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| leaving Gif-sur-Yvette |
Friday, May 13, 2011
Thursday, May 12, 2011
lost and found, packing it all
For our Christmas in Paris last winter, Christopher gave me a diamond wedding band as a present. Here in France, they call the ring an alliance. Until that point, I had been using my engagement ring as my wedding band. Anyhoo, this afternoon, I dropped my new ring on the kitchen floor, a diamond popped out and I could not find it anywhere. With one more day left in France, I did not think this would have a happy ending.
Can you believe that Christopher found the diamond? He was on his hands and knees (as was I) searching in a grid pattern, systematically eliminating all possible hiding places. He would make a good CSI.
So, as I said, we have one more full day left in Paris and will head back home on Saturday morning. I've discovered that the problem with being organized is that I was packed way too far in advance. This means I've spent all of my "down time" packing and unpacking my suitcase.
When we arrived in France, we came with 3 checked suitcases, two carry on suitcases and mailed ourselves two boxes of books. That's like 7 items.
Leaving France, we are mailing home 7 boxes. At 7 kg per box, that is a total of about 100 pounds of things sent back home through the mail. Leaving Europe to go to the US, they allow each traveler two checked bags. And so, we will be bringing back with us the following:
2 carry on suitcases filled with french dishes. I fell in love with the huge coffee bowls they use at home here for le petit déjeuner. I think I am bringing home about 60 lb. of dishes. This includes the ugly ones I found by the glass recycling bins in town. They are hideous. We call them the "Margaritaville" dishes because they have a huge parrot on them and are just ridiculous. I love them and intend to have them for the rest of my life.
One huge black duffle bag that was left behind by my U. Genne & A. Bernadette. This is a magic bag. Inside, I have packed our 3 ft. tall Eiffel Tower, a huge european style pillow and all of Gaius' action figures. The bag knows no limits. I just keep stuffing more and more things into it and it is never completely full. Amazing!
One box, filled with Gaius' trottinette (scooter) and a French Scrabble game.
Gaius, Christopher and I each have one big suitcase each for our clothes. And I think that's it.
My personal item (carry on) in lieu of a purse is my panier (shopping basket for marché). I'm worried that they will reject this at the gate. I might have to cause an international scene.
Left to pack: One huge Spiderman punching bag with boxing gloves and wine, wine, wine, wine, wine, wine, wine. Wish me luck.
à bientôt!
Can you believe that Christopher found the diamond? He was on his hands and knees (as was I) searching in a grid pattern, systematically eliminating all possible hiding places. He would make a good CSI.
So, as I said, we have one more full day left in Paris and will head back home on Saturday morning. I've discovered that the problem with being organized is that I was packed way too far in advance. This means I've spent all of my "down time" packing and unpacking my suitcase.
I've already sent home 50 pounds of loot with John Hayes who was conveniently traveling to Williamsburg, Virginia from Paris! Luckily, my mom left me a big empty suitcase to fill up and send home with him!
When we arrived in France, we came with 3 checked suitcases, two carry on suitcases and mailed ourselves two boxes of books. That's like 7 items.
Leaving France, we are mailing home 7 boxes. At 7 kg per box, that is a total of about 100 pounds of things sent back home through the mail. Leaving Europe to go to the US, they allow each traveler two checked bags. And so, we will be bringing back with us the following:
2 carry on suitcases filled with french dishes. I fell in love with the huge coffee bowls they use at home here for le petit déjeuner. I think I am bringing home about 60 lb. of dishes. This includes the ugly ones I found by the glass recycling bins in town. They are hideous. We call them the "Margaritaville" dishes because they have a huge parrot on them and are just ridiculous. I love them and intend to have them for the rest of my life.
One huge black duffle bag that was left behind by my U. Genne & A. Bernadette. This is a magic bag. Inside, I have packed our 3 ft. tall Eiffel Tower, a huge european style pillow and all of Gaius' action figures. The bag knows no limits. I just keep stuffing more and more things into it and it is never completely full. Amazing!
One box, filled with Gaius' trottinette (scooter) and a French Scrabble game.
Gaius, Christopher and I each have one big suitcase each for our clothes. And I think that's it.
