09 août, 2007

Lazy Leah


Because I bought my airline ticket from CT to Philly for the wedding just today three weeks before I go, instead of paying $250, I only payed $185. Yay...65 bucks saved! Sometimes procrastination really does pay!!

PS-I wish I were lazy in the tropical island kind of way!

07 août, 2007

101 things


As I have nothing of interest to report, I will rely on this questionnaire I found whilst perusing random blogs. I hope it entertains someone besides just me and invite others to answer it on their own blogs!

1. How many keys are on your keychain?

Two. I don't gots a caisse.

2. What curse word do you use the most?

Can't say I'm a big swearer, I AM a cultured lady afterall(hey, stop laughing, I'm serious!) Funny thing is I def swear more in French than in English as it has way less meaning to me. If I had to pick one, though, it would be the F word.

3. Do you own an iPod?

Well, I have an MP3 player, if that's what you mean. I'm not fancy-pants.

4. What time is your alarm clock set for?

Alarm clock? I don't gots no job!

5. How many suitcases do you own?

One ginormo suitcase that I LOVE and my hiking backpack as well as my kitty's little house. How am I ever going to move back to the states if need be?

6. Do you wear flip–flops even when it’s cold outside?

Yes and while it doesn't bug me, the Frenchies go nutty and stare me down!

7. Where do you buy your groceries from?

Super U!, Champion(both at walking distance) or LeClerc.

8. Would you rather take the picture or be in the picture?

Be in the picture, I'm vain like that. Not really, I just like to see myself at places to sort of prove to myself I was there. I often like to go back and look at old photos and LOVE to make scrapbooks.

9. What was the last movie you watched?

Last movie in the theatres was Ocean's 13 about five weeks ago. Set to go see Ratatouille tonight(yay!) Want to see Two Days in Paris.

10. Do any of your friends have children?

Bek, a friend from study abroad(but, she's also a bit older than me) and that's it! You didn't ask me (thank goodness) how many are married/getting married!

11. If you won the lottery, what’s the first thing you would buy?

My way into France. Seriously though, my way into France.

12. Has anyone ever called you lazy?

Who hasn't?

13. Do you ever take medication to help you fall asleep faster?

Hmm, maybe a couple times. I really should take that for those long flights!

14. What CD is currently in your CD player?

No CD. Though if my roomate would like to kindly stop playing "like a boy" and waking me up at 8 AM, I wouldn't mind that.

15. Do you prefer regular or chocolate milk?

I heart milk. Especially really cold milk on a hot day, how refreshing. But, I also love chocolate. Hmm, I choose both.

16. Has anyone told you a secret this week?

Don't think so, but it's better that way...I hate keeping secrets! Secrets secrets are no fun, secrets secrets hurt someone.

17. When was the last time someone hit on you?

This past Sat after a Soiree Tapas when we went out on the town. It was a drunk French dude who thought he was really awesome. He was wrong.

18. What did you have for dinner?

I was feeling like spoiling myself a bit, so I had homemade pizza! Chicken, pineapple and mozzarella...miam, miam!

19. Do you wear hoodies often?

Not often enough. And I lost my fave hoodie I bought 2 years ago here in Rennes that I loved because it was nice and light, gray in color and had a purple flower design on the inside of the hood, so it was super cute!

20. Can you whistle?

Yes. But, par contre, I can only snap with my left hand-isn't that weird?

21. Have you ever participated in a protest?

Non.

22. Who was the last person to call you?

My roomie called me today because she was bored at work.

23. What is your favorite ride at an amusement park?

Hmm, I like to play it safe with the water rides. However, I always manage to get peer pressured into going on the Roller Coasters and they terrify me every time...I need to learn a lesson!

24. Do you think people talk about you behind your back?

I'm sure people talk about me behind my back...but, hopefully it's all good stuff!

25. What area code are you in right now?

35000 aka RENNES.

26. Did you watch cartoons as a child?

I certainly did! Although, I really have trouble watching them now. That is, the ones meant for grown ups. Things like The Simpsons and Family Guy. Animated films are, however, a different story.

27. How big is your local mall?

Umm, do you mean the centre commercial? Yeah, a)not really a mall and b)not that big.

28. How many siblings do you have?

A sister who is 7 years older.

