Every Friday night providing that the weather is nice roller-bladers gather in the center of the city for a skate across the city. The organizers of this event wear yellow vests and skate ahead to stop the traffic in order to cross. Last night was a beautiful night and there were around a 500 skaters for the event, perhaps more. I met up with two of my friends, one a Kiwi and the other a Scott. Joanna and Jenny respectively. We are all on kind of the same level of skating, I have a few more skills but I am still a "debutant" in comparison to most skaters. Every week the route changes and there is another skate at 11:00pm as well. However that is for the more advanced skaters and they go about 10 km farther in half the time. I was told that the 1st is the one wear everyone tries to just relax and roll and the latter is where the speed racing and tricks come out. There is one guy wo wears head phones and is amazing on his skates, I think they are just a part of his body now because he is so fluid on them. I chose to skate there and back so that I could get as much exercise as possible from it as well. I skipped the gym because I was unsure whether it would be too much. My goal is to do the late skate before I leave Lyon. I am heading to the park soon to do some more skating today and practice my back pedal, which is very horrible and I will fall a lot, but I wear my pads, SAFETY FIRST!
So off I go, please don't forget I want to hear from all of you so please leave me comments!!!
Saturday, April 30, 2005
Friday, April 29, 2005
Comments!!!
Since noone except Kat and Caya leave comments for me I thought I would post a message to please post your comments on entries and pictures. I do not hear from most of you and it would be nice to. Just click the (0) comments and it will link you to another window to leave a comment. Cheers!!!
Thursday, April 28, 2005
Urban Hiking
Today I have absolutely no money in pocket, or in my bank accounts. So, qu'est ce qu'on peut faire sans un sous? I'll tell you what we can do, go "Urban Hiking." My friends thought that I was crazy the first time I mentioned it, but they came around. It is a simple idea really, I wanted to see some more of my host city Lyon and it doesn't take any money. I also wanted to get some exercise outside of the gym. So I gave the idea a name, plugged my back-pack with some clothes to give it some weight and away we went. Today I met up with Jo, Anna, her cousin from Switzerland, and a french student Claire. We met at the Hotel de Ville near Maddy's place. From there we trekked over to the Saone to find our little island.
The name of the Island is Barbe, L'Isle de Barbe for the French. It was annexed into the city of Lyon as part of the 9th district. It is a small island on the Soane. Not even close to the proportions of the presq'ile in Paris. The French probably thought this group of people were crazy with our packs walking along the river but we didn't mind. After about an hour long "hike" to the island we took a look around. The island contains an Abbey that is no longer functioning but was very powerful and secluded in the 16th and 17th centuries. There is a fine dining restaurant that has a degustation menu running either 85 Euro, or 110. You can walk across the island in about 5 minutes and cars are not allowed beyond the park unless you are a resident. Which also means that you are not worried about leaving the house much in you're car because you are bloody rich!!! The homes and structures are magnificent and show that they have seen a few years pass. It was a really nice place to have a small breakfest and take a rest before continuing.
Next we decided to find a nature preserve at the northern edge of Lyon, just past the Parc de la Tete D'Or. Where I usually go to roller blade with Jo. We traversed a large hill because it is on the opposite side. Continuing along the Rhone river on a foot and bike path before crossing over. At this point we all decided that we would come back another day because after 2 hours walking, me with my big pack, we decided to walk back through the park and head our seperate ways. I think that we walked about 2.5 hours through the outskirts of the northern edge of Lyon and after exiting the park I grabbed the metro homeward bound.
The pictures turned out awesome as you can tell. Some of the others were a little hazy from the morning air and my camera's poor tendency take lower light photos poorly. Now I am off to the gym to get a workout in, perhaps a little cardio as well. If I feel like it, I think that I have done well enough without for the day. Tonight I am going to a gospel concert because the girls said he usually sings Jazz and has an amazing voice. I am not crazy for the religous undertones but I will give the music a try and see. He is singing African-American gospel music from the States and that is usually pretty awesome no matter the reason. Let you know how it turns out.
The name of the Island is Barbe, L'Isle de Barbe for the French. It was annexed into the city of Lyon as part of the 9th district. It is a small island on the Soane. Not even close to the proportions of the presq'ile in Paris. The French probably thought this group of people were crazy with our packs walking along the river but we didn't mind. After about an hour long "hike" to the island we took a look around. The island contains an Abbey that is no longer functioning but was very powerful and secluded in the 16th and 17th centuries. There is a fine dining restaurant that has a degustation menu running either 85 Euro, or 110. You can walk across the island in about 5 minutes and cars are not allowed beyond the park unless you are a resident. Which also means that you are not worried about leaving the house much in you're car because you are bloody rich!!! The homes and structures are magnificent and show that they have seen a few years pass. It was a really nice place to have a small breakfest and take a rest before continuing.
Next we decided to find a nature preserve at the northern edge of Lyon, just past the Parc de la Tete D'Or. Where I usually go to roller blade with Jo. We traversed a large hill because it is on the opposite side. Continuing along the Rhone river on a foot and bike path before crossing over. At this point we all decided that we would come back another day because after 2 hours walking, me with my big pack, we decided to walk back through the park and head our seperate ways. I think that we walked about 2.5 hours through the outskirts of the northern edge of Lyon and after exiting the park I grabbed the metro homeward bound.
The pictures turned out awesome as you can tell. Some of the others were a little hazy from the morning air and my camera's poor tendency take lower light photos poorly. Now I am off to the gym to get a workout in, perhaps a little cardio as well. If I feel like it, I think that I have done well enough without for the day. Tonight I am going to a gospel concert because the girls said he usually sings Jazz and has an amazing voice. I am not crazy for the religous undertones but I will give the music a try and see. He is singing African-American gospel music from the States and that is usually pretty awesome no matter the reason. Let you know how it turns out.
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Beautiful Weather, Finally.
A local weather update for Lyon, it's gorgeous outside! Finally, after raining for about 2 weeks straight and putting some meaning behind the April Shower's bring May Flower's nursery rhyme, the sun has returned. With it has come a little bit more heat, not as warm as back home in North Carolina. I have been tracking your weather as well and it has seemed to be beautiful every day there in April.
