C'est pas bien...

I went today for a signature and official stamp and yet another office.  I waited another 349281 hours with 492018423 other étudiants étrangers and was so relieved when my number was called.  I sat down with a surprisingly chipper woman and explained my situation.  (I am always so nervous about my language skills and every time I leave something important like that I am reminded how just darn good my French really is.)  Chloé and I did not know that you are suppose to renew your au pair contract every 6 months.  Well, we haven't done that since last November, so I was going on a year overdue.  "Uh-oh."  She kind of said it jokingly, but I could tell she was being serious.  She asked for my social security papers (which are still being processed...shoot...don't have that either) and then took the rest of what she needed.  Naturally, the regular "au pair" staff person wasn't there so she couldn't answer to the best of her ability my questions.  

She said that this was not good (obviously) but handed me an envelope to fill out to have it sent back to Chloé's.  I tried to kiss her tail as much as possible, and reminded her that I have my next appointment the 22nd of December and I really need this paper before I go.  She bid me bonne journée and I let out a sigh of relief as I reached her doorway.  I got home and realized we also forgot to fill in the date?  I don't know how important that is here in France on a contract, but I'm guessing slightly more important than you would think.  

So, I will continue to keep you all updated but as of now I am still without a visa.  Still looking forward to all the lines I will have to wait in and play the guessing game on how many more signatures I will have to chase after.  Until then, I will take my hopeful "uh-oh" and spend a lovely day with Marie-Césare tomorrow.  

Family coming!!

I don't think I've mentioned yet but I've got family coming in over New Years!! Pat's sister, Toni, has a daughter who is actually an au pair in London right now so they are visiting her over Christmas.  I am elated to say that they will be making a short stint in Paris for a couple of days!  I love having anyone come visit, and even more so....family!  Can't wait to show off my fabulous city yet again!  

Proper Sunday Lunch in France

Lunch today chez Padi et Didou?  Salad with prosciutto and marinated artichokes, delicious osso bucco with homemade pasta, and homemade lemon tarte with ginger ice cream for dessert.  It was so good.  We sat down to a proper table and enjoy a proper 3 hour Sunday French lunch together.  Their house is not too far from Paris, a 20 minute ride on the suburban trains, and it is very quiet and calm out there.  Their house is the entire first floor of a 2 floor building, with Didou's art atelier at the very tip top and Padi's wine cave at the very bottom.  She was more excited to show me her art atelier than anything.  It was very nice and full of fun crafty stuff, although I didn't have the heart to tell her my Granny's was 6 times the size of hers.  It is absolutely uncanny the similarities between the two of them.  The way they act, the way they feel about their families, their hobbies and interests, and both of them have crazy mad cooking skills.  Even some of the things they have in their house such as old cross stitch patterns and dishes are exactly the same.  It is SO weird.  Maybe that's why I've taken such a liking to Didou?  Anywho, she always tells me I have become a part of their family but today she told me she was 100% sure I was part of the family now that I have had a proper meal at their house in Viroflay.  

It was nice to be with them without Marie-Césare, although she was certainly present in every single photo frame all over their house.  Since they lived and traveled all over the world, most things in their house are from different countries and cities.  Most of it reflecting their time in Indonesia and China...but it a very classic, French way.  We passed a lovely afternoon together, and with a delicious meal like that being served I wouldn't hesitate to go again!  

I was looking back through some of my old blog posts from this time last year (laughing at how silly I was about Paris...) and realized that this time last year it was snowing here!  Today it was a mild 54 degrees and isn't suppose to get below 48-50 degrees the rest of this week.  Maybe we are in for a mild winter in France?  Or maybe its just holding out and January will hit the country with multitudinous force??  Either way I'm not looking forward to it!!! 

It's going to be a frizzing winter.

Think these are meant to say "freezing?"

Taylor and I had a lovely afternoon walking around the Latin Quarter, and making our way to Bastille for Blue's BBQ, a recently opened American bbq joint in Paris!  Every now and then Taylor mentions bbq nachos and it literally makes me want to cry.  And while they didn't have bbq nachos on the menu, a pulled pork sandwich and Texas Ranch Style beans certainly hit the spot.  The lady that owns it is from Dallas and get this...you get a free refill with a soft drink! First place in Europe that I've been that has offered that.  

