Salut, from the United States of America...from Illinois...from Bartlett...from my kitchen table. :)
There's nothing like this feeling. The snow has been falling gently outside all morning, adding a fresh blanket of beauty to an already-white landscape. Dad made egg, potato, and vegetable goodness for breakfast this morning, and it was so great, seeing as it was 4:30pm on my clock and I felt like I hadn't eaten in days (which is sort-of true). I'm still in sweatpants and glasses and I'll probably hit a wall this afternoon.... but for now I'm feeling great.
I'm excited to tell you more about my trip home, because it was 48 hours of stress and changing plans, but it turns into a happy ending (I'm home, after all!). Snow has been dumped on just about all of the Western hemisphere, so I consider myself very fortunate when I think of the many travelers who are still stuck somewhere. All the same, my transit was nothing short of STRESSFUL. The best way to describe it is with one of my favorite quotations (the wisdom of which I have applied and reapplied over these two days!):
An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered; an adventure is an inconvenience rightly considered.
GK Chesterton
So, to begin explaining the 'adventure'.....
My voyage home began on Sunday morning, after a relaxing breakfast with two of my best friends in Grenoble. I arrived at the train station with two 50-pound suitcases, a backpack that literally weighed as much as the suitcase, and a small shoulder bag. Cumbersome, but necessary to carry home a semester's worth of belongings and gifts. :) I looked up toward the large board where all the train numbers were displayed so I could confirm what track I was on-- next to my train, I saw a word I have never seen before.
Supprime.
That was not a good word. I knew at once what it meant. My train was not just late..... it was canceled completely.
It was only then that I noticed the gads of people in the train station, many more than usual. Lines had started everywhere-- people asking what to do, trying to change their tickets. I left my stuff with my friends and went with my friend Hamid to talk to the train conductor. He told me the next train to Lyon was at 11:44, an hour later. However, if I caught that I was looking at missing my connection in Lyon AND, consequently, in Mulhouse (yep, three changes just to get to Basel... not ideal with 125 pounds in luggage, but cheaper). Frustrated, but with a smirk on my face because I'm usually incredibly level-headed in situations like this, I headed straight for the bus station next door and asked about a bus to Lyon.
Twenty minutes later, I was on a bus headed to Lyon Saint Exupery, the airport. From there, I would have to catch a shuttle to the train station, all before 12:49pm when my train from Lyon was leaving. I was a mess of emotions on my way to Lyon: sad to leave my friends, already missing the incredible scenery, nervous about getting to the shuttle in time (and being able to pay for it--did I mention I had NO euros on me anymore?). But upon arriving at the airport, finding the shuttle worked like clockwork, and after paying for the ticket with a credit card (thank goodness I could!), I boarded the bus with t-minus 29 minutes until my train would pull away.
I practically ate my scarf I was so jittery, so wreaked with anxiousness that I would miss the main leg of my trip and be stuck in Lyon for who knows how long.
The shuttle arrived at Lyon's station at 12:48pm.
With one minute remaining, I whipped my two bags off the bus, hooked them together, and took off running as fast as I could toward the station (this wasn't, however, very fast after all-- not with my train of suitcases and my brick-laden backpack! ha). When I arrived, the board wasn't even showing my train anymore, or the track number. In a frantic search, I noticed that the first track on my right was for my train (by the grace of God!) and I quickly stamped my ticket and ran back to the looming two flights of stairs separating me from the platform. And then, the most sickening sound to hear when you are about to miss your train home-- the sound of the conductor's final whistle, meaning "attention, this train is leaving RIGHT NOW."
In a mad rush, I left my two bags at the base of the stairs and sprinted up them two by two. At the top, I shouted to the conductor to WAIT, and told him I had two heavy bags at the bottom of the stairs. He wasn't too happy that I was keeping the train waiting, but in the end, he helped me get one of the bags half way up and put it on the train for me (there is mercy in this world). I literally pulled a back muscle hauling my other 50-pounder up the stairs, and felt like I was part of some awful football training camp drill or something. But, in the end, I shoved the bag on the train next to the other and mounted it myself as the doors closed behind me. I was shaking with adrenaline, as you can imagine. But I had made it. And ironically, I was on the right car, number 16: a tremendous gift.
I thought that the rest of the trip would be easy breezy-- after all, I had bypassed the crazy beginning by getting to Lyon by alternative methods and making my train just as planned. But during this ride I couldn't help but notice with concern a few times during which the train came to a complete standstill...... not normal. And then the conductor got on the intercom and made an announcement about a 30-minute delay because of the rapidly-increasing snowfall. Thus, I realized two hours early that I would miss my last train to Basel by 15 minutes. And thus, I had two hours to worry about it.
It was at this moment that I remembered GK Chesterton's words. I was already emotionally exhausted from the day, but I realized I had to gain new perspective on this inconvenience. So I changed my mind about things and pep-talked myself into thinking of this as one grand, final adventure. It helped even more, even though throughout the day I had already been discussing my stress with the Lord and committing the details to Him. After all, my 'theme' for this semester was ruthlessly trusting my Savior, and this, I came to see, was just a sort of 'final exam.' :D
In Mulhouse, I talked to a few kind french conductors who told me I could catch another train to Basel leaving in 45 minutes. Once in Basel, I didn't have any way of contacting the Shumans who were picking me up; but the last faithful act of God that day happened soon after I entered the main station's lobby, which was buzzing with people. Mr. Shuman popped out of the crowd, the final puzzle piece. Was I ever happy to see him.
I figured that after a tense-filled day like that, my flights would have to be a walk in the park, easy, glitch-free (?). And you know what, I can't complain. My flight to London was only delayed an hour, and though I was concerned about getting through security so I could catch the flight to Chicago, it ended up being fine because Chicago's flight was also delayed an hour. Well.... make that four hours. We waited forever to be de-iced..... then to take off..... and as the snow fell heavier and dusk closed in, all I could do was sigh and know I'd get home eventually. Friends, blessed are you when the Lord's perfect peace guards your heart because you trust in Him.
I saw my Dad's face through the glass doors near arrivals as I headed out of customs at 9:45pm last night....I was closing in on a 24-hour day. It was wonderful (that's such a weak word compared to what I felt) to hug my family again and be back in my home, all decorated for Christmas. My body is really confused because of the jetlag, but my heart is happy. :)
Inconveniences..... life's most interesting adventures.
More to write in the days to come.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Sunday, December 20, 2009
La reconnaissance..... (Gratitude...)
For the first time all semester, I'm at a loss for what to write. How do I even begin my last post from Grenoble? How could I ever gather together my deep sentiments, let alone transform them into words that will convey my feelings..... my gratitude?
It certainly ended up being a beautiful ending to the semester. My time, surrendered to the Lord as I asked Him to rule over it, seemed to stretch out each day as if it was an endless canvas, stark white and always painted with simple, beautiful moments. A huge 'gift' of this week was the opportunity to sit in on a morning at Champ Fleuri, a bible college in the mountains near Grenoble, run by Torch Bearers Ministry. And of course, I won't soon forget Jay's beer batter party where innocent edible 'victims' from the grocery store got dropped into batter and then into scorching oil: pure american goodness, I suppose. :) Certainly this week was my last minute trip to Geneva to visit my Aunt's friend who works at the UN. In so many ways, I feel like God opened up time in my week to go just so that He could bless my socks off. It was seriously brinking on ridiculous, how much Kim and her FRENCH husband and her ADORABLE 7-year old Max treated me like royalty and like family. I saw so much in a short 24 hours. And then on Friday, I will always vividly remember sitting in a small conference room taking my final with three other students who had to take it early (well, it's not that part that I really want to tuck way....). I was writing four pages on a topic concerning french society, and looked out the window to see Grenoble's FIRST SNOW. How beautiful, peaceful, and calming it was! It surprises me still how much snow transforms and refreshes. It was the picture-perfect ending to a semester lived in the French Alps, for sure!
And today, my last day. A day where I did a lot of things like I always do, but with an extra ounce of gratitude, knowing it would be my last. I returned to the bookstore I went in the first day I was here. I bought a sweet topographical hiking map of Grenoble and it's surrounding three mountain ranges from the Center of Mountains (a horrible translation to what I know as La Maison de la Montagne). I ate a 'Victor Huge Crepe,' nutella and banana, my favorite. I played cards for hours at our favorite cafe, Ligne Sezz. I bought chocolate. :) I wandered the Christmas Market. I celebrated a friend's birthday.
It hasn't really hit me that it's time to say au revoir to Grenoble, for now. I am beyond excited to return home-- in 48 hours I will be with my family for the first time in three and a half months. And yet, I think as I say goodbye to some very dear people here, and as I ride the train to Basel and stare at the jagged snowy peaks that fill the entire window.....well, its just really hard to leave a place that has become home.
Grateful.
There's really no other way to describe how I am feeling.
The synthesis of all I've learned, all I've seen, who I've met, what I've done..... all that can come with time. There's still much more I want to express about this semester, about Grenoble (so don't worry, the blog posts are not finished yet!).
