Faites Attn!

Jill and I just needed a break... we crack ourselves up:) 

And, tomorrow... I am going to SWITZERLAND. John Calvin, you better watch out.

high 18 degrees C

low 4 degrees C

YIKES.

Also, I started my dance course last night. 

I am absolutely in love. 

happy weekend/ish...

Just another Day in Grenoble...

Bonjour, tout le monde!

Well, officially today (now yesterday) has been one of the most eventful of days that I have had thus far in Grenoble. I am currently gleaning internet from a little park in the middle of Grenoble. I believe that today is an orientation day for university students, (traditional students at my campus), and currently there are different little teams wearing various colored t-shirts, running around- jumping in fountains, going up to perfect strangers and asking for autographs, etc. It's super funny... the French have really bizarre traditions, and this isn't the first time I have been asked to help with little antics like these:)

This morning I woke up and prepared to go to a political forum in France entitled the- "Liberation Forum." This weekend, various French/ European political, media, and cultural figures are gathering in Grenoble for a series of debates and speeches. Today, I sat in on a debate between a two prominent politicians Laurent Fabius (socialist) and Nicolas Schmit (who has served as an ambassador to Luxembourg) in France. The debate concerned the French and their views/interest in the European Union- mostly regarding the governing abilities of the European community in comparison to the rule of the French state. It was interesting gaining insight on the different French perspectives. I was encouraged by how my comprehension of such topics is improving, but honestly, I felt like the debate was artificial and stale; alas it was a good experience for me.

After, I decided to try a small boulangerie that my host mom, Sylvette, had told me about, she said that they have most wonderful Paninis. I think I may have chosen the wrong one because when I entered there was only an elderly Italian man and the shop owner, and this shop didn't have any cake- which my host mom had also raved about. I ordered a sandwich expecting to order and run, but soon found that I had no choice but to sit down. During the hour and a half I stayed to eat lunch, I met a man who was visiting from Italy, a nearby shop owner who owns a salon, and a man who is a aspiring opera singer. I left the restaurant having drunk a glass of wine and cup of coffee (free), a coupon to get my hair cut, and a free concert... hahaha- oh, and some great practice of French.

oops... one day later... I attended a new church, also reformed, and felt much more at home. Many of the worship songs that were sung I know in English, and the congregation was warm and welcoming. I was encouraged by the several moments the congregation freely read scripture, prayed, and requested different songs as the spirit moved. Today I was reminded of my gross need for Christ and his righteousness- my feeble efforts to contrive offerings of righteousness on my own accord are essentially dirty rags to the Lord. I am constantly reminded of the gospel and my need for a savior, and his glorious plan for my life, because of what he did for me. I was also reminded of the passage in Romans 8- that we have been adopted by Christ, and are his beloved. I pray that the Lord could reveal the words and peoples in France for me to share the source of my joy. Thankfully, he is in control.

This week I learned that ,07 percent of the French believe in Jesus as their savior. YIKES. Let's stand together in prayer for France, and that the Lord would move in hearts and minds here.

lovelovelove

Excursion-ing

Salut everyone:)

This weekend I had the pleasure of going to Chambéry, France- not too far from where I live in Corenc.  We took the SNCF train for about an hour and came to find not-so-lovely weather, but a very charming town.  Our professor from Calvin planned for us to visit Chambéry so that we might tour the home of Jean-Jacques Rosseau, and venture through another city similar to where we live.  I am feeling progressively more and more at home in France  and enjoyed the time we had to wander through the city.  Unfortunately I wore open-toed flats and was freezing cold.  It was a lovely day, despite the rain, and we relaxed after at a café.  The coffee in France is unreal, however it is only served in very small portions.  I am used to ordering VENTI- sized drinks at Starbucks- this will take some getting used to.  I have also begun my classes at the University of Grenoble- Stendhal.  My schedule is pretty full-- 20 hours of class a week, but I have Friday/Saturday/Sunday free- and hopefully open for travel.  It is hard to capture my campus with photos, so I will just say that it is surrounded by mountains and is a conglomeration of four separate campuses, totaling nearly 40,000 students?  (roughly estimated)

Things I am not so found of in France:

- public restrooms: as well as being few and far between, they often resemble cages, or lack standard- American toilettes

- showers: my shower luckily has a curtain, but many don't even though most bathrooms have big windows; the shower head has no mount and one must take a very efficient shower (water is very expensive, wet hair: turn off water, lather, turn on water, rinse... etc.),

- heat: the French apparently are very hearty- why bother even turning it on... hahaha. 

A Few Photos-- my life in Grenoble thus far:)

Well, it has been nearly a week since I arrived at my host mother's home.  The first photo is a picture of the home I now consider a home away from home, the windows on the far right are my bedroom windows, generally I fling them wide open, as I enjoy very much the fresh mountain air.  My host mother's name is Sylvette and she is an English prof. - how convenient.  I have asked to not to speak English, however. Additionally, I live with two male Chinese students.  They are very kind.  Sylvette also has two children, Fanny and Simone.  Fanny is currently studying in Italy, although I hope to meet her, and Simone is completing the work for his Doctorate in Grenoble.  He sometimes comes home on the weekends.  My host mom purchases the Economist, and loves to chat about politics.  It has been a very easy transition thus far.  The second photo is the name of my avenue, and the next the view from my window.  It is absolutely gorgeous in Grenoble.  The way that I first identified the neighborhood of my home was by looking up at a castle which is located just above and to the right of my home.  I am blessed to have easy access to public transportation, although it is quite difficult to get around after 8PM.  In the next photo, one of the Calvin students and I are in front of a castle (Sassenage).  It had very beautiful grounds, for picnics, walks, or studying.  Last is a photo of Jill and I at the Grenoble Museum of Art.  I wish I had more ability to access the internet, but I have not begun my courses, (they begin 8 Sept.) and I do not have wireless in my home.  I will try to keep this current.  My love!

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I made it!

France is absolutely fantastique!

Traveling was grueling and having two large pieces of luggage with an additional backpack was not a wonderful idea, but a couple of lovely French people were quick to assist me.

Upon landing in Charles De Gaulle we were greeted by our Prof. Fetzer and he purchased the group baguettes with jambon et fromage (ham and cheese). How stereotypical! hahaha.

On the train ride from the airport to the SE portion of France I will be calling home (Grenoble) I was taken aback the breathtaking views of Provincial France and the seeming clash of modernity with tradition.

We are currently staying in a hotel in the middle of Grenoble. After learning so much about France, I was sure our hotel room would be very tiny, but, au contraire- we actually have access to three lovely balconies overlooking the city- a beautiful mountainous view- and a rather large bed/ bathroom.

I haven't really begun speaking French too heavily, especially within the traveling group of Calvin students. Today I purchased a SIM card- mobilecarte, which was uber complicated- I felt like a "stupid American," but I know my French is suffering from a summer of English

Things I have noticed about French life:

a. conservation is of utmost importance, from light switches in individual stalls of bathrooms, to large recycling areas on intersections of streets, to very small showers and much public transportation... I am very impressed

b. the French enjoy- meals generally are in the evenings and last around THREE HOURS. that will take some getting used to:)

c. Being aware of cultural quirks I have read in travel guides and various books is helpful, but several times "French stereotypes" have been broken, such as -French people don't smile-

Grenoble is a very relaxed, friendly city.

d. I need to be careful to avoid a judgmental attitude toward American or French culture.

Tchao!

I love you all, and am so excited to see what God is going to do this semester. I so appreciate your prayers- Pray especially for my host mom- Sylvette Garcin.