new amazing family

I am all settled into my new house in this amazing house in Paris, or 1 subway stop from Paris at least. I love it here, the kids are fun, the family is warm and welcoming, a complete flip from my last job. I love my life right now!!! I dont know how to connect to the internet on my computer yet, so im on the families right now. They have the european keyboard, so this blog is tqking centuries to write.

I woke up with the kids today, got them dressed and sat with them for breakfast. Jean and Sandrine took the older 3 children to school, while I stayed home with Elsa to get her dressed. The kids in this family are so fun. There is Gabrielle who is 9, she is so sweet and wants to play all the time. Then there is Benjamin who is 8, he is very quiet and adores Gabrielle. Then there is Samuel, the wild child! He is so full of energy and is quite a flirt even at 4 years old. He asked me to bath with him last night and then when I put him to bed he invited me to sleep there and wanted a kiss on the mouth. He is hillarious! He loves teaching me French. Last there is Elsa who is 19 months, she is perfect!!! So cute, so sweet, so happy!!

I already love it here! I know God had alot of say in the way things ended up turning out for me!!!

Im going to explore Neuilly today!!

XOXO,
Mandy

Chapter 2 Ends

Two weeks ago we awoke to tears through the phone from 5,000 miles away.  Within 2 hours, I had booked flights and hotel stays to get Amanda home. With a village of friends reaching out to their network across the globe, the chapter ends happily.  We are forever grateful to Lois Ferrara, exchange student "aunt" to Lucie deRostolan, and Lucie's parents Elisabeth and Hubert for finding the connection to Mandy's new family.  It allows her to stay in France until the end of July and take care of 4 beautiful, happy children.

I've had 10 days of a most unexpected and fun holiday in French provencial Dijon and the great city of Paris.   Thank you for following along and encouraging us as we discovered friends and beautiful places.  It will be a memory that Amanda and I will treasure always.

There's so much to see here that I feel as though I just sampled Paris.  I would like to come again some spring or summer when everything is green and blooming.

I am very comfortable with Amanda's new situation.  As Amanda says, having the family meet me made her more real and not like a mail-order servant.  And a week together in Paris was a good orientation prior to her employment.  She can easily get around the subways and buses.  It is very safe here.  Teens ride it alone to get to and from school.

Oh, and I got the name of the family wrong.  Sandrine kept her maiden name.  They are the Lelouche family - that sounds so French!

By the time you read this, I will be flying home or already back in Texas.  I leave at 11:40 a.m., fly for 11 hours, and arrive in Dallas at 3:40 p.m. on the same day!  I'm sure I'll have 500 emails at work to dig through.  But that is comforting to know I have my normal routine waiting.  Plus, I get to see my Maddie and Jeff and Scottie!!!  We start campaigning for Richardson City Council until the May 14 election.  It will be a busy spring.

Je t'aime, Texas et Paris!
Lisa - final guest blog mum

freeze frame

Hello all! Mandy here!!! I am laying in my hotel room before mum and me venture out for out last Parisian meal before she leaves! Paris has been a blast! I begin work tomorrow! I am so excited, the kids are fun, the house is amazing! All is good! God is watching out for me!

I am sad to see my mom go tomorrow, we have so much fun together! She is amazing!

I will resume my position as lead blogger tomorrow, and keep you all updated on my duties as the new au pair to this wonderful family!

Stay tuned!!

XOXO,
Mandy

From Tourist to Shopper

We slept until 9 and then took a Metro ride to Galeries Lafayette downtown to shop!   Sorry Scott.  I held her off as long as I could.  Galeries Lafayette is a most interesting place.  It was filled with shoppers and gave us a bit of crowd anxiety.  There are 9 floors of shopping.  Each floor is wide open with various stores / designers but no walls.  It's like a department store layout but made up of different vendors.  The high end names like Cartier, Rolex, Tiffany, Prada, LV, Chanel are on the lower levels.  By the time you reach the top floors, you're down to silly souvenirs like flashing Eiffel Towers.  We shopped on level 5 or so and got some cute clothing that was bon marche (inexpensive).   We also got Mandy a house coat/robe and house shoes/slippers for her new home.  Wearing shoes inside is frowned upon. I knew this from growing up in Cottonport, La.  Plus, she will now be sharing a home with a family, so she needs a robe for walking about in the night or morning.

On top is a cafeteria-type dining hall and the very top is an observation deck where you can look out on all of Paris.  That was really nice.  Pictures will be posted on Mandy's FB wall soon.

The next adventure of the day was to find a Carrefour which turns out to be similar to Target or Wal Mart.  There she was able to get a pay-as-you go card for the cell phone the Cahn's loaned her.   We found the Carrefour in Boulogne (via subway) and returned to a friendly bar we had discovered there near the deRostolan's.  The bar is called Bar des Amis and became our own version of Friends or Cheers when we hung out there on Monday night before our dinner date - we didn't want to be late and had arrived in Boulogne early.  We made friends with the owner Ronnie and a restaurant owner named BouBou.  Our best times are when we spend time with locals.

We're back in the hotel with our baguette and comte cheese for dinner.  There's only so many dining experiences we can handle.  Luckily we walk and walk and walk to burn some of the calories.

And now for our lists of French likes and dislikes....

We love...

• all the food
• dogs in restaurants and stores
• menu items with prices that include tax and service charge included
• Nutella
• wine that doesn't give you headaches
• two kiss greetings
• compliments
• people who speak English
• tiny coffee cups
• French bread / baguettes
• comfortable shoes
• scarves
• relaxed meals
• small markets with fresh flowers and fruit on the sidewalk
• leather gloves
• the efficiency of the subway system
• no expectation of tipping - 5-10% is adequate
• King Cake - a gallette
• art everywhere!
• roundabouts
• magnificent churches and cathedrals

We dislike

• dog poop on sidewalks
• the weakness of the dollar
• French TV
• rain and puddles
• gray skies and cold weather without snow
• loud drunk French couples leaving bars at 5 a.m. near our hotel window
• numbering ground floors as 0 and second floor as 1

There's not a lot to dislike here.  If we think of more, I'll update.

Everything went very well with Mandy's visit to the Cahn's Thursday night.  They'll pick up her luggage here Saturday at 5:30 p.m. and then she'll show up there Sunday morning to live when I leave for the airport at 8 A.M. or so.

One more day here.  We're both getting a little sad as my final day approaches.  Oh what to do?

7 hours ahead of my dear America...
Lisa

Cheeseburger in Paradise

This blog will be a summary of food.

Since arriving in Dijon on Thursday, Mandy and I have had the most wonderful meals together.  If I learn one thing from the French, it will be to treat the meal as an event.  This is really basic and even biblical.  The food we have had is ranked near the top of all I have had in my life, and coming from Louisiana that means a lot.