Yummmmmy.  

And last but maybe the most important:  

The Christmas lights are up in my neighborhood of Courcelles!!! WOO HOO!! It's now officially Christmas!!!!  I was so excited and lit up with happiness as I rounded the corner to Rue de Courcelles tonight.  

7 a.m. sure does come awful early...

I haven't been able to sleep past 7am for the past 2 weeks and just realized I won't be able to again until next Friday.  Is this what being an adult and having kids is like?  Because if it is...I am so not ready to jump on the bandwagon.  

Spent the morning enjoying my quartier discovering new boulangeries, an english bookstore, a place where I can buy double stuffed Oreo's, and a market at Ternes which I haven't frequented yet.  I don't spend a lot of time wandering around here, but was already down my stairs headed to Chloé's to babysit when she called and said she didn't need me, so I figured what the heck since I am already downstairs, might as well go out for a bit.  

Heading down to the Latin Quarter this afternoon for a wander with Taylor, then probably in for an early night.  I have been invited out to Sunday lunch Chez Padi and Didou.  I am not sure why just me and not the family, but I suppose I should enjoy the offer and go now while I have a bit of free time.  Besides, I can always be down for a Didou-made meal.

Hope everyone has had a wonderful holiday, and given thanks for all the good things in your lives!  

Happy Turkey Day!

I got to throw on my sweatpants and a t-shirt (in Paris? *gasp*) this morning at 7:30 because today was Thanksgiving and I couldn't think of anything better than passing the morning in my sweats!! Wahoo!  Taylor and I woke up around 7:30 and set off to pick up a chicken (there really aren't very many places you can buy a whole turkey here....for less than 30 euros) and get ready for our shining moment.  

I had been on the hunt for American ingredients for a few weeks and have been gathering my recipes from family and friends and getting a schedule together.  Thanksgiving, the American food store here, was a gift from heaven...as I was able to find most things there.  (At a steep price of course...a can of cream of mushroom soup?  4 euros.  A bag of marshmallows?  5 euros.  Karo syrup?  7 euros.  Yet somehow, for this one day...totally worth it.)

Marie-Césare is sick, so Didou graciously offered to come and watch her while I cooked and had my friends over.  I am such a lucky, lucky girl to have found such a wonderful family.  I got into the kitchen and immediately got back in the swing of cooking again.  I was shouting orders at Taylor, pulling things in and out of the oven as fast as the blink of an eye, and watching the clock as to be certain not to run out of time.  We even threw in a super last minute pan of homemade rolls.  How's that for impressive?  

Since our friends wanted a very traditional American Thanksgiving, our menu included:  roasted chicken, sweet potato casserole,  green bean casserole, corn pudding, dressing, cranberry gelatin salad, yeast rolls, pecan pie, pumpkin pie, and good ol' southern sweet tea.  Oh, and real milk and Hellman's mayonnaise RANCH with veggies as an appetizer.  Quite a menu for the two of us to take on for our first Thanksgiving.  I was able to make the sweet potato casserole, gelatin salad, and pecan pie the day before which eased the work load slightly.  Everything turned out well (except for the pecan pie*), and I only had to text my mother and grandmother once or twice!  

I don't know why I haven't learned my lesson yet, but I should always delegated the baking in any case to someone else.  I hate baking.  It's so exact and everything has to be measured out perfectly.  Yuck...who wants to cook like that?  For the lack of 9 inch pie pans (or pie pans in general) in France, I had to make the pecan pie in a quiche/tart pan.  It was quite big, therefore allowing the filling to spread out.  I thought...oh well, no big deal, I will just cook it a little less and it will be fine.  Nope.  The crust on the bottom wasn't even done and it was too sugary.  

*Granny, I'm sorry but I have failed even your simplest pecan pie recipe.  