29. Are you shy around the opposite sex?

I can be pretty shy around anyone, really. But, meet me when I'm with 2 or 3 friends and I'm totally at ease. I wish I were more like my dad, though, as he is a HAM and a half. He can talk to ANYONE about ANYTHING, I envy that.

30. What is your biggest regret?

I don't have any as I don't believe in regrets.

31. When was the last time you laughed so hard your sides hurt.

I laughed at something geeky my roomate said at our roomate interview last night.

32. What movie do you know every line to?

Not every line, but Bridget Jones' Diary. When I was little, it was The Little Mermaid for sure.

33. Do you own any band t–shirts?

Def not.

34. When was your last plane ride?

May 2007 to the states for my Aunt's funeral.

35. How many chairs are at your dining room table?

Always 5, sometimes 6.

36. Do you read for fun?

Absolutely, but it's been a bit now since I've had a book on my nightstand. Waiting(very impatiently I might add) to start Harry Potter.

37. Can you speak any languages other than English?

French and Spanish(although this last one is getting worse and worse by the day, I swear!) I also know choice words from the languages of countries I've visted plus Russian and Chinese. I randomly taught myself 1-10 in Italian. I'm a language fiend!

38. Do you do your own dishes?

YES...and UGH! I've never lived in a place that had a dishwasher either, so I don't know any better, but I would love to have one un jour. Seeing them at friends' houses, ca donne envie!

39. What color is your bedroom painted?

Yeller(unfortunately)...bedroom back home is purple which is my fave color. When I grow up, I think I will opt for maybe a medium blue?

40. Have you ever cried in public?

Yep, but not many times. I really try to avoid it when I can. The last time I did was when I was really sick, very fed up and scared about it and complaining to my friend.

41. Do you have a desktop computer or a laptop?

Laptop, which is virus free since Wednesday...yay!

42. Which do you make, wishes or plans?

Living in France means making wishes.

43. Are you always trying to learn new things?

I HEART LEARNING.

44. Do you shower on a daily basis?

Gotta be honest...it really depends. Am I working or not? Am I single or dating someone? Yup, I'm grody.

45. Are you currently wanting any piercings or tattoos?

I think I'm good for now...I have two in one ear, three in the other, the nose and then a Triskell tattoo on my foot. I am planning on taking out the nose one before I turn 30, though.

46. Do you believe that the guy should pay on the first date?

If he invited, then def yes. If not, I will go splitsies. Money makes me uncomfortable, though.

47. Can you skip rocks?

Don't think so.

48. Have you ever been to Jamaica?

Nope. And I would rather go to Hawaii.

49. What to snack on at the movie theaters?

Popcorn...or my sis, sometimes cousin and I smuggle in Twizzlers or Junior Mints from CVS. Here, I've smuggled in stuff from the candy shop before. I'm cheap, people! I remember one time going to the movies with my best friend with a box of cereal. That was random. We do love cereal, but still, that's kinda weird.

50. Who was your favorite teacher?

My 5th grade teacher. She made learning fun and that's where it all begins, baby!

51. Have you ever dated someone out of your race?

Not so much.

52. What is the weather like?

Summer-like slash fall-like.

53. Would you ever date someone covered in tattoos?

I'm not typically attracted to that, but if I like someone, what's that to stop me?

54. Do you have an online journal?

Here she blows.

55. What was your favorite class in high school?

French...does that surprise you? Also, choir and lunch because that was social time!

56. Do you enjoy traveling via airplanes?

Not so much. I can never sleep very well hence why I should try the sleep meds! But, if I slept through the meal(s) and they skipped me, I would be FURIOUS. So, maybe not, afterall!

57. What personality trait is a must–have in your preferred gender?

I know it's cliche to say, but true for me, HONESTY.

58. Have you ever been attracted to someone physically unattractive?

Hmm, I've had crushes on people that my friends couldn't really get and also have had crushes on people who weren't the standard version of attractive, but they had great personalities. But, I also find people can become more attractive to you over time as you start to fall in love with their personalities.

59. When was the last time you slept on the floor?

Well, I was sleeping on a matelas gonflable for the first week I got here, does that count? Otherwise, right on the floor must have been in college.

60. What is your favorite alcoholic drink?

Yum. Oh, oops, saw alcoholic and went on auto-pilot. Hehe. I like rum, pineapple juice and grenadine. Pina coladas too! I mostly like the sweet ones, but beer holds a special place in my heart as well.