We had provencial French at Dijon cafes.  The fish I had at Mandy's favorite cafe in Dijon is still my favorite meal of this trip.  Escargot and chocolate mousse was fantastic.  While in Paris, we've had traditional French (another fish dish on leeks was my 2nd favorite and croque monsieur a close 3rd), Japanese sushi, Italian pasta and pizza, Tex Mex in Versailles (but not really), Indian (Mandy loves curry and I had lamb with coconut and cashew sauce - wonderful), and .... American - a cheeseburger, fries and a coke at Euro Disneyland!

And of course, I have become accustomed to wine with every meal... the kind of wine that doesn't give you a headache the next day.  Does this have to do with the lack of sulfites?

Disney was fun.  There are two parks - Disneyland and Disney Studios.  We were selective on our choice of rides and attractions at both.  Absolutely NO lines today.  We walked on Space Mountain and screamed our whole way through.  It was a wonderful, relaxed day of American excess.

Mandy had her first night with the Cahns.  She got along great with their current day-time babysitter/cook Josephine who is an older woman from Africa.  The kids are very normal and the parents are very nice and similar to Scott and me.  Mandy is very comfortable with her new arrangement and they are excited to pick up her stuff on Saturday and for her to arrive to live there on Sunday.  Mandy's duties will be primarily getting the children ready for the day in the mornings since Josephine has an established routine in the evening.  Josephine was happy to have Mandy to help do the kids' laundry and ironing - although I'm afraid Mandy has not had much experience with the latter.  Mandy will live on the bottom floor of the 3-story home with the children.  She has a separate bath and external entrance to her bedroom, but it's not like the apartment she had in Dijon.  That's just fine with her.  She will take a 3-month French course beginning next month, and she'll return to Texas at the end of July.  I think this will work out just fine, but if not, we have an escape plan.  The de Rostolans already let the Cahns know that Mandy is welcome to go to their home if she needs a break.   We are so happy with this arrangement.

I fly back to reality on Sunday.  Tomorrow will be a laid-back sort of day for us.  They gave her a cell phone so we will pre-pay service on it at a cell store and then perhaps go to Galleries Lafayette which is a skyscraper sort of mall.

Mandy will post pictures from today on her FB.  I hope we are not boring you.  Please post a comment to let us know America is still alive and well.  CNN and BBC give us skewed views of news.  They cover the world - what's up with that?  I stare at the French TV stations and pretend to understand.  Oh The Bachelor, where art thou?

Love to all from Par-ee!
Lisa

From 18th Century to infinity and beyond!!

Wednesday was perfect.  We took the RER to Versailles and spent a rainy day at the palace!       It was by far the most beautiful man-made place I have ever seen.  Royalty had the very best of everything.  Gold paint, sculptures in their likenesses, paintings the size of an auditorium...  They would commission artists from all over France and even bring in Italian artists to work for them.  There are constant reminders and symbolism that Louis XIV thought he was commissioned by God Himself to reign over France.  He was very Catholic and attended Mass every day in the beautiful adjoining chapel.   Ironically, though each room was dedicated to a different Roman god.  I still haven't figured out how those two competing ideas fit together.

There is more to write, but we are up on Thursday early to go to Euro Disney!  It is a short subway/train ride away and I want to give Amanda a day of American indulgence before she begins her next job.  I get to return to the comforts of America, but she hasn't experienced it for a month now and won't again until late July.

Tonight she visits her new au pair family to learn the ropes, then we spend the next two days getting her provisions - a cell phone that works here, house shoes, a robe, etc.

We'll blog again when we return.
-Lisa

The Accidental Tourist

The best things in life are unplanned.  I had intended to visit Amanda in June after practicing French and planning my vacation moment by moment.  I once again fooled myself into thinking I was in control.  You think I would have learned this lesson well by now.

The unexpected demise of her first au pair job has led to lessons in culture, preparedness, and faith.  She is much more prepared for the expectations of the next au pair position and has developed a support system of friends in Paris.  She and the new parents have been candid about how they will all deal with issues as they arise, and Amanda has grown more confident and assertive.  The time we are spending in Paris near her new job helps her as well.  We understand the bus and subway system after practicing a few days.

As far as the Dijon family goes... Amanda has related more stories to me and we both agree that there were signs early on that they were not going to keep her. The week before the Sunday discussion, Amanda was at the mom's office and asked to make copies of papers that she needed to file about her job and the mom said there was no need even though days before that was important.  Then there was the issue of limiting food which I believe was an even bigger deal.   The mom was very concerned about weight - hers and her kids to the point of squeezing hands at dinner should they reach for a second piece of bread.  She  relieved Mandy of her cooking duties saying Mandy used cheese and olive oil in preparing food the first week.  C'est la vie!

Back to Paris...  the week started out perfectly.  We easily found our way back to the deRostolan's door Monday night by bus and subway, and had a very pleasant dinner with them.  Great wine and good food - pasta with delicious red sauce and the BEST ice cream in Paris - Berthillon.  Then, Hubert and Elisabeth drove us to all the beautiful sites in Paris at night.  A personal driving tour!

Today, we turned back into tourists.  First, we slept late - the adrenalin that kept me going at the beginning is wearing off.  Then, we took the Metro to the Chapel of the Miraculous Medal where St. Catherine Laboure had visions of Mary... Her uncorrupted body lies in a glass coffin and I was very near the alter where Mary appeared.  The humble chapel is magnificently beautiful inside in tones of gold and soft blues.  It feels very reverent there and many devout pilgrims were praying inside... unlike the touristy churches like the Notre Dame.  A sweet nun of the Daughters of Charity housed there said prayers with us and blessed medals that we purchased.  This was very special to me as I grew up in St. Mary's Assumption Parish.

We then walked to Musee d'Orsay and saw the works of Van Gogh, Benoit, Renoir, Gaugin, and Monet.  Elisabeth had shared a special free pass with us, so that was a special treat to not have to spend more money - (we are starting to ration now as Euros fly out of our wallets way too easily!)

Again, everywhere Amanda goes she attracts attention.  The waiter at lunch slipped her a note with the bill that read in French "You are as charming as you are beautiful. - Bruno" and gave his phone number.  All the vendors on the street offer to help teach her French - I think that's code for something to do with kissing.  She handles herself very well with these compliments... better than I would at 19.  As for me, I seem to look like a normal French woman because many people stop me on the street to ask for directions which I cannot give.   Women here do not wear much makeup nor put much effort into their hair or dress as long as their shoes are good.  I love that about the French women - they are more naturally pretty with little ado.  Mandy says they look tired, and I believe they are.  I know I am.

Tomorrow we attempt the RER to the palace at Versailles and Marie Antoinette's quarters. Mandy says she's watched movies about her so much that she will know all the details of the palace.  It is supposed to rain but that's o.k. because the gardens are probably closed in winter.  There will be plenty to see inside and we prefer if the rain keeps the crowds away.

