Ohhh- I wrote this a long time ago and forgot to publish it.
There was another AARO lunch meeting on Monday and, again, when someone new to Paris finds out I've been living here more than 37 years, I get the "Wow, but don't you (or, do you) miss the States?" "What do you like about living here?" There's also the wonderment of tourists: "Wow, how exciting!"
I miss people and things. And I'd miss the people if I lived across the country instead of in a different country. The things -- well, most of the things I thought I missed ended up here after a few years. I'm not in exile. I can, and do, return to the States for visits. I love visiting family and seeing old friends, just as I love having them visit me, here.
As I said, it's the people I miss. I find that the Internet these past 20 years has made that part easier. If I remember correctly, I talked about that in the very first post of this blog. It's easier and cheaper to keep in touch. So, first e-mail, followed by buddy lists, then multiple message sreveres and Skype, and professional networks on Plaxo and LinkedIn, and more recently, facebook and Twitter. Right now, I'm feeling overconnected. So, to sum up, I miss people less and less.
Now, on to the remark on how exciting it must be. I'm not going to say that living just outside Paris is not wonderful; it is! But, until just this past year, our time was taken up with the same things that eat up everyone's time: métro, boulot, dodo (commuting, work, sleep). Add to that: shopping for food, cooking, cleaning, ironing..... It's not exciting. For tourists and visitors, their time is taken up entirely with exciting things and it hardly matters where they are!
Lastly, what do I like about living here?
I live just outside Paris and I love the city. I love walking in Paris; it's easily covered on foot and it's beautiful. I like having the RER just a few minutes from home and it takes me into the center of the city in 15 minutes. I like it that lots of movie theaters in Paris show movies in V.O., because I hate dubbed versions. I like it that we can now watch TV shows in V.O. -- not always, but more and more every year. I don't like many French TV shows; I don't like the acting -- too stiff and unnatural. I'm addicted to American series if they're in English. I think I accept mediocrity in exchange for language. Don't get me wrong, I like French -- just not dubbed. I like going to the market for food, even though I usually go to the supermarket.
I like it that I was able to deliver 4 children and did not have to wonder if I could afford to have the babies. I like it that I have health coverage that is independent of an employer, that pre-conditions are not part of a decision to staying in a job you hate because you are covered and you would lose coverage if you changed jobs. I like it that I can choose my doctors. I like it that even those out of work are covered, that certain conditions and illnesses are covered 100%. We have a mixed system. Your basic health coverage is taken out of your salary; it's obligatory, but it doesn't give you 100% coverage unless you are suffering from one of those certain conditions or illnesses. Additional coverage through insurance companies or mutual insurance may be handled through your employer or you can find your own. This is what conservatives in the States are so afraid of: socialized medicine. It's not free. We pay dearly for it. But I wouldn't have it otherwise. I get excellent care, here.
I like it that there is a social safety net: unemployment benefits, minimum income when benefits run out. It's not 100% effective, but in this crisis period, although France is suffering, too, and jobs are disappearing left and right, it won't be quite as bleak as it seems to be for those in the States.
I like it that the French had an aversion to debt. Rules are very strict about getting mortgages. Debit cards are the norm; credit cards are relatively new. There are some cases of overindebtedness, but nothing like in the States.
There are plenty of things not to like, too. I think that it's normal to find some things better here and better there. When someone, French or American, starts telling me how far superior their country is, I start arguing in favor of the other!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Too much time on Facebook
Too long without writing! I'm spending too much time on facebook whenever I get on the computer. But life goes beyond the computer. Since our visit to the chocolate factory, the Lebelles from Pau came to visit us and we went to the David Lachapelle exhibit. And I've been reading a lot, among other things.
During the week after my last post, we spent most of our time preparing for the arrival of Alexandre, Emmanuelle, Valentine and Marie. Our neighbor, another Marie, gave us some baby stuff and I bought a travel cot. We got a new bed, so the old one went upstairs to the new guest room, formerly Anne's room. It's perfect for parents + baby. Anne spoke recently, maybe at Christmas, about my not having made a Cuban Christmas dinner (roast pork, white rice and black beans in a very long time, so I did it for this visit. I also made Jae's "cheesecake" (with Amaretto) and since it was Pierre's birthday, we used that as his birthday cake even though he wasn't with us. I also made gnocchis with Ricotta and spinach for the next day (thanks Beth for that Facebook link to the recipe!) and Valentine and I made chocolate cupcakes. But the most successful meal was hamburgers and corn on the cob.
