Wow! Is it April already? Happy National Poetry Month =)
Despite my crazy schedule and barely having any time to myself at all, I am still going to try to complete the poem-a-day challenge. I will warn you in advance: these poems will be rough and uncrafted. I will be happy if I get five could-have-been-broken-better lines down a day. Honestly, the goal for me this year is going to be to write a little every day and make sure I don't spend so long writing poems that I don't get my school work done.
No translations this year, folks. I may be better equipped to execute them, but that takes hella time, so no.
Wish me luck! And if you are playing along, Writer's Digest has some challenges up for the month.
02 April, 2012
26 March, 2012
missing words and the zoo
I discovered today that my dictionary is missing pages 467-546, that is everything between "légende" and "nirvana." To clarify, I can not verify spelling or gender of any words in between. I found this out in the middle of a written exam when I desperately needed to confirm the gender of the word "logique."
WIN
Heard during my "Stuck in New Jersey" activity with the high schoolers (the idea is that their car breaks down in NJ and they have to think of fun ways to pass 4 days in Atlantic City except they can't agree with each other):
A: We are not going to see Britney Spears. We have to go to the zoo and we can see the tiger.
E: But Britney is a tiger. We must go see her show.
P: No, E. Britney is a cougar.
My students = on their games.
*Update: I got the gender right! Take that, dictionary with missing pages!
24 March, 2012
worth a thousand words
i took this photo of my pretty spring flowers to send to T, but then i really looked at it, and it turns out you can tell a lot about a person's life from what is in their room! i've been here six months today, let's talk about what i have accumulated.
i. flowers: every flower has a story behind it. i got them as a gift when i left the spring roller skating event last night. it was so much fun! kids and their parents and the generally unbalanced falling down everywhere. one dude almost fell and then caught himself on his hands and did five push-ups. one dad tumbled over his kid and did a somersault. i also had the pleasure of going skating with my roommate B who had never done it before. so fun to help her get out there and watch her take off!
ii. empty wine bottle flower vase: the tulips were a special gift that only i got, i think because i offered to buy one of the pots of flowers before i realized there were crates of them at the exit as gifts. guess they thought i was nice. and as for the vase, i'm broke and in france. what do you want?
iii. an anais poster. EEEEPPP!! my favorite french singer, been listening to her for the past four years and i can't believe i actually get to see her in concert. and on WEDNESDAY!!!
iv. my new jersey sticker on the wall. miss it.
v. the buneke's valentine from last year! one of the best i ever got. they always pull out all the stops those ladies.
vi. my immense university binder full of work that i should be doing right now. five exams this week and a presentation to prepare. eeffffff.
vii. if the flowers weren't enough to show you, and you look really really closely, you can see my heavy blanket rolled up on the chair, meaning not on my bed, meaning SPRING IS HERE!!!
i. flowers: every flower has a story behind it. i got them as a gift when i left the spring roller skating event last night. it was so much fun! kids and their parents and the generally unbalanced falling down everywhere. one dude almost fell and then caught himself on his hands and did five push-ups. one dad tumbled over his kid and did a somersault. i also had the pleasure of going skating with my roommate B who had never done it before. so fun to help her get out there and watch her take off!
ii. empty wine bottle flower vase: the tulips were a special gift that only i got, i think because i offered to buy one of the pots of flowers before i realized there were crates of them at the exit as gifts. guess they thought i was nice. and as for the vase, i'm broke and in france. what do you want?
iii. an anais poster. EEEEPPP!! my favorite french singer, been listening to her for the past four years and i can't believe i actually get to see her in concert. and on WEDNESDAY!!!
iv. my new jersey sticker on the wall. miss it.
v. the buneke's valentine from last year! one of the best i ever got. they always pull out all the stops those ladies.
vi. my immense university binder full of work that i should be doing right now. five exams this week and a presentation to prepare. eeffffff.
vii. if the flowers weren't enough to show you, and you look really really closely, you can see my heavy blanket rolled up on the chair, meaning not on my bed, meaning SPRING IS HERE!!!
15 March, 2012
10 things i learned/ remembered/ otherwise thought about this week
1. eating pizza hut to celebrate pi day is a good idea. eating FIVE slices because you are excited and nostalgia ridden is not.
2. my european friends aren't into pi day like i am. it's normal, since they don't write the date the way we do in the USA and there's no 31st of april. thank god whit is american and i had someone to celebrate with.
3. i got a 20/20 on my contrôle in compréhension orale! this means i will probably fail miserably on the compte rendu tomorrow. life is all about balance.
4. i have 10 to-do lists piled on my desk, just from this week. i keep gettng things done and realizing they are not even on my list, so i don't even get the satisfaction of ticking off a line item. please tell me other people do this.
5. people who live in a wet normand town really, really appreciate beautiful weather (i did too and ate lunch on the castle lawn today)
6. i am coming home in 13 weeks. i am happy and sad about this fact.