Au revoir for now.
Lisa - guest blogger and mum

Dinner with the DeRostolan's

After our nap, we figured out the Metro and bus a bit, and got to the DeRostolan's early. My mom and I went to bar de amis across the street from their house, and met a very nice bartender who also gave us some advice for my stay here. Then we went to the DeRostolan's and had a lovely dinner. It was amazing! Lucie, your family is so cool!

After dinner they drove us around Paris so we could see all the sites at night.

Musee D'orsay tomorrow I think. I'll put up pictures!

Sorry this is so short, but yall were already updated once today! My semi-date is postponed to a day where I do not have a dinner before, so I will fill you in on my adventures in love in Paris!

XOXO,
Mandy

WOO I'm back!

I am blogging early today, as my mom naps, because thought she may be right she insists she is better at it than me. Well these aren't her adventures in France after all, regardless of if they have turned out to be so anyways.

So, I woke up this morning and went to a cafe alone to get a coffee because my mom only left me with decaf in the room. Then I came back to the hotel and we ventured out via the Metro to the Notre Dame. It was magnificent! I will be getting married there for sure, so someone find out how I would go about doing that. SVP :)

Then we had lunch and did a little shopping. We are now back in the hotel, to nap and then we are going to the Rostolan's again for dinner tonight. After dinner, I have a semi date, so wish me luck.

I got the job in Neuilly (New-EE) I am 75% sure, so I will probably be staying here until the end of July. Neuilly is the very posh city next to paris that looks just like the upper east side in NYC.

Have a marvelous day,
Mandy

Epiphany en Boulogne

Sunday night may serve as the highlight of our trip to Paris as we were invited to a family celebration in the beautiful home of Elisabeth and Hubert, Lucie's parents.  (Lucie and Mandy are friends in Richardson - Lucie is an exchange student at JJ Pearce High School this year.  Lois, our dear neighbor, serves as her American aunt and has had Lucie and Mandy over for dinner many times.)

Their home was exactly as I would imagine a French home to be in the city... enter through a heavy wooden door next to the sidewalk onto a porte cache, then into an inviting home filled with beautiful Louis XV furniture and lovely art with a ceiling with exposed raw beams.  Their windows looked out to pretty courtyards very similar to those in New Orleans.  By the way, there is wrought iron balconies everywhere.  New Orleans is by far the most European city we have in America... or at least the only one that I have visited.  And while I'm on decor, the most unexpected thing on this trip is to see all of the very modern furniture in many of the restaurants and lobbies.  It is like the French have decided to turn their back on their history and leave antiques to the museums.  The bright, sleek Ikea-like furnishings are in stark contrast to the beautiful old buildings which house them.   Americans would give their eyeteeth to have the antiques!  Well, at least the cathedrals here retain their beauty and history.

Amanda Rose and I took the bus to Elisabeth's neighborhood and then she picked us up at the bus stop.  The bus ride was fun but slower than we expected.  We were slightly apprehensive about knowing so little French to attend a family gathering, but what the heck!  This is nothing if not an adventure!  We have both developed tremendous courage from this trip.  Not to worry!  The family was sooooooooo gracious.  Many were able to carry on long conversations in English even though they learned it years ago. They were very interested in talking to us and we enjoyed their stories.  The cousins, uncles, aunts, sisters all had very interesting education and careers - lawyers, UN diplomats, government officials, retired military, financial managers, commercial real estate.  Lucie's older sister is working in rural France to help poor farmers rent land.  She organizes investors in the city to buy land for them.  So cool!  The uncles and aunts complimented me by saying they thought I was Amanda's sister, not her mother.  I just love these people!  Amanda attracted the attention of many of the charming great uncles.  They were very complimentary of her eyes.

Oh and the food!  King Cake here is like an almond or apple turnover with flaky crust.  The "baby" inside are ceramic charms and the one who gets it wears a crown for the night.    We also had champagne and cider and wonderful French coffee.

Elisabeth brought us back to the hotel which seemed way closer by car than by bus.  She also brought Uncle Phillippe home in the car - he lives one block from our hotel.   We have made lifetime friends.  Should Amanda stay through July, I will feel much more at ease knowing she has these wonderful people to turn to.

Amanda is researching French schools today.  Elena, Elisabeth's daughter-in-law from Brasil, suggested she look into a course at the university - La Sarbonne.  We are also venturing to Notre Dame and Saint-Chappelle today.  So much to see and do!

Love to all,
Lisa
(guest blogger for Amanda)

Guest blog by Lisa (mums)

I begin my guest blogging where our journey in Dijon ends...

Packed up Amanda's belongings into two duffles and her large rolling suitcase, abandoning her trusty pink trunk that followed her to Philadelphia and back and to France.  One wheel broke and dealing with a bulky, heavy trunk that didn't roll was not a journey I was willing to make.  Even with that change, we looked like the crazy Americans at the train station - you know the people who cling to their possessions and carry a large rolling suitcase, a duffle, a small rolling carry on and a backpack EACH!   To board the train, we had to walk down a flight of stairs and then back up a flight of stairs and then step into the train.  Luckily there are nice French gentlemen who came to our aid at each step.  Merci beaucoup!  That's the phrase I say the most.

From train to taxi in Paris was pretty simple and we both gasped as we drove past the Notre Dame, Museum d'Orsay, Eiffel Tower, and Arc d'Triomphe on our way to our quaint hotel Villa des Ternes.  We are within walking distance of all of this!  Tomorrow we begin to explore.

We walked down the street with parapluie (umbrella, literally translated as "for the rain") in drizzle to a wonderful cafe for lunch.  We were seated next to locals and they engaged us once they knew we were Americans.  (I don't know how everyone figures that out so quickly!)  Anyway, they were film producers for a travel show here in France and had just returned from Jackson Hole, Wyoming.  They asked me to walk with them to their studios to translate a cowboy poem.  A Wyoming ranch hand / poet had recited a poem in their documentary and they couldn't understand what he was saying.  I even had trouble!  I wrote down the English words, but some didn't make sense to me... like "30 cc's for a yearling steer"  and "that booger could run!"  I had to try to make them understand that booger (he was talking about roping a calf) meant rascal or something like that.  So, I had an adventure within 3 hours of arriving in Paris!  The producer, Jean Marc I think he said, will put my name in the credits of "Echappees belles" (a.k.a. Beautiful Travels) which airs after 28th March on www.france5.fr/echappees-belles/.

Next, Lucie's mom Elisabeth met us in our hotel lobby. We gave her Lois' gift, flowers Mandy got her from a Parisian market, and packages from Lucie and Chloe.  Lucie's JJ Pearce Homecoming Mum was fun to explain to her.  She finally understood that it's not a "mom" it's short for chrysanthemum!  Elisabeth is the best!  So fun, so kind, so interesting, and a bit like me with parking and driving.  She brought us to Amanda's interview with a new family of 4 in Neuilly-sur-Seine which is very much like the Upper East Side in NYC next to a huge park that looks like Central Park.  Elisabeth had sent email to the PTA president at Lucie's school who then sent email to people she knew with small children who may need an au pair.  Is that amazing or what?!!

