I live here!

Holy crap - I officially live in France!

I have an address, I have a bank account, I have a job!

I can't believe this is really happening!  And I love it here!

September 29th - An apartment!

As of this morning I have spent exactly 16 hours in my new home -- and I love it!  I live in a three bedroom, 1 bathroom (+ bidet!) apartment with a giant living room and a very incomplete kitchen.  So many teachers from Danielle’s school are loaning us items.  We have one bed frame, 2 mattresses, a lot of mismatched sheets, some chairs, a table - and so many plates that I don’t know what do with them all.

Today we’re running around to get more things - like a mirror and dressers and storage units. I love it!  So amazing!

September 27th - Festival du Loire and discovering Orléans

Yesterday I woke up, once again, at 5 am.  I didn’t feel very well - too many milk products the day before.  I ate some dry cereal and tried to go back to sleep - which I finally did around 9.  Today I needed to hang around the flat, because Alain’s mother was having a dishwasher delivered at 1.  I didn’t know what time she’d be here - and I didn’t want Razu to freak out and try to run away.  By 1:30 the whole operation was finished (and Razu was thoroughly freaked out and hiding under the bed) and Alain offered to take me to the school and then drive me to the city center (I wanted to go the Festival du Loire).  The school is really cool.  It’s a very modern looking building with a lot of glass and these very interesting shapes and structures inside.  I’m excited to get to work in such a cool building!

The festival du Loire was a lot of fun - there were all kinds of vendors and restaurants set up as well as live music and a ton of boats on the river.  I walked around for a while and then decided to go and find some water and more minutes for my cell phone.  Just at that moment my mom called and we talked for a long time.  I had been feeling a little overwhelmed and a bit lonely - but afterwards I felt 100 times better.  During our conversation she looked up some internet cafe’s for me - and found one located in a mexican restaurant - which I happened to be standing very near to.  So after our phone conversation I headed out to find it - turns out it’s on the coolest street in the city!  This little street was just full of cool restaurants, shops and bars.  There were all kinds of people out and about and I immediately felt the magic happen.  Before I didn’t know anything about this city - just the commercial areas and the suburbs -- I was starting to wonder if there was anywhere young people hung out -- but there it was!  An adorable little street that felt like France with all kinds of people happy to be alive!  

Afterwards, I went back to the Festival to get some dinner.  I had spied a place earlier that served moules frittes, but it was too late to get lunch.  They weren’t serving the food yet, so I walked around for a while and listened to some music.  I bought a CD for 4 euro - the guy told me that he had made too many and needed to get rid of them.  He even drew me a picture that says “Viva America!”  By the time I got back to the moules frittes place, I noticed that they had hung a sign that they were full for dinner - apparently you needed a reservation (who knew?  a reservation for a restaurant at a festival?).  I decided to settle for a crepe and catch the bus home.  While in line, I met a very nice lady.  She started talking to me after someone had tried to cut in line - except I couldn’t understand her at all (she talked too fast).  I told her that I was American and spoke a little bit of French - and we had a nice conversation in half english and half french.  She told me that she thought the Orléanais were a bit rough and much preferred Paris!  She understood my French and I understood her English, and I felt a lot better about my speaking skills.  When she left she wished me goodluck and her little daughter came and said - after much hesitation - “goodbye” with a very sweet smile.  

I’m liking Orléans more and more by the minute!