We put the expander in Chloé and Franck's dining room table, and pulled the chairs in from the terrace.  I put a tablecloth, nice dishes, even some flowers on the table.  It was not quite so Thanksgiving-ish, but quite perfect I will say.  First thing on the table?  For my tradition-seeking friends:  Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce that when you take the gelatinous blob out, it still keeps the shape of the can.  No one eats it, but for some reason its an American Thanksgiving staple.  A crowd favorite?  The corn pudding. Everyone raved about the corn pudding....and really, how can you go wrong?  It's probably my favorite as well.  I told my mom today I loved her more than corn pudding.  Now that's love.  

It certainly beats last years Thanksgiving at McDonalds.  Today, I was surrounded by friends from every corner of the world, in my families' Parisian apartment, playing the "game" as they called it of what we were thankful for.  And what we all had in common?  Our realization that this opportunity we all have to live and work here in Paris, and have the experiences and chances and being able to have the world at our fingertips is unlike any other.  I am thankful first and foremost for the best family and friends any girl could ever ask for back in the States, whom I miss dearly and I would have given anything to have them seated around me at the table.  Secondly, to my precious host family in Paris who have included me as one of their own and trust and cherish the relationship we have with one another.  And, I am thankful for being able to spend another month in France.  For my visa not being instantly denied so that I can still eat world class croissants, marvel at the intricacies of the Sacre-Coeur, and to be able to sit around the Eiffel Tower with a bottle of Pinot Noir a little while longer.  

Happy Turkey Day!!

Today and tomorrow I have been concentrating solely on my Thanksgiving feast I am preparing for my friends here in Paris.  Tomorrow I hope to not think about visas or signatures or mean ladies telling me no.  

Concentrating on making delicious, traditional, casseroles and desserts for my American-tradition-seeking friends.  This will be so different from last year and my Parisian Thanksgiving meal at McDonald's.  And I'm happy to say it will be much tastier!  

French Administration...

Well, friends, family, acquaintances, people whom I don't even know exist....

I went yesterday for my visa renewal appointment.  After a week of restless nights, fingernails chewed off, and barely eating, I woke up at 6:45 and met Chloé at their house at 7:45.  We dashed out the door and made it to the prefecture just a little before 8:45 only to find a HUGE line out front.  We weren't sure what was going on, because we had a rendez-vous (rdv) at 8:45 and were certain we didn't have to wait in line.  Chloé waltzed up to the man at the front and showed our paper and argued a little bit and were shoved through the door with vitesse.  We rendered all of our paperwork at the accueil and were told to have a seat and wait.  So....we waited.  And waited.  And waited some more.  Finally my name was shouted over all the room.  We went to desk number 3 and the first thing she said was,  "Je vous ai appelés quatre fois, avez-vous pas entendu?"  ("I have called you 4 times already, did you not hear?") Well, of course we didn't hear and Chloé and I quickly looked at each other, put our scarves back on (we had both worn low-cut shirts in case it happened to be a man..), and sunk down into our chairs.  She was an absolute PEACH I tell you.  I knew I was screwed.  

After shuffling through all my things, she decided that I needed to go to an office at Clignancourt, on the periphique of Paris...for students.  SO, we took my dossier of documents and sped off in Chloé's car.  We bypassed the line at the next office, and went straight to desk 'Z'.  It was the desk for the confused, mixed up, and overly distraught.  Aka, me.  I don't know why, but the consulate in Atlanta had given me a "visiteur" visa instead of a "student/au pair" visa.  Which, is complicating things VERY much so now.  We waited a full 2 hours in that office for them to come to a conclusion.  Turns out we have to make another contract, get some documents from my school (thank goodness I've been attending class regularly), and a document from my bank (thank goodness I opened a bank account!) and go asap to have the contract verified and renewed.  I then go to another appointment on the 22nd of December (bad timing...I know) to desk 'Z' to depose my contract and then wait and see if I'm cleared.  

So, the good news is, I'm legal to stay in France for another month, but the bad news is. I'm in the same situation as I was 2 days ago.  

