I have some sad news...after that whole build up about my bank account not working, lazy me did not go to my bank on monday morning (out of pure laziness, its not that close...) and so I just decided I really didn't NEED money either. Well, I decided to try it it out on Tuesday and see if things had magically changed and VOILA! they had. Look at that kind of magic. Patience paid off for once!! I went to an ATM to get out some money and I had no troubles. And just like that my story that seemed so interesting was not at all. The French banking system semi-redeemed themselves in fixing their own mistakes without me having to go fight them (and I'd win, hello, I'm American). So sorry guys that my story had a less than interesting ending. But it ended well for me.... drama less and with money in my hand. yipee.
Right now I am a friends apartment baking banana bread. I hope it turns out as I kind of combined 2 recipes and didn't use any measuring cups yet "guestimated" everything. Thats the story of my life, but now that I have measuring cups I should actually use them to get better results when I bake, huh. It should be done in about 15 minutes and its already starting to make the apartment smell divine.
I have come the realization that this country has caused me to become a vegetarian. This a funny thing for someone such as myself who comes from Texas, the country much less the state where meat is a staple in our diet. In Texas it is not uncommon to eat meat at every meal: breakfast, lunch and dinner. We even find ways to put meat in our afternoon snacks and we also created (or Taco Bell created) 4th meal where meat is usually involved there as well. There are vegetarians in Texas and no, it is not uncommon to find someone who does not eat meat there, but we are bred from birth to eat meat. Lots of it. And to enjoy it. And then I moved to France. I would say that vegetarianism is not a French thing. Actually, its quite the contrary. But, their way of eating is completely different....and their costs of eating are completely different as well. First of all, meat is usually only eaten at one time each day. In my experience, it is usually at lunch time therefore they eat less heavy dinners. But let me emphasize, I have yet to meet a French family that eats meat more than once a day. Also, the price of meat here is astronomical. Ok, thats a lie. But for people like me who live on a very minimal budget, meat is just not something I'm willing to splurge on anymore. And oddly enough, I am ok with that. Now when I search google for recipes or Pintrest for ideas, I find myself searching for vegetarian options of my favorite meals. So what did I cook yesterday for lunch? None other than vegetarian spaghetti. And I can honestly say I didn't miss the meat. I actually have hamburger meat in my fridge and I was planning to make regular meat filled spaghetti but then I had a change of tastes and decided to incorporate all the veggies that were being neglected in the bottom portion of my fridge and I think I liked it better.
So, there you have it. I am a slight vegetarian. Not because of preferences of lifestyles or trying to be healthier. Quite the contrary. It's because I've learned a different style of living thats has rubbed off on me and learning to cut costs where I can so I don't have to in other areas. If you had asked me if I'd ever cut meat of my diet, a few years ago, I would've laughed in your face at the thought of taking it out of one of my meals. But now I have to find ways to incorporate it if I have a sudden urge to buy it. My, how life changes without your approval! :-)
Oh, and if anyone cares to know....my banana bread which was a formed from 2 recipes without any measuring cups, just came out of the oven and is fantastic. 1 point for me!
Well, I'm off to enjoy this lovely Friday afternoon (and work). Hope you all have a great weekend!
Ciao!
Friday, March 30
Monday, March 26
the bank: french style
This is retelling of my most recent experience with the french banks:
Here in France there are many things that are completely different from that in the US. I have come to realize that. And I even accept it. It doesn't mean I understand it or agree with it, but I do accept it.
The banking system is one of them.
In France, when you open a bank account, they tell you how much you can go into the "negative" according to how much money you make. This is quite common I've found here. And seeing as how I make very small amounts and as I had been unemployed for several months, I, unfortunately had gone into the "negative". Then I decided to go on the US and for 2 weeks, not allowing me the opportunity to put money into my bank account to get me back to zero. So when I got back to Paris I put some money into my account bringing me back way above zero and into a more comfortable area. I had checked my phone messages as well when I got back and I had received a call from my bank asking me to put money in. I didn't think anything of it all. I did everything I needed to and thought it was all fine and good.
NOT.at.all.
So, here I am, having just put ALL my money into my bank account, with none left in my wallet, and my bank card doesn't work. denied. denied. denied.
What?!
So lazy me waits thinking that the bank will adjust itself on their own (like an American bank most likely would) and maybe it just takes them time once the money has been posted to the account. That's just wishful thinking, something I should refrain from here in this country.
