...Boston

Well, technically Cambridge. Okay? There it is. I said it.

I've been clinging to the "good times" of past (i.e., my summer of Little France in Vermont) and the "good times" of future (i.,e., the job at the United Nations that is still waiting for me, even if they don't know it), that I've been sharing less about the "good times" of present. And there are many!

Whether as a teaching with global health gurus like Paul Farmer (I think he finally knows my name!), or speaking at engagements across the east coast, or actually getting paid to talk about sex, identity development, and adolescents at one of the most renowned universities...but I'm getting ahead of myself!

The truth is that in spite of a semester that has sometimes felt like a rowboat at sea, I'm so blessed! And although each week may bring a new "what am I doing with my life in school at twenty mmm-mmm" moment, it's pretty exciting. 

So, to try and catch you up on my life in Boston, where I'm in the second year of my doctoral program, here are the top 10 highlights of my fall semester:

#10: Attending lectures. "Nerd alert" but it's actually kind of awesome when you don't have to go to class but choose to learn something new from world famous individuals. Among my favorites: President John Dramini Mahama of Ghana and "All the Way? The Unfinished Struggle for Civil Rights" featuring Dr. Timothy McCarthy, Tony-award winning playwright Robert Shenkkan, Professor Lani Guinier, Dr. Lisa Coleman, and Dr. Peniel E. Joseph.  

#9: 36 hours in Washington, D.C. My work for the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) Office of Diversity sent me to DC for two days, which meant I got to do what I love- talk to people! My day involved reunions with HSPH alums, a meeting with some White House fellows, getting hit on at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and an evening with a dear mentor!

#8: Dining with the stars. I was selected as one of 10 students to attend the Massachusetts Health Council's Annual Gala,  a fundraising event that involved a luxurious spread of appetizers (Master Chef- style), a four-course gourmet meal prepared by awarding chef Lydia Shire, and awards to five phenomenal health and wellness leaders including HSPH professor Walter Willett. (Did I mention the event had a lot of good food?)

#7: Presenting as a panelist at an HSPH World AIDS Day event. Similar to when I used to travel all over presenting while at Michigan State, I was reminded of what drew me to research and why I care so deeply about remaining an HIV/AIDS activist! 

#6: Harvard Black Alumni Weekend. It was an incredible opportunity to meet and greet with some of the most accomplished and interesting black alumni network...and it only happens every 5 years! It also gave me an excuse to wear a cocktail dress and have a little fun!

#5: Strengthening diversity support at HSPH. Professionally - I led the charge of writing a Student Voices portion of what will become the school's strategic plan for diversity and inclusion. That's pretty exciting. But even more excitingly - socially - I organized a small network of doctoral students. We went for an Italian dinner on Newbury, sat in the endzone at the Boston College vs. Louisville game;  watched a "The Trip to Bountiful" starring Cicely Tyson, Vanessa Williams, Blair Underwood, (and did I mention Cicely Tyson?!); AND we saw a Stevie Wonder concert. Amazing. 

#4: Being a teaching fellow. Whether teaching my own undergraduate section of "Case Studies in Global Health," a Harvard College course taught by Drs. Arthur Kleinman, Paul Farmer, Anne Becker, and Salmaan Keshavjee, or working with Masters students enrolled in the Harvard Graduate School of Education's Adolescent Health course, I love teaching! I even gave a mini-lecture to a full class of 200 students.

#3: Reunions and ticking off my bucket list. A trip back to my Alma matter, Michigan State, lots of reunions with college friends, a Lions game, and a Celtics game - need I say more? 

#2: My birthday weekend! The weekend involved a Harvard Yale tailgate, a late lunch with friends, an after party where I got to where a cute dress. And on the day before the big day, I rung in the new year with a delightful birthday day potluck with a few close friends! Pretty darn awesome!

#1 (and a half): NY Round 1- United Nations General Assembly Week, September 2014. I was actually there! It was like a part of my dream became real, as I presented on a panel of incredible youth leaders from across the globe, hosted by Barbara Bush.