7. my students make me want to teach more and more every day.
8. i have not had a day without anything to do in a very long time. this is equal parts amazing and stressful.
9. OMG KINDER BUENO IS AMAZING and i really should never eat another one of those.
10. i should not have written this blog post because i have so so so much homework and sleep would be nice tonight.
2. my european friends aren't into pi day like i am. it's normal, since they don't write the date the way we do in the USA and there's no 31st of april. thank god whit is american and i had someone to celebrate with.
3. i got a 20/20 on my contrôle in compréhension orale! this means i will probably fail miserably on the compte rendu tomorrow. life is all about balance.
4. i have 10 to-do lists piled on my desk, just from this week. i keep gettng things done and realizing they are not even on my list, so i don't even get the satisfaction of ticking off a line item. please tell me other people do this.
5. people who live in a wet normand town really, really appreciate beautiful weather (i did too and ate lunch on the castle lawn today)
6. i am coming home in 13 weeks. i am happy and sad about this fact.
7. my students make me want to teach more and more every day.
8. i have not had a day without anything to do in a very long time. this is equal parts amazing and stressful.
9. OMG KINDER BUENO IS AMAZING and i really should never eat another one of those.
10. i should not have written this blog post because i have so so so much homework and sleep would be nice tonight.
08 March, 2012
Student win, an anniversary, and an addiction
Student Win
This week I had my students work on the Proust Questionnaire - a 35 question exercise to get them talking in class. I told them to give me super-long Proust-like answers. This is speaking class! One word responses will not do!!
Me (to student): Who is your hero?
Student: Tyler Durden.
Me: (annoyed face because clearly this is not a long Proust-y answer)
Student: I would like to give you more information about this, but the first rule about fight club is I can't talk about fight club.
Instant chouchou status.
An Anniversary
Yesterday T and I celebrated one year together with a date in front of the Skypes wherein we ate dinner together by candlelight and then talked about grammar for an hour, especially the differences between "who," "that," and "which," and whether or not animals can be "who" too. He is so perfect for me.
An Addiction
I should never have asked the post if it is true that I can send books home for a reduced price. It is true. 5 kilos for 13 euros. I now have 10 kilos of books and will probably be visiting the Memoranda religiously. Already three times in less than a week! This is the mother of all used book stores. I am telling you, it's like DR's apartment. Stacks of books so big and vast you could make furniture out of them. Grammar books, dictionaries, classics, poetry, I even saw Stephen King's "ça" in a pile on the floor!
This week I had my students work on the Proust Questionnaire - a 35 question exercise to get them talking in class. I told them to give me super-long Proust-like answers. This is speaking class! One word responses will not do!!
Me (to student): Who is your hero?
Student: Tyler Durden.
Me: (annoyed face because clearly this is not a long Proust-y answer)
Student: I would like to give you more information about this, but the first rule about fight club is I can't talk about fight club.
Instant chouchou status.
An Anniversary
Yesterday T and I celebrated one year together with a date in front of the Skypes wherein we ate dinner together by candlelight and then talked about grammar for an hour, especially the differences between "who," "that," and "which," and whether or not animals can be "who" too. He is so perfect for me.
An Addiction
I should never have asked the post if it is true that I can send books home for a reduced price. It is true. 5 kilos for 13 euros. I now have 10 kilos of books and will probably be visiting the Memoranda religiously. Already three times in less than a week! This is the mother of all used book stores. I am telling you, it's like DR's apartment. Stacks of books so big and vast you could make furniture out of them. Grammar books, dictionaries, classics, poetry, I even saw Stephen King's "ça" in a pile on the floor!
03 March, 2012
saturday i'm in love
best week(end) ever is back, and it's only saturday. on the quick, a recap.
-yesterday, since my douchenozzle grammar professor established early in the semester that she's not going to teach us said subject, the nerd grammarian in me took herself to the used bookstore (caen is known for having lots of them) and bought exercise booklets in grammar, conjugation, and spelling!!
(i promise, the rest of the weekend is more exciting for those of you who don't find the self-teaching of grammar titilating)
-this morning i fell down my own stairs and didn't break my ankle. win.
-today included lots and lots of walking around caen, no earbuds, appreciating the beauty of doing errands in such a nice city.
*the most exciting of those errands was buying my ticket to munich!!! june 1st will be very very sad, as it is the day i am leaving caen, but at least i can look forward to an awesome last week in europe.
-this evening sylvia showed me how to make some bavarian recipes including knoedel (bread dumplings), mushroom sauce, and a very yummy salad.
-i finally saw the artist. go see it. so, so, so good.
-and finally, i am now ending my day by chatting T about all the movies we are going to watch when i am home. i'm so high on this beautiful little thing called life.
-yesterday, since my douchenozzle grammar professor established early in the semester that she's not going to teach us said subject, the nerd grammarian in me took herself to the used bookstore (caen is known for having lots of them) and bought exercise booklets in grammar, conjugation, and spelling!!
