Some of my crazy students, they look adorable in the photo but they are more than a handful to teach.
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
Looking to the Bright Side
I am feeling like a big bowl of old soggy cereal right now. I know that I am leaving soon and I think it has something to do with that. My level of French is below where I think it should be to be sure. I can understand most things now but I always feel like I cannot say what I want or I sound stupid in doing so. It comes with the reflection of the past 8 months and the near end to this journey. So, I have decided to look to the brighter side of things.
First off, I have met some great people here in Lyon. It's a mixed gathering of people, many of whom I expect to read about in the future. They will shape the future of their countries and the world I think. It's been a breath of fresh air and ideas for me. I spent the greater part of my life in Charlotte, NC. This is my first time living abroad and I am glad that I made the dream come true. The next time I live abroad I will not have a timeline on my return. The teachers in my school have been asking me if I will ever return and I have resounded an overwhelming OUI! I know that most Americans believe we live in the best country in the world, but I do not believe this to be true. Sure, The States is a great place to be in contrast to places like Darfur right now. That does not make us the best though. In my opinion there are a lot of places that could post that title, many of them in Europe including France. It's different of course and that is what I love about it. In France you have a love of luxury, free time, traditions like wine, cheese, and great public schools. Not to mention health coverage for everyone regardless of working or not. Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and the rest of the Scandavian world is a place that really stands out in my mind as a place I would love to travel to, perhaps even live. The people are warm, truthful, and it is one of the safest places you can be. Crime is not the same problem as it is in the States and we could learn a lot from them. I am not crazy about the 40% plus tax rates that exist there but it works none the less.
Another positive reward of returning is being able to finish my degree. I have chosen a longer route than most now that I am doing a 3 degree hat trick so to speak. Yes, three degrees there folks. I thought about getting out quick but it doesn't make sense with what I want to do in the future. I would like to move to Paris when I am done and maybe even settle down there too. The French degree will give me the power to command the French language and confidence to an employer looking to hire me. Next is the Business and core side of my schooling with a double major in Accounting and Finance. The two go hand in hand and I don't want to limit my options because of another 18 hours to get the Finance degree. With these three I hope to get into the joint Law and MBA program being offered at UNC or into the International MBA with the HEC in Paris offered at NYU. Time will tell and a lot of things can happen before any of these things happen but I look forward to hitting the books with a renewed and defined plan on the future.
Also, I have been living on about $1200 US per month since I arrived because I was unable to sell my truck which is why I am coming home early. I have no money to pay the bills and it is time to get a job where I can make some dough. I am hoping to wait tables all summer at Dressler's or another good restaurant that is only open nights to keep my days free for school. I am also being interviewed for an internship with GE Plastics at the end of the Summer and if all goes well I will be occupied for the next year which should make the time pass efficiently.
I turn 28 in a few weeks so I am excited to have another birthday, it will be spent in transit most likely in a train going to Paris. Not a big deal because as late May and early June born people can tell you, our birthdays usually stink because everyone is on vacation or leaving. I will probably end up having a dinner out with Fred, Deborah, and maybe Sylvie. Maybe I can have a Welcome Back/Birthday BBQ around the 15th when I get back to celebrate it with my friends.
As always I have ranted too much and I will throw the parachute here with the last bit of good news. The Red Sox are struggling with some of there players going on the DL and out of the rotation. However, they are winners of the last 8 out of 10 games and 2.5 out of first to Baltimore... Just where I like them to be right now. Best part is it looks like A-Rod is screwing up that clubhouse atmosphere over at Yankee Stadium like I said he would. The guy can play great for sure, but I am unsure if he will ever win a World Series without growing up a little. Go Red Sox!!!
First off, I have met some great people here in Lyon. It's a mixed gathering of people, many of whom I expect to read about in the future. They will shape the future of their countries and the world I think. It's been a breath of fresh air and ideas for me. I spent the greater part of my life in Charlotte, NC. This is my first time living abroad and I am glad that I made the dream come true. The next time I live abroad I will not have a timeline on my return. The teachers in my school have been asking me if I will ever return and I have resounded an overwhelming OUI! I know that most Americans believe we live in the best country in the world, but I do not believe this to be true. Sure, The States is a great place to be in contrast to places like Darfur right now. That does not make us the best though. In my opinion there are a lot of places that could post that title, many of them in Europe including France. It's different of course and that is what I love about it. In France you have a love of luxury, free time, traditions like wine, cheese, and great public schools. Not to mention health coverage for everyone regardless of working or not. Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and the rest of the Scandavian world is a place that really stands out in my mind as a place I would love to travel to, perhaps even live. The people are warm, truthful, and it is one of the safest places you can be. Crime is not the same problem as it is in the States and we could learn a lot from them. I am not crazy about the 40% plus tax rates that exist there but it works none the less.