But for tonight, it's a simple song that I'm singing.
It certainly ended up being a beautiful ending to the semester. My time, surrendered to the Lord as I asked Him to rule over it, seemed to stretch out each day as if it was an endless canvas, stark white and always painted with simple, beautiful moments. A huge 'gift' of this week was the opportunity to sit in on a morning at Champ Fleuri, a bible college in the mountains near Grenoble, run by Torch Bearers Ministry. And of course, I won't soon forget Jay's beer batter party where innocent edible 'victims' from the grocery store got dropped into batter and then into scorching oil: pure american goodness, I suppose. :) Certainly this week was my last minute trip to Geneva to visit my Aunt's friend who works at the UN. In so many ways, I feel like God opened up time in my week to go just so that He could bless my socks off. It was seriously brinking on ridiculous, how much Kim and her FRENCH husband and her ADORABLE 7-year old Max treated me like royalty and like family. I saw so much in a short 24 hours. And then on Friday, I will always vividly remember sitting in a small conference room taking my final with three other students who had to take it early (well, it's not that part that I really want to tuck way....). I was writing four pages on a topic concerning french society, and looked out the window to see Grenoble's FIRST SNOW. How beautiful, peaceful, and calming it was! It surprises me still how much snow transforms and refreshes. It was the picture-perfect ending to a semester lived in the French Alps, for sure!
And today, my last day. A day where I did a lot of things like I always do, but with an extra ounce of gratitude, knowing it would be my last. I returned to the bookstore I went in the first day I was here. I bought a sweet topographical hiking map of Grenoble and it's surrounding three mountain ranges from the Center of Mountains (a horrible translation to what I know as La Maison de la Montagne). I ate a 'Victor Huge Crepe,' nutella and banana, my favorite. I played cards for hours at our favorite cafe, Ligne Sezz. I bought chocolate. :) I wandered the Christmas Market. I celebrated a friend's birthday.
It hasn't really hit me that it's time to say au revoir to Grenoble, for now. I am beyond excited to return home-- in 48 hours I will be with my family for the first time in three and a half months. And yet, I think as I say goodbye to some very dear people here, and as I ride the train to Basel and stare at the jagged snowy peaks that fill the entire window.....well, its just really hard to leave a place that has become home.
Grateful.
There's really no other way to describe how I am feeling.
The synthesis of all I've learned, all I've seen, who I've met, what I've done..... all that can come with time. There's still much more I want to express about this semester, about Grenoble (so don't worry, the blog posts are not finished yet!).
But for tonight, it's a simple song that I'm singing.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Sais-tu comment faire du surf des neiges? (Do you know how to snowboard?)
What a day.
I feel like I can finally call myself a Grenobloise; I've carried around a baguette from the bakery in my backpack, I've been up to the Bastille multiple times, I've hiked the back country, I've studied amongst the 60,000 other students in Grenoble, and now... I've participated in that last element that makes up so much of their lives here.
Today, I learned how to snowboard in the French Alps.
Said that way, I feel like I should be some hot-shot snowboarder, but do NOT get that part wrong. When I say I learned, I mean I started off sliding on my butt down the first hill (we went straight to blue and decided to hit it hard, no lessons really....what better way to pick it up? ha). When I say I learned, I mean I could have entertained a bunch of giggling eight-year-old boys with all my wipe-outs. But when I say I learned, I learned! I was encouraged with my progress in one day, and felt like I made some nice switches on my last two runs. But really, I have no one to impress. I will be completely honest about how much I still have to learn.....
Starting with revealing my most frustrating, but favorite, moment of the day. On the last run down, I was starting to get the hang of it. My confidence had been at ground zero most of the day (because it was my first time, and because that's where I could stand on two feet without falling down :), but at last I was smiling as I started to feel comfortable on the board. ENTER: you as a spectator, near the frosty white alpine trees, bundled up because the temperature is dropping by the second. Watch as Natalie makes a really nice turn and then, riding the slope like she had done most of the day without problems, BITES IT hard. We're talking legitimate face plant, people. On the last run of the day! What? But I had survived so long without doing that!
You, as a spectator, laugh (it's ok, Elisabeth did). I laughed a lot too, after I brought myself to my knees and my head stopped spinning and I verified that I had not broken my nose. Tenacity was mine today, so I got back up and began again. Not but ten seconds later, I plopped into the snow on a dumb mistake, my board unfortunately catching some new-fallen snow. Ah, but this was not just any new-fallen snow, which I realized as more pelted me in the face, never-ceasing. These were crystallized gifts from the snow-maker, which I had landed directly in front of. Want to know the absolute worst place to make a dumb mistake?
Alright, so my last run didn't end so hot. I will admit that. But it was only day #1, and I'm still ready to hit the slopes next weekend (too bad I'll be on a train headed to Basel for my return flight)! I'm so thankful I got to go today; really, snowboarding was one thing that I personally insisted I HAD to do in my
lifetime, and what better place to do it than 30km from where you
live? While living in Grenoble, it seemed ridiculous if I didn't go.
And the place we went to was incredible: Chamrousse boasted 46 slopes (not all were open yet, don't hyperventilate). The place was massive, and the ski lift taking at least ten minutes. And fun fact! (stolen shamelessly from the internet so as to be exact): Chamrousse hosted the six alpine skiiing events at the 1968 Winter Olympics, where Jean-Claude Killy from France swept all three gold medals in the men's events!
The weather today, unfortunately, did not perform as hoped. It started off beautiful, right when we shoved off the chairlift at the top.... the pictures up there turned out incredibly. But by lunch time, visibility was horrible (literally 10 feet, tops), which made for some scary moments and definitely a slower time down the hill for precaution's sake. In the afternoon, it snowed! It was beautiful, and gave us some new snow to work with, but also changed the feel of the slope and made for a wet, cold end!
Enjoy the photos of my first day boarding.... I'm off to bed! I know my aching body is gonna thank me! :D
I feel like I can finally call myself a Grenobloise; I've carried around a baguette from the bakery in my backpack, I've been up to the Bastille multiple times, I've hiked the back country, I've studied amongst the 60,000 other students in Grenoble, and now... I've participated in that last element that makes up so much of their lives here.
Said that way, I feel like I should be some hot-shot snowboarder, but do NOT get that part wrong. When I say I learned, I mean I started off sliding on my butt down the first hill (we went straight to blue and decided to hit it hard, no lessons really....what better way to pick it up? ha). When I say I learned, I mean I could have entertained a bunch of giggling eight-year-old boys with all my wipe-outs. But when I say I learned, I learned! I was encouraged with my progress in one day, and felt like I made some nice switches on my last two runs. But really, I have no one to impress. I will be completely honest about how much I still have to learn.....
Starting with revealing my most frustrating, but favorite, moment of the day. On the last run down, I was starting to get the hang of it. My confidence had been at ground zero most of the day (because it was my first time, and because that's where I could stand on two feet without falling down :), but at last I was smiling as I started to feel comfortable on the board. ENTER: you as a spectator, near the frosty white alpine trees, bundled up because the temperature is dropping by the second. Watch as Natalie makes a really nice turn and then, riding the slope like she had done most of the day without problems, BITES IT hard. We're talking legitimate face plant, people. On the last run of the day! What? But I had survived so long without doing that!
And the place we went to was incredible: Chamrousse boasted 46 slopes (not all were open yet, don't hyperventilate). The place was massive, and the ski lift taking at least ten minutes. And fun fact! (stolen shamelessly from the internet so as to be exact): Chamrousse hosted the six alpine skiiing events at the 1968 Winter Olympics, where Jean-Claude Killy from France swept all three gold medals in the men's events!
The weather today, unfortunately, did not perform as hoped. It started off beautiful, right when we shoved off the chairlift at the top.... the pictures up there turned out incredibly. But by lunch time, visibility was horrible (literally 10 feet, tops), which made for some scary moments and definitely a slower time down the hill for precaution's sake. In the afternoon, it snowed! It was beautiful, and gave us some new snow to work with, but also changed the feel of the slope and made for a wet, cold end!
Enjoy the photos of my first day boarding.... I'm off to bed! I know my aching body is gonna thank me! :D
seeing the peaks above the clouds was ridiculously beautiful!
Friday, December 11, 2009
Une promenade, les cartes, et un écureuil amusant.... (a walk, cards, and a funny squirrel...)
Class was canceled tomorrow; our teacher is sick. With no class today, that means a four day weekend and a bunch of free time on my hands with which to soak up Grenoble before it's gone!! Thanks Lord!
The last few days have been quite wonderful and very relaxing, including memories like: an (american!) breakfast and a new card game (canasta!) with friends.... hot chocolate and disney movie discussions in my room....a trip to the natural history museum (and the viewing of many beautiful rocks, that hilarious squirrel, and one too many creepy bugs.... I still get shivers)....a sausage and caramelized onion sandwich at the Christmas market.....more cards and chess at a table in the loft area of Cafe Ligne Seize (the cafe we now frequent regularly)....
