Saintes, France

Well, I hope someone is enjoying these pictures, because here come more! After Paris, we drove down to Saintes, in the Bordeaux region, for our first festival. 

Jam session with Venezuela, Canary Islands, and Mexico

Amanda and I with Eva, from Venezuela. She was very friendly!

Amanda and I with Eva and the group from India. They had a guy doing some nifty magic tricks, which was fun! This first day at the festival was really great for visiting with the other countries. 

With my friends from Venezuela.

So we had a lot of down time at this festival... a lot! This day, rather than wander through the city, Amy and I decided to stay at the school where we ate lunch and just talk and read and nap. This was my view from the ground... quite lovely!

This is Amy and I resting. We had a really great conversation that afternoon, which was so awesome. That was one of the great things about this tour: really having time to get to know people and have more of those deeper conversations.

Jen G.'s awesome friend Amy came on tour for the first little while. She rocks! The three of us were roommates in Saintes and we had a fun time, especially with our self-made booby traps (aka laundry lines). Amy also rocked the bag-watching duty. After our show this night we paraded and she stayed behind to watch our stuff... and ended up having to rescue it twice from the sprinklers! Talk about dedication. 

Jenny and I with a friend from India. They performed some very fun dancing, more towards the Bhangra style, I think. Either way, they did a great job. I wish I could have seen more!

My fun friend from the Canary Islands!  We got to talk a lot in Spanish. He invited me to visit him in the Canary Islands, told me about his house on the beach there, his family, and we even talked a little bit of religion! Chrissy served a Spanish-speaking mission and had talked to him about the Church, and we continued some of that conversation as well. Mom, the minute he invited me to visit and stay with his family, I thought of you and I taking a vacation... :)

Venezuela! Some of these South American dancers have some far-out costumes and dances. In spite of the show-girl-esque costumes, this dance was fairly tame. 

I'm so bad, but I don't remember where this dancer is from. I want to say Taiwan, and I'm pretty sure that is correct.  I should whip out my journal and make sure, but I'm tired and lazy right now. Either way, she is beautiful!

Sometimes the food we got was pretty good. Sometimes we got a lot of mystery meat. This lunch was particularly unappetizing, though. Rice with corn, tomatoes, hard boiled eggs, and tuna. I didn't eat much. Food was on our agenda for the afternoon outing. 

We listened to our amazing band rehearse for a little while in the afternoon. Seriously, they know how to jam! They are all super skilled individually, and collectively they make great music. They make me want to join the band instead of dance!!

That lunch left us so hungry that crepes were number one on our post-band-rehearsal to-do list. (Sheesh, how many hyphens did I use there?) We couldn't wait to get some delicious food in us!

There were several things about Victor Hugo in the city. I need to research and see what his ties to this place are. 

Nikki and I meant to share a crepe. We asked for a second fork and he brought a second crepe. And then some crazy street performers came along and bothered us... molested Brianne's head, tried to take our crepes, crawled under the table (I thought he was trying to get my purse! Pretty sure I hit or kicked him a little) and other musical nonsense. 

Bananas and Nutella. DIVINE!

The river in Saintes and the old arches from the first century... like 70 AD I think?? Rad!

Old bridge with all the festival country flags flying.

Spiral staircase in the town church. We visited it just a few minutes after a wedding ended. It is very old and beautiful!

At this cool venue we got to get ready outside. And we got to do quick changes in the dark. Behind the stage. With the stinging nettles. But before all that we got to get ready here... until we got kicked off the tables and had to find somewhere else to go. 

So happy! Despite the craziness of moving here, there and everywhere and figuring out quick change, this was a pretty cool chateau to perform at!

We had a lot of spare time before dinner, so everyone did fun things with makeup. I helped Jenny with her bold colors (not the she really needed help though). And Amy did Erin's eye makeup!

We did finally eat, and the food was tasty! They kept close track of who could have how much of what, but in the end we all left dinner happy and full. Our crazy guide didn't help the peace of the situation, but at least we all got to eat!

