My ipod has been frozen all day.  I was all set for the market and a morning dose of Massive Attack and it just froze.  I am really, REALLY upset about having to face the world without my headphones making me vulnerable to the pitiful pleading for money and cigarettes, and the pathetic cat-calls, whistles, and lewd comments.  

( Read more... )

I detest driving.  Especially in the cities here.  Driving in Bordeaux is a nightmare because the city has been under constant 'traveaux' for at least 2 years.  Once I leave the comfort zone of my quaint little city, I am faced with my arch-nemesis....The Round About.  France and the round-about seem to have this ongoing relationship, never will ( Read more... )

It never ceases to amaze me how many english words have been integrated into the french language, and become, well, 'frenchified'.

This morning, while dropping off Cheeks at school, I started reading the TRES URGENT bulletin informing parents that the ubiquitous louse has once again reared its ugly head.  Typical rentrée routine.  Kid starts school ( Read more... )

No, it's not the lovely scent of a hot apple pie that permeates my apartment.  Nor is it the familiar smell of my incense or candles ( Read more... )

Following the parisian tradition, the diner or festin blanc goes for year 2 in Bordeaux.  We had the luck to be invited again this year by our friends.  
The theme is that everyone dresses in white, and brings their own tables, food, candles, tableware, wine, etc...
I was under so much stress last year because these types of events are not my cup of ( Read more... )

 You know... the french can be so damn 'indiscret'.  They love posing tactless questions by phrasing it ever so cleverfully.... 'si c'est pas trop indiscret'.  (if its not too indiscreet).  It sort of leaves one hanging... do I answer; 
'why yes, that is rather indiscreet, and I don't think I'm going to answer you'. 
Or, do you just answer and feel a ( Read more... )

Ok, maybe not, but it's the first thing that came to mind for a subject ( Read more... )

I will preface this by saying yesterday whilst cleaning The Cheek's room, I noticed strange scratches underneath her window.  I said to myself 'damn her, it is certain I will never get my deposit back'.  Upon closer inspection, I realised that I couldn't think of anything she had that would make a scratch like this and, and that these scratches had ( Read more... )

Preface:  Cheek got to spend the day in her old school. She went with a friend of ours who is a teacher there, and was able to see old friends, teachers and remember what life was like in an American school.   So funny so see that two years ago, this was normal, but she is now so used to the french school system, and the FOOD, that it was quite the ( Read more... )

So I'm over the 'I don't want to be back from vacation' feeling, and starting to accept reality.  The Cheek is back in bordeaux exactly one month from today, and although I have been enjoying my life sans responsibility, I prefer being a mom to my pre-pubescent 9 year old ( Read more... )