THE LAST JOURNAL

 Tomorrow is the due day of my journal, so I want to take this opportunity to summarize my study abroad experience. In this summer French study abroad, I believe that I have learn a lot of things include the language, culture, tradition, food and drink etc.

Before I came here, my understand of France is only confined to books and movies. I heard French people are rigorous, I heard French culture is very serious, I heard that writers, artists, clothing designers, and intellectuals have a lofty position in French society, but I never know whether those are real or not. This time, I can finally use my own experiences to write down my understanding and knowledge of France.

I think that France is a country that is not suitable for people who are always living in a hurry. French people like to live with relax and carefree life. In France, a foreigner first has to learn to "wait". In France want to quickly accomplishing one thing is usually not easy. With the same thing, use a very short period of time can be done in the United States, but have to spend some time on the French. The second thing I have noticed in French family is that French woman have very high social status, French man has great respect for women, and they are courteous to women everywhere. And the dog in France is really a member of the family because French people even go on vacation with their dog, how lovely are that!

French people are adept at controlling the pace of life, they love chic and elegant life style, and they know how to fully enjoy life. But they are still serious at work or study. I think sometimes is easier to stimulate enthusiasm for the work in the relaxed state, like French people. Their food culture fully reflects the quality of life, and cultural qualities and mental outlook. French cuisine is characterized by fine, elegant and romantic. The Frenchman's diet, be regarded as a leisure culture.

I have to say that living in a country with full of art, literature, film, painting, and architecture feels amazing. I love everything here, and I just feel extremely comfortable in France. I truly appreciated that MSU study abroad program. I have been visited many other countries before but none of it could compare with France. I hope I will come here again soon and continue my “French” dream. 

Mont-Saint-Michel

 Before we went to a little research about Mont-Saint-Michel, it says that Mont-Saint-Michel is close to the Normandy; it is the most popular tourist destination in France, but also the pilgrimage of Catholics. The Peak has the most famous mountain monastery---St Michael. I was very excited to go there because I was fascinated by these legendary stories of the Mont-Saint-Michel from my research.  

  If you look at Mont-Saint-Michel from far away, it seems like a castle in fairy tale. Large tracts of sandy surround it and it will become an island only at the high tide. It has the most beautiful white sandy ever. Look from the top of Mont-Saint-Michel, the beach and the sky seems to be connected with each other which is very amazing.

Mont-Saint-Michel has the 11th century Romanesque nave and the 15 th century Gothic choir. From our guides, we heard that there was a dense forest surrounded by Mont Saint Michel, it may called Scissy forest. However, due to the erosion of the sea over many years and eventually disappear. Today people can find buried in the sand in the trunk. 

Overall, I just really enjoyed walking around this beautiful island and visit antique building. Up to now Mont-Saint-Michel is my favorite place, I think it is very different from the other castles, it is beautiful and surrounded by a mysterious and dreamy atmosphere and scenery. 
This is our last time to travel with MSU group. I really enjoy the time with everyone.  

French cuisine with Professor Anna and Thao

 Today we went to professor Anna’s house and we cooked ourlunch with the MSU students in the afternoon. We made French MOUSSE AU CHOCOLATand GALETTES DE SARRAZIN. Normally I don’t cook at home, because my dad is verygood at cooking and he is the one who cook in our family all the time. InAmerican, I cook breakfast for myself, I think American food is very easy tomake and it can be done in 5 minuets.

In my mind, I always thinkthat French cuisine is the hardest in the world because French people are veryparticular about their food culture. French people pay attention to the color,flavor and nutrition of the food. In particular, they pursuit of diningambience while they have a meal. The French people even give a philosophicalsense of their food.

             People always say that: "Feelthe atmosphere of the dinner on the table, you can judge the overallpersonality of the people in this country." From my own experience inFrance, I can feel that French people like to talk while having a meal withfriends or family to promote friendship, they enjoy it very much and regardedit as fun and joy. During this time study abroad in France, I learned a lotabout Table Manners and French food culture, that is why I am extremely excitedabout this French cuisine in Professor Anna’s house.

             My friends and I made Mousse au Chocolatunder the guidance of Professor Anna. I did not expect that making chocolatemousse is so easy! Our ingredients only are chocolate, butter, eggs, and salt,how simple is that! But our Mousse au Chocolat is very delicious and it hasvery rich flavor in it. Another group made Crepes Salees, which is also very delicious.It has egg, jambon, formage, and potato in it. Crepes Salees is very deliciousand nutritious, is an excellent homemade cuisine.