We spent nearly 2 hours at this family's beautiful home.  They were just perfect!  The kids were so sweet and adorable and happy and normal, active children - ages 2 to 9.  They already have two daytime babysitters who help with the house and children, but one will take maternity leave in late February.  This would give them opportunity to try out the concept of a live-in au pair.   They may want Amanda from Feb to July only, and I think that is just long enough!   Amanda will spend Thursday evening with them as a test run and we have to look into French language schools.  If this works out, great.  If not, Amanda returns with me next Sunday.

We walked back to our hotel.  As luck would have it, we picked a hotel within walking distance of this family's home and also fairly near to Elisabeth's home.  Priceline did us good!

At 6:30 we ventured out again and saw that Mass was going in St. Ferdinand des Ternes, so we popped in and went to Mass.  Didn't understand a word, but followed along.  Ate sushi at a Japanese restaurant across from the church and now we're back and ready for bed.  

Wow what a day!  We get to sleep in tomorrow and start exploring.  Then, Elisabeth invited us for a family dinner Sunday afternoon / evening!  I am so looking forward to a pleasant Sunday with no demands or travels or worries, AND an authentic family meal with our new "French family friends".

Mandy reminded me just now that I am not writing a book, but I thought I should catch you all up on the soap opera.  

Hope your weekend is wonderful and if you run into someone who doesn't speak English, please offer a smile or helpful hand.  Those folks who have reached out to us stand out in my mind.

Love to all,

Lisa D.

P.S. Lois, Mandy says your pizelles are to die for.  We are enjoying a sweet treat in our room!

What a day, what a day, what a mighty fine day!

Woo, have we had a long day. We woke up and had breakfast. Went back to the room and showered and got ready for the day. Then we ventured out, and found my mom a place to get a hair cut. I think you have to have guts to get a haircut in a place where you can't speak french and the people cant speak english. but her hair turned out marvelous!

Then we went to my favorite restaurant where I made friends with the older owner woman. It was a blast and the food was great as usual. My mom loved it!

Then I dropped my mom off at the museum so I could go get a manicure. It was fun again to try and speak with the people who didn't know english. At least I wasn't trusting them with anything as big as a haircut :). I got pink nails and they put pink rhinestones on them. After I went back to the museum to get my mom, we stopped into a cute shop I had gone to and got teas.

We came back to the hotel so my mom could call into work, and I could take a nap.

After I was rested up we went to a restaurant and it was yet again amazing. We got escargot for an appetizer and it was no where near as bad as I thought it would be. It tastes alot like crawfish. Then my mom got stuffed cheese in figs then wrapped in bacon and covered in a pastry shell and a salad for dinner, and I got an amazing steak and cheesy potatoes with a spinach tarte. It was all to die for. Of course we had great wine to go with it. When in rome... For desert my mom got a turned over apple tart with what she called the best ice cream she has ever tasted. She actually said, and I quote "I could die after this meal, this is heaven" I had mint ice cream with mint brandy. Overall, it was amazing!

At dinner we sat by a really sweet couple on a date that told us we needed to go to the Notre Dame, no not the one in Paris, there is one in Dijon, because on the side of it, there is an owl that people rub and make a wish on. So we found that, and I made a wish. And don't worry, I did not wish any harm to the woman who tried to make my French experience hell :). Though I don't know how many of you would have blamed me if I had!

We then ventured back to the hotel, and packed all of the stuff up. I brought a big pink trunk with me on my expected year stay in France, but it has turned out to be a huge pain to lug around, so we are ditching it here.

We are calling it a night, to catch the early train to Paris. This will be my last post from Dijon. So thank you Dijon, overall you have been amazing to me!

XOXO,
Mandy & Mom


PS- It won't let me put my pictures up here, so they will be added to facebook. 

Mom's Here!

So I feel like I left you all hanging on my dream night, with a dream man. On top of having an mba and all of the fun that goes along with that. He was a photographer, world traveler, pianist, and cook. I'm sure there are a ton of other things to add to the list but I am not sure how much bragging I can do. I had a wonderful night, and again learned a ton from this genius. It was amazing. If anything, I will have left France with one of my 2 goals completed. :)

So the next day my mom came. I showed her around Dijon, and she fell in love with its charm as I have. We went shopping around town in little boutique stores, sorry pops. I took her to an Italian restaurant, for dinner and bottle of wine, needless to say we had an amazing day. We returned the hotel, and called an early night.

Today we woke up and had breakfast. We are going to a museum later today and having fun on this vacation.

I may be staying in France for 3 more months, after receiving a possible job offer for another au pair's maternity leave. It is in Paris, so it would be a wonderful experience!!!

God works in mysterious ways!

XOXO,
Mandy

Having the time of my LIFE

So the termination of my employment as an au pair is turning out to be one of the best things that ever happened to me. I am really growing to like it here! I had a home cooked dinner last night which was amazing, my compliments to the chef ;). Then I just hung out and learned even more about France.

I don't really have much more to say than that.

My mom comes today, I am very very excited!

Love and Safety,
Mandy

Chocolate covered breakfast

So I just went down to the lobby for breakfast. After getting my food, I realized all of my food had chocolate in it in some way. Though I love the occasional sweet from time to time, I quickly realized a chocolate covered breakfast was not for me. There were chocolate croissants, crepes with nutella, chocolate cereals, chocolate flavored coffees. I couldn't do it all. I ended up having to take my croissant back to my room, to save for a later time. I am stuffed, and probably on a sugar high now. I miss american breakfast so much. I miss eggs and foods not covered in chocolate. I laughed that my last meal in America was waffle house, but at this point, waffle house is looking amazing. Can't wait to be back to normalcy, back to unchocolate packed breakfasts, smaller lunches, weak coffee, and my mothers amazing dinners. :)

I am not sure what I am doing today, but sometimes the days with no plans turn out best.

I can't wait to see my mom soon, despite the circumstances that are bringing her here. And I am very excited to go home, back to people who love me and want the best for me.

Love and Safety,
Mandy

Maybe this place isn't so bad after all.

So maybe every French person isn't so bad after all. I had a lovely dinner with a family friend of my beautiful angel Lucie's family. Sorry for the awkwardness of that last sentence, it has been a long day, and I am not really sure how to word it. Anyways, I had dinner with a very smart young man who is from Paris but lived in NYC and the UK and is now working in Dijon. He alone has possibly made better my views until now that I have held of French people. It was a lovely dinner, I had risotto with shrimp and mushrooms; he like a good Frenchmen had beef tar-tare. Don't worry, of course I took a picture to show you all. Only in France is it O.K. to order RAW beef as a meal and not think twice about it. Anyways, this man was a genius and knew a ton about probably everything.   I learned a lot about France and Dijon through him. It was a lovely night. Definitely something I needed after the event of this last week.

Thank you for all who are rooting for me through out this whole thing, I can really feel your support and it has made this whole experience bearable. I love you all and would love to tell each of you how truly grateful I am, in person when I arrive home.

