Crazy Guillaume

Let me preface this story with a little background of French relationships in the eyes of a Californian...

French relationships move fast. There really isn't a dating period. It's friends or.. dating. "I love you" that is the slut phrase of France. It has been with everyone and anyone. It doesn't take it's time, it is just passed around like, well, a slut.

For me these crazy fast dating stipulations have been the hardest things to understand. At first it was kind of cute, but then after some time, I realized I will never understand French relationships. They are weird. Call me too American, I don't care. This is me. Take it or leave it. Je m'en fou.

So on with the latest and craziest escapade

I met this guy about a month ago. We will call him Guillaume. Ok ok, I know this name is overly French, but I thought it fit perfectly to give you the true nature of his French roots.

So anyways, Guillaume and I hung out a couple times after we met. I told him I just wanted to be friends and I am leaving to California soon. He said he understood, but he didn't. He pushed the relationship further. But of course, it takes two to tango, so I gave in. Mistake #1. We were casually seeing each other. Due to past incidents with French guys, I clearly explained (several times I might add) that I did not want a relationship and that he was not my boyfriend, etc. etc.

We went out a few times with friends and he got extremely jealous when I even talked to people of the opposite sex. I should have cut it off right then and there. Which brings us to mistake #2. I told him he couldn't act like that and he apologized. 

Then, I had a horrible day. There were problems back home and I felt guilty for being thousands of miles away and useless. Meanwhile, my friends were going out for drinks at this bar that I really, really don't like. The atmosphere, the people, it's just not for me. However, it was a couple of my dear friends' last night out on the town, and I felt obligated. I had already invited Guillaume and I told him why I didn't want to go out. He said he understood but I should come out for just a drink and then we could leave. Doesn't sounds so bad, right?

Wrong. He brought a girlfriend (which would have been fine if they really were just friends) who he flirted with all night. I'm not talking mild, innocent flirting. I am talking about holding hands, playing footsie (btw who plays footsie at this age?? -- mistake #3), he played with her hair, and they stole each other's phones. I was laughing inside at his utter lack of comprehension of the female brain. Did he honestly think I was going to be jealous and demand that we be exclusive? So much for my bad day.. it more turned into a nightmare evening. 

So, he and his girlfriend left to a party, leaving me at this not-so-amazing pub. It was really a superb night, to say the least. 

But wait, there's more!

When I ignored his phone calls and texts he messaged me saying I need to break up with him face to face and we need to talk about what happened, and of course he was so so sorry. I was like.....

When I ignored Guillaume's texts he got even crazier. He insisted on coming to my friend's birthday party, when they obviously only knew each other through me. When I told him he I was uninviting him, he threw yet another skype/text/facebook bitch fit claiming he wasn't going for me, but to support my friend. Basically, I found a winner, man (mistake #500 in the book of The Ridiculous Mistakes of Sara : A Compilation. Volume 2).

Now..

Now I am walking around the city on eggshells hoping not to run into Guillaume - now properly nicknamed "crazy guy."

To be continued...

Cheering Up

Tuesday

Marina and I had taken our final for our linguistics class last week. Tuesday, we got our results. We basically failed horribly. I really think he just gave us pity points for the few points we did receive. Just when I think I am getting the hang of this French Uni thing...

So what do you do when life gives you lemons? You either eat until you can't anymore, or you go shopping. Or in my case: the two.

First, we treated ourselves to this vietnamese sandwich shop. It's like a vietnamese salad in a french baguette. Pretty bomb actually. While standing in line, waiting patiently, this chick was trying to cut me and my friends. This is pretty standard in French culture. We usually let it slide because life is too short to be arguing with a complete stranger, right? Well not today, honey! I just failed an important exam and I am trying to remedy it with food. Don't get in my way. As she proceeded to order, I cut her off explaining that she had indeed cut us in line. My friends were astonished for a moment, but I was like...

After enjoying our yummy sandwiches, Lauren and I headed to Rue St. Catherine where we proceeded to drop loads of money we don't have. My loot:

Wednesday

As a shopping recovery day, I accompanied Lauren to the coiffure. She cut her hair into a super cute angled lob (longer bob). After, I relaxed at home until I saw the break in the weather to go for a jog. However, as soon as I was in the middle of my run, I am sure you can guess what happened.. Downpour, baby. I ran straight home.

Later that night, Joana came into my room worried about Bao our cat. She had been putting off getting him neutered and she finally made an appointment for Thursday morning. She said it was cruel and selfish. I tried not to laugh because she was really stressed, but I was like he's a cat.. He won't even know what the hell happened.

Thursday

So now after a successfully dry workout today, I am studying for my next test, catching up on my blog, and awaiting our groggy cat to return from the vet.

Happy end of the week everyone!

Football in France

Thursday

After finishing a successful week at uni we celebrated at an artists house in the city. It was huge and gorgeous. Once again, I was reminded of how lucky I am to be studying in France.

Friday

Lauren, Arielle and I spent the day making posters and devouring cheese and baguettes. It was a little difficult finding the supplies we needed for our posters, but it all turned out fine in the end.

Joana made us an exceptional dinner (as always) and we were halted by the hailstorm. I posted a video in my previous blog. Here is the link.


Saturday

Some of our friends from university had a football match. Who knew there was American Football in France? Yeah, it was a little sketchy but nonetheless it was a version of American Football.

We grabbed our signs, some necessary drinks, snacks, and umbrellas and headed to the "stadium". After a couple hours of good hard cheering, our team lost by a hair. It was still fun. The crowd seemed to be a little perplexed and even us Americans had some difficulty. There was no announcer, chain-gang, only one referee, and various other discrepancies. So entertaining it was!

We celebrated our loss over beers after the game.

Sunday

Happy Easter!

Spring Storm

A beautiful day turned into a hailstorm evening. Here is a video I took at the front door of our home.

Where In The World Did The Time Go?

Oops..

I haven't been blogging because I have fallen into the routine of things. I think I am finally, after months and months, feeling at home in Bordeaux. My classes and my home life are now pretty stabilized. I have finally started to realize who my real friends are and who were never really friends to begin with.  I forget that there are still things to discuss! So without further ado...

Classes

Remember the wonderful professor I told you about in my last blog? In my next assignment my thesis was on sex, and big surprise, I got a good grade. I think that alone says enough about his character. I stopped attending to class since our only two papers have been graded. Life is good.

My other classes: Art History, Linguistics, and Affaires are going well. No sex obsessed professors. I am currently taking a break from studying for my Linguistics exam.

Jardin Public

We have been picnicking, studying, relaxing at my favorite place in Bordeaux since the weather has been in the 70's. It's been supreme. Sometimes I end up at the Jardin several times a day because I go jogging in the morning, then sometimes I'll meet friends there, and at the end of the day in the city I will cut through the jardin on the way home. It's bliss.

Beach Day

About a dozen friends and I took at train to Arcachon to take advantage of the unseasonably warm weather. We packed food, drinks, towels, and beach activities and boarded the hour train. It was the best way to spend a Friday.

Random Thoughts

• Coming home is around the corner!
• Dear Black Beans and Refried Beans, We will be having a sweet reunion when I come home.
• I don't know why you can only buy loratadine in 7 day packs here... like allergies only last a week.
• Warm weather makes me want to chop off my hair.

Bye Bye !