10 cup o' culture christmas

before i leave.
this would be appropriate considering the time of year. 
sorry no pictures, but this post could visuals. 

1. there are hanging lights in pretty much every neighborhood.  think about the shopping centers with their pole decorations, except imagine that they are old parisian buildings and that there are lights strung from one building to another in the center of every town.  paris is very organized with the districts, arrondisments.  within each district there are major “places,” kind of like in italy, but there are actually stores and such there.  they are the center of the neighborhood, but there are many towns in one district, but still in the city of paris.  

2. no christmas cards.  maybe christmas cards, but not where half of your friends are sending updates and photos of your family. i seriously did not see any christmas cards like the ones in the states, but i will not say that they do not exist. 

3. stores are just as busy and packed with people. 

4. hot wine and alcoholic cider. 

5. trees are placed in a makeshift stump, a tree trunk cut in half, with a drill hole in it where the actual christmas tree is placed.  no water for the trees and they dry out quicker. trees are smaller, less decorated, but just as nice.  

6.  marchés du noel. 

7. more blue lights (like the ones at disneyland) than the white ones.  you dont find houses lined with lights.  thinking about that is just weird.  

8. sales everywhere, just the same. 

9. no carollers, but lots of churches have christmas specials, mostly classical and gospel choirs.  i like that. 

10. break out the mega ferris wheel down the champs-eylsées. 

 

ill try to find pictures from people, but right now as i write, i am tired and need to clean and sleep before leaving for fresno. 

bonnes vacances! bonne fete! joyeux noel.

cousin katy

Changed the theme of the blog (plus the snow because it snowed in Paris last week on Monday!)  Like the old one better?  I like the other because it goes all the way across the page and makes my posts seem shorter, but I felt like I had to squint to read the page.  Did you have to do that?  I like both, let me know which is easier for you. 

__________________

My cousin Katy, who is studying in Madrid came to visit me in Paris the first weekend of December.  It was quite the weekend trying to pack everything one should see in a two day period.  Which museums, which monuments are the best to see in Paris when your time here is so short.  We were able to get a lot done and see quite a bit.  She arrived late Wednesday night, where I waited at my metro station for an hour as she got lost in the metro.  Finally we met up after an anticipated reunion.

Thursday I skipped school and took my cousin around to certain places that her mom, my aunt, recommended that we visit.  One of her recommendations wasLadurée, infamous for their macaroons and hot chocolate.  It was all quite tasty and quite pricey, but it was all worth the calories and the price for a authentic Parisian dessert — for breakfast.  That was probably the more unordinary thing we did apart from the monuments we saw later that day, which included: Notre-Dame, St. Michel, St. Germain, Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomph, and the Champs-Elysées.  Pretty good in one day. 

Friday we went to Sacré-Coeur and attempted to eat at a Korean barbeque place, but to find out that it had closed out!  I just past the place the week before and I thought it was open.  Zut!  Instead we at the gourmet supermarket, Le Bon Marché and walked home in the rain.  Cousin went to the Louvre that night with a friend and after we met for dinner and watched Dexter. 

Saturday cousin went to Versailles in the morning while I went to Jean-Baptist’sspectacle where his school had their christmas performance.  Do you know what they did?!  They were mimes!!  Every Monday this semester they had “mime-time” (that’s what I like to call it) and I did wonder why they were learning such an activity.  It sounds pretty cool and I am sure I would like my kids to do it, but definitely not an American activity, so I definitely felt a little odd towards the activity.  The efforts of their miming changed my mind and miming is seriously cool.  It was so cute to see a bunch of three to five year olds performing these mime sequences about Christmas time.  They were all supposed to be les lutins, elves that were helping Père Noel prepare for Christmas.  The best one was when the class created a sleigh with their bodies for Santa Clause.  It was unexpected, looked really cool, and impressive to watch a bunch of little kids construct a sleigh with reindeer! for Santa Clause. 

Saturday afternoon, met up with cousin Katy and we attempted to go to the Catacombs, but they were closed, so we just walked around the bottom half of Paris until I had to go babysit that evening.  Not so great since my cousin was here, but luckily she had another friend here and they went out to dinner.  Sunday, was free museum Sundays and we hit the Rodin museum to see the Gates of Hell and the Thinker.  After, we went to Angelina’s, another aunt recommended eatery.  I think this place is the super place where they are known for their hot-chocolate.  I was kind of hot-chocolated out, so I went for the white hot chocolate and my cousin got the regular kind and I was able to try it.  My white was definitely not as great as regular hot chocolate and the hot chocolate was better than Ladurée.  In the afternoon, we went to La Marailles where we window shopped and picked up falafels for a semi-early dinner before returning to my house to watch multiple episodes of Dexter.  It was an early turn it because it was a Sunday (much is closed on Sundays), my cousin was tired from stuffing Paris in three days, and she had to wake around 500am for her flight back to Madrid.  We thought the metro/RER opened at a certain time, but alas, it did not open at the designated hour posted on the internet, thus my cousin had to the expensive cab ride to the airport after being rudely rejected at an information kiosk in the metro. 

Last week in Paris until I return to my comforts in Fresno. 

searching for motto 2009

searching for motto 2009. i am still in the works. its a little harder this year and i feel the pressure. 

 

written december 18 2007 via xanga with modifications

background information: since 2006 i have had one motto for the whole year.  year before that, i believe i had a small, but somewhat realistic list of new year’s resolutions.  i found that the list was still too hard to do, so i changed and decided to have one motto for the whole year.  the motto would be a self-improving goal that i would continue to work on for the rest of the year.  was this a better strategy?  i think so. 

be loving 2006.  i had a small reputation of not being so nice. maybe not that, but i might have taken sarcasm to another level that was not westmont friendly and then i also had my five year friend plan (probably needs a whole separate post).  friends did not like that, was given the nickname “two sizes too small” (talking about my heart) from how the grinch stole christmas, thus be loving 2006 inspired my friends to help me and to join me in trying to be more loving.  and overall, it was a fantastic and humbling year.  i felt the change and they saw me change. it was all good.  so this trend continued this year and will continue to the next, and not just for me, but for my friends too. 

live it up 2007.  id like to think i lived the year out well.  looking back, it was definitely a challenging and more emotional year.  im pretty sure i did not have emotions before this year.  despite how bad things may seem at the moment or how confused and full of emotions one might have, it always gets better.  our lives are too good to complain of anything.  that little spiel doesnt really explain if i lived it up in 2007, but i do think i was more adventurous, more spontaneous than i was in 2006. i  was pretty boring (much of a homebody), but i knew i needed to have a little more fun in my life than the interactions that i was having with my computer. aka: my literati games, aim, facebook, xanga…real life and real people are more fun.  this motto was way better than the initial no expectations 2008. :)  

dont give up, embrace 2008.  i started conjuring up a 2008 motto during the summer at ausable.  yes, it was a tad premature to think of a motto when there were plenty of months to live it up; but i just get so excited thinking up new mottos.  people threw in their two cents, but unfortunately many mottos were rejected.  i cannot just pull a motto right out of a hat.  it is way more than that.  if i have to live with this motto throughout the year, it has to be good.  a friend threw the idea of embrace 2008.  i liked it, but it was not good enough.  i didnt have as strong of a meaning that i wanted it to have.  although as you can see, i kept it because it went very well with my dont give 2008 plan.  i had a very sad housing situation this semester and i was sad for a friend because she was easily giving up.  then i noticed that other friends being dreary about the school year, completing work, figuring out their life after school, financial issues, the hardships of being in our early twenties.  oh the melodrama. then i realized that this next year is going to be hard with so many changes that will be set before us: graduation, unexpected new friends and unexpected lost friends, jobs and careers, new cities, new lives, anything.  even from the small things like not wanting to go to class or doing a project well, but dont give up.  as a lot of friends are returning from abroad, things will change, but embrace and do not give up.  (and now i have a theme song: hope by twista)

where will you be september 2008.  as seniors we are getting that question a lot a lot.  we dont really know where we are going to be, but we do have a pile of dreams.  the last week before finals i asked any senior i knew or did not know, where they thought they would be september 2008.  they could say where they thought they were going to be geographically, work wise, married, pregnant, whatever.  i thought it would be neat to see where we thought we were going to be in relation to where we actually end up, thinking that most of us would know where we would be come graduation.  so at graduation, everyone will get their three by five cards back.  my goal is to get seventy-five percent of the senior class by the end of january.  ps. at senior chapel i came up with a westmont motto: one family 2008. borrowed from mount hermon, but i didnt realize that until after i had said it. 