My favorite memory of today was the hike Elisabeth and I took to explore our 'backyard,' as I know it.... the massive natural park of the Chartreuse Mountains and the ancient Bastille fortress. We spent 3 1/2 hours enjoying what turned out to be one of the most mild, sunny, and pleasant days of this season. We ventured into abandoned artillery sheds and military caves. We pursued the less-traveled pathways that lead to drop-off cliffs with jaw-dropping, gorgeous views. My spirit was that of a little kid, and I absolutely had a ball going wherever my curiosity took me.
Studying for my two written final exams is scheduled for tomorrow, to be done at a cafe, of course. ; ) I'm planning on venturing out of Grenoble and up the snowy mountains on Saturday to try my hand for the first time at snowboarding! I am very excited, and even if I spend most of the day on my backside, at least the view will be stunning, seriously. All the same, pray I come back in one piece.
Grenoble is surely going to be missed!
My favorite memory of today was the hike Elisabeth and I took to explore our 'backyard,' as I know it.... the massive natural park of the Chartreuse Mountains and the ancient Bastille fortress. We spent 3 1/2 hours enjoying what turned out to be one of the most mild, sunny, and pleasant days of this season. We ventured into abandoned artillery sheds and military caves. We pursued the less-traveled pathways that lead to drop-off cliffs with jaw-dropping, gorgeous views. My spirit was that of a little kid, and I absolutely had a ball going wherever my curiosity took me.
Grenoble is surely going to be missed!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Allez, Grenoble, ALLEZ!
Nous avons gagné!!!
I'm still on a high from the fabulous ice hockey win chez Grenoble! Tonight I profited again from the enourmous enthusiasm les Grenoblois (the people of Grenoble) have for their winter sports.... it was, in fact, my first professional ice hockey game, but after how much fun I had, it will certainly not be my last!
Talk about an EXPERIENCE. I was singing and shouting the whole game. Elisabeth, myself, and our friend Hamid (from Rabot) purchased tickets right before the game, and decided on some seats near ice level. The man had mentioned that we could choose others because these seats were "quite loud," but we were naive, I guess, and weren't quite sure what he meant anyway.
Well, we figured it out straight away when we located our seats and found a big bass drum sitting there instead. Truth be told, we had chosen seats in the "rah rah"/devoted fan/pep band section, so after being informed (by a young decked-out fan) that we could chose any seat in the section, we took our places. The red color of the seats wrapping around the cozy arena was quickly dissolving into navy blue as the fans poured in.
Tonight I felt proud to be in Grenoble, proud to be a part of Grenoble, proud to be a Grenobloise. I leave you with the chant below......it was one of my favorites and it is still stuck in my head. It supplemented, of course, the standard "Allez, Genoble, allez!" (which literally means, "let's go Grenoble!"). There. Now you even know a little french. ; )
GREAT WIN GRENOBLE!
(to the tune of "She'll be coming around the mountain")
Si tu bien es Grenoblois frappe tes mains
Si tu bien es Grenoblois frappe tes mains
Si tu bien es Grenoblois, si tu bien es Grenoblois,
Si tu bien es Grenoblois frappe tes mains
(If you really are a Grenoblois clap your hands)
Si tu frapperas tes mains Grenoble gagnera
Si tu frapperas tes mains Grenoble gagnera
Si tu frapperas tes mains, si tu frapperas tes mains
Si tu frapperas tes mains Grenoble gagnera
(If you clap your hands Grenoble will win)
P.S. Exciting sidenote: in perusing the Grenoble ice hockey team's website, I found a story on the Chicago Blackhawks .... why? Because Christobal Huet, their goalie, was trained in Grenoble and is from Grenoble! WAY COOL!! Everyone should now go to a Blackhawks game.
Monday, December 7, 2009
En priant... (in prayer....)
The countdown has begun. And here's how I'm taking it: I currently have 13 days left in Grenoble to LIVE fully. To stand in hushed silence at these mountains. To capture the exact smell of Place Notre Dame bakery so as to always remember it's goodness. To speak and listen to french as often as I possibly can. To love my friends here in a way that evidences how greatly the King loves and has consistently loved them. To worship the Wonderful Counselor, the Everlasting Father, the Almighty God, and the Prince of Peace, for such a time as this one.
I've had some time to think this morning, to pray, to be in the Word and to gather my constantly stratified thoughts. My emotions are all over the place as I prepare to leave (or as I prepare to come, depending on how you look at it). I am sad to leave but not I'm not leaving sadly; I miss my family and I miss my friends just as much as when I left, and I am anxious to be reunited with them.
I covet your prayers in these last two weeks, I really do. I feel humbled to know that I have a family (immediate and otherwise) back home who wants me to soak up life here just as much as I do. And as you encourage me in the best way possible-- as you pray-- I ask one thing:
Pray I'd be centered in the Word and in worship. honestly, that is what will make these two last weeks full, joyful, and totally guided by the spirit. that is all I need.
I've had some time to think this morning, to pray, to be in the Word and to gather my constantly stratified thoughts. My emotions are all over the place as I prepare to leave (or as I prepare to come, depending on how you look at it). I am sad to leave but not I'm not leaving sadly; I miss my family and I miss my friends just as much as when I left, and I am anxious to be reunited with them.
I covet your prayers in these last two weeks, I really do. I feel humbled to know that I have a family (immediate and otherwise) back home who wants me to soak up life here just as much as I do. And as you encourage me in the best way possible-- as you pray-- I ask one thing:
Pray I'd be centered in the Word and in worship. honestly, that is what will make these two last weeks full, joyful, and totally guided by the spirit. that is all I need.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Le progrès... (Progress..)
Just thought I'd provide a quick flash into Natalie's linguistic adventure this semester ....it's amazing how much I've come to love the french language. It's so beautiful, so rich, so complicated. Haha-- I'm glad I'm studying it. The past few days have been really encouraging to me, a reality especially appreciated as I finish the semester and begin to evaluate just where I was and to where I've progressed! Here are some specific instances:
We finished our grammar class yesterday, which was unfortunate because it was my favorite class with my favorite teacher, Kristof..... but it ended well and a short test that I took on Tuesday was returned to me with great marks! I really felt like I nailed the work that was asked of me, and will walk away with an amazingly solid understanding of french grammar! I got to the level I had hoped (the level that I hoped to attain, that is, after arriving, realizing the limited time I had, and revising my goals so as not to set myself against unrealistic "fluency" attempts).
It's also clear to sense the progression I've made when I think about how volleyball practice plays out now (hm pun intended? :) The first couple weeks I had nothing to say to these girls, let alone a knowledge of the words for "bump," "set," or "spike." Now I come to practice and pick up casual conversations with the girls all the time..... I communicate on the floor in french like second nature..... and I'm acquiring more encouraging phrases to say to my teammates each week. : ) It's great to have french come out of your mouth when you haven't thought ahead of what you were going to say!
Yesterday, the Christmas market opened in downtown Grenoble. Oh man, it didn't disappoint. I WILL be frequenting that place every day that I can-- it's set up perfectly with wooden huts, lights galore, and trees decked! I will be writing about it more, surely. : ) I loved wandering around, enjoying the ambiance, the free samples, and the conversation. As I browsed with my friends yesterday, I sensed an environment that fostered free conversation with a lot of the booth owners, so I'd ask them questions about how they made their products, which type of bread they baked was their favorite... n'importe quoi (whatever!). All this seemed to render an almost tangible, visible essence to my confidence level. I felt richer in it--confidence--and it's a treasure for which I have fought and in which I am still progressing. Whereas at the beginning of the semester I would have had a pit in my stomach if I had to go up to talk to someone, playing millions of times a phrase in my head before stumbling over it out loud, now-- though vocabulary is still limited and my accent can always use work, now I can have 'natural' conversations! I am thankful.
Don't get the wrong impression-- you're catching me on a positive day. There are many days, preceding or following encouraging times like this one, during which I am discouraged. And I am nowhere near talking like a native. That would take many more months and much more true 'immersion' (aka I would need to avoid all other Americans). Yet the few little instances this past week have really allowed me to step back and grasp a bit of the language skill that has been amassing over 10 weeks!
By the way-- I have included some photos from the end of semester party that our class had-- Kristof is the french-looking man in the white t-shirt. He is definitely a free spirit, taking his job as a pleasure and himself not too seriously. Sometime soon I will sit down and explain more of what I HAVE been studying this semester.... because it dawned on my recently that, for all you know, I have spent this past semester in France hiking and eating baguettes. Absolutely nothing is written about my classes! C'est dommage, ça (that's too bad). That will change very soon (so as to preserve my reputation as a student : )
We finished our grammar class yesterday, which was unfortunate because it was my favorite class with my favorite teacher, Kristof..... but it ended well and a short test that I took on Tuesday was returned to me with great marks! I really felt like I nailed the work that was asked of me, and will walk away with an amazingly solid understanding of french grammar! I got to the level I had hoped (the level that I hoped to attain, that is, after arriving, realizing the limited time I had, and revising my goals so as not to set myself against unrealistic "fluency" attempts).