September 26th - Finding my bearings

Thanks to jet lag I woke up yesterday morning at 4:50am.  I was so hungry that I got up at 5:30am and ate some cereal before putting myself back to bed at 6.  I caught some sleep between 8 and 9 and then forced myself to get up.  My plan was to find a cell phone - I knew that I could find a prepaid version in either a grocery store, a FNAC (which is like a barnes and noble) or a cell phone provider store.  The problem being, of course, that I had no idea where this flat was located in the greater Orléans area.  Based on where Alain had driven when coming back from the train station, I guessed that I was south of the Loire and west of the city center -- how far, I had no idea.  As I was putting on my shoes I had a genius idea -- phone books usually list what town you’re in and have a map!  So I rummaged around and finally found two different phone books - neither of which listed the suburb I’m in.  One of them had a map that listed all the streets in each suburb - when I went to the grocery store the day before I had written down a few of the street names that I saw - so I started looking them up.  And found none of them to be listed.  Getting really discouraged, I figured I’d never find my way.  And then I had another brilliant idea - I found my receipt from the grocery store - which, lo and behold, listed the city!  Turns out I was north of the Loire and just west of the city center.  And by just west, I mean about 6 kilometers.  So I started walking.  I noticed several bus stops along the way that were going to the central train station - but taking one seemed really risky since I didn’t know the route.  So, an hour and a half later I finally found myself in the city center (with no map).  I was really hungry, but I needed to find a cell phone.  Along the way I had stopped in 3 grocery stores - all of which sold the top up cards, but not the phones.  I followed the flow of people, until I stumbled upon the Place Jeanne d’Arc - which is the main square.  And then!  I saw a FNAC - in I went and found the cell phone section ... only to realize that they only seemed to sell phones that were on a 2 year plan (which you need an address to sign up for).  I bought a large french to english dictionary and went back out.  And then!  I saw an Orange store (which sells phones!) - I went in and bumbled my way through the transaction and then, presto!  for 29 euro I had a phone!  

After this success - which almost made me cry I was so happy - I had lunch.  I really wanted to call my parents, but it was 3 in the morning, so I decided to wait until after lunch.  I stopped at a restaurant filled with locals and lots of outside seating.  I ordered a prix fixe menu which included a main course of either the plat du jour or steak hache, a dessert and a coffee.  The plat du jour was some kind of fish, so I ordered the steak hache - which it turns out is a hamburger patty.  It did come with a small salad, french fries and an amazing dipping sauce though!  For dessert I got a strawberry tarte.

After lunch I went to the tourist information office to get a map of the city and suburbs and a transportation map.  I had decided to take a bus home - so I started walking back the way I’d came.  I realized that I wasn’t sure if I needed to buy a ticket ahead of time, or if I could pay on board.  So I asked some local kids - who literally had no idea what the hell I was saying.  I’d been having pretty good luck with my crappy French for most of the day (and by pretty good, I mean that with a combination of my words and hand gestures I had managed to get what I needed) - so they weren’t any help.  I called Alain to see if he could answer my question, but his phone was off.  So then I called home.

As it turns out - you can either buy a ticket ahead of time, or pay on the bus. Last night Alain took me to his house so that I could use the internet and I learned that the school housing which was offered to Danielle has 3 bedrooms, a kitchen, a living room and a bathroom, that her people are loaning us as much furniture as they can and that they’ll take the cat!  I have a place to live! 

September 24th - The day from hell and why I’m eternally grateful to the French

So it turns out that getting to Orléans - or just France in general - was not as easy as I’d hoped.  This is a really long post - so be prepared!

My first flight of the day from Phoenix to Washington D.C. was just lovely.  I somehow ended up in the “economy plus” section, even though I didn’t pay for it.  Razu and I also had the whole row to ourselves - which was great because I could put him right next to me.  He did really well on the first flight - only crying on take off and landing.  I also learned that he liked the option of being able to see out of his crate - because he also cried when he couldn’t see what was going on.  Once in DC we ducked into a family bathroom so he could stretch and go potty and eat a little. Well, he did stretch - but not anything else.  After that I grabbed some lunch and headed to our gate - there I met four other girls who were also teaching assistants.  One was renewing - so we got the chance to pick her brain about what the experience is like.  I also met a really nice lady who lived in San Francisco and was a professional photographer.  She was extremely nice and really helpful - she even got Razu a cup of water (which he didn’t drink - I did squirt 2ml in his mouth though).  

