stress – champagne and chaussures

97. r|t: week sixteen.

December 16, 2015

Rose: The weekend, in general. It was so productive and fun. Thorn: More school stress… xx Isabel

There’s simply no way I can choose one rose and one thorn this week – too many things of note. Rose(s): First, I’m done with my geography class so now there’s no point stressing over it since I won’t even know my grade for at least a month. Second, Strasbourg – I love the city itself. … More 95. r|t: week 15.

89. r|t: week thirteen.

November 28, 2015

Again, very belated with my rose/thorn post. Rose: I managed to find more time than usual to go to the gym, which put me in a good mood all week. Thorn: I finally am at that point in the semester where I have SO much work, not leaving too much time for other things. xx Isabel

81. r|t: week eleven.

November 9, 2015

Rose: Sunday, when I went to the dressage spectacle at the Versailles stables with Lucy and her parents. Thorn: Tuesday.

80. thoughts after leaving, coming back.

November 3, 2015

On Monday I came home from my fall break trip. I was gone for almost 11 days, visiting Florence, Madrid, Toledo, and Barcelona. But most importantly, I was away from Paris. When I left I needed to leave – Paris and I were not in a good place. Everyday was draining, full of stress and frustration. … More 80. thoughts after leaving, coming back.

75. r|t: week nine.

October 25, 2015

Rose: The cheese tasting on Thursday evening. Delicious and interesting. Thorn: Walking into my geography midterm on Monday and learning that the test was a different format than what the professor had told us it would be. Instead of drawing a map, I had to write an essay based on documents and prior knowledge. xx Isabel

70. r|t: week eight.

October 19, 2015

Rose: Cooking dinner and watching the debate with Lucy (details). At dinner on Sunday my host family was asking about the debate. They heard Lucy and me laughing while watching it and were very confused. It was a bit tough to explain to them – how do you translate Bernie’s accent when he says “Mr. … More 70. r|t: week eight.

64. r|t: week seven + marseille.

October 12, 2015

Once again I traveled this week, so I’m doing a separate rose/thorn for Paris and Marseille. Paris: Rose: Thursday dinner. There’s really no competition here. Thorn: Once again, classes. Specifically, forming a group for the semester-long project in my sociology class. Luckily I feel a little better because the French students are having a tough time with it … More 64. r|t: week seven + marseille.

56. r|t: week six.

October 4, 2015

Rose: Cooking. Making myself a warm dinner is wonderful. I haven’t made anything complicated yet and I’m not sure if I will, but even simple things like the beef samosas that I crisped in a pan for dinner on Saturday really hit the spot. I already talked at length about the first meal that I cooked, but Friday’s dinner … More 56. r|t: week six.

47. appreciation.

September 22, 2015

“But tell me, how amazing is France?! Do you love it?!” Innocent, but shockingly intimidating questions. Is it bad that I don’t immediately jump up and capitalize upon the opportunity, having been waiting for the slightest invitation to start gushing about my time here? Because that’s what a lot of study abroad students do. I miss being at … More 47. appreciation.