Paris Highlights

The big recap of tour... here it comes!!! (In other news, I'm in the midst of trying to figure out my future. All good-wishes, job advice/tips, prayers, etc are accepted!)

A glance of the famous streets, as redone by Hausmann. I've got a text book that tells more about why these are significant.... But if you really want more about the rebuilding of Paris, let me know. One thing that came out on tour is my vast amount of random knowledge. 

View from the top of the staircase in our Paris hotel. This is the seventh floor, where my room was at. Yes, I did have to carry suitcases up and down these stairs, more than once. 

Auguste Rodin: The Kiss. Absolutely beautiful workmanship and expressiveness. As I was downloading pictures, this one came up and I got little thrills from seeing it again and remembering what it was like to see it in person. Lovely.

Auguste Rodin: The Thinker. One of his most famous sculptures. Amy and I talked a little about him, wondering if he was meant to be viewed from a height or not. (He's on a pedestal, so his feet are about at my head-height.) At this moment, I think that perhaps putting him on a pedestal keeps the viewer from feeling that his pondering stance excludes others; rather, his elevated position illustrates the nobility (?) of thinking and pondering. 

Basilica Sacre Couer, in Montmartre

Notre Dame Cathedral

Interior stained glass window, Notre Dame Cathedral

Organ and Rose Window, Notre Dame Cathedral

Gotta prove that I was there!! Do you see the flying buttresses and pointed arches? You can probably see some gargoyles too, if you look closely. And the rose window there on the transcept. Gothic architecture through and through!

East altar area, Saint Chapelle. They call this small church the jewel-box. Pictures don't do the experience justice, because the whole main level is filled with these panels of beautiful stained glass. It was absolutely amazingly beautiful, a must-see for anyone going to Paris. 

Eiffel Tower! I was lame and poor and didn't pay to go up in it. I didn't want to pay for the elevator ticket, and  my feet couldn't stand the thought of walking up the stairs on the cheaper pass. Paris isn't necessarily the most attractive city, in my opinion, so I don't feel like I missed out. If I go back to Paris again, though, I'll add that to my to-do list. 

Classic illusion pictures with the tower. Pretty good job, photographer! 

So happy to be in Paris at the Eiffel Tower!! I may have been dog -tired from walking, but there's always energy for a jumping picture! (There are many more to come throughout tour.) 

Arc de Triomphe. I really want to process some of these pictures in Photoshop and see if I can get some more attractive results, but I like the general look of this one. Anyways, we walked to the Arc and then along the Champs Elysses to cap off our evening in Paris. Well, this evening, at least. We had a few nights there, and we used them all to the fullest extent.

Louvre, with Pyramids and ferris wheel in the Tuileries gardens

One entrance to the Louvre. Once you snap your picture of the most popular entrance, aka the pyramids, walk across the street and over here. There is no line, even on days when the main entrance has an hour + wait!

Da Vinci, Madonna of the Rocks. I thought the painting would be brighter, but apparently it dulls down over time, so it probably just needs some archival care. Beautiful piece. 

When at the Louvre, you can not skip seeing the most famous painting in the world. I did not get any closer than this, mostly because the crowd wasn't worth it. That museum is full of amazing artwork, so I can handle seeing this one from a distance. It's actually relatively small, too. You would need time and peace to contemplate Da Vinci's rendering here, and the viewing experience obviously doesn't lend itself to that type of contemplation. So, this is my face time with the Mona Lisa. 

Theodore Gericault, The Raft of the Medusa

Eugene Delacroix, Liberty Leading the People

Ingres, The Grand Odalisque

David, Oath of the Horatii. We went to the Pere Lachaise Cemetery and saw his grave as well. 

Winged Victory, Nike of Samothrace

Eiffel Tower at night, in the city of lights. It sparkled too, but not while we were there taking pictures.


