You are looking at posts that were written on March 2nd, 2008.
Posted on March 2nd, 2008 by bmgray.
Categories: Uncategorized.
I am shocked to hear that the rest of the world really believes that we eat hamburgers and fries everyday! I knew that these foods were always associated with Americans, but still thought that people knew that we eat other foods! We had an international dinner last week in the International building on campus and everyone brought a dish from their country. My friend Grace and I made mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes, they were a big hit! There are students here from everywhere…more than I thought! Mexico, Lebanon, Czech Republic, Poland, Colombia, Uruguay, all European countries and more! The food was so fun to try! My favorite was the food from Mexico and South America! (Real Mexican food like Chicken with Mole). We have such a bad reputation with the rest of the world it is unbelievable. Every time my other American friends here and I meet someone and tell them that we are American they are constantly surprised that we are not fat, loud, and unable to carry on a conversation about anything besides Paris Hilton’s latest hairstyle. Another Spanish student that I met who is planning on studying the United States has been constantly warned that when he is studying in United States he shouldn’t be offended when everyone just assumes he is Mexican because he speaks Spanish. He has been told that Americans are unaware that any other country speaks Spanish besides Mexico. He said his friend was asked in the United States, “Oh, you’re from Spain? That’s in Mexico? How do you feel about the immigration policies here?”…..qué horror! My other roommate from France asked me “Do you even know who the president of France is?” He was astonished that I knew because he said that every American he had asked here in Spain had no idea. The only reason I know is because of Mathilde. The news here in Europe is constantly showing international events. How are we supposed to know anything when CNN in the U.S. is constantly updating us on Britney Spears and celebrity D.U.I’s. Our reputation really infuriates me…I don’t know if I can hear anything else about the United States! I know I will.
Paris was a blast! When I arrived Mathilde met me at the airport and we went directly to the Louvre to see it lit up at night. Later we met her friends who are studying in Paris and made dinner. The next day we woke up and went to see the Eiffel tower, Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe, and other tourist spots. We ate lunch at a little restaurant overlooking the Eiffel tower. Afterwards we took the train to Montmartre (where Amelie was filmed) and sat outside the Basilica of the Sacré Cœur listening to some guys from Mexico sing for two hours. That night we went to a get together at her friends apartment and then went to bed. The next day we went to the Louvre. It is so big you can’t possibly see everything in one day! It was fun to see a lot of the 19th century paintings that we studied in Dr. Braysmith’s class. We walked around that afternoon with two of her friends and went to Notre Dame and other beautiful streets. That night we ate dinner at her friend from Spains apartment. He made us dinner and then we went to a bar near his place. It was an interesting night because there was a huge language barrier. Mathilde and Raul spoke French, Raul and I spoke Spanish, and Mathilde and I spoke English. There was always someone out of the conversation!
My classes are really driving me crazy! They keep changing the schedules and canceling classes! I feel so out of it. I need to talk to my professors but they are never in their offices when they say they will be. Today I will try to send an e-mail. For example Tuesday. One of my classes was canceled all week and the teacher is going to recuperate the hours next week. After class I went to the computer lab to print my book list but my I.D card wasn’t working so I couldn’t use the computer. I had to walk 20 minutes to the International building in another part of town and meet with my coordinator for ISEP. He “fixed” the card and when I went back to campus it didn’t work again! In between this time I had been constantly trekking up and down the stairs in the building where the professors have their offices attempting to talk with them about what on earth we are supposed to be doing in our classes. I was finally able to meet with my adviser and she asks me “So, do you have the schedule for the classes yet? Do you have any idea of what you would like to take?” I am thinking “Yes! I’ve had my schedule written out and I’ve been memorizing it for the past 4 weeks! Classes have already been in session two weeks!”. They are so laid back here! Afterwards I had to find the I.D. office and have them fix my I.D. so I could have my list. Finally it worked…but then the printer was out of paper! Afterwards I found my books in the library and went home to take a long siesta. I hope I begin to understand what I need to do!
My new roommate from Italy arrived Thursday night. She is a super sweet girl named Rosaria from Sicily. One night she is going to make a typical Italian meal! I am excited to try her food! She also made me an orange salad that she eats in a lot in Italy. Thomas and I have been getting along very well… he is hilarious. Friday night I went out with Grace (U.S), Ron (Scotland) and Luis (Colombia). We went to a bar and hung out for awhile. The Colombian kept trying to get us to say tongue twisters in Spanish. He told me I spoke Spanish like a French girl and I really need to work on my R’s! haha. Afterwards Roberto (Spain) met up with us and we went to another bar. I have been hanging out with him a lot he is a great guy and is helping me a lot with my Spanish. It really helps that he doesn’t speak English because I can’t really resort back to English when I can’t think of something. I have to describe it in Spanish until he can tell me the exact word. Yesterday Rosaria, Grace, Quentin (Belgium-french part) and I went to the beach for the day. We packed a picnic of fruit and bread and just sat on the beach for hours. It was to cold to wear a bathing suit but it was nice to be by the sea and relax. Today I have to do some reading for my classes. Tonight we are going to meet and go to a movie The other Boleyn sister? I think that is what it is called…in Spanish “Las hermanas bolena”. =)