Just saw Manchester United defeat Malaysia 2-0 at the National Stadium...Last minute match as they (ManU) were supposed to play in Indonesia but due to bombings it was cancelled.
And it's 12am...I just turned 22 :)
xoxo
Monday, July 20, 2009
Back to school
Hello, hello
First day back at uni and my second lecture was canceled…what a great start! So, thought I’d take the time to tell you ALL about what I’ve been up to.
O week was short and sweet. Came in on Monday for some introductory stuff. Not very interesting but good to see the campus…it was a quick visit to say the least. It’s tiny (compared to Clayton standards). About 9 buildings, that’s all…but really nice, brand new, nice cheap cafeteria, no smoking on campus (lovely!), crazy air con (that’s more a general Malaysian thing I think though, I hope I don’t get sick from it) and super cheap textbooks…about a third of what I might pay back home. So if anybody would like some light “thermodynamic” reading, just let me know.
There wasn’t much else to do throughout the week so seeing as we have to hand in our passports (for 6 weeks) to get our visa, we decided to make the most of the holidays and make a quick trip to the duty free island of Langkawi, up north. Craig, Ally and I took a bus and ferry overnight before crashing in a random hotel we’d booked the night before. We went snorkeling off Payar Island. Saw some very pretty fish although most of the coral was dead, which was a shame. Also went on an Island hopping tour with eagle feeding and a visit to the Lake of the Pregnant Maiden. It’s a freshwater lake that is supposed to make ladies more fertile if they drink it…We didn’t, just to be safe. (Although I’d like to see the effect it might have on Craig.) Went to a wicked night market where we managed to buy a feast of new foods (noodles, rice, cakes, whatever we could find) for not more than $1. Crazy, crazy cheap. And finally some general lounging around on the beach. The water was so hot, almost the same temperature as outside. It was great for snorkeling but I would’ve liked something a bit more refreshing at times. (That’s right, I just complained about how warm the water is here…I may have been a little too spoilt recently!!!). Met lots of people - other Monashians from Australia, Irish backpackers, Malaysians, American travelers and I have no idea who else. Got back late Saturday night…or early Sunday morning, depending which way you want to look at it.
Ally and I had our first attempt at grocery shopping yesterday…there’s a superstore, MYDIN, right next to Casa (where we live). It’s similar to Carrefour in France, where they have EVERYTHING. You go in, you’re swamped with things to buy and struggle to find your way out. Would like to find a fresh fruit market but will see how we go. For now, we just wanted lots and lots of vegetables to keep us going for the week. If we stick to our current noodle, fried rice, meat and no-veg diet…well, we want to keep horizontal expansion to a minimum.
Also, they’re big on packaging and plastic bags here. And I haven’t seen any signs of recycling. It was quite a shock at Langkawi because from far away the beaches and surrounding islands look beautiful but when you get up close there is rubbish just everywhere. It’s amazing. Unfortunately, the quest for my favourite beach still always ends back home. :)
Other random things –
• Bus trip to uni this morning was sooooo long. Really have to figure out how to walk but a bit of a worry with my sense of direction. It’s very frustrating because I can see the uni from my bedroom window!!!
• Went to Ministry of Sound Club when we first arrived. Very fun
• Loving the heat and longer days but am used to being on holidays in this kind of weather…don’t know how that will go down with the study :P
• Managed to get Fridays off with my timetable…yippee!
• Bought plenty of DVD’s in Bali…started with Gossip Girl (xoxo), a bit of Underbelly last night…I really have too much time on my hands. All good, it’s only the first week back
• Birthday bash tomorrow…not sure what just yet but am sure I will tell you ALL about it :)
OK. I think that’s enough…
Love to all
A-ROD
xoxo
First day back at uni and my second lecture was canceled…what a great start! So, thought I’d take the time to tell you ALL about what I’ve been up to.
O week was short and sweet. Came in on Monday for some introductory stuff. Not very interesting but good to see the campus…it was a quick visit to say the least. It’s tiny (compared to Clayton standards). About 9 buildings, that’s all…but really nice, brand new, nice cheap cafeteria, no smoking on campus (lovely!), crazy air con (that’s more a general Malaysian thing I think though, I hope I don’t get sick from it) and super cheap textbooks…about a third of what I might pay back home. So if anybody would like some light “thermodynamic” reading, just let me know.
