Buy a warm coat : check !

I am flying to Chicago for a few days after the New Year, so I needed to buy a very warm down coat before going there because it is really freezing cold and windy.

After going to the Reading Terminal Market (covered market, absolutely amazing place, great for a walk and a meal), I stopped at Macys and made a great deal: Calvin Klein down coat, dark brown with a faux fur hood, for the equivalent of 75euros.

Also, there are not enough mirrors in Macys, which is quite a problem when trying a dozen of long down coats. A little stressful to leave my hits on  the side while migrating to the mirrror - I swear, people were lurking on my selection of coats and approached them the second I walked away.

A Friend in Philly

Old City

Old City

Visitors are always a great reson to get to know Philadelphia more. My friend Helene, doing her internship in New York came for a week end during which we explored the old city together and went to the PMA, which is pay as you wish every first Sunday of the month. 

Washington DC

Washington DC is only at a 3hours bus ride from Philadelphia. With a cheap megabus or bolt bus ticket, it is worth going even for a day. Of course it's too short to see enough of the city or even have an opinion, which in ly case is absolutely true. I will have to go back to see more and am actually going there for 2 days during winter break.

Last time I saw the very cute District of Georgetown (where the University is). I wanted to try Mobidick, an Iranian fast food restaurant I had heard of. I wasn't disapointed it was quite good and cheap.

Hmm and also I was a very bad photographer that day and almost took none. All apologies, this mistake will be repaired next time, promise!

A car ride after thanksgiving dinner

Dinner ended very early, at 8pm, because we started eating around 4. However our stomachs and sleepiness made us think it was 10..

Alexa's mom kindly suggested to go for a car ride in New York. The city's street were abnormally empty due to thanksgiving break. It was a very smooth and nice car ride we went for, stopping at some of New York's highlights: lincoln center, rockfeller center and the public library.

Lincoln Center has a very cute garden behind the building -  Reminds me of the Stravinsky fountain in Paris behing Beaubourg

Rockefeller ice skating rink - October 1998 memories!

After observing this policeman for a little while, it appeared that he was indeed talking to this horse. Least threatening police authority ever

Thanksgiving break

Thanksgiving is a great reason to have a break during Fall semester. Some exchange students spent thanksgiving in a host family in Philadelphia, an event organized by the university so that foreigners can experience the traditional thanksgiving dinner. I was lucky to do so as well as my roommate invited me to spent few days with her family in New York.

Tukey and stuffing

Turkey!

Alexa and me

Dinner was superilicisous of course with the main course being Turkey with baked sweet potatoes and potatoes, cougle, homemade cranberry sauce, gravy sauce of course!, pie and ice cream for desert.

Accounting101

There is something special about people in accouting101 Wharton course. They're not like everyone ,and not in the good way "different". After a semester observing them, I've been thinking more and more of describing the stereoptypical Wharton student. 

The auditorium is fairly divided into girls and boys, but for some reason I only see reasons to target boys. They are most generally of the "fratty" type, meaning frat brother stupid looking. However I would lie if I said they aren't smart, they understand quickly but let's put it this way: they don't bear the looks of the refined minds. They all dresshe same, in such an unoriginal way I can't even think of specific words to describe it. Same with harcuts. I'd be very surprised if I heard them say something interesting.  I'd be very surprised if I heard them discuss something else than campus or greek life. Another reasons to target boys is that they are the ones to eat gross food at 9am, filling the auditorium with a now on characteristic smell of cheese omelette bagel sandwich. Oh the power this sandwhich has to instantly disgust me!

I now wish to tell the story of Drowsy Blong Guy. I couldn't think of a more passive looking person. Maybe it's the early hour in the morning. Maybe he's just like that. The mystery will remain, as I only have accounting at 9am twice a week. He is tall blod boy with a childllooking face, a baby who grew up too fast and it's a little montrous. But undoubtly, his sleepy eyes are the best way to describe him. The class isn't that big and you eventually spot faces (let's not lie, even went you concentrate hard in class, people watch still has a fair amount of your attention). I noticed him because he seems to come in class to fall asleep and  frankly, it annoys me because it makes him look even more stupid. Not that long ago, I sat behind him, or more precisely he arrived late and sat in front of me. That day I thought I would have a peaceful class, because I had managed to escape sitting next to a morning sandwich eater this time. But by the middle of the class, Drowsy began to drowse, his head going back, and forth again as he waked up. No exageration, the movement would resume the cycle every 4seconds, keeping my concentration away from the professor. I was annoyed. I laughted a little with my neighbor and said quite loudly "it's soooo annoying". Miracle ! Drowsy heard, said sorry and put an end to it all. "You were falling asleep on my desk", I explained to him, in a  rather kind way to balance my initial tone.

Why am I telling the strory of Drowsy, the guy in accounting ? - one can wonder. Well, I think it is a perfect example of bad time management, a relatively common flu here at Penn. Why isn't he just taking a good rest one morning, instead of insisting on coming in class to fall asleep? 

Maybe he just doesn't want to miss the morning smelly sandwich. 

Vote ! Michelle Obama at Penn

Mayor Michael Nutter

Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama came at Penn to tell people to vote the next day. It was a cold day and we had to wait long hours before she arrived. Other democrats such as Philadelphia's mayor Michael Nutter, spoke before her. Similar speech about the Republicans being the bad guys. By the time the First Lady arrived I was to frozen to appreciate her speech. It was nothing very extraordinary anyway. A lot about being a mom and caring for the world your children will have to live in;