And that is Paris in a nutshell! The Musee de Orsay was my favorite part, but pictures weren't allowed so Amy took a few clandestine shots. (Want to email me those files?) So outside of that museum, this is Paris! Normandy and Versailles posts to follow...

Technology

I am back! Europe was wonderful, filled with amazing stories. I always enjoy getting away and being more or less disconnected for a few weeks. It's like pushing a big RESET button on life, and when you get back and pick up the pieces of normalcy again, you feel rejuvenated and prepared to take it all on. 

In other news, I'm still a bit jet lagged. I am performing in a festival tomorrow night and haven't learned any of the two dances I'm in. In my defense, I thought I was only in one. Surprise! Anyways, my mental processes are slowing down, so I'm going to hit the hay and be ready to dance away the morning. Pictures and tour stories coming soon, and pray I am really fast enough of a learner to make this work tomorrow!!!

Thoughts on a Monday

I meant to go to a concert in Orem.  I meant to go running. (I suppose I still could...) I did finish my thesis revisions, and I can't wait to get the final signatures and call everything DONE. I probably should be doing laundry, or writing a packing list, or vacuuming or something. I did try calling the temple. I called twice before I realized that I was getting the voicemail message because today is Monday, not Tuesday-Saturday. At this point, I should probably eat dinner. I mean real dinner, the leftovers Megan sent home with me because I've been eating cake for dinner instead. (No comment on how much cake I ate for my... "snack"... tonight.) SIGH. I wouldn't mind going on a walk. It's more fun to talk to someone and walk with someone. Like the concert: it's more fun to go with someone. Sometimes I've been really great about not caring if I go to things alone, but apparently today I'm not in that mindset. I think I just really need to finally complete my things here in Provo: thesis, work stuff, etc. I'll have an amazing trip to Europe, and when I get back I'll my moments of taking a step forward spiritually, graduating, and hopefully find a fulfilling job. Until then, tonight feels like a Monday. 

Reality Check

Dear dude on that ldsdating.site, 


I'm tired of you, collectively speaking. Yes, yes, there are some true gems on there. I do believe that. I mean... I'm on there. But let's face it: you're most likely talking to me because of my looks. Flattering, maybe, but it gets old super fast. I personally believe that my brain and personality are just, if not more, attractive than my physical looks. Let me share some thoughts on what I think of you. IF you are closer to 40 than 30, I am not your girl. IF you are 3o and only have a high school diploma to your name, I am so not your girl. IF you are 22 and already divorced, I probably am not your girl either. IF you call me pet names without even knowing me, I am not your girl, your baby, your hun, etc. IF you judge me because I didn't serve a mission... well wow, and I guess I'm not your girl either. IF you talk with me or meet me and it turns out you're a toad, I am not your girl. IF you weird me out and I cancel plans the same day you invite me, I apologize, but I am not your girl, and no, I will not give you any recommendations for friends of mine you should ask out in lieu of me attending that event. And finally, one of my favorites. IF you are 30+, a musician, living with your parents, high school diploma only, no real job, no real picture, questionable interest in your religious convictions, and attack me because I turn you down, I am not your girl. 


So, dear dude out there, I am departing from your world. The quantity of dates you've supplied me with has been somewhat amazing, but quality is better than quantity. And I'm leaving the country. But even if I weren't, I'm tired of your general type. Thanks for the hilarious stories, at least!


-me

Random quotes and travel preview

Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence in society.

Mark Twain (1835-1910)

 Mark Twain was a smart man. And funny. I saw that quote last night and thought it merited preservation here. It also makes me feel somewhat better about my recent influx of clothing. One of the worst parts of working is that you have to have two functioning wardrobes: one for work and one for everything else.

Scholar of Mormonism Melissa Proctor says, “A Mormon woman who has post-graduate education is less likely to attend church,” perhaps because “an advanced degree does not contribute to an LDS woman’s status within the church,” whereas the church tends to fill its top positions with professionally successful men. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-06-10/mission-training-grooms-mormons-to-pursue-presidency-ceo-suite.html I find this to be an interesting statement... not sure how true it is. For me, at least, it's definitely not true! 

