January 29th - Jeudi Noir (Black Thursday)

All across France today, millions of french workers are protesting the political policies of Nicolas Sarkozy. The SNCF, public schools and La Poste are all on strike as well as many other public sector work places. My school is closed today and all of the teachers are on strike. The french are pissed and letting the government know about it!

They are pissed for the following reasons:

*The government gave french banks millions of Euros after announcing to the public that there was no more money to invest in employment or other areas to ease the financial crisis, but the banks are not giving out loans or higher interest rates

*The elmination of thousands of french jobs, however the salaries of Sarkozy administration have risen and average french salaries have not.

*The overall costs of french buying power have decreased while the cost of everday expenses has severly increased

I'm very sympathetic for this cause so this morning I went to the manifestation and showed my support. Here are some photos:

Lazy Sunday

After a few days of horrible high winds that has currently put parts of southern France and Spain without electricty or drinkable water, here in Besançon the sun has come out and the winds have calmed. To continue the tradition of my lazy Sundays which sometimes includes a trip to the pool, I'm typing a blog update and refusing the leave my apartment because I know that if I do I'll end up spending money in a bar. I have 7 € left until I get paid sometime this week. Hopefully I will wake up tomorrow morning and the money will be in my account. Ha! I'm dreaming because French banks aren't open on Mondays. So I'll probably expect my money on Tuesday.

I'm very excited for a regional event that will be taking place next weekend called La Percée du Vin Jaune! It's an annual celebration that takes place in a Juracian village (located in the department of the Jura in the Franche Comté) where you visit many wine cellars to taste the new batch of regional wine. It's one of the most touristic events of the year for the region. The New York Times even wrote an article on the event last year. Here's the link to read it:

NY Times Article

So if any of you fellow expats living near or are visiting the Franche Comté by chance next weekend (January 31 and February 1st) I highly urge you to go to this event.

Here's the official event website.
http://www.percee-du-vin-jaune.com/

Bon Dégustation!

Bagels Really Do Exist!

Something amazing happened today. My boyfriend bought me bagels! I know, it's doesn't sound like any exceptional except that I've never ever seen bagels in France...ever! I was giddy like a little girl and so so happy! So for those of you who are having bagel withdrawl, go to your local LIDL and maybe you'll find what you're looking for!

New Year's Resolutions...RATE!

So much for my resolutions. It's January 14th and not once have I stepped foot in the gym, nor picked up a book, nor drawn a picture/ wrote anything!

I'm online/ in front of the TV just as much as before the new year. lol so much for that idea. Maybe one day I'll pick up my lazy ass off my couch.

But seriously, it's really freaking cold outside and it's winter. Who wants to do anything besides sit in front of the TV at this time of the year.

Ok and I'm just lazy.

It's my birthday!

et alors...? lol

I'm 24 now. yipee...

Looking back on 2008

Besides 2008 being the worst year for the economy since the Great Depression, there were also a lot of things that were not crappy about 2008.

The first thing that comes to mind is the election of Barack Obama. Finally America has come to it's senses and realised that maybe things aren't going very well with the Bush Administration and the Republican Party. I'm anxious to see what Obama's first year in office will accomplish.

The second thing that comes to mind is my stage this summer in Banyuls sur Mer. Although the job was pretty tiring since I worked more than 40 hours per week and made only 300 euros per month, I didn't mind since I lived on the Mediterrean Sea and had free room and board plus met lots of great people. I'll always be able to say that I lived in the South of France for a summer.

Thirdly, I was able to travel. This year I went to Barcelona twice, Bretagne (Brittany in English), Germany, Switzerland and Rome. Not bad in one year.

And lastly that most important thing about all of 2008 was that I had good health my boyfriend who loves me.

Let's hope that continues in 2009.

Happy New Year Everyone!