where will i be september 2008. i wrote down on my three by five card that i would either be in the bay area or somewhere near boston.  i love the eccentricity of the city and a couple of friends and i have vaguely threw out the idea. that was one idea amongst the other ambitions, but as for september 2008.  i have a feeling i will stay in california as much as i would like to serve elsewhere, but with my grandparents getting older and with losing one this year, some things can wait. you only get one family.

10 family highlights

an update on the cross cultural communications. 

1. ambroise left me a little present on the floor: his poop.  it was gross, it was funny, it felt like deja vu with my dog. but its not something i want to see again. 
2. the whole family and i sang “sur la pont d’avignon all together holding hands and walking in a round. it was so great! 
3. the boys say: i love you.
4. jean-baptiste can say almost say fork.  it comes out like f*ck.  it was funny at first, but now we are really working on the foRk part.  he cant be going around saying fork out loud.  he can also say the basic table settings.
5. we sing: twinkle twinkle, mr. golden sun, happy birthday, and the intsy wensy spider.
6. everything we eat is “bon pour le sante,” good for your health or is at least questioned if it is good for our health. 
7. the boys love the elevator. 
8. the best part of my day with the boys is picking them up.  they get so excited and love their smiles when they run to greet me. 
9.  jean-baptiste teaches me a lot of vocabulary words and corrects my pronunciation when i read. he is three and half. 
10. pomme, the grand mother, got her name because she bought too many apples. and now patrice is mr. carrot because he buys/bought too many carrots.

10 tv shows

tv shows i have watched (because they are over)/watching

1. heroes (b)
2. house (b)
3. csi (n)
4. weeds (sn)
5. america’s next top model (done)
6. project runway (done)
7. the office (n)
8. dexter (sp)
9. sex in the city (mom owned the series, i took it; done)
10. tudors (done)
11. grey’s anatomy (n)
12. law and order: svu  (alb)
13. ugly betty (n)
14. samantha who? (b)

close enough to ten when you take out the done ones. but really, too much tv. but i can happily say that the last three shows are the shows that i watch when theyre isnt anything else to watch or at least there isnt a hurry to watch them. 

done
n: wasnt an devoted watcher from the beginning, but pick up on the new season and maybe a little bit of last season
b: from the beginning
alb: from almost the beginning/been watching a long time
sn: from the start of series to now/up to date until new season
sp: from the start and still trying to catch up/progressing

falling in love

this evening i fell in love with paris.
it should have happened a long time ago, but im ready.

there is a marché de noel at the church across the street from where i work and they open tomorrow.  but tonight they celebrated its opening with a choir.  we could hear it from the flat.  i went down after work and perused the cabin shops and immersed myself in the classic songs of christmas, this one particular icky cheese smell, the flavored maroons, and children’s toys.  i felt nostalgic for being young again.  after all, this is my first parisian christmas.  i love it. i love this city.

paris knows how to do it right for christmas.

with love, my developing sentimental heart.

box turkey

It is an American tradition. Go big or go home. 

Thanksgiving 1: at Katie’s, Thanksgiving day.  Thanksgiving is a little more special for Katie for whatever reason and she made the all-American traditional Thanksgiving (minus the yams).  There was the turkey pieces (whole turkeys are not hard to find, but just unnecessary for a whole turkey) with trimmings, the stuffing, green beans, cranberries, pumpkin pie, and something else I cannot remember.  She invited all her Domincan Republic friends and in all there were about nine of us.  It was pretty fun, but they spoke Spanish the whole night.  I am pretty used to it, they all know me, and I can entertain myself fine, so I did not mind at all.  It was nice seeing Katie’s friends again, it had been a while since I had been out with them.  

Thanksgiving 2: at my work house, Friday.  I did everything pretty much day of, hoping that everything would come together ok.  I did not want to make this not so important holiday to me a big deal or stressful.  Plus, I was not making anything elaborate that needed preparation.  I got most of my recipes from wholefoods.com, and since this was a sit down dinner I did not feel the need to go super all out.  At least at our family Thanksgivings in the states, we do the ‘i have to get everything in the line because it tastes so good’ buffet style.  So good. I went in the morning to the marché to get the vegetables and fruits I would be needing.  Then I picked up the box turkey! from this gourmet frozen only market called Picard.  Gourmet frozen food, ha. Seriously, it is a fabulous store despite that it is all frozen food.  The box turkey was stuffed with maroons and mushrooms and it actually turned out really good, thanks to the grandparents who came and helped me out with the directions for the turkey.  I tried to ask the housekeeper, but I just shook my head up and down smiling that I knew just what to do.  He was helpful and I understood pretty much what he said, but if I had listened to him, we would have had an overdone turkey.  Other than the turkey, I made brussels sprouts, mashed potatoes (with garlic and french cheese), and a salad. Not that much, not that conventional, but it was a good dinner.  And apart from the food, the company was great: the whole family, even the boys for a little bit, Bénédicte’s parents (love the grandparents, plus the grandmother made me the poire tarte she made for my birthday!), Katie, and a surprise guest, Elizabeth.  We spoke French most of the night and I was glad that the family could meet my friends.  We all had a good time and I believe we really appreciated everyone’s company of the mix between the French and the Americans. 

Did not know Elizabeth was coming on Friday, thought she was coming on Saturday.  She was supposed to meet up with friends here, but the friend is in the hospital with pneumonia, so things were kind of frantic for her to find a place.  But it was good to have her at Thanksgiving.  

Elizabeth leaves on Tuesday for the south of France and then cousin Katy will be visiting! Then two more weeks and I am home!

It has gone by way to fast.

keeping warm

it is cold here. really cold. 
low: 0-4 degrees celcius
high: 4-7 degrees celcius 

plus rain and snow!! i actually have not seen the snow, but it has snowed in paris. 
it is really painful some days. i do not understand how girls still look good without freezing.

This past week was really busy with visitors!  Westmont Marisa and her friend Katie are taking a three week Europe adventure and started their trip in Paris.  They did a lot of site-seeing around Paris while I went to school and worked.  At night we met up and walked around Paris or just hung out at my flat because they were too tired from their day of touristing.  Friday was the semi-big night out.  After work I met Marisa and Katie at the Arc de Triomph.  Went in and out of the Arc, learned about its history, and took pictures.  It was raining and cold, but Paris still looked good, especially with the lights lit up on the Champs-Elysees!  After, school friends and I met up to go out, but we were to meet one of the guys’ girlfriends at some bar in the city.  We walked endlessly for a an hour to find out we were on the same street going the wrong direction.  Turn around and walk some more until we find the bar.  Tiny bar with great atmosphere.  I ordered a screwdriver: vodka and orange juice and get: wine and orange juice in separate glasses.  Lost in translation for sure. Whatever, both tasted great and it was actually cheaper.  I went home just as the metro closed and Marisa, Katie, and Katie Winter all went dancing at La Pena.  I really do not like La Pena, so I really try not to go there anymore.  

