Old People

OK here is the deal, Old people in Europe are way cooler than old people in America. That is a fact. I don't mean to be unpatriotic or anything like that, but after 2 months being overseas it has become increasingly apparent that this is one of those undeniable facts of life. It's like the fact that your first pet goldfish is going to die or that little boys are going to physically harm the little girl (or boy, I don't descriminate) that they like. Old people here are just cooler than th old people in the States. Hell, the old people in Europe are cooler than me. I was walking home last night after a long day of sightseeing and exploring to see people who were older than my parents just sitting down to dinner. Now in America this scene would be taking place at 6 30 maybe 7 if its a special occasion, but it was 11 30 here! The people here just know what it means to live life to its fullest. They refuse to become the old people who sit at home and watch TV, they go to dinner at 11 30 on a Saturday night and they take an hour and a half for their lunch break and SO WHAT if they have a couple glasses of wine with said lunch, this is France and they do what they want. That is why I love French old people, they can stay out later than me, and party harder than me all while being a little more than twice my age. I used to think I was "trés European" for eating diner after 8 every night. Now I realize that I was not at all, and with that I have a new goal; to be as cool as a french old person. I know it doesn't sound that lofty, but come on people, baby steps!

On French in France

Well folks get ready to be told someting obvious. Speaking a foreign language in another county is nothing at all like speaking a foreign language in class. Having been in France for long enough now to realize that what I thought was a vast knowledge of French is really just a couple of important phrases and tons of forgoten vocab words and conjugations. Luckily I have 4 hours of French a day to help with that(8 30 AM thank you very much). At the end of one month of four hours every day after having taken 2 semesters of French in the States, I will officially be at an "intermediate" level. Or at least what the French government calls intermediate. Let me explain what intermediate is. Basically you can carry on a brief conversation if it sticks to the topics of food, colors, basic directions and many other things children in Elementary school love discussing. What Im trying to say is that languages are hard. Luckily I have not encountered any of the French stereotypes, everyone has been really nice about the fact that I communicate like Im in kindergarden. All the French people speak to me in French about the states and love to ask really complicated questions about if I love Obama or if I really love Obama. I obviously cant communicate at this level quite yet so most of the conversation is them lauging at my accent and saying how nice it is and that I should keep trying. I never said they werent patronizing, but at least they are nice about it. Im trying to go easy on myself as well, the 13 year old French kid who is fluent in English can get you down in the dumps, but I just refuse to give up. I will continue to make a fool of myself in public places for as long as it takes. I have gotten much better at ordering in restaurants and bakeries... hey its all about baby steps.

BONJOUR GRENOBLE!!!

I know what your thinking (assuming that anyone is still reading), two posts in two days, Will, what have we done to deserve this honor. My answer is going to come in the form of something Jeane told me, that I have obviously lost my mind also I think it spawns from reading the blogs of all my friends and seeing how happy it makes me. I have just arrived in Grenoble and I FReAKING LOVE this city. This is going to get a little un-PC for a second (not too bad, no worries D-May). After being all over Europe and hearing all the beautiful things you would have seen if WWII had never happened or if communists hadnt taken over its nice to be in a place that seems largely untouched by either. Grenobe is breathtaking, the city is walled in by 3 different sections of the Alps, you can see mountains from literally everywhere. There is a river running through the city, amazingly fresh alpine water in every tap and the people are insanely friendly. I even have hopes for my French skills at this point, something Ive been worried about since arriving in Paris. Im finally starting to get used to the accent and Im getting braver with speaking to strangers. I tremble like a leaf and shrug when posed a question myself, but at least Im conversing... kinda. But I digress, the city itself is amazing, I think it is the perfect size to spen a month studying. For a visual, since I cannot uplad pictures think of Heidi and all that hilly goodness but then make it french with lots of pastries and a little bit more urban. Grenoble is considered a medium sized city and luckly Im right in the center of town. Perfect placement for exploring (not to mention that all French stores have massive sales the entire month of July). Honestly all Ive done today is wander around between bouts of laundry and unpacking, but I can tell already that I like this city and Im ready for a bomb month!