Another positive reward of returning is being able to finish my degree. I have chosen a longer route than most now that I am doing a 3 degree hat trick so to speak. Yes, three degrees there folks. I thought about getting out quick but it doesn't make sense with what I want to do in the future. I would like to move to Paris when I am done and maybe even settle down there too. The French degree will give me the power to command the French language and confidence to an employer looking to hire me. Next is the Business and core side of my schooling with a double major in Accounting and Finance. The two go hand in hand and I don't want to limit my options because of another 18 hours to get the Finance degree. With these three I hope to get into the joint Law and MBA program being offered at UNC or into the International MBA with the HEC in Paris offered at NYU. Time will tell and a lot of things can happen before any of these things happen but I look forward to hitting the books with a renewed and defined plan on the future.
Also, I have been living on about $1200 US per month since I arrived because I was unable to sell my truck which is why I am coming home early. I have no money to pay the bills and it is time to get a job where I can make some dough. I am hoping to wait tables all summer at Dressler's or another good restaurant that is only open nights to keep my days free for school. I am also being interviewed for an internship with GE Plastics at the end of the Summer and if all goes well I will be occupied for the next year which should make the time pass efficiently.
I turn 28 in a few weeks so I am excited to have another birthday, it will be spent in transit most likely in a train going to Paris. Not a big deal because as late May and early June born people can tell you, our birthdays usually stink because everyone is on vacation or leaving. I will probably end up having a dinner out with Fred, Deborah, and maybe Sylvie. Maybe I can have a Welcome Back/Birthday BBQ around the 15th when I get back to celebrate it with my friends.
As always I have ranted too much and I will throw the parachute here with the last bit of good news. The Red Sox are struggling with some of there players going on the DL and out of the rotation. However, they are winners of the last 8 out of 10 games and 2.5 out of first to Baltimore... Just where I like them to be right now. Best part is it looks like A-Rod is screwing up that clubhouse atmosphere over at Yankee Stadium like I said he would. The guy can play great for sure, but I am unsure if he will ever win a World Series without growing up a little. Go Red Sox!!!
Saturday, May 07, 2005
Clearing the Air
OK, I am not mad at anyone today but I do want to kind of Clear the Air for some things I have been thinking about. The first thing I am going to put out there is that I am coming home around the 15th of June now. Unfortunately I could not sell my monstrous truck and I need to come home early and get a job going for the summer. I am sad to be sure that I am leaving early, but I am going to be back. This is not my last time in France or Europe for that matter so I do not leave thinking that I am never going back. Luckily, most of my friends will already be gone so it is easier to leave because of this. My roommate is not happy and I had to tell him that maybe it would change and I would stay to keep him from being too sad about it.
Next thing on the list is I have taken the entire week out of the gym. I just have not felt like it and I was working out so hard for so long that I took a week off. I know 8 weeks is not super long but I was doing an hour+ workout in addition to 45 minutes on the stairmaster so I felt like this week was OK. I have been rollerblading as well on top of this so I think that I'm cool. I do have to get back in the next 2 weeks before my friends come to see me, just want to be in top form, no worries.
