Saturday, October 24, 2009

I'm Mexican-American-Parisian?

PA181049
Originally uploaded by deezyallaround

Being abroad makes me think more about where I come from, than where I am. Well atleast for now...

Mexico 2010!
200 years of being proudly mexican.
Everyone get ready!! The mexicans are going to celebrate their bicentennial!
And just to think that the USA is only 33 years older.. wowza!!

You never realize how much you know, until you tell someone. I've been sharing my Mexican culture with my host family. The more I tell them about it, the more I realize... wow I know a lot. And to think that I used to have identity crises.

Events of the Week(s)
1) Went shopping at Galeries LaFayette
Well it was a fun experience. I went with my friend Amandine who is a 3rd year student at the Sorbonne and who wishes to study in the states at some point. Marshall Fields can be thrown out the window! Not to mention the beauuuutiful buildings its in.
2) Watched L'etoile du Nord, Casque d'Or, and Madame de...
Like I mentioned earlier, for film class we watch a movie each week. My professor is amazingly good at the "wow, i never in my brightest dreams would have thought of that" thing. Everytime we talk about the films and their meaning, I'm baffled by the wonder and talent that is put into all of them. And to think that when we watch movies we have no idea of it.
3) Found an apartment in the 14eme arrondisment!

I'm subletting for a 23yr old graduate student at Sciences-Po who is going to be doing an internship in Rome. She's so cool! Did I mention that I'm so thankful for all of these random people I am meeting?
4) Was lost for 45 min by the Hotel de Ville looking for my connect group
I think it was partly because it was night time and I was tired. But by the way... Hotel de Ville is an astonishing building and at night the lighting hits it just at the right places.
5) Host dad brought me a necklace from Uganda.
Yeah he was in Uganda writing a report in unison with UNESCO on the children soldiers. He got to meet someone important that manages the Invisible Children Org.. I'm not sure, but I'm going to watch the movie tomorrow!
6) Finally received my money from the US and my carte bleu!
So in France credit cards don't swipe. Instead you get this "carte-bleu" which has a chip in it and all you do is "plug" it into machines. How come we dont have that in the USA? Well the french ask themselves the same thing about our cards.. believe me!


6) Went to the local Joinville le Pont "Sidewalk Sale" and bought an old Chocolatier Ad.
On my way to Mass at 11h15 (ahem ahem I still go to Mass) I ran across the annual Sidewalk Sale, basically a Garage Sale on the sidewalk (duh). It was great to see all the locals, but I couldnt really buy anything because a) i don't need a toaster b) i dont have any kids c) and i'm saving up my money for the "Soldes" in January. aka. Sales in January. They are very important because its the only time when stores have sales, because its too complicated to have sales at other times of the year (too many papers to file). Basically Paris has the January sales and the July sales. I'm starting to plan.. RIGHT NOW! Sorry everyone but your Christmas presents will be late.

So far that is all I've got for you, but be aware that JULIE BATES is visiting me this week! For those of you who don't know Julie, I've known her since 4th grade. She is currently studying in Salzburg, Austria and is studying Art History & German??? Correct me if I am wrong please. I'm on fall break this week so we will be exploring the city.

with hugs, Mayra

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

i don't want a label...

I've had something on my mind for a while. Let me begin....
As I had mentioned before, I have joined the Hillsong Paris community. For those of you who don't know about Hillsong, it is a Pentecostal Church based in Australia. It has now spread to cities like Paris, London, Berlin, CapeTown, and Stockholm. I first found out about Hillsong from my good friend Eric in high school. This summer, it just so happened that I met Meg (bilingual assistant @ Middlebury), who is now living in Paris and invited me to the Hillsong Paris happenings. Now let me backtrack....

According to wiki:
Pentecostalism is a renewal movement within Christianity that places special emphasis on a direct personal experience of God through the baptism in the Holy Spirit[1] which is evidenced by speaking in tongues. The term Pentecostal is derived from Pentecost, a Greek term describing the Jewish Feast of Weeks. For Christians, this event commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the followers of Jesus Christ, as described in the Book of Acts, Chapter 2,[2] and Pentecostals tend to see their movement as reflecting the same kind of spiritual power, worship styles and teachings that were found in the early church.