It's also clear to sense the progression I've made when I think about how volleyball practice plays out now (hm pun intended? :) The first couple weeks I had nothing to say to these girls, let alone a knowledge of the words for "bump," "set," or "spike." Now I come to practice and pick up casual conversations with the girls all the time..... I communicate on the floor in french like second nature..... and I'm acquiring more encouraging phrases to say to my teammates each week. : ) It's great to have french come out of your mouth when you haven't thought ahead of what you were going to say!
Yesterday, the Christmas market opened in downtown Grenoble. Oh man, it didn't disappoint. I WILL be frequenting that place every day that I can-- it's set up perfectly with wooden huts, lights galore, and trees decked! I will be writing about it more, surely. : ) I loved wandering around, enjoying the ambiance, the free samples, and the conversation. As I browsed with my friends yesterday, I sensed an environment that fostered free conversation with a lot of the booth owners, so I'd ask them questions about how they made their products, which type of bread they baked was their favorite... n'importe quoi (whatever!). All this seemed to render an almost tangible, visible essence to my confidence level. I felt richer in it--confidence--and it's a treasure for which I have fought and in which I am still progressing. Whereas at the beginning of the semester I would have had a pit in my stomach if I had to go up to talk to someone, playing millions of times a phrase in my head before stumbling over it out loud, now-- though vocabulary is still limited and my accent can always use work, now I can have 'natural' conversations! I am thankful.
Don't get the wrong impression-- you're catching me on a positive day. There are many days, preceding or following encouraging times like this one, during which I am discouraged. And I am nowhere near talking like a native. That would take many more months and much more true 'immersion' (aka I would need to avoid all other Americans). Yet the few little instances this past week have really allowed me to step back and grasp a bit of the language skill that has been amassing over 10 weeks!
By the way-- I have included some photos from the end of semester party that our class had-- Kristof is the french-looking man in the white t-shirt. He is definitely a free spirit, taking his job as a pleasure and himself not too seriously. Sometime soon I will sit down and explain more of what I HAVE been studying this semester.... because it dawned on my recently that, for all you know, I have spent this past semester in France hiking and eating baguettes. Absolutely nothing is written about my classes! C'est dommage, ça (that's too bad). That will change very soon (so as to preserve my reputation as a student : )
most of the class hanging out in our classroom..... this was our favorite room, check out the tech-no-lo-gy!! that's a smart board, it was way cool!
junko thought it would be fun to take a picture of me taking a picture
haha there's Junko again, from Japan, with a muffin in her mouth.... and Liliana from Colombia and Mariana from Mexico!
we're all bunched up outside the class but there we all are! I have all my classes with this same group.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Des souvenirs, J'en ai beaucoup (Memories, I have a lot of them...)
The change seemed to take place overnight, literally, and
Grenoble is now humming with holiday frenzy! Yesterday after seeing Jessie off at the train station, I
walked through a downtown that was transforming before my very eyes: store
owners hung elaborate ornaments and garlands in their windows, strings of white
lights illuminated every road, and temporary wooden huts and tents crowded huge
public squares as the Christmas market started to take shape, form, and
character. I jumped into the fluid
motion of the masses, whisked into dozens of Grenoblois who seem to have
appeared from nowhere to start their holiday shopping. The energy was contagious! I AM SO EXCITED FOR CHRISTMAS IN
GRENOBLE (although for the actual holiday I’ll be home with my family… best of
both worlds, eh?).
There’s a lot I want to write about right now…. the amazing
testimony I heard in church this morning, the splendid lunch I had at
Granny’s home this afternoon, my precious time with Jessie the past three days, my awesome time in
Paris. I think for now I must settle with a
brief story to represent each:
~ . ~ . ~
Granny invited Renee and I over for lunch with her three
granddaughters, and I felt so privileged to be welcomed into her home and given
the opportunity to experience a true French meal. Here’s some things to know about that: an alcoholic aperitif
with finger food is a highly valued part of the pre-meal~ your piece of bread
is put directly on the table and if you need more you never hesitate to ask~
you go through a lot of dishes during a true French meal~ pork roast and apples
go really well together~ French cheese is scary if you don’t know how it is
going to taste~ dessert will always be something more original than cookies and
brownies and it will always be great~ european chocolate is so much better than
the American variety~ you will usually feel like taking a nap after a French
meal because of the wine and that "full" feeling!
~ . ~ . ~
As I write this, Jessie’s water bottle sits on my desk and
the watch she forgot is still hooked to my bed frame—pardon the sentimentality,
but I miss Jessie a whole lot! She
is one of my very best friends at Truman and she was able to come down to
Grenoble Wednesday night and stay until Saturday late afternoon (during her
Thanksgiving break). We didn’t
have a huge agenda for our time; honestly, most of what we did was talk about
anything and everything for three days straight. We changed surroundings, of
course: from my cozy little dorm room, to a hike in the mountains around
Grenoble; from Rabot’s tiny kitchen, to the thanksgiving dinner table with my
American friends; from the wonderful city gardens (Jardin de Ville), to a favorite tea shop downtown (and every place
in between). It was an
overwhelming, undeserved gift, having the privilege of sharing Grenoble with
someone whom I love so dearly.
Since my family won’t be able to come for Christmas, she is the closest
to family that gets to see the life I live here. Jessie’s presence allowed me to greater realize how far I’ve
come and gave me a fresh appreciation for all that is my life here. The visit was encouraging, sharpening, a tremendous blessing. The Lord gave us such a good
weekend. I love and miss
you, Jessie! Thanks a thousand times over for coming.
~ . ~ . ~
And then….. how to recount just one story from Paris? We’ll do it this way….
Favorite museum: Musee D’Orsay, hands down. I wanted to melt, looking at all that
wonderful impressionist art on the 5th floor.
Favorite meal: late afternoon escargots (loved them), rose
wine, cheese plate, and bread at Taverne Henri IV. Felt French through and through.
Favorite purchase: 1953 copy of Les Miserables by Victor
Hugo… with the back page missing!
It's the five book complete set, fragile and falling apart. Maybe I’m weird, but I just love that!
Favorite morning visit: Versailles with Jessie. Oh my gosh, it's such a stunning palace (and that's not even mentioning the gardens!!). Everyone must see this place; it's the epitome of
French monarch culture. Favorite
sighting: Louis XIV’s alarm clock. Ha.
Favorite area of the city: St. Germain, mostly because we
wandered here when Jessie and Kamiah first arrived and it was such a pleasure
to have happy, great conversation with them! But St. Germain is also where you can find two of the most
famous cafes in town (where people like Ernest Hemingway used to frequent), as
well as where we found a great old man street band, and a personable
crepe stand owner.
Favorite funny moment: strolling Paris at night and spotting
the U.S. flag-- after verifying that the building it was hanging near was
in fact the U.S. embassy, we both turned back to take a photo (we were
proud). However, the French
policemen patrolling the front immediately shouted at us, and one came alllll
the way across the street. He told
us to immediately erase the photos we had taken (I thought he was going to
arrest me or make me profess my nationality or something). Apparently, it is against the law to
take pictures of the U.S. embassy, even if it’s the one in France. And there’s a funny French policeman
standing in front to make sure of it.
(p.s. more pictures of Paris... my favorites... are rolling on the slideshow to the right!).
~ . ~ . ~
Well, here's to bits of pieces of lots of random thoughts, all rolled
into one post. : )
Pray for God’s work to take on new dimensions
here as I finish out what has been an absolute blessing of a semester in
France! Much love to my family and
friends… not a day goes by when I don’t miss you.
Humbled and Thankful~
Friday, November 27, 2009
....and the minute.
I want to thank you, Lord, for life and all that's in it.
Thank you for the day and for the hour, and the minute.
Maya Angelou
I wanted to make sure I wrote a quick something on this night and on this holiday, especially for this season of my life. And I guess it's not so much so I could express my thanksgiving in generalities..... instead, as I was brushing my teeth and reading the little sayings and scriptures I stare at every day, I was struck by Angelou's words, written on a small piece of stained glass dangling from a corner of my mirror. I'm especially affected by how she finishes what begins as a very general song of thanksgiving.
Thank you for the minute.
Do I say that enough? I am exceedingly thankful for life and all that's in it. THANKFUL. And maybe everyone says that (at least, on this holiday, you've got to muster up some sort of sentiment of the sort regardless of life's current circumstances, right?). Maybe it's easy to say that because, well, "natalie, you're living in EUROPE" (and that's freakin' awesome!!). But as I reflected on Angelou's beautiful words, I join her simple--and specific-- hymn of praise. Yes, Lord: I am thankful for life, for my family, for good health, for a great place to study, for friends......
but I am also thankful for how hard I laughed with Elisabeth tonight (mostly as she laughed at me).
I am thankful for the sweet conversation I had with Jessie for a good part of the night as we sprawled out on my dorm room bed and enjoyed being with each other for the first time in three months.