I am so thankful that Chloé came with me because with all the visa problems I'm not sure I would have conquered that situation.  She knew to ask the 'what if' questions and 'why' and I would be most certainly concentrating on what was right in front of me.  I can't even imagine if I had had to ask the first lady we met with to repeat something I didn't understand. Oh la la....

French Administration is a nightmare.  

Shoving and Pushing Little Kids 101

If you are not in the mood for Disney, this is not the blog for you to read today.  

Yesterday's visit was just as magical as my last visit to Disney...if not more so.  We arrived just in time for the gates to open at 10.  Making a tour of Walt Disney Studios first, since it closed at 6 and the other stayed open until 10.  The lines were already 50 minutes long, and there was nothing there that we decided was a "must see" so after a couple of photo ops we headed out the gate.  

Only what did we find as leaving?  Crowds of people around characters!  The first character we approached was Donald Duck, and we waited a really long time to get our picture with him because we felt bad pushing in front of little kids and their parents.  The second time around with Woody?  I elbowed a 13 year old in the shoulder and threw my camera at someone in the crowd.  The third time around with Emile, Remy from Ratatouille's brother?  No regrets.  We had no manners and absolutely no regrets about pushing in front of 3 year olds.  Probably pretty terrible, but it wasn't like they were being very nice either.  

Donald!! (Yes, we're on a first name basis now...)

Emile

Woody

Remy

Chip. Or Dale? I can never remember.

At the very end was a long queue and we couldn't see who it was.  We got a little closer then all of a sudden Rozy took a mad dash to the line.  We of course, followed in suit, and realized that it was a line to meet Mickey!  Um....of course we will wait 30 minutes in line to meet the one and only!  

At the entrance to the other park was yet another queue.  Goofy dressed up as Santa in a sleigh filled with presents surrounded by twinkling Christmas trees.  Naturally, we waited again.  

And, for those of you doubting, we were not the only group there older than 5 having our pictures taken with characters.  Sooooo there.  

A quick trip through Princess Aurora's castle and straight to Dumbo!!!! I haven't ridden Dumbo since I was a little kid and I remember it vividly from Disney World Florida.  It brought back such memories and made me feel as giddy as I did when Barbie remembered my name.  

Stained glass in Sleeping Beauty's Castle

Aw, who doesn't want a Prince Charming?

DUMBO!

We caught the cast of Peter Pan scurrying across the park to their next adventure.  Earlier that morning instead of Mickey or Minnie ears, Rozy had bought a Peter Pan hat to sport for the day (it's her favorite film).  As they were running across the park we stopped in awe and to see if we could snap a photo or two.  They noticed her hat and pointed out to her and commented on it.  She raced after them but could only catch a short glimpse before they darted off the the area marked "Cast Members Only."  

Mad Hatter's Tea Cups always bring out the kid in me. 

We had a seat on the cold, damp, sidewalk around 4 so that we could guard our places for the parade at 5.  We wanted to be sure to be front row, and front row we were.  

Mickey, Minnie, Donald Duck

Alice in Wonderland

Winnie the Pooh!!!

Peter and Wendy.  This was taken after they spotted Rozy in the crowd...again... and of course played around with her,  doing the typical "lost boys" nah-nah finger on your nose gesture.  She was so star struck you would have thought she met the President.  

And my personal favorite, Mary Poppins.

Cute float, huh?

Ariel and Eric

Aurora and Phillip

Snow White and Prince...does he have a name?

Another personal fave, my girl...Tiana.

Cinderella and Prince Charming!  

Jolted back after the parade to fit in Space Mountain (reluctantly) and Peter Pan. (the cutest ride ever...have I explained it to you guys?)  You get into these little pirate ships built for 4 or 6 people and you fly from the ceiling over sparkly London and through Wendy's playroom.  It then takes you over Hook's pirate ship as you walk the plank.  All while listening to "You Can Fly."  It's precious.  

We walked back to Main Street for the Fantillusion parade at 8.  I kinda thought it was going to be a bit Christmas-y, but so much more than we ever expected.  It was like glitter and lights everywhere.  We had another excellent spot, again elbowing out some little kids along the way.  My video turned out better than the photos, I was trying to do two and once which is why its a bit shaky!  