Friday rolled around and STILL it was not working. Come on, guys! I just gave you all my money and now you won't give it back to me?! So, I called. Now, that was a big feat itself because its hard trying to explain yourself in a different language over the phone AND try to understand when people have the tendency to speak really fast! I called, they answered (yay, 1 point for the French) and this nice man was very helpful. He took my information, opened up my account on his screen and explained to me he had no idea why my card was not working and that he would have someone call me back soon. (2 points for the French on the basis of being nice AND helpful given that my French was clearly not being spoken from a French person). A few hours later I received a phone call from a lady working at the bank telling me that my card should work now and I shouldn't have any problems. (3 points for the French on the basis of actually returning a phone call! and being nice) I took her at her word and assumed it was all figured out. I left that phone call feeling super cool and proud of myself.
My faith in the banking system and the people figuring it all out was a bit premature when Saturday morning I was up and at 'em early and had a bunch of stuff on my to-do list and I was a-spending some money. Before I hit the metro for my long day of being busy I decided to test the ATM just to make sure it was working. Whelp, as you can assume, seeing as how there'd be no interesting story to tell if it did all work out, my card STILL didn't work. Welcome to weekends in France, if something doesn't work on a weekend, you'd better be patient until Monday because trying to find someone who is working much less willing to do their work on a week end for less than your entire retirement savings is near impossible. This may seem a bit harsh and no, it doesn't speak for all French people, but for a large majority, it does. Thankfully, the branch that was connected to the ATM I was using was open on Saturdays so I walk in to start explaining my situation and hoping they can solve this rather annoying problem (I mean, a week already!!! I would like my money) that I was told was fixed. Ha. I guess I was still on a high from bring proud of myself for taking charge and attempting to get things done and feeling as if I'd succeeded that I gave these people the benefit of the doubt. In their defense, they were SUPER helpful and nice. BUT, the reality is... there were 4 bankers in front of one computer screen looking at my account dumbfounded. Now please explain to me how much faith you would have in your banking system if they could not, for the life of them, figure out why your account was blocked and how to undo it?! Yea, I'm with ya, very little faith... After about 30 minutes of these guys searching and trying and thinking and pressing buttons and trying again they told me that there is, in fact, no reason why my bank card should be blocked and they, unfortunately, don't know how to make it work. sweet! and my money, guys?!
Side note: here in France, as opposed to the US, when you open an account, you are opening an account with that specific branch. Not that specific bank. So if you have any problems you must always call your original branch and your original banker. For some odd (stupid) reason, the banks, even though they are the same name, are not linked together. So the branch that I happened to be in on Saturday morning did not have FULL access to my bank account.
So the guys tell me that, again, unfortunately I must wait until Monday when my branch opens (because the branch where I opened my account is not open on weekends, to my advantage!) and go talk to them about it. He did, however, give me an option of writing them a check in exchange for money since my bank card would not release any via the ATM. They were very helpful, very kind, very patient, but ...how do I put this lightly... a little stupid?!
I have learned patience in this country. Well, its an ongoing lesson, but one I am becoming accustomed to experiencing so I leave, frustrated, but still in a good mood.
Unfortunately for you people, I am leaving you all on the edge of your seats as this story has no ending... it's now Monday morning and I decided I would not rush to the bank bright and early this morning but get there when it was convenient to me, seeing as how I'm probably going to have to fight someone today, so there is no solution yet found for this oh so interesting story.
Maybe I am just more American than I realized, or maybe I've just lived in a country that tends to run a little more smoothly than the one I am choosing to live in, but answer me this: how much trust do you have in your banking system, when there are FOUR bankers sitting at a computer, dumbfounded about why your bank card is blocked and have no clue how to unblock it, thus your money being stuck in their hands.
I have very little.
So thats my developing story of just one more "interesting" experience to add to my already stacked high pile since moving here.
I wondering if there is ever a dull moment in this city. But I have yet to find one.
Happy Monday, all!!!
Here in France there are many things that are completely different from that in the US. I have come to realize that. And I even accept it. It doesn't mean I understand it or agree with it, but I do accept it.
The banking system is one of them.
In France, when you open a bank account, they tell you how much you can go into the "negative" according to how much money you make. This is quite common I've found here. And seeing as how I make very small amounts and as I had been unemployed for several months, I, unfortunately had gone into the "negative". Then I decided to go on the US and for 2 weeks, not allowing me the opportunity to put money into my bank account to get me back to zero. So when I got back to Paris I put some money into my account bringing me back way above zero and into a more comfortable area. I had checked my phone messages as well when I got back and I had received a call from my bank asking me to put money in. I didn't think anything of it all. I did everything I needed to and thought it was all fine and good.
NOT.at.all.
So, here I am, having just put ALL my money into my bank account, with none left in my wallet, and my bank card doesn't work. denied. denied. denied.
What?!
So lazy me waits thinking that the bank will adjust itself on their own (like an American bank most likely would) and maybe it just takes them time once the money has been posted to the account. That's just wishful thinking, something I should refrain from here in this country.