So, to celebrate the nice weather I strapped up my roller blades ( No idea how I am getting those home by the way ) and headed over to meet my Kiwi ( New Zealander ) friend Jo for some Park De La Tete D'Or skating. I left the apartment shortly before 1:00pm and with only a 30 minute lounge in the sun I returned to the apartment at 4:00pm. So, all in all I was on my skates for about 3.5 hours! I decided against the gym as a result, needed to rest a little.
Last night I went over to Maddy's for some din-din. It was a deviation from the program to be sure because they were having Bangers and Mash for the main course. I am not sure how the US came to stop all of our English traditions like this but you can definitely see the influence with Australians. The first course of Summer Rolls were pretty nice and healthy though so I am not too worried. I did not have enough sausages to affect the outcome of my roller-blading so I am not worried about it. I have hit a wall inmy training though, but last night I was thinking to myself, as always keeping me from sleeping, that I am not finished with what I want to accomplish and I am going back to the drawing board. I am going to revise my workouts and menu to bring in some new things so I am not so bored.
I am getting excited, nervous, and sad to be leaving my host country in a couple of months. I have so many great friends that I am going to be leaving behind and although everyone says don't say it. I must, we will never all be together again, and chances are very good that I will not see most of them ever again. I keep my hopes up that one day, I actually may go to Australia next December to see Maddy, Isabelle, Chrissy, Claire, Rachael, Anna, Torse, Alex, etc..... Yes Jo, I will make the hop over to New Zealand to see you as well. Also, I think that I am going to miss France like a mother. The people have a reputation out on the street, but the ones like my roommates more than make up for it. I have been welcomed by them and I am grateful for having met them. Looking towards home is also a frightening and exciting time for me. Yes, I get to reconnect with everyone that I left behind, including my pretty little Jules! Also, I have a plan in mind as to how I am going to finish my studies and get into the Grad School that I choose. I will control my destiny Forrest Gump. ( Sorry, it was on tv last night, it is not as good in French but easy to understand. ) I am also excited to say that I have been contacted for an Accounting Internship from GE Plastics. They are going to perform a phone interview and I think that my French experience may play an important role in the decision. So, I am very happy to have some things coming my way. I want to say Congratulations to my brother Brendon for having been offered a new, better position at Dressler's and I hope that it all works out well for you there. To my Dad, Happy Birthday Big Papa. It is another year for you and I see great things in your future this year, keep your head up adn never stop pushing forward.
OK, I am going to head out now since this is beginning to read like the transcript to a Tony Robbins video. I will talk to you all soon. Later!
So, to celebrate the nice weather I strapped up my roller blades ( No idea how I am getting those home by the way ) and headed over to meet my Kiwi ( New Zealander ) friend Jo for some Park De La Tete D'Or skating. I left the apartment shortly before 1:00pm and with only a 30 minute lounge in the sun I returned to the apartment at 4:00pm. So, all in all I was on my skates for about 3.5 hours! I decided against the gym as a result, needed to rest a little.
Last night I went over to Maddy's for some din-din. It was a deviation from the program to be sure because they were having Bangers and Mash for the main course. I am not sure how the US came to stop all of our English traditions like this but you can definitely see the influence with Australians. The first course of Summer Rolls were pretty nice and healthy though so I am not too worried. I did not have enough sausages to affect the outcome of my roller-blading so I am not worried about it. I have hit a wall inmy training though, but last night I was thinking to myself, as always keeping me from sleeping, that I am not finished with what I want to accomplish and I am going back to the drawing board. I am going to revise my workouts and menu to bring in some new things so I am not so bored.
I am getting excited, nervous, and sad to be leaving my host country in a couple of months. I have so many great friends that I am going to be leaving behind and although everyone says don't say it. I must, we will never all be together again, and chances are very good that I will not see most of them ever again. I keep my hopes up that one day, I actually may go to Australia next December to see Maddy, Isabelle, Chrissy, Claire, Rachael, Anna, Torse, Alex, etc..... Yes Jo, I will make the hop over to New Zealand to see you as well. Also, I think that I am going to miss France like a mother. The people have a reputation out on the street, but the ones like my roommates more than make up for it. I have been welcomed by them and I am grateful for having met them. Looking towards home is also a frightening and exciting time for me. Yes, I get to reconnect with everyone that I left behind, including my pretty little Jules! Also, I have a plan in mind as to how I am going to finish my studies and get into the Grad School that I choose. I will control my destiny Forrest Gump. ( Sorry, it was on tv last night, it is not as good in French but easy to understand. ) I am also excited to say that I have been contacted for an Accounting Internship from GE Plastics. They are going to perform a phone interview and I think that my French experience may play an important role in the decision. So, I am very happy to have some things coming my way. I want to say Congratulations to my brother Brendon for having been offered a new, better position at Dressler's and I hope that it all works out well for you there. To my Dad, Happy Birthday Big Papa. It is another year for you and I see great things in your future this year, keep your head up adn never stop pushing forward.
OK, I am going to head out now since this is beginning to read like the transcript to a Tony Robbins video. I will talk to you all soon. Later!
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
I changed my ticket..drumroll....July 7th, 2005
WAZZUPPPP! I am writing to inform the 2 readers of this website that I have changed my ticket as of 15 minutes ago and I am leaving from Paris Charles De Gaulle airport on the 7th of July. So, it looks like I will be going to the wedding. Hope you are excited, make sure that there are lots of cute girls there!!! Perhaps one in particular??? No worries either way.
I think that I am going to be a tired S.O.B. the first few days because of jet-lag, visiting old friends and my family. However, I think that the first thing I want to do is have a cheap lunch at Amalfi's and a beer that night at The Saucer. I mean if you're going to have jet-lag the best thing to do is get shit-faced with all of your mates, no? I am sad to be leaving so soon, there is only 9 weeks left! I cannot believe it to be honest. I have lots of things to do however so I am also very excited to get back. I have about 2 years at UNCC and a shitload of MBA applications to prepare for. Well, it's very late and I need to get some sleep before my skate in the park tomorrow so I will talk to you all later. Hope you like the news Kat and Caya!!
