When I got back from Barcelona, we started learning about French cuisine in French Civ class. How perfect? So of course, I was inspired, and I was just so happening to go grocery shopping.
Boeuf Bourgignon:
Beef and vegetables cooked with wine from the Bourgogne region, what we know as Burgundy wine.
This is a traditional french meal that originated as a "peasant" meal and has developed into a much more elegant dish; it uses a distinct method of braising or marinating the beef in wine that is ESPECIALLY from the Bourgogne region. My teacher went on to say that it was a difficult and time-consuming dish. You all know me well enough to know that if someone tells me I CAN'T do something, I WILL DO IT JUST TO PROVE THEM WRONG. And because I love to cook, too, haha.
I let the beef and vegetables marinate in a bottle of Bourgogne for AT LEAST 24 hours. The beef cooked for 2 hours, or maybe a little longer, with mushrooms, carrots, onions. I served it with homemade cream potatoes.
I think it was the most DELICIOUS think I HAVE EVER COOKED.
Anyway, I was supposed to have a French test that Tuesday, but it got pushed back to last Tuesday. I made a 19/20. Not too shabby! haha
It was a good movie; however, I was really disappointed in the ending... eh oh well.
That weekend was pretty fun. One of the American guys living at Nanterre hosted an ABC party. Anything But Clothes.. goes!
In traditional American spirit, JELLOSHOTS and an AWESOME COSTUME. I love an opportunity to dress up!
But we had a little problem.. France doesn't seem to know a thing called JELL-O. So I had to make Jell-O shots from scratch... Gelatin, fruit juice, and vodka. I really didn't think they would turn. And they weren't. I hadn't used enough gelatin. So I poured them out, and added more gelatin. Probably TOO MUCH. lol. BUT THEY CAME OUT! If I can make Jell-O Shots without Jell-O, I CAN DO ANYTHING.
This was only the first layer ;)
Now for the costume... it turns out, I had all of the materials I already needed in the apartment. I had 3 big clear garbage bags and one black one. Oh, and an H&M magazine. And this is what came out...
Cute, huh? lol. Didn't take much effort. Just staples. haha.
Here are a few more pictures from the party.
50 jell-o shots gone in about 30 minutes; I guess they were good...
Needless to say, we were all pretty lazy Sunday.. My friend Joe and I went for crepes at Place Monge. It never fails- there is ALWAYS A LINE. Best place in Paris for crepes.
This was a ham, egg, and cheese crepe... It's so juicy it drips.
I don't know why I posted this because you can't really see the name of the place.
And now its back to Monday. blah. It was a good Monday, though. I made it to my 8 am class, turned my wifi on on my French phone (this was very exciting). AND we had a wine and cheese lesson in French Civ. Can't go wrong there.
Tuesday was the French test, but it was pretty easy. The most exiciting part of my day? I BOOKED MY TRAIN AND HOSTEL FOR AMSTERDAM FOR THE WEEKEND!! My train was scheduled to leave at 7:25 Thursday morning, but you see,Wednesday night I went out with the roomies and the other erasmus students. We pregamed at the Pythagore residence and then took the party to SIXSEVEN.
This was the funniest picture of the ENTIRE NIGHT.
Jos is such a good dancer. I can't keep up!
I missed my train, but I managed to catch the one at 10:25 am. The difference it cost me to pay for a new ticket was more than the original ticket. But BELIEVE ME. IT WAS SO WORTH IT.
I love traveling by myself. It was so nice to get on the train alone and just GET AWAY, especially to Amsterdam.
It was a 3.5 hour train ride. I got to Amsterdam at about 2. I FELL IN LOVE IMMEDIATELY!!!! The hostel was SO CLOSE to Amsterdam Centraal, the train station. Maybe a 5 minute walk. I think I was the first one in my hostel, because I got there and the room was empty. But it was a really nice hostel: the staff was friendly, the room was big and furnished, AND IT WAS RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE BULLDOG COFFEESHOP! perfect location... I LOVE COFFEE. I also met some really cool girls from Madrid, Spain. There a great buncha girls. I can't wait to go and visit them!
These are the pictures :)
Amsterdam Centraal ^
EVERYONE rides bikes there. It's really groovy.
The view from my hostel :
These are the girls from Madrid I met in my hostel. UBER COOL.
This place had some GOOD SOUP! And since it was so cold outside, it was ESPECIALLY warming!
Hannah. Also in the hostel.
"I'll give you that Red. Light. Special." -TLC
Dam Square
My FAVORITE! H & M!
And this is the new collection: Versace for H & M ^^
Monument
Yes, this bar was as COOL as it looks!
I'd like to change this. "If you can't be good in bed, sleep by yourself!" haha
Bye, Amsterdam. I will be back soon. :(
So I arrived home in paris at midnight. Of course, I overslept and was late for my 8 AM class MOnday. But hey, it's better late than never. At least it wasn't an absence. Also had to give my group presentation in French civ...but it went wonderfully.
Tuesday we had another French test; I don't think this one was as successful as the first. eh....
Yesterday I left school and there was a nice little Christmas village set up in La Defense near school, so I stopped to have a peek.
SO FESTIVE!
I picked up some dried cranberries. It was a toal ripoff... I could have bought them for much cheaper at the grocery store, but they were fresh, so whatever. Since I bought the cranberries for the sauce, I figured I would pick up the rest of the food for Thanksgiving. I walked into the grocery store having no idea what I was cooking....
An hour later I left with a tentative menu...
Appetizers: devilled eggs and maybe something else
Main course: bacon-wrapped turkey legs and thighs and rosemary cider chicken served with :
HOMEMADE CRANBERRY SAUCE!
Side dishes: green bean casserole and creamed potatoes
Dessert: pecan pralines maybe.
This is year will be a wonderful Thanksgiving. Not only because I get to spend it with some cool friends, but because I HAVE SO MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR!
Most importantly, I'm thankful to be alive, and thankful for my supportive and loving family and friends.
I'm also thankful to have the opportunity to study in Paris and learn so many new things, not only in school, but in life.
It has been quite an experience, but it is something that I have grown from and I was always remember.
Today I'm giving thanks for my freedom.
Today I'm giving thanks to everyone here in Paris and at home that support me in everything I do.
Today I'm giving thanks to GOD for blessing me with such wonderful people in my life.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING Y'ALL! (will be sure to post pictures of the food for next time ;)
Later Gators,
À plus tard!
Kristen
