Best Letter Ever

Dear Nora,

I am writing to say, with pleasure, that your application to the winter 2009 International Studies Program in Paris has been approved. Congratulations! I think you can look forward to a really interesting and worthwhile winter quarter next year.

Kindly confirm with me as soon as possible your intention to participate in this program. To officially secure your place in the program, you will need to submit the nonrefundable study abroad administrative fee of $500 by Friday, May 16 in the form of a check made payable to the University of Chicago. Be sure to put your name and student number on the check, which can be delivered to Ms. Karen Ruskowsky, Harper 203. At that time, Ms. Ruskowsky will ask you to complete an admission reply form. (If you have concerns about this relatively fast approaching deadline for the fee, please let me know so we can work to ensure you will be able to participate in the program.) Apart from submitting the admission reply form and paying the fee, there is nothing you need do at this point. We will have two planning meetings for the program in autumn quarter, and I will send you detailed program guidelines and a checklist of items to be done in advance of those meetings.

If you don't have a passport that is valid through June 2009 please take immediate steps to procure one. You will be asked for a photocopy of your passport at the beginning of autumn quarter. The website of the US Passport Service is: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

One final word about your admission to the program: Please note that this acceptance is contingent upon your continued good work in your courses as well as your continued good citizenship in the University community. While it is necessary to make this stipulation--all our offers of admission are, in this sense, conditional offers, revocable at any time if it becomes clear that it is not in the best interests of the student to take part in a program abroad--I hasten to add that I foresee no problem in your taking part in this program. Indeed I anticipate a wonderful ten weeks for you in Paris.

Again, warm congratulations on your acceptance, and I look forward to hearing from you. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to be in touch.

All the best,
Sarah

Elm Lawn Sucks

According to the Camp of the Trails website the site for the camp I work at has moved to a different school. This is bad on so many levels...

1. The new school, Elm Lawn, is completely unfamiliar to me.

2. Elm Lawn is an extra mile from my house, which means riding my bike will take longer, which means I'll have to wake up earlier.

3. Elm Lawn is directly on the Madison Metro lines like Sauk Trail.

4. Elm Lawn does not have woods, it does not back-up to Lakeview Park, and the playground sucks... the one time I played there a girl fell off the monkey bars and broke both of her arms... bad omen.

5. Elm Lawn is further from the pool, but they will still make us walk. Furthermore, it requires crossing University Ave, and we all know that a certain male counselor who does not pay attention during long walks will probably get a kid hit by a car.

6. Elm Lawn is like a field. This means Denise will be able to come outside and see us really easily, which means minimal fucking around on school property.

Basically I'm really pissed off right now. I want my Sauk Trail back.

The new plan is to find as many awesome parks as I can that are nearby that I can escape to with the children, because I am NOT hanging out at Elm Lawn.

Gibraltar?

How doable do you think it is for me to travel to Africa (Tagier, Morocco) while I'm in France. Meredyth has put this idea in my head and I can't seem to shake it out. But seriously, how cool would that be. Oh yeah, I just went to AFRICA.

Big City Livin'

Sometimes I forget that I live in one of the three largest cities in America, or whatever Chicago is. I guess Hyde Park is so far removed than anything that might be associated with big city livin' that I lose track of where I actually am.

Yesterday Jen (my roommate) and I went downtown to go shopping. The goal was to hit up Trader Joe's on Ontario and stock up on cheap, healthy snacks, however we went downtown at about 3 and ended up staying until 9 or so. We had a really good time just going in stores and trying stuff on. Kind of the touristy Midwest thing to do, but still a lot of fun. We also hit the Jambo Juice in the Hancock Building (cool) and Jen flirted her way to getting us free shots of wheatgrass (never again, it seriously does taste like grass). Trader Joe's was a success, I definitely spent waaay too much money, but I managed to FINALLY (!) buy a bag of boneless chicken breasts (which southside supermarkets don't seem to believe in).