(i promise, the rest of the weekend is more exciting for those of you who don't find the self-teaching of grammar titilating)
-this morning i fell down my own stairs and didn't break my ankle. win.
-today included lots and lots of walking around caen, no earbuds, appreciating the beauty of doing errands in such a nice city.
*the most exciting of those errands was buying my ticket to munich!!! june 1st will be very very sad, as it is the day i am leaving caen, but at least i can look forward to an awesome last week in europe.
-this evening sylvia showed me how to make some bavarian recipes including knoedel (bread dumplings), mushroom sauce, and a very yummy salad.
-i finally saw the artist. go see it. so, so, so good.
-and finally, i am now ending my day by chatting T about all the movies we are going to watch when i am home. i'm so high on this beautiful little thing called life.
01 March, 2012
hello, march!
march came a little late this year, cause yesterday we had a little gift from the gods called leap year. among other ambitions, i want to start a lobby to make leap year a national holiday. actually, that probably already exists. when the fates give you an extra day once every four years, the last thing we should be doing is working!
speaking of ambitions, let's do a five-month check in on my goal progress!
1. Get healthy physically, mentally, spiritually: Getting there! I did a cleanse a while back that really balanced me out. I'm working yoga back into my schedule and now that it's nice out I can start running again! I've also been ab-ripping like a champ.
2. Run 5k nonstop by March (the 3k track is literally right outside my door): Officially failed. Because there's no way I'm going to be able to do this in 31 days. I'm going to revise this to the end of May.
3. Find yoga and do it at least weekly - I was on the wagon for a bit, but I fell off again =( But all is not lost! See number one.
4. Eat seasonally: Success! So much easier here.
5. See Germany: Going to Volksfest in May!
6. See south of France: Not sure this is going to happen. I think Giverny may be as far south as I can get. I had to budget and prioritize. The south has always been my dream to see, but I just couldn't make it work.
7. Perfect my french: On my way! Classes have been helping incredibly.
8. Cut down dairy/sugar consumption: Yes and yes. Dairy has been easiest to reduce, and sugar has been slow and steady.
9. Write poems weekly: Still unsuccessful. Lots of inspiration, but now I need to set aside time to actually write!
10. Try other forms of writing/arts: Got crafty on V-Day and am getting back into the book-making scene.
11. Create lessons that I can use later as a teacher: Coming along handsomely!
12. Save money: See south of france. I've made a budget and am sticking to it.
13. Make awesome friends (already cracking away at this one!): Done and done.
14. Talk to family as often as possible: No trouble there.
15. Translate some French poems: Been really focused on reading them, will translate when I'm inspired.
16. Complete National Poetry Month in April (write a poem a day): I don't know how this is going to be possible, but I'ma give it my best go!
17. Volunteer: Unfortunately, this one is gonna have to be let go. Well, unless you count the free English lessons I give to some of my friends!
18. Complete advanced degree of french studies: Immersed in classes right now, and when I finish I will have not one but two degrees!
19. Handmake Christmas presents: Executed and well-received!
So, getting there, though I've had some steep hills along the way. Is that even an expression?
speaking of ambitions, let's do a five-month check in on my goal progress!
1. Get healthy physically, mentally, spiritually: Getting there! I did a cleanse a while back that really balanced me out. I'm working yoga back into my schedule and now that it's nice out I can start running again! I've also been ab-ripping like a champ.
2. Run 5k nonstop by March (the 3k track is literally right outside my door): Officially failed. Because there's no way I'm going to be able to do this in 31 days. I'm going to revise this to the end of May.
3. Find yoga and do it at least weekly - I was on the wagon for a bit, but I fell off again =( But all is not lost! See number one.
4. Eat seasonally: Success! So much easier here.
5. See Germany: Going to Volksfest in May!
6. See south of France: Not sure this is going to happen. I think Giverny may be as far south as I can get. I had to budget and prioritize. The south has always been my dream to see, but I just couldn't make it work.
7. Perfect my french: On my way! Classes have been helping incredibly.
8. Cut down dairy/sugar consumption: Yes and yes. Dairy has been easiest to reduce, and sugar has been slow and steady.
9. Write poems weekly: Still unsuccessful. Lots of inspiration, but now I need to set aside time to actually write!
10. Try other forms of writing/arts: Got crafty on V-Day and am getting back into the book-making scene.
11. Create lessons that I can use later as a teacher: Coming along handsomely!
12. Save money: See south of france. I've made a budget and am sticking to it.
13. Make awesome friends (already cracking away at this one!): Done and done.
14. Talk to family as often as possible: No trouble there.
15. Translate some French poems: Been really focused on reading them, will translate when I'm inspired.
16. Complete National Poetry Month in April (write a poem a day): I don't know how this is going to be possible, but I'ma give it my best go!
17. Volunteer: Unfortunately, this one is gonna have to be let go. Well, unless you count the free English lessons I give to some of my friends!
