....bits and pieces

This post is just some random observations and thoughts.  We haven't really ventured out much since we've being back so no new pictures or adventures.  I've just been hanging out with the dogs and picking up the kids at school after their multiple activities. On the weekends, the kids seem to be still catching up on their sleep and sleeping until 10:00 or 10:30 a.m.  Or  I may be entering some kind of pre-teen/teen pattern of sleeping until noon.....I don't get it, as I have always been an early riser.


Any way, here goes.....


-- I follow a couple of blogs, but there is one that makes me laugh out loud 99% of the time. Parenting. Illustrated With Crappy Pictures
(<center><a href="http://crappypictures.typepad.com/crappy-pictures/"><img border="0"src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6119/6286068685_b32e2c836a_m.jpg"/></a>) 


The author posted a quote on Facebook recently which I thought was so spot-on.  "Parenting without a sense of humor is like being an accountant who sucks at math".  


Don't I know it!  I would be tearing my hair out daily if I couldn't just laugh and enjoy the moment knowing deep inside my head they will only be this young once.  I know there are still a lot of "moments" to come, but I plan to just keep laughing....

-- Next, I know this is cliché but it really happens! This gentleman appears some mornings in the tunnel leading to the Metro station by our house.  This is the tunnel I go through after I walk the kids to their bus stop in the mornings.   

Granted some street musicians are better than others but we really don't like the guys who get in the cars on the Metro and play LOUDLY, regardless of their skill level.  Then they come around with the hat to collect money from a captured audience.  I mean really, we are forced to listen to you because we are enclosed in a metal capsule speeding down a track in cramped quarters and now you want money from me for listening to you play?!?   Like I had a choice!?!

-- I recently downloaded a compilation album of k.d. lang.  I had forgotten how hauntingly beautiful her voice is and how powerful her lyrics are.  Also it's nice to hear a little "county twang" after listening to accordions, cellos and violins in the Metro stations and streets of Paris!

k.d. lang - Constant Craving

-- A treasured friend emailed me the other day to ask how come I am never in any of the pictures on here.  When writing back, I had to say that I am usually the one behind the camera.  And it looks like that isn't going to change any time soon.


As part of my New Years resolution, I am going to try and get out and see more of Paris.  So, I signed up to take a course in photography.  Granted, it's with an English speaking continuing education program here in Paris, but I did say "see" Paris, not try to communicate with her.


The first course I've signed up for is learning how to get the most out of a SLR digital camera.  I tried to sign up twice in N.C. for a similar course and both times it was cancelled; the first time because of the instructor and then the next time, not enough people signed up, but I am hopeful for this course since I was one of the last two spots filled.  Of course, Patrick told me last night that the weather report calls for snow next Saturday.... 


There is also a course in the Spring that combines photography and walking tours and I plan to sign up for that as well.  Just really hoping to be able to take the basic course first....


Well, I think that is all the randomness for now....but be forewarned as my head is constantly filled with random things.....

....a repeating conversation

Store Clerk:  Would you like to be put on our mailing list?
Me:                No, we are just visiting for the Holidays.
Store Clerk:  Oh, we ship all over the U.S.
Me:               Well, we are living out of the country right now.
Store Clerk:  Really!  Where are you living?
Me:               Paris
Store Clerk:   Paris, FRANCE!  Wow, how exciting!  I bet it's beautiful (or fascinating or interesting...)
Me:                Yes, yes it is.

But oh how I will miss you U.S.A.

I guess it is true that absence makes the heart grow fonder.  Everything just seemed easier this trip back. Things were available and plentiful.  The drive from North Carolina to Florida on Christmas morning seemed somehow shorter.  It was as if the dreaded drive through South Carolina was now made pleasant because of the lack of traffic and the wide roads.

I was talking with my mother-in-law and we both agreed that it takes living in a foreign country (she's is from Berlin) to truly make you realize how easy living in the United States is.  I know I used to think places where "backward" or agonizingly slow.  Ha Ha!   There is a different pace of life in the United States.  It all now seems so fast...... right down to the laundry which only takes 25 minutes to wash in the U.S. vs. the 1 hour 20 minute cycle on my machine in France (which is the fastest cycle!).

