I didn't even realize what I loved about the holidays and my family before I came here:
How my dad offers to bring us slices of pie.
How my mom gives us news updates on the most random things.
Everyone in their pjs in the parents room to watch tv.
Nick's jokes.
Copper shaking so that his collar jingles and his toenails scratch the floor.
Or going to Chicago and actually having to wear boots and gloves to go outside.
Seeing snow.
Eating delicious meals at Cathy's or out.
Kids running up and down the basement stairs.
Apples to Apples and other games played around the kitchen table after dinner.
Catching up with the aunts.
Home videos being pulled out.
Family gift exchanges as people drop by.
Going downtown to a play or for shopping or for eating somewhere wonderful.
Aunt Chris's delicious food as the Oschman brothers are reunited for an afternoon-long comedy sketch.
Gretchen chatting and laughing.
Old stories told again and again and again, especially if a newcomer is present.
Christmas is almost the worst part because then the anticipation is gone, then people leave again...
Until next year!
Showing posts with label snow. Show all posts
Showing posts with label snow. Show all posts
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Holidays! Starting in St Malo!
Wow, a week to catch up on now! My last classes this term went well--we played a taboo-esque game that the kids enjoyed. It was kind of sad since I won't be working with these classes anymore--I have a whole new schedule for January and February. I just hope I did some good!
Then Friday was a bit of an adventure. I had to go to the immigration office for a medical exam so I could get my official residence permit. I ended up seeing five other assistants there at the same time! The process was very quick, one of the most efficient things I've seen in France or elsewhere: chest xray, immunization record, eye exam, height/weight, brief medical history, listen to lungs, check xray, blood pressure. All of this in three rooms in a hallway in under an hour! Bravo! I got my OFII sticker in my passport and immediately had a copy sent to the office for my housing assistance money. All paperwork taken care of, I'm legal!
So Katherine joined up with my afterwards and we headed to the train station to pick up Herbert, an assistant in Quimper who was coming in for an afternoon immigration appointment. He is from Louisianna, and I had talked to him on facebook before, so he asked me to be his Rennes tour guide for the day. For the morning, we walked all around the center city, ate tartines for lunch, and let him buy a jar of Mississippi Belle peanut butter at my grocery store--apparently, I'm lucky they stock it!
He headed off to his appointment, and I saw PA for a bit. When Herbert was done, it was snowing like crazy, so I took him to Le Haricot Rouge for hot chocolate and a few hours of warm, cozy conversation. They were even playing a Black Eyed Peas album, so we rocked out to that. The crowning moment of the day was the lights show at the mairie; Rennes literally projects lights onto the mayor's building in an awesome Disney-esque animation show! I'll film it sometime soon because it is every night until Janurary 2. Then poor Herbert had a 40 minute train delay! Still, he picked a good day to visit Rennes!
Saturday was a real French adventure! Katherine and I took the train to St. Malo, a walled coastal city. Even though we had slush under our feet and rain coming down on our heads, we trekked into the old city and took tons of pictures of the buildings, walls, beaches, sea! At one point, we realized that music was coming from speakers on every street corner--from Christmas carols to Rhianna! Cute or creepy? The jury is still out on that one...
We had a delicious three course lunch of warm goat cheese salad, lamb and mashed potatos, and chocolate crepes. In the afternoon, the weather turned around and we had blue skies and beautiful light. We returned to the walls and walked around half the city on them, admiring the adorableness of it all. We also did a fair bit of shopping at the Christmas market (where I spent about 50 euros...) and in all the shops and enjoyed some warm, spiced wine.
After a coffee and warmth break at a bar/cafe, we hit the streets again and saw a ton more people out! This led us to believe that the people of St Malo are vampires... ;) So more shopping, seeing the house of the Duchess of Anne, trying the Breton specialty butter cake, and walking the other half of the walls was on the late afternoon agenda. The lighting at the snowy beach was incredible! Just admire these photos below (and all of the ones in my Rennes Winter album) to get an idea.
We had a last cup of tea/chocolate in a classy salon du thé facing the cathedral before we had to trek back to the train station through the ice. It was a gorgeous day in a cute city full of lots of good food! A nice way to start off a holiday break.
