Before I Go: Custom Moncton Mugs for Paris!

Salut mes amis,

Since I am leaving for St. Louis tomorrow for New Year's Eve, and then to leave for Paris, I decided to finish up a project that I have been working on for a long time: custom sharpie mugs for my friend Paris!

The story goes that we spent last summer in Moncton doing the explore program together and, over just a few weeks of "Franglish", we developed many inside jokes. When she decided to move into her first apartment, I decided to immortalize some of our favorites on funny yet functional coffee mugs to give her as a gift; then life happened. So, now, several months later, I have finally gotten them finished and baked! Take a look:

I think they turned out just lovely. Also, I find that these inexpensive custom sharpie mugs would make great gifts for homestay parents, friends, family, or anyone, really! If you have the time, give them a try using this mini-tutorial:

SUPPLIES:

• Inexpensive (thinly glazed plain mugs, tea cups, plates, etc.
• Black Sharpies
• Cotton balls and swabs
• Rubbing alcohol
• Acetone
• Baking sheet

DIRECTIONS:

1. Wash the dishes of choice with regular dish soap; dry with a towel
2. Using a cotton ball, along with plain rubbing alcohol, wipe them down again to insure they are free of pen-repelling finger prints or oils; let dry
3. Using a regular or paint sharpie marker, draw on the design of your choosing. I found it helpful to use paper stencils and/or tracing directly onto the dish. 
4. Re-trace your design with a second layer of marker; let dry. To erase mistakes, use a cotton swab dipped in acetone or rubbing alcohol; make sure to let dry before reapplying the sharpie.
5. Place finished cups on a baking sheet and place in a COLD oven. Turn to 425ºF and bake 30 minutes.
6. Turn off oven and allow cups to come to room temperature before removing them.
7. Enjoy your custom creations!

TIP:

• Wash only by hand with a soft cloth; avoid scrubbing the drawn designs

Let me know in the comments what you think, and whether or not you plan to try this quick and simply DIY!

Until next time,

Real Advice for Study Abroad Part 8: How To Stretch Your In-Country Budget Further

I have found that living in, and properly experiencing, a new area while studying abroad is somewhat of a balancing act; with so much to see and do, and only so much cash to go around.

However, during my stay in New Brunswick, even after loosing my debit card, I was able to stretch my money to its limits and make the most out of my time abroad on a budget. I am confident that the tips below will help you do the same. Enjoy!

1. Prepare a Budget: First things first, do some research on your area of study to evaluate the approximate cost of living. One of my favorite sites is Numbeo.com. Also refer to the StudyAbroad101 reviews for your specific program to investigate how much past students spent over the course of their stay. They sit down with your financial information and really map out what you have to spend, and what on. Spending categories may include food and beverage, transportation, leisure/entertainment, travel, souvenirs/gifts, etc. Also set aside some money for emergencies just in case. Now you should have a good basis on which to map your weekly spending allowance for the duration of your program.

2. Walk Whenever Possible: I know this one seems obvious but, really, skip the busses and cabs while traveling and let your feet take you where you need to go within reason; fares add up fast! Walking will keep you active while allowing you to explore your host city in an intimate manner. For example, during Explore 2013, we used to walk all the way to the neighboring city of Dieppe just for fun, or to run errands. The 4-mile journey was perfectly doable and helped us figure out Moncton's downtown layout. However, for safety's sake, don't forget to go with a buddy or small group if you choose to hoof it!

When walking just isn't feasible, splitting a cab with friends can keep the fare low. Just don't forget to ask the cabby to explain the fees and fare before getting in.

3. Shop Discount Stores: Dollar discount stores, bulk food stores, and thrift shops are the budget traveler's best friends. Lucky for me, I spent Canada Day in Canada, so my local Dollarama was packed with maple leaf-clad memorabilia. However, most discount retailers should carry post cards, key chains and other souvenir-type items year round to bring home as inexpensive gifts; and trust me, no one will mind (or likely notice) that you shopped smart for their presents. These places are also great for picking up things like silverware, dish soap, laundry supplies, school supplies and anything else you may need on your trip.

