The Notre Dame

The other day I finally had the opportunity to return to the beautiful Notre Dame. The cathedral again took my breath away as I turned the corner.
Walking around inside was even more overwhelming. Operatic music was playing as I entered; to call the symphony angelic is a bit of a cliche, but seems to fit none the less. The ethereal soprano drifts through the glorious domes and arches; it is the kind of music which enters you entirely, seeping into you until it lifts your very soul with it in its ascent to the heavens. You involuntarily inhale as you enter.

This symphony sets the scene for the feeling of insignificance which is suddenly set upon you.

You are no longer standing in your present generation--you are reeling through the centuries, your mind flooded with each scene which has passed here. Kings and nobles, peasants and bishops are all around you, more real than the reality you left at the gate. As the music reaches a cresendo you exhale; voices surround you.


"Sanctuary! Sanctuary!" cries the criminal who throws himself upon the stones of the grand hall. Perhaps you read that somewhere. Here history and fiction are blended into a medley of things past and present, imagined, dreampt, and hoped for. It doesn't seem to matter. You are the negligible spectator to all.

As I wander further down the corridor, the vastness of the cathdral settles upon my shoulders. It is the haven of inspiration and longing, commanding such a mixture of elation and fear within you that you know you are experiencing joy. As C.S. Lewis said in his novel, Til We Have Faces , "It was when I was happiest that I longed most...The sweetest thing in all my life has been the longing...to find the place where all the beauty came from." This Cathedral inspires such a longing.

As I move throughout the aisles, all time seems suspended. I am an intruder upon the sacred and the forgotten. Plates of candles line the walls, each flame signifying a prayer of the people for a loved one. Saints are everywhere, frozen in time in scenes of prayer and supplication.



To exit this place is to enter another existence, hopefully with a different perspective. Your life has been snapped into focus, at least for a moment.

Oh how great is our God who is over all generations! Who cares for me even throughout history. I hope I will be able to keep this mindset while I am here. Praise God for creating and inspiring such beauty and for allowing us all to experience it ! (:

Simple Pleasures.....

Bonjour Tout le Monde,

So one of the things that I've been thinking of today is that, even here in Paris, being surrounded by some of the greatest buildings and monuments in the world, I find some of the greatest joys in the simple things of life.
Now, here I must warn you, if you continue to read on you may be surprised by my sentimentality. On the outside I may appear to be a fairly rational, level-headed girl, but I am actually a hopeless romantic...an aspect of my personality that is hard to stifle in a city such as this. For those of you who are rolling your eyes now, you may want to turn back, I wax a bit poetic (some have said melodramatic, but I dont approve of that word) at times... (;



So today I discovered what I believe will become one of my haunts here, if the owners allow it. It is one of the countless little bookstores around the city, and one which, I believe, has actually won some renown--apparently it was a favorite refuge of such literary geniuses as Hemingway, Fitzgerald and Stein. It is called Shakespeare and Company (some of you, doubtless, have heard of it), and I am absolutely in love with it. As many of you know, you could count on my approval of such a nooke simply on its function of safegaurding the treasures that I love (many of you have seen how hopelessly lost I become in the smallest of bookstores); however, this one already seems to have a higher claim on my affections. Its a well-stocked store, of course...but its true merit lies above the heads of many of its patrons.

The second story of the bookstore (in my eyes) is nothing short of magical. All of the books found here are not for sale, which perhaps is a blessing, for then you would be required to choose one from the overwhelming mass. The smell of time-worn pages greets you like an old friend as you ascend the steps; there are three or four rooms, each containing wall-to wall shelves piled high and overflowing to neat stacks on the floor and tables. There are countless volumes of Dickens, Tolstoy, Balzac, Browning, Moliere....each one stamped with a distinct personality and appearance: the once-periwinkle blue cover of Kidnapped or the dilapidated face of a stained Ben Hur. And then the rows of philosophy works which tower over the rooms, perched on the very top of the rows of shelves. If books had faces, I believe these would be the wizened old men of the group; perhaps smoking a cigar and hemming and hawwing as they rebuke me on my ignorance of their contents with a disapproving glare. Each one of them has an effect on me--some are unknown, many are faded memories of forgotten friends, others are stories forever etched onto my heart; yet each seems to be a citadel to another existence entirely.



