Podcasting Around the World

Yesterday I discovered something amazing. No it wasn’t in some hidden romantic alley near the cathedral (though I did spy a crêpe place, une crêperie, which I intend to frequent) but this momentous discovery occurred iTunes. Thanks to the unearthing of Oprah & Friends XM series, I’ve been christened into the world of podcasts.

Podcasts are largely free on iTunes and come in either video or audio format. Think of it as either mini radio segments, lectures, or TV segments. I can watch/listen either on my iPod or laptop, and discovered Oprah’s new “soul searching” series, French lessons, and cooking shows.

Note: As a chemist able to synthesize and purify complex molecules, I’m ready to experiment in the edible variety. This will be my primary goal upon returning to the states.

The loss of television went largely unnoticed since I rarely watch it in the US. The loss of my Sex and the City DVDs and ‘Whose Wedding is it Anyway’ on Style= devastating. Podcasts will now fill my void while I eat dinner.

Furthermore I’ve been out of the US too long -- apparently Oprah’s gone granola. Now a vegan and highly interested in mediation, this is going to make an interesting summer study. Deep inside I always knew I’d eventually internally revolt and become a hippy: looks like Oprah just paved the way.


Last night I stopped at the local market to do my weekly grocery shopping. As I walked around examining gastronomical delights, a simple epiphany crossed my mind.

I realized that for one of the first times in my life, I am exactly where I am – standing in a supermarche in Strasbourg, France – because of me. Neither luck or wealth brought me here. My funded summer of traveling came from hard work and relentless pursuit of opportunity alone.

Then when I was watching the first of Oprah’s Soul Searching Series, she talked about how people were watching from all over the world. After a moment of hesitation it dawned on me… “oh, she’s talking about me!”

Moral of the Story: yesterday was self-gratifying. Hard work pays off, and it feels good to appear to have moderate control over your opportunities. It feels like I’m a participant in the universe, not a spectator.


Ketchup Time
[Translation: Catch Up Time]

Friday May 23

After work there was another Chemistry Department BBQ. I showed up with some of the other American students and started talking with French chemistry students. The BBQs take place in one of the student “cafeterias,” that basically only serve barrels of beer and two sandwiches a day.

One of the French guys (actually the son of the PhD who coordinates our living arrangements in Strasbourg) offered to go get us a beer.

Despite the fact that he’s foreign, his personality was apparent from his shirt which read in English “I (heart) You” but the heart contained the words “just want to have sex with.”

This was not a hard judgment call, despite the man purse all the French cool guys wear. [Just guess what Adamo’s getting as a souvenir…]

I had just made the comment that I have 15 days back in the US before I can legally buy alcohol again, so he joked and said we were going to observe “international rules” and I didn’t get a beer.

Me: “Oh, see I thought the rule in Europe was you had to see over the counter”

Cool Guy: “psh, non. We have rules”

Me: “That’s right, because Europeans are all short so that wouldn’t work”

Cool Guy [shocked but smiling]: “Stand up!”

And I stood up and was taller then him. He bought me a beer.

Later he told me he thought I was cocky, and I told him I was an American so I didn’t care. He laughed and said that’s why he likes Americans.

The night progressed with a few more attempts to get me to consume more beer, which proved unsuccessful. Overall I had a really good time mingling with everything, including some of the people from my lab.

Saturday May 24:: Day trip to Colmar

Honestly, I’ve worked on this entry on and off all day. I’m tired and want to go to sleep. Expect another entry tomorrow.

Elaine