Que le monde change!

All humans who love must understand the necessity of change! Unfortunately, the human brain has not the capacity to embrace a concept so enormously complex and frequently ruthless.

You may have already giggled at the sight of me in pink shorts upon discovering this post. I have posted this photo to highlight the gay spirit (LOL) which greeted me as I arrived at my three month layover in Amarillo. You may already be familiar with the events of this summer and understand how blessed I feel to have been here with family and friends before leaving for France; however, in an effort to “drive the point home” I would like to share the following:

As I said goodbye to Chase and Nicole tonight, I realized that this life, in its many moments of change, never allows for vain moments of idleness. If one admits that there have been times which have taught us nothing, one fails miserably to recognize that every moment of every day is to be lived with intent and purpose. Before I arrived in Amarillo, I expected to learn nothing that I hadn’t already known; instead, I became a master at the art of cubing (solving a Rubik’s Cube), a jean expert, a good friend in three relationships, and a believer in providence. These things all because of the love and support I have received from this West Texas community. So as Chase and Nicole return to Rochester, New York in the morning while David becomes more habituated with his life as an Okie, I will embrace my final two weeks in the High Plains of Texas by (as Amber commented on my last post) “…drink[ing] some shiner, eat[ing] some steak, sip[ing] some iced tea, kick[ing] back in the AC, listen[ing] to the crazy thunderstorms, enjoy[ing] the 24 hour convenience of walmart, drive[ing] ruby (my car), say[ing] y'all, and notic[ing] the touchability of the toilet to the tub.... for soon they shall all be gone!” In addition to this, I will also endear the last moments I spend with my family. Although I am sad to see this American life leave me, I have never felt more right about something as I do about moving to France! This summer has given me the much needed confidence to leave American Eagle™, board American Eagle™ and fly away.

This past Saturday as I unenthusiastically folded jeans only to have the takers (customers) pull them out of the wall once again, I encountered a family looking for a pair of Bootcut – Light Bleach Repair Wash jeans for their son. Without speaking, I saw what the family needed and escorted them to a wardrober where the jeans were hanging. When I asked what size the son needed, I heard the mother trying to interpret what I was saying into French. WHAT?!?!?! SHE’S NOT SPEAKING SPANISH?!?!?! I politely asked, “Parlez-vous français?” to which she bewilderingly answered, “OUI!” It turns out that the family was on vacation and in the process of touring the Southern United States when they got the “hankerin’“ for some good ole’ west Texas mall shoppin’. How fortunate that our paths crossed!

This past Sunday as I exited the men’s locker room at the Town Club to begin my workout, I open the door to a father standing in the hallway saying to his children, “Là c’est pour les filles et là c’est pour les garçons.” He was instructing them, IN FRENCH, where to go in order to change after having enjoyed an afternoon at the pool. I then reacted by asking, “Parlez-vous français?” to which the father bewilderingly answered, “OUI! Parlez-vous français?” to which I enthusiastically answered, “OUI!” It turns out that the family was from Cameroun and now lives in Amarillo where they often get the “hankerin’” for some good ole’ west Texas dives in the local watering hole. How fortunate that our paths crossed!

Today, when I asked a man in our store if he was looking for jeans, I received this response in English, “Do you speak French?” to which I enthusiastically answered, “OUI!” The man was floored at receiving the response he had never in a million years expected to receive in Amarillo, Texas. It turns out that he and his wife were on vacation from their home in Belgium with their daughter who just graduated from a university in Montreal when they too got the “hankerin’” for some good ole’ west Texas mall shoppin’. How fortunate that our paths crossed!

The odds of finding people who speak French in Amarillo are extremely slim! The odds of people who speak French as their native language randomly finding that one Amarilloan who happens to be bilingual in English and French are even slimmer! Not only are these stories true, they further enforce the previously made statement about me being a strong believer in providence. I feel drawn to France, but even more importantly, I feel France being drawn to me. I don’t know what is in store for me in two weeks, but as Rachel Biel has noted time and time again, “Dieu a des projets pour toi en France!” God has plans for me in France! The change which lies ahead is enormously complex and so ruthless towards the relationships I cherish with my friends and family; however, it is indeed necessary and magnificently intended!

By the way, I found an apartment for the month of September! I will share more with you as the details develop!

Exprimez-vous!

I just had to share this photo of Oliver with you! I'm going to miss him!

So here’s the low-down, I’M GOING TO FRANCE! In 19 days, I WILL BE IN FRANCE! Just the other day, I was thinking to myself, “Self, in less than a month, YOU WILL BE ON THE PARISIAN METRO!”

“Now don’t get too excited! There is still much left to do!” said I to myself! I am currently in the process of finding an apartment for at least the month of September. I figure that once I arrive in Paris and have a place to stay, I will be able to find a more suitable and permanent home for myself and I.

In the mean time, I finish my work at American Eagle and bid farewell to my summer crew as they leave before we do (that is, myself and I). This summer has been great and has truly given me time to relax, make some money, enjoy friends and family, and absorb as much of Texas as I can before I hop onto that metal bird and sore across that blue pond!

