http://blogs.targetx.com/sbm/JessDo/ en-us Copyright 2009 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:05:51 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss It's good to be back at Temple for my last two semesters. I hadn't seen Alter Hall finished before I studied abroad and I can't believe how great it looks! It makes the perfect setting for holding some events that I'm planning as part of the Google Campus Ambassador Program. The program promotes Google Apps on campuses by choosing a couple student ambassadors from each university to inform students how Google Apps (Gmail, Google Docs, Google Sites) can really help with schoolwork and group projects. Google trains us online once every couple of weeks so that we can better teach students how to use Apps. This semester I'm working with Vaughn, another Fox student, to plan fun, engaging, and informative events. Our first event was in the Alter Hall lounge where students could take a break from studying for midterms and grab some pizza, learn more about Google Apps, and win invitations to preview Google's new communication product, Google Wave. The event was a great way to introduce Temple students to Google events on campus and I'm very excited to plan the next one! Visit sites.google.com/site/letsgoowls to learn more about Google events at Temple :) http://blogs.targetx.com/sbm/JessDo/2009/10/google.html http://blogs.targetx.com/sbm/JessDo/2009/10/google.html Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:05:51 -0500 It's been a month since I said goodbye to Paris. The last week there was tough, trying to see everyone and do all the things I never did. But it was also very relaxing - finals were over and I was free to soak in as much of the city as I could. As my friends were leaving I quickly realized that while I learned and experienced so much from all of my travels, it wouldn't mean nearly as much without the people I met along the way. I made friends that have taught English in Japan, gotten bitten by a shark, lived in a national park, seen a case in the World Court, and met the Milan soccer team (and took a picture with David Beckham, most importantly). And with them I jumped into a frigid ocean at eight o'clock in the morning, rode rented bikes to Monet's gardens, trekked along the side of a cliff to get to our hotel, experienced every hostel situation imaginable, and crossed Abbey rode just as the Beatles did decades ago. It was the perfect study abroad experience because of the random, unexpected moments, and although it was sad to say goodbye, I know as long as I keep pursuing new experiences, there will be awesome people, interesting places, and spontaneous moments waiting for me. http://blogs.targetx.com/sbm/JessDo/2009/06/moving_on.html http://blogs.targetx.com/sbm/JessDo/2009/06/moving_on.html Tue, 23 Jun 2009 19:20:58 -0500 I'm taking a moment to brag about the amazing weather these past couple of weeks. The sun is out and I couldn't be happier. Studying abroad in the Spring is definitely an investment the first few months. You come in the dead of winter excited to start exploring, but all these new and fun experiences are a bit aggravated by the harsh weather. It's hard to make it to 8am classes when it's still pitch black out, and going out at night can be a pain with the bitter walk home to look forward to. The good part is, it only gets better and better. I'm seeing a whole new Paris from a couple months back - not everyone looks the same in a dark jacket, more cafes are spilling out onto sidewalks, the parks are dotted with picnic blankets, and the flowers are blooming beautifully. I'm discovering a lot more cool shops, monuments, and cafes now that I don't rush past to make it home and out of the cold. The sun makes colors stand out more as well, so I've noticed that Paris has a lot more grass than I gave it credit for. One of my favorite days here so far was a sunny Saturday a couple weeks ago. I joined a bunch of friends at a non-touristy park for a French-style picnic. The park was at the end of a metro line, with huge grassy hills and playgrounds - quite different from the manicured gardens all over Paris. We enjoyed baguettes with cheeses and spreads, fruit, and wine all afternoon and evening. Unfortunately, it's still Paris and there are many rainy days to come, but at least everything is just a bit more colorful :) http://blogs.targetx.com/sbm/JessDo/2009/04/the_sun_will_come_out.html http://blogs.targetx.com/sbm/JessDo/2009/04/the_sun_will_come_out.html Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:00:14 -0500 Trying new food has been one of the best aspects of studying abroad. It's also been