Tuesday, February 7, 2012

So, Ross left yesterday for ten days in Miami.  He worked through about 2PM and then had a taxi pick him up at the house around 5:50.  I like that they use taxis rather than me having to drop him off and pick him up at the train station.  It made for my first weepy day here.  I think I just was dreading him leaving.  When we were first married and he’d travel, I used to cry when he left, but once we had children, I was so busy and occupied that it was okay.  Now with just the two of us again, it’s weird.  Normally he’ll only do little trips of a few days and I’m fine with that.  This is ten days and we’re snowed in here and it’s cold, etc.  Plus, we don’t have his car back yet.  It is supposed to be done later today and I’ll need to meet a co-worker and get his car and give them the rental back.  It really wasn’t about the car, but that is when I lost it.  I told him it’s bad enough I have to handle all the car stuff for both of us in the US, I shouldn’t have to do it here too.  Plus, I hadn’t driven here yet, so that has me nervous a bit.  Back to standard transmission, lots of very narrow country roads, new road signs and rules, not knowing where I’m going, etc., etc.

So anyway, this morning I ventured out to the bank.  The roads here around Luynes are pretty bad.  Driven on, cold weather, sun shining, so they’re packed down and slick.  I went really slowly.  Then once on main roads, it was dry and clear.  I arrived at the bank at 12:06, guess what? The banks here are not only closed Mondays, but every other day they close from 12-2 for lunch.  Shops too…..it’s crazy, no one who works can run errands or get anything during the long lunch break time.  My bank card which is also my credit card hasn’t been working; everything is taken from your account monthly, so no charging what you don’t have.  If you go over one month, they shut it down and take it from your pay! Anyway, it would say that the code was good, but then reject it.  Fortunately Ross had his card for the same account; it worked fine.  Anyway, we had emailed the bank guy and he apparently fixed the problem without me having to go since it worked at the Super U store.  I went there after the bank; it is my local little grocery shop.  I had not been able to find a few things at Auchon and needed to spend time going up and down the aisles.  I did find chocolate chips, but only 100g bags which is really a palm full for 2.45 euro.  Yikes, I’ll be bringing some Nestles chips back next time!  Sugar and flour only come in 1kg bags, which is about half a pound.  I’m guessing people buy their baked goods and don’t bake!!  I was also trying to find spray starch for ironing since I won’t be sending dress shirts out here L Haven’t ironed shirts for Ross in years!! 

Bacon is pretty much not available….boo hoo.  They call it bacon, but it’s more Canadian bacon which is ham like.  On line I read to try Lardon which is close but only comes in little bits, so we’ll see. 

One very strange thing here is milk.  I don’t drink it ever, but Ross uses it in cereal and tea.  Well it’s not pasteurized here which puts it to 161 degrees Fahrenheit, for several minutes, but rather UHT, which is Ultra High Temp at 275 degrees Fahrenheit for a few seconds.  So, it’s just as nutritious but does not need refrigeration until opened and is good for 3-6 months unopened.  Apparently all over the world they use UHT milk, but it had Ross and I puzzled when trying to find milk and it was stacked and not in the dairy section.  Just another oddity.

While Ross is away I will be getting the truck delivery of our goods.  Word came in yesterday that it had passed through customs and is ready.  YEAH!    I’ll be busy for the rest of the week unpacking and organizing.  Currently the rental bed is in the dining room/living room.  I needed the bedroom empty for the new bed.  So I am sleeping out here!!  Very weird!!  They can’t pick up the rental things until next Monday, so it will be very crowded in here for a week with boxes and the rental stuff.  I have piled all the dishes, cookware and linens on the table and shoved it into the corner. Tomorrow morning their couch, the bed and coffee table will get shoved too. I have one plate, fork, knife, and spoon out as well as one cup and pan.  I don’t want to get any rental stuff mixed in with my new stuff.  It’ll be better than Christmas opening all new household goods!! 

