While last week was the most lax first week of classes possible, this second week is when things really get cracking. All classes, English seminars and all electives start rolling, along with discussion groups, or conferences, for the French seminars. The real work begins, or at least gets assigned. Here's a profile of my week.
Sport and Politics: A History of the Olympics movement:
This class has to be the one I am most looking forward to, and so it nice to start the week off with this on Mondays at 12:30. My prof is a PhD student in Paris for the year, and teaching this course. She is pretty cool. An ex-collegiate rower, she raced in Europe for 5 years as a cyclist. I've also found out she recently took up swimming. Needless to say I am pretty stoked about all this background. The class itself is looking really interesting, although a little heavy on the reading side. Maybe way heavy. But since I'm really excited about it, I'm trying to stay positive. I just got off really easy on readings last term so I'm being a bit of a wimp. Even after our first week of real class, it looks like we're going to have some really great discussions. I am also already thinking about our term paper, and want it to be really good. I am actually for the first time ever, proposing my own topic instead of taking one of the other themes. It will be on the influence of the media on the Olympics, particularly programming, sport format, and the evolution of the rules of play. Stay tuned for more info.
Political changes in Russia:
This class directly follows Sport and Politics. I think this is going to be a great course since I really am not at all up to date about Russian affairs since Communism. This will compliment my fascination with the Cold War nicely. The teacher is awesome, though has a thick French accent. The first week we actually didn't have class, since we've already had 4 classes rescheduled. Basically it means that in March, we have two classes every single week. Basically I am going to have no life in March for other reasons, but I will explain more later. This wraps up my Monday, getting out by 4:45, and now that the days are getting longer, I plan on cycling home from class and being productive at night with errands, work and dinner.
Histoire Politique de L'Europe:
Profiled last week, its my only class on Tuesday, from 10:15 to 12:15. I am finding that he tends to focus on case studies, and doesn't give a real coherant narrative, so I am not sure how this will all go come midterm/galop time, and finals, but we shall see. I only found out on Thursday when looking online that we do in fact have a midterm for this class, but have yet to be told anything about it by the prof or discussion group leader, and its on the 26th! I was kindof annoyed, especially since its 4hours, from 8:30 til 12:30. Part of me is hoping that it actually is not happening, but I'm not holding my breath.
Ballroom Dancing:
After class is done, I have a bit of time to have lunch. Now normally this is done with Daniel, my dance partner, but for the past two weeks he hasn't had class before and has met me at ballroom directly. In his absence, I had a paella lunch at Resto U with Robin, who is also in ballroom. Having that paella made me appreciate the quality of the stuff I had in Malaga even more. This past week, I met with Annie, whom I hadn't seen in a quite some time, and we went to Lina's for sandwiches and catch up on life.
Ballroom itself has been going splendidly so far. We have the same awesome teacher, Catherine, who seems to like to make fun of Daniel and I as the only anglosaxons who have to focus quite intensely. 2 couples and 1 male from last term are back, along with a new female dancer and a completely new couple. Already in Tango, Cha Cha and Pasa Doble we have reviewed all the moves from last term, with great fluidity. We are getting to be graceful even. I'm very excited for our progress. By 3:30, I am done for the day. Afterwards, I have started going directly back to Sciences Po to get some work done for a few hours before dinner. I'm so much more efficient at school than at home when it comes to homework. I'm going to try and maximize my productivity to free up time for fun things.
Structures and Crises in the Middle East:
For some reason, our professor showed up 30min late on the first day, at 1 instead of 12:30. It has also been decided that the class will only be 90min instead of 2hrs. I am totally ok with this decision. I know nothing about this region, so I am excited to learn. We will be focusing on Lebanon and Syria as case studies, which should be interesting. The first actual class was a little overwhelming - basically we fast-tracked through 3000s of religious/historical developments that have lead to the 20th century. It was to give an overview of how and why the religious divisions have formed that play such a large role in the history and politics of the entire region. Good to know to get introduced, but a lot to digest. The professor is really great, so I am thinking this class with go smoothly. Only one term paper and the exam, so should be pretty straight forward.
