for the weather and the clothing now and have started to supplement my wardrobe with more practical things that work well in mud.

One of the girls is from the OC which I found to be pretty funny after yesterday's conversation. She told us at dinner about the process for rushing a sorority-- let's just say that I had NO idea that the tv show the OC was based on truth. I heart Minnesota. (but no explanation point. . .)

Getting back to the quaint setting of Jouy en Josas proved to be somewhat challenging late in the evening. Many of the trains were no longer running at that time, so it took well over 2 hours to make the trip. When we got back to Jouy en Josas (J+J for the csom folks) the bus to campus wasn't running. It is quite easy to walk to J+J but very hard to walk from J+J. Regardless of what path you take, the campus is on a GI-normous hill. Due to my impromptu training session last night, I felt pretty ok about skipping my workout this morning in favor of my marathon sleeping session.

tired

Okay, not to complain, but last night my friend across the hall-- the one who attacks aliens-- changed to trance music about midnight last night, which sounds a lot like moving furniture. . . to a beat. After about 15 minutes of trying to sleep, I decided to put on my earphones and listen to my ipod in bed- which was a good option for a while. Ultimately about an hour later I took off my earphones to hear every bit of 'dialogue' to a VERY QUESTIONABLE MOVIE. grr.

Sir, I can hear you, and I am totally judging you. turn down your speakers, si'l vous plait!


So in a daze I walked to class today amongst the gaggle of French students, who sound like they are all laughing and bantering on in some sort of whooshing whisper. I was just opening the door to the school building when I heard the group in front of me break the french shushing and one say to the other: "do you have last season of the OC?, oui?'


viva la france.

Life's lessons not yet learned

When Pip is tired and her feet are cold, it is better to get out of bed and put on socks than to silently complain about aforementioned cold feet all night. Cold feet induced insomnia does not make sense when socks are three feet away. Condition often leads to over-reliance on coke light.

I kid you not

pour les enfants?



wine juice boxes?



+2 points for the pun.

not too shabby

Highlights from my trip to Paris:


1. My French is improving by leaps and bounds. I have met some nice Canadians who make me speak in French all the time! It is great! I was also able to easily have all my conversations with waiters/ store clerks etc. en francais.(which was a struggle 3 days ago)

2. Pip: "Hmm. That building looks big. (pause) Wait. That looks like Notre Dame!" Yep. *(Quasi comes home. . . ;)
*For Barrister and Kate.

3. I got a wee bit motion sick on the bus and train--- I didn't "get" sick-- but it was a pretty uncomfortable trip home. Could have been because I didn't get much sleep the night before. Coke light has much more caffeine that diet coke. I am going to stick to bowl coffee from now on.

4. A french student asked me if I was from the US OR Brittain! This means I am making progress in my French right?

5. I have another neighbor-- he likes a lot of bass when he plays video games. Based on my wall shaking, I think he is invading. . .


6. The other students who are studying abroad are fantastic. I am really excited about this experience!

summary: Sunday was a much better day all together and I am not feeling nearly as homesick as I was on Saturday. Thank you all for the kind messages!

Conversation

Pip: SHAWN (insert whining) I don't speak French well. . .
Pip: And it (reprise) SUCKS.
Shawn: At least you speak english well...you didn't say "i don't speak french good"


Right. It could be worse.


**A note on the french-thing. I was doing better with the French when I was watching tv in Paris and getting around town. I still struggled to speak- but I could understand almost everything around me. Needless to say it is much harder at the school to understand average conversation.

2 points of clarification

Since I have already had several questions:

1. The bathroom is really co-ed. Really. 2 stalls. 2 urinals. And yes, you have to walk by the urinals to get to the stalls. The floor is co-ed and there are 12 single rooms.

2. The curtains are really green. As in neon, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air green. Ok- the curtains aren't that bad. . . but they cover an entire wall during the night and I feel like I am living inside a lime.

gray skies are gonna clear up

1. Took the shower-- it wasn't freezing cold-- just lukewarm/kinda cold-- okay by me!

2. Got this email:

HI
i don't know who you are, where you come from or if you speak french but
i'll be happy to help you....

just contact me at any time by mail or by phone

anne, your buudy



I get a buudy?!?! Yay!

coffee in bowls

So let's get back to this Maslow thing. . . remember food and shelter being important? Okay- so my biggest dilemma at this point-- and I am sad to admit it-- is the fact that I still can't figure out the food situation. I am on my third day of 1 meal a day and I can't say I am super pleased about it.

Today I got up early, 5 am France time, went for a run and then tried to make my way back to the cafeteria for some food. Of course, because I am clueless, I decided to follow the French girl that looked like she knew what was up with the food situation. I followed her-- got some bread- which as it turns out IS breakfast here. Then I sat down and ate my bread-- realized that other people have coffee. . . but I don't know where it is.. . and all I see is bowls. I later find out that the bowls and the coffee are related. So after my bread, I return to the dorm to find the power has gone out-- as has the internet. SAD PANTS!!! NO worries, I think to myself- I will take a shower- but turns out that shower is freezing cold. Son of a. . . . So I accidentally took a nap, which means I skipped the 30 minute window they call lunch.


