February 2012
12 posts
5 tags
Being The Nervous Wreck I Am About Friday
Which, for those of you not in-the-know, is the day that dictates the entire next year of my life (will I be in Paris or New York?!), I trolled the NYU Paris website reading the deadlines to make sure that everything was going according to plan. I had everything completely figured out and how I would handle Friday, the day I figured I would be spending locked in my apartment anxiously refreshing...
6 tags
Calling All Ballet Enthusiasts!
Or just people interested in learning about ballet, reading about it, or, heck, just wanting to practice French comprehension in a fun way that’s not the typical reading of the news. Or, for my family and friends, anyone wanting to understand a little more of my blossoming ballet-inspired life (including reading about La Bayadere, a ballet I will be going to here in Paris in a few weeks). There’s...
The Latest Destination Reviews
Surprisingly nightlife-themed!
Le Grand Rex:
http://www.rollinglobe.com/RGWeb/map/details.aspx?loc=3562&city=17
Barracao:
http://www.rollinglobe.com/RGWeb/map/details.aspx?loc=3578&city=17
stellar-stella-star asked: WOOOOOO GO ANNNNNA! You're going to have so much fun in Dublin!! WOOT :D
2 tags
Ok So I Broke Down
And decided to join my wonderful friend Jon in a weekend trip to Ireland. This is incredibly out of character for me, as I am almost too comfortable in Paris. Like seriously. I never want to leave. About the longest I like being away from this city is an overnight excursion with NYU. And I can’t decide whether this is self-destructive or lovely. I suppose March 2nd will decide that (if the...
New Rollinglobe Blog Post!
And last one for now on Rollinglobe, as I’ve found that I can’t keep up with my Parisian life, schoolwork, my internship, my TV shows, AND the internship blog between it all. So voila my concluding post. I’m not necessarily saying goodbye forever… just for now. But I’m still on here!
http://www.rollinglobe.com/RGWeb/blogs/default.aspx?u=AnnaLise
Rollinglobe Weeks 3 and 4
Since my main energy in my internship with Rollinglobe is focused on editing nowadays, I’m only writing 1 destination review a week and no real blog. So I guess I’ll post them up in groups as I gather a few. Here’s the first new installation of destination reviews!
St. Christopher’s Oasis
...
How Rue Montorgueil is Improving My French and...
After dumping half of my sugar container into my glass, I am sitting here drinking tea. Yes, tea. I’ve been weaning myself onto the drink after I discovered little by little that I liked it (ok, so I was forced to drink it at a hostel in Athens because there was nothing else to drink and, with a lot of sugar and some milk, it’s not so bad). This is an odd flavor with orange, so...
I Feel Like a Human Being Again
As opposed to the superhuman I seemed to think I was… which ended in nothing but me feeling like a pile of sludge instead. After my freak-out on Monday, I re-evaluated my choices for the semester. For whatever reason (actually, no, I know the reason), I had felt compelled to take 18 credits worth of classes this semester. At NYU Paris, they tell you that the “average course load”...
January 2012
17 posts
And Rollinglobe Begins Again!
So my internship with Rollinglobe has begun again! You know what that means? No, actually it doesn’t mean a new blog post and 2 destination reviews every week anymore. The semester I’m trying my hand at editing — and that’s where my energy is being placed! It looks like I’ll still be maintaining 1 destination review a week (and not to worry, that will be posted here...
As I'm On A Roll
With posting stuff right now, I want to mention my triumph of the day. I had dragged myself out of bed at 10am this morning to go to a meeting at NYU that I really didn’t have to go to but I kind of wanted to go to anyway. Plus I was expecting a package and I needed to fix my schedule… excuses, excuses. Once the meeting was over by 1pm and it was time to go home, I found myself sighing...
They Don't Make Movie Stars Like Fred Astaire...
SWOON. Lately I have been going through my pile of old movies that I’ve been saving for some free time for over a month. These mostly include Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers movies, with Funny Face thrown in the loop.
I’ve been calling myself vintage for a while now, whether or not that still holds true now. Yet I have never been able to get myself to sit down and watch and old, black...
I Really Hate Admitting This But...
Classes need to start. I DON’T WANT THEM TO. But they need to.
These past 3 weeks have been as different as can be from each other. It began with a surreal week as an orientation leader molding new minds (haha) to the world of Paris. I made friends and felt like this semester was going to be amazing. The second week I went to London, had a fine time, met some awesome people, and realized...
My Application to Stay at NYU Paris Another Year...
Now all there is to do is wait.
London Lists!
Things I Did in London:
Made friends in my hostel (and had my very first alone hostel experience!)
Figured out the Tube after like 3 days of intense frustration (which still hasn’t really gone away… I hate the Tube…)
Sunday: Had hostel breakfast with my new friends, discovered how good tea is with honey in it, went vintage trolling on/around Brick Lane with...