Yesterday I placed as my facebook status, “Cole a besoin d’un appartement à Paris”, which means “Cole needs an apartment in Paris!” I didn’t expect many people to respond, but much to my surprise, I received 8 comments, 3 of which were from French people, 1 from a girl that I met in France who is from Jamaica (who wrote her message in French), 3 from Americans writing in English, and 1 from an American writing in French! They had things to say like,

“Yeah man, je t'acceuilles a bras ouvert :)” –Stéphane Tsang

(I welcome you with open arms)

...and...

“Hey cole, tu arrives quand?? C'est vraiment cool que tu reviennes après ton année de vacances aux USA ! LOL! Bon fais moi signe des que tu es la! Biz” -Eugénie Fradin

(Hey Cole, when are you arriving?? It’s so cool that you’re coming back after your year of vacation in the United States! LOL! Well, let me know when you’re here! Kisses”)

Needless to say, these messages remind me that I am going to a place where I need to be and that won’t be unfamiliar! HOW COOL IS THAT?!?!

In other news, the visa process was a walk in the park! I went down to Houston with John a week ago Tuesday, handed them my information and passport; they kept my passport (new procedure) and mailed it back to me by Friday! Considering that I arrived back in Amarillo on Thursday after having spent some final time with my Baylor family, I only had to wait one day for my passport to return with my newly adhesively applied visa! GLORIOUS!

I will keep you posted as more news arrives. As of late, I am waiting to hear from someone in France who might have an apartment for me for the month of September! Keep your fingers crossed!

FRANCOT EST ARRIVE!

WHO KNOWS WHAT THIS IS?!?!?!?! Don't be shy... raise your hands... both of them... now pretend like you're taking the first dive on the coolest roller coaster in the world... are you screaming yet?

IT'S MY LETTER FROM FRANCE! I can now venture to Houston to obtain my VISA! Francot has arrived!

Since I just posted yesterday, there isn't much to add to this post; therefore, I will simply leave you with this exciting bit of information with which you may do as you please.

l'Aigle Américain

I am writing you with much joy in my heart! It is 00h46 in the morning and I just got off of work about one hour ago. In most people’s hearts, there would be anger and fatigue after having to work so late; however I just had the time of my life!

As you now know, I work for American Eagle at good ole’ Westgate Mall here in Amarillo, TX. At the beginning of this job, I anticipated that I would be bored to tears; ON THE CONTRARY! If you read my last post, you know that my job in retail has been anything but boring! Today was a blast! I got to help this young man look for jeans while his grandma told me about this computer hunting game that she plays where, “…if you walk around with a net, the scorpions will attack you and you die! But it’s ok, because you just end up back at your house all alive again!” Now isn’t that SOMTHIN’? I thought so anyway! I also helped a few disgruntled women find jeans for their husbands who are too lazy to go shopping for themselves. AND, the nicest man from Austin came in today to find some jeans for his 20 year reunion at Amarillo High School. His name was Greg and he’s the pastor of a new church by the name of Ecclesia Austin. All in all, I was given a 12 pair of jeans goal and sold 30! On Sunday I will be trained as a Denim Expert! I get a t-shirt and all the fixins’ INCLUDING, but not limited to, a tricked out nametag! But in all seriousness, the people who work with me at American Eagle are some of the greatest most down-to-earth people with whom I could have ever had the blessing of working this summer! I’ve been blessed!

In other news, I recently discovered that I will be teaching in a town just sixteen miles south of Paris by the name of Évry. I’ve started a rigorous apartment and church search. Today I stumbled across a church by the name of l’Eglise Baptiste de Ris-Orangis. I e-mailed the pastor and he returned my e-mail right away! I’m SO excited! I asked him in the e-mail if he knew of any young adults looking for a roommate and he told me that he would ask his congregation. Cross your fingers!

Last week Elizabeth and John from Baylor came to visit me. I gave them the grand tour of Amarillo and we had a blast! I truly miss them and the rest of the Baylor crew, but I know that France is where God’s will lies. I’m just closing my eyes, taking a deep breath, and taking a leap! We’ll see how things go…

C'est de la µ€®Ð€!

Oh how things have changed! I have waited a long time before writing another post. This is because I understand that the recent events in my life have had little to do with France and that this post would just be me rambling about my ordinary life. On the other hand, I am exuberantly pleased to update those who chose to read this post by informing you that things are going very well for little ole me.

As was reported in my last post, finding a short-term job is not an easy task, but after much patience, I received a call three weeks ago from American Eagle™ and have been adventurously working there ever since. I say adventurously because things have been anything but dull in my new retail endeavor. Allow me to paint a picture for you by recounting one small but pivotal event that occurred just last Saturday. Please note that this story is not for those with weak stomachs nor extremely vivid visual imaginations!