Now, I grew up Catholic and I still am Catholic. However, I am attracted to Hillsong because of their charismatic services and their love for God as well. That means that's alright...right? I still believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic church. Catholic meaning universal. There is no reason for me to feel in between two walls!! I just feel like when people ask me my religious affiliation... they stereotype too much. Basically, if you ask me what my religious affiliation is I will answer with this: I love God, I praise Mary, the Saints, I pray the rosary and I have a relationship with God----> you can classify me the way you want.

Phew! I really wanted to get that off my chest.

Things I have accomplisted this week:
1) Watched La belle et la bete (1945) for film class. I highly recommend it!!
2) Took a Danse Africaine class. I will be signing up for a 6 month class! Yay for working out!
3) Attended my first Hillsong service on Sunday.
4) Met the Connect Group at the Bois de Boulogne (during daytime).
5) Saw Up! in french.
6) Missed Paris Fashion Week 2009 happenings. (haha, next year though!)

I have already scoped out some great expositions that will be happening in Oct/Nov so I will let you know all about them.

But in the meanwhile, I am taking it slow, now doing many tourist-y things if you couldn't tell!! But no worries, I will make you all Paris experts by the time this year is done!

With hugs,
Mayra.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

the first two weeks in Paris

Bonjour tout le monde!

I have arrived in Paris safely! It is exactly two weeks that I have been here, however it still hasn't sunk in that I am actually here. I'm so grateful to finally have completed this dream that I've had for many years now. I can't wait to see what God has in store for me! (ps. don't worry I do miss everyone back in the states)

Voila, pictures of my house. I am living with a host family in Joinville-le-Pont which is a suburb "banlieu" of Paris. Two journalists (one retired) who own about a million books and who will teach me so many things I wouldn't learn anywhere else. Marie-Christine (mother) Phillippe (father) Axel (22-son) Constance (23-daughter) Jean-Pierre (the cat). Both the son and daughter don't live at home, but have their own apartments in the city. I am about 35 min away from Paris by train. (from top: Front of the house, view looking out from my room, the view before intering my room, my desk, and my pull out bed)

The first two nights were overwhelming. A combination of the jetlag, no euros, and no straightener made it stressful. Alright I'm kidding about the straightener, but you all know that I can't live without my Chi.
Anyway, the differences in the cuisine were the first to hit me, literally. I feel like I'm eating at a restaurant every night. The meals are so exquisitely presented and they're so good! My fav so far: muscles w/ white rice on the side.

I'm gradually getting used to drinking red whine with every meal, but I know I have some time!

To the reason why I'm here: School
I'm studying at the Institut Catholique de Paris aka. la Catho. Classes started on Sept 28th. I have a class each day from 2pm-5pm. They're 3 hrs long! With the exception of my History of Cinema: La Nouvelle Vague which is 4 hrs long! I will survive. Taking the train everyday isn't a hassle, at least I get to read. However, coming back SUCKS since its the time everyone goes home. Whatevers. Classes (all in french) include: History of France 19th century, History of Cinema: Nouvelle Vague, Phonetics, Argumentation, and Philosophy.

I have turned in my application for Sciences-Po second semester. We will see what happens. (Ahhh!)

Things I have done in the two weeks:
1) Opened my bank account with the french bank Societe General.
2) Visited the Saint Chapell
5) Became a part of Hillsong Paris w/ a Connect Group!
6) Went shopping all around Paris- bought a Longchamp bag
7) Started Reading 1 out of 6 books I have on my list to read
8) Partied with my host-siblings next to the Notre-Dame

Last night was my host-mother's get together completed with Champagne a la Peche, Red Wine in a box, White wine in a box, and various other fruit juices. Towards the end of the night I "plunged" into a conversation and tried out my French speaking skills.
I was trying to say that before arriving in France, I had heard that the French are private people and its often hard to make friends. However the translation from Eng-Fren didn't go so well, so now I have a group of people that are under the impression that I believe the French are deprived of something.... fml.
Here are some pictures from the epic night.



The "Pain Surprise" which was a bread with tiny sandwiches inside. Then the Champagne that was being prepared. The host siblings. Then the donut looking pastry is actually Paris-Brest delicious- we have left overs so there goes my diet. And lastly me trying to teach Axel how to swing dance. I'm not the best person for that.

I've got homework so I should get going, but I promise that I will write at least once a week. I hope its not tooo boring. This is just my intro post, so I do think my post's will get more interesting and not just retelling what I've done, so please come back and read!!

Picture of Paris are coming soon!