61. Does your closest Starbucks have a drive–thru?

Closest Starbucks? Tear.

62. Do you like your living arrangement?

Yes, I really, really lucked out and I hope our new roomate(whomever s/he is) will be just as awesome!

63. What is your mother’s hometown?

Nova Scotia, Canada. She's a lovely, lovely Canuck!

64. How many hours of sleep do you need to function?

I can manage to function after even a nuit blanche. But, I really need at least 7 or 8. I likes me some sleep.

65. Do you eat breakfast daily?

Normally yes. LOVE CEREAL!

66. What was the last thing to scare you?

Something that I convinced myself sounded like gunshots. I am a scaredy cat and I will really have du mal when the roomie leaves for vaca.

67. Are your days full and fast–paced?

Not in the least, especially these days. I like it like that except in extreme cases where I start to go stir crazy and answer 101 question questionnaires.

68. Did you ever get in trouble for talking in class?

I was really good in class until I got to my AP French class in high school where a bunch of my friends were and we just constantly would chatter away and my teacher once sent me out to "get a drink of water" ie take some time to calm down because we were cracking up.

69. What is your favorite fruit?

Strawberries and pineapples. Hands down.

70. Do you pay attention to calories on the back of packages?

Nope.

71. How old will you be turning on your next birthday?

26.

72. Are you picky about spelling and grammar?

Yes, me no likes when peopl dont speaks verry gud, yo.

73. Do you believe in life on other planets?

I think it's possible, but not necessarily what we would consider as life.

74. Have you ever been to Six Flags?

Yes, but to me it will always be Riverside.

75. Who was the last person to piss you off?

It takes a lot to truly piss me off, but a couple "friends"(acquaintances) got my goose this past weekend because they were being very judgmental which I CANNOT stand.

76. Do you believe that God has a gender?

I'm Agnostic, ask me when I figure the whole God thing out.

77. What was the last thing you ate?

Special K with peches and abricots...I did breakfast for lunch!

78. Do you get along better with the same or opposite sex?

I tend to have more friends that are girls, but maaaaan, I miss guy friends! Girls are just so complicated sometimes!

79. What did you dress up as for your first Halloween?

I remember a picture of me as a witch, but I dunno if that was my first one. My mom made me a butterfly costume one year which was pretty awesome of her. I miss Halloween.

80. How did your parents pick your name?

They just liked it. But, my middle name is the same as my aunt's(mom's sis) and pretty common except for they changed one letter.

81. Do you like mustard?

Not really...and I'm not a fan of most condiments either(hate mayo with a passion.) However, my tastes are changing as I age ever so gracefully.

82. What do you tell yourself when times get hard?

Things happen for a reason, this is all meant to be.

83. Would you ever sky dive?

I highly doubt it.

84. Do you sleep on your side, tummy, or back?

I usually wake up on my back, but I try all positions until I can get comfortable.

85. What character from a movie most reminds you of yourself?

That's a good question, but I have no idea. Someone who likes France, but loves her friends and family from home and doesn't know what's next, who's that?

86. Have you ever bid for something on ebay?

I certainly have, but not in a long time.

87. Do you enjoy giving hugs?

I love, love, love hugs. I would take them over bises any day.

88. Would you consider yourself to be fashionable?

Not so much. I have neither the money nor the desire to be trendy. I wear things that are comfortable and (most of the time) flattering, but also cute!:)

89. Do you own a digital camera?

Yeppers and thank goodness for it.

90. If someone you had no interest in dating expressed interest in dating you, how would you feel?

I would feel uncomfortable knowing I didn't have the same feelings but I wouldn't know how to tell him.

91. What celebrities have you been compared to?

I remember being told I look like Erika Christensen and in middle school, I was told Jacinda from the Real World. Moreso Erika of the two, but not really either.

92. Who is your favorite Star Wars character?

Don't know Star Wars.

93. Does it annoy you when someone says they’ll call but never do?

Yes, I don't like waiting around or empty promises!

94. What books, if any, have made you cry?

The most recent was Marley&Me when I read it in February. But, I'm an easy cry, so I know there have been many more.

95. Do you think you’re attractive?

I'd like to think so, depends on the day, the hair and the outfit!

