The run this morning was good, because I was in the middle.
It is not that fun to always be in the back.
My body is not that sore
But my feet are feeling it.
(I had to buy a pair of walking shoes, Sketchers, their o.k.
I should have learned from my sisters mistake)

Today was beginning of the French Revolution
As we gazed at the Bastille
We could imagine the energy the terror and the passion.
Tonight we might get to experience it

A huge protest is expected pour through streets of Pairs
The D’Orsay and other museums are closed today.
People are whispering “stay indoors after 5” (in a French accent)
My eyes widen.
Don’t we all want to be apart of the revolution?

Metro
closed today (as well)
Paris is on a transportation strike
They say this happens “2 or 3 times a year” (in a French accent)
Oh the French, they have a passion for protesting.
(Canadians appear so passive to me right now)

After reliving the Bastille
I practiced my freedom
By shopping.. I cleared my mind
I went to the Champ-Elysees
It is just passed where Marie and Louis lost their head

Stopping for Angelina’s
Hot Chocolate
That taste like..
Melted chocolate in a cup
I now can define
SUGAR HIGH.
(I declare it the best hot chocolate in the world! A must try in Paris)

I admit
I made another stop
Yes I did it
I went to Sephora in Paris
Naughty me !
It was a cultural experience, really.
They have the most dynamic…
Eye lash extensions.
(ones with diamond tips, ones that looked like cob webs and ones with colorful feathers)
Any request??

Tonight
we are embracing the Parisians word
And staying in
I am looking forward
To watching the Parade from my room

I doubt we have a CNN event on our hands.

Who knows…
Good night.

genius gone

One was sent home
It was a relief
A journey
Not for all
black clothes
masked the emotions
lost
acted out (screamed inside)
all around
shocked
needed more
a knife
behind the ear
mumbles of words lost
listening
not listening
speaking words
peers didn’t get.
the agony
of ones
own mind.
escaped
through
a high
teacher
flushes
the hallucinations
student
flying
literally
home

I believe in Standards

We all have standards
For ourselves
For each others
In Education
In food

And I have standards in Coffee!
Yes I said it!
Standardized coffee

I have heard all the bad things about Starbucks
Rainforst
Slaves
Corporation stuff
Yadda yadda yadda.

Starbucks is standardized
I can get it in Athens
I can get it in Rome
I can get in Paris
And it tastes the same. (great)

And I am glad!
Not to say I don’t like Pairsian cappuccinos, it is tasty.
Their coffee however is not the same

So I say hooray to
Starbucks!
Hooray to standards!

I am Pretty Woman

We walked into the three star Persian restaurant where their thing was Pigs. Not as in pork, but rather pig décor. You know how some restaurants have vines, or grapes, or movie stars or sports, well this restaurant had pigs. The entrance had large brass handles that were shaped as pigs. The neo-classical murals on the walls depicted pigs feasting in the forest. As we went up the spiral staircase that was lit with crystal chandeliers, I thought to myself…Who said “let’s open up a fancy restaurant with pigs everywhere” ?? A theme that would not fit in at home....I found it fascinating.

Once seated at the table we order escargot and wine. The escargot arrived and the thinga ma giggy was place to my right. I picked it up and inspected the foreign object, squeezed it and knew I had seen these before. It was not in that cluttered utensil drawer at the cottage, it was in Pretty Woman! I stared at the snail and squeezed the thinga ma giggy around its shell and carefully did that three times, savoring each bite. The third snail was not as successful I reached for it but it slipped and instead of the server catching it, it hit Joe in the arm! At that moment there was nothing for me to do, but smile and say “Slippery little suckers!”

I love Paris

I woke up at 6:30am
Paris was still dark
Groaned
Lulu lemoned myself
Then Ran

I ran
Fast
I guided the group
I was Ben Johnson
(the above statement is false)

The slow ones (myself in included)
Get lost
The buildings the same
Sweating
Staring at the Louve!
(my destination)

Lunch was…
Market
Chicken
Cheese
Wine
Peasant style in the park.


The clock struck six
As I stared
at Mona Lisa
and her eyebrow less face
I smiled her smile (if it is a smile)

Dinner was …
Wine
Escargot
Steak
Crepe
Aristocrat style

Hotel
With marking
Tried
But I wanted to say...I love you more then Paris!

safe and sound

Hello Friends and Family

I have made it to Paris. The weather right now is cold and rainy, but it hasn’t hampered on the groups spirits. Even though I think that half of the group hasn’t realized that they are actually in Paris (myself included). The last two weeks went by so fast I barely got a chance to say goodbye to many of you, so sorry!