To add to all this book-infused reverie, in the corner there sits a student in a sort of mini-cubicle built into the wall. His surrounding walls are plastered with scraps of poetry and prose; he is writing. The whirring hum of the old-fashioned typewriter follows me about the room as I wander, snapping away insistently. Soon it stops, giving way to a different lullaby as the faceless poet begins to recite his recent lines back to himself. In the next room, to my right, I see an ill-made bed abutting one of the wall-to-wall bookshelves. Here abides one of the starving artists of Paris. (:
I admit I almost envy him his abode--to sleep amongst such a collection is a privilege it seems, and then to click away all day long in such a place! But perhaps here, I may even admit, I'm getting a bit carried away...

A posted sign says that others are welcome to browse and read here, since the books are not available to purchase ( I wouldn't sell a collection like that either!!) and so I'm hoping I can return often and read and study here, providing the owners dont get tired of my visits. I admit I didn't want to ever leave. Haha. It's so wonderful.

This city can be intoxicating. Living in the residential part of the city, it's easy to get caught up in my schedule, what I'm doing, etc...or to become just the tourist, snapping pictures of each famous monument. But occasionally, walking around, I catch a glimpse of the Paris I love so well...the haunt of poets, artists, romantics (:
The history comes to life. The stones I'm walking on are suddenly the same that Hemingway used to tread upon. The Notre Dame is the same which Hugo looked upon as he dreamt up Quasimodo. The street vendors sell works of art just as Picasso did in his youth. The timeless city which has nurtured such young hearts and dreams as mine since its creation lies at my feet and life seems to freeze for that one moment. These moments are priceless.

Okay, I feel I have gotten all my romantacism out of my for the day. I am now eating a fresh fruit tart and drinking a coffee as I listen to Norah Jones...more simple pleasures that you just can't buy.

Miss you all. Forgive my poet's eye if its a bit more than you're used to. Haha. Good night to all! (:

C'est la vie.....

Salut! Here are pictures both from Orientation and today...with the group, we all got to go up in the Eiffel tower which was cool. The view of the city was beautiful!! Then today my roommate and I went up to Monmartre and walked around (mostly to see Sacre Coeur...this beautiful white cathedral). It was breathtaking.




This cathedral is so cool...we actually couldn't take pictures inside, but it was amazing....candles everywhere and the dome is gorgeous. I wish I could show you all...




Okay, so next culture observation of the day...So, I've notice that almost everyone has a dog here. Most of them are tiny, and they're all super well-behaved. It's hilarious though because you find them everywhere...cafes, stores, the metro...it's just totally normal for them to be all over! They all just sit at their master's feet though. So cute!!



Another thing you see all the time in the metro is musicians. They're everywhere. It's so interesting though; there's such a modge-podge of people and talents...artists, musicians, street vendors. The other day I saw a guy walking around with a fishbowl balanced on his head collecting coins. Haha.




This city is so beautiful...it's hard to be walking around and not get distracted by the sites all around. for some reason I'm in love with the rooftops here (: They are all so charming.


Here are also pictures of when we went up in the Eiffel tower (:












Ok, well, sorry for all the pictures, I know I have a lot!!! I'll update you again soon! (especially about the classes and everything...ahh! I'm nervous!) Talk to you soon!!! (:

Un promenade dans la cite

Hello again my dear friends! Orientation has been going on since Tuesday--a lot of long days, but I've seen a lot more of the city! Yesterday we took a tour of "Medieval Paris" and saw parts of the city that date back to the 17th and 18th century. It was all so beautiful. The more I see of the city the more I love it!
Most of the time I feel like I've traveled back in time, all the architecture is just so amazing.



These are just a few of the highlights from our "promenade" around the city...(:



Most of these are from our trip to L'Opera Garnier or the "galleries" and "passages" along the streets...