XOXO - Love and Safety,
Mandy

Today is a new day.

I just woke up this morning with optimism all around me. I feel like turning this experience into a good one, and growing from it. Yes, the event of the last 36 hours feel like they came straight out of a horror movie, but I am young and resilient, and will move on from this with a world of wisdom. I think I am going to explore the city today. I am after all in France, young, healthy, and free. Thank you for all of your kind words of hope in this really wretched time, they have all helped immensely. I have my head high, and I am looking forward, not back.

Love and safety,
Mandy

Cilantro!!!

I am now safe in the hotel, away from the B family and their insanity (my mom made me remove their last name after being worried due to their threat to call the police over this)(it will be back up when I am home and safe back in America). Brigitte came home this morning trying to get me to sign yet another contract. She made it in french so I could not read it. She was suppose to leave me a copy, and she took it. Then she asked for my certificate from school, and when I tried to tell her it had my name on it, she ripped it out of my hands. Good luck to the next au pair that family gets, you're going to need it. Oh and I forgot to tell yall the best part, she threatened to send me to jail for all the horrid things I did. Then she followed up that it was all in my head that I felt unwelcomed there. Ok. Maybe through the language barrier threatening to send a 19 year old to a foreign jail for an honest mistake is a welcoming gesture in France? I am not really sure. So this experience has been hell. I am happy to be away from that woman and her family, and I am never looking back.

Anyways, I am safe in the hotel now, ready to enjoy my last couple days in Dijon before I meet my mom in Paris. I am tired and dirty, so I'm going to take a nap and shower. I will keep you updated on my adventures. This is really turning into a good soap opera I bet.

Love and Safety,
Mandy

what I have to look forward to:

• seeing my mom in paris in a week
• going home soon and seeing my friends
• being in a country where I can communicate
• having my car back

I am not ready to put what I've learned from this experience yet, I'm too mad.

that was fast.

So today I woke up and went to church, had a lovely morning. Then I came home and went to the house to have lunch with the family. We had fondu and for desert an apple crumble that sweet Caroline made. Then I sat down to have coffee with the parents.

And just like that they ran me over with a truck.

Brigitte looked at me and said what happened Wednesday? I again explained the story where my card got declined at the cafe, and so I was walked out side by the owner, and they pointed me to the nearest atm. So in the confusion, language barrier, and panic, yes, I stupidly left your 5 year old alone for less than 5 minutes. Then they yelled at me for taking her to a cafe in the first place, they acted as if it was a crack house. I explained that in america cafes places are where you get coffee and a bite to eat, and if I don't remember correctly on my first day here you took me and your youngest 2 to a cafe. Then they continued they had to let me go, and on top of that Marc-Etienne doesn't like me. Well I've see the kid a total of 3 days since I've been here. Sorry. I then again apologized and asked if there was anything I could do to change their mind, and they said no. They said I could stay in the studio till I make plans home, but then came up to it and asked if I needed help with the train, so I dont think I'm welcome here. I am going to stay in a hotel in Dijon till Saturday morning then take a train to Paris to meet my mom. I am staying in Paris till the 30th, then coming home, unless I find another family in the mean time.

I think this is total crap, and I am very mad. I need to get in contact with the American Embassy to see what my rights are in this situation. For example a plane ticket home.

Comment with advise!

adventure is over.

I will be returning to the states.

Museum

So I slept in today, Yay! Then I got ready and took a BUS, yes thats right, I've finally figured out Dijon's public transportation system, and I took a bus to the museum. The museum was wonderful, mom, you'll love it when you come visit. And, on top of that, it was FREE! The museum was in a gorgeous old building and had tons of beautiful art.

So, after the museum I went to a cafe and had the best burger ever. Who would have though someone from Texas could say they had their best burger in Dijon, France? Crazy. For desert I got creme brulee, I am honestly loving the fact that you can go to any restaurant here and get creme brulee. The meal was awesome, but when I got the bill, it became a little less awesome. When charged 3,50 Euros for a glass of water, they claimed was Evian, but I'm pretty sure was just tap water in a Evian bottle, that kind of sucked.

Yummy bread

Delicious Burger

Creme brulee!

I have also discovered if the restaurant workers speak english chances are, it's going to be a very expensive meal.

I took the bus home and now I am just hanging out relaxing sans kids. May muster up the courage to go to the bar where foreign people hang out, alone, tonight. I bet I could make friends there.

2 things I am thankful for:

1. My new so comfortable but horribly ugly new shoes.

it pains me to actually show these

yes, i know they are ugly

but does the comfort count for anything?

2.   Figuring out how to take the bus.

Sales time!

As you may have guessed from the title, it's sales time in France. These sales times are mandated by the government. Crazy right?

So I woke up and got ready. I ate the usual breakfast, and started walking into the center of the city in search of good shoes. I got lost and ended up in a handbag store, so I bought a bag. Its a black leather, across the body bag. And hey, it was on sale :). Though I don't know if I've ever bought a more expensive purse. Then I finally found the shoe store. I got the ugliest, most comfortable shoes in the world. But to hell with fashion, hello comfort! I'm an au pair in a country where I can't speak the language, who do I have to impress?

For lunch I went to a restaurant and got a ham and cheese sandwich. Classy, I know. Then I walked home, but after I went in the bar where I have made at least semi-friends with people. Hung out there for a bit, had a drink and mustered up the courage to attempt to take Dijon's public transportation.

At the bus stop, I asked a girl standing there 'Tu parle Anglais?' She replied yes, turns out  she was british and here for study abroad. So she explained the bus situation and I rode it nearly all the way home. Still had a 8 minute walk, but thats nothing compared to the time it would have taken me.

After I got home and relaxed a bit, it was time to get the kids. For some reason, I am usually the first person there and Marc-Etienne is the last kid to come out. Joy right? After standing in the school yard with an overly hyped up Raphaelle, Mare-Etienne decided to grace us with his presence. But no, he was not ready to leave yet, he had to go to the school library to get a book first. I really should invest in a crown for him.

Finally, it was time time to walk home. I walked slow so the kids would run back and forth and get tired out so they would be easier to manage. We got home and the parents were home too. Overall the kids were a TON better today. They must have been told they would get a beating if they made me cry again. Ha.

I am quite lonely here and need to make some quality friends pronto. Its sad when the highlight of my Friday night is blogging and going to bed early.

I may hit up some of Dijon's museums tomorrow, to get a break from the house, and hopefully interact with some fellow english speaker. One's that are over 12 years old.

Today was alot better than yesterday!

XOXO,
Mandy

Payback

I really love writing about my day. Its like a venting process, so I am sitting here, cheap glass of wine in hand, writing about my not so splendid day.

