Almost Graduation!

Well this is certainly a busy semester!

With 18 credits, multiple major capstone courses, and a thesis, I have been keeping myself occupied.  I feel that I have put in a lot of hard work, and now I am excited to say that in less than 5 weeks I will be receiving my diploma!  I am proud to say that I will be graduating with a double degree in International Studies and French with a minor in business administration, honors, and Latin distinction (Magna Cum Laude). 

As far as the events around graduation, here are the major ones to look forward to:

Thesis Presentation - April 18th, 2013
     My thesis research concerns the nature of multiculturalism in France, especially concerning the "traditional" French and the Muslim "Other."  The presentation is a culmination of my experience (after having written a more than 40 page paper) and is open to the public.

Family Celebration - May 11th, 2013

Ice Cream Social and Thank You at the Sons of Norway Lodge - May 12th, 2013
    As a proud member of the Sons of Norway, I have been honored to receive scholarships to aid my undergraduate experiences at CSU and the Oslo International Summer School.  Now, my family would like to give back to the lodge with an open invitation to join us for ice cream on May 12th as a thank you.  This event is open to all lodge members (and really anyone with the slightest interest in Norway).  Please join!

Honors Graduation Ceremony - May 17th, 2013
     I will be honored at a special recognition ceremony for being an honors scholar at CSU.  As an honors scholar, I have gone above-and-beyond the core requirements with having taken extra classes (some of which were the most interesting at CSU!) and with writing my thesis.

Commencement Ceremony - May 18th, 2013
     This is the big one! I will be walking across the stage to the applause of my many fans on May 18th at the College of Liberal Arts ceremony. :)

I look forward to my family and friends joining me as I transition from one stage of my life to the beginning of the next.  For more detailed information concerning times and locations of events, you may contact me privately by message or email.  Thank you!

ISS Reunion in Chicago

A couple weeks ago I was in Chicago teaming back up with my friends from summer school in Norway.  It was like no time had passed... we seamlessly jumped back into talking, joking, and enjoying each others' company. As we shared new stories and experiences, it simply reminded me how much I love this group of people.  No matter where we go, I am thankful to have them in my life.

Friends at the Field Museum in Chicago.

Hanging out (literally!) at the Sears (Willis) Tower. 

If you ever have the chance to watch the sunset from the top, it's worth it.

Thank you for a wonderful tradition meal!

What is your culture?

After spending so much time studying foreign cultures, sometimes it is necessary to sit back and consider what is your own culture?  How does my culture influence my perceptions and sense of success in other cultures?  If you don't understand who you are, you can't understand who they are.

Here are some ways in which I identify myself and the cultures I fit into:
-student
-Colorado native
-study abroad adventurer
-traveler
-hiker
-U.S. American
-French speaker
-daughter
-sister
-friend
-animal lover
-free spirit
-Living in the moment.
-Knowing I want to make a difference in this world.

So let me ask: How do you identify?

-Danielle

Happy Birthday!

Birthday month has arrived and went off with a good start!

It's odd to say I'm 21 now, but I suppose it would be more odd if I hadn't studied abroad.  On Monday evening, I went out for one of the most delicious dinners with my roommate at a local restaurant called Cafe Vino in Fort Collins.  We shared gorgonzola pear ravioli and an artichoke/ pesto/ eggplant/ goat cheese pizza.  Is your mouth watering yet?  Of course I also enjoyed my first drink at a restaurant in the United States with my dinner.  I decided to go with something nostalgic from French: a nice red wine from the Côtes du Rhone region.

I guess after studying abroad in France, it was almost more weird to come home and not be able to enjoy a glass of wine with my dinner than it was to order my first drink in the United States.  Of course the waitress checked my ID, and told me welcome to being 21!

P.S. Thank you for all of the wonderful birthday wishes!

Gratefully yours,
Danielle

Everyday Aix 2

I already posted some pictures of my "everyday Aix," but I felt that I couldn't stop at that... so the post is continuing!

Like I mentioned, many of the wonderful moments of my life in Aix were little everyday happenings... arriving at the bakery for a fresh pain au chocolat coming out of the oven, walking through old Aix and seeing walls/ buildings/ street layout from hundreds and thousands of years ago, and watching French people walk their dogs down Cours Mirabeau on a sunny day come to mind.

Here are more pictures to show you my life.

Excursion with my honors course to Chateau Marguii, a vineyard and winery in Provence.
Photo courtesy of Leigh Smith.

Walking home from school and seeing -> 

Library time at school... Despite a lot of what I've highlighted, I did actually spend a good amount of time studying and learning about France!  Also, this library was really cool with nooks and crannies for studying with books covering the walls.

Even with studying I had to take some time to enjoy cafés on sunny afternoons.  This photo was taken at the end of the year when my honors class got together to enjoy a glass of provencal rosé... compliments of our teacher!

Flour markets or outdoor markets in general.

Fountains everywhere!! This was at Hotel de Ville.

Passing the Cathédrale St Sauveur at night and seeing its incredible architecture lit up.

Art Party

At the end of the semester, the Marchutz art school put on an evening of exhibition to display everyone's art and enjoy everyone's company.  I had two pieces on display... a still-life and a painting of Mont St. Victoire.  As the evening continued, music was put on in the studio and everyone started dancing.  Even our teacher was breaking out some moves! It was definitely a fun and memorable end to one of the best parts in Aix... my art class.

Beautiful Mont St. Victoire  (I wish this was my work...)

Art, wine, and conversation.

Having some fun too!

Les Gorges du Verdon

What a beautiful life.