A new beginning

spotted on my commute one morning

Bonjour à tous!

This is probably my last post here, since, as you probably already guessed from the title, the end is coming. The end of my life in France, the end of my internship. The beginning of my sophomore year in Chicago. The reunion with my boyfriend. 

So much to look forward to, yet so much I will miss as well.

I will miss the myriad art shows, poetry readings in Paris. I will miss the ornate desserts and their just as sophisticated names. I will miss the low drinking age (yes I am not going to lie), and weird themed bars such as this little jungle bar I went to where you drink in a bunch of tree hangings. I miss being in the same time zone with the friends I made here, as well as the most lovely host family ever. 

I look forward to being able to dress down whenever I feel like, and having 24-hour restaurant deliver (oh how America spoiled me). I look forward to being back on campus and being with all my old friends; I look forward to being only a few minutes' walk away from my boyfriend. I look forward to bottomless fries, too, even though I really shouldn't.

There is so much more, and I could write for hours. But I just want to say that my past six months in France have been quite a roller coaster: the highs were really high, and the lows were pretty low. It's been fun, it's been totally worth it.

A la prochain my friends!

xx

Vanessa :]

Noël is in the air!

at the Printemps department store

Bonjour à tous!

I am so in love with Paris at this time of the year. The city is so charming with all her streets decked out in Christmas lights, fake snow, and stunning storefront windows. 

The decorations have been accumulating in random corners of the streets for a while, but the entirety of their beauty didn't hit me until last Saturday, when a friend of mine and I decided on a whim to take a stroll through the marché de Noël on Champs Elysées. 

ferris wheel of the Tuileries

When we emerged from the subway station Concorde onto the massive square, suddenly all around me the city was just overflowing with light. The moving traffic on the stone-paved streets, the ferris wheel of Tuileries behind me all glittery, the miles of lights that connect the square of Concorde all the way to the Arc of Triumph... Add to that jazzy music from a group of street musicians, an old man who somehow manages to make bubbles as big as three-year-olds, and the lighthearted bounce and splash of the grand fountains on the square. Trust me, I didn't know where to rest my eyes.

champs elysees 

Because of the insane crowds at the marché de Noël, I didn't get to take any good pictures. That, and also because every detail is so magical and picture-worthy that I simply didn't know where to start. Apart from the typical chocolaty foods and hot wine, my favorite part of the marché is the arts and crafts section. We saw the most incredible creations there: an entire store of miniature figures made out of all kinds of leaves, a jewelry store that sold necklaces and earrings made out of lacquered real orchid flowers, another store that made their own paper and prints... And all for pretty decent prices! Even if you don't end up buying anything, I assure you that you will have more than enough to feast your eyes.

huge bubbles

beautiful tree at Galeries Lafayette

With all that said, as the year of 2014 approaches its end, I hope you all are safe out there, and enjoying the lasts of this good year. Happy holidays and happy end of year.

xx

Vanessa :]

Internship 101: tips for newbies

me at an art exhibition opening at Guimet Museum

Bonjour à tous!

Even though I've only been an intern for six weeks myself, today I've come to pretend that I can offer advice to newbie interns. Okay just kidding, even though six weeks is not long, I've actually learned a thing or two that might prove helpful to you if you've never interned before.

So here we go:

1. Never, ever assume.

When your boss gives you a task with instructions that are a bit vague or bewildering, never, ever assume. You think you know what your boss is talking about, so you stay quiet and accept the task and go spend hours on it. And when you turn it in, all you get is, "That's not exactly what I had in mind, can you redo this and this and this?"

Too bad. But that's actually what can happen - and what did happen to me once or twice - when you don't ask questions when you don't completely understand something. Sure, sometimes vague instructions mean that your boss wants to see your creativity (or simply just because he/she hasn't thought of the task enough and just wanted you to do it instead), but it never hurts to ask a few constructive questions. If you have questions about the instructions themselves, ask on the spot. If you think they are too vague, think about how you would approach the task, and the rephrase your idea and ask if that's what your boss wants. Of course, no one wants to sound dumb and confused, so try saying things like "Is (insert your understanding of the instructions) what you had in mind?" or "Does something like (insert your own idea) seem good/doable to you?" That way, you will save a lot of time just by asking a few simple questions.

