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give me a break
How do you know when you need a break? Like, when is it time to take a step back from the desk/ kitchen sink/ lab/ or where ever your workspace happens to be, and step away?Superbreak knows when it’s time and when it is, they recommend taking a trip, like perhaps to London, or maybe even to Paris because lets face it, Paris is always a good idea. Three words: Treat. Yo. Self.
So where would you treat yo self to?Bisous!This post is brought to you by the good people of superbreak. -
Behind the Photos VIII
Two of the best things about being an expat are going home (it’s not that we dislike our new home or anything, it’s just that when we go ‘home’, we really, really appreciate it) and having friends come to visit. This edition of Behind the Photos features both.
I visited my family in Dublin in May, 2010. I had gone for two weeks on my own without Gregory or Fifty to keep me company, but it was OK, I had Niece and Little Niece to entertain me. I was greeted with Hello Kitty artwork made especially for me (we heart hello kitty) and a bow for my hair made out of a Kleenex. Basically my heart melted and my womb jumped around a whole lot. Damn their sweet, cuteness.
One of the reasons I was back in Dublin was to see Niece make her Communion. Rows and rows of girls in little white dresses and veils clutching their dainty purses and saying their vows. I was grateful I got to be there. Living far from home means that you miss these things more often than not. I missed Little Niece’s Communion this past Spring and I’m gutted over it. However I did bribe her forgiveness with lots of French cookies when I saw her a couple of months after. I think it worked.
One of my favorite things to do when I’m visiting my family, is to take the wee monkeys to the cinema. We usually see whatever 3D Pixar thing is on at the moment and stuff ourselves silly with too much popcorn and way too many sweets and then I return them to their mother, high on sugar.
I went to the cinema with some friends as well, but this time instead of a sugar high, I got a Champagne one. The second Sex & the City movie had been released and the cinema was doing a special ‘Girls Nite’ showing that came with mini-bottles of Champagne and straws. Not a bad way to view a film let me tell you.
This is my friend Texas Girl. Texas Girl, along with her mother, Kiki (you know, Ilene’s sister), and another friend who we’ve dubbed, The Puma, drove from Sweden all the way down to Nice with only pre-printed Google Maps to guide them. That’s hardcore. I met up with them on the Provence leg of their journey. It was the first time I had had people come to see me in France and I was beyond excited to show off my new home.
We had dinner in the charming village of Goult and I had the pleasure of introducing them to Pastis, Rosé, and Gregory. I’m not sure which they enjoyed the most but I have a feeling it’s a toss-up between Gregory and the Rosé.
We went to Monaco to get better acquainted with our friend, Rosé (you know how sipping rosé outside the casino in Monte Carlo is one of my happy places) and to visit the church where Grace Kelly got married. She entered the church a Hollywood actress and walked out a Princess. Magical powers that church has.
Since we were already all the way over in Monaco, we decided to brave the sun showers, and hop on over to Italy for some gelato because why not, right? YOLO.Bisous! -
woke up, fell out of bed, dragged a comb across my head
// Since we don’t have any plans for Halloween this year (Brother-in-Law is hosting a party again but is throwing it on November 1st and we already have plans for the 1st) other than watching the old cartoon version the Legend of Sleepy Hollow (it used to scare the bejeezus out of me when I was a kid), I’ve thrown myself headfirst into Thanksgiving plans. Last year was the warm up and this year is the real deal. I’m ready, but since I could always use some inspiration… what is your favorite Thanksgiving dish or tradition? Inquiring minds and all.
// Speaking of Sleepy Hollow… have you been watching the new TV show? It’s bizarre but quirky and we’re loving it. I grew up only a hop, skip and a jump from Sleepy Hollow so for me it’s pure nostalgia, while Gregory is loving the fact that when I was a little girl, it was the headless horseman that fueled my nightmares.