The next issue I feel like tackling is coffee. Who likes a tall cup of joe? Perhaps a frothed blend from your local Starbucks? The instant stuff that I never drink but apparently a lot of folks do? OK, I was interested in the Fair Trade issues so I have done some researching on the subject. I would like to say here that I am not the "Ultra-Liberal" that I may be sounding like here. I actually like to think that I am Centrist, I go the way that reason and the facts lead. The Fair Trade issue is one that I think Americans should really lift there voices too. It is not some tree-hugging crusade to save ducks from their fate with Foie Gras. This is about the unfair practices being used in the coffee trade that is sending between 20-25 million people into the throws of poverty and despair. This is not caused by a major change, in fact the difference is slight. Take for example that $3.00 dollar cup of you may be drinking now. Fair Trade coffee is a transparent accounting system that allows the labelling authority to ensure that the farmer's are receiving fair prices for there coffee, so instead of .03 cents, they receive .05 cents per cup of coffee. Not a lot to make up along the supply chain. That is actually part of the problem, there are too many people in the middle that take advantage of the grower and also the consumer. Even though the price of raw coffee has dropped to it's all time low, the prices have not fallen in response as well. For more information on this problem and how we can help go to the FAIR TRADE website. Without the lable there is no way to ensure that these people are making enough to survive, which means usually the next step is to start producing the Coca leaf in order to be able to survive. I am all for Free Trade as I have said before, as long as it's Fair Trade. This is not Fair and we have to do something about it. Finish the coffee you have right now, then start drinking only coffee with the Fair Trade label. Then spread the word, you don't have to strike to be heard.
Lastly, I did the Generation Roller again this past Friday night. It was a little cooler and I thought people were not really going to show up but I was wrong. There were at least a thousand people last night. We had a great time, but I forgot to take pictures again this week. Oh well, I guess I will have to take some next Friday when we do both the 9 o'clock and the 11 o'clock sessions, at least we are going to try to. The 2nd is pure speed and we are going to try it out and if it doesn't work for us were gonna bail out early.
That's all I have for today, looks like I'll see you in about 5 weeks now, so be ready to go. Don't worry if you are someone checking in and you like the blog, which I doubt seriously. I am going to keep blogging from home as well.
Next thing on the list is I have taken the entire week out of the gym. I just have not felt like it and I was working out so hard for so long that I took a week off. I know 8 weeks is not super long but I was doing an hour+ workout in addition to 45 minutes on the stairmaster so I felt like this week was OK. I have been rollerblading as well on top of this so I think that I'm cool. I do have to get back in the next 2 weeks before my friends come to see me, just want to be in top form, no worries.
The next issue I feel like tackling is coffee. Who likes a tall cup of joe? Perhaps a frothed blend from your local Starbucks? The instant stuff that I never drink but apparently a lot of folks do? OK, I was interested in the Fair Trade issues so I have done some researching on the subject. I would like to say here that I am not the "Ultra-Liberal" that I may be sounding like here. I actually like to think that I am Centrist, I go the way that reason and the facts lead. The Fair Trade issue is one that I think Americans should really lift there voices too. It is not some tree-hugging crusade to save ducks from their fate with Foie Gras. This is about the unfair practices being used in the coffee trade that is sending between 20-25 million people into the throws of poverty and despair. This is not caused by a major change, in fact the difference is slight. Take for example that $3.00 dollar cup of you may be drinking now. Fair Trade coffee is a transparent accounting system that allows the labelling authority to ensure that the farmer's are receiving fair prices for there coffee, so instead of .03 cents, they receive .05 cents per cup of coffee. Not a lot to make up along the supply chain. That is actually part of the problem, there are too many people in the middle that take advantage of the grower and also the consumer. Even though the price of raw coffee has dropped to it's all time low, the prices have not fallen in response as well. For more information on this problem and how we can help go to the FAIR TRADE website. Without the lable there is no way to ensure that these people are making enough to survive, which means usually the next step is to start producing the Coca leaf in order to be able to survive. I am all for Free Trade as I have said before, as long as it's Fair Trade. This is not Fair and we have to do something about it. Finish the coffee you have right now, then start drinking only coffee with the Fair Trade label. Then spread the word, you don't have to strike to be heard.
Lastly, I did the Generation Roller again this past Friday night. It was a little cooler and I thought people were not really going to show up but I was wrong. There were at least a thousand people last night. We had a great time, but I forgot to take pictures again this week. Oh well, I guess I will have to take some next Friday when we do both the 9 o'clock and the 11 o'clock sessions, at least we are going to try to. The 2nd is pure speed and we are going to try it out and if it doesn't work for us were gonna bail out early.
That's all I have for today, looks like I'll see you in about 5 weeks now, so be ready to go. Don't worry if you are someone checking in and you like the blog, which I doubt seriously. I am going to keep blogging from home as well.
