Weekend de repos : Weekend of rest

Bonjour mes amis (hello my friends)

This last weekend even though it was long, Pace & I stayed local. We rested. Pace has 2 confrences this week, so he did a little work also. I got Pace to the gym for a slightly easier class this time. It still was hard. The biggest thing we did this weekend was to buy a couch, a small kitchen table & chairs and put together the armoire. I am so happy that we finally have some household furniture. The couch arrives this Thursday. I went to the doctor today to get my prescriptions refilled. I found a doctor who grew up in Queens (Thank God). He was great, but I have to have my blood workup done to check my thyroid levels. Things are okay here. The weather has finally gotten warm & clear. It is beautiful everyday. Warm, even hot, in the sun yet cool in the shade. Noname has even gone out on the window ledge in the kitchen I am going to get Jamie a Birthday gift tomorrow, but I don’t think it will get there in time. I’m sure at 3; she’ll have enough on her Bday to not miss it. She’ll probably enjoy the gift later anyhow.
So that’s it for now. We’ll get to Italy soon enough and tell you our adventures there

a prochaine fois (until next time)
Maria

Lake Geneva

This past weekend Pace and I drove to Switzerland. We went to Lake Geneva, where we had been 3 years ago. It is a small town called Ouchy off the lake. You can see the snow capped mountains and yet the green valley. I love that look. We want to go back in September when they pick the grapes and walk up in the vineyards. There are many caveaus (small winemaking stores) that give guided tours in each little village. This time we hope to speak French to them. It was strange to be back in a foreign country with a car you own and it took about 3 hours to get there. It's mind bending to me. Anyhow, it was rainy and slightly cold, so we spent sometime there and traveled back. On the way back we saw fields of wild flowers, red purple and yellow. It was beautiful.
The weather here has been rather abnormal. It is pretty cold out. The people say by now it should be 23 degrees Celsius (times by 9, divide by 5, add 32) about 73 degrees F. Well it's not that temperature at all, it barely in the 50's. This morning people were wearing coats. I wonder how this will affect the flowers
I joined a gym finally. I did the Body-Sculpt class yesterday in French. It's great, but I don't understand a word the guy says except ENCORE, which means again. I am so sore today. I've also joined another French class. This one is from 12:30 to 1:45. It's a conversation class. I knew my pronunciation was bad, but when Luka told me he finally met someone with a more American accent than me, I knew it was really bad. So I've had 2 classes one in which I looked in front of a mirror ooooing and ahhhing at myself, the next we talked about terrorism. Not such a good subject if you want to make friends.
This weekend is a long weekend again. Let's see --- We had the first 2 Mondays in May off, the third week was a full week, last week was Ascension Thursday. Now this Monday is Pentecost. Well it keeps me up to date on my catholic holidays for sure, but I have to know before hand. I'd like to take a quick (5 hours) road trip to Milan, but I have to see what Pace's schedule is like.
Also I hope this Tuesday to FINALLY go see some improv.It will be in French, but improv nonetheless
So we'll see. I make plans, then get depressed or fatigued and don't follow through. I see the doctor this Tuesday for a Synthroid refill; I'll talk to him about things. He's from Brooklyn,thank god, so we'll talk English.

Bisous (Kisses) Oh la la that's tres french
Maria

Bambooseraise

Two weeks ago Pace and I went to a Bambooseraise with my French school. Everyone is suppose to speak French on the trip, but for some reason we had an English speaking only couple with us. That made things easier for Pace & me. Well we left the school at 7 am for a 2 1/2 hour ride south of France. We were to spend a nice afternoon in Nimes for lunch, then take a steam train to the giant bamboo garden. Well,.... the driver got lost. So the trip took a lot longer, also there is a rule that the bus drivers must stop for 15 minutes after driving for 3 hours. (a union thing I'm sure) So my teacher annouces, "change in plans...we must stop at this little village and take lunch here before going on to the steam train." He tried to make the little town sound quaint. It has a church (what village doesn't) and also a park. Well Pace and I made the best of it and hung out with a friend of mine from school named Luka. He's a real funny person. We took the train ride and got to the Giant Bamboo garden a little late, so we couldn't see the whole thing. Then on the way home, as Pace puts it : Instead of enjoying the beautiful scenery outside our windows, they put a french movie on. I think Pace really enjoyed himself, and we both realized this was an amusing situation that could only occur with French people (35 people on a trip and they can't get it right.) We will not go on the next group trip in June, but maybe the July one. My teacher told me that this next trip South would definitely have a different driver. But he didn't say if this driver knew where he was going either.