Friday rolled around and STILL it was not working. Come on, guys! I just gave you all my money and now you won't give it back to me?! So, I called. Now, that was a big feat itself because its hard trying to explain yourself in a different language over the phone AND try to understand when people have the tendency to speak really fast! I called, they answered (yay, 1 point for the French) and this nice man was very helpful. He took my information, opened up my account on his screen and explained to me he had no idea why my card was not working and that he would have someone call me back soon. (2 points for the French on the basis of being nice AND helpful given that my French was clearly not being spoken from a French person). A few hours later I received a phone call from a lady working at the bank telling me that my card should work now and I shouldn't have any problems. (3 points for the French on the basis of actually returning a phone call! and being nice) I took her at her word and assumed it was all figured out. I left that phone call feeling super cool and proud of myself.
My faith in the banking system and the people figuring it all out was a bit premature when Saturday morning I was up and at 'em early and had a bunch of stuff on my to-do list and I was a-spending some money. Before I hit the metro for my long day of being busy I decided to test the ATM just to make sure it was working. Whelp, as you can assume, seeing as how there'd be no interesting story to tell if it did all work out, my card STILL didn't work. Welcome to weekends in France, if something doesn't work on a weekend, you'd better be patient until Monday because trying to find someone who is working much less willing to do their work on a week end for less than your entire retirement savings is near impossible. This may seem a bit harsh and no, it doesn't speak for all French people, but for a large majority, it does. Thankfully, the branch that was connected to the ATM I was using was open on Saturdays so I walk in to start explaining my situation and hoping they can solve this rather annoying problem (I mean, a week already!!! I would like my money) that I was told was fixed. Ha. I guess I was still on a high from bring proud of myself for taking charge and attempting to get things done and feeling as if I'd succeeded that I gave these people the benefit of the doubt. In their defense, they were SUPER helpful and nice. BUT, the reality is... there were 4 bankers in front of one computer screen looking at my account dumbfounded. Now please explain to me how much faith you would have in your banking system if they could not, for the life of them, figure out why your account was blocked and how to undo it?! Yea, I'm with ya, very little faith... After about 30 minutes of these guys searching and trying and thinking and pressing buttons and trying again they told me that there is, in fact, no reason why my bank card should be blocked and they, unfortunately, don't know how to make it work. sweet! and my money, guys?!
Side note: here in France, as opposed to the US, when you open an account, you are opening an account with that specific branch. Not that specific bank. So if you have any problems you must always call your original branch and your original banker. For some odd (stupid) reason, the banks, even though they are the same name, are not linked together. So the branch that I happened to be in on Saturday morning did not have FULL access to my bank account.
So the guys tell me that, again, unfortunately I must wait until Monday when my branch opens (because the branch where I opened my account is not open on weekends, to my advantage!) and go talk to them about it. He did, however, give me an option of writing them a check in exchange for money since my bank card would not release any via the ATM. They were very helpful, very kind, very patient, but ...how do I put this lightly... a little stupid?!
I have learned patience in this country. Well, its an ongoing lesson, but one I am becoming accustomed to experiencing so I leave, frustrated, but still in a good mood.
Unfortunately for you people, I am leaving you all on the edge of your seats as this story has no ending... it's now Monday morning and I decided I would not rush to the bank bright and early this morning but get there when it was convenient to me, seeing as how I'm probably going to have to fight someone today, so there is no solution yet found for this oh so interesting story.
Maybe I am just more American than I realized, or maybe I've just lived in a country that tends to run a little more smoothly than the one I am choosing to live in, but answer me this: how much trust do you have in your banking system, when there are FOUR bankers sitting at a computer, dumbfounded about why your bank card is blocked and have no clue how to unblock it, thus your money being stuck in their hands.
I have very little.
So thats my developing story of just one more "interesting" experience to add to my already stacked high pile since moving here.
I wondering if there is ever a dull moment in this city. But I have yet to find one.
Happy Monday, all!!!
Saturday, March 24
ramblings
you know that moment when you just get home and you are so tired and so hungry and really need to use the bathroom, but you aren't quite sure what to do first?
haha.
TMI i know but today has been one of those days.
one of those days when a shower is the cure to make a long day end on a good note. clean.
so what is one to do when they don't know what to do first?
well, when you're as cool as me and you live in an apartment the size of most americans closets, you do it all at the same time.
And whoever invented Girl Scout cookies was a genius. I was a fan when I lived in the US. Every year (that I remembered) I would buy a few boxes. Now that they are unattainable unless some kind soul finds pity on me and buys them (at the ridiculous price that they are sold for) and then is so kind as to send them to me then I don't get any making me obsessed! The minute I see on facebook that people are wanting/buying/selling Girl Scout cookies, I put my orders in. Mom, aunts, cousins, friends... and then I wait, and hope, and pray that someone somewhere remembers me.