Once things are settled a bit, I am planning on doing some reading!  We have a lovely back patio with a roll out awning.  I brought a cute teak set with a table and two chairs.  Come spring, that area will be calling my name!!  Sophie can romp in the garden while I sit and read.  I have a Nook-e reader which I love, but know it’s only licensed for purchases within the US.  So, knowing that, I asked for Nook gift cards for my birthday and Christmas.  The kids and Ross all helped there and I was able to purchase and download a bunch before leaving.  I even used Discover points for some gift cards.  As a result, I have almost 500 books on my Nook.  I’m sure some will be not worth reading, but I can archive them.   I should be set for ages and can re-load if necessary when I am back in the US.  It works great here and hooks into our Wifi, but no buying books here.  I have three Beth Moore Bible Studies to do, so I am looking forward to them as well. 

First things, first, unpacking and finding places for everything.  I put it all together so quickly; I don’t even remember some of what’s coming.  I think I bought a teapot, but if not, I’ll be buying one for sure…..immediately!  I’m pretty sure I packed toothpastes and extra deodorants, but not sure about a few other things.  I’ll know this weekJ

Loving being able to iMessage Lindsay and Calum whenever I want for free.  Texts cost, but iMessage is free if it goes to a blue bubble!  Plus our home phone/internet package offers me four hours of free calls to the US each day.  I can call only from my home phone, but to both cells and land lines.  That makes us not seem so far away.  Because we still all lived together, it’s funny not seeing them or talking to them each day.  The time difference takes some getting used to, usually it’s late for me.  I am learning to be up later and sleeping later.  Ross starts work between 8:00-9:00, they seem to just roll in whenever…..he’s almost always first getting there around 8:00. They work later though, and dinners are later, so I am adjusting.  My body loves the sleeping later!!  I’m off to prepare a few things for the movers. 

January 4 + 5, 2012

The dryer arrived and works which is great.  It does fill up the tank with 4 liters of water for each load which I empty.  Never knew how much moisture we vented outside before.  No wonder there is always visible steam coming out the vent.  Even though they both hold up to 8kg of laundry, you can’t do that much unless it’s lightweight.  I’ll, get used to little loads.    

Ahhhh, the weekend again and Ross is off.  We did get to dinner Friday night with Benjamin and Geraldine.  Both speak English quite well, so it was a nice treat for me.  We arrived early ( ??, I know that seems like late to me) 7PM for dinner so the children would still be awake. I was able to meet Fantine (7), she speaks a tiny bit of English from her time in Holland at an English school.  Gaetan (4) is a typical four year old boy, playing and talking a million miles an hour.  He immediately brought me an English book to read and we took turns saying words in French and English.   Coretin (2) is the perfect example of the third child and a boy.  My friends and I used to laugh at our 3^rd children who were boys, they were so funny and so trying to get attention but also fussing when he wanted things the others had. Children are the same all over the world, especially siblings!!  Once I am settled, I am hoping to spend Wednesday afternoons with them working on their English and my French.  They do not have school on Wednesdays here (oh how we would have loved that at Maranatha) They do Mon., Tues. Thurs. Fr. From 8:30-12:00, have until 1:30 for lunch (most go home or if older, eat with friends), then 1:30-4:30.  I think I could have handled that with Wednesday off. J   

I also have a new name here, never loved the name Lisa anyway.  They call me Leeza, that’s how they pronounce it here.  I quite like it!  Our last name McCulloch is even funnier.  They say it like this , Mac Cool Luck.   So, I am Leeza Mac Cool Luck!!! 

 Saturday we went to Ikea to get our lamps and a few things.  Then off to Auchon again to stock up on groceries for me. I had wanted to get to the store myself and just explore the aisles, but with the car issues, we were forced to go together again.  Got that taken care of and did a few things around the house.

Sunday we woke up to five inches of snow.  It is so rare here and they just don’t handle it well.  Our country area has no plowing so we are stuck in when snow comes.  It is usually maybe an inch or two a year, so this is causing all kinds of issues.  So, no church for us L I was looking forward to it and writing down the way since next weekend I’ll be alone.  Oh well, we finished a few things around here. Ross “broomed’ the walkways since there are no shovels.  I told him it would be a good day for tea and shows or movies (if we only had any English channels other than news). Every once in a while they shove an English program on, so we found two episodes of really old CSI….called Les Experts.  During the week sometimes around lunch, old episodes of Friends in English. 

February 3, 2012

Today is “do-over” day for us!  Kind of like the movie Groundhog day.  They will re-deliver my new dryer today and this one is the same Electrolux brand as the pedestals and the washer, so hopefully it will be a match and all will be well. 