Other news: Pace & I have been looking for furniture for the house. We realized we needed a closet for our clothes and bought one at IKEA. As for the living room, dining room and kitchen furniture we are still looking. I saw a table I loved for the dining room, but it was sold. So we continue the search. As of now we have the TV, Computer desk and chair, bed and now a closet to put together. So that was last week

Finally the corpse arises

Okay, so we all know I'm really really bad at this. Today is a new day. I'll begin our saga now. Two weeks ago Pace & I got a car. It a little thing, Xantia, but big for cars in France. We took it to find furniture, we drove around the suburbs surrounding Lyon city. This place is kinda like some old NY neighborhoods. It reminds me of Queens when I was a kid. That's it. This place is like a time machine from 35 years ago. The stores are old, people walk everywhere. They save energy by shutting off alot of lights. There's dog shit on the ground everywhere (I've yet to step in it!) yes in the early 70s there was no scoop-a-poop laws in place. Also it's kinda dirty. The guys like to just urinate in corners. Not all the men are like this, but even one or two, drunk or not drunk, is a surprise to me. There are people who come by a sweep the street and wash them down every morning. I'd like to tell them that if the people polluted less, there would be less need for these men. But then they would lose their jobs and have a "greve" or "manifestation". This a strike which occurs on a weekly bases with one group or another....But back to the beauty of Lyon. It's spring, ahhh
It usually rains at some point in the day, but then it warm and sunny. It's nice to be between 2 rivers (Saone & Rhone). Like most French people, it good to sit at a table outside a cafe and order something to drink or eat. You can stay there all day if you like, no one bothers you. I feel funny doing by myself, but I should try it more often.
Last weekend we drove North to Beaujolais. It was beautiful. The lilacs were in bloom. The fall over walls and fences like pale purple or white clumps. It was very nice. We filled our tank after that The full tank of gas was 100 euros!!! Oh la la c'est tres cher (oh my that's expensive). The euro is equal to about 1.29 dollars right now so that $129. Crackers!!! We'll have to plan our trip so we are efficient travelers.
I've finally met 2 people who I think will be good friends with me. I've met several people, but it usually doesn't work well. Like the people in my afternoon French class were still in their 20s. They just wanted to go to the bars and get inebriated. Been there, done that. Although I did try. I went out with the to the"Smoking Dog" a pub in old Lyon. I ended up talking to a Norwegian guy named "Hellraiser" for about an hour then leaving. I love the people, but not the constant drunkardness. Anyhow I'm now taking my French in the morning. I got together with one of the women whose husband also works for Interpol. I went to lunch with her and her girlfriend. It was real fun. I consider them super friends in progress. They invited me to a going a way party for one of them. She is going to Singapore on a trip. I hope not too long. We're meeting at a gay bar, because all the good-looking guys are there. Why not have drinks in a pleasant safe environment? Meanwhile I forgot to tell you one of the girls is Spanish, and speaks French & English, the other is Swedish and speaks Russian, French, German and English also. Since English isn't their native tongue, they have a little trouble with me, but I try to talk French with them. They're in a higher grade than me, but they put up with me.
As for the food here, it great. The people seem to eat smaller amounts, but more often. I'm having a little trouble with the boulangerais (fresh bread store) on every corner. I think they are thinner because the walk or bike everywhere. Although I will tell you, the same old societal pressures about your appearance are no less here.
The block we live on is one block from Bellecour, which is an active area in the summer. The stores in my neighborhood are not for me. Louis Vuitton, Armani, Dior, just fancy fancy stores. I like to go back to Hotel de Ville where the place is a little more down to earth. Also I forgot to mention there are fountains everywhere. My favorite is in front of the beaux Arts building. It has 4 horses being driven by Neptune or Poseidon. The horses arise from a wave and they have mist makers in their nostrils, so every once and awhile they breathe and it looks cool.

I've been not writing because I get into those isolative moods. I know they are not good, but it gets hard sometimes not to. I miss you all and will write again soon

PS I saw Da Vinci Code in French even in french I can say the book is batter

A bientot mes amis (soon my friends) or should i say the slang PLUS for plus tard (later)
Maria

Finally I'm on line

Sorry it's taken so long to get on line, but Pace & I have had some phone/cable issues. In fact, the phone company is digging up the street for our building's phone connection.
It's been very exciting. I started classes in French, and we finally moved into our apartment. I still have trouble with French speaking. I took a test and did very well on all parts except the listening. I don't have a clue what they say. So my teacher told me to watch TV.
One of my first meal out with Pace, the waitress came over with Pace's dish. She said only one sentance, "Watch the plate's hot" in French. Pace said okay and proceed to fuse his fingers into the side of the plate. It took both our ice drinks to soothe his fingers.
As far as food goes, the place is great. The plates are smaller in their portions. There is hard, fresh baked bread on every street corner. I don't need to eat toast anymore. This is just an initial blog to start off. Pace, Noname & I are now in our apartment and ready to face the ups & downs of dealing with French people. I met my neighbor below us. Mr Poncet. He a tall slender man who only talks French. When he's talking my mind drifts into a Charlie Brown teacher kinda mode. I know he's saying something by his expressions, but to me it's just Wah-wah wah wah.
Well soon I'll be able to understand. I haven't seen any improv yet, but I'm going to start looking within a week or two. First it's a gym, then the improv