This year I just happened to be in Texas during the time that they were being sold, go me! So I somehow ended up with (no lie) 10 boxes. I ended up giving a few to my sister before I left for the mere reason that (I am the best sister alive!!) they didn't fit in my suitcase. But I did make it back with way too many boxes and now I spend my evenings eating as many cookies as I can stomach.
Will I ever finish them all??
(right now I'm working on the caramel delights. my fav.or.ite!)
So i'm sitting in my super cool new (to me) apartment, looking around, and it reminds me that sometimes things never change. Let me explain. I'd had this blog for a while before I moved to Paris and while I'm sure it was nothing special and no one read it, I find it interesting to go back and reread what I wrote about a certain time in my life and see how far I've come from then. Kind of like an online diary. I've never been one to keep a diary. Actually, the fact that I've kept up this blog for the year and a half solid that I have since moving to Paris, updating my life and the such, is kind of amazing to me. But back to the original idea, I remember writing back during my college days about how I felt like a nomad. I was constantly moving and traveling. Every since I moved out of my parents house I have felt that way. But in the last few years I haven't really thought about it like that. Well, more like year and a half. In fact, I remember thinking after my final semester/summer of college, I can't wait to move to Paris and live in one place for a whole year. And it was a glorious year of stability in that area of my life. But here I am, back to my old self, feeling like the good ol nomad I know I was born to be and that leads to me my original thought, again... livin' out of suitcases. I really should unpack. There is no reason why I am not. I am lazy, I am busy, I can make a million and one reasons why I haven't unpacked that are ridiculous because the truth is, I have LITERALLY been living out of A (ONE) suitcase since I quit my last job last December. Now people, lets count how many months that is... THREE MONTHS I lived out of ONE suitcase. (so why am I STILL doing it???) I was traveling to the US and back and to London and between friends apartments and back to the US and between states in the US and back to friends apartments and now I am finally in an apartment I can call my own, after three (rather long) months. And I still am living out a suitcase, or 2 now.
So, there it is, the nomad name (and lifestyle) continue.
And one last thing. Never again, if I have a say in it, will I choose to participate in TWO daylight savings. Jet lag is already a pain in itself, and to add to that, 2 time changes in 2 weeks?? please people, can we get on the same page here skip an hour the same weekend? some of us (jet setters) are not in the mood to constantly be loosing hours of lives. So, with that being said, i must go to bed seeing as how it is not really 11:52 pm but rather 12:52 AM and tomorrow is a long, full day.
PS. tomorrow is my birthday party. (giddy giggle)
adios amigos!
haha.
TMI i know but today has been one of those days.
one of those days when a shower is the cure to make a long day end on a good note. clean.
so what is one to do when they don't know what to do first?
well, when you're as cool as me and you live in an apartment the size of most americans closets, you do it all at the same time.
And whoever invented Girl Scout cookies was a genius. I was a fan when I lived in the US. Every year (that I remembered) I would buy a few boxes. Now that they are unattainable unless some kind soul finds pity on me and buys them (at the ridiculous price that they are sold for) and then is so kind as to send them to me then I don't get any making me obsessed! The minute I see on facebook that people are wanting/buying/selling Girl Scout cookies, I put my orders in. Mom, aunts, cousins, friends... and then I wait, and hope, and pray that someone somewhere remembers me.
This year I just happened to be in Texas during the time that they were being sold, go me! So I somehow ended up with (no lie) 10 boxes. I ended up giving a few to my sister before I left for the mere reason that (I am the best sister alive!!) they didn't fit in my suitcase. But I did make it back with way too many boxes and now I spend my evenings eating as many cookies as I can stomach.
Will I ever finish them all??
(right now I'm working on the caramel delights. my fav.or.ite!)
So i'm sitting in my super cool new (to me) apartment, looking around, and it reminds me that sometimes things never change. Let me explain. I'd had this blog for a while before I moved to Paris and while I'm sure it was nothing special and no one read it, I find it interesting to go back and reread what I wrote about a certain time in my life and see how far I've come from then. Kind of like an online diary. I've never been one to keep a diary. Actually, the fact that I've kept up this blog for the year and a half solid that I have since moving to Paris, updating my life and the such, is kind of amazing to me. But back to the original idea, I remember writing back during my college days about how I felt like a nomad. I was constantly moving and traveling. Every since I moved out of my parents house I have felt that way. But in the last few years I haven't really thought about it like that. Well, more like year and a half. In fact, I remember thinking after my final semester/summer of college, I can't wait to move to Paris and live in one place for a whole year. And it was a glorious year of stability in that area of my life. But here I am, back to my old self, feeling like the good ol nomad I know I was born to be and that leads to me my original thought, again... livin' out of suitcases. I really should unpack. There is no reason why I am not. I am lazy, I am busy, I can make a million and one reasons why I haven't unpacked that are ridiculous because the truth is, I have LITERALLY been living out of A (ONE) suitcase since I quit my last job last December. Now people, lets count how many months that is... THREE MONTHS I lived out of ONE suitcase. (so why am I STILL doing it???) I was traveling to the US and back and to London and between friends apartments and back to the US and between states in the US and back to friends apartments and now I am finally in an apartment I can call my own, after three (rather long) months. And I still am living out a suitcase, or 2 now.
