Careering towards the end

Hello everyone!

Hope you're all doing well!

Crikey, now this has indeed been too long hasn't it?  Many apologies for that, I've just been getting on with rather a lot at the moment.  The pace of life here has certainly cranked up a year since the weather took a turn for the spring.


With the heat of Grenoble beginning to indicate a BBQ summer, the shorts and t shirts are generally out in force as the entire of France flocks to the nearest cafe with a cold apero and an excuse to chill in the sun.  I've certainly taken advantage of that a few times.  Really excellent stuff!

My lessons are going really well at the moment - beginning to get towards the exam period now and so some revision probably needs to start soon!

American football has been progressing really well too!  After being out for several weeks with a nasty knee problem, I managed to get back on the field against the Giants, where we rolled out 48-14 winners.  Hopefully I'll be able to play again this weekend against the Warriors!

Overall, I've been having a really great time over the last several weeks here in Grenoble - it's all just dawning on me that soon, it'll all be over.  It's definitely going too quickly for me now.

Talk to you all soon.

Best wishes,

Mike :)

Spring Break is here!

Hello everyone!

Wow, this has certainly been too long - very sorry for that but, as you can imagine it's been a very busy time for me!  Such is the life of Erasmus, eh...

Well, there's been a lot going on personally in my life that has really taken hold over the last several weeks.

• The lessons have been going OK, with lots of different challenges experienced and different things to learn and revise.  Things have been making more and more sense however, which has been great. My experience of learning French and the its practical use has really helped me along and it's made everything a lot easier.
  I had a sales presentation to give which I managed to get through really well in pretty fluent French, which I was rather proud of (and I still am, to be honest!!)  My group were a little surprised but seemed impressed at it, my teacher remarked that it had improved a great deal - definitely no excuse for not getting a 1st in French when I do it next year in Lincoln.
  Speaking of which... I have selected Business Project Management and French for next year to finish off my degree at Lincoln - that's alongside the compulsory modules of International Business and Strategic Management.
•  American Football has definitely been interesting and exciting with the Centaures.  We're getting on with the Senior Elite team, which has been quite the step up from the B team last season.  I managed to injure my knee during the preseason match so I missed two matches.  During that time I officiated in the matches, it was great to take on that and gain some experience.
  Unfortunately, despite getting back to training I'm still confined to this weekend.  No matter, I'm sure I will get my chance on the field again.
• I'm looking forward to seeing Bethany at the end of April - she's been rather busy getting her work finished off so it'll be nice to have the tickets booked!
• The weather here at the moment is definitely something to consider, it's being rather schizophrenic at the best of times.  Sometimes it's lovely and even balmy at times, other times (like now) we're enjoying pouring rain and chilling winds.  Definitely not easy to prepare for!

Well, it's time I be getting off - I am off out for one of my coursemate's birthday so that will be great to go and get out for the first time in... forever.  It looks set to be a great evening as we settle into a week off for Spring Break.

Hope you are all well, and we will all catch up soon!

Best wishes to you!


Mike :) 

Hansford in Grenoble - Video Diary Part 4

A little video to say welcome back to you all!
Mike :)

Christmas, New Year and Getting back to Grenoble!!

Hello everyone!

Firstly, I hope you all had a great Christmas and New Year.  It's been an epic time for me...

Christmas and New Year

Christmas was very much a family affair for me.  I got to see several members of my family at different times throughout the short time I had.  I only got back to the UK around the 21st December so I wasn't exactly loaded with time.  Christmas Day saw my Grandparents come round for a traditional British roast dinner of turkey and beef (yes, we fulfill the stereotype well) which was a great occasion for all.
Shortly after I got myself up to Lincoln for a rare return to my university town.  I was lucky enough to spend a fantastic week with my girlfriend Bethany and some other mutual friends.  Highlight of the week was a great New Year's Eve party with some friends who piled Erasmus-style round the house for some banter.  All in all, a great time and it was a real shame to have to leave.  Ultimately, it was always going to happen, I guess.  Good things have to come to an end but I am very excited to be getting back.  In any case, Bethany will be coming to visit soon in Grenoble so that more than makes up for it.





Can't go wrong!




So what happens next?  Well, tomorrow I return to France to continue my Erasmus adventure - very exciting!


To get back to all my friends and coursemates will be a breath of fresh air again and will be a long time coming. 
Next Saturday evening I will be at LondonPub at around 8pm for a birthday 'night out', as my 21st birthday is on the Sunday.  Any of my Erasmus friends out there are more than welcome to join us and celebrate!

For those of you who are new to Grenoble - I certainly hope to see people around.  Many of us lot are old hands around the town so anything you need, just ask!  Besides, it would be great to meet more people from all over the world. (and if there are any English folk out there, do show yourselves!!)

Tomorrow the madness begins again!  I will be in town around 7pm local time - I'll be on the train from Gare de Lyon that pulls in around 1840 :)

Part 2 awaits.

Best wishes to you all!

Mike :)