96. What are you allergic to?

The pollen that would land on our window sills freshman year of college. That's all I know of.

97. Are you a jealous person?

I can be.

98. What’s your opinion on sex without emotional commitment?

Ask me after this weekend...kidding!

99. Do you ever feel guilty after eating meat?

Well, I don't really eat pork and never beef after reading a book about the conditions of animals raised for meat on huge farms.

100. If you were born the opposite sex, what would your name have been?

My parents don't remember! I dunno, Leo? Hehe.

101. Is it lunch time yet?

Been there, done that.

06 août, 2007

Sad news



My childhood pet, Abby, was put to sleep this past Friday after a recent discovery of a neurological problem. This was possibly curable but due to her age (14) and her other problems(arthritis, eyesight and hearing), even if she recovered which would be very hard on her, it wasn't likely she would have a great life. My family was forced to make a decision for what was best for her, so the vet came over to our house and put my puppy to sleep. According to my mom, she was asleep the whole time which I am so grateful for because I would have hated for her to be aware(as much as a dog could be) of what was going on and I also think it would have been rough on my family. My poor mom is heartbroken because Abby was really always her dog, her buddy who followed her around everywhere and she depended on my mom just as much as my mom depended on her to always be there.

Though this is not the same feeling as when my aunt passed away earlier this year in May, I still feel I have lost a family member and it still hurts. This has been a tough year and it's times like these that I wish I were back in the states with my family and friends. In a way, I think I had the easy way out not being there to see my dog get progressively worse with age and then in recent times where my dad had to carry her outside to go to the bathroom when she could just not walk around. Also, I wasn't there when the vet came for my own closure as well as to be there for my family. It sure will be weird to go back home in September to a dogless, empty-feeling house. I really think it won't hit me until then. If you never had a childhood pet, I think this concept of a pet as a family member would be pretty hard to understand, but as someone who had a cat at 7 and a dog at 10, boy do I get it. We grew up together. Anyway, so that's my news for now. I included a recent picture of Abby which is one I got from my mom and is not the best to represent her, but it's all I got. Hope all is better in your neck of the woods!

03 août, 2007

Oops



I forgot to say who I'd love to see give us a taste of their ten things, so here she goes:
  • Ashlie

  • Colour Me Crazy

  • Crystal

  • Jennie

  • Sam
  • Ten reasons why I am a freakshow aka things you probably didn't know about me



    I've been seeing a surge of these kind of lists lately on fellow bloggers' sites, so I thought I'd dabble in one myself since I am bored, I mean, ever so dedicated to blogging.

    1) In 8th grade, three friends and I came up with a brilliant plan to escape from school. We discovered a window in a bathroom on the lowest level that we could crawl out of(with the help of, ahem, a screwdriver...no, not the drink!) in a bathroom that not many used. So, on the very last day of school at the same prescheduled time at the last class of the day, we all asked to be excused to go to the bathroom from our respective classes and headed to said bathroom. There, one of us played guard at the door and the others diligently worked to unscrew the screws. Well, along the way, we discovered the window was actually jammed and could be pushed open. All that planning and work for nothing! Well, not really, mes amis, we jimmied that sucker open and ran for freedom taking a path by the trees where hardly anyone could see us. I think we ended up going to the center of town to look at the shops there and probably only got out 30 minutes early. But, boy did it feel good at the time to break out of school and run free!

    2) I despise mushrooms. With a passion. I call them "dirt of the earth" and they make me want to toss my cookies. I have tried many different kinds and, at this point, refuse to try any more. At restaurants, I order dishes like this: "I'll have the such and such, but without the mushrooms." If you serve me dinner and there are mushrooms in the dish, I will pick out every last one of those little buggers, no matter how small.

    3) I suck at directions and dislike driving. For example, to follow a map, I actually have to turn it in the direction I'm headed in order to be able to understand how to go about getting somewhere. If someone gives me directions and they're facing me, I automatically go up next to them and face the same direction because I can't do the opposite thing. I have recently become more adventurous in trying shortcuts and parallel streets, but normally if I know the way to get somewhere, I will always go the same way even if it's the long way. As for driving, it stresses me out to be constantly paying attention and I never feel at ease. I like to be in the car, but as a passenger. Well, that is except for when I feel nauseous on long trips sometimes(I can't read in the car.)

