I realized recently that I haven't really written anything about what a "normal" day looks like or the simple life of a Parisian. I will try to give you an idea of what I'm doing here, but honestly, my life isn't very normal. I don't think there is a single day that stays the same every week. Nor is there a "regular" thing that I do every day. On any given day you might catch me training, working on parkour stuff, writing, studying, visiting family, wandering the streets of Paris, and running around on campus if I have class that day.
Then your classes are part of a schedule, are they not? One would think this, but no, that would be too easy. One week I had a class on Monday and Thursday morning for two hours each. And that was it. Two classes throughout the entire week. Another week, I had two classes on Monday (two hours each), two on Thursday (two hours and four hours... kill me), and one on Friday (four hours). Why on Earth is the university torturing you with four hours of sitting in one place? Well, these four hour classes only meet six times throughout the entire semester. So more or less every couple of weeks. Oh, and there is one class that hasn't started yet. We start this week. That will be twice a week for two hours. I actually have to look at my calendar every morning to figure out where I should be that day.
Two of my courses are in French, three in English. I get by alright in the French ones, although I find that if I lose concentration for even a moment then I have no idea what's happening anymore. On the other hand, my French is so much better! I can hold a conversation and get by easily on the streets of Paris, and I imagine I will be quite comfortable by the time I leave.
What about a morning routine? I wish! Between the lack of a typical class schedule and the amount of traveling/visiting with friends I'm doing, it is really hard to create a routine. Totally not complaining here! I love my crazy life, but sometimes I do get a bit restless and need to clear my head.
What about food? I absolutely love the food here in France (duh), but I don't even have a regular store to go to. There are at least ten grocery stores within a five minute walk of me and each of them sell different things and are open at different times (some businesses close Mondays and Sundays... and Tuesdays). Then there are the various boulangeries, fromageries, charcuteries, poissoneries, and all of the other -eries you can think of for speciality items. Also with their own specialty hours. Generally I make eggs, toast or paleo pancakes in the morning so not a huge change from life in the U.S. But sometimes I run out of time and grab a croissant and café on my way to uni. Lunch is at home or near school which is usually a sandwich (fresh ingredients on an entire half-baguette.. they don't know anything about portion sizes). Dinner is almost always at home because I'm a poor grad student. Also the restaurants barely ever serve vegetables here. What's that about?
What about friends? Honestly the only people I spend time with are either family or parkour people, who may or may not live in Paris. I'm not really sure what I'm doing the rest of the time. I'm traveling a good amount and have managed to make friends with people all over Europe at this point through parkour and various events. It makes it difficult to keep up with everyone but I wouldn't trade it for anything. I love how international my life is.
I make friendly acquaintances on campus too but that's usually for coffee in between classes and not so much getting together outside of school. I go to dinner with my cousins and great-aunt and more cousins every couple of weeks. There is enough family of mine over here to see someone new every week! And beyond that, I usually hangout and train with the local parkour kids in Paris when I can. It is fun to get a local perspective and talk to people who aren't overly posh (everyone at Sciences Po). It's a different part of the city.
What else do you want to know? I just got back from a couple of awesome trips and I'm gearing up for a few more depending on my health (I've been a bit sick lately). Oh, and I'm trying to remember to get all my schoolwork done in between training, traveling, and parkour work. Don't worry, Mom and Dad, I'm still enrolled in school! I'm also trying to remember to soak in the little joys of being a Parisian. My favorite way to do this is to get up early in the morning for a workout when the streets are quiet, and then I watch the sun rise over the river on my way back to my apartment.
So, that's my "normal" for you. Lately, I've been giving my parkour blog more attention than this one, but I will try to update you again soon with regular Parisian things!
xx A
Then your classes are part of a schedule, are they not? One would think this, but no, that would be too easy. One week I had a class on Monday and Thursday morning for two hours each. And that was it. Two classes throughout the entire week. Another week, I had two classes on Monday (two hours each), two on Thursday (two hours and four hours... kill me), and one on Friday (four hours). Why on Earth is the university torturing you with four hours of sitting in one place? Well, these four hour classes only meet six times throughout the entire semester. So more or less every couple of weeks. Oh, and there is one class that hasn't started yet. We start this week. That will be twice a week for two hours. I actually have to look at my calendar every morning to figure out where I should be that day.
Two of my courses are in French, three in English. I get by alright in the French ones, although I find that if I lose concentration for even a moment then I have no idea what's happening anymore. On the other hand, my French is so much better! I can hold a conversation and get by easily on the streets of Paris, and I imagine I will be quite comfortable by the time I leave.
What about a morning routine? I wish! Between the lack of a typical class schedule and the amount of traveling/visiting with friends I'm doing, it is really hard to create a routine. Totally not complaining here! I love my crazy life, but sometimes I do get a bit restless and need to clear my head.
What about food? I absolutely love the food here in France (duh), but I don't even have a regular store to go to. There are at least ten grocery stores within a five minute walk of me and each of them sell different things and are open at different times (some businesses close Mondays and Sundays... and Tuesdays). Then there are the various boulangeries, fromageries, charcuteries, poissoneries, and all of the other -eries you can think of for speciality items. Also with their own specialty hours. Generally I make eggs, toast or paleo pancakes in the morning so not a huge change from life in the U.S. But sometimes I run out of time and grab a croissant and café on my way to uni. Lunch is at home or near school which is usually a sandwich (fresh ingredients on an entire half-baguette.. they don't know anything about portion sizes). Dinner is almost always at home because I'm a poor grad student. Also the restaurants barely ever serve vegetables here. What's that about?
What about friends? Honestly the only people I spend time with are either family or parkour people, who may or may not live in Paris. I'm not really sure what I'm doing the rest of the time. I'm traveling a good amount and have managed to make friends with people all over Europe at this point through parkour and various events. It makes it difficult to keep up with everyone but I wouldn't trade it for anything. I love how international my life is.
I make friendly acquaintances on campus too but that's usually for coffee in between classes and not so much getting together outside of school. I go to dinner with my cousins and great-aunt and more cousins every couple of weeks. There is enough family of mine over here to see someone new every week! And beyond that, I usually hangout and train with the local parkour kids in Paris when I can. It is fun to get a local perspective and talk to people who aren't overly posh (everyone at Sciences Po). It's a different part of the city.
What else do you want to know? I just got back from a couple of awesome trips and I'm gearing up for a few more depending on my health (I've been a bit sick lately). Oh, and I'm trying to remember to get all my schoolwork done in between training, traveling, and parkour work. Don't worry, Mom and Dad, I'm still enrolled in school! I'm also trying to remember to soak in the little joys of being a Parisian. My favorite way to do this is to get up early in the morning for a workout when the streets are quiet, and then I watch the sun rise over the river on my way back to my apartment.
So, that's my "normal" for you. Lately, I've been giving my parkour blog more attention than this one, but I will try to update you again soon with regular Parisian things!
xx A
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