je vous remercie et la fin d'un début

It is nearly time to bid adieu to my current adventure and begin to look forward to what my future holds. But, I cannot do that without reflecting on a few things and thanking a few people...

When we travel, the cultures we encounter change us. We learn a lot by just by observing our surroundings. This year I travelled within France, Italy, and Croatia but it was in France where I learned the most not only about mon pays d'adoption (my country of adoption), but more importantly, about myself.

I have always been a strong-willed and determined person but this year taught me that I am stronger than I thought. At first it was relatively easy to leave everything behind but as months went on, I began to realize just how much I appreciate my friends and family back home. Each day here brought new challenges. I learned how to live away from my family and with roommates, how to understand and respect a new culture, and how to speak another language. I loved every minute of it! The challenges are what made this adventure!

When I think of the word home, it now has a double meaning. Home will always be with my family in San Diego but now, France has become my home as well. I am thankful for that. Now I have two sides, two cultures, two languages and yet, I am just one person who has discovered so much more of herself. I am Brittany, the same as always, and I have become Brittanie, the American-Frenchie version. Both sides are pieces to the puzzle that make up who I am.

Je suis comme je suis et maintenant, je suis "moi"...I am who I am :)

The best part of my year has been discovering myself through my love of language. As I wrote before, I love French and now I appreciate and love English. It brings me such happiness to understand, speak and write two languages. It is amazing! (if you missed the last post, read it and you will understand!) :)

I am very lucky to have had this opportunity and it wouldn't have been possible without so many people. My support system from friends and family is and has been unparalleled. I wouldn't have been able to do this without any of you. As independent as I like to think I am, I needed all of you. I don't think I will ever be able to fully express my gratitude but I'll begin with a THANK YOU!

To my friends: You are all amazing. I have become closer with so many of you even though I have been so far away. Thank you for always being there even when the conversations were a tad bizarre at really random hours day or night. I have discovered just how amazing you all are and this would have been impossible without you. I will see you all soon!! We have so much to catch up on!! :)

à mon "prof" et amie...

To my "professor" and friend

Tu insiste que tu n'as rien fait...ce n'est pas vrai!!! Tu es vraiment géniale! Tu continues à m'enseigner plus que tu sais comme d'habitude!

Without this woman, I probably wouldn't have come to France this year. You helped me follow and realize my dreams and although you insist that it has been all me, I couldn't do it without you...je te remercie pour tous!

And of course...the biggest thank you of all goes to my FAMILY! They all rock by the way!

First one goes to my G-ma...It would have been impossible to be here without you! You always support me 110% without hesitation and that is amazing. You are amazing! Thank you for ALL your support. I know you have explored the south of France before but one day, you and I will explore it together. I love you!

And now all the Rose's!

From all the amazing boxes filled with treats and holiday rubber ducks to the FaceTime conversations on how to handle unfamiliar territory, you were always there when I needed you.

Maman...I know it wasn't easy for you to let me cross the Atlantic but thank you for always supporting me. I could have never done this without you. Every month I couldn't wait for my box to see what rubber duck you had chosen! They are definitely one of my favorite parts of this adventure! I have learned just how important you are and I realize I much I actually need you...I love you, je t'aime!

Daddy...I know it was equally as hard for you to watch me leave and thank you for always being there. I may be growing up and finding my way in this world, but I am and will always be your baby girl. I love you!

Last but not least...Zach and Ash! It has been strange to not have you two with me this year. I realize now that I have taken you two for granted. You are both so important to me and I will always need you! I love you guys!

