No Mac 'n Cheese here!

To start this blog I must tell you what I just made myself for dinner (while listening to Eric Clapton: Unplugged...thanks Dad!): cous cous (my new fav), artichoke hearts (okay those were in a jar), and a small 'salad' of sliced tomatoes and cucumbers in a light pool of Balsamic Vinigarette. It's fairly tasty, and I'm following a new rule, the 25% rule...where I leave 25% of my food and don't eat it, and then I workout or do some activity 25% more than usual...all in the effort to lose a few pounds and get in better shape (a tip I read from the Self magazine my sister sent me in the mail). Anyways, yesterday I cooked potatoes, carrots and onion for the kids and then made puree (aka blended, baby food)...yes, this is something they eat...per Virginie's directions. Several times a week the kids eat pureed veggies, not their favorite but they actually eat it and this is their way of getting veggies every day. So I cooked veggies, fish, and then baked a cake. And I must say, I did a really great job with timing everything, and washing dishes in between. Everything was done and the kids fed within an hour...with a clean kitchen in the end! So anyways...it's fun to MAKE real food and take the time to eat it...sure, sometimes we eat simple and not-so-healthy things, but in general I am appreciating the vegetables and FRESH FRUIT SALADS and taking time to make a good meal. I would really like to return to the States next year in better shape...with better eating habits, etc. So, I think I'm starting to learn a few things about how to do that. Thankfully I've had some free time the last few nights to exercise as well. I got off earlier then expected tonight and did a 45 minute workout or so...and really worked up a sweat! I did some pilates and ab workouts for 20 minutes, then jogged for about 20 minutes around the neighborhood. It felt good to get my heart rate up. It will time some time to get back into shape to run longer and go for at least an hour. This summer was more so lazy and relaxing then lots of working out...so I hope to get in a habit of at least 4 days of workouts. The Seine River runs through Bougival, so I need to explore down there...and run along the Seine!

The last 2 days have been good. I had full days with the children, which means I started at 8am, and went until 7 (except tonight I got off before 6). We played games, did yoga, I introduced the kids to "Eloise" and they really like her!, they also are loving Gwen Stefani (fun to show them some parts of American culture), I ironed for quite awhile while the kids played in the "salle de joue" (play room), and I made some posters for the kids. They are a way to motivate the children to speak more English...each time they say a complete phrase in English they get a star, and after 15 stars they'll get a surprise. A complete phrase would be: "Can I have some bread, please?" or "What time is it, Laura?", etc. So far Ines has 5 stars, Tiph 3 and Matt 1. They have to voluntarily speak in English, they won't get a star when I simply ASK them to repeat something in English, like "please" or "thank you", etc. Virginie told me last night she thinks the posters are a great addition and that Ines will definitely do it for the mere competition factor. Oh yeah, Carolyn the kids are coloring in the books every morning, and Ines asks me to color with her so some of the pictures will turn our really pretty! Because I'm the best one at staying in the lines..lol...and Old McDonald is Matt's favorite song in English so the book works well for him!

Tonight the girls had their first pony lesson! Wow...their outfits were SOOO ADORABLE! Totally not Idaho-style pony lesson clothes...lol, no cowboy boots and jeans here! They were dressed just like you'd expect Princess Diana to dress when she rode a horse...anyways, we drove to the equestrian club and there were at least 30 poneys all around: so cute! It is Tiphaine's first year taking them, so she learns how to 'prepare' the poney, and then 30 minutes of riding. Ines has a full hour of riding. So I will take the kids every Friday after school for about 2.5 hours to the poney club. I can help them if they need help preparing the horse, otherwise I'll hang out with Matthieu and watch the girls. Tonight actually Virginie showed up in the middle of Tiph's lesson, so we chatted for a few minutes and then she told me I could take the car home and be off for the night! That was cool, and it was the first time driving home alone from a location a bit more complicated....and I got home without problems! Didn't get lost at all...it was great. I drove from Versailles to La Celle St. Cloud to Bougival...about 10 minutes. So now I have officially started my 4 DAY WEEKEND! I almost went into Paris because I was so excited, but refrained to save money...instead did my workout, made a small dinner, showered and now am blogging and it's only 8pm. Tomorrow I will start all my adventures. And thankfully, my FREE TRAIN/METRO/BUS pass gets activated tomorrow, the 1st of September! So the timing works out great. From this point forward all my transportation is free and I just swipe a card each time to get on. Anyways...tomorrow I plan to see Le Marais & the Latin Quarter, the inside of Hugo's house, le Cimetiere du Pere Lachaise (with Jim Morrison's grave and many other famous people), and Cafe Charbon....a cafe I read about in one of my books. It's going to be a relaxing, take my time and walk around...day. Depending on how I feel I might stay out into the night and go to a bar I heard about in the 6th arrondisement...not sure yet.

Everything is going well here...I'm adjusting well and only have a few 'down' moments during the week when my motivation is maybe down to entertain the kids or when I really want to talk to a friend...but all in all I'm used to the life here and being away from everyone. It will really be fun to have a visitor though and show you guys my life here. I hope to buy a calling card here at La Gare St. Lazare, but I am still trying to find out where Mary Clare (the last au pair) bought it. It's a really great calling card (as the ones from the U.S. don't work well from here)...I just don't know which shop this card is in and am waiting to hear from M.C. When I get a good card I'll call my friends from the house phone...otherwise I'm not really calling out on my cell phones, since they are so expensive. I'm also still keeping in touch with my American pop culture side...watching "The Hills" and "The Real World" on MTV.com. Haha. I'm waiting for "Grey's" to start and I hope to be able to watch "Nip/Tuck" online too. I also am reading magazines everyone is sending me, and checking stuff online a few times each week. Sure, I like adjusting to the European culture and way of life, but I'm not about to give up the little things that keep me connected to American entertainment!

This weekend I plan to do ZERO shopping, other than a few birthday gifts for people. And those will be small...I'm just planning on spending some money on food, a drink, and any admission fees. Sunday the museums are free bc it's the first Sunday of the month, so I will save money that day...probably hitting up the Louvre and D'Orsay....

okay I'm rambling on and need to get on with my evening: a.k.a. reading my book, sipping a glass of wine, cleaning up the studio a bit and getting a good night sleep! Bon soiree!

