Modesty in the United States

I wanted to approach a topic that's been in the back of my mind for most of the time I've been in Europe: Modesty.

The majority of Americans know that nudity is not an issue in Europe (e.g., topless beaches, naked art) but there are other immodest qualities that give Europe its charm that also seems to make Americans uncomfortable.

Other than nudity, one example is the use of cuss words.  This seems like it's not a big deal, especially for the younger generations in the states.  Most people cuss after every other word (guilty!) and that's becoming normal vocabulary.  However, how many cuss words are allowed on television?
Don't strain yourself, I've comprised a list.
It is acceptable to say:
1)A** but NOT a**hole. Not sure why.
2)Damn
3)Hell
4)Bastard

It is not acceptable to say:
1)Sh**
2)F***
3)C***
4)P***y

If you're wondering why some of these are deemed acceptable, ask the FCC, because I have no idea.
Not only are the words on television censored, but also every song on the radio!  Is there a single radio station that doesn't change or bleep out words? That song by Cee-lo Green about his gold-digging ex-girlfriend was definitely NOT titled "Forget You."  Seriously, think about it!
However, the point of this exercise was to direct attention to the fact that songs on the radio are NOT censored in Europe.  I don't watch t.v. here but I'm willing to bet that it isn't.  There are also no mom's causing ruckus over it either.  Kids will hear bad words.  It's inevitable.

My second example of the prudence in the United States is strangely enough the lack of use of the word "toilet."
This sounds hilarious but it's SO true.  If I was to ask someone at a restaurant where the toilet was, it would make me, and the person I'm asking, feel very uncomfortable.  I feel like the only time you should use the word "toilet" is to tell a plumber that your toilet needs fixing.
Actually one time at a restaurant in France, my friend asked for the "salle de bain" or "bathroom" and the waiter laughed at her and was like "Why?  Do you need to take a shower?"  Why do we try to avoid saying the word "toilet?"
The room with all of the toilets is called a restroom...why?  You're not taking a nap in there.  Everyone knows what we're doing, yet we feel weird saying it.  Heck, my french professor last semester would just be like "Je dois faire pee-pee."  What professor at home would blatantly tell you that she has to pee?

These are only two examples but I think they make my point.  Why is it that Americans are so uptight?  Or are Europeans just very easy-going?  I guess you can form your own opinion.

Don't forget to do what you love

Recently I decided to start going to Catholic mass every week again.  Something made me miss the community of it.  It's comforting seeing the same happy faces every week, doing the same things as you.   I also always liked going and hearing the homily...basically getting advice on how to be  a good person is needed in my life I think.
This blog is definitely NOT about me becoming some born-again christian who was "saved" or to tell you all to go to church because "ya'll need JESUS."
I started going back because I wondered why I ever stopped going in the first place.  I liked going. Why would I have stopped?
While in Mass last night, listening to the choir sing every hymn in perfect harmony, I was reminded of the large portion of my life I spent singing in my own church choir.  We had a nun who ran it at Sacred Heart named Sister Gloria-- sweetest woman EVER-- and she would give me solos to sing during communion and praised me as if I had the voice of an angel.  Trust me, I wasn't that good, but I had so much fun with it!  After graduating high school and moving out of my parents' home, I rarely found time to sing.  I didn't want to in my dorm because my whole floor would hear me.  Sometimes I'd belt out my favorite song in the car, but really I just stopped singing altogether.  It took me until sitting in mass last night to realize how much I missed it.  So do you know what I did?  I sang in the shower.  LOUDLY.  I was a little nervous that I'd irritate my neighbors...but if they are allowed to scream and run down the hallways at 3am on a Tuesday, I think I should be allowed about 20 minutes of bad singing every night, don't you?
And there are other things that I stopped doing that were once things I loved.  Like writing poetry for example.
Why do we stop doing the things we enjoy when we get older?  Is it because we don't have the time?  Everyone is so worried about wasting time but I think if you're filling your days with satisfying activity, your day is not wasted!  Therefore I'm going to take more time out my day to sing horribly, do the time step, write a poem, cook something interesting, and love each day a little bit more.

6 months down, 2 months to go.

Clearly I haven't kept up with my blogging every week thing.  I apologize to all two of you whom actually care about and read my blog...seriously how do you go on without reading my witty takes on life in France every week?!  Bless your hearts.
But seriously,  it's been a while since I've written about Aix-en-Provence so I thought I'd summarize a bit now.  Today marks the 2-month countdown to my return to the states.  Nuts, right?  It's going to be so hard to leave this beautiful town but alas, I cannot live in my fantasy world forever.
Over the past 6 months I've spent here, I've grown to love many-a-thing as well as create a deep boiling hatred for another.

Something I love:  Eating lunch outside on a breezy spring day in a park or on a majestic fountain.
Something I hate:  The swarm of exactly one million pigeons that surrounds you whilst you eat your lunch.

Something I love:  The smell when you walk past one of the many Savon de Marseille shops or Lavande boutiques that makes your nose ever so happy.
Something I hate:  The cigarette smell that automatically re-enters your nostrils after you've passed said shops, which is created by the crowds of oh-so posh young Aixois who look so damn cool but smell so damn strongly of Marlboro.

Something I love:  The "Joie de vivre" attitude of the French.  Who doesn't love wasting time drinking a shot of black coffee talking over deep tormenting issues?...or just starting class late everyday?
Something I hate:  The "Joie de vivre" attitude when trying to get something done.  Oh..the poste has a 2 hour lunch break today...how sweet..I guess I'll just sit here and get swarmed by flocks of pigeons for the next 120 minutes because waking all the way home is NOT happening.

Something I love:  The fact that the university trusts that I'll retain my knowledge without giving me 3 hours of homework everyday..instead they give me zero.
Something I hate:  Oh wait..I actually hate that because guess what, Sciences-Po? NOT RETAINING ANYTHING.

Something I love:  The temperate weather here in the south of France.  While everybody is freezing back at home, it's a nice 60 degrees in Aix.
Something I hate:  The fact that now if it's 50 degrees or less I feel obligated to wear a heavy coat and scarf because otherwise I'll just freeze to death.

Something I love:  HAVING AN H&M RIGHT HERE AT MY DISPOSAL.
Something I hate:  Spending all of my money at H&M...

Something I love: Baguettes.  Seriously what is life without baguettes? I don't think I can go back to that squishy stuff we call bread at home.
Something I hate:  The fact that baguettes are stale after a day...so when I buy it, I have to eat the whole thing that day.  Either that, or suck it up and get lock-jaw tomorrow.

Damn, I love France.
And I hate that I have to leave in two months.