I am thankful for the Vercours, the Chartreuse, and the Belledonne mountains, always the mountains. But specifically today I'm thankful for the Belledonne, because they stand the most tall, and they change colors and moods as I do. They remind me that You are God and I am but human. yet--- I am your child.
I am thankful for the amazing macaroni and cheese that Richie brought tonight for our Thanksgiving meal, and for an opportunity to laugh around the table with friends that are soon becoming 'family.'
I am thankful that despite it's difficulty, I am still enjoying the pursuit of French language mastery SO MUCH and I am progressing steadily and with increasing surety.
I am thankful for the hot shower I just took, even if I have to push a button to keep the water going every five seconds and, after midnight, the lights go off and I have to shower in almost complete darkness (yep, that applied tonight :).
I am thankful for my 'wall of love' that I get to look at every day, which is covered in letters, drawings, and Scripture, reminding me of the countless people who care enough to encourage me and share their lives with me even as I live here.
I am thankful for the tears that welled up tonight as I talked to my family and saw all four of their faces appear on my computer screen. Those tears were rich in love; I'll never quite realize the value of the unity and support we have for one another. To me, these are the most precious people on the planet.
I am thankful that Jessie Elledge, in the flesh, is sleeping next to me as I type this at my desk! (did i already mention how thankful I am that she came all the way here, that I get to have her for three days?!). And I am thankful that Skype worked so she could talk to Jbox.
And then I think about the Lord, about the gratitude I feel simply because I am invited into a living, healing, transforming, love-relationship with the Lord, the Lord who gave all this to me. The Lord who gave his all for me. That, friends, is always what I will be most thankful for. I seek to live with the attitude of the psalmist: "Apart from You, I have no good thing" (psalm 16). So let me declare tonight, as Thanksgiving ends for me here: Apart from the Lord I have no good thing.
Gratitude is great no matter how it's expressed, but gratitude in generalities loses part of its grandeur. Be a person that pays attention to the day. And the hour. And the minute. God is to be discovered in all circumstances, and I'm so convinced that as you experience God in a moment, you will have no response but to be thankful.
As I heard it said and what has stuck with me: Joy doesn't render us grateful; gratitude renders us joyful.
Tonight I am rejoicing, rejoicing, rejoicing in every good gift. In every good minute. In every detail of Who God is and all I have still to know in Him.
On a holiday that is so loved in the United States and that I get to celebrate through skype and sentiments : HAPPY THANKSGIVING (or in one of the translated french versions, 'bon jour de grâce")!
Thank you for the day and for the hour, and the minute.
Maya Angelou
I wanted to make sure I wrote a quick something on this night and on this holiday, especially for this season of my life. And I guess it's not so much so I could express my thanksgiving in generalities..... instead, as I was brushing my teeth and reading the little sayings and scriptures I stare at every day, I was struck by Angelou's words, written on a small piece of stained glass dangling from a corner of my mirror. I'm especially affected by how she finishes what begins as a very general song of thanksgiving.
Thank you for the minute.
Do I say that enough? I am exceedingly thankful for life and all that's in it. THANKFUL. And maybe everyone says that (at least, on this holiday, you've got to muster up some sort of sentiment of the sort regardless of life's current circumstances, right?). Maybe it's easy to say that because, well, "natalie, you're living in EUROPE" (and that's freakin' awesome!!). But as I reflected on Angelou's beautiful words, I join her simple--and specific-- hymn of praise. Yes, Lord: I am thankful for life, for my family, for good health, for a great place to study, for friends......
but I am also thankful for how hard I laughed with Elisabeth tonight (mostly as she laughed at me).
I am thankful for the sweet conversation I had with Jessie for a good part of the night as we sprawled out on my dorm room bed and enjoyed being with each other for the first time in three months.
I am thankful for the Vercours, the Chartreuse, and the Belledonne mountains, always the mountains. But specifically today I'm thankful for the Belledonne, because they stand the most tall, and they change colors and moods as I do. They remind me that You are God and I am but human. yet--- I am your child.
I am thankful for the amazing macaroni and cheese that Richie brought tonight for our Thanksgiving meal, and for an opportunity to laugh around the table with friends that are soon becoming 'family.'
I am thankful that despite it's difficulty, I am still enjoying the pursuit of French language mastery SO MUCH and I am progressing steadily and with increasing surety.
I am thankful for the hot shower I just took, even if I have to push a button to keep the water going every five seconds and, after midnight, the lights go off and I have to shower in almost complete darkness (yep, that applied tonight :).
I am thankful for my 'wall of love' that I get to look at every day, which is covered in letters, drawings, and Scripture, reminding me of the countless people who care enough to encourage me and share their lives with me even as I live here.
I am thankful for the tears that welled up tonight as I talked to my family and saw all four of their faces appear on my computer screen. Those tears were rich in love; I'll never quite realize the value of the unity and support we have for one another. To me, these are the most precious people on the planet.
I am thankful that Jessie Elledge, in the flesh, is sleeping next to me as I type this at my desk! (did i already mention how thankful I am that she came all the way here, that I get to have her for three days?!). And I am thankful that Skype worked so she could talk to Jbox.
And then I think about the Lord, about the gratitude I feel simply because I am invited into a living, healing, transforming, love-relationship with the Lord, the Lord who gave all this to me. The Lord who gave his all for me. That, friends, is always what I will be most thankful for. I seek to live with the attitude of the psalmist: "Apart from You, I have no good thing" (psalm 16). So let me declare tonight, as Thanksgiving ends for me here: Apart from the Lord I have no good thing.
Gratitude is great no matter how it's expressed, but gratitude in generalities loses part of its grandeur. Be a person that pays attention to the day. And the hour. And the minute. God is to be discovered in all circumstances, and I'm so convinced that as you experience God in a moment, you will have no response but to be thankful.
As I heard it said and what has stuck with me: Joy doesn't render us grateful; gratitude renders us joyful.
Tonight I am rejoicing, rejoicing, rejoicing in every good gift. In every good minute. In every detail of Who God is and all I have still to know in Him.
On a holiday that is so loved in the United States and that I get to celebrate through skype and sentiments : HAPPY THANKSGIVING (or in one of the translated french versions, 'bon jour de grâce")!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Fête de la Raclette!
Tonight, I hung out with five other volleyball friends at a teammate's apartment.... we experienced the very popular "Raclette" for dinner (how to explain..... melted cheese goodness? just see the pictures). The girls speak quickly and use a whole lot of slang, but I was proud to have followed the conversation and added things as often as I could. These girls are great. These girls are FRENCH through and through. Needless to say, it was a memorable night.
More on Paris to come.....I get giddy thinking I get to write about it! : D
Jessie Elledge, one of my best friends from Truman State, shows up at Grenoble's train station tomorrow at 7:33pm! She will spend nearly 3 full days here and I CANNOT WAIT to share Grenoble with someone so close to me. Pray for a wonderfully fun and enriching time with her! Pray especially that SHE would be greatly encouraged by what the Lord has to show her here, and by the fellowship we share when together. I am quite anxious to spend some good time with someone who knows me so well. Not to mention, to make up for the countless hugs I lack every day here! ; ) On the itinerary: the Bastille, hiking, Museum of Grenoble, campus, volleyball game, down town wandering, ice skating......
But I return to my orginal thought: here are pictures from tonight's hangout!
me, Perrine, and Coline... can you tell Perrine is a jokester? (and also one of my favorites??)
Cecile and Rosine, ready to get this started!
it was Elisabeth's first Raclette experience! En revanche, my family actually has le truc at home. (bah. i guess i should say "excuse my french," thought not in that sense. after hanging out with native french speakers and speaking it for an extended period of time, I seriously can only think in the french phrases right now... thus the italics :).
note the european way of eating... two hands on the table with fork and knife, ALWAYS.
YUM. cold cuts, boiled potoatoes, pickles... and of course, lots and lots of cheese.
this ham was literally called "the ham of Paris." it made us sad that we weren't there anymore. but, then again, a raclette party wasn't a bad alternative!!
More on Paris to come.....I get giddy thinking I get to write about it! : D
Jessie Elledge, one of my best friends from Truman State, shows up at Grenoble's train station tomorrow at 7:33pm! She will spend nearly 3 full days here and I CANNOT WAIT to share Grenoble with someone so close to me. Pray for a wonderfully fun and enriching time with her! Pray especially that SHE would be greatly encouraged by what the Lord has to show her here, and by the fellowship we share when together. I am quite anxious to spend some good time with someone who knows me so well. Not to mention, to make up for the countless hugs I lack every day here! ; ) On the itinerary: the Bastille, hiking, Museum of Grenoble, campus, volleyball game, down town wandering, ice skating......
But I return to my orginal thought: here are pictures from tonight's hangout!
me, Perrine, and Coline... can you tell Perrine is a jokester? (and also one of my favorites??)
Cecile and Rosine, ready to get this started!
it was Elisabeth's first Raclette experience! En revanche, my family actually has le truc at home. (bah. i guess i should say "excuse my french," thought not in that sense. after hanging out with native french speakers and speaking it for an extended period of time, I seriously can only think in the french phrases right now... thus the italics :).
note the european way of eating... two hands on the table with fork and knife, ALWAYS.