An Interview with les enfants

Just partaking in some random interviewing...we have our own language, one in which neither French nor English is used. It's called "blah blah blah". We use it when one of us can't understand the other, so we resort to this language, one we ALL KNOW. Then the kids sing some songs for our enjoyment!

Today was fairly ordinary...but pretty great. This morning I got a long, wonderful 'letter' via email from Ruthie, in which she told me all about whats been going on with her family, and she included a long letter that Maria wrote to Matthieu..! It was great! So now Maria and Matthieu can be 'pen pals!' They are both almost 3 years old...so it's perfect. We will most definitely reply to her letter. I made the kids a picnic today for lunch...hot dogs, fruit salad, and a cookie. They ate in the backyard, then I made my own lunch...then Virginie came home as I was eating. So she got home early, and ate my fruit salad with me and said it was "tres bon!" We cleaned up the dishes then went to "le prefecture" which is some type of government office where I'm applying for my "carte du sejour" which will replace my VISA when it expires. OBVIOUSLY this was the 3rd time we've been to this office and once again, more b.s....so I will return there on Monday. Guess where it is? Right ACROSS THE STREET from the Palace of Versailles, in Versailles, about a 10 minute drive from the house. So I got to see the palace AGAIN, and I will go back on Monday now to tour and explore the palace, and then stop by the Prefecture for the paperwork. Virginie and I had a good laugh about the b.s. of paperwork required for these legal things. She was quite irritated with the people in the office, so it was funny....me (an American) and she (French) bullying up against the snobby women in the office, we were like a team, then walked away laughing about how ridiculous some things are. Anyways...she told me in the car, "This is how it is with the French: we say we are going to do something, but we rarely do it when we say...so we ALWAYS have to call and check on it again, and again...until it gets done". This is definitely NOT the case with Virginie and Jerome however...they are extremely efficient in getting things done when they say. Anyways...

I had an appointment at the post office at 2:30 to open a bank account there for my paychecks. Virginie told me I could go alone and take the car! So today was my first day driving 'toute seul' with the car and it went so smoothly. SO LIBERATING! To drive in France all by myself, playing some music, and not getting lost once! It was great...I went to la poste, parallel parked in a tiny spot (as they all are) and opened the account, then I drove to Monoprix and purchased a few cleaning supplies for the studio, walked over to "la coiffure" (the hairdresser) to look at prices, got back in the car and made it all the way back home without making one wrong turn! Sounds simple, but the neighborhoods here are very similar, with many windy turns up the hill and its easy to take the wrong direction. SO needless to say, it was fun and felt good to know my way around and run a few errands.

I'm tired tonight, and I work all day tomorrow and Friday...so I may not blog in the next day or two...not sure. Want to get some rest before my long 4 day weekend! Can't wait! Email me if you want, it's really great to talk to everyone, you don't seem so far away!

Au revoir!

What's that big building up ahead?

Event of the day:
I was driving with Jerome tonight to learn the route to the poney club (yes, the girls take 'poney lessons' at an equestrian club every Friday), and we were driving down a main road that I've driven on before, except this time I noticed a really large cream colored mansion, perhaps a big government office or a chateau...haha. We were above it, and I asked Jerome, "Qu'est-ce que ca tout droit?" (What's that straight ahead?) And he replied "A ton avis?" (in your opinion?) He definitely had a smirk on his face...and I realized what it was right away (forgetting how CLOSE we live to this monument). "Ohh Versailles!" Yep, it was the Palace of Versailles....so, every Friday as I drive the girls to poney club I can look at the enormous chateau...it's pretty spectacular. And in fact, I am planning on spending this Saturday (toute la journee)...all day...at VERSAILLES! I can't wait, I am doing my research now. I have a 4 day weekend because the children will be with their grandparents for 2 days...so I am doing Versailles on Saturday, museums on Sunday (for free, because it's the first Sunday of the month), and on Monday and Tuesday I will probably explore more of the quaint neighborhoods of Paris. Probably returning to Hugo's house next Tuesday. It is REALLY FUN to make a poster full of categorized lists of places I want to see and things I want to do...and this weekend looks like when I'll start checking things off!

Today Virginie cleaned 2 carpets for me so I have a clean floor and one more carpet than before that is really colorful and soft to sit on. I vacuumed a lot as well. I went for a small job this evening and stopped at the market to buy a cheap bottle of Merlot and a baguette. Today is also GINA'S birthday, so I talked to her for just a quick second online and will find a fun little Paris gift to send her in the mail soon. I also wrote about 6 cards and am going to la poste tomorrow, so I should be getting everything out in the mail in a day or two. Uhmm I had a random thought earlier and now I can't remember what it was...if I do, I will post a 'random thought' section. :)

A toute!

A Nanny Morning and a Parisian Afternoon!

Nanny moment: I took the kids to the park this morning, and sure enough it was full of kids and mothers and/or 'nanny's sitting on the benches. I sat on one while the kids played and within 10 minutes Matthieu was throwing a fit because Ines was going faster on the merry-go-round than he wanted her to. He was screaming and causing a major scene. But cool me just approached the kids, trying to fix the situation. Matthieu clearly was not in "play nice and quiet mode" and continued to have a fit...so I eventually became embarrassed, as the other mothers and nannys were watching us, since Matthieu can get pretty loud. However, I just told Ines, "Ines, please go slower for Matthieu, he is screaming and it's embarrassing." I said it quite calmly, so she slowed down...but 10 minutes later Matt had another fit over something else just as unnecessary. SO I decided to relieve myself from any embarrassment and said "We're leaving" and I just grabbed my purse and began to walk away....when the 3 kids saw I was serious they quickly shut up and followed me. Good method, huh?