Some observations, and praises, for the day....

Bonjour tout le monde,
Je suis tre content. Je suis alle a un cafe aujourd'hui, et j'ai mange un petit patisserie et un espress. Il etait tres bien!!
Ok, sorry...so last night I got to go to the night service at Saint Michaels, a little British Church near the Champ D'Elysee. They are all very nice--the service was good and there was a very good message on worship, where I was reminded that "my purpose is praise" (: It was good to be in Christian fellowship again. Afterwards there was a dinner for the 18-30 yr old group, and they served pizza and quiche (oh my goodness you have NOT had dquiche until you've had it in Europe, it was completely oozing cheese and was SO yummy!). P.s. Goat's cheese is like my new favorite thing ever. (;

Ok, so exciting news...I have a roomie!! She arrived this morning and she is very sweet. Her name is Holly and she's from Idaho. We get along great already and I'm so glad to have someone here! Thank you for all of you who have been praying for me to find someone! I feel so blessed (:

So, if any of you understood the french I wrote up top, I got to have a relaxing afternoon--I got my first pastry and snuggled up in a cafe with an espresso and wrote in my journal for a bit. I have no idea what the pastry was actually, I ordered the wrong one, haha...but it was good...some kind of custard with an apricot middle. Yum!
So I've decided to try to record some of my observances during my trip (I'd like to become a more aware person through all of this--especially observing the culture differences and everything!!)

First of all, I'm not sure if this is a culture difference, as I've never tried it in the States, but still I think it's hilarious....the metros in the morning are INSANE. It's absolutely ridiculous. Think as many people that can possible fit onto the train, plus 10. Haha...people just keep pushing there way in!! You kinda just have to shrug your shoulders and elbow your way through with everyone else..it's survival of the fittest. You get real up close and personal with people. And then, when you get to your stop you just have to yell "PARDONNE!" as loud as you can and hope that people move in time. Haha, it's great.

Another thing I've seen are these little carts everyone seems to have for their groceries. It's great--like a stroller for your bags..they take them empty to the store and then put all the bags in for the walk home so they don't have to carry them.

Haha...most of you are probably thinking...no duh Jessica, everyone knows that....but it's new to me! (:

Well, I'll stop boring you now with me silly stories. Orientation starts tomorrow, so I'll have something to do! (:

Bon Nuit mon amies!!! Au revoir!

More pictures (:

Ok, so here are a few more pictures...In the last one I think I put up my favorites of the Eiffel Tower, the Arc De Triomphe (yes, I was standing in the middle of the street for that one), the bridge over the Seine, and some of the architechture. Here is the opera house, the view of the "Basin de la Villette" right down from my apartment, some more architecture from the bridge and my metro stop (:

Here are just a few of my photos so far... I am still trying to figure out how to do this so bear with me!!!

Starting to get settled (maybe?)

Ok, so you're probably already getting tired of these, but they won't be quite so often in coming once I get busy so I may as well write now (;

Today I had the wonderful adventure of changing my money into Euros. By adventure I mean nightmare. First of all, I found an ATM that would give me Euros frommy bank account, but it only let me get so much and then started rejecting my card. I'm not sure why...but anyway, it wasn't enough for the rent I had to pay tonight, so then I had to find an actual bank. That was fine, and they were very helpful, but there is nothing more depressing than converting dollars to euros. It is almost literally cut in half. I felt completely ripped off. But, that's the exchange rate, so there's not much you can do.

On the upside, I got to see the beautiful Paris Opera house on my way to the bank. I am absolutely determined to see something there before I go (:

I then went to a welcome session at the school where I met with about 12 other exchnage students. They were all very nice, and it was cool to see how many different places we were coming from. there are actually 3 other people from WM here, only one of whom I've met before. I hope to get to know all of them better. The session was really just about meeting each other and going over some legistical stuff...afterwards we celebrated this french tradition where we all got a piece of cake and whoever got a little figurine in their piece was the "king" or the "queen". Haha. I didn't get it...oh well =P

After the session was over I went to a cafe with two of the students I had met and had my first real espresso. (I'm already hooked, it was wonderful). We just talked for awhile and then I headed back home to pay my landlord. I did get a little lost on the way back (although I was right next to my street)...I've got to learn this neighborhood better.