Needless to say, I did not get fired yesterday, though after the events that went down today, part of me (a very large part of me) wishes I had. I woke up at 6 am and to no surprise it was raining out side. I had breakfast and walked to school. Class starts at 8 am on Thursday and the sun doesn't come out until at least 9:15. So I walk to school in the dark, with a hurt ankle, in the rain. Yay. Class went well, I think I am beginning to learn at least enough to get a sense of what people mean. After class I went to a restaurant and had a salad, wine, baked chicken and fries. For desert I had creme brulee, yum yum! Then I walked home to take a nap. I woke up to get the children from school.

Raphaelle was in a cranky mood and pouted the whole way home. When we got home I turned on the TV for Raphaelle so I could do homework with Marc-Etienne. He had a fit and refused to do homework with me, but finally calmed down and did it. Then Gabrielle got home with a pie plate she had left in her locker since November, with caked on pie and everything. I needed the pan to make dinner for the kids, we were having a spinach tarte with goat cheese, so I asked her to please wash the pan for me. She said no. Then I said please, so I can cook for you. Again she said no. I don't have to listen to you she said and you wash dishes not me. I then informed her, she is to do what I say, and I am the au pair, not maid. She still refused so I said she would not be allowed to eat dinner with us then. I heated her up the soup from last night, which I knew she didn't like for her dinner. Then we all ate, except for Gabrielle, she said she didn't want soup, and took a shower. When the dad got home I informed him of the situation and why there was a bowl instead of a plate in front of Gabrielle's place at the table. He replied, oh they're not used to washing dishes. And he served her the tarte. Yay, so now I'm the bad person. Then I put Raphaelle to bed. When I started to walk downstairs, the dad met me and I informed him, it wasn't the fact that she wouldn't wash the plate, it was the lack of respect and the words I don't have to listen to you. I have been quite emotional this last couple of days and when I explained that I began to cry.

I swear I am totally freaking out these people with all my tears, but its that damn weather and exhaustion thats causing it (I hope). He finally realized the situation, and he made Gabrielle apologize. Then he let me get off work. They think I'm insane I'm sure but whatever. As my dad would say, "such is life."

On a happy note, I got a package from my family today, chalked full of scarfs :) Thank you millions! I love them all! And I love yall tons!

Anyways, I'm going to finish my glass of wine, and go to bed. Tomorrow I do it all again, so wish me luck.

XOXO,
Mandy

Tears.

I probably just had the worst experience of my life. I went to a cafe near the twins music lesson with Raphaelle to get a coffee and juice before it was time to pick them up. Thanks to my wonderful bank, when it was time to pay, my card got declined. I left Raphaelle at the cafe and walked across the street to the ATM where again my card was declined, despite me having well over $500 in it. Then the girls got out of music so I walked them to the cafe, while they freaked out I left their sister there. I know looking back it was probably dumb to leave a 5 year old alone for 5 minutes but in my defense I left her with the nice older lady who owned the place. When I got back to the cafe I had to ask the twins to borrow money to pay our 4 Euro tab. Then I broke down and started crying in front of all of them. They must have thought I was crazy. So my love affair with America's Credit Union is now over. Despite my love for the super attractive banker man, I hate them. Before leaving, I informed them I would be in Dijon, FR for the next year, so 'don't think my card is stolen and turn it off.' But thats exactly what they did. I am so mad right now. And will only have ACU to blame if I loose my job over this. I wish I was home right now so I could go to the bank myself and chew them out, so mum I'm leaving it up to you to tell them how mad I am. Make me proud.

rain, rain, go AWAY

All it seems to do in Dijon is rain. I've been here for 11 days now, and it has rained probably 7 of those days. It's miserable walking in the rain. I am cold and wet, and all I want to do is sleep. I guess on the bright side, it's better than snow.

O.K. so today I woke up. Took a shower. Made oatmeal with strawberry jam for breakfast. Then attempted to wash some clothes. I loaded it, put in soap, and could not for the life of me figure out to turn it on. I guess I'll just have to wait for the twins to get home to assist me in turning on the damn thing. Then I went of a hunt for my umbrella. I could not find it anywhere, and I sure as hell wasn't going to venture out in the rain without it. After a 20 minute search, I found it. It was in the pocket of the last jacket I wore. Should have looked there first. Blah. Then I walked to school. I wasn't suppose to go in today, but I'll be damned if I don't learn enough french to at least communicate on a kindergarden level in the next month. I stopped by a local bakery on the way and got a salmon tomato sandwich thing and a chocolate croissant. I stayed at school a while and did some worksheets. Then I went to a cafe for a coffee. I was so cold I just held it for a while. Then I went to Sephora to get some nail polish and coconut scented lotion and a loofa. Then I walked into H&M, yes they have one here! I got a sweater dress because I was cold, I felt like it was a good investment. Then I went to another cafe and got a vin chaud (hot wine). It tastes like christmas, I think I'm in love. Then I bought a present for my parents and went to the post office and mailed it to them. So, mum and dad, let me know when you get it. Then I went to the flower shop and bought my weeks flowers for my flat. I guess I needed some retail therapy to combat the loneliness, cold and exhaustion. I walked home and now I'm sitting here bored and tired, about to go get the kids.

List of things I hate:

• rain
• walking
• not speaking french
• the cold
• huge lunches and small dinners
• rain
• blisters
• hurt feet
• bathtubs with hoses
• being poor

List of things I love:

• my job
• being in france
• wine
• coffee
• living in france
• french food
• being alive

Love and miss you all! 

make my day

It would make my day if someone left a comment, so I knew people actually read this and I'm not writing just for cyber space. Thank you. That is all

Vin et Cafe

Yesterday I woke up and went to church with the family. The service was good, I understood a little bit, and what I didnt understand Caroline translated for me. After church we came home and had pork and veggies for lunch. With cheese and wine and fruit. Then I studied french all day. For dinner I had my left over cabbage soup.

Today I woke up and went to school. I am trying super hard to learn french. In class today I learned how to ask questions. For lunch I went to a little restaurant down the street from my school. I never ordered a thing, but somehow I got food. She brought me out a glass of white wine, bread and a salad with a fried egg on top. These people eat so much for lunch, and practically nothing at dinner. Then when I finished the salad, she took my plate, and brought me a plate of beef and carrots with a side of pasta, with another glass of wine. I honestly dont know know these people eat like this and stay so flippin' thin. I was full after just a few bites, since I'm not used to eating so much for lunch, but the waitress (who was an older lady) insisted I finish it. When she took the plate I practically yelled non desert si vous plat. So she brought me a coffee. The french, or at least the ones here, run on vin (wine) and cafe (coffee), but not coffee like in america, it is super strong shots of espresso they have. Crazyness.

After that, I explored the city and took some pictures. Then I went to the bar where I made friends and spent the afternoon sipping coffee and trying to converse.

Then I got Raphaelle from school. Gave her a snack. Bathed her. The I heated the soup Brigitte left for me (pea soup) and fed the girls. Gabrielle got me in trouble today, she said she had finished her homework, but when her mom came home, turns out she hadn't. Oh how I remember those days. Not so fun when you're on the other side.