All of this is pretty nice and normal - but the shit hit the fan once we took off for the next flight.  The flight was completely full, with tiny seats (especially by international standards).  I had the good fortune to be sitting right next to the group of assistants as well as every other young person on the plane (we all used the same flight booking agency). About 3 minutes into takeoff Razu started screaming - he was really upset.  I thought it was a little unusual because he had only meowed quietly the last time - but I figured he was just mad that he had to go through this whole process again.  Everyone around me understood - and then a few minutes later we started noticing little bits of white fluff in the air - it kinda looked like a pillow had exploded.  And then our section of the plane got really hot.  And then it was essentially snowing this white crap -- and then everyone started coughing.  At this point the flight attendants realized that something was wrong - so they started passing out masks to our section of the plane and running around turning on the little air vents above us - which just made it hotter.  At this point Razu was just about howling - and I realized that the hot air was coming from the large vents near the floor.  So I put my hand on the floor - and it was also pretty warm.  This was when I realized that Razu was getting way too hot (which explained the screaming). I took off his blanket covering and started fanning his cage - and when I saw the flight attendant I explained that he was going to get overheated and that I needed to hold onto him because the floor was too hot.  She said that I wasn’t allowed to have him on my lap - and then I did something I never do.  I said, very firmly, “My cat is not safe where he is - you need to do something for him.”  So she offered to take the carrier to an unaffected section of the plane.  I really didn’t want him away from me - but his health came first.  So she takes the carrier - and he flips out, and then I cry.  Which prompted all the assistants around me to say that it was ok - our flight would be fine.  Sure we would - but would he be ok? At this point, I realized that the snow was insulation - and the captain announced that we would be fine, nothing to worry about. About 2 minutes later we learned that we had to turn around and go back to DC.  So we made a big circle and landed 15 minutes later exactly where we started.  And then had to wait 3 hours for a new plane.  I later found out that an air conditioning duct had blown - which explains the heat and blowing insulation.  I was also reassured that they can’t use any toxic materials on planes - so at least it wasn’t fiberglass!  This whole experience was pretty traumatizing for both me and the cat.  Once we were on the ground Razu and I found a quiet spot and I e-mailed my parents and Alain.  Razu started feeling better - and I forced more water into him.  Although, I now had to worry that Alain wouldn’t be able to come and get us since our flight was delayed 3 hours.  

The next flight went fine, sleepless, but fine - Razu and I took several bathroom breaks where I would let him out of the cage.  A couple of times during the middle of the night he would just sit quietly on my lap.  He didn’t much care for the makeshift litter box I had made him - and he ended up having a little accident - but I just washed whatever I could in the airplane bathroom sink and hung it to dry over my armrest.

When we got into Paris I started worrying again.  I got all my luggage - which was 80 pounds checked and another 16 for Razu + carrier and probably another 20 for my carry on bag.  So - all told a bit heavier than me.  As I walked out of customs I looked for Alain - but didn’t see him.  All the other assistants had collected their luggage before me and were gone.  And then it was just me and Razu and all my crap in the Paris airport - alone with no backup plan.  I really didn’t want to go all the way to Orléans with all that stuff after everything we had been through -- so I called my parents on a pay phone (and had to use their credit card since the machine wouldn’t accept mine) to see if Alain had responded to my e-mail and get his cell phone number - which I had written down, but didn’t want to dig for in the middle of the airport.  I called them back and  learned that Alain wasn’t coming, but that I should get a hotel in Paris and go from there.  I noticed that there were several hotel phones, and my mom and I agreed to use the Hilton since she has a lot of points there - so my plan was to call her back in 5 minutes and go from there.  And then the phone stopped accepting my credit card - and there was no place to buy a phone card.  So, once again I was alone with no help.  I tried calling several hotels to get a price - but I simply couldn’t afford 300 euros a night (yes, that was the best I was quoted).  So I sat down next to a young kid who asked if he could use my laptop.  It turns out that he had been at the airport since 7am waiting for someone to pick him up (it was now noon).  I told him that there was no wireless in the airport - so it was useless.

Well after a while his person came - turns out it was his girlfriend - and I started to freak out again.  And then she offered that I could stay with them until I figured out what to do.  I figured I would follow them to their hotel, rest for a bit and then either go down to Orléans or find a place in Paris to stay.  I suggested that we take a taxi and that I would pay for it -- but she had already paid for their return RER so they were taking the RER B train no matter what (which is like a subway train).  Since they were the only help I had I went along - So up and down 2 sets of steps I went with my 2 suitcases (which did not work together very well) and onto the train.  We got off at Gare de Nord and then proceeded to wander aimlessly because neither of them had any sense of direction.  Lucky for them, I know how to read metro signs.  I got us to the right exit, and the guy and I sat down while the girl went to see how far away the hotel was.  I bought the guy and I lunch - and we waited (I was so over hungry and stressed that I ate all of 2 bites).  It turned out that the hotel was literally just down the block - so we walked there.  They didn’t have any empty rooms - but I was able to sit on their room’s floor for a while.  I borrowed her cell phone to call Alain - but he didn’t answer so I left a message.  At this point they were in full on make out mode - so I just curled up the floor to sleep for a bit.  Alain finally called back and told me that it would be best for me to take the metro to a different train station and then catch a train to Orléans.  He said he would come get me at the station.

