Musee Matisse

Today, my friend Tammi and I went to the musée Matisse. While I am not a fan of Matisse's art I do like his sculptures. Musée Matisse does not allow pictures, so this the closest that I could get. 

While some of sculptures look almost like masks. Tête de faune for example almost looks like a devils mask. The one sculpture that I really liked was Le Tiaré.  It almost looks like a woman's face, but also has some characteristics of a flower that Matisse had seen in the south seas.

What I did like about this trip to the musée was the park around the musée. The park was both a monument to some of the greats of jazz. 

It also contained roman ruins.

The area had something for everyone. Even bocci ball!

 

Sick...

So, I got food poisoning. I was trying some food in the Old Town area, and suddenly got a migraine. Lets just say the rest of the night was not pleasant.  All I could think about was this Italian soda that I got from the musée Chagall's cafe. 

I got the fraise (strawberry) flavor. So far it is on of my all time favorite drinks that I have had in France. It was so good, that while I was sick, I wanted more. At lunch, I will see if I could have another one.

Bastille Day!

This past Sunday was Bastille day, or La Fête Nationale in France. Bastille day is the anniversary of the French revolutionaries tore down Bastille prison. This action was the start of the French Revolution. 

In Nice, they set up moving stages so that there were concerts all up and down the promenade. At 10 o'clock pm, the lights on the promenade shut off and the fireworks began. I feel little bias, thought. While the fireworks were good here I feel like the fireworks in the states are better.  Please don't hate me!!

All in all Bastille day was very enjoyable!

Back to the Chateau...

So today I went back up to the chateau de Nice.  Only to realize, that when Madame Norris took us we went up the easy back way. Lets just say that by the time we got to the top my feet was hurting me to the point that I had to do something. 

Yeah... It was bad.

Since I had gone up before I was able to see things that I might have missed out on earlier. Like the Israelite cemetery.  

It's always a shock to my system when I come across memorials for World War II. For the simple reason, that I don't have easy access to any around me.  Here in Nice, not only are there memorials, but they still have ceremonies to honor those who died protecting France during WWII.

Since I doing my research on the chateau, I was very excited when I came across an old gate.

I thought it was so pretty and it looked like it had been apart of something at one time.  

Going back to the Chateau was very fun and interesting.  I saw lot of random things, like a tai chi class for example. It was an interesting way to end the day!

Local food..

So recently, I was able to try socca. Socca is a specialty of Nice. It's a pancake that is made from chickpeas and olive oil.  It's roots can be trace back to the early days of Nice. It still is a common item in some of niçois restaurants in Nice.

Socca is best when eaten hot, and with olive oil.  I found it to be very delicious, but a lot for one person.  I felt like I had to be rolled out of there.  I definitely have plans to go back before I leave.

Well this sucks...

So... My computer just totally crashed. I am hoping that by the morning it will be ok. At this point I don't know what to do. I am currently blogging from my phone. :(

Musee Chagall

So I recently went to the Musee Chagall.  The musee Chagall contained many of the works that Chagall did during his lifetime. 

Marc Chagall was born in Vitebsk, Belarus in 1887.  His hometown pops up over and over in his biblical paintings.  Chagall is known for his biblical paintings.

The above painting is called the burning bush.  On the right, it shows Moses coming into contact with the bush.  On the left, it shows Moses with the ten commandments.  According to the Musee, his paintings tell several stories in one painting, somewhat similar to the paintings seen in Russian churches.  Seeing how when Chagall was growing up Belarus was apart of Russia, it makes sense that he would have been influenced by the churches around him.  

I find that I like the biblical art better than some of his earlier work.  Even though some of his earlier work was in color, the biblical paintings seem to be alive in with color.  The paintings almost glowed.

All in all, the musee Chagall was an interesting perspective on the growth of Chagall as an artist.  It was a quite enjoyable way to spend the morning.

My First Excursion Trip

So the school here in France, does what they call, excursion trips that allows the students to see more of the Cote D'Azure area of France.  Today we went to the Villa Kérylos.  It is a beautiful villa that was built by Théodore Reinach. 