So, there it is, the nomad name (and lifestyle) continue.
And one last thing. Never again, if I have a say in it, will I choose to participate in TWO daylight savings. Jet lag is already a pain in itself, and to add to that, 2 time changes in 2 weeks?? please people, can we get on the same page here skip an hour the same weekend? some of us (jet setters) are not in the mood to constantly be loosing hours of lives. So, with that being said, i must go to bed seeing as how it is not really 11:52 pm but rather 12:52 AM and tomorrow is a long, full day.
PS. tomorrow is my birthday party. (giddy giggle)
adios amigos!
Thursday, March 22
why, hello!!!
So funny story. When I booked my plane ticket I chose a date and just did it. I didn't debate what dates were best or talk it over with someone to confirm the best dates for all involved. I just called the operator, randomly chose dates, and booked it. So for the two weeks I was in the States I didn't really know when I was leaving to come back to Paris. On a side note: it does get a bit complicated when you remember that the date also changes depending on who is asking me since my flight is overnight and encompasses 2 days. So the day comes that I think I am to fly back to Paris. I had packed my bags the night before and said all my good byes and even stayed up late the night before so I'd be tired for my flight. My mom woke me up way too early the morning of to tell me I had booked my ticket for the NEXT day. not that day. Oh boy, here we go again. I panicked and laughed all at the same time. If you know me or have read this blog for any amount of time you'll know that I'm infamous for screwing up my flying schedules. From booking the wrong dates/year I want to fly, to missing flights, to not knowing what day I had booked... flying and I have a constant hate/love relationship. So there you have it. I had one more day in Texas. It ended up being such an awesome day! I got to spend more time with my sister and mom, go to the rodeo one more time with friends, and see another old friend I hadn't seen in a long time who'd just flown in to visit her family. So it really was a good thing. But seriously, Kara!!!!
So, when I finally got back to Paris (yay!), this is what greeted me!!! SPRING!!!! Le printemps! It was such a blessing to come back to this! After the hell of a time Paris had given me in Jan and February, when I left I was so not in a loving place with this city. But to be greeted with such a beautiful day made up for it all! I forgive this magnificent city for all her harsh days and have moved on to start the season of picnics, days in the parks, sleeping with the windows open, long days full of sunshine, and good memories! This really is the best time of the year to be in this city.
And, I think I have successfully conquered jet lag. No lie!
Thats all. Profite-bien mes amies!
New Mexico
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| this was the mariachi band that played for us at dinner one night. |
While I was back in the States I was able to fly up to New Mexico for a few days to visit some of my family who lives up there. It was a complete change from Texas: mountains, snow, cold, wind, not much sun. I always love going to NM. It's a slower pace of life, its more peaceful, its just completely different, which can be really nice occasionally. Eating is what our schedule revolves around while there. Its heaven. Driving up the backside of the mountain is therapeutic. And spending quality time with my family is always a recipe for a good time. The little baby is my cousins and I wanted to eat him up. It was such a great trip. I am so grateful to my aunt and uncle who so graciously flew me out there! I always love coming to visit you! Thank you!
all great changes...
I found this online somewhere and I've been claiming it, what, with everything thats been going on in my life that doesn't make sense or have any rhyme or reason. Many times in life we find we are in places of chaos that just cannot be explained. Why? we ask ourselves. But I am believing that at the end of the chaos is great change.
SO... cheers to hanging on for the ride, not falling off, and coming out of it all with a smile (not an understanding)!
Happy Thursday!
Fried what????
When I was in town for a few weeks I mentioned I went to the rodeo three times. That number is large if you weigh in the fact that I haven't even been in YEARS. But that will never happen again. I remembered what I love so much about the rodeo. It's everything thats wrong and weird about where I come from in one place. I say that with as much love and appreciation as possible. I thoroughly enjoy the rodeo. From the mass crowds of people dressed up in cowboy boots, plaid shirts and cut off jean shorts to the extreme fried foods to the awesome {real} cowboys to the carnival. I love it all. I have no decided that the beginning of the March is my new favorite time to holiday in Texas.