Parisian afternoon: Virginie came home just before 2pm, to give me the afternoon free. That was great because today is the 2nd day of real summer, nice weather! After having a great convo with Virginie about how happy we both are with the way things are going (like everyone adjusting, being comfortable and confident, happy and content), I went to my studio and got ready. I put on a summer dress and did my hair and makeup, grabbed my purse and a couple guide books and off I went! I took the train to St. Lazare, where I caught the metro to Chatelet. Smooth sailing! Then I walked along Rue de Rivoli, which is such a great street! Totally hip and city-like...less 'touristy' and more locals...a great amount of shops, expensive and medium priced. I passed 2 H&M's in about 3 blocks...I refrained from entering any shops today...I passed the Hotel de la Ville...an emormous old hotel. I just happened to get lucky by landing on this street and finding out a new great location for walking, people watching and shopping. My destination was la maison de Victor Hugo! I ended up walking up a quaint little street called Rue Pavee, and ohhh it was great. Tight, narrow street with flowers hanging out the windows and great shops along the street, like flowers, wine, silver and clothing. I found Les Places de Vosges, and #6 was Victor Hugo's house! I took pictures and almost started to cry (as I was raised on Les Miserables)...but instead of crying I called both my parents to tell them where I was! Inside the house it's a museum, which I intend to see but it's closed on Mondays. No biggie! Because there is PLENTY reason to return and it's so easy to get to...probably even this weekend I will go back! I continued to walk til I found a cafe with a martini for less than 4 Euros...then I continued to walk to La Bastille, took pictures, and found another cafe with a full menu. By this time it was 6pm, and instead of doing the French thing and eating dinner at 9pm, I decided to go for an early dinner. I ate at a cafe just on the corner by La Bastille, and for 15 Euros I ate steak, french fries, salad, and drank a glass of red Bordeaux. It was a huge plate of food, and 15 euro for that is NOT expensive, not the cheapest compared to just buying a sandwhich...but I was in the mood for more of an American style meal, and I haven't had a full meal like that since the beach...so what the heck?

Don't worry...the Parisian afternoon was topped off with an older French guy checking me out at the table next to me in the cafe, clearly trying to flirt with me but because of the obvious age difference I grabbed my cell phone to call my sister...he tried to make eye contact with me as he left the cafe, but I didn't respond. Sometimes, it's actually NICE to do that...recognize someone's flirting but not respond..and it's always a good idea to be observant of the creepy ones...this one wasn't bad, but not a true gentleman either. :)

2 notes: *It feels REALLY GREAT to go into the city taking just my purse, and wearing a cute outfit (making it clear I'm NOT a tourist, and just in for a few hours!) Haha. How crazy! I can say "Je suis americaine, mais j'habite a Bougival, j'habite a Paris! Je suis ici juste pour la journee!" I'm just here for the day, I live here...no I'm not just visiting.

*I also took in one of my 3 journals, and started to write in it today (thanks Auntie M). It will be the one I keep in my purse and take notes in! I wrote 2 pages today in the city just writing in French and making notes of what metro line I took, what street was the easiest to use to get to the place I went, cafes I liked, etc. It will be my travel journal and city journal!

Dancing Video! "The Way They Are..."

A clip I made of the 3 kids dancing...first up is Matthieu, who is ALWAYS the first one to start dancing. He hears the song he likes and yells "Laura, ca! ca!" (that one! that one!) I made a c.d. for the kids of some of my music that is 'kid friendly' with fun beats. So far, their favorite song is Gwen's "Sweet Escape", but these 3 short clips are the best I could come up with to get a fun idea of their dancing. Then it's Ines, doing the robot to the new Timbaland song, then it's Tiphaine a.k.a. Tiph Tiph....just fyi, I am behind the camera sometimes showing them funny moves for them to copy, so the camera is a little shakey. Enjoy!

Twinkle Twinkle BIG STAR!

a quick video from my digi cam...pas parfait...I turned the cam in the other direction, so just wait a few seconds...but it's a cool clip to demonstrate how it twinkles at night!

Hairspray on Les Champs-Elysees!

I took all 3 of these pictures tonight. Pretty incredible, huh? The French flag is now hanging at the Arc de Triomphe...not sure the significance? And to stand below the Eiffel Tower at night is awesome...the base of it is ENORMOUS and the lights are so pretty. The top photo was one I took when the lights started twinkling and we'd already started to walk away...so next time I'll stay later and take closer pics of the Eiffel when it's twinkling. So pretty!!

Today Kristi and I saw the movie Hairspray at a theater on the Champs-Elysees! That was really fun, because 1) it's a really great movie that made us laugh and smile for 2 hours straight, and 2) it was cool to experience a French movie theater...and because it was a movie in English, I ALMOST forgot I was in France for those 2 hours...there were French subtitles, so I did look at those sometimes to see how they interpreted the film in French, but honestly I was happy to forget about 'thinking' and just listen and watch in English. The movie was great....and clever me spotted the 'original Tracy Turnblad', a.k.a. Rikki Lake! She has a cameo in the movie as an 'agent' in the studio audience at the end of the film. That was exciting to see her, and I'm pretty sure none of the French people picked up on that. The audience in the theater laughed and clearly enjoyed the film....which was just interesting because it's a totally American film, yet so popular (as are many American films and actors) in France. Anyways...

Today just happened to be the first day of beautiful SUMMER weather in Paris also! It's been very gloomy and rainy all summer, and not warm...but today it was about 75 degrees and clear blue skies. It was great. Kristi and I got off at the Gare St. Lazare and our first stop was a Starbucks, a place I haven't been to in about 8 weeks! I had a typical Carmel Machiatto, and it was fun to see all the students upstairs in the loft of Starbucks...just a little American feel. Then we ventured out onto the streets to walk...St. Lazare and Hausmann Street, and the Opera, are somewhat familiar areas to me, so today we didn't go to any new places for me. Which was fine, because we both agreed we wanted a less 'touristy' day and just to meander through the streets, shops and cafes. We found the Rue Caumartin, which I remembed from my first week w/mom and Harry....it's a great sidestreet off Hausmann with fun kiosks and shops. We then took the metro to Charles de Gaulle station, right next to the Arc de Triomphe and walked awhile on the Champs Elysees...Kristi bought some perfume, and we had a drink at my favorite cafe, Le Deauville. I ordered a martini and she had Kir...both under 5 Euro, which is really good. And my martini was FABULOUS, and reminded me of a drink I'd order at McCullen's in Lewiston! I'll have to remember to get that again next time I'm there. Then we went to the movie...then hopped the metro to the EIFFEL TOWER and saw it all lit up with the lights...It was gorgeous! We sat for awhile and took pictures and people watched, then decided it was time to find the train back to Bougival. Just as we were leaving the Eiffel @ 10:45, the twinkling lights came on! So we took a few more pics and then had to hurry to catch the metro. It was a really relaxing day, just the right amount of walking and metro action.