             We all had a very satisfied lunch, thankyou very much for professor Anna and Thao. I will try to cook it once I go backto America and share them with my friends and family.

My birthday

 Yesterday is my 22nd birthday!!!  There are so much things and emotions come to my mind. I remember last time I did study abroad I was the youngest in the group, but this time study abroad in France i became one of the oldest in our group which is very sad. I always thought I was still a little kid, seventeen or eighteen, regardless of doing anything and have the opportunity to start over, I can also find an excuse to have fun or to wander. Unknowingly this year i became 22-year-old. I begin to realize that i have learned something from everyone who passes through my live, some lessons are painful and some are beautiful. It actually shocked myself that time flies really fast.

        I actually really happy that my birthday happened to be in France and i could celebrate my birthday with all my MSU study group friends.  One of the best thing for me to study in France is that I meet these best people in MSU. They are lovely, kind and gentle. I am grateful to know them.

       Anyway, begin with the morning. My host mom made a bouquet of flowers from her garden as a gift for me. It is very beautiful and she prepared the whole morning for me. I love it so much because Pink is my favorite color ever.

         After I arrived school, everybody gave me a hug and told me 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY'. In the afternoon, we went to the wine tasting class, we had the Le fromage de chèvre and Millettes de porc with Vin Rouge. Those are the best composition ever!

        Even though I had a very long classes yesterday, I was still very excited to celebrate my birthday by going out to party with all my friends. We went to the bar at place plume where we all got very drunk. I started out the night drinking wine and martini blanc, then for some dumb reason, I switched over to tequila. After 5 shots, I'm glad that i am still alive... only thing i remember is the police officer ask me "do you want go with me?" and on the way home Jane Kim and Maame Efua keep telling me "shut up".... I know i will never forget this birthday, Today everyone is telling me that on the way home, i was saying :"You people are so stupid. I told you no tequila!" which i don't even remember it... but is all worth it.

       Efua said "getting XiangYi Sun HOME tonight was an Ordeal I will never forget.. I feel like I ran a marathon and lifted 100lbs while doing so!! the things we do for friends.. OHH she's gonna pay for it right Jane and Cera!! :D (evil grin)" 

        Eille said: "Last night I learned that Asians are the hardest partiers on the planet. I also learned that it is customary for the birthday girl/boy to buy everyone ELSE drinks."

       Today everybody came to me and tell me story about "tequila and me" which i don't even know, that was how drunk i was!! But I am glad that everybody had fun on my birthday, Thanks for all my friends <3!

Cassis

 Today Jane and me caught the earliest train to Cassis which isa commune situated east of Marseille in the department of Bouches-du-Rhône inthe Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southern France. We cannot wait toenjoy the sunshine and the beautiful ocean. Cassis is a very beautiful seaside townand a popular tourist destination, which is matching our imagination of southFrance. Cassis has natural beauty because of the Calanques, the fiords ofFrance, huge limestone cliffs that rise from the sea. They are white limestonecovered with green scrub pine and with the beautiful blue sky, the mostextraordinary azure sea and the brilliant sun the beauty is stunning.

Unfortunately, today the boat tours is closedbecause of the strong wind, so Jane and me end up hiking with bikini and sandals,but it turn up to be the best part of Cassis trip! This is some serious hikingbut it leads to the best views and the best beaches. Even though the beach isfairly small but sandy and pleasant. There are a number of places to eat facingthe marina and some bistros off of the main area. Overall, we enjoyed Cassisvery much.

Arrived Marseille

 We all know that Marseille is the second most populated city of France and the biggest Mediterranean port and the economic center of France. But I have to say that after Jane and me arrived here, we are shocked by this city's dirty and messy, also the poorly public safety problem.

             We walked around little beside our hotel; at least we have seen 10 or more homeless people or beggars on the streets in only half hour! A lot of street ruffian trying to strike up a conversation with us, which is very scary!

             At night, we met up with three other girls who came to travel here from our MSU study abroad group. They told us DO NOT STAY IN MARSEILLE, go to Cassis (a small town close to Marseille) and only come back here to sleep in the hotel. They get scared because the day before we arrive here, there was a random guy who came to the girls, touched their arms and said some stupid things.