Enough about food! Valentine has grown alot since the last time our family last say her three years ago (for me, it was in October). So they renewed contact with her. And we all met Marie for the first time. She's only 2 months old. (Just a week shy of 3 months, at this writing.) She's a calm baby, doesn't cry too much and loves to be held by anyone willing to hold her and there were plenty of volunteers, but I think she really liked her uncle Paul or aunt Ellen). Alexandre appreciated sleeping in for his first days of vacation, but neither he nor Emmanuelle seemed overly tired. Marie is already sleeping through most of the night.
After they left, we took the time to rest up and read. As I was going to unhook the Wii, which had gone on the blink (Valentine couldn't play) I discovered that it was already a little unplugged from the TV. All I had to do was push it in a bit and it worked. I suppose that if it had gone completely blank I would have thought of the connection, but since it would turn on and work a little before konking out, I thought there was a real problem. Sorry I didn't think of the connection sooner. It must have gotten loose when we ate at the dining table and were moving near the back of the TV.
On Sunday, the 23rd, Anne suggested we try to see the Yves Saint Laurent collection at the Grand Palais at10:00. Well, at 10:00, the estimated wait was 5 to 5 1/2 hours. It was a nice day, so we set out on foot along the Seine and ended up at the Monnaie on Quai Conti to see the David Lachapelle exhibit. Some people complain that it's too expensive for a small exhibit. I don't agree. It's €10 and I think that it's comparable to exhibits at the Sénat. There are several rooms and several themes. I don't think I could have concentrated on more -- there are so many details and art references to think of. We didn't have a long wait to get in and that helps form a good opinion, too!
It was lunch time when we got out, so still on foot, we went to the Place St. Michel. After lunch we stopped to browse at Shakespeare & Co. and set out for the metro on the right bank, but ended up at Anne's place, still on foot! Take a look at a map of Paris -- Grand Palais - La Monnaie - Place St. Michel - quartier de la Huchette - Notre Dame - Gare de Lyon. It's not far in km. but it fills up a day.
Other than that, I've been going to the Amerian library a lot. I'm not reading great literature, but I've been reading a lot. And I've been spending a lot of time, maybe too much, on facebook. My Girls' High class has a group and there are quite a few of us getting together there. In fact, we have another group on goggle where we write about other things in more detail. I believe that nothing can replace in person contacts, but this internet communities do serve a purpose when in person is not possible.
During the week after my last post, we spent most of our time preparing for the arrival of Alexandre, Emmanuelle, Valentine and Marie. Our neighbor, another Marie, gave us some baby stuff and I bought a travel cot. We got a new bed, so the old one went upstairs to the new guest room, formerly Anne's room. It's perfect for parents + baby. Anne spoke recently, maybe at Christmas, about my not having made a Cuban Christmas dinner (roast pork, white rice and black beans in a very long time, so I did it for this visit. I also made Jae's "cheesecake" (with Amaretto) and since it was Pierre's birthday, we used that as his birthday cake even though he wasn't with us. I also made gnocchis with Ricotta and spinach for the next day (thanks Beth for that Facebook link to the recipe!) and Valentine and I made chocolate cupcakes. But the most successful meal was hamburgers and corn on the cob.
Enough about food! Valentine has grown alot since the last time our family last say her three years ago (for me, it was in October). So they renewed contact with her. And we all met Marie for the first time. She's only 2 months old. (Just a week shy of 3 months, at this writing.) She's a calm baby, doesn't cry too much and loves to be held by anyone willing to hold her and there were plenty of volunteers, but I think she really liked her uncle Paul or aunt Ellen). Alexandre appreciated sleeping in for his first days of vacation, but neither he nor Emmanuelle seemed overly tired. Marie is already sleeping through most of the night.
After they left, we took the time to rest up and read. As I was going to unhook the Wii, which had gone on the blink (Valentine couldn't play) I discovered that it was already a little unplugged from the TV. All I had to do was push it in a bit and it worked. I suppose that if it had gone completely blank I would have thought of the connection, but since it would turn on and work a little before konking out, I thought there was a real problem. Sorry I didn't think of the connection sooner. It must have gotten loose when we ate at the dining table and were moving near the back of the TV.
On Sunday, the 23rd, Anne suggested we try to see the Yves Saint Laurent collection at the Grand Palais at10:00. Well, at 10:00, the estimated wait was 5 to 5 1/2 hours. It was a nice day, so we set out on foot along the Seine and ended up at the Monnaie on Quai Conti to see the David Lachapelle exhibit. Some people complain that it's too expensive for a small exhibit. I don't agree. It's €10 and I think that it's comparable to exhibits at the Sénat. There are several rooms and several themes. I don't think I could have concentrated on more -- there are so many details and art references to think of. We didn't have a long wait to get in and that helps form a good opinion, too!
