One More Chapter
A twenty two year-old's view on life, death,
and Taylor Swift conspiracy theories
and Taylor Swift conspiracy theories
I am writing this blog post as I sit on a train that is taking me from Paris to Nice where I will be meeting with my program directors to take me to Cannes for the 2015 Cannes Film Festival. This journey marks the end of my time in Paris. I will not be returning to my homestay before returning to Boston, and there is a great possibility that I may never return in my lifetime. This fact is terrifying. How is it that I am done with my semester abroad already? After my two week program in Cannes, I will be boarding a train once again to take me back to Paris where I will enjoy one last day in what has been the city of my dreams for the past five or ten years and then board my plane back to Boston to begin the next adventure: New York City. I have to say that living in Paris has been one of the hardest and scariest things I have ever done. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I have never felt so at peace with myself as I have living in and exploring Europe. Never have I been immersed in such rich culture and history. Most places that I stayed or studied in were older than my country. It’s hard to wrap your head around most of the time, but undeniably amazing. I’m sorry that I didn’t do many blog posts throughout my stay, but I often found it difficult to summarize my adventures into a short post. As it was, I had a hard time skyping with my parents because I would be asked “so, how’s it going over there?” and I would simply not know what to say. Yes, it was going fine, but there was so many things that I was seeing, feeling and experiencing that I just couldn’t express to someone who wasn’t also experiencing it with me. In these next few blog posts I am going to try and put some of these feelings into words as best as I can. I apologize in advance for the length of this particular blog, but I hope you find in interesting/helpful if you’re planning to study abroad as well. This post is going to focus on the hardest part of studying abroad that I’ve encountered this semester that I’m not sure everyone has to deal with, but was certainly an issue with me: LONELINESS And, don’t feel bad for me. As my mother often says, it’s all a learning experience. And, don’t worry, it sounds worse than it really was. But, yes, loneliness was one of the biggest obstacles for me to overcome. You see, there is a short window of time when you begin studying abroad when you establish which group of friends you will have. I pride myself in my ability to make friends fairly easily. While I can (and often prefer to) be shy and introverted, I understand that there are situations that call for me to be outgoing and open to meeting new people. For my program, this was during the first week of orientation. During this time, I found a good group of maybe five or six people that I really seemed to vibe with and whom I went out to dinner with a few times. Most of us had Wednesdays off so we would go on a different touristy adventure on these days, always mentioning in the group chat that anyone was open to join us. These trips were consistent and fun and were a great way for us to get to know the city. Often I would do things on Thursday and Friday afternoons as well with those who ended classes early like I did. It seemed like all was going great. But then our gatherings became smaller and smaller. People were dropping off like flies. One of the people in our group would always have something else to do, which was a mystery to the rest of us. Then another lost their internet at their homestay and started spending all of his free time at the study abroad office to use their internet while they were open. Another one just stopped answering in the group chat altogether and we didn’t see her for the rest of our time in the country. To this day I have only seen her once and it was when I was walking to the grocery store to grab something for dinner and I saw her sitting on the ground outside of a boulangerie, smoking a cigarette with another girl from our program who hadn’t been in class in weeks. After maybe two months, our weekly outings slowly dwindled into nothingness. I found myself posting in the group chat, hoping to get people to go out or do something, but hardly ever got a response. And, just like that, I was alone. My mother came to visit the first week this started happening and, so I didn’t really notice it too much. I was glad to have her there with me, but it was a week of unfortunate weather and I kept feel terrible that she wasn’t getting to see Paris for what is really was; a truly beautiful city. Sadly, when it’s rainy, windy and cold you tend to not was to spend a lot of time outside and, therefore, we didn’t get to stroll through the beautiful gardens and lay out in the sun at the top of the Parc de Belleville or anything like that. The day she left it was beautiful out, and every day since then. Seeing the gorgeous weather made me oddly sad because I was wishing the whole time that my mother had been there to see it. The Wednesday after she had left I put out a message in the group chat with my fellow study-abroaders. No one replied. It was like my week away had been all they needed to finally and fully fall apart. Our core group was no longer. I would continue to see posts from other friend groups in my program and people who were going on weekend trips together and that week I felt terrible. It was towards middle of April (a little over halfway through my time in France) and I was wishing with everything inside me that I could just go home. I missed my friends and family and I felt more alone than I ever had. It was awful. I called my mom and cried on the phone to her about how I felt and how I also kept breaking everything in my host family’s house (to be expanded upon in another blog). Being able to call and skype home is essential when you are living 3,000 miles away. It seemed that I had picked the wrong friend group. And it was too late to change that. I was stuck on my own for most of the time remaining in France. I relished in going to class at times because it meant interacting with people. While I hadn’t become a part of the other friend groups in the program, I was certainly very friendly with the others and we all knew each other by name, often eating