:) :) Ma belle France...ce n'est pas facile de te quitter...mais pour moi, c'est au revoir pour le moment parce que je reviendrai l'année prochaine. Merci pour tous ce que tu m'as appris...tu as changé ma vie. je t'aime et tu vas me manquer

A love of language

Being in France has taught me more than I could ever fully explain. As the end of the beginning approaches, I find myself more drawn to language than ever. I speak, read and write French every day and the more I do, the more I love it. Yes, there are challenges...it is not my maternal language therefore I make countless mistakes and at times I have no idea what is going on but, I love it. Its a challenge and a passion. You have to love the language if you ever want to learn it! Even though I have my days where no matter how hard I try, I can't understand anything, it doesn't matter. I've found my passion and temporary problems don't matter in the long run. It is so fun when you realize you are mélang-ing (mixing) two languages at once. Every day I catch myself doing two things: 1. speaking English but using french words like everyone can understand what I am saying and 2. spelling English words the french way (like problem=problème). I don't mind any of it! Best part...waking up and remembering your dreams occurred in French. :)  

My love of french has made me appreciate my English. I can now see the beauty in it that I never really thought of. I've always loved writing but I never really thought much of the language itself because it has always been natural. Language, regardless of which one we use, allows the opportunity to express ourselves. Whether we are aware of it or not, it is an art. We don't have to practice and we don't have to try, but it is an evolving and ever-changing art. Take the opportunity to listen to yourself, really listen to the words you say. Listen to another language, even if you can't understand it. It is amazing what you can understand just by listening and watching. It's amazing and it brings me so much happiness!

22nd Birthday and the end of the semester

Just a brief update...

I spent my 22nd birthday in Les Baux de Provence. It was the same day trip I took in the fall! It was so beautiful...again!!! It was crazy windy but so fun to sit at the top of this mountain and take in the beauty of Provence. Pretty great way to spend my birthday right?!?!

The view.... :)

J'ai 22 ans! et j'adore ma vie! :)

The night before, the roommates and I threw our final fête (party). We think we had at least 50 people in our house. So fun but absolute madness!! 

My favorite part was when the clock struck 12 midnight  and it was officially my birthday! All of my international friends sang in ther first language...happy birthday in english, french, danish, swedish, norwegian, german, spanish, russian, ukranian, italian and polish! So cool! 

and with that...my academic year in France has come to an end. I still have the DELF exam that starts next week but as far as my classes go, I am done! I can't believe classes are over! So excited to be done with them but at the same time, that means I return to the states in one month. I've got mixed feelings on that one. I am excited to come home and see my family and friends but I now it will be hard to leave "ma belle France" at the same time. But, I have all these amazing memories and I am determined to get back here next year! I can do this!

The next few days are full of good-byes with many of my friends...I hope I get to see them again! Its going to be hard to say good-bye to everyone and to this country that I love but, it isn't the end for me...one more amazing month and then returning as soon as I can; which will hopefully be the fall of 2013! Plus I have an amazing family and friends that will help me adjust again. :)

:) :)

bisous!!

 

Mes Vacances: Zadar, Croatie et Bordeaux, France

Salut salut!!! Mes vacances...ça y est! aka they are over!! I had a great two weeks! I explored a new part of the world in Zadar, Croatia and then headed back to one of my favorite places, Bordeaux, France. 

Let's start with Croatia!! My roommate Gaby and I went on a 4-day adventure in Zadar. It is a beautiful city located on the coast of Croatia. I have to say that I am rather excited because I got to add a stamp to my passport! awesome! We stayed at a great resort where we relaxed and even treated ourselves to massages. It was so amazing! So interesting to see another part of the world outside of the European Union! It was hard to understand any of the local language but that is the beauty of traveling...you get lost and yet you discover so much.

This was the view from our room! Not bad right?!?! It was beautiful right on the super blue water! It wasn't too warm most of the time but even with the clouds, it was stunning.

ahhhh.....

This is a picture of Zadar right near one of the ports. It was so windy! Every building I saw looked so different from anything else that I have encountered in Europe! 

This just might be my favorite part of this city. This is the Sea Organ. The waves come in and hit the "steps." It is an actual organ and it is beautiful to take the time to sit and listen to it. Each set of steps make a different sound. So cool!

Ensuite...Bordeaux!! 

