Bonjour à tous!
Surprise extra unplanned post!
So I was standing on a bus in Rennes, surrounded by tens of people, looking forward to sitting down to work through today's challenges, when a song started playing in my headphones. I don't know about you guys, but songs and music huge hold significance in my life, and many songs carry special, deep meanings for me. I will forever be thankful to have grown up in a musical family: when we go on roadtrips we don't measure by miles, but by songs (except, of course, when we're in Virginia for 5 hours); we go to at least 5 concerts each summer; when we sing along to the radio we master the harmonies that exist and invent our own.
I say all this because today, on a bus in Rennes, thousands of miles from home, I heard my mom singing. Normally my iPhone shuffles through the same songs every day, but today it landed on a song I haven't heard in a while, which I actually almost skipped. I'm glad I didn't.
When I was growing up my mom was in an all-female choir called Women in Harmony, which my sister and I later joined. I have both of their CDs on my phone, because I not only like the sound of the music, but each song is also imbued with almost two decades of memories.
For those of you who don't know her, my mother is one kick-ass woman. She has always been a role model for me, because I know that she has overcome years of obstacles, raised two awesome children (if I do say so myself), not to mention some awesome cats and dogs, and grown enough food in her own garden to keep us stocked with fruits and veggies all summer long.
Part of her kick ass character comes through when she sings -- she's and Alto 2 (of course), and always led the section in WIH. Because of this, there are a few points in specific songs when I can hear her voice clearly. The song that started playing is one of those songs. (It's also the song my older sister sang when she auditioned for high school choir)
On top of all of this, this song, Everything Possible, is essentially a mother explaining to her child that no matter what path the child chooses in life, she will love them.
Here, listen to a bit for yourself:
Surprise extra unplanned post!
So I was standing on a bus in Rennes, surrounded by tens of people, looking forward to sitting down to work through today's challenges, when a song started playing in my headphones. I don't know about you guys, but songs and music huge hold significance in my life, and many songs carry special, deep meanings for me. I will forever be thankful to have grown up in a musical family: when we go on roadtrips we don't measure by miles, but by songs (except, of course, when we're in Virginia for 5 hours); we go to at least 5 concerts each summer; when we sing along to the radio we master the harmonies that exist and invent our own.
I say all this because today, on a bus in Rennes, thousands of miles from home, I heard my mom singing. Normally my iPhone shuffles through the same songs every day, but today it landed on a song I haven't heard in a while, which I actually almost skipped. I'm glad I didn't.
When I was growing up my mom was in an all-female choir called Women in Harmony, which my sister and I later joined. I have both of their CDs on my phone, because I not only like the sound of the music, but each song is also imbued with almost two decades of memories.
For those of you who don't know her, my mother is one kick-ass woman. She has always been a role model for me, because I know that she has overcome years of obstacles, raised two awesome children (if I do say so myself), not to mention some awesome cats and dogs, and grown enough food in her own garden to keep us stocked with fruits and veggies all summer long.
Part of her kick ass character comes through when she sings -- she's and Alto 2 (of course), and always led the section in WIH. Because of this, there are a few points in specific songs when I can hear her voice clearly. The song that started playing is one of those songs. (It's also the song my older sister sang when she auditioned for high school choir)
On top of all of this, this song, Everything Possible, is essentially a mother explaining to her child that no matter what path the child chooses in life, she will love them.
Here, listen to a bit for yourself:
04_everything_possible.m4a |
It's one of my favorite WIH songs.
As you might have already guessed, "Le mal du pays" means homesickness.
I honestly had yet to feel truly homesick, which I attribute to my busy schedule, and to the fact that Susquehanna is 8 hours away from home, so I have some practice.
Now, I don't want anyone (Mom, Dad, I'm looking at you) to worry -- I'm having a great time here, learning a lot, and being safe. But I do miss home a lot. And that's okay.
To anyone who reads this at SU who is worried or scared about the idea of spending a semester abroad, know that it will be hard, but for the most part it's so very worth it. Every day I wake up and walk on streets that are over 500 years old, and study a beautiful language with cool people. It is okay to feel sad, or frustrated, or anything under the sun.
Anyway, I just wanted to share.
But now I should actually do that homework I meant to start earlier, ah the joys of school..... (says the future teacher)
À bientôt!
Evelyn
As you might have already guessed, "Le mal du pays" means homesickness.
I honestly had yet to feel truly homesick, which I attribute to my busy schedule, and to the fact that Susquehanna is 8 hours away from home, so I have some practice.
Now, I don't want anyone (Mom, Dad, I'm looking at you) to worry -- I'm having a great time here, learning a lot, and being safe. But I do miss home a lot. And that's okay.
To anyone who reads this at SU who is worried or scared about the idea of spending a semester abroad, know that it will be hard, but for the most part it's so very worth it. Every day I wake up and walk on streets that are over 500 years old, and study a beautiful language with cool people. It is okay to feel sad, or frustrated, or anything under the sun.
Anyway, I just wanted to share.
But now I should actually do that homework I meant to start earlier, ah the joys of school..... (says the future teacher)
À bientôt!
Evelyn