lunch together or going and getting ice cream between classes together. I always made a point to eat at my University so that I would get to talk to the others. Sometimes it was even the people in my original friend group. During lunch we might talk about doing another Wednesday out, but the plans would always dissolve in the end. I made good friends with one girl, Natalie, who I sat next to in French class. She also was a sophomore at Umass and we bonded over this strange coincidence. She was in my program, but we hadn’t gotten to know each other in the first week and therefore we didn’t go out together or go on trip together. Weird how that works, right? We were always grateful to have each other in class and when I left the other day we hugged and promised to meet up if and when I visited the Umass campus next semester (I’m studying off campus in New York next semester). I often wished that I’d ended up with her friend group, but no need to spend time regretting the past. I, luckily, had a few friends who were also studying Europe this semester. I took a trip to England to visit a friend, Michaela, who I will be sharing an apartment with when I return to Umass next Spring. We spent a day in London and the rest of the time in a small, coastal town called Brighton and stayed (for free!) at her dorm in the University of Sussex. I also spent a weekend at St. Andrews University in Scotland with a friend whom I met during my trip to Los Angeles this past summer, Kittsie. She is also the person I will be rooming with at Cannes for the next two weeks. We had a great weekend and I was so glad to be with friends again and to meet some great people. One trip to Edinburgh, much earlier in the trip, I even met up with one of my best friends in the entire world, with whom I’ve been friends for twenty years. It was one of my favorite memories of this entire experience. And, just a few weeks ago, my aunt, uncle and four cousins spend a few days in Paris and I got to spend a weekend with them. The other trips that I went on (Dublin, some of my Edinburgh trip, and a tour of the Scottish Highlands) were solo trips (though, I did go to Amsterdam with one of my friends from the program). It was during these trips that I realized I really do enjoy travelling alone. I get to do exactly what I want and I don’t need to worry about making small talk the whole time or making sure that my travel companion and I got the same tickets or find hostels that have more than one bed open etc. It’s much easier to plan and I have come to really like it. I realized one day in Dublin that on these trips I don’t say anything. The only time that I speak the entire trip is when talking to a server at a restaurant or coffee shop. Other than that, there is no need to talk. For someone who could talk non-stop for hours at a time, it was surprisingly peaceful and almost freeing in a way. After a while, the loneliness factor became obsolete. I got used to being alone, and started to use it to my adventure. I got lost in thoughts, created stories in my head, truly reveled in the experiences that I was having. It was great. I didn’t feel like calling home and crying anymore, which is always a good thing. I think that what made it so hard at first was the expectation I had of making these amazing and lifelong friends while studying abroad like everyone had always said that I would. But, while I did make some great friends that I enjoy spending time with and loved getting to know, the truth is, they won’t be lifelong friends. You know when it will be within a few days of meeting someone. When I went to L.A. I made life-long friends, one of which I am heading to see right now. But, while I’m sure that most people do make these friends during their time abroad, for some reason it just wasn’t in the cards for me and I’ve come to accept this. During that terrible week after my mother left, I saw everyone posting pictures with captions about how much they loved the city and loved studying abroad, and all I could think was why am I not feeling like that? I didn’t understand why my experience seemed to be so different from everyone else’s. I wanted what they had. I wanted to go out drinking with friends, to go on trips with other people. But, I needed to accept that we all have different experiences. And, once I did, things seemed to change. I started enjoying my days again and Paris once more was the city of my dreams. But, even though I want, with all my heart, to stay here in Europe and continue exploring, there are factors that will see me home: I am flat broke…and I can’t wait to see my friends back home once again. I miss them so much is hurts.
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Many of my friends and family know me and think of me as someone who does "crash diets" and is obsessed with exercise and being health (except, clearly not over the past several months). And, therefore, I understand that people might think that this is a way for me to lose weight and get back to the size I want to be. Which, would definitely be nice after all the chocolate, bread and cheese that I've been eating over here in Europe. But this decision isn't a diet or a means to an end. It's a lifestyle choice that I want to make. And I think that most people would choose to make this decision as well if they did research into it. At first, I was thinking of just leading a vegetarian lifestyle, especially after re-watching the documentary Food Inc. But then I was noticing and watching more videos on YouTube of vegans advocating for the vegan lifestyle. And I must say, the more I learned the better it sounded. Being vegan not only benefits you, but also the planet as a whole. There are so many benefits that I couldn't not want to be a part of it. Then, I watched the documentary Earthlings. If you haven't seen this documentary, go see it. Though, I must warn you: it is extremely extremely graffic and disturbing. But, what I think is the most disturbing, it that the reason it is so shocking is because it doesn't hold back. It shows you exactly the truth of the meat and dairy industries and the horrors that they really are. Not only are animals that are being used as livestock leading terrible, torturous and shortened lives, but those who are producing milk, eggs and butter are as well. So, after seeing that documentary, I pretty much decided, yes I am doing this. And the rumors are all lies: you won't lead a deprived lifestyle on a vegan diet. You can eat as much as you want and you will take in a lot of calories. But these calories won't be coming from things that are harmful for your body or things that suffered and died for you to enjoy a scoop of ice cream that will only make you feel bloated and constipated later since dairy is bad on digestion. And here are the benefits of living a vegan lifestyle: 1. IT'S BETTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT It is believed that the amount of land/agriculture used to feed the animals that are used for slaughter or animal-based products uses more than that which we get out from the animals. So, basically, we are using water/crops/land to feed animals that give us less than they take. And we could use that land to plant crops for ourselves instead of force-feeding innocent animals to get fat and then be killed. 