Awesome places I'm about to go to (after I defend my thesis tomorrow...)

Paris, France

I'm going to Paris, I'm going to Paris, I'm going to Paris!! I suppose no European traveler can really be fully-fledged until they've made the obligatory expedition to Paris. Originally I thought I would have a day or two to see the city, which would enable me to spend some quality time at the Louvre and other Paris museums. As it turns out the time will be shortened a bit, but I don't care if it requires minimal sleep: I'm going to see as much as humanly possible during the time I'm there!

Normandy, France

On July 4th, we will be traveling to the American cemetery at Normandy, the famous location of the D-Day landings. These beaches lead up a bluff, and the cemetery rests at the top of that. To my knowledge, I don't have any relatives that fought over here. Our group is going to visit the Utah soldiers buried here, though. I located Edgar D. Erickson, a young man from the Weber area who died at Normandy on July 28, 1944. He received a Purple heart. I haven't learned much more about him at this point. 

Biarritz, France

Could this place look any lovelier? I can't wait to see it in person and walk along the beach! It is an old town, so it seems like the city will have a nice mix of old and new architecture. Call me a humanities nerd, but I notice stuff like that, and I love it!

Versailles, France

I love the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. What does that have to do with this place? Well, thanks to the efforts of the mission office over there, we are performing at Versailles (a stake center somewhere, not here at the famous Palace). I love being able to use my talents to uplift others and share the light of Christ.

Bayonne, France

Basically right next to Biarritz, we'll be spending time in this lovely town as well. From what I can tell, it's not necessarily right on the coast like Biarritz is, but is 7km away, along about three rivers. For those interested, both these cities are in the Basque area of France.

Pamplona, Spain

You see those balconies above and away from the big scary massive bull charging out at you? That is where I will be at. Maybe a few levels up, just for good measure. But either way, I'll be in Pamplona for one long and crazy night of Spanish fiesta-ing! I wish we could spend more time in Spain, rather than just one night/morning and then driving across it, but I guess that means I'll just have to go back to Europe to see it!

Figueira de Foz, Portugal

Apparently I should have been working on my surfing skills, because this city in Portugal has the country's longest beach (2 miles). At the very least, I'll come back with my nice tan and plenty of beach exposure! 

Lisbon, Portugal

My mind has been a bit preoccupied with school things, so I haven't been able to marinate many thoughts on where I'm going. But I am definitely super excited to be going here! I've heard so much about how beautiful Lisbon is, and glancing over its history (Moorish influence, Portuguese center of of spice and jewellery trade)  it seems to be so rich with many fascinating influences. We also get to perform two shows organized by the church here, which will be quite the experience! Apparently they had so much interest in our show that people were getting upset that only a limited number could attend our single show. So our director said we would perform two shows to accommodate more viewers. This will be my first time doing two full shows back to back. I mean, we often did shows in SPAC that had very short rest intervals, but we'll literally have 30 minutes to end and get ready to begin again. And these shows are not like SPAC... they are way more high-energy, thanks to multiple clogging numbers. It's so worth it, though. The experiences I've had traveling and performing overseas, meeting people from all across the world and connecting with them -- these have been the most incredible opportunities. I have been so blessed to be able to share my talents and share my love with others. They have broadened my perspective and touched my heart. 

And, this just in. The day after I return to the states, I am performing a Bollywood dance at the Springville Folk Festival. There are a few prayers I want answered in life, but among the top five is this: please, may I never stop dancing until the day I day!!

And now, I shall go prepare for my thesis defense. Did I mention? It's all about dance too. 

:)

DONE

My thesis is done!!! It feels amazing. It is officially 123 pages long, with 7 intro pages and 10 bibliography pages, 4 chapters, 1 map and 6 photographs. And I feel awesome!! What started in 2005 as an idea to visit Ireland has turned into a Master Thesis and degree in 2011. 


It feels oh so good. 


:)