I'm happy to be back in the studio for some quiet alone time, upload some photos and write in my journal, read a book and sleep in tomorrow. I may go to a museum tomorrow for the afternoon, but it's possible I'll stay in Bougival, go for a run and do some exploration of the town and get more used to the neighborhood streets so I know my way around for when I drive....we'll see. I may have the urge to venture back for an afternoon of the Picasso exhibit at Musee D'Orsay. If not, next weekend! So much time to see it all, so I'm not stressed about time and venues.

I am also going to figure out how to process my first 60 minute video tape I've made...and then see if I can get a small clip online to show everyone!

Okay....write more tomorrow. Love and miss all you guys.

Megan, I got the Sound of Music postcard! Merci!

Mom, I got the card and photos!

Carolyn, I got the package w/coloring items, gum, cards and chocolate. Merci!

Wine til 2 a.m. and Laughs!

Just real quick...Kristi ended up coming over to my apartment last night around 11:45, stayed until 2 a.m. and brought a bottle of wine and chocolate. We drank the whole bottle between the 2 of us and told funny stories from back home, as well as some funny stories about 'our kids' here in Paris. It was a blast! And totally what we both needed, a night not based around the job or life here and just a normal 'girls night.' Now it's 10:30 a.m. and I wish I could sleep longer but I seem to be awake...in a couple hours she and I will head off to Paris for the whole day and I think tonight we will lay down on the lawn in front of the Eiffel tower, as neither of us have seen it lit up at night yet! Can't wait...now, what shoes to wear today ??

A bientot!

Ahhh the City!!

I had a great afternoon off work and it was my first day back to exploring Paris! Today was a 'stress-free' tourney of transportation....I easily got my ticket for the train, made great time, and had zero problems finding the right train. That's a huge deal here...big confidence booster jsut to be able to get around correctly with public transportation! It's a 15 minute train ride (I timed it) from Bougival into La Defense (a huge 'gare'). I actually just stayed in La Defense (per Virginie's recommendation) for a quick shopping trip. The gare has a 'mall' just above it, so I made a few small purchases...a stop at the Monop got me some pesto sauce, tortellini, and cereal. I held off on the wine and oil for the bread...maybe this weekend? I CAN ask Virginie and Jerome to get me these things because they do buy my groceries and tell me to take whatever I want, but I figure a few times I will just buy my own speciality stuff for the studio, or when I 'entertain' I'll buy my own wine, etc. But actually, I have not drank much alcohol here at all this summer...just some wine, but really, I'm drinking much less then in the STates....for example, I haven't had any wine in a week (and no other alcohol for that matter). So that's good...I feel like I'll only have a drink when I'm with a friend (which won't be often) or when I have lunch w/the family sometimes on Sundays. Anyways...the only other thing I purchased was a very small grey/pink Puma 'backpack'. It's quite small, but I think it'll be perfect for my day trips when I know I'll be gone all day and need more than just the essentials...and I won't look too "touristy" with it!

So I was thinking about the train and metro today....as I sat there with my bags, listening to my iPod and looking at the other people....it is a GREAT place to "people watch." And to sum up the people of Paris: for example, today, these were the people around me:
*a white teenage girl dressed in jeans and black, black 80's type fish-net gloves on her hands, dark hair and dark makeup (kind of gothic) but pink lipstick and a backpack
*a 40 some year old man in a grey suit (he was handsome, probably wearing Armani) and briefcase
*another man w/a briefcase with shirt and tie on
*a black guy, my age, in jeans and Nikes, basketball jersey and Nike hat, definitely looked like he was here from another country playing basketball or something
*a woman in her 40s, with great jewelry and defnitely French
*a black woman with an African robe on (i don't know what you'd call it, but def. African) and a great head wrap around her hair
It was great. We all kept to ourselves, but it seemed like everyone was nice if I were to talk to them! haha! I just enjoy the diversity and wondering everyone's 'story' or where they're going or where they live...or if they can tell I'm not French or that I'm American or that I have no idea what's going on here...haha.

Anyways, having a successful venture into the city was a good way to start the weekend. I will be hanging out with Kristi this weekend, we'll do fun Paris things (we still have to research and choose what we want to do/where we want to go), sleep in, workout a little, and talk to some friends back home.
Kristi is actually debating whether or not to stick with her job here...SOO everone cross your fingers and say prayers that she'll stick with it, because I think we'd be partners in crime if she stuck around!

the sweet escape

I'm tired tonight.....can't write a lot...well, I just don't want to write a lot . Today was long and non eventful...except I now have the kids loving "Sweet Escape" by Gwen. They love to dance with me, and they sit on the couch and let me perform for them and they just laugh and say "Encore! Encore"...so that's an easy workout for me...dancing and getting them into American music. They say "Laura, la chanson comme ca...'Woo hoo! Woooo hoooo'" The part Akon songs....it's cute.

I have tomorrow afternoon off work! Just found out...which means I have 2.5 days weekend! Very happy, as I need to catch up on some sleep, workout, and continue my exploration of the town and Paris. Amy Winehouse has cancelled her tour (doctor's orders), so I'm disappointed but at least I hadn't already bought my ticket....so now Kristi and I will hang out and do fun things in Paris.

Tonight I drove w/Jerome and it went very well! And Virginie bought more baguette bread....the little things in life please me...as will doing my Pilates in the morning, and having some better weather this weekend.