Tomorrow I dont have class but I'm going in anyway. It gives me something to do.

PS the blog is acting up and wont let me upload pictures so I put them on my facebook album titled Janvier en France

Hypermarché

So I went to the supermarket with Brigitte, and she let me get whatever I wanted for my apartment. I got real food, like eggs, sliced bread, pasta, sauce, and so on. I loved the french grocery store! It is so cute! But everyone seemed like they had a fast approaching deadline, so shopping was a tad stressful. Then we came home and had dinner. For dinner Brigitte cooked Lox, lentils and a carrot salad. For desert we had fromage blanc which was like a mix between sour cream and yogurt, and we put sugar on it. Now I'm in my studio. Not going out tonight because I'm going to church in the morning.

Made Friends!

After I got off work last night I went to the closest bar to have a drink. I brought a book so I wouldnt look too lame sitting there alone. As soon as I walked into the bar the owner noticed I didnt speak french and he and his friend sat with me and talked. 2 more boys came and we hung out, dancing and playing darts until 2 am. It was a blast. So I've made 4 friends, one 30 year old, one 26 year old bar owner, a 20 year old medical student and a 19 year old engineer student! It was a great night.

Today I slept until 12 then took a shower and got dressed. Then I went to the house for lunch. We had a white fish with amazing leeks, potatoes, green beans and broccoli. I had a little wine. It was delicious. After lunch I sat and had coffee with Brigitte and Jean, we also had chocolates from Dijon. It was all so good!

Soon I will go grocery shopping with Brigitte.

PS- I have a huge popped blister on my right pinky toe, and its like an open wound, so I asked Brigitte for neosporin, and she gave me thing and this liquid that died my skin pink. Then I wrapped it in a gauze. I'm limping and look a little crazy, so I'm scrubbing (dressing down) and wearing ugs today.

Love, Love!

quick update

I woke up thinking my class was at 10 today then say my schedule and saw it was at 8 so I ran out the door without make up or breakfast at 7:50, to walk the probably 2-3 miles to my class. Needless to say, I was late, but whatever. I got there at about half past 8 so it wasnt too bad. I didnt get lost today :)! So I had class from 8-12, and it was hard, but I'll learn. After class I went to a bakery and got a bolognese panini and a chocolate croissant (just for you mum)! Then I walked into the city to go to a book store to get school supplies. Then I stopped for a tea and walked home. I got home at about 2:45 and took a quick nap before I had to get the kids. I got the kids and came home. The parents had locked the cellar because the twins were sneaking sweets and they forgot to tell me where the key was so I couldnt begin dinner until Jean came home. I allowed the kids to watch TV. Never have I had a kid throw as major of a fit as today with Marc-Etienne, or perhaps it seemed grander because he was screaming in another language but it was horrid. I sent him to his room, along with everyone else because I couldnt deal with the screaming. Then Jean came home and I made dinner. I cooked Lois's cabbage soup and the girls loved it, Marc-Etienne refused to eat because he was sick. I loved it too, it was easy and delicious! I put Raphaelle to sleep then got off. Now I am getting ready to go to the bar down the street for a beer, if I can manage ordering one. It has been a long day and I need to unwind. Bon Soir!

je suis etudiante!

I woke up at 7:00 today and got ready for class. I realized at 7:40 I was going to be late, so I took the bike hoping I'd save time. About 2 km, or >1 mile, I realized how out of shape I was. I decided to leave my bike at Jean's office and walk the rest of the way to school. It's a good thing I did, because I went completely the wrong way and was totally lost, thank God for maps. I finally made it to school at 8:15, 15 minutes late. There are 4 other people in my class, a 30 year old woman from Los Angeles who will only be here a month, a man from Korea, a woman from Tokyo and a man from Saudi Arabia I think. They were all very nice, and the girl helped me out alot. I was in one class from 8-10 then I go to another from 10-12. I understood most of what was going on, but tomorrow I am staying late to catch up, because I am 6 classes behind.

After class I went to a bar, that didn't serve food so I got a coffee and then a glass of wine. From there I decided to go and change my dollars to euros. I walked into town, and stopped by a bakery to get a special galette for the epiphany today (to serve for dessert) and chocolate chip cookies (to serve for dessert another day). It was more than I expected, 15 euros, but I am sure since it is for the family I will get reimbursed. Then I went to almost every bank in town to exchange my money, they all said they couldn't. I remember in romania to exchange money you went to the bank, or at least I thought it was the bank. I didn't know much during my romanian voyage. I was getting discouraged so I stopped at a cafe for lunch. I got a special tarte they make in dijon, it had cheese, tomatoes and mustard, with a side salad and another glass of wine. I sat by the nicest lady ever, and even though she did not speak english, she helped me out alot! For dessert she told me to get cafe gormand which was a little creme brulee, chocolate moose and a shot of espresso. When eating it, I just about died and went to heaven. It was excellent! Mom, if your reading this, I expect it on every birthday from here on out, instead of cake :)! I paid and left.


At about the 5th bank I tried the teller told me to go to the post office to exchange money. I got to the post office, and sure enough, that was the right place. I waited in line for about 20 minutes before it was my turn. The teller didn't speak english but when I showed him dollars, he understood. Just so yall all know, the dollar sucks compared to the euro. I exchanged $120 dollars and got 84 euros. ick. From the bank I stopped by a small grocery store to get basil for my quiche for dinner. Then I walked home. I stopped to get my bike at the office and attempted to ride it home. I think Karissa was taller than me, so I have to lower the seat a tad. I finally got home, cold, wet from the rain, and super tired. I left my studio at 7:40 and got home 8 hours later. I have to get the children in a hour, but thats easy. I was invited to go to the pub tonight with fellow au pairs, so I'm excited!

phewwww :)

If I said I was tired yesterday, today it takes on a whole new meaning! I am EXHAUSTED! I fell asleep last night for an hour then woke up and skyped with Berit and didn't go back to sleep until 3. Which wouldn't have been a big deal except I woke up at 7!!! I got dressed in my studio and went to the house to have breakfast with Raphaelle and Brigitte. Caroline and Gabrielle were already at school. The older girls have school in the morning on Wednesdays, not the younger 2, but Marc-Etienne was with his grandfather. So we ate the usual, bread and butter, yogurt and fruit. Then I played games with Raphaelle. After that we took down the Christmas tree, and got Raphaelle dressed for tennis.

Since tennis is far away, I will have to drive. I know, scary huh? Brigitte showed me the way to go. We dropped Raphaelle off at tennis then came home. During the hour she was at tennis I prepared lunch. I made rosemary chicken with rosemary potatoes, carrots and onion. They LOVED it which made me so happy! After lunch we played some more. Then it was time to take Caroline to flute lessons, where I had to drive again. Driving in Dijon is not as bad as I thought it would be. After we dropped off Caroline we came home and Raphaelle and I watched The Princess and the Frog. Before we went to pick up Caroline, Brigitte showed me where the school was, that I will be taking french at. It isn't to bad of a walk, but luckily Karissa left me her bike, which will be a huge time saver! Then we got Caroline from flute lessons.