// I’ve made a new rule for myself (sometimes I make up rules that I have to abide by because I’m a weirdo)… I’m only writing in cursive. I discovered that my cursive penmanship has gone right down the toilet and considering how much I prided myself on my cursive skills back in elementary school, my chicken scrawl was simply not acceptable. Back when I was in school (you know, when I walked there, in the snow, uphills, both ways), penmanship was a big deal. Is it still a big deal? I think it should be, so now I’m in self-imposed cursive camp.
// Last night we had a couple of drinks with Mr. & Mrs. Honey. It’s been ages since we’ve seen them. And are you ready to hear something amazing… after four years here, I could actually understand Mr. Honey! OK, not everything he uttered in that super thick south of France accent of his, but like 75% and that’s progress let me tell you. (Remember that time that I thought he was telling me that sheep brushed their teeth with mushrooms?)
// We’re in the middle of another wonderful weekend of doing nothing much. After months of going pretty much non-stop; Dublin, Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, Paris, Devon, London, Lyon, and multiple trips to Toulon, quiet weekends at home are much wanted and much needed. Basically I’m saying I’m old and homegirl needs a break.
// Since it’s Sunday, I have to run and get my lunch on… we’ve got roast pork, garlic mashed potatoes, choux de Bruxelles (that’s brussel sprouts en français but saying it in French makes me feel all kinds of fancy) and chocolate flan on the menu today. And of course cheese, lots and lots of cheese. What’s new with you?
Bisous! -
mdr
[A little factoid for your Friday… mdr is the French equivalent of lol]It’s Friday y’all! Or, c’est vendredi y’all! (I have no idea how to say y’all in French, maybe tout le monde, yes, we’ll go with tout le monde.)
C’est vendredi tout le monde!
Yes, that’s better. (Can you tell I’m excited? I’m SO excited… there is a wine bar with delicious French nibbles and delicious French wine in my twelve hour from now future.)
Today I’m celebrating the fact that it’s Friday and a beautiful perfectly crisp blue sky Autumny kind of Friday at that. And what better way to celebrate then with something that is making me happy at the moment, and I like to share things that make me happy with you guys. But because you’re my crew and we’re tight, I’m going to confess something too…
French TV and I aren’t the best of friends. There, I said it. Honestly, I don’t think it’s got the most entertaining stuff happening on it in my opinion. (I’m stressing that it’s MY opinion because I don’t want the same thing to happen to me, that happened to this poor American writer in the comment section of this post after she dared to poke fun at France… mon dieu!)
However, lately I’ve been loving Le Petit Journal. It’s basically France’s answer to The Daily Show. The host even has salt and peppered hair à la Jon Stewart. (I’ll admit that even though I’ve got a teensy crush on Mr. Stewart, his French counterpart is awfully cute too.)
via But as cute as Monsieur Barthès is, the real reason I watch it is for Catherine and Liliane; two ‘women’ who gossip about what’s going on in the gossip mags. They make me laugh so much that I decided I simply had to share them with you. The genius of Catherine and Liliana is that you don’t have to know French to find them funny. So on this perfectly, crisp Autumn Friday, I give you the gift of laughter. (Feel free to laugh in French… mdr)
Bisous! -
expat escapades {round 9}
Around the World in Ninety Days.
(Of course I know that it’s really supposed to be, Around the World in Eighty Days, but oops… oh well).
Since I post these expat escapade round-ups about every ten days, and this is the ninth, then it is kind of like, Around the World in 90 Days, I just wish I had thought of that for the last round-up because then it would have made more sense.
The expats in this latest round sure do get out there and explore, every one would make Jules Verne very proud I’m sure, with their thirst for wanderlust and adventure.
Take Lindsey for example, not only did she head to Germany to explore Oktoberfest, but she danced on the tables while she was there. Because why not?! It’s Oktoberfest for heaven sake. If there is one festival where dancing on tables wouldn’t be frowned upon, it would be Oktoberfest, right? (Actually I have no idea, I’ve never been to Oktoberfest, but dancing on the tables there seems like it would be an OK thing to do.)