I think that I am going to be a tired S.O.B. the first few days because of jet-lag, visiting old friends and my family. However, I think that the first thing I want to do is have a cheap lunch at Amalfi's and a beer that night at The Saucer. I mean if you're going to have jet-lag the best thing to do is get shit-faced with all of your mates, no? I am sad to be leaving so soon, there is only 9 weeks left! I cannot believe it to be honest. I have lots of things to do however so I am also very excited to get back. I have about 2 years at UNCC and a shitload of MBA applications to prepare for. Well, it's very late and I need to get some sleep before my skate in the park tomorrow so I will talk to you all later. Hope you like the news Kat and Caya!!
Saturday, April 23, 2005
NFL Draft, Red Sox, and coming home.
I am currently sitting in my apartment in Lyon listening to the ESPN.com streaming feed of the 2005 NFL Draft. I never listen or watch very closely to the draft in the States but I am pretty bored and I have no money. I think that I would like to see more behind-the-scenes at an NFL draft. I would like to see all the deals and phone calls being made before and after each pick. If I were a documentary filmmaker then I think it would be a really cool thing to follow and produce. My hometown Carolina Panthers are going to be picking 14th in the First Round of the draft. Luckily, Coach Fox has not traded away first round picks for an oversize defensive lineman like his predecessor. I think that Carolina may be going for a first round offensive pick this year in a wide receiver since dropping Moose. However, I have not been paying attention since living in France so I have no idea.
On to the Red Sox who had a very nice rally in the top of the 9th last night against the Devil Rays. Johnny Damon driving in the tying run with a single to push extra innings. Well, Allan Embree comes in to get throught the bottom of the 9th. The first pitch is in Eduardo's favor and he crushed the ball farther that I have ever seen a ball go in Tropicana field. It must have been 500 feet. So, instead of picking up the team Embree loses the game in the first pitch and the woes of a struggling bullpen of a few years ago feels as if it never left. If the ball had just gotten out I might be a little less bitter, but that ball needed some peanuts, a beverage, and perhaps authorization to land it flew so damn far. OUCH, well I guess the good thing is Embree only threw one pitch and so he can try to make up for it a little later today. Good Luck, shake it off and keep'em coming. For those of you who still hang on listennig after you here the 2 syllables No-mah put into play here is a little update. Unfortunately Nomar Garciaparra is going to be out for 2 months with a torn groin muscle. I have recently read that the only good thing that happened to Nomar in the last 18 months was his marriage to the former Tarheel women's soccer champion Mia Hamm. I know that Nomar was very hurt by the Red Sox going after A-Rod, and I do not blame him in the least. Although A-Rod has what has been called the best all-around game in baseball he has never won a World Series. Moreover, if you look at his past teams they always seem to be better off without the Superstar. The Mariners went from worst to first after dropping him and the Rangers were looking to become a great team until acquiring Rodriguez. I think that it is caused by A-Rod's influence in the clubhouse and his "I'm better than everyone else" attitude. What he brings in game, he takes more than that in the clubhouse. I am glad that the Yankees picked him up and he is a perfect on field character to match ownership. That's enough sports for one day, especially since I am not one of those that knows every aspect of the game and if I continue I will be found out.
OK, so coming home time. I am really thinking about coming home a little early because I hqve no money and I have a lot of work to do. If I decide to go for the triple major with Accounting, Finance, and French then I have 69 hours remaining. That translates to just over 4 average academic semesters. So, I was thinking of coming home around the 1st week of July to take classes. Then I thought, why the hell would I want to do that? I may come back that week, but I can think of better ways to spend the summer than in a classroom. Not to say that I do not like taking classes but I have work to do like finding a job, fixing my Honda Civic, and realxing at the beach a little bit. Those 9 hours that I would be taking can easily be absorbed along the way since I usually take 18 hours now anyway. I am even try to make a go at 21 hours for the experience. I like to challenge myself and that sounds like a great way to do it. I think that I am going to focus on Accounting and French and then I will finish up Finance in my last semester while I am applying to Graduate Schools. I am hoping that having the combination of 3 majors in 2 fields along with a year abroad will help overlook my weak start in higher learning institutions. Only time will tell and that's what I have. So, look for me in the first few weeks of July. I may just not tell anyone when and show up on your doorsteps to say hello. That would be fun!!!
On to the Red Sox who had a very nice rally in the top of the 9th last night against the Devil Rays. Johnny Damon driving in the tying run with a single to push extra innings. Well, Allan Embree comes in to get throught the bottom of the 9th. The first pitch is in Eduardo's favor and he crushed the ball farther that I have ever seen a ball go in Tropicana field. It must have been 500 feet. So, instead of picking up the team Embree loses the game in the first pitch and the woes of a struggling bullpen of a few years ago feels as if it never left. If the ball had just gotten out I might be a little less bitter, but that ball needed some peanuts, a beverage, and perhaps authorization to land it flew so damn far. OUCH, well I guess the good thing is Embree only threw one pitch and so he can try to make up for it a little later today. Good Luck, shake it off and keep'em coming. For those of you who still hang on listennig after you here the 2 syllables No-mah put into play here is a little update. Unfortunately Nomar Garciaparra is going to be out for 2 months with a torn groin muscle. I have recently read that the only good thing that happened to Nomar in the last 18 months was his marriage to the former Tarheel women's soccer champion Mia Hamm. I know that Nomar was very hurt by the Red Sox going after A-Rod, and I do not blame him in the least. Although A-Rod has what has been called the best all-around game in baseball he has never won a World Series. Moreover, if you look at his past teams they always seem to be better off without the Superstar. The Mariners went from worst to first after dropping him and the Rangers were looking to become a great team until acquiring Rodriguez. I think that it is caused by A-Rod's influence in the clubhouse and his "I'm better than everyone else" attitude. What he brings in game, he takes more than that in the clubhouse. I am glad that the Yankees picked him up and he is a perfect on field character to match ownership. That's enough sports for one day, especially since I am not one of those that knows every aspect of the game and if I continue I will be found out.