Point is, it was nice to be a tourist in my town. It brings you back into perspective and reminds you where you are... and that you should take advantage of that.

That said I need to practice for when I'm in NYC in two (!) weeks... I've never been, and this time is as good as any to really explore the largest city in my country! If anyone has any recommendations as to what to check out, let me know, the city is so damn huge that I don't even know where to start.

My New Hair

So I made this video yesterday, but I didn't want to post two in one day because that is kind of weird. Its my new haircut that I fixed and made cuter, but that still looks sort of really dumb. Oh well, I like it just fine.

Today has been fabulous, it's almost 80 degrees and sunny, and there is this awesome warm breeze that is blowing through campus. I walked out to Borders just to enjoy the weather, and I was actually hot!

The rest of today is going to be pretty chill. I don't have anything planned really, and its supposed to severe thunderstorm this evening so we will probably be stuck in (although I haven't said this to anyone yet... but seriously...). I'm gonna work on Europe adventure stuff for the next couple hours, maybe take a nap, definitely enjoy not having to do anything!

Room Tour Video

I made this a couple of weeks ago and figured I'd put it up just so its out there. Its more or less a five minute video of me wandering around my suite in Max. I don't know, kind of lame... but I just love the orange walls so much. Ok, maybe not. Anyways, be jealous of how nice my living quarters are.

Hot Legs Workout

I decided on Tuesday that I need to tone my legs a bit. My goal is to be the hot counselor (specialist, whatever) at camp this summer, and have all the dads be like "day-umm." So I googled "how to get hot legs," and I actually found this really great workout. Problem is, it hurts like a bitch. I guess you have to pay to be hot, haha.

But seriously, new goal: get toned up by summer time.

I want to be in good shape this summer, and then I'll look fab, not flab, when I'm in Europe, hah.

Sorta Like Siberia?

Its been awhile since I blogged. While like five days, but at my former rate, that is certainly awhile. I've hit that point in the quarter where it feels like there is no end. Just lots of reading, a few papers, exams, etc. While the beginning of the quarter was new and fun, and the end of the quarter is full of excitement for the summer vacation to come, this middle portion is going to be a long march. Probably like walking through Siberia, no end in sight.

As depressing as that sounds, I should be looking forward to the next few steps, but after looking at all of the things listed in my planner for the next three weeks... I don't even really have time to look over.

I should love the quarter system. Short ten-week sessions mean that once you are getting comfortable with a class, finals are in two-weeks. I should be happy its spring and almost summer, but I think the novelty of it being warm has most certainly worn out.

So what do I do? I guess I'll have to read a lot. And probably spend hours upon hours in the library. But I should also remember that this isn't what I've been doomed to forever... just the next three weeks.

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NYC COUNTDOWN = 21 days = 3 weeks

Random

So I feel like my blog has really gone downhill? Has it. Probably. Will fix this as soon as I have exciting things to blog about... aka in three and a half weeks when I go to NEW YORK CITY.

For now I think it is important to discuss some of the finer things in my life, aka: tv, food, and well, tv.

To start, its nice finally having The Office back. Its great to look forward to all week long, and they never fail to please me. Not to give too much away, but tonight's joke about Wendy's... priceless. I'm still laughing about it. Meredyth didn't think it was that funny, but seriously girl, it was hilarious. I wish I could be more excited about 30 Rock. It was a great filler show for when there was no new Office and I needed some NBC comedy, but it pales in comparison now. I don't even remember what happened tonight.

So I want to share with you what I had for dinner... oreo pudding. Oh and half a bag of doritos. Um, college student? I think so. Bartlett is just so old. I wandered around for like ten minutes and nothing looked good. Then I found the oreo pudding and peaced the hell out of there. I think I got the oreo pudding because I've never seen it there before. That explains a lot actually.

Ok, back to tv... Survivor. Love it. That is all.

Eh, the stream of consciousness thing doesn't really work for me. It just makes me sound like a fat bitch who watches too much tv. Which is true, minus the fat. I'm not fat.