Thursday, May 05, 2005
You Think You Know Fried Chicken?
I have a little gripe to voice here. Why does everyone think that they know what America and Americans are like? I know that we have Hollywood and that there is a lot of American culture out there. I mean really though we all don't eat McDonald's for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
I have to really watch myself being an American abroad and I am aware of this in respect to cultural stereotypes and such. However I think that other Nationalities do not do this with as much attention. Just a small gripe I guess, but remember that the country I come from is very big and has many different regional differences. I will admit that there are a lot of overweight people and that we need to fix a lot of things, but I don't think I know everything about the French and I have at least lived in the country for a time.
OK, so to show my roommate that fried chicken is not the crap that you get at KFC or Bojangles I decided to prepare the Southern Classic right here in Lyon. I got a whole bird and cut it down to quarters. Not being able to find the buttermilk that I usually use for the breading I just used some low-fat milk with an egg beaten in. I salted, peppered, and seasoned the chicken additionally with some chili powder and let it marinate for an hour in the fridge. Some people like to soak the chicken in salt water but I prefer not to since it makes the chicken's skin too soggy when you cook it. Next I dipped the chicken into the flour, then the egg/milk mixture and finally one more pass in the flour. I let the mixture "soak in" for a few minutes before cooking. Next, true Southern Fried Chicken is cooked in a shallow pan, preferably an old iron one. With a minmal amount of oil, usually about a quarter inch, that's it!!! Next I made some rice with my Brazilian buddy Mauricio's recipe. You saute some onions and garlic but don't brown them and add the rice, then water. It's kind of like making risotto actually, but with rice. To finish it off we had some peas. Look out momma, I think I made the best ever but it may be because I have not had it in a year too. Arno was in heaven I think, so for all of you who think you know fried chicken, this is the real deal!!!
Going to do the roller thing again tomorrow night and take some pictures as well.
I have to really watch myself being an American abroad and I am aware of this in respect to cultural stereotypes and such. However I think that other Nationalities do not do this with as much attention. Just a small gripe I guess, but remember that the country I come from is very big and has many different regional differences. I will admit that there are a lot of overweight people and that we need to fix a lot of things, but I don't think I know everything about the French and I have at least lived in the country for a time.
OK, so to show my roommate that fried chicken is not the crap that you get at KFC or Bojangles I decided to prepare the Southern Classic right here in Lyon. I got a whole bird and cut it down to quarters. Not being able to find the buttermilk that I usually use for the breading I just used some low-fat milk with an egg beaten in. I salted, peppered, and seasoned the chicken additionally with some chili powder and let it marinate for an hour in the fridge. Some people like to soak the chicken in salt water but I prefer not to since it makes the chicken's skin too soggy when you cook it. Next I dipped the chicken into the flour, then the egg/milk mixture and finally one more pass in the flour. I let the mixture "soak in" for a few minutes before cooking. Next, true Southern Fried Chicken is cooked in a shallow pan, preferably an old iron one. With a minmal amount of oil, usually about a quarter inch, that's it!!! Next I made some rice with my Brazilian buddy Mauricio's recipe. You saute some onions and garlic but don't brown them and add the rice, then water. It's kind of like making risotto actually, but with rice. To finish it off we had some peas. Look out momma, I think I made the best ever but it may be because I have not had it in a year too. Arno was in heaven I think, so for all of you who think you know fried chicken, this is the real deal!!!
Going to do the roller thing again tomorrow night and take some pictures as well.
Hitting A Bump In The Road
Since last Friday I have not been to the gym. As the French say "Je n'avais pas envie de faire." However, it's back now because I have been eating crap all week, I feel run-down, tired, moody, and all-around Blah! As Maddy eloquently pointed out I don't have a period to blame it on either. True, I have no excuse except I have had a lot more varied eating patterns, more sugar, and I think that is the reason. So, I will head back to the gym on Friday because the gym is probably closed tomorrow for some religous holiday. I think it's the ressurection maybe? Honestly I have no idea about anything except the fact that I don't have to work tomorrow as a result.