I just completed my second phone call all in French and was able to ask the man if it was coming today and at what time.  I know he said yes and I think he said 2PM.  They do the clocks on the 24 hour schedule here, which really makes sense, but I am still converting in my head.  It’s just funny to hear 14 o’clock or 20 o’clock. 

It is also do-over day for our dinner at the co-worker’s house.  We had to cancel at the last minute which I’ll explain next.  I felt terrible since I know they probably went and bought extra food and prepared and cleaned…….all the things I’d do.  But, they were very sweet and invited us for tonight instead. 

We called Lindsay and Ross’ parents last night for some sympathy and some laughs.  It had become one of those days!!!  Ross did say I could write about it, so I’m not in trouble for sharing.

So, the saga of the day…………………Ross was to return the rental car as his company car was being delivered.  A co-worker has had the vehicle for a year and will be returning to Sweden.  Ross is to finish out the mileage on the lease and then we’ll get a new car.  It is a Volkswagen Passat Station Wagon, so it should be a good car.  So, Ross goes outside at 2:00 PM (or 14:00) with the HR lady and meets the guy.  He pulls up in the car which looks like it’s been through a war. Windshield is broken, taillight is broken, scratches everywhere and it’s filthy.  Then the guy said he forgot the snow tires at his house and would have to go back for them.  His child was asleep in the back……..So, Ross, being sweet, said, fine, go ahead but I must leave by 5:30 as we have plans tonight.  HR was very upset at the condition of the car (Ross wasn’t thrilled either), but she said he is to get estimates and they will repair everything and get it cleaned.  However, we’ll have the hassle of dealing with it all.  But, it is a car we don’t have to pay for and he only has to have it for 30,000 more kilometers, so we’ll just go with it. 

What I don’t understand is how just because something is provided for you, how do you not care enough to give it back in good repair?  It’s kind of like people who know someone else is paying for a meal out and they order everything because it’s “free”.  To me that’s just bad character showing!!  Anyway, the guy has known for months that his car would go to another; so in my mind, he should have had it fixed and brought it in good condition.  So, at 5:30 he calls Ross and says he’s running late……when he arrived at 6:00, he said that the gas light had just come on so Ross would have to fill it on his way home.  Really…….no gas either……..why am I surprised?  Then the guy got into a rental car with his wife and child and they left for the airport to go home.   Ross was cold, tired and frustrated by then and knew he needed to get home to pick me up so we could be at the couple’s house by 7:00.  So, Ross fills up and heads home.

Part two of the story…….now we can laugh……a mile down the road the car starts sputtering and dies.  Ross was able to pull it to the side of the road.  He called me and we were both saying: “oh no, you’ve got to be kidding”, when Ross realized something awful.  In his rush and in the dark, he accidently put gasoline in the car and it takes diesel.  So, now he’s stranded, doesn’t know how on earth to get a tow truck (at home we keep Alton Edge Towing on all our phones just in case) and he speaks way less French than me and I’m not that good.   So, he called Eric, his boss, who is a super nice guy.  Eric came right away and helped call the tow truck.  The VW place was nearby so they’ll get the tank drained and fixed, hopefully by today.  Eric had Ross drive him home and then Ross brought Eric’s car home here.  Eric’s wife will have taken him to work today.  Of course Eric got laughing and said he couldn’t wait to get to the office and share the story.  Ross knows he’ll be the brunt of the jokes for a while……”new guy puts gasoline in a diesel”.  When Ross called the leasing company to explain and was apologizing the guy was super nice and said “oh don’t worry, you’re not the first one to do this TODAY”.  

Now, gas pumps are another very confusing thing here….trying to figure out which is which.  Diesel is labeled either “diesel” or mostly as  “gazole” which to me seems like it should be gasoline.  Gasoline is not labeled except for numbers like 95, I guess for the octane.  So, it is confusing.  Ross says it’s his own fault, but I’m still blaming the other guy, had he left the car full, Ross would have had time to process the whole thing and would have gotten gas during the day and would never have done this!! 