A bientot!

A bit of exploring....

Well, I guess I'll recount the triumphs and embarassments of the day. I found the school, which is good. The people there were very nice. They were probably wondering why I was there so early asking these random questions, but they were very kind and helpful.

The biggest mistake I made today was in the metro. I caught on pretty fast and (miraculously) didn't get on the wrong train or anything. However....the first time I rode it I noticed that it is a little different from the metros I've been on in the city as you have to push a button on the door if you want to get off of the train. The first time I got off I was so concentrated on getting off at the right stop and pushing the button (looking confident, of course), that I didn't realize that I was trying to exit on the wrong side! Had the door let me (which it didn't--I just looked like an idiot), I would have stepped out onto the tracks of the other train. Good job Jessica.
Oh well...learning experience I guess.

Later this evening I took the metro to the Concorde station to meet a girl from the St. Michaels English church. I had been talking to her online and she had said she would meet me at the station. Unfortunately, she failed to mention that there are about 5 stops in the area. I had to wander around for quite awhile looking for her.

It was worth it however, because I got my first sights of the city. The architechture is absolutely gorgeous, but on top of that, as soon as I came out of the metro there was the Tour D'Eiffel and the giant Ferris Wheel right in front of me. Also, I didn't know this then, but apparently they have started to illuminate the Eiffel Tower at the top of every hour. I was walking around looking for Liz and all of a sudden it was sparkling like it was set ablaze with fireworks. It was so beautiful. When I finally met Liz she said it was one of her favorite things to see in the city.

She then took me to the church where they were having a social. Everyone was very nice--there were about ten people there, from Germany, England, Australia, and the UK. We just sat and drank wine and ate sandwiches and talked. They were really nice and afterwards a few of them walked me back to the metro. I'm so glad to have people I can talk to (in English) here!

Je suis arrivee!

Bonjour Tout les monde,

Well, I have arrived. Isn't that insane? I can't tell you how exhausted I am.
Traveling was an adventure. First of all, I left an exacto-knife in my backback with my art supplies and was pulled aside by security. I swear I thought they were going to frisk me and tell me I couldn't go...but they just took the knife.

I then took a quick flight to New York, waited around for 3 hours and then boarded the plane for Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris. It was about a 6 and 1/2 hour flight, but seemed like ages longer. They did serve dinner, however, plus breakfast right before we arrived. I scrunched onto the two seats beside me and tried to sleep for at least a couple hours.

When I arrived I had to go through the little station and get my passport stamped (yay!), and then came the adventure of finding my shuttle. I was informed that I would have to go upstairs to a certain exit, which I was not too happy about, since I had my two 50-pound bags, my huge backback and a laptop bag. The escalator was interesting. I actually ended up going up and down twice because I got lost and had to call the agency who was sending the shuttle to make sure I hadn't missed it. I thought I was going to pass out.

but anyhow, I got here and was greeted by the landlord. I sat outside the address for about 10 minutes just praying that he would show up on time. It's the most helpless, strange feeling to have absolutely no way to contact anyone. There I was, standing on the sidewalk surrounded by my bags hoping and praying someone would come.

The landlord ended up being upstairs and spotted me through the window. He helped me with my bags and showed me the apartment. It's small, but actaully bigger than I expected, and the landlord is very sweet. It's interesting since he speaks only broken English and I speak only broken French...but somehow we communicated. He then walked around with me, showing me the nearest metro stops and stores. I am right next to the Canal St. Martin. It's not the greatest part of the city, but it's not bad either. Tomorrow I get to explore some more and try to find the school.

Sorry this is so rambling, I don't hink I've quite recovered form the jet lag...and I think it's time for bed for now.

I love you all and hope to talk to you soon!!!