I went to Go Sport today which is a large Sports Department Store here in France. I wanted to get some gloves since I am starting to get some callouses, from workouts people!!! Get your minds out of the gutter. I also saw a nice hat from Quicksilver for 9 euros so I picked that up as well. I am not buying a Metro pass this month and I decided to get a small backpack to put my shoes and things in for when I hit the trail with my rollerblades. So, after walking there from Madz, it was laundry day. I cannot tell you how exciting to know that in two months I have to walk across the room to do laundry and not go 12 stops on the transit system with one transfer! Then stay there the whole day running the loads through. Anywho, I am in the line at Go Sport to get my things. I am waiting patiently about 3rd in line while the woman behind me is trying to slip past while she is huffing and puffing that she is forced to wait sooo long. Really lady, I am the impatient American and I am calm, stop freaking out!!! So, she rings the things up and I reach for my wallet and grab my.....SHIT! Where is my card??? I search through all the nooks and crannies hoping I just put it in the wrong place, but I did not and it isn't there. I apologize and excuse myself walking back to Madz wondering where it is and if I am broke yet? Turns out I left it in the POS last night when I was buying the mise en place to make my dinner with Maddy and Arno. That was a lovely fresh pasta that I coated with a cream based sauce. Not too much, just enough to coat the pasta with some mushrooms, red bell pepper (capsicum for you Aussies), onion, garlic, more garlic, some smoked lardons, salt, pepper, and some parsley to round out the flavors. It was yummy, and in spite of the fact that Arno had already eaten 2 hours earlier, he still managed 2 plates full. The wine was a nice L'Ermitage from the Cotes de Rhone that I got from my wine guy. Maybe I will go hang out with him tomorrow if he's open.
As a last note before I go to bed. I need one of two things right now. The first is a girlfriend because it is Spring and it is the best time to be head over heels. Secondly, I need some guy friends! I am usually the token male wherever I go with my friends. The number of guys in the international student sector is pretty low. Usually this is a blessing because it means there is limited competition, unfortunately I am not a Dane and therefore not a player. It is really funny to be the only guy and it is definitely another perspective that I have now. Lately though, more than ever the girls have become complacent to my presence and the topics are things that I just don't care to hear, nor repeat in this forum. Yeah, great I am a S.N.A.G. ( Sensitive New Age Guy ), not sure I want that title but it has been bestowed upon me. I need some baseball talk, girls butts talk, car talk. I am going crazy with these damn women!!! Calgon, take me away!!! You see what I mean? Anyways, I am tired and going on like a girl right now, going to go to bed and dream of naked women, beer, and power tools. See you later all.
I went to Go Sport today which is a large Sports Department Store here in France. I wanted to get some gloves since I am starting to get some callouses, from workouts people!!! Get your minds out of the gutter. I also saw a nice hat from Quicksilver for 9 euros so I picked that up as well. I am not buying a Metro pass this month and I decided to get a small backpack to put my shoes and things in for when I hit the trail with my rollerblades. So, after walking there from Madz, it was laundry day. I cannot tell you how exciting to know that in two months I have to walk across the room to do laundry and not go 12 stops on the transit system with one transfer! Then stay there the whole day running the loads through. Anywho, I am in the line at Go Sport to get my things. I am waiting patiently about 3rd in line while the woman behind me is trying to slip past while she is huffing and puffing that she is forced to wait sooo long. Really lady, I am the impatient American and I am calm, stop freaking out!!! So, she rings the things up and I reach for my wallet and grab my.....SHIT! Where is my card??? I search through all the nooks and crannies hoping I just put it in the wrong place, but I did not and it isn't there. I apologize and excuse myself walking back to Madz wondering where it is and if I am broke yet? Turns out I left it in the POS last night when I was buying the mise en place to make my dinner with Maddy and Arno. That was a lovely fresh pasta that I coated with a cream based sauce. Not too much, just enough to coat the pasta with some mushrooms, red bell pepper (capsicum for you Aussies), onion, garlic, more garlic, some smoked lardons, salt, pepper, and some parsley to round out the flavors. It was yummy, and in spite of the fact that Arno had already eaten 2 hours earlier, he still managed 2 plates full. The wine was a nice L'Ermitage from the Cotes de Rhone that I got from my wine guy. Maybe I will go hang out with him tomorrow if he's open.