Like for instance, one wouldn’t dance upon tables at a Lantern Festival, would they? We’ll have to ask Amanda about that. Amanda went to the Jinju Lantern Festival in South Korea and it looks like it was the most magical place to be. All of those brightly colored lanterns hanging from the sky and bobbing along in the river… pure magic!Another place that is full of bright colors and oozes magic is The Oyster Box in Umhlanga, South Africa. Perched on the ocean with a red lighthouse looming next to it, The Oyster Box looks like the kind of place where all of your art deco dreams come true and Jenna got to enjoy it all over a long weekend. I for one can happily picture myself spending a day(s) lounging on one of the red and white striped lounge chairs (seriously, the striped lounge chairs alone were enough to make me jealous).
While Jenna made me jealous, Rachel made me homesick… for Dublin. Rachel was there for the TBEX conference and naturally she headed out to explore her surroundings. Her walking tour took her by Christ Church, Dublin Castle and Powerscourt, all places that I used to regularly pass by but of course hardly payed any attention to since it was merely everyday life (Note To Self: PAY ATTENTION).
One place that would definitely hold my attention would be Versailles (I WILL GET THERE ONE DAY) or any other French palace/ chateau kind place for that matter (while visiting châteaus, I like to swan about and pretend I’m a princess while Gregory and Fifty look on horrified). Molly spent the day touring Versailles while Danielle visited Château Vaux-le-Vicomte. I love France, you can’t throw a rock without hitting a castle. And that’s real life.
Cruising around Italy on the back of a Vespa, that’s real life too (well if your name is Marissa and you live in Barletta it is). And stumbling upon some random, costumed marching band that’s banging drums and setting off firecrackers for no particular reason, well that’s real life in Provence for you. Just ask Martine. But what’s definitely not Provence, is being invited to a housewarming party that’s invitation boasts candy-infused shots and something called a ‘blind test’. That’s Paris. (If you want to find out what a ‘blind test’ is, then click over to Ella’s post and she’ll tell you.)
Bisous! -
L'anniversaire de Mr.London
“I know what I want to get Bumder for his birthday.”“You do! Good! What?“
“A speaker thing for his iphone. It’s really good and really loud but it costs €200.“
“WHAT?! No. Find something else.“
“But he’ll love it!“
“Don’t care.”
This was the conversation Gregory and I were having about Mr. London’s birthday present (Gregory calls Mr.London, Bumder). I’m not making any of it up, Gregory actually wanted to spend €200 on his bumder’s birthday present. ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS, especially if you consider this anniversary present disaster.
We ended up buying him a poker table top (well Gregory did) which considering they love playing cards together was quite a thoughtful present (again, please read this post about my anniversary present to understand why Gregory’s thoughtfulness and thoroughness in regards to Mr.London’s present left me stumped). And another one of Mr.London’s friends bought him a nifty pair of glasses which I decided to steal for myself.
{NIFTY} Unfortunately for Mr.London, he had to work on his birthday, so we thought it would be nice to go and cheer him on while he and the rest of the club battled Bayonne on his special day.
We headed to the Port for pre-match Mojitos (not Mr. London of course, that would have been silly). I know I’ve said it before, but sitting on the port, looking out at the Mediterranean and all of the boats bobbing up and down makes me feel like I’m on holiday, which I love, so imagine my delight when I discovered that our Mojitos were being served up in parrot glasses with a candy garnish! Who needs a tiny umbrella when you have a parrot and bonbons?! Not me. (BRING ON THE CABANA BOYS!)
As easy as it would have been for me to sit on the port all day, eventually we had to say goodbye to my new parrot friend and venture across the road to Le Stade and watch the birthday boy do his work which would have been easier if these wee scamps weren’t in the way. (Actually I didn’t mind one bit. The little blonde one is trouble with a capitol T and watching him wreak havoc was almost as entertaining as the match itself.)
Sometimes I wish I could use the exercise bike while I’m watching the match too.
I for one never pass up an opportunity to multitask.
