Internet access aside, my residence is not a bad place to live.
Strasbourg is a great city for biking and walking.
And wild blackberries on the side of the road doesn't hurt either.
Internet
Unfortunately my internet access has been sporadic these days, so my postings have been delayed. I don't have internet in my room (because they don't want to turn it on) so I only have access at school during the day.
Internet access aside, my residence is not a bad place to live.
Strasbourg is a great city for biking and walking.
And wild blackberries on the side of the road doesn't hurt either.
Internet access aside, my residence is not a bad place to live.
Strasbourg is a great city for biking and walking.
And wild blackberries on the side of the road doesn't hurt either.
European Parliament
We visited the European Parliament on Tuesday.
It was a nice tour, but a bit difficult to coordinate with over 50 people.
One of the conference rooms.
The common assembly room.
It was a nice tour, but a bit difficult to coordinate with over 50 people.
One of the conference rooms.
The common assembly room.Bateau-mouche
That's the pretty name they give to the river boat tours. It sounds like /bat - o - moosh/. Here are some of the pretty views of Strasbourg by boat.
Paris - the more things change...
...the more they stay the same.
I arrive in Paris and see that while the French and the Americans are very different in a lot of ways, business is business and when it comes to money, I guess we're all the same. But I'd still like to think differently.
I arrive in Paris and see that while the French and the Americans are very different in a lot of ways, business is business and when it comes to money, I guess we're all the same. But I'd still like to think differently.
Strasbourg, France
This summer I was granted a scholarship by the French government to study in Strasbourg, France for three weeks. I decided to arrive a few days early and enjoy the views before I begin classes. What a wonderful treat to live here for a whole month!
Here are some of the amazing things I've been seeing.
Here are my living quarters. I am staying in a university residence. It's a studio with a bathroom and kitchenette. It's simple but comfortable.
This is the tram I take every day. I have never seen a more efficient, clean, and convenient public transport system in my life. I bought a monthly card which gets me on any tram or bus around the city of Strasbourg with unlimited use.
This is the building where I picked up my scholarship money.
This is the one everyone comes to see though...just like every other cathedral in Europe, this one is indeed a stunner - La Cathédrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg.
Here are some of the amazing things I've been seeing.
Here are my living quarters. I am staying in a university residence. It's a studio with a bathroom and kitchenette. It's simple but comfortable.
This is the tram I take every day. I have never seen a more efficient, clean, and convenient public transport system in my life. I bought a monthly card which gets me on any tram or bus around the city of Strasbourg with unlimited use.
This is the building where I picked up my scholarship money.
This is the one everyone comes to see though...just like every other cathedral in Europe, this one is indeed a stunner - La Cathédrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg.
Updates galore - travel
Not only did we buy a house in 2008, we've been on lots of trips since I last blogged. Here's a list:
December 2007 – Seattle, WA
January 2008 – Portland, OR
June 2008 – Europe - Berlin (Germany), Dresden (Germany), Prague (Czech Republic), Krakow (Poland), Budapest (Hungary), Vienna (Austria)
August 2008 – Montreal, Canada
October 2008 – Rhinebeck, NY
November 2008 – Washington D.C – Green Festival
February 2009 – Montreal, Canada
March 2009 – San Diego, CA
May 2009 – Toronto, Canada
Updates galore - our house
It's been a long year and a half. Apparently too busy for me to blog!
We went from renting a house with my parents to finally buying our own place last March.
We bought a (town)house and moved in last May. We celebrated one year in our new place and it still feels new. It's so wonderful to come home to our place each day.
the front
the view
Lately we've been working on finishing our basement to add more space. The walls are up and painted, the lights and outlets are on. The carpet is almost finished. We went with a DIY carpet and it's been great - modular carpet tiles from Flor. It's been so easy, I would highly recommend this carpeting as a floor solution for anyone.
We went from renting a house with my parents to finally buying our own place last March.
We bought a (town)house and moved in last May. We celebrated one year in our new place and it still feels new. It's so wonderful to come home to our place each day.
the front
the viewle français dans le monde
If there is one thing I have discovered as a language aficionado and French teacher, it is that French is everywhere. We can't help it; we love the way it sounds, the way it looks and how exotic it makes us feel. You would be surprised how much there is around us. Take a good look around you. Here is a sampling of some stores in one town. Enjoy mes amis!
ici means here...get your fashion here!
we don't say people are small, they are petites
be a little extravagent and irregular
French ballet
girls and boys
red would be too boring - but rouge is sexy!
when you get your hair and nails done, you look pretty!
in the know
at Alice's place
ici means here...get your fashion here!
we don't say people are small, they are petites
be a little extravagent and irregular
French ballet
girls and boys
red would be too boring - but rouge is sexy!
when you get your hair and nails done, you look pretty!
in the know
at Alice's placeTo buy or to rent - that is the question!