YUM. cold cuts, boiled potoatoes, pickles... and of course, lots and lots of cheese.
this ham was literally called "the ham of Paris." it made us sad that we weren't there anymore. but, then again, a raclette party wasn't a bad alternative!!Saturday, November 21, 2009
Paris, JE T'AIME.... (Paris, I love you!!)....
It's not often that I can sit and ponder life at 3 in them morning in a friend's flat in Paris. But that is where I find myself. This post will be short and sweet, because I'm about to take full advantage of her (acclaimed) comfy couch. But first, a brief update on the past two days.... my life as "an american in paris!"
This week presented me with a long weekend, so earlier this semester I planned a trip to the city of light, Sarkozy's home sweet home, the center of French revolution and monarchy, the place "you just HAVE to go to." Paris and I are quickly becoming best friends (as cliche as that sounds, because everyone loves Paris right?). My friend Elisabeth and I stayed in a small but cozy black-and-white themed flat the first two nights here and have transitioned to a student friend's flat for these next two nights (thank you, Julie Anne! soooo gracious). Since arriving at the Gare de Lyon, our time has been non-stop sight-seeing, people-watching, city-slicking..... it's a dream, to say the least.
Take a moment tonight for example, when I was on the cusp of the Champs-Elysees near la Place de la Concord.... the temporary white and blue gleaming ferris wheel they put up just for the holidays was whirling around to my left, the Arc de Triomphe was looming in the distance, Le Louvre was shining in all it's glory, and the Eiffel Tower was in a frenzy of flashing colored lights as it began it's nightly light show. I turned to Elisabeth and told her I was feeling a bit over-stimulated... as if I just wasn't given enough senses to take it all in!
Tomorrow I'll meet up with Jessie Elledge who arrives in this grand city at the ungracious hour of 8:30am. We'll have a good 36 hours together (eeeeee excited!!) before I have to be torn away from Paris like a child torn away from a cookie jar. There are just toooo many sweet tastes of life in Paris that I want to taste for myself. ; )
I'll definitely write more when I return to Grenoble (home sweet home) but I thought I'd take advantage of the opportunity to express my where-abouts and document, for memory's sake, just how much I am charmed by France's capital.
Bon nuit!
This week presented me with a long weekend, so earlier this semester I planned a trip to the city of light, Sarkozy's home sweet home, the center of French revolution and monarchy, the place "you just HAVE to go to." Paris and I are quickly becoming best friends (as cliche as that sounds, because everyone loves Paris right?). My friend Elisabeth and I stayed in a small but cozy black-and-white themed flat the first two nights here and have transitioned to a student friend's flat for these next two nights (thank you, Julie Anne! soooo gracious). Since arriving at the Gare de Lyon, our time has been non-stop sight-seeing, people-watching, city-slicking..... it's a dream, to say the least.
Take a moment tonight for example, when I was on the cusp of the Champs-Elysees near la Place de la Concord.... the temporary white and blue gleaming ferris wheel they put up just for the holidays was whirling around to my left, the Arc de Triomphe was looming in the distance, Le Louvre was shining in all it's glory, and the Eiffel Tower was in a frenzy of flashing colored lights as it began it's nightly light show. I turned to Elisabeth and told her I was feeling a bit over-stimulated... as if I just wasn't given enough senses to take it all in!
Tomorrow I'll meet up with Jessie Elledge who arrives in this grand city at the ungracious hour of 8:30am. We'll have a good 36 hours together (eeeeee excited!!) before I have to be torn away from Paris like a child torn away from a cookie jar. There are just toooo many sweet tastes of life in Paris that I want to taste for myself. ; )
I'll definitely write more when I return to Grenoble (home sweet home) but I thought I'd take advantage of the opportunity to express my where-abouts and document, for memory's sake, just how much I am charmed by France's capital.
Bon nuit!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Ce que j'ai appris sur le Mexique.... (What I learned about Mexico....)
Last night, I had a friend up to Rabot. Mariana is a friend from class, a quiet and sweet-spirited girl from Mexico; I am enjoying getting to know her a lot! I met her at the bottom of the mountain so we could walk up; guests who come up to Rabot always get their daily exercise. ; D We made dinner, had tea, and watched a movie (with spanish subtitles for her! I learned a few words ;).
I find it amusing that though we live in neighboring countries, it is in France that I am learning so much about Mexico! Cultural exchanges like this one are by far highlights of the semester.
So. Things I learned about Mexico....(more to come)....
** During New Year's, families might listen to the radio (as her's does) and at midnight, a bell rings ....for every time the bell rings, they pop a grape in their mouths.... 12 times to represent the 12 months!
** Mexican University students have to pass an english language test in order to take another language in college.... if they are not at a sufficient level in english, they have to learn english first.
** In southern Mexico (Mariana lives in Mexico City but studies in Puebla), they do not eat beans! Contrary to what most Americans think of with all Mexican food!
** Mexican Universities are not all that small.... hers is 40,000 students (she thinks ; )!
** Americans do not know how to make quesadillas... especially Americans trying to make them with ingredients from a french grocery store.
I find it amusing that though we live in neighboring countries, it is in France that I am learning so much about Mexico! Cultural exchanges like this one are by far highlights of the semester.
So. Things I learned about Mexico....(more to come)....
** During New Year's, families might listen to the radio (as her's does) and at midnight, a bell rings ....for every time the bell rings, they pop a grape in their mouths.... 12 times to represent the 12 months!
** Mexican University students have to pass an english language test in order to take another language in college.... if they are not at a sufficient level in english, they have to learn english first.
** In southern Mexico (Mariana lives in Mexico City but studies in Puebla), they do not eat beans! Contrary to what most Americans think of with all Mexican food!
** Mexican Universities are not all that small.... hers is 40,000 students (she thinks ; )!
** Americans do not know how to make quesadillas... especially Americans trying to make them with ingredients from a french grocery store.
Known
From the old Grenoble fortress perched on top of a large foothill, I
saw the hazy visage of Mont Blanc for the first time today. A
french man actually pointed it out to me.....well, not to me.
It
was the benefit of a new past-time I've acquired: eaves-dropping on the
french. ; ) Mont Blanc, at 4,807 meters, is the highest summit in
Europe. I don't know why, but as I stared at the white mass hundreds
of miles to the east, I felt really privileged.
Today was a jour férié, or a national holiday, to celebrate Veteran's Day. Whereas many American schools would slap a one-liner memoir in the student newspaper and continue on with the week, France closed down. This is another reason I like France.
God clearly wanted us all to enjoy the mid-week break, because this afternoon the long-lost sun decided to return, kissing the sparkling white mountain tops and warming up a recently cold and dreary Grenoble. I couldn't help but put on my hiking shoes and set off for a walk!
I decided to venture a bit down the road toward a place where the trail heading up to the Bastille bleeds into the Geology school's parking lot. The air was crisp and the sun at just the perfect angle to pierce through the wood and set ablaze the golden trees lining either side of the trail; I was drawn into the serenity in an instant. I passed many other couples and families who were profiting from the weather and day off and couldn't help but keep going, all the way to the top (I am one who has to 'peak' once I start). The last time I was at the top of the Bastille, it was an overcast late-summer day; how different it is when the mountains are white, the trees sloping below are dotted burgundy and gold, and the sunset is a watercolor painting in the sky! The sun disappeared behind a mountain at about 4:30, but it's rays still stretched out wings from behind it, and from both sides, they warmed the complexion of the surrounding landscape within reach. It was amazing.
The chorus to this song played on repeat in my thoughts on the way up and down. Maybe writing out the lyrics will get it out of my head....but then again, it's a melody I never want to stop singing.
Savior, you have known me as I am
Healer, you have known me as I was
As I will be
In the morning, in the evening
You have known me, God, You have known me
Completely
You have known me
(Known by Audrey Assad)
I guess it was just one of those afternoons when I took time to just...be. It's something that I'm doing more often here. I'm growing, and ever needing to grow further, in the art of doing nothing (not even thinking about anything in particular!). God prompted me to go on a hike this afternoon, but it wasn't so I could accomplish anything at all; it was just so He could show me His glory and help me learn how to let myself enjoy being known by Him...and simply that alone.
not from today..... I'm thankful I didn't have my camera, actually.... gave me more time to experience it with two eyes. but, of course, any other day I take about 50 million pictures of the mountains.
Today was a jour férié, or a national holiday, to celebrate Veteran's Day. Whereas many American schools would slap a one-liner memoir in the student newspaper and continue on with the week, France closed down. This is another reason I like France.
God clearly wanted us all to enjoy the mid-week break, because this afternoon the long-lost sun decided to return, kissing the sparkling white mountain tops and warming up a recently cold and dreary Grenoble. I couldn't help but put on my hiking shoes and set off for a walk!