2. IT'S BETTER FOR THE ANIMALS I mean, obviously. Though, I'm not ignorant enough to think that my single act of becoming a vegan will change the lives of animals everywhere or put an end to the cruelty going on out there. I just can't keep participating in something so terrible without feel guilty for it anymore. But, let's say more and more people stop giving their money to the people who buy meat from these slaughter houses and dairy farms...perhaps if we spread the importance of living a vegan/vegetarian lifestyle, an impact might be made. 3. IT'S BETTER FOR YOUR BODY I could literally go on and on with the health benefits of becoming vegan. Yes, I hope that it will help me shed several unwanted pounds, but there is so much more than just weight loss when it comes to being vegan. For instance: - Stronger hair/nails - More energy - Better skin - It's been proven to reduce heart disease - Pretty much guilt-free (as long as you don't go overboard with fatty foods like nuts, oils etc.) - Most people on a vegan diet have near perfect blood tests - Helps prevent cancer - Helps eliminate body odor! - Helps with PMS/Migraines/Allergies - You are no longer consuming the antibiotics and hormones that are pumped into the meat we eat - YOU LIVE LONGER! 4. YOU BECOME A PART OF A COMMUNITY While sometimes the vegan community gets a bad rap about shaming those who chose not to participate in the lifestyle, there are a load of people out there writing blogs and making YouTube videos that just want to spread the love! Of course there are negative people. There are negative people who eat meat too and there are people who put those living vegan lifestyles down just as commonly. But living a vegan life is supposed to be about kindness and loving all living things. It's a peaceful way of life and there are people who truly embody it out there. And people in this community support each other and love to talk about new and interesting things about it, like new delicious recipes or positive vegan movements or companies. It's a pretty great world out there, and I would love to be able to help it as best I can. And I will just leave you with one quote that has stuck with me since watching Earthlings: "It has been said that if we had to slaughter our own food, almost everyone would be vegetarians." If anyone has questions, I would love to talk to you about it. I'm clearly new to it all and won't be "fully" vegan until I return to the United States (only because I rely on my host family to cook two meals a week, so I don't feel comfortable asking them to change what they make me) but I am learning more every day! Thank you for reading, Amanda Lucille 3/26/2015 0 Comments Why Do I Want To Walk 2,200 Miles?I have decided to take a break from all the school work that I have been doing this afternoon in order to write this blog post. For some time now I have been in the planning of one of my next great adventures: the hiking of the Appalachian Trail. Many people, including myself, were quite surprised with this sudden determination to walk 2,200 miles from Maine to Georgia. Especially since I had a pretty strong hatred for hiking throughout most of my childhood. I remember our many vacations to North Conway, NH - one of my favorite places in this world - that took place each summer during my childhood. We would spend our days there doing all the things one does in North Conway: mini golfing, eating Ben & Jerry's, relaxing at the condo's pool and, best of all, visiting Storyland and Santa's Village. It was heaven on Earth. Then, usually once in the whole week or so that we were there, my mother would say, "Ok, today we are going to go on a hike." This was usually met with groans from me and my siblings. We were all lazy, but my brother and sister were at least in some sort of shape. I was not. I am pretty positive that my mother chose the easiest hike that she could find within the White Mountains. Ones that the elderly could hike. But me, I could not. And I made sure that everyone else around me was suffering as much as me by complaining the whole time, being snippy and falling behind so that everyone would have to stop and wait for me constantly. This happened until I was probably 12 or so, when the vacations took a pause during my parents' divorce, picking up again when I was 17. This past summer, the Summer of 2014, I returned again to New Hampshire, having missed the summer before and in an unmatched excitement. I was in the best shape of my life. I was training for a triathlon and running 6 - 9 miles a day and going to the gym. I was dieting and thin and my legs were pure muscle. I was ready to hike, and actually excited for the first time in my life. This year we were to hike Mt. Washington, the highest peak in New England. In the back of my mind I was hesitant, but up for the challenge. That day changed my life. I didn't just enjoy the hike, I loved it. Every second of it. I felt so happy, so at peace the entire time. It was tiring, yes, and in total we spent about nine hours on the mountain (though, we did stop for lunch and exploring at the top as well as a visit to the museum) but it filled me with so much emotion. I knew right away that I wanted more. More and more and more and more. The views were spectacular. I felt truly and authentically happy. Something I don't think enough of us really experience more than a handful of times in their life. I thought to myself, yeah, I could stay here a while.