             We also get to know that the gang hit squad is in Marseille. Gang underworld in Marseille had been involved in the manufacturing and trafficking of illegal heroin abroad for so many years in the history. This explained why Marseille had a very dark and gloomy atmosphere filled the streets. I have never see these much of homeless people in Europe before.

             From my personal opinion, this city is not dangerous for girls who want to travel in France!!

Murano& Burano

               This morning we bought a 12-hour water bus passes, the first boat to the Murano. 18th century the glass factory were often fire, so the government decided to put all the glass manufacturers to move to this island. Since then the island has a large concentration of glass factories. Colored glass products dazzling, and in vivid shape. 

the next stop for us is Burano, the waterbus send us to a fairy tale world. The houses on the island are brush in different colors. Specialty products in the island are Venice mask and lace. I bought some lace products for my mom, she will love this place. the laces are all hand made, there are so many old ladies siting in the shop and making lace. it is kind of remind me my grandmother, she use to make lace and clothe to me when i was little. 

VENEZSIA

After we arrived, we toke the water bus which is stop next to the train station in Venice. And according to the location on the map, we find our hostel. it is a very Venetian-style old house.
Hostel worker is very nice, he provide Internet access services and maps for us.
We walk around little bit and had dinner on a plaza, because we arrived very late, so most of the restaurants are closed.
Even though we just arrived few hours here, i still can tell that Venice is undoubtedly the most beautiful man-made city in the world. Wandering around with Jane, we see beautiful buildings and street everywhere in Venice.

i am very excited for tomorrow!!

Vatican city

          Today we went to visit vatican City which is located in  the northwest corner of a Rome, it is the seat of the Catholic Church and the highest authority of the Holy See.

As the religious center of the world's sixth population, the Vatican has smallest territorial area, and least populated in the world. Vatican City is a great cultural treasures of the world. 

But unfortunately, we do not enter inside the Vatican because we were wearing shorts. People cannot visit inside of Vatican City if they are not fully covered. 

                      After we toke the picture, we went to the restroom and there is a lady cleaning the toilettes. i was trying to enter on of it, but she come to my face and saying something in Italian. i said sorry to her but she continue talking for 6 or 7 mins!! Jane told me that she was saying dirty words to me after we left there. i can't believe why she is this mean to me. I did not do anything wrong, as Jane said 'God will judge her, that's why she is cleaning toilettes.'

it is such a bad memory to me, nobody can be louder and ruder than Italians!!

Second day in Rome

               We had a very good sleep last night, our plan for Today is to visit Colosseum. On the way to colosseum, We had a great breakfast which are pizze and pasta, I think it was the best Italy food I have ever had. After that we have been walking for 40mins under the sun to get Colossceum. 

I can't believe that Colosseum is in front of me because when I was a kid I love to watch history channel and I always think what Rome looks like in real life. Colosseum is a four-storey elegant building, a huge oval-shaped theater, it can accommodate 50,000 spectators. Colosseum exemplary masterpiece of architectural history and it is miracles, huge, magnificent, and spectacular. Although only half of the skeleton, but people can still feel its majestic momentum. Now the Colosseum is only a number of ruins, but it is the symbol of Roman history. It is the most outstanding Roman monuments and the most famous representative in one of the eight spots in the world. But at same time I feel sad that the colosseum is destroyed very badly in the war. We stand on the top of the colosseum and imagine what it looks like back to thrand years ago. 

After we left colosseum, we went to visit Trevi fountain. It is the largest Roman Baroque style fountain and it is also the city famous sights, tourists are usually make a wish here. Jane and me also made a wish :) we heard that this fountain in 19 BC, supposedly with the help of a virgin, Roman technicians located a source of pure water some 13 km  from the city. in the movie <three coins in the fountain> says if the traveler throw a coin in the fountain, they will return to Rome once again. It is said that if people are throwing two coins in the Trevi Fountain, then you will encounter a new love story; If you throw three coins, you will at least get married or divorced. I wish i will return to Rome again with my parents. 