Backpacking = hard work!

OK so remember when I was telling all of you about my exciting summer trip back in that other life when I used to blog? Well Im in the midst of it now (ps please excuse any spelling/gramatical errors in this post French keyboards are more difficult than a statistics class). Which brings me to the fact that I am in France, and faced with a difficult conundrum. I am utterly exhausted from 6 weeks of carrying all my clothes and travel accoutrements all over Europe. I have seen so many castles and sights I dont even know which city any of it was in! Im sure after I have time to slow down and procezss the whole trip it will sort itself out but right now Im overwhelmed. The problem lies with the fact that I am in Paris and all I want to do is curl up into a little ball and not move for at least a day. The prospect of walking another step or taking another flight of stairs makes me want to do something violent, good thing I dont have the energy to be violent. I have to get ready for my program in the alps and PRONTO! as a matter of fact I leave in a little over 12 hours! Now bear with me because I know up to this point there has been no descernable... well, point to this post, but its my blog so I do what I want. Basically Im just trying to explain to you when, and if any of you ask me about Paris why I will just groan. I have been running all over the city, literally dragging myself out of bed and running errands. Buying things with the money I dont have because I spent it all on the amazing backpacking trip. BUT the ultimate point is that I am still loving every minute of it. Im exhausted, done for and there is constantly a smile on my face. What Im trying to say is backpacking is freaking hard and exhausting and you want to do nothing afterwards, but like most things in life (oh ho! bear with me as I wax a wee bit philosophical) if you keep pushing yourself you will reap the rewards and boy am I!

Whoops

Sorry, it has been a loooooooong time since I have blogged. I have been insanely busy. I have things going on all over the place. I'm in a short 20 min play for a directing class that opens today, I'm in a short play that was written and starred in by myself and other members of my 300 level French class. On top of that school has been going CRAZY as we get closer and closer to the end of the semester and then on top of THAT I'm trying to get read to leave the country in 18 days! So needless to say I've been more than a little bit busy. But, I'm really excited about life in general. Everything has been going really well. I've been going to formals and semi-formals which are always a ton of fun, and on top of that I have been selected as an Orientation Assistant for next year, so for all of you accepted student out there reading I will see you at Orientation. I really can't wait for school to be over so that summer and then orientation can start. Orientation is the BEST time of year. Well I hope this will hold you over until I get something more substantial to blog about. Enjoy your weekends I know I'm going to!

Road Rage

I have a problem. I tend to get a little... lets say excited when I'm driving. Actually let me preface this by saying, I am the only person in the world who knows how to drive. The ONLY person! When I do something on the road it is perfectly acceptable, if someone else does the same thing they are obviously idiots. I've always had this problem when I drive, even in Washington where there aren't nearly as many motorists as say... Southern California. My road rage has gotten out of control since I've been here. The things I yell at the other drivers don’t even make sense any more. The weird thing is, I'm a very calm person, I don't get angry very often and I hate yelling and for the most part I avoid confrontation. But for some reason when I am behind the wheel of my truck, I am ready to scream at whoever is going .5 mph under the speed limit and sit fuming until I get to my destination. Most people with road rage yell and then take some drastic move to get around the problem, but being a Washington driver I'm used to a more timid way of getting around so instead I just yell and then wait for a safe opportunity to legally get around the target of my fury. I think I need to either take it to one extreme or another, if I'm going to freak out its time to really freak out and veer all over the road like a true Southern Californian, or I could just relax when I'm driving and give up the whole ulcer inducing, stressed out yelling that I do. Hmm.

Spring Break

Spring Break used to be a time of the year where I wanted to go somewhere crazy, some insane beach in Mexico covered in bikinis and MTV camera crews. I wanted to go wild, to be one of those kids, but tragically I think I'm getting old. I just realized that my roommates have been trying to coax me into going to Mexico for two days. The have to CONVINCE me to go be the wild child I always dreamed I would grow up to be! But I'm tired. I'm exhausted, right now to me a good time sounds like sitting at home watching my planet earth DVDs and sleeping approx. 23 hours a day. I know it’s so lame, but I'm exhausted and with my big Euro trip looming in the future two days in Mexico is almost laughable. Wow I just sounded so snobby, but when you are about to spend 2 months in Europe a dirty weekend dodging all the crazy stuff that happens in TJ just doesn’t sound like a great time. So I’m going to catch up on rest, work every day and save money so that I can be that wild child when I am in Europe (sorry mom).