By the time he got home it was after 8:00 and I had quickly put some food together.  So, tonight, if we have the car back, we’ll try dinner again.  What really makes him mad is that it was 100 euros of gas, which equals about $140.00, now down the drain (literally).  What we pay in dollars for a gallon in the US is what it costs for a liter here.  It is sooooo expensive.  So that was sad too……so next week while he’s gone and I have the car, I won’t be going too far in my experimental travels.  I think this car should get good mileage, at least I hope so!  I want to watch him fill up a few times so I can get it straight before I attempt it.  It would look really bad if I messed it up after this.

I told Ross that the one good thing for me is that he’s done the first big dumb thing, so now when I do them (and oh I will), I won’t feel so bad.  The calls to family helped, sympathy then laughs.  Honestly, stuff like this you just have to laugh and move on.  It makes me realize how difficult missionaries and others have it when they are immersed into a foreign language and culture. And, this is civilized, I cannot imagine going out to some of the primitive areas without any amenities. I may laugh at my toilet in the front entry hall by the living room, or the tiny kitchen things, but at least I have them!!!

Good news though, our ship has arrived with our things, it seems like there are no customs issues.  The new things I had itemized so they will just pay the tariffs on that and the plan is to bring it for unloading and unpacking next Wednesday and Thursday.  The hardest part will be that Ross is out of town and all of the furniture from Ikea will need assembly; table, chairs, dressers, nightstands, bookshelves,  TV stand, coffee table, etc.   I’ve asked if they will assemble the bed and get out the couch for me.  Then I can function a bit.  Then I’ll just go box by box, put away and assemble what I can.  That sure will keep me busy while he’s away, which is good.   Putting the kitchen together will be the most consuming.  It will be creative planning for sure!!  So next week I may have some “assembling” stories for you.  That’s not really my thing!!  The hard part is knowing when to have all the rental things picked up so I have them until the new is here but not have both sets in the house at once. There is no room for that!!  But, I’m not up for spending a night on cold tiles!!  Should be interesting!

February 2, 2012

So, I can laugh now, but yesterday I had one of those frustrating moments that I did fine through until Ross came to help……then I admit a few tears trickled out.  The delivery men came with my washer and dryer as well as our television.  They were able to put the washer on the pedestal and get it set up, but the dryer would not match the pedestal.  Even though the salesperson said they were compatible, they weren’t.  So between my limited French and my iPhone translator, they took the dryer back L  They said I could handle it with a simple phone call, well simple if I spoke fluent French; or I could go back to the store.  I called Ross and he came home early-ish and we headed off to Darty.  We were able to order the correct dryer, refund the old one and of course pay extra for the difference in the new one.  It will arrive Friday some time and I will be glad to have a dryer!!  My bank card didn’t work at first, I’m still getting used to the system, but fortunately Ross had his.  But, I got so pre-occupied; I left my brand new black Land’s End gloves on the counter.  Boo hoo……I discovered it halfway home and then that was when the tears started.  I know it really isn’t about my silly gloves and yes they were on clearance but still……so I hope someone really needed them!! 

He told me it was okay to cry but I said that I am finally on the good side of the silly sinus infection that has plagued me since November, that crying would clog my nose up again and I don’t want that.  I’m just finishing my third round of antibiotics (this time for 30 days straight), so anything that will clog my sinuses is off limits, including crying!!  And I told him I’m not sad or miserable, in fact it’s all kind of fun, and I am loving the chance to just relax a bit.  Just every once in a while a wave hits, the eyes tear up and it’s a mini pity party for a few seconds, then it’s gone.  Now, next week when he’s gone for ten days and I’m alone and driving around areas I don’t know, and alone in the house…….then the pity party may be a bit bigger!!  

I did use the washer and it is great, small loads, but it’s only two of us.  But, I had to Google laundry words so I knew what the washer directions and knobs said.  I’ve never picked temperatures between 20-60 degrees before either; so this is all new. I do get the little pictures and can figure out most of it, but you just don’t realize the little things you think you know that you really don’t.   I found out most laundry should be done on 30!  And, the radiator things are very good for hanging clothing to dry.  My drying rack for air drying is coming on my shipment.  So, Ross came home yesterday to all his undies hanging on the radiators in every room.  He just laughed.  Today it’s been jammies and now jeans everywhere.  Once I knew I wouldn’t burn the house down, I started just doing laundry and using my “in house” dryers.  The good side is that when the laundry is dry, they are so nice and warm I just hold them for a few minutes to warm up.