We came upon a hut during our treks, one that overnight hikers might use for shelter. It was there that I actually started asking about the AT. I had lived my whole life within driving distance of it, but hadn't given it more than a fleeting thought. Now, I was beginning to understand what these crazy people might be seeing in the idea of spending five to eight months hiking in the mountains. And it didn't seem crazy at all. Welcome to the greatest city on Earth. Or at least, the greatest I've been thus far in my travels. Last weekend, as many of you know if you follow me on Facebook since I was posting constantly about it, I traveled to Edinburgh, Scotland in the northern UK. First, let me say, yes. I traveled alone and, yes, I was a little nervous. But nothing, and I mean nothing, can compare to the horror that I faced getting to France in the middle of one of New England's worst snowstorms and having to deal with literally every possible thing go wrong. After I survived that, I knew that I could do anything. In addition, I was travelling to an English-speaking country and therefore I was really quite excited. I mean, not only are they English-speaking, but they also have extremely attractive accents. In addition, I have been learning that the more that I travel the less scary and more exciting it becomes. Just like the taste of coffee, it's an acquired taste. Edinburgh was one of the greatest places I have been to in the entire world. And here's a list as to why: 1. Everyone is friendly there, and I mean EVERYONE!! It's like Disneyworld there. 2. There is the big city feel but it's also surrounded by mountains and hills. And it's geographically very, very small. I walked everywhere there easily, no need to spend money on public transportation, except to bring me to the airport! And it wasn't too crowded either, very calm and peaceful in the mornings. 3. It's very clean! Not only do you get to feel close to nature with many gardens and the surrounding hills, but the city is much much cleaner than any other I've been to so far. I even saw a man run into a busy road one morning to fetch an empty soda bottle, then throw it away. Not kidding. 4. There is so much beautiful sightseeing to be done! 5. The food is fabulous! While, yes, the food here is Paris is also to die for, it's great getting to experience a new culture and see what they have to offer. And in the mornings everything smells so delicious! All the breakfast places cooking their breakfast meats and brewing coffee. I've never experienced an entire city smell like breakfast before. 6. Bookstores are everywhere! And, yes, they are in France. But these ones are all in English. 7. Did I mention they were so friendly? I was also lucky enough to meet my best friend, Kate, there, who was on a trip with her class. I spent all day Saturday with her. We went to Edinburgh Castle, had lunch at the cafe where J.K. Rowling wrote Harry Potter, visited the cemetery where apparently she got the names for many characters and spent time exploring the city. Then we went out for dinner afterwards and attempted a pub crawl as Edinburgh is famous for it's nightlife, though we ended up just getting a few drinks to split at two different places since all the others were so ridiculously crowded. It was an amazing weekend and one that I am eager to repeat. I just want to go back there and hike all those mountains!! (unfortunately it was really cold still when I went). I will be returning to Scotland, this time to hang out in St. Andrews, again in late April and just cannot wait. Have I found my future home? Only time can tell. Basically, I now think that nobody should live their life without visiting this amazing place. Thank you for reading, Amanda Lucille Song of the DayMaroon 5, "Sugar" Because, it's just awesome. 3/18/2015 0 Comments Paris Update: La Loire ValleyWelcome to HEAVEN! Sorry about the delay in this post. Turns out that when you are living and studying and travelling around Europe, time seems to just disappear out from under you. But, nonetheless, I desperately want to write about our recent trip to Loire Valley. We left for La Loire bright and early Saturday morning (the 7th of March) and took a two hour bus ride, during which sleeping seemed to be the preferred activity, arriving at our first chateau, Chenonceau, around 10 am. I have to say, stepping off that bus at Chenonceau was what I think it will feel like when I die and (hopefully) go to heaven. It's so beautiful it's difficult to describe. The chateau is that which Henry II once gave to his favorite mistress, Diane de Poitiers, who lived there until his death, after which Catherine de Medici demanded Diane return the chateau to herself and move elsewhere. I was heavenly, like stepping back in time, most of the rooms exactly the way that used to be when the royals were living there, with breathtaking gardens surrounding the entire thing and a river running underneath the chateau's extension. After our visit to Chenonceau, we boarded the bus once again and set off towards the Mushroom Caves in Bourre. This was, to say the least, a strange experience. Most of us were expecting to see a large cave with mushrooms growing out from the sides and ground. Turns out a mushroom cave is actually just a long, winding underground series of hallways that were left from when people would take the stone to build the chateaus and castles. After a lot of walking deeper and deeper into the caves. Finally our tour guide brought us to a room that was completely empty (and very cold) with a long line of platforms, out of which grew a few, tiny mushrooms. Hmm. A bit anti-climactic. We saw two other rooms of mushrooms, these growing out of boxes. WOW! But what really caught out attention was the adorable baby at the back of the tour group that kept making the cutest noises. On a positive note, we got to taste some mushroom cream afterwards. I know it sounds gross, but it's basically a puree spread over some toast, and was actually quite tasty. That night was spent at a hotel in Tours, a small city near Loire. I spent the evening going out for dinner with a group of friends, then having a nice conversation in rather stumbling french with one of our program directors. I settled in for a wonderful sleep and a lovely conversation with my roommate, whom I was glad to have ended up with as she was a delight and I loved getting to know her. The next morning we were up bight and early and, after gorging ourselves on the hotel's continental breakfast, we were back aboard the bus, peacefully slumbering with happy tummies, on our way to Amboise. I knew right away that Amboise was the place for me. A small town full of happy people and lots of nature! There was a huge market and small skating rink upon arrival (though it was very warm that day, I was sweating) and the town traveled up a large hill, topped with the beautiful royal palace. Everywhere there were people walking around with woven baskets, like what Dorothy would carry Toto in, full of bread and bouquets of flowers. It was amazing. I was in love.