There wasn’t much else to do throughout the week so seeing as we have to hand in our passports (for 6 weeks) to get our visa, we decided to make the most of the holidays and make a quick trip to the duty free island of Langkawi, up north. Craig, Ally and I took a bus and ferry overnight before crashing in a random hotel we’d booked the night before. We went snorkeling off Payar Island. Saw some very pretty fish although most of the coral was dead, which was a shame. Also went on an Island hopping tour with eagle feeding and a visit to the Lake of the Pregnant Maiden. It’s a freshwater lake that is supposed to make ladies more fertile if they drink it…We didn’t, just to be safe. (Although I’d like to see the effect it might have on Craig.) Went to a wicked night market where we managed to buy a feast of new foods (noodles, rice, cakes, whatever we could find) for not more than $1. Crazy, crazy cheap. And finally some general lounging around on the beach. The water was so hot, almost the same temperature as outside. It was great for snorkeling but I would’ve liked something a bit more refreshing at times. (That’s right, I just complained about how warm the water is here…I may have been a little too spoilt recently!!!). Met lots of people - other Monashians from Australia, Irish backpackers, Malaysians, American travelers and I have no idea who else. Got back late Saturday night…or early Sunday morning, depending which way you want to look at it.
Ally and I had our first attempt at grocery shopping yesterday…there’s a superstore, MYDIN, right next to Casa (where we live). It’s similar to Carrefour in France, where they have EVERYTHING. You go in, you’re swamped with things to buy and struggle to find your way out. Would like to find a fresh fruit market but will see how we go. For now, we just wanted lots and lots of vegetables to keep us going for the week. If we stick to our current noodle, fried rice, meat and no-veg diet…well, we want to keep horizontal expansion to a minimum.
Also, they’re big on packaging and plastic bags here. And I haven’t seen any signs of recycling. It was quite a shock at Langkawi because from far away the beaches and surrounding islands look beautiful but when you get up close there is rubbish just everywhere. It’s amazing. Unfortunately, the quest for my favourite beach still always ends back home. :)
Other random things –
• Bus trip to uni this morning was sooooo long. Really have to figure out how to walk but a bit of a worry with my sense of direction. It’s very frustrating because I can see the uni from my bedroom window!!!
• Went to Ministry of Sound Club when we first arrived. Very fun
• Loving the heat and longer days but am used to being on holidays in this kind of weather…don’t know how that will go down with the study :P
• Managed to get Fridays off with my timetable…yippee!
• Bought plenty of DVD’s in Bali…started with Gossip Girl (xoxo), a bit of Underbelly last night…I really have too much time on my hands. All good, it’s only the first week back
• Birthday bash tomorrow…not sure what just yet but am sure I will tell you ALL about it :)
OK. I think that’s enough…
Love to all
A-ROD
xoxo
Sunday, July 12, 2009
On the road again...
Well, it's been a crazy start to a new semester.
Bali with Ally & Sally - Went to Ubud for 3 days. It's more in the centre with lots of temples, traditional dancing and rice paddies. Did some white water rafting and a bike tour. The bike tour took us all the way up to see an active volcanoe with a beautiful lake view. We went to a place where they make super expensive coffee ($50 a cup, they use luwak, cute little possum like animals that eat the coffee and the bean is then collected in the...well, maybe you know what I mean). Had never seen how pineapples grow before. And we were invited into a balinese compound. The compounds are where they live as a family...like ALL the family. In-laws and everything. It was very interesting. The balinese are really friendly and relaxed. It's great. The food is delicious as well, although I did have a bit of an upset stomach on our first night in Legian, not so cool.
So the rest of the week was in Legian, near Kuta. Lots of beaching, eating, surfing (Ally and I managed to break 3 fins between us though, it was very shallow :P ), cheap massages and a few nights out. Highlights - Lembonganan Island, it was beautiful and the boat trip was much fun & Balinese cooking class, $10 US for an absolute feast and the balinese food is delicious. So many ingredients I'd never heard of before. Was great.