As a last note before I go to bed. I need one of two things right now. The first is a girlfriend because it is Spring and it is the best time to be head over heels. Secondly, I need some guy friends! I am usually the token male wherever I go with my friends. The number of guys in the international student sector is pretty low. Usually this is a blessing because it means there is limited competition, unfortunately I am not a Dane and therefore not a player. It is really funny to be the only guy and it is definitely another perspective that I have now. Lately though, more than ever the girls have become complacent to my presence and the topics are things that I just don't care to hear, nor repeat in this forum. Yeah, great I am a S.N.A.G. ( Sensitive New Age Guy ), not sure I want that title but it has been bestowed upon me. I need some baseball talk, girls butts talk, car talk. I am going crazy with these damn women!!! Calgon, take me away!!! You see what I mean? Anyways, I am tired and going on like a girl right now, going to go to bed and dream of naked women, beer, and power tools. See you later all.
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Runaway Bride, Who Should Pay?
OK, I think that the most outrageous story that I have read about recently in the US now is the one of the real life "Runaway Bride." The woman being that one Jennifer Wilbanks from Duluth, GA. Who got cold feet and took a bus across country and ended up calling the police in New Mexico to say that she had been kidnapped by a couple while she was out jogging. Now, the District Attorney in GA is beginning to look into criminal charges and the county is thinking about making her pay the 40k-60k dollars they spent on searching for her as well. OK, OK, I understand that the woman made a mistake and obviously should have just sat down with her fiance and talked it out with him. However, look how much stress she has been through and what the seeming expectations must have been. There were 600 guests coming to the wedding and 14 bridesmaids and groomsmen for this gargantuan wedding that was to take place last Saturday. Obviously this family has some sort of Trust Fund for weddings or it is a very rich one. I am guessing based on her suburb that it is the latter. Maybe she felt there was no way she could live up to there expectations as a new member and the wedding had seemed to take on a life of it's own. So, mother nature came in with a natural response to threats, "Fight or Flight." She chose the most used measure and decided to hit the trail to get away from it all. No blame from my side of the room in the matter.
Then, the town decided to overlook some key factors in beginning there search. Number one, the girl took off her engagement ring for her "run." I would say normally that is a smart thing to do in any situation where you are going to do some exercise and work. However, usually brides-to-be like to have the opportunity to show everyone that they are taken, not to mention the stone! Did the fiance look into her side of the closet to see if maybe some things were missing? She bought the bus ticket a week earlier and probably packed a couple of items. Then the woman got a haircut, that can be overlooked because there was a wedding in a couple of days. However, did these genius's down in Georgia think about looking into the girls credit card summaries. That would have been the first thing I would have checked. Not to mention with travel services as well, they usually require some form of ID. I have never taken a bus somewhere but I would think some sort of identification would be necessary to purchase the ticket and the records, maybe, I don't know put into there database???
Next, when did the media decide that this was a situation to step in on? Hmmm, a rich girl from Georgia dissappears days before her wedding, must be a kidnap situation here. Let's run the story without a shred of evidence and overlook obvious factors. This didn't happen on FoxNews did it??? They would never do something like that! The already stressed out of her mind girl was probably somewhere in Texas or Nevada when she saw her own picture and the words possible abduction tag-lined beneath it. Hell, she didn't make it up, everyone else did it for her. They started the story and let it run away, following the trail it left them to follow. Kinda like trying to find water with a stick if you ask me, ohh...this way!
So, to end I think that this woman has been through enough. Her fiance still wants to marry her and I think that is her only crime against anyone. If the girl had called and said, oh, I ran away because I don't know if I can do this, everyone would not have been satisfied. They planted the kidnapping in her head to start with. I think that if someone should pay for what has taken place it should be the media. They turned a story of a runaway bride with cold feet into a frenzy that whipped around these "possible" reasons for the woman's dissappearance. Next, the county in which Duluth and the people of Duluth should prove what kind of community they are and instead of patronizing the poor woman actually come to her aid and help her out. Who are they to judge, like her husband said: "We've all made mistakes." I am with you guy.