It was lunch time when we got out, so still on foot, we went to the Place St. Michel. After lunch we stopped to browse at Shakespeare & Co. and set out for the metro on the right bank, but ended up at Anne's place, still on foot! Take a look at a map of Paris -- Grand Palais - La Monnaie - Place St. Michel - quartier de la Huchette - Notre Dame - Gare de Lyon. It's not far in km. but it fills up a day.
Other than that, I've been going to the Amerian library a lot. I'm not reading great literature, but I've been reading a lot. And I've been spending a lot of time, maybe too much, on facebook. My Girls' High class has a group and there are quite a few of us getting together there. In fact, we have another group on goggle where we write about other things in more detail. I believe that nothing can replace in person contacts, but this internet communities do serve a purpose when in person is not possible.
Trop de temp sur facebook - vf
in English after the French text
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Ca fait longtemps ! Le fait est que je passe trop de temps sur facebook quand je suis devant l'ordinateur. Mais en dehors du temps sur l'ordinateur il y a une vie! Depuis la visite à la chocolaterie, nous avons eu la visite des Lebelles de Pau, nous sommes allées à l'exposition David Lachapelle, j'ai lu pas mal de livres, et le reste.
Je crois que la semaine qui a suivi mon dernière entrée sur le blog était dédiée à préparer la visite de Alexandre, Emmanuelle, Valentine et Marie. Notre voisine, aussi Marie, nous a passé un peu d'équipement pour bébé et j'ai acheté un lit de voyage. Nous avons reçu mon nouveau lit, ce qui nous a donné un lit pour la nouvelle chambre d'amis (ex-chambre de Anne). C'est parfait pour parents + bébé. Anne avait parlé avec nostalgie d'un plat que j'avais fait une ou deux fois il y a longtemps -- Porc à la cubaine avec riz blanc et haricots noirs -- alors, j'en ai préparé à l'occasion de la visite. J'ai aussi fait le "cheesecake" d'après la recette de Jae en guise de gâteau d'anniversaire pour Pierre (in absentia), des gnocchis au Ricotta et épinards pour le lendemain, et avec l'aide de Valentine, des gâteaux aux chocolat. Mais le repas qui a eu le plus de succès était hamburgers maison avec épis de maïs.
Bon, ça suffit de parler de manger. Valentine a bien grandie depuis la dernière fois que notre famille l'avais vu il y a trois ans (moi, c'était en octobre). Donc, ils ont refait connaissance avec elle. Et nous avons tous fait connaissance avec Marie, 2 mois. Elle est sage, ne pleure pas à l'excès, adore les bras de quiconque (mais surtout de son oncle Paul ou tante Ellen). Alexandre a apprécié de pouvoir rester au lit un peu pour ces premiers jours de vacances, mais ni lui, ni Emmanuelle ne semblait, trop fatigué. Marie fait déjà des nuits plus calmes.
Après leur départ, nous avons pris le temps de lire et nous reposer. En voulant débrancher la Wii pour l'amener au magasin (Valentine n'a pas pu en profiter) j'ai découvert que la prise péritel était déjà à moitié débranchée -- donc, il suffisait de rebrancher pour "réparer". Je suis désolée de ne pas avoir y penser avant. C'est parce qu'on manger à la grande table qu'on a du passer trop près de la prise....
Le dimanche, 23, Anne a suggéré de voir l'exposition de la vente de la collection Yves Saint Laurent. Rendez-vous au Grand Palais à 10h. Eh bien, à 10h, il y avait 5 à 5h30 d'attente estimée. Il faisait beau. Nous sommes partis à pied, au bords de la Seine, pour s'arrêter enfin à la Monnaie pour voir l'exposition du photographe, David Lachappelle. Certains se plaignent que c'est trop cher pour si peu. C'est €10 et je trouvait que, en comparaison avec les expositions au Sénat, c'était équivalent. Il y a plusieurs salles, plusieurs thèmes et je ne sais pas si j'aurais pu continuer à bien regarder de près, chercher les détails pour encore plus d'oeuvres. Nous n'avons pas souffert d'attente à l'entrée non plus et celà aide à garder une opinion favorable !
Il était l'heure de manger en sortant et nous avons continué jusqu'à la Place St. Michel, toujours à pied. Après le déjeuner, un petit arrêt chez Shakespeare & Co. et continuation vers le métro, rive droite. Mais finalement, nous nous sommes trouvés chez Anne toujours à pied ! Donc, prenez un plan de Paris -- Grand Palais - La Monnaie - Place St. Michel - quartier de la Huchette - Notre Dame - Gare de Lyon. Ce n'est pas beaucoup de km. mais ça vous rempli une journée.
