Yikes!

Hi friends!

I've gotten behind on my gratitude...not a good thing. School started back today, and my students were not ready to be back. Nine more weeks and the school year is over. A mixed blessing.

So onto it...some of the things I'm grateful for today include:

1)  these gorgeous pink tulips
2)  sushi for lunch...quite a treat
3)  the student who asked me today if he should "whack" someone...must have gotten me confused with his mafia instructor. Ha!
4)  an absolute blast of a party yesterday...thanks again Zabie!!!
5)  the sun...it's forecasted to return to Paris...eventually

What about you? Anyone ask you for permission to whack someone today? If not, then just what are YOU gonna be thankful for today?

bisous!

Morning gratitude

Hi!

How are you? I usually post at night, but today I wanted to try posting in the morning...er, mid-day, instead. So, I can't fill you in on my day as it's just short of 11 a.m., but I can certainly jot down a few things I'm grateful for. Here goes:

1)  a good cup of coffee and pain perdu (French toast) for breakfast. Mmm......
2)  three free days in front of me...what WILL I do?
3)  the tulips in the flower markets. I must post a picture for you...they are gorgeous, and I don't even have to buy them to enjoy them
4)  wise words from friends
5)  having dinner at Mama Shelter tonight...have wanted to try it; finally get to!

And you? What are you grateful for?

bisous

Cautiously excited!

Salut mes amis!

Well...today I got it! No, no...don't get excited yet. I didn't get the card but the letter I had been waiting for notifying me of my appointment at the prefecture to, I HOPE, get the card. Fingers, toes, eyes, all other crossable things: crossed. When they rejected me in the past (uh, twice) they called to tell me. So...I am taking an appointment as a very good sign. Cautiously optimistic, cautiously excited. The appointment is in March, so I'll update you in another month or so. As always, prayers, good vibes, lit candles are all welcome...and encouraged. ;)

On to my list. Today among the many things I'm thankful for:

1)  finally getting the letter I've waited almost six weeks for!
2)  and not getting the dreaded call...again
3)  cheese (random, but seriously, the cheese here...)
4)  this purring snugglebug of a Potter who can't get close enough to me and my kissing lovebug Gracie
5)  a fun meetup last night where I got to catch up with some friends and make some new ones

Thanks for stopping by!
bisous

Fast five

Salut!

Here we go...today I'm thankful for many things including:

1)  this blog: http://theboldlife.com/about/  - check it out...super cool, super positive, super bold
2)  blood glucose: great!  triglycerides:  great!  cholesterol:  slightly high but only slightly. After two years of living in butter heaven, I'm amazed it's only slightly high
3)  an organized kitchen...well, much moreso than before
4)  the feel of sunshine on my skin
5)  a nice glass of red wine at the end of the day

And you?

bisous

Sugar, sugar

Remember The Archies' song "Sugar, sugar"? I love that song. I'm singing it today because I've eaten entirely too much of the stuff over the past week. I'll just summarize the past 24 hours in which I made up a batch (uh, I think something like 42) of madeleines, most of which I gave away--although not all. That was yesterday (and today's breakfast). Today I happened onto a sweets boutique that sells these butter cakes from Brittany:  kouign amann. And OH MY GOD but they are good. And they're mostly sugar and butter. Am hoping the red wine I'm drinking will counter act all of that artery clogging goodness.

So, I'm turning over a new leaf tomorrow. No candy and very little sugar. I've simply overdone it lately. As for gratitude, I'm thankful for:

1)  the fact that I have the means to buy and live in a place where I can eat such divine things
2)  the fact that I have enough willpower to cut it out when it gets outta hand
3)  the wedding that I happened upon this afternoon...beautiful and happy and a joy to run into
4)  that I wandered all around the Marais today under cloudy skies but didn't get rained on
5)  a fun party last night with great people

What about you?
bisous

Tomber dans les pommes

Hi friends,

Today I have a French phrase for you. I'll explain what it means to "tomber dans les pommes" with a little story about a dreaded task that I completed today.

What's the dreaded task? Having blood drawn. I know, laugh...I am 44 years old, and yet when the doctor gave me a piece of paper and instructed me to go to a lab and have blood drawn, I procrastinated. For something like 10 months. The reason is simple:  unless I'm very careful, I pass out every time they take blood from my arm. A finger prick is fine, but more than that and I "tombe dans les pommes." Et voila. If I take something to eat and stay in a reclined position for fifteen or so minutes after the blood letting, I'm ok, but you can see why I don't relish the thought of completing this task. So I put it off...as long as I think possible.