    4) I have now lived in six different places. Born in Nova Scotia, Canada where my mom is from, I moved to Connecticut when I was only 1, went to university in Virginia, studied abroad in France, then studied abroad in Spain, then after graduation, moved to Quebec for 6 months. This lady's got some mileage on her!

    5) In an awards ceremony at the end of the year in 7th grade, I was the shoe-in to get the French student of the year award. Near the beginning, I received a few different awards in different subjects and was happy enough, but eagerly awaiting my French award. Foreign languages was one of the last categories(probably right before computer class or something) and I could not contain my excitement. And the award goes to....NOT LEAH. What? Shock all around. Ok, I might be exagerrating a tad, but it was def not expected by me or people that knew me. The award actually went to one of my best friends at the time who was decent at French, but not that great. However, the teacher LOVED her. She was one of those teachers that was in on all of the gossip and some students told her about it because she was younger and kinda hip. Well, this girl would gossip with her about her boyfriend and what was going on and the teacher was tickled pink. Anyway, that was the reason she gave her the award and my friend even admitted it. If you can't tell, I am still bitter to this day. I made up for it in 8th grade when I got the French student of the year award and we all know 8th grade awards kick 7th grade awards butts. Not to brag or anything, I also got the French award as well as the foreign language award(as I took French and Spanish) in 12th grade and, well, nothing beats that. Wow, I am cool.

    6) My friend and I once taught ourselves all the state capitals in less than an hour after knowing less than 10. It had always bugged me that in elementary school, I never learned the state capitals. Well, I don't remember learning them anyways and I've confirmed with peepz who went to school with me. Anyway, point is, it bothered me. So, one day, hanging around with my friend Kevin, we taught ourselves all 50. I am proud to say I will probably kick some a$$ if challenged to play the state capitals game. By the way, this was senior year in college that I learned them. Haha!

    7) I love playing games and I like competing. Scattergories, Monopoly, Guesstures, Pictionary, Cranium, Guess Who, Capitals game, Name a French person, Most likely, Famous people names, Uno, BS, Crazy 8s countdown, Kings, A-hole, Beer Pong, F the Dealer, Nintendo. Anything really as long as it's not sports-related except Mini Golf and Bowling! And, I only like playing games I'm good at ;)

    8) Summer is my least favorite season. This is due to one simple fact: I hate being hot and I get hot fairly easily. Franchement, if I'm going to be hot, I want it to be because I am on a tropical island somewhere on vacation. Like in February when I was in Puerto Rico, that was acceptable. However, heat just where I live makes me miserable. I hate being sweaty just from walking around, heat makes me feel lazy, my face gets all red and my hair is everywhere. Also, when I'm hot, I advise you not to touch me. It just is me looking out for your safety because I will immediately wrestle myself free and might elbow you by accident in the process(sorry, to all I've done this to.) Furthermore, I advise you do not BY ANY MEANS point out to me that I'm hot. Saying things like: "you're hot, huh?", "wow, your face is really red", "my word, you sure are sweaty" will NOT make me a happy camper.

    9) I have fairly curly hair. Does it run in the family, you ask? NOT AT ALL. Milkman's daughter, anyone? Also, what's weird is that as a young child, I had super curly (I'm talkin ringlety) hair which soon straightened out as I got to elementary school age which happens often. Pretty much the entirety of elementary school and up until 8th grade, I had thick, straight hair. In 8th grade, my hair started off wavy and progressively got curlier as each year passed. When I got to college, my friends pointed out I should try some product in my hair and see what happens. Well, what do you know, I have curly hair!

    10) I am a makeup freak. Well, these days I am. In middle school, I wore tons of sparkles, purple mascara and shiny lip gloss. In high school, for whatever reason, I stopped wearing makeup completely. I looked a hot mess. It wasn't until college that I rediscovered my love for makeup and taught myself techniques for how to apply it. My friend just told me the other day I was the one who taught her how to wear makeup, I was actually kind of touched. Funny thing, though, many a friend has asked me to do their makeup and at first I would do it, no questions asked. Nowadays, I explain the discovery I have made over the years. While I would love to do their makeup for them, I'm no good at doing makeup on other people! I hold brushes awkwardly, put on too much bronzer and get lipstick on their teeth. I'm more than happy to give recommendations for products, but don't expect me to do your makeup. As one friend put it after I did her makeup, she looked like a "terrifying porcelain doll."