Saturday I went to the church’s Marché de Noël.  Paris is actually filled with these Christmas markets and I am excited to go to all the others.  A few that I know, one including the small church next to my work home, have these legit little wooden houses set up for the marché de noël.  I will get a picture, but its big time stuff.  There is a Christmas market right off of the Champs-Elysees, but I heard that one was not that good.  Anyway, did not find much but three books at the church Christmas sale and went back to my area to peruse the shopping there, but came back with nothing, and then to go to the birthday of Ambroise, the new two year old.  

It was a lot of fun.  The house was decorated with some balloons and the table nicely set for the five of us.  There was a simple, yet delicious chocolate cake adorned with manderin oranges.  We sang happy birthday in english and in french and just hung out.  Both boys opened the gifts, since Jean-Baptiste was a little jealous.  Ambroise got some pretty cool gifts from his parents and grandparents.  I gave him Mr. Potat, aka Mr. Potato Head.  After eating and opening some gifts we went to the park for a carrousel ride.  Shortly after we returned because it was sooo cold outside.  Then just hung out at the house before meeting Elise and Emily at the house to hang out.  

Emily and Elise were in Paris for the weekend and I really did not get to see much of them because they were stuffing much of Paris in two days.  They were really tired, but we had to make some hang out time.  We did not do much other than chat, watch an episode of Weeds and then pushing ourselves to go out and see night time Paris.  We met up with Marisa, Katie, and Katie, who went to a professional volleyball game to see one of Marisa’s friend play.  Pretty cool.  We walked around St. Germain aka St. Michel and ate a grec-sandwich place. you know, those tall spinning things of meat?  So oily, so greasy, so good.  

Sunday I met up with Marisa, Katie, and Katie in La Marais where we shopped around and looked around.  We went to this store called MUJI. An upgraded Japanese version of IKEA.  So great.  I had to go to return a gift, but of course ended up buying something else, and the girls did just the same.  Probably one of the best stores I have been to.  It isn’t even that big, but such cool things inside.  After shopping, we went to “the best falafel house.”  It was actually really good.  In place of those grec-sandwiches, I will now be eating falafels.  I have always been a fan, but now I have to have them.  Kind of like MyBerry. 

I am back in the groove of afternoon naps and late night computer surfing.  As much as I love friends and visitors, I love and need Jen-time.  

This week, I will be having a Thanksgiving, except it will be on Friday.  Patrice works till really late and it would be better to have him there.  I will be cooking a lot of it.  I am pretty sure I do not have to do the turkey, but I am doing the mashed potatoes, stuffing, two pies, probably white rice, cranberries, and maybe that’s it?  I do not like yams and feel like those are not essential.  I do not know.  Does not seem like much or even too hard.  I do wish there was chinese rice…man, I miss that.  I am going to have to ask Ma Ma to make me some when I get back.  So cooking for five, maybe six.  Should be fun.  Give you the update later.  

See you soon. 

More pictures from Friday night. 

10 songs

those songs that mark periods of your life.
these are the tunes im listening to that will somehow trigger some part of paris in my memory.

1. o-town
2. meiko
3. pop levi
4. chairlift
5. rogue wave
6. wilco
7. john legend
8. high school musical 3
9. carla bruni
10. kate nash

10 locations

places that i have been to that have not been mentioned in a post because i either forgot about it, wanted to post pictures but could not, or found it unnecessary to really put in a post.

1. croisière (18/10): cruise on the seine with katie and mathias.  a lot of fun, lots of people.  a not-so-good buffet, but for the cost of ten euro for food and a cruise, it was a great deal.  we met a french guy named quentin and he was quite a character.  outside was really really cold; good thing i brought a handwarmer. and going under the bridges, make sure you yell and scream. 

2. versailles (08/11): beautiful and great even on a cold and gloomy day.  spent a couple hours inside the castle learning new things about paris and france from a french friend.  i tried my audioguide in french, but that failed. pictures 

3. mcdonalds (08/11): after versailles.  it was the most beautiful mcdonalds i have ever been to. clean and modern.  on the other side of the restaurant there was of course, a café with expresso drinks and pasteries. we were probably at mcdonalds longer than versailles. 

4. night time louvre (14/11): after work, some friends and i checked out the museé de louvre because it is free for students under twenty-six.  the louvre is also open later on fridays, so we were able to make it the last hour.  we spent less than an hour there, but it was fun.  we probably spent more time talking to each other than taking in the artwork, but we have plenty of fridays left in time that we will be here. 

5. starbucks (16/11): katie and i were in america for just two hours in france.  it was worth the 4,30€ hot chocolate i ordered.  by the way, katie and i were wondering if the holiday specials are the same or different: a cherry cookie flavored hot drink or a creme brulée hot drink?  do they have them in the states?  to some, they would be against going to a starbucks in france since it is not french, but i dont care and there are few places that i can spread all my stuff around when studying.  i do not think real cafés appreciate that.

 6. my berry. aka pinkberry.  i have not been to a pinkberry, but katie says they are practically the same thing.  i think they are owned by the same comany because they have the same colors and text. regardless, we eat it at least once a week.  two if we get lucky and sucked into spending the expenses on such a expensive dessert. worth it.

7. la marais. shopping and super busy on saturday with shops and falafels!  its the jewish quarter in france.  so much fun to walk around and window shop the high fashion and the vintage shops. im on the prowl for boots, although i do not know if i am really into them. i think im just giving in to french fashion or girl fashion. 

8. churches: american church of paris and hillsong. i still go to the american church of paris, but friend barrett and i tried the hillsong church waaay across town.  it was really cool because it was in french and english! it was really fun to sing songs we knew in english in french. 

9. andré citroen-parc: a really beautiful park not too far away from my house. this is where i met my old-man conversation friend (by the way, we do not meet anymore).  i had been there when i visited france in high school, but i forgot how great it is.  there is this big hot-air balloon like balloon that goes up in the air where you can see the whole city (even though i think there are actually a lot of places to get the whole city view: eiffel tower, sacré-coeur, montparnasse, notre-dame). sometimes the balloon goes up and night and it looks like the moon. 

10. stupid préfecture: this is where i am supposed to get my carte de séjour, aka my residence card. i have gone to the place about four times now and still have no residence card. this is the most horrible process i have ever been through.  attempt one: check to see if you have papers, most of the time you do not, so you come back, but they give you an appointment to return. attempt two: waiting for four house in the mass of people who have the same appointment day to find out that i need another document that they did not tell me i needed to have at round one.  attempt three: same day, i get the paper, woman that was helping me was not there, found another person, she oks my papers, but then i am rejected from the head boss checkpoint. i need different papers. attempt four: better to go the préfecture in the afternoon because it is less crowded, but the lady helping me decides to take her lunch.  and french lunch is nothing like american lunch with a designated time frame.  wait for a little over an hour.  again rejected for new papers to find that they are bad and i need originals.  attempt five: tomorrow.  this better be the last time.

updated on 21/11/08
11. basement jazz club: met somewhat of a weird guy at school, but he was american and asked us what we were doing one night and invited us to a jazz club.  the jazz was really good and the atmosphere was very cozy and relaxing.  the guy is somewhat of a loner, not trying to be mean, but he is always at the school, but does not go to the school, claims he is in paris to find love and is somewhat condescending. he seemed legit and then he started talking crap. not my friend. 