Was sad to see Sally go home but the arrival in Malaysia has been exciting.
Arrived here with Ally on Thursday. We're in a four bedroom, furnished, air-con (very important in this humidity) apartment living with 2 other guys. James, fellow Aussie (there are heaps of them around, it's ridiculous) and Craig, South African IT nerd. Both lovely. Ally and I arrived first so we got the best rooms. We've even got a kitchen with large fridge, 2 stoves!, microwave, even a TV.
Lots of fellow monashers in Casa Subang (the apartment block, it's in Sunway about 20 mintues out of KL although that is really dependent on traffic). We're literally all over the place. Met a lot of them last night in Chinatown. Had delicious dinner and then went to a beatles bar...yes, they only play the beatles. We have a pool as well, not really convenient for lap swimming though which is really weird because it is absolutely massive so it seems a bit like a waste of space.
Good food places at the Casa to eat at. It's so cheap. Meals with drinks for $3 easily. You can also get free maccas delivery here which I think is a real novelty. Laundromat downstairs is cheap too but I'll refrain from giving them any clothes I really like...they already shrunk a top and some shorts...sooo disappointed.
Oh yes...Quarantine was cancelled. I think the swine flu spread too far in Malaysia anyway so we just have to be careful and make sure we're not sick basically. So O Week starts tomorrow. Looking forward to checking out the campus. Looks a bit annoying to get to. We can see it from our window but there's a massive highway to cross which makes it complicated...we'll see.
If you want to check out photos...http://picasaweb.google.com/alrodriguez87/BaliMayhem#
Love to all
xoxo
Bali with Ally & Sally - Went to Ubud for 3 days. It's more in the centre with lots of temples, traditional dancing and rice paddies. Did some white water rafting and a bike tour. The bike tour took us all the way up to see an active volcanoe with a beautiful lake view. We went to a place where they make super expensive coffee ($50 a cup, they use luwak, cute little possum like animals that eat the coffee and the bean is then collected in the...well, maybe you know what I mean). Had never seen how pineapples grow before. And we were invited into a balinese compound. The compounds are where they live as a family...like ALL the family. In-laws and everything. It was very interesting. The balinese are really friendly and relaxed. It's great. The food is delicious as well, although I did have a bit of an upset stomach on our first night in Legian, not so cool.
So the rest of the week was in Legian, near Kuta. Lots of beaching, eating, surfing (Ally and I managed to break 3 fins between us though, it was very shallow :P ), cheap massages and a few nights out. Highlights - Lembonganan Island, it was beautiful and the boat trip was much fun & Balinese cooking class, $10 US for an absolute feast and the balinese food is delicious. So many ingredients I'd never heard of before. Was great.
Was sad to see Sally go home but the arrival in Malaysia has been exciting.
Arrived here with Ally on Thursday. We're in a four bedroom, furnished, air-con (very important in this humidity) apartment living with 2 other guys. James, fellow Aussie (there are heaps of them around, it's ridiculous) and Craig, South African IT nerd. Both lovely. Ally and I arrived first so we got the best rooms. We've even got a kitchen with large fridge, 2 stoves!, microwave, even a TV.
Lots of fellow monashers in Casa Subang (the apartment block, it's in Sunway about 20 mintues out of KL although that is really dependent on traffic). We're literally all over the place. Met a lot of them last night in Chinatown. Had delicious dinner and then went to a beatles bar...yes, they only play the beatles. We have a pool as well, not really convenient for lap swimming though which is really weird because it is absolutely massive so it seems a bit like a waste of space.
Good food places at the Casa to eat at. It's so cheap. Meals with drinks for $3 easily. You can also get free maccas delivery here which I think is a real novelty. Laundromat downstairs is cheap too but I'll refrain from giving them any clothes I really like...they already shrunk a top and some shorts...sooo disappointed.
Oh yes...Quarantine was cancelled. I think the swine flu spread too far in Malaysia anyway so we just have to be careful and make sure we're not sick basically. So O Week starts tomorrow. Looking forward to checking out the campus. Looks a bit annoying to get to. We can see it from our window but there's a massive highway to cross which makes it complicated...we'll see.