Well, the whole house buying experience has been fruitful, but only from a learning perspective. We canceled the contract we were in because the house was falling apart before our eyes and becoming more expensive by the day. I am happy that we didn't move forward because the experience has taught me that I don't really want to buy a house right now.
So, we are renting! We live in a big, old house. It turns out to be a Sears Model home. Between 1908 and 1940, Sears sold homes from a catalog that you could have built or build yourself. You purchased various parts and could customize it however you wanted. The house we live in is the Lexington Model and was purchased between 1927 and 1932 for around $4,000. It's a lovely home with some nice old features and some updates as well.
I don't know when our next purchase will be, but for now, we're just relaxing in a rental!
So, we are renting! We live in a big, old house. It turns out to be a Sears Model home. Between 1908 and 1940, Sears sold homes from a catalog that you could have built or build yourself. You purchased various parts and could customize it however you wanted. The house we live in is the Lexington Model and was purchased between 1927 and 1932 for around $4,000. It's a lovely home with some nice old features and some updates as well.
I don't know when our next purchase will be, but for now, we're just relaxing in a rental!
Moving along
The house inspection went well. We didn't discover many other problems, thankfully. Now we're just waiting for all the ducks to fall into place - the financials and final contract negotiations.
We are so anxious. We really want this house and can't wait to move in. The waiting is wearing us down. We need more patience so that we can hang in there.
Here is a picture of part of the backyard, facing the preserved land. Volleyball, anyone? Don't worry, we'll get a new net!
We are so anxious. We really want this house and can't wait to move in. The waiting is wearing us down. We need more patience so that we can hang in there.
Here is a picture of part of the backyard, facing the preserved land. Volleyball, anyone? Don't worry, we'll get a new net!
Berries galore!
Berries as far as the eye can see...we went blueberry and raspberry picking this morning. We've got enough antioxidants to last us about two days! Seriously, my love finishes them before I can even reach for them. :-) That's okay, at least they are good for him. I encourage you- go find a farm, pick some fruit or veggies. Get connected with nature and learn to appreciate the blessings of abundance and food and life!
New House - maybe!
So, I was ready to revisit the "Our House" theme, but it just didn't feel right. I'm not superstitious or anything. The bottom line is, we're not there yet. We are just getting out of Attorney Review, which is a little further than last time around. The inspection is next Thursday.
I'll fill you in on the details in the meantime. The house is about 10 miles from both of our jobs. It's a country drive to work, no highways or loads of traffic, thank God. It is a 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath ranch and is about 2600 sq. ft. The lot is an acre and has a pool. It backs Green Acres which is preserved land that cannot be developed. The house needs some work but we're getting it for a great price which means we can afford to fix some things. Here is a pic of the front of the house (which doesn't do it much justice).
Wish us well. We're excited to almost have our own home, our first home. We'll keep you posted with the details.
I'll fill you in on the details in the meantime. The house is about 10 miles from both of our jobs. It's a country drive to work, no highways or loads of traffic, thank God. It is a 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath ranch and is about 2600 sq. ft. The lot is an acre and has a pool. It backs Green Acres which is preserved land that cannot be developed. The house needs some work but we're getting it for a great price which means we can afford to fix some things. Here is a pic of the front of the house (which doesn't do it much justice).
Wish us well. We're excited to almost have our own home, our first home. We'll keep you posted with the details.
Back to school
No, it's not September. I've started graduate school again, but I'm not at Bennington this summer. I've decided to change schools. So, where did I decide to finish my degree? Well, my alma mater has called me back -
I'm taking an awesome class right now called "Songs of Modern France". The professor takes out his accordian (I kid you not) and we sing and learn French songs from the 17th to the 20th centuries. It is a lot of fun and quite the learning experience. My degree should take me another few years but the bonus is that I don't have to go during the year so I can focus and revise the curriculum at work.
I'm taking an awesome class right now called "Songs of Modern France". The professor takes out his accordian (I kid you not) and we sing and learn French songs from the 17th to the 20th centuries. It is a lot of fun and quite the learning experience. My degree should take me another few years but the bonus is that I don't have to go during the year so I can focus and revise the curriculum at work.
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