Today I'm in the apartment resting, nursing my cold, maybe even cleaning a bit! Everyone is scattering for break, so I'll be entertaining myself for the most part. Skype me!
Then Friday was a bit of an adventure. I had to go to the immigration office for a medical exam so I could get my official residence permit. I ended up seeing five other assistants there at the same time! The process was very quick, one of the most efficient things I've seen in France or elsewhere: chest xray, immunization record, eye exam, height/weight, brief medical history, listen to lungs, check xray, blood pressure. All of this in three rooms in a hallway in under an hour! Bravo! I got my OFII sticker in my passport and immediately had a copy sent to the office for my housing assistance money. All paperwork taken care of, I'm legal!
So Katherine joined up with my afterwards and we headed to the train station to pick up Herbert, an assistant in Quimper who was coming in for an afternoon immigration appointment. He is from Louisianna, and I had talked to him on facebook before, so he asked me to be his Rennes tour guide for the day. For the morning, we walked all around the center city, ate tartines for lunch, and let him buy a jar of Mississippi Belle peanut butter at my grocery store--apparently, I'm lucky they stock it!
He headed off to his appointment, and I saw PA for a bit. When Herbert was done, it was snowing like crazy, so I took him to Le Haricot Rouge for hot chocolate and a few hours of warm, cozy conversation. They were even playing a Black Eyed Peas album, so we rocked out to that. The crowning moment of the day was the lights show at the mairie; Rennes literally projects lights onto the mayor's building in an awesome Disney-esque animation show! I'll film it sometime soon because it is every night until Janurary 2. Then poor Herbert had a 40 minute train delay! Still, he picked a good day to visit Rennes!
Saturday was a real French adventure! Katherine and I took the train to St. Malo, a walled coastal city. Even though we had slush under our feet and rain coming down on our heads, we trekked into the old city and took tons of pictures of the buildings, walls, beaches, sea! At one point, we realized that music was coming from speakers on every street corner--from Christmas carols to Rhianna! Cute or creepy? The jury is still out on that one...
 |
| Marina at the approach to the city gates. |
 |
| Islands and swimming area off of St. Malo. |
We had a delicious three course lunch of warm goat cheese salad, lamb and mashed potatos, and chocolate crepes. In the afternoon, the weather turned around and we had blue skies and beautiful light. We returned to the walls and walked around half the city on them, admiring the adorableness of it all. We also did a fair bit of shopping at the Christmas market (where I spent about 50 euros...) and in all the shops and enjoyed some warm, spiced wine.
 |
| Drinking warm wine! |
 |
| St. Malo Christmas Market. |
After a coffee and warmth break at a bar/cafe, we hit the streets again and saw a ton more people out! This led us to believe that the people of St Malo are vampires... ;) So more shopping, seeing the house of the Duchess of Anne, trying the Breton specialty butter cake, and walking the other half of the walls was on the late afternoon agenda. The lighting at the snowy beach was incredible! Just admire these photos below (and all of the ones in my Rennes Winter album) to get an idea.
We had a last cup of tea/chocolate in a classy salon du thé facing the cathedral before we had to trek back to the train station through the ice. It was a gorgeous day in a cute city full of lots of good food! A nice way to start off a holiday break.
Today I'm in the apartment resting, nursing my cold, maybe even cleaning a bit! Everyone is scattering for break, so I'll be entertaining myself for the most part. Skype me!
 |
| A cute festive touch at the St Malo market^^ |
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Paris in the snow!
Snow all Thursday and Friday--so much that kids decided to cut class! Fools!
Now, I must define what will now be known as "pulling a Pierre-Antoine": one lets one's friend get on the metro and chooses not to get on with said friend when the noise sounds and the doors close, so the friend rides alone without saying a proper goodbye. Used in a sentence: "Pierre-Antoine pulled a Pierre-Antoine on me Friday afternoon." Tsss...