18. Complete advanced degree of french studies: Immersed in classes right now, and when I finish I will have not one but two degrees!
19. Handmake Christmas presents: Executed and well-received!
So, getting there, though I've had some steep hills along the way. Is that even an expression?
29 February, 2012
who has time to think of titles?
So remember when I said i was going to disappear when classes started? I thought I was exaggerating. Turns out I really am too busy to breathe. Focused and spiritually breathe anyway. What I'm saying is meditation has been put on hold. Yoga has been put on hold Volunteering has been eliminated. I've resigned from the choir (sad face). Skyping many of my friends has been reserved for weekends. And blogging time has virtually packed its bags too!
Between 12 hours of assisting, 19.5 hours of studies, and 1 hour of tutoring per week, in addition to the time it takes me to get from chez moi to the university, to my high school, or to my client's house, I'm pretty much up and running from dawn till way after dusk. And I feel awesome! Energized, vivante, and best of all, not bored! Sure, sometimes it's really frustrating that I have to eat en route to school from Uni because I don't have ten minutes to sit down between classes, but hey! I'm busy as a bee and things in motion stay in motion.
I've been wanting to blog about so much. I can't really get into details, but here's a list of key phrases:
-Life in France
-Weekend trip to Lille and Belgium (keywords: chocolate, beer, fries, waffles, canal, oldest bar in Brugge)
-My first quiche (broccoli and spinach success)
-Meeting T's family(sorta) in Beaville-Beuville
-A badass barbeque in Bayeux
-My marathon When a Stranger Calls weekend (before classes, back when I had time)
-All sorts of hilarious moments that happen in the streets of Caen or in front of my students
-The poetry I have been reading (the good, the bad, and the incomprehensible)
-Various political and pop cultural musings
And most of all, I want to tell you about my university classes, how happy I am to be a student again, how I can feel, after what? four weeks now? that my French is already leaps and bounds better than it ever has been.
But all that for another time. For now, I've got homework to do!
Between 12 hours of assisting, 19.5 hours of studies, and 1 hour of tutoring per week, in addition to the time it takes me to get from chez moi to the university, to my high school, or to my client's house, I'm pretty much up and running from dawn till way after dusk. And I feel awesome! Energized, vivante, and best of all, not bored! Sure, sometimes it's really frustrating that I have to eat en route to school from Uni because I don't have ten minutes to sit down between classes, but hey! I'm busy as a bee and things in motion stay in motion.
I've been wanting to blog about so much. I can't really get into details, but here's a list of key phrases:
-Life in France
-Weekend trip to Lille and Belgium (keywords: chocolate, beer, fries, waffles, canal, oldest bar in Brugge)
-My first quiche (broccoli and spinach success)
-Meeting T's family(sorta) in Beaville-Beuville
-A badass barbeque in Bayeux
-My marathon When a Stranger Calls weekend (before classes, back when I had time)
-All sorts of hilarious moments that happen in the streets of Caen or in front of my students
-The poetry I have been reading (the good, the bad, and the incomprehensible)
-Various political and pop cultural musings
And most of all, I want to tell you about my university classes, how happy I am to be a student again, how I can feel, after what? four weeks now? that my French is already leaps and bounds better than it ever has been.
But all that for another time. For now, I've got homework to do!
14 February, 2012
some things i love, and how i celebrated/honored them on V-Day
1. My friends and family at home, so I sent 15 trans-atlantic Valentines to some of my cherished, and if I'd had moneybags there would have been many more.
2. My friends and family here, so I had a V-Day American-themed party on Friday, complete with all kinds of DIY Valentine's craft nonsense.
3. True Romance, so I fell asleep watching it last night.
4. Baking, so I made my famous yuppie brownie and put candy hearts on top.
5. My body, which I happened to upset with a street-crepe yesterday afternoon, so I cancelled my red-themed meal plan for the night and made seaweed soup instead. And then I woke up early for a run today. Feeling much, much better now.
6. The beauty of this city, so I walked to school instead of taking the bus. Past hotel de ville, two beautiful churches, and over William's castle.
7. Being a student, so I took very, very good notes yesterday!
8. T, so I spent all night yesterday Skyping him while we cooked and while we watched a cheesy 1980s Weird Al movie on YouTube. Even so far apart, we can spend my favorite holiday together. Life is good. <3
2. My friends and family here, so I had a V-Day American-themed party on Friday, complete with all kinds of DIY Valentine's craft nonsense.
3. True Romance, so I fell asleep watching it last night.
4. Baking, so I made my famous yuppie brownie and put candy hearts on top.
5. My body, which I happened to upset with a street-crepe yesterday afternoon, so I cancelled my red-themed meal plan for the night and made seaweed soup instead. And then I woke up early for a run today. Feeling much, much better now.
6. The beauty of this city, so I walked to school instead of taking the bus. Past hotel de ville, two beautiful churches, and over William's castle.