If you want to check out photos...http://picasaweb.google.com/alrodriguez87/BaliMayhem#
Love to all
xoxo
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Final post...
Just got back from holidaying in Germany. It's quite late (or early) and my room is a semi-packed mess as I'm getting ready to leave Lyon on Tuesday. This will have to be my last post as I really don't think I'll have much time in the next few days!!!
Seeing Fred (my godfather) again was pretty cool. He lives just half an hour or so south of Lyon near Valence. It's a country town so there was a lot sleeping, reading, eating and general relaxing. Watched my second game of rugby in my life (Ireland-France, the irish won!). It was fun to watch because Fred's step-son plays in a local rugby team. He invited all his mates to watch the match and...well...boys will be boys, it was very funny.
Had a day in the snow, catching up with more family friends. Went skiing this time so I didn't spend all day on my bum on the baby slopes ;) There was so much snow that they were causing avalanches to clear some of the slopes!!! I've never seen an avalanche before, very impressive. So that's why you should be careful off piste!!!
Back at Lyon, have been ticking a few things off my "Must do in Lyon" list which consists mainly of museums and galleries.
Germany was great! Flew to Munich where I met up with Sandra, Yvi and Yunni. Had dinner and then trained down to Allgau to stay with Sandra, Peter and her parents for a few days. There was lots of snow...LOTS of snow. Sunday was gorgeous. We went tobogganing in Steibis (a ski station just round the corner from Sandra). SOOOOO much fun, I'd only done it once before (where I took a wrong turn and got very lost in some village...this was 3 years ago). Also, had my gluhwein at the top of the mountain, always important! Caught up with Svenja too. We ended up watching movies because it snowed ALL day. There was already LOTS of snow...this was just getting ridiculous!
Decided to make my way to Berlin and discovered that a friend of mine I made at school on exchange is studying there so I was lucky enough to have a guide and a place to stay at the last minute!!! It was fantastic, cold and snowy. Apparently it rarely snows in Berlin, except for the three days I'm there, when it just doesn't stop. Jam packed few days...Reichstag building, Checkpoint Charlie, Stasi Museum (quite creepy) and so much more!!! We even managed to fit in a bit of Berlin clubbing AND the totally insane BLUE MAN GROUP http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsdTeCnnRO4 Trained back to Munich today, stretched my legs around Marienplatz and eventually made it back here. I'm pretty tired but I'm not yet going to stop!!!
A bit more visiting Lyon, catching up with people before I leave and packing (a very scary thought, 20 kilos is not looking good!)
I think that is all!!!
It's been a crazy 6 months or so! Many good memories. I'm definately going to miss the cheese and the wine :( Looking forward to seeing you all when I get back!
Bis bald!
Love from Alex xoxo
Seeing Fred (my godfather) again was pretty cool. He lives just half an hour or so south of Lyon near Valence. It's a country town so there was a lot sleeping, reading, eating and general relaxing. Watched my second game of rugby in my life (Ireland-France, the irish won!). It was fun to watch because Fred's step-son plays in a local rugby team. He invited all his mates to watch the match and...well...boys will be boys, it was very funny.
Had a day in the snow, catching up with more family friends. Went skiing this time so I didn't spend all day on my bum on the baby slopes ;) There was so much snow that they were causing avalanches to clear some of the slopes!!! I've never seen an avalanche before, very impressive. So that's why you should be careful off piste!!!
Back at Lyon, have been ticking a few things off my "Must do in Lyon" list which consists mainly of museums and galleries.
Germany was great! Flew to Munich where I met up with Sandra, Yvi and Yunni. Had dinner and then trained down to Allgau to stay with Sandra, Peter and her parents for a few days. There was lots of snow...LOTS of snow. Sunday was gorgeous. We went tobogganing in Steibis (a ski station just round the corner from Sandra). SOOOOO much fun, I'd only done it once before (where I took a wrong turn and got very lost in some village...this was 3 years ago). Also, had my gluhwein at the top of the mountain, always important! Caught up with Svenja too. We ended up watching movies because it snowed ALL day. There was already LOTS of snow...this was just getting ridiculous!
