The Bold Soul: A Writer's Life in Paris

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I've really been enjoying my time in New Jersey with my family and friends. So far, my family and I have steered clear of politics as a conversational topic, and that has cut WAY down on tension and arguments. (When you think about it, how stupid is it to waste valuable family time fighting about politics? It serves no useful purpose especially when we only get to spend a few weeks a year together.) My mom is aging and having some memory issues, but otherwise she's actually in pretty good shape for someone who will turn 79 in just a few weeks, and I'm grateful she is doing as well as she is, and that my sister is nearby to help her when she needs help. I've been getting together with friends as often as possible, and that totally rejuvenates my soul because my friends are just AWESOME women. And this weekend I'm going up to Amherst, Mass with all my family, to see my niece who is STARRING in a musical at her university. I haven't seen her perform live in anything in the past three years, and never thought I'd get the timing right to visit her school... Read more →

Every. Freaking. Time

But of course. It's winter, or very nearly. I'm back in New Jersey. So therefore, it MUST snow. And Georges arrived in Puerto Rico today for a 4-day conference. Where it is sunny and about 88 degrees Fahrenheit instead of 30. By the way this is a panoramic photo; use your cursor to see a complete 360 of my mom's house and street, blanketed in the white stuff. Read more →

Puppy love

My niece Beth with Riley, my nephew's Golden Retriever. You can just make out that his paw is on her back under her hair -- giving her a big doggie hug. There are 3 Goldens in the family so it was a holiday full of cuddly, furry dog kisses and fuzzy faces drooling at all the food. At the end of our Thanksgiving day, which was really wonderful. I had a great time with my family, and the meal was quite possibly the best we've ever done (85% of it was my sister's doing, including the ENORMOUS turkey). I told her it was totally worth the airfare. All the "kids" left today but we'll get to see them again next weekend in Massachusetts, where my niece is the star of a school production of "Violet". Can't wait to see her shine! In the meantime, there are visits with friends, shopping, and movies. I've already seen the last installment of "Twilight" (it was GOOD) and we plan to see "Lincoln" some time this week, too. My hometown is fairly quiet, so this is pretty much what I'll be doing with my time for the next 11 days! Read more →

Bring it, turkey

I'm going back home tomorrow to spend my first stateside family Thanksgiving since 2005. That was the year before I up and moved to Paris. Hard to believe it really has been seven years already. I've had a few American-y Thanksgivings since I've been here. The first year, I got invited to two different celebrations. The year after, I got invited back to one of those and I brought Georges with me. Then there was a year with no turkey, but it was kind of nice having a break from it all. After that, another invite with some friends. Two years ago, I hosted my own Thanksgiving here. Last year, another turkey-free year. And now, here we are. I'm flying a long route through Montreal where I'll be changing planes, but I managed a small miracle when I decided to fly 100% carry-on, NO checked luggage. In fact, in my carry-on suitcase I managed to fit what will end up being a fairly large folding wheeled duffel bag, which I will fill and check for the return (direct) flight back to Paris in early December. But wow, I can't believe I will fly across the Atlantic with two carry-on bags... Read more →

The Leg Lamp, Frenchified

The Naturalisation Saga, Partie Trois

So, the last thing my case worker said to us during our interview was that there would be no more interviews and I just had to wait it out for a year. Famous last words. Guess what I got in the mail today? A hand-addressed envelope from the Ministry of the Interior/National Police with a convocation to present myself to the Ministry concerning my request for naturalization. I'm to bring copies (again) of my ID, proof of residence, recent pay stubs and a CV (that's a résumé) with a current photo. I haven't had a résumé in 15 years since I've been self-employed and I sure as hell don't have one in the French CV format. The letter also doesn't mention whether or not Georges needs to be there. Oh, and by the way, the date they want me to appear? Is the last date I'll be in New Jersey. They very thoughtfully provided a phone number I could call if the date and time isn't convenient. I am also instructed (in BOLD CAPITAL LETTERS) to use the same phone number to confirm (it's IMPERATIVE!) my appointment. Small problem. I've been trying to get through on that number for HOURS... Read more →

Reborn

Check out the AWESOMELY AWESOME AWESOMENESS of the hair color and highlights. The cut is fab, too. I look and feel like a new woman. Of course, the REAL me is still sleep-deprived from insomnia coupled with a kid who has had a low grade fever for three days that cause big nightmares (so basically NO ONE has slept well last two nights). At least my hair looks awake. Read more →

40-Love

It's not my best effort and it got a bit crumpled when I flipped it, but Le Garçon still liked his tennis-themed pancakes the other day. He's really enjoying his weekly lessons and is even willing to go when it's cold and rainy (the lessons are on the outdoor court). Thanks to Georges for the idea; I already did a pancake turkey a couple of years ago and I was stuck for something new. Read more →

Seven

This past weekend marks seven years since I moved to Paris. SEVEN! Can you stand it? I can't. It still somehow doesn't seem as if that much time has passed. And oh, how very different my Paris experience turned out to be, from what I imagined on that first day, November 10, 2006. When I think about "what if"... What if I had never had the idea to move to Paris at all, back in early 2005? What if I'd had the idea, but had been too afraid or too stuck in my rut to actually DO it? What if I had left after only six months? What if I had never signed up for that subscription to Meetic.fr (the dating web site)... and what if, when I finally did meet Georges there, I wasn't willing to take the chance of meeting him in real life? Come to think of it, I don't like those "what ifs" at all, because in all those scenarios, I would still be back in New Jersey, single and unhappy that I wasn't willing to get out there and create the life I wanted. Sometimes, I still need a reminder to stretch myself in new... Read more →

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