After Toulon’s victory (HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU MR.LONDON!) we walked back across to the port and upon seeing a ferry boat docked and all lit up, I did a little happy shimmy (makes me feel like I’m on vacation even more). I tried to capture it for you guys so you too could feel my excitement, but unfortunately, photography is not my friend.
{FAIL} 
All of Mr.London’s friends were there to help him blowout his birthday candles on not one, but two birthday cakes! And bonus, they were all wearing matching outfits which is pretty much cuteness overload.
I got to talking with a new player from New Zealand and all the while had a niggling feeling that I knew him from somewhere, and then, after a couple of minutes it dawned on me who he was… he played in this match during the last Rugby World Cup that had made me really angry, like Incredible Hulk angry. And I remembered him in particular making me really angry, so in a very un-ladylike, un-Sara Louise manner, I turned to him in mid-conversation and said, “Hey – I know who you are! And I don’t like you!” How’s that for lovely, ladylike behavior? Personally, I blame the parrot.
Bisous!P.S. Just in case any of you are worried that I set off an international incident (because you know that’s something that could happen to me… Next on the 10 o’clock news, an American woman in France was arrested late last night after starting a bar brawl when she attacked a Kiwi man), he thought it was funny.
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rayon de soleil
Well lookie here, Sarah of Avoir La Peche has passed the Sunshine Award my way! It’s been ages since I’ve done one of these so I’m delighted to play along. I’m always happy to have some sun shining my way. The rules: 1. Acknowledge the nominating blogger, 2. Share eleven random facts about yourself, 3. Answer the eleven questions set by your nominating blogger, 4. Nominate eleven bloggers yourself, 5. Post eleven questions for your nominees to answer then let them know they’re up.
. . . . . . . . . .1. I hate my hair. OK, hate is a strong word, I take that back, I don’t hate it, but I don’t really like it. It’s curly, which as so many people tell me is oh so wonderful, but honestly, I can probably count on my hands the number of good naturally curly hair days I’ve had in my life. I think my hair looks prettiest after it’s been put in big velcro rollers, but ain’t nobody got time for that.
2. My So-Called Life is probably my favorite television show of all time. I recently watched the whole thing again (the French version, Angela, 15 Ans… such a dumb name) which was easy since it is sadly only nineteen episodes, and in doing so I confirmed just how much I love Angela, Rayanne and Ricky. And let’s not forget Jordan Catalano, because that would be impossible. The moral of this story about me and My So-Called Life is this; it makes me feel old, like crazy old, because I’m basically the same age as the characters and all of the high school scenes basically looked like it did when I was in high school, so yeah, I’m old [insert sad face].
3. I’m lucky in that I fall asleep very easily (at night, in bed, not like randomly throughout the day like I have narcolepsy or anything). Once I get into bed and read for a few minutes I’m out. But, if I happen to wake up in the middle of the night, forget about it. My brain switches on, my thoughts race, and getting back to sleep is damn near impossible. If it’s past 4:30AM and I’m awake, I just go ahead and get up.
4. Speaking of sleep… I don’t do naps. I don’t like them, they make me cranky. Gregory takes a twenty minute nap everyday and wakes up completely refreshed. Me, I wake up from a nap and feel like I’ve been drugged. Even back in Kindergarten during those God awful forced nap times I never napped. I felt like it was a waste of my time. It would have been a much more effective use of my time if I had been coloring or something.
5. Confession: I prefer the original Le Petit Village to the new Le Petit Village. Yes the new Le Petit Village is much more convenient than the old one, but it’s sadly lacking that certain, je ne sais quoi.
6. I have really grown to love cooking. I’ve always liked it, but now I love it. The whole thing has become a relaxing ritual for me, a way for me to unwind. It helps that I have a plan before I even get into the kitchen, but still, once I get in there, pour myself a glass of wine and get to work, I’m happy as Larry.
7. I’ve recently implemented a Sunday Lunch policy at chez nous. Sunday Lunch is a big deal in France, but before, if Gregory and I were actually home on a Sunday (a rare occurrence) and alone, we’d usually skip it. Of course we’d eat something, but we wouldn’t do the whole thing. Well that’s changed. Now, even if it’s only the two of us, at midday on a Sunday you can find us beginning l’apéro, before sitting down to a set table and a full meal including cheese, dessert and coffee. It’s our new ritual and I’m loving it.