The house was built with the intention of being a replica of the homes in the ancient greece.  everything from the beds, to the showers, to walls were replicas.

The house was very beautiful but what took my breathe away was the view  of the water from the house.  

The water was so clear, and perfect!!  You could even see sea urchins in the water!! Looking at this is a quick and easy reminder that I am not in Chicago anymore!!  I don't want to leave!!!

First day of class

So the day is finally here!  The first day of French summer school.  Its very interesting.  While one teacher speaks english enough to help us if we have problems, the other teacher doesn't.  So while my french is better than some, its still a little hard to follow.  It's a challenge but its one that I want to try to do.  but its interesting to see how other people handle it.  if they like it or if they decide that they hate.  Personally, I am excited for this experience!!

Till next time!! 

Candice

Madame's Last Day... :(

So today was Madame Norris's last day with us.  To say goodbye we went to dinner in the Port area of Nice.  Madame explained that this area was good because of how close the restaurants are to the water and that the seafood is fresh.  While at the Port, Madame introduced us to the custom of aperitifs.  Aperitifs are drinks that a person can have before the meal.  Since our reservations wasn't till about 7 o'clock, we decided to enjoy this custom.  

I decided to have the cafe creme.  I don't know what it is about the coffee here but is so much better than the coffee at home.  It's not as bitter, nor as strong.  I don't need to add a lot of sugar to it.  After the aperitifs, we walked a little farther up the Port and went to L'Escale ( the stopover).  At L'Escale, I ordered the mussels, in fish sauce.

They were so fresh and tender!!!  I have never had anything like it!!  It was truly an experience everyone should have!  The experience's that i have had this past week have been unbelievable!!  The sites i've seen; the amount of walking I've done; and the food I've eaten, has all been thanks to Madame Norris.  Merci Madame Norris!!!

Walked a Thousand Miles...

Yesterday my teacher, Madame Norris, decided to take us to the old town of Nice.  Which included a tour of the Chateau de Nice. 

It had gorgeous panoramic views, cute cafes, and amazing scenery.   It also had alot of walking.  By the time we got back to the room, it felt like I had literally walked a thousand miles.  I feel like i was fine, until we got off the bus.  The walk home from the bus stop, for some reason felt horrible.  I think it was mostly because I just wanted to sit down, and lay down.

It will not be a surprise to anyone that my favorite stop was the at Monsieur Gelato.  They had so many flavors that it was hard to decide!!  It was so good, sweet but not overly sweet!  I ended up with the pêche (peach) flavor.  Soo good!

Till next time!!

Candice

My First Day!

Today Will be my first full day in Nice!!!  I wish there was a way that you could understand just how excited I am!!!

Upon arrival yesterday, I completely forgot how tired and jetlagged I was.  Once we checked in, I ran to my room, freshened up and met up with the other study abroad girls.  We walked around Nice for a bit and found a place to eat.  We were having so much fun that time slipped away from us!  We had to catch the bus but to our rooms.  Nothing says welcome to France like having to take the bus at night in a country where you are fluent in the local language!  All in all, I had a wonderful day.  And I am already learning a lot.  Like for instance, the French don't really do doggie bags!  

More to update soon!
Candice

Close, Very Close

Currently I am sitting in Sweden.  I am very tired, hungry, and my head hurts.  That being said I am have a good time.  The study abroad girls are good company.  I am so lucky that we all get along and can work with each others strengths and weaknesses.  Once Madame Norris leave, we will only have each other!!  We will have a great time, and everything is going to work out for the better!!!

Research topic ideas...

So I have to come up with a research topic. The problem is that I still have no clue what to write about.  In the beginning I wanted to make my research topic something that deals with food.  While thinking about how I wanted to present about this, all I could come up with, was taking pictures of the food that I would eat in Nice, and trying to describe them.  Then I thought that it might, be fun to do actual research.  Find a topic that deals with the history of Nice and try to find out more about it.

