Just one of those days . . .

Belated jubilation!

The German-American Alliance for Obama.


6am and the amphitheater is packed with Sciences Po students. Who would have thought we would be so interested in politics?
South Dakota, Represent!! Spence conducts an interview for French TV.
Floriane en Gaëlle stayed up all night for the festivities.

Life's mysteries can always be explained through reality TV analogies

On Monday I woke up wanting to be a consultant (at least for a 2-5 year time frame). I went to school, sat through a few classes, read a report on consulting . . . it all seemed to be going well. Then I checked out the Sciences Po career website and discovered a 1 1/2 day workshop/recruiting tool for a Capgemini Consulting. My gut reaction was "ughhhhh, no."

I think it can be easy sometimes to get swept up into something that may not really be the right fit. Think of people that go on dating shows like "The Bachelor." The need to be wanted, to not be rejected, and to win blinds contestants to the fact that they may not actually like the bachelor. I have turned into one of those pathetic women. Well, at least I figured it out before I made it to the ring ceremony.

Consulting is still an option, but I need to look into boutique consultancies that deal specifically with sustainable development. I can justify long hours if it is for a good cause. Making money and helping other people make money doesn't really do it for me.

Recycled yarn

This is for Kelsey: Here are the pillowcases made from recycled yarn I was talking about.

Cocktails and Sustainable Development

I never reported on my BCG event I attended last Wednesday.

When I arrived we were given documents on carbon sequestration (I feel quite strongly about this sham of a solution. It's hardly on the cutting edge of sustainable development, and it would never be viable without government subsidies. What returns do you get by sticking carbon in the ground? Honestly!!! Arghhh!!!! Enough ranting). So I wasn't really feeling the BCG vibe, but that soon ended.

After a presentation on the company and another on their general approach to sustainable development, a consultant talked about electric cars. She was really passionate about it, and she restored my interest in BCG. I was also relieved not to have to listen to praises of "clean" carbon technology.

Afterwards we had the opportunity to talk to consultants and associates of BCG. I was brave and assertive about approaching people. I'm getting over my timidity when it comes to talking to people I don't know in French. I think this was one occasion where my accent was an asset. It really helps start a conversation because the first 3 topics are already determined as soon as the other person hears my accent.

1) Oh, where are you from?
2) I've lived/traveled/know someone in the states . . .
3) What did you think of the elections?

I'm "installed"

I can officially say, "je suis bien installée" (I'm all settled in).

The electrician came this morning, and I have a fully functioning "chambre de bonne" (traditional servants quarters). Mine has been fully refurbished and furnished with new furniture and dishes. I also have an elevator; I'm on the 7th floor. So, I wouldn't exactly say I'm roughing it.

I've been finding all kinds of fun surprises.

First surprise - I found pillows and a comforter in the closet still in the packaging. I just had to get a duvet cover and pillow cases.

Second surprise - I went to buy sheets for my sofa bed and the man at the store told me I needed a double. I looked skeptically at the exact model of my Muji sofa bed in the store. I know things are bigger in the US, but honestly, how on earth could this be a double. A few seconds later, the man had the cushions pulled out and fashioned into a double bed. I felt silly.

Third surprise - Gifts in the microwave! My landlords are so sweet. They even bought a plastic cover for reheating dishes and a special microwave dish for steaming vegetables.



The most satisfying part of my weekend was seeing my landlord just about lose his cool with the good-for-nothing electricians. It makes me feel better that I'm not the only one to have problems with the utility companies in France. It would have been months before my electricity worked if it had been up to me, but M. Collignon (my landlord) refused to let them leave until they came up with a solution. This was the 6th time someone had come to the apartment and determined that the cable was not their responsibility. M. Collignon ended up paying for a private electrician to come by. He was quite disgusted with the whole ordeal.

New apartment!

I get electricity tomorrow (fingers crossed). Until then, I'm chillin' chez Stephanie & Elizabeth. What nice friends I have! And they have a sofa bed!