I know I’m supposed to tell you eleven facts about me, but I’m stopping at seven.I’m really not that interesting.. . . . . . . . . .What flavour of ice cream is most like you & why?
Oh that’s easy, chocolate chip. Hee Hee. (Stumped? Read this post.)Chocolate or Cheese – you have to give up one now for the rest of your life. Which will it be?
Chocolate. I can live without chocolate, I only really crave it about once a month (ladies, you know what I’m talking about) but cheese on the other hand, cheese is my life.What is the craziest place you’ve been to in the world and why?
Bucharest. I was in Bucharest for Christmas one year and spending the holiday with a local family. It was freezing and surreal. It was the place that felt ‘most foreign’ to me. That said, I’d go back in a heartbeat. (If you’re interested, I wrote more about my trip to Bucharest in this post.)What is your ‘claim to fame’? I.e. what famous person have you met, hung out with, or have you ever been famous for something yourself?
Wait. I’m not famous?! (KIDDING!) Well Mr. London is kind of famous, and I went on a date with a former Arsenal and Manchester United player (I’m not going to tell you his name because after the date I found out he was married and was like, LATER! D**K.) Years ago I dated a guy that was on Road Rules so that’s like D-List fame, but I did use to pal around with Henry Thomas who was Elliott in ET but more recently can be seen in that new disaster of a show, Betrayal (Sorry Henry, but that show blows.)What blog post did you read by someone else and wish that you had written it?
Oh wow, good question! Because I’m awfully cranky this morning due to waking up on the wrong side of the bed after a not-so-good night sleep (see number three above), I’m going to cheat a bit and mention blogs in general as opposed to posts. Also, please note that I used the word blogs and not blog… Betsy Transatlantically writes some thought provoking posts that just blow me away, while Postcards from Rachel’s honesty always leaves me in awe, and Hey Natalie Jean is quite the wordsmith, making even though most banal subject seem like a magical adventure.What musical act dead/alive do you wish you could see?
I wish I could see the Beastie Boys one more time. RIP MCA.What was your favourite nursery rhyme, song or poem when you were little?
Oh that one is easy! This Little Piggy. I love This Little Piggy! Having my mom do This Little Piggy on my teensy toesies when I was a tot, was pretty much the best thing ever.Have you ever walked out on a film? Or wished you had have done? What film & why?
YES! Only once, but I did, it was Renaissance Man, not even Mark Wahlberg’s adorable face could save that atrocity.What day in your life has been more significant than any other?
The day I was born, February 4th, 19blahblah.If you could bring any imaginary film or TV character to life for a day, who would it be?
Jax Teller, but only if he’d take me out on a date. (Dear Gregory: It’s OK for me to date Jax Teller, right?)And finally…..Prince Harry or Prince Wills? (assuming Wills were still single)
Back in the day I would have said Wills, he was so cute, until he started looking more and more like Charles, so now I’m totally Team Harry. Plus, you know a night out with Harry would trump a night out with Wills any old day. Strip pool anyone?. . . . . . . . . .Since I only told you seven things about me instead of eleven, I’ve made an executive decision and will be passing the sunshine along to seven bloggers and not eleven.Brownie Diaries
Every Day is a New Adventure
Femme au Foyer
Fit With Flash
From Casinos to Castles
LB in Wonderland
To France With Love1. How would you describe your version of a perfect home?
2. Tell me about your first date… what did you do, where did you go, and who was it with?3. What was your favorite vacation ever?4. Do you believe in ghosts?5. What accomplishment are you most proud of?6. Twilight or The Hunger Games?7. If you could try out any job for the day, what would you like to try?8. If you had a €1000 gift card to any store in the world, what store would you pick?9. Describe your perfect weekend.10. What would you choose as your last meal?11. You inherit 5 million dollars the same day aliens land on the earth and say they’re going to blow it up in 2 days. What do you do? (Gold star to anyone that can tell me what movie this is from.) -
Behind the Photos VII
My first spring in Le Petit Village. I had already gotten to experience summer, fall, and winter here but spring was the last. When we left France to go to the States to get married, snow was on the ground, but when we returned, flowers were beginning to blossom and Le Petit Village began to wake from its winter slumber.