But today was kind of it, so I did it. Got up this morning, grabbed some post-blood-drawing cookies, walked to the lab, waited my turn, warned the lab worker who was extremely nice and patient with me, and looked the other way while she took care of the rest. A couple of cookies and fifteen minutes later, I was back on the street and fine, and je n'ai pas tombé dans les pommes. Super! Such a RELIEF to have that behind me.

So, today on my list:

1)  having an unpleasant task that has haunted me for almost a year DONE and behind me
2)  the lady at the lab who was super, super nice
3)  youtube
4)  a short to-do list
5)  a party tomorrow night!

So what about you? Tell me what you're grateful for!
bisous

love, love, love

Hi friends!

This Valentine's day, I was valentine-less. It's no big deal. In fact, the past two Valentine's days I was dating someone, but as it isn't really celebrated in France, it was just like any other day. However, Valentine's day is always special for me because it's also my parents' anniversary. Smart thinking on Mom's part--not easily forgotten. ;)

So even though I'm a day late, today I'm thankful for lots including:

1)  the fact that my sweet parents got together...and are still together, still in love, still lots of good things
2)  kitty kisses...when no other kisses are forthcoming, my furry loves are quite tolerant of my smooches. Especially Gracie who loves smoochin'.
3)  that there's no half-off Valentine's candy here tempting me...although there are plenty of other high calorie temptations
4)  the DVD deal I got today:  "Coco Before Chanel" for 1€!
5)  the salade au saumon at L'Avant Comptoir

Hope you all had a happy Valentine's day!
bisous

Gettin' stuff done

Hey friends!

Happy Sunday! So, I tried a new under eye cream Friday night before going to bed. Unfortunately, it turns out that I'm quite allergic to it, so I woke up yesterday with crazy itchy, puffy, red suitcases under my eyes. I suffered through yesterday and thought for sure that all would be back to normal when I got up this morning, but, uh...no. So, off to the pharmacy I went where I got some cream for the itching and a little allergy medicine. The itch cream definitely worked, and I'm hoping that tomorrow morning I'll recognize myself once again. But, here's the good news...I had nowhere to be all weekend, AND I got 98% finished with the work for my classes. And how sweet it is to have that work done!

So, today I'm particularly grateful for:

1)  getting so much accomplished during my little seclusion
2)  the rule that somewhere in the district, a pharmacy must be open at all times
3)  the little golden kitty butt bumped up against me as I type
4)  the little gray and white kitty snoring in the corner
5)  tomorrow...off work again and maybe (please!) socially presentable once again!

And you?
bisous

Oooh, that smell!

Bonjour mes amis!

You may think from the title that I'm complaining about a bad smell, but oh no. Right now someone in my building is cooking something that smells HEAVENLY. I mean, this is reason enough to introduce myself to everyone within "smelling distance," it smells just that good. I don't know what it is except that it smells particularly French and rich. I imagine cream and wine as ingredients...herbs too although I can't say which ones. Seriously, the smell is amazing. I am inhaling...deeply. Over and over. Mmmm...

So, today I'm grateful for:

1)  this amazingly wonderful smell and the fact that every time someone in my building cooks it smells this good
2)  the fact that even though I don't know how to cook these wonderful things, I manage to enjoy some pretty amazing food in this city
3)  a nice relaxing Saturday
4)  fresh laundry--all caught up
5)  my pink cashmere cardigan that keeps me warm and toasty in spite of a few little holes

And you?
bisous!

Three day weekend!

Bonjour mes amis!

Happy Friday! And happy three day weekend to me! The next two weeks constitute the "February break" for French schools--including the university where I teach. Since I teach on Mondays and Fridays, this translates to the following:  A 3-day weekend followed by a 4-day weekend followed by another 3-day weekend. Tell me I don't have mad scheduling skills. Of course, the other side of that coin is that I only get paid when I work, so I am trying to schedule some consulting hours on my days off over the next couple of weeks. Ah, concessions...we all make them.

So onto today's list:

1)  having at least a little time off (and from the most frustrating of my work)
2)  having fun clients to work with Tuesday through Thursday
3)  my male friends who say the kindest, most beautiful things. Yesterday two of them told me I was beautiful, and one said he was thankful for me. How touched am I? Incredibly, overwhelmingly touched.
4)  NCIS on French tv on Friday nights. Perfect for the Friday night in.
5)  a golden opportunity in Egypt. Now I just pray that they get the right leadership in place--and quickly.

C'est à vous--it's your turn!
bisous and bon weekend!

Slacker, c'est moi

Hello friends!
Yes, I'm a slacker. Another day missed. I thought about blogging from my phone while I was on the bus, but I realized I don't know my ID and password to get into the blog site. Have to change that because blogging from the bus could be cool.