7. Being a student, so I took very, very good notes yesterday!
8. T, so I spent all night yesterday Skyping him while we cooked and while we watched a cheesy 1980s Weird Al movie on YouTube. Even so far apart, we can spend my favorite holiday together. Life is good. <3
04 February, 2012
liste des classes reçu!
I finally got my schedule for classes starting Monday. We students could choose between two disciplines: literature and human sciences or economy and politics. For a break from my normal life, I chose the latter! I would like to remind the council that I have no background in economy and have taken exactly two politics classes in my life. Let's hope I don't flunk out!
Classes I'm taking:
Histoire économique
Presse spécialisée
Etudes européennes
Littérature et société française
Français juridique II
Grammaire
Initiation à la synthèse et à la contraction de texte
Compréhension et expression orales
Géographie économique et sociale
Langue de l'économie et du commerce II
Get all that? So many cognates!
I'm going from 12 hours of work a week to 31. Not including prep time/homework time. I'm just saying, I might not be around for a while, cause I'll be all up in this building.
Wish me luck!
Classes I'm taking:
Histoire économique
Presse spécialisée
Etudes européennes
Littérature et société française
Français juridique II
Grammaire
Initiation à la synthèse et à la contraction de texte
Compréhension et expression orales
Géographie économique et sociale
Langue de l'économie et du commerce II
Get all that? So many cognates!
I'm going from 12 hours of work a week to 31. Not including prep time/homework time. I'm just saying, I might not be around for a while, cause I'll be all up in this building.
Wish me luck!
28 January, 2012
1am gripe
The absolute worst thing about my stay in france this year? The toilet is downstairs in the coldest scariest hallway. not even on my floor.
grrrholdingitinbrrrrr
grrrholdingitinbrrrrr
it's the most wonderful time of the year
Less than a month to Valentine's Day!!
You heard me right.
This feminist, liberal, anti-corporate girl loves the hell out of Valentine's Day. And this should not come as a shock to anyone who knows me. I love love. And if V-Day gives lots of people the inspiration to celebrate that, I'm in. Point final.
Bref.
Today was a pretty awesome day:
-Finished packaging V-Day cards for my friends.
-Joked around and chit-chatted a bit with the owners of one of my favorite restaurants here. Time to ask for a job?
-Filled out 3 customs forms.
-Drank too much cafe. Today's special guest was W from Lisieux, who was, as always, a ball of sunshine.
-Planned a V-Day party. Bringing my red velvet brownies to France. If you know the secret ingredient, keep it to yourself. I got some people I need to surprise.
-Looked at some poems and started working on a new poetic series. Gotta warm up those poetry muscles. NaPoMo is coming.
-Reminisced with an old friend about playing steamroller in the grass in Lisieux.
-Got back into making homemade pizza crust. Topped it with tzatziki, tomatoes, fromge de brebis, and white onions. No photographic evidence remains.
Currently listening to this gem of a cover by Sara Bareilles
You heard me right.
This feminist, liberal, anti-corporate girl loves the hell out of Valentine's Day. And this should not come as a shock to anyone who knows me. I love love. And if V-Day gives lots of people the inspiration to celebrate that, I'm in. Point final.
Bref.
Today was a pretty awesome day:
-Finished packaging V-Day cards for my friends.
-Joked around and chit-chatted a bit with the owners of one of my favorite restaurants here. Time to ask for a job?
-Filled out 3 customs forms.
-Drank too much cafe. Today's special guest was W from Lisieux, who was, as always, a ball of sunshine.
-Planned a V-Day party. Bringing my red velvet brownies to France. If you know the secret ingredient, keep it to yourself. I got some people I need to surprise.
-Looked at some poems and started working on a new poetic series. Gotta warm up those poetry muscles. NaPoMo is coming.
-Reminisced with an old friend about playing steamroller in the grass in Lisieux.
-Got back into making homemade pizza crust. Topped it with tzatziki, tomatoes, fromge de brebis, and white onions. No photographic evidence remains.
Currently listening to this gem of a cover by Sara Bareilles
23 January, 2012
Detox Day 8: The day I realize my cereal has vegetables in it
Officially a healthy-eating grown-up. three principal ingredients in my cereal: anise, ginger, and...wait for it, cilantro. Or coriander for you brits. Whatever way you cut it, that's a veggie. And no sugar added. Oh, how I miss Cookie Crisp sometimes.
I smelled up my hallway in the best way possible this evening, with curried roast parsnip, carrot, leek and potato.
I think I have officially regulated my sleep - clocking in sleepy at 10pm and waking up early enough to go for a run before classes.
I am having the most wicked sugar cravings though. Want. cake.
I think this week I will re-incorporate peanuts and wheat into my diet. The goal of the detox is to eliminate common allergens completely. But let's face it: I am not allergic to these two foods, and even if I am, there's no way I'm giving up either of them.
Holding strong against sugar though. Go ahead sugar, keep luring me with your siren song. I got this.