After a while I called a taxi - no way in hell was I going to take the metro with all that crap!  16 euros later I was at the station - with all my crap + one very upset cat.  I went to buy a ticket - knowing that there are trains every hour to Orléans - and was told that there wasn’t a train to Orléans today (which I knew to be a lie).  I asked - what do you mean - and the lady explained that there were only trains to the station outside Orléans and that I would have to take a tram to get into the city.  Good enough.  I bought the ticket and then learned that I had to wait 1.5 hours for my train.  I found a little seat and Razu and I waited and waited.  When it was finally time to go - I realized that there was no way I could get all my stuff into the train without the risk of having something stolen.  Fortunately, a very nice French lady asked if I needed help (which I definitely did).  She grabbed the smaller of my big bags and hoisted it on the train and a nice young man grabbed my giant bag and put in on the train - they even put it in the luggage racks for me.  The minute I sat on the train I fell asleep.  An hour later we arrived in Orléans - and I once again had to get all my stuff off the train.  So I grabbed everything and tried to maneuver it - and once again a nice guy (who was boarding the train) helped me to get everything off.  I walked to the exit (down a set of stairs - where two more French men took my giant suitcases down the stairs), bought a phone card and called Alain.  “I’m at Fleurry les Aubrais.” He responded that he’d be there in half an hour.  I called home only to learn that my mom had managed to book a room at the Hilton in Paris for me using points.  They were even going to come and get me.  Turns out that the credit card company put a hold on the card for suspected fraud - which explains why I couldn’t use the pay phones.  

Alain came and got me - and bitched that my suitcases were really heavy (you think?  yeah, try hauling them on two trains and through two train stations).  He explained that, for some reason, he thought that my plane came in at night - so he was never able to come get me after all.  He also said that he originally thought he could come into Paris and get me - but was glad that I was willing to do the trip on my own.  He’s a very nice guy and his mother’s flat is really nice and very big too!  He took me out to dinner last night with his two boys - and told me that since I was in France I should speak French now -- but I was much to tired to even think, let alone in French.  So we talked in some English, some French.  

So, once it was all said and done - it took me 25 hours to complete a 15 hour trip.  I’m bruised and exhausted, but I’m in Orléans!  Actually, I have no idea where I am.  I know that I’m in a suburb of Orléans - but I don’t know which one.  I have no idea if I’m north or south of the Loire or east or west of the city center. I went to the grocery store today with the intent of getting a cell phone, but they didn’t sell any. I bought Razu a litter box and some bowls for food and water as well as a few groceries for the week.  I hope that I am able to get a cell phone tomorrow - Alain mentioned that I could probably find one in the city center - so as soon as I get my bearings that is where I’ll go. I don’t have a map or internet access and no way to call anyone - so I didn’t feel that it was the best idea to get completely turned around after what I went through yesterday.  

I'm alive! But don't have an internet connection...

So here are the backposts that I've been writing and saving.  I'll put them up in chronological order!

why packing is like the hokey pokey

so, it turns out that shoving 7 months of stuff into 2 suitcases isn't as easy as I'd hoped.  When I've taken big trips in the past, I've done so with a backpack and the idea of laundromats.  This time I need to bring both fall / spring clothes and winter clothes - and medicine, and for some reason a pillow and sheet set (that sheet set might have to go though - it was only 9 dollars, but it's kinda bulky).  When I practiced this packing exercise on Friday I came pretty close to getting everything into 1 bag.  Well, add in a Katchina and storyteller and 11 dream catchers, my pillow, a sheet set and a crap ton of survival food (I have a really bad habit of getting over hungry and then sick) and it now barely fits into 2 suitcases.  Not to mention that I still haven't figured out a way to get my laptop and blanket into my carry on bag (technically Razu counts as my carry on, so it has to be a small bag).  Oh and my purse - I have to pack my purse.  And the items currently in the laundry -- can't not have jeans to wear ... AHHHHHHH!!!!!

