<---This one's for you, Mommy!!
Another dinner with guests tonight...
Madame Poidevin's ex-University student, Robert, is coming to dine with two lady-friends. Madame showed me a picture of Robert and I said that he was cute and she said "Non, pas mal..." (Not bad...). We shall see in person! I hear a lot of clanking and clanging of pots in la cuisine, so I think that it will be a bountiful meal.
Today we were able to go on a tour of the "American Library" in Paris, to which all of the students in my program are given membership for the four months we will be here. While I anticipate using the Sorbonne libraries more frequently, this little library is very close to my apartment, and will be a good place to study on days off. I really need a library in my life...I find it much more tranquil, and an overall more efficient place to get work done.
I'm already getting back into the swing of school. It didn't take long! I really like all of my classes, and have the feeling that it will be an interesting semester. I love it when my classes all correspond in some way, and these really do. For example, in Art History we were learning about Romantic and Neoclassical art, and saw a painting of King Sardanapolus; in French, there was a passage we read that referenced Sardanapalus...In IR, we are discussing religion in France and the separation of church and state (what the French call laicite), and we had also covered this history of the relationship of religion and France in my French class, and in my French History class last semester. I think it's so cool when there are little overlaps like these.
I also am so far enjoying my readings, especially in International Relations. French is a bit trickier, especially with some of the older poetry, but once you understand better the nuances of a particular poem, you realize that it simply would not be the same piece of litterature if translated into English...
Today after class and our tour of the Library, we walked to the Seine, by the Eiffel Tower, and by Trocadero, and then I walked home. It was a BEAUTIFUL day! The buildings were framed by distant gray clouds, and above, the sky was a pretty powdery blue. Additionally, it was about 45 degrees today--that's practically bathing suit weather!! I was a bit hot when I returned home today in my puffy coat!
Taken from the Pont Bir Hakeim, which I take to get home!:
3 comments:
Ashley,
What a beautiful day indeed! Your photos really have a surrealistic quality to them.
Oh Alfa, bella machina, perhaps I never should have parted with you. Yet, you were difficult at times, and there was no one who really understood how to care for you properly here in California...c'est la vie!
xoxo, Mommy
Ashley,
I loved your comment that you need a library in your life. I agree completely!
It is a wonderful thing when your classes "overlap." It makes the whole adventure of a semester so much more interesting.
Loved both your picture of Alpha Romeo and your mom's comments. I have such fond memories of your memories....
Love to you both from bitter cold NY! and NJ too!
Heidi
Hello!
I studied abroad in Paris this past semester and I was searching for one of my friend's blogs when I stumbled upon yours. It's fantastic! I just stopped for a minute to see the pictures but then I started reading, and it made me so jealous. I would give anything to go live in Paris for four more months. I especially liked your post about the differences in conversation, how they always something is not ugly if they mean attractive, haha. My classes and everything were pretty similar to what you are doing now so I know what you mean when you say everything connects.
I feel like I have so many places you should go and things you should do. Did you get to see Picasso et ses Maitres at Grand Palais before it closed on Feb 2nd? That was such a huge huge deal when I was there.
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