Dinner is in an hour -- which means FOOD and a single sex bathroom.

Goals for tonight:
shower
Send out contact information
have some coffee or coke light.

all is well and my curtains are green

Not just any green-- BRIGHT GREEN!

Okay- seriously- I will not bore you with the finer details of dorm life. The university is good-- but my taxi driver got lost twice finding it. To say that the university is out a ways from Paris would be a giant understatement-- you have to take a train transfer twice then take a bus to get to campus-- yeah for the Taxi! Too bad that I can't take a taxi everytime I go to Paris. The taxi ride alone is 70 euro. Dang.

The campus looks a lot like SJU in parts-- lots of concrete and 60's era decor- which leads me back to the GREEN Curtains!!!


Other key highlights from the trip so far:

First songs heard in the taxi on the way to the hotel:

Celine Dion in French
Sexbomb- Not in French
Mambo # 5- Not in French
Roxanne- Not in French
Celine again. . . in French

After an exciting taxi ride and a more exciting hotel check in-- I made my way to a French convenience store to make my first purchase: A pocket sized English/ French dictionary. hmm.

I successfully ordered a cappuccino in a cafe as well as an omelette and salad. I may have been willing to be more adventurous but every other menu item contained an ingredient that I simply wasn't sure about. . . . but the cappuccino was great- as was the omelette. I ordered completely in French and almost survived all parts of the meal without needing a translater until she offered dessert and I thought she said cheque. Damn. I did accomplish one of my life goals-- I ate alone and didn't read anything. I just sat and watched people, which was great because if fulfilled one of my life goals and I was SUPER tired and I don't speak french well . ..

Got to campus with more luggage than any human needs and had to wind around to various buildings until I found the bureau de residence. They were at lunch. So. . . I waited for a while then found out that I needed 400 euro in cash in order to get my room. . . which no problem b/c there is a ATM on the other side of campus. Me and my luggage made the journey again.

Found out that the bathroom is communal-- and co-ed. zut! I thought it was a mens bathroom because of the urinals. . . but no. So I waited all day until George-- see below-- filled me on the rest of the story.

I met George from Quebec who is my next door neighbor and shares my shower. He is great- he is an undergrad student who is studying abroad here.


Excerpt from my conversation with Jenny from Sweden:

Jenny: Where are you from.
Pip: US
Jenny: Right. But WHERE in the US.
Pip: Right. Minnesota.


The campus is mostly closed today because the French students are on break-- so there wasn't any food places open all day-- so I just got back from dinner hour. No worries. . . they have diet coke. It is in a smaller bottle- so I will have to get two. Food at the cafeteria isn't great- but it is super cheap and breakfasts are free for all students. Can't complain about that!

Needless to say- things are looking up since I found the bathroom and ate. Maslow really was right. . . some needs simply must be met before self-actualization :)

We will see how tomorrow goes. . .. I am seriously considering taking extra french classes. . . there is a huge difference between asking where things are etc. and actually communicating. . . those boogers talk very fast! ;)

Pictures available flickr include: 2 shots of my dorm. . . Paris via my hotel room and an artistic shot I will call. . . "paris when you are supEEERRR tired and hungry and you leave the camera on landscape"


bon soir

i am here but the keyboard is weird

or as the french would say:

i q,here but the keyboqrd is zeird


I will write more when i can get my laptop to work!


Miss u all


ps: barrister; can i call u barry?= pillow was a bonne idee

Medical Updates from Sophers

I am submitting Sophie for this training program.
Week one: Learn to sit. Yes, I mean on command.
Week two: Defeat cancer

hook, line and . ..

Thank you to all that attended last night. It is now 5:30 in the morning and I am still up thinking about the generosity of each of you and the gratitude I feel for having a life so full of joy and love.

Thank you so much for sharing in my journey and special thanks to Eric for making it such a wonderful evening. I was VERY surprised-- but in a VERY good way.

You are all making it very hard for me to leave!!


Pictures available here!

Send me on my way

Last night a bunch of my college girlfriends came over for dinner. It was a bitter sweet departure because it truly was a perfect evening. Scott, Eric and Matt made dinner for all of us and the food was INCREDIBLE. We ate and drank and laughed and it was just a perfect night all together. . .

These are just a few of my favorite photos-- Kirsten practicing her wedding crying with tissue roses, Sara(h) squared kissing and a group shot.

Often with this group of ladies- and those that couldn't be there-- but you know who you are-- I have thought to myself about how lucky my life has been. These friendships are often closer than any sisterhood I could imagine and are deeper than any love could be. I don't know how I became so blessed that the people I admire most in life have become such incredible friends.

Other highlights of the night:

Matt got Drunk Part Deux- The re-education of Matthew J. Kelly
Matt: "I feel warm."
Kate: "Me too."


On the Olympic Opening Ceremony. "The Canadians get cute hats because they have money to buy cute hats because they are not at war"
-Liz.