So, here is why packing is like the hokey pokey:

You put all your stuff in

You take all your stuff out

You put all your stuff back in

And you smash it all about

You try to close the zippers

And pull it all back out

And that's what it's all about

Hey!

You put more stuff in

You take some stuff out 

You put even more stuff back in 

And then you swear and scream aloud

You try to close the zippers

And then abandon several items

And that's what it's all about 

Hey!

That UPS flat rate box is looking more attractive every minute ...

22 hours to go ...

Well, it's finally here - in 22 hours Razu and I will be on a plane to Washington D.C and then onto Paris.  As of right now I feel nauseous ---- this is actually happening.  I spent a lot of yesterday running my few remaining errands - today I have to pack, make photocopies of all my important stuff, take some pictures of my house and neighborhood and say goodbye to my closest friends.  This is not going to be an easy day.   I've really felt numb to the whole process for the last week or so - but today I feel painfully aware that I have just under one day left in my beautiful, sunny Arizona.  I know that I should be feeling excited right now - I keep telling myself that - but there are so many things I will miss.  This is a lot all at once - new job, first time away from home for longer than 3 months and my first time living more than a 10 minute drive from my parents - all in a new country!  I know that it'll be fantastic though!

Last night my parents and I celebrated the upcoming journey with an absolutely fantastic dinner.  I'd been saving a bottle of Veuve Cliquot champagne that I received as a gift for my graduation as well as a bottle from my favorite Arizona winery Callahan and we paired them with a French style roast chicken, baked sweet potatoes, beets, a very fresh salad and for dessert a layered peach and fresh mozzarella with balsamic vinegar.  My dad made the chicken, salad and dessert -- and my mom and I both agreed that I'm leaving at the wrong time.  Lately my dad has been cooking phenomenal meals, and we both think that they're only going to get better.  Later my mom made a crack that they'd be missing out on some amazing food, but I have to disagree - my dad is in an absolutely amazing cooking phase.  It was a great meal and a great sendoff.  Tonight we're doing leftovers -- which sounds good to me!

In some more happy news, there is a chance that the housing situation has been worked out - Danielle just informed that someone at one of her schools has offered us school housing!  They have also offered to loan us some furniture!  Apparently the apartment is usually for a school administrator - but it's not being occupied this year.  They told Danielle that it would be fine for both of us to live there, so we're currently in the process of finding out how many bedrooms it has and if they'll accept the cat (and if they say no to the cat, we're thinking of taking the ask for forgiveness stance - if you know what I mean).  The best part is that the rent is 500 euro including all the utilities - it just doesn't get much cheaper than that!  I'm really hoping this place works out - the other apartment that I had an appointment to see is no longer on the market -- so here's hoping that school housing works out!

This is how I feel about my French speaking abilities:

From the Flight of the Conchords:

Here are the lyrics spelled out:

: Je voudrais une croissant :: I would like a croissant
J: Je suis enchante :: It's very nice to meet you
J: Ou est le bibliotheque? :: Where is the library

J: Voila mon passport :: Here is my passport
J: Ah, Gerard Depardieu :: Oh, Gerard Depardieu
B + J:Un baguette, ah ha ha, oh oh oh oh ::  A baguette
B: Ba Ba ba-ba Bow!
B: Foux da fa fa
Foux da fa fa fa fa
Foux da fa fa
Ah ee ah
B: Foux da fa fa
Foux da fa fa fa fa
Foux da fa fa
Ah ee ah
B: Et maintenant le voyage a la supermarche! :: And now a trip to the supermarket!
B: Le pamplemousse :: grapefruit
B: Ananas :: pineapple
B: Jus d'orange :: orange juice
B: Boeuf :: Beef
B: Soup du jour :: Soup of the day
B: Le camembert :: Camembert cheese
B: Jacque Cousteau :: Jacque Cousteau 
B: Baguettte :: Baguette!
J: Mais oui :: But yes
J: Bon jour :: Hello
F: Bon jour :: Hello
J: Bon jour :: Hello
F: Bon jour, monsieur :: Hello, sir
J: Bonjour mon petit bureau de change :: Hello my little foreign exchange office
B: Ca va? :: How are you?
L: Ca va. :: fine