I returned to this city for a few reasons. First, I love it! Second, I wanted to see it a second time before deciding where I want to do my Masters (YES it is my top choice!). And third, to meet the Stéphane, Sandrine, Laura, and Alexandre Marmié. Laura will be staying with me and my family for 2 weeks in August! It was a perfect opportunity! I was very lucky to have been able to meet and stay with them! Plus, I got to practice my french! J'ai parlé que le français!! Merci merci à vous!! C'etait super!! :)

For the weekend, we went out to their home in Arcachon and we headed to the Dune de Pyla, the largest dune in Europe. It is absolutely beautiful from the top!

coucou l'océan Atlantique!! 

So, before the beautiful view, you have to climb up...you can either take the stairs, or the sand. Or you can do as we did..take the stairs up and run down the sand! Alexandre informed me that if I wasn't going to roll down the side of the dune, then I had to at least run down it. It was super fun!

This is Laura! Je vais te voir très bientôt mon amie!!

Hello Bordeaux!! :) Je t'aime!

Of course, one cannot go to Bordeaux without visiting a château!! We went to Pape Clement...yummy! How I would love to have barrels of yummy wine aging in my cellar! Mais...non! C'est pas possible! :)

Beautiful isn't it? I'm going to go with...yes!

Je dois remercier la famille Marmié! C'était vraiment super de vous! tout était génial!! Vous êtes super géntil!! Il n'est pas au revoir mais, à très, très bientôt!!

:)

et alors...vacation is over. I only have 2 weeks of classes left and then I will be here from another month after that! Lots of very busy yet exciting things happening in this awesome month of May!! Oral and written final exams pour ma fac (aka university), the DELF language exam (which I am going to pass with flying colors), ColdPlay in Nice and MON ANNIVERSAIRE :) :)! Its going to be a great (and busy) month! So exciting! 

Je vais faire mes devoirs maintenant alors, à plus et grosses bises!

;)

Le printemps est arrivé!!! finalement!

Cours Mirabeau :) SO beautiful!

Loving the green trees against the buildings!

blue skies! ok there are some clouds but I don't mind them!

Place des Augustins...I live here! well just to the right of this picture....

I live on the top of this building! You can't see my terrace form the ground but it is up there I promise!

Brittany en Bretagne...Normandie...et Mont Saint Michel

Hello! I just got back from a long weekend in Normandy (Normandie) and Brittany (Bretagne). Lots of pictures!!!

Let's start with Bretagne! Brittany en Bretagne...awesome! These are from St. Malo :) It is right on the coast and absolutely beautiful! The north of France is so different from the south!

The tide was out so you could walk on the beach and explore the natural pool!

St. Malo is a very old town...it is surrounded by a wall that not only used to protect the city but is also used to keep the tide from flooding the city streets.

Beautiful!

Next...La Normandie!

SO much history!! I loved it!

This is the flag and the cross of the Resistance en France during the war (WWII). 

This is Juno beach...

and just past the beach up on the ridge, you could see the bunkers built by Germany to protect the coastline.

Ok now I'm going to be a little nationalistic...The following pictures are of Omaha beach and the American cemetery. 

Merci de la France...

Can you picture what happened here on the 6th of June, 1944? The very small pieces of "rock" you see in the water is actually pieces of the landing vessels that still remain.

The beach is massive...try to imagine 43,000 infantry landing here. Operation Overlord was designed to literally over-run the German occupation and liberate France. It was well executed but the casualties were in the thousands. Difficult day for all but in the end it was worth it. Paris, and therefore France, was liberated by the 25th of August, 1944.

So many American men were lost that day. To the American military, this was one of the "longest days." The cemetery may be in France but the French government "gave it" to the United States to honor the fallen men.  

This is at Point d'Hoc. American Rangers scaled these cliffs during the bombardment of the French coastline to destroy the German artillery. Yes during...the bombardments would occur and the Rangers would go in trying to reclaim as much ground as they could. The Germans never expected men to climb the cliffs! As I said...a little nationalism: there was a family that questioned why everything was in english at these sites...it is because without the help of the United States, France would be Germany right now! I am so glad the US helped...now I get to study in France and learn French ;)

Absolutely stunning!