I love this city.

with hugs, Mayra.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

I'm Mexican-American-Parisian?

PA181049
Originally uploaded by deezyallaround

Being abroad makes me think more about where I come from, than where I am. Well atleast for now...

Mexico 2010!
200 years of being proudly mexican.
Everyone get ready!! The mexicans are going to celebrate their bicentennial!
And just to think that the USA is only 33 years older.. wowza!!

You never realize how much you know, until you tell someone. I've been sharing my Mexican culture with my host family. The more I tell them about it, the more I realize... wow I know a lot. And to think that I used to have identity crises.

Events of the Week(s)
1) Went shopping at Galeries LaFayette
Well it was a fun experience. I went with my friend Amandine who is a 3rd year student at the Sorbonne and who wishes to study in the states at some point. Marshall Fields can be thrown out the window! Not to mention the beauuuutiful buildings its in.
2) Watched L'etoile du Nord, Casque d'Or, and Madame de...
Like I mentioned earlier, for film class we watch a movie each week. My professor is amazingly good at the "wow, i never in my brightest dreams would have thought of that" thing. Everytime we talk about the films and their meaning, I'm baffled by the wonder and talent that is put into all of them. And to think that when we watch movies we have no idea of it.
3) Found an apartment in the 14eme arrondisment!

I'm subletting for a 23yr old graduate student at Sciences-Po who is going to be doing an internship in Rome. She's so cool! Did I mention that I'm so thankful for all of these random people I am meeting?
4) Was lost for 45 min by the Hotel de Ville looking for my connect group
I think it was partly because it was night time and I was tired. But by the way... Hotel de Ville is an astonishing building and at night the lighting hits it just at the right places.
5) Host dad brought me a necklace from Uganda.
Yeah he was in Uganda writing a report in unison with UNESCO on the children soldiers. He got to meet someone important that manages the Invisible Children Org.. I'm not sure, but I'm going to watch the movie tomorrow!
6) Finally received my money from the US and my carte bleu!
So in France credit cards don't swipe. Instead you get this "carte-bleu" which has a chip in it and all you do is "plug" it into machines. How come we dont have that in the USA? Well the french ask themselves the same thing about our cards.. believe me!


6) Went to the local Joinville le Pont "Sidewalk Sale" and bought an old Chocolatier Ad.
On my way to Mass at 11h15 (ahem ahem I still go to Mass) I ran across the annual Sidewalk Sale, basically a Garage Sale on the sidewalk (duh). It was great to see all the locals, but I couldnt really buy anything because a) i don't need a toaster b) i dont have any kids c) and i'm saving up my money for the "Soldes" in January. aka. Sales in January. They are very important because its the only time when stores have sales, because its too complicated to have sales at other times of the year (too many papers to file). Basically Paris has the January sales and the July sales. I'm starting to plan.. RIGHT NOW! Sorry everyone but your Christmas presents will be late.

So far that is all I've got for you, but be aware that JULIE BATES is visiting me this week! For those of you who don't know Julie, I've known her since 4th grade. She is currently studying in Salzburg, Austria and is studying Art History & German??? Correct me if I am wrong please. I'm on fall break this week so we will be exploring the city.

with hugs, Mayra

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

i don't want a label...

I've had something on my mind for a while. Let me begin....
As I had mentioned before, I have joined the Hillsong Paris community. For those of you who don't know about Hillsong, it is a Pentecostal Church based in Australia. It has now spread to cities like Paris, London, Berlin, CapeTown, and Stockholm. I first found out about Hillsong from my good friend Eric in high school. This summer, it just so happened that I met Meg (bilingual assistant @ Middlebury), who is now living in Paris and invited me to the Hillsong Paris happenings. Now let me backtrack....

According to wiki:
Pentecostalism is a renewal movement within Christianity that places special emphasis on a direct personal experience of God through the baptism in the Holy Spirit[1] which is evidenced by speaking in tongues. The term Pentecostal is derived from Pentecost, a Greek term describing the Jewish Feast of Weeks. For Christians, this event commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the followers of Jesus Christ, as described in the Book of Acts, Chapter 2,[2] and Pentecostals tend to see their movement as reflecting the same kind of spiritual power, worship styles and teachings that were found in the early church.