Warmth

I watch the 10-day forecast on weather.com like a hawk. Mostly out of hope that we might finally be through with this Chicago winter, and it will really be spring. But then I get disappointed when it starts to snow (yes yes, it snowed on Saturday, if only a little bit). I guess I just miss the color green. Healthy green grass, leaves on trees, even the ivy running up and down the buildings on the quads. I also miss feeling warm. I'm sick of the cold and the wet. Come on spring.

Cycling: Spring Classics

Pretty anti-climactic spring classics season because Versus isn't really playing any of the races this year. ANNOYING, let me tell you. I've resorted to trying to find clips online, the best of which are in Italian (I think its Italian...), and posted daaaays after the races are over. I can't decide if I should just read the results online, or wait for the clips. Usually I give in to the former.

I feel like I'm losing my connect with cycling, and I kind of hate it. Will have to change this ASAP.

La Tzigane (The Gypsy)

La tzigane

La Tzigane savait d'avance
Nos deux vies barrées par les nuits
Nous lui dîmes adieu et puis
De ce puits sortit l'Esperance
L'amour lourd comme un ours privé
Dansa debout quand nous voulûmes
Et l'oiseau bleu perdit ses plumes
Et les mendiants leurs Avé

On sait très bien que l'on se damne
Mais l'espoir d'aimer en chemin
Nous fait penser main dans la main
À ce qu'a prédit la tzigane

Guillaume Apollinaire (1880 - 1918)

TRANSLATION:

THE GYPSY

The gypsy knew in advance

Our two lives star-crossed by night

We said farewell to her and then

from that deep well Hope began

Love heavy a performing bear

Danced upright when we wanted

And the blue bird lost his plumes

And the beggars lost their Ave

We knew quite well that we were damned

But hope of love in the street

Made us think hand in hand

Of what the Gypsy did foresee

**I had to read this for French, and I kind of love it.

Youtube Channel Launch!

Hey Kids--

You are cordially invited to check out my new youtube channel! I'll mostly be using it to supplement this blog, and take videos of my travels abroad. In the meantime I'll put up a few videos, mostly to practice making sweet videos, and to create souvenirs of my last few weeks in Hyde Park (for awhile at least).

So yeah, I hope you enjoy.

Love,

Nora

WEBSITE: http://www.youtube.com/NoraRadtke

Abroad Meeting Numero Uno

I had my first abroad meeting yesterday afternoon. It was actually kinda lame, for how excited about it I was. The next meeting in May (which I'm missing because of NEW YORK CITY) is the one were we actually find stuff out. This one was just them telling us random things that may or may not be useful, and them starting to give us an idea of how poor we are all going to be when it is all over. Here are some highlights:

1. My program has 13 people, only one of which is a boy. Thats ok for me because I wouldn't want to "get with" a guy from my program... lol.

2. We have mini-fridges, and private bathrooms in our single rooms. Uh, nice. Seriously, I was expecting a lot less than that. Apparently we also are given bed linen which they switch out for us every two weeks.

3. Contrary to original thought, there is a dining hall, and I can get a meal at it for like 3 euro. While I will try to steer clear away from dining hall food, this is good to know as our building will not have a stove/oven.

4. Once a week we will have a "conversation session" with a french student. Apparently the program pays for us to go out to dinner or the cinema or whatever with a french person, to work on our speaking. Uh, this sounds like a really cool idea. Hopefully mine is a really hot french guy.

5. Apparently you can rent cell phones? Cool.

6. I can't use the velib because I don't have a european credit card. Maybe I should get one?

7. I'm more excited than ever. At the second meeting (which I'll have to do with Sarah Walter) we are getting our itineraries and syllabi. I'm so excited for this, I really want to know just exactly what we are doing!

I'm Going To Hell

So I'm super poor right now... like INCREDIBLY poor, and really stupid.

I don't know what I was thinking, but I decided it would be cool to buy a new digital camera/camcorder online tonight. It was only like $60, and is actually a really cool camera. BUT I DON'T REALLY HAVE $60 TO SPARE.

