Hello Bonjour!

I'm super sick right now. Everyone at school has been sick and it's finally my turn - after fighting gallantly for about 1 month now. Add to it, the air pollution from the strikes and everyone driving, scootering, etc. The greve continues with metros and buses at maybe 50% operational. I've asked our "Government and Governance" professor Le Gales to let us talk about this current strike, the unions, retirement, Sarkozy, etc since the class has been so divided. I'll miss French tomorrow (8am) to get a bit more rest but will make it for everything else - god willing.

So all of this, and stuck inside all weekend napping and feverish had put me into a funk about why I'm here, what I'm doing, etc. It's been seeping out through the blog and my mind, but it kind of hit a head today. But about 5 minutes ago I heard the song that played throughout my application process last fall. I had THE deciding moment (to go to school in Paris as opposed to Pittsburgh, NYC, London, Chicago, or Berlin). I had THE deciding song that kept me going through the application process. It kept popping up when I had doubts about grad school, doubts about my goals, doubts about applying, doubts about deciding. THe song reminded me of my fight for freedom, an end to injustice, and an overwhelming love for the world and mankind. Yes, yes, lovey dovey and hippie crap. But it's one of the reasons I am who I am and why I'm doing what I'm doing. (Not hippie crap, silly. Peace, freedom, justice.)

Thank you KEXP for playing "Hello Bonjour" by Michael Franti and Spearhead. It reminded me that I'm still on the right path, no matter the challenges or questions or insecurities or doubts. I know I'm here for a purpose - I just forget sometimes.

The Magic of the Flute

Self-note in Moleskine: when asking Fabien about dress codes for events, instead, ask what kind of event it is.

the opera was modern opera, more of a performance art than stuffy, ol', sleepy opera. It's too bad that the other MPA students were too tired tonight to go out. School has been draining in all fronts, but I had quite fun at the opera tonight. Fabien and his friends went, as well, so I had company though I was planning to be there alone. Costume design rocked and there was a punk rocker as Monostatos. The orchestra was a 6-piece violin, 1 bass, 1 French horn, 1 flute, 1 pianist, 1 conductor (as I could see) and they were practically into the audience. The conductor was leaning back on to one of the empty theatre chairs. Actors ran in from the stage and from an audience door on the side, through the audience, bringing the opera to the people in a sense. Hopefully I'll get copies of the photos from Fabien for you. His girlfriend, Boram, was the soprano as Papagena. Absolutely stunning costume and a fantastic singer.

In the meantime, a 2nd year MPA student (did his first year at a partner school, Hertie in Berlin) has posted some photos from our orientation week. Take a look!

Tomorrow is legalities with the carte de sejour (long-stay visa) and some laptop bag shopping, and maybe a low-end pair of black pants. I guess I'm succumbing to the pressure of black. I feel too colorful and wayyyy too relaxed in my clothing. I had forgotten how well-dressed the Europeans are for all events - even an opera is a fashion show of 'dressing down.'