Time to go...

Tomorrow will be my last full day in Lacoste...

All my most important memories of my time here are found on my Tumblr.

I share the same emotions as many others who are ready to go home but wish to stay here in France but yet missing home. Its a tug-of-war pulling emotions back and forth.
I'm just so proud of all the incredible artists I met not just here but in the 3 years I dedicated to Savannah College of Art and Design. The amount of talent is insane!! If only you could witness the clever, creative, mind boggling madness these individuals are capable of. I'm proud to have known then when our goals were nothing but a dream in the near/far future.

It was the last quarter for a lot of students but to my knowledge I was the only one who already walked in graduation. So the feeling of completion has come full circle exceptionally for me...
I completed my senior project. I invited all my family to Savannah. They watched me walk across that stage. 
They celebrated the baby Brown graduating from college. I then went to France and complete the final 2 classes required for my degree excelled and featured 3 pieces of art work in a group show here in France.

Damn. I'm just beyond grateful. My tears are tears of joy and fulfillment. I'm proud of myself and grateful to so many people...

My parents for supporting me even against their wishes to go to art school.
My siblings for their individual efforts and prayers.
Past professors and educators following me on Facebook and Tumblr and this blog rooting for me and my dreams.
Fellow artists for seeing my work, supporting it, and uplifting it.
Viewers for standing and embracing my art soaking it in, discovering, and filling me with such sense a satisfaction I can't begin to describe.
My friends! The real ones checking in on me and snapping me and asking how I'm doing. The ones that can't wait for my arrival.
And Mr. Fleming, my all star fan. You are my anchor in the States and your belief in me is insane.

On Tuesday I fly out of France and back to the USA.
Back to home.
Back to the familiar or not so much.
I fly toward my future, day 1 of LIFE POST GRADUATE!
Now I step away from dreaming. I lived the SCAD dream for 3 years. My final quarter I began tasting the reality of my dreams by studying in France. But in September dreaming ends. I secured a job on a cruise-ship and I'll be calling that ship home for SIX MONTHS. I can't with myself. I'm out of my mind proud and impressed.

I can honestly say  that I don't know whats next. But its true when they say you don't have to know where you are going when you headed in the right direction. I'm moving on and upwards. I'm ready.
Casting fears aside with my Lord and Savior as my guide.

My God My God look how you have blessed me....

Thank you Father.

A Parisian Dream

I can't say that I ever dreamed what it may be like to roam the streets of Paris...

We arrived on Tuesday August 22nd and it's been a dream ever since.
Quaint hotel breakfast, street food lunches, and café dinners. On and off the metro all hours of the day and night. Outfits for every event and shoes and accessories to go with. Narrow streets. Taxis. Motorcycles and mopeds galour!!

I left 5 days and 4 memorable nights later. I left with more than I arrived.
Souvenirs, french friends, sites that have been seen, and views that will never erase from my memory.
Every day in Paris was a dream and every night in Paris I felt like a celebrity.

Here is a photo story of my time welll spent!

PHOTO OF THE YEAR AWARD!

I did this!
I have never wanted an image to go more viral than this one!
I am so proud of this image.
No filter. No fancy editing. Just a clean shot waiting on the right moment!

A Journey to Paris

Tomorrow I journey to Paris...

I've been in France for 3 weeks. 3 busy, spectacular, emotional, and engaging 3 weeks.
All my senses have been awakened and introduced or re-introduced to something new.
It's exciting.

This blogging of mine is getting tough because I have to keep up a separate blog for a grade in my travel class. I don't want to just copy and paste the same ole stuff cause the blog for class has a different agenda.

This one is far more personal, insightful, and spiritually driven.

