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

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!