So we are  now 10 months into the first year.  The kids are loving school.  Patrick's work is going well.  The dogs are now better leash walkers and actually learning some "new tricks".  We are all learning new things daily and learning to appreciate everything more.  So, things take a little longer to get done now.  The language is difficult.  The apartment is small.  The dogs have no yard.  But just think how much we will appreciate coming back when our time is up in Paris!?!?  And of all the things Paree will have taught us along the way about how to appreciate "takin' it slow".

...that's the way the old year passes

But man what a year it has been!  We have now been in Paris for 10 months!  The kids have successfully completed one grade level and started another at their fantastic British School of Paris!  The dogs can now walk on leashes (with their Haltis, of course) without dislocating our arms.  I no longer get lost on the infamous Bus 360 (bus 360 hates me) and can successfully navigate the grocery store without having a panic attack or angina.  Patrick is settled into a work routine and really liking the folks he is working with.  Lots of positive things.....

Being back in the States for the holidays has reminded us of what we love and miss so dearly.  First of all, family and friends.  Second, being able to communicate freely (no "Franglish" or charades!).  And third, just the EXCESS of everything....  I know I had taken for granted how easy it is to get your hands on whatever you want when you live here.  I think even if you grew up in Paris or Berlin or another country, you really don't have the access to the instant gratification factor so prevalent in America.  There are no Super Wal-Marts open 24/7 to supply your craving of Nacho chips and dip at 11:00 p.m.!

We have been enjoying one of things the U.S. has to offer in plenty....eating out often and not feeling like we are breaking the bank!  While I am trying to boycott Chick-Fil-A, the rest of the family just couldn't resist getting their fix!  Damn that tasty chicken.  We also have been mixing it up and eating Mexican food and Indian food (special request by Patrick~Paris does NOT know spicy!) and I had to hit the Taco Bell for old time's sake.   The kids are all for having some good ole American burgers and fries and so a visit to Cook Out in N.C. was in order and I am sure we will be dining at Five Guys before we leave Florida.  Also on the agenda is a visit to Joe's Crab Shack with Shanan and Ken for some Florida coast seafood!

I loved being back in N.C.  Seeing my family and dropping by work and seeing all my co-workers.  Even got to go out to dinner with a group of dear friends from the office.  Max got to spend TWO solid days with his best bud Charlie, go to a N.C. State basketball game with him and the Dads (the team won!  Bonus!) and we had a great dinner of Smithfields' Southern BBQ with the whole family at the Beck's.  Mmmmm, hush puppies!  Sweet tea!  Cole slaw!  Samantha got to see one of her best buddies from school and Taekwondo, Lexi.  We met for lunch at Panera Bread and then stopped by Allen's Taekwondo later to see more friends and her instructor, Ms. Weggman.  Unfortunately, Patrick's good friend and Godfather to the kids couldn't make it to N.C. for Christmas (damn that retail job!) but Patrick did get to play a practical joke on him visiting the store where Kevin used to work and they have talked (Skyped) while we are State side and it doesn't cost a fortune and are in the same time zone!

We have a few more days in Florida, but it has been awesome so far.  The kids are playing with their cousins every day and loving it!  We even have an added benefit this year as Peter (a long time family friend) is here from Berlin!  We plan on seeing Shanan soon and hope she can join us for a little while on New Year's to blow stuff up in the street in front of Tara's.  Another tradition!  Thanks Uncle Shawn!  You rock!

So all in all the year is ending on a super positive note (aside from a pinched nerve in my neck!) I will try to post again before we leave the U.S. because I am sure I have forgotten some awesomeness......and hopefully I will have pictures.

.....Christmas is coming!

Rough video of the Christmas windows at the major department stores downtown Paris

...we had turkey day in Paris

Instead of having turkey on Thursday, a co-worker of Patrick's opened her home and invited about 25 people to have Thanksgiving there last Saturday.  As the host, they provided the turkey (which had to be special ordered from a store here in Paris called....wait for it.....Thanksgiving (http://www.thanksgivingparis.com/)!  And since ovens here in Paris are small, they ordered two birds and enlisted their American neighbors downstairs to cook the other turkey.