Now anyone who knows me, knows that I am really careful with receipts, I check and double check.  Somehow because this was a big purchase and it is in French, they forgot to order one thing on my list.  So, my crockpot (well sort of crock pot type thing) never made it either. But, the good side there is that I have found one at Auchon cheaper…..so tomorrow I will go there and get it.  Just silly frustrations but ohhhh, I am usually so good at customer relations things and I handle them all the time.  I hate not being in control and being able to just do!! 

We are the first ex-pats on the new contract so I think we are kind of an experiment.  I told Ross I hope I get to do a review or survey.  My biggest suggestion would be for them to provide half your language training before you leave the US.  We are allowed 120 hours of language training, but are still waiting for them to organize it.  It’s all handled out of Sweden where the headquarters are, and I understand why they want one policy for all rather than some getting favors or better housing, etc., but for them it’s a policy and time is relevant, for me it’s our lifeJ

So that’s my rant for the day.  It will be fine and it really was a nothing issue, just shows me more and more why we should have our children learn other languages while they are young.

Also, if you watch the national news, you’ll see that all across Europe and into Russia they are having a huge cold spell.  Well apparently my body has adjusted very nicely to the warmer climate of Georgia and I AM FREEZING.  Sure, two years ago my hormones had me so warm I felt like I had my own heat source, now when I need it, I get chilled easily.  I have the radiators things going and they heat it up nicely, but with hardly any furniture and no carpets, these tiles just stay cold.  Saturday on our Ikea run, large rugs, runners and area rugs are on my list.  I think with them and furniture, it will cozy it up.  During the day if the sun is shining it’s so nice in here, but yesterday was cloudy and it just felt chilly all day.  I think I had three pots of tea!! 

I am also learning my Celsius conversions.  When I was a kid they said “pay attention to this, the whole world will be on metric by the time you grow up”.  Well, they were right, except for America!!  So today is a high of -2 which is 27 and a low of -8 which is 17. Brrrrr. I don’t care what conversion you use, that’s nippy.  It’s to be that cold thru Sunday, then into the 40’s I freeze there too, but if there is a French Groundhog, I sure hope he thinks spring is coming soon. 

I also made a big boo-boo this morning.  I went to call Ross at work to give him some information he needed.  From our house land line I dialed his French number into the phone, but when it didn’t go right away I hit the green button again.  Well, on this phone it must dial the last person you called, which was the house in Georgia…..so poor Lindsay got a rude awakening at 4AM when I was only trying to get Ross.  I felt terrible and she probably got so startled she didn’t go back to sleep……so I publicly apologize to all of her students if she was cranky this morning.

Tonight is our dinner out at a co-workers house.  Ross told me to dress warm as we can only get so far, and then have to park and walk…..what…..I asked if they didn’t have a driveway to park in ???  He said no, but that’s part of why we’re in the country rather than the city.  I like a house and a driveway and some privacy. Sure wish I had some nice, black Land’s End gloves to wear!!

Adding two photos of inside the house, one of the very neat ceilings with their beams showing, the other of the pretty staircase going upstairs.  I don ‘t actually use the upstairs, Ross showers up there so it’s quiet for me in the mornings, plus he likes that shower better. I do like the staircase though.  I block off the bottom and will get a baby gate eventually.  With the open stairs, Sophie could fall and really get hurt (I know Lindsay is thinking “oh please, oh please”) She is so not a pet person and Sophie really drove her crazy.  Animals seem to sense her dislike and it makes them try even harder, especially cats, which she is allergic to and despises. 

February 1, 2012

One week ago today we arrived in France.  When I think about that, I realize that I’ve gotten a lot accomplished in a short period of time.  I don’t feel so bad about still being confused with directions.  They are not my thing and even though we bought a GPS on Saturday, it seems to get us more turned around.  There is huge construction here putting in a train right thru the middle of town.  That has everyone doing detours.  It will be very nice once it’s done in a year or so, but right now….argh!

