tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65904672226642597912024-03-13T20:03:59.210-07:00L'oeil de verreAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03777292846912597948noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6590467222664259791.post-44001924606196676232012-09-19T10:28:00.000-07:002012-09-19T10:28:00.961-07:00home.School starts next week.<br />
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I'm not feeling it.<br />
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What I'm also not feeling? My apartment.<br />
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When I arrived, I thought that it would be perfect for short-term living. I can survive for six months. In truth, I can. It's just that now, I don't want to. The more I think about it, the more I want to throw all the furniture out of my window and start over.<br />
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I realize that empty apartments and an unlimited supply of money for refurnishing is hard to come by, so I'm trying to look on the bright side. Trying to enjoy the things that are mine and still here with me.<br />
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On the top of that list are my bon'home pillow and my knitted monoprix blanket.<br />
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As far as decoration goes, the blanket always makes my plain and simple duvet covers look a bit more lively.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03777292846912597948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6590467222664259791.post-39625748422035837262012-09-07T10:27:00.000-07:002012-09-07T10:27:58.253-07:00france.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Lately, I've been saying that my life in the South of France cannot match the one I lead in Paris. Everything just seems better!*<br />
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The market is down the street and is open almost everyday, except Monday when a grocery store is surely open. The sun is always shining. Most things are, in fact, within a walkable distance. I like this place.<br />
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And then came the time I, and most non-European expatriates dread: carte de séjour time.<br />
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Let me tell you, this is my least favorite part of living in France. It is always an ordeal. I'm surprised this hasn't deterred more foreigners from living in the country, but perhaps the grapes and cheeses are too good to leave.<br />
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My residency card journey <i>à la niçoise</i> began something like this.<br />
When I arrived in Nice, I tried to obtain the enrollment certificate given by my school. I sent emails, but received no responses. So, I decided to make the trek myself first in a hot and crowded tram car, second in a hot, poorly air conditioned bus.<br />
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Lo and behold, when I arrive at the school, I find it deserted but for the main administrative building. Two guys were talking inside. After a brief Q&A, I am told that the university is shut down for <i>les vacances</i>. Mind you, I'm here in the middle of August. They won't be back until August 28.<br />
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Strike one.<br />
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I wait until the 28th to go back to the school and receive my enrollment certificate. Lost application and 300EUR deposit aside (Why is there always a French uni horror story about a lost application?) I finally receive my enrollment certificate by email. A poorly photocopied, then scanned certificate. Sigh.<br />
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Once I've gathered all necessary documents, I set about on my trip to <b>La Préfecture</b>. That actually takes about 30-40 minutes of travel time on the bus. It's not really by anything in Nice, but okay.<br />
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After waiting in line for ten minutes, I am told that I am actually at the wrong address. I need to go back to Nice Centre Ville where the CROUS is located to process my application. Though this information is not located on the Pref website, it can be found on the CROUS website. OF COURSE, I AM GOING TO LOOK AT AN OTHERWISE IRRELEVANT WEBSITE.<br />
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Strike two. At this point, crying feels like an option.<br />
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I return to Nice and start walking towards the CROUS. After arriving, I see a checklist beside the door. The only thing I'm missing is an envelope! Great, I'll go the post office and buy one. Done.<br />
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I come back to the CROUS and after waiting 40 minutes in line, I'm seen! Yes! 5 minutes in, he sees my enrollment certificate. He informs me it's not readable. (<i>Mais le fac m'a envoyé ce document!</i>) No use arguing. On top of that, I need my August bank statements and a smaller envelope. Screw you on the envelope!<br />
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I return home and commence a one hour document enhancing project to render my certificate readable. At that moment, I was so happy to have bought a scanner.<br />
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Today, I returned to CROUS to file my dossier once and for all. After waiting an hour, I was told they were closing and the first three people could go in. Incidentally those were the first three people in front of me. Even after a bit of huffing and puffing (and I'll blow this entire building up if I don't get my dossier sent today!) the guy shut the door on me and another demoralized girl behind me who had all of her stuff too.<br />
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Strike three. And they put me out. :-(<br />
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It begins agains on Monday.<br />
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If you have questions on the process pertaining to you or me, I'd be glad to answer them. I think we should all be helping each other out. Honestly, I think some of us should be consulting for this division of the French government as it is<i> terrible</i>. They need to figure out how to make it smoothly function.<br />
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*Outside of the nightlife, that is.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03777292846912597948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6590467222664259791.post-20144118705969815792012-08-18T09:44:00.001-07:002012-08-18T09:44:41.544-07:00gordes, france.I moved! <div>
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As most people know or have ascertained, I am a fickle human being. </div>
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My new city is Nice, France. The Parisian climate finally got to me, and I decided to hop the fence and see if the grass was any greener. The water is bluer. </div>
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I'm here for a French program that starts at the end of September with Université Nice Sophia Antipolis. </div>
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New city, new apartment, new school, new men. The possibilities are endless.</div>
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I'll update on all things <i>niçoises</i>. For now, to the present.</div>
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I'm in the midst of a short weekend trip to Gordes. The sign upon entering the city states, "L'un des plus beaux villages en France." It really is a gorgeous place. Extremely small, but beautiful. </div>
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<i>The church is one of the biggest landmarks in the village. Not as impressive as other churches I've seen, but has a quaint grandeur. And, like any other church, it did not forget the most important aspect: riches upon riches. Most of the figures were done up in gold.</i></div>
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<i>The view of the countryside is the most impressive aspect of Gordes, in my opinion. I wish I would have explored all of the surrounding nature, but adventures such as these require some form of transportation, preferably a car. The hills are a bit treacherous for bikers, but I saw a few cyclists.</i></div>
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<i>Parisian cobblestone paths really have nothing on these stone walkways. The incline is so steep that there were a few times my shoe slipped on the stones. If I had lost my balance, my camera would have been the first to go. Stone is one of the main architectural aspects to Gordes, having been used for fortification against enemies. It's awesome that it's still with us today.</i></div>
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<i>If you're looking for an exciting time, Gordes is not the place. But if you're seeking relaxation, I'd say this would be a perfect destination for a bit of shelter against the manmade elements. </i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03777292846912597948noreply@blogger.com0