Bienvenue, Weekend!

It's a Friday night in Ambialet and I am celebrating the weekend by watching Julie & Julia with some of the crew. I'm loving this because:
A. I'm in France watching a movie that [partially] takes place in France. I walked the same Parisian streets as the infamous Julia did just two weeks ago.
B. One of the two stars of this movie is Amy Adams, whose role in Enchanted seems to have given reason for people to serenade me as I wait on their tables back in The States.
C. The movie is based on Julie's attempt to complete all of the recipes in Julia Child's cookbook in just one year and publish an account of her experience in an online blog. In many regards, her experimental blogging is precisely what I'm trying to do. And just like Julie, I find pleasure in knowing that you (whoever you are, wherever you are) are taking the time to read this right now!

The Julie/Julia Project


Julia Child's kitchen in the American History Museum. Taken during a trip to D.C. with my best friend in August 2009, I knew this picture would come in handy someday.

P.S. The movie just got better. "A Bushel and a Peck" is being played in the background.
P.P.S. "A Bushel and a Peck" was my first favorite song ever.

And we're off!

Today the group is en route to Paris! It will be about a ten hour or so drive to get there, but it will all be worth it because those who opted to drive will be detouring at Le Chateau d'Usse (aka: Sleeping Beauty's castle)! In fact, I'm supposed to be downstairs with all my things in just ten minutes!


We will be in Paris until the end of next week, when a few other students and I will be heading to Roma (happy shriek!) for our mid-semester break. Since I won't have much time to keep in touch with everyone during these next few weeks, I have decided to temporarily deactivate my facebook account.

xoxo

P.S. Don't worry, Mom, I'll send you an email to let you know we're safe in Paris as soon as I get the chance!

Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds

Hello my Jolly Good Friends!
This evening we leave for London for our long weekend and I am beside myself with excitement. I have wanted to visit this city since the days I obsessed over "Peter Pan," "The Parent Trap," and "What a Girl Wants."

This week, I have been incessantly listening to the Beatles, U2 (technically from Dublin but pretty close to Great Britain), and even some Elton John just to get ready. You should also know that a few of us have lately made up this wonderful game in which we quote the Beatles whenever possible. My favorite phrase as of yesterday is "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds."

Just imagine all the stories I'll have to tell when I return!

Sainte François d'Assise

In honor of St. Francis' feast day, we visited Notre Dame de la Drêche, a gorgeous Franciscan church close to Albi. The friars invited our class to a beautiful Mass which was followed by a delightful reception attended by our group as well as a number of the church's regular parishoners. After a large lunch, SFU was given the VIP tour of the church, which included a special trip up to the bell tower. I played Twinkle Twinkle Little Star on the church bells and felt a little bit like Quasimodo!

Bonjour!

I have finally made it to my new home in Ambialet, France! It's a wee bit early here (3:45 am) but that doesn't matter because, well, it's France. Thankfully classes don't start until Thursday morning so I'll have some extra time to adjust to the jet lag. I haven't even been here for twenty-four hours but I am already more than excited to post pictures of my (very own) room and its windows. You know at the beginning of Beauty and the Beast when everyone is singing “Bonjour” and opening their windows with the double shutters? That is what my windows are like!

Much more to come very soon. xoxo