A small recount of times past

I am now officially a resident of the European Union. Rose and I had our OFFII appointments on Wednesday, December 14th. It was, as most things in France are, a bureaucratic circus. Our appointment was at 9:30am. We checked in, and sat for a half hour. Then we got called up and handed the woman at the front desk our passports, 55 euro STAMP, and the other necessary documents for our long stay visa. After that, we shifted to a different room and waited another 45 minutes. After that we were herded into a room, told to undress on the top and get an X-Ray of our lungs to prove that we were tuberculosis free. I had a nice conversation concerning my tattoos with the woman, thank goodness I'm comfortable with nudity. After that, we were asked to move to the waiting room again and waited another 40 minutes. Finally, the meeting ended with a quick discussion of my health history with a French doctor. At the end, I walked out a European Union resident! YAY!

I received my first visitor on Friday, December 16th. SELMA! :)

Selma told me that she was going to come and visit about a month into my stay  here and, to be honest, I didn't fully believe that she would follow through. I hear it all the time, "Yeah!! I want to come and visit!!" You know, I understand that the tickets are expensive and that it is a hassle to get off of work, etc... but I was reluctant to get too excited. Anyway, about a month ago, she messaged me and indicated that she was going to buy her ticket RIGHT THEN AND THERE! I was soooo excited.... so, flash forward.... 

I picked her up at Gare du Nord on Friday and it was a whirlwind next few days. We visited all of the essentials and had lots of fun. We went out on Saturday, so she got a taste of the Parisian nightlife. She fit right in with all of us. On Wednesday, she left to visit her family in Germany. She is coming back on Saturday to celebrate the new year with us. 

It is so nice to have a visitor. It makes me realize how much of the city I really know. I enjoy playing tour guide and seeing the visitor light up with each new discovery. So, the more the merrier PEOPLE! 

Christmas in Paris was also quite festive. I'm usually not that festive back home, but I think that that is something I will implement now back home. Jeff, Rose's really great friend, came to visit for the week/weekend. Jeff and Rose surprised the apartment with a mini Christmas tree and Eiffel Tower ornaments. We decorated the ornaments with glitter and then cut out snowflakes. Rhea made mini snowmen and we all decorated the tree together while listening to Christmas carols. 

My wonderful mother shipped my Christmas gifts along with Selma. Of course, I couldn't resist opening them until the actual day of Christmas. She's the most thoughtful woman that I know. She sent me an Eiffel Tower pendant, an adorable personalized apron, a bookmark, personalized plates, a new iPod and stockings for all of my roommates and me! :)

On Friday, Jeff, Rose and I went to the Chateau de Versailles... what an elegant palace. It was interesting and informative and just all around a great cultural experience. 

Our Christmas festivities were awesome. Saturday we made hors d'oeuvres and drank champagne. We had planned on going to the Eiffel Tower for some ice skating, but unfortunately all of the rinks were closed. So, we just walked around and watched the beautiful tower sparkle. After, we headed towards Notre Dame. Rhea and I had a mulled wine and watched people as they passed. We decided that we wanted to go to Notre Dame for midnight mass, but I didn't last. lol. It was still powerful and inspiring and beautiful to be in the cathedral on Christmas Eve. I Skyped my family when I got home and it was great to see their faces. 

Christmas day was spent drinking wine and champagne, laying in bed with my roommates watching movies and then cooking dinner. After dinner, we sang Christmas carols and then went to bed. 

This week has consisted of a small fruit and vegetable cleanse. As most of you know, I have a hard time resisting delicious food so this cleanse has been a really great attempt, but not an overall success. I have been working out though. So that's exciting! :) 

We don't have solid NYE plans yet, but we are for sure going to be heading to the Eiffel Tower for the countdown at midnight. We do plan on dressing up and going out on the town... I'm sure it'll be a fabulous way to ring in 2012! 

Happy NEW YEAR! 

Insomniac

Me, recently. It sucks. I honestly have no stress in my life, none that would require me to ruminate for hours before finally being able to fall asleep. I don’t know where it comes from. I have a comfortable bed… enough pillows, enough blankets and warmth. I drink bedtime tea, relax by watching a movie and do deep breathing exercises. Lights out by 11pm at the latest but I don’t finally fall asleep until several hours later. Tossing, turning, sighing, blah blah blah…  My story isn’t any different from many other people that deal with insomnia, but it doesn’t lessen its shitty affects on life. I dealt with it 4 times this week already…. I finally went to the pharmacy yesterday to get some type of sleep aid. They equipped me with something herbal that, honestly, didn’t help at all last night. I called my dad this morning (my time 7:00am, his time midnight). He was working. I requested that he send me Unisom or some other OTC sleep aid. I can’t go on living like a zombie for much longer. 

