A day without shoes

I did it.


It was a cold and rainy day, but I did it. I walked all over the mountainous campus barefoot and boy was it unpleasant. The frenchies thought I was really weird and when I explained why I was doing it, some mentioned that it was too cold outside and that I would get sick. I didn't thank goodness.
I'm glad I did it though. It made me stop and think about kids and people all over the world who have to walk around most of their lives without shoes. It made me realize the many things I take for granted. It also made me want to make a difference.

What a great guy, that Tom. I've realized that any little bit helps. We need more people like this.

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

James 1:27 (NIV)

London Town

It's been three weeks since I went on my trip to London. I've been meaning to write about it but things have been a little crazy around here. So here goes...

Upon my arrival at the Gatwick airport, I got through alright except we, being my travel partners and I, got asked to sit in the "naughty zone". That's what the sweet old man at the door told us with a wink in his eye. We had forgotten to fill out some form on the plane stating what we were in England for so we took a seat and filled them out. After we got cleared to leave customs our seemingly endless exit out of the airport began. I felt liked we walked for days. Finally we were out, now onto getting to Victoria station. That was a 45 minute trip by train and then my eyes feasted on the illustriousness of the city.
We bought our tickets for public transportation then headed immediately to Big Ben (which is not big at all. BIG disappointment) and Parliment. It was awesome to say the least. I have always had a fascination with the UK and to finally be in London at that! In the five days that I was there, I am proud to say that I have seen everything touristic and even got time to squeeze in some cool local stuff too.

Funny story.
My roommate got separated from our group because she booked her flight later and so wasn't on our plane. She arrived several hours after us, but because we were couchsurfing together I had to wait for her at Hamsteadheath station. I do not have a phone so before leaving we set a time and place to meet. I got to the station and waited patiently. An half hour passed and a very big and tall African man who was working at the office in the metro station asked me if I needed help. I smiled and said no thanks, I was just waiting for a friend. The sun was shining and I figured I would be alright. Fifteen minutes later however the sun hid it's face and the temperature was steadily dropping while a brisk and cold wind decided to introduce itself.
Two hours later, after much probing and concern from my african friend, she finally arrived. And he was livid! He angrily explained to her that what she did was wrong, keeping me in the cold waiting like that, and that she owed me a meal or something. We turned to each other and laughed about it for a little bit as we walked to our host's home which happened to be not too far from the station. Each morning, we greeted our african friend on our way out and each morning he greeted us with a smile and look as if to say, "you two take better care of each other." We were touched that he cared so much.The rest of the week was filled with discovering London, meeting really interesting and friendly people, dinner date and good conversation about religion with a muslim and really good food! I don't normally like fish, but the fish n' chips I ate had me sold.

I must say that in my comparison between London and Paris, both cities being exceptional in their own way, Paris took some time to love, but London I loved right off the bat. Maybe it has to do with that good ole english charm and the accent helps too, I guess. It was more relatable and more like the states more than any other place I've been to here in Europe.
Paris has a certain je ne sais quoi about it. It's aggressive, passionate, romantic and artistic all at the same time. There's a certain mystery being the parisian life. It helps if you go there knowing someone who can show you the way around Paris or meet people there who show you all the well hidden secret treasures of Paris. London was easier to navigate and discover and a lot cleaner. To be honest though, both cities have a special place for me. I enjoyed them both. Hopefully I'll be able to come back and visit again one day.

P.S If you ever get a chance to visit, I suggest you find Camden Market. It is HUGE and has so much market-y stuff at reasonable prices to buy!!

London Eye


Underground-first and oldest metro station EVER in the world.


Abbey Road


We went to an extremely and pricey restaurant called Sketch but only to use the bathrooms. They were pretty remarkable.
Pod toilets. That's definitely the way to go.


Trafalgar Square


Parliment pendant la nuit

Awhile

It’s been awhile since we’ve spoken, you and I.
I’m having a heard time speaking, or even lowering myself to the ground.
I’m paralyzed, nothing seems to work. My thoughts are turning but the words won’t come out.

