Paris is Bigger than I thought

Yes, Paris is bigger than I thought. Customs officials are rude, and Canadians are awesome.

I saw Notre Dame, pictured on the left, and was accosted by a beggar. . . Um. Oh, I spent over twenty four hours on a train. Sophia dear wants to go back--we'll see what I think after I've had time for the pain in my back to subside.

Well, it's my shoulder really, but whatever. I managed to pull a muscle and now there's a golf ball sized section of pain in my left shoulder. Eck.

On the bright side, I go home in three and half weeks. Which is when I will eat Chinese food, muffins and mac and cheese with grand relish, hug my family and try desperately to find a job. Joy.

In any case, I have a couple papers to write, some museums to visit and at least two exams to get through and I'm done. The coursework load here is light compared to school back home.

Death Toll Rising

Over the weekend, there was what started as a peaceful protest in Lhasa, Tibet. This peaceful protest devolved and now there are sixteen confirmed deaths and eighty suspected by the Tibetan Government in exile. These reports are unconfirmed as no foreign journalists are permitted in Tibet and tourists have been expelled. Initial reports identified ten dead.

It is not clear exactly what happened. Innocent people died, of that I have no doubt, but as to who started it, well, it is known Chinese police did attempt to break up the protest, allegedly rocks were thrown and the police attacked by civilians. According to Chinese officials, these same civilians as well as protesters are responsible for thirteen innocent people's deaths and three protesters jumped to their deaths.

Of course, the only people that really know what happen can't tell us. China has blocked Youtube in an attempt to keep foreign news reports regarding the incident from it's people, as well as photos taken by people in Tibet from being seen.

My own feelings and opinions regarding Tibet aside, this is a tragedy, and those responsible for the deaths of innocent people are in the wrong here.

However, I cannot help to wonder if this could have been avoided.

May 10, China hopes to bring the Olympic torch from Mt. Everest. They are, of course, wary of more protests like the those early last year where protesters held a banner outside of the base camp.

They were arrested and later released.

Later that year, students unfurled a banner on the Great Wall, they were also arrested.

Some German athletes are considering not attending the games after the events of this past weekend, I have to say I can't blame them.

It breaks my heart to see violence in a country with a leader that wishes for peace. I should hope that any violent protester's take the Dalai Lama's words to heart and try to remain non-violent in the face of the world. Show China you won't change for them.

This is why I want to support the 198 Countries Peace Project, because Peace might be a pipe dream, but I'm going to keep smoking it.

(I don't smoke by the way, it's a figure of speech)

Peace.

Do You Speak Cheese Omelet?

This is Platform 9 and 3/4, the only touristy thing I did while in London. What else did I do you ask, I slept. For about sixteen hours. I'm sure Sophia has some comment about it.

Anywho, I thought I would belatedly post this as I like the pic.

We are headed to Paris, Sophia and I, and thus have been coming up with very strange things to say in French, such as the title of this entry. Yes, I actually can say that in French. I also know how to ask if you speak soup, chicken, and snail. Hurrah.

Other than that, I've learned how to say, "Call the police." and "Help!" I thought these would be useful.

My next entry will likely include an image of my super secret knitting project, which is really no longer a secret as I had to use Sophia's needles. . . anyway, I'm a few inches in and started the increases so the skirt bells out, it's my own pattern really, as I don't use them with any consistency. We're going to go see 10,000 BC this month, as we realized that our favorite boy from the Covenant is the lead. So pretty. . . I can ignore the facial hair for the shirtlessness.

*Fangirl squeal*

Other than that, it's fairly uneventful here. They're working on the water pipes, so we don't have any water at our apartment right now, but I can deal with that. It's just the one day. Well, that's it for today, and keep your eyes open for another broadcast from Pomcow.

No, you may not have my muffin

You have no idea how hard it is to find muffins here. Of course, I have actually found them, but it's not the same. I just want a bloody blue berry muffin. And cheddar cheese. . . Hm.

Anyway, I promised pictures. Thus, a picture. This is from my trip to Rome. Hurrah. Say hello to man feeding pigeons.

This picture was taken in the piazza with the Bernini elephant. I have a picture of that too, but I like this one better.

Anyhow, the debate about Adder's Breath continues, unsurprisingly. I have killed off another character, my bad. And started a moderately ambitious knitting project. I'm knitting Sophia a skirt for her birthday *shh* she already knows, as I had to borrow her needles to start it.

Now I have my own needles. We found this cute little store called Skandinavia. It sells candles mostly, but in the back there is some really lovely wool yarn, but my allergies refuse to allow me to use it, and they had supplies for knitting/crochet. So I bought some number 10 circulars. Sophia beat me to the other pair I wanted, and thus I will steal them from her, but this argument will be in our special Spring Break podcast. Wherein you discover what we did during spring break. Heh.

I'll post WIP pics of the skirt next time around. Peace.

Introduce Myself

Yes, this is my introduction to myself. Woot.

My name is Alice, Sophia's worse half. I'm studying abroad in Florence Italy, currently, and thus pictures will be forthcoming. I knit, I crochet and sew random things. I also enjoy beading and jewelry making.

Currently, I am studying conservation. This involves cleaning and putting together ancient bits of ceramic, pictures of this will also be forthcoming.

I'm a writer as well as crafter and the other voice of insanity in the Pomcow Podcast.

As for Sophia and my weirdness, we've known each other for going on five years now and she tossed the blog at me, thus, I am doing one. So, anyway, my ravelry page link will also be on the sidebar as well as the 198 Countries Peace Project (for now you'll have to go to Sophia's blog), Sophia's awesome senior thesis project. (I'm doing Scotland and helping out however Sophia forces me to.)

So, this would be my slightly better intro to me. See you later.

The Other Pomcow Podcaster

Hello, I'm Alice, the other Pomcow Podcast voice. When I have time, I will have a proper intro of me. In the mean time, enjoy a pretty picture of Scotland.