From Paris, with love - Week 1, Day 1

Tuesday, 29 March
I can’t believe it. I’ve been here for over 12 hours now, and I still can’t believe that I’m in Paris. Paris. When Pam says “Paris” she shudders. I guess I would shudder too if this was my first time leaving home. But it’s not. Still, the thought of me talking, mingling and living amongst Parisians for the next 10 weeks is almost overwhelming. It is excitement, trepidation and a wide-eyed wonder tinged with a steely resolve to “make it” in Paris all rolled into one.

Make it? What?
Today, as I was on the plane waiting to take off from Amsterdam (a delay, what else?) I wrote in my journal about some of my expectations. In brief, I think this term in Europe is going to bring about lots of growth.

Bursting Out of the bubble
There’s something about being away from the easy comforts of Carleton that is scary but at the same time liberating. In the past 12 hours or so of being in Paris, I have paid 50euro (divided by 2 thanks to Pam) to survive a taxi ride that saw the Cambodian driver peaking at 130 km/h on the way from Charles de Gaulle to the narrow streets of Paris. I’ve had my first sin-laden genuine French chocolate éclair (not only is it covered in chocolate, the insides ooze creamy chocolate filling too). I’ve discovered that pamplemousse means grapefruit after I bought it unknowingly from the Monoprix a block from CUPA. I’ve discovered that CUPA means Center for University Programs Abroad and is an apartment converted into a study center. While struggling against the effects of jetlag on the lawns of the Luxembourg Gardens, I’ve done the quintessential Parisian activity: people watching. I’ve been “tourist” and took pictures for tourists. I’ve taken the bus with my host mother, Guillaumette, from the 6th arrondissement to the 16th. I have tasted my first French home-cooked meal – initially disappointed that it looked like all we were having was a potato-creamy-type bake, but later overjoyed to find out that that was but the first course! (We had three types of cheese – my favorite was this strong goat milk cheese!) I have watched French TV with my host parents, not understanding half of what was going on, but determined to stay awake. And I have been told that I have a good accent!!  And this is only the first day.

My Parisian home
From my room at 18, avenue de Versailles, I can hear the traffic passing by 7 floors below. Every now and then I hear an ambulance wail by. It’s getting late, but the city is still awake. I, on the other hand, am ready to head to my French dreamland. So as I lay on my bed, wishing that the three available wireless networks were not encrypted so that I can send this instead of Microsoft Word-ing it, I consider myself blessed. Blessed to have this opportunity to study and live here in Paris. Blessed to have had a wonderful day and many more of the same to come. And blessed to have you praying for me.

So, à la prochaine, bonne nuit de Paris.

at the msp airport with pam

last greasy american meal

take off..

it was night 

it was day

and then france

soccer stadium!!

foretaste of heaven??

carls let loose in the luxembourg gardens

how do you improve on perfection? add a josh :) haha

view from my classroom at CUPA

my room: there is a sink my closet!!

palais du luxembourg 


viez from my room at night

Spring break at Nashville, Tennessee

Welcome to Music City

Thursday, 17th March
I arrived at the Nashville Airport a little ahead of schedule. Charles Curtis met me at the baggage claim. It was great to see him again! This man of God has input so much into my life and was instrumental in raising me up as a worship leader (that's another story for another day). But, yes, after a more-stressful-than-the-average winter term, and with plans for Paris, tax forms, writing portfolio and a thousand other things hanging over my head, I was definitely looking forward to a respite at Nashville. Armed with close to no knowledge of Nashville or its surroundings, I was ready for a great weekend!

Good Ol' Southern Ribs
First stop was Famous Daves for dinner. Yum. Jane and Peter came to meet us there, and it was a blessing to see them all again! Great food (ribs.. mmm...) and even greater fellowship. I was blessed! Then we headed back to the Curtis home in Franklin, TN. This is the view outside their home. Beautiful southern homes, no?

Here's a quick tour of the beautiful home I got to stay at: 419 Forrest Park Circle. Used to be the home of Jonathan Pierce, recording artist and apparently interior designer. Oh yes, this blog will be sprinkled with celebrity sightings, or at the very least... near celebrity sightings!

The Curtis home. What a blessing to stay with them.

These next couple of pictures are really for my mom and dad, because I know how much they would have loved to be here. In August maybe? It's only 13 hours drive. :)

Living room. That was the couch on which I sat with Zoe (aha! who is this Zoe you may ask. well, read on...) and watched The Village. It was a great movie. But Zoe got kind of bored and fell asleep on top of me...

Meet Zoe! :)

And meet Zoe's home... built by Charles and Peter.

Look at that deck! And the weather was perfect. It was like 60-70 for most of the time I was there. Ahh... and when I flew back to Minnesota, all I could see was snow... boo.

Ok last house tour picture and we'll move on. This is where I slept. In the study. Good times.


Friday, 18th March
I tried very hard to remember what I did on Friday, but I can't seem to recall. I know that I slept in and at night went to watch "Million Dollar Baby" with Charles and Jane, and then had a great meal at Chili's. Hmm. Anyway.