Now, I grew up Catholic and I still am Catholic. However, I am attracted to Hillsong because of their charismatic services and their love for God as well. That means that's alright...right? I still believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic church. Catholic meaning universal. There is no reason for me to feel in between two walls!! I just feel like when people ask me my religious affiliation... they stereotype too much. Basically, if you ask me what my religious affiliation is I will answer with this: I love God, I praise Mary, the Saints, I pray the rosary and I have a relationship with God----> you can classify me the way you want.

Phew! I really wanted to get that off my chest.

Things I have accomplisted this week:
1) Watched La belle et la bete (1945) for film class. I highly recommend it!!
2) Took a Danse Africaine class. I will be signing up for a 6 month class! Yay for working out!
3) Attended my first Hillsong service on Sunday.
4) Met the Connect Group at the Bois de Boulogne (during daytime).
5) Saw Up! in french.
6) Missed Paris Fashion Week 2009 happenings. (haha, next year though!)

I have already scoped out some great expositions that will be happening in Oct/Nov so I will let you know all about them.

But in the meanwhile, I am taking it slow, now doing many tourist-y things if you couldn't tell!! But no worries, I will make you all Paris experts by the time this year is done!

With hugs,
Mayra.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

the first two weeks in Paris

Bonjour tout le monde!

I have arrived in Paris safely! It is exactly two weeks that I have been here, however it still hasn't sunk in that I am actually here. I'm so grateful to finally have completed this dream that I've had for many years now. I can't wait to see what God has in store for me! (ps. don't worry I do miss everyone back in the states)

Voila, pictures of my house. I am living with a host family in Joinville-le-Pont which is a suburb "banlieu" of Paris. Two journalists (one retired) who own about a million books and who will teach me so many things I wouldn't learn anywhere else. Marie-Christine (mother) Phillippe (father) Axel (22-son) Constance (23-daughter) Jean-Pierre (the cat). Both the son and daughter don't live at home, but have their own apartments in the city. I am about 35 min away from Paris by train. (from top: Front of the house, view looking out from my room, the view before intering my room, my desk, and my pull out bed)

The first two nights were overwhelming. A combination of the jetlag, no euros, and no straightener made it stressful. Alright I'm kidding about the straightener, but you all know that I can't live without my Chi.
Anyway, the differences in the cuisine were the first to hit me, literally. I feel like I'm eating at a restaurant every night. The meals are so exquisitely presented and they're so good! My fav so far: muscles w/ white rice on the side.

I'm gradually getting used to drinking red whine with every meal, but I know I have some time!

To the reason why I'm here: School
I'm studying at the Institut Catholique de Paris aka. la Catho. Classes started on Sept 28th. I have a class each day from 2pm-5pm. They're 3 hrs long! With the exception of my History of Cinema: La Nouvelle Vague which is 4 hrs long! I will survive. Taking the train everyday isn't a hassle, at least I get to read. However, coming back SUCKS since its the time everyone goes home. Whatevers. Classes (all in french) include: History of France 19th century, History of Cinema: Nouvelle Vague, Phonetics, Argumentation, and Philosophy.

I have turned in my application for Sciences-Po second semester. We will see what happens. (Ahhh!)

Things I have done in the two weeks:
1) Opened my bank account with the french bank Societe General.
2) Visited the Saint Chapell
5) Became a part of Hillsong Paris w/ a Connect Group!
6) Went shopping all around Paris- bought a Longchamp bag
7) Started Reading 1 out of 6 books I have on my list to read
8) Partied with my host-siblings next to the Notre-Dame

Last night was my host-mother's get together completed with Champagne a la Peche, Red Wine in a box, White wine in a box, and various other fruit juices. Towards the end of the night I "plunged" into a conversation and tried out my French speaking skills.
I was trying to say that before arriving in France, I had heard that the French are private people and its often hard to make friends. However the translation from Eng-Fren didn't go so well, so now I have a group of people that are under the impression that I believe the French are deprived of something.... fml.
Here are some pictures from the epic night.



The "Pain Surprise" which was a bread with tiny sandwiches inside. Then the Champagne that was being prepared. The host siblings. Then the donut looking pastry is actually Paris-Brest delicious- we have left overs so there goes my diet. And lastly me trying to teach Axel how to swing dance. I'm not the best person for that.

I've got homework so I should get going, but I promise that I will write at least once a week. I hope its not tooo boring. This is just my intro post, so I do think my post's will get more interesting and not just retelling what I've done, so please come back and read!!

Picture of Paris are coming soon!

I love this city.

with hugs, Mayra.