One of my favorite pastimes is discovering new music. In the US, there is so many ways I go about it, but the collective outcome is a crazy mix of good artists and better stories. I was afraid that by coming to France, I would be behind the ball. I know I definitely am by US standards, but I am discovering whole new niche genres of music, reliving some songs that peaked in 2009, finding the top 40 along with the rest of the country (who listens to more American than French music by a large percentage).

As I was saying in my last post, I settled into Christchuch for a few days back at the Jailhouse before moving into the Ilam Apartments at the University of Canterbury.

Five Senses in Amsterdam (in February)

                Sound

Class started on February 4th.

On February 5th, The Panic started to set in.

This past weekend, taking to get a break from the grim gray of the Paris sky and the cold, my friend and I decided to take a trip to Toulouse, located in the south of France near the Spanish border and not too far from Barcelona. We stuffed a couple days’ clothes into backpacks/duffel bags, loaded ourselves onto a train, and after seven long and uneventful hours by train through the French countryside, we finally made it.

As the time passes, I realize I am becoming more and more of a native. I listen to my music on the bus and the tram instead of constantly peering out the window for fear of missing my stop. I’ve had to recharge the minutes on my cell phone and pretty soon I will have to buy yet another bus pass for the month of March. The days are passing so quickly but I am happy to say I don’t feel like it’s slipping through my fingers.

Education, education, education, it has become such a buzz word lately that every time I hear it I can’t help but think that some teacher somewhere is regretting Washington’s involvement in his career and personal life. Although serious efforts have been made to improve American education, it seems that the system every year comes under more and more political scrutiny and public disdain.

This has been the longest winter break- or, I guess South American summer break? I am currently in Rio de Janeiro visiting my friend here before I head to Santiago on Monday morning. I’ve learned so many things about the culture and lifestyle here in four days; I can’t imagine how much I’ll learn in a whole semester in Chile!

Last week I spoke to my host family on the phone and I’m even more excited to meet them now. I’m a little worried about my taxi ride to their house from the airport, but I’m sure it will be fine.

Last Sunday brought us, finally, to the Galápagos Islands.  We flew to the island of Baltra, then a two hour boat ride took us to Isabela, the largest in the island chain.  Sixty miles long and shaped like a seahorse, it boasts a population of three-thousand clustered in a quiet coastal town where you can walk day and night without a care, down the middle of the roads made of soft packed sand.  Our Mountain Geology class would spend a week on Isabela studying the lava tunnels, hydrothermal vents, calderas, and other interesting volcan

Dublin has surprised me in so many ways. The diversity here is absolutely incredible! I can walk down Rathmines Road and find Lebanese restaurants, an Italian Cafe, a cute tea shop, and a Brazilian cafe. People from all over the world seem to be flocking to Dublin, and I don’t blame them! It’s a wonderful place to be, and it’s not just because of the great food. One of my flatmates happens to be from Mexico. She is an international student at a university in the United States.