12. american cathedral in paris: every friday this church serves lunch to the homeless.  it is very different than the missions and soup kitchens in the states.  only a limited number of people can sign up because there is limited space and a small kitchen.  but also, we actually serve the people, meaning, we are like their waiters/waitresses and get them what they need.  i love it.  its such an endearing concept and the connections are just way different than a buffet line.  and this meal, was definitely a french dejeuner with baguette, a crepe for dessert, and coffee at the end.  i was an avid poverello house kid in fresno and i am glad friend barrett told me about this activity.

 

only pictures that i have right now from the louvre; versailles later. 

10 quickie

i was just in the mood.

1. paris, france, europe…love barack obama.  he is on the television and all over the papers. 
2. im starting to enjoy ironing clothes.
3. i saw high school musical three the sunday it came out. it was sooo good. 
4. this morning, there was a man in a plastic bag, like a mattress bag, right outside my building.  i think he was sleeping inside since he had i think, a pillow and a bag.  it was weird and kind of creepy, very csi-like.  its bizarre for my neighborhood to have people like that around.  and right now, another man, or the same man, is sleeping outside the building.   
5. im going to be sad when i have to leave paris in december and in july. 
6. jean-baptiste gave me good-bye kisses on my cheek, my forehead, my hair, my nose, my mouth, and my neck. he thought it was really funny. 
7. i am way behind on my letter writing. 
8. i should be studying french more on my own.
9. we sing twinkle-twinkle little star, in english.  working on mr. sun, sun, mr. golden sun.  any other songs with motions?
10. i watch a lot of tv shows via online: house, heroes, top model, csi, csi miami, samantha who, sometimes law and order, and when it is working, how i met your mother. thought i would join the french trend with how i met your mother. its pretty good.

I realize it has been a while since i have written a real entry, but with a combination of nothing really happening/blog complications/laziness, I have finally managed the courage to write again.

At this moment:

1. I am feeling nostalgic for home.  It could be homesickness, but let me just label it nostalgia. I was sick this past weekend and being sick makes me sad.  Being sick in your own bed rolling around in your own germs is far better than being sick thousands of miles away.
2.  It has gotten really cold here.  The rain and the mighty winds have taken over Paris and now we have to fight it.  Wind burns and inside seems so much more inviting.
3. The lights on the Champs-Elyseés have gone up.  It is Christmas-time.
4. And being from the United States, this weather is christmas weather.  I love it.  Everything is warm and good.  And as much as I love Paris, I cannot wait to go home and be with friends and family.
5. Listening to: Norah Jones, my holiday music
6. I still have no theme for 2009.

So within the last month, I have found my routine!  Some people are not into routines.  It is a boring life.  Well, I like my boring life.  It picks up during the weekend, but not that much.

900   : Go to school at Alliance Française
1200 : Get out of class and find my friends
100   : Eat lunch at the house
200   : Go to my house/relax/get ready for nap/try to nap
400   : Wake up to pick up the kids
420   : Pick up child one, Jean-Baptiste
430   : Pick up child two, Ambroise
445   : Gouter and go to the park, with the other hundreds of children
600   : Home and take a bath
700   : Eat dinner and wait for mother and father
830   : Go home

I rarely go out after work just because it is kind of late and by the time I actually go out it is late, and I do not like late.  I have a thing of making the metro before it closes.  Some people do not mind finding other routes of transportation at night.  If I go out during the week, it is with Katie, but we have not done that for a while.  School has been good.  After fluctuating between classes I have finally found my place and I am actually learning.  The last month has been slow catch up with a classified hot and nice teacher who did not really want to be there.  But in that class I met my friends.  They are boring like me or more like low key.  We all like going out having a good time, but we could not do it everyday nor do we get crazy.  Just have a good time and hang out at bars or pubs, occasional discotéques, pretty much anywhere free.  We have one of more exciting ones in the group, but I will blame it on his youth of nineteen years and his need to be alive in the city before he returns back to the drinking age of twenty-one years in the states at the end of the semester.  Other than that one American, I have friends from England, Argentina, Brazil, Norway, Germany, India, and Japan.  Some of them will be leaving soon, which is sad, but that is the way it goes here.  Let me just put it out there, but two of my guy friends followed their girlfriends here to Paris.  Now that’s _ _ _ _.

A friend from Westmont, Julie, came to Paris after working with WWOOF in Denmark.  Luckily, I had a week holiday because I believe Paris was celebrating the Toussaints (All Saints Day) day and gave themselves the week off.  Mother took the children to the country to visit her relatives.  It was good to have Julie here because we were able to catch up and it made the week less lonely in the afternoons.  We had some complications finding each other in the airport, where the worst case senario would have been her sleeping at the airport while I would be frantically looking for her all night.  We ate the crepes, walked around Paris, and talked.  It was good.  We went to Sacré-Coeur, my favorite place in Paris.  And still a beautiful as when I first visited.  As the church sits on a hill, pretty much overlooking the city of Paris, but on that evening it was difficult to see the city because of the fog settling in for the night.  When we entered the church, we were delighted by the evening mass of singing nuns.  Do not think Sister Act or Sound of Music, definitely not that.  It was almost as if we were sucked back to the early fifteenth-sixteenth century.  Actually, I do not know my centuries, but just think old.  It was beautiful.  Since being here I have understood ‘not being able to describe something.’  This was one of those moments that even if I tried to describe to you the singing nuns, it would not mean as much to you unless you experienced it.  Sometimes there are no words.   I have had a couple of other undescribable Parisian musical moments and all I think is, only in Paris.  And on the hill, besides the church, there is a cute little village of shops and restaurants.  Julie and I explored the area and indulged in some great paitiserries before dinner.

By the way, after having the week off, I realized how much I missed work.  Doing the same nothing got old and I wished I was at work.  I did not realize how much of my time was invested there.

Halloween: Lived in my bed being sick, but if people celebrate Halloween, the older crowd celebrates via parties or clubs.

Cultural activities: while living on a budget, it is most rewarding to discover free fun in Paris.  Despite my sickness, I had to take advantage of the free museum entrance hosted by many museums on the first Sunday of the month.  I missed last month and I could not miss another.  Choice of the month: George Pompidou.  I pretty much chose the place because I like the place and it is one of the more expensive museums in Paris.  I was hesitant to go, pretty much out of laziness, but my body had not been exposed to the outside for more than ten minutes since last Thursday, thus deciding it was good to go out for my health, even if I was not really up for it.  Of course it was worth it.  I ended up going by myself since I left my phone at the flat and my friends could not get a hold of me.  We were in the building at the same time at one point.  It was not so bad, since I like the single life, and I like going at my turtle speed.  Some of the art was really cool.  I love the big installations.  Some are weird and some I do not understand why it is called art and how people get to be paid to make a statement with a series of white canvasses.  Whatever, I am not an artist.  Although whenever I am around art, I wish I could be an artist.  My last semester at Westmont I took a ceramics class.  I loved it and I loved the creativity and being to think in a different way.   I want to be back with the clay and when I am around art, it makes me want it more.  I like the forms and shapes one can make with the clay.  I fail a lot, but when you get it right, it is so rewarding.  Little side hobby of mine.  When I become rich and famous, I will have a kiln.

