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....

So what are the French REALLY like?

This is a hard question to answer fairly. First, yes, they mostly all take showers, BUT, everyone must walk everywhere, and it gets warm...kinda explains the stereotype, but they are actually quite clean. Not hung up on deos, perfumes, or scents, but clean. They are some of the most polite people Ive ever encountered. For example, you have to cross traffic constantly. Cars will be going at break neck speed, and even if they have the green, they will stop and motion you through! There have been a couple of stories here with our group where merchants have come out and given an umbrella to a student during a downpour. Unbelievable sweetness. Everyone is greeted with a Bonjour when they enter a store, no matter who you are. I've seen many men give up their seats to women and older citizens, no not me!, they just have a gentle nature. On the outside, they sometimes seem so aloof or put out, but I think it is just the facade that many wear here. Overall, I can say the French are a warm culture. Families are always together on bikes, walking, or picnicing. Love that. I watch the parents walking their little ones to school in the morning. It's just like here. Mama, I'm hungry, as they pass the pastry shop. seriously, who among us hasn't had the krispy kreme whine performed by one of our own! I'm really falling in love with this lifestyle. HOWEVER, I miss ice, big fat bathrooms where the toilet is is the same room, the sun, carpet, people who pick up their dog poop, freezers, ovens, sweet tea, did i mention ice?, and of course all my family and friends. Just four more weeks to go! canyoning rescheduled to next week...ought to be good! Stay tuned! Much love from France!

Le croix de Nivolet

Okay, Mom, just don't look and don't read this! We hiked for the longest time up the mountain that overlooks Chambéry. Behind me, the le lac du Bourget, the largest natural lake in France. (Also, home to the coldest water Ive ever swum in.) Literally, sheer drop offs along the trail that you can choose to stand on (or not) and some even climbed! Leslie, you would have loved it! Was a long day, ended with a peaceful trainride home through the countryside...so pretty.

Today, CANYONING. I have no idea what all this entails, but Mom you probably don`t want to read tomorrow`s post either! Two words to perk your interest....Wetsuits & Rappelling!!!! Can`t wait for class to be over today! Everyone take care and know I love and miss you.

Having a blue day somehow in this wonderful place. Missing you, my friends and family. Skipped going to Grenoble and went to the local Monoprix(nice dollar store) and sprawled out at the park and thought. Nearby is a conservatory where the windows are left open during the day. A classical pianist was playing Chopin beautifully. Has a way of changing your perspective. Looking around the park, families eating, playing together, kids laughing, the same as home but a little different. Funny how that works. Lovers are tucked away kernoodling and families are scooting along to their next event. Just amazing to watch it all. Classes getting increasingly harder which is très scary for me (if you know me at all, i`m already stressing about the end of course test!) The other students are awesome people; caring, loving, intelligent, fun. Can`t say enough nice things. Salsa dancing and Mohitos last night! OMG, was THAT fun! Climbing to the top of a mountain Saturday to see this huge cross that is visible throughout our village. Beautiful reminder of the grace we have. Well, thinking I`m making some good ol` fried chicken for dinner tonight. No oven, no freezer, no ice (in France at all!), and no chlorox for some reason. You know I hve to have my Chlorox....I`ll figure something out. Love to all....

Ice Water, Snow cap, and Bacon?

Yep, I was sitting in a lake freezing from the melting ice in the Alps, looking at the beautiful snow-capped mountains. What a site. Families were playing on the grass, kids were playing rugby and volleyball on the beach, it was an incredible experience. Unlike our beach visits, it just seemed so tranquil. Came home with French Country bacon, sliced in rounds, cooked it up and put it in my omelette made with "fresh" eggs and cheese. OMGoodness, such goodness!

Heading out to Salsa dance tonight to celebrate a girls' 21st birthday tonight. should be interesting...Somehow I think I will still need to keep my "Mom" hat on! Running here is also so incredibly peaceful, not so much through the city, but in the parks here. Horses, fields, chateaus, it's crazy different. Everyone here exercises in full gear...the elderly wear full cycling gear complete with spandex, sunglasses, and caps. There are no gyms to speak of, but everyone is in motion.

Missing my fried chicken and sweet tea, but it's so worth it. Enjoy the pic of my "near miss" in the fountain. I ran to take a quick pic at the fountain and my hiney missed the edge. Caught myself just in time! More later as I get this tech stuff closer and closer to figured out! Bonne nuit!

Goats and Cheese Today!

Today we go to Annency and a cheese factory...that would be code speak for "We're going to see goats today! Yeah!" Annency is supposed to be extremely pretty and historical. Let you know why later. Yesterday was filled with touring the "city" of Chambery. Had to go to the equivalent of a Costco called Carrfour. Really interesting. Imagine getting all of your provisions ready to check out, and they don't do bags...seriously. You have to bring your own bags. So that bus ride home was an interesting one considering the croissants and pain au chocolat were buy 1 get 1...you know me.. always saving (just not the calories so much!) Have no oven or freezer, so please post possible things to make on a 2 burner stove top. I'm thinking omelettes and crepe. So much for chocolate chip cookies..bummer. Oh, I guess I could make the dough. ..Oh well. Lots still to go, and I'm already wondering how much longer six weeks is. Got to admit, it's harder than I thought it would be. School starts tomorrow, hopefully can buy a wifi access that will help me feel better about everything at home. Eric is working hard I know, but a momma has to hear it for herself! I miss my buddies, my cats, my family, so everybody take care and hang on through these blasted tech problems I'm having with my camera and computer. Stuff's coming, I promise! Love to all!

Paula Dean Has Nothing On This.....

This stuff is called Tartiflette and it is OMG good! Imagine the best bacon cut up with mild cheeses and mixed together with tender potatos and onions. No kidding, it was incredible. This is a typical dish for locals. Very cheap and very filling. No amount of running is going to get this off! I don't think I even care! Here, have a bite! By the way, traffic is pretty tough here. Motorcycles randomly jump through restaurants, as you see in the background, just to bypass traffic.

The Adventure Begins....

Bonjour!

Well, it's official. The cats, the boys, my husband, my parents, and my friends have all been notified! I am officially French as of this moment. Waiting in Charlotte for my bird to come, headed to NY, then off to Geneva. There, I get to pray my language skills are honed, and try to get transporation to Chambéry. . . without paying double! Can`t wait, bring it on! Tough saying bye to my Eric and my boys. Hoping that time and confusion will distract my emotions. Hope to have all kinds of intersting stories for you by tomorrow. Otherwise, I`ll see what I can stir up over there! Have a great day and à demain!

Renovation complete!

This is the record for turning around a room! I pulled all the tile flooring up, replaced shower doors, re placed cabinets, replaced counter top, replaced fixtures, retiled the backsplash, repainted, replaced the exhaust fan, and Eric and I did it in under 2 weeks! Let's hope it sells the house for us. Raleigh, we're coming! Look out!