Driving in Europe

Last night I drove with Jerome...and it went pretty well! A little nerve-wracking, driving in another country, and with someone looking over your shoulder like a driving instructor when you take class freshman year of high school. Haha. It was fine though, he quickly saw that I can drive a manual just fine and didn't have to worry about showing me HOW to drive the car....just how to drive in France! The laws are a little different, with no yellow lines separating traffic...all the lines are white so it's going to take some time to get used to that. There are lots of 'round-abouts' where one enters the road from the right, and drive in a circle until you want to exit onto another street. It's a little bizarre...and here the roads are like the one-way streets in the U.S. So a TINY street is meant for traffic going both ways, so basically I have to get used to pulling over to the side of the road and stopping to let a car pass...OR everyone just pulls up onto the curb and drives on the curbs. It's kind of crazy. All the cars are parked on one side of the road, and the side to park on changes on the 15th of every month. So, when driving, if the cars are parked on MY side, I'm the one that has to pull over to let a car pass me...Sounds complicated when I try to write it out. Anyways, Jerome and I are going to drive each night when he gets off work, for about 30 minutes or so, and he'll show me the routes to all the places I'll need to drive the kids...I hope I pick it up quickly and get my 'bearings' and directions and don't get lost once I'm alone with the kids. All in all, I think he was pleased with how we did....the reason it's a bit more stressful learning how to drive here, is that every direction he gives me is all in French, so I have to pay EXTRA attention to learn it all!

Yesterday I also met Kristi, the new au pair for a neighbor friend...and get this...Kristi is from BOISE, IDAHO!!!!!!! IT'S A SMALL WORLD AFTER ALL!! Weird, huh?! She is 23, just graduated from a college in Wisconsin, and arrived here 2 weeks ago. We spent all day together with the kids, and this afternoon we're taking them to an indoor pool. Kristi and I get along well and as long as she stays with the job here, we will be friends and I imagine hang out on the weekends a lot, site see, and go out. It will be really great, so I hope it works out for her!

I have a few hours free this morning, so I'm blogging early. I was really tired last night and needed to get good rest, which I did. I cleaned my apartment pretty well I think and just took some pictures so I'll send those soon. I need to journal more, and continue with my reading. This weekend I think I am going to a concert festival called "Rock en Seine". It is in St. Cloud, which is about 10 minutes away from my studio! There are 3 nights of concerts, but I want to go to Saturday, at 5:00, to see Amy Winehouse! Pretty sure that's my plan....and of course Paris, here I come!!! I'm excited for the weekend. This morning I did my Pilates dvd. I wanted to go for a job but it was raining. So I def. will keep up on my Pilates on the days I can't jog. All is well!

Bisous

Yet another day...

I just realized I need to write in my diary! It's been about 4 days....zut alors! I've been busy since being back here in Bougival. Tstaroday I 'deep cleaned' the studio...which took a long time to do, but it needed to be done and I'm glad I did it. I did about 4 loads of laundry, including the shower curtain, towels, rugs, etc. I got off work early today..Virginie came home for the day after lunch, to give me the afternoon off (because these 2 weeks are going to be busy for me since the kids aren't in school yet). So it was nice...by 2pm I was in the studio cleaning and organizing more, doing laundry, etc. I also walked to the train station because there is a big box there to drop off clothes to donate to the homeless, and so I took a box left over from Mary Clare, to donate. I discovered a few new places too and paid careful attention to streets and directions...now that I'm here I have to be aware of everything so I can learn directions/places quickly. Starting tomorrow evening I'll be driving every night w/Jerome for 30 minutes just to start getting acquainted with driving here and how to get places.

Yesterday I talked to 2 of my best friends online, so that was exciting! I like this internet thing here for my evenings...it's a good way to stay connected. And today I talked to Courtney online for a few minutes, and Judy too (Bonne Anniversaire!).

Well, other than dropping 3 eggs on the floor tonight (thus eliminating one meal for myself...ugh) and breaking a few other things (I'm still trying to get acquainted with the studio, the small kitchenette, etc), things are good here. The weather is not as nice as the beach. Limited sun, and in the 60s I think...well, this isn't an eventful blog and I want to get organized for my day tomorrow so I'm signing off. Chow!

J'adore la studio!

Its been a super day. ("Super" is said a lot here) I got to sleep in a little bit...then I started unpacking and organizing my belongings. I'm still not all organized, and I need a few more things for the apartment...like a few more hangers, nails or some hooks to hang up the calendar and jewelry and photos, and a few other small items. I actually REALLY like moving into a new place and organizing everything. It was a GREAT feeling to unpack and see ALL the clothes I packed. I seriously forgot what I had brought. I wore the same 6 or 7 outfits all summer at the beach, so seeing all my clothes, shoes, and jewelery was fun. I didn't even bring that much with me compared to all that I own in the States...but it's just the right amount for here. I also went through a box that Mary Clare (the last au pair) left for me...I kept about 6 or 7 items, like a snowboarding coat, a pair of black heels and a couple sweaters. The rest I will donate to the homeless. It's fun having a little place with a kitchenette, bathroom, computer, radio, t.v., closets and a futon that folds out into the bed. This week I want to vacuum and 'deep clean' the apartment, but otherwise it's pretty good!

Jerome's parents came into town today so I had lunch (le dejeuner) with them. It was nice...we ate: tomatoes, cheese, then ratatouille (rice and veggies), and salmon. For dessert: bread and cheese, and lemon cake. I held off on the cheese, and no wine today either. Tomorrow I begin my healthier lifestyle. They went grocery shopping today so I took what I wanted down to the studio: bananas, nectarines, potatoes, cucumber, carrot, and bread. The girls brought me this morning: cafe, orange juice, milk, butter, and brown rice. So! I have enough for a few days for my breakfast and dinners.

I really like Jerome's parents...they are very down to earth, funny, and friendly. Jerome helped me get set up with all the house keys, dvds working in the laptop for the kids to watch, a cord for me to use for internet for my laptop (so I can use either the desktop OR my laptop in the studio, which is really nice)....so I spent about an hour or two w/the family today....eating lunch, cleaning up, and covering some basics for the new life back home in the city.

Then I continued to unpack, and I even got my first videotape hooked up onto my computer and transferred into a movie form. It's saved on my laptop, and now I have to figure out what the best way is to save it for everyone back home to see.....I think it's too big a file to put on the internet, so I'm debating to try to make a disc or a tape and send it home for my dad to make a DVD. It's 45 minutes of the first month in France!