Decided to make my way to Berlin and discovered that a friend of mine I made at school on exchange is studying there so I was lucky enough to have a guide and a place to stay at the last minute!!! It was fantastic, cold and snowy. Apparently it rarely snows in Berlin, except for the three days I'm there, when it just doesn't stop. Jam packed few days...Reichstag building, Checkpoint Charlie, Stasi Museum (quite creepy) and so much more!!! We even managed to fit in a bit of Berlin clubbing AND the totally insane BLUE MAN GROUP http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsdTeCnnRO4 Trained back to Munich today, stretched my legs around Marienplatz and eventually made it back here. I'm pretty tired but I'm not yet going to stop!!!
A bit more visiting Lyon, catching up with people before I leave and packing (a very scary thought, 20 kilos is not looking good!)
I think that is all!!!
It's been a crazy 6 months or so! Many good memories. I'm definately going to miss the cheese and the wine :( Looking forward to seeing you all when I get back!
Bis bald!
Love from Alex xoxo
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Goodbye Porpoise Spit!
Hello!!!
Am super excited as I have FINALLY finished this week of hell (consisiting of 4 exams and a project presentation!) and am ready to party!!! Don't know how I went...some were total flunks but I'll get my results hopefully in the next few weeks so no point in worrying about it for now.
So, last week...Australia Day was loads of fun (Kings of Leon at number 1 of the hottest 100). Unfortunately I managed to catch another cold (I've been sick so often here it's ridiculous). Nuclear visit was cool. Ended up not being an actual plant but where they make the reactors and piping for the plant. Quite impressive and got a free feed so I was happy! Alice's 21st...Pad Thai at her place with cake. A lovely evening. I've been pretty lucky as she has had a few australian visitors in the last few days and I managed to score a few invites for dinner. Always lovely after a hard day of study/exams/stress and it's always amazing food (Jamie Oliver to be precise)! Went back to Michel and Maryline's for one last intensive study weekend. Now it's all over and after the LONGEST week of my life, I am sure this last stint is going to fly by!!!
Here's the plan:
Going shopping this afternoon with Alice. She leaves on Tuesday but as I'm going away this weekend I won't get a chance to see her again. Lucky she lives closer to home so we can still keep in touch (she's a gorgeous gal, a great friend and I'm really gonna miss her)! Also, hoping to get out and shake my booty tonight (it's been too long).
As I mentioned, going south for 4 days to see my long-lost godfather, Frederic! He's not really long-lost but we haven't seen each other in 15 years so there'll be plenty to talk about! He mentioned maybe even going to the Alps for a day in the snow...very excited!
Then, a few days in Lyon to pack up and sort out stuff (so much stuff!) followed by a week in Deutschland! Flying to Munich (found crazy cheap flights) to catch up with all our friends we made on exchange back at school. I'm hoping to possibly even get to Berlin with Sandra (another dream fulfilled, I'm a very lucky gal).
Finally, just a couple of days back at Lyon before making my way to Paris for a final "adieu" with Mamie (I hope it doesn't get too teary) and the final leg of the trip...home!
So it's all happening, plenty to look forward to and definately keep me busy!
Hope you didn't all die in the heatwave!!!
Love from Alex xoxo
Am super excited as I have FINALLY finished this week of hell (consisiting of 4 exams and a project presentation!) and am ready to party!!! Don't know how I went...some were total flunks but I'll get my results hopefully in the next few weeks so no point in worrying about it for now.
So, last week...Australia Day was loads of fun (Kings of Leon at number 1 of the hottest 100). Unfortunately I managed to catch another cold (I've been sick so often here it's ridiculous). Nuclear visit was cool. Ended up not being an actual plant but where they make the reactors and piping for the plant. Quite impressive and got a free feed so I was happy! Alice's 21st...Pad Thai at her place with cake. A lovely evening. I've been pretty lucky as she has had a few australian visitors in the last few days and I managed to score a few invites for dinner. Always lovely after a hard day of study/exams/stress and it's always amazing food (Jamie Oliver to be precise)! Went back to Michel and Maryline's for one last intensive study weekend. Now it's all over and after the LONGEST week of my life, I am sure this last stint is going to fly by!!!