Because of this onset insomnia, coffee has become not only a pleasure, but an absolute must.

And for this, I have learned how to get creative. Starbucks is always a wonderful option, but unfortunately becoming a regular here in Paris does not seem very plausible. For numerous reasons. One… do you KNOW how many calories are actually IN a White Chocolate Mocha? Too many.  I have been logging my food/beverage intake on Livestrong.com and whoaaaaa, reality check when I entered in EVEN a SKINNY White Chocolate Mocha… that thing is absolutely jam-packed  full of sugar. I look at my calorie consumption the same way I look at my bank account. One must be strategic when deciding where and how to spend calories AND money. Unfortunately, you, delicious frothy sweet treat, are too expensive in both departments so our relationship must die a tragic death. Instead of White Chocolate Mochas, now, I have been sprinkling cinnamon into my coffee grounds before brewing them, and it hasn’t been completely terrible. It’s no Starbucks but it has been keeping me awake and keeping me regular... (hahahah)

the universe is hilarious

Another week has passed… and my finances are starting to rectify themselves thanks to mom and dad… they’re floating me a loan for 500 USD that I need to use sparingly until everything gets sorted out. I am also looking for a second job. I think I can handle it… I’m used to working almost full time and taking 15 credits back home… I feel like my lack of intense structure here is causing me to become lazier (is that a word? I don’t even know anymore!)

I do feel more exhausted, though, which leads me to my next little discussion… LE METRO. I LOATHE the metro. I think of it every time I am commuting… I have my anxiety mostly under control, except for when I take the metro, and it’s not even every time. It’s mostly during rush hour that drives me nuts. People are rude. People smell. People touch you. You have no personal space. They shove you. They step on your new boots. They sneeze without covering their mouths. They carry on conversations loudly without any discretion. Overall, in the words of Peter Griffin, the metro really grinds my gears. I am thinking that it takes years to sway with, to rock with, and to wave with the metro... and I just don’t have that type of time.  

Moving on… this weekend was nice; it was relaxing and tiring at the same time. Last week Tuesday I sustained a knee injury-maybe injury isn’t the right word-but I was definitely hobbling around like a gimp for 5 days, so the days of this weekend were spent watching motionempire.com movies and icing/heating my knee. Rose’s friend Brandon came to visit, so we showed him a good time this weekend. 

Sunday night I had a little meltdown. I was really missing home. The trigger was pulled Saturday morning as I was brushing my teeth. I suddenly remembered that I typically lunched and shopped with my mom on Saturdays, and that it had been months since our last excursion. At that point, it was a fleeting thought, but on Sunday it resurfaced with a vengeance. So, I cried alligator tears and had trouble sleeping that night. I’m better now. 

So, I’m sure some of you are wondering about my love life. I am single...evidently. Contrary to popular belief, French men are not prince charmings. I haven’t been wooed at all. I haven’t even been impressed. Ok, I lied. I did have a crush on one particular French guy named Antonin, but he turned out to be anything but a knight in shining armor. Ask me specifically for details, I won’t give the nitty gritty on here.  Overall, I’ve found that French men are not all that different from American men….although it is kind of bizarre to even make that assessment considering I became single only a month before my French departure. I guess I don’t have much to say about dating, because I haven’t done any.  Anyway, I’m really happy to be single and not at all interested in finding a boyfriend or love. I am soo happy to be selfish and worrying about my own happiness. I think this is the perfect time for me to be alone. 

I am a firm believer in love regardless of my current single status. I can’t wait to fall in love and be in love and love love. I love everything about love. I am all about self love at this moment. (On Myspace, I’d currently categorize myself as a little MORE to love, thanks to the sweets and wine here, F you France! (hahaha)) but, in all seriousness, I have been watching many romantic comedies and fully expect my next relationship to encompass each and every detail from one of those types of films! So, if you’re on the market for a girl like me you had better be in tip top prince charming condition…. 

Things that I am currently in love with include: Stereomood (an awesome website, check it out), Club Med Gym, cookies, tea, coffee, cinnamon, my roommates, my extended roommates, and my family…. Oh, and buttery popcorn.