Yoga:
I have decided that in order to slow the effects of baguettes and cheese, I should sign up for more sport classes. Yoga first conveniently between my 12:30 to 2 and 5-7 classes. I finish class, leisurely walk across the Seine and through the Tuileries to the studio, enjoy a relaxing, toning hour of Hatha yoga, and then come back to school. Its a nice refreshing break, and the studio is in a really cool basement cave. I have dabbled in yoga periodically, but I am excited to get more involved this term.
Conference, Histoire Politique de L'Europe:
French seminars have accompanying discussion groups for additional work, normally an expose and a dissertation (term paper). For some reason, our leader has decided to go with an unorthodox approach and assign multiple smaller tasks including 3 mises de points, un debat, un duel et un actualite. I am not sure how I feel about this approach. Because of this, I have one or two things due for this class alone every week in March. Add in other assignments, I have 2-3 things a week - I'm in for a bit of a bumpy ride I fear. In the first week of this class, I felt as though I was watching a volleyball match from outside the court. By the time I process what the students and teacher are saying in French, the next point has already come up. It was a little frustrating, but I will just have to go on the aggressive in future classes. The teacher is young and respondant to students' requests etc, so overall I think it will be manageable.
Swimming:
Last semester, I just couldn't gather my resolve to get to the pool on a regular basis. I find swimming rather soothing, and a great workout and toner, so I decided to add regular swimming to my list of activities for term 2. 10 on Thursdays means I am up in good time and get my workout done first thing. There is a set posted, which is exactly what I needed, so I can challenge myself within the hour, but without pressure. Its a little crowded in the pool, but c'est la vie. Its about 20min away by tram and metro, so relatively close. The first day I tried to velib but under estimated how long it took so I don't think I'll be doing that any more. Plus on that particular ride, I misnegotiated a curb and took a little tumble on the sidewalk. Nothing serious, but enough to leave a nice bruise on my legs which decomissioned me from running for a little bit. After swimming I have the whole afternoon off, so I'm going to try and make this a big homework afternoon if needed, or alternatively a great chance to be a tourist.
Vichy France:
Final class of the week Thursday nights from 5-7. Its going to be a real gem. There are actually two instructors, who are in there late 30s I believe. They are both clearly specialists, and finish each others sentences, which is really cute. The class is going to really good, and I know very little about the topic, despite the fact that I have a good handle on WWII. Daniel is also in my class so that will be nice. No real required readings, and only one expose, a small test and a term paper, that's the work load I'm talking about. Class seems to move right along which is very appreciated and before I know it its the weekend!
So that is the low-down on my academic future. It seems as though it will be a bit more heavily laden with work than last term, but I think I will be able to handle it without too much stress or compromising my current exchange student lifestyle. Thank goodness. When the classes are interesting, its perfectly fine anyways.
While classes took up a good portion of the last two weeks, I did manage to have a healthy social life and continue with my commitment to doing one tourist activity a week. Here are the extra-curricular highlights of the first half of February.
I ended up going over to Poullette's sweet apartment a 5min walk from Sc Po last Monday and hung out with her and Ayumi. I am really feeling like I'm integretating with this group well. Afterwards, we met up with Leo again and had dinner at this awesome restaurant in the 13th called Chez Gladines. It embodies the small French local brasserie/bar, and was packed with locals. I shamelessly devoured my massive dish of lamb, chorizo, cheese, mushrooms, potatoes cooked in duck fat in a gravy sauce. (In my defense I hadn't had lunch!). The salads were also the biggest thing I have ever seen. All very reasonably priced, I will definitely be taking future visitors here.
I really dislike when people don't seem thrilled to be in Paris. Yes there are setbacks and maybe annoyances, but overall it is incredible and I think people should appreciate the opportunity we have to be here. Comment inspired by a conversation with a Canadian girl I met at yoga who doesn't really like it here yet (she arrived a few weeks ago). To each their own I guess.