Apart from that on Friday, I didn't do much except enjoy the snow and meet some assistants for drinks--British, Spanish, Guatemalan, and Mexican. I tried a beer with flavored syrup in it, choosing kiwi over banana, peach, passion fruit, violet, and more.Good but too sugary to drink a whole pint of it.
Saturday I took a day trip into Paris to meet Caitlin who was there to visit Versailles with her students on Sunday. My main wish was some Christmas shopping, but there was no time!!! Let me start from the beginning...
I caught the 9am TGV (fast, direct train) from Rennes to Paris, supposedly arriving at 11:10. My train was late because of snow, Caitlin was late meeting me, then the quickest metro to the museum where we were meeting another Paris assistant was shut down so we had to take another and then walk. We arrived at almost one!
In the meantime, we walked though the falling snow from the edge of the Louvre to the museum--really super snowy! We saw a Chrisrmas market on Champs Élysées as we hurried past. The museum, Palais de la découverte, was ok. It is a science musum with exhibits from the human body to magnets, but I've seen better presentations. We did see the planetarium show and a show on training rats in mazes which were interesting. And at the fencing exhibit, you could try different moves in a box with an electronic target! Afterwards, we walked back through les Tuileries (gardens at the Louvre) to the Starbucks across the street from the Louvre. Caitlin and I sat there for an hour to warm up and eat since we had not gotten lunch. Then, it was past 6 and time to head back to the train station. My train left at 7:30 and I was back in my apartment by 10. I'll go back to Paris 18-22 for shopping and enjoying, I think. Maybe Disneyland too.
I was so glad to get away for the day. I was getting to the point when I feel like my life is the whole world... so it's nice to get away and get perspective that my little 'problems' amount to nothing in the grand scheme of things! It makes them seem smaller and more manageable. And despite the annoyances of time lost and a mediocre museum, I was so happy just to do something different and have a little adventure. The Starbucks Caramel Noisette Latte was also super delicious with a blueberry muffin ;)
I was too wound up to sleep after a fun-filled day. First, I took some pictures of the Christmas lights in Rennes, which have officially been turned on! I found some people at bar Angélus, a classy wine place at the Mairie, and had a kir and conversation. Then, on the way home, I grabbed a kebab to nourish my tired body. It was a satisfying day.
Today's plan is to finish my music lesson for the week, write Christmas cards, and watch Into the Wild so I can return the dvd to the prof tomorrow. A hard life, I know ;)
A few more pictures are in my Winter album, link on the sidebar to the right!
Now, I must define what will now be known as "pulling a Pierre-Antoine": one lets one's friend get on the metro and chooses not to get on with said friend when the noise sounds and the doors close, so the friend rides alone without saying a proper goodbye. Used in a sentence: "Pierre-Antoine pulled a Pierre-Antoine on me Friday afternoon." Tsss...
Apart from that on Friday, I didn't do much except enjoy the snow and meet some assistants for drinks--British, Spanish, Guatemalan, and Mexican. I tried a beer with flavored syrup in it, choosing kiwi over banana, peach, passion fruit, violet, and more.Good but too sugary to drink a whole pint of it.
Saturday I took a day trip into Paris to meet Caitlin who was there to visit Versailles with her students on Sunday. My main wish was some Christmas shopping, but there was no time!!! Let me start from the beginning...
I caught the 9am TGV (fast, direct train) from Rennes to Paris, supposedly arriving at 11:10. My train was late because of snow, Caitlin was late meeting me, then the quickest metro to the museum where we were meeting another Paris assistant was shut down so we had to take another and then walk. We arrived at almost one!
In the meantime, we walked though the falling snow from the edge of the Louvre to the museum--really super snowy! We saw a Chrisrmas market on Champs Élysées as we hurried past. The museum, Palais de la découverte, was ok. It is a science musum with exhibits from the human body to magnets, but I've seen better presentations. We did see the planetarium show and a show on training rats in mazes which were interesting. And at the fencing exhibit, you could try different moves in a box with an electronic target! Afterwards, we walked back through les Tuileries (gardens at the Louvre) to the Starbucks across the street from the Louvre. Caitlin and I sat there for an hour to warm up and eat since we had not gotten lunch. Then, it was past 6 and time to head back to the train station. My train left at 7:30 and I was back in my apartment by 10. I'll go back to Paris 18-22 for shopping and enjoying, I think. Maybe Disneyland too.
