Jardin du Luxembourg

As I was ordering my noix de coco (coconut) scoop of ice cream, 2 little boys were tormenting the 3 girls also buying snacks. They were all laughing and yelling in French and running around and loving every minute. When I started to walk back towards the fountain I was the happiest guy in Paris. The sun was out, the perfect temperature, there was laughter and happiness and general contentedness everywhere around me.

The Luxembourg Gardens is one of my favorite places in Paris. It is perfectly manicured with beautiful flowers, a palace and potted palm trees (?!). The park is pretty large, with so many activities. It is what a park should be: pony rides, playgrounds, carousel, old men playing boules, tennis courts, statues, fountains and flowers.

It seems so very friendly, and it allows for you to sit among the trees if you like, go to the children's play areas, or sit down at a little cafe in the park. Something for everyone. The park is filled with these olive green chairs that anyone can take to their preferred place to sit and read or talk or people watch. Absolutely perfect. See these people enjoying them above?

I made a friend who was a duck by feeding her a little bit of my ice cream cone. And as I tossed more in, I noticed fish swimming up from the bottom! Strange to have so many fish in a man made fountain, especially when one can't really see them most of the time. Carp, but fish nonetheless.

And this place is a 5 minute walk from my house. I HAVE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS WEATHER WHILE I STILL HAVE IT.

Today was also our placement exams for our preliminary French course for the next two weeks. At the metro station on the way there this morning I was running a little behind and then I had no change to buy a ticket. I had to run into a pharmacy and buy the cheapest thing so I could break a ten euro bill. So now I have a new toothbrush. The end has a funny toothpick thing on it. Like a rubber cone with a very pointy end.

Anyway, I knew I was either going to be devastated or surprise myself on the test, and luckily it was the latter. I found the listening portion incredibly easy, but only because the woman spoke slowly and repeated it all again and again. Grammar was harder, I forget the little things (les, des, aux, leur, de, du) that are so important. I was able to sort of figure out the answers even if I couldn't always understand what they were saying, so then for one section I kind of gave up because I didn't want to be in a French class that was above my level. I need to review and relearn these first two weeks. For an essay question, which was "How did you feel about the points of view in the article you just read?" I wrote in French "I didn't understand the article enough to have an opinion."

In other news, I bought lavendar scented toilet paper on accident. It is my own fault for wanting purple TP, I should have figured color was not the only selling point. I have not yet used it, but I am a little skeptical for many reasons. One being that I hate those tissues with lotion in them and I am fearful of the paper having a similar texture. Plus I think using scented toilet paper implies that I am trying to cover up a stinky butt. I just want to say that I am in no way self-conscience of my bum, it is in no way smellier than any other average Joe. I see no need for scented toilet paper because something weird is going on anyway if there is a nose close enough to my butt to enjoy the perfume. So that's that folks. Bon weekend!

NYU Paris

Yesterday was our first day of "school." It included picking up a packet with our ID at the place everyone is being temporarily housed, getting a schedule of meetings this week, and the faculty telling us to be careful of swine flu and getting drunk in public, first in French and then in English.

This morning we had to meet at 10am at the school (cute, pictured here), the meeting was very similar, but smaller and with two very entertaining and funny young ladies showing us a powerpoint. They did give us wine tips and we were able to ask all those questions we have had for so long. Like if we can receive packages at our school mailboxes, which we can. So send them to me! Evan Watkins - NYU Paris, 56 Rue de Passy, Paris 75016 France!

I have never been so excited to start school (that may not be true, I just have a terrible memory), but it is still like we are skirting around it. Friday we take a language placement test, then the next two weeks is only French class for 2 weeks and activities/tours at night. After that we start real classes. Strange, but obviously structured like that for good reason and I trust it.

And to be honest, outside of Playwrights Horizons Theater School, I have never felt really cared about so much at NYU. They do a good job here, I think it has to do with the small group and their hope for a pleasant and full experience for us all. I already signed up for a free day-trip to Vaux-le-Vicomte with a 4 course meal included, and a ghost story tour of Montmarte. I am a big fan of planned communal events!