A bientot!

Back in Paris

I am back! We returned late last night from the beach. I got to ride w Jerome in the porsche for the first 90 minutes. It was a lot of fun. Anyways now Im back in the city, and enjoying the quiet in my studio and actually having fun organizing all my stuff and making the studio my own. Soon I will do some small decorating too w the help of Virginie...hanging up a few photos and my calendar and maybe some curtains...its nice to be back. Today I am hanging out in the studio, maybe napping later, unpacking, and maybe eating dinner w the family later....they are going grocery shopping today so I will get my studio stocked up on the healthy food I want to eat. I now have internet access daily and will soon get a calling card to use w the house phone. So check my blog often and email, as now I can keep in contact often. Miss and luv you all. Will write more later today I think....

http://uidaho.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=31265160&l=b11f8&id=40304086

click here to view a few more pics...will update next week

Here's a pic of us on the boat near the Dune du Pyla...it's pretty windy on the water, so despite the warm weather it's best to wear the jacket because of the huge waves that make it a wet ride back to the beach!

Summer Review Part 2

After the first 3 weeks at Madame & Monsieur’s house, we (the 6 of us) moved into Virginie’s grandfather’s house (Grandpere du Pyla). He lives about 5-10 minutes away in an older house that’s further from the beach. There are so many family members that vacation here, so one must accommodate by moving into different houses. We finished the last 2 weeks of vacation staying at Grandpere’s house. He is about 90 years old, and very nice. He doesn’t speak any English, but loves the Americans. He enjoys listening to me speak English to the children and translating in French. He likes that the kids will know English as they grow up. The daily routine at Grandpere’s house was similar, but a bit more relaxed and flexible (which I did like). I could sleep in a little bit longer and just wake up with the children, then shower after breakfast. I no longer had Janeta (the other au pair) to share a room with, which was nice because I had more privacy, but also more quiet and less entertaining. However Virginie brought my laptop back from Bougival about halfway through the vacation, so I was able to watch movies on my laptop, listen to my music and upload all my pictures. I continued to go to Arcachon on my days off to use the internet café and shop a little. One day I impulsively stopped at “la coiffure” and got my hair cut. I got really lucky with a funky girl that did an amazing job cutting my hair. When she washed it she even massaged my head for at least 5 minutes. And the technique she had when cutting my hair was so different than I’m used to in the States. It was exciting just observing her! Haha. My hair is edgier and different than I’m used to, but I do like it. The guy that worked at the internet café spoke English, was very cute and very friendly and remembered me every time I came in. He had lived in Los Angeles at one point, so we talked about California. Jerome returned to the city about once a week for work, so he was going back and forth between work and vacation. I was completely alone with the kids (without their parents but with the rest of the family) for just one week, and it went well, surprisingly. The kids and I started to form more of a bond and friendship in about the 3rd week of vacation. Matthieu had many “potty” accidents in the beginning, but I created a method of reward for him, and it caught on quickly. The kids LOVE to draw pictures, so I made a poster for Matthieu that said “Matthieu’s a big boy” and I drew stars on it each time he went potty in the toilet or told us he had to go to the bathroom, instead of going in his pants. Every 5 stars Matthieu got a “bon bon” (candy) as the reward. His sisters and cousins caught onto it as well and encouraged him to work for the stars. Eventually I switched to small toys as the reward and bought him a small water gun to use at the beach. He loved that. So…he has gone 2 weeks now without having an accident! The girls are really starting to like me, which makes my job easier. They come to me to show me things or tell me something, or ask for help. We sing songs, both in French and English. I like to teach them American songs, and Jerome and Virginie get a kick out of it. Ines had her 6th birthday, and she got an inner tube as a gift which I think was also partially for me because they knew I would like it. I showed Ines and Jerome how to ride it and how to ride the wake behind the boat. So we had a lot of fun playing on the “buoyee” in the water. And when I ride it, and get thrown off by the huge ocean waves, Tiphaine cries! She gets scared for me when I fall off and thinks I won’t be able to swim or that the boats will hit me or that I’ll get lost in the water. It’s sort of funny, but really cute that she is showing that she cares about me. I reassure her each time that I can swim and show her I’m okay. My French improves each day and every day I’m more comfortable with using it and having more conversations. Virginie and Jerome are very helpful when I am unsure how to say something, or which verb tense to use. We correct each other, as they are improving on their English also. At first I was nervous to have conversations with the family members, especially Virginie’s parents because they barely know English. I was intimidated, but now I’m not very afraid to join in the conversation. And they appreciate that I start a conversation, and if I make errors they can almost always comprehend the point I try to make. Brigitte even started to ask me how to say something in English, which she didn’t do at first. I think they are starting to see my improvement. And Virginie told me recently that my French has progressed a lot in the last 5 weeks. She is also happy with the English I speak with the children, as the last au pair did not speak enough English with them. I am confident that by January I will be very fluent in the language, especially since I’ll be enrolled in a French class.

My relationship with the family grew quickly. When I first arrived I was nervous and so unfamiliar that it affected me. About 2 weeks into our stay at the beach I was really feeling comfortable with the family, not just the 5 of them but their WHOLE family. Each day was better than the one before. Once I knew the routine for working and helping out with the kids (like how to prepare their meals, where the dishes went, where to put their belongings and at what time to do each thing)…all those elements, as simple as they sound, knowing what I was doing made life much easier and happier. I saw the grandparents respecting me more each day as they saw me working hard with the kids and doing my best to “pick everything up” quickly with the culture and language. I even formed a bond with Brigitte, Virginie’s mother. At first we did not exactly ‘click’ and I felt frustrated because I did not want any confrontations during my first month of work. However within about 10 days things sort of did a 180 and now Brigitte and I get along and enjoy each other’s company. Let me tell you, that alone made my life much easier.