I decided to venture a bit down the road toward a place where the trail heading up to the Bastille bleeds into the Geology school's parking lot. The air was crisp and the sun at just the perfect angle to pierce through the wood and set ablaze the golden trees lining either side of the trail; I was drawn into the serenity in an instant. I passed many other couples and families who were profiting from the weather and day off and couldn't help but keep going, all the way to the top (I am one who has to 'peak' once I start). The last time I was at the top of the Bastille, it was an overcast late-summer day; how different it is when the mountains are white, the trees sloping below are dotted burgundy and gold, and the sunset is a watercolor painting in the sky! The sun disappeared behind a mountain at about 4:30, but it's rays still stretched out wings from behind it, and from both sides, they warmed the complexion of the surrounding landscape within reach. It was amazing.
The chorus to this song played on repeat in my thoughts on the way up and down. Maybe writing out the lyrics will get it out of my head....but then again, it's a melody I never want to stop singing.
Savior, you have known me as I am
Healer, you have known me as I was
As I will be
In the morning, in the evening
You have known me, God, You have known me
Completely
You have known me
(Known by Audrey Assad)
I guess it was just one of those afternoons when I took time to just...be. It's something that I'm doing more often here. I'm growing, and ever needing to grow further, in the art of doing nothing (not even thinking about anything in particular!). God prompted me to go on a hike this afternoon, but it wasn't so I could accomplish anything at all; it was just so He could show me His glory and help me learn how to let myself enjoy being known by Him...and simply that alone.
not from today..... I'm thankful I didn't have my camera, actually.... gave me more time to experience it with two eyes. but, of course, any other day I take about 50 million pictures of the mountains.
Monday, November 9, 2009
La Vie Quotidienne... (Daily Life...)
Dusk falls like a curtain all around Grenoble. The white billowing clouds have quickly
swallowed the same-colored mountain peaks, those which surround the city tucked
inside. Today, my commute home was
not much different than any other day, but for some reason my senses took in
more than usual and set me in the mood to write. So, here you have it—more an outlet for me than anything—2
hours in the life of Natalie Graf in France. ;D
Class finished today at 3:30, and afterwards, I board a tram
and head toward the nearest grocery store with a simple list in my head:
marshmallows and rice krispies. A
friend and I plan on making the famous American treat for our volleyball team
tonight. This grocery store is
huge, and I lap the front aisles in search of marshmallows (Not knowing what
the name is in French, I don’t bother asking… turns out it is “marshmallow”
also, how original!). I finally
find some white and pink ones in the candy aisle. Alright, that works.
Next, a 10-minute survey of the cereal aisle (people probably think I’m
crazy for pacing it as I do) and all I come up with is a chocolate rice cereal
that vaguely resembles what I’m looking for. Good enough. ; )
It’s always insanely busy at the checkout at this time of
day; surely I’d pick the aisle with the lady trying to buy the mysterious
un-priced bag of onions!
Thankfully I am in good spirits so it doesn’t bother me when, after her
delay, the cashiers want to switch out right before my turn. I could have muttered il vaut pas la
peine (which means ‘it’s not worth it’ and
is my self-deemed “phrase of the week”), but instead I let my two items slide
to the front and smile at the new cashier.
I take a different route than usual home, thinking it will
be faster. False. But no big deal,
because waiting for a connecting tram—again—gives me time to think. When the A line finally comes, I
grimace as the cars slow to a stop—I see that this one is packed. I send up a quick prayer that more
people will get off than get on, and it is only half answered. Finding a small space suitable to stand
inside, I look at someone no matter where I avert my eyes. I feel like time is suspended as this
tram car briefly unites people from all walks of life—a mother, wearing a
burka, with a stroller beside her….. a teenager with his ipod, drowning out the
world….a perplexed, tired looking middle-aged woman….. an older gentleman,
seemingly a bit perturbed that I am crowding his space. It’s a chance to step into their world
for just a second, to bathe just one tram car in prayer, a prayer for hope and
for true life found in the joy of the Lord.
I get off one before my stop, hoping to catch the bus up to
Rabot, and I watch it literally pull away and the driver shrug and give me a
sympathetic smile.
No sooner do I decide to walk toward home than a strong gust
of wind blows the beginning of rain into my eyes. I shiver inside my coat and walk more quickly. I often feel
conspicuous on the streets of Grenoble; my always-rapid gait sticks out amongst
the always meandering, never hurried French people. I wish I could be like them: never be in a hurry. But that’s for another day, I think, as
the wind gusts grow stronger. I
clearly remember the first couple days in class, when my language professor
told us that it was hardly ever windy in Grenoble. Lies! I smile.
I wait at the next bus stop until the bus comes around
again. This one is strangely
empty, and as I head toward a free spot in the back, the jolt of the start
sends me nearly flying to my seat.
And so it begins the zig-zagged route up. This bus always feels like it’s about to implode, especially
back here, where the buzz of the engine —no, the groan—can be felt directly
beneath my feet. This driver is
good—he only has to back up around a turn once.
We grind to a halt and I briskly head toward the five
flights of stairs separating me from room 358. Looking to my right, I catch a view of the city. The journey is always worth it, that’s
for sure. No doubt the wind is
stronger up here, but the sight of my window on the third floor consoles
me. I enter the building, pass by
the front desk to see if my room number is highlighted…. nope, no mail
today. Up to the highest floor,
down the pink hallway, two clock-wise turns with my key…and I am home. ; )
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Quand on est à Rome... (When in Rome...)
When I came to France, my primary goal was not to travel as much as possible, strange as that may sound coming from a student abroad. I truly wanted to relish the unique and precious occasion to BE a Grenoblois, as they’re called, to settle into a French-sort-of life in order to see what it’s all about. That being said, I began this semester with only two goals relating to travel: to make it to Italy and to Paris. Well, one down.
When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money.
–Susan Heller
Though I laughed when I read this piece of advice for the first time, I truly did have it in mind as I prepared for my university’s weeklong fall break. With 7 full days on my hands, I decided to make a whirlwind tour of Italy and southern France: Grenoble—Venice—Florence—Rome—Cinque Terre—Nice—Aix-en-Provence—Grenoble. It was GREAT.
Italy allowed me to carry back souvenirs that engage all senses (souvenirs means ‘memories’ in French… I think it’s a very fitting translation). The trip was full of leisurely moments watching the world go by, and yet it moved at such a pace that I can only describe the mere aura of each city as I came to experience it. Just as I was settling into one place (and finally figuring out how to navigate it with my consulted-so-much-it’s-falling-apart-after-one-day map), we were catching that truly magical vehicle that transforms your surroundings in but three hours: the train!
Venice doesn’t fail in all it’s hyped up to be. I’m already planning on a return trip with my significant someone someday, because you just can’t help but feel the romance lingering in the narrow streets and certainly on the Grand Canal! When I first arrived, I was alone (Elisabeth was coming to meet me from Budapest) and to be honest, I was completely paralyzed by my fear of getting lost, at night, on my way to my hostel. Venice is infamous for being dreadfully confusing to navigate, and after spending a day and a half there, it really is true: Venice is like a PEOPLE MAZE. Dead-ends included. ; D But the Lord magnificently guided my steps and I arrived just fine. In Venice, Elisabeth and I took full advantage of our steeply priced Valparetto water taxi pass and traveled to four out of five islands surrounding the lagoon the next day. We also enjoyed "family dinners" at our hostel every night!
I arrived in Florence with high expectations because of what other good friends had told me about it. In this city, I saw a lot of art. Old art. Renaissance art! It was all really good (I certainly admitted many times that I could never even paint the SKY as well as they did) but needless to say, I’m not much of an art history buff. Some sections took a little while for me to really “get into,” but it was culturally enriching to walk the halls of the Uffizi and the Academia, and to witness first-hand the splendor of Michelangelo's David. Great little anecdote: in the Uffizi, the best-known museum in Florence, you could not bring water bottles inside, and unfortunately, I had my Nalgene with me (which never leaves my side if you know me well). I suffered greatly from anticipated separation anxiety until I had a bright idea: I hid the Nalgene in a potted bush next to some bike racks in a courtyard nearby. The highlight came later, when I went to retrieve it and two Italian men gave me the oddest and most amused looks as a water bottle magically appeared from underneath the bush. :)
Florence was also where I enjoyed my best and most memorable dining experience, which included getting in without a reservation, sitting with strangers on either side of me, making very good friends with the Italian businessmen to my left (to the point where they were offering us bites of their steak and giving us their dessert), and being poured sparkling white wine after dinner for free, THREE TIMES (because the waiter said we weren’t drunk yet).
Switching scenes and time periods, we scampered off to Rome and saw the Colosseum first thing as the sun was setting: simply an experience like no other. I kept thinking of the schoolbooks I had read about the Colosseum, and felt immensely privileged for the chance to see it in person! Rome was definitely one of my favorite stops. I enjoyed the large-city atmosphere and was constantly enamored by the juxtaposition I witnessed everywhere between Roman ruins and Roman metropolitan on the same street corner. We saw a lot in Rome, walking the city five times over. We ate a lot of pizza and even more gelato. I experienced the Vatican’s immense St. Peter’s Cathedral (where this time, I left my Dad’s pocket knife outside the gates disguised in a cookie wrapper in a trash can--ha). My varied thoughts on the biggest cathedral in the world and the center of the Roman Catholic Church will have to wait for another day….
