Green Light from God

February 25, 2011

Chantepie, France

Do you ever have the feeling that things just work out perfectly, as if someone has aligned everything just to surprise you or assure you of something? I have, a lot. And I know that it’s God because those things don’t just happen. I just received an email saying that our covoiturage (carpool) to Paris Monday morning is cancelled because the guy isn’t going anymore. While searching rides and frantically sending messages to other drivers, I get a call from Lushuana. I was hesitating to tell her the problem because I didn’t want her to worry, but then she interrupted me and said “I have good news! My host mom is going to Paris on Monday morning and said we could ride with her for free!” I was so shocked. Immediately I told her what had just happened and she was equally as awed. We agreed to buy her host mom lunch in Paris and then discussed a few more details.

Not only that, but just a few days ago I received an email from an old friend from High School, Jocelyn Davis. Apparently she’s now living in Florence, Italy and wants us to come visit. She gave us details and advice on how to arrive, what to do and places to eat and stay! God is so good. I feel so much better about this whole voyage now that I have a ‘green light from God.’

Music is International

February 24, 2011

Chantepie, France

I discovered something beautiful today at the French Gospel Chorale workshop which I was privileged to attend with my director and a few new French friends:

Though the instructions and techniques were half understood and the language barrier was strong, 

MUSIC IS INTERNATIONAL. 

Once she sang, the notes and the rhythm explained themselves to me. Perhaps I am actually tri-lingual or perhaps I unlocked the secret to world peace.

All I know is that I love music.

Also, in talking to Fiza about men and relationships as usual, I came across a new idea that I want to explore later. Everyone has baggage, but it depends on how we carry it, if we left it somewhere, if we're searching for baggage that we left behind, etc.I suppose that's just me being philosophical again.

Bucket List, Going Fast!

February 23^rd, 2011

Rennes, France

I was officially the witness of a spontaneous and public, dance session!!

Location: Metro line, Rennes, France

Characters: Two breakdancers with an Amp, an Ipod and some legit choreography.

Check that off the Bucket List.

Parties and Dancing Make a Cultured Girl Tired

February 22nd, 2011

Chantepie, France

After today I am officially on spring break, or as they call it here « winter break » since it’s still technically winter; strange that we never thought of that. I worked a miserable day with the boys and ended dragging Maxim up the stairs with him hitting me, crying, screaming, cussing and making fun of my accent. Lovely. Fortunately, his mother came home and was completely on my side and heard his hysteria.

From there, I headed to the Pizzeria with Rashmi and the other Indians for Rashmi’s 23^rd birthday celebrations. There was a French guy there, too, but the rest spoke Hindi and I thought it was such a fascinating exploration into their culture! They are so excited to cook for me that we planned a party this Friday night and we are going to celebrate their Indian holidays so they can paint me, show me how to wear a sari and turban and put a dot on my forehead; I couldn’t be more excited. They really have a loving, colorful and community based culture and I identify with it so well! They told me that I was part of the family already and that brought a tear to my eye and a smile to my face.

After the pizza, Ashish, Anvesh and I headed to la Cubanacan for some dancing before going our separate ways. Elsa had asked me to come by because she wanted to help me with my salsa dancing. That was fun! I learned a few new steps and hopefully will be a much better dancer by the time I go home! Sebastian also taught me a few merengue steps to which I will add at a later time. Now, I lay in bed thinking about how my life is such a conglomeration of cultures and I love it. That, and I’m sore and sleepy from dancing and painting the town red (and chasing children all day).

What I life I lead!

Classwork and Tests: Français

February 21^st, 2011

Chantepie, France

I had my French midterm today and, though I did well (I think) on the writing and reading sections, I failed the listening and grammar sections. The grammar section was weird and it’s my own fault that I fared poorly. The listening section, however, I believe was because we were given one or two phrases of a completely random and unrelated topic and had to choose ‘the phrase to follow’ or something of that manner. Normally, this sounds pretty easy but I now believe, after living in a foreign country and having to speak the language, that this is not a good way to learn and progress in the language! Our knowledge is pulled from context and continuation of a thought, not having random sentences that are detached from connotation and simply looking for words that match. I feel that this was not a good diagnostic of my language skills. Though I have heard some of my classmates speak some French, for the most part they are all living alone or with other international students and live without many opportunities to practice their French. In class, they excel because they can spew these rules and regulations and syntax like an A student. In a situation like I am in, I wonder if they are uncomfortable and have fears and difficulty in holding a conversation with someone. Myself however, I succeed in that! I believe that I may send an email to the professor and suggest that we have an oral exam that is more along the lines of an entire conversation and then questions that we have to answer either after or along the way.  I don’t know if the suggestion will be taken well, but I think that, if I were a teacher, I would want for my students to express themselves in a respectful manner if they constructive suggestions like that. It’s not that I am asking for easier tests or complaining of something, I’m simply commenting on the learning style. That’s all.

Goodbye to a Loved One

Friday, February 18^th, 2011

Rennes, France

Dear friends and family,

Thank you so much everyone! From all over the world, literally, I feel the comfort. I have such amazing friends.
The reason I was freaking out so much is that I found out that there was a death on my dad's side of the family but did not know any details at all and was very worried and put under a lot of pressure. Thank you all for being there to catch me.
I found out later tonight that my Great Aunt Betty passed away Wednesday after collapsing in her bedroom in the middle of the night. She was an amazing woman and was a good friend and is with the Father now, so we can be confident in that. It is always hard to suffer a loss, but she was very old and sick and now no longer will have to suffer or feel pain. We love you, Aunt Betty!
All my love to all of you,

No Matter What, Keep on Dancing!

February 15^th, 2011

Chantepie, France

The inside hallway of ESC Rennes Business School

I spent all day in my favorite class, Operations Management, had a fun lunch with an assortment of crazy, new friends who all gave me excess fries, worked hard and was bitten by the youngest child I babysit, had a delicious dinner with Raymonde, watched my friend Joèl Matias perform the accordion, then had Mexican food and a salsa dancing night with all of my friends until late. What an incredible day! Not only that, but as I lay here in my bed with my care package that mom mailed to me (full of medicine, burned CDs and a sweet satchel) it is starting to rain. I took the 11:30 pm bus home tonight instead of the 12:30 just because I felt that I should head home and get some rest. I made it just in time to catch the bus and now I am so glad that God gave me that nudge! I would be tired and soaking wet if I had stayed at the party longer. Thank you Lord for blessing this day with events that keep me alive, sustained and smiling as well as guiding my path and looking out for me!

Our crowd of dancing friend at La Cubanacan, Rennes, France

Always dancing inside and out,

Bethany