PRO TIP: With a little forethought,  you can also make your own tea and coffee from bulk-bought supplies just as you would at home as long as you have a microwave in-country. I figure I saved myself $20 a week making homemade chai lattés and instant coffee for less than $1 a piece compared to $3+ café drinks while in Moncton.

4. Don't Be a Water Snob: As long as the water in your area is safe to drink (ask an authority figure such as university staff, don't just assume) drinking from the tap can save you a small fortune, especially if you usually buy bottled water from vending machines. Even refilling each bottle one time can help you stretch your food and beverage budget - not to mention help preserve your local environment.

5. Dine Smart: Though buying groceries will most likely be the very cheapest way to eat while abroad, I know that engaging in gastrotourism is one of the most important ways to experience a new culture. Ask your program staff, other locals, and online review sites where the best local places are to eat on the cheap. They will steer you away from touristy restaurants and towards the hotspots that serve the best regional cuisine on a budget. Plus they can tell you where the best dive bars are!

Once you've found great restaurants, stretch your budget further by sticking to the following advice:

• Drink water instead of expensive soda. It's calorie free and cost free! 
• Be aware of "specials." Oftentimes the dish-of-the-day will actually cost more than normal fare, so ask to see a menu before making a decision.
• Share with friends and split the bill. You will be able to try a greater variety of local fare for less coin - it's a win-win!
• Keep gratuity in mind and make sure to save some cash for tips. Don't forget to check what the customary practices are in your area beforehand to save yourself any embarrassment.
• Take your meal "to go" and have a picnic with friends. This will allow you to save on gratuity, and allow everyone to bring from multiple restaurants, or from home, without feeling left out.

Hopefully these tips will help you live larger on less while abroad. Don't forget to post your favorite money saving tips in the comments below.

Thanks for reading! 

Maple-loving Monctonophiles Meet to Make Magic

Bonjour à tous,

As I mentioned in a previous post, I have turned into an outright maple fiend since I have been back from Canada. It's ridiculous, I know. Lucky, I'm not the only one!

Fellow Moncton Explorer and French student Renee, and another friend of ours, Susan, gathered chez moi to recreate the maple creme sandwich cookies we found and loved during the summer, and put my leaf-shaped cookie cutters to work. The results were magical.

The recipe we used came from the blog Sweet Pea's Kitchen, which came together really well despite the fact that I forgot to add the brown sugar. Eh-hem... We substituted the frosting, with canned cream cheese icing flavored with maple extract making for a sweet and sticky delicacy fit for, well, us.

Better than the cookies was the opportunity to spend time together and catch up. The leftover cookies were shared amongst our neighbors, roommates, loved ones and our French class classmates all of whom enjoyed our maple-y handiwork. Next time, we're going to do crêpes or French Macarons!

Thanks again, ladies, for coming over, and to Christina for sharing her recipe with the world.

Until next time,

Mapleliciousness

Bonjour mes amis,

In my French Literature of the 20th Century class, while reading Proust, we have been talking about the strong ties between the 5 senses and our memories. What we decided is that above all others, taste and smell were the two most influential senses and that a whiff of a familiar odor, or a morsel of a once forgotten flavor can knock loose a tidal wave of emotions or experiences from our past even if they have been cached away for long periods of time.

I would absolutely have to agree. In fact, ever since I have been back from Canada, I have been a complete maple junky in what seems like a pathetic subconscious attempt to keep my experience in the forefront of my memory. I just keep craving it.

The weirdest part is, I didn't even really have many maple goodies while abroad, save for a few (delectably addicting) maple sandwich cookies and some hand-tapped syrup with my Couchsurfing hosts. Though I did sniff my $100 bills a lot... I guess I just associate maple with Canada based on the popular stereotype. Either way, je suis accro!

It all started when I found a maple-pumpkin candle at a local store upon coming home. The scent was just so fantastic - sweet, warm, familiar, and comforting. I burned it almost completely up until I replaced it with Scentsy's "Maple Butter" bars in a warmer. 

Next, maple extract and syrup was flavoring my coffee, topping my ice cream, and dripping through my mind. Yum! I guess, is it could be worse, though, right? As far as addictions go, I'll take maple over anything...