What the hell was I thinking.

Of course it's too late now to cancel my order, but still. NO MORE IMPULSE BUYS.

To repent I sent in an e-mail about doing a psych study that will make me $25. And I'm tutoring my van drivers kid.

But still. No spending money for the rest of the week (except maybe CTA to go visit my uncle).

Video Camcorder that I just bought.

Oh, maybe I'll make like a youtube channel or something. That would be ridiculous. But kind of awesome in a creepy sort of way.

Spring in HP

60+ degrees and I'm out of the dorms and walking around the neighborhood. It was quite lovely. Anton and I walked out to the point where we could see the skyline of the city clearer through the bright sunshine. The lake was a gorgeous blue-green. I've forgotten how nice this neighborhood can be when its relatively warm out. Hopefully the leaves will come out and then it will really be spring. I'm planning on sleeping with the window open, even if it drops into the 40s tonight, so be it.

Desktop

This is currently the desktop on my computer. They are all places I want to go or things I want to see. And yes that is the Queen of England stretched out in the top right corner.

HP Community

I had an hour to kill today while waiting for my passport pictures to develop at the CVS, so I wandered down to Border's. I thought I'd grab a magazine and then get a cup of coffee at the cafe and let the time go by. When I got up to the cafe it was absolutely full of people. Most of them were older guys, all different races, and they were involved in several heated games of chess. It didn't look organized, but it looked like a lot of fun. I wonder how often they go up there and play. And how well they all know each other. I really liked the idea of planning chess with other members of the community. It kind of reminds me of the movies with the old guys playing in Central Park. It also kind of makes me wish that the students here at the UofC were more involved in the community. I wonder what would happen if I asked to play? Maybe I should try that sometime.

Paree

I'm starting to realize how cool it is that I get to live in Paris. At the very very least I will be there for ten weeks, which is more than I could have ever imagined in high school.

At study break tonight I was talking to a few of the first years about going to Paris. They came off as really intrigued, and slightly jealous of what I get to do. That's when it sort of hit me. This is an amazing opportunity. I don't know if it hasn't fully sunk in yet or what, but seriously, amazing.

I've started doing a lot of planning of stuff I want to do while I'm in Europe, but for some reason none of this planning really involves Paris. What am I thinking?!? I should be writing lists of stuff I want to see in Paris first!

So here is the beginning of the list. I will try to figure out a way to have a constant list going down the side or something.

SIGHTS TO SEE À PARIS:

-Montmartre
-Sacre Coeur
-Arc de la Defense
-Tour Eiffel
-Tuilieries
-Notre Dame
-Les Invalides
-Catacombes
-Les Champs Elysees
-Boat Cruise down the Seine
-Louvre
-etc etc
-and yes, the Aye Aye at the Paris Zoo.

Wow, I just got really really excited for this most grand adventure.


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*And a shout out to 100 posts.*

This Is Your Life

Goals for Spring Quarter 2008:

1. Bank big benjamins. Like mucho. Paris is going to burn a hole in my wallet. I gotta make as much money as I can.

2. Do *most* of my readings. I always end up slacking off. Not this time.

3. Get into IS Program. I'll do whatever it takes. Except Fortner. You know what I mean.

4. Good grades?

5. Have a superfun time in HP because I might not be back for 9+ months. I might as well enjoy it, because then maybe I won't dread coming back so much?

As the great band Switchfoot once sung:

This is your life, are you who you want to be
This is your life, is it everything you dreamed it would be
When the world was younger and you had everything to lose

So, as much as I would love to be somewhere else, not doing school, this is my life, and I might as well make the best of it.


*6 weeks till NYC!*

Telefund

Realizing I'm poor-and only going to get poorer-I have put in my application to work at the telefund. This is probably a really bad idea, but they pay $10.25 an hour and I could use a bit (ok, A LOT) of money for Paris.

Hopefully this will not turn into the nightmare I think it's going to turn into.