Today I walked into 1.6′s classroom, and they obviously weren’t expecting me. At least half the class jumped out of their seats, then after staring at me for a few seconds turned to each other asking “Potosky? Potosky?” Somehow the whole class nonverbally came to a consensus that yes, Potosky, because then they started chanting “POTOSKY. POTOSKY” while chucking their textbooks onto the ground.
Archive for April, 2013
Possiblement l’événement le plus français qui a jamais eu lieu dans ma vie
Sunday, April 28th, 2013Les invités: Non, merci, je n'en peux plus, etc.
Ma mère d'accueil: Qui veut du fromage?
Les invités: MOI!
Possiblement l’événement le plus français qui a jamais eu lieu dans ma vie
Sunday, April 28th, 2013Les invités: Non, merci, je n'en peux plus, etc.
Ma mère d'accueil: Qui veut du fromage?
Les invités: MOI!
UMW Admissions Visit
Thursday, April 25th, 2013Today some admissions representatives visited London in order to recuite international exchange students to our University back home. We got an email letting us know that we could join so Manda and I went together. They hosted it at Whole Foods in Kensington which is a beautiful Whole Foods but both Manda and I were wondering how they were going to host an event there. Well they rented out the wine hub high top table which was covered in cheeses, meat slices, fresh sliced bread, and your choice of red or white wine. Everyone there was very nice and we got to talk about our experiences here so far as well as opportunities for the future. What was really interesting was talking to the people that showed up interested in Mary Washington. I could to speak to one lady who was there on behalf of her daughter who is currently studying in Cambridge but is interested in studying in the US as an exchange student and specifically at Mary Washington. Manda and I answered many of her questions not only about the states and UMW but the exchange process in general since we are currently doing that. I also gave her my phone number to give to her daughter who I have recently been in contact with about Mary Washington to answer any questions she has or meet up with her when she gets into the states which would be awesome.
UMW Admissions Visit
Thursday, April 25th, 2013Today some admissions representatives visited London in order to recuite international exchange students to our University back home. We got an email letting us know that we could join so Manda and I went together. They hosted it at Whole Foods in Kensington which is a beautiful Whole Foods but both Manda and I were wondering how they were going to host an event there. Well they rented out the wine hub high top table which was covered in cheeses, meat slices, fresh sliced bread, and your choice of red or white wine. Everyone there was very nice and we got to talk about our experiences here so far as well as opportunities for the future. What was really interesting was talking to the people that showed up interested in Mary Washington. I could to speak to one lady who was there on behalf of her daughter who is currently studying in Cambridge but is interested in studying in the US as an exchange student and specifically at Mary Washington. Manda and I answered many of her questions not only about the states and UMW but the exchange process in general since we are currently doing that. I also gave her my phone number to give to her daughter who I have recently been in contact with about Mary Washington to answer any questions she has or meet up with her when she gets into the states which would be awesome.
20 Days in Europe
Thursday, April 25th, 2013I could spend hours or days talking about my trip through Europe, or I could sum it up with a few pictures…
Rome:
Florence:
Zurich:
Munich:
Prague:
Berlin:
Brussels:
London:
Back Home:
This journey has fostered in me an incredible passion for learning and traveling, the likes of which I could never have imagined. Every city, street, building, restaurant, and market I went to, I found myself saying “I can’t wait to come back here.” I will return to these wonderful places one day, maybe a different person, but with the same precious memories of my first epic European excursion, and hopefully create new stories and experiences.
In the mean time, unfortunately, I should start studying for my final exams. I have one month left of this semester, and it will be dedicated to studying, pr at least that is what I keep telling myself. I know a lot of my time will be spent enjoying the last weeks I’ll have in the wonderful city of Edinburgh and with the incredible friends I’ve made.

Marseille is the New Jersey of France…
Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013Something most of us discovered at the beginning of our semester, is that most French people who are not Marseillais, do not like Marseille. It smells bad. It’s full of immigrants. There’s no class. There’s dog sh*t EVERYWHERE (Ok, I have to agree, I hate that too. Is there really nothing we can do about that??). Their accent is weird. They love to exaggerate . It may be the oldest and second-biggest city in the country, but who cares. It doesn’t have the classical power and sophistication of Paris. It’s not as quiet and quaint as the rest of Provence. It’s just, “ugh. Mar-say-yeuh.” *eye roll*
Well, I am not ashamed to admit: I LOVE MARSEILLE. It is MY city. It is my home away from home away from home. I know the streets, the neighborhoods, I know the restaurants and stores, I know the metro lines, I know the bars and clubs, I know the history, I know the languages, I know the Calanques. I have lived this city, and I have grown quite fond of it. I may sound like a foreigner, but I no longer feel like one. I belong here. I am proud to be here.
I love hearing the Marseille accent (like a southern twang), from my host dad to the cashier at Carrefour to random people in the street. I love turning a corner in Noailles and feeling like I’m in North Africa. I love being able to look down from my house on top of the hill and seeing all the red tile rooftops against the blue blue sky (there are never clouds in Marseille, the wind chases them away). I love walking around Vieux Port, seeing the heart, the birthplace, of the city. I love when I am able to give people directions, or when I successfully interact with a cashier or a waiter. I love having established a routine, yet at the same time always experiencing something new. I love the food, pastis, the tiny expressos the fruit and vegetable markets, that random brass band that shows up around town and covers pop songs. I love the noise. I love the diversity. I love how you can walk for a few minutes and suddenly find yourself on the corniche on the cliffs around the sea.
So, judge away. I won’t hear you because I’ll be busy speaking “Frarabic” and making cultural observations and swimming in the Mediterranean.
Marseille is the New Jersey of France…
Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013Something most of us discovered at the beginning of our semester, is that most French people who are not Marseillais, do not like Marseille. It smells bad. It’s full of immigrants. There’s no class. There’s dog sh*t EVERYWHERE (Ok, I have to agree, I hate that too. Is there really nothing we can do about that??). Their accent is weird. They love to exaggerate . It may be the oldest and second-biggest city in the country, but who cares. It doesn’t have the classical power and sophistication of Paris. It’s not as quiet and quaint as the rest of Provence. It’s just, “ugh. Mar-say-yeuh." *eye roll*
Well, I am not ashamed to admit: I LOVE MARSEILLE. It is MY city. It is my home away from home away from home. I know the streets, the neighborhoods, I know the restaurants and stores, I know the metro lines, I know the bars and clubs, I know the history, I know the languages, I know the Calanques. I have lived this city, and I have grown quite fond of it. I may sound like a foreigner, but I no longer feel like one. I belong here. I am proud to be here.
I love hearing the Marseille accent (like a southern twang), from my host dad to the cashier at Carrefour to random people in the street. I love turning a corner in Noailles and feeling like I’m in North Africa. I love being able to look down from my house on top of the hill and seeing all the red tile rooftops against the blue blue sky (there are never clouds in Marseille, the wind chases them away). I love walking around Vieux Port, seeing the heart, the birthplace, of the city. I love when I am able to give people directions, or when I successfully interact with a cashier or a waiter. I love having established a routine, yet at the same time always experiencing something new. I love the food, pastis, the tiny expressos the fruit and vegetable markets, that random brass band that shows up around town and covers pop songs. I love the noise. I love the diversity. I love how you can walk for a few minutes and suddenly find yourself on the corniche on the cliffs around the sea.
So, judge away. I won’t hear you because I’ll be busy speaking “Frarabic” and making cultural observations and swimming in the Mediterranean.