So I found independent housing with my roommates and moved in yesterday. I UNPACKED immediately. I have been in a suitcase for 4 weeks! Truly terrible and not a way that I can live. I like my apartment, it is very cute and in a really great area. The only thing is that I still have to fashion myself up a desk so I can be super studious this semester!

Musée Rodin

Yesterday, my boss from last summer was in town for the day. She is a commercial airline pilot, so visits Paris quite a bit, but had never been to the Rodin Museum and said she had always wanted to go. I met her there.

I really love that museum, not only for his work, but because of the general feel of the place. It is a large mansion that has been cleared out and which houses work of his as well as a few of his contemporaries and students, including his muse of 10 years, Camille Claudel. It has a beautiful walled garden behind with his sculptures scattered throughout. The inside of the house is amazing, it has a broken grandeur about it. The paint is chipping, some doors are half-painted and then there will randomly be an old wardrobe amongst the art.

I love his work in the same way as I love the mansion. The craftsmanship is astounding, but at the same time it is not necessarily smooth, manicured, tranquil or calming. Plus he has some sexy, sexy stuff which is always nice.

While walking with my friend, we started to talk about the eyes of the sculptures, her noticing how kind of strange it was that most of his work just has holes where they should be. She said it is the stuff horror movies are made of. But it made me so much more aware of their faces and the emotion behind the piece.

So I went looking for sculptures around the museum with eyes, and I came to the conclusion that this was exactly the perfect touch to his scultures. Adding eyes makes them look lifeless, but giving you a space to look into makes each person a little more full of life. Example:

Rodin sculpture of Gustav Mahler (no eyeballs)

Old statue of Julius Caesar (with eyeballs)

From now during a Sculptorades challenge when I play Cranium, I will dig out the eyes...

Nous Sommes Très Forts!

Two nights ago, we were talking about the art of fort-making that is so often developed as a child. Will, Cassandra and I all were proud of our fort-making capabilities. Last night Cassandra decided that she wanted to make tacos.

Tonight is my last night staying here, my roommates arrive and we move into our apartment tomorrow. So we decided to put the two ideas together and build a structure we have deemed "¡Fort Fiesta!"

We are lucky because the lady who owns their apartment left them about 100 linens. The fort is now built, it about 5pm. Before the festivities begin we are going to go buy more wine and then make dinner.

PLANNED ACTIVITIES:

Dinner

Playing Cards

Six Feet Under

Cuddling

Slumber Party

From the Desk of VanWatz

Just letting everyone who reads the blog that now anyone can comment on posts, not just if you have an account! I've been playing around trying to figure the nice features on here, but I have a lot to learn.

If you know of anything that would make this site more entertaining, let me know and I will look into it!

Can't wait to hear from you all!

Missed Connection - Metro 5 Line

You were sitting at the bank of seats next to us, you had on a pleated skirt with a bag on your lap. I didn't really notice what you were wearing too much, whenever I looked over our eyes met. You had brown hair and sharp facial features with beautiful lines. You smiled at me right after my friends and I got on the train. I smiled back. I'm sorry those two guys were trying to get your number or something, I gave you a look after, we both realized they were creeps.

You seemed sweet, and you were an absolutely beautiful. In no way did you seem aggressive , just kind, and when I looked back at you I tried to match your warmth. I heard you speaking French, but could tell you were listening to me talk in English as well.

I was in a stripped shirt, with a blue jacket and black and red rimmed glasses. I had a deck of cards and I was shuffling, teaching my friends a game and talking non-stop. I was in a wonderful mood. You made it bettter.

My friend also noticed us noticing each other, and slyly tried to give me a look about it without you seeing. When we had to get off the train I regretted it, wishing I had talked to you. I let my friends exit first.

"Au revoir," I said.

"Au revoir," you said with a smile.

Then you stopped me by gently grasping my arm and we gave each other another smile. I stepped off the train to join my two friends. As I walked down the platform, I waited for the last car to pass, and there you were.

And we both waved goodbye.