suis-je un "vrai americain?"

Je viens de regarder The Daily Show de 20 octobre. Olalala. Je ne suis pas vraiment un des gens qui peuvent bien s'exprimer quand le sujet s'agit des politiques. Chai pas. But what in the world does it mean to be a real american? Am I allowed to talk about this being an American living abroad during the most important election of our times? Do I love America as much as the next Broccali Rob even though I'm over hear chillin' with the Frogs eating baguettes for breakfast? Why are we even talking about "real America" and "real Virginia?" Those quotations by Sarah Palin and Nancy Pfotenhauer as presented by The Daily Show have really got me going tonight, so instead of writing my homework paper, which, I kid you not, has the subject of being an expatriot, I've decided to do a little venting here. Je m'excuse.

Is Lewiston, Maine a "real American" town? When do you no longer live in a small town? What qualifies a city? Does this have anything to do with red and blue areas of states? So the "real Virginia" is outside the beltway, what about the "real Maine?" How far away from Portland do you have to be? Why am I asking so many questions?

I'm proud to be an American. I'm also proud that when you write in French, and use words like francias et americain as adjectives you don't have to capitalize them. That shift button can get a little annoying. This may or may not be the second time that I have spent extended time living outside les Etats-Unis, but I think it has allowed me to grow as a person. And I would also like to that my family for the sacrifices they have made to give me these opportunities. Having the ability to compare Paris 1 and Bates College has given me a greater appreciation for the life I get to live back home than I ever thought possible.

Par example, today I tried to sign up for a library card at La Sorbonne, but did you know that you have to bring your own passport sized photo, your carte d'etudiant, you certificate scolarite, proof of residence, and 8 euros?!? Needless to say, but I'll say it anyway, I didn't get to go to the library today. Maybe next week. Yesterday I tried to sign up for a basketball team. The hours are limited, there are no more places for the teams that compete in interuniversite games, and I won't be able to play until mid-November because I won't have my french doctors permission form, cela veut dire ma carte de sejours, until the 21st of next month. Gosh I miss the Lord Ephin' Cule Mamels. Or an open gym for that matter...Paris is so spread out that I would say that it is not the idle location to faire etudes superieur.

In other news, I bought two books today for my la France, l'Allemande, et l'Europe class today. It made me happy to explore a bookstore. I also bought a map of France so I can learn all of the departements, regions, and hopefully prefectures. We'll see how that goes. I also picked up a fifth class. L'Amerique du Nord. We'll talk about a little European colonization, westward expansion, so fun-filled Canadian facts, and much more. I haven't taken American history course since that time I wanted to throw The American Pagent out the window, but I'm sure that this will be fine.

Thursday's planned adventure is taking me to a store in the 3eme called Le Shop. The Lonely Planet describes it as "a daytime club." They say "it's packed with different streetear labels and hip-hop gear. Pick up flyers and info on nightclubs and get your party outfit while you're at it."

I want a party outfit.