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!

;)