Orientation

This is the big week. The interviews have begun for Orientation Assistants. To be an Orientation Assistant or OA here is a huge deal. It's a really respected position here on campus over 250 people apply for less than 100 spots. OAs are out of control. For an entire week they run around campus doing cheers and trying to welcome new students and their families. Everyone wakes up at 7 AM every day and from there the cheering and constant excitement begins. All of it is completely volunteer work too. No pay checks get handed out for this, but you seriously don't need one. I was an OA last year and I don't think I have ever had that much fun. It's a two week commitment (one week of training) and there is absolutely nothing else like it. It is impossible to even describe unless you live through it. But I think its safe to say if you are looking to see some people acting crazy, probably dressed absurdly for one of the themed dinners, make sure to stop by campus the week before classes start in the Fall. The OAs are the ones "shaking their rumpuses" and dancing like it’s their job.

Out of State

Having some of my family in town this weekend really made me think about how far I am from home. I'm not getting all weepy or anything, I just have never really thought about being an out of state student until now. It’s really interesting being so far from home, and I'm really glad I did it, but I do miss being close to family sometimes. With half my family in Texas and the other half in Washington State, being in Southern California is a long way. I've driven to Orange from both places and any way you look at it means driving for two days. The flights are shorter, but they can get pricey too. Times like this make me think about it even more, because I'm so busy that I don't get to spend a lot of time with them when they do come down. It really makes me think about all the times I took for granted that they would just be at the house when I came home. But I would make the same choice to go out of state if I was asked again. I have formed such strong friendships because of it; my friends are my family here. I think I appreciate my family a lot more, being so far away. It's easy to get annoyed or take things for granted when I see them every day, but I really (and it sounds cheesy but its true) cherish the time I do get to spend with them, It's also cool getting to be the one who gets to show them around my new life that I built for myself here.

Disneyland

Disneyland is probably one of my favorite things about going to Chapman. It's only 20 min away (if that) in Anaheim. I know I sound like I'm 7 and 1/2 right now, but Disneyland really is amazing. I'm not one of those people who covers their house with Disney paraphernalia or has a Disney backpack. Disneyland is just a good time. You don't have to worry about anything but having fun on the Peter Pan ride (one of my personal favorites). You can just be carefree again. It's fun just to be surrounded by families that are having a good time. I just renewed my annual pass, and I'm so excited. As a Southern California resident I am eligible for discounted season passes and other opportunities at Disneyland. I haven't been since before last summer and I am so pumped to get back and try out the new Nemo ride. I guess what I'm trying to say is, I love Disneyland and I'm not ashamed of it.

Southern California

I don't know what is up with the weather right now down here in Southern California. I am absolutely befuddled, and considering changing my major to meteorology just to understand what is up. First it was cold, but not terrible, just a bit chilly. Then it was really nice back to traditional Southern California weather. People were going to the beach in February, and everything was back to normal. Cut to today the temperature is back to chilly and the wind is blowing at Gale force with a chill of -2 (it's possible that is a slight exaggeration). I know we are spoiled down here with our warm weather, but my dad and two of my four brothers are coming down to visit and I wanted to rub our superior weather in their faces. They always mock me for complaining about the Washington weather and I was really looking forward to the chance to show them why I complain. But I guess I just have to sit and endure their taunting, luckily not tonight though. I wish you all a happy Feb. 14th, my view on Valentines Day is a completely different post.