Craigslist friends:  so, I did it.  I placed an ad on craigslist under the Strictly Platonic section.  I do not think I would call it desparation, but just an exploration tactic of meeting people and practicing my French with others.  Here is a copy of my advertisement:

I am from the United States, working and studying in Paris. Somewhat post-beginner, not advanced, French language student looking for someone to practice my poor French. My written grammar far exceeds my spoken abilities, but I just need to practice.

Looking for friendship/business only. Hoping for patience and laughter.
Can be anyone that can speak French, do not need to be a native.
If you are seeking English conversation, we can help each other.

I received many hits, all men.  Thank you.  I conversed via email with a few and got over it.  It kind of gets overwhelming and it is hard because you have to base it on their first email.  Is this person sketch?  Can this person really not use how r u? in an email?  Little things that quickly weed out potential weirdos.  But, I met with two.  I dropped one and kept one.  The dropper man or the one time conversation partner wanted more than just conversation.  My keeper is a regular now, every Sunday afternoon we meet at my bridge, Pont Mirabeau and talk one hour French and one hour English.  He is in his late fifties, I think.  He will not tell me his age and I do not really care either.  He has a “companion.” He believes that he is too old for boyfriend/girlfriend lingo.  He is harmless.  He made it quite clear that he was only looking for conversation.  Me too.  We have good conversations because he likes the outdoors, hiking, traveling, trying new things.  It is a good friendship.  He always gives me a history lesson about something in Paris.  It is pretty cool.  One in particular, which will be in another edition of cup o culture, is that the Eiffel Tower is blue right now.  It is blue because France is the “president” of the European Union for six months and then it switches to another country.  I like that.  The symbolism, the politics, its good.

sorry, I have not taken very many pictures while I have been here, probably because I have not done much and I have had to conserve battery since I did not bring any recharger.

This week is just another week.  Maybe something exciting this weekend, maybe a weekend holiday.

á toute á l’heure.

10 cup o' culture ii.

more culture-y things i have learned in the city of paris.

1. there are seeds in all grapes. eat the seeds.
2. kid/razor scooters. they are everywhere and everyone uses them, kids and adults alike.
3. smoke in front of your kids. it has to be good for them.
4. when choosing a lane to drive in, drive in the middle. then after getting frustrated with the slow car in the slow lane, you change lanes effortlessly because you already called dibs in the fast lane too. everyone thinks theyre a good driver.
5. latest fashion: tights. tights with boots, tights with shorts!, tights with flats, tights with skirts. wear tights.
6. everyone dresses pretty nice here. no sweatshirts, loose jeans, or sandals. i really do not understand how they are comfortable, but they look pretty darn cute. my wardrobe is not up to paris standards.
7. its nice, they have hotdogs here. very american. but, the hotdogs come in baguettes. very french. (they de-hole the baguette and shove the hotdog inside. none of this open face stuff)
8. the young french people looooove “how i met your mother”!
9. on a sunny day, all of paris is outside. or at least it feels like that many people are outside. but actually, i have heard many parisians say to me that it is best to be outside to take advantage of the nice sunny days before the clouds cover us in. good obvious advice.
10. at the cinéma, they have this unlimited program. pay about twenty euros a month to watch as many movies as you can in month. i love it. an enhanced and legal concept of movie hopping.

10 23

09 octobre 1985, twenty three.


1. thank you for your messages and gifts! thanks ma ma, gung gung, linsay, and elizabeth.
2. i didnt tell anyone it was my birthday, except for katie.
3. i did have a good time, i went dancing till the wee hours of the morning with katie and school friends at club mix. sorry, we did not take any pictures.
4. the club was free for all foreigners before midnight. we made it in. the french/europeans love love american songs and who cares if you cannot dance to them american-style aka spice girls, nirvana, elvis, pretty woman…just move your body.
5. i received two plants and soap from my paris family. i do not think the mother thought it was a sufficient gift, but she does not know how much i like plants and sanitation.
6. benedictes mother, pomme, baked me a most delicious pear cake. it had three candles on it.
7. i drank a little champagne at dinner and i still turn red. that did not change with age.
8. it was a beautiful day in paris. weather was good enough to wear my birkenstocks.
9. being older allows leniency on the old people things i do: hot water with lemon, naps, something else i forgot…and i guess forgetting things.
10. thank you for all the love and support you send overseas. home never seems too far away.



love, jen

lost in translation

America focuses on constructive criticism or positive reinforcement. The French handle their situations differently, I believe a little more negatively, and its killing my self-esteem.

Sunday, I attended a French Catholic wedding. The wedding was beautiful, but very different from the weddings I have attended in the United States. Entering into the calm cold country from the busy city life of Paris, Benedicte, the kids, and I drove between the grasslands to a little village where the church was its center piece. Driving along the little shops on traditional one-way cobblestone roads made France so surreal and really beautiful. I had never been to a Catholic wedding in the states, but I really enjoyed the wedding service. It was a very liturgical service with communion, hymns, cantors, a small message, and readings. I cannot really find that many similarities of American weddings to this French wedding. It was that different. The white dress and the groomsmen were pretty much the only thing the same. Bridesmaids, they were probably there, but one would not be able to tell; vows, maybe; ring exchange, did not see any, and no You may kiss the bride. There was the contract signing of the marriage, little boys and girls trailing the bride down the aisle, but dressed in these uniform dressings of yellow-gold and white.

I could not pay attention for very long before having to find one of the kids running amok amongst the chairs or within the confessional stands. It was crazy and kind of embarrassing. Despite the abundant amount of cookies brought to the wedding to bribe the kids to be quiet to have good behavior did not stop the echo of the boys' laughter or yelling within the church. Definitely not a musical addition to the ceremony.

After the service, we headed to a renovated abbey turned into hotel for cocktails and dinner. We did not stay for dinner, but I have no words to describe the beauty of this abbey. Hands down, the best place in France I have visited. I do not know what to say, but geeze, gorgeous. It made me wish I lived in that time period when it was built and used, to see it in its full form. And after all these years from what is left of it, is still beautiful. I wish I had pictures, but my camera died as I tried to take a picture. I will get the site for the abbey and post pictures from there. I hope I get to go back, whether it is for the day or if I have enough money to spend the night.

When I returned, I got ready for Nuit Blanche, White Night in Paris, where illuminated art is displayed all over Paris. Certain museums are open all night and different events and activities happen around the city. This only happens once a year, so I was excited to go, but then I also had no idea where anything was, so I was a pinch unmotivated to go out and see things. That pinch grew into a forgotten night of this once a year event, but nonetheless, Katie and I made the night our own. We hung out with some of her Moroccan friends, who spoke Spanish and French, but also very patient with my French. And later we hung out with the Dominicans, who spoke Spanish and French, and went back to the Salsa dancing place.  It was fun getting to hang out with the Dominicans again, but this language thing is still awkward for me. I cannot do it, especially in a bar or club setting.  Speaking French makes me nervous and I have to think about what I am saying.  Plus, you cannot have good conversation in that kind of atmosphere, and why hurt yourself by yelling and struggling to say what you want to say.  Eventually I will get the French down, but for now, speak to me in English. 

The salsa club, La Pena, was crazy. Last week when we went out on a Tuesday, no one was there. Just us. This time when we entered the downstairs basement it was filled with sweat, the beating base and rhythms of Latin music, and what felt like hundreds of people all trying to salsa in this little space. It was madness and I loved it. I danced a few songs, but after finding my feet were not in sync, I gave up and people-watched into the wee morning. I was dead and bored by the end of the night, dying to take a shower and make it into my bed. This life is new and fun, but definitely not one I can repeat as often as others. The recovery throws me off my nap and sleep schedule.