Crepe night at David's new apartment in the 7th, right by the Eiffel Tower on Wednesday the 2nd! I can easily velib there which is great, faster than taking the metro in fact. We indulged in salty galettes of pesto, cheese, caramelized onions, sauteed mushrooms, roquette lettuce, tomatoes, egg and olive oil combinations. Well they were supposed to be crepes, but became more just the ingrediants put together. So so good anyways. Dessert of crepes with banana, sugar and honey. A gastromically delightful night with David, Tom, Camila and Camila's friend Rachel.
Thursday night after class Daniel came back to mine and we snacked on a bit of pizza and chatted before heading back to David's for his official Pendaison de Cremaillere. I was very stiff from my earlier Velib tumble, but had a good night chatting with Annie, Daniel, Tom, a Finnish girl, Ayumi and Emmanuelle. Ayumi also related to me a funny story about some boys whom we had met at a bar calling her. Antoine et Thomas. It was pretty funny. Last metro home.
Museum time! This week featured Arts et Metiers, which is a massive museum that shows inventions and technological advances. We only finished one of two floors, but saw the standardization of the metric system (from the measurement of the King's foot). There were lots of really cool devices, and clocks. It got really cool when we got to see original computers from the 60s, and even a Mars robot. I think the other floor would be really good, so I plan on going back at some point in the future.
Movie night with Corina on Friday night. I had a delicious dinner of baked yam fries, sauteed eggplant and a stuffed red pepper with cream cheese, pesto and baby shrimp. Decadent. When Corina finally camy by, we watched Dirty Dancing while indulging in Mars Bar ice cream. A perfect girls night in.
More city exploring on Saturday up in Montmartre. I had really under explored this awesome artists neighbourhood, so I was really excited. It is one of the few parts of Paris that was not reorganized by Haussmann, so it has a completely non Parisian feel to it. Its always on a hill, so I got quite the workout trekking up and down the hills. David, Tom and I checked out St Vincent's cemetary, and then walked around for a couple of hours, in which time we stopped and had boulangerie treats Tom bought a canvas painting.
Headed to Eva's at night for dinner with her and Corina. We had a very nice potato salad and a traditional German meal known as Sparrows feet, which is a special type of egg pasta, with gouda cheese and sauteed onions. I have really been eating like a king over here. After we had a few bottles of wine, we headed out to Chez Georges to meet with Maude, Tatiana and some Veterans for dancing. It didn't last very long though which was too bad, since the bar closed at 2:30. I walked home with Corina and then velibed the rest of the way. Then, when I got home Etienne was the best roomate ever and made me food, steak and mashed sweet potatoes. I am a lucky girl. I fell asleep on the couch, as I have been known to do.
I tried Tartare, which is raw red meat, a raw egg yolk, and onions. Verdict is still out on that one.
Another evening at Rendezvous des Amis in Montmartre with Annie and her friend Anthony.
Wine night with Corina at her house this past Thursday. Good girl talk.
An attempted club night at Showcase with Eva, Corina, David and Emmanuelle. Bouncers suck. We didn't get in but it was a fun night anyways. We'll have to try again soon.
I tore through two seasons of Sons of Anarchy, a tv series about a biker gang in California. I am very fascinated by motorcycles. I know, I'm bad like that.
Went to this awesome town a 30min RER ride outside of Paris, called St. Germain en Laye on Saturday with David and a friend of his from Princeton, Trace. There was a really sweet chateau, and the edge of the gardens looks out over all of Paris. You could see the Eiffel Tower and Grande Arche de la Defense. The town itself was so cute, what you might imagine a small French town to look like. There were too many boulangeries and fromageries. It was good to spend an afternoon outside of Paris, doing a little sightseeing.
Pendaison de Cremaillere chez Milena and Brigette, at their new sweet place in Bastille. It was a really nice night, and I got to know Fran, Katie, and another girl Alice, a lot better. I am excited to hang out with these girls more throughout the semester.
Sunday, a great day of the world's best falafel for lunch, followed by going to see The King's Speech. It's worth a watch in my mind. I really enjoyed it, Colin Firth totally deserves an Oscar for it.
And that's a wrap! Off to ski next week, tales of the adventures to follow!
Bisous
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