#1: NY Round 2. A breakfast talk with Melinda Gates and Barbara, having an opportunity to share my story and my passion at a Global Health Corps birthday celebration, AND seeing some friends? Priceless!

Of course, the semester hasn't all been perfect. I have a dissertation ideas but no proposal yet, I've fallen out of the memory of old friends and old flames, and I'm growing tired of the nonsense among those who "mingle" in Boston. I'm still working on saying goodbye forever to a close friend who loved life more than anyone else I know, and to a very special family member. And frankly, I've woken up more than once thinking that maybe I should just run away to an island, have lots of babies, and wake up every day to the sound of the ocean instead of struggling with the less fun parts of the school (round 3) process. 

But in those moments, in addition to calling dear friends and family, I remember that next up on my blog will be my adventures in Ethiopia...and Burundi...and who knows where else! 

And so again start the adventures of a DIVA in...(you fill in the blank).

Boston...Power, Privilege, and...HIV/AIDS?: Reflections on World AIDS 2014

Similar version posted on the medium.com at: https://medium.com/@ghcorps/power-privilege-and-hiv-aids-96dbf2f75671  (Be sure to check it out and like it)

Last week, after a screening of David France’s “How to Survive a Plague” for 200 Harvard College students followed by a panel of AIDS activists — I found myself among the angriest I’ve been since starting my doctorate. I was angry that in this session for “Case Studies in Global Health: Biosocial Perspectives,” a course that I am part of the teaching team for — alongside Drs. Arthur Kleinman, Paul Farmer, Anne Becker, and Salmaan Keshavjee — we missed an opportunity to paint a full picture of the biological and social complexities of the HIV/AIDS epidemic for a generation of students who never knew a world without HIV.

I was angry that the film’s 1980s/90s narrative — about the passionate struggles and triumphs of HIV/AIDS activist groups like ACT UP and TAG, started by panelist Gregg Bordowitz — stopped short of acknowledging that 35 million people today are still infected and could eventually die of a preventable disease. I was angry that students didn’t ask about the disparities that exist with HIV/AIDS, like how the disease was infecting and affecting different parts of the population based on race, ethnicity, geographic location, and sexual practices; and why global health professionals like myself weren’t deconstructing the terms we use (like “disparities”) to reach a wider audience. And most of all, I was angry that no one else — students, faculty, or panelists alike — seemed to be as angry as me.

Didn’t anyone else feel impassioned that almost 40 years after its emergence, HIV/AIDS continues to spread — and kill — based on uneven distributions of power, privilege, and discrimination?

My anger toward our society’s response to HIV/AIDS today is rooted in several facts:

1.   It is a fact that affects lives. The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which can eventually become the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), reduces the concentration of immunity-boosting white blood cells eventually making it impossible to fight off certain illnesses. To those of us steeped in “data” and “numbers,” it’s no surprise HIV/AIDS is the fifth-leading cause of disability adjusted life years (DALYs), or simply put, a leading cause of early death and reduced quality of life (1). Talk to anyone infected with the disease, like the dozens of HIV-positive women I worked with as Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator for mothers2mothes in Malawi, and they will share that being infected has completely changed the way they live their lives.

2.   It is a fact that HIV/AIDS affects sub-populations, or groups of people, differently. More than 70% of the 35 million infected, and an almost equal proportion of the 1.6 million annual deaths, occur on the sub-Saharan African continent (2). Over 75% of HIV-positive children are currently not getting antiretroviral treatment (3). It is not often acknowledged that the 2.1 million new infections last year alone are, in part, the result of an increasing rate of HIV infection combined with poor access to treatment in countries outside the African continent, such as Indonesia and Russia (3). And all too easily we forget about HIV, and its intersection with other illnesses like TB, among vulnerable populations such as those incarcerated (3). These disparities don’t exist because people who belong to these groups are so different, in their immune system’s response or otherwise, from others in the world; instead they hint at a bigger systemic problem.

