Paris, Day 2

Wow. So, we got up just before nine and went down to Gare du Nord for breakfast.  I wanted a crepe but we couldn't find any, so I had the traditional toasted bread and butter, which was basically a baguette. 

Then we went up to Sacre Coeur, which had awesome views.  We got some roasted chestnuts on the way down before we headed to the Louvre, where we met Eric and Renee and their son Christian and his two kids, Juliette and Hugo.  The kids didn't know English, so I didn't get to talk to them, but it was all good fun.  We ate in the food court and I had some tasty chicken teriyaki and an interesting fruit salad.  Then Marion, Eric and I went to see the Mona Lisa before going into the Egypt section.  By no means did we even look at everything in the rooms we saw, and the rooms we walked through maybe were a tenth or a twentieth of all the rooms.  But we didn't have much time. 

Eric then took us across the street behind the Supreme Court building to show us some art and this awesome park.  Then Marion and I took the metro to the Arc du Triomphe and then walked from there down the Avenue du Champes-Elysees, the "most expensive street in the world" or something.  It was interesting, but not entertaining. 

We came back to Bastille stop, where I got another turkey and cheese crepe and we sat in a Japanese restaurant where Marion got miso soup and sushi.  Then we got nutella crepes and came back to the hotel. It started raining pretty hard while we were eating, but we were close to the hotel, so it wasn't bad. 

Now it's time for homework.  Pictures are uploading to facebook. 

Goodnight, world.

Paris...

with Marion. Shoot me now.

I guess I should start at the beginning.  This morning was bright and early - I got up at 7, took a shower, ate, and was out the door by 7:30.  I got to the train station on time, waited a bit and hopped the 8:30 train to Paris.  The ride was nice and I enjoyed my music while reading management.  I'm hoping I can get the next four chapters read in the next two days...

So I arrived fifteen minutes late, but that just meant 10:15.  Marion brought me pain chocolat, which was very good, and we headed to the hotel for me to drop off my things.  It's a nice hotel, super close to the Bastille.  We then hopped the bus to the Eiffel Tower.  We went up to the second floor (about halfway) and I got a lot of cool pictures.  You could see everything, and I even saw the original Lady Liberty.

Then we met Rogier and Annie for coffee and chocolate at a little cafe nearby and we talked for a while.  Rogier is some cousin twice removed or something.  His cousin is Eric, but they were brought up together and I'll talk more about Eric later. 

We tried to go to the Invalides Church, which is where Napoleon is buried, but it closed as we walked up the steps.  The building was cool though.  Nearby was a shopping district, St. Germain, and we wandered around for a bit.  There were some interesting things.

We crossed over the bridge and then went to Notre Dame, which was really cool. I don't remember why it's so famous, but it is, and now I've seen it. We happened to be there during one of their services, and the choir was incredible.

We then walked back to the hotel, where Eric and his wife Renee met us to take us for dinner.  It was a "true French" restaurant, and was very good, named Bofinger Brasserie.  I had the most amazing meal ever.  Roasted duck with gravy and new potatoes, followed up by creme brulee.  I don't remember ever having duck, but it was perfect - light, tender, and delicious.  Of course I had to get creme brulee for dessert, and before I ate, I dedicated it to Mom.  I'm not sure if the sweetness got to you from 4226 miles away, but it was also scrumptious.

Dinner lasted for nearly three hours - we had a good time talking - and then we came back to the hotel.  Now it's time for homework. Tomorrow we are going to Arc du Triomphe, then Avenue de Champs-Elysees before meeting Eric and Renee and some more family at the Louvre.  It's weird.  Here they pronounce the "re" at the end... Maybe then Montmartre, which we'll do Sunday if we don't get to it tomorrow.

Anyways. Should be interesting, if not fun. Hopefully both. 

Goodnight, world.

When Everything Happens,

It happens at once.

I have a lot going on, a lot of stress from a lot of different things, and I really want to not have to deal with being abroad because that would solve at least three-fourths of my problems... I think.

Anyways, it was hot by Belgian standards today - a whopping 60 degrees.  It felt amazing.  But I hurt my ankle last week or so and my knee's been in a brace for the past couple of days, so I didn't get to go running.  Instead, I did some homework and went to finance. 

Tip for anyone and everyone who's planning on the business program next year: TAKE FINANCE AT CLEMSON.  You do not want to deal with whatever shenanigans they call teaching here.  I'm sure this won't be my last rant and I won't rant here, but I do want to say there were four people that I know of that were crying after class.  Their expectations are a little ridiculous, especially since we don't know what they are.

Anyways, we got back from class and I soothed my stress with chocolate since running wasn't an option. I don't think I've ever been more annoyed I couldn't run.  I packed for Paris and did more homework.  You can also check the Bruge/Brussels albums for a few new pics. I can't say that I'm excited for the weekend, but it will be cool. Off to the Louve, Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame. I don't know what else we're doing...

Goodnight, world.

Busy, Busy

Wow I did a lot today.