OK, so coming home time. I am really thinking about coming home a little early because I hqve no money and I have a lot of work to do. If I decide to go for the triple major with Accounting, Finance, and French then I have 69 hours remaining. That translates to just over 4 average academic semesters. So, I was thinking of coming home around the 1st week of July to take classes. Then I thought, why the hell would I want to do that? I may come back that week, but I can think of better ways to spend the summer than in a classroom. Not to say that I do not like taking classes but I have work to do like finding a job, fixing my Honda Civic, and realxing at the beach a little bit. Those 9 hours that I would be taking can easily be absorbed along the way since I usually take 18 hours now anyway. I am even try to make a go at 21 hours for the experience. I like to challenge myself and that sounds like a great way to do it. I think that I am going to focus on Accounting and French and then I will finish up Finance in my last semester while I am applying to Graduate Schools. I am hoping that having the combination of 3 majors in 2 fields along with a year abroad will help overlook my weak start in higher learning institutions. Only time will tell and that's what I have. So, look for me in the first few weeks of July. I may just not tell anyone when and show up on your doorsteps to say hello. That would be fun!!!
Friday, April 22, 2005
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
And Then The Rains Came....
Bonjour a Tous! I am writing today without much of anything new happening. The rain has taken a break but I am sure it will return as I step into the street. It is kind of nice sometimes, the rain is like a metaphor, bringing the Spring to life and such. That is as literary as I am going to get after 1 cup of coffee, 30 minutes after getting up today. So, I am sitting here online again and thinking about what to say. Seeing as how my mother has just told me that a lot of people have been fired for what they posted on they're blogs. It has been deemed that it is a public forum and that it is open to your boss to fire you for anything that you post online. I can see some of the difficulties in this argument. Was the boss relayed the website by the employee, does the company search out these people? I think that this leaves some serious loopholes, all for the big-business to push there "Iron Curtain" around as they want to. Now, my mother is telling me to be careful with what I say because it could cause problems. So, if I say that I think G.W. has a little penis and the war in Iraq is like his Ferrari, is the Secret Service coming to check me out? I guess I am going to find out!!!
I have also been looking into getting a crew position on a vessel somewhere in the World. I am not sure if I will try and hit the seas this summer or when I have finished up my degree. I think that I would like both if it's feasible. I would like to sail around the World when I have finished my studies, before I settle into a 9-5, or in the case of a restaurant 8am-11:30pm position. I have been doing some online searched trying to find a novice/trainee position for the summer. There is also this thing happening next year in Genoa Italy called the Atlantic Challenge that I am interested in. Plus, it is in Italy and I would love to learn some Italian as well, not to mention the food! I have been checking into celestial navigation and trying to get a certificate while I am here. I may have to wait on that because the online course is about $115 and I am not in a position to pay that. Perhaps this summer when I get home I will be able to invest a little more into the thought of it. For now, I will just keep reading and trying the auto-didact route I wreckon. I am not sure if it the mystery, ports of call, solitude, or challenge that is pulling me this way at the moment. For sure it scares me to think about the possibilities of being out to sea, thousands of miles from home, but it's very alluring as well. It may go nowhere, but it may just take me around the world as well.
Well, I am having some family crisis's right now that need my attention so I will wrap this up. Love and miss you all.
I have also been looking into getting a crew position on a vessel somewhere in the World. I am not sure if I will try and hit the seas this summer or when I have finished up my degree. I think that I would like both if it's feasible. I would like to sail around the World when I have finished my studies, before I settle into a 9-5, or in the case of a restaurant 8am-11:30pm position. I have been doing some online searched trying to find a novice/trainee position for the summer. There is also this thing happening next year in Genoa Italy called the Atlantic Challenge that I am interested in. Plus, it is in Italy and I would love to learn some Italian as well, not to mention the food! I have been checking into celestial navigation and trying to get a certificate while I am here. I may have to wait on that because the online course is about $115 and I am not in a position to pay that. Perhaps this summer when I get home I will be able to invest a little more into the thought of it. For now, I will just keep reading and trying the auto-didact route I wreckon. I am not sure if it the mystery, ports of call, solitude, or challenge that is pulling me this way at the moment. For sure it scares me to think about the possibilities of being out to sea, thousands of miles from home, but it's very alluring as well. It may go nowhere, but it may just take me around the world as well.
Well, I am having some family crisis's right now that need my attention so I will wrap this up. Love and miss you all.
Sunday, April 17, 2005
I Found NPR online.
It has been raining continuously here in Lyon for the last 3 days. It has been off and on all week with rain and lots of gray overcast days. However the last few days have been continuous raining. So much that the metros and Tramways shut down early last night due to the amount of water that had fallen. So, what better to do on a rainy Sunday morning than read and listen to NPR. I found it on the radio stations on the Media Player that I accidentally found while trying to find some Jazz and Blues stations. So here I am updating my blog and listening to NPR.
I have been all over the place today online. Reading the headlines of the Financial Times that has become my favorite paper since arriving here in Lyon. Bouncing over to MLB.Com and The Boston Red Sox homepage checking out how the boys from Boston are doing. Then I started searching for English teaching positions in Spanish speaking countries. I really think that when I finish my degree and I am looking into Grad School I would like to go and learn some Spanish or perhaps Japanese or Chinese. I think about staying in Charlotte and I get depressed about the thought of it. I think that I am beginning to feel the reverse-culture shock before I get home. I have another year, maybe year and a half before I am finished up at UNCC. I cannot wait to be done there.