Ross leaves Monday and won’t be back until the following Wednesday so I’m not too thrilled by that.  It never fails whenever we move somewhere; after I arrive a week or so later he leaves the country.  As long as he builds up flyer miles for me to useJ

I haven’t driven yet, and I’m not exactly looking forward to it.  Sure Atlanta with 7-8 lanes of crazy traffic doesn’t freak me out (too much), but here the roads are very narrow, some of them like a lane really.  Many are one way and several have two lanes but narrow spots where you look at the sign and it tells you who gets to go first, you or the oncoming traffic.  Reminds me of a little one lane bridge back in Hollidaysburg where you took turns.  Plus the craziest driving thing is that the side streets to the right have the right of way.  So, if I’m on the main road, I must stop or slow down at EVERY side street to let people out. It slows traffic down in the city so much, it’s crazy.  I’ve been assured that’s not all over France, just a Tours area thing.  Ross works and we live north of the Loire River and Tours is on the south, so that helps me with directions.  I have three bridges I can cross: Napoleon, Wilson and Mirabeaux.  Just depends on what end of town you want to be in.  However, Wilson is closed for construction and it’s the main bridge into the town centerL  I also need to understand the road signs which is starting to make sense.  Funny thing, the stop sign says STOP- not ARRET….so they use the English version.

I am not ready to venture with the car into Tours, it’s insane.  People just cut in, then wave and that’s okay.  They honk and it’s bumper to bumper.  Parking is a night mare too.  When we were there in November, Ross actually had me get out of the car each time to guide him into the short, skinny spots.  We’ve been married 29 years and he NEVER asks for my help parking!! 

BUT, I can stay north of the river and head into Fondette or St. Cyr sur Loire where Ross works and there are some nice shops.  I know the long way there and will stick with it.  Ross has learned the back roads thru the villages and towns and it only takes 15 minutes.  I’ll learn that eventually.  Oh, also, I’ll need to really be thinking while driving too as the cars are manual transmission.  When we were first married, my Chevy Citation was a standard and it was pretty easy.  Haven’t had that car since 1985.  I drove Calum’s truck (when he had it) a couple times, but it was so old you didn’t almost even need to clutch anymore.  So, it’ll take a bit for me to get into that routine again.  I’m so spoiled!

Amazing, I saw an advertisement on TV this morning that said “nouveau” meaning new…..and it was an ad for deodorant! Yahoo, maybe, oh maybe several people will want to try this wonderful new product.  Our bank is in the neighboring town of Fondette and the entire lobby smells of B.O…….and these are professional people.  I do believe many people here are very clean and do use deodorant, however the typical stereotype is there with many others.

Talked to Lindsay last night and she was pleased to tell me her class has been dying to change the weather to snowy during their calendar time.  In Georgia, you can go a year and not use snowy.  She told them that in France, at her mom’s house, it had snowed.  She got out the map, did a mini geography lesson and the class said that since it was my house, it would count.  So they are probably the only class in the whole building to have snowy up yesterday, but they got to sing the weather song with snowy instead other weather words.  She said they were very excited!  Hey, it’s the little things!  I’m sure the kids got into their cars singing snowy and the parents couldn’t figure it out.  It’s a catchy little song and after many years in kindergarten, I randomly catch myself singing or humming it.  Ross so enjoys all my children’s songs for every occasion!!

I handled my first French phone call today.  Ross has called the house during the day, but that is easy.  This was from Darty to give me my delivery times.  In French I told him I don’t speak French, when he said Darty, I was able to say “aujourd’hui”, which means today.  He gave me some info and I said “Oui, merci”, yes thank you. So, my washer and dryer are either coming between 3 and 4PM or 3-4 hours from the call at 9!  Either way, I’m home J

I did discover two things I absolutely love about my house here that I will be wanting when I go back to the US.  Every yard is fenced in our neighborhood, completely, the whole way around with a driveway gate.  I love that.  Ross doesn’t love getting out and shutting the gate before going to work, but he does it for me.  I told him if we build one in the US, I’ll get it motorized, so he can push a button. Plus everyone has hedges planted and trimmed (well ours will be trimmed), so you are kind of in your own private box of hedges.  You can see over, but it really gives a nice sense of privacy and security.  Sophie loves it (except for the big cat next door, who likes to climb over).  The other thing I love is that I can walk right out my front or back or side (all those French door things).  I don’t have any steps, second floor decks, or hills; it’s just flat going out in all directions.  I have always wanted a house that was like that but we end up getting houses that work the best for us and I give that up.  Yes, we’ve always had a basement so that is part of the issue, but I told Ross last night, if we ever build or move…..no more basements, I really like this!!  And it’s not like it’s a flat area, in fact there are hills everywhere and the roads curve, go up and around, but the yard is flat and I love it. 