2. Double check, triple check, you get the idea.

Whether it's an email to a colleague in another department, to an important client, or it's something you wrote that needs to be put to print in mass, never hit send or print as soon as you finish. Take a sip of water, or a short break, and come back to this thing you created. Read it again. Read it aloud to yourself if it applies/if you have your own office. More often than not, you will catch several mistakes, even if you were being uber careful on the first go. 

Also, if you need to print something in mass, first printing a sample of it and showing it to your boss could be a smart idea. I once printed fifty copies of a booklet I designed, only to realize that there is a formatting error after I picked up the stack of paper from the printer. Oops. So don't do that. I've learned to always print one copy first, and either check it myself or show it to my boss, if it's something very important. My boss was actually impressed that I took the extra step of double and triple checking, so I'm sure yours will appreciate it, too.

3. Get to know your boss's work habits.

Actually, this is a bit hard to put to words. What I want to say is that you should know when your boss is busy, and have at least a vague idea of one thing he/she needs. The reason I say this is because when your boss is busy, he/she will more likely be a little absentminded when you ask for his/her permission for something. In this case, even after your boss has approved of your work, still check and double check. You may catch things your boss didn't, because he/she is simply too busy. Secondly, always have at least a vague idea of one thing your boss needs. And if this thing is something you can help with, do it and surprise your boss. Back to the booklet I designed. I knew my boss was taking me to a conference with some Korean businesses where these booklets will be distributed. So why not make a Korean version? I asked a trustworthy Korean friend of mine to do the translation, and printed out a dozen the following day. I can never forget the happy look on my boss's face when I handed them to her. Trust me, you will make your boss feel like you are indispensable. 

Okay, that's all I got for you all today. I know it's only three small tips, but all of them come from my personal experience (mistakes, fails, blah blah blah), and I've learned a lot and improved a lot by keeping to these three rules. 

Good luck with your internship, I hope you find these tips helpful.

xx

Vanessa :]

Art intern perks: a night of crystal

Bonjour à tous!

So last week, my boss casually passed me an invitation - "It's to the private premiere of an exhibition on crystal at Petit Palais," she said, "I can't go that night, so there, if you want it."

I honestly could not believe my ears. What! A private premier (vernissage)! At Petit Palais! On an exhibition about crystal!

And so quite obviously, there I was, at the front gates of the Petit Palais under the huge poster for the exhibition "Baccarat: la légende du cristal." Needless to say, I was positively floored by the exhibition. As I walked through the dimly lit exhibition hall, maneuvering my way through the shiny glass-cased displays of glittering crystal everything - from all kinds of flasks to perfume bottles to entire vanity tables made of crystal and gold - all my brain was capable of thinking was, "holy cow, how does something this magnificent exist on Earth!"

The dark exhibition halls made the crystals shine even brighter, stunning everyone, reflecting in all visitor's awed eyes. One of my favorite sections of the exhibition was a dining table decked out with crystal dinnerwares in the way the French royals used to take their meals. The most genius part was the mirrors placed at both ends of the table, turning the average-sized table into an endless banquet. The crystals glowed so much I was scared that they were going to set themselves on fire. Staring at this extravagant fare, I almost heard the lighthearted laughs from hundreds of years ago, the leftover scent of the women's perfume, the men's talks about hunting and politics, and the whispers of royal gossip among soft clinking of crystal champagne flasks.

The climax, however, was well tucked away in an obscure room near the exit of the exhibition. I almost missed it - if that was the case, I would have only had more or less half the marvel I actually had. 

The room is very dark, almost pitch black, save for the brief moments each of the handful of chandeliers lights up. They are such breathtaking objects that I wouldn't be surprised if someone told me that they had souls in that moment. The room was moving, to say the least. It was simply too beautiful to be real. The reflective floor made me feel like I was floating somewhere midair, and all around me was magic. In the almost sacred silence, all I could see and feel is the light, the heat, the shine, the dying down of the everything, and the rebirth of another round of light, heat... If I held my breath, I could almost hear the sound of the light coming and going, illuminating every tiny piece of exquisite crystal. 