On the French Language. "Why do the French say WE WE when it is spelled OI. OI.?"
-Sandy.
Hmm. good point. I will ask when I get there.

On Kirsten's Wedding.

Kate: "Are you going to sell raffle tickets for dances with your grandpa?"
Kirsten: "I don't want him to have a heart attack"
Kate: "I will resuscitate him"

**Editors note. Pip had to look up the spelling for the big nursing word said above.




Other photos are available here via flickr

And she makes a mighty fine lemon bar.

The other night, my dad took me out for dinner before I left. We always knew when my dad wanted to celebrate because he would insist on ordering a steak. Steak is the traditional meat of celebration in the Kelly world. So on our date to Outback- home of the Aussie Steak, My dad and his fiance, Marge, talked about different issues in each of our lives. I realized while my dad and Marge were talking about their first date how the table had turned. They talked about their upcoming, yet not planned, nuptuals and my father called her 'mother' when asking her what 'mother' wanted to order. ("Mother should order the steak")

I would have thought that my father replacing my mom with another woman would be hard for me to take. But I have to say that at some point despite myself I actually became an adult.

Marge is a great addition to our family, even though she is short. She makes my dad a happy man. And for that I am happy.

shout out to the CSOM IT department

I got my laptop fixed and it is:
New
and Shiny
and Perfect.

Panic

Who will scratch my back in France?

Shawn. . . .the corruptor

Pip: I need to work
Shawn: Play with myspace instead
Pip: that won't help me with my presentation on Thursday

So, as you can see on the next slide. . .
I am a virgo.
with 8 friends.

Can that be animated in ppt?

Porn Dog

A raw account of my everyday conversations.






Sophie: Rub my belly?

Pip: Princess, ladies don't show that much skin. Or lick themselves.

All that you can't leave behind

A quick snapshot from sledding. This was taken couple of weeks ago- but I thought you might appreciate the love. These nights make it hard for me to go. . . but I remind myself, it is 4 months. . . I am not dying. I can go sledding when I get back in June.

summary

All too accurate. . .

Many of you know about my recent health issues and I thought you might appreciate this commentary by dooce.


I have never heard my situation described in more clarity:

"Besides, I don’t feel hopeless right now, and for anyone who hasn’t ever felt that deep, lonely ache of complete hopelessness, not feeling it feels like a present of chocolate orgasms under the Christmas tree with your name on it. That good. "

You're fancy

JP: you have a domestic animal, a real job,....do you have magazine delivered to your home?

A note on time management

Barrister: How is your work going? (Dear)
Pip: I am accidentally im'ing CP

oops. i'm an im whore.

UBERgreat

Although things are pretty busy until I leave-- it is all with UBERgreat things. As many of you know, I greatly prefer busyness to idleness. But I greatly prefer idleness that involves movies or theater or napping to busyness. So here are some recent UBERgreat activities from the last day or so:

1. Margaritas with Emily. Girl. you know me well. . . . nothing but love here. . . .
2. Getting the barrister to take a nap and watch the American President- yes, with Michael Douglas AND Annette Benning. . . . Barrister- you made me proud. I will make you lazy yet. . . .
3. Matty and Barrister are coming to visit me in France in a month!! Wahoozers.
4. SupEEERRRRR. Any english word can become a french word if you either explode the second half of the word or ommit the second half entirely ( ex. gourmet.)
5. Barbara's party. Good times.

Goodbye Cell Phone

I am cancelling my phone subscription when I leave. . .

Things seem a bit more real.

DEA tip

Aveda has trace amounts of cocaine in it's products.

Can't.
Get.
Enough.

Retraction

Double X-tra Long.

pinkie pip

Adult thighs look like sausages in pink tights. My double X-L pink tights.

Cripes.

KK Rocks my world!

I am full of love for KK.
We went to lunch and I was super touched by her spirit.

I will give you the SUPER-Abridged story.
She gave me a bowl- which is a family tradition from her grandmother- because women represent a bowl- as they bring people into them and nourish them. But each bowl is different depending on the woman- so some are pottery if the woman is grounded, or some are porcelain with roses etc if the woman is pretty etc. .

So she gave me the same type of bowl her grandmother gave her: cut glass

it radiates light
you can see through it
and it is beautiful





for those of you who are KK fans- you will know that this is probably the deepest compliment you could ever receive.

I think my bowl is:
Full. Of. Love.

You are going to blog me-- wait, that's a funny word. blog.

Today was family day-- meaning that we, (Matt Eric and I) hung out, went to the zoo to visit the neighborhood giraffes, came home with a little Jimmy John's and proceeded to make margaritas.

At this point, I am feeling like a bit of a bad influence on the underage-kid brother, but this is comic genius.

"I have a lot of radical flavors in my mouth"
"If you could get me some water, you would be "Alexander THE GREAT"
"You're an animal" said to the dog.

Man, I am going to miss days like these.

beginnings

So, I guess this is where it begins, a less than glamourous post to welcome readers to what will become the narrative of my French adventure. Welcome!