Frozen Account

I haven’t been able to locate my credit card for about 3 weeks now. I know the last time I used it was at Monoprix… I purchased hair dye and a few other miscellaneous items.  I found the transaction receipt on the floor in my room but my credit card is still MIA. This is unfortunate because I really loved the island sunset design on the front of the card, and also because I haven’t been able to shop. It turns out that neither has anyone else (been able to shop, using my credit card) because I have been keeping tabs on it thanks to online banking. Glad it at least wasn’t stolen, dealing with identity theft from across the Atlantic would be a pain in the ass. Last week, I caved and decided to give up the search, cancel my current card and get a new one issued. Capital One was really helpful on the phone (5 stars for customer service!); easily cancelled my current card and issued me a new one. Because I’m in France, though, they have to send the card to my address in the states, and from there the card has to be forwarded to my French address by my parents. So, my Capital One account is currently frozen. This is good news for my US Bank savings account (it was feeling overworked)… This situation made me realize that I have to start budgeting and getting my finances in check. Paris is such an expensive city, and truth be told, I haven’t really watched my spending at all as of yet. Three months is a long enough honeymoon, it’s time to rein myself in and start living like the starving college student that I am rather than the posh aristocrat that I have been acting like.

My finances will ease up a bit as soon as I finish applying for the CAF, get paid for November and get reimbursed for my Metro transportation costs. La vie à Paris est très CHEREEEE! 

Moving on to something more exciting. Thanksgiving. 

This weekend was so much fun and full of friendship and camaraderie. Friday I got in a great work out in the morning then came home and headed to Starbucks for a caffeine fix. There, we (Rhea, Bella and myself) met up with Manny and Juan (we met Juan in Nice earlier this year). After Starbucks we headed to Thanksgiving, which is an American food items store in Paris. This establishment is extremely expensive, but tell me where else I’m going to find canned pumpkin and pop tarts. (Answer, nowhere) We then headed home, I talked to Peter on the phone for a while (so nice to hear your voice PEDRO).. then went to Montmartre for some more shopping. I ended up spending 100 euros on beauty products… they’re also ghastly expensive but necessary. Friday night, Rhea and I hung out in the kitchen creating our delicious desserts for our Thanksgiving feasts. My specialty was a pumpkin cheesecake, and she whipped up a yummy pistachio torte. Both items were hits at our feast the next day. 

Saturday was the day of our big Thanksgiving banquet. Woke up, went to the gym, came home to start cooking. I made pumpkin soup first. I had made pumpkin soup before so felt confident leaving the recipe behind. I’m pretty sure that the savory flavors enticed the entire crowd later in the day.

I ended up being the chef extraordinaire the rest of the day. I made garlic mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, macaroni and cheese and warmed the rotisserie chickens (when there isn’t a turkey to be found, ya gotta get creative.) The electricity went out halfway through preparation, but the champagne was flowing so the guests didn’t mind. 

Our menu consisted of: 

Rotisserie Chicken

Pumpkin soup

Macaroni & Cheese

Cranberry fluff

Garlic mashed potatoes

Green bean casserole

Brie puff pastry

Pumpkin cheesecake

Pistachio torte

Apple crumble

And

LOTS

And LOTS

Of champagne

27 bottles to be exact. 

Yeah, most of our guests were hurting the next day, but I think they left with full bellies of food and fun.

It was exciting to share this traditionally American holiday with an array of different cultures. We had guests from America, Scotland, Ireland, and Spain. (I don’t think I’m forgetting any, but I might be.)

Yesterday, I whipped up another pumpkin cheesecake and then headed to Lauren’s host family’s Thanksgiving dinner. Real turkey was carved up and the feast was scrumptious! I hadn’t realized how much I had been missing pecan pie. (so good)

Last night I went out for dinner (I didn’t eat, no room in my tummy) with Rose, Rhea and Rose’s mom and aunt. The restaurant was typical French cuisine and rather inexpensive. I had a nice Bordeaux. I think I’ll go back when I have an appetite because the food looked really good. 

Finally, after dinner last night, I went out with some newly made friends (and some old ones) to Corcoran’s. It was a pretty low key night which is rare to say… Corcoran’s usually gets me in trouble. Last night we had another full house of sleeping beauties… 5 people in our living room... hope they got a good night’s rest. It’s safe to say that our apartment truly is an auberge. I love hosting.

So, here I am... today is Monday.  The beginning of another week. It sound cliché to say, but time here really does fly. I can’t believe another weekend is gone. I am still thankful to be here and can’t wait to see what this week has in store. For now, I am waiting to teach another class. If I don’t gain anything else from this experience, I can say that I have become a more patient person because waiting is the most common theme I have come across.

