holiday in review

I guess you can say 'lazy kara' has taken over in the last few months as I have been uninspired to take pictures of most places I go or things I do. I mean, I did just celebrate my ONE year of living in Paris and after a year its not so new anymore, things have become "normal"...

Well, I have returned...with pictures!

St. Emilion, a small wine town we visited the weekend we stayed in Bordeaux

The house we stayed in, in Bordeaux

The beach at St. Jean de Lux

Family friend's vacation home in Ascain (the same town we stayed in), we would
go to their house to go swimming in the afternoons

Sophie and I. She is almost 2 and clearly not an American child as she has
not mastered how to smile on command for pictures.

The house we rented for the two weeks. 

the view from almost all parts of the house.

The 2nd beach (and our most favorite beach)

The second week, another family rented the house with the family I was with.
They have two children. I had brought along one DVD (Tangled) which kept the kids quiet and entertained
for a little while in the mornings.

long week followed up with an even longer night

Hello there.

This past week has been completely full. I have been busy and exhausted constantly. Which is good; right?? As you know, so much happened for me this week: obtained paperwork to stay longer and celebrated my 1 year anniversary in¨Paris. I have also been working.... a lot!!! Its been good thought; but its why I have not had time to blog again since a few days ago.

In talking to my parents they have cautioned me and asked me if I am being overworked because everytime they text or want me to call I have told them I was working. And while it would have been nice to have more than 1 day off after we returned from our holiday in the south west where I worked for 16 days straight, I have to admit, I am completely happy where I am right now. It may be hard work; what combination of 2 and almost 5 yrs old isnt hard work; but thats what I have been asking for for the past year isnt it??? To actually be working...

I really do love my job. Yes; its really exhausting and yes; i am happy when they both take a 3 hour nap in the afternoon so I can rest as well, but this is as close to my dream job (au pair dream job) as i could have gotten. I get along great witht the family, id actually consider the mom to be a friend. The girls are fun and relatively easy. The parents let m take the girls out in Paris where ever we want to go, I have my own apartment separate from the family in a really nice area of Paris. Im not sure I could ask fo more.

On a different note, last night was a total disaster in Kara planning mode. I went out for drinks with some friends, it ended up being a late night, i got home at 2 am and there on my door step I realized I did not have the keys to my apartment. I had left them by acciden inside when I had left earlier in the evening. How awful. And its not like I can just pick the lock; it doesnt work that way here. So there I am in my apartmen building at 2am with nowhere to go. I had keys to a friends apartment across the street, but Id still have to wake her up.... or I could call the family I work for and wake them up to borrow the spare. I decided Id rather sleep in my own bed so I call the family upstairs (highly embarassing) and after 10 minutes of looking around in the dark for a key to my apartment we realize the spare key is downstairs with the concierge. The concierge that is not 24 hours. Dramatic story short, embarassing turns more embarassing when the mom so generously says I must stay with them, picks up the 5 yr old out of her bed and takes her to go sleep with the parents so I can have her bed. By now its nearing 3am. I dont know why I feel the need to share my super embarassing story of forgetting my key in my apartment the one time I choose to stay out past midnight. Im telling you, I am rarely out past mdinight; mainly because the metros are so sketchy so late at night that I would rather not experience that on a regular basis. but anyways; the point i that I hope to NEVER ever leave my key in my apartment again. take my word for it, its not fun. And yay for me, i had to work again at ten am so needless to say i am exhausted. well, lesson learned.

i am typing on a french computer so my patience with this keyboard is about up so i am out for now to go rest. enjoy the weekend!!!!!
love, forgetful me

2 week vacation continued...

So I left off being in Bordeaux at some family friends house in the countryside with vineyards everywhere. I thought I was one lucky gal from just these two short days being here and boy did I not have a clue what was in store. The only full day we were in Bordeaux we decided to take a little trip to a neighboring town called St Emilion which is a wine town and its absolutely breathtaking. I wish I could post pictures along with my descriptions but I don't know which piece of luggage or box I put my cords in so I can't upload any photos right now. Bummer. But i will, I promise, after I move again (in 2 weeks) and have a chance to unpack and find everything again. Anyways, we didn't say for long in this town, did a walk through, took in all the sights and headed back home for dinner, but dang, the views were incredible. In.cred.ible. This town is also known for its macaroons which is a very famous French dessert. Its kind of like a cookie ice cream sandwhich in looks(for those who don't know) but bite size and not ice cream between the cookies but a cream. they are flavored everything under the sun from vanilla to rose to citron. anyways, here in st emilion they are known for their macarons but their macaroons are not the typical ones I thought they would be but were just the cookie part, minus the cream. The packaging of them was different as well as they were stuck to paper. Its hard to describe and I didn't take a picture so I'll stop describing now. Anyways, they were good but not as good as another dessert that we enjoyed a little too much while we were in pays basque. (pays basque means Basque country and that means the part of France we were in) There was this other dessert that looks like a jello cup kind of but was brown crispy on the outside and jello(kind of) on the inside. It had a weird taste to it at first as its made with Rum (yes, the alcohol) but I soon decided it was ok to the taste buds and ate a few too many. :-(