My personal item (carry on) in lieu of a purse is my panier (shopping basket for marché). I'm worried that they will reject this at the gate. I might have to cause an international scene.
Left to pack: One huge Spiderman punching bag with boxing gloves and wine, wine, wine, wine, wine, wine, wine. Wish me luck.
à bientôt!
Monday, May 9, 2011
you're going to miss me a lot
What do I say to all of my new friends here in France to let them know how I feel?
"You're going to miss me!" Actually, what I say is "Vous allez me manquer." To me, that sounds like "you're going to miss me" but in actuality, it means the reverse, or "I'm going to miss you." Really.
Before I moved to France, I would daydream that I'd actually find a really great girlfriend here, and we would have so much in common and have lots of fun together. That it would be really sad when I left France because I would miss my new BFF (best french friend). Well, it actually happened! Meet Magda:
I'm so lucky to have a friend like Magda. She's a foodie! And we like all of the same things! I finally found someone who, when I need it, actually has a spare jar of tahini on hand. How's that for friend perfection? I met Magda while shopping for rain boots for Gaius. She overheard me speaking French with an American accent and came up to me, introduced herself and said, "We should be friends!" And, we are! Magda, you're really going to miss me! Et tu me manques aussi!
Christopher has also made some great friends here. You may not know this, but each morning, Christopher eats about 1 kilo (2 pounds) of fruit for breakfast. What better friend for him than Guillaume, who sells fruit! We love Guillaume, he's the best. And if you are looking for someone to do some graphic design work for you, he's your man!
Christopher and Guillaume met the old fashioned way... at the fruit stand!
Gaius has also made some really great friends here. One of his favorites is Gilles, Christopher's boss. With Gilles, Gaius has learned how to build a fire in the fireplace and use a lighter. Gilles gave Gaius a two wheeler bike to ride here in France, and now he can drive without training wheels! Gaius and Gilles will be life long friends.
We were really lucky to pick a place to live with such great neighbors. Having friends like François & Thien, Mylène & Jean right next door has been the best. They have shared many traditions with us and celebrated many french holidays with us. Ils nous manquerons! (We're going to miss them!)
There are many more people whom we've met and shared really great times with here. There's still time, 4 days left! Hopefully, we'll be able to have more fun with you before we leave.
Vraiment, vous allez nous manquer. (You're really going to miss us.) I mean, oh, you know what I mean!
à bientôt!
P.S. Christopher just mentioned to me that another reason Guillaume is the perfect friend for him is the fact that he is the only other person in France who also regularly wakes up at 4 am!
"You're going to miss me!" Actually, what I say is "Vous allez me manquer." To me, that sounds like "you're going to miss me" but in actuality, it means the reverse, or "I'm going to miss you." Really.
Before I moved to France, I would daydream that I'd actually find a really great girlfriend here, and we would have so much in common and have lots of fun together. That it would be really sad when I left France because I would miss my new BFF (best french friend). Well, it actually happened! Meet Magda:
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| Magda |
Christopher has also made some great friends here. You may not know this, but each morning, Christopher eats about 1 kilo (2 pounds) of fruit for breakfast. What better friend for him than Guillaume, who sells fruit! We love Guillaume, he's the best. And if you are looking for someone to do some graphic design work for you, he's your man!
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| Guillaume |
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| how they met |
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| Gaius and Gilles building a fire in Denmark |
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| Gaius' favorite food is Gilles' lasagne |
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| Fan-Fan & Thien |
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| Mylène & Jean |
Our friends have not been limited to the two legged variety. Meet Elliot.
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| Elliot |
He lives with Mylène and Jean up the hill. He and Gaius play all the time, mostly ball. During the day, when Gaius is at school, Elliot comes by to see if he is at home. Elliot is the best dog in the world, definitely "boy's best friend"!
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| "Can Gaius come out and play?" |
Vraiment, vous allez nous manquer. (You're really going to miss us.) I mean, oh, you know what I mean!
à bientôt!
P.S. Christopher just mentioned to me that another reason Guillaume is the perfect friend for him is the fact that he is the only other person in France who also regularly wakes up at 4 am!
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