Saturday, 19th March
In the AM, I went with Charles and Jane to their leadership training / vision sharing meeting for their outreach groups. That was definitely a God thing because we've been praying and planning for this at Carleton this whole past term. And I was tremendously encouraged and inspired by what I heard there. Plus I have some material! :)

After that, drove to Vanderbilt to meet with William John Heerman. It was great to meet with Bill again after such a long time! He's doing well - going to Thailand on a mission trip with his church in the summer. I'm excited for him. We had lunch with the Curtises at Panera (YUM!) and then Bill took me to his place. Nice crib. And had a quick tour of Vanderbilt. More like the medical section of Vanderbilt. :)

Kirkland Hall and the clock tower. Vanderbilt is pretty pretty!

Bill and I.

After that, Julia (Macy's friend) came to pick me up. This next section is devoid of photographs because for some reason, my camera decided to die on me. So yeah, I do have pictures - they're with Julia. I will post them as soon as I get them. ANYWAY.

Went with Julia to the Parthenon, then we went to Opryland, the Grand Ole Opry, the Museum of Country Music and Opry Mills. And then dinner at the Bluebird Cafe which was a phenomenal experience. Watching four songwriters - excellent songwriters - sing their songs in rounds. Oh my gosh! Nashville is full of talented musicians. I never knew an acoustic guitar could be played in such a way. Pictures to come!!

Sunday, 20th March
A personal record for Josh: THREE services in a day! Went with Charles to the 8:15 service at Bethel World Outreach Center. Peter said "It's an Oreo church. i love it". I loved it too. It was multiethnic, dynamic and very alive. Apparently lots of famous people go there too... :)

For example... guy leading worship on the left... Jason Perry, ex-member of Plus One. I wouldn't have known! :) I remember looking at him and thinking "Hmm.. seems familiar"

They had a great choir too. Sang lots of Israel Houghton songs. And the musicians made everything sound so effortless... met a couple of really cool people. Oh the day before, I met Javier - who played drums on Jaci Velasquez's albums, produced one of her albums and even co-wrote some songs... like You Don't Miss A Thing on the Crystal Clear record. How's that Fran, eh? :) Saw where Michael W. Smith records. Saw where Pete Furler (Newsboys) lives. It was fun to feel like a paparazzo for a bit.

11:15 service was full house. More vibrant! Then home for lunch. Yum. I slept a long time in the afternoon... church is tiring! :) And Anna came home for a bit. She had been involved in an accident, she's doing fine praise God for his protection, and is now on spring break in Florida! That night, we went to a "high class eating establishment in Franklin"... folks, let me introduce you to... WAFFLE HOUSE. Haha. Here it is. No holds barred unabashed greasy goodness.

Me trying to decide how best to clog my arteries... will it be grits, hash browns or bacon? Hmm.. I KNOW!

Why not ALL OF THE ABOVE?? :)

Oops. I forgot to mention. That night I went to the "U" church at Global Cafe. Their church runs this cafe and the "U" church meets upstairs. It was SO POWERFUL. Worship could have gone on longer - we only sang three songs - but oh how powerful. Sang "Again I say rejoice", "Friend" and "Deepest part of me" (which i love!). And David Houston preached one of the most powerful messages I've heard. Powerful not in the sense of shouting and antics. in fact, he was gentle. But powerful because of the truth in it, and the timing of it for a fatherless generation. Ministry time was powerful. So many people got prayed for. This is GlobalCafe.


Monday, 21st March
Last day at Nashville. Went on a walking tour with Charles and Peter at downtown Nashville. It's really quite discouraging - a lot of homeless folk (wannabe musicians maybe?) and a lot of businesses that had closed down. But here are a couple of snapshots anyway. Main street.



Lunchtime at Hard Rock Cafe.

Inside...

We had the greatest waiter.. Chris! :D He was hilarious. Quite the character.

Oooo...

Feeling satisfied... ahh...

Peter and me.

More snapshots of downtown Nashville...

And...

the honky tonks...

Printers Alley...

The Gaylord Entertainment Center...

And the Global Cafe... right in the heart of downtown.

After downtown, on the way home, we drove into Woodway - a very affluent community. I went house shopping. :) Yup. Once I make my 1 million US dollars from my debut album as Christian Artist of the Year, I will buy a house here. If I can afford it. :)

Beautiful homes..

Reason why Pastor Albert should move to Nashville and be a pastor here: This used to be the senior pastor of Bethel's house! :) Well, he used to play pro football. So maybe Pastor Albert should do that too! :)

Someone famous used to live here. I forget who. Shucks. I need to ask Charles again.


Well that pretty much sums up my trip to Nashville. I really love the place. Just the intensity of musicians, the atmosphere, mmm... the opportunities. Being there has made me think about a lot of things, about developing the talents God has given me, and about recording... will process these thoughts and journal about them at a later date. But for now, I'm back in Minnesota. Chilling at Erica's home till next Monday... when I'm off to PARIS! Oh my gosh.

I leave you with a famous picture. 10 big fat kisses to the first person who can tell me what is "famous" about these bridges.. here's a clue: Christian music!! :) Write to me!!!! And a HUGE thank you to the Curtises for being the best hosts in the world - I was truly blessed. You guys are awesome. Good night. 

P.S. Oh and guess what? I bought a new digital camera! YAY!