3.   It is a fact that the U.S. should be included in any comprehensive approach to “global health,” and that it is a critical example of the complexities of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Just over one million people are infected, and infections are more than 60% lower than at the introduction of the epidemic in the 1980s (4).What this story would exclude, however, is that the rate of HIV/AIDS in some U.S. cities is actually higher than other parts of the world; Washington, D.C. has a higher rate than Ghana, Rwanda, and 26 other African countries (5). More than 50,000 people in the U.S. are still infected each year. Similar to global disparities, men who have sex with men (MSM) and injecting drug users are among the most vulnerable groups; their rate of infection has increased since 2008 (6). Moreover, blacks, who make up only 13% of the U.S. population, account for 50% of annual AIDS infections (7); one in 32 black women will become infected in the U.S. while the risk for black men is one in 16 (6). And, perhaps what frightens me most is that no one is talking about who AIDS still kills in this country — it is among the top 5 causes of death for black women aged 25 to 44. In other words, for Americans like me (8).

I would paint yet another incomplete picture if I didn’t acknowledge that progress has been made. HIV/AIDS is no longer called “slim” for the untreatable wasting it used to cause; being infected no longer has to be a death sentence. Billions of dollars for HIV treatment have been mobilized by U.S. leadership through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief since its introduction in 2003. Mother-to-child transmission is slowly being eliminated worldwide, including on the African continent (9).

And although we recognize these gains, 27 years after the first World AIDS Day, the atmosphere feels somber. I don’t hear mainstream public health conversations that acknowledge that more than 60% of those in need still can’t access medication, or that 20% of those infected don’t know they are HIV-positive, often for reasons beyond individual control (10). I don’t feel the excitement that activists like Paul Farmer and Gregg Bordowitz had in the early 90s, the energy that propelled me into AIDS activism as a student nearly 12 years ago. I don’t hear people use uncomfortable words like “power” and “privilege” and “discrimination” to explain that the problem is not the absence of money but instead the lack of prioritization from people in positions of power to implement culturally-appropriate prevention, treatment, care, and systems-building efforts. I mostly hear silence.

On this World AIDS Day 2014, we cannot forget that the HIV/AIDS epidemic is still that — an epidemic.

Today, I encourage you to join me and be angry. We collectively as activists, researchers, students, educators, or just as citizens of a globalized world need to remember that sense of urgency, to remind ourselves that power and privilege can be used for good and that we — both the activists of the previous generations and emerging leaders from current generations– have an obligation to take our anger, and passion, and continue to fight for change.

References

1. Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. Global Burden of Disease: Generating Evidence, Guiding Policy. Seattle, Washington : IHME, 2013.
2. UNAIDS. 2013 Global Report. Geneva, Switzerland : UNAIDS, 2014.
3. — . Gap Report. Geneva, Switzerland : UNAIDS, 2014.
4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Today’s HIV/AIDS Epidemic. Atlanta, Georgia : Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014.
5. Donnely, John and Schatz, Julian . Groups Fighting HIV in D.C. Find Lessons in Africa. PBS News Hour. June 12, 2012.
6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. HIV Surveillance Report, 2011. Atlanta, Georgia : Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013. p. Vol. 23. .
7. NAACP. HIV/AIDS. Baltimore, Maryland : NAACP, 2014.
8. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Leading Causes of Death by Age Group, Black Females-United States 2010. Atlanta, Georgia : Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010.
9. World Health Organization. First PROMISE study results confirm WHO recommendations to treat pregnant women and reduce mother-to-child-transmission of HIV. Geneva, Switzerland : WHO, 2014. HIV/AIDS.
10. UNAIDS. Treatment 2015. Geneva, Switzerland : UNAIDS, 2012.

Middlebury VT: Mes réflexions sur l'été

(English version below)

C'était un été spécial. J'ai ri, j'ai pleuré, j'ai étudié, j'ai travaillé, j'ai dansé...

Les dernières deux semaines étaient très longues ! Mais en même temps, je suis triste qu'elles soient finies ! Comme chaque aventure dans ma vie (par exemple, mon semestre au Sénégal, mon été au Kenya, ou mon année au Malawi), j'ai appris quelques choses nouvelles. Je ne suis pas exactement la même personne.