Americans have to stop being so lazy in learning other cultures, while they are not as bad as the English I still think that we are lazy. A little anecdote for you about how I feel. When I was at the Monticello I was working a banquet one night. The banquet manager was bringing up the food for the party. Apparently, he thought that he could make it all the way without needing hot mits or a kitchen towel. Jaime ( pronounced HI-ME), was standing near the chafing dishes organizing the crudites and plates, etc... Jaime has been working at the restaurant for a few months and is learning English on the side at a community college. He works hard and the restaurant abuses his inability to speak English and the fact he is an immigrant to puch him as hard as they can without opening up there pocketbook like they would for an American. The banquet manager begins yelling at Jaime "Caliente! Caliente!" as he is walking towards the chafing dishes. Jaime hears and so he clears out of the way and moves to another end of the table. I also move out of the way and watch, the banquet manager begins yelling at Jaime to open the lids and calling him an idiot. I run over and lift the lids for the manager and he drops in the hot pan. I return to the lower dining room and soon the baquet manager, after chastizing Jaime for not opening the lids comes down as well. He turns to me and asks me if I can believe what just happened. I begged his pardon because I did not understand his point. He says well I said "Caliente! Caliente!" and Jaime just got out of the way and I almost got burned because he did not open the chafing dish lids. He tells me how much of an idiot he is, la-la-la..... So, I am standing there when pick something up and yell "Hot! Hot!" and the banquet manager jumps out of the way and he doesn't open the door behind him and help me through. I ask him why, I put the dish down and ask him why he did not help me out? He says, you only said "Hot! How was I supposed to know you wanted me to open the door?" So obviously I retorted with well you expected Jaime to open up the chafing dishes and help you when you yelled the same thing at him. Just before all this the banquet manager is telling me how any immigrant is responsible for learning English because it is "our" country. What an asshole? I hear that all the time though, and not at NRA meetings either. I know that I am speaking from a bias having spent the last 8 months in France but really? No offense Kat but I am going to pick on you, people are taking sign language at UNCC instead of learning a Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Italian, etc. I have no problems with sign language at all, but as far as the number of people that you can communicate with and the fact that it is without conjugation and only vocabulary it seems just a way to be lazy and get around the pre-reqs. You are not the only person that I know who has done this but I chose to pick on you because you actually read this site. I know that you are headed to Portugal this summer and I hope that you are learning enough Portuguese for getting around a cafe or finding you hotel. OK, that's it I think that we as Americans need to get off our asses and quit worrying about getting our jobs and our lakeside houses and go see the World and all of the cultures out there.
That said, I am feeling better this weekend in comparison to last week. I still have a cough and some nasty phlegm coming up occasionally, but on the whole I am better. So then I decided on Friday night to go and meet my friends at Maddy's place for the Pimps and Prostitutes Party, changed to the anything with a "P" party. I was too sick in the week to get a costume ready and did not think I was going to make it so I had to go sans costume. However, I found a couple lipstick yielding femmes and became a "Playboy" with some nice kisses all over my face. I planned to leave early and after snapping a few photos I went to catch the last metro. I missed the thing by about 20 seconds. So, I bought a six-pack and headed back up. I had previously decided not to drink but since I had to stay I said what the hell. I kept taking photos and everyone was so happy that I came back. I finished up by ending the party at 3:30am when the neighbor that yelled at me twice from the streets to close the windows eventually came up as someone was leaving and asked me to please stop. He was very polite and asked me kindly to turn the music down so that he and his wife could sleep since they had to work the next day. I went in and told everyone it was over and turned the music off. Claire, not thrilled said that the guy was crazy and who cares. After a little convincing that the party was already a success at 3:30 in the morning she succombed. I decided to walk home through the rain back home even though I was getting over a cold or possibly Bronchitis. I got about half a kilometer and decided I may as well run home to save time. 30 minutes later, soaked and coughing, I arrived chez moi. Took a shower and warmed up before going to bed with some more great memories a few months before my departure. I'll post some of the pictures as well. Hope everyone is well, talk to you soon.
I have been all over the place today online. Reading the headlines of the Financial Times that has become my favorite paper since arriving here in Lyon. Bouncing over to MLB.Com and The Boston Red Sox homepage checking out how the boys from Boston are doing. Then I started searching for English teaching positions in Spanish speaking countries. I really think that when I finish my degree and I am looking into Grad School I would like to go and learn some Spanish or perhaps Japanese or Chinese. I think about staying in Charlotte and I get depressed about the thought of it. I think that I am beginning to feel the reverse-culture shock before I get home. I have another year, maybe year and a half before I am finished up at UNCC. I cannot wait to be done there.
Americans have to stop being so lazy in learning other cultures, while they are not as bad as the English I still think that we are lazy. A little anecdote for you about how I feel. When I was at the Monticello I was working a banquet one night. The banquet manager was bringing up the food for the party. Apparently, he thought that he could make it all the way without needing hot mits or a kitchen towel. Jaime ( pronounced HI-ME), was standing near the chafing dishes organizing the crudites and plates, etc... Jaime has been working at the restaurant for a few months and is learning English on the side at a community college. He works hard and the restaurant abuses his inability to speak English and the fact he is an immigrant to puch him as hard as they can without opening up there pocketbook like they would for an American. The banquet manager begins yelling at Jaime "Caliente! Caliente!" as he is walking towards the chafing dishes. Jaime hears and so he clears out of the way and moves to another end of the table. I also move out of the way and watch, the banquet manager begins yelling at Jaime to open the lids and calling him an idiot. I run over and lift the lids for the manager and he drops in the hot pan. I return to the lower dining room and soon the baquet manager, after chastizing Jaime for not opening the lids comes down as well. He turns to me and asks me if I can believe what just happened. I begged his pardon because I did not understand his point. He says well I said "Caliente! Caliente!" and Jaime just got out of the way and I almost got burned because he did not open the chafing dish lids. He tells me how much of an idiot he is, la-la-la..... So, I am standing there when pick something up and yell "Hot! Hot!" and the banquet manager jumps out of the way and he doesn't open the door behind him and help me through. I ask him why, I put the dish down and ask him why he did not help me out? He says, you only said "Hot! How was I supposed to know you wanted me to open the door?" So obviously I retorted with well you expected Jaime to open up the chafing dishes and help you when you yelled the same thing at him. Just before all this the banquet manager is telling me how any immigrant is responsible for learning English because it is "our" country. What an asshole? I hear that all the time though, and not at NRA meetings either. I know that I am speaking from a bias having spent the last 8 months in France but really? No offense Kat but I am going to pick on you, people are taking sign language at UNCC instead of learning a Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Italian, etc. I have no problems with sign language at all, but as far as the number of people that you can communicate with and the fact that it is without conjugation and only vocabulary it seems just a way to be lazy and get around the pre-reqs. You are not the only person that I know who has done this but I chose to pick on you because you actually read this site. I know that you are headed to Portugal this summer and I hope that you are learning enough Portuguese for getting around a cafe or finding you hotel. OK, that's it I think that we as Americans need to get off our asses and quit worrying about getting our jobs and our lakeside houses and go see the World and all of the cultures out there.