For those who are interested I am on Tumblr for my class blog which is full of photo assignments and local French sitings.

stephaniebphotos-international.tumblr.com


So tomorrow I go to PARIS!
My two classes have an agenda of museums to visit.
My personal agenda has me dipping into the Parisian nightlife, poetry community, and thrift shopping realms.
The Moulin Rogue being my most sought after destination.
I want to see the Eiffel Tower at all hours of the day. I want to lay before it and let it tower over me. I want the Arc de Triumphe to belittle my American spirit then boost me up and broaden my eyes when I get on the top to take a panoramic of the city.

My outfits are thought out! And I will be sharing them each and everyday. Showcasing my Afrocentric vibes some days and embracing my athletic foot are the next.
Black is beautiful and I look beautiful in black!
I can't wait to walk the streets of Paris standing tall!

I have made a point to photograph anyone who looks to be black. They are rare in the small villages but more prominent in the bigger town. I've seen the most in Avignon and in Arles. But most importantly I've witness a lot of interracial couples that make my heart sing. I feel like it's more common in Europe and something to embrace. But I'll save that rant for the next post...

Nap time is upon me and has me reflecting.
Once upon a time I said I'd love to go to Paris.
And finally the moment has soon arrived.
Paris is more real than ever
Night will fall
I'll close my eyes
And On the train I'll be journeying to Paris at last.

Lacsote - Fri June 27th

Friday, June 27th

I made it!

Bienvenue France!

 

Flight Travels

This was the longest flight I had ever taken! And my first time doing connections.

With a little over an hour between every flight I found myself with not a moment of downtime!

Running for what seemed like forever to get to my connecting Terminal.

 

JKF to CDG (7 hour flight)

After barely making it to this flight. I arrived at the plane doors out of breathe and dying of thirst! A lovely male attendant welcomed me in French. I smiled and said Merci. Trying to practice my manners in French bit me in the butt cause he then proceeded to tell me where my seat was in French -_- Reading his hand movements I started in one direction and turned back saying, This way? To confirm lol.

Moving through the isles I felt sooo cool! This JET felt just like the ones on TV! Fancy business class with reclining chairs into beds and giant cubby holes. Then the Economy Class divided into 3 sections.

Window (3 chairs) aisle (4chairs) aisle (3 chairs) Window

This flight had its ups and downs. I sat in the aisle of the middle seated section of 4 chairs. I was actually supposed to be in one but another lady switched seats before I got there and that was fine. We spoke for a bit and then engulfed ourselves with both food and entertainment. I opted for the Low Sodium dinner which was delicious and was served first. I got steamed tilapia with asparagus and mushrooms. With a side of green apple apple sauce (bitter and nasty), a salad, a fruit salad, and water. The food was tasty and cooked with like NO salt lol. but they gave me sea salt, sugar, and butter on the side to use as I wish which was nice.

In front of me was a touchscreen with plenty of options. Latest movies to watch, classics, as well as radios and full albums to listen to. I watched the Lego movie which was AWEEESOOMMEE!!!!

Shortly after watching it I started feeling not so good. Then we had turbulence which made things worst. I had some water took 2 advils and went to sleep! When I woke  up I was feeling a little better and we were close to landing.  

 

 

 

 

CDG – Paris

Golden widen panel roofs

Beautiful fancy water fountains.

And also a long journey to my connecting flight.

When I got to the gate I found 2 other SCAD students as well as a moment to breathe before boarding again. It would be an hour and a half ot get to Marsielle (pronounced MAR-SAY) After boarding a less luxurious plane and smaller in scale Air France jet I began to read. Take off was delayed about 10 minutes and shortly after take off I found myself asleep until we nearly landed lol.

 

 

BIENVENUE!!!!!

A photo glance at my first views on my first day in Lacoste, France

[Murrier Upper & Lower Apartments]

I live in upper!

 [Yes cars go through here]

[One of many terrace views on campus]

 [Campus cat Pierre]

 [dinner Line]

[Daily downhill travels]

[View from my bedroom window *team no A/C*]

 [Dinner]

 [Campus entrance as well as steepest hill]

 [My room unpacked]

 

Tarde!