There was a sign up list sent out with the e-vite with traditional dishes to sign up for.  There were also choices like bread and drinks.  Obviously, the bread and drinks categories filled up quickly.  Since the folks invited were mainly from everywhere else BUT America, a lot of the dishes sounded too weird/complicated and didn't get signed up for.  But the hosts and the select few Americans "stepped up" and rounded out the menu.  As example, one person asked Patrick the the host, Lorraine, at work how to cook mashed potatoes.......

A look down the table

Ready for guests

Sam doing her usual Thanksgiving water glass duties

We arrived a bit early since I had so much stuff I was bringing.  Both kids were a huge help in getting everything ready. They put out the water, butter, carried things to the table, etc.  After dinner they cleared plates and made beer and drink runs for people.  Patrick and I were very proud of them and received many compliments on how great they were.  The best thing, they did it all without being told!  We must be doing something right!

They both enjoyed going to Lorraine's and we had been there before for another get together, so they were very comfortable with Lorraine and her partner Cindy.  They also love their dog, Olive.  This has to be the most "chill" dog I have ever met.  She doesn't even bark!  BIG change from our two!

It is a French custom to bring flowers to the host/hostess when invited over.  Unlike in America, it is actually in bad form to bring a bottle of wine since you don't know the menu of the host.  So when you have a dinner party as large as this Thanksgiving, you end up with a lot of flowers.

Just some to the flowers for the hosts

The meal went fantastic.  And just like a traditional American Thanksgiving, there was a huge amount of food.  Any fear that we didn't have enough was quickly put to rest!  Everyone "tucked in" and had a great time.  I had an interesting conversation with two people at the table where I had to explain that "yes, the sweet potato casserole was considered a vegetable and not a dessert"!  Everyone was impressed and loved trying everything.

So now, it is ON for Christmas.  

Dogs to the kennel on the 16th 

Kinda worried about leaving them for 20 days AND leaving the country!  But we like the kennel and have already had a trial run with a stay there....

Last day of school on the 16th

Flying on the 18th

So you know what that means.............time to shop, shop, shop~

...the bells of Notre Dame

Last Sunday we ventured to Notre Dame.  We figured it would be something fun for everyone since Grandpa Pete and Robin are visiting. I decided that as much as I love gargoyles, I would not make the trek up the tower.  Since the only shape I am in is round and my knees/feet frequently remind me they have seen better days, I elected to explore the area while everyone else went to visit the gargoyles.

Are we twins?

Touching a 'goyle

They said the views were great and the climbing wasn't too bad.  (You can click on pictures for bigger images.)

So things around here are beginning to look a lot like Christmas.  There are many lights being hung and little villas being put together for Christmas Bazaars.  

This Christmas Village is going up at LaDefense

Totally outside but the chandeliers are being hung

We have already booked the tickets home and are beginning the countdown!  We will arrive in N.C. on December 19 and stay until Christmas morning.  Then we will head to Florida for the second half of our vacation.  We will leave to come back to Paris from Florida on January 3.  Ready for 20 days of U.S.A.!!

...I still don't "get" modern art

We went for a visit to the Centre Georges Pompidou, which is the largest museum for modern art in Europe, with Patrick's Dad, Pete, and Pete's girlfriend, Robin who are here visiting.  While the place is cool, the building is kinda modern-y design, I just don't understand much of what is going on inside.

All of the functional structural elements of the building were color-coded: green pipes are plumbing, blue ducts are for climate control, electrical wires are encased in yellow, and circulation elements and devices for safety (e.g., fire extinguishers) are red.

I tried to be "open to the art", and some of it was interesting to look at for 30/45 seconds, I just don't really understand how someone could stare at some of the pieces any longer.  Patrick is also not a fan of modern art, but we tried no to impose our views on the kids.  They thought some of it was "cool" but when presented with pieces like this....... well, what do you tell them?

This was kinda neat, but is it art?

After a while, we waited outside for Pete and Robin to finish checking out the many floors of art.  There are usually a good number for street performers outside the Pompideu Center and we got to see a really good juggler and unicycle show.  The guy even "recruited" Patrick and two other guys from the crowd to help!

We have MANY more museums to visit and a lot more art to see, so I am hopeful that something will "speak" to me somewhere!