When we got home, Gabrielle was already home. She had to stay at school until 3 today for detention for passing notes. I remember that age, I think its funny that they must stay at school for 4 more hours for simply passing a not to a friend. We had a snack, little cake things with melted chocolate inside, and the girls also had kiwi with sugar. I thought it was crazy, I have never seen anyone put sugar on a kiwi before. Then I finished the movie with Raphaelle, bathed her, and began to make dinner. For dinner I made french onion soup. Gabrielle and Caroline were quick to tell me they have never had that soup before, even though it is called french onion. Brigitte told me they usually only serve it at weddings, but they liked it, especially Brigitte! I was so happy that my cooking is to their liking, I am worried before I serve each dish. Tomorrow I will tackle quiche. After dinner, we played a bit then I put Raphaelle to bed. I was off after that and now I am sitting in my studio, no, rather laying from exhaustion and I'm about to call it a night. I am praying I sleep through the night, because I have class at 8 in the morning tomorrow, that would be 1 am to all you folks back home. Anyways, wish me luck and pray that I learn french soon!

Ohhh before I forget, I gave Brigitte a notebook with sayings from texas, and when she says 'howdy yall' it is so cute! I try not to crack up!

Goodnight!

great day

I am very tired so I am going to make this short. I woke up at 12 and had brunch. I had bread and butter, ham and yogurt. Then I got ready to have coffee with 2 other au pairs, one from argentina and one from london. We went to a cafe, it was very nice. Then we met up with Ana's boyfriend (au pair from argentina) her boyfriend was french. We then went to another cafe. After that the girl from london took me to a shop to buy a blow dryer. From there it was time to walk to the children's school to pick them up. On the way there I stopped by a flower shop and bought myself 5 roses for 5 euros. Then I got the children from school. Marc-Etienne stays with his grandfather on tuesday nights, so I got to meet his grandfather and he drove us home.

When we got home Caroline was already there. Raphaelle had a yogurt for snack and settled on 1 spoon of sugar in it today. Her grandfather had just giver her a piece of candy. Then both girls came to my studio to help put my flowers in a vase. Raphaelle saw my make up, so Caroline put some eye shadow on her. And she wanted to wear my perfume. She is so cute. Then I gave Raphaelle a bath, and put her in pajamas. After her bath, it was time to cook dinner. I made a frozen pizza and a salad. They love french dressing Karissa used to make, and insisted that I learn how to as well before the bottle they have left over from Karissa runs out. Brigitte laughed that though it is called french dressing, she had never had it before Karissa introduced them to it. They all ate and for dessert they had yogurt.

Brigitte bought me a water boiler thing to make tea today, so I will start having tea more often, because the coffee is so strong here. I have to plan a menu for dinners, so I would appreciate comments with recipes of your favorite soups, and other meatless, VERY LIGHT dinner ideas. They do not eat alot at dinner, their big meal is lunch.

Tomorrow the Raphaelle is off school, but the twins have to go in. I will be watching Raphaelle all day. Today was good, even though it was cold. I really do love it here, and the children are amazing!

Bonne Nuit!!

jour deux

My first solo lunch

Today was amazing! I slept until 9:00, then took a shower, it was difficult to keep the water from the floor because my bathtub is different, I'll put up a picture soon! Then I went to the house for breakfast. The children were already at school and the parents were at work. I had bread and butter, a clementine and a coffee. Then I went back to my studio and just hung out. I fell asleep, the time change is still a little hard to get used to. I woke up for lunch and made myself chicken cordon bleu, tomato slices, and white wine. After lunch I got ready for my day.

I got brave and decided to explore the town. I walked around the neighborhood, then into town. I went to a bar, that sold coffee. No, I was not downing alcohol at 2:00 pm haha. I ordered a cafe creme (coffee with cream) all by myself and received it! I felt very accomplished! I need to begin to learn how to communicate soon, it was frustrating today. After my coffee, I began to walk home. On the street a younger man approached me and tried to talk to me, he didnt speak english and I can't exactly speak french so after about 10 minutes he gave up. I was able to answer that I did not have a cell phone, and that I was a student. He pinched my cheek and said learn french. He was very nice, though I think he did offer me a ride, I declined. By the time I got home, it was time to go get Raphaelle from school.

The the school, Brigette met me in the yard to show me where Raphaelle's class was. She took Marc to the doctor so it was just me and Raphaelle this afternoon until the twins came home. I gave Raphaelle a snack. She wanted yogurt with sugar. She asked for 3 scoops of sugar, but settled on 2. After her snack, she wanted to take a bath. I bathed her, put her in pajamas and we went to make dinner. Raphaelle is very eager to help, and she speaks the best english. We made a caprese salad with tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, olive oil, and balsamic vinaigrette, a cucumber salad with yogurt, and slices of ham, lunch meat style. For dinner it was just Raphaelle, Caroline, Gabrielle and I. They all ate. Raphaelle was quick to tell me she didn't like tomatoes, but I made her eat 2 bites anyway. Gabrielle doesn't like ham, and Caroline doesn't like mozzarella cheese. For dessert we had left over cake. The girls all helped clean after dinner. When dinner was over, Marc and M. Besson got home. Then I read Raphaelle a book and she went to bed. I was done at that point.

I had plans to go out with another au pair from Argentina and her boyfriend, but something came up so we are going to coffee tomorrow afternoon. She was very nice and welcoming. I really think I am going to like it here!

A beautiful building in town

This is the statue for those who died in WW1

Another view

The church the family attends, Brigitte said it wasn't beautiful. Pshhh :)

premièr jour

The first day here has been amazing! I slept till 10 then went down for breakfast. I had bread with butter and tea. I met the children and bonded instantly with them, especially Gabrielle and Raphaelle. Caroline seems shy, but she is very smart and helps me alot. Marc-Etienne is also shy. I watched the Princess and the Frog in French with the children and Raphaelle insisted on sitting in my lap.

Lunch was delicious! I had duck liver for the first time as an appetizer. The children love it, though it was good, I cannot see myself going out of my way to get it again. For the meal we had salmon with onions, sun dried tomatoes and lemon with a side of barley. The vin was tres bon! Since it was the epiphany today we had the french version of a king cake.

After lunch I showed the children some of my things in my studio. Then we went to town while the twins (Caroline and Gabrielle) stayed home. I was shown the 2 youngest' school and  the parents office. In town we went to a cafe and I got a cafe creme.

Dijon is a very old town. Everywhere you turn there are old beautiful buildings. I will put up pictures soon!

For dinner we had carrot soup and cheese and yogurt.

My work begins tomorrow when I pick Raphaelle up from school at 4:45.

The time change is beginning to wear on me. I am going to sleep now and it is not even 9pm here.