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les Gateaux

So I moved in, Finally!

you can send you cookies and love notes to:

9 Avenue D'Italie

63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France

Romantic name huh?!

So This weekend we moved in, and then made a dinner for all our American Friends! Dinner for the French friends will come soon...but i need a little settling time!

In the meantime, our flat in INCREDIBLE...except, our neighbor. We live above an older...well...cat lady, who doesn't like us to walk around our house after 7PM...We already gotten once visit and a note. :) oh well, life gives you some challenges and this is probably the least of our worries here in France.

My little camp bed.

The fireplace in my room and mon amoire...that's very very temporarie

So the crown is part of a game. You bake random trinkets in a cake and whoever bites into them "gets" to wear the crown. Obviously, i bit into it.

my petite crown

Ju Ju being French

My first French home, that I shared with 2 other girls...

Our Mexican Dinner, first official meal to cook in our flat!

I'm doing well so far...no homesickness (sorry mom and Dad, I miss you, but well, France Rocks!) I love making friends with the French people, they have all been sooo friendly and welcoming!

Life here is very different. Im currently just another face, in just another town. just a dot. But hopefully that will change very very soon! It's time to make a imprint on Clermont-Ferrand!

homeless no more!

I am homeless no more!!!!! We finally moved into our flat...well sorta.

We signed the papers, and moved our clothes there...unfortunately, the apartment is non-moble...which means unfurnished. Tomorrow=furniture shopping, and spending WAYYY to much money, but all is well in the world, because I have a place to rest my head at night!

Beautiful cieling, Ghetto light fixture

Our living room, this pic doesn't do it justice!

My Awesome room! Favorite part=fireplace!

Kitchen, 70s style

Traded my Sorority Screams for French Kisses

Bonjour Mes Amis!

So, today as I was standing in our ecole, AKA school, and as I was watching the people around me and realized just how different the world is, where I'm now currently residing. I've traded my girly loud, American sorority greetings for quiet and polite kisses on the cheek.

Greek for Chic?

I think so. It's beautiful really, that fact that traditions are so different across the world, but now my adventure is learning how to fit in!

So one week and a half ago, I arrived in Clermont-Ferrand, France, but I feel like it's already been about 3 months! We were welcomed by an amazing party of Students from the school I am attending, Group ESC. It's a Ecole Superior du Commerce, which is like a university, except...more specialized.

The French Students and I playing " babyfoot"

This is the Place de Jaude, basically the center of town

Julia (one of the students from my program) and I were whisked away to the apartment of a Moroccan exchange student, also attending ESC! We were...crowded, we stayed 3 people in a small studio for the past week and a half. We've had many adventures in our small place, some good, some not, including a deflating air matress, and broken lightbulbs, but all-in-all, it's been a wonderful introduction to French Culture, thanks to our many new French Friends!

Meet Sarah

Our temporary Awesome French roomate is in the middle right!

One of our biggest struggles thus far on the Trip has been housing. There have been many delays, and struggles. I originally planned to stay with a host family, but this fell through pretty quickly, because of the timing of my arrival. So I changed to wanting an apartment; however, There is a new law just this year in France, that if you want an apartment, you have to have a guarantor in France, which...I don't have. We were hoping to be moved in by this past Monday...but delays happen, and we are still imposing on the hospitality of our new friends!

At least the food and cafe are good...

I drink cafe in cafe's nonstop...

This is why I'm actually here...

But the Best news came today! We found a new flat for 3 girls to live in, and if all goes according to plan (which would be a first for this trip :)) then we can move in tomorrow!!

Learning French is incredibly fun! Although, I'm completely horrible as of right now, I think i'm catching on fast! we've been working hard, and have much more to come!

At least maybe Ill look the part??

It's incredibly hard to describe the array of emotions I've experience in the past week. It almost feels that language, words, are not enough.