Le mercredi de la dernière semaine, les étudiants de mon cours du théâtre ont présenté un grand spectacle ! J'ai joué de petits personnages dans chacune des trois pièces que nous avons pratiquées. J'étais un enfant dans "Même les chevaliers tombent dans l’oubli" qui est une pièce sur la race et sur l’identité, écrite par mon prof, Gustav Akapoko.  J'étais une femme qui voulait devenir politicienne dans une interprétation unique du discours d’Obama sur la race. J'étais aussi un personnage dans l'autre pièce ; je ne suis pas sûre si j'ai compris la pièce mais j'ai appris beaucoup d'argot de la langue française.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvPXXSLv9no

La fin du cours de théâtre était parfaite pour préparer pour la dernière semaine. J'avais trois examens finaux, deux présentations finales, et beaucoup de devoirs comme d'habitude. J'ai démontré que j'ai appris les règles de la grammaire et de la phonétique : j'étais surprise moi-même. J'ai présenté sur la santé publique globale et de la politisation des jeunes français et américains : peut-être je vais partager ces présentations ici. Aussi, par rapport à mes collègues de classe, j'avais beaucoup à faire pour ma recherche à l’université ; j'ai utilisé les heures chaque nuit pour continuer avec un projet. Souvent, j'aurais voulu faire ça:

http://www.theonion.com/video/more-office-workers-switching-to-fetal-position-de,36240/

Même trois mois après la fin de l'été, je n’ai pas de mots de décrire ce que cet été a signifié pour moi. Merci beaucoup à tous pour les souvenirs et l’amitié ! Et merci beaucoup à Middlebury, au prix de Kathryn B Davis et à ma famille et mes amis qui me soutenaient. Donc, je finis une autre aventure dans ma vie.

Même avec un horaire fou, je me suis bien amusée ! J'ai eu ma première nuit blanche de l'été où j'ai fait mes devoirs et j'ai discuté avec un ami. J'ai assisté deux spectacles de théâtre : très artistiques ! J'ai pris une petite repose pour aller en ville pour faire de karaoké : non, je n’ai pas chanté. Je garde mon talent pour la prochaine fois ! J'ai dansé la salsa et écouté de la musique du monde pendant des heures. J'ai aussi fait de la dance "Can Can/Sega" pour le Cabaret de l'école française.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wC1U7oIrzNY

Aussitôt le dernier cours et la recherche finis, j'ai commencé la dernière fête! J'ai discuté et j'ai bu un peu. Je me suis habillée avec de vrais talons pour le premier temps, et c'était une nuit mémorable. Quand l'engagement de l'honneur a fini, j'ai entendu mes profs parlant en anglais pour la première fois ! J'avais aussi la première opportunité de connaître les talents et les personnalités incroyables de mes collèges : il y avait des gens de la "spécial forces" et du CIA, un écrivain très connu, des journalistes qui avaient voyagé partout, des étudiantes très intelligents et passionnés....

***

What a summer! I laughed, I cried, I studied, I worked, I danced...

The last two weeks were among the longest of the summer, but at the same time, I'm sad that they're complete. Like every adventure I've had in my life - like my semester in Senegal, summer in Kenya, or year in Malawi - I learned something new. I'm no longer the exact same person as before.
The Wednesday before the last, my theatre class presented our final show. I had some small roles in each of the three pieces: I was a one of the "children" in “Even the knights are forgotten,” the play about race and identity in France written by my professor, Gustav Akapoko.  I played the role of a woman running for office in a unique interpretation of Obama's speech on Race in America. I also had a small role in the last piece we performed; I'm still not sure I entirely understand it but I did learn a lot of French slang.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvPXXSLv9no

The end of my theater class was perfect for preparing for the last week. I had 3 final exams and 2 final presentations, and a lot of homework like always. Through my exams, I showed my professors that I learned sketching about the rules of French grammar and phonetics: even I surprised myself! I presented one perspective on global public health and on the politization of American and French youth - maybe I'll put those presentations online for those interested! Also, unlike many of my colleagues, I had a lot of research to do for my university. I worked into the night to finish my projects. I often felt like I wanted to so this:

http://www.theonion.com/video/more-office-workers-switching-to-fetal-position-de,36240/

