So this is the New Year.

And yes, I don't really feel much different from before the clock struck midnight. However, when I look back to this time last year, I would say that I'm a bit different. Ever since I returned from studying in Grenoble, I feel that who I am, my personality, my beliefs, my everything has been in a constant state of flux. At the end of last year I found myself ready to settle down and embrace who I am-- ready to rediscover the best parts of myself that I've lost or buried in the last year and a half and embrace the ways in which I've grown and the best ways in which I've changed. For the most part my posts have been more general and not as personal, but this time I felt like sharing a bit more. This year I'm looking forward to taking better care of myself by taking steps to improve myself spiritually, mentally, physically and emotionally. I can be notorious for focusing more on other people and how I need the company of others to lead a full life. This year, I'm going to focus more on me, my interests and achieving my goals.

Before writing the title of this blog I didn't think I was going to start this entry in that direction (thanks a lot Death Cab), but there it is! To move on, this last week has been a nice one. Work wasn't too heavy and I had a few less classes than usual with teachers getting back into the swing of things. It's been nice getting to see friends again after two weeks of vacation. As the beginning of the year gives people the itch to try new things and branch out, my friend and I went to a local gym to try a yoga class. It wasn't what we were expecting, but the instructor and the participants were friendly, so we're thinking of going back to try a class that is more our style. The class we went too was much more focused on breathing, relaxing and the meditation aspect of yoga, which was a little much for me, though it was cool to try a different style. Continuing on the trend of new, I biked out by the university to check out the community center that I mentioned a few posts back where I can possibly volunteer. As soon as I mentioned that I was American the secretary got excited and mentioned that I could maybe help younger kids with their homework (probably English) after school. It would be kind of an extension of my job, but it would be fun to work with a younger group with students on a more personal level. I don't have anything concrete yet so we'll see!

Poster I found in town for the slam concert

On Friday night my friend and I went to a local bar to check out a slam competition. For those who don't know, slam is a type of spoken word, poetry art form that has become really popular here in France with artists like Grand Corps Malade. Outside of GCM, I didn't really know much slam, so it was really enlightening to go to this local competition and seem a variety of "slammeurs." There were men, women and even a much older gentleman who performed a great poem on writing and the importance of expression. Some approached it from more of a rap angle, others sang their poetry, others just recited it as they would another poem. One artist stormed around the bar, reciting his piece at the top of his lungs, grabbing the attention of all of the patrons (including those not there for the performance). There were a few who improvised and weren't the most warmly received and there were those who were "slamming" for the first time and performed with their poem to help them. Some performed at rapid fire speed, blurring words and phrases together, wheareas others performed which such deliberateness that I could understand almost every word. My friend and I only stayed for the first round, but it was such a cool experience to witness this competition, practice French and have an interesting, new cultural experience.

That's pretty much all the fun stuff for now. Some friends and I had a good time enjoying raclette last night (one of the best European dishes ever). After, we had a "galette des rois" (king cake) for Epiphany, complete with a little Smurf toy hidden inside. I hope your first week of 2012 has been a wonderful one. A la prochaine!