By staying busy with the family, I became less ‘homesick’ and kept my thoughts from being lonely or missing people often. I do miss talking to my friends every day. I don’t get any text messages, although I can if anyone wants to get international texting on their cells. I miss that…just a quick way to communicate. I don’t get calls from my friends really, just family…so that is also difficult (not hearing from friends on the phone). I’m better when I’m so busy that by night time I’m too tired to think of the people I miss, and just want to sleep instead. (I guess this is a hint…I hope my best and closest friends will call sometime or try sending a text). I do enjoy the calls from my family. It’s fun re-capping all my French adventures to them and stories. My mom calls every night, so it’s something fun to look forward to. I’ve also received about 3 packages in the last 5 weeks. I LOVE THEM and the kids get really excited to bring the mail to me. Thanks to Mom, Dad, and Carolyn for my packages! And thanks to my sister and brothers and Grandmpa for the cards and postcards. They are so much fun. And now I have about 16 fiction novels to keep me busy for the year. Carolyn sent me 13 novels in one package! Wahoo!!! I also have enough chewing gum to last me through December I think. But keep sending the gum! It’s a lot of fun to open the mail. And the gossip columns from newspapers and magazines are always fun too. I was so secluded this summer that I had NO IDEA what all the celebrities have been up to…that was torture. But thanks to my mom, I know that Nicole Richie is pregnant, SJP has a new fragrance coming out, Mel B. aka Scary Spice is sewing Eddie Murphey, and Whoopie Goldberg is replacing Rosie on The View, etc. This is all important for me to know. Once I return to my studio apartment on Sunday I will be connected daily with the world again, thank God! I’m anxious to have internet access daily, a calling card and home phone to use along w/my cell phones, a car, my own apartment to decorate and organize, and the many sites of Paris!! I will miss the beach and the big family meals at sunset, but I am also ready to return to the modern society and start learning a new routine for life in the city. I plan to take my French class twice a week and aerobics twice a week (both starting in October).

Well, Jerome drove his new Porsche here last week, so we will return to Paris on Sunday with both cars…therefore, I’m planning on requesting to ride with him in the Porsche for an hour on the drive back to Paris. Obviously, I want to experience the car on the country roads of France!!

A bientot!

Summer Review Part 1

So I wanted to fill everyone in on some of the details of my 5 weeks on the coast of France. On Friday, July 13th we all got into the Citroen for a 5 hour drive from Paris to Pyla sur Mer. We drove in the evening for the sole purpose that the kids would sleep during the drive. What a great idea it was. They slept most of the way, and otherwise watched a DVD in the car, which let me relax and enjoy the scenery. It was great to see the countryside of France. We drove on a ‘freeway’ basically so it wasn’t a bad drive. I saw fields of sunflowers, rolling hills, and beautiful old farm houses. There were chateaus in the middle of the fields and darling cottages. I pretty much looked out the window the whole way. And twice we stopped at a big gas station, similar to Zip Trip or something like that in the States….so there WAS modern civilization along the way to purchase a drink and use the restroom. Jerome, Virginie and I had good conversation too. We laughed and told stories, both in French and English. So the trip was good. Virginie’s parents, Monsieur & Madame de Bourayne, (Patrice & Brigitte), own a summer house in Pyla. It is new, with 6 bedrooms, 3 salle de bains, and 4 or 5 showers. At the most, 14 people stayed in the house at one time. The kids’ room is adorable, like in the film “Finding Neverland”, with 5 twin beds all lined up so the kids sleep next to each other, and a big floor and closets for their toys. We have 3 kids, and there are 3 other cousins almost all the same age. One night I videotaped the children jumping and singing on the beds. The house has simple bedrooms and simple but modern bathrooms. The living room and kitchen are large and fancier. There was plenty of room, with a large wrap-around deck outside and large backyard. Each morning we ate breakfast on one end of the deck, and moved the table to the other end of the deck at night for dinner (to accommodate with the shade/sun). Sometimes we ate dinner in the big kitchen. There are always long tables for everyone to sit at. The children eat dinner first, and often times they eat less and more simple meals. And then the adults (including myself) eat after the children. The kids would play quietly, knowing it was our turn to eat. Sometimes we ate dinner so late that the kids would go to bed before we finished our meal.

A typical day during my stay at Monsieur & Madame’s house:
I wake up at 7:30 to shower or get ready quickly, sometimes 8 if I was lucky
The kids wake up around 8
Petit-Dejeuner: du pain, confiture, du beurre, du lait, jus d’orange, café, yoaurt
Dress the children, brush teeth, brush hair
Play with the kids in the yard, go for a walk or start laundry
Begin prep for le dejeuner: peel the vegetables and cook, or prep for a cake or pie, or prep for a picnic
Spend a couple hours on the beach with kids, or take picnic to beach for the kids
Spend 2 hours preparing/eating le dejeuner
By 3:00 I’d get a break to take a nap (faire la cieste) or go to the poste to mail postcards or beach by myself or with Janeta (another au pair for V’s sister)
Possibly returning to the beach for a couple hours with the kids before dinner
Prep dinner, set the table
Give the kids a bath or shower, put on pajamas and Matthieu’s couche (diaper)
Dinner for kids, then adults (dinner for adults occurred between 8:30 and 10pm)
Take coffee perhaps, then a small walk
Go to bed
Some nights I’d go out with Janeta for a drink before bed

One day a week I got a “free day”…sometimes the same day as Janeta so we could spend the day together
I often went to Arcachon, 5 miles away, to use the internet café and maybe stop at the Monoprix (similar to Target but not as large) to purchase items I’d need. I usually went for a jog or slept in, and went to the beach to tan in the afternoons.

I went on Monsieur’s sailboat once, and enjoyed it. That day the wind was calm and we only went to a dune nearby, and had a picnic with the kids. I prefer Jerome’s motor boat because I don’t like the feeling of a rocking boat. Pyla and Arcachon are in a ‘bassin’ of the ocean, so it’s not the complete open sea. So there are a lot of motor boats but there are still large waves and once the wind comes the boats will rock. It is easy to go from one side of the basin to another side, however. I enjoyed a little village called “L’Herbe.” The French eat oysters, fresh and live out of the water. They are very slimey, and I had a hard time watching them eat. Haha. But L’Herbe had cute, quaint little houses right on the beach. It was adorable. Otherwise I went in Jerome’s boat a few times.