But even with my crazy schedule, I had so much fun! I pulled my first all-nighter of the summer, doing homework and chatting with a friend. I attended two French theatre productions: very artistically done! I snuck away from the library to watch a little karaoke (and no I didn't song; in saving my talent for the next show!). I danced salsa and world music for hours of entertainment. And I even performed a dance number of CanCan/Sega for the French school's annual cabaret!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wC1U7oIrzNY

As soon as the last course finished and I finished the first part of my research, I started the final party! I had conversations with some classmates and drank a little. I put on real heels for the first time all summer, and it was a memorable night! When the “French only” honor code expired, I listened to my professors speak in English for the first time! I also had the opportunity to get to know the talents and personalities of my incredible classmates and colleagues: there were soldiers from the Special Forces and CIA, a well-known writer, journalists who have traveled throughout the world, passionate and intelligent students…

Nearly three months after the end of the summer, I still don’t have the words to describe what this summer meant to me. Thank you so much to everyone for the memories and friendships! And a huge thank you to Middlebury College, the Kathryn B. Davis Fellowship, and my family and friends for the support to make it possible. Thus, I finish another adventure… 

Middlebury, VT: Une journée typique

Avant de raconter une autre histoire des loisirs, je voudrais décrire une journée typique ici. Je commence à six heure moins le quart quand je fais une heure d’exercise. À sept heure, je prends le pétiti-déjeuner: les flocons d’avoines, des fruits, et du thé. Je prends une douche et je m’habille très vite car je ne veux pas être en rétard pour mes cours.

À huit heure, j’ai le cours d’oral. Nous pratiqons notre prononciation de français beaucoup ici. Chaque jour il y un étudiant qui presente un sujet que tous les autres débattent. Par exemple, aujourd’hui, nous avons discuté sur la meillure façon d’élever un enfant. 

Après avoir marché vite, je commence le deuxième cours da ma journée: le théâtre. Au dèbut, nous avons joué à des jeux pour dévenir plus confortable avec le français et le drâme. Maintenant, nous faisons des petits auditions pour les trois pièces de thèâatre que nous avons lu. J’aime la pièce écrite par mon prof et le discours de la race aux états-unis d’Obama. 

Après le théâtre, j’ai juste assez de temps pour prendre de la caffeine et pour faire mes devoirs d’oral (ou de finir mes devoirs pour le prochain cours). Je passes une heure dans le cours de grammaire et c’est dûr! Nous avons appris trois façons de raconter une histoire, le subjonctif, le conditionnel, et beaucoup d’autres choses. Nous faisons un examen chaque semaine.

Quand je finis mes cours du matin, c’est l’heure de manger. Je déjeune au réfletoire avec tous les étudiants et les profs de français. D’habitude, j’aime bien faire une sieste mais cela n’est pas possible! 

Je commence le dernier cours à une heure et demi, et c’est preque le niveau d’un cours de maîtrise (en français)! Le cours s’appelle « Jeunes et Politique » et c’est un cours de science politique. Il y a beaucoup de présentations et d’activités là mais c’est vraiment util pour ameliorer mon français. 

À cette heure, je suis prête à dormir mais la journée n’est pas encore finie. Les ateliers commencent à trois heure et demi ou quatre heure. J’ai essayé le tennis et le PIYO, mais il y en a d’autres comme la radio, la cuisine, et le badminton. Ou, si je ne veux pas faire des ateliers, il y a des conférences auxquelles je peux assister aussi. 

Épuis, après un jour plein d’activités, c’est l’heure pour le dîner. De temps en temps, il y a une conférence ou un film à regarders après si je le veux. Je commence mes devoirs pour tous mes courses et j’assiste aux heures de permanence des assistants linguistiques ou d’un prof. 

Les jours où j’ai beaucoup d’energie, je sors pour une nuit de salsa ou quelquechose un peu different. Comme vous pouvez voir, il y a toujours beaucoup à faire ici!

