Mama, I'm comin' home...

End of part one of my year in Poitiers, France - 16/12/2010.

Yes, sadly, this is the end of the first part of my year abroad. I leave for Scotland on the 16th December and will return on the 6th January :) After living abroad and on my own for 3 and a half months, I feel it is time for some much needed reflection, self evaluation and a nice break from the crazy place that is Poitiers.

Since arriving in Poitiers, I have met many interesting people from various countries. Unfortunately, my main group consists of Irish, Scottish and English people, but Polish, French and German are thrown into the mix, not forgetting the odd Swede :P Sadly, many of my good friends will not be returning to Poitiers after les vacances, like Lorna, Anna and Lisa. I wish everyone that will not be returning all the best for the future and hope you have a great Christmas and New Year :).

I have had many strange experiences whilst in Poitiers, too. There are too many to reference, but just have a look at the blog from the second or third week here and I'm sure you can deduce for yourself how bizarre this place is; what with it's nearly constant strike action, irrational fear and hatred of snow; unlimited perserverance to be nasty to us ERASMUS folk (I mean you, UNIV. DE POITIERS!!!!!); countless party's at Dimitri's, who's neighbour now hates him, and the discovery of whiskey and various cheeses. Needless to say, Hannah G and I's next venture will involve rum, as we drink our way through various liquers.

What can I say about myself? I'm a little older, I'm a little wiser... But I don't have hair in really weird places 9If you didn't get the "Wayne's World 2" reference, then shame on you). Seriously, though, I might not be 100% amazing with my money yet, but living on my own is a great experience, and dispite feeling a little more than anxious about coming here, it is definitely the best decision I have ever made and would urge anyone, not just arts and language students, to try the ERASMUS experience. Even if your grades are crap and you hate your uni, you'll still have a great time.

Because, at the end of the day, we only get one shot at this. The next few years (i.e. Honours, boak) are the years here we really need to work. Not that I think we should abandon our studies, but come on - do our uni's really expect us to come here and NOT try to make friends/ have parties/ generlly be a disgrace to the United Kingdom? Of course they don't. Unless you are at St. Andrew's, then they might. But whatever.

I aim to continue to have as much fun as I am having now next semester, despite it continuing to June... Mon Dieu... c'est dur, non?

Anyway, any updates before I go? Like I previously mentioned, Hannah and I have discovered a new love for whiskey and enjoyed a nice malt the other night. Needless to say, we are hardened men. Also, ONE bus driver was attacked two nights ago, and since that attack, EVERY bus in Poitiers has been cancelled for  DAYS, causing untold frustration between students and residents alike. It then decided to snow heavily out of the blue, but it's just a bit icy now, merde. It's also forecast to snow extremely heavily in Scotland on Thursday, you know the day I'm due back? THANKS VERY MUCH :/

Alors... The next time you hear form me, I'll be back in my house, sipping Irn Bru, and watching "The Muppet Christmas Carol" with Becca. A bientot, tout le monde!! Joyeux Noel!

COKE VANILLE. And you thought they didn't make it anymore!

Mr. Plow, that's my name...

It's that time of year again :D And Poitiers is rife with excitement. It has also grinded to somewhat of a halt due to the snow. Like England, a nationwide panic has ensued, unlike us in the north who are like "Get a shovel n yer wellies, right?" None a this hinging aboot nonsense. Still, it makes everything seem a little more wonderful and Christmassy! They've even got little huts selling funny little things n cool scarves and playing Christmas music! Though the animatronics at Monoprix leave much to be desired:



French snow from my window :)

Still, it doesn't compare to the snow that's apparently hit Britain. Headlines such as "Arctic blanket over Britain" and "UK grinds to a halt due to snow" have been in the English news recently, whereas STV takes a more docile approach, with headlines such as "45ft whale washed up on remote beach in Sutherland" and "Is it snowing yet? Watch live picture's from STV's snowcam". You know, amidst all the murders, stabbings etc. And the snow here doesn't amount to much either. Too powdery, there's no substances. It's the not the type of snow I could, say, make into a snow seat/toilet, or throw at your face. Because that's what we like to do in Scotland...

The view from my window at home :)

I also went on a soup making endeavour for the first time, and it worked! Chicken and rice soup FTW!! And a nice lentil chorizo thingy too :) I was proud. So Hannah Grello and I shared our feast and had a bottle of red (which was kinda boak) and looked at some disgusting pictures, such as tapeworms, and really horrible eye infections. That's how ladies spend their time these days!

Renaud and I are taking a banter to Angouleme at the weekend, weather permitting, so he can receive his diploma thing. However, due to the increase in snow, I am wondering what I have in my wardrobe that will not lead to imminent hypothermia and his mum fussing over me while I get ill again and annoy them with my cough. Also, on a update of Renaud's unnatural sleeping habits, we have now had him literally rolling over me, thinking I was just a odd piece of mattress, singing Ray Charles "I got a woman" (the original before "Golddigger") in his sleep - he hummed most of it then went "OH, I GOT A WOMMMANNNN!" really loudly, then rolled over snoring - and more talking in his sleep about nothing.I get the feeling there are those of you (Probably Scottish folk) Who do not believe the Frenchman exists, because he is just all kinds of bizarre.


 I also woke up at 7h35 the other day and told him "it's 25 to 8, you can sleep for another hour". Instead, he heard "It's 25 past 8, and I'm getting up for a shower". A cup of tea and a facebook update later, he jumps out of bed like "WHAT ARE YOU DOING? WHY AREN'T YOU IN A SHOWER?!" After getting pretty miffed at being woken up so early, but content at the thought of another hours sleep, I continued to ruin his morning by screaming "LOOK AT THE SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!" at him. Needless to say, he didn't care. Sometimes I think he think's I'm just crazy and I just say words.

Pretty accurate description, really.