To everyone who is currently in Paris or coming to Paris this winter, I recommend this exhibition with all my heart. It is truly a work of genius, a sight of pure wonder. As I'm typing, I can feel my heart swell with that awe again.

xx

Vanessa :]

100 liters of champagne in my office? That intern life

check it out - 100 liters of champagne that's right

Bonjour à tous!

I know when you saw the title, you're probably like, what? What kind of internship is that? But you didn't read wrong - indeed, I was quite stunned myself when I opened the office door and saw all these boxes of champagne in my office. And that was only day two.

Bizarre things aside, I am glad to announce that I have started my internship at Musée Guimet in Paris! Musée Guimet is a French national museum dedicated to asian arts, and it has Europe's largest collection of asian artworks! 

I intern in the Marketing department of the museum (yes, there is such a thing in a museum, unexpected, right?). With my two awesome bosses, I mainly work on the upcoming exhibition on the Han arts, an exhibition in the context of China and France's 50th year anniversary of diplomacy. So far I've mostly been doing a lot of translations of texts for the exhibition, French to English, English to Chinese, so on and so forth. It's quite exciting! 

To be honest, I never knew working full time is this tiring! Every day on the metro back, all I want is a long nap. Compared to this, schoolwork and classes is a skip in the park... The main reason might be because at school, I usually switch between subjects and activities, so my brain is never too "tired" or "bored" of one thing. At work, sometimes a task requires a long time of concentration, which is very different from classes.

However, if you asked me, I would still say I prefer working. Even though it's not even been a week yet, I already love my job. Different from studying, which is more like brain exercises, working makes me feel like I'm creating value, that I'm in some way contributing to the good of the society. And that is a very empowering feeling. 

Anyways, stay tuned for more rants from this excited intern!

xx

Vanessa :]

A day away from the city

flower market at Chartres

Bonjour à tous! 

This past Saturday I took a delightful day trip to the small town of Chartres southwest of Paris, reachable by train in one hour. For those who are tired of the city's hustle, trust me, Chartres is the perfect place for a day of relaxation.

The picturesque town is known for its fresh flower market,  Notre Dame Cathedral (one of the four best ones in France! The other three in Reims, Amiens, and Rouen, respectively), simple yet refreshing parks, and chic cafes. 

My first stop when I arrived was of course, the cathedral. Yes, I'm that art history nerd, but really, look at it!

facade of the cathedral

interior of the cathedral, view of the rose window and ceiling

If you thought Notre Dame de Paris was tall, then you'll find yourself in the wrongest of wrong. In fact, the one in Paris is only 96 meters high, while the one in Chartres stands at a shocking 113 meters! With its asymmetrical pointy towers, it looks even taller than that.

Immediately upon entry, I felt like I understood why Gothic churches especially made people feel the ferventness to worship God - it was just so incredibly tall! Looking up was some serious neck exercise, and the awe that it inspired from me was just endless. And I live in a modern society where there are sky scrapers - just imagine how the people of the twelfth century who dwelled in humble two-floor huts must have felt when they set foot in this cathedral!

me on top of the cathedral!

In fact, another perk of the cathedral is that at certain times of the day, the towers are open to public for a climb (which felt like an endless workout on the StairMaster at my gym), which offer a perfect spot for a panoramic view of Chartres. Note that the photo above is deceptive - behind my smile I am screaming TIRED. This morning I woke up with sore, protesting calves. 

candles inside the cathedral that made me nostalgic of Peddie...

After the cathedral, I took a stroll in the flowers market and saw the most flawless roses in my life for astonishingly cheap. I have never seen roses this full-blown, this symmetrical, before. And there wasn't even one spot of wilting!

By then, I was succumbing to my craving for ice cream (don't tell me you don't crave ice scream, because somehow I always do), so I bought a cone of white chocolate ice cream and just sat and people-watched. Everyone on that golden Saturday afternoon was so well-dressed - I was impressed.

Last but not least, a picture of the historic streets of Chartres...

a street in Chartres

After a week of running about Paris, I found the rest and quiet that I needed in Chartres. Beautiful town with friendly people and a goooooorgeous cathedral.

xx

Vanessa :]

Being Parisian: 5 not-touristy things to do in the City of Lights

wanna see the Eiffel Tower like this?