Ma group pour la cours de théâtre
(My group for the theatre course)

On joue les personnages dans la pièce écrite par mon prof
We play the characters in the play written by my instructor.

Je fais mes devoirs pendant un repose.
I do my homework during a break.

Before I share another fun story, I want to describe a typical day here. I start at 5:45 AM when I do an hour of exercise. At 7 AM, I eat breakfast: oatmeal, fruit, and tea. I take a shower and dress very quickly because I don't want to be late for class.

At 8 AM, I have my oral french class (phonetics). We practice our French proniciation a lot here. Each day, there is a student who presents a subject that everyone else debates. For example, today, we discussed the best way to raise a child.

After walking very quickly, I start the second course of my day: theatre. In the first few weeks of the course, we played a lot of games to become more comfortable with French prononciation and drama. Now, we do lots of little auditions for the 3 theatre pieces we read throughout the course. I especially like the play that my professor wrote, as well as the speech on race in America of Obama.

After theatre, I have just enough time to get some caffeine and do my phonetics homework (or finish my homework for the next class). I then spend an hour in a grammar class, and it's hard! We learned 3 styles of writing stories, the subjunctive tense, the conditional tense, and several other things. We have an exam here each week!

When I finish my morning classes, it's time to eat. I eat lunch in the dining hall with all of the French students and professors. I would like to take a nap normally but it's not possible!

I have my last course at 1:30 pm, and it's basically a Master's level course (in French). It's a political science course called "Youth and Politics." There are a lot of prsentations and activities in this class but it's very useful for improving my French.

By this time, I'm ready to sleep, but the day is still not finished! The activity workshops start at 3:30pm or 4:00pm. I've tried tennis and pilates/yoga, but there are lots of othhers like radio, cooking, and badminton. If I don't want to do the workshops, there are also several conferences that I can attend.

Then, after a day full of activities, it's time for dinner. Sometimes, there's a conference or movie to watch afterwards. I start my homework for all of my classes and attend the office hours for the linguistic assistants or a professor.

Finally, on the days I have a lot of energy, I go out for a night of salsa dancing or something a little different. As you can see, there's always a lot to do here!
 

Middlebury, VT: Les ateliers

(English below)

C’est maintenant  la troisième semaine et tout va bien. Les cours sont toujours difficiles mais ainsi va la vie à Middlebury. Aujourd’hui, je voudrais vous dire ce qui est le plus amusant ici : les ateliers!

À la fin de la première semaine, après le début des cours, les ateliers ont commencé aussi. Le vendredi, j’ai essayé de faire quelque chose d’un peu bizarre. J’ai fait le trapèze aérien! Le cours, qui était enseigné par une étudiante de l’école française, a commencé avec un échauffement. Nous avons fait «l’exploration de l’ours» (« the bear crawl») et tous les exercices comme ceux de la classe de gym au lycée. Après bien s’être bien échauffé, nous nous sommes étirés et cela nous a détendus. C’était le moment d’utiliser le trapèze.

J’ai regardé les cinq premières personnes le faire. Chacune était en pleine forme et il semblait que c’était facile à faire. Mais comme de plus en plus de personnes ont essayé, j’ai réalisé que c’était un peu difficile et tellement effrayant. Finalement, le moment est arrivé; c’était mon tour.

J’ai commencé très lentement parce que j’avais peur. L’enseignante m’a aidée quand mes jambes ne voulaient pas bouger. J’ai fait la première acrobatie et je ne suis pas tombée! J’ai fait la deuxième et j’ai encore bien fait. J’ai continué à en faire et j’étais vraiment de bonne humeur. L’activité m’a rappelé le temps où faisais le saut à l’élastique au Népal (D’accord - pas exactement, mais un peu).

Après que tout le monde a fini, l’enseignante a montré une autre série qui était plus difficile. Nous allions faire une pirouette sans les mains! Les autres étudiants étaient surpris que j’ai la volonté encore. Mais, j’ai pensé: « Si je ne le fais pas maintenant, quand est-ce que je vais avoir l’opportunité de faire encore? » J’avais encore peur mais j’ai agrippé la barre, j’ai balancé mes jambes, je me suis levée, et vous savez quoi ? Eh bien, j’ai fait le truc, sans les mains! J’ai souri et tout le monde a applaudi. C’était tellement cool!