Frustration of the day: trying to set up my phone voice mail system.  I have the screens in English but my provider is a French company, so when it is telling me I have a voice mail or how to set up a greeting…..I don’t have a clue what she is saying.  Tomorrow night we are having dinner at a co-worker’s house.  He says to bring it and he will help me.  He came and hooked up our internet and TV box, all the on screen directions….you guessed it….in French! 

I’m excited about the dinner.  The couple have three small children ages 7,4 and 2.  The wife would like me to come weekly and do English classes with the children.  That sounds just perfect for me.  I hope they will help me too, at least with children when I get it wrong, we can just laugh and giggle.  I figure I can teach them some of my silly songs about oceans or continents or months and days.  Songs helped my class kids learn, so I bet that’s the same everywhere. As long as the parents don’t listen in to my terrible singing!!  Kids think I’m great which is why I stick with 5 year olds, they’re not judgmental!!    

Lastly, a blurb about Ross and his work lunches.  They have a cafeteria, not fancy but nothing like what is served at home.  For 1-3 euro he gets a several course freshly made meal daily.  Not tons of choices, but still inexpensive and very good.  There is a side cafeteria for when he has customers or guests where they serve the food to them.  Same food, just served nicer and then it’s billed to the company rather than his acct.  Pretty neat I think.  He laughed last night telling me not everyone eats there, some leave and go home, some bring a lunch, etc. but he was told everyone buys on Thursdays.  He asked why and was told,”Thursday is French Fry Day”.  I know we call them French Fries, but they’re not from here and newish in their menu world and people are loving them.  We notices that they are a side in most restaurants now, even with fancier meals.  Too funny.

Saw the rheumatologist yesterday( made the apt. back in November when I saw his sign while walking in town-great way to pick a doctor huh?), took my relocation lady although I typed up notes of what I have done in the past along with my doctors notes and lab reports.  He was quite impressed with how thorough she is.  He gave me a prescription for my Humira which was a big deal for me to get arranged here.  Rather than it being delivered to my doorstep every three months on ice, I’ll need to go monthly to my local pharmacy with an ice bag, but hey!  Now trying to figure out my new IF-international expat insurance.  For that I talk to SKF headquarters in Sweden….yet another language issue, fortunately they have English speaking help….but with a thick Swedish accentJ

Photos today are of the two white tea and coffee mugs they rented for us.  The green polka dot one is a cheap one I got just to have a decent size cup of tea.  It’s not big, just your typical dollar store size cheap mug.  It just shows haw tiny the others are.  The clothespin is for size reference as well.  Please oh please let my stuff come from America soon.  I need a BIG mug that keeps my tea warm.  Again…soooo spoiled!!

I’m off, awaiting the delivery and set up of my washer and dryer. Never thought I’d be so excited about being able to do laundry. I may be re wearing jeans and shirts but recycling undies and socks is where I draw the line!!!  I’ve got to do all of the stuff Ross left from when he was here last, plus what he’s worn since.  I think I should have no problem getting it done before he leaves Monday. 

January 30, 2012

So, the weather here is very temperate, usually between 30-70 degrees Fahrenheit.  They tell me that it usually snows here once or twice a year, only a couple inches each.  So, of course, our first week here, we get the magical snowfall.  Ross tells me they panic just as much here as in Georgia.  I watched the news all day and laughed as the weather seemed to be the topic of interest.  It was quite beautiful and Ross said very slippery on the way home.  I had planned on walking to town, we were down to ½ roll of toilet paper!!  Forget bread and milk, I need toilet paper!  We thought we had purchased some Saturday, but again, silly language issue, we got paper towels.  So, I had Ross stop by the store on his way home and phew, we are now stocked up.  We had planned on eating out with a coworker, so I had no meal planned.  He  picked up some meat for dinner, two veal chops, so we were able to cook dinner and spend a quiet evening home.