Thank you for reading, Amanda Lucille Song of the DayNot sure why, but I'm currently obsessed with Howard Shore and the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit soundtrack. And so, naturally, I have also become obsessed with all the Billy Boyd songs. Enjoy. "The Last Goodbye" By Billy Boyd and Howard Shore 3/5/2015 0 Comments Paris 2015: One Month?!?!Well, I went to write this week's post (sorry I missed last week) and realized that it has been almost one month since I have touched down in France. I absolutely can NOT believe that. It's a strange feeling, studying abroad, and many of the other students agree on this point. I feel like I have don't almost a fraction of the things that I want to do while here and as though I have only been here for perhaps a week. But In another sense, I feel as though I have been here for months and months. I am comfortable riding the metro and trains, I have fallen into a pattern and rhythm. Plus, I've eaten enough bread for a year and really need to start working it off. That having been said, it's safe to say that this has been one of the most wonderful, exhausting, fantastic, eye-opening and adventurous month of my life. First off, I have to say that each day I am more and more glad for having chosen to live with a host family. These people are the sweetest, most loving people I think that I have ever met. They are always asking how my days are and teaching me more little tid-bits about life in France and we are all learning from each other about the differences between our cultures. It's great! Last night, I made my host family a traditional New England dinner. At first I wanted to make them my family's famous clam chowder, but apparently it's near impossible to find clams here, so I made a seafood chowder with mussels, crab, shrimp, cod and potatoes. It was still pretty fantastic. I also taught them to eat corn on the cob (which was also near impossible to find here) and they were so fascinated by how we ate it! Apparently corn on the cob is food for the pigs here and no one ever eats it like that. For dessert I made them apple crisp with ice cream, which once again they fell in love with! It's was so great being able to share a little bit of home with my host family and, at the same time, it felt nice having a bit of home myself. Another thing I've been doing here is sight-seeing. And a lot of it! Yesterday I went to the top of the Arc de Triomphe and saw the most beautiful view of Paris. Seriously, it was breathtaking. I've also visited the Eiffel Tower, The Louvre, Luxembourg Gardens (where I like to eat lunch right next to school!), Notre-Dame and MUCH MUCH MORE! This city is so beautiful and so historic, it's amazing. And it's all in the middle of people just going to and from work and school, driving around like it's no big deal. In the middle of a round-a-bout there will be a huge statue that is so beautiful you simply must stop and stare. Right there. Just in the middle of all this 21st century chaos. It's quite a trip. One of the most interesting things that I have seen thus far has got to be the Catacombs which spread all throughout the under ground of Paris, just full of bones upon bones upon bones. There are even sections where it seems that those who were building these, dare I say beautiful, tunnels became a tad bored with the redundancy of placing bones in the same, uniformed patterns and decided to switch it up a bit. Just upon entering these extensive crypts you will notice the skulls in the shape of a heart, then further on, in the shape of a church. It's simply breath taking. It might be a bit odd, but it truly took everything in me not to simply reach out and touch one of the skulls. I mean, these all used to be people. Walking, talking, breathing people. But not everything has been a walk in the park. For instance, I am STILL on the search for the perfect cafe to get a nice coffee and write. It's difficult because it's still rather cold so there aren't many welcoming terraces. And I judge the insides hard core. Plus, I often find a potential candidate online and then chicken out and don't feel cool enough or French enough to go inside. I think that I am just going to have to suck it up and deal with it one of these days. SCREW IT! I'll say. I DON'T CARE WHAT THESE STRANGERS THINK OF ME! I WANT TO WRITE DAMMIT! And then I will. I am also very so grateful for that amazing people that i have met here and the friends that I am making, but of course I miss all of you back in the States as well. MORE THAN YOU COULD POSSIBLY IMAGINE. It's difficult to be experiencing all of this and seeing all these incredible places, and the whole time be wishing that you were all here to experience it with me. Though, all in all, I am falling in love with travelling and can't wait to start exploring the rest of Europe - and doing more hiking! (I recently went on an adventure in the French wilderness and it was so beautiful!!! I need to get me some more of that!!) Until the next time. Thank you for reading, Amanda Lucille Song of the Day"Start a Fire" by Passenger One of the most amazing songs that just always makes me feel better no matter what kind of day I'm having. Enjoy. It's official, I have now been living in Paris for one entire week! Wait. Hold on. That can't possibly be right. I've definitely been here longer than that. Wait...no, it really has only been one week. ..... ..... ..... Woah. That's right, it may have been only