I have so much to write, and not enough time. Hopefully I will be in an apartment soon, with better internet access. Until then, I wish you the best! I'm about to have some GREAT French Adventures!

kiss kiss, Bonne Nuit,

Jenny

Once

Once.

One of my favorite movies of all time is an independent film called Once. Those of you who have seen it will hopefully understand this, those of you who haven’t, I’ll try to explain.

Once is about those moments, where peoples’ lives happen to collide, even for the smallest of moments, and then move on in their separate directions. Even though they’re aren’t together, this moment or interaction alters the lives of each person. Once

Once…I moved 6 states away to South Carolina. Once, I lived alone. Once I struggle. But once there were people who became part of my life even the most important part. Some I won’t ever see again, some I will.

Once, my life was changed.

Over the past 6 Months, my life has traveled not only through several places but every emotion possible. I’ve been tossed and turned in what we called Grad school, which is actually a cleverly disguised mental prison. I came to South Carolina, knowing 1 girl, and thank goodness. I went to a school, I met some people, I went to church, met some people. Then I began meeting people who knew people. My web was bigger and better. Then faces became familiar and trustworthy, and suddenly I had a life, in a place where I had originally felt so alone.

The most amazing part of life is things change, and I believe that people change us.

Unfortunately, now it's changing all over again.

Once, I decided to go to France. I leave this Saturday on a new adventure, and while I once again am scared to death, I know that this is just another important chapter in my life. Once in a lifetime, I’ll have this opportunity, so here goes!

To those in South Carolina whose lives I knew only briefly, and to those I’ll know for the rest of my life, Thanks for everything. To everyone else: I can’t wait for the future and more of those once moments.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkFB8f8bzbY

Been Gone for too long!

I am terribly sorry that I've been a horrible blogger this semester. Business school has been...to say the least...rough. But I'm reinstating blogtime into my week, so look forward to some new posts coming soon.

In other news, In exactly a month from today, I'll be on a flight to France. Scary? YES. Excited too? Yes.

Alright, it's study time now, but more news is coming soon!

Jen

Business School is like Hair

After 3 weeks in an MBA program, I've come to one very important conclusion.

Business school is like Hair.

.

It goes something like this:

First, you search for the best product...that you can afford, that you think will give you the best return. Some products are incredibly expensive, but still not great. Some are better suited for certain people, and NOT for others, some are just downright cheap.

Sometimes we trick ourselves into buying the most expensive product, because we all expect it to be the best....but what we forget is the most important part of hair...It takes work. So unless you're Reese Witherspoon/Patrick Dempsey, who's hair just seems to be naturally perfect, or Steve jobs, who apparently has a golden thumb, You have to put in, to get something out. money and effort.

When things go bad with your hair, or you don't like it, you can cut it, change it. Work harder, or give up...

I've been thinking about this frequently, because Columbia slightly resembles the feeling of being in a desert, except it's pretty, and your sweat constantly because there's more water in the Air than there is in all of Texas.

Bottom line, To get a good finished product, you don't just buy the bottle and Stare at it. That would be utterly useless, and you might want to consider seeing a mental health professional. You have to put in a little work. If you want bigger hair (someone asked me the other day, why I don't have big hair like All other Texans, to which I promptly stared them down before not responding) you have to spray some root-lifter on there, and yes, the rootlifter, will guide and shape your hair, but you still have to blow dry it.

Hard work Pays off in the end, whether you buy Walmart's 2-dolla' special, or The newest designer hair spray. Work Work Work, Awesome results!

DISCLAIMER:THE PRIOR STATEMENT MIGHT HAVE BEEN CONCEIVED ONLY AS THE WRITER'S PERSONAL MOTIVATION STRATEGY FOR THE NEXT 6 MONTHS, AND THEREFORE, SHOULD ONLY BE TAKEN AT FACE VALUE. CASH PAYMENTS WELCOME FOR FUTURE RESEARCH.

I guess he missed the hair memo...

