Nerdiness to the nth degree.

So, it's Sunday in Montpellier. Which means that everything is closed and I have been sitting at home all day. Normally I would be very restless by this point in the day, but today I have been wasting time watching this pretty sweet website that my Mom's friend sent to me.
I've actually really been missing my psych classes, so this was a cool link to recieve today.

http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/184



This weekend was fun, everyone was actually in town! Friday after class, I spent the afternoon wandering around the historic center by myself. I bought mom a birthday gift from this great organic beauty store. The woman working was English and it was nice to speak french with her because she was very understanding about my lack of vocab and my slow speech. I think I'll go back there soon. Friday night, the people in my language group all went out dancing. It was a ton of fun, and I hope that we hang out as a group more often.
Saturday, the plan was to go to the beach with Allie, Katrice and Mariah but when we got to the bus none of us has the 6 euro that it would take to get there and back, noone told us that our bus passes wouldn't work to get to the beach. So, boo for that. Attempt number two to see the Mediterrean sea, failed. Insead we went to the Antigone and read magazine's on the bank of the Lez until we got too cold and decided that we were in need of Louis crepes. Not that we are ever NOT in need of Louis crepes, but you know.
Last night Mariah made some declicious pasta sauce and we all ate dinner at Allie and Katrice's and had bread and cheese and wine, and it was fun. Then we went to the Australian Bar for more dancing! We met Danielle's cute french friends there and overall it was a pretty great day.

Planning spring break is still frustrating because we don't know what we're doing for sure. Aunt Marghe doesn't want me going to Rome because she doesn't feel that it's safe for us without a tour guide. Danielle and I would both really love to go to Greece, but it's expensive, and I think she would also like to go to Rome. I would LOVE to see Rome but I feel a little guilty using my family's money to go someplace that they would rather I didn't this time. I know I will be back in Europe (hopefully many many times, and sooner rather than later) to see the things I missed this time, so I'm not extremely upset about missing anything this time around even though it would be great to go everywhere I want to go.

Tomorrow is Monday, which is really Sunday for me. I need to go grocery shopping and try out new foods for when dad comes, so I can cook more than just pasta and veggies for him. Not that he would be dissatissfied with pasta and veggies. I can't wait for him to come visit! I'm really excited to see Paris again with him and to show him my life here. I am a little worried about what he's going to do while I am in class because he doesn't speak any french, and it can be intimidating for me still to interact with some of the shop keepers and cafe owners. Plus, him being here is a part of home. I don't get terribly homesick that often, but it's mainly because I ignore it. I know this incredibly selfish, but sometimes that's the reason I am bad at keeping in touch with people over here. Whenever I talk to my friends or family I usually end up homesick for at least a few hours afterwards. If I keep myself busy with other things it's easier to ignore the homesick feeling. I'm surpised that I'm actually more homesick for Minneapolis than I am for Racine. I miss my school, and understanding what the hell is going on in my classes, and my amazing friends. I miss being busy. Plus, I'd really like some coffee to go. Nobody here brings coffee to class. There is no Starbuck's, or Caribou, or Espresso Royale. The coffee is amazing, but it's definitely a sit down social affair. Not a get through the school day without falling asleep thing. Don't get me wrong, I really love France. The culture and the scenery are amazing and I could see myself spending summers here. But, surprisingly, I really am an American Girl through and through.

My computer cord broke (of course...) so until my dad gets here with a replacement, it may be a while since I update again. Andrea was nice enough to let me borrow her computer for the weekend while she is in Barcelona, but I'm not sure I'm going to want to journal in the office. We shall see.

A bientot mes amis

La plus belle ville du monde.

As promised, the Paris post.
Anyone who has known me for any period of time probably knows that it has been my life's dream to go to Paris.
After at least 10 years of facination with the city, I've finally made it there.
I left Montpellier at 9:20 on Saturday morning and arrived back at my apartment at 11:30 on Monday night. I spent three days in absolute wonder at the how beautiful a city can be. Friday after checking into our hostel, Mariah and I decided to head to Champs-Elysees and from there, go see the Eiffle tower. The first thing we see when we get off the metro was the Arc de Triomphe. First of all, the arc is definitely larger than I was expecting. Secondly, God it's pretty. From there, we walked down the Champs-Elysees, stopped in at Louis Vuitton to lust after bags and sunglasses that, one day, I'll be able to afford. Then on to the Pont d'Alexandre. My first view of the Eiffel Tower happened to be at sunset, perfect timing. It was absolutely breathtaking. After taking about twenty pictures from the bridge, we decided head over and get an up close and personal view. Again, not expecting the tower to be as big as it was. But it was every bit as beautiful as I was hoping it would be. By the time the sunset and we had had chocolat chaud under the tower, it was cold and we were tired. Before bed, we had drinks at the bar on the first floor of our hostel. (St. Christopher's, by the way, if you're going to Paris this is the hostel to stay in, no joke). My first official cosmo, and the best fuzzy navel I've ever had.
Day two started out at 9am at the Louvre. We spent five hours there, and it wasn't nearly enough. First things first, we saw Venus de Milo, the Winged Victory, and the Mona Lisa. Up to this point, most things in Paris were on a much grander scale than I was expecting. The Mona Lisa was not. It's so small! It was, however, way cooler than I was expecting. I wasn't really that thrilled because the image is everywere: calendars, post cards, text books, you name it. But the actual painting has a lot more life in it. To state the obvious, DaVinci was a genious. Then, we went our separate ways and I took an audio tour of the history of the actual building called from Chateau to Musee, or something much catchy-er. I'm really glad I did that, it was maybe the best 6 euro I've spent so far.
Our original plan was to hit the Musee d'Orsay after that but by the time we were ready to leave the Louvre there was a huge line to get into the Musee d'Orsay so we decided to wander a little and go back on Monday to see the museum. After wandering for a while we headed to Notre Dame. Once again, absolutely gorgeous. We went inside and there was a service (or mass rather, since it is Catholic) going on! I did not know that it was still being used as a church, that's amazing.
We bought some cool things near Notre Dame, I got a painting for a euro and some pretty neat gifts (that I'm really excited to send)! Night two ended at the bar of the hostel again, talking with the cool 19 year old bartender from Oregon and a guy from Texas who is also studying in France.
Our last day was supposed to start with the Musee d'Orsay, nope didn't happen. We had completely forgotten that museums are usually closed on Mondays. So we decided that Sacre Coeur would be the next stop. I am so happy we made it there. It has the best views of the city, plus the church is gorgeous, and the arrows from Amelie are there! How cool! After sitting on the steps of the church for a while we walked around Montmarte. For a few blocks near the church, there are nothing but fabric stores! Seriously, I don't know how they all stay in business, there must be over 40 fabric stores in one neighborhood! Among these fabric stores was a discount purse store where I bought a new bag, since my 12 euro one decided it had had enough of carrying my crap around and broke over five times that weekend alone... anyways more wandering led us to le Chat Noir, Moulin Rouge, and Les Deux Moulin, the Cafe where Amelie workes! We had coffee and crepes then headed to the Gare to catch our train home.
I was one of the most tiring weekends of my life, and way more than worth it.

I aboslutely cannot wait to go back with Andrea and Katrice.... and DAD!

Until next time, love, Ashley

Paris, Je t'aime.

I love Paris. j
This was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Paris is officially my favorite city, and I can say that for real now. I will write a full post, complete with pictures soon. But until then, I really need some sleep :)