Tomorrow I start my second week of language school at Alliance Francaise. First week went ok. My professor, Marie-Joseph, is funny and likes to make jokes and she is actually a really great teacher. The only bit is, the grammar part of the class is super easy. My grammar knowledge far exceeds my speaking knowledge, but the classes are centered around grammar and I am dying of boredom in my class. I am sure the speaking will come along with practice, but I seriously cannot do the remedial stuff anymore. I snuck that class kind of class for a good grade in college. So tomorrow I will find out my new placement, but I will be sad to leave my professor and the little group of friends I have made. All married (my class is very married or Vietnamese) or hot and heavy boyfriends, and all from around the world. Tomoko from Japan, married and has one kid (does not look old enough to have any kids), Alesia, lives in the United States, but is quite Polish, twenty something young and married, and Anna, late thirties, from Australia taking a year long holiday with her boyfriend. I like our little group of girls a lot, but my need for French language is needed here in the country, especially when they are leaving in a few months. And with people not staying as long as me, I find it hard to find and keep friends at my language school. It does not bother me because at least I have people to talk to in my class.

Overall it is hard to make friends here. I know I probably have not tried as hard, but it really does not bother me because I do not feel lonely. French girls do not really meet other girls unless they go to school together, and French boys only want to meet other girls for other things. I do not give those other things. I have met people and talked to them, but they are not people to keep. So, pretty much, I have Katie and we have each other. And right now, I am good with that.

It is cold here, around 10 degrees celsius, but rising a few degrees this week. This is not California weather. No more sandals, tights under the jeans with hiking socks, sweatshirt and jacket. But when you get inside, it is hot. 

coming home

I am coming home for Christmas.

This decision was up for debate since the Rullier family invited me to their chatlet in the French Alps. I will probably never get the chance to go again, but after a few hard days with the boys and some weekend work, I do not want to work over the holidays. I do not want any responsibility. I love the boys, they are great and growing up, but I want to be responsibility-free.

Get ready to play.

ps. new theme for year 2009 coming soon.

dumb american, landladies, and ratp

(no more disclaimers. i no longer feel guilty for long posts, although i will sometimes provide summaries of my entry so you can make the decision to see if the entry is worth reading. today, no summary)

The people that manage the buildings are called "guardians," and the ones in both of my buildings hate me. I must be the worst tenant they have ever had. Dumb American girl.

Landlady 1. Tuesday night, Ann, Elizabeth, and I decided to go dancing in Odeon with Katie and her Domincan-Republic friends. We had a nice key system worked out since we were on different schedules, but as we leave, no one has the key. So the inevitable, we lock ourselves out of the flat. It is 930pm. It is almost too late enough to go down and ask the guardian for the key, but not that late to where you are desperate, you still have time to ask. We were desperate. Where were three girls going to stay? We hesitantly knock on the door, not sure what is going to happen, but know that all three of us need that key. After a few minutes of no answering after several lightly-tapped knocks, the short brown-haired woman grumpily comes out of her door. Elizabeth tells the woman of our situation and the guardian tells us that she does not have the key. What the heck? You do not have a key? You are the landlady. You have to have the key. She just stands there, tells us she does not have the key, dismisses us, and we both walk away.

I was pretty angry, but not that angry because I know all hope was not lost, but it was just a hassle. The guardian was right there, twenty feet from the key, but instead she decides to be not nice and make us (really me) suffer. I went to my work house to tell Benedicte of the situation. She was calm, did not seem angry, it could have happened to anyone, but was more concerned about the landlady's actions. She believed that the landlady deliberately wanted me to have nowhere to go and was more upset about that. poopy woman. Ok, so we stay at Katie's.

Through a series of phone calls to Benedicte, her mother, the guardian, and me, I find out that the guardian was mad because we were being noisy. It is possible, but I do not know. The walls and floors are thin, anything could happen. The music was probably the loud part, but the music that I or the girls would have played is pretty calm music: French, classical, or the Iron and Wine genre. Not that loud. And we are not roughty girls either, so whatever. My hoppin' music will no longer be loud.

Landlady 2. The streets were wet with the dirty water from early morning cleaning. The guardian set a towel outside the building so shoes could be wiped clean and dry. I did just so, and even wiped my Birkenstocks on the embedded rug inside the building. Apparently that was not good enough, for I still had strains of dirty water that tracked inside and onto the marble. As the woman watched from the time I opened the door, I was reprimanded for my actions and for the hard work she just had accomplished and now having to repeat her chores because of a dumb girl like me.

This Friday, the RATP, the metro monitors decided to check everyone's tickets. It is common that the security will wrangle the halls and check the valid ticket stubs. Plus, it is common that not everyone pays for a metro ride. I arrive at my station, having a choice between which line to take. One line was bombarded by security while the other was clear. I stupidly decide to go with the security side. I needed that route or I would have to backtrack and add an extra fifteen minutes to my ride. I had a valid month stub, but I neglected to fill out the validation forms stating that this was my stub and that I did not steal it. I thought maybe I could play dumb American, but dumb Americans do not buy month tickets. So yes, I get caught and have to pay 25 euro on the spot. damn. I am more pissed at this situation than the key incident. My money was taken away from me. Now I have 25 euro left over for the next week.

This week with the kids was really hard. And I can foresee others weeks just like those. This week was hard because my kids were sick, which made them more irritable, cranky, and sad. And I had to deal with all of that for a couple of days and had to work an extra afternoon. It was not easy and I was really stressed. It was nice having people to go home to, but by the time I came home, I was tired and ready for bed. With the little strength I had left, we went out. Nothing big, but just out on the town. Like I said before, Paris is beautiful and totally different at night, so of course we had to make the most of it. We had a lot of fun with them walking around the city and doing more touristy things. We went to the Notre-Dame (my fourth time?), walked to the Tour Eiffel at night, walked in the Tuileries Jardin, captured the beauty of the pyramids at the Louvre, went Salsa dancing in Odeon, ate crepes, drank wine and hot chocolate, it was fun. We had a bit of a missed connection on Friday trying to meet at Sacre-Coeur (my favorite in all of Paris), but it was great having a bit of home in my home.

This weekend was another recovery weekend. Saturday, Elizabeth, Ann, and I said our goodbyes as we went our separate ways on the metro. After finishing errands in the city, I returned to my neighborhood and went to the annual antique market. It was great. It had old Parisian furniture, weird nick-knacks, an array of unorganized books in English and French, jewelry, Asian and African artifacts and furniture, and so many other things. It was a good autome day in Paris and just being in the market atmosphere made Paris so much more so quaint and romantic. Yes, romantic. I loved it so much. I ended up buying some old bird and hot air balloon stamps. Send me a letter and you will get one.