The flight was wonderful. The plane was half empty, therefore we were able to spread out and get a little sleep. We flew on Air France, which has become my favorite airline because the flight attendants are very friendly and they handout mini banquettes with a triangle of Brie. Yum!

Speaking of food, I just came back from grocery shopping at the local Parisian grocery store, I enjoyed listening to the students say things like “wow, this is the healthiest grocery store I’ve ever seen!” “They only have 5 kinds of chips.” “They don’t have family size.” It is such a cultural experience for us all.
I moved about the grocery store encountering all the same problems I’ve had before, such as - I have a hard time telling the different between milk and cream. – I looked for baby carrots , which don’t exists here– I couldn’t tell the difference between dish detergent and laundry soap.- And of course carrying all the grocery’s back.-(luckily Peter and a student helped me out) I unload my stuff in my little kitchen apartment.

Sitting in my apartment typing this little blog, I am filled with all the memories from previous visits. The last time I was here I was with my mom. We bought jam that we used twice and eventually that jam joined the other jams at home. We bought cheese that my mom carried with her to Munich. And as much as I told her to throw it out I really appreciated it when I was starving. I bought jam and cheese today and wished my mom could be here to enjoy it with me… my little apartment just isn’t the same.

A wonderful dinner with my students this evening in the Latin Quarter it wasn’t the food that made it wonderful, it was the conversation. We talked about our “sponsors” the people who encouraged them/us to travel in the first place and also those who sponsored us financially. We all agreed that we are very fortunate people to be so love and so supported by our friends and family.

Tomorrow will be the first real MEI day. We will be working out at 7:00 run/walk/yoga in rain our shine. Then later we will have a lecture on Perception and reality and we will be visiting the Pompidou.

I am fighting the sleepiness. My eyes are heavy and my body is floppy. The student are typing away on their laptops but I think I am done for today. I am looking forward to the real deal tomorrow, wait what is the real deal… that would be more fitting. I am sorry if the formatting is off. xoxo

Off to Europe!

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am inviting you on my MEI International Academy Odyssey!

I created this blog site (with the help of my friend Jack) to document my 80 day Odyssey through Europe.
I am leaving on March 21st and returning on June 8th, I will be traveling with 28 students and 2 other teachers. Through this jazzy techie thing you we will all get to experience the following places.
· Paris
· Strasbourg
· The Swiss Alps
· Munich
· Venice
· Siena
· Tuscany
· Florence
· Rome
· Pompeii
· Peloponnese
· Athens
· Santorini
· Mykonos
· Back to Athens
· Home
So, please explore with me, drink a cappuccino with me, eat a croissants with, visit the Pope with me, see the David with me, stare at the Sistine chapel with me, inspire students with me, teach with me, learn with me … blog with me.
I don’t know how we will be traveling: it may be by poem, or free verse, or with a picture, or just by plain ole writing. Whatever it is, I will be updating it as much as possible. In exchange please keep me updated with the journeys that continue at home.
with love,
Lauren

there

There are days that simply see the world through.
There are times when the blackness appears as sparks of sliver.

Dancing in the rain might not be the answer but chocolate and green grass may reverse the healing.

There are people that are near
There are people that are deep within your spirit, which seems to prove your personality to be what it really is.
There is warmth that lies in hugs and in turning around to glance at what you missed. There is hope that rest in the eyes of others.
There is a velvet chair that awaits a performance.
There is nervous energy that needs to be released.
There is beauty in each taste and it seems to sooth your anger and fulfills your pleasure.
There is a reward for all.

The frosty air, trees, and snow acts like vodka & red bull.
I am ready for the ride, but what about the thrill
suited up in padded foam
in a foreign cultural ritual
that I find erotic.

A moment to pause from the speed
I smile soothing the frost on my face.
My eyes widen through the shady lens.
I see a little island that we can make our own.
(It features, rocks, about five trees with a spectacular view).

The darkness swifts up to a soft white trail
Passing the glow of the lights on timer
They help navigate our starry path
I sink close to the warmth

My heart skips on the frozen muskoka
My seasonal safe place has transformed itself
No longer does it flow around by body
Now I glide on it like thick ice

Embracing it the hands loosen
The legs wrap tightly
Soothed by a touch of comfort
I lean back exposed

The wind softens and lights become brighter
My journey is about to end
Reversing the ritual I undress …
And now I am on thin ice.