I Am Actually an Old Lady
I’ve used the term “old soul” before but I’ve begun to realize recently that that phrase is more indicative of my oldness than I originally thought. Orientating everyone my age or ironically older last week has been an eye-opening experience as I discover my true potential for old-person behavior. But don’t let this post fool you: I am in no way looking to change my...
That's It, London, I'm Done.
I’m sorry. You’re pretty and you are definitely different than Paris, but I’m done with you. My patience has been tried throughout this entire trip. The alone-factor was fine for the first few days… exciting even. But now that I’m on my fourth day in this city with no one to show me around or even just discover new things with me, I’m bored. Yes, I’m bored...
Covent Garden is Easily My Favorite Place in...
Of course, because it is where the Royal Opera House is located. And it helps that the market is so gorgeous with its green gated appearance. I just smile every time I get off the Tube in this same spot. Tonight was the first time I went to a ballet completely by myself after paying for it by myself, as well. Usually NYU covers the bill and I just take advantage of the great opportunity. But this...
Just Because They Speak English, It Doesn't Make...
SERIOUSLY. All the cool I have in Paris seems to have evaporated since I stepped off the train at St. Pancras. I am one gigantic hot mess in London. That being said, I’m glad I didn’t have time to write this in the past few days, because up until now, it would’ve been one giant rant on how much London does not like me.
I love how everyone in Paris gets excited to come to London because it is...
I Missed Ballet!
I have been out of the ballet game for 4 weeks, which is long enough for someone who dances normally, but even longer for me, an inexperienced and still somewhat recently-converted dancer. At least those who have danced for years retain many of the steps and the general composure. I wasn’t so sure that 2 months of taking consistent classes would leave me in the same spot.
From here, I have to...
Is It August Again?
Because orientation is making me feel like I just stepped back in time. Only this time, instead of being oriented, I am orienting everyone! As an “experienced” NYU Paris student, I am working as an orientation assistant this week to meet all the new people and to make some money… even if it is something that I would’ve done for free. I love this stuff, anyway! In fact, I...
Is It Pathetic
That one of things I missed most about Paris was my bed? 17 hours slept after jet lag and the only reason why I got out of bed was to eat and make sure I’d be tired enough to sleep tonight. And even then… I’m just planning on watching movies for the rest of the day so I should be plenty tired. It’s just SO COMFORTABLE and big! I don’t think I can ever go back to a...
Paris is Just as Beautiful as I Left It
And I can’t get over it. I am going to have this stupid giddy smile stuck on my face for the next few days, and I don’t even care how horribly un-Parisian I look. I am SO happy to be back. I’ll give Syracuse the fact that it turned into a nicer vacation than I expected with some definite relaxing opportunities. But the entire time I knew I wasn’t quite home, and I built Paris up in my mind...
Just Because The Shoe Fits...
Doesn’t mean you should wear it. Remember 2 1/2 weeks ago when I wrote about my dear struggles with readjusting to US, not to mention Upstate New York, culture? I droned on and on about an inability to fit in, strange flashbacks to my life in Paris, and a severe disconnect and longing. To me, then, readjusting was impossible. I’m slightly ashamed to say that readjusting proved not...
December 2011
12 posts
Greece Pictures Are Finally Up!!
It took me almost a month (the trip was actually December 1-4, 2011) and MANY different tries due to Facebook’s immense slowness and stupidity, but all of my Greece pictures are finally up! Here they are, appropriate title (Cat Wonderland: Otherwise Known as Greece) and everything!
Part...
Why Hello There, Reverse Culture Shock
Is it terribly obvious that I am just not here? Because my heart was left in Paris. Physically, I am here. But mentally, I am not. And I feel like it’s so obvious to everyone who knew me before I went abroad. And I feel really bad about it. It’s just that I don’t feel connected to Syracuse anymore. Maybe it’s the product of the first time I’ve officially been away...
Spending The Last Couple Hours of My Night
Playing spa with a newly-bought face mask and (hopefully) uploading pictures from Greece and Christmas in Paris to Facebook. Aw, post-finals relaxation.
On My Way Home Tonight
From a Japanese dinner with Estela and Audrey, I gazed up at the cloud-covered moon. The moon and surprisingly non-rainy night’s sky looked peaceful. And for the first time in 2 months, I felt the peace transfer to me. The ground has shifted again.
Tonight was the first night in over a month where I had no reason not to go out with my friends. No due date creeping up on me. No flashcards to...
Further Proof That I Belong in Paris
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/12/07/travel/five-paris-lessons/index.html?iref=obinsite
Just because I said I am looking forward to going back to the US for Christmas doesn’t mean that I want to permanently leave Paris. Like anyone else after my environment dripping with finals stress and leaving remnants of my draining exhaustion, I need a change of scenery. But this article sums up the subtle...
OK, I Admit It
I’m ready to go home for the holidays. I’m not willing it to come and thinking of nothing else, necessarily, but I’m ready. Mostly because I am so tired. I feel like I have whiplash from everything that happened in the past 2 months. I don’t even know how we got to today, the Sunday of the last week of classes. It has been a blur, and not even a blur during which I can say...