Today is such a great day, but we were very tired after visited those places. On the way to hotel, we bought a hug watermelon and a champagne. We mix the watermelon and champagne together, it taste amzingly good. Thanks Jane for this great idea, I love it :)

Rome trip with Jane

               Tonight is the first ningt for us in Rome, we living in a hotel beside train station. The worker here is very nice, he introduced a lot of famous place to us and also told us how to got to the places. Here is very hot which is totally different from France. We met Erin at the airport, so we decided to have dinner together, but we went to a japenese rastrauent. The waiters were very waired and rude. They seem like ignoring us because we were sitting there very long time and nobody come around. Finally the waiter came, we told him that we will decide the wine later, but he never came back ask us. Their attitudes are also very bad and never smile!! All of us have a very bad importation of Italien people after the first meal here. Hope tomorrow we will see something new.

i cooked for my host family

 Late week, my just knew that my host mom already 75 years old! I was shocked because she looks so young and she is still very active. I see her makes dinner and wash clothes for us everyday, I feel like I want to do something for her too, so I decide to cook for my host mom and my host brother and sisters.

My host mom went to the market with me. On the way there, she holds my hand and told me that I am her Chinese daughter, I was very touched so I told her that she is “Ma mère française” she seems so happy to hear that.

 In the market, there is an old guy came to us went we were looking for coconut milk for my curry. He showed us where is the coconut milk, but we actually do not want that kind, but my host mom Monique toke it and tell me that we will put it back once he gone, because he came to help us and we need to be polite. She is such a lovely gentle lady.

After I finish cooking, I ask her to help me to cook rice, but she completely forgets it. So we had only chicken curry… I guess that she did see that I was little upset when she told us that she forgets to cook rice. My host brother and sister are kind, even we have no rice, but they are keep telling me that it is very good and how much they like it.  And after we finished the dinner, she told me she feel very sorry and it is her mistake. When I told her that it is fine, she said: uh… thank you, now I could sleep well tonight.

 I blamed myself that why I showed that upset emotion to make a 75 year old to apologize to me. I hope she will not keep it in her mind because I did not care about the rice; I just want she have a day off and get some rest. After I finish this journal I will go to give her a hug and tell her good night. 

Paris!!

          Today is an excited day for all of us, because we came to Paris! Our first stop is the Musee d'Orsay. It is the Museum of Modern Art in Paris, it has the major collections from 1848 to 1914 such as painting, sculpture, furniture and photography. Orsay Museum is extremely delicate and beautiful, you can hardly tell that it is a reconstruction of a train station.

         For me, the most exciting things in this museum is to see Van Gogh's painting!!!

i have seen the Nuit étoilée sur le Rhône, La Chambre à coucher, Le Docteur Gachet, Eugène Boch and L'Église d'Auvers! For me, the most exciting things in this museum is to see Van Gogh's painting!!! i have seen the Nuit étoilée sur le Rhône, La Chambre à coucher, Le Docteur Gachet, Eugène Boch and L'Église d'Auvers! Nuit étoilée sur le Rhône is has always been my favorite painting, in this painting we cloud see that Van Gogh captured the wave of river and the twinkling stars on the sky. i really wish i could come to see it every day. 

         After that we went to NOTRE-DAME, it was founded in 1163, it lasted 180 years to completed the church. Notre Dame is a Gothic-style Christian church is a symbol of the ancient Paris. It stands in the Seine River, located in the center of the entire city of Paris. Its status, the historical value is unmatched, is one of the most splendid buildings in the history. I remember the first time I see Notre-dame is in the movie《 Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris 》I watched with my mother when I was around 15 years-old. I was very shocked because of Quasimodo’s ugly look: the geometric shape of the face, the horseshoe-shaped mouth, uneven teeth, one-eyed, deaf, hump ... Works as a Romantic, dramatic scenes that give us an exciting shock, the contradiction between the characters was most vividly. 

          At night, Nai, Jane, Cera, Andy and me, we went to see the La Tour Eiffel. We seat in front of the Eiffel Tour and lamented that Eiffel Tower is a true miracle. When night falls, the lights illuminate the Eiffel Tower, it is even more spectacular and romantic. I couldn’t tell how beautiful it is. We were seating there and looking at it for 5 hours, but it’s still cannot get enough. it is the best night in France. I think that came to study abroad in France is the best decision i have ever made. it cleared my mind about what i want to do in the future, more importantly i love the people around me, they are smart, kind and lovely. 

visit Château d'Azay-le-Rideau & Château de Villandry

Château d'Azay-le-Rideau:
I really like this castle, it has the Italian architectural style. It is in the new antique taste, but the bastion corners capped by pointed cones.