Mickey

Ariel and Eric

Let me know if this video doesn't work.  The quality was good until I resized it...sorry!!

Doesn't the castle look beautimous?  

The window displays were spectacular for Christmas!

Christmas tree on Main Street

We finished off the day with Indiana Jones (which I sat out), Big Thunder Mountain and some ornament shopping in the Disney gift shop.  With it being the season and all I couldn't pass up an ornament to hang on my tree for years to come.  We still have the one from our trip many, many years ago and every time I hang it on the branch of our freshly cut Fraser Fir, I remember so fondly the memories of our trip to Disney World.  Now I can remember my trip at Christmastime with 2 good friends, meeting lots of characters, at Disneyland Paris.  

Rock'n Mode

Last night was Estelle's nuit dernière in Paris, before she left to go to Cambodia for a month and then onto Tasmania to resume school.  We met her at Place de la Concorde for the first night of the annual Christmas Markets and some vin chaud.  

Hanged Santa....so sad!  

Useless junk. 

Ferris wheel is up at Place de la Concorde! 

Estelle's last night! 

The girls practicing their "sorority pose"...didn't they do good?  

The Markets were so empty because it was the first night.  Many of the stands weren't ready for customers, lacking in vin chaud and crêpe batter.  The useless junk that they sell at those booths seemed much more interesting since you could walk up and play with all the stuff without having to fight a million tourists speaking 15 different languages.  The lights weren't up yet on the Champs Élysées, but from the likes of what was in the trees I don't think I will like them this year.  I don't know when the official "lighting" of Paris Christmas lights is, but they are up all over town and I'm ready for them to get going!  

This morning I went to the American Church of Paris with Alison and Taylor for their annual Fall Bazaar.  It was exactly like the UMW Fall Bazaar at my church back home, having homemade goodies and treats, a warm home cooked meal, a used book sale, and a million little kiddies running around with their Sunday School friends.  The choir was singing Christmas carols in the background, setting a lovely atmosphere for the event.  

Thanksgiving hand turkeys on the walls!! For some reason this made me SO happy!  

We had lunch, then off to the goodies room for some coffee and brownies (and a cheddar cheese biscuit..ahhh!) and talked about our Thanksgiving menu.  We were surrounded by friendly Americans who were easy to talk to and easy on the ears to listen to.  All the proceeds went towards missions, so I couldn't leave without buying a trinket or two, and my favorite purchase of the day?  

GIRL SCOUT COOKIES = AMAZING. 

Afterwards we met Rozy for some gawking at the decorations at Galaries Lafayette, which I'll have to be honest...and don't gasp...I didn't really like this year.  Last year, they were elegant and colorful and Christmas-y.  This year, the theme is "Rock-n-Mode" and everything is neon lighting, black, red, and gold.  A lot of work and creativity went into designing and creating the theme, window displays, and Christmas tree, but after last year, I was expecting so much more.  The Christmas tree isn't nearly as big, and there are merely neon signs decorating the outside.  The outside sidewalks near the grand magasins were ridiculously packed and you could barely get through.  With the Versace unveiling at H&M a few days ago, that was impossible as well.  About 10 minutes of fighting the crazy people on the trottoirs we decided to call it a day.  

Au Printemps

We also were situated at a interesting protest/rally/strike for animals being used for fashion.  Forrure = Torture.  It was quite an interesting march as we saw this sign for "friends of cats", several dogs (who uses dogs to make coats????), and my personal favorite, a ferret on a leash.  Taylor took that photo and will definitely have to share later.   The ladies were like yelling all kinds of mean things off of those loud speakers and the photos...well, you don't even want to know.  

Disneyland bright and early tomorrow!! It is suppose to be a pretty day so I'm hoping to not have to wag a big winter coat around with me.  Looking forward to catching Mickey in his santa hat and "icicles" hanging from the rooftops.  I'm such a kid...I know.  At least the happiest place on earth is going to distract me from my visa renewal appointment that I have on Tuesday.  ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!