Thursday, November 19, 2009

first exams, first presentation, and first weekender trip! (preview)


Last week, I got to see my freshman year roommate Jill Hackmaster and some of her London buds, and this weekend its my turn, I'm on my way to visit her. Not only will I be visiting London, but I will also be visiting my good&close high school friend Eric Rucker in Oxford. So pretty much a very very exciting weekend awaits me. (the 6am train not so much)

Updates to come:
1) I had my first test in Literarure. We didn't have class this week so I still don't know how well I did, but I think its in the higher teens. France grades out of 20. Pretty much french teachers dont give out perfect grades... so I'm aiming for a 17 or 16.

2) I gave my first presentation in History class. It was over the consequences of WWI. I think it went extremely well, considering I had some help from my host parents (who have had their share of post WWI article-writing).

3) My first weekender trip to London & Oxford.

I promise I will have a detailed post as soon as I come back from London&Oxford!

With hugs, <3 Mayra.

Friday, November 6, 2009

Hello November!

Well, starting the post with a beautiful picture of La Seine is always an attention getter so now that you're tuned in... here is what I've been up to these past two weeks. (by the way you can click on the pictures and it will take to you a full scale size of the pic)

1) I was on vacation for one week and Julie, a dear friend from high school visited me. My usual list of things visited.

2) Georges Centre Pompidou
It houses all kinds of Modern Art. Some Picasso come Braque. The building itself is a piece of Modern Art because of its exoskeletal structure. Julie and I pretty much saw the entire place and after 4hrs we had enough.... Art fatique maybe?

3) La Defence
Voila the business district of Paris. Its a bit on the other side of town.. but worth the bus/metro ride. Julie and I didn't do much there, just visited La Grande Arch not pictured above (which is the twin of the Arch de Triomphe, a Modern Version) google it! 20 year anniversary of its unveiling.
4) Musée Quai Branly
This museum is dedicated to the art of Africa, The Americas, Asia, and Australia. We were there to see the Teotihuacan exhibit, which was a city next to today known Mexico City. Of couse I dragged Julie to see it, hellow if you didn't know already I AM MEXICAN. I think Julie enjoyed it... right?? Most of the artifacts have not been shown in Mexico or any part of Europe. Call that exclusive! At the museum there is also another exposition on Iranian Photography.. which I will probably return to see in the future.
5) Le Marais/ L'As du Falafel
So after being soo sooo hungry, Julie and I headed to the oldest part of Paris (aka Le Marais) which a part of it now is the Jewish Quarter. So why not get some falafel while we're there? If you ever make it to Paris please stop by and buy it! The restaurant is called L'As du Falafel and its only 5euros.
6) Laduree
You can call it a bakery, but I prefer to call it the house of Macarons.
They're yummy and as you can see them in the window, very very popular in Paris. Fun fact: macarons originally weren't two of them with the cream filling inside, but rather only one. It was Monsieur Laduree that invented this well known macaron!! I have not only decided to go there everyweek, but I've also bought a bag to go grocery shoppin in.

7) Cemetary Pere La Chaise
The most visited cemetary in the world is in Paris! Great right? Well since the French don't really celebrate Halloween, Julie and I celebrated by visiting some of France's most visited tombs. In the cemetary are Abelard & Heloise (their story resembles Romeo & Juliette), Moliere, La Fontaine, Jim Morrison!, Edith Piaf, Yves Montard, Oscar Wilde, and so on. It was a peaceful visit and its only the 3rd cemetary I've ever been to. I'm glad we went.

Voila! It has been a week full of museums, a lot of walking, macarons, crepes, cafe's, and picture taking, but classes have begun again so I'm back to work!!

As for classes, I had my first exam this past thursday! YES believe it or not, it was in 16th century french literature. Monday I have my second exam for history and also a presentation on the consequences of the First World War. Fun stuff! I believe I've finally started to really become a part of french culture. Not only am I watching french classic films, but I'm reading Hiroshima Mon Amour by Marguerite Duras and going to see L'Avare at the Comedie Francais in the near future (one of the pieces by Moliere). Oh it feels so good to be doing all of these things!! I love it! Learning about this country that has such a rich history is so refreshing and I will not get enough of it! As for other news.. I still have not heard back from Sciences-Po (the university I have applied to for next semester) but I have officially accepted on my apartment in the 14eme Arrondisement!