Depuis ce vendredi, j’ai fait beaucoup d’autres ateliers. J’ai fait une randonnée pendant deux heures sure le TAM (« Trail around Middlebury »). J’ai joué au tennis (il y a neuf ans que je n’ai pas joué avec une équipe compétitive). J’ai fait le PIYO où le prof mélangeait la méthode Pilates et le yoga. J’ai bien dansé et ai parlé avec d’autres étudiants de l’école française. Et ce week-end, j’irais, à Montréal pour pratiquer mon français dans le vrai monde. Vraiment, si vous voulez apprendre le français, prendre des cours de français ne suffit pas. Il est important d’avoir beaucoup de loisirs aussi!

Étage 1 / Step 1

Étage 2 / Step 2 

Étage 3 - et la première grande acrobatie
 (Step 3 - and the first big stunt)

Étage 4 / Step 4

Étage 5 /Step 5

Et voilà!  Sans les mains!
(And tada! No hands!)

L'atelier de faire une radonée / Hiking

Le "Trail Around Middlebury"

Un petit repose pour une photo
(A little break for a photo)

La traduction:

It's the third week here and things are going well. The classes are still difficult but "c'est la vie" at Middlebury. Today, I want to tell you about the most exciting thing here yet: the activity workshops!

At the end of the first week, after classes commenced, the workshops also started. On that first Friday, I decided to try and do something a little bizarre. I used a trapeze! The workshop, which was taught by a student in the french school, started with a warm-up. We did "the bear crawl" and several exercises like in a high school gym class. After we were well warmed-up, we stretched and calmed our nerves. It was the moment to use the trapeze.

I watched the first five people follow our instructor's example and use the trapeze. Each person was in good shape and made it look easy to do. But as more and more people tried it, I realized that it was actually a little difficult and very terrifying... Finally, the moment arrived; it was my turn.

I started out very slowly because I was scared. The instructor helped me when my legs didn't want to move. I did the first trick in the routine, and I didn't fall! I did the second trick, and again, I did well! I continued to do the routine and was really good spirits (as all went according to plan). The activity actually reminded me of the time I went bungee jumping in Nepal (OK - the trapeze was not exactly the same experience but it did remind of me of it a little). 

After everyone finished, the instructor demonstrated a more difficult routine. We were going to do a stunt without using hands! The other students were surprised that I volunteered again. But, I thought, "If I don't do this now, when am I going to have the opportunity again?" I was scared again but I gripped the bar, swung my legs, stood up [on the bar], and you know what? I did the stunt without using hands! I smiled and everyone applauded. It was awesome! 

Since that Friday, I have done several other workshops. I went on a two hour hike on the TAM ("Trail around Middlebury"). I did PIYO, where the instructor mixed Pilates and Yoga. I danced a lot and spoke French with other students in the French school. This weekend, I might go to Montreal to practice my French in the real world. Truly, if you want to learn French, taking some classes in French is not enough. it is important to have lots of fun too!

Middlebury, VT: Le premier jour des classes

Mead Hall sur le 4 juillet
(A bell concert at Mead Hall on July 4th)

(English below)

Est-ce que la première fois j’ai dit que j’aimais le français? Je dirais même que je le déteste! Non, ce n’est pas vrais ; je ne déteste évidemment pas le français mais la vie n’est pas aussi rose que les premières jours. Je vais expliquer…

Après avoir bien passé le week-end, je pensais que j’étais prête pour mes cours. Je me suis réveillée à six heures du matin parce que j’avais besoin de faire un peu de travail pour ma directrice d’université. J’ai pris un petit-déjeuner équilibre qui comprenait de la farine d’avoine et des myrtilles avec d’autres étudiants. Nous avons bien pratiqué notre français, donc, je n’avais plus peur des cours. 

