Since I've last updated, we went to Versailles with the other Americans. Turns out it's the four of us Iowa kids, and two girls from Michigan. Don't get me wrong, Versailles is incredible, but I don't think I'll be going back any time soon. My blisters had blisters. There is just so much walking to do, so if you go, do wear comfortable shoes.
I highly recommend that if you do anything, go back to Marie Antoinette's village behind her estate. It's by far my favorite place in the entire palace (if it's a part of the palace.) I'll include some photos I took below the body post.
I think this is the summer where I learn to drink coffee- and lots of it. See, Hostess sets out a coffee mug for me in the morning, because I said I like coffee in the morning. This isn't necessarily a lie, but when I get to work, they also offer me coffee. I'm too... shy? to decline, so I take more coffee there. So, for 4 out of the 7 days of the week, I'll be having two cups of coffee.
Also, European coffee is different than American coffee. This is more like expresso, and it's served in a little cup with a little spoon. I think I prefer this to American coffee, and I know when I get home I'll have to get an expresso machine like this.
I'm currently trying to update my phone with music. I have a 16g, and I have much much more music than that. So when it comes to picking artists, I feel like I'm choosing between my children. I love you all equally!
(I've had one of my two cups for the day, can you tell?)
So I got into my internship! I'm working for a non profit organization, and I'm doing mostly behind the scenes work, like submitting the correct paper work to the correct people, etc. I only work from 2-6 Mon-Thurs, so that's really nice. I have time in the morning to do things and I don't get off too late at night that if I wanted to go poke my nose around something, I could do that as well. I'm not going to lie, the language barrier is difficult and a little bit intimidating. Also, this is my first job like this- where I get assigned tasks and have to do them, as opposed to Kmart where I was told to go hang out around the garden center. So this is real life, huh?
Also, I keep thinking that this internship will define my entire life- and it's totally not. I'm an unpaid intern, this is about experience for me, and for them. I only work 16 hours a week and was confused, and then I remembered this is just like when I went to Montpellier, some people did internships that only lasted about that much per week. This is just an internship- this isn't my permanent job or anything like that.
My host family situation is working out very well for me thus far. It's just me and a older lady (who doesn't act her age at all, she's still active and whatnot) and I have my own living room and bedroom. I come back here and chill and she goes into her room and chills. We don't eat dinner together, she says she's trying to lose weight. So on nights where she cooks for me, she leaves it on the counter and I eat it as I please. It's really nice, actually. She's too nice to me, she's always getting me little things (like food) and always tells me we need to be chill, relaxed, at ease. I really like her.
So recently, even back at Iowa, I haven't had that much of an urge to go out to bars or parties and get schwasty pants in awhile. Luckily for me, French don't get drunk in public. They do have a drink or two when out with friends, but it's not the goal to get hammered like it is in the United States. So the other night we (Iowa kids) went out to a place called "L'Academie de la Biere" (The Beer Academy) and had ourselves a drink before we had dinner. And let me tell you, I am very much a lightweight. I had a beer at 50 cl and was tipsy. So note to self, drink slowly, and don't drink too much. I haven't drank too much wine since Hostess doesn't buy any, and I'm not sure how she'd feel if I brought a bottle home. It's no big, I'll just wait until Brad then Andrew and Sarah get here to drink more wine (not that I haven't had enough in my lifetime thus far ;) )
I hope I can convince people I'm French, or at least not American. I haven't seen one Mexican since I've gotten here, even as tourists. I often get confused for being Turkish or Indian. I mean, it's whatever, I'm not mad about it. It's always strange to explain to people that I'm Mexican, no, American, but my mother's family is from Mexico.
Think about how you identify yourself.
I leave for Norway in about 9 days. I'll be visiting my cousins on the Lohse side of my family. They have been sending me licks form their blog about things I want to do. Looks like we're going to be doing a lot of hiking, which I'm ecstatic about. I'll bring my camera and hopefully get some good photos in while I'm visiting. I can't wait!
About a week after that, Brad arrives. The plan thus far is to hang here for a few days, go to London for the weekend, then come back until he leaves. Then, like, a day after that, Andrew and Sarah arrive for about a week and a half. I'm so excited from them to come visit! Andrew's first time to Europe :) :) and then after they leave, I have twelve days, then I myself head back to the US to help Kathy get married.
Very very very eventful summer. And easily shaping up to be my best summer yet.
Only thing missing is my parents coming to visit. I miss them.
And the kitties, of course.
Alright, I need to go do some stuff for work (lol I'm a big girl!) and whatnot.
A bientot et bisous!
Iowa kids in the Hall of Mirrors
Some random person. She seemed to make a good model.
We made IOWA at Versailles. Go Hawks!
Walking around the gardens
I got called being a hipster for taking this photo. Mango sorbet. Nom nom nom.
Paw said he wanted to see what my camera can do- here ya go Dad.
We got lost in the gardens behind Marie Antoinette's place, so of course, I took a selfie.
The ground was mostly like this. Ouch.
In front of the orangerie. Incredible designs.
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