More thoughts about France....

So, you may have seen my recent appreciation of the male French form from facebook today. Love that they require males to wear Speedos. Who knew that the wimpish French form could look so appealing in a Speedo? Well, sign me up. I'm a fan. As to the women and their topless stuff at kids' pools, not a fan. Just a little too disturbing to me. "Hey Mom, can Jack and I go get a soda?" Seriously, really not a fan of the topless thing. Then again, I don't have the goods to do it right either!
French men and boys wear Capris here, not a fan. Long single braids like a rat-tail are popular here, not a fan. Everyone rides a bike here, huge fan. No one in France has a muffler for their scooters or mopeds. Not a fan. No one in France realizes that they can leave first gear on their scooter or moped...not a fan. Had my first chocolate eclair ever in France...HUGE fan. Had French made lasagne with green peas in it (reminds me of how Mom used to sneak them into everything), not a fan. Gang fights, late night street yelling, French sirens, not a fan. Courtesy to pedestrians, loving close families that share 3 to a bike to school (!), big fan. Lots to choose from. France is definitely not for everyone, but it does have its merits. Have to say, Blessed to be American. Love and miss you.

canyoning today!

Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!Jumped off 12 metre cliff into tiny river between two cliff faces today, slid down rocks into free falls, rappelled up, down, and along cliffs, stepped off cliffs into 10 foot drops. Had so much fun. This group of students was soooo supportive of each other, so protective, so encouraging, I feel good about the future! This was absolutely a life changing experience for me enjoy the couple of pics that we could take before hand!

Shopping Day!

Every Saturday, there is an open air or Farmer's Market out near the park. You name it, it's here. Fish heads, freshly prepared foods to go, freshly hand-made ravioli (love these), the largest, freshest veggies I've ever seen, smells, funks, sweets, interesting people, weird people, it's all here. Love Saturdays for this very reason. Have grown partial to the "juice Man" that I buy all my apple and orange juice from. He's the one I teased about buying so much candy for my other 12 children at home! So nice, he always bags my purchases which isn't normal here. There's a lot of nice here. There's the other stuff, too. Saw my first gang fight today in the same park. They use dog collars that hold their pit bulls and the other guys used the sticks that they beat their dogs with! Interesting. All of this was being narrated to me by an older woman sharing a park bench with me. She was highly disgusted. Although I didnt quite get all of her idioms, it was clear that she found them foul and foolish! So cute with all this violence not 20 feet away, and she is not even flappable! They are a tough breed here! That's all I've got for today. having issues with windows mobile not recognizing my stupid phone tips/advice appreciated. loving and missing everybody. not sure, but think I may be turning into a girlie girl! Be prepared! Bisous (kisses)

No Bull! Just 3 more Weekends!

Can't wait! Missing my friends and family! French are some nice, disciplined, earth-conscience people, but I miss ice, ovens, carpet, bathrooms with a tub AND a toilet, cars that I drive, houses, tea, southern hospitality, did I say family and friends? Can't wait to get home and get crackin' on selling the house and moving home to Cary! Been 30 years y'all. Sure you're ready?! LOVE TO ALL!

Another day in Freezy town...

Wow, walking around city late this afternoon. Stumbled upon several outdoor concerts. video'd a bunch of them. So talented around here! American Music is the main genre though. Kinda funny.

Skateboarders were out in full force at the gazillion parks provided for them here. Unbelievable tricks, but frankly, I've seen Corey do the same ones...better! Miss him.

Did the cooking on the stove top again...Mastered a frozen American patty...sooo good. Not up to Eric's greatness, but best I've had in three weeks. OMG! So red meat hungry.

Love the radishes here. Kinda weird, but love them. Working hard in class. Canyoning set for THursday! Can't wait.

Did a little shopping today. Actually bot something feminine! Imagine that. I'm telling you, I may come back all fru fru! Things is happening!

Hope all are well, and know that I love and miss you.

Lisa

French Day of Tradition!

Okay, so tradition here for me means rain, and lots of it! grrr. However, I did manage to go to the open air market today. Found lots of huge grapes, eyeball size, fresh tortellini, peaches, and unbelievable chocolate. At this vendor, i sampled a piece of the dark chocolate (of course). At 2 euros a bar, it was a good deal. Than I saw the chocolate mint bars 2/1 euro. Hello! So after I had bot 2 of the other bars and 4 of the mint bars (telling them they were for my children) I went back again and slyly grinned and told him the other four bars i had in my hand were for my other 12 children at home. He laughed so hard and threw in another bar saying it was a cadeau or a gift!

Next, on to bookstores and lunch. Had a French cheeseburger today..great pommes frites though! (french fries) Then coming out, a French man , kinda round, and puffing a cig out of the3 side of his mouth, was pedaling a 3-wheeler with a cart in tow. He winked at us and said, "Bon Apetit!"

Finally, the experience of seeing a traveling Bachelor's Party was a hoot. Pink Tutus, mice ears and noses and tails, and the groom dressed as a mouse caught in the cheese. Loved this. Poor guy. Gonna be a long night for him!

So that's France for today. Sipping my freshly steamed hot cocoa thinking of all of you. Home soon!

Why do I need to know this?....

Yesterday's workshop was the longest yest and my least favorite. We did inhumane things to fruits and vegetables for purposes of art. I'm sorry, I eat my food. I do not mutilate it. THAT is exactly what I did, too! You other fru fru',s Mom , that would be you, would have loved it and made wonderful flowery things. I turned my slop into an elephant and ate it! Viva la France! Fun though. The other students make it fun. So, here's another Paula Dean moment for you, straight from France. Loving and missing you all....