Context: I’m in the process of welcoming customers into our store while assisting a man and his ten or eleven year old son look for a pair of jeans. I make my recommendations and wait while the son tries on his selections in one of our fancy fitting rooms. I briefly move on to other customers and begin to help a woman find a specific jean size. Realizing that I would need to venture to the back room to find said woman’s requested size, I am approached by the son’s father who informs me that his son has had an accident in front of register number one. The father then moves horizontally away from the scene of the crime to continue his shopping, thus revealing to me the freshly laid pile of human fecal matter. (If you are extremely sensitive or easily offended, please do not read this next sentence!) The pile is not of habitual substance one would expect in the middle of a retail venue, but more like the substance one would expect in the middle of the Bill and Eva Williams Bear Habitat at Baylor University. I kid you not, my first thought is thus, “Where do we keep our shovel!” Not knowing if this occurrence is normal for American Eagle™, and obviously not knowing the protocol, I approach my assistant manager Kendra to inform her of the incident. With a pair of jeans in my hand, I attempt to discretely explain to Kendra the situation; however, with the father watching me attentively, the only words able to escape from my mouth are, “Uh… He uh… That kid uh… I’m going to the back to check on a size for someone!” Kendra asks me if something is wrong, to which I respond, “Uh… well… uh… follow me!” She follows me to the back and I inform her of the situation:

ME: “THAT KID JUST HAD AN ACCIDENT!”
KENDRA: “What sort of accident? Did he wet himself?”

ME: “NO! HE POOPED IN THE FLOOR!”

KENDRA: “OH MY GOD! SHUT UP!”
ME: “REALLY! GO TAKE A LOOK!”
KENDRA: walks away to observe the festering pile and returns to say, “OH – MY –GOD! I’M QUEEZY! ARE YOU OK? ARE YOU GOING TO BE SICK?”
ME: “No, I’m fine. I worked in the hospitals in high school. I’m used to such things.”
KENDRA: “OH GOOD! Do you mind cleaning it up?”
ME: “Uh… not at all! Do we have anything with which to clean it?”
KENDRA: “Just go and find anything you can from the back!”

ME: “Ok…”

I then go to the back and find two bags and a pair of rubber gloves. When I reenter the main part of the store, Kendra comes over our walkie-talkies to say, “Here comes Cole in the hazmat suit!” The rest is history. Although this event may sound traumatizing, It makes the rest of the day at work so much fun as we laugh and joked about our store being the new squat and shop in Westgate Mall.

Apart from my new job, I’ve also been spending much time with my friends David, Chase (my best friend in elementary school), and Nicole (Chase’s girlfriend). We used to just see one another in Roasters, our favorite coffee shop in town, but eventually decided that we have much in common and enjoy being with one another. We have therefore spent every night for the past month doing things like watching Harry Potter, playing tennis, roasting marshmallows, cooking dinners, going out to eat, and exploring downtown Amarillo (which happens to be a great place to spend Friday nights!) It also doesn’t hurt that Nicole also happens to be an American Eagle™ associate like me! It just so happens that I was covering one of her shifts when the pooper attacked!

All in all, Amarillo has turned out to be a great place to spend the summer while waiting for my departure to France! For the past week and for the rest of this week, my best friend from middle school and high school Sarah Stanford is in town and has been spending time with my Amarillo posy. In addition to this glorious group of individuals, my best friends from Baylor John Kitch and Elizabeth Lattier will be coming to town this Friday to pay me a visit! Oh how the tables have turned! Life is good!

En Attendant Godot

Waiting for Goddy is the name of this post. It is the title of a book written by Samuel Beckett about the absurdity of the human condition. This is to say, that humans often find themselves in absurd circumstanced in which they realize that they are waiting for something to happen in their lives but rarely are willing to take the necessary responsibility to bring this “something” to fruition. The name Godot can be related to other names in the French language such as Charlot or Jacquot. In English, the name Goddy can be related to other names such as Charley or Bobby. In other words, Godot and Goddy are nicknames for God. With that said, this title paints for us a picture of a person who insists upon the intervention of his or her good ole’ friend God. “Oh just pray and God will make it happen!”, “Don’t worry; it’s all in God’s hands!”, and “Just put your trust in God!” are some of the many phrases fed to individuals as they face the many carrefours (intersections) of life. While these phrases bring about hope and remind us that we are not the sole contributors in our lives, they often persuade a person to think that no action is necessary upon his or her part. Unfortunately, those who wait often find themselves with nothing; whereas, those who take the necessary responsibility to make things happen often find themselves in positions of success.

Over fourteen job applications and one month later, I am still a jobless Amarilloan waiting for a letter from Versailles, France to inform me of my new school in which I will eventually be teaching French students how to speak the language I have been exclusively speaking for the entire month of June. Don’t place prepositions at the ends of sentences; don’t use words like fast and good as adverbs; they is not third person singular… These are the rules that will be taught by me to the French, but rules rarely followed by my American friends and family. As I sleep for fourteen hours every day only to wake up and search the mail box for a letter from France, I also wait to hear from my friends at Express, American Eagle, Buffalo Wild Wings, Marriott, Starbucks, Roasters, Durry Inn, etc… Am I waiting for Godot?

With the fear of not taking responsibility for my actions blazon on my brain at the beginning of the summer, I submitted my application at several locations around town. There were days during which I would simply wait by the phone for a call, but for the most part, the search has been fairly consistent. Today, I was promised by Express that I would receive a call at around 15h. I waited until 16h15 before I finally placed the call myself. As it turns out, something came up and nothing was able to be discussed between the many organized managers running the show over at West Gate Mall. What am I to do? Beckett never laid out a plan of action in the scenario that one has seemingly taken the responsibility but nothing happens.

The same issue has arisen with my letter from Versailles. I can do NOTHING about my move to France until I have that letter. I can’t obtain a Visa, I can’t find housing until I know where I will be teaching, and I can’t purchase a plane ticket until I for sure have a place to live. I AM WAITING ON FRANCOT!

