Loretta's Vendetta: Monthaversary

Today was a good day. Pretty much every day is here. So glad I am adjusting (don’t think I am fully adjusted yet). Got up early as usual, took each kid to school, then off to Paris. Even one day without visiting the city, et j’étais prêt (I was ready)! Separation anxiety for sure (I hope a few study abroad peeps read this).

I drove and parked to the train station fine and had 15 minutes to spare. When the train finally arrived, it stopped way earlier than I thought, so I had to run to make sure I got in on time. I looked like a fool, but oh well. I was NOT missing another train. I was like last to get on, so there were no seats, so I had to sit on the stairs (was not gonna stand for 30 mins), but life could be worse! I read till I arrived and headed to Jérôme’s (I spell it the right way now… making an effort) place because he had a day off today.

We hung out for a few hours not doing a whole lot, but I am always busy doing things, so it is nice. We watched Disney Channel (in English) for a bit. Being there is the only time I ever watch TV, but like I said, it is nice. They were playing Suite Life on Deck, which is my fav Disney show that is discontinued in America, so I was uber excited—yes I am a Disney nerd! I want to go to Paris Disney soon! My school offers cheap tickets anyway…

We then headed to La Défense to meet up with Nico. It was a slight fiasco finding each other at the metro stop, but we did eventually and headed to a sushi place. I have not eaten sushi since being in France, so I was très excited. We also saw where Nico worked, which was cool because now in my head, I don’t think of same vague, big, official building near La Défense. Anywho, the meal was yummy! You got to order five different things whether it be sushi, nagiri, egg rolls, dumplings, etc. all for 14 euros. Basically what one would pay buying sushi anywhere. It was also all you can eat, but one serving was enough.

Like always, time flew by, and I had to take the metro to my train station to make the trek back home. Jérôme accompanied me, which was sweet, and he stayed with me until my train was about to leave. During the metro ride, we were talking about my lack of speaking French, so I started talking in French until we said bye. I need to do this more often. Speaking isn’t necessarily difficult; I just need someone who is patient with me to deal with the amount of time it takes to formulate sentences (and to deal with my blank stares when I am spoken too).

I got home with no problems and went home for like five minutes before picking up the girl. Once home, I started preparing dinner for the night with the dad’s instructions. I first fried a beef steak, then added tomatoes and herbs to start making the pizza sauce for pizza tonight. Then I started cutting a hunk of bacon into bits, meanwhile the dough was setting to be kneaded. I went and got the boy and continued cooking. I kneaded the dough forever (it is hard work), and rolled it out into pizza. Also, when the sauce had cooked down, I got to use a machine to “blender” it into a sauce, which was fun. I also used this cool apparatus to shred cheese! Then the dad complied all of this together into a pizza and added goat cheese on top.

Dinner was good… the pizza was amazing. The mom loved it and had seconds (she never does this), so I felt pretty good about myself. Everyone complimented me. The dad instructed me a lot, but I did everything, so I am proud! I then ate some tarte tartin for dessert, and it was just as good as last night. Meanwhile, I had a French conversation with the mom about what I did today and my weekend plans. I mess up a lot, but I have learned a lot with her correcting me. Then we reverted to English, and she gave me info on how to do English lessons. I think I may start tomorrow, so I am nervous. But tomorrow I have all day to myself while the kids are at school, and I am not going to Paris (bc I will tomorrow night), so I will have time to prepare.

I am happy it is the weekend tomorrow as always. It goes by too fast (as always), but this week went by fast for me, so I think basically this whole year is going to fly by before I know it. Scary to think… ah not gonna think about my future now (this is why I ran away to France).

Another tidbit, the girl asked me to go on a walk while she roller bladed today. I held her hand the whole time. It was a bonding experience for sure! The boy came along too on his scooter. I still have troubles talking to the boy, but I made headway today and told him I met Andy Roddick (he likes tennis), and then he told me he likes snowboarding, which led me to ask if he liked the Olympics. (Both because summer has tennis and winter has snowboarding).

Yesterday was my monthaversary of being in France. Crazy! I have come a long way from American tourist getting herself in a lot of trouble to an au pair in training. I am becoming more French every single day (at least in my head I am). I mean I eat good food, speak French a little bit, getting the hang of the driving situation, I am the master of trains/metro (ok I missed it one time), and I put an effort into my clothes and accessories each day (that I am in Paris), but the American can never be taken out of me! It is weird, I have so much American pride now that I am in France when before, I had no pride about my country really. You take it for granted till it’s gone I suppose. But America will always be waiting for my return (whenever that may be).

Ok so this is not a surprise if we are facebook friends, but to those that aren't here are a few pictures!