My main problem is that i want to have a topic that is different, something that I would enjoy researching.  I am hoping that everything will come together the way that it needs to.

7 days away...

 So today, I officially packed my suitcase.  By the end of the week, my backpack will be fully packed.  I will say this, I am excited and very nervous.  I say that my anxiety, is the cause of my nerves.  I want to go, and do well.  But the newness of the situation is what's getting to me.  Going to leave in another country is not something that I am taking lightly.  I always dreamed of doing something like this. Its just at times, my nerves get the best of me...  In my heart i know that things are going to be fine, and that everything will work out.  I have a feeling that the moment i get to France everything will be ok. As it usually is when i do something new.     I just have to be patient and not let my mind get to me.

Fundraiser Phase 1

So every month until I leave I am doing a fundraiser to help me raise money for France.  Since baking is a hobby of mine, I decided to sell homemade cupcakes.  Here are some pictures of the end results.

So far, I've gotten positive feedback!  XD

 

The Last Time I was in Europe.

I wanted to share this photo real quick.  The last time I was in Europe I was a toddler.  My dad was serving in the military and was stationed in Germany.  My mom decided to take full advantage of the situation, because she didn't know the next time that she would be in Europe.  There are pictures of me going Paris and Germany, but this is my mom and I favorite one.

This is me in an abandoned castle in Germany.  I think its one of my cutest pics.  Just wanted to share that.  :)

Èze France

Èze is village that is located outside of Nice, France.  It is perched on a mountain region with a great view of the Mediterranean sea.  The village of Èze is located in the of a castle that was torn down in the 1700's.  The buildings of Èze have been restored to look like they did in medieval times.  Èze has gorgeous walking paths with plenty to see.

Èze has always been the name of this mountain village.  the name however has had different forms before becoming what it is today. The first record of its name is Avizio in the 4th century.  When Italy took control of the country the name transformed to Èsa, later the name would change into Èze.  

 Èze is also known for their two perfumeries, Galimard and Fragonard.    Fragonard is a shop and a factory attached that offers free tours.  Both of the perfumeries, offers a discount if you get a map of Èze from the Office de Tourisme.

With the gorgeous views that Èze has, there are restaurants every where.  The higher up the mountain you go, the better the view, the more expensive the restaurant.  Be careful because some planning might have to be involved.  Some of the restaurants require reservations.  With the meals costing around 40€ and up, or about $54.

Èze is one of the places that I know for a fact is on the list for things to see while in Nice.  I can not tell you how excited I am.  I know that I will be doing the perfume tour, and will try to go to one of the restaurants.  Hopefully one of the ones with the really nice view.

Environ Moi

Bonjour!

Je m'appelle Candice.  Je suis américaine.  Je habit Country Club Hill, extérieur de Chicago. Je habit avec mon pere, ma mere, et mon petite frère.  Mon anniversaire est seize Mars, et j'ai trente et un ans.  J'aime fais la cuisine, et lire un livre, et regard le cinèma.  Je ètude à l' Chicago State Université.  Moi spécialisation major est therapy occupational, et mon spéicalisation minor est français. Je préféré de couleure rose et bleue.    Moi préféré nourriture est le poulet.  J'ador gâteau au chocolat.

Merci pour livre moi blog!!!

Candi

Bonjour!!!

Soyez la bienvenue mon blog!!

This the blog is where I will be chronicling my preparation, trip, and return from Nice, France.  As many of you know I was accepted into Chicago State University's Study Abroad Program.  This program involves me spending a month in France as part of the Université de Nice International summer school.  This program is basically an immersion program that is designed to help me get better at speaking French.  As time goes on I will have more information about my fundraising efforts, shopping and other things that will come up.

Au Revoir!!

Candi

P.S.

Here is the schools website if anyone wants to check it out!  Non french speakers you might want to translate the page. :)

http://unice.fr/international/portail-etudiants-etrangers/etudier-a-luns/universite-dete-de-francais