B: Ca va? :: how are you?
L: Ca va. :: fine
B: Voila -- le conversation a la parc. :: here is a conversation in the park
B: Ou est le livre? :: where is the book?
J: A la bibliotheque :: at the library
B: Et le musique dance? :: and the dance music?
J: Et le discotheque. :: at the night club
B: Et le discotheque :: and the night club?
J: C'est ci, baby! :: it's here, baby!
J: Un, deux, trois, quatre :: one, two, three, four
B: Ba ba ba-ba bow!
All: Foux da fa fa
Foux da fa fa fa fa
Foux da fa fa
Ah ee ah
Foux da fa fa
Foux da fa fa fa fa
Foux da fa fa
Ah ee ah
F: Ou est le piscine? :: where is the swimming pool?
J: Pardon moi? :: what?
F: Ou'est le piscine? :: where is the swimming pool?
J: ...Uh... :: um...

F: Splish splash
J: ...Uh...
F: Eh...
J: Je ne comprends pas. :: I don't understand
F: Parlez-vous le francais? :: do you speak French?
J: Eh? :: um?
F: Eh? Parlez-vous le francais? :: do you speak French?
J: Uh ....No. :: um ... no
F: Hmmm.
B: Foux da fa fa
Foux da fa fa fa fa
Foux da fa fa
Ah ee ah
Ba ba ba-ba bow!

4 days to go and feeling the love

As my handy little countdown at the bottom of the page informs me - there are officially 4 days left before I hop across that big ole pond.  My list of things to do is dwindling - and I'm starting the big goodbyes.  Last night was my final night with Simply Servers - it was a bitch of an event (read: most of my muscles hurt like hell today) - but it was also my last!  I really loved that job, and I will miss it - but I'm happy to be done.  

Tonight my wonderful friends are gathering to give me a big sendoff of Americana.  We are meeting at Heart Attack Grill and then heading to Christina's adorable cottage to drink cheap champagne.  It was planned for me by my wonderful friends Paul and Troy and I couldn't be more excited!  This is the first party I've ever had thrown in my honor.  Before Paul informed me of the good news, I was worried that I wouldn't get to see everyone before I left - but my friends are such wonderful people and planned this for me.  I'm definitely feeling the love on this one!

I've received so many supportive e-mails and notes - and it makes me feel so wonderful.  My dad's sisters and mom will be keeping a candle burning for me for the duration of my trip - which is such a touching and thoughtful thing.  I feel all the more connected to it because during my first trip to Europe I lit a candle for my Grandpa in every church - it is such a moving and powerful experience and I feel so loved and cared for knowing that I'll have one burning for me.

My mom's parents continue to send me funny jokes on a regular basis - and I know that they will worry about me continually.  

One big thing - and one that gives me a lot of peace - is our family friend Silvia.  Silvia lives in Austria and she, along with her husband Peter, met my parents randomly in an airport.  They have stayed in contact ever since - exchanging gifts and e-mails.  Well, Silvia has offered - no, insisted - that I come and stay with her.  But in her last e-mail she also said, "Dear Marie, please tell Anna she should call us if she has any troubles! We will try EVERYTHING to help her!!!" It's nice to know that she is there for me.  I've never met her, but she is just like family.

And, in a final bit of good news - I've been having some luck with my apartment search.  I've been e-mailing various listings during this week and have an appointment set up to see an apartment on September 23rd at 5pm.  The woman that I have been in contact with has been especially friendly and nice.  She knows that I'm American, she's ok with the cat and she understands the situation -- and she still wants to rent to us!  If the place is decent I'm taking it!  

4 days to go!!!  It's adventure time!

A weekend of joy

This weekend has been absolutely fantastic.  It started off with a lot of errands that resulted in a whole host of things for me to bring to France (all of them necessary).  