So after 2 nights in Bordeaux we headed down to our main destination, Ascain. First of all let me tell you about France and August and traffic while traveling. One of the reasons for wanting to leave on a Thursday (which we did) instead of Saturday to get to Ascain was because Saturdays in August on the highways of France are awful. You have never seen traffic until you have experienced this. From Paris to Bordeaux was about 5 hours and then from Bordeaux to Ascain was 1.5 hours. Well, we managed the Paris to Bordeaux in relatively good timing considering there were two kids under the age of 5 in the backseat. But the trip from Bordeaux to Ascain took us about 5 hours because of French traffic. Ridiculous! So basically everyone in France takes holiday in August and most vacation rentals are from Saturday to Saturday which means Saturdays are the most traveled day of the week in France during August. On the high way it was literally bumper to bumper stopped traffic. I have never experienced anything like it. holy moly. But we finally made it to Ascain and boy was I thankful.


I will write about the two weeks we were in Ascain next time. Since this summer I do not have internet, as I have stated about a million times already, I have resorted to going across the street to a park to bum internet. The only awkward thing about this is that I am sitting on the side of Avenue Foch, one of the streets that jets out of the Arc de Triumph and its a rather busy one and across the street from some really wealthy apartments so people tend to look at me weird but I've gotten used to it I guess. Its actually quite nice to sit outside on teh computer and get some fresh air.

Tomorrow is my one year anniversary of living in Paris. I can't believe how quickly this year has passed. I remember getting off the plane and meeting my new host family after having had littel sleep and was super jet lagged and thinking to myself, what in the world did I get myself into? And here I am, a year later and light years different with so many experiences under my belt and I couldn't be happier. I will post tomorrow about all I have learned and grown through this past year.

Oh, and I still need to tell you the story of how I finally received my paperwork to stay for another year. Well, its not guaranteed for another year, but I"ll explain that later. Lets just say, as if I haven't before, that I don't live a dull life. And I am grateful for that, I guess.

Oh, and today I am very proud of myself as I booked tickets to Barcelona! I am super excited to be traveling some more. I say that as if I don't travel all the time, but this time is my choice again. I have a friend coming to visit me from Texas in October and we have planned one of the weekends she is here to visit Barcelona. And I am proud of myself because I was able to find good priced tickets at the times we wanted to fly which isn't always so easy.

And to continue the traveling bit, I leave next weekend (in 1.5 weeks) to go to Le Touquet for the weekend. It's the introduction into my new family. Speaking of, I haven't even met the kids of the family I am going to be working for yet. But anyways, the new family has a home in Le Touquet (i think thats how you spell it) which is a town about 2 hours by train north west of Paris on the water (its a beach town) and they asked me to come and spend the weekend to introduce me to the kids and so I could get better acquainted with everyone. I am super excited for all the changes going on in the next few weeks! So excited!

And lastly, Steph and Alex are going to be staying here in Paris with me for a few starting Saturday evening! I have been dreaming of the day when they would come visit me since before I moved here and finally it is here! I can't wait to show them around and see them fall in love with the city I love so much. (well, I hope thats what happens). And seeing my best friend after 1 year will be nice as well. I have missed her so much. Oh, and for those of y'all who read my blog, if you like to follow people's adventurous lifes then you might be interested in keeping up with their blog: http://alexandstephany.wordpress.com . They have set out on a year long adventure to find out where God is leading them to live and serve, starting with traveling around Europe and ending up in Africa.

Anyways, I hope you all are doing well and staying cool enough in the Texas summer heat. I am here, sitting in shorts at least but wearing a jacket is a normal piece of clothing to every outfit, regardless of month apparently. Definitely missing having an actual summer but I can't deny the fact that I don't miss such awful heat waves right now.

Have a great rest of the week and don't forget to check back for more updates to catch up on the last few weeks I have been MIA.

Love, moi

rebonjour

Hello again! Remember me??

I can't believe what time of year it is! And that I have been blogging for over a year now. And more importantly, been in Paris for almost a year now. This week holds so many significant milestones that its incredible to sit down and think about all that I have gone through, all that has happened to me, all the ways I have had to change or adjust, the things I have learned, in the past year.

This past Saturday, one year ago, I was walking across the stage at the University of North Texas receiving my diploma!

Tomorrow, Tuesday, I have my appointment to (hopefully) receive my new visa so I can continue to live and work here for another year.

And Wednesday signifies one year ago that I boarded the Continental flight to Paris to move here.

And Thursday is my official ONE YEAR anniversary of living in Paris.