Le matin, j’avais trois cours - l’oral, la grammaire, et mon cours favori  - le théâtre. J’ai compris la plupart de ce que mes profs avaient dit mais il y a sept ans que je n’ai pas pris des cours de français. Après les cours, il n’y avait pas de temps pour se reposer. J’ai déjeuné et j’ai parlé avec d’autres étudiants en français. J’ai commencé à faire mes devoirs en français. Les devoirs étaient un peu difficiles parce que l’écriture et la lecture en français ne sont pas mes points forts. J’avais mal à la tête, mal à la gorge, mal à la bouche, mal à la voix; toutes mes maladies étaient dues à l’immersion en français! Et la partie la plus difficile a été que je ne pouvais pas faire les activités que j’aime faire habituellement quand je suis stressée parce que je ne savais pas comment les faire en français. Je ne pouvais pas faire de Zumba parce que l’instructeur parle en anglais. Je ne pouvais pas chanter parce que je ne connais pas des chansons françaises. Je ne pouvais pas appeler mes amis parce qu’ils ne parlent pas français. Ma frustration était indicible, d’autant plus que les mots me manquaient pour l’exprimer.

Après le dîner pendant lequel j’ai parlé encore en français, j’ai eu une bonne idée. J’ai décidé de faire des exercices, donc j’ai fait un tour au centre-ville. J’ai marché pendant presque une heure et demie, et la ville était jolie et tranquille. J’ai fait aussi du shopping pour la thérapie et j’ai acheté un tapis de yoga, des casques, d’autres trucs pour l’exercice, et une bouteille de vin. C’était un peu bizarre parce que je n’ai pas parlé en anglais mais je me suis amusée. 

Quand je me suis rendue à l’école française, je me sentais mieux. J’ai fini mes devoirs, j’ai écrit quelques mots dans mon journal privé, j’ai travaillé un peu, et j’ai discuté avec un nouvel ami jusqu’à une heure du matin. Je savais bien que tout est bien qui finit bien.

La directrice accueille tous les étudiants
(The director welcomes all the students)

La traduction:

Did I say that I loved French the last time? I absolutely hate it! No, that's not true; I don't hate French. But things are not as easy as the first few days. Let me explain...

After a great first weekend of activities, I thought I was ready for my classes. I woke up at 6 AM the first day of class because I had to do some non-French school work. I had a healthy breakfast - the breakfast of champions really - of oatmeal and blueberries, with some of the other students. We had been speaking French non-stop all weekend and had really practiced well, so I had no concerns for class.

That morning (every weekday morning since), I had 3 classes - Oral Expression, Grammar, and my favorite course, Theater. I understood most of what my professors said but it really has been 7 years since I took a French course! After class, there was no time to relax. I at lunch (and spoke in French) with some of the other students; I started my homework (in French, of course). The homework was a little difficult because writing and reading in French are not my strong points. After a while, I had a headache, a sore throat, a sore mouth, a sore voice - all thanks to complete immersion in French! And the most difficult part was that I couldn't do the activities I normally do when I'm stressed because I didn't know how to do them in French. I couldn't take a Zumba class because the instructor speaks English. I couldn't sing  because I don't know any French songs. I couldn't call my friends because most don't speak French. I was very frustrated, and I couldn't even express my frustration because I didn't know the words to communicate this en français! 

After an equally frustrating dinner, where again I had to speak in French, I had a great idea. I decided to do a little exercise, taking a tour of the town. I walked for nearly 1.5 hours, and the city was beautiful and calm. I also got some "retail therapy" through buying a yoga mat, headphones, some other exercise gear, and - of course - a bottle of wine. It was strange because I didn't speak in English in the town, but I still enjoyed myself. 

By the time I got back to French School, I felt much better. I finished my homework, wrote (the first iteration of this story!) in my journal, did a little non-French school work, and chatted with a new friend until nearly 1 AM. I truly knew that "all's well that ends well" (and that I would be just fine). 

Je supporte la diversité dans toute ma vie.
(I support the diversity in all aspects of my life...

And no that's definitely not all for me!
I'll give you an update of my activities in the next post.)