Sunday, another day at church, but today I went to the contemporary service. I am not quite sure about this early afternoon service, but I will probably go again just to see if it is worth it. The time just throws me off. The messages are the same from the earlier service, but the congregation is about half the size. The members are more of the younger crowd, and while I was around people my age, I did not really meet anyone. I am still ok with that and do not know if I will make friends through church, but I am not lonely and am doing really well. (my needed Jen-time is a lot of time these days, plus entertaining guests take a lot out of you). I woke up pretty early to talk to friend Stephen via skype, so I pretty tired throughout the day. After church, I was so so hungry and thought I could get a quick bite off of a pretty busy metro stop. Well, being Sunday, almost everything was closed and I was not really in the mood for a sit down lunch. I walk around the dead city and stumble upon a beautiful church, L'Eglise Eustache. It was really pretty and the surrounding gardens were filled with families, friends, and couples. Another day lost in the city, found into something great. Then arriving home quite late in the afternoon, I took a good deep nap and thoroughly cleaned my room. The floors, bathroom, dust, vacuum. Clean! There is definitely a love/hate relationship between cleaning and me, but it is definitely worth it and very different cleaning for yourself then cleaning for housemates and such. There is much more pride in one's own home.

Single parent month. Patrice is gone for two weeks, Benedicte gone the week after. All on business meetings.

I start of school. French, get into my body and lets meet people. See you later this week. Enjoy your week.

social week

Embrace, this is really long. photographs at the bottom. 

This week was a much better work week than the last. Wednesday was bearable because we were busy with true packaged American cooking making, the grandparents, a doctor visit, and the polo club tour with the whole family. It was quite a Wednesday and I wish it was that busy every week. With that said, I am now a temporary member at the Polo de Paris Club. I would have provided the link in case you felt like browsing, but the site is for members only and I cannot get it. A members only site? What happened to advertisement? This club is known for pretty snobbish upperclass, says Benedicte, but I can see what she means: As I entered the club in my Wednesday grubby wear, I see a group of suit-wearing men, trendy-cute mothers with their children clothed in white, only white, sport apparel for sports that include, fencing!, tennis, gold, swimming, polo, karate, and a few others. And all I am supposed to do is go to the park inside the polo club with the polo pass.

On the other side of work, I have been new instructions and more responsibilities at the house. I do not mind it because I would rather be told what to do instead of feeling like an idiot for something that was not done and it being my fault. I can thank the flakey housekeeper, Cristano, for my new responsibilities. I really really dislike it when he does not come because I do not find out that he did not come until I arrive with the boys. When he does not come I have to rush to do the ironing, bed changing, clean up, organizing, plus all the regular taking care bit of the kids in four hours. Seems doable, but I am not a regular at this. Plus, I am no good at ironing. Maybe I am good at the napkins, but psh, the tshirts, I definitely add in a few more creases into those shirts. I commend those who love to iron and those that can do it well.

This week was also social week in Paris. Katie had three CalPoly friends visit Paris, Chris, Amit and Robby. They wanted to live up Paris for all that it was worth and they certainly succeeded. They were a lot of fun. We went to bars during the week and hung out at my place for a nigh. Luckily the boys happened to be all engineers, and with their great knowledge of math and physics, Robby fixed my internet at my flat. After two weeks of a subscription and a struggling connection, Robby was able to get me connected. For my own prideful sake, I followed the directions and found that the problem was beyond my and the instructions capabilities. So thank you Robby for loving computers.

On Thursday and Saturday I hung out with Westmont friend Leah Berry and her family. It was really fun to finally see Leah since our relationship is based of a lot of talking of hanging out and never really doing it. Thursday we went to the Notre-Dame, inside and out. It was beautiful and really fun, plus it was my first touristy activity. Pictures below. I was supposed to go to Versailles with Leah's family on Friday, but could not go. I would have been able to, but my au pair duties were called upon. I was already on the metro heading to the RER to meet the Berry family, but received a phone call from Benedicte asking me to take Jean-Baptiste's little backpack, his sac a dos, filled with his stuffed animal and pacifier tatine to school for afternoon nap time. I wish I could have said no, and I could have, bt if I did not take it and Benedicte would have to, I would have guilty. It is my job to be on call. So instead, I ate a guiltless almond chocolate croissant and watched an episode of Sex in the City. I do not know I really like that show, but we owned the whole series in Fresno, so it was something free to watch.

And on that note, I went on a date this weekend. I hate calling it that, but if I do not call it that, people will give me crap and I will be the girl that does not call dates dates. So it is what is was, and its over. On Thursday, I went to the fish market and tried to speak French. I could not remember how to say that I wanted the fish cleaned and gutted, as I was dying over my words, the fish guy saves me and asked if I spoke English and tried to explain to me what I wanted. He asked me lots of questions and asked for my number. I do not know my number yet, but he gave me his and I was to call him to see the night life of Paris. I always get nervous here when guys talk to me because I have no idea what their intentions are, especially in this city. Boys and I have always been friends and I like that. But now I guess I am in real world where boys will ask out girls. Katie says, I should just go on a lot of first dates so they get easier. She has a lot of good advice like that. I seriously love it, she's a pro.

Anyway, I did not call him, plus I was too tired to go out, so I text him telling him we can hang out another time. I text him the next day because Katie had a date so I thought I would make one too. After several texts, me writing in French, him in English, we were to meet up at the Notre-Dame since that morning I would be in the area hanging out with Leah and her parents. It was a lunch date thankfully instead of the intended night date. I really did not want that, not knowing his intentions. Sorry, but I was not excited at all for this meet up, I was kind of over it since I did not really like him in the first place. I just really wanted to find friends for myself, even if they would be pretend dates for me. Plus, it is not nice to hang and be dependent on Katie and Katie's friends. Just for my sake, I need to do some things on my own. Anyway, we meet up and just walk around. I really think he thought I was a total newbie at Paris and I kind of let him believe it, showing me places and monuments, as well as being kind of jerkish and saying oh I have done that before, just so that he would not ask if he could take me there. We walked around a few gardens and went through the Palais du Justice police car exhibition. Our lunch date was cut at three o clock since he had to go back to work and I went home to take a nap. He insinuated another date or hang out, but he kind of got the message and told me to either call him or stop by the fish market again. So all in all, it was fine, but nothing to even be friends. Not even picture worthy. sorry.

Saturday night I stayed in; I needed to recover from the date and the looong night out with Katie and Robby. We stayed out all Friday night since we did not want to pick up the Noctillien or pay for a taxi. We just hung out at bars and talked to people. Made friends with some Australian brothers, a cool DJ who bought us a round, and two gross black men with these attitudy US girls that obviously wanted to get more than just a drink, who believed in getting a girl then leaving her the next day, and amongst other things. One of the black men wanted my number and wanted to know where I lived and I just lied. There was no way he was going to get anything from me. Those are the types of guys I am worried about. His icky cooing and trying to make conversation was just bad and made me uncomfortable. Katie is always there and she would get me out of a situation if it need be, but luckily I snuck out on my own.

And today Sunday, I talked to my family, my grandparents, cousin, and aunt all via skype. It was quite the family gathering. Thereafter I headed to church. I have been going to the American Church of Paris, acparis.org. I like it, have not really met anyone, but I like the messages, the liturgy, the atmosphere of an old cathedral church, and its members being from all around the world coming to be at one place. I go to the traditional service with the families and grandparents, but maybe I will try going to the contemporary service. The only thing with the contemporary service is that it starts at one thirty in the afternoon and thats eat time and nap time. And fellowships are in the evenings when I work. Not the best times. I may just be an attender and have to meet people elsewhere.

This week, Elizabeth and Ann are to stay with me. It should be a good week.  

http://jenniferjchin.wordpress.com/

discovered and destroyed

This past Sunday at lunch, it was recommended that I go for a walk or a run to utilize the little sun and good days left in the city. Sure, I said, but after my nap or sieste.

