more vital information for your everyday life

1st.....when you get to the abbey, after your 10 hr flight and 3 hr bus ride...and you feel exhausted, look like shit, and the first effects of jet-lag are creeping up on you, they take a picture of you..blow it up, and hang it in the office, so make sure you spend the time on the bus prettying yourself up, because my picture was awful

2nd...if you like to eat late at night, you are screwed...they close the kitchen at 11pm....so, basically they are promoting anorexia....lame, i know....(just store all the food that doesnt have to be chilled in your room) its still annoying tho, if you have a midnight craving for cheese or a hotpocket, or anything that needs to be cooked or microwaved......

awesomeness

READ THIS BEFORE YOU SIGN UP FOR CLASSES

so...when making your schedule...pick the classes that look like that are going to be the least amount of work...there is seriously way too much homework given here to enjoy your free time...and for someone like me who has travel plans most of the weekends here, I am probably going to have horrible grades in my classes, because to me, traveling seems more important...so, don't take a lit class unless you love reading, that is where I am most behind. The French classes are good because everyone can improve their French. I just wish there was a little less work and less expectations from the classroom side of this, so that I could enjoy my first time in Europe. Just a little advice, good look to everyone next year....

Blois

we went to blois yesterday, saw the castle and whatnot...

seriously tho...the kids on the bus were a little creepy

they could not have been older than 16...and there were a whole lot of them...and all they knew how to say in english were some dirty nasty things...

and then they were obviously talking about us in french....as chelsea and i were picking up on some things they were saying...

avoid crowded buses if at all possible...


and bring extra deoderant....its ghetto here

MAJOR!!!

Another major item to make sure you do not forget at home is your shower shoes!!! they are so hard to find here and then when you do they cost too much. especially for just showering. Also please make sure you have a full tube of toothpaste before you come. Geez. Buying extra before you come doesnt hurt. Deodorant too :)

Henrik Zwingli

Otto von Bismark-by Ryan Coffey

In World Civilization II class the other day we discussed a primary source document entitled, "Bismark 'Goads' France into War." This document showed the way that a telegraph written for those in charge in France as sent by King William I of Prussia, and it showed the document after being altered by Bismark. He deleted some key phrases that ultimately changed the meaning of the document.
The situation was that Karl Anton, the son of a Prussian prince was a candidate for the throne of Spain. Napoleon III feared such a move. Already uneasy at the prospect of northern and southern Germany (Prussia included with northern Germany), he now had to worry about being even more outmatched. So, Napoleon sent his ambassador, Bendetti, to ask King William not to allow Anton to take the throne. The king sent him away without meeting with him physically, saying that he didn't want any involvement in the issue. Bismark, as Foreign minister was charged with translating this message into French so the telegraph could be dispatched to Paris. His version simply said that the King sent the ambassador away without seeing him and did not want to hear any proposals (true, but the meaning was changed). Not only did Bismark do this, but the telegraph reached Paris on the eve of Bastille Day, a day celebrating French patriotism.
This was the smoking gun that ignited the Franco-Prussian War which lasted from 1870-1871. Prussia won with relative ease after they had already taken parts of Denmark and Austria. King William I was crowned emperor of the new unified German Empire at Versailles. Bismark was named Chancellor, a position he maintained until his death in 1898.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/bismarck_otto_von.shtml
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0R_jcZHuBTc&feature=related

Group Blog-Ryan Coffey

In the early sixteenth century, members of the German clergy of the Cathloc Church sent a list of grievances about some of the church's practices including the matters of indulgences, communion, etc. The papacy ignored the eastern Europeans and instead decided to continue as planned. But in 1517, a man named Martin Luther posted his Ninety-Five Thesis criticizing various practices that he felt were either corrupt or needed tweaking. Johann Jetzel, a prominent seller of indulgences was going to come by and give his sales pitch, which Luther knew about. Luther was reported to the papacy as a possible problem. His thesis was published thousands of times over. His translation of the Bible into German also angered the papacy. Before he could be sentenced to death, the papacy decided it needed the help of Prince Frederich in order to keep the Hapsburgs and Charles the Fifth out of power. Of course this did not work, but the political nature of the church saved him. As he grew more popular amongst the north and eastern European rulers, Luther was increasingly protected. In Worms he participated in a debate with other Cathloc leaders. He was declared a heretic, but the princes hid him.
The Cathloc church refused to change its ways for the most part, but the new protestant church had its problems as well. Zwingli and Luther got in a debate about whether the bread that was broken at communion was really the body of Christ. Zwingli believed it was figurative and took a group of followers and started their own religious sect. As differences in beliefs surfaced, the protestant church became increasingly fractured. But because many were dissatisfied with the Cathloc Church, the protestant churches continued to grow. The Anglican church was popular because it had many of the beliefs of Luther, but continued on with the traditional Cathloc worship, meaning that it was not too unfamiliar. Indulgences were done away with and the belief that one could have a personal relationship with God became the cornerstone of the protestant belief system.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5P7QkHCfaI
http://padresteve.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/martin-luther.jpg

"My 5 Do's and Dont's from Audie :)"

My top 5 Do's when it comes to packing and preparing:

1. Do bring school supplies. you won't regret it.
2. Don't forget less is more. Bring what you KNOW you'll wear.
3. Do remember that your flat irons won't work with out a good adapter. I promise you.
4. Don't forget the stuff you don't think about the night before: scissors, extra plastic bags, febreeze, cotton swabs.
5. Do make sure your luggage is under 50 pounds. Don't be like me and have to unpack in a busy airport and give your parents an armful of stuff!!