I now find myself writing this blog while watching Property Virgins on HGTV™ while my mom insists that I explain to her in detail why I “…DIDN’T EAT ALL OF THE MEAT!” Oh “…for the love!” as my dear friend Sharia Brock would say…

Adieu!

I once heard an actor in a sitcom say, "If you love someone, you have to let them go!" It was a sitcom; therefore, there had to be a comical line to follow: "I love you...GO!" I believe that when I first heard this "put down" I was in elementary school and thought it would be a fun line to use on my friends. They didn't think it was as funny as I did. Oh well! I eventually got over it and found a few funnier and more insulting lines from my primetime nick-at-nite™ friends. Nonetheless, this idea of letting someone go was a concept that never left my mind.

As I flushed my last campus commode (in the Bill and Eva Williams Bear Habitat), I realized that it was really happening. As soon as I wash my hands and walk out of the door, I will be saying goodbye to people and Baylor indefinitely. No promises to be made about future appearances and no expectations to be held of such appearances. I had graduated and would be saying goodbye. Naturally, as I waved to my friends John and Reese, I said the ritual, "See you later!" It was a promise in which no definite hopes should be placed. I understand that I am never promised to see a person again when I say "See you later!", but it's a phrase that allows me to sleep at night. Before saying "See you later!" for the last time, Reese asked me "Will you ever see us again?" to which I replied, "Every day in my head!" It was a bit of a movie moment during which John escaped before it became too real. I watched John drive away in his "I Support the Troops" red truck and tried not to be too emotionally overtaken. I said my parting words to Reese as I hopped in my vehicle and eventually shut the door. I made a special effort to drive past Pat Neff Hall and as soon as I did, the tears began to flow.

There is something about Pat Neff Hall that seems to embody the spirit of what Baylor means to me. In our school song, one of the lines reads, "We'll fling our Green and Gold afar to light the ways of time". These two colors are always represented by the snow white tower capped with a golden bourret that lights the Waco night sky. Even in the seasons when a Baylor loss in football or basketball must be bared with the white lights that hide the victorious Green shone upon the tower, the tip of the tower can never hide her true colors. These two colors are the colors of the blood that flows through the heart of the campus and into the hands and feet of the many Baylor Bears that trod upon the four corners of the earth. The tower sings throughout the day to remind us of the angelic music that calms all hearts when times of hardship must be faced. This music brings tears to our eyes because we understand that there is someone greater than us who will never leave our sides nor to whom we will ever have to say "See you later!" for the last time. Pat Neff Hall is not the oldest building on campus, but like all Baylor Bears, she joined the Baylor family in the middle of Baylor history, only to become a landmark.

As I looked upon this tower one last time, the song Chariot by Gavin Degraw plays from a CD given to me by my friend Amber. It's a bitter sweet moment. I reach the last set of columns that represent the Baylor Heritage in Independence, TX and begin to cry with an unbearable feeling of sadness. It was one of those feelings that remind you that there is nothing you can do to change this. I decided to send a message to Dub Oliver to say goodbye. He responded with a heartfelt message that didn't help to remedy the flow of tears. I-35N would be my route and Amarillo would be my destiny (for the next three months that is).

I now sit here in Amarillo waiting for a summer job to support me until my time comes to once again fling my Green and Gold afar in the land that is so dear to my heart - La France!

Je Retourne!

As many of you may already know, I applied for the Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship to France and was awarded a non-Fulbright French Government Teaching Assistantship. This means that in the fall of 2009, I will start my job as an English Teaching Assistant in FRANCE!

I recently received an e-mail from the French Embassy in Washington D.C.:

Dear Future Teaching Assistant,

Congratulations! We are very pleased to inform you that you have been accepted into the French Teaching Assistantship Program for the 2009-2010 academic year, sponsored by the French Ministry of Education.

You have been placed in the Académie of Versailles. You will be assigned to one or more schools in the region, however please note that your school(s) will not necessarily be located in the city of “Versailles." You can find out more information about your particular Académie d’affectation at the following website: http://www.ac-versailles.fr/

In June, you will receive a letter directly from your Académie containing your “Arrêté de Nomination.” This document will provide essential information, including the name(s) and address(es) of the school(s) where you will teach, the length of your contract, level of instruction, and your contact person’s information. Please note that I do not know yet where you will be assigned within the Académie, nor can I change your placement.

Please confirm by e-mail whether you will accept the offered position as a Teaching Assistant in France. If your plans have changed and you are no longer able to participate in this year’s program, we ask that you let us know immediately so that we can offer the post to another candidate on the waiting list. Should you resign from this year’s program, we cannot guarantee your future acceptance into the program as deferment is not an option.

We look forward to hearing from you and félicitations!

Court!

It’s finals week! No big deal! These tests are very easy! It’s been no thang but a chicken wing! I have nine finals and they all aren’t going to be so easy. I hope anyway! Today I have posted some more updates from the two week vacation. Enjoy!

This is a picture of the tram next to the university.

Part II, II, et IV!