For example:

- 15 new pairs of socks in 4 different styles and 6 different colors (gotta love the multi color packs)

- a jar of peanut butter (because when you can't eat anything, you can always eat peanut butter)

- big boxes of NyQuil and DayQuil (the French really don't do cold medicine, and since I'll be teaching I anticipate a handful of colds)

- pain reliever (the French have this, but stores have odd hours in France - and pain doesn't wait)

- the biggest container of Tums available (the French love cream, as do I, unfortunately my system does not)

- some magic tooth brush things that don't need water (because airplanes are not good for fresh breath)

- a new pair of sneakers to replace my 5 year old, very well loved pair (which I'll probably pack anyway)

- a new laptop battery (I've had my beloved laptop for 4 years and never replaced the battery - it was time)

Along with a new battery for my beloved iBook G4, I also had it checked for overall computer health.  And it passed!  There is not a single thing wrong with my lovely laptop - which makes me very happy.  The nice people at the apple store also cleaned it - which was very necessary (no more black spots on my nice white computer!).  

Saturday night my dad surprised my mom and I with a spinach, cheese and ham souffle and a berry and whipped cream parfait (and a clean kitchen too)!  It was an amazing meal which was greatly enjoyed with my Mendocino county wine that I'd been saving since Christmas.  I've been slowly drinking my wine collection, since none of them are meant for aging.

Today, we all piled in the car with Razu to have a test airport and car ride run.  The best way for him to feel relaxed on the big day is for him to know that the airport isn't all bad and that he can survive the stressful experience.  I'm happy to report that he did very well.  He didn't cry too loudly in the car, and he was pretty quiet in the airport itself - since I'll have to hold him while I walk through security, I also practiced that.  He hyperventilated a little, but all in all he did well.  After 40 minutes in the airport we went for a drive to Saguaro lake.  Razu sat right next to me the whole way and didn't say anything.  He even cuddled on my lap!  I think he's going to be fine!  Next week we'll do a few more trips to the airport, just to further prepare him.

The trip to Saguaro lake was multipurposed: Take Razu on a car ride, get out of the house and take some pictures of the cacti and landscape to show my French students - so here are a few images:

just love those blue skies

giant cactus

up close and personal

looking up

Mountains, blue skies, saguaros and creosote - what's not to love?

Another great piece of news came when I learned that my health insurance company has decided to cover me until October 1st.  Since my French job (and therefore health insurance) starts October 1 - there won't be a gap in coverage!  

But the very best news of all came from Alain, my contact person.  Whoever said that the French aren't nice, clearly has never met a Frenchmen.  I received an e-mail this morning telling me that I can stay at his mother's flat (she will be visiting a friend).  Not only that, but "you can stay there for a couple of weeks. There is a bus stop just around the corner, and the city center is 15 minutes by bus, a bit longer to go to the school.  She was a bit worried about the cat, but I told her he knows where his box is and is an appartment cat, so there won't be any problem. Just don't use the phone to call your friends in Hawai! ;°)  So don't worry, you'll have a shelter when you come. I'll buy some cat food and cat litter too."

Nicest man ever?  I think so!  Also, I really love that French smilies have noses - I'm using that version from now on!  ;˚)

A little game

Today I'm playing a game called, "This is why I love France". 

I love France because:

the eiffel tower glows at night ...

and there are many cathedrals...

with stained glass windows.

I love France because walk signs look like this...

and bread looks like this.

Because when you are in France you want to run through fields chasing after ducks. 

Because there are signs with no directions...

and you can drink in public.

There are subway stations that smell like pee ...

and there's a lot of amazing art.

But mostly because it's a place you never want to leave. 

And because, as Hemingway once said, "If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast."

home again, home again - if only briefly

It is T-11 days before I leave. And I don't have much left to do (except packing and finding all the last minute things that I'll need).  While I was in California my visa arrived - and boy is it cool!  My contact person is, quite possibly, the sweetest person ever.  He thinks he'll be able to come and get me from the airport when I arrive (which will be such a big help!) and he is pretty confident that I'll have a place to stay (he has even offered to find and book a hotel for me if all else fails)!  Today I double checked with the airline - and my travel plans are confirmed for me + cat.  My money concerns have been eased thanks to some extremely generous birthday gifts.  And I am home - if only for 11 more days.  

Things are starting to feel bitter sweet.  I spent a good deal of the last two weeks extremely anxious - afraid to leave home, scared and dealing with a whole host of emotions.  Today, I feel better (a little excited, even).  I know a lot of it is because I'm home, but a big part of it too is that I'm surrendering myself to the process.  I am a person who likes to feel in control (not obsessively, but I don't like the feeling of being flung into space with no plans), there aren't many ways to feel in control in this process.  But I'm realizing that it's ok.  I'm cutting myself some slack.  I try, often too hard, to put on a persona of being a-ok and strong and tough - but this isn't working.  My mom very wisely said that I am entitled to feeling overwhelmed and upset and scared.  So I am - and I feel 100% better for being honest with myself.  