It started off with a nice run.  It was warm today, a whopping 54 degrees.  The run was good but my ankle really hurts and I don't know what I did.  It squeaks.  Or would if it wasn't composed of muscle and skin tissue.

Anyways, then Sam and I went down to the commune and got the paperwork needed so we can get back into the country once our visas expire (because they expire the first of April or thereabouts).  That was a fun walk.  Both times we've been amazed because it's the longest distance we've ever walked in a straight line to actually get anywhere useful. 

Then we stopped by the grocery store before heading back to the apartment.  I made popcorn for lunch and then we left for the European Union.  We listened to a powerpoint presentation for over an hour and then saw the room for the European Parliament.  It kindof looked like the UN conference room or whatever it's called, but it was cool nonetheless. 

Feeling spirited, Sam and I walked back from the EU with a few others, passing under the Arch du Triomphe, which is where I run.  It was the first time she had been up close and personal, and found it pretty cool.  All in all, it was a very active day. 

I grabbed the metro when we got back and headed over to the other grocery store.  I made tuna flower for dinner tonight, and it went over really well.  There are seconds for the first time ever, perhaps because I kvetched a little.  But then I made brigadeiru and it's already gone.  Between seven girls, it evaporated.  The sprinkles here are strange and not crunchy like I expected, but still very tasty. 

Then I logged on and did some management and now it's time for bed.  It's been a busy day. 

Goodnight, world.

Dreadfully Dreary Day

Today could not be described as one of the most fun days here. 

I woke up early and grabbed the tram to the brewery, where we had a tour.  It took an hour for the lady to talk to us and tell us about the machinery - that wasn't in use.  It smelled bad and had no heat.  Then we tasted two beers from the brewery, a lambic and a grueze, which were both disgusting. 

We headed back to CUBC for class next.  Sam, Elena and I got sandwiches from the metro before going to class.  We took our quiz, which was awful.  He said fifteen minutes for twenty-one questions, ended up giving us orty-five or so, and everyone said they felt they bombed it.  After the test, he asked us who thought it was difficult.  Every hand went up, and he said the next test would be harder.  This elicited several questions and many complaints.  Our teacher then went on to teach two chapters and ran over class time.

Not much happened for the rest of the day.  I did some reading and watched some NCIS - I'm almost done with season four, which Sam has on DVD.  Kristen, Anna Lauren and Laura are back, and it's weird to have a lot of people back in the apartment.

Tomorrow is filled with plans, some exploring, and more homework.

Goodnight, world.

I'm Getting Really Bad

At remembering to post every night. I guess it's become that living here is so routine that nothing seemingly interesting happens anymore.

Well, today I'm going to a brewery tour before my finance test, and I've already showered and done my homework due later today.  I have a lot more work this half of the semester, but I also have fewer trips, if only in duration. 

Yesterday was uneventful.  I finished reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and enjoyed it, though I did cry when Dobby died... again.  It's a sad book but it's such a good read.  Anyways, I gave it to Sam and I think she started it last night. 

Other than that, I had law class and that's about it.  It's been quiet since Kristen's not here. 

Time for a brewery tour at 10 in the morning... and then a finance class with test and then I'll be back.

Chao.

Sunday

Well, today was uneventful. 

Kristen, Anna Lauren and Laura left for Paris, Sam and I went out to lunch at the Food Maker (very yummy) with Chris and Scott before they left, and then we read finance out loud for four hours so we could get through it. And that's pretty much it.

It's weird for it to be just Sam and me, but also kindof cool.  It's relaxing not to have so many people here.  Full week ahead: law class, brewery tour, finance test, EU tour, finance class. And somewhere in there going to register and going to the mall.  I'm going to Paris this weekend with Marion, which should be interesting.

Goodnight, world.

Fun Days and Freezing Cold

So I've done a lot since my last post.

I ate lunch and went out with Sam, Kristen, Kristin, Anna Lauren, Laura, Scott and Chris.  We stopped at a kebap shop for everyone else to eat and then made our way to the Basilica of the Sacred Heart.  Anna Lauren's a pro photographer, so we took a lot of pictures and had fun along the way.  We finally made it there two minutes before it closed.  We went inside for a very tiny bit and then hopped back on the metro.

Our next stop was De Brockere, which is where the awesome parking garage is.  You get an awesome 360 view for free.  It was so cold, though.

We next headed to Grand Place to meet Ali and Caroline, where we took more pictures and Scott was addressed by a costumed woman and her bachlorette party members.  He got cookies in return for helping her suit up a banana, and many pictures were taken.

We walked over to St. Michiel church and couldn't get inside, so we went back for dinner at the place where we ate the very first night.  I had delicious broccoli soup and then we all went to Hagen-Daaz for ice cream.  I got a yummy lemon sorbet.

Next was coming back to the apartment, where the plan was to pre-game.  Instead, we all kindof relaxed and then, about 11, everyone except for Sam, Kristen and I went out.  We did homework for a bit and then devolved into googling ourselves.  It's been an interesting two hours...

Anyways, tomorrow I'm going to focus and finish homework, maybe getting a bit ahead.

Goodnight, world.