I mentioned the rental furniture and dishes before.  I will be soooo glad when our things arrive.  I’m not a tiny girl and I do have issues with arthritis and artificial joints.  This couch (our only place to sit) is so low to the ground, I have to get up on the arm first before I can get up off of it. Before you laugh too hard, even Ross, with all his original joints struggles to get out of it.  Plus it’s a two seat-er, so we’re snuggled in cozy and tight.  Yesterday Ross called home and let it keep ringing because he knew it would take me a minute to answer if I had to hoof off the couch first.  When I purchased the furniture to come here, I made sure they were a bit taller.  The bed is low too, but not so bad that I can’t get out of it.

I am attaching a couple pictures of our floorings so you can see my various shades of brown!  Once our things are here and it’s not so bare, I think you won’t even notice the floors much, but right now they stand out.  Some of the tiles on the walls, (yes they go up the walls in the kitchen and bathroom) even have decorative tiles.  My kitchen work space is two small areas which are also tiles; grey this time.  I do laugh everyday in the kitchen, I’m like Alice when she fell down the rabbit hole and she is too big for everything.  I bonk my head on the cupboards and stove exhaust.  Hopefully I’ll learn not to stand up quickly when doing dishes or using the stove. 

Also sending a photo of my favorite cleaning product so far.  It made me smile J

Lastly today, I’ve been thinking about some of the fun cultural differences.  I think it’s hysterical that once I’ve met someone, it seems I have to kiss them as I greet them. (more like a fake kiss touching one cheek then the other making a kiss sound).  In all the years we’ve been married, I’ve never kissed Ross’ boss, real or fake!  Well, now I can say that I have!!  It’s quite sweet, but so different from the culture I’m used to.  Plus everyone shakes hands too, I know we shake hands to greet others, but this is way more.  Ross says at work, everyone says good morning and shakes hands with everyone else.  I pictured more rudeness, but people are so very friendly here.  It’s so sad that our perceptions are based on what we see in movies and on TV.  We think of France as all being like the Paris we see in movies and the people rude and that they hate Americans.  It couldn’t be more wrong.  Of course, their perception of the US is what they see of Hollywood and movies and then the rest on CNN. ARGH……I told my relocation lady not to believe a word of how we are portrayed there!!   The TV they get from America is old stuff like Friends, ER, Walker, Texas Ranger and then current Jay Leno episodes.  I’ve also noticed that children are the same all over the world, especially siblings.  It’s fun to watch them poke each other and brothers tormenting sisters.  The language may be different, but the play and goofing around is the same. I love that!!

January 29, 2012

Just a short note for today.  We visited L’Eglise Protestante Eangelique du Tours Nord today.  Had a nice time of fellowship and I think this will be our church.  It was recommended by three different sources from friends here and in America, so we felt it was a good fit.  One nice thing is there are four or five people who speak English.  The pastor’s wife is from Iowa!  The doctrine is sound and they are associated with France Missions.  We visited another church in November and really liked it too, but it was an hour and a half away plus 9 euro each way tolls.  So, it will be an occasional visit, not something we can be a part of regularly.  Churches here are different from what we are used to, but as with everything else, we are just looking at it as different and an adventure.  Some things will take time to get used to, but I’ll just appreciate more what I have at home when I’m there again J So, here in Tours Nord which took us 15-20 minutes, the singing was nice, piano and guitar, they use power point, so we can read along and sing.  They had all songs we knew, both hymns and camp choruses and that were originally done in America, they just translate them and try to fit the words in.  The lady who does the playing and translating to power point is Irish, so she is making songs work in French that she knew.  One I remember part of the words:

How great is our God

Come sing with me

Translated to:

Dieu est son grande

Nous chantons

We also did How Great Thou Art, which was neat.   Then the message had the verses and the points on the screen so with our handy dandy itranslate app and my English/French parallel Bible, we got most of the message about Gideon.  Ross put it well when he said understanding the spiritual language already helped us with the real language.  We actually think that this will help us learn the language faster than any other way, even our language school.  Especially singing songs we know the tune already!  There are about 45-50 people which is a nice size for us. 

Then home to install a shower handle kit that stays on the wall above your head rather than one where you just hold the sprayer over you in the tub. Yea for progress.  We cooked a nice little dinner together and had a relaxing Sunday evening, complete with Skyping Ross’ parents( A first) We laughed together and it was nice to see each other even with the hiccups in service when faces would freeze.  We’ve been Skyping the kids too, so I am really going to like that!!