I smelled up my hallway in the best way possible this evening, with curried roast parsnip, carrot, leek and potato.
I think I have officially regulated my sleep - clocking in sleepy at 10pm and waking up early enough to go for a run before classes.
I am having the most wicked sugar cravings though. Want. cake.
I think this week I will re-incorporate peanuts and wheat into my diet. The goal of the detox is to eliminate common allergens completely. But let's face it: I am not allergic to these two foods, and even if I am, there's no way I'm giving up either of them.
Holding strong against sugar though. Go ahead sugar, keep luring me with your siren song. I got this.
22 January, 2012
Detox Day 7: Feeling when I done wrong
Woke up again today before my alarm. It feels nice not to be so tired all the time. The cleanse is going well and I think I have successfully hit all three goals: clean, rest, and balance. And as an extra bonus, in the last few days I've been feeling really in tune with my body. I know how hippie that sounds, but hear me out.
First thing I did wrong: got dehydrated. One of the keys to this detox is drinking tons of water. At least two liters a day, to facilitate digestion and flush the bladder. Friday, being the first day I wasn't at school/in town with my water bottle attached to my hip, I barely drank anything. How I felt it: I had no energy at all yesterday! Was ready to take a rest after the four sets of stairs up to my apartment.
Second thing I did wrong: skimped on whole grains. How I felt it: see exhausted! Friday was the only day I didn't eat very much (bad planning and I was in town without a meal).
Third thing I did wrong: ate at 10pm. How I felt it: Trouble sleeping. Before I started this I was tossing and turning more than usual, and not liking the new pattern. As part of the detox, I don't eat after 7pm, so that my body can focus on resting during the night and not digestion. But last night I was waiting on a friend and didn't get to eat until 10pm, then went to sleep at midnight. Hello weird dreams and waking up at each noise, something that hadn't happened all week.
Fourth thing I did wrong: ate past my hungry limit. My chili was just so damn good I wanted some more. Can you blame me? kidney beans, tomatoes, squash, carrot, onion, pepper, and whole grain brown rice. Yum! I had a second spoon even though I wasn't hungry anymore. How I felt it: maman, j'ai mal au ventre!! (Felt like a kid who ate five bowls of ice cream for dinner)
Yesterday I had my cranky hat on, and said maybe this detox isn't for me because why am I so tired. Today let me be honest with myself: I feel great when I do it right, and I feel loafy when I do something wrong. So I think I'll give it some more time and see what happens when I go all in.
Happy Sunday! Go check out PostSecret!
First thing I did wrong: got dehydrated. One of the keys to this detox is drinking tons of water. At least two liters a day, to facilitate digestion and flush the bladder. Friday, being the first day I wasn't at school/in town with my water bottle attached to my hip, I barely drank anything. How I felt it: I had no energy at all yesterday! Was ready to take a rest after the four sets of stairs up to my apartment.
Second thing I did wrong: skimped on whole grains. How I felt it: see exhausted! Friday was the only day I didn't eat very much (bad planning and I was in town without a meal).
Third thing I did wrong: ate at 10pm. How I felt it: Trouble sleeping. Before I started this I was tossing and turning more than usual, and not liking the new pattern. As part of the detox, I don't eat after 7pm, so that my body can focus on resting during the night and not digestion. But last night I was waiting on a friend and didn't get to eat until 10pm, then went to sleep at midnight. Hello weird dreams and waking up at each noise, something that hadn't happened all week.
Fourth thing I did wrong: ate past my hungry limit. My chili was just so damn good I wanted some more. Can you blame me? kidney beans, tomatoes, squash, carrot, onion, pepper, and whole grain brown rice. Yum! I had a second spoon even though I wasn't hungry anymore. How I felt it: maman, j'ai mal au ventre!! (Felt like a kid who ate five bowls of ice cream for dinner)
Yesterday I had my cranky hat on, and said maybe this detox isn't for me because why am I so tired. Today let me be honest with myself: I feel great when I do it right, and I feel loafy when I do something wrong. So I think I'll give it some more time and see what happens when I go all in.
Happy Sunday! Go check out PostSecret!
20 January, 2012
Detox Day 5
Feeling damn good, even though my brain is trying to convince me I need sugar. No more headaches, but I did have a dream about cake. American cake, frosting and all.
Currently eating quinoa and feeling like OMG WHY DID I NOT KNOW HOW FREAKING DELICIOUS THIS FOOD WAS sooner.
Currently eating quinoa and feeling like OMG WHY DID I NOT KNOW HOW FREAKING DELICIOUS THIS FOOD WAS sooner.
17 January, 2012
Detox Day 2: Good morning banana oatmeal!
Felt headachey and sleepy last night, though couldn't tell if those were from lack of sugar or cause I'm still recovering from état grippaux this weekend.
This morning I don't feel hungry at all and woke up really energized!
Today is my longest day at school so I will have to bring plenty of detox-OK snacks and remember to drink lots of water.
