I Thought France Was Industrialized?

I have to say that living over here is one of the most unusual experiences and I don’t know if that’s just because I am in France or what. Earlier this evening we experience a blackout… the electricity just simply shuts off for several minutes up to an hour plus. There is no reason for the electricity to shut off, especially since this is not something I have ever had to experience or thought that I would experience. To me, electricity only shuts off during storms. Oh well, it provides a good study break as well as time to catch up… unless you’re one of the unlucky ones showering or cooking.

This past weekend I visited family in the Netherlands and had a wonderful time (thanks Dan and Barb)! I have to say that I’m quite lucky to have family close to me here, probably closer than I have when I’m at St. Norbert. The train ride going to and from The Hague was much less stressful this time even with the delay on Friday afternoon. For starters, I didn’t have to worry about the train cars separating and not carrying around my life on a train is a stress reducer. I came back a lot happier and in a much better mood than when I left Lille. Traveling alone helped too, I think. It’s much easier to people-watch or simply look out the window when you travel by yourself. The train ride back home was especially entertaining as I was sitting next to an Indian man who was looking at videos from a wedding he was coming back from. It was kind of like watching my own Bollywood video on the camera next to me. Very entertaining.

I think I’m starting to get a hang of the school thing, just in time for the February break! Basically I’m not worrying too much about getting anything done and am making sure that not only do the profs realize that I’m an international student but that I print in all capitals on the tops of my papers “INTERNATIONAL”. I’m hoping that it will be helpful. As for the February break, I may have reached a final decision on at least one of the weeks. I will be spending the first weekend in London (hopefully seeing some other SNC people) before going to Dublin for a couple days. I’m not sure if I’ll end up venturing outside of Dublin, but a girl in my British Pop Culture class studied abroad the previous semester in Dublin said she’d give me all the big stops to go to. Not to worry, I’m meeting up with a couple of people from Lille that I went with to Brussels so I won’t be totally alone in Ireland.

Good Memories: It’s nice to know that Eastpack backpacks haven’t gone out of style here. Still seems to be the brand of choice…. Eaaaaastpack (especially for you, Dad)!