 |
| Me and Caitlin in the Tuileries gardens. |
I was so glad to get away for the day. I was getting to the point when I feel like my life is the whole world... so it's nice to get away and get perspective that my little 'problems' amount to nothing in the grand scheme of things! It makes them seem smaller and more manageable. And despite the annoyances of time lost and a mediocre museum, I was so happy just to do something different and have a little adventure. The Starbucks Caramel Noisette Latte was also super delicious with a blueberry muffin ;)
I was too wound up to sleep after a fun-filled day. First, I took some pictures of the Christmas lights in Rennes, which have officially been turned on! I found some people at bar Angélus, a classy wine place at the Mairie, and had a kir and conversation. Then, on the way home, I grabbed a kebab to nourish my tired body. It was a satisfying day.
 |
| Lights on Rue le Bastard, a shopping street behind my apartment. |
Today's plan is to finish my music lesson for the week, write Christmas cards, and watch Into the Wild so I can return the dvd to the prof tomorrow. A hard life, I know ;)
A few more pictures are in my Winter album, link on the sidebar to the right!
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
LA NEIGE!
La neige is snow, some of which is drifting past my window at the moment :)
What a way to kick off December in Rennes! For a place where it never snows, according to Pierre-Antoine, we've had three flurries in the last week. I went running in the park this morning, and it was completely frosted! Pretty in some ways, but I sure miss the flowers...
I also took time to make up a soup with the stuff I had lying around--beef, chicken broth, potatos, spinach, italian seasoning. Somewhat bland, so I'm going to add tomato sauce when I warm up the leftovers. I just have so much time! I guess Wednesdays are my favorite days with this work schedule. Monday and Tuesday start so early, and then Wednesday I can sleep in, run, relax, have a leisurely lunch, and then head to work two decent classes from 3 to 5:30.
Speaking of class, on the texting lingo worksheet that I'm using this week there is an entry of "143." I had no idea what that meant, but Caitlin informed me that it is from a rap song and means "I love you"--the numbers stand for the letters in each word, 1 for I, 4 for L-O-V-E, and 3 for Y-O-U. Kind of cute, but the kids like to be smart and point out that it could stand for any words, including "I hate you!" Well, I just wanted to inform you all of a little cultural exchange; now you'll know what I mean when I say 143! I may have started a new trend in France of kids texting 143 to each other, or maybe they'll adapt it to French's "Je t'aime" and send 214 instead!
I'll get back to my Christmas music and decorating now. Ma sent me some of her trademark snowflakes for hanging in the window... :)
What a way to kick off December in Rennes! For a place where it never snows, according to Pierre-Antoine, we've had three flurries in the last week. I went running in the park this morning, and it was completely frosted! Pretty in some ways, but I sure miss the flowers...
I also took time to make up a soup with the stuff I had lying around--beef, chicken broth, potatos, spinach, italian seasoning. Somewhat bland, so I'm going to add tomato sauce when I warm up the leftovers. I just have so much time! I guess Wednesdays are my favorite days with this work schedule. Monday and Tuesday start so early, and then Wednesday I can sleep in, run, relax, have a leisurely lunch, and then head to work two decent classes from 3 to 5:30.
Speaking of class, on the texting lingo worksheet that I'm using this week there is an entry of "143." I had no idea what that meant, but Caitlin informed me that it is from a rap song and means "I love you"--the numbers stand for the letters in each word, 1 for I, 4 for L-O-V-E, and 3 for Y-O-U. Kind of cute, but the kids like to be smart and point out that it could stand for any words, including "I hate you!" Well, I just wanted to inform you all of a little cultural exchange; now you'll know what I mean when I say 143! I may have started a new trend in France of kids texting 143 to each other, or maybe they'll adapt it to French's "Je t'aime" and send 214 instead!
I'll get back to my Christmas music and decorating now. Ma sent me some of her trademark snowflakes for hanging in the window... :)
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