One Saturday the whole fam went to the rodeo. We experienced fried oreos and fried twinkies and the usual: fried chicken fingers and french fries and corn dogs and the like. yum. I really tried to find fried butter or fried coke which I had heard they had (fried coke) but atlas, I had no success.
Try explaining this to a French person, or just anyone non-American. It isn't so easy to comprehend. But it definitely explains a lot. So there you have it, my experiences at the rodeo in the food category. Bon appetite!
Love, moi!
One Saturday the whole fam went to the rodeo. We experienced fried oreos and fried twinkies and the usual: fried chicken fingers and french fries and corn dogs and the like. yum. I really tried to find fried butter or fried coke which I had heard they had (fried coke) but atlas, I had no success.
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| i awkwardly asked for a photo of these girls and their fried snickers bar. they said it was really good. i took their word for it. |
 |
| fried oreos |
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| this sign says "fried cookie dough on a stick" |
Love, moi!
my {spontaneous} trip to Texas
As most of you are aware of by now if it weren't for facebook, other blog posts I may have written or the fact that we spent time together while I was back, I went back to the States for 2 and a half weeks. It was a much needed trip that I didn't realize I needed. The winters here in Paris can be quite brutal and while we were lucky this year and had a very mild winter, when the brutal part hit, I was in no shape to withstand it. As my mother said, "you know she loves that city if she is willing to suffer through the winters" as I come from sunny, 80 degree (30 C) F temps even in the winter. It's true! But this year when the brutal temps came around, I was not in a place to take it on, so I escaped for a bit. I went from freezing cold to sunny and warm. yes!
I succumbed to my american cravings and bought {and ate} twinkies, baked up a storm in my moms new {awesome} kitchen, was reminded of how huge the vehicles are, went to the rodeo {3 times}, went to sonic happy hour, ate enough donut holes for a small village, visited family, went furniture shopping and planked {incorrectly} in the store, caught up with old friends and made new ones and learned there is now "camel riding" at the rodeo...in houston. And my favorite thing I did was go to the IMAX at the Museum of Nature Science to see a film about tornados that has been in the making for 10 years. so.cool.
*and the cupcake pictured is cherry limeade. so. good.
It was nice to get back to my good 'ol roots and do some very American things. Its nice to know that while I have created a home here in Paris, I still have a home when I go back to Texas.
But its so good to be back {in Pairs} now and its SPRING! My favorite season in this city. Its magnificent!
Thanks to all who made my trip spectacular! Love, moi
I succumbed to my american cravings and bought {and ate} twinkies, baked up a storm in my moms new {awesome} kitchen, was reminded of how huge the vehicles are, went to the rodeo {3 times}, went to sonic happy hour, ate enough donut holes for a small village, visited family, went furniture shopping and planked {incorrectly} in the store, caught up with old friends and made new ones and learned there is now "camel riding" at the rodeo...in houston. And my favorite thing I did was go to the IMAX at the Museum of Nature Science to see a film about tornados that has been in the making for 10 years. so.cool.
*and the cupcake pictured is cherry limeade. so. good.
It was nice to get back to my good 'ol roots and do some very American things. Its nice to know that while I have created a home here in Paris, I still have a home when I go back to Texas.
But its so good to be back {in Pairs} now and its SPRING! My favorite season in this city. Its magnificent!
Thanks to all who made my trip spectacular! Love, moi
Friday, March 16
My Family
C'est nous:
Let me introduce you to my family:
Mom, Dad, my sister Meredith and her husband Wiley and their dog Willard. And me.
We are 't normal...if I have a say in it at least! When I was home for a few weeks my parents planned to have some professional photos taken of us awesome people. How American. The top one is clearly the fish face, the middle one is the 'Kara smile' and the final is the most normal with the newest addition to our family: Willard.
And lets all please take a moment to notice my not very noticeable shoes. I like them.
Alright, well, have a great weekend all!
Mom, Dad, my sister Meredith and her husband Wiley and their dog Willard. And me.
We are 't normal...if I have a say in it at least! When I was home for a few weeks my parents planned to have some professional photos taken of us awesome people. How American. The top one is clearly the fish face, the middle one is the 'Kara smile' and the final is the most normal with the newest addition to our family: Willard.
And lets all please take a moment to notice my not very noticeable shoes. I like them.
Alright, well, have a great weekend all!
Sunday, March 4
A lot can happen in a month. And it has. Update?
I have heard that more people have kept up with this blog than I realized and so I need to get back into posting on a regular basis regardless of whether I think I have something interesting to say or not.
Since the beginning of February a lot has gone on.
The last job I posted about possibly taking with the same family I worked for last summer fell through comme d'hab as we like to say in French. At that point I just laughed a little in disbelief but because it just seemed so normal. I am not sure what that means. It's been an interesting journey I've been on since December when I quit my job. Sometimes I think, "was I crazy to leave that job?" ... I had a place to live, I had a job, I had an income, etc. But then I am reminded of the bad times. And they were pretty bad which is why I decided to leave it in the end. I've chosen a journey of fully trusting God and its not been an easy one.
