Another Mélange: Sciences Po, Lyon, and Food

It's been a while since I last updated, but I'm alive! And in case you’re wondering why a lot of the pictures are bad quality, I broke my camera, so I’ve been using my phone to take pictures or stealing other people's pictures :P But at least I have pictures, yeah? :)

A sneak peek of my Disneyland trip: Me, Jamie, and Guillermo in front of the Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland Paris :)

I can’t believe it’s almost the end of my time here in France. Just over eight months ago, I was nervously waiting my academic year abroad, and now I have just over two months left here. It’s been a couple weeks since I’ve written in my blog because I’ve been so busy, but I feel like if I don’t do it now, then it may be a while before I do, because the next two to three weeks are full of papers, exams, and presentations. :(

Class can be boring..

As happy as I am that the classes and assignments are almost over, I’ll miss having all my classes in French, the sights, the food, the friends, and just my lifestyle here in general.

Temporary name change in honor of the director

And also, I’m not sure if you have heard, but on Tuesday, the director of my university here in Paris passed away while in New York. At the university, there were tables with note, candles, and flowers dedicated to him, as well as pictures of him on the screen, etc. It was just a pretty somber mood all around there even with the setup for the big presidential debate.

Makeshift memorial for the director

Even though I’ve only been here for three months, this news was pretty sad for me. Richard Descoings majorly reformed the university, making a third year abroad mandatory for the French students, giving out more scholarships and opening the university up to people who are not just from elite families. He also accepted many more foreign students, which, of course, has impacted me. 

Without him, I most definitely would not be here at Sciences Po today. Foreign students count for 40% of the students here at Sciences Po! In addition to changing the university, he’s helped reform French education. He was asked by Sarkozy to research the educational system in France, and much of the educational reforms in 2010 were based off his work. Basically, it’s a really sad time for Sciences Po and France, in general.

Signing the Livre d'Or (literally book of gold, but really just the "guestbook")

So, as I mentioned, there’s a big presidential debate Thursday here at my university. Most of the presidential candidates will be present, including Sarkozy, Hollande, Melanchon, and Le Pen. Unfortunately, tickets ran out about two minutes after they went online, and I didn’t get any :( But it should be an exciting day nonetheless! 

It was a beautiful day in Lyon so I had to get this picture :)

A couple weeks ago, I headed back to Lyon for a short weekend to visit some friends. Although it was good to see people, it also made me realize how much more I preferred Paris. Lyon is a beautiful city, one that I will always love, but it’s just not Paris!

My friend Jenny made some yummy chicken curry

The Friday after, I headed to Disneyland Paris with two of my friends. I am a HUGE Disney fan (and just a little kid at heart). It was my first time at any Disneyland, so it was a big moment for me, and I had an amazing time! :D Since there are a ton of pictures I want to show, I'm going to leave them for the next post!

Beautiful day for a walk!

These last couple weeks, I’ve been trying to get out more and do more things with people since my time left here is quite short. It’s been nice to explore new places to eat, etc.

And! This weekend is Easter! I don’t really have much plans except to meet one of my brother’s friends for coffee, do lots of work, and maybe go experience an Easter mass :) Anyway, I’ll quit writing now and get back to work. 

Lazy day for the kitty too

 Hope your Easter weekend will be better than mine ;) Happy Easter!

Notre Dame de Fourvière is one of my favorite churches ever. If you remember, I mentioned it quite a few times in other blog posts, but unfortunately it was all covered by scaffolding for renovation :(

What it looks like without the scaffolding..

I've never been to the Gallo-Roman Museum up on Fourvière, and I had time to kill, so I decided to go check it out. Here's the Claudian tablet found in Lyon. 

Pretty incredible how much stuff they have from what they found in Lyon, which used to be called Lugdunum in the Roman times.

Reminded me of the 206 back home :) 

It's like Costco, but columns and ancient artifacts!

Studying in the amphitheatre

From what I heard, there was a trash strike going on, so there were piles of trash everywhere! 

Cherry blossoms remind me of the UW Quad :)

Can't not have a Salade Lyonnaise in Lyon!

Not the best burger... but I was craving a burger, so it did its job :P

Sushi in Lyon

The seaweed looks like it could glow in the dark..

A fried chicken roll - yeahh not exactly real sushi

Chirashi bowl - still missing Japonessa! 

Mochi ice cream!

Mmmm, one of my favorite lunches - my favorite sesame baguette, des fraises (strawberries), la beurre salée (amazing salted butter with salt flakes), and un avocat (avocado)

Papadum!! loveeee this stuff (i bought a pringles can of them once in singapore)

chicken curry

just one of the habitual tuesday night dinners - indian food sur rue mouffetard :)

wednesday afternoon between class hangout/food time - falafel at l'As du Falafel - supposedly the best falafel in paris (and super messy!)

wednesday afternoon hangouts - sitting in the sunshine sur place vosges :)

Matt (Canada) and Ben (Australia)

My friend Aly (Canada) and me

Super excited for classes to be over so i can relax like this :)