The Other Night at the Opera...
During a really sad scene in “La Force du Destin,” amongst several people around me who were tearing up, I realized why I don’t cry at these kinds of endings. The same thing happened Monday night when my French class went to see the French movie “Les Adoptees” and it also had an incredibly sad ending. I literally could not cry! I’ve always blamed it on the fact...
I Can't Even Tell You
How many times I have belted along to Glee’s version of “ABC” since watching the episode Wednesday… if not just to avoid studying. What is it about this final that I just CANNOT get myself to study for? I mean, it will get done eventually, but it’s like my entire willpower has vanished. Is it because Christmas break is so close (in fact, I will literally be on a plane...
Rollinglobe Week 12!
I am on top of things this week! Actually, this is the final week of my Rollinglobe internship until mid-late January, when I start up again with the blogs. Next semester, however, I’ll only be writing 1 destination review a week. But here’s my writings for this week to hold you over the Christmas break until January! Joyeux Noël!!
My New Blog Post!
...
Rollinglobe Week 11!
New Blog Post (About Greece!!):
http://www.rollinglobe.com/RGWeb/blogs/default.aspx?u=AnnaLise
Le Cactus (Bar):
http://www.rollinglobe.com/RGWeb/map/details.aspx?loc=3484&city=17
Théâtre Adyar:
http://www.rollinglobe.com/RGWeb/map/details.aspx?loc=3483&city=17
OH and I have the pleasure of continuing this internship next semester… except this time I’ll be writing one blog...
November 2011
21 posts
My Heart Melted At Cendrillon Tonight
I have been taking ballet for over 4 weeks consistently, am now up to 2 classes a week (including a technique one on Saturday mornings… a whole new meaning of commitment for a person like me who values her sleep), listen to the music from the Sleeping Beauty ballet every night while doing homework (it significantly helps my concentration), have the La Belle au Bois Dormant VHS...
Les Dutkowsky à Paris et D'Autres Photos!
My parents were in Paris! Our week in pictures: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150981655415304.765215.848690303&type=1&l=b40323c38f
Also, I actually uploaded photos to Ma Vie En Rose: Partie Six of my day last Friday at Versailles seeing the Jeu de Paume, the royal kitchen garden, and the town itself (read my Rollinglobe blog for my...
Rollinglobe Week 10!
New Blog Post (on a topic about which I’m especially proud of this week):
http://www.rollinglobe.com/RGWeb/blogs/default.aspx?u=AnnaLise
Black et Nacre:
http://www.rollinglobe.com/RGWeb/map/details.aspx?loc=3470&city=32648&cat=7&subcat=354
Hotel Caron:
http://www.rollinglobe.com/RGWeb/map/details.aspx?loc=3469&city=17
Rollinglobe Week 9!
This week is all about my day in the town of Versailles (not the chateau or gardens… the town)!
Le Jeu de Paume:
http://www.rollinglobe.com/RGWeb/map/details.aspx?loc=3459&city=32648
Le Phare Saint Louis:
http://www.rollinglobe.com/RGWeb/map/details.aspx?loc=3458&city=32648
It is 11:36am in Paris
And I have already been to an hour-and-a-half ballet class (where I actually was treated like a beginner and given good, constructive attention), got hot chocolate at a nearby cafe with some people from it afterwards (where I tried— keyword being TRIED— to speak French a little), and invented a temporary solution to 3 out of the 4 outlets in my bedroom going dead earlier this morning....
Rollinglobe Week 8!
New Blog Post:
http://www.rollinglobe.com/RGWeb/blogs/default.aspx?u=AnnaLise
Le Centre de Danse du Marais:
http://www.rollinglobe.com/RGWeb/map/details.aspx?loc=3418&city=17
Rue Montorgueil:
http://www.rollinglobe.com/RGWeb/map/details.aspx?loc=3416&city=17
Here's The Funny Thing About Ballet
If you go to two ballet classes within 24 hours of each other, you WILL be sore. The weird thing is that because I’m a beginner and I’m more concentrated on getting the moves right instead of putting intense sweat-inducing effort into anything (trust me, I’m putting as much effort in as I can just to pay attention and make my feet do semi-correct actions), I don’t feel the...
This Is Me Doing My Cat-Sitting Dance
It’s kind of like my “I just got a good grade” dance… but even happier! HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?!
I just found out that I get to cat-sit for my professor this weekend when she goes to London. That means 2 whole days of non-stop cat fun with her adorable Plump who is almost as big as I am. I LOVE HIM. We will cuddle, box (because he likes to box with people), and just have...
With All These Stressful Midterms, I Almost Forgot
That we’ve passed the Halloween marker and are officially into the pre-Christmas season! I’m sorry, I know it’s a controversial topic (about just as controversial as the idea of me staying in Paris for another year) but I am one of those people who typically begins blasting Christmas music on November 1st. I know people who agree with me and others who will get in screaming...