What I ate on Day 1
Banana
Clementine
Hazelnuts
Rice/Veggies (onion, garlic, broccoli, carrot, red kidney beans)
Apple
Corn cakes with hummus
In case you were wondering, I'm only drinking lemon water and limited tea/coffee this week.
OK, on to day two. Wish me no headaches or other sugar withdrawal symptoms!
This morning I don't feel hungry at all and woke up really energized!
Today is my longest day at school so I will have to bring plenty of detox-OK snacks and remember to drink lots of water.
What I ate on Day 1
Banana
Clementine
Hazelnuts
Rice/Veggies (onion, garlic, broccoli, carrot, red kidney beans)
Apple
Corn cakes with hummus
In case you were wondering, I'm only drinking lemon water and limited tea/coffee this week.
OK, on to day two. Wish me no headaches or other sugar withdrawal symptoms!
15 January, 2012
my favorite Kate Nash song ever
Right, birds can fly so high or they can shit on your head, yeah they can almost fly into your eye and make you feel well scared, but when you look at them, and you see that they're beautiful - that's how I feel about you.
14 January, 2012
french cough syrup...good to the last drop
So I'm sick for the 6th time since I've come to France. It's pretty wonderful. You know, I get to be laid up in bed on a beautiful Saturday night in a hopping university town, chugging cough syrup and spraying solution up my nose (note to self: do the spray first - it's disgusting!) while I tear through my 24 pack of lotus tissues.
I have to say, I'm not surprised I'm sick. I gave my immune system a beating over Christmas holidays being lazy and eating too much sugar. My body wants me to know I screwed up. It's interesting for me to think that my habits brought this on. Throughout my life, I was always unhealthy, but rarely sick. Eating shit food and not exercising was normal for me. Now, it's the other way around. I can feel it when I haven't been healthy, and it hurts. I gotta say, as uncomfortable as I am this week, it's pretty awesome to know that the healthy space is now my norm.
Anyway, to apologize to my aching, no-energy having body, I'm starting a detox on Monday. Apparantly this works really well for a friend of mine whenever she's feeling off or out of balance. It's basically a diet of whole grains (except wheat), veggies, fruits, and healthy oils. Vegan and gluten-free. And tons of water.
I went to the French version of Pamela's health food store today and got myself loaded up on brown rice, quinoa, millet, oats and rice cakes. Tomorrow it's the open air market for all my seasonal fruit and veg. If I can get out of bed, that is. I wish these vendors would deliver.
I have to say, I'm not surprised I'm sick. I gave my immune system a beating over Christmas holidays being lazy and eating too much sugar. My body wants me to know I screwed up. It's interesting for me to think that my habits brought this on. Throughout my life, I was always unhealthy, but rarely sick. Eating shit food and not exercising was normal for me. Now, it's the other way around. I can feel it when I haven't been healthy, and it hurts. I gotta say, as uncomfortable as I am this week, it's pretty awesome to know that the healthy space is now my norm.
Anyway, to apologize to my aching, no-energy having body, I'm starting a detox on Monday. Apparantly this works really well for a friend of mine whenever she's feeling off or out of balance. It's basically a diet of whole grains (except wheat), veggies, fruits, and healthy oils. Vegan and gluten-free. And tons of water.
I went to the French version of Pamela's health food store today and got myself loaded up on brown rice, quinoa, millet, oats and rice cakes. Tomorrow it's the open air market for all my seasonal fruit and veg. If I can get out of bed, that is. I wish these vendors would deliver.
08 January, 2012
What I did yesterday
Booooks!!!!
SCORED:
-hard-bound complitation of photos of Caen taken thirty years ago
-anthology of poems from the Rochefort school (of which Rene Guy Cadou is a member - some of you may recall a very bad tattoo idea that had to do with a poem of his)
-anthology of popular French poems (which probably means they're not the best out there but good to know what the french are reading)
-anthology of prose poems
-compilation of hope poems. i should clarify here that while this may be a book of the "soup for the soul" variety, the poems are actually good, so i don't feel bad about it.
The good news is that the marche aux livres comes the first week of every month. The question is: how am I possibly going to get these books back with me?!
Among other things, I also had two coffees yesterday. I hate coffee in a big way, but I have been spending way too much money on hot chocolates and teas in these french cafes. So coffee it will be. Goodbye sugar crashes/hello caffeinated twitching and too much energy!!
SCORED:
-hard-bound complitation of photos of Caen taken thirty years ago
-anthology of poems from the Rochefort school (of which Rene Guy Cadou is a member - some of you may recall a very bad tattoo idea that had to do with a poem of his)
-anthology of popular French poems (which probably means they're not the best out there but good to know what the french are reading)
-anthology of prose poems
-compilation of hope poems. i should clarify here that while this may be a book of the "soup for the soul" variety, the poems are actually good, so i don't feel bad about it.