The next day we went to a German Lutheran Church. It was interesting! I couldn’t understand a word that was being said, so I was a bit board; however, It was a very cultural experience! After that we found a little flee market where I bought a pin that says “Deutschland” for my backpack. We then toured the town of Hanover a bit and saw the high points. C’était vachement génial ! After walking through town we ate at a very nice and cheep restaurant near Sarah and Sean’s apartment. Laura and Sean tried to teach me some German words, but I wasn’t quite picking it up. Oh well. I thought that maybe French would be useful in Germany, but I was extremely wrong! Everybody in Germany speaks English. Even bums speak English. It’s crazy! If I had wanted to study German, I would have probably cried without ceasing! I’m a blessed that most French people don’t speak fluent English! That won’t be the case in just a few years, but for now ça va!

The next day Sarah and I took a stroll through the town while are friends wrote essays. They had to take an online class back at their home campus in San Angelo and they had to do homework while we were there – HOW RUDE! Sarah and I walked through the town together and found a really cool park. We took some pictures next to some old gazebo and some random German lady walked by and said something. I had no clue what she was saying, so I just said, “JA!” which is German for yes. After that we met back up with our friends and went to dinner. Sara and Sean took us to this really nice but cheap restaurant. They gave you a free bottle of wine if you buy two meals off of the same menu! Seeing as how I have become temporarily French, I was very happy! Don’t worry Sharia; I will become American again before I come back to Baylor! I’ve never been drunk in my life, but the bottle of wine that Sarah and I shared did make us both very happy to be alive!

The next day Sarah and I departed for Hamburg where we would be taking our flight to Paris. When we got off of the train, some young guy asked me for money and I went ahead and gave him a little bit. Later on, Sarah and I were trying to figure out how we were going to pay for the lockers for our luggage considering that we had no coins. That’s when I saw the same guy walk by and approached him to ask for change (I KNEW HE HAD SOME!). When I asked him he started to tell me his story again. I just stoped him by saying, “Yeah, I already know… remember…I gave you some money…do you have change for a five?” He did and he gave it to me! After that we wondered around town for a while and waited for our friends to arrive in Hamburg to say goodbye. While we waited we went into a café and I ordered coffee for us using four of the nineteen German words I know! I was very proud! When they finally got there we took some pictures and said farewell. Sarah and I then tried to navigate the Hamburg Airport. It wasn’t that hard. As a matter of fact, we were so early that we ended up being some of the first ones at our gate. Sarah was getting sick in the process and really not excited that her first time in Paris would be remembered as a sick time.

Ca RE-Recommence!

For those of you still keeping up with this blog despite my lack of faithfulness, bless you! Today you will find three blog posts. The first one is the one you are currently reading, the second is Part I of my two week voyage, and the third one is about my trip to Versailles. Each day I post there will be another part of the two week voyage, so there should be quite a bit to read in the near future. There will also be a future post about my trip to Tours in the Loire Valley. Lord willing, I will have all of my trips archived BEFORE I return to the USA. We’ll see how that goes!

As of today there are 25 days left for me in France. I am sad and happy at the same time. I know that once I get home to Amarillo that France will be missing from me like crazy! I will probably also start to use certain French terms like the one you just read. What I meant to say was that I will miss France; however, in France I would say that France will be missing from me. It’s ok; I often speak French using English terms. C’est la vie!

This is my last week of classes and then I will be starting finals. If you think about it, please pray that things go well! Be looking for updates!

Vacances Part I!

Vacation : Finally! I’m sorry that it has taken me so long to write this blog! Cole has been lazy. Instead of going through a day by day replay of what went on, I’ll do like I’ve done before and recount the good stories.

Deutschland (Germany):
As you know, I started off in Germany. In order to get to Germany I took a train from Caen and then caught a connection in Paris to Hanover. I took a sleeper train. It was a fun experience. It wasn’t the most comfortable bed, but I definitely was happy to do something I’ve never done before!

When I got to the train station in Hanover I couldn’t wait to see my friends! I was almost running through the station! When I got down to the ground floor I looked to my right and there they were! Sarah Stanford was walking towards me with that Sarah look and her Old Navy™ Performance Fleece™ rainbow colored beanie! We walked back to the apartment of our friends from Amarillo Sarah Meyers and Sean. It was still very early in the morning so we all just went back to sleep. After a night on a train, I was definitely still tired! We all slept in the same room on a giant cot that was made out of two mattresses from Sarah’s and Sean’s beds. It was one big happy family! Sara Meyer’s friend Laura was there too. She is also studying in Germany.

When we all woke up we went to the Hanover City Museum. It was a nice museum full of German and WWII history. It was a bit depressing, but nice at the same time. Sara, Sean, and Laura’s friend Maurice caught up with us and hung out with us for the remainder of our time in Germany. After the museum we went to eat at a Kebab restaurant near Sara and Sean’s apartment. We then went back to the apartment and hung out all night.

Versailles!

Today was such so much fun! It is Thursday and we had the day off for some reason so my friend Marie asked me to go to Versailles Palace with her. We left this morning for Paris at 11:49 and got to Versailles (right outside of Paris) at around 16:00. It was my second time to ever be at Versailles, but the last time was over five years ago and I really wanted to see it again!