:)

"Get Out of Purgatory for Free Card....?"

This week in our fabulous World Civ class, we all focused on the beginning stages of the Reformation. In a nutshell: the reformation is a time where people started to branch away from the Catholic Church in the 1500's. Led by Martin Luther, people felt that the Catholic Church held too much power, accumulated too much money and according to Luther, "the idea is wrong.. If God is in your heart, and you will be saved." Luther felt that the Catholic Church overly stressed the concepts on confessions, indulgences, fasting, prayer, repentance, and other things of that nature. He and his followers believed that there was a "direct light to god" and there was no need to habitually go to confession, and sure as HECK not pay for the indulgences... Which brings us to our main point.

Indulgences.

Again, in a nutshell: indulgences were pieces of paper that basically removed your sins from the Catholic Church. Okay, well that sounds like a good plan. How does one get them you ask?

Simple: You pay about a week's worth of work to get a teeny, tiny, EXPENSIVE "get out of purgatory card" that may or may not save you from the fiery pits of hell.



Catholics would stock up on these cards in hope that their souls would be going straight to heaven. People like Luther thought this was ludicrous and was yet another reason why he wrote his infamous "95 Theses".

These indulgences proved how much power the Catholic Church once had on their followers. Though it is just one of many reasons why Luther and his supporters broke apart, it was a "scheme" that gave the church more unnecessary power. This is the beginnings of the Reformation.


External Links for more information:

http://www.reformed.org/documents/index.html?mainframe=http://www.reformed.org/documents/95_theses.html

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07783a.htm

DEAD PEOPLE

buried under the streets here in Pontlevoy.....creepy!!!!

I wish I would have known...

Just a few helpful tips to those who are getting excited to head to beautiful Pontlevoy:

First of all, there are many plugs around the rooms and it would be convenient to bring more than one adapter for using appliances such as your hairdryer and computer. Also, I brought a ton of pictures to put up around my room of my family and friends and nothing to hang them with, so be sure to pack some tacs or tape if you're planning on doing the same. And maybe it's just me, but I'm glad I brought my own toothpaste because I'm picky about things like that. Hopefully these tips will help you as you get ready for your semester at L'Abbaye! Actually, now that I've listed these things, I'll add to not be afraid to learn them for yourself because that's part of what makes traveling and living here such an adventure. Finally, be prepared to open your mind and fall in love with Pontlevoy because I know for me, it's already been more than I could have imagined and we still have 3 more months to go!

Here's a helpful website and some pictures from our room at L'Abbaye!

http://www.eurabbey.com/

Carlee Lewis

Hey this is my first time to do the blog.... make sure you bring a strong alarm clock cause the adapter ate mine>>

First Weekend at the Abbey :)

This weekend all the students went to Chateau de Chenonceau. This is where King Henery's mistress, Diane de Poiters, lived and after his death his wife Catherine de' Medici kicked her out, and she lived there till her death. The chateau was beautiful and it was great to see all the Abbey students really appreciate its history. Next, we took the train to Tours, France. We visited an art museum, Saint Gatien's Cathedral, and many of us visited the studio where Dr. Netter's art was on display. He is so talented, and my sister and I bought one of his prints. When we arrived back in Pontlevoy all of us went to La Commerce for the band party. It was so much fun meeting and talking with the locals. The weekend was a blast. Thanks to our professors and staff for the fun-filled weekend :)

Chelsea Lewis

Getting around

I went to Tours this weekend. It is a fabulous city, with a lot of shopping places. I finally got a flatiron with a French plug, so no more blowing things up. Be prepared on these mini-trips to do tons of walking, so eat before you go. Also, when planning a weekend trip HERE IS THE BEST ADVICE: plan your trip in reverse, start with the train getting you back to Montrichard, and work from there, because the trains run at different times during the weekend. I learned the hard way, but there are no hard feelings, we are here to learn, and I WILL NOT make that mistake again. Anyways, other than that, go out, have a blast, and see every place you have every dreamed about!!!!!

So, let's see if this works.

I just had lunch at Le Commerce....today it was poisson (fish). Class was fun this morning, but I still have to work on my vision quest. I just wanted to make sure I could post something, and that I filled everything out correctly!

what to bring!!

When you are packing for the Abbaye, bring not only one but two or three power converters or adapters, they will come in handy and they are VERY difficult to find here in Pontlevoy and Martrichard. I brought a converter and it blew after ten minutes of use. I would suggest bringing one converter, for things like a clock, your phone charger, your ipod charger or camera charger and such, things that don't run on the European power, and I would also bring an adapter, that doesn't convert the power but just allows you to plug in things like your laptop that work on both US and French power.
Bring slippers and a robe, when you get out of the shower, it is cold, and you wont want your feet to be freezing, its annoying.
Also, for the girls, a cross-body purse that wears over your shoulder and hangs on your side is perfect. It will be big enough for what you need to carry and works great when traveling. you can wear it under your coat and it helps prevent pick pocketers.
A small book bag or duffel bag is also good, it will be helpful carrying your books and laptop to class, but also to take your dirty cloths to the laundry room!!

to buy converters see the below website.
http://www.voltageconverters.com/

Ce qu' on a appris en class cette semaine (what we learned in class this week)

Things to Know Before you Get on the Plane

Bring your own pillow. Your neck will thank you later.

The pillows and comforters are down, and some people are allergic to feathers. For those people, make sure you let someone know with the Abbey Program know so you can avoid a hive attack. And for those of us who sleep with multiple pillows and a teddy bear (certainly not me) they do not provide comfy squishy things to cuddle with, unless your roommate is extra friendly.