Changing paces dramatically, Elisabeth and I caught a train at midnight, which left two sleepy-eyed and slightly disoriented college students in La Spezia’s train station at 4:14am. After sleeping a bit in the train station and a 15-minute train trip to Riomaggiore, we found a scenic overlook and journaled until the sun came up over the Mediterranean. Then, we began a 9k daylong hike through five small Italian villages directly on the coastline, known collectively as Cinque Terre. One word: GORGEOUS. It was exactly the kind of ending I wanted to have in Italy, and I embraced the cheerful-looking building facades, the fresh air aroma, the staggering views, and the gently hushing waterfront with much pleasure. This was one stop I had greatly looked forward to, and as I swam in the Med at the end of the day and let the setting sun dry my face, well, I couldn’t think of anything much better. As I wrote in my journal that morning:
The Mediterranean Sea rustles just beyond the edge of the stone pathway, and the sun’s purples and pinks and oranges are making their way around the cliff’s edge to my left. It is early here--as still as if no one lived here. I’m receiving a gift right now-- I’m glimpsing a period of the day most people aren’t around for, and I open it with wonder, with humility. Oh God, You are Holy. Who am I, and why, after all my unfaithfulness, all my self-centeredness, would you choose to bestow on me a moment like this? You are wonderfully beautiful, more than any god or gold or grandeur. God, You are incredibly Incomprehensible and yet you make yourself known to those who You have created… us with such finite understanding. That doesn’t seem to matter to You. You love to be known, however imperfectly, by your children. Father, may my comprehension of you become sweeter every moment. Make me holy in the knowledge of your holiness, and shed light and complete joy on this heart today. Thank you. Thank you.
Southern France the next day was toured rapidly as we snaked back into France, the homeland. It felt really nice to be back in a country where you could understand and be understood! A friend from Truman studying in Nice walked us through the city when we arrived late afternoon and we continued to enjoy the Mediterranean for as long as we could. Aix-en-Provence was given all of five hours of our time, but we managed to find some treasures at one of their infamous markets and linger in the coolest cathedral ever, which mixed architectural styles ranging over 800 years. Literally, there was a spot in the church where you advanced whole historical ages as your glance moved upwards. Crazy cool.
Though the last train we took was dreadfully overbooked and I stood two hours in the middle aisle all the way, it was great arrive back at ‘home.’ I can't help but feel like Benjamin Disraeli when he says: Like all great travelers, I have seen more than I remember, and remember more than I have seen. It’s true, and I thank the Father for the incredible memories I hold with me now (not to mention, the pictures….it was hard to pick, but here are my favorites from each city....enjoy!).
~venice~
When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money.
–Susan Heller
Though I laughed when I read this piece of advice for the first time, I truly did have it in mind as I prepared for my university’s weeklong fall break. With 7 full days on my hands, I decided to make a whirlwind tour of Italy and southern France: Grenoble—Venice—Florence—Rome—Cinque Terre—Nice—Aix-en-Provence—Grenoble. It was GREAT.
Italy allowed me to carry back souvenirs that engage all senses (souvenirs means ‘memories’ in French… I think it’s a very fitting translation). The trip was full of leisurely moments watching the world go by, and yet it moved at such a pace that I can only describe the mere aura of each city as I came to experience it. Just as I was settling into one place (and finally figuring out how to navigate it with my consulted-so-much-it’s-falling-apart-after-one-day map), we were catching that truly magical vehicle that transforms your surroundings in but three hours: the train!
Venice doesn’t fail in all it’s hyped up to be. I’m already planning on a return trip with my significant someone someday, because you just can’t help but feel the romance lingering in the narrow streets and certainly on the Grand Canal! When I first arrived, I was alone (Elisabeth was coming to meet me from Budapest) and to be honest, I was completely paralyzed by my fear of getting lost, at night, on my way to my hostel. Venice is infamous for being dreadfully confusing to navigate, and after spending a day and a half there, it really is true: Venice is like a PEOPLE MAZE. Dead-ends included. ; D But the Lord magnificently guided my steps and I arrived just fine. In Venice, Elisabeth and I took full advantage of our steeply priced Valparetto water taxi pass and traveled to four out of five islands surrounding the lagoon the next day. We also enjoyed "family dinners" at our hostel every night!
I arrived in Florence with high expectations because of what other good friends had told me about it. In this city, I saw a lot of art. Old art. Renaissance art! It was all really good (I certainly admitted many times that I could never even paint the SKY as well as they did) but needless to say, I’m not much of an art history buff. Some sections took a little while for me to really “get into,” but it was culturally enriching to walk the halls of the Uffizi and the Academia, and to witness first-hand the splendor of Michelangelo's David. Great little anecdote: in the Uffizi, the best-known museum in Florence, you could not bring water bottles inside, and unfortunately, I had my Nalgene with me (which never leaves my side if you know me well). I suffered greatly from anticipated separation anxiety until I had a bright idea: I hid the Nalgene in a potted bush next to some bike racks in a courtyard nearby. The highlight came later, when I went to retrieve it and two Italian men gave me the oddest and most amused looks as a water bottle magically appeared from underneath the bush. :)
Florence was also where I enjoyed my best and most memorable dining experience, which included getting in without a reservation, sitting with strangers on either side of me, making very good friends with the Italian businessmen to my left (to the point where they were offering us bites of their steak and giving us their dessert), and being poured sparkling white wine after dinner for free, THREE TIMES (because the waiter said we weren’t drunk yet).
Switching scenes and time periods, we scampered off to Rome and saw the Colosseum first thing as the sun was setting: simply an experience like no other. I kept thinking of the schoolbooks I had read about the Colosseum, and felt immensely privileged for the chance to see it in person! Rome was definitely one of my favorite stops. I enjoyed the large-city atmosphere and was constantly enamored by the juxtaposition I witnessed everywhere between Roman ruins and Roman metropolitan on the same street corner. We saw a lot in Rome, walking the city five times over. We ate a lot of pizza and even more gelato. I experienced the Vatican’s immense St. Peter’s Cathedral (where this time, I left my Dad’s pocket knife outside the gates disguised in a cookie wrapper in a trash can--ha). My varied thoughts on the biggest cathedral in the world and the center of the Roman Catholic Church will have to wait for another day….
Changing paces dramatically, Elisabeth and I caught a train at midnight, which left two sleepy-eyed and slightly disoriented college students in La Spezia’s train station at 4:14am. After sleeping a bit in the train station and a 15-minute train trip to Riomaggiore, we found a scenic overlook and journaled until the sun came up over the Mediterranean. Then, we began a 9k daylong hike through five small Italian villages directly on the coastline, known collectively as Cinque Terre. One word: GORGEOUS. It was exactly the kind of ending I wanted to have in Italy, and I embraced the cheerful-looking building facades, the fresh air aroma, the staggering views, and the gently hushing waterfront with much pleasure. This was one stop I had greatly looked forward to, and as I swam in the Med at the end of the day and let the setting sun dry my face, well, I couldn’t think of anything much better. As I wrote in my journal that morning:
The Mediterranean Sea rustles just beyond the edge of the stone pathway, and the sun’s purples and pinks and oranges are making their way around the cliff’s edge to my left. It is early here--as still as if no one lived here. I’m receiving a gift right now-- I’m glimpsing a period of the day most people aren’t around for, and I open it with wonder, with humility. Oh God, You are Holy. Who am I, and why, after all my unfaithfulness, all my self-centeredness, would you choose to bestow on me a moment like this? You are wonderfully beautiful, more than any god or gold or grandeur. God, You are incredibly Incomprehensible and yet you make yourself known to those who You have created… us with such finite understanding. That doesn’t seem to matter to You. You love to be known, however imperfectly, by your children. Father, may my comprehension of you become sweeter every moment. Make me holy in the knowledge of your holiness, and shed light and complete joy on this heart today. Thank you. Thank you.
Southern France the next day was toured rapidly as we snaked back into France, the homeland. It felt really nice to be back in a country where you could understand and be understood! A friend from Truman studying in Nice walked us through the city when we arrived late afternoon and we continued to enjoy the Mediterranean for as long as we could. Aix-en-Provence was given all of five hours of our time, but we managed to find some treasures at one of their infamous markets and linger in the coolest cathedral ever, which mixed architectural styles ranging over 800 years. Literally, there was a spot in the church where you advanced whole historical ages as your glance moved upwards. Crazy cool.
Though the last train we took was dreadfully overbooked and I stood two hours in the middle aisle all the way, it was great arrive back at ‘home.’ I can't help but feel like Benjamin Disraeli when he says: Like all great travelers, I have seen more than I remember, and remember more than I have seen. It’s true, and I thank the Father for the incredible memories I hold with me now (not to mention, the pictures….it was hard to pick, but here are my favorites from each city....enjoy!).
~venice~
~florence~
~rome~
~cinque terre~
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