    In other news, the picture in this post is of my dog, Abby. Unfortunately, it's the only picture I have of her on my computer as other pictures of her were taken before I even had a digital camera. As it stands, it looks like my dog back home who is a 14 year old Springer Spaniel is not doing very well at all and we will probably have to put her down. Apparently, my dad has been having to carry her outside so she can go to the bathroom because she isn't able to walk due to some sort of fused circuit in her brain. Very sad. She has been taking medicine to get better and it is possible she could recover from this, but even if she did and it wasn't too hard on her, she has other problems like arthritis, poor eyesight and hearing and we just don't know how great a life she would have. I wish I was there with my family and I don't really think it's fair I'm spared from seeing her in this condition and won't be there to see her go. It really does nothing for closure for me and I can't be there to be with my family for them. This is awful and I know it's a part of life, but I just wish she could just go on her own without us having to make the decision. Growing up sucks and I really don't know if I'm ready to lose another member of my family this year.

    30 juillet, 2007

    Bloggeriffic


    I just added a bajillion blogs for all you blog lurkers out there like me to check out. There are some really funny and interesting bloggers out there and I thought you should all give them a looky.

    PS-If you happen to be one of those bloggers and I have yet to make a comment, it's because I just recently got into your blog and/or I'm a little starstruck :-D

    Super U!


    So, my local supermarket here in Bretagne is Super U. I don't know if they have chains elsewhere in France or not, but it seems to be a fairly common one here. It's about a five minute walk from my appart, so it's super convenient...it's also cheaper than Champion which is a teense further away anyways.(Sidenote: since when did grocery stores become super heroes? Doo doo doo, doooo doo dooooo...SUPER UUUUUU!...that is btw said to the tune of doo doo doo, doooo doo dooooo...CHARGE for some odd reason.) Anyhoo, I am a freak and I kinda like going to the grocery store as long as I can take my time. I like perusing the aisles, checking out deals and new products I haven't tried before. Well, as of last weekish, they're changing around the entiiiiiire store! Like, not just moving stuff, literally moving the AISLES. They used to be soley vertical with the exception of the fruits and veg, and now a majority of them are horizontal and the produce is vertical. What exactly is Super U trying to do to an organized(anal) person like yours truly?

    Ah, I remember the days when I used to go to Super U knowing where everything was and carrying out my own little Shop til you Drop-type grocery buying(anyone watch that show ever?...Bueller?) Well, those days are gone. I no longer have a designated path, I couldn't find several things I was looking for because they aren't even back out on the shelves yet! Ok, I was semi-kidding before, but this is actually for serious. Today, about 1/5 of the products aren't even back on the shelves, yet they seem to have people constantly there putting things back up whilst cleaning the shelves simultaneously. How much would this never happen in the states? If there was a major changing around of the set-up of a store, they would have people come in after hours to work on it. I would bet lots of money that when Super U is closed, those people hit the road. What's more, there was a dude smoothing over cement in the middle of the store. Was it covered? No. At this point, I am not surprised in the least, but more so amused. I mean, come on, just picture some snooty lady with her caniche in tow that accidentally steps in concrete and the face that she would make? That's just priceless.

    Rien a voir, but behold two interesting "conversations" that took place in Super U today:
    Mec#1: Salut Mademoiselle
    Leah: (Pretends not to hear)
    M1: Ca va?
    Leah: (Looks vaguely in his direction, nods and turns back around)
    Mec#2: Elle est timide, la fille.
    Leah: (Without turning head, nods very slightly)
    M1&2: Seeing that I am oh-so-interested in this conversation, they begin to holler things at me as I walk very quickly away.

    Being rung up by the cashier...
    Caissiere: Soup, hmm, that's interesting.
    Leah: (Semi smiles praying this will be the sole comment made)
    C: You know, you don't see people buying soup in the summer.
    L: True, but it doesn't really bother me to eat it.
    C: But still, in summer that's pretty rare. I mean, it IS July afterall.
    L: (Accepts fate that she is clearly wrong buying soup in summer and that it makes perfect sense that a loyal employee of the store should judge her decision while ringing her up.)
    In other news, I now have almost 1500 points at Super U. What should I get a bon d'achat for 20 euro or save up for a raclette/pierrade machine?