While at Versailles we got to see the inside of the Palace and take some cool photos. I also got in trouble three times. The first time I was looking out of a window and the little kid inside of me said “OPEN IT!” So as I’m in the process of opening this window a woman’s voice says, “NON S’il vous plaît monsieur !” (NO please sir!) The next time was as I saw a sign that said do not enter. I didn’t understand why the sign said do not enter because I saw several people in that room. I therefore entered. I didn’t get very far before a woman signaled me to the entrance. Oh well. The third time was when I saw that a barrier had been slightly moved and followed some other “naughty” people into a forbidden area. Marie came with me and we took some photos of the “forbidden” rooms. Right as we got to the end of the “forbidden” tour a man approached me and asked if I had moved the barrier. I told him that it was already moved and then he kicked us out of the “forbidden”. I wanted to go back into the other parts of the palace and say, “We saw something you didn’t see! Na na na na boo boo!”

After we walked through the palace we went out into the gardens and walked around. It was a beautiful day! We walked for a while before we got too tired and then decided to find a boulangerie and get some baguette. We found our boulangerie and baguette and then walked back to the train station to see if we could exchange our ticket for a later ticket back to Caen. When we looked at the time tables and talked to the lady behind the counter, we discovered that we already had the latest ticket back. We then had to hurry to get back into Paris and to our train. As we were waiting for the train to take us back to Paris we ran into a very nice old lady that insisted that we sit with her on the train. She was SO nice! She talked with us for a while and asked us all sorts of questions. As we got off at the station in Paris she decided to walk us to metro to show us how to get to our train for Caen. As we were walking she decided that we needed to hurry so that we wouldn’t miss our train. She started walking so fast and weaving in and out of people that Marie and I almost lost her. When we got to the Metro she kissed us goodbye (the French always kiss on the cheeks when they say goodbye) and wished us a bon voyage.

We made it to our train on time and enjoyed a nice relaxing ride back to Caen. I was so happy to have gotten to spend the day with Marie and enjoy Versailles! Tomorrow I’m going to the Loire Valley to meet up with my friends from Baylor and see the Châteaux (castles).

For some reason or another this internet is not letting me post photos. I have a lot of things to share with you, but I can't do it right now. PLEASE stay tuned!

La vie en Rose!

You must forgive me! As usual, there is an excuse and it’s always the same one: I haven’t had internet in a while! The last time I came to the café, Microsoft™ Word™ wouldn’t work and I wouldn’t write the blog post. I don’t have a whole lot of time today to recount everything that went on in the past two weeks, but I would like to give you an actual update!

This past week was great! I started back my classes this Monday. Last weekend I was very much ready for the semester to be over and come back to the United States after spending time with my parents in Paris (BE READY FOR THAT STORY)! I started to count the number of weeks that rest before I come home. However, when I went back to class on Monday, I started to realize how much I am going to miss France! It’s strange! I don’t want to stay, but I don’t want to leave! It’s very bitter sweet! The day before yesterday, (Wednesday), I went to the gym and didn’t even workout! En fait, I worked out a little bit, but for the most part I stood around talking with my gym friends. We stood around and talked for about thirty minutes! It was awesome! After that I went back to the house and expected to have dinner with the Grousiers with little miss Benedict in her teenager mood as usual! That wasn’t the case at all! After dinner, I started to ask Benedict some questions and she and I talked for over thirty minutes! It was the first real conversation I’ve ever had with her! I don’t think she hates me as much as I thought! After dinner I got the opportunity to hang out with Rachel, Linden, Jonathan, and our French friends! We stayed and hung out with them until four in the morning! IT WAS GREAT! After that I went home and slept, only to wake up the next day and spend the entire Thursday with them! We didn’t have class on Thursday because May 1st is Labor Day. I even had dinner with them at a nearby “Texas” restaurant! We stayed out until midnight thirty! I LOVE FRANCE! I LOVE TEXAS TOO! Oh how I’m torn! One of these days I’m going to move my entire family and all of Baylor to France! I might even bring Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio along as well! That would be “La vie en Rose!”

Today I went to class and then out for lunch with Linden, Rachel, and Jonathan. We had Kebabs! Now I’m here in this café alone listening to Country music! Ironically, I’m listening to a song about a girl who’s parents sent her more money ;)!

CHINOISE!

Here’s a little story I forgot to tell you last night: Last Friday, I was in my grammar class when we decided to take a break to go to the bath room and get a drink. The bathrooms in this particular part of the university are coed. That means that there are girl’s toilets in the same room as the urinals. I was using the men’s portion of the room when a lovely little Chinese girl from our class came in the restroom. When she entered she said, I kid you not, “Cole, can I see?” WHAT? I about lost it! My American friend Sarah was in the restroom at the same time and she couldn’t believe it either. When I was finished doing my business I went to wash my hands while my lovely little Chinese friend was using the toilet. I went to dry my hands right as she was coming out of the toilet closet. As she made her way to the sink, she passed by my Greek-like body and stuck her hand up my shirt. She was probably highly offended when I about jumped back two feet and up another ten! The only thing I could think to say was, “Well, looks like more grammar!” and then I left the restroom! Later on that day I saw her at the tram stop and she grabbed my arm saying, “Ooo! You have a little bit of muscle!” I’m never wearing that t-shirt again around her!