In February it become REALLY cold in Paris. And the sun is consistently nonexistent. And I had no place that was mine, living out of a suitcase for 2 months and counting. It was rough. I had some pretty low days. Days where there is no way to explain how I got through without God's strength. I had to learn to wake up and pray for strength because I had none.
At the end of February, after nearly 2 months of unemployment, living with different friends, and a quickly approaching visa appointment I had to really start facing the reality that Texas could be in my very near future. I spent a week in the suburbs of Paris with a good friend and during that time I started looking up plane tickets back to Texas and job possibilities. I really started to think about a future back in Texas and what it would be like. I have kept my faith very close to me during my time in France. It has been the only stability for me, in a life that has not an ounce of stability between the language and culture difference to everything else. I had been praying that God would direct my steps and guide me because I clearly couldn't do anything on my own. I've tried, and failed, and been unsuccessful. I mean, 4 jobs had been offered to me only to have been taken away without anything I could have done differently. During that week I really prayed that if God wanted me back in Texas that he would give me a desire to be there and also present a ticket price that was ridiculous (as a sign) and a job. My thought was I would come back to Texas for a few months and work part time and end back up in France. It sounded nice to live with my parents where I could sleep stress free at night and not have to worry about all the things that have been consuming my mind for the past few months. Later in the week things conspired so that I found a return plane ticket to Texas for super cheap and I instantly felt a peace about booking it. So on Friday I found the plane ticket, on Saturday I booked the plane ticket and on Sunday I was on a flight to Texas. Et voila!! Here I am. Sitting on my parents couch in their home writing to you. Sounds crazy, right?
Last year I read a book by Francis Chan, a pastor in California, called Crazy Love. I highly recommend reading it if you haven't already and it can be found on Amazon for those who are interested. It's a book about living your life so on fire for God that nothing else matters. Following God and living your life for God in such a way that people don't understand. This book practically changed my life. I wanted that. I wanted to live a life like that. A lot more made sense after reading that book. When all this plane ticket stuff happened, I really had a peace about it. I had prayed about this and I really felt like I needed to be back in Texas for a period of time. So, without knowing why or how or anything else I just booked this ticket. My friends in Paris didn't understand. Some of them said I was crazy for making such an impulsive decision (and if you've met me you'd realize its not that crazy for me). Call me crazy, but when I feel called to do something, I just do it. I don't have to think about it or weight the pros and cons or consult a friend or family member, I just do it.
So here I am, back in Texas. I've been here for exactly one week now. And I will be here for a week and a half longer, whereafter I am going back to Paris where I have a job waiting for me. Crazy. You see, in the amount of time it took me to find a plane ticket, purchase it and get on the plane, I had a job opportunity presented to me and accepted. I say that its not real until I actually start it, with my track record and everything in the past few months, but its a start.
Being in Texas has been such a weight lifted off my shoulders. It's been so nice to be in warmer weather where the sun shines and to have a comfortable bed that is "mine" and to enjoy the company of my family whom I haven't seen much in the past year and a half. I've also been able to catch up with some really good friends and best of all, Relax.
I am not yet out of this valley but I can see more clearly now. For a while I felt like I was blindly living life, not knowing the next turn it would take. Not really knowing what the next moment would hold. I've been super blessed. I look back and see how God has clearly provided for me when I wasn't even able to see it at the time. My friendships have grown stronger and deeper, money has multiplied, and my faith.... well, I have prayed that whatever the reason for this season was, that I pass the test. I guess there isn't really a "test" to pass, but I have prayed that whatever the reason for this season, that I would grow like and mature and come out a better person on the other end. A stronger person. A wiser person. A person more in tune to God in my life than ever before. It's been such a dark battle, that I can admit to, but I can't say I would take it back for anything.
This life we live is the only one we have. Or so I believe. And while there are valleys we all must go through, I have the hope and assurance that I will make it through.
So, there. A very personal and real recap of the last few months. I thank you all for being a part of my life, whether we keep in contact regularly or only through this blog. I can feel your prayers, your love, and your support alike. So, if you're still interested, I'd love to start updating more regularly again... I have pictures!!! :-)
Well, I am off to spend the evening breaking bread with my family here in Texas, where the sun is shining warmth on us today. Another answer to prayer I guess. :-)
Happy Sunday! Love, me!
I have heard that more people have kept up with this blog than I realized and so I need to get back into posting on a regular basis regardless of whether I think I have something interesting to say or not.
Since the beginning of February a lot has gone on.