seven days, but this past week has been one of the longest, stressful, exciting, and exhausting weeks of my life, both mentally and physically. As detailed in my last blog post, getting here was one of the scariest and most chaotic 15 hours of my life. But, voila, I have arrived safe and sound. There were a few moments where I honestly thought I wouldn't. Because I was coming in with all that stress already, it seemed to be even more difficult to begin settling into Paris life. Am I actually here? I kept asking myself. This can't really be it. I've been waiting all my life for something I already have. Yup, turns out a lot of Paris is very similar to New York City. Coming in from the Airport, I was brought through back roads, through the rather sketchy parts of Paris, full of trash, graffiti and poverty. The sections they forget to tell you about when you apply for the program or hear about the city from other people. Then I came to the hotel we stayed in for the first night, and it was in one of the more bustling sections of Paris. And it really does look similar to New York, except you can't understand anybody around you...which I guess is still not that different. The only difference is that New York streets make WAY MORE SENSE. Thank you for grids, New York! The next day though, I was picked up by my host mother and brought to my home stay. This is it. I thought. Now I will really get to see what French life is like and here is where the real adventure begins! My room was great and the cat was really friendly and out going and my host mother was very, very friendly. So I figured, I was in luck and that it would be an amazing first week. And while, yes, it was surely a week to remember, I forgot one thing: AWKWARDNESS. This first week was one of the most uncomfortable of my entire life. Not only was I in a city the size of New York when I'm used to the woods and of Worcester County, and not only was I in a country half way across the world where I can barely communicate with any of the people, but I was also living in a stranger's home. I didn't know how much I should stay in my room and out of their way vs how much I should interact with the family. When I was with them, I didn't know what to say since I can barely speak French and only my host mother really speaks English. I didn't know where I could go or sit or stand or drink or eat. In the end, most of my first few days I spent my time at home in my room talking to my friends and family back at home and longed with all my heart to just be back with them where I was comfortable or that I had chosen to stay in an apartment with all the other Americans in my program. But this is an adventure, and it's not supposed to be comfortable all the time. Plus, I found relief in knowing that the other student who were in a home-stay were also suffering from the same awkward experience. But as time went on, I began to become more comfortable with my host family: Serge, Veronique and Liam. And now, I truly feel lucky to have such a nice family and home. They are all so full of love and joy all the time. They are by far some of the kindest and genuine people I have ever met. Serge and Veronique are so madly in love I makes my heart hurt to have meals with them and watch them stare into each others eyes, like there is no one else in the world. After meals sometimes they put on music and we all dance around and do the dishes together while singing. On the weekends they all wake up slowly, eating breakfast in bed and playing the piano softly while sipping their coffees. It's so serene and such a positive atmosphere. I truly feel blessed. And while there is still a little bit of awkwardness, especially with the word barrier which can lead to some very awkward and stumbling conversations (one of which Serge and I just had), we laugh and let the moment pass on. BUT THERE'S MORE! Because, obviously my home-stay is just merely where I live. Turns out, most of Paris does not look like New York City. I know, crazy right?! You just got to get out of the highly populated, commercial and residential areas and into the historic and beautifully kept up areas. Such as the Arrondissements along the Seine river. It's like a whole new world, full of art, romance, and age old beauty. It is truly a sight to behold. And on beautiful sunny days, sitting in the parks and walking by these castles, I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. I have seen and done so much in just these past few days and know that there is so much more to do! I have explored Versailles, visited the Eiffel Tour, seen a sliver of the art in the Louvre and gone on a boat tour of the Seine. Tomorrow will see a visit to Notre-Dame and the Eiffel Tour once again since it's just such a sight. And I simply cannot wait to spend my Thursday afternoons exploring the Louvre and reading in some of this country's most beautiful places. All in all, this week has seen a roller-coaster of emotions and each night I sleep like I just ran a marathon, but I am starting to get a feel for the rhythm of the life here and can already feel my French comprehension beginning to improve! Until next time! Thank you for reading, Amanda Lucille Song of the Day"Papaoutai"by Stromae This is one of the French singers that my host family introduced me to, and I LOVE HIM! Everyone should give him a listen! 2/11/2015 1 Comment And So It Begins...Well, I have officially arrived in Paris. And it was no easy task!