the worst for my budget - I can't walk five steps without a pastry shop, restaurant, bakery, or cafe luring me in. Of course you have to eat pizza in Italy and crepes in France, but here is a list, in no order, of not-so-obvious foods to try while in Europe: Beef Tartare in France. It's raw meat, chopped or ground, mixed with onions and capers, and marinated and seasoned. At a restaurant on one of my first nights in Paris, I noticed the table next to me house four plates of beef tartare with a raw egg cracked over it. I'm pretty good about trying anything, but this was pretty crazy to me! I'm always too curious, however, so a couple weeks ago I ordered steak tartare. I managed three bites before pushing the plate away, but hey, I can say I tried it. Lemon-flavored anything in Amalfi, Italy. It's a coastal town with lemon trees EVERYWHERE! During my visit over spring break, I tried lemon chocolate, limoncello (lemon liquor), lemon yogurt, lemon ice, pretty much everything but a lemon itself. Boxty from Ireland. It's a potato pancake, and depending on where you get it, it's served with all sorts of fillings (meats, cheeses, gravy, vegetables, seafood...) I had no idea this was such a traditional Irish dish, but at the Dublin restaurant I went to everyone ordered a plate! Steak in Florence. Supposedly they're known for their meat? I ordered a filet mignon at a restaurant/wine bar and it was one of the best steaks I've ever had. No sides, no dipping sauces, just a delicious steak in itself. Nutella on ANYTHING. You would think it was its own food group here. We have Nutella in the states, but for some reason my obsession didn't start until I came to Europe. Nutella crepes, bananas and Nutella, Nutella croissants, Nutella gelati, Nutella on waffles, Nutella subs, Nutella dessert sushi (not kidding!), Nutella straight out of the jar - the list goes on and on. http://blogs.targetx.com/sbm/JessDo/2009/04/european_food_tour.html http://blogs.targetx.com/sbm/JessDo/2009/04/european_food_tour.html Mon, 06 Apr 2009 04:48:58 -0500 Cafes have become one of my favorite experiences here in Paris. You can run into many cafes on every block, each with its own unique atmosphere. Sure, it's just a food and drink establishment, but I've found that cafes really capture what I love about the French lifestyle. My favorite so far is Cafe Blanc, just outside of my studio. I usually walk in, say hi to the staff, and sit down wherever I'd like. I always bring some homework to do. Sometimes I can order just a coffee and stay for hours reading, and never feel rushed to leave to make room for other customers. I don't think I've ever been asked if I want the check - it's usually just slipped onto the table or I can ask for it whenever I'm ready. Aside from having my water refilled, I'm left to myself to enjoy my book, talk to whomever I'm with, or watch what's going on outside. All the cafes have huge windows and outdoor seating. Even on the coldest of days you'll see people sitting outside enjoying a meal, and many cafes have outdoor heaters as well. Cafes are all about the relaxed feel, good food, company, and conversation, and just a pause from everything else that's going on! http://blogs.targetx.com/sbm/JessDo/2009/02/the_cafe_experience.html http://blogs.targetx.com/sbm/JessDo/2009/02/the_cafe_experience.html Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:50:11 -0500 I'm a few days into my study abroad journey in Paris. It's been interesting to say the least! The first thing I learned was that you have to watch what you plug in here, or else you may blow a circuit and have no phone or internet to get a hold of someone to help (not that I did that, of course.) I spent the next couple of days sight seeing, as well as eating everything in sight. My apartment is steps away from the Louvre, the Seine, the Pyramids, and most importantly, the Christian Louboutin store where I will spend much time window shopping. Going out at night is a bit intimidating when you're not familiar with the area. People can tell you're American from a mile away, maybe by how I stare at everything around me everywhere I go. However, everyone has been so nice, and even eager to practice their English with me. Yesterday my friends and I found our way to an Irish pub that was playing the Eagles-Cardinals game! So now we can rest assured that we won't miss out on the Super Bowl, even though our Eagles aren't in it :( Sorry this blog has no focus, but it's as scattered as my mind has been since I've gotten here! http://blogs.targetx.com/sbm/JessDo/2009/01/bonjour.html http://blogs.targetx.com/sbm/JessDo/2009/01/bonjour.html Mon, 19 Jan 2009 11:13:39 -0500