So quickly, here's my list:

1)  my friend Joaquin whom I've always called Ann, but hey, if she prefers Joaquin, who am I to disagree? ;)
2)  my friend Stephanie who is on her way over here any day now...for good! Right Steph?
3)  my Mom who doesn't do facebook anymore but still comes here and participates. Sweet.
4)  my other friends who come here and share their gratitude lists...I am SO grateful to you for coming along with me!
5)  L'Avant Comptoir...my favorite stand-up tapas resto with Eric, the bestest serveur ever. It would be dangerous for me to live too close to this place.

Hope you're finding lots to be grateful for today!
bisous

Chocolat Chaud

Hi friends!

Today I had some great hot chocolate (chocolat chaud)...thick, extremely chocolaty, and with a dollop of chantilly (whipped cream)...Mmmmmm...perfection. So today I'm going to go with:

1)  thick, rich hot chocolate with whipped cream
2)  catching up with friends
3)  the buses of Paris which offer transportation with a view
4)  a healthy, almost yummy 5 euro lunch
5)  warmer days

Short and sweet, like me. ;) What're you thankful for today?
bisous

Laughter

Bonjour mes amis,

Today was ABSOLUTELY gorgeous here! In the low fifties with sunshine and blue skies! Loving it and hoping it only gets better from here. Today hasn't been particularly funny, but for some reason, as I walked around today, I laughed a lot. Sometimes a funny memory would come to me--like the time my friend Melina and I invented the game, "brothas or lovas?" when we were in New York. We kept seeing guys dressed alike, and we were wondering if they were brothers or lovers. Who knows, but we were well amused, and when I passed two guys today who were dressed alike on the sidewalk, I laughed. I also laughed when the homeless guy asked if I would adopt him. It's not funny that he's homeless, but he always asks if I'll adopt him, and I find the approach amusing. If I hadn't been running late I would have taken a picture of a group of tourists sitting outside of a Starbucks that would have made you laugh. How'd I know they were tourists? All four or five of them, all guys, were sporting brand new red berets. Funny tourists.

Anyway, today I'd like to make my little list about this, so I'm thankful for:

1)  all of the opportunities that I had to laugh today
2)  people that are willing to do things for the sole purpose of making other people laugh
3)  being able to laugh at myself...I apparently have a lot of material. ;)
4)  the humor that is sometimes tucked into not-so-funny situations
5)  the two furry clowns that live with me and make me laugh a thousand times a day.

Your turn! Thanks for being here!

bisous

Sadness and Gratitude

Bonjour mes amis,

Yes, I'm here. Hope you missed me. ;)

Actually, Thursday I couldn't bring myself to post. I try to keep this site happy and positive, and that day I learned that a friend had lost her teenage son the day before. Incredibly sad story, very unexpected death, and this family has already experienced enough of this kind of thing, so I just couldn't get right with coming here and posting. I know I should have. I know that there are still things to be grateful for, and I am very grateful that this particular family has many, many friends who love them and are supporting them. But I was at a loss for words really. Then yesterday got away from me. But today I'm back, and today my friend is burying her son, and I am still deeply saddened for their loss. But I need to post. So here I am. Today I want to note my gratitude for:

1) the love and support that I know is surrounding my friends who are going through this terrible time
2) the technology that allows us to know what is going on and as a result, be there for each other even if it's just virtually
3) Mendelssohn's Italian Symphony
4) this city that still takes my breath away
5) Finally, Le Baiser, aka The Kiss by Auguste Rodin. This is my favorite piece of art in Paris. It is so beautiful, it brings tears to my eyes every time I see it. It is the most beautiful non-living thing I have ever seen. How can marble toes convey so much emotion?

And you? I hope you are finding things to be grateful for today.
bisous

Gratitude with a capital G!

Hi friends!

Ok, today I have exceptionally good news! Last year I taught five groups of students; four groups were challenging at best. But the fifth group was fantastic. These students wanted to learn. They wanted to be there. And I wanted to be there with them. They were so much fun, and when, at the end of the school year, I asked who would be back, I was thrilled at the number returning. Sadly, my very favorite student was not coming back but was instead returning to her family in Egypt.

Did your heart just sink? I have been so worried about her ever since the madness started, and I had emailed another former student last week to ask if anyone had gotten word from her. No news...until today when I learned that she and her family have gotten safely away from Cairo and are all doing well. Capital G-worthy gratitude right there, right?

So, tears in my eyes, I am thankful today for:

1)  Amal's safety
2)  on a lighter note, the adorable dog I saw today who was wearing a pink and black houndstooth coat. Seriously.
3)  Holly Golightly
4)  it's 2 degrees (C) here today as opposed to -4 yesterday.
5)  the video I saw today of the precious baby laughing.
6)  last but not least, my sweet friend Zabie who provided me with the wonderful new header you see above. Couldn't have said it better myself!

So you? What's going right in your world today?

bisous