In Other News:

This is Jenny Dodd Reporting the Week of July 23 about the Great Carolina 5th-week Market Crash of Jenny Dodd...

So This hasn't exactly been the best week of my Carolina experience. I began the week a little emotionally, my parents have been in Europe for the past couple weeks, and I haven' been able to talk much, which, can be a well, a little lonely. But Monday I hung with the college group, which makes it all better.

Tuesday, Which I'll refer to a Black Tuesday was a little dramatic. I have been experiencing a little left arm pain, numbness and weakness for a couple days now, but on Tuesday, (being overly tired, and a little emotional) I called my Dr. Back home. He sent me to the ER, upon which, I had my first little meltdown...I went to the ER, luckily I have some great friends, which I now call my Carolina Family, came to support me! It turned out to just be a

Just as in the Stock market crash, there came another day just as back the next day. Well, Wednesday was a little tragic too. I took a nap because I was so tired from being up so late in the ER, and realized that I had knocked coffee onto my external hard drive, which pretty much has my ENTIRE life stored on it. Music, documents, and pictures :( and it has crashed, so I'm currently paying so sketchy man exorbitant amounts of money to extract my precious information from the remaining part in hopes that I won't lose that much of my life!

Thursday wasn't bad. Class in the morning as always, and an afternoon of running around Columbia for errand (bought some anti-humidity mousse and it's a miracle worker...only 5 bucks at Target! worth it)Afterwards, I went to a mediterranean restaurant called Tabouli with some new friends for a girl's night!! It was desparately needed, and definitely a blast! we chatted for several hours at the table! But the best part about the conversation was that we weren't talking about Debits and Credits...little things go a long ways these days!

Friday, the best day, has been GREAT!!! Started the morning meeting with ExxonMobil Executives, and hopefully building up some rapport for out upcoming internship interviews!! This afternoon, I've been cleaning house and in just 2 hours, I'll be on my way to CHARLESTON with some friends for the weekend. Ahhhh YAY for the beach!

Highlights of the Past two weeks:

My First Sushi!!

Michael Buble Up Close and Personal

Yes I am having a Throwback to Highschool, Cause I have a locker...

Columbia Art? Idk this is downtown?

The best night of my life, at the Michael Buble Concert!

As Always, I love and miss each and every one of you at home. I'll post some Beach pics when I get home!

Love always, You're South Carolinian GameCock

Jenny Dodd

PS. The best news for the week... I got an AMAZING haircut at the Paul Mitchel salon for only $10. I guess that's where my Hair Tangent comes from. Sorry about that, my apologies to all my male readers:)

Monkey Brain

I am reading the book "Eat, Pray, Love" right now, and according to that book, I think that past 3 weeks, I've been experiencing what's called Monkey Brain.

Monkey Brain is where you brain is constantly moving so fast, swinging from one branch of thought to another, that slowing down is almost impossible. So Blogging, calling home, and staying quiet have been a challenge. It's when I remember that I'm in a new place without my loved ones and friends.

Anyways, Here's a recap, I'm gonna feed my monkey brain a banana so It'll stay still long enough to fill you in.

But First, some Highlights to spark your interest in reading my blog.

Yes I wore a Team Edward Shirt to go see Twilight

The Gamecocks Won the College World Series, and this is the Celebration party I went to--20,000 people there!

I'm Officially a GAMECOCK, and My new school colors are Garnet and White, get it right

The first week I arrived, I spent the time with my parents, getting my apartment ready.

Mom and Dad left that Saturday after we had arrived on Tuesday, and to say the least, I was a little devastated, but I sorta of just jumped in feet first, not knowing exactly where I would land.

Luckily, I landed on my feet. which is amazing, because I just of easily landed right on my head. But God brought someone into my life that well, was just a blessing. There's a girl who goes to ACU named Ashley Close, who's father is a preacher at a Church of Christ in Lexington, which is about 35 minutes from my house.