Here's the plan:
Going shopping this afternoon with Alice. She leaves on Tuesday but as I'm going away this weekend I won't get a chance to see her again. Lucky she lives closer to home so we can still keep in touch (she's a gorgeous gal, a great friend and I'm really gonna miss her)! Also, hoping to get out and shake my booty tonight (it's been too long).
As I mentioned, going south for 4 days to see my long-lost godfather, Frederic! He's not really long-lost but we haven't seen each other in 15 years so there'll be plenty to talk about! He mentioned maybe even going to the Alps for a day in the snow...very excited!
Then, a few days in Lyon to pack up and sort out stuff (so much stuff!) followed by a week in Deutschland! Flying to Munich (found crazy cheap flights) to catch up with all our friends we made on exchange back at school. I'm hoping to possibly even get to Berlin with Sandra (another dream fulfilled, I'm a very lucky gal).
Finally, just a couple of days back at Lyon before making my way to Paris for a final "adieu" with Mamie (I hope it doesn't get too teary) and the final leg of the trip...home!
So it's all happening, plenty to look forward to and definately keep me busy!
Hope you didn't all die in the heatwave!!!
Love from Alex xoxo
Monday, January 26, 2009
Happy Australia Day!
Hello there!
Happy Australia Day…Wish I had the day off! Instead… Plenty of study. In fact I hid away the whole weekend at Michel et Maryline’s to get away from it all and try to concentrate! Not complaining though, it’s really lovely and calm there. And I get a double bed, a bath and home cooked goodies, so I’m very happy! It’s a nice change of scenery.
Had my first exam this afternoon. Was OK. Another one on Friday and 4 next week, plus a project so there’s plenty to keep me busy.
Otherwise, on Thursday I will be visiting a nuke power plant with JAL! Go nuclear power! I’m really looking forward to it, should be interesting. I wonder if it’s anything like the Simpsons? Also, it’s Alice’s 21st this week (always a big event).
But tonight I’m gonna relax a bit and celebrate Australia Day. Alice, James and I have organised cheese and vegemite sandwiches (yes we found vegemite in the world culinary aisle in Carrefour!), fairy bread, Milo, JJJ hottest 100 and beer. Here’s the invite we wrote. It was fun to write so I thought I’d share it.
Love from Alex xoxo
G'day shielas and blokes,
Holy Dooley! Fair dinkum, it's that time of year you've been waiting for – Australia Day! And we're ready to have a bonza of a night.
We know exams haven't been a piece of piss, and that we're all as busy as a cat burying shit, but you'd have to be a drongo to not take a break from being flat out like a lizard drinking. Some of you ankle biters have exams, but feel free to swing by, even for a few minutes (just enough time for a coldie or a milo).
So let's give it a burl, cobbers, no worries, she'll be sweet… Make sure you invite all your mates!
Milo, cheese and vegemite sandwiches, fairy bread, Triple J Hottest 100. BYOG. It'll be grouse.
Rock up to mine (Alice's, J021) about 9:30pm, Monday, 26 Jan, we'll have a ripper of a time. It'll be so ozzie ocker, if we had a barbie we'd be throwing shrimps on it! Remember to wear your thongs! It is the lucky country after all.
No bailing! We'll be mad as cut snakes if any of you are bludgers and don't show up!
Hooroo!
From James, Alex and Alice
Sunday, January 18, 2009
One month later...
Hi all!
So I'm in my room with Jase & Sian and they pointed out that it's been a while since I last updated. Lots has happened, been very busy but will try to be quick coz it is bed time after all.
Christmas was lovely. I was in London with my uncle Claude & Mamie, staying with Geraldine, my cousin, and her partner. I really loved London. Didn't get to visit much as we were there just a few days over Christmas but we still managed to drag Mamie on the tube to visit Towerbridge, Westminster and Buckingham Palace. Lots of Christmas lights and decorations too and plenty of eating (foie gras, champagne yum yum!). Also managed to get down to Westend to see Chicago. It was fantastic (sorry to those who aren't into musicals...but it was).