Tomorrow my friends
Maria

Always leave early for an Intl flight

Sorry it's taken me so long to write, but Pace hasn't hooked up our computer yet. So I wanted to give you the low down on my getting on the plane to go to France. Next insert will be about France.
Okay, so Noname & I are are leaving on the 9:25 pm flight. I decide we should go extra early. So we leave at 4:30. We get to the airport and are waiting on line. All of a sudden I realize I don't know where Noname's papers are. I curse and begin throwing apart my luggage; I'm cursing up a storm and from the line somone recognizes my rannting or cursing. It's Shar, she's from my Stevie Rays classes! I'm flusterred so I ask if she's going to a foreign country. No just Arizona for a week. Well that's all the formalities I can handle. As I check my bags the upteenth time, it's my turn to check bags. I explain that I can't find my cat's papers. Well she says it's okay here, but in Amsterdam, without those papers, they will put Noname to sleep. SHITTTT. What did I do with those papers (Marci you know how I feel). Well I decide that's it. I have to go back to the apartmentant check the trash. I get a cab, go all the way back home, get someone to let me in the building, then talk to the super about getting back my keys. I get them, open the door and there are the papers! I grab a cab back to the airport, now it's rush hour anget back on line. I check my bags and don't care that my deodorant has reach maximum overdrive. I've just got to get thru securit and we're home free. They make me take the cat out of her carrier in the airport. Noname is a doll. Okay we're homefree. Wait they want to check something in my bag. Holy Crap it's a billy club that I forgot was in there. The security see this. Stand Back! Keep your hands where we can see them. Holy crap! We have to call the Police because we believe these are illegal in Minnesota. So, I can get arrested? You'll probably just get a thousand dollar fine. So we wait for the cops, then I have to hear all the guys remebering the last time they saw one of these old ones. Other security guards are being quizzed on see if they see it in the baggage. The cops are great. It's not against the law, however airline security has to take pictures and that stuff; All I'm thinking is .......Great I'm not even in France yet and Interpol will know me. But it is just for airport security. It won't be on my record. I just make my flight. Then on the flight Noname decides to piss on my lap. So that's the story guys. I made it to Amsterdam, they didn't even want to see the paper work when I offered it up. Now we are both in France and ready to enjoy our journey

Maria

Last American Post

This is it. My last post from the USA. My computer has gotten a virus. Some Trojan thingamajig and a bloodhound thingy. (I just love my use of technical terms). So I'm on the building computer. I also blew out the cable in my apartment. When the guys came to get the TV they didn't remove it from the cable and yanked the cable out of the wall. Ouch, I knew my apartment walk thru was going to be difficult anyway. So I'm down to my last few boxes. I'm also throwing dishes out after I eat instead of cleaning them. I feel like I'm at a Greek Wedding. In fact, from now on after a meal and relaxation time, I'll walk over to the trash and yell, "Opa" as I crash the dishes in the garbage. I've go to entertain myself somehow. I have no TV. For me this is like a diabetic without there insulin. So it's been 7 hours, and I've seen 2 movies. (ATL and SLITHER) I figure by Wed I'll seen every movie out there including all the Independent ones. Noname is doing well. We have her on Clavamox ( a form of augmentum for cats) for any bacteria infections as a precaution for the trip. She doesn't like the pills, so I have to shove them down her throat. We are both not happy about that. Her claws can go thru a towel, jeans and skin to get to my thigh muscle. She is strong for her size. I'm bringing her moist packets with me so she can have her food when we get there. I'm also bringing some dry. Pace will have a litter pan for her, so she's all set. I'll get there (Lyon) on Thursday and Pace is leaving for Jakarta on Sunday. Not much time together, but that will force me to get out on my own and see the area. I know there are many people who I haven't talk to to say good bye. Jenna & Emily ---- I just can't bear to say goodbye, so I'll just say I'll see you soon. I know I'll be back in MPLS for the Twin Cities Improv Festival June 2007. My Noblett's I'll try to get a hold of you guys, but will see. Sue we will talk, whether it's 2am or what I'll talk to you even is it's from France. Pistol I'll get thru to you tomorrow. My phone goes down on Monday,so if I don't call you before then au revoir.

Next stop...........Lyon, France

Welcome Ladies to my blog site

Welcome, my "women over 30" group, to my blog site. Thank you for the wonderful dinner tonite. I can't express enough how much the group as a whole has helped me to become a better person. Also knowing each of you has inspired and brightened my life. I'm not going to say good bye. In French they say "au revoir" (until we re meet) , in other languages hello & goodbye are the same, so I'm just going to say I'll see you people soon and write you alot. Also just remember when you don't know what to do, I say "FUCK IT!!!!"