Well have a good weekend and Happy Birthday Mom & Luca!

with hugs,
Mayra.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

first exams, first presentation, and first weekender trip! (preview)


Last week, I got to see my freshman year roommate Jill Hackmaster and some of her London buds, and this weekend its my turn, I'm on my way to visit her. Not only will I be visiting London, but I will also be visiting my good&close high school friend Eric Rucker in Oxford. So pretty much a very very exciting weekend awaits me. (the 6am train not so much)

Updates to come:
1) I had my first test in Literarure. We didn't have class this week so I still don't know how well I did, but I think its in the higher teens. France grades out of 20. Pretty much french teachers dont give out perfect grades... so I'm aiming for a 17 or 16.

2) I gave my first presentation in History class. It was over the consequences of WWI. I think it went extremely well, considering I had some help from my host parents (who have had their share of post WWI article-writing).

3) My first weekender trip to London & Oxford.

I promise I will have a detailed post as soon as I come back from London&Oxford!

With hugs, <3 Mayra.

Friday, November 6, 2009

Hello November!

Well, starting the post with a beautiful picture of La Seine is always an attention getter so now that you're tuned in... here is what I've been up to these past two weeks. (by the way you can click on the pictures and it will take to you a full scale size of the pic)

1) I was on vacation for one week and Julie, a dear friend from high school visited me. My usual list of things visited.

2) Georges Centre Pompidou
It houses all kinds of Modern Art. Some Picasso come Braque. The building itself is a piece of Modern Art because of its exoskeletal structure. Julie and I pretty much saw the entire place and after 4hrs we had enough.... Art fatique maybe?

3) La Defence
Voila the business district of Paris. Its a bit on the other side of town.. but worth the bus/metro ride. Julie and I didn't do much there, just visited La Grande Arch not pictured above (which is the twin of the Arch de Triomphe, a Modern Version) google it! 20 year anniversary of its unveiling.
4) Musée Quai Branly
This museum is dedicated to the art of Africa, The Americas, Asia, and Australia. We were there to see the Teotihuacan exhibit, which was a city next to today known Mexico City. Of couse I dragged Julie to see it, hellow if you didn't know already I AM MEXICAN. I think Julie enjoyed it... right?? Most of the artifacts have not been shown in Mexico or any part of Europe. Call that exclusive! At the museum there is also another exposition on Iranian Photography.. which I will probably return to see in the future.
5) Le Marais/ L'As du Falafel
So after being soo sooo hungry, Julie and I headed to the oldest part of Paris (aka Le Marais) which a part of it now is the Jewish Quarter. So why not get some falafel while we're there? If you ever make it to Paris please stop by and buy it! The restaurant is called L'As du Falafel and its only 5euros.
6) Laduree
You can call it a bakery, but I prefer to call it the house of Macarons.
They're yummy and as you can see them in the window, very very popular in Paris. Fun fact: macarons originally weren't two of them with the cream filling inside, but rather only one. It was Monsieur Laduree that invented this well known macaron!! I have not only decided to go there everyweek, but I've also bought a bag to go grocery shoppin in.

7) Cemetary Pere La Chaise
The most visited cemetary in the world is in Paris! Great right? Well since the French don't really celebrate Halloween, Julie and I celebrated by visiting some of France's most visited tombs. In the cemetary are Abelard & Heloise (their story resembles Romeo & Juliette), Moliere, La Fontaine, Jim Morrison!, Edith Piaf, Yves Montard, Oscar Wilde, and so on. It was a peaceful visit and its only the 3rd cemetary I've ever been to. I'm glad we went.

Voila! It has been a week full of museums, a lot of walking, macarons, crepes, cafe's, and picture taking, but classes have begun again so I'm back to work!!

As for classes, I had my first exam this past thursday! YES believe it or not, it was in 16th century french literature. Monday I have my second exam for history and also a presentation on the consequences of the First World War. Fun stuff! I believe I've finally started to really become a part of french culture. Not only am I watching french classic films, but I'm reading Hiroshima Mon Amour by Marguerite Duras and going to see L'Avare at the Comedie Francais in the near future (one of the pieces by Moliere). Oh it feels so good to be doing all of these things!! I love it! Learning about this country that has such a rich history is so refreshing and I will not get enough of it! As for other news.. I still have not heard back from Sciences-Po (the university I have applied to for next semester) but I have officially accepted on my apartment in the 14eme Arrondisement!

Well have a good weekend and Happy Birthday Mom & Luca!

with hugs,
Mayra.