So much happened this time last year, so many changes, and here I am one year later and able to sit back and look back on all that happened and not have a single regret. I can honestly say that when I was younger, I never would have imagined myself here, doing what I am doing now, at the age I am now. I never would have thought that at 24 years old I'd be living in Paris as a nanny. But here I am! Voila! C'est moi et c'est ma vie! incroyable!

So beyond all that is going to happen, let me catch you up on all that HAS happened in the past few weeks since I haven't been around.

First off, I wanted to say a BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my Brother-in-law WILEY!!!! Sorry I missed your party again (not sure I've ever been around for your birthday since you became part of the family, we'll have to change that sometime soon) but I hope you had a great day and I thought about you!!! I miss you and my sister so much!!!

And happy birthday today to SARAH!!!!! I hope you have a great day and i wish I was there with you to celebrate!!! I miss you so much and can't wait to be back with you at Christmas to meet Holden!

So, where have I been since I last blogged? BUSY!

I came back from Romania, lived in my apartment for 1 week and then lived in another couple's apartment for a week, house and dog sitting. Sorry, I forgot to take  a picture of their super cute small puppy dog so you won't see what he looks like, but trust me, he was cutttttee!!!

Two weeks after I returned from Romania, the family I am working for and I left on a two week vacation to the south-west of France. It was a really incredible time! But I do have to admit that I am so very happy to be back in my bed, in my favorite city, surrounded by a lot of my friends.

We first traveled to Bordeaux where a friend of the family they we were to vacation with the first week, his family has a weekend home there. We stayed two nights in this really incredible home that was build many many years ago and has been in their family equally as long. It was a really old home, but equally as beautiful. The property was magnificent. And it was in the middle of "wine country" so there were vineyards everywhere you looked. It was also so very peaceful to be out in the middle of nowhere with nothing but nature and good views in every direction. Also, let me tell you, the drive to Bordeaux is a beautiful one as well. If you head south of Paris, just outside of the Paris are all these farms for sunflowers, corn, and vineyards for wine and there are rolling hills in every direction. Its a sight to be seen! Also, one thing I really enjoy about the long drive south is that in France, as opposed to America, there are not McDonalds, Starbucks, and gas stations at every small town. There are actually almost no places to stop on the side of the high way and where there are it is one gas station and one restaurant. Thats it. The other option for stopping are "rest breaks" on the side of the road. We have those in the States as well but I don't recall stopping at those very often for a potty break or a rest. But here in France because those are the only options, everyone stops at rest breaks and has picnics. It made road tripping this time a very different experience from any road trip I've ever been on in the US.

Well, sorry to stop at the beginning but I was gone for two weeks and there is so much that happened in the two weeks so I'll leave it to be picked up back on in another post.

I am so happy to be back in Paris where I have internet and phone capabilities so I can keep in touch better (maybe) with everyone. I miss you all as I always say but it really is true! And hopefully after tomorrow's meeting and getting a few more things squared away I can finally look into booking my plane ticket to Texas for Christmas. woo hoo!!!

Hope y'all are enjoying the last few days before school starts. miss you. love you. mean it.

love, moi

i realized

I am really behind in blogging my pictures. but I will do that later today maybe.

So I will update on the latest and most important.
I FINALLY GOT AN APPOINTMENT TO FILE FOR MY VISA!!!! yipeeeeee!!!!

So after a few weeks of stressing and going to offices and crying because people were mean and just having no clue what the next few weeks would look like for me, I finally have an appointment to get my visa THE DAY BEFORE my current visa expires. I don't recall how much information I posted already about my visa situation, but lets just say, more times than not I wonder why I put myself through all this mess. I know I am here for a reason and I know God has put me in France for a reason and He is with me every step of the way and that life is not supposed to be easy, but dang....

Anyways, Friday afternoon I went to my new employers office and asked her to try and help me and somehow, after calling several different numbers, getting no help or no answer, we finally got a hold of a friendly french woman who was willing to help and she was able to get me an appointment to file for my visa the day before it expires. wow. Talk about timing! I was told that I just needed a few more pieces of paper (at this point I feel like the French government has so much information all me they could clone who I am and recreate me if they wanted, no lie. The only thing they haven't asked for is a blood sample and I am not holding my breath on when they might want that) and to show up at this office at this time and I'd be granted my visa for next year. Hallelujah!

Friday was a crazy day of trying to get everything sorted out because I knew the clock was ticking and it was ticking rather fast in my opinion. I am very blessed that the lady I am going to be working for, her office is just down the street from where I am living this summer so the few times I have needed to meet up with her have been very hassle free and convenient.

