Preliminary cutural study.

Alright so I read a book called "Au Contraire!: Figuring out the French" with a big rooster on the cover. It was actually great. The French seem to have a more organic approach to life--they think, they consider, they very slowly but carefully go about making decisions and relating to other people. They are private and emotional, though I don't believe in a sentimental way. They highly value intellect, uniqueness, and the ability to cleverly find a way around the rules. They take a "polychronic" approach to work, which is more or less multitasking in an unsystematic way. They don't necessarily believe in extremes, they live in and appreciate the grey area.

The French tend to oppose American commercialism, naive arrogance, overenthusiasm, superficiality, and the way they make quick, seemingly mindless decisions.

I think I can relate to the French way, I am not as easily excited or stimulated by flashy Americana. I like to be slow, careful, and cautious. I prefer deeper connection rather than those superficial, overenthusiastic interactions that you find so often at BYU--though I don't hate it. I can't pretend to not be a product of my own culture. I tend to overly exaggerate, and I am not always careful and calculating with my words. I also tend to touch people's arms while in conversation, apparently this is a big no no. I'm sure I'll really find out who I am once I get there, and see how American I really am.

But notice--I wrote this post in a very French way: antithesis, thesis, synthesis. I wrote different paragraphs at different times, while drinking a diet coke and listening to the conversation in the kitchen: looks like I'm polychronic. I'm also holding intellectual chats over gmail.

Ok. Thanks for reading. 11 more days until departure. I'm going on a roadtrip this Wednesday to my friend Angie's wedding, but that doesn't have much to do with Paris and so I won't expand. See you back soon, looks like its about time to organize, make final plans, and get down to business.


Ingrid

In preparation

I moved home to Park City on Wednesday, and I am now beginning to make serious preparations for my trip. One of those most serious preparations is making some money ... that is, selling most of my books on amazon marketplace. If you would like to buy some of my books for very, very cheap go here:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/shops/storefront/index.html?ie=UTF8&marketplaceID=ATVPDKIKX0DER&sellerID=A10ECQ766CEJL2

Help me.


Ingrid

Update

Alright, so plans have changed a bit and I will now be departing Salt Lake City for Amsterdam on May 6th. From Amsterdam I will take the train to Brussels, where I'm going to meet my good friend Leilani who will be doing a summer internship there. I'll stay there for a few days then take the train home, to PARIS. More updates soon.

Ingrid

Hello friends and family,

Only a few weeks until I venture across the seas to l'hexagone, otherwise known as the French Republic or, as they say in Germany, Frankreich. ... a little place I like to call FRANCE.

My official date of departure is May the 5th. My plane will stop in Dublin, which I think will be quite nice. Dr. Lebras, the head of the French department here at BYU is helping me get everything in order and ready to go. He has given me a list of a few books to read about French culture--good plane reading material, he says. I'm not sure though, most of the titles are cheesy and/or embarassing. I need to appear like I know what I'm doing and look down on these things. Something tells me this is befitting to a real Parisienne.

I will be living in my own apartment until the middle of June, when I will be joined by two other young ladies who are also part of the BYU french program. The apartment is located in the 11e arrondissement, on Rue Parmentier--I checked it out on google earth. There are many surrounding trees and parks.

More following soon. Don't worry, ardent readers ... I will keep you posted.

Welcome.