Shazaam!

Just for kicks, I've decided to make some little lists- things I like about France (Reims/the country itself/just being abroad), and things that are going to take me a lot more time to appreciate.

Things I like:

1. Everything is constantly an adventure: I'm always discovering new places or quirky little things. I think because it takes so much extra effort just to be here, I pay more attention to the small details that I would otherwise overlook. 

2. I've never seen such beautiful grapes. Yea, yea, stop laughing.. Seriously- going down the produce aisle in a supermarket, there are these grapes on display that are picture perfect. They're all perfectly shaped, rich in color, and maybe it's just the florescent lights but they always seem to glisten. Plus- they taste delicious too.

3. Hazelnut is a common flavor. There are so many options of candy bars etc.. with chocolate hazelnut! Kinder Buenos might be the most delicious thing ever... next to Nutella (which is SUPER cheap)

4. I can go to the supermarket and practically buy a different flavor of yogurt every day. I love me some Activia, and so far I've had the following fantastic flavors: mango, peach, coconut, and fig. Fig is un-real.

5. If I wanted to, I could easily go to another country. Friggin awesome.

6. You can buy a good wine for the amount it costs to buy a 2 liter bottle of diet coke.

7.  I haven't seen a single person wearing Uggs. 

8. Every single child I've seen is BEAUTIFUL. I don't know if it's because they're impeccably groomed and stylishly dressed, but these French kids are gorgeous- not "little kid cute" but catalog gorgeous.

9. Man purses- absolutely hilarious. I don't think I'll ever get used to 'em.

Things that will require just a bit more time for me to appreciate:

1. These mosquito-like bugs that look like they are straight from Jurassic Park. Good God. I massacred one the other day and it was a volatile experience. I kid you not, they are literally 4 times the size of an average mosquito.

2. Stuff is expensive! A towel cost a minimum of 8 euros. A Venus razor: 13 euros. A normal sized bottle of lotion (not even with a pump) costs like.. 7 euros. Where are all the generics?!

3. People party HARD here. I don't know if I'll ever adjust to this whole go to the club at around 1 AM and party till 5, and then go to class thing... I just don't think I can keep up!

4. Nice shoes. Don't get me wrong- I love me a pair of nice shoes. I love great style. BUT apparently here women don't wear sneakers? I wore a pair of flats on Yom Kippur. Maybe it's because I was hauling ass all over a city thats undergoing some serious construction, but I actually injured myself! The top of my right foot is swollen and throbbing, and I'm having a lot of difficulties walking. Sorry France, I just gotta wear my kicks.

5. Smoking. I know, I know, how can I not understand that France is notorious for smoking? I obviously get it- but the other day I saw a young girl who looked like she was maybe 14 years old walking down the street, smoking a cigg. That will definitely take some time to adjust to..

6. The metric system/military time/celcius- I have no qualms with them at all (in fact, they're much better systems), it just sucks to not know them.

That's all I can think of for the moment.

I made chicken and vegetables with quinoa for dinner tonight.. except that I made about 14 servings of quinoa... woops.  Other than that, I'm just taking it easy tonight. I'm very unenthusiastic about doing anything. Maybe I'll watch a movie, or maybe start to do some research, who knows?

Anyone want to write me an email telling me about what they're up to? Would love to hear from you all.

Bisous

Dena