Of course, my flight had to be during one of the largest and longest snowstorms this season, because why make it easy, right? So I ended up having to find a new flight itinerary since my original one ended up being cancelled. It caused my arrival time to be pushed back by a couple of hours, but I had hoped that I would still be able to meet the API group on time before they left. Well, that hope was thrown out the window when I sat IN THE PLANE for more than five hours before we finally took off. That's right. OVER FIVE HOURS!!! We were supposed to take off by 7:45 pm and we took off the runway around 1:15 in the morning and flew for about 6 and a half hours. And the whole time, all 12ish hours we were contained in the tiny airplane seat. By the time we touched down at the London Heathrow Airport, I had missed my flight by about three hours. Unfortunately, the new layover I was issued as I got off of the plane was leaving in about 50 minutes. Which meant the gate was closing in about 30. Excuse me?!?! I had to go to the OTHER SIDE OF THE AIRPORT, go down two very slow escalators, take a train two stops, go back up two very slow escalators, go through two rounds of security, go back to the other side of the airport and all before the gates closed. Oh, and while carrying a huge carry-on that was definitely over sized and extremely heavy since it was full of books and shoes, as well as my "purse" which was also full of books and making my shoulder burn from it's weight. I made it onto the plane - though, after they had announced the gate was closed - and fell into my seat, sweating and thirsty and sad that I didn't get to stick around to hear all the amazing accents. Upon arriving in Paris, I found my way to the baggage claim, having missed the API meet-up group by three plus hours and knowing I would have to take the dreaded taxi. Unfortunately, to add to my worrying, my bag didn't appear on the conveyor for my flight. So I stood there sad and alone, took a deep breath, and went to the desk to inform them of what had happened. I was afraid they would be upset that I was unable to speak French, but the man at the desk in front of me was wearing a cowboy hat, so I figured I was good. I was informed by the man at the desk that my luggage was still in London and that it was being shipped over on the next available flight. It was to be delivered to my hotel that evening. I had a hard time believing him, but to my surprise, I went to the desk this morning and it had in fact been delivered. So that was a little light in all of this awfulness. I spent my first day (well, more like night) in Paris, listening to what I was able to make of the Safety Orientation (I ended up being an hour late after spending a LOT of money on a cab) and then using the metro for the first time. Unfortunately, our program directors had brought us all to the API office to show us where it was and what it looked like, but then they said, "Ok, that's the end of today's orientation. You're free to go." This prompted us all to look around at each other in a panic, and wonder who am I supposed to go with? I'm certainly not walking back alone, so I need to find someone to pair up with. Why are they leaving us to fend for ourselves? We've only been in this city for a few hours! And all we've seen of it was that hotel conference room and the short trip here! Honestly, I just wanted to go back to the hotel room and sleep, but I didn't want people to think I was unsocial, so I ended up grabbing a sandwich with two others from the program and taking it back to the hotel to eat it. Unfortunately we got extremely lost getting back to the hotel and by the time we found our way back to the metro and got back on then back off at the place we'd started at then tried a new route back to the hotel, my panini was pretty cold, but somehow still so delicious. At the end of the night I wound up passing out completely with my head at the wrong side of the bed and my tablet still in my hand and towel still on my head. My roommate attempted to wake me up when she came home, but it was a lost case. I woke up five hours later disoriented, set my alarm, got into bed properly and fell back asleep. I have never felt such jet-lag in my entire life. The morning consisted of retrieving my baggage, eating breakfast and trying not to have a panick attack. I met my host mother, Mme Marco Veronique, and soon was at home, getting settled in. And thus begins this very big adventure. Thank you for reading, Amanda Lucille 1/2/2015 0 Comments What's With The New Set up?I have decided to give my blog a makeover for multiple reasons. First, I had created this blog as a sort of year-long project, which I entitled "Project365". I had intended to post once a day for an entire year in order to get myself writing. Instead, I absolutely did not post once a day. At first I was doing great, for the first several months. But then life got in the way as it often does. Towards the end, I was posting once a month instead. But, looking back, I think that it went great. When I did post, it wasn't forced nor was it just meaningless babble. It was something that I actually wanted to say. Like right now. I didn't force it upon myself and, because of this, I loved writing in my blog, and it seemed that many people loved reading it. So, I have decided to keep going with it. I thought about maybe starting over, making an entirely new blog that isn't called Project365, since it doesn't really have any relevance anymore. But then I thought that I would keep writing on this page. Project365 is what got me started blogging, and I think that it's a nice way to honor what I had started out doing. Secondly: Why have a called it "One More Chapter"? This small sentence is a cherished one. I used to spend every night laying in my father's large, soft bed, enjoying the comforting embrace of the expensive, white comforter with my younger sister as he lay next to us, reading. The tradition started out with my brother, with whom, my father read such books as Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. I used to sit during these sometimes, wishing that I could read such "advanced" and "challenging" books since I was usually read Amelia Bedelia and Honey Bunny Funny Bunny. Which were great, don't get me wrong, but I was read them in my own bed, and we could read the entire book in one sitting. My brother's took several nights, or at times several weeks, to finish. Soon it came my turn. We would lay in bed and listen to my father do the voices of all the characters, and it was heaven. Finally I was reading the big kid books. We read all the Harry Potter books (which meant my father had to re-read the first few since he'd already done so with my brother), the Eragon books, and my favorite, A Series of Unfortunate Events. My father would read for what am assuming was about an hour, maybe a bit less (my sense of time as a child was pretty pathetic) and then say something along the lines of "Alright, that seems like a good place to stop." Immediately he would receive please from my sister and I (and at times, my brother, if