The last job I posted about possibly taking with the same family I worked for last summer fell through comme d'hab as we like to say in French. At that point I just laughed a little in disbelief but because it just seemed so normal. I am not sure what that means. It's been an interesting journey I've been on since December when I quit my job. Sometimes I think, "was I crazy to leave that job?" ... I had a place to live, I had a job, I had an income, etc. But then I am reminded of the bad times. And they were pretty bad which is why I decided to leave it in the end. I've chosen a journey of fully trusting God and its not been an easy one.
In February it become REALLY cold in Paris. And the sun is consistently nonexistent. And I had no place that was mine, living out of a suitcase for 2 months and counting. It was rough. I had some pretty low days. Days where there is no way to explain how I got through without God's strength. I had to learn to wake up and pray for strength because I had none.
At the end of February, after nearly 2 months of unemployment, living with different friends, and a quickly approaching visa appointment I had to really start facing the reality that Texas could be in my very near future. I spent a week in the suburbs of Paris with a good friend and during that time I started looking up plane tickets back to Texas and job possibilities. I really started to think about a future back in Texas and what it would be like. I have kept my faith very close to me during my time in France. It has been the only stability for me, in a life that has not an ounce of stability between the language and culture difference to everything else. I had been praying that God would direct my steps and guide me because I clearly couldn't do anything on my own. I've tried, and failed, and been unsuccessful. I mean, 4 jobs had been offered to me only to have been taken away without anything I could have done differently. During that week I really prayed that if God wanted me back in Texas that he would give me a desire to be there and also present a ticket price that was ridiculous (as a sign) and a job. My thought was I would come back to Texas for a few months and work part time and end back up in France. It sounded nice to live with my parents where I could sleep stress free at night and not have to worry about all the things that have been consuming my mind for the past few months. Later in the week things conspired so that I found a return plane ticket to Texas for super cheap and I instantly felt a peace about booking it. So on Friday I found the plane ticket, on Saturday I booked the plane ticket and on Sunday I was on a flight to Texas. Et voila!! Here I am. Sitting on my parents couch in their home writing to you. Sounds crazy, right?
Last year I read a book by Francis Chan, a pastor in California, called Crazy Love. I highly recommend reading it if you haven't already and it can be found on Amazon for those who are interested. It's a book about living your life so on fire for God that nothing else matters. Following God and living your life for God in such a way that people don't understand. This book practically changed my life. I wanted that. I wanted to live a life like that. A lot more made sense after reading that book. When all this plane ticket stuff happened, I really had a peace about it. I had prayed about this and I really felt like I needed to be back in Texas for a period of time. So, without knowing why or how or anything else I just booked this ticket. My friends in Paris didn't understand. Some of them said I was crazy for making such an impulsive decision (and if you've met me you'd realize its not that crazy for me). Call me crazy, but when I feel called to do something, I just do it. I don't have to think about it or weight the pros and cons or consult a friend or family member, I just do it.
So here I am, back in Texas. I've been here for exactly one week now. And I will be here for a week and a half longer, whereafter I am going back to Paris where I have a job waiting for me. Crazy. You see, in the amount of time it took me to find a plane ticket, purchase it and get on the plane, I had a job opportunity presented to me and accepted. I say that its not real until I actually start it, with my track record and everything in the past few months, but its a start.
Being in Texas has been such a weight lifted off my shoulders. It's been so nice to be in warmer weather where the sun shines and to have a comfortable bed that is "mine" and to enjoy the company of my family whom I haven't seen much in the past year and a half. I've also been able to catch up with some really good friends and best of all, Relax.
I am not yet out of this valley but I can see more clearly now. For a while I felt like I was blindly living life, not knowing the next turn it would take. Not really knowing what the next moment would hold. I've been super blessed. I look back and see how God has clearly provided for me when I wasn't even able to see it at the time. My friendships have grown stronger and deeper, money has multiplied, and my faith.... well, I have prayed that whatever the reason for this season was, that I pass the test. I guess there isn't really a "test" to pass, but I have prayed that whatever the reason for this season, that I would grow like and mature and come out a better person on the other end. A stronger person. A wiser person. A person more in tune to God in my life than ever before. It's been such a dark battle, that I can admit to, but I can't say I would take it back for anything.
This life we live is the only one we have. Or so I believe. And while there are valleys we all must go through, I have the hope and assurance that I will make it through.
So, there. A very personal and real recap of the last few months. I thank you all for being a part of my life, whether we keep in contact regularly or only through this blog. I can feel your prayers, your love, and your support alike. So, if you're still interested, I'd love to start updating more regularly again... I have pictures!!! :-)
Well, I am off to spend the evening breaking bread with my family here in Texas, where the sun is shining warmth on us today. Another answer to prayer I guess. :-)
Happy Sunday! Love, me!
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