After a particularly snowy winter, it was nice to get out for long walks and feel the sun on our faces again. I’ve always liked this picture of Gregory, I’m not sure why especially since he looks a bit on the gruff side with the messy hair, stubble and toothpick hanging out of his mouth. But he is wearing the Texas hoodie I had gotten him for Christmas. And is it just me, or does Gregory look très Américain in this photo?
Every morning, before taking Fifty for one of his walks, Vicky would come over and wait outside for us. Every morning. See, that’s her perched on the window ledge outside my old living room window. It was the sweetest thing. She was the sweetest thing. I really wish she would have been my dog. Vicky and Fifty were the best of friends.
Springtime also means spring cleaning time and with my new Dyson, bought with some wedding present money, I was all set and happy. I mean look at my face for heaven sake! A new vacuum cleaner shouldn’t make anyone that happy. Well, unless you had been dealing with this before you got it.
My very first pâté day… translation; my very first ‘stay as far away from the bucket of goo as possible and take photos‘ day. As gross as it is, I will say this about pâté day; 1. I think it’s nice that the whole family gathers to do this yucky activity together, 2. I respect the fact that Papa is making sure the entire boar that he killed is used and none is wasted, 3. Having copious amounts of homemade pâté means I always have something to bring when invited for an apéro somewhere (seriously, if you know me, then you’ve been given a can of homemade pate), and 4. Pâté day meant that I got to capture the following photo, which is probably one of my favorite animal shots ever.
Ruby also preferred to stay as far away from the bucket of goo as possible. He is far too civilized for that.Bisous! -
Holiday Eyes {Apt Market}
Remember when I went to Aix-en-Provence with Mrs. London (no, not that time, or that one either, but this one) and I was trying to look at it with new eyes and soak it all in, you know, like really look at it. Well I’m trying to do that with a lot of places. Four years I’ve been living in Provence now and I feel like I’ve let a lot of it pass me by without truly absorbing it. Well no more. No more will I let Provençal quaintness whoosh me by without taking any notice.So as part of this seeing life through ‘holiday eyes’ experiment, I decided that a trip to a market was in order. I like markets, it’s hard not to, but I don’t really like them during the summer. During the summer they swell and heave with tourists and it’s almost impossible to enjoy. It’s too hot and too crowded. But a sunny Saturday in September, now that’s the ticket. It’s still warm, but not too warm, it still has enough of a crowd to lend a buzzy vibe, but not so much that you can’t breath. It’s pretty much perfect. (Late spring is also a good time if you happen to be around).
We set off to Apt market which happens to be my favorite in the area. There has been a weekly market there for 900 years. That’s a whole lot of Saturdays. I like how the market stalls weave up and down the ancient streets. (And I like how one of the streets leads me to a Benetton. That’s convenient.)
The secret to visiting a market in Provence is to get there early, they usually shutdown by midday anyway so getting early is a must, but I’m talking like early bird, early. It’s much easier to find parking and bonus, getting there a little after 8AM is the perfect excuse to pull up to a cafe for cappucinnos. (Now normally it would be a plain old café for Gregory and a café crème pour moi but since there is a poshy little coffee shop down one of the tiny streets, we went with cappucinnos.)
After our coffee fix we set off to explore the market stalls and the old city, while I did my best to try and look at everything as if I was seeing it all for the first time.
This photo is the opposite of good but I still wanted to show you the chandeliers inside the church because they were all sparkly and beautiful. It’s not the chandeliers’ fault I’m a crappy photographer. And speaking of being a crappy photographer, I read my camera manual. That’s something I have never, ever done in my life. But seriously, I’m pretty sure that the manual was written for people who already know a little bit about photography because I had no idea what it was going on about.