"Gilles Berthelot, Treasurer-General of the Finances of France under King Francis I and mayor of Tours, began reconstructing Azay-le-Rideau's earlier medieval castle, that was part of his wife's inheritance. However, it was his wife, Philippe Lesbahy, who directed the course of the works, including its central internal staircase (escalier d'honneur) that is Azay's greatest most remarkable feature, inspired by the staircase at Châteaudun.
When Berthelot was suspected of collusion in embezzlement he was forced to flee from incomplete Azay-le-Rideau in 1528; he never saw the château again. Instead, the king confiscated the property and gave it as a reward to one of his high-ranking soldiers.
Over the centuries, it changed hands several times until the early part of the twentieth century, when it was purchased by the French government and restored. The interior was completely refurbished with a collection of Renaissance pieces. Today, the château is open to public visits."

The central staircase is the main feature a visitor meets with upon entering. 

 Gilles Berthelot, Treasurer-General of the Finances of France under King Francis I and mayor of Tours and his wife Philippe Lesbahy

Château de Villandry:

Château de Villandry is owned by the Carvallo family, the Château de Villandry is open to the public and is one of the most visited châteaux in France. I am very shocked when I saw this garden, it is extremely beautiful. Its famous Renaissance gardens include a water garden, ornamental flower gardens, and vegetable gardens.

I have a very good time of visiting these beautiful places, it is also a very valuable opportunity for me to  learn more about French culture and history.
Hope one day I could visit here again here with my parents.

Musee des Beaux-Arts

Today we went to Musee des Beaux-Arts. There is a ver scary looking elephant.  he is actually very famous in Tours. we have read that this elephant is very dangerous because he destroyed many houses.

We also went to a Irish Pizza restaurant in place plume, we had very delicious pizza there.
last month when i go back to China, my mom told me that she and my dad love to go to eat pizza these days. i really wish that they are here with me and try this delicious pizza.

the waiter in that restaurant is from England. he is a a old bald man, but he is very funny. We love to go there having some good food and talk with him. His British accent always make us laugh, he also make funny of our American accent a lot. 

In love with Tours

          We beginner our class about a week now, I had so much fun study here. The first day of class, our teacher called me “Petit chinois”, I guess it because my Chinese name is too hard to remember. I think it is pretty funny and now everyone in our group begin to call me “Petit chinois”

          I have been exploring the city with my new friend Jane, Efua and Nai these days.  Jane has a really good memory of the entire road we have been walked. She is kind of like our “GPS” in Tours, because we know that we could never go to wrong way if we follower her lead.

          Today is the first weekend for us here, so we decided to go to picnic beside the river. We went to the market and bought different kinds of “Fromage, pain et du vin” we chat, laugh and sharing everything we seen here. We had a very good time today.

          At night Nai, Jane, Efua and me we went to dinner together, we found a very nice restaurant and they have very delicious dish there. When we were trying to order the food by speaking French, I saw the waiter was trying to hold him smile because our French with American accent do sounds funny sometimes. But at least we tried very hard to speak and learn here :)

on the way home we toke some amazing night view pictures. i feel the night view is 10 times better than the day time. The night time in Tours is very stunning. 

 We found a random chinese guy toke this picture for us, and the picture came out very nicely, We though that he is a potential photographer. HAHA

I do not know when to begin, I am having so much fun and freedom.  Even though I am living with my single life, but there are so much happiness. i could not be more appreciated of my family and friends around me. 

Philippe Alliet Chinon

                    Aujourd'hui, je ai bu le Philippe Alliet Chinon avec mes amis. Personnellement, je pense que Philippe Alliet Chinon est un très bon vin et très abordable. Chinon a une très simple et propre etiquette de vin. Chinon est pure et a une couleur brillante et magnifiquement équilibrée. Quand je le boire, je me suis senti peu épicée sur ma langue, mais il est très délicieux. Je sens le goût des fruits avec des tanins lisses et une acidité peu. 

Get to know the city

             Today I walk to the school for 20mins, even though I hate walking so much but the view here is very beautiful. I saw few swans in the little pound while I was walking to school.  After everybody arrived school, we did the orientation and everyone in our group seems like very friendly. We were walking around though the whole city in Tours; it is a very beautiful city.

 I love this city a lot, but the strange thing here is that most shop closed on Monday!


At night, we went to an open-air bar here. It was awesome night and I am so happy get to know the people in my group and spent time with them.