New Blog from me to you

http://somelikeitstinkeye.blogspot.com/

I should be updating that one pretty frequently. It's not about France though....how sad.

Late on the upswing

So I'm obviously not in Normandy anymore. I'm in Moreland Hills, where my time in France almost feels like a dream.

Paris was Beautiful. Of course, but lonely. I'd like to return some day and speak a couple more words during the day.
My Favorite thing, hands down, would be going to Mass at Notre Dame and turning to everyone around me for the passing of the peace and and hearing it in atleast 5 different languages.

Normandy was amazing. I got to see a family friend that I hadn't seen in maybe 8 years, and met her mother who welcomed me with open arms and kisses. Highlights: Going to Ediths band practice / party and learning more French in one night than I had all summer. and going to Point Du Hoc with Mrs. Graveline. Soooo pretty and freaky.

Now I'm home. I have been for a while. I've gotten a couple gigs that will be making me money. I've been slowly reprogramming my life into something manageable. I wont be returning back to Chicago for some time. So I'm saving up money, hanging out with the 3 or 4 friends I still have here, trying to make new ones, and trying to be creative when I can.

I suppose I should start a new blog and leave this one to it's own subject and end it's life.....unless of course I journey back to France in the near future. So stay tuned for a new address to find me at. Much love.

ok, so I'm in Normandy.

I'll let you know how everything goes. At the moment I am "le tired".....

Dyscalculus strikes again!

Dyscalculus, you know...like Dyslexia only with numbers? I suffer from that every once in a while. So because of that (I've found something to blame it on) I'm in Zürich for an extra day. Why? Because my flight is on the 24th of July, NOT ON THE 23rd! We got all the way to the airport today, and the ladies that were checking me in seemed really confused, finally I pulled out my info check in sheet and they pointed out the date, you're flying out tomorrow not today......crap. Thankfully Allison's Mom had come all the way to the check out counter with me, otherwise I would have been a little screwed. Allison actually left earlier this morning and so her Mom had actually made two trips to the airport. What a great lady. So I ended up going out to Coffee with Allison's Mom and another ex-pat friend of hers, who was so nice and became a friend instantly...you know, one of those people. And then I made it back to their flat while she went and babysat for a friend. I immediately e-mailed Edith, who was planning on picking me up from the airport tonight, and hopefully she gets it in time, if not, then I'm going to have to call her in a couple hours.

OY! Embarrassing. Really though, I'm already laughing about it. Besides, one More day in Zürich with other Americans isn't so bad :)

Zurich, why wont you love me back?

Actually Zurich Probably does love me back...but It's over cast at the moment. Come one! Let's see those Alps! \
I got here yesterday around two and thankfully Allison was at the airport to guide me by train back to her parents flat, otherwise I would have been totally lost. I must say that after working so hard to understand French, it is a mind "ef" to switch into German and then Swiss German of which I know none, except for of course Danke Chein. So Allison taught me something useful for while I'm in Zurich, when they start talking to you in Swiss German say "sorry, what?" and they'll switch over to English for you, usually. Yesterday we got a menu by Allison doing a hand motion that was similar to opening and closing a book....hey it came. I can't tell you how nice it was to see a familiar face to speak American English too, I must have talked Allisons head off. There were many times yesterday when I would think, "Gosh I'm talking a lot". I think that happens when you don't say a word to anybody for 2 days, then all the sudden you can say whatever you want! Blah Blah Blah Blah. We had a good time yesterday, and I'm really excited about today, maybe going to the top of the tallest mountain in Zurich, wander around the city a bit more. Buy more Chocolate? ;)

I Did just spend two days in Paris, you might be wanting to hear about that. I took a bunch of pictures, and I think when I have the ability to, I will post pictures and write about them. My Camera was my only companion, and it's not even a very good one...

Love love

Au Revoir

I'm leaving the Chateau Tomorrow morning.

Yes, I wanted to go into Angers tomorrow, but it just ended up not working out. That's ok, turns out I had a lot to do before leaving anyways. And me and Robin went into Jarze and explored a little more than I ever had by myself. We got some little tasty Cakes at the Boulongerie and sat by the side of the road chowing and chatting. Riding into Jarze a certain song always pops into my head. "Little town, it's a quiet village, every day like the one before, little town, full of little people, waking uuuup tooooo saaaaay......" Name that tune! hint, it's from a movie that takes place in France...