Ashley was a freshman this past year, but I met her a couple times through rushing and because her dad had my Dad as a teacher in College. Anyways,

Saturday night, she asked me to hang out. She to me to the best pizza place ever called the Mello Mushroom in an area of Columbia called the Vista. Then we just walked around the capital building area, as she gave me a mini-tour, and as we talked about our ACU connections, and just a lot of other things we had in common.

Yes they still have a Confederate Flag hanging in front of the Capital

State Capital Building, It's absolutely beautiful!

It's amazing the difference just one person can have in your life. I went to the church in Lexington the next day, Father's day, and Ashley had to go to work, but her family kindly invited me to lunch, where I met her younger sister and older brother. Monday I layed around quite a bit, but then that night, went to a college group Bible study, where we had a GREAT lesson, and I met a lot of really great people. I can't really remember much about tuesday except laying around watching a lot of grey's anatomy, and feeling a little sorry for myself...It was to be expected a little, but by Wednesday, some of the college kids invited me to the lake for the day.

There is a very wealth family at Lexington church that offers up their house, food (every starving college kids dream) and possessions for the use of the church and college kids. They have a BEAUTIFUL 12,000 sq ft. house on Lake Murray

Kellis House Backyard

After Wednesday, I began to get things ready for Orientation which began the next Monday, and hung out with my new friends, including lunches, movies and more. Sunday, I accidentally slept through my alarm...I know, I know. Not off to a great start, but I woke up and headed straight out to Lexington to witness the baptism of one of my new friends, who is now very dear to me.

LP being Baptized by Keke

After the baptism, we had a great day swimming and at the lake, followed by going to watch some friends play in an indoor Soccer league.

From here on out my world has been a little Crazier. I started Orientation the next day, with a HUGE set of Serves, but also a lot of excitement...so much that I only slept for about an hour the night before.

My First Day of Grad School Suit (terrible pic, but AWESOME Suit)!

Orientation week was a mad whirlwind, where I learned everything from the GameCock Alma Matter song, to my Birkman Profile, which say, I am a Green...But I think I already knew that...

4th of July Weekend!

For the 4th of July this year (my first one back in the country in 3 years) I went to visit My cousin Holly, and her husband Ken and their two children Chipper and Bridget. We had an absolute blast! We watched good movies like "Percy Jackson" and "Arsenic and old Lace." We went to a picnic, watched Beautiful fireworks from the local golfcourse in Peachtree city, went to the lake for some SERIOUS skiing! and just spent time together. Seeing and reacuainting myself with this part of my family, really was a GREAT blessing!

This is my patriotic tatoo, which consequently left an Eagle-shaped sunburn outline on my arm, I guess that's what i get for leaving the country during everyon other 4th of July.

Monday night, I returned from Atlanta in time to go to another baptism of one of my new friends named Ryan!

Ryan and I at the movies with the rest of the group before he was baptized!

Tuesday

Tuesday I started the IMBA program at the Moore school of business, and I love everything about it. School is already very challenging, but I know this it will yield wonderful returns for all the hard work.

Just so ya know...

Calling home is hard, because I know that when I talk, I sound sad. And well, i hate to be "that" girl. But hearing the voices of people I love, makes me remember why I am so blessed. More than that though, it serves as a reminder that I am here for a purpose. Not quite sure what it is yet, but the purpose will come. Prayers are welcomed for that!

Right now, I feel like I went to sleep as a child three weeks ago, and I have suddenly woken up as a responsible woman. It weird. I have a routine, every night I set the coffee make, lay out vitamins, breakfast, and my clothes for the next day. I pack a lunch and wipe down my counters and floors before going to sleep. Routine makes like make a little more sense, plus it's good thinking time.

This is how I compensate for Loneliness, and when I have a little "too" much structure in my life

I love you all, and miss you more than words can describe! I'll update soon!

Jenny