he hadn't read the book already). After enough whining he would always give in, scan to check how many pages were in the next section and say, "Alright, one more chapter." These nighttime readings with my father are the reason for my love of reading, the reason for my love of story-telling and the reason I am writing at this very moment. So, hence the name of this blog: One More Chapter. Here's to a year of exciting and inspiring things to write about! Thank you for reading, Amanda Lucille Song of the DayRiding to New York by Passenger 1/1/2015 0 Comments My 15 for 2015So, as I mentioned in a post recently, I started this blog on December 31st last year with my 14 goals for 2014. I think that I did a fair job considering what I aimed to do and where I ended up. This year I want to do the same thing, giving myself 15 goals for 2015. Hopefully this year I will return more frequently to this as a reminder of what I set out to do so that I can make even more of my goals. So here it is: 1. Write a full screenplay - this is something I have been kind of tinkering with for a while. I have been writing more and more complete stories lately. Some a absolute rubbish (another word that I always say with a British accent in my mind) and others have some potential to be something with a little time and effort. I have been writing down many of ideas for SPEC scripts and even original shorts, but I really want to bunker down and write a feature length script that I am really proud of so that I have something tucked away for that perfect moment. 2. Create more videos - I am a film student, and this should be a no-brainer. No matter whether it is a small project for a friend or family matter or something scripted to keep for my portfolio, I want to be working and creating. It's not something that should actually need to be on this list since, in my opinion, I don't really have a choice in the matter. 3. Take a risk - I put this on my list for last year and I can't really think of any time where I really did this. I want to do it and I want to do it right, not just taking an overwhelming class load. I want to take a risks that adds to my life experience, that has the potential to lead to something great. That is worth the risk. And I think that this year will provide many of these opportunities. 4. Get back to the healthy person I was - as most know, I have been letting the healthy-eating priority start to slip a bit and I think it is one of the main causes of any present unhappiness in my life. When I was eating right, I just felt right. I felt better and happier and my skin was like a baby's bottom. Now I'v got my muffin top back and my face is covered in acne. 5. Have an affair with a European boy - Sorry Dad, but I'm not sure when the next time is that i will be living in Europe. So this one is just something for me. Plus, I'm sure it will enhance the quality of my writing...right? 6. Finish a full-length novel - Ok, even I know that this is a stretch. But I figured that putting it on my list might give me a bit of motivation to get back to it. Though, we'll see what happens once I'm overseas and using all my free time to experience the world. Part of me pictures myself spending Sunday mornings at a local cafe typing away and sipping on one of the greatest (and daintiest) coffees I've ever had. The other part of me is saying, shut up, your a fucking idiot and your life isn't an Audrey Hepburn movie. 7. Build my network/continue to stay in touch with those who are already a part of it - This is a big part of what I will be doing at the Cannes Film Festival, but I also need to work with those that I made in LA and I hope to expand even more when I move to New York. Boring for you, but important to me. 8. Meet someone I admire - This one doesn't seem completely in my control, but I think that there might be times this year where I can initiate it's potential. And I mean more than just hello. I mean a full-on conversation with said person. Whether it be Ed Sheeran, Ellen DeGeneres, M. Night Shyamalan, Jennifer Lawrence or the people that own the mansion down the street, it doesn't really matter to me. 9.Make a difference in someone's life - this is open-ended and similar to my "pay it forward" goal of last year. But I think that if I spend an entire year without reaching out to help those around me, then what was the point? Aren't we all on this planet together? We might as well help each other out now and then, right? 10. Stop waiting for someone else to make the first move - this might be a bit personal, and it's pretty self explanatory, so I'll leave it at that. 11. Come back home - By this I mean not to forget where I came from. To come back and visit the people who have gotten me to the point that I am at in my life. To visit my grandparents, whom have been a huge support of my recent life choices, Chickee's Dance World, which has made me into the woman I am today, Camp Harrington and the people I met there, which might not be in operation anymore, but will always be my home. 12. Take a minute to breathe - this is something I always have had trouble with. I tend to be go, go, go until I just break suddenly and spend a day crying and eating ice cream or just make myself sick (which has actually happened and I was sent home from work early because I kept claiming that I was dying...). This year, I need to start making more time for myself, my physical health, and most importantly my emotional health. 13. Stop caring so much what everyone thinks of me - this is always going to be a work in progress. Not I nor anyone else in the world will ever completely stop caring what others think of us. That is actually the Oxford Dictionary Definition for the word "Chaos". We'd be picking our noses in public and dying in fiery car accidents. But hopefully I can find a good place where I care just enough, and not in the rather debilitating amount of care I seem to be dealing with currently. 14. Tell someone I love them - I never been in love before. I might have thought so when I was younger and even the slightest bit of feeling toward someone was all-consuming and life-altering. But looking back I know that I have never and still don't love anyone (excluding family and friends, of course) and I think it's about time that this changes. Though there are many other factors that come into play, most of which I don't have time to discuss currently, I think that such a goal is definitely possible. 15. Live a life worth writing about - If I can't fill five books with things to say about what happens in 2015, I haven't done it right. So...What's your 15 for 2015? Thanks for reading, Amanda Lucille Song of the dayLove Rage On by Nizlopi a awesome little British band, Check 'em out! |
About This Blog:I started this blog as a way to challenge myself to write more over the 2014 year, but it has blossomed into so much more than that. I use it to let people in on what's happening in my life, talk about things I find important and to spread the news about amazing people, places and art. Archives
November 2017
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