I don't have a ticket for Paris yet, (since we didn't go into town today) but I'm hoping that I can just get one tomorrow. I don't care what time I leave, just as long as I get there before 6, which is when I check into my hotel. They're taking me to the Station at 10 am so this shouldn't be a problem, I can't imagine that ALL of the trains will be filled by then. Maybe one of the families leaving tomorrow will just offer to drive me up to Paris :) and maybe not.

Looking at http://thesartorialist.blogspot.com/ , The above picture does not deem me chic enough to be walking around Paris. So I'm going to have to stop dressing so "country" and be cool again. This may involve a little shopping as soon as I arrive in Paris...this is ok with me. :)

I am so excited to go to Paris, so excited, I really want to see Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower, if I don't get to much else that's ok, as long as I get to see those two things. I also want to shop, if you hadn't noticed. Don't worry Mom and Dad I've made a little budget for myself. I know that i thrive in metropolitan areas, and Paris is one of the most beautiful ones in the world, so I am bursting with excitement. I printed out a couple maps so I can easily get from the train station to my hotel, I'm confident, I'm cool, I'm calm, let's do this.

I will post again in Zürich. Wish me luck!

love love.

She's Leaving the Chateau, <>

So.

Things are really coming together, if anything got accomplished while I was here, it was the peices of my life being comfortably fit back together in a nice little (temporary) life style. I've got a job lined up for me when I get back to Cleveland, and I've made a list of things to do while living there, here's a taste;

-Get certified as a swimming instructor
-Learn how to drive stick by the end of August (or by my birthday the 20th)
-Make at least two new friends
-Reconnect with all the old ones
-Set up a mini painting studio
-Find a proper instructor to take Bass lessons from
-Sell fancy watches to people

I have a couple other potential projects as well, including being in a play that a friend of mine is directing, helping to produce a large scale recording/concert for my buddy Ryan. I also have two weddings to go to, and that usually produces some lovely shots of Leigh and her sisters all dressed up holding wine glasses (at least three of us will be) so I'm excited to return.

Speaking of wine. I have to say that today was the first time I went down the wine isle at the super market. Wine here IS cheaper than water! Almost every bottle I passed by was less than 3 dollars!! I need to buy a second suitcase....Bonnie, get ready to turn 21 Parisian style.

Speaking of Paris, I will be leaving here to start my little tour of France/ Switzerland in less than 48 hours. I'll be going to Paris for Two nights, by myself.....trying to restrain myself from too much shopping. And making a B line for places like the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame. I am so excited. Then Allison's family has been so kind as to open their home to me for two nights while I go explore Zürich a little bit. Mmmm I cannot wait to see some mountains! After that, I am off to stay with some friends of the family in Normandy. I'm so glad that I got in contact with them. I just canceled my reservation with the shady Hostel I was going to be staying in for four nights. What a relief. Now I have someone to pick me up and take me to the Airport! I love the Gravelines!! (pronounced Graahv-leens). I am very excited to travel around a bit, it'll be bitter sweet leaving the chateau, but also refreshing.

The girl that is taking over for me at the Chateau is here now, she came yesterday. Her name is Robyn and she is sweet as can be. I can't tell you how great it has been to have someone here my age to vent to, to relate to, to just talk to in English and have a laugh with. It's been so nice. She's already started calling me "love", I think we've gotten off to a great start. It's too bad we have to leave each other on Saturday. Today, after we did some food shopping, we went to Chateau de Bauge. I love castles, it was great to finally do something touristy things nearby. Tomorrow we're going to take the bus into Angers and do some exploring at the Chateau de Angers, maybe go see the grand Cathedral there, and do a little wandering and shopping. I'm glad I have a travel companion for a little while. Particularly one that speaks better French than me ;) I'm sure I'll have more photo's to post when I get back tomorrow, and I'll try to do at least one up date while in Zürich and one while in Normandy.

Love to all.

Leigh

P.S. I learned how to play touch rugby today, it was terrifying :)