On the beach I met a guy named Julian. He worked with kids every afternoon basically at the exact spot we sat on the beach each day. I often went to this spot because it was close in walking distance from the house and Le Moulleau (the center) where there are a lot of shops, etc. Julian was really nice and we talked almost every day. He was older than me, maybe close to 30, I didn’t ask. He was very athletic looking and dressed more like an American and was very tan. I was nervous to talk to him at first because of the language barrier, but he was so easy to talk to in French and he spoke a little English as well. I looked forward to seeing him each day…haha. But nothing came of it other than making a friend at the beach.

Some meals we ate:
Lunch is the main meal of the day, so it would be like a dinner we eat in the States.
Entree: Melon (cantelope) slices, or maybe a veggie salad like slices of cucumbers and tomatoes with vinaigrette dressing
Plat: la viande (meat), like steak or chicken, or perhaps fish…with rice or cuscus maybe
Dessert: du pain avec le fromage (cheeses: brie, camembert (my personal preference), etc)…there is ALWAYS baguette bread with the meal, sometimes throughout the whole meal or just for dessert with DELICIOUS cheese, and/or:
Des fruits
Des glaces (ice cream)
Des gateau (cake or pie)

In the summer: du vin rosee (pink wine, like White Zin but better)
Or white wine with fish (vin blanc ---sec is ‘dry’ or one can have it sweet, I prefer sec)

Then always red wine for the rest of the year (I had Merdoc with Thomas, Virginie’s brother and it was tasty)

These longer, late meals are customary for the summer holiday. It is accepted that one eats a lot more during the summer and much later at night. Once we return to the city it changes. We won’t be making large meals daily as we’ll be busier with different schedules. I basically accepted the fact that I had to indulge in these long meals with wine and bread just for the summer. That I’d probably gain a few pounds (kilos) or at least not LOSE the weight I wanted to this summer. Upon our arrival back to Paris, I will eat less and have my time at night for jogging.

new hair

My new haircut....

My "jour libre" (Free Day)

Well yesterday was both a good and bad day…we hosted almost 30 friends for lunch chez Grandpere du Pyla (at the house of Grandfather in Pyla). This is where we are staying now. Lunch was fun, and lasted until 4pm. I stayed home after that to take a small nap while the family went to the beach for a couple hours. I was very tired from waking up so early with kids, so I napped for about an hour and woke up to the sound of dishes and silverware crashing in the kitchen. It was Grandpere. Only the two of us stayed home so I knew I had to get up and help. He had fallen in the kitchen while trying to put away dishes. It was very scary, as I had to lift him up all by myself and he’s bigger than me. He hit his head on the counter and it was bleeding…so I spent about 30 minutes helping him walk to the bathroom and then the couch, and cleaning his head and making sure he was alright. Meanwhile cooking vegetables for the dinner and putting away the fallen dishes. Once I got a hold of Virginie and her father they came as soon as possible to see that Grandpere was alright. Anyways, he is fine but it was scary because he has a big cut on the back of his head, and to be alone with a 90 year old man can be difficult because he falls when he tries to do too much. The family was very grateful for my help and Grandpere kept saying “tres gentile” (you are very nice) to me. Afterwards, Virginie took the kids to her brother’s house and Grandpere and I ate dinner just the two of us…I prepared mashed potatoes (yes I’m learning to cook delicious, healthy food), carrots, rice, ham, bread, and wine for myself (he didn’t drink wine after the fall).

Virginie took me to the market today and asked me to pick out a necklace that I liked. She bought 2 for me in thanks for helping with Grandpere. They are really fun necklaces, and the market was amazing...stands of fresh fruit, fresh veggies, meat, confiture, and then clothes, jewelry and shoes. Last week at Ines’ birthday party I truly began to feel a connection with the family and that I care about them. I’m happy to be here now and be a part of their lives. The girls are having fun playing with me and learning new games and songs. Yesterday I taught them “If you’re going to San Francisco, be sure to wear some flowers in your hair”. It was perfect because I put flowers in our hair and sang the song slow…they could repeat it and then I translated in French…Jerome got a kick out of it. “Si tu vas a San Francisco, on doit porter des fleurs dans tes cheveux”.

Today is my "free day" so I am at the internet cafe, then stopping by the Monoprix (like a Target), and then heading to the beach where maybe I will talk to Julian, the guy I met last week but has yet to call me...haha. He works at a "gym" on the beach for kids to play, and is kind of a life guard...you'd understand if you were here. Lol. All is well! Thanks for all your messages, etc.

No time to write now...but hopefully I can blog again on Thursday! A pic of the kids in Pyla that I took yesterday.....it was cold so we didn't go to the water, just on the pier

Mmm du pain

Salut from the beach at an internet cafe in Arcachon. All is well and much better now that im used to the family and the town and how the job goes... its hot this weekend, tanning a lot at the beach, well a lot for me is just a little brown. I am enjoying life now...not feeling so secluded or homesick and gaining the respect of the French family. i return to the city and my apartment in 3 weeks. By then i will be ready to return and start a new schedule. I cant sit and write a bunch of details right now bc im not on my own laptop and using the cafes laptop. Mine wont seem to connect to the wireless. I am sipping on a latte; not many lattes here; mostly just cafe creme which i love; and i adore the bread (du pain) i will be ready to get back to the city and start my jogging and a small diet. I love the food and wine here but summer time has a lot of meals. I met a French guy at the beach this week and he might call me to go out for a drink. Dont know; i kind of doubt ill hear from him but itd be nice to make a friend at the least. i have Janeta here; the other au pair for Virginies sister and we are friends and its so great to have a partner in crime and someone to work with she is from Poland but speaks both French and English. My French gets better every day and i am much more comfortable w the language and getting around and not so afraid to try to communicate. The family appreciates learning some more English from me and the grandfather often asks me about the USA and he told me that Sarcozy is in New Hampshire right now on vacation...the French president. Ok i have to go, I have more pics to post and a ton of details I want to share but it must wait till my laptop connects or the next time I get access...otherwise 3 weeks when the summer is over and I return to the city

au revoir luv and miss everyone dont hesitate to call