Today, Monday, was good. I’m feeling better and just randomly decided to go to Germany Thursday!!!!!!! I’m going there to meet my childhood friend Sarah Stanford from Texas and then fly with her from Germany to Paris where I will show her and her friends around! YAY! I’m SO excited! After she leaves Paris, my parents are coming! MOMMY! DADDY! The next two weeks are going to be a riot!

Other than that, I went to class this morning where we talked about if we would ever marry a person from another culture. I told the professor that I would, but that my mom wouldn’t like it very much. She only wants me to marry someone from Amarillo. Oh well! When it came time for my lovely little Chinese friend to tell the professor who she would marry, she told the class that she was looking for either a German or an Italian. All of my American friends that knew the story were saying under their breaths, “OR AN AMERICAN!”

After class I went to the gym and then home for dinner. Now I’m here again, talking to you instead of doing my homework! See you soon!

Le Monde!

Because of my lack of internet access and my perpetual sickness, I have obviously been absent from the internet for a few days. That means that instead of writing this blog in accordance with days I will write it in accordance with events. Here we go:

Hélène: First and foremost, I finally decided to talk to Hélène about the un-invitation into the family room. Last Tuesday I went downstairs before dinner and had the following conversation: (keep in mind that the conversation is being translated from French to english)
Moi (me)- “Hélène, I just had a quick question about something that happened last Saturday.”
Elle (her)- “Yes Cole!”
Moi- “I was a bit confused when you told me that I couldn’t be in the family room. I didn’t know that I wasn’t supposed to go in there!”
Elle- “Oh yeah, you understand that we use that room almost as an extension of our bedroom. When Louis-Henri comes to visit he sleeps in there and when Benedict practices the cello she doesn’t like anyone to be in there including her brothers.”
Moi- “I understand, but I have to admit that I was a bit shocked! I had no idea that I wasn’t supposed to be in there! Nobody ever said anything!”
Elle- “Did I not tell you when you first came?”
Moi- “No, you didn’t.”
Elle- “Oh, I am so sorry! That’s my fault!”
Moi- “Like I said, I was a bit shocked… ok, I was very shocked and that’s why I went to my room for the rest of the day.”
Elle- “Oh no! I wondered why you were so quiet! I just thought you were tired!”
Moi- “No, I was shocked!”
Elle- “That’s why you didn’t come down when the company arrived! You usually run down stairs any time friends come over!”
Moi- “No, I was hiding.”
Elle- “I am so sorry!”
Moi- “The reason I went into the family room to begin with was because I saw that you were busy getting ready for the company and I wanted to get out of your way. I could have gone to my room, but you understand that there isn’t really anything in there for me to do. There’s neither internet nor television!”
(I figured she’d tell me to read a book!)
Elle- “That is a shame that the internet doesn’t work anymore! Any time you want to watch T.V, just let me know and we can set aside some time for you! I just have to make sure that the kids have a place to work and that I have a place to work when I’m getting ready for my classes.”
(I’m thinking, “Whatever!” by this point.)
Moi- “Ok, thank you very much!”
Elle- “Is there anything else Cole?”
Moi- “No, that was all!”
Elle- “Ok, we’ll eat in about five minutes!”

After that I felt better, but still think it’s a bit ridiculous that I can’t use the family room. I recently received an e-mail telling me that when she asked if I wanted to watch a movie, I should’ve said “oui” and then sat down at the entrance to the family room in the doorway. This same person also encouraged me to clog the commode out of revenge! You know who you are and I am very proud of you Adam!

Cussing Professor: The other day my professor was trying to explain to our class something that the President of France said in public that was highly looked down upon. In order to explain it to the fullest, he said, “It’s like if President Bush said, ‘F*** YOU!’” I just about fell out of my chair! He saw the expression on my face and said in english, “Sorry!”

Weekend: This weekend Louis-Henri came back into town. Last night Linden came and ate with the family and I and then the three of us; Louis-Henri, Linden, and I, went to La Foire. It’s a local carnival that comes for one month every year. When we got there we rode an attraction that made Linden almost wet her pants with excitement and Louis-Henri almost wet his pants with fear. I thought the poor kid was going to puke! Linden and I then got on this huge arm that goes in circles really high into the sky. It was fun and we had a great view of Caen! Today, Sunday, I went to church and when I left it was SNOWING! WHAT’S THE DEAL!?!? The past few days were beautiful, but today it snowed. I don’t get it!

Sick: I am still sick! I think it’s a virus! If I’m not better in the morning I’ll go back to the doctor. C’est la vie! I have to make sure that I’m better before my parents come to visit! I’m so excited to see them again!

Malade!

I’m sick again! AHHHH! I went to the doctor yesterday because I had to get him to sign something for my insurance. I had to wait for an hour and a half! While I was waiting I must have picked up some sort of disease from the others sitting in the waiting room! If I don’t get better soon I’ll have to go back and wait for another hour and a half! AHHHH!

Yesterday, other than going to the doctor, I ran some errands in town. I had to go to the bank, go to the insurance company (twice) and to the doctor as mentioned before. I didn’t have much time at the gym, but I went anyway. The speaker in the dressing room still doesn’t work! HA HA HA! When I came home Hélène asked me if I wanted to watch a movie with her and Yves-Marie. I WAS INVITED INTO THE FAMILY ROOM! Alert the media! I politely accepted the invitation. I don’t think that I’m going to talk to her about the “family room” issue. Like I said before, I don’t think she knows that she was rude. She was stressed and her daughter was trying to play the cello (it sounds like a dying cow). I’ll just have to get over it and go on with life. I never went in there that much anyway.