Bonjour à tous!

Finally, after almost a month, I feel like I am settled in enough to call myself a Parisian in the making. I'm all moved in, have been cooking on my own, working out regularly, got internet in my room (FINALLY), and most of all been exploring Paris day and night!

So today I came prepared with a list of 5 things that almost no tourist knows to do - read attentively if you want to know the secret to being truly Parisian...

1. Do not shop at Galeries Lafayette or on the Boulevard des Champs-Elysees. Go to Rue de la Paix instead! Obviously the Galeries and Champs-Elysees are still charming for their architecture and view, but the stores there are ridiculously crowded, full of tourists (thus bad service), and never fully stocked. Instead, take an afternoon promenade on Rue de la Paix not too far away. There, you will find a variety of stores from luxury brands to chic boutiques to satisfy your shopping appetite!

2. Go to the Louvre on a Wednesday after 6PM. During the day, the Louvre is notorious for its insane amount of visitors, mostly thanks to foreign tourist groups who hustle through the museum just to see Mona Lisa. Do not, and I repeat here, do NOT be that tourist! Of course, if you're a first time comer in Paris, you gotta see the Mona Lisa, but keep in mind that the Louvre offers so, so, so much more than that. Every Wednesday, the museum has late opening until 9PM, which is a great time to visit because then you can literally lie down on the bench in front of Delacroix's Liberty Leading the People (1830) and marvel at it without disruption!

3. Go to a local market. So far I've only been to the Bastille Market, it's open every Sunday morning till noon. The vegetables and fruits are so fresh there, sometimes the lettuce even comes with its roots still in the dirt! Also, there you will see many typically French things such as arrays of cheeses, wines, olive oils, etc. Definitely a gem.

4. Drink a glass of Kir before dinner. This thing doesn't seem to exist outside of France (okay, maybe outside of Europe). So what is it exactly? It's white wine with cassis syrup, and it tastes simply heavenly - a little sour, a little sweet, with an aroma that makes you seriously want to marry it.

5. See the Notre Dame at night. Yes, during the day it is lovely and grand, but at night it has a special charm. Hear the Seine water lap quietly, take a little stroll along its banks, and watch Notre Dame in all its mystic glory. Sometimes there are amazing spectacles by street artists if you are lucky enough! I can guarantee you it is an experience of a lifetime.

xx

Vanessa :]

Just to let you know I'm still here...

So guys, unlike you might have suspected, I have not dropped off the face of the Earth. I've just been traveling, more or less without Internet. I was first in Istanbul, and then in Paris, Giethoorn, Amsterdam, Ghent, and then back in Paris. I have now settled down in my foyer - youth apartment - and will start my fall program in Paris tomorrow. Right now I'm sitting in a nearby McDonald's typing away because I have yet to access Internet connection in my foyer. Once I do, I promise to update you on my life in Paris!

Donc à très bientôt!

xx

Vanessa :]

pre-departure excitement

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I opened this blog last night after I received an email from my study-abroad program with details concerning my classes in France. Fear not - I am not here to write about academic things, even though I might if what we learn is worth sharing. The point is, I started this blog with the intention to document the next six months of my life as I discover what it's like to be living in France.

From mid-June to the end of July, I will be in a small city in Provence called Arles, where I will study art history and French. (Fun fact: Van Gogh and Gauguin have lived here for some time during fin de ciècle, while Cézanne and Picasso also made some important life journeys in the area! In fact, Van Gogh's Starry Night is a depiction of the night sky at Arles.) After my stay in Arles, I will move on to Paris and spend the fall and early winter there, staying in a student apartment. In Paris, I will study more art history (yay!), European foreign policies, as well as intern in an institution of art.

Right now, as I enjoy my last few days on my college's campus sipping iced tea and pretending to not have homework or finals, I can already feel the excitement of adventure bubble up in me. Here is a song that perfectly captures my anticipation: 

I probably won't blog much between now and my actual arrival in France, but as soon as I get to la belle France, I will try to post updates at least once a week!

Stay tuned (and excited!)

xx

Vanessa :]