What scents/tastes bring you back to pleasant memories? Let me know in the comments!

Au revoir!

Joyeux Anniversaire à Moi-Même + Reverse Culture Shock

Bonjour bonjour,

Today is my 21st birthday, though it's a little anticlimactic.

More strikingly, today marks that I've been "home" from Canada for 3 whole weeks. As expected, though, it's taking some time to fall back into my "normal" routine.

I've seen my family, started school, gone back to work, and tried to readjust to life as it was, but I still can't shake this feeling of dissatisfaction, angst and wholehearted loss that seems to be steming from being away from Paris and the friends who surrounded me in the dorms, missing the hustly-bustly Moncton atmosphere, and speaking God-awful English all the time, (a punishable offense less than a month ago).

I feel like I'm in shock, and no one including my friends and family quite knows how to react to it.

In the meantime, I can't help but ask what keeps (most) Americans from Smiling like (most) Canadians, and why, just WHY, are there no decent sushi places in Macomb?! Reverse homesickness certainly exists, and I am swimming in the midst of its awful funk...

Luckily, some insightful Leathernecks of years past created Western's Ambassadors for Study Abroad (WASA): an organization that provides a place for study abroad alumni to share their stories with fellow international education enthusiasts to help them cope with the stress of "re-entry".

As WASA's current President, I can't wait to encourage open lines of communication within the group, and to create as many opportunities as possible for members to share these valuable sentiments, as well as memories, photos and stories of any kind. This will help future travelers understand, and prepare for the inevitable pressure of coming home, and should this help alumni come to terms with reverse culture shock, and realize that these feelings are normal and temporary, and that they are not alone.

What were your sentiments upon returning home from a trip, or study abroad adventure? Tell me below in the comments.

Thanks for reading.

Moncton Explore: Week Four & Five Summary

Bonjour à tous,

Thanks for joining me to find out what happened during Explore weeks four and five. Due to my technological issues and lack of daily journalling, some of the days lack detail but, trust me, this amazing adventure is wrapping up way too quickly and I've been trying to savor every moment. Enjoy!

July 21st:

I spent quite a while this evening finishing my homework... When I was done, I knocked on Paris's door. She didn't answer. Then, I headed downstairs only to find that no one was around. Suddenly, one of the monitrices came in the front door, saw me and started freaking out! It turns out I had worked for so long that I was late to the mandatory meeting! It really worried me to think I was going to get a feuille jaune and have to have a meeting with Madame White! Plus, I completely missed the announcement that our team had won the Rallye Photo!

July 22nd:

Today was my last poetry atélier. Class was really good! 

During the evening, we had the Soirée Musicale, where students and staff alike came out to wow us with their musical talents.

Brenda sang a lovely Franglish rendition of a popular American song.

Rebekah sang three songs in French, some of which she translated herself!

There was also a hilarious boy band act, 

and also an adorable duet by Tyler and Charlotte, with Sam on guitar.

My favorite act of the night, though, was Samuel and Olivier playing a song that they wrote for all of us. Everyone was near tears by the time they were done! It was so perfect..

The monitors really slam dunked this activity! I love those guys...

July 24th:

Erik and I set off, today, in search of delicious bubble tea.

We ended up at Zen Gardens vegetarian restaurant, which is right near Café Archibald.

Their tea, steamed buns and dumplings were all so amazingly tasty! I never knew vegetarian cuisine could be so satisfying. Yum!

July 25th:

Today, after my photography atélier, Jarrett, Erik and I walked across town to Tony's Pastries for some nummy treats. I picked up some crème brûlée for Jeff, and myself. Then, we headed down to the hilariously awesome "Soirée Comédie" Improv Show where students and monitors competed in a battle of wits and spontaneity in front of us, their captivated audience. Everyone did a great job! 

July 26th:

I may or may not have missed my atélier today... Eh-hem... No big deal...

This evening, though, we met a few friends for a little get together! It was le fun! Unfortunately, my camera wasn't digging it and I got no good photos.

July 27th:

Oh, Saturday. How I adore you... I took full advantage of my freedom, today, and slept in late. Then, Paris and I worked on our project for the garderie on Monday.. Later, the gals and I had a hallway party on floor 10!