Burrito People

I know I know two blogs that reference burritos? Is that really necessary? Well, the answer is yes it is. I have this strange need for people working in the service industry to not only like me, but absolutely freaking love me. I try to make jokes and I am as kind as possible to everyone working in retail, food service, etc. I don't know why I have this need, it isn't logical at all most people are content just to be polite; I just have this need to go above and beyond. It can actually get to the point where my friends get embarrassed when we go out to eat. But now I'm starting to blather, this all started because the man who works at the burrito station downstairs never seemed receptive to my usual tactics. I would smile, be beyond polite, ask him all sorts of questions but he never seemed to want to be my friend. Until today that is, I have officially won over who I like to call "Burrito Man." Now I don't mean to say he was ever impolite or less than courteous to me before, he just didn't seem to enjoy my jokes, like his co-workers did. But today after weeks of being way over the top and mortifying Jeanne at 8:30 Burrito man saw me and smiled and actually started a conversation with me! It may seem insignificant, but it's all about the little things in life.

Where is 5pm when you need it?

It is 3:40 on Friday afternoon, and I am dragging. I need this week to be officially over, I love my job but 5 o'clock needs to get here now. With rush and all the other activities I've listed ad nauseum I am EXHAUSTED. Recently my body has decided that 7:30 am is the best time out of any to wake up. And at the risk of sounding whinny waking up at 7:30 after falling asleep at 2 does not make for a vary restful night. I have tried telling my body that I am a college student and should have trouble getting an alarm to wake me up before noon, but my body refuses to listen. I think that the most aggravating part is that it's not an alarm that wakes me up, it’s just my body's alarm clock, and I don't know how to break it. Due to my sleep depravation my plans for the weekend include, lying in bed until 8 hours of sleep has been accomplished in one stretch. I am determined to get some rest before the sandstorm of next week starts. Rush will be over, which is bittersweet. I will no longer have one of my most time consuming responsibilities, but I also won’t get to do all of the fun activities and meet all of the great guys who come out for rush every semester. Also all the activities are free (including free dinner tonight) so my bank account won’t be too happy either. Luckily all the hours I've put in at work are starting to pay off, literally. OK only one hour left I'm going to see if I can find some brainless task to amuse me for another hour to pass the time. I'll probably just end up playing Bejewled, man I love that game.

This Summer

I have plans laid out for the best summer ever. I know it may be a little bit premature right now; I did just finish the second week of school. I'm so excited though; I really need to talk about it. One of my good friends is studying abroad currently in Florence (go with me, this is the exposition). We had been talking, before he left about two of our other friends who had gone backpacking last summer. We decided that we needed to take a trip of our own. I knew he would be tired after such a long time abroad, and as I can't take a semester abroad (double major) I decided to look into a summer study program for after the trip. We recently sat down and planned everything out and I was accepted to the summer program in Grenoble, France.... here
It's a little village nestled in the French Alps, you know no big deal. Then as if that wasn't enough we started planning, what sounds like the best six weeks of my life. My friend who actually has his own blog, and I decided that Athens would probably be the best place to meet up. We will hang out there in Athens for a few days and then take a 7-day cruise around the Greek isles, and our trip just takes off from there. We are hitting Budapest, Prague, Krakow, Warsaw, Berlin, Munich, Barcelona, Madrid and Paris. I’m so excited for this trip I can hardly contain myself. I just have to push through this semester and then watch out Europe here I come.

Breakfast burritos

I'm not sure if I have mentioned breakfast burritos on this blog before, but I love them. Every morning that I have to come into work at 8 I sit expectantly until 8:30 when Salsa Rico (one of the on-campus restaurants) opens and I can order my "the works" breakfast burrito and a large coffee. Is there a better way to start a morning? I have recently made an ironic discovery in the vein of these burritos, however. You would assume that an on campus eatery called Salsa Rico would include salsa in their burrito and the restaurant across campus called subversions would not. In that assumption you would be completely mistaken, it is the exact opposite. My burrito cohort, Jeanne and I have a debate going as to which burrito is superior. I say the salsa adds a nice kick in the morning while Jeanne believes that salsa makes the burrito "gross." Today we made the trek across campus to subversions in order to test this theory, Jeanne of course chose to abstain and get a bagel instead (with jelly). All I can say is I enjoyed my burrito immensely, Jeanne missed out.