That said, I am feeling better this weekend in comparison to last week. I still have a cough and some nasty phlegm coming up occasionally, but on the whole I am better. So then I decided on Friday night to go and meet my friends at Maddy's place for the Pimps and Prostitutes Party, changed to the anything with a "P" party. I was too sick in the week to get a costume ready and did not think I was going to make it so I had to go sans costume. However, I found a couple lipstick yielding femmes and became a "Playboy" with some nice kisses all over my face. I planned to leave early and after snapping a few photos I went to catch the last metro. I missed the thing by about 20 seconds. So, I bought a six-pack and headed back up. I had previously decided not to drink but since I had to stay I said what the hell. I kept taking photos and everyone was so happy that I came back. I finished up by ending the party at 3:30am when the neighbor that yelled at me twice from the streets to close the windows eventually came up as someone was leaving and asked me to please stop. He was very polite and asked me kindly to turn the music down so that he and his wife could sleep since they had to work the next day. I went in and told everyone it was over and turned the music off. Claire, not thrilled said that the guy was crazy and who cares. After a little convincing that the party was already a success at 3:30 in the morning she succombed. I decided to walk home through the rain back home even though I was getting over a cold or possibly Bronchitis. I got about half a kilometer and decided I may as well run home to save time. 30 minutes later, soaked and coughing, I arrived chez moi. Took a shower and warmed up before going to bed with some more great memories a few months before my departure. I'll post some of the pictures as well. Hope everyone is well, talk to you soon.
Thursday, April 14, 2005
Blue Wednesday, oh-oh blue wednesday!
I am trying to update this blog a little bit more than usual because I am now done with school and I have a lot of free-time on my hands. So, basically this week blows! I missed work Monday to study for an exam, missed work Tuesday because I felt like crap and had no sleep. I have not been out in almost two weeks so those of you thinking I am just partying, that's not the case. Then on Tuesday night I went to the gym planning to really have a go at it. However, my body let me know really early it had other plans, I was so weak and fatigued really early on. Then a slight cough set-in... I finished up but I have now fallen ill. Yesterday I tried to sleep it off and take it easy, so I stayed inside and did some reading and searching on the internet. I felt continually worse throughout the day and had a little bit of chocolate and some orange soda to feel better. Having promised my roommate stir-fry I got into the kitchen to follow through. I made a nice big wok full of veggies, turkey, and of course the stir-fry sauce. I could not even stomach thinking about eating it and decided instead to just have some white rice with a little bit of butter.
Next, I received my grade in French earlier in the day, an astonishing 8/20 after studying all week for the damn thing. French, at least written French, is not panning out to be my forte.
Then last night there was a Champions League game for European soccer with the hometown Lyon up againt PSV who I think are from Germany. The game was excellent and it went through double overtime with Lyon missing a few opportunities to put it away in the end. Which really ticked off there star Junihno because it forced a shootout, which they lost. The Lyonaiss guys after Junihno looked like they were from a summer camp back home. They had no leg in the shots I guess because they did have the precision and power combination like Junihno. Would have been nice to have the Champions League Vainqeurs while I was here but maybe next time.
So, I also missed work this morning. I woke up with a super-light headed feeling, sore throat, and nagging cough. So I called the school and told the principal that I thought I had a cold or a Spring flu but that if she wanted I could make it. She told me that she would tell the teachers that I was not feeling well and that I probably would not make it and I could come if I was up to it or not if that was the case. I got up to see how I could manage and I almost fell over on my way to the bathroom. Needless to say, back in the bed. If it had been a restaurant I would have been there without an option and been ok I guess. I was happy to go back to bed though. I still feel like crap today after getting up at 2:00pm, yes I said 2:00pm. Very unlike me but I was trying to rest up. I want to get to the gym over the 2 week vacation and really give it hell. Until then I am sipping on Fanta Orange soda and craving some Cambbell's Chicken Noodle or Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. Why is it when we are sick the most processed shit is what we crave? I cannot remeber craving strawberrys or apples when I am sick. Almost always it is something created in a lab and packaged for the masses. Goldfish, sodas, chips, condensed soup, chocolate, jello, pudding, etc... It seems a little strange to me I guess because it probably worse than everything else that I could have in this situation, but here I am wanting pre-packaged, freeze-dried, powdered, condensed, artificially, frozen, preserved, ready-made...CRAP!
Next order of business is that I may not be back until mid-July now. Fred called me this morning and he wants me to come up to Paris until around the 15th and then he is going to fly back with me to Charlotte. So, Kat and Caya it is not in the books yet, I have to do some serious thinking in the next two days on my plans. I really would like to stay here in France at this point and I wish I had already finished my degree and could set up shop here. I saw the Australian guy get nabbed at the Capital because of asking to see Bush with 2 suitcases at the steps. They are going to through him out of the country for making a point. I think he is brilliant and I am worried about the state of my country of birth. I look out over the Atlantic in my daydreams and I wonder where the place I grew up learning about is? Where are those that stand for freedom? When did "God" become so involved in politics?
I recently read an article about the Day of Silence for homosexual awareness in schools and how the christian ( yes I know it is supposed to be capitalised:) opponents are using some big "Defense Fund" for christians to tell the truth about homosexuality. How it's wrong, yada-yada blah-blah..... It seems to me that two people loving each other is not wrong, but a group of people hating others love is ok for the ultra-conservative christian right.
Is it any more accepetable for Christians to persecute than Muslims, or Jews, governments, or anyone else?