Then, the town decided to overlook some key factors in beginning there search. Number one, the girl took off her engagement ring for her "run." I would say normally that is a smart thing to do in any situation where you are going to do some exercise and work. However, usually brides-to-be like to have the opportunity to show everyone that they are taken, not to mention the stone! Did the fiance look into her side of the closet to see if maybe some things were missing? She bought the bus ticket a week earlier and probably packed a couple of items. Then the woman got a haircut, that can be overlooked because there was a wedding in a couple of days. However, did these genius's down in Georgia think about looking into the girls credit card summaries. That would have been the first thing I would have checked. Not to mention with travel services as well, they usually require some form of ID. I have never taken a bus somewhere but I would think some sort of identification would be necessary to purchase the ticket and the records, maybe, I don't know put into there database???
Next, when did the media decide that this was a situation to step in on? Hmmm, a rich girl from Georgia dissappears days before her wedding, must be a kidnap situation here. Let's run the story without a shred of evidence and overlook obvious factors. This didn't happen on FoxNews did it??? They would never do something like that! The already stressed out of her mind girl was probably somewhere in Texas or Nevada when she saw her own picture and the words possible abduction tag-lined beneath it. Hell, she didn't make it up, everyone else did it for her. They started the story and let it run away, following the trail it left them to follow. Kinda like trying to find water with a stick if you ask me, ohh...this way!
So, to end I think that this woman has been through enough. Her fiance still wants to marry her and I think that is her only crime against anyone. If the girl had called and said, oh, I ran away because I don't know if I can do this, everyone would not have been satisfied. They planted the kidnapping in her head to start with. I think that if someone should pay for what has taken place it should be the media. They turned a story of a runaway bride with cold feet into a frenzy that whipped around these "possible" reasons for the woman's dissappearance. Next, the county in which Duluth and the people of Duluth should prove what kind of community they are and instead of patronizing the poor woman actually come to her aid and help her out. Who are they to judge, like her husband said: "We've all made mistakes." I am with you guy.
Sunday, May 01, 2005
Brazilians Rock, therefore Brazil must Rock!
Allo! I went to an International Party again last night, something that I think is going to happen with more frequence the next few weeks with everyone leaving soon. It was mainly a Brazilian BBQ again, with a scattering of French, English, Aussies, Americans, and a Swedish guy who speaks English well enough noone knows unless he tells you.
We had a lot of beer, a lot of meat, and a lot of good times. The Brazilians have a very fun, open, and festive culture. All of the parties that you normally go to there is music, some dancing and people know most of the songs. The Brazilians seem to know all of there songs by heart, they can all dance, and they are not inhibitive like Anglo-Saxon culture. I love hearing the stories of Carnival and I dream of seeing it in person one day. This is something that the US lacks. A National Culture is something that most nations have but the US seems to have so many cultures there is no specific one. Yes we do have some regional things that are unto our own in the US, but it is hard to define what is American. Outside of Hollywood as I was explained last night, that is apparently what people think the States culture tube is. I despise it because that is not me, I hope.
Anywho, it is a beautiful day and we are all meeting in the park for a picnic. The main problem for most is that the public transports are not functioning today and noone knows why but it appears to be some sort of public holiday that I am unaware of. Tant mieux because I was going to skate there anyway, maybe practicemy reverse turns and skating backwards with a cute Scottish girl named Jenny. Amusez-vous bien !
We had a lot of beer, a lot of meat, and a lot of good times. The Brazilians have a very fun, open, and festive culture. All of the parties that you normally go to there is music, some dancing and people know most of the songs. The Brazilians seem to know all of there songs by heart, they can all dance, and they are not inhibitive like Anglo-Saxon culture. I love hearing the stories of Carnival and I dream of seeing it in person one day. This is something that the US lacks. A National Culture is something that most nations have but the US seems to have so many cultures there is no specific one. Yes we do have some regional things that are unto our own in the US, but it is hard to define what is American. Outside of Hollywood as I was explained last night, that is apparently what people think the States culture tube is. I despise it because that is not me, I hope.
Anywho, it is a beautiful day and we are all meeting in the park for a picnic. The main problem for most is that the public transports are not functioning today and noone knows why but it appears to be some sort of public holiday that I am unaware of. Tant mieux because I was going to skate there anyway, maybe practicemy reverse turns and skating backwards with a cute Scottish girl named Jenny. Amusez-vous bien !
Saturday, April 30, 2005
Generation Roller
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!!!
So off I go, please don't forget I want to hear from all of you so please leave me comments!!!
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
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