A part ça, je vais souvent faire des emplettes à la bibliothèque américaine. Je ne lis pas de la grande litérature, mais je lis beaucoup. Et je passe beaucoup (trop?) de temps sur facebook. Ma classe de lycée a créé un groupe et nous sommes très nombreuse à s'y retrouver. D'ailleurs on se retrouve sur facebook et à travers un groupe sur google, où on s'exprime de manière plus étendue. Je suis convaincue que les contactes en personne sont mille fois mieux, mais ces communautés sur internet remplissent bien une mission quand les contactes ne sont pas faisables.
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Ca fait longtemps ! Le fait est que je passe trop de temps sur facebook quand je suis devant l'ordinateur. Mais en dehors du temps sur l'ordinateur il y a une vie! Depuis la visite à la chocolaterie, nous avons eu la visite des Lebelles de Pau, nous sommes allées à l'exposition David Lachapelle, j'ai lu pas mal de livres, et le reste.
Je crois que la semaine qui a suivi mon dernière entrée sur le blog était dédiée à préparer la visite de Alexandre, Emmanuelle, Valentine et Marie. Notre voisine, aussi Marie, nous a passé un peu d'équipement pour bébé et j'ai acheté un lit de voyage. Nous avons reçu mon nouveau lit, ce qui nous a donné un lit pour la nouvelle chambre d'amis (ex-chambre de Anne). C'est parfait pour parents + bébé. Anne avait parlé avec nostalgie d'un plat que j'avais fait une ou deux fois il y a longtemps -- Porc à la cubaine avec riz blanc et haricots noirs -- alors, j'en ai préparé à l'occasion de la visite. J'ai aussi fait le "cheesecake" d'après la recette de Jae en guise de gâteau d'anniversaire pour Pierre (in absentia), des gnocchis au Ricotta et épinards pour le lendemain, et avec l'aide de Valentine, des gâteaux aux chocolat. Mais le repas qui a eu le plus de succès était hamburgers maison avec épis de maïs.
Bon, ça suffit de parler de manger. Valentine a bien grandie depuis la dernière fois que notre famille l'avais vu il y a trois ans (moi, c'était en octobre). Donc, ils ont refait connaissance avec elle. Et nous avons tous fait connaissance avec Marie, 2 mois. Elle est sage, ne pleure pas à l'excès, adore les bras de quiconque (mais surtout de son oncle Paul ou tante Ellen). Alexandre a apprécié de pouvoir rester au lit un peu pour ces premiers jours de vacances, mais ni lui, ni Emmanuelle ne semblait, trop fatigué. Marie fait déjà des nuits plus calmes.
Après leur départ, nous avons pris le temps de lire et nous reposer. En voulant débrancher la Wii pour l'amener au magasin (Valentine n'a pas pu en profiter) j'ai découvert que la prise péritel était déjà à moitié débranchée -- donc, il suffisait de rebrancher pour "réparer". Je suis désolée de ne pas avoir y penser avant. C'est parce qu'on manger à la grande table qu'on a du passer trop près de la prise....
Le dimanche, 23, Anne a suggéré de voir l'exposition de la vente de la collection Yves Saint Laurent. Rendez-vous au Grand Palais à 10h. Eh bien, à 10h, il y avait 5 à 5h30 d'attente estimée. Il faisait beau. Nous sommes partis à pied, au bords de la Seine, pour s'arrêter enfin à la Monnaie pour voir l'exposition du photographe, David Lachappelle. Certains se plaignent que c'est trop cher pour si peu. C'est €10 et je trouvait que, en comparaison avec les expositions au Sénat, c'était équivalent. Il y a plusieurs salles, plusieurs thèmes et je ne sais pas si j'aurais pu continuer à bien regarder de près, chercher les détails pour encore plus d'oeuvres. Nous n'avons pas souffert d'attente à l'entrée non plus et celà aide à garder une opinion favorable !
Il était l'heure de manger en sortant et nous avons continué jusqu'à la Place St. Michel, toujours à pied. Après le déjeuner, un petit arrêt chez Shakespeare & Co. et continuation vers le métro, rive droite. Mais finalement, nous nous sommes trouvés chez Anne toujours à pied ! Donc, prenez un plan de Paris -- Grand Palais - La Monnaie - Place St. Michel - quartier de la Huchette - Notre Dame - Gare de Lyon. Ce n'est pas beaucoup de km. mais ça vous rempli une journée.
A part ça, je vais souvent faire des emplettes à la bibliothèque américaine. Je ne lis pas de la grande litérature, mais je lis beaucoup. Et je passe beaucoup (trop?) de temps sur facebook. Ma classe de lycée a créé un groupe et nous sommes très nombreuse à s'y retrouver. D'ailleurs on se retrouve sur facebook et à travers un groupe sur google, où on s'exprime de manière plus étendue. Je suis convaincue que les contactes en personne sont mille fois mieux, mais ces communautés sur internet remplissent bien une mission quand les contactes ne sont pas faisables.
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