Oh, and why in the hell does every christian tell me that it's the right way to think. As if there is no other option in the Universe, of which Earth is the only planet with life??? Fat chance buckaroos. I am not trying to say that I have the answers, but I know that I don't. Most christians think that they have the answer, it's right, no questions asked. What bible do they read??? King James? I think I am getting too hard on the christians here and need to broaden this whole argument for any religous, state, or cultural ideology. Shit, that puts old US-of-A and Uncle Sam at the top of the friggin list. I better watch my comments or I am going to get a visit from some SS, wait a minute here.... Secret Service-S.S.??? You make the correlation to the next sentence. Is it National Security when SS agents track down an artist for making a political statement in Chicago? Or when they visit a High School in Washington to investigate a student's art for possible threats to the President? I am truly scared that the shock and awe campaign is in the States and not in Iraq. Finally, I read another listing of a 16 year old girl being held in a detention center for wanting to be a suicide bomber. She is being held without an attorney, without bail, without any civil liberties in my opinion. Her parent's are illegal immigrants and she is not a citizen of the US, yet. She was a very well-liked student with lots of friends and tolerant and embraceful of many cultures. A young woman exploring her own heritage and that of her new Nation. She missed an appointment with immigration because she was excited for a school function if I recall correctly, and they arrested her and are holding her as a terrorist, whilst in the process of deporting her parents.
Give us your weak, your less fortunate?
I am going to return to a country that does not resemble the one in my mind when I left, when I joined the Army, when I was told it was the "Greatest Country in the World." I feel isolated and lost, more at home in my host country France than the thought of being back on my maternal soil.
Well, I really went off on a rant there. I am not sure what tipped it off. I think it has been in the making for some time. Since before I left I believe I have been on this road. Someone told me that they would give up liberty to fight terrorism. I say "Give me Liberty, or Give me Death." That is why I joined the Army in the first place. I thought there was some residual value in my country. Now it's a War in Iraq that Americans have become complacent with because why? Noone knows. Or Guantanomo Bay, Cuba? Need I say more?
OK, going to end this now. I miss you all very much, but I am worried I am not coming home. I am coming back to finish my degree and apply for graduate schools and then going to try and find a job or do some travelling around the World and see some things.
Next, I received my grade in French earlier in the day, an astonishing 8/20 after studying all week for the damn thing. French, at least written French, is not panning out to be my forte.
Then last night there was a Champions League game for European soccer with the hometown Lyon up againt PSV who I think are from Germany. The game was excellent and it went through double overtime with Lyon missing a few opportunities to put it away in the end. Which really ticked off there star Junihno because it forced a shootout, which they lost. The Lyonaiss guys after Junihno looked like they were from a summer camp back home. They had no leg in the shots I guess because they did have the precision and power combination like Junihno. Would have been nice to have the Champions League Vainqeurs while I was here but maybe next time.
So, I also missed work this morning. I woke up with a super-light headed feeling, sore throat, and nagging cough. So I called the school and told the principal that I thought I had a cold or a Spring flu but that if she wanted I could make it. She told me that she would tell the teachers that I was not feeling well and that I probably would not make it and I could come if I was up to it or not if that was the case. I got up to see how I could manage and I almost fell over on my way to the bathroom. Needless to say, back in the bed. If it had been a restaurant I would have been there without an option and been ok I guess. I was happy to go back to bed though. I still feel like crap today after getting up at 2:00pm, yes I said 2:00pm. Very unlike me but I was trying to rest up. I want to get to the gym over the 2 week vacation and really give it hell. Until then I am sipping on Fanta Orange soda and craving some Cambbell's Chicken Noodle or Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. Why is it when we are sick the most processed shit is what we crave? I cannot remeber craving strawberrys or apples when I am sick. Almost always it is something created in a lab and packaged for the masses. Goldfish, sodas, chips, condensed soup, chocolate, jello, pudding, etc... It seems a little strange to me I guess because it probably worse than everything else that I could have in this situation, but here I am wanting pre-packaged, freeze-dried, powdered, condensed, artificially, frozen, preserved, ready-made...CRAP!
Next order of business is that I may not be back until mid-July now. Fred called me this morning and he wants me to come up to Paris until around the 15th and then he is going to fly back with me to Charlotte. So, Kat and Caya it is not in the books yet, I have to do some serious thinking in the next two days on my plans. I really would like to stay here in France at this point and I wish I had already finished my degree and could set up shop here. I saw the Australian guy get nabbed at the Capital because of asking to see Bush with 2 suitcases at the steps. They are going to through him out of the country for making a point. I think he is brilliant and I am worried about the state of my country of birth. I look out over the Atlantic in my daydreams and I wonder where the place I grew up learning about is? Where are those that stand for freedom? When did "God" become so involved in politics?
I recently read an article about the Day of Silence for homosexual awareness in schools and how the christian ( yes I know it is supposed to be capitalised:) opponents are using some big "Defense Fund" for christians to tell the truth about homosexuality. How it's wrong, yada-yada blah-blah..... It seems to me that two people loving each other is not wrong, but a group of people hating others love is ok for the ultra-conservative christian right.
Is it any more accepetable for Christians to persecute than Muslims, or Jews, governments, or anyone else?
Oh, and why in the hell does every christian tell me that it's the right way to think. As if there is no other option in the Universe, of which Earth is the only planet with life??? Fat chance buckaroos. I am not trying to say that I have the answers, but I know that I don't. Most christians think that they have the answer, it's right, no questions asked. What bible do they read??? King James? I think I am getting too hard on the christians here and need to broaden this whole argument for any religous, state, or cultural ideology. Shit, that puts old US-of-A and Uncle Sam at the top of the friggin list. I better watch my comments or I am going to get a visit from some SS, wait a minute here.... Secret Service-S.S.??? You make the correlation to the next sentence. Is it National Security when SS agents track down an artist for making a political statement in Chicago? Or when they visit a High School in Washington to investigate a student's art for possible threats to the President? I am truly scared that the shock and awe campaign is in the States and not in Iraq. Finally, I read another listing of a 16 year old girl being held in a detention center for wanting to be a suicide bomber. She is being held without an attorney, without bail, without any civil liberties in my opinion. Her parent's are illegal immigrants and she is not a citizen of the US, yet. She was a very well-liked student with lots of friends and tolerant and embraceful of many cultures. A young woman exploring her own heritage and that of her new Nation. She missed an appointment with immigration because she was excited for a school function if I recall correctly, and they arrested her and are holding her as a terrorist, whilst in the process of deporting her parents.