The good news is that the marche aux livres comes the first week of every month. The question is: how am I possibly going to get these books back with me?!
Among other things, I also had two coffees yesterday. I hate coffee in a big way, but I have been spending way too much money on hot chocolates and teas in these french cafes. So coffee it will be. Goodbye sugar crashes/hello caffeinated twitching and too much energy!!
02 January, 2012
Resolutions shmesolutions
It's a New Year! Which means everyone is busy at the gym or registering for Mint.com, or doing whatever else they gotta do to get those resolutions moving. I set myself some goals when I came to France three months ago, so I'll be working on those throughout the year. Let's see how I'm doing.
1. Get healthy physically, mentally, spiritually: Working on it. Physically is coming easiest to me, though I did meditate last night, and I'm still thinking of doing a cleanse in the spring.
2. Run 5k nonstop by March (the 3k track is literally right outside my door): This one is on hold because it has been feezing and I haven't been running! I started again today with Whit. God knows how long it will take me to get to 5k!
3. Find yoga and do it at least weekly - Oh man. This is a story for the ages. Found yoga & went to a class and realized it was partner yoga. Awk! I just want it to be mr and my flow. Looks like I'll be doing it in my room.
4. Eat seasonally: Succeeding. I even got a chart with the fruits listed by season to help me.
5. See Germany: Going to Volksfest in May!
6. See south of France: Planning to go in February when my friend E comes to visit!
7. Perfect my french: Working on it. England hurt me a little bit, but I've been getting back into the swing of things. And I found a group of friends who really don't mind correcting me.
8. Cut down dairy/sugar consumption: Again, England hurt me on this one. But, I've cut wayy back and I can definitely feel the difference.
9. Write poems weekly: Still unsuccessful. Lots of inspiration, but now I need to set aside time to actually write!
10. Try other forms of writing/arts: Freewrote some stuff and been journaling. Got crafty with my Christmas presents. Must find another métier...
11. Create lessons that I can use later as a teacher: Coming along handsomely! Best lesson ever = how to express yourself when a fight about politics breaks out at Christmas dinner.
12. Save money: Harder than you would think. Marking this unsuccessful for now, and hoping I can get it together soon.
13. Make awesome friends (already cracking away at this one!): Done and done.
14. Talk to family as often as possible: No trouble there.
15. Translate some French poems: Translated some passages from a really poetic book. Gonna start a class about Jacques Prévert after the break.
16. Complete National Poetry Month in April (write a poem a day): Still far away.
17. Volunteer: No movement. Gotta get on that.
18. Complete advanced degree of french studies: Classes start at the end of the month!
19. Handmake Christmas presents: Executed and well-received!
I'd give myself a solid C so far. I've still got a long way to go. Also, this year I would like to get my Christmas cards out on time and be more independent. Wish me luck!
1. Get healthy physically, mentally, spiritually: Working on it. Physically is coming easiest to me, though I did meditate last night, and I'm still thinking of doing a cleanse in the spring.
2. Run 5k nonstop by March (the 3k track is literally right outside my door): This one is on hold because it has been feezing and I haven't been running! I started again today with Whit. God knows how long it will take me to get to 5k!
3. Find yoga and do it at least weekly - Oh man. This is a story for the ages. Found yoga & went to a class and realized it was partner yoga. Awk! I just want it to be mr and my flow. Looks like I'll be doing it in my room.
4. Eat seasonally: Succeeding. I even got a chart with the fruits listed by season to help me.
5. See Germany: Going to Volksfest in May!
6. See south of France: Planning to go in February when my friend E comes to visit!
7. Perfect my french: Working on it. England hurt me a little bit, but I've been getting back into the swing of things. And I found a group of friends who really don't mind correcting me.
8. Cut down dairy/sugar consumption: Again, England hurt me on this one. But, I've cut wayy back and I can definitely feel the difference.
9. Write poems weekly: Still unsuccessful. Lots of inspiration, but now I need to set aside time to actually write!
10. Try other forms of writing/arts: Freewrote some stuff and been journaling. Got crafty with my Christmas presents. Must find another métier...
11. Create lessons that I can use later as a teacher: Coming along handsomely! Best lesson ever = how to express yourself when a fight about politics breaks out at Christmas dinner.
12. Save money: Harder than you would think. Marking this unsuccessful for now, and hoping I can get it together soon.
13. Make awesome friends (already cracking away at this one!): Done and done.
14. Talk to family as often as possible: No trouble there.
15. Translate some French poems: Translated some passages from a really poetic book. Gonna start a class about Jacques Prévert after the break.
16. Complete National Poetry Month in April (write a poem a day): Still far away.
17. Volunteer: No movement. Gotta get on that.
18. Complete advanced degree of french studies: Classes start at the end of the month!
19. Handmake Christmas presents: Executed and well-received!
I'd give myself a solid C so far. I've still got a long way to go. Also, this year I would like to get my Christmas cards out on time and be more independent. Wish me luck!
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