Princess Diary

Our CEA study abroad group is quite the lovely bunch. It's funny that we are ALL business majors of some sort, be it Marketing, International Relations, Mathematics and Economics, or Finance, we're all part of the same flock. Thus, even in France, I still live in a business bubble! Seriously, I think we've got a really great group. It's only about eight of us, but I think we're all little bookworms (in reference to an English bookstore in town by the same name), with a little outdoorsy side and a love of saying French words.

Things that are adorable...

1) French kids. They're kids... only speaking French. I melt due to the obscene cuteness.

2) Little old men who stop in the street to tell you (in French) that Grenoble it the best place in the world due to the culture, climate (apparently he's in a different city, it's freakin' cold), the mountains, and the people.

3) Rapunzel is "Raiponce" in French. The advertisement for the movies and are everywhere, and can't help but think of my cute cousins who love Rapunzel and would be really confused looking at the signs.

4) Un café gourmand. It's a small cup of coffee with three itsy bitsy desserts all on one plate. Parfait. Coffee and dessert!

Important things about Grenoble...

1) The French revolution (the most recent one) started here at a town meeting place. The meeting place was moved to a nearby town after the rebels were run out, but the original idea of revolting originated in my city. Anarchists.

2) We are completely surrounded by snow-capped mountains. It's absolutely gorgeous. You can even look around and tell where you are in the city based on your orientation to the mountains since each mountain range (le Belledonne, les Chartreuse, et les Vercors) looks a little different.

3) They are still celebrating Christmas with lights streamed across the alleyways and huge ornament-like balls hung in the square.

4) Apparently they have a HUGE mall and TWO H&Ms. Kate and I flipped. Zara, maybe? I hear they have a neat supply chain.

Oh, this is now, officially, my princess diary due to the need to find Julie Andrews, convince her that I am a long lost grand-daughter of some sort, meet a gorgeous prince charming (that may already be a check), and have a huge walk-in closet. Grenoble=Genovia, right?

Parlez-vous bientôt!