Give us your weak, your less fortunate?
I am going to return to a country that does not resemble the one in my mind when I left, when I joined the Army, when I was told it was the "Greatest Country in the World." I feel isolated and lost, more at home in my host country France than the thought of being back on my maternal soil.
Well, I really went off on a rant there. I am not sure what tipped it off. I think it has been in the making for some time. Since before I left I believe I have been on this road. Someone told me that they would give up liberty to fight terrorism. I say "Give me Liberty, or Give me Death." That is why I joined the Army in the first place. I thought there was some residual value in my country. Now it's a War in Iraq that Americans have become complacent with because why? Noone knows. Or Guantanomo Bay, Cuba? Need I say more?
OK, going to end this now. I miss you all very much, but I am worried I am not coming home. I am coming back to finish my degree and apply for graduate schools and then going to try and find a job or do some travelling around the World and see some things.
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Screwing up a little.
Hello all!!! Bonjour tout le monde!!! I know you have not heard from me in awhile and I am sorry about that. I actually posted a pretty nice little but last week but the server for blogger went down and I lost the entire piece. After that I was too busy studying for my French exam that I had yesterday. I am really not looking forward to the grade. I know that I did better than last time but I always have a lot of trouble knowing which personal pronoms to use. In spoken French it is usually simple because you can adjust what you say to accomodate but the written language is completely different. I really would like to have a working since of French in case I ever have the opportunity to come back here, or go perhaps to....French Guyana, La Reunion, etc...
What's new in Sean's world? Well, after studying all weekend I called the school yesterday and cancelled my classes to study more for the exam. I went to school all stressed and ran into Maddy and Mauricio going to lunch so I decided that it may calm me down to hang out. The diet was going great through lunch, through the exam, and after I got back home as well. Then I laid down at 5:00pm to take a cat-nap before the gym. Bad Idea!!! I woke up at 8:15, too late to make the gym since it closes at 9:30. So, I really felt like having some bad food and decided to celebrate finishing Lyon 3 by getting McDonald's. I bought and ate a meal and sundae, felt like shit the rest of the night. Next time if I cheat it's going to be homemade and not that crap. So, then I started reading the end of my book Wooden Boats about the Gannon and Benjamin Marine Railway in Martha's Vineyard, don't worry they're not the vacationing yuppies, real blue collar guys doing what they love. Really makes you want to find a boat captain and hit the seas for adventure. I was mesmorized and enticed by the stories at sea of the people working in the shop. How they came to be sailors, and then boatbuilders in a story that started off a little slow but brings you into the circle. It's a book by Michael Ruhlman, the only reason I bought it actually. It was on sale at a bookstore and I saw the author, who has written 2 great books for the restaurant world. They are The Making of a Chef, and The Soul of a Chef, the latter of which I enjoyed the most. The Making of a Chef is about the CIA in Hyde Park, NY and is informative but reflects why I do not like culinary schools, the job is hard enough without having to be an asshole to get things done all the time. The Soul of a Chef takes you through three kitchens, each one very different in style, grace, and dogma. Ending with the highly famed Thomas Keller at The French Laundry. In the end I really like Ruhlman's style and readability, he also writes cookbooks, at least when it's Thomas Keller.
So, after my long nap last night, reading my book until 1:30, I still did not fall asleep until after 4:00 in the morning sometime. So tired that I did not get up to go and teach this morning and have to go and explain myself a little later and make-up the time. ooops. I have not missed a day since coming back from Christmas so I think I am in the clear with less than 3 months to go, weird when I hear that my time is on the shortside.
OK, well I have to go make up for yesterday's absence at my school and I still need to get a shower before I go. Miss you all!!! Sorry I cannot make the wedding Timmer's, but I will see you this summer in July. I am looking to the 8th of July so I should make the Caya/Kat procession from the looks of it. Take care all. Ciao
What's new in Sean's world? Well, after studying all weekend I called the school yesterday and cancelled my classes to study more for the exam. I went to school all stressed and ran into Maddy and Mauricio going to lunch so I decided that it may calm me down to hang out. The diet was going great through lunch, through the exam, and after I got back home as well. Then I laid down at 5:00pm to take a cat-nap before the gym. Bad Idea!!! I woke up at 8:15, too late to make the gym since it closes at 9:30. So, I really felt like having some bad food and decided to celebrate finishing Lyon 3 by getting McDonald's. I bought and ate a meal and sundae, felt like shit the rest of the night. Next time if I cheat it's going to be homemade and not that crap. So, then I started reading the end of my book Wooden Boats about the Gannon and Benjamin Marine Railway in Martha's Vineyard, don't worry they're not the vacationing yuppies, real blue collar guys doing what they love. Really makes you want to find a boat captain and hit the seas for adventure. I was mesmorized and enticed by the stories at sea of the people working in the shop. How they came to be sailors, and then boatbuilders in a story that started off a little slow but brings you into the circle. It's a book by Michael Ruhlman, the only reason I bought it actually. It was on sale at a bookstore and I saw the author, who has written 2 great books for the restaurant world. They are The Making of a Chef, and The Soul of a Chef, the latter of which I enjoyed the most. The Making of a Chef is about the CIA in Hyde Park, NY and is informative but reflects why I do not like culinary schools, the job is hard enough without having to be an asshole to get things done all the time. The Soul of a Chef takes you through three kitchens, each one very different in style, grace, and dogma. Ending with the highly famed Thomas Keller at The French Laundry. In the end I really like Ruhlman's style and readability, he also writes cookbooks, at least when it's Thomas Keller.
So, after my long nap last night, reading my book until 1:30, I still did not fall asleep until after 4:00 in the morning sometime. So tired that I did not get up to go and teach this morning and have to go and explain myself a little later and make-up the time. ooops. I have not missed a day since coming back from Christmas so I think I am in the clear with less than 3 months to go, weird when I hear that my time is on the shortside.
OK, well I have to go make up for yesterday's absence at my school and I still need to get a shower before I go. Miss you all!!! Sorry I cannot make the wedding Timmer's, but I will see you this summer in July. I am looking to the 8th of July so I should make the Caya/Kat procession from the looks of it. Take care all. Ciao
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