We watched a movie that took place in Québec (which means that everyone spoke French with an accent from Québec). I couldn’t understand a word. I just sat there getting sicker and sicker. When the movie finished I asked Hélène if she had anything for pain. She was very sweet. She gave me a pain pill (like Tylenol™) and some sort of liquid called Acti Soufre™ (it tastes like sun screen). I then went to bed and woke up wanted to shoot myself!

Today I went to class and the professor couldn’t talk because his voice was so hoarse! Something is going around and I do not like it! After class I studied for a test that I had in the next class. I wanted to fall asleep on the ground in front of God and everybody! I took the test without any problems and then I had lunch. I ate with my French friends that I went out with the other night! It wasn’t easy to talk to them because I couldn’t hear anything because of the junk in my ears! It wasn’t just French that I couldn’t understand. My friend Marie said something to me in english and I didn’t understand a word she was saying!

After my final class of the day I went home and slept for two hours. I then had dinner with Yves and Benedict because Hélène and Yves-Marie were in town for Yves-Marie’s birthday. Now I’m at the café with Rachel who has brought me some cold medicine! Thank you Rachel!

Je = I

Sunday: I went to church this morning with the family for Benedict’s confirmation. It was extremetly boring! Yves was sitting next to me and he fell asleep. He wasn’t in a good mood because we lost an hour of sleep do to time change. You’ll just have to get over it little Yves! Life happens! If I can’t go in the family room, you can stand to lose an hour of sleep! I’m a bit bitter if you haven’t noticed.

After church we went home and had lunch. We ate rabbit. It (honestly) tastes like chicken! I know mom, why didn’t we just eat chicken!?!? Oh well, the guests were very nice to me and we easy for me to understand. Either they spoke very well or I’m just able to understand French a lot better than I could before. After lunch I said goodbye to everyone and congratulations to Benedict before I came here to the café.

Moi, le Pauvre

Saturday : Saturday was an awkward day. I spent most of the day in my room in front of a computer with no internet. What joy!

When I went downstairs in the morning to eat breakfast Hélène was running around getting ready for her parents to come for Benedict’s confirmation at church on Sunday. She must have been in a bad mood because she said something that wasn’t all that nice. Here’s the story:

Keep in mind that not all families are the same and that just because my mother is the best mother in the world doesn’t mean that all of the mothers in the world are exactly the same! After I ate my breakfast, I went into the family room to watch television. As I was watching, Benedict came into the room to practice the cello. She started to take the cello out of the room so that I could watch the T.V., but I insisted that she stay and asked if I could use the internet (in the same room) instead. She started to set up her cello while I was logging on to the family computer to check my e-mail. For some reason the girl decided that she couldn’t practice with me in the room, so she took her cello into the living room. I thought, “whatever! I can’t do anything about it, so why try!” While Benedict was setting up in the living room Hélène came in and asked me if I could be done with the computer in about 5 minutes because the floor in the living room was too slick for the cello. That was fine, I had a thousand of other things I could have been doing in this busy life of mine here in France! I told her ok and finished reading my e-mails. She then came in again and said that I need not hurry because Benedict found a place where she could practice. She then followed that by saying, “You understand; this is why we like to keep this room for the family only. Louis-Henri sleeps in here when he visits and the kids do their homework in here. That’s why we keep the doors shut.” I was done. That’s all she needed to say. It was very clear! I may try to seem like a hard nose from time to time, but the truth is that it doesn’t take much to upset me. I went upstairs and waited for the upset feeling to pass and then I went into town.

I know that Hélène wasn’t trying to be rude. I understand that she wants to make sure that her family is taken care of at all times, so when Benedict didn’t have a place to practice, she probably felt like I was in the way. I have to understand that just because my mom treats all guests as if they are a part of the family, I shouldn’t always expect the same thing. However, I’m still going to have a conversation with her just to let her know that what she said wasn’t exactly taken with a grain of salt. One day she’s going to say that to a future exchange student and they’re going to hang themselves and she’ll be held responsible.

When I went to town I found the Lion King the Musical CD at FNAC for €10! This made me a bit happier. I then went home at 18h00 and waited for dinner. WE DIDN’T EAT UNTIL 21H00! I waited for 3 hours to eat when I could have been at the Café using the internet! I was just a bit frustrated. Eventually Hélène came up to my room to ask me to come down and join the other guests that had come into town for Benedict’s confirmation at church. She said that she didn’t even know that I was upstairs because I was so quite. Yeah Hélène! After you told me that I wasn’t allowed in the family room, I pretty much didn’t feel like I was invited to join the family downstairs! Oh well. Like I said, we’ll have a nice little conversation. She is usually VERY nice to me, but that one thing is really bothering me!

When I was finally called to come downstairs to have aperitifs with the guests I got to be a part of a very lively (sarcastically speaking) group of people. We sat and stared at each other while we waited for Yves-Marie, Benedict, and Yves come back from wherever they were. We then finally ate (vegetables). Oh, c’est la vie!