Spring Semester

Second week of school and I'm exhausted already. Taking 18 units, rehearsing for three hours a night, working and being in charge of rush for my fraternity is really doing a number on my sleep time. I'm not sure if I knew what I was getting myself into when I volunteered for all of these activities; it’s a lot of work. But I'm having a great time. My classes this semester are a lot harder, but they are also much more rewarding. The higher level classes are less general so I really feel like I'm gaining a lot of knowledge on very specific topics. I think my favorite class right now (granted it’s only the second week of school, so this is subject to change) is my African American literature class. The professor is really fun and the range of literature we are going to be reading is really impressive. But enough about school, I have all day for school. I've been rehearsing every night for a play entitled "How I Learned to Drive" by Paula Vogel. It’s a Pulitzer Prize winning script. I had read the script for class my freshman year and loved it so I was really excited when I was cast in the show. Rehearsals are a lot of fun, the cast is great and I think we are going to put on a really good show in March. I wont be able to make it to rehearsal at all this week though because its rush week. Greek life is really big here at Chapman, a huge percentage of our students are Greek. I think that is because Chapman Greek life is very different from traditional Greek life. We don't have houses for our Fraternities and Sororities so we meet on campus and center most of our activities on the campus as opposed to a house. I never thought I would go Greek, and I think that’s why I like to talk about it. My friends at home are still surprised to hear I am involved in Greek life, but that is just Greek life at Chapman.

PICTURES!!!!

OK here are the pictures I promised.

This was a sassy sign on the door of one of the actors from the Royal Shakespeare Company. I didn't know that at the time I took the picture, but it was prety cool to find out. The Actors actually lived just a few doors down from the hotel and we would constantly see them walking around town.

This is the giant spider statue that is in front of the Tate Modern, which is a really cool museum in an old abandoned warehouse.

This is a friend of mine at Kensington Gardens in Hyde park, most of the plants were dead, but the gardens were still really amazing.

This is one of the black swans that live in St. James's park that I spent an entire day feeding.

Back in the USA

And I'm back, and I'm exhausted. Do me a favor; if anyone ever tells you that jetlag is a myth... hit them. Just kidding, violence is bad and all that. I have had enough of going to bed at 2 AM and waking up at 6:30 to last me a lifetime. London was totally worth it though. I had an amazing time, I'm so glad I went. It was cool being there for such a long period of time because I got really comfortable walking around the city. I had enough time so I wasn't rushing everywhere trying to cram it all in. I even bought a whole loaf of bread and spent the entire day feeding ducks, swans and geese in St. James's park. Some people may or may not have been singing songs from enchanted while we were feeding them. I really did feel like a Disney character though, a squirrel actually crawled up my leg. I also met some crazy people at Hyde Park. There is a place in Hyde Park called speakers corner, where as long as you are elevated off of the Queen's ground (typically on a step ladder) you can say whatever you want... as long as it doesn't slander the Queen of course. There was a man speaking there who informed my friends and me that he was a cyborg from outer space and from the future. Needless to say I was quite amused. Other than that my days were filled with theatre and trying not to spend all my money with the horrendous exchange rate.

London

Well I am finally here in London! I am loving it so much. I have seen so many amazing shows and sights. We spent the first couple of days in Stratford-upon-Avon and saw over 13 hours of theatre put on by the Royal Shakespeare Theatre company, which was one of the most intense experiences of my life. I'm glad that we are in London now though. This is such an eclectic city. I'm having so much fun going around and seeing how all the different elements have come together to make this city what it is. Hopefully when I get back to the states I can put up some pictures of all the sights I've seen. I think my favorite thing would have to be that I'm actually getting credit to be here. We have class whenever we see a show but other than that its pretty much just see as much of London as you can. We actually have 3 free days to take off and do whatever we want, a lot of people are going to Paris or Ireland, but I'm staying here to see some shows just for fun. One of the coolest things about London is all of the mix of the old and the new, you can go to a pub that is hundreds of years old and one of the world's best modern art museums and it's all in the same city. Thats all I have for now, I'm about to go out to see an art exhibit and maybe swing by one pubs for a little bit of Shepard's pie.