July 28th:

Today is the start of week five; our last week at U de M. The realization that this program is coming to an end has already hit everyone pretty hard, I feel.

For lunch, a group of us went to our beloved Café Archibald for a pre-goodbye celebration. As you can see, my favorite bromantic couple sat side by side at the head of the table. #mignons

Tonight, at the very last sunday meeting, we decided our graduation gala theme would be 007.

July 29th: 

This morning, our class went to the U de M francophone preschool, or garderie, to do an activity with the kiddos. I swear, it was one one the most adorable experiences of my life! French is so much cuter on a tiny scale. On a side note, I ruined this entire picture by blinking!

Paris, Sofia, Tyler and I were paired up with the coccinelles, or lady bugs, whose ages ranged from 18 months to 3 years old: too young to really communicate. However, everything they could say was precious! Plus, they loved our animal coloring sheets, and the animals sounds that went with them.

Later, after our last atélier of the summer, Paris and I walked to the mall in Dieppe for some retail therapy and to meet a friend. We got a massive cookie frappuccino from Starbucks in the Chapters book store while we waited. I was quite the pleasant evening!

June 30th:

Today, levels 4 and 5 watched a movie in class to wind down for the final.

After, we headed to Pays de la Sagouine: a quaint old-timey Acadien village/interactive theater park on an teensy little island in the middle of Buctouche Harbor.

 

The wooden bridge to the island was very very cool.

Voilà, the dream team!

There were tiny little boats floating in the harbor, as well, half filled with water, but hangin' in there!

There were other watercrafts, too.

After exploring the interactive sites, tasting Acadien food, buying some snacks and watching a bit of a play, we headed back across the bridge. Quite suddenly, though, Mother Nature gave us a bit of a shower!

Luckily, it cleared up in time for a quick trip to Les dunes de Buctouche.

We enjoyed the clarity while it lasted.... For about 20 minutes....

 

Then THIS happened!

 

The sky opened up and let us have it. Everyone was drenched, backpacks, towels and all by the time we got under the awnings. It was a looooong, chilly bus ride home!

July 31st:

Today, we prepared for the gala, set up the decorations, and wished it wasn't so soon! I really can't believe it's almost over.

After getting dolled up Russian spy-style, and taking a preparatory shot of gin with the gals, we headed to our self-prepared party. Everything, and everyone, looked fantastic.

To begin, our MCs gave thank-you speeches to each staff member. Then, there was a myriad of wonderful student performances; among them, a trumpet duo,

A lovely acoustic, Franglish song,

A steamy tango drama,

A perfect salsa performance,

A tear-jerking duo of the soirée musicale ballad Sam and Oli wrote for us,

And and absolutely mind-blowing tap performance by Olivier. Hot Damn... The whole show just blew us all away.

To cool us down, we all received our peer-written certificates of merit.

Mine was for having marvelous hair and a good sense of style! Thanks Tara!

All too soon after, we received our official completion certificates from Madame White.

For the rest of the evening, we savored our time together. 

Enjoyed the company of our friends;

And tried to capture as many memories as we could without crying!

I'll miss these spiffy lookin' guys!

And Erik, who is all graduated...

Honestly, I can't name a person I won't miss!

Thanks for the unforgettable summer, everybody!

August 1st:

Today, we cried and studied and packed; we hugged, exchanged addresses, and hugged some more. Everyone was in a somber, yet edgy mood as we completely moved out of our dorms and into our suitcases. 

August 2nd:

Bright and early this morning, we had our final exam. After, Paris and I said a teary au revoir to Sébastien. When we returned to LaFrance, though, I nearly came undone when I heard the monitors speaking English! That was when I knew it was over... 

We said our adieus to everyone. Then, we headed up to Pink Sushi for one last lunch together. When we came back, we said even more awful goodbyes! I was not prepared for this! After hours of cabs coming and going, shlepping our new-found friends to the airport, we were among the last stragglers to leave our 5-week home.  

I am so thankful to have had the chance to participate in Moncton Explore 2013, to make lifelong connections, and grow so much in so little time. Thank you, readers, for following my summer adventure. I hope you enjoyed the ride.

Until next time!,