Coffee Machines

Okay, Becca's mom and step-dad are in town, so she probably won't have a chance to post this week. But I promise you will get stories from her...

First of all, I have to say that today was a good day at school. We understood nearly everything that was going on around us. We were prepared for our Concurrence et Distribution TD and we almost made two new friends. Let me explain- the French kids don't talk to us much, however, one of them asked me for some paper (twice) and one guy even asked Becca to e-mail him her notes. We were stoked.

So about the list I posted earlier- I had a comment about the coffee machines- so I will elaborate. Let me first explain that French college students don't carry coffee to-go cups. You can only find them in Starbucks and I am not really sure why this has not taken off in France (the land of coffee). BUT they do have these coffee machines on campus where you 1) choose your beverage, 2) insert your money (this varies- more later) and then 3) choose your sugar preference, and finally 4) the machine brews a cup for you. Granted, it is most likely Nescafe, but it is sooo handy. It is especially handy because these machines are EVERYWHERE on campus. The thing is, most of our classes are on the first floor, however the coffee on the third floor is noticeably better (and for some reason 10 cents cheaper). So, sometimes during our break, we take the elevator to the third floor for the better and cheaper coffee. We have priorities, you know.

I must also add that Becca and I both have broken down and purchased coffee to-go mugs at our local Starbucks. (mine was a b.day gift) But we usually only carry them on days when we have early classes. It is like wearing a sign on your head that you are the AMERICAN in the class. Not necessarily a bad thing these days, but still...

List of ideas

Well, I have to say that it is not easy to know where to begin blogging about the day-to-day adventures Becca and I experience living in Paris and going to school in Cergy. We have been compiling blog ideas over the past three months... Every time we see something weird - or have to deal with something unfamiliar- we look at each other and say, "BLOG!"
But we made an actual list today -so I am going to give you a taste of some of the topics now, but we will revisit them (and others) in more detail at a later date. To give you an idea of what I am rambling about here is part of our list:

1. The nylons + shorts + boots phenomenon (and other fashion choices- the good, the bad, and the bizarre)
   
2. The ins and outs of subway riding (example: ALWAYS look bored, despondent, or annoyed.)
3. The college students' LOVE of school supplies-Just know that I have the coolest pencil bag in the class (We checked one day during a break.)
4. You need a picture of yourself (or 2) for EVERYTHING-aka- Always carry a head shot.
5. Where do the French buy dental floss? We can't find it anywhere.
6. I love the coffee machines here- the coffee is less than great- but the principle is brilliant. (Especially since people don't carry portable coffee cups.)
   
7. Wine is good and cheap. (shocking I know- but just be prepared for some wine posts)
8. The overuse of the word exceptional...
9. Want to sound more French? Say "franchement" every other word. If you really want to sound French, disperse a few "Baaaahhhh"s and "uuuuuuuhhh"s in your sentence. You will be golden.
   
10. The back stories on our classmates. (Becca's specialty- she likes to figure out who is dating whom. She has nick names for them. It is hilarious- to us, at least.) As for me, out of our class of 100, I might recognize 6 of them outside of class. I am always asking, "Is she new?"
    

Feel free to comment on any of the above topics that sound particularly interesting and we will start there...
bisous
g

I wish they would tell us beforehand when class is exceptionally cancelled

*DISCLAIMER**
So I made a promise to myself to keep this blog positive. Meaning, I don't want this blog to turn into a place to just vent all of the frustrating occurences that come with living/going to school abroad. Nor do I want to further sterotypes of French people as being less than friendly. However, I do plan to tell about some of the frustrating aspects of life here-BUT know that I am doing it with a smile on my face. Sometimes you just have to laugh. It may not actually be funny to me now- but it will be. Sometime. Someday.
Alright, no more disclaimers for the moment. I will try to fit in a proper post tonight when I am on a non-French key board.
BISOUS
g

Bonjour!

We are starting this blog to tell about all of the crazy things we see and experience here in France. We have many ideas for blog entries and will update as much as possible. We hope you will enjoy the topics as much as we have enjoyed discussing them.
Love,
Gretchen and Becca