This past week in California brought a lot of revelations - and a lot of fun too. I was saying to my dear, dear friend Kimmie, how isolating it is to be a college grad.  When you're in school it's easy to sum up your personhood by explaining that "I'm an ASU student".  Creating a sense of identity is a lot harder when you don't have something to classify yourself with.  

So here I stand - I'm a college grad who's leaving home for 7 months to pursue a dream.  I don't know where it will take me, but I know that along the way I will figure it out.  There will be high highs and low lows, but I am now a part of a process - and a damn exciting one at that.  From now on, I'm adopting Obama's motto, but with a slight change - when he used it, I felt empowered for what our nation represents and could become.  So now I'm using it, to feel empowered for who I am and what I will become: Yes I Can.

Procrastination Station (catchy, no?)

I'm not sure if it's because it's hot outside, or if I'm still recovering from my week in the midwest + insane trip to LA, or if I'm too overwhelmed to do anything -- but these last two days / two weeks I feel like I've done nothing.  

Remember that grand post about fixing my French?  Yeah, that was on August 12.  As of this moment I have 19 podcasts that haven't been listened to.  So, basically, using my awesome math skills, (31 - 12 +3) - 19 = I am a bum!   

I have been doing some things, for example: I downloaded about 25 lesson plans, and I bought some fake American money and a map of the US and some flash cards of the States (yay dollar bin at Target!), and Razu's paperwork is all ready (this cat is really expensive - $120 in vet bills, $75 for the carrier, $30 for the harness and leash, plus another $200 each way to fly him), I also called my health insurance and pharmacy (but lost both battles), and I looked up some more apartments and e-mailed my soon to be roommate and two grad school professors -- but each of these things took, like, 10 minutes.  If you add those up it still equals me being a bum.

I had 4 things on my to do list today:

1. go to the bank

2. go to doctor's office to pick up prescription

3. e-mail Alain, my contact person

4. plan birthday

It's 1:50pm and I'm sitting unshowered, in my pajamas -- and no, I didn't go to the bank or the doctor looking like this.  So have I accomplished anything, you might ask?  Well, kinda.  I did more or less plan my birthday (woot!).  I also looked through my new textbook sized vogue, and made myself lunch, and poked around the internet (but I did not e-mail Alain).  Productivity?  Not so much.

So I'm going to click "Publish Post" and haul myself right into the shower ...  (do you believe me?)

12 hours on the road for 15 minutes and a VISA!

Today my mom and I drove to L.A. and back - which was rather torturous - but (!) my visa is being processed!!!!!!!  I should receive it and my passport back within 7 - 10 days!  

The appointment only took 15 minutes - 5 of which were spent at the counter.  But it was worth it, everything was correct (except for my picture, which was a little too small - but Thierry behind the counter assured me he could "vork with it") and I'm all set.  Once I get it back I'm good to go.  We did sneak in 30 minutes at the beach and a quick lunch in Santa Monica, but it was really just 12 hours for one 15 minute appointment at the consulate.

Things are finally starting to fall in place.  I feel like I've spent all summer preparing for these final weeks - and now I actually have to get everything done.  Razu has his final vet appointment tomorrow - so all his paperwork will be done and he'll be ready to go.  I received a certified copy of my birth certificate during the time I was in the midwest.  I have to quick figure out my prescriptions and have a check up with the doctor before Friday (when my health insurance expires) as well as start gathering all the things I'll need.  

I'm quickly running out of time, since I will spend a good part of next week in California visiting grad schools, seeing Kimmie and sneaking in some beach time (hopefully).  I spent all of last week trekking around the midwest - which was an absolutely fabulous time, and I  was so happy to see my family before I leave.  (Although, those goodbyes were really a challenge - because it wasn't just a goodbye to the visit, but also the last time I'll see them before heading off to France.)

Tomorrow is going to be a full day of vet's appointments, calling doctors, writing to professors and quick planning a little something for my birthday on Friday.  

For a summer of no work and no big travels, this sure has been a busy time!