The parents laughed and shared a story that the young and innocent Jean-Baptiste told them on the Saturday night as they were heading out for dinner.  Jean-Baptiste told his parents that they should not go to dinner because Jennifer is always too tired and takes naps while she works.  Whaaaat?! Seriously, where did he get such an idea?!  I do not take naps at all while I am at work, sure I am tired, but I do not just sit there lazily.  Now he's making up stories, but pretty darn good ones, considering my history and present nap-taking hobby.  The parents know I nap almost everyday, but this incident encompasses the essence of my nap-taking abilities.  Thus, discovered and destroyed.

Thank you, Jean-Baptiste. 

10 cup o' culture

while i was sitting in a waiting room...

1. madeline proust.  the french say 'oh, a madeline proust,' to signify something that reminds them of their past.  as benedicte feeds her children smashed bananas avec sucre, for her, it is a madeline proust moment. 

2. ducks say coin coin, like qua qua, but really emphasizing the qu part.

3. thermometers for taking temperatures go in the butt and not in the mouth. 

4. cou cou! what children say as hello hello! and even adults.  pronounced cuckoo.

5. no underwear at bedtime.

6. penis is a medical term. we never discussed the non medical terms, like the everyday names, but i gave them a few terms.  we had a laugh.

7. yogurt, pronouced yaaooot in french, is a breakfast, snack, or dessert. 

8. fruit is eaten as a starter dish, rarely, but mainly as dessert.  eating it at other times is weird or eating it with something like fish is weird.  

9. if there is not bread on the table, jen, go get some.

10. if you attempt at your poor french, you may get asked out on a date from the fish guy.  your poor french is appreciated over your no french at all.  it is quite true. 

ten things learned thus far.

10 frenchie foods

10 foods i like and eat often or new finds.

1. gazpacho. qctually, it is a spanish cold soup. it tastes like vegetables but with a quick and subtle bite to it. I love it. (nf)
2. fois de veau. cow liver straight up. i am up for trying new things, but this one, i could not and will not do. (g)
3. le pain. bagette or bread at dinner ev-er-y night.
4. vin. wine, accompanies the bread to dinner, every night.
5. bubble water. aka sparkling water.
6. steamed potatoes and carrots. i just eat them a lot and love them.
7. sauerkraut. i do not remember the french name, but it is a popular dish in eastern france. (nf)
8. paté. i have only had one kind of paté and its the smooth gross color that looks like its been ground up in a blender. from wikipedia: It is generally made from a finely ground or chunky mixture of meats such as liver, and often additional fat, vegetables, herbs, spices, wine and other ingredients. the paté i tried and probably will not eat again, was the chunky kind. it was ok, but i would choose other things to eat. (nf)
9. icecream. in any form, almost every other day.
10. les poissins. lots of fresh fish, but apparently a lot of people do not eat fish. special us.
legend: (nf) new find; (g) gross

+ 1 french, - 1 america. this new age for farmers markets and going local in america is all the rage, but the french already live that way. these markets are almost everyday somewhere in paris and they have all the fresh and local foods as well as flower sections and little jewelry or clothing stands. for what i cannot get or find at the marché, which are on tuesdays and fridays in my neighborhood, i just go to the one store that only sells meats boucherie, fruits and vegetables, cheeses, or breads and pasteries. there are grocery stores with mass amounts of foods, but they are not as frequent as in the states. even the store themselves are not that big, but then they have the big big ones that are the double decker kind. they sell all the frozen goods, yogurts and dairy, the like as in any grocery store. by the way, we eat a lot of frozen too. but these smaller stores thrive in paris and in france because everyone needs them and wants the fresh goods. sometimes the prices are way better, but then sometimes they arent. and it really is not inconvient to have all these little stores because they are all pretty close to each other. so i have to walk a litte, well, i need the extra exercise, especially the way i am eating. i have to take it all in, cannot hold back while im here. by the end of the year i will probably have nice round french belly. mmm...

until the next meal.

friday discussions

I am tired and slightly unmotivated to write right now, but it is important that I do because this it is the only journal type that I am keeping. I am not an avid journaler, but can be a very dedicated blogger. I like blogging and I believe it makes me a better writer. I have tried time and time again to start journals that always begin with "well, here is another attempt at keeping a journal...I know this is important for me to do...I need to really write this down and be consistent..." Too bad, I cannot do the paper journal. I am not going to justify my writings other than I enjoy doing them. I dislike to read peoples blogs and feel like that they have to do it. I enjoy them because I like that I have to think about what I am going to write, instead of splotching everything on paper trying to not sound as idodic as when I go back and read them. I like being creative, I have more recently enjoyed writing, and I like the pressure knowing that people read this. I know a lot of people do not, which does not matter, but it changes my whole mindset of a writing style. And at the end of the day, I am happy with my posts and being able to share. Plus, my Dad likes to stalk me. jk.

I thought this would be an entry to French food, but instead it is going to be a recap because these last few days have been really hard. The boys have been really fussy lately, which has taken a toll on my patience and irritability level. And I get more and more frustrated when I cannot tell them that the situation will be fine, that their parents will come home soon, or that they need to eat their dinner. As they yell and cry back, I tell myself I do not get stressed, but I do. On top of that, I have had some internal issues about my responsibilities at the house in relation with the housekeeper that does not come everyday as scheduled. Yesterday, I wish I was a drinker just so that I loosen up with a quick shot of something hard.

But instead, I ate dinner earlier to leave and meet Katie to go pick up a semi-friend of hers at the far away Paris-CDG airport. Like I said, we enjoy just having someone to talk to and thats what we did all the way there and for the extra two hours waiting for this semi-friend who finally came out of customs around 130am. And after waiting, we find that the RER, a faster and less frequent stops than the metro, is closed. So instead, we figure out this night bus system called the Noctillien. It takes us an hour to get out of the airport and another hour just into the city. It typically only takes a half hour by RER. When we get into the city, we have to tranfer to a different bus line to get to Katie's house. I was not going to go home alone at that hour. We get on the line, half hour later, oh, we missed the stop. 330am, get off, walk back to a central station. Find another transfer line, great, found it, get on, and get to Katies at 430am. So much for a quick pick up. It was quite an adventure and the city was beautiful magnified in the night lights. There was a lot of Paris that I had never seen before and a lot that I have that just looked more marvelous and in just a different perspective.

I have yet to have an opinion to believe that Paris is the City of Love. I do not understand why the city is so romanticized to be a place to fall in love or to bring your love buddy to celebrate the love that you are in. I do not think I have to have a significant other, nor am I looking for one here, but I cannot seem to grasp the concept that Paris is that romantic. I just think everyone idealizes the reputation of Paris being the city of love and just likes the idea of being in a romantic city. Do not get me wrong, but I love and respect this city for its place in history. It has beautiful arcitecture, a thriving culture, and wonderful people, but to say that it is a romantic city? I am confunded. What do you think? Is Paris really that romantic? Oh geeze, and now you probably think I will be single and loveless for the rest of my life. Thanks. I am sure I will see the city in full beauty and in full romantic form soon. I am not hopeless.

Did not see the Pope. Bénédicte saw him and said she was not impressed, thus unmotivating me to see him early in the morning. Plus, after the late night adventure, a nap was much more inviting.

I changed my title name. I was over the bodyguard thing, plus it was kind of weird in the first place. I do not know how I feel about this one either, but it will suffice for the time being.

Oh yes, one of the most rewarding days was when I picked up Jean-Baptiste at the Maternelle on Tuesday and I was greeted with a smile and running hug. It wasnt a classified jumpy hug, but I understand the pleasure from such action.