This part of the coastline is riddled with "holes." As you can see, they are literally all over the place as a result of the bombardment. This hillside held German anti-aircraft artillery...

...in bunkers such as this one. Many still stand but others lay in complete ruin.

Ok...I can discuss the historical happenings for forever but here are a few pictures of Le Mont St. Michel...

Sunset after walking around St. Michel :) It was beautiful! I love France!

Le Mont Saint Michel...so bizarre! Literally is in the middle of nothing but a bay. The entire top half is a cathedral and around the bottom are various hotels and shops. Very cool to see! It is also the number 1 most visited site in France by the French...lots of people all the time!

  

It was a cloudy and rainy day but you can see the Bay...it just goes on and on and on and Saint Michel is right in the middle of it.

I really enjoyed my visit to the north! I spent the weekend seeing and exploring history and speaking nothing but French...just the way I like it!

:)

Bises de la France!

Montpellier, wine tasting and des nouvelles!

Hello everyone! Sorry I haven't posted...I have been busy with school and planning my future travels!

A few weeks ago I took a trip to Montpellier. It is about 2-3 hours from Aix-en-Provence. I wanted to check out the town because it has a great university that I may apply too. Nerd trip...yes! Montpellier is definitely a town for students with its bars, clubs and parks. It was beautiful! I loved it! Its centre ville is just 30 minutes away from the Mediterranean and it is full of "south of France" charm....meaning lots of cute little streets. I had lots of fun wandering around, getting lost, and checking out the university area. So...do I like it more than Bordeaux? I still do not know! I love both! My current plan is to apply to both and then decide...plus thats in the future and I still need to enjoy the present!! Check out the pictures... 

Yes...That is a painting on the side of the building! Cool right! Optical illusion!

Main center square in centre ville

beloved Bordeaux...I don't know what I love more...I did fall in love with this city!

We had a CEA wine tasting out in the Luberon. Wine...only one of my favorite things!!! It was a beautiful day and spring had finally arrived! I must say that I have enjoyed experiencing all the seasons but I have been ready for some sunshine!! We even got to have our tasting outside in the gardens...awesome!

This is my roomie....Gaby! We were loving the sunshine! :)

The chateaux....so beautiful! The gardens were just starting to bloom too!

Yummy....I love this picture! I love all wine now...the benefits of living in France ;)

Les nouvelles...(the news)!

I have finalized the plans for the rest of my stay in France! This weekend is a long week-end for me! No classes Monday so I am headed to Paris for the day, then Normandie et Bretagne! I am so excited to see the north west of France and see all the history! First thing on the list...D-day beaches! You guys know me and my love of WW2...so excited! My spring break follows just a week and a half later and I am going to Croatia with the roomie! I have 2 whole weeks off so after Croatia I am going back to Bordeaux! yay! Thanks to a family friend/my mentor, this August, my family and I will be hosting a French girl for two weeks...her family lives in Bordeaux so I am going to meet and stay with them for a few days! Very excited!! Merci beaucoup!!! :)

Classes end two weeks after spring break and I will then prepare for my DELF B2 language exam. I am also going to spend 3 days in Nice to see Coldplay with my friend Kat! We can't wait!!!

I cannot believe how quickly the year has passed! It isn't over yet but I can't believe that it is April and I come home the 15th of June...Just in time (literally) to celebrate my sister's 19th birthday and my brother's 17th! yay! France has taught me so many lessons and I have changed and grown in more ways than I can explain. I love it. Simply amazing...I love my life! No matter what the future holds, France and French will be apart of mine. I love it way to much to ever let it go!!! One thing I can say is....suivez vos rêves...follow your dreams. Dreams are there to be realized and they show you who you are. So, vas-y! Find your dream, live it! Make it happen! I did, and it will forever influence ma vie. I am going to enjoy these last 9 weeks here in my beloved France but for me, it will never be au revoir, just à bientôt. :) 

Je ne sais où je suis née mais ici j'habite maintenant. La France...vous détenez les clés de mon cœur