So the rest of the holidays I spent in Paris, studying, eating, sleeping AND....visiting with Sian and Jase!!! It's been really nice to have them around, especially as they came packed with Milo and TimTams! It was pretty crazy with tourists, lots of REALLY long queues so we didn't actually visit much but we SAW plenty and they have the photos to prove it. Sacre Coeur, Notre-Dame, Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Montparnasse, Versailles...we did it all in below zero, snowing weather. Quite memorable, especially the three way snuggle on New Years Day, where afterwards I left them for dinner only to find out the next day that they never left the bed (that's a 14 hour nap!). After a wholesome lunch with Mamie with foie gras and guinea fowl (apparently the most stupid birds in South Africa) they were off to the Alps in Italy and would later come to visit me in Lyon.
Came back to INSA. Lots of study at the moment as exams are coming up soon. Went snowboarding last weekend. Was a bit of a disaster as I had a bit of a flu and the snow was really icy. Quite a few hard falls on my bottom. I honestly couldn't sit down for the next couple of days and I still have bruises all over my legs. Also had my first assessment last week!!! I don't know many people who would be happy to have an exam but it was Spanish so no pressure. I do hope I did OK though, with a surname like RODRIGUEZ and all.
Big news, I've decided to cut my exchange shorter than originally planned. It's been a great experience but I just miss those summer days too much ;) So I'll be coming home soon, after exams, incase anybody wants to throw a party...you can't get rid of me that easily.
Sian & Jase arrived just this afternoon from Geneva. Staying for a couple of nights. Went up to Fourviere tonight. It was really pretty, as always. Now we're going for another three way snuggle, that's after I do Jason's hair and have a pillow fight with Siany.
OK, good night my dears. Will try to be more disciplined with the updates in future!
Love from Alex xoxo
So I'm in my room with Jase & Sian and they pointed out that it's been a while since I last updated. Lots has happened, been very busy but will try to be quick coz it is bed time after all.
Christmas was lovely. I was in London with my uncle Claude & Mamie, staying with Geraldine, my cousin, and her partner. I really loved London. Didn't get to visit much as we were there just a few days over Christmas but we still managed to drag Mamie on the tube to visit Towerbridge, Westminster and Buckingham Palace. Lots of Christmas lights and decorations too and plenty of eating (foie gras, champagne yum yum!). Also managed to get down to Westend to see Chicago. It was fantastic (sorry to those who aren't into musicals...but it was).
So the rest of the holidays I spent in Paris, studying, eating, sleeping AND....visiting with Sian and Jase!!! It's been really nice to have them around, especially as they came packed with Milo and TimTams! It was pretty crazy with tourists, lots of REALLY long queues so we didn't actually visit much but we SAW plenty and they have the photos to prove it. Sacre Coeur, Notre-Dame, Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Montparnasse, Versailles...we did it all in below zero, snowing weather. Quite memorable, especially the three way snuggle on New Years Day, where afterwards I left them for dinner only to find out the next day that they never left the bed (that's a 14 hour nap!). After a wholesome lunch with Mamie with foie gras and guinea fowl (apparently the most stupid birds in South Africa) they were off to the Alps in Italy and would later come to visit me in Lyon.
Came back to INSA. Lots of study at the moment as exams are coming up soon. Went snowboarding last weekend. Was a bit of a disaster as I had a bit of a flu and the snow was really icy. Quite a few hard falls on my bottom. I honestly couldn't sit down for the next couple of days and I still have bruises all over my legs. Also had my first assessment last week!!! I don't know many people who would be happy to have an exam but it was Spanish so no pressure. I do hope I did OK though, with a surname like RODRIGUEZ and all.
Big news, I've decided to cut my exchange shorter than originally planned. It's been a great experience but I just miss those summer days too much ;) So I'll be coming home soon, after exams, incase anybody wants to throw a party...you can't get rid of me that easily.
Sian & Jase arrived just this afternoon from Geneva. Staying for a couple of nights. Went up to Fourviere tonight. It was really pretty, as always. Now we're going for another three way snuggle, that's after I do Jason's hair and have a pillow fight with Siany.
OK, good night my dears. Will try to be more disciplined with the updates in future!
Love from Alex xoxo
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