Friday night I had some friends over to the house I am house sitting/dog sitting for dinner. My friend Diana and I were in charge of the menu and we went to town and created the most intense meal I have ever cooked. I am so thankful Diana was there because I am not Martha Stewart in the kitchen. In fact I feel a tad bit retarded in the kitchen as I haven't really used one in the past year and some time. This past year I lived with a family who the mom cooked every single meal every single day so I haven't had to do anything besides heat up left overs or do simple things for myself for a random lunch here or there so the kitchen is a bit scary to me now. Anyways, Diana loves the kitchen so I took on the role or sous chef! The menu consisted of 2 quiches: 1 was ham, cheese and courgette (zucchini) and the other was all veggies: zucchini, onion, eggplant, mushrooms and cheese. We also had green salad with kiwi, mango, cucumber, and tomato, potato salad, a fruit plate, and bread and cheese. Oh, and you cant forget the champagne and wine. It was such a good dinner! And I was so proud that I created the menu (most of it) and cooked all of it, well, helped cook all of it. Normally at our family dinners I just bring food and let someone else do the cooking so it was interesting to do the cooking myself. And for dessert we had chocolate fondant gateau (translated: chocolate fondu cake). I burnt it, not sure how, but it was still good!

Anyways, thats all for now! I am off to clean the kitchen (yes, it is Monday and I still have not cleaned up from Friday, I got sick this weekend and that is a good enough excuse for me!) and watch pride and prejudice. And if you're lucky I'll include a picture sometime soon of the dog I have been watching. His name is Rennie and he is the cutest little pup you ever did see. :-)

Miss you all! Love, me

another day

So its another day...
and another day full of no answers! ahhh!!!

BUT at least its a new day and with this new days comes the SUN! Praise the Lord! Really! There is light outside for the first time in a few days, that means it's "take the dog to the park" day since I am dog/house sitting this week. It also means that Kara has a new lease on life and a I painted my nails red last night and red nails always puts a little "sass" in my step so I'm ready to conquer this dang french administration one way or another.

Hope you all are enjoying your day! Happy early weekend!

Love, moi

oh france

oh france, you leave me doing the most random things these days!

Such as, tonight, because I was bored and needed something to get me out of my little apartment, decided to walk to the Arc de Triomph (a 10 minute walk), get a ticket to the top (which is free) and climb the stairs. Since I am only living this close to such a monumental monument for a short period of time and its free for me to go whenever I want, I feel I should take advantage of the opportunity whenever I can. Even a rainy, gloomy night. Blah! But I did it, without an umbrella, thank you! I walked the stairs to the top of the Arc and enjoyed the views of Paris. Even found my street, the quiet one, haha!

Another thing I am doing that I wouldn't normally do? Sit in a park across the street from my apartment typing on the computer because its the only place I can find free internet without having to find a friend who will let me come over at 11pm. My friend Grace lives across the street but she is probably not up nor do I have the energy to walk up 7 flights up stairs this late at night after I just walked up the Arc. So alas, I am sitting under a tree for shelter from the rain drops (its only misting right now) trying to find a few minutes of entertainment in the world wide web.

And yes, not having internet is horrible! It was ok for a few days and then I realized how much our worlds depend on the internet. It's quite sad actually! But I am learning to embrace my new world of no internet (except for my phone) and being out of the loop on world events (as if i ever kept up with world events), people in the world, and whatever else I did on the internet. It is rather inconvenient but I'm learning to embrace inconveniences.

Oh, and today I had a crappy experience with a french government worker. I will spare the details because there really aren't any but lets just say that my experiences in France do not come easy and fun sometimes. Life keeps throwing curve balls, one right after another, and I'm struggling to keep up! Some days, like today, I felt like I was being shoved under a heavy current of water and I'm struggling to stay afloat! Funny thing is that its been raining nonstop for the past 2 days. I have no doubt that whatever is supposed to happen will happen and I am ready to embrace another year here in Paris or somewhere else, I'm just ready to know where it will be. I'm ready to be able to sleep at night not thinking about what to say to a french government official the next day, or how much a ticket to the US will cost last minute and in August, or anything in between. I am trying to embrace today and not think about tomorrow but tomorrows happenings depend on todays so its a bit hard not to think about all the tomorrows coming up.

On a different note, I think I am going to start swimming again. There is an indoor pool (because there are no outdoor pools in the city of Paris, only in the suburbs) in the center of Paris that costs 3 euros to go to, or less if you buy 10 times at once, and every time I pass I see people working out swimming and I stand there and watch until I get so jealous I just can't stand it. French pools are intimidating but I think its time I took on a challenge I will actually enjoy and have an outcome I will actually like (and know ahead of time) so I might just go forth and conquer tomorrow...or the next tomorrow.

Well, lets just say, I miss y'all more than I can express right now! And a virtual hug or 30 sent my way are highly encouraged!!! Love you all to the moon and back and am very thankful for friendships and relationships and family and friends that continue to support me and love me despite my lack of keeping in touch or internet these days! Thanks!

Love, me