.40 centimes for a cup of Joe

It is the last Thursday of November. A regular day of work here in France; back home, this day is exponentially more valuable... Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving, aside from the undeniably ugly historic context, is my favorite holiday. Traditionally, my mom and I begin scouring Woman's World magazine weeks in advance for just the right recipes. The day of, we spend hours in the kitchen concocting delicious new dishes. In the evening, we feast. It's a pretty typical tradition, but this year I appreciate it more than ever. Being far from home on holidays is not easy, but I feel calm and content celebrating Thanksgiving in my own way this year. I have lots on the agenda for this weekend! Rose's mom and aunt arrived in Paris this morning, and tonight they are taking the roommates out for dinner. Tomorrow, I am going to do some grocery shopping and have a coffee date planned with Rhea. This Saturday, we are celebrating our own version of Thanksgiving at l'Auberge Americaine (this is what we have dubbed our apartment). On the menu are your usual items such as sweet potatoes, potatoes au gratin, green bean casserole, pumpkin soup, etc... but instead of turkey (they're extremely expensive in Paris), we are substituting rotisserie chicken. I think it should make for an excellent swap!

In honor of it being Thanksgiving 4,145 miles from here, I will cite a few things that I am currently thankful for.  At this very moment, I am thankful for:

WIFI (so that I can write while I wait to teach my next class)
.40 centime espresso machines (so that I can keep my eyes open and not burn a hole in my pocket purchasing Starbucks on a daily basis)
students that participate (also so that I can keep my eyes open)
wonderful friends and roommates to support me and love me while I'm so far away from my loved ones back home
wonderful friends and loved ones back home who continue to support me from thousands of miles away (virtual support is still very much appreciated!!)
a store in Paris entitled "Thanksgiving" (where else am I supposed to find canned pumpkin for my pumpkin soup recipe?)
the opportunity to live, study and work in Paris in general (I can write a separate entry on this topic entirely)

So, thanks, to serendipity, to fate, to destiny, to luck, to who or whatever causes the universe to flow the way that it does... I appreciate the way in which you work!

To all of my loved ones back in AMERICA, stuff your freakin' faces today and be thankful for what you've got!

P.S. : My lesson plans for today are AWESOME.  "I Will Survive" and "Can't Stuff This" -- 2 songs that chronicle the lives of some defiant turkeys are gracing the ears of my French students.... they're loving it.

Hanson, who would have thought?

So, a few weeks ago Rose and I rediscovered Hanson. You know the classics from their first album Middle of Nowhere, MMMMBop, Man From Milwaukee, Yearbook, etc. We felt like little school girls youtube-ing their videos and drooling over Taylor (you have to remember, the adorable middle child with the long blonde hair!) Rose purchased the trio's new album on iTunes, and for the past two weeks we've been playing their songs non-stop. Fate would have it that last week, when I was at work working (after hacking into Facebook), I saw an ad on the side panel of Facebook that indicated a Hanson concert at the Bataclan in Paris. I squealed with delight when I saw it and messaged Rose, impolitely changing the direction in which our conversation had been heading... it went a little something like this:

• Andrea Marie Hall:
• LOL OMG
• sorry to change the subject
• but
• um
• HANSON
• IS
• COMING
• TO
• PARIS
• ON
• NOVEMBER
• 22
• lol
  
  
  Rose Friederichs:
• shut up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
• how much?
  
  
  Andrea Marie Hall:
• damn it
• access interdit pour moi ici
• omg
  
  
  Rose Friederichs:
  ill look
•  
• Andrea Marie Hall:
• theyre at the bataclan
• on november 22nd
  
  
  Rose Friederichs:
• and meiko!
• i know one song by her
  
  
  Andrea Marie Hall:
  whos that??
•  
• Rose Friederichs:
• they are 34,50
• should we go?
  
  
  Andrea Marie Hall:
• ha i think we should
• what night is that
• what time?
  
  
  Rose Friederichs:
• i do too!!!!!!!!!
• tuesday
• at 8
  
  
  Andrea Marie Hall:
• haha i see no reason why we should not go
• lmao
  
  
  Rose Friederichs:
  ok we'll buy them tonight!
•  
• Andrea Marie Hall:
• what this means is that we have to start putting their album on repeat so we can sing to ALL the songs lol
• AWESOME
  
  
  Rose Friederichs:
  yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
•  
• Andrea Marie Hall:
• im fucking excited
• theyre totally going to close with yearbook
• lmao
  
  
  Rose Friederichs:
  haha who knows!!!!!!!!
•  
• Andrea Marie Hall:
• on verra  lol
• but im super excited, what a freaking blast from the past
• this is called destiny
• hahahah
  
  
  ________________________________________________________
  
  
  So, this all transpired in a matter of 2 weeks... rediscovering Hanson, seeing an ad for them on Facebook, buying tickets to their show and going to their concert last night!
  
  

  THEY ARE AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!! You absolutely have to check out their new material. IN addition to being really amazing musicians, they have all grown up to be extremely attractive men... I can no longer say that I only have a crush on Taylor! hehehehe...
  
  
  
  
•