It’s been awhile since we’ve spoken, you and I.
My vie quotidienne is one of nonsense. Sometimes, anyway.
I’m not quite sure what my purpose is anymore.
I don't trust myself.
Wake up, school, eat, work, sleep. Wake up, school, eat, work, sleep. Again, and again.
Where am I going? "Running in circles and chasing tails"
That's what it feels like.

I’m a You-follower, or at least I try to be. I really do, but I’m fighting something everyday. Have you noticed? Remember what happened today, yesterday, the day before, a few weeks back, the year before?
Big jump forward. Five gigantic steps back.
I need consistency. Please take the cup. I can’t anymore.
They tell me I won’t succeed. They tell me to grow-up.
What does that even mean?

I ran away. I ran away to hear you speak more clearly. Isn’t that silly?

It’s been awhile since we’ve spoken, you and I.

why

why?
why do I always do that? talk just to talk.
talk for attention with no thought of the meaning of words.
less talking, more thinking.
this must stop.
immediately.

For Kessia

BEFORE...


AFTER...

BC

It has been done.

I am not my hair.

To the Doctor and Creepers of the Night

You're in luck today. I have two stories to share. They happened a few weeks ago but I had completely forgotten until well, now.
Better late than never I guess.


The ACA students are required to get x-rayed and get a check-up, so 5 of us drove into Annecy for our doctors visit. Upon our arrival the lady at the desk, checked our papers and told us to have a seat. I was just about to get comfortable when they called my name. I got up and followed another lady in a white lab coat into a closet type room and she hastily informed me that I was to take my clothes off from the waist up. My face must've looked quite confused as I asked her if I was just getting a chest x-ray. She repeated herself again as she left the room and I started tearing of my clothes, she seemed rushed and so I didn't want to prolong the process.
I was almost undressed when she poked her head through the door on the opposite side of the "closet". Creepy.
She ushered me into this room entirely gray and industrial looking. My hands were placed on my chest as I gingerly walked across the room, looking for a table to lay myself on. She motioned to a stage-like platform near a marble looking wall.

I was supposed to step onto the platform and press myself against the wall while breathing in. I'll let that sink in.
Awkward, yeah I know.
The woman walked into a little office with a window facing me and counted to three while I breathed in feeling every inch of cold that can be felt while being pressed up against a black, cold, marble wall. After less than two seconds she said, "C'est tout!" and ushered me back into the closet. I chuckled to myself as I got dressed and walked out to the waiting room. The others asked me how it went and as I was about to explain they asked one of the girls, Meredith, to step into the closet. I finished explaining myself and after the tittering died down we heard an alarmed "Oh!" come from the room. We laughed realizing that Meredith had just experienced the awkwardness. What we didn't know is that she had reached another level of awkwardness that none of us would experience.

A few moments later, a red-faced and flustered Meredith stepped out and plopped herself down on a seat.
"How was it?" someone asked.
"I thought she meant take all my clothes off, even my underwear."
Well that did it, we were laughing so hard we cried. Poor Meredith.

Lesson of the day: going for a simple x-ray in France equals partially removing your clothing with no protective x-ray gear, or in the case of Meredith, complete nudity.
*******************************************************************************
That same week was the birthday of one of our french friends here so we decided to go into Switzerland to celebrate. We went to a great little restaurant tucked away in the older, more historic part of Geneva. After great laughs and a great meal we decided to go for a walk by the lake. It was snowing out and the christmas lights were still up and shinning brightly. There were eight of us, five girls and three guys. As we were walking around the lake, Aurèlie, the birthday girl, nudged me hard in my side and whispered, "there's a guy following us, run!" I didn't even think twice and I ran. Idiot move. Five other men came out of the shadows as drunk as can be and started running after all of us girls, slurring invitations to goodness knows. The three boys of course hadn't run, they were still lagging behind us, walking calmly, trying to keep the five men away from us. At one point, one of the men started pushing Tarsis, one of our guys around, but he didn't react he just kept walking. They followed us for a good 10 minutes and after seeing that we stopped reacting, they finally slinked back into the darkness where they came from.
A little scared, was I? I was.
Thank goodness for the guys. I don't know what we ladies would've done.