This is Gregory’s favorite market stall, he bought five saucissons secs (after going back and forth between different sausage stalls trying to figure out which one was the best); olive, noisette, Blue d’Auvergne (I picked that one out), one made from bull, and one made from donkey. I understand the sausage made from bull but donkey? DONKEY?! Nope, no thank you.
I got super excited when I came across a burger place that also served Mexican food until I took a closer look at the photo… sure it says burrito but those are tacos, not burritos. It’s not rocket science people, it’s Tex-Mex. Maybe I should offer my services as an authenticity consultant because clearly they are in need of one. They could pay me in tacos or burittos. Whatever.
After a morning viewing the typical Provençal market wares; pottery, linens, straw baskets, cheese, and sausage, I came across a not so typical sighting… a camel, hanging out on the side of the road because yeah, that’s normal. It’s amazing what you see when you open your eyes. Next time I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed for an elephant.Bisous! -
expat escapades {round 8}
I haven’t decided how I feel about this new image yet. I might switch back to the old one,
I might make a new one, or I might leave it. Who knows, I’m fickle like that.. . . . . . . . . .
I’m not sure if it’s the changing of the seasons or maybe it’s just that we’re mourning the end of summer (unless of course you are in the southern hemisphere, lucky ducks) but lately there has been a hue of homesickness peppering some expat posts (I’m no exception). Now I’m not talking about anything whiny, just observations on the duality of our lives and how confusing it can be emotionally at times… Molly’s post, Life in Another Country, Casey’s about her struggle between home and home, and Alex’s post about being home in Houston compared to being home in Germany all struck a cord with me. Ladies, I feel ya, and Nicole does too, her post about dealing with homesickness has some helpful tips for those blue days.One of the things that helps me when I’m having an emotionally confused and a bit blue kind of day, is to get out and explore all of the amazing things about my adopted country. Now since my country happens to be France, I might go grape picking in the Languedoc with Anna, or hop next door to Switzerland (it’s not that far you know) and drive through the Lavaux Region with Lindsey. (Is it a coincidence that both of these are wine related activities? Probably not.). . . . . . . . . .There isn’t a single expat living in a country where the native tongue is different to their own that hasn’t suffered at least one lost in translation moment. And of course these moments are usually embarrassing… Ella knows what I’m talking about. She made the hilarious mistake of asking her French husband to top up her wine glass in front of one of his French friends, but of course it came out all wrong (so very wrong). That’s one French lesson that has been seared into my brain. Thanks Ella. And the story over on Bread is Pain about a miming incident gone wrong in a Chinese KFC is well worth a read. Get ready to LYAO. Now if you happen to be in Russia, and dating a Russian man (you never know), then Polly’s post about useful Russian phrases for a first date might help you avoid any pitfalls.. . . . . . . . . .Now if you’ve been around here before, you know that I’m a big rugby fan, which isn’t a bad sport to follow if you’re living in western Europe, but not as good as football (I’m talking soccer here). I for one am not a huge football fan, however I would like to go to one match for the ambiance because European football fans are flat out nuts and I’d like to experience that nuttiness first hand. Rachel got to when she went to a Barcelona match. Not a bad club to cut your teeth on.And here’s some other stuff that expats have been up to that I think is pretty nifty and would like to do myself… Alex went to Oktoberfest, Bonnie checked out a comic & sci fi event in Bath, Amanda visited Anne Hathaway’s cottage (no, not that Anne Hathaway), and Chelsea went looking for Geishas in Kyoto. (How cool is that?!)
. . . . . . . . . .It’s Sunday and I have to start preparing lunch (Sunday lunch is BIG in France) so I’ve gotta run, but not before telling you about a new series that I L-O-V-E love (which happens to be about food so it’s a nice little segue)… Marissa’s series, Recipes From Italian Moms. If you like Italy and you like food, then this is for you. Check and check.
Bisous!
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It's Me, Sara Louise 