Cuteness and Grandeur

Life has been so wonderfully bright and sunny.  Sorry to all of my American friends who cannot look out the window and report the same.  However, it is not that common that the sun shines in Paris - so, I get to mention it with absolute glee.

Lots to share, but sorta limited on time at the moment, but didn't want to wait another day for an update.  Once it happens, it is a slippery slope and I want to keep this blog a happenin' place to be.  So, Another photo essay entry.  I hope that is okay - oh, wait, no I don't.  It is okay - because it is my blog and I do what I want... hmmmph.

So, we were once again totally delighted to have the warm company of two friends again for a day, a night and a morning.  Steve and Genevieve have been in France for about a month. They have had an amazing trip.  We got to see them at the beginning of their incredible journey and sadly, now at the tail end.  It was a beautiful day and so after lunch, we took the 15 minute train ride to Versailles.

I have been inside several times and just could not stomach the shuffling through the magnificent rooms yet again.  So, S & G went inside to be amazed at the dazzling rooms and we were very, very happy to spend time in the magnificent gardens... except that it was one of the exceptional days were they had light shows and fountain shows accompanied by music and all kinds of other stuff (cool stuff and had we more time, yes, sure but only an hour, nah - and it was about 12 US dollars to get this area instead:

I mean isn't that just lovely?  It was one of the the king's lakes.  When S & G called to tell us they were done being wowed by the glorious castle, we went back to the entry of the vast (understatement) gardens to meet up.  We took a few pics there.  Because it was close to closing time, there were very few people there.  This made the environment feel so much more authentic and how do you say? Bourgeois.

Behind us is the long lake, you can rent boat boats and paddle around there.   Steve, Genevieve, Hicham, Sabine and me.  I am standing like a wanna be catalog model (maybe JC Penny).  But if you click on the picture, you can see Sabine's lil fro.  Anyway, S & G look very good here so, voila.  I should add that all those green trees behind us are not just trees, but immaculately pruned and designed unique gardens.  Really, these gardens are exquisite.

 

Sabine and Hicham.  She practiced her stairs some more and more and more.  After that day, she is officially an expert.

My Favorite Building in all of Paris

Even though I have lived here for almost three years (one summer and 2.5 years in our current abode), I can still be taken aback by some of the sights here.  Some bad, some good and some downright breath-taking.  My all-time favorite building falls in catagory three. It's address is 29 Ave Rapp.  It is about 2 minutes away from the American Library.  We get to see it each time we go and I always stop to admire it and like good art, each time I see it I like it more and more.  I also notice new things about it.  It is worth a few minutes to really look at these pictures, there is just so much love and care that went into creating this building's facade.

I have always wondered, who?  why?  what in the hell?  I mean, a TWO HEADED TURTLE?  Luckily, google maps, led me in the right direction (ha ha pun intended).  From locating the address on google maps, it appears I am not alone in my mild obsession with this art nouveau fantastic building.  Many others have taken photos of it too and even credited the original designer Jules Aime Lavirotte.  So, a simple google search of that name led me to more information about Jules.  And voila, the guy designed at least nine other buildings.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jules_Lavirotte includes all the addresses and so, I will begin my quest to seek and find each of these mythical buildings in Paris.

I am pretty thrilled at the prospect, not gonna lie of a mini mission.  As my favorite tv character would say, "Set a course" (Capt Janeway).  Here is the first of nine (can't wait to get to Seven of Nine - another Star Trek reference tee-hee).

Nine Building Photo Series: One

Built 1901:

 

             Another Angle.

Please click on the photo to open it up to it's original size and enjoy all of it's glorious details: 

                         Check out that cool interior ceramic ceiling.  And people actually get to live here.

                          Hello 112 year old two headed turtle.

Saved the best part for last, the entrance.  You can't just call it a door either.  It truly is an entrance.

I am here where they are

Tonight, while I wait for my very non-French whole wheat muffins to bake, I was surfing the net.  Yeah, I could have been studying French, but decided that I was just too tuckered out for such effort.  It has been a bit of a long day, I taught my two English as a Second Language classes, cleaned the entire balcony which was desperately needed,  etc etc.  

So, I spent some time reading Salon.com, one of my favorite easy-reading with meaning websites about American liberties being demolished for the sake of 'security', looked at some amazing flickr photo groups posting pics of abandoned farm houses in NC, watched our beloved First Lady getting her groove thing on as she builds awareness around public health and obesity.  This is a pretty good snapshot of what I do on the web.  Tonight I realized how completely American centered it is.

What does it mean to be American? When we first moved here back in (gulp) 2009, I was reading Durham's Herald-Sun online EVERY SINGLE DAY.  I read the Indy too.  I mean, you can't go cold turkey on community can ya?  Well, the repercussions were severe.  I would read about all the things I couldn't do, see, be a part of and I got severely depressed.  Hicham said I had to stop reading that stuff because I don't live there anymore.  So, I did stop at least reading local news.

But, I still feel so very connected to the USA, even if I don't participate in daily life there, contribute to any real community or support any local restaurants.  I feel as American as when I left.  Hell, maybe even more so since I am constantly faced with 'their way' of life and lifestyle.  Like how they have no screens on their windows, how you will get tiny glasses of water everywhere you go and I am the only one who gulps it down in one second, how they often wear thick scarves on 80 degree days.

The internet helps keep this identity strong, very strong.  But is it real?  What am I gaining by knowing evil John Ashcroft took a job with evil Blackwater.  Does it matter, really that women's rights to abortions are being stripped away at every turn?  What can I do about it here anyway?  What do I lose by not knowing what is going on around me, here where I live?

I am not unusual, living in a cultural bubble.  Most American women I know here, married to Frenchies live similarly.   Of course, there are exceptions, those who speak French fluently, those who have been here for more than 10 years and those who just adore France.  I am not any of those women... yet.

What is also interesting is how much each country pushes for integration and assimilation.  I had to take a two day long French culture class, learning about history and rights.  I have adjusted certain things to be more culturally correct.  I will do the bisous (the kiss kiss thing at first meeting), I do make more of an attempt to look "effort-filled" stylish when going out (though my New Balance shoes do tag me as foreigner) and I will follow their many absurd informal rules (ex. not sitting on the grass) and informal customs (giving correct change or be met with contempt).  I even trill, "bonjour!" upon entering a bakery.  Of course, I use my worst accent ever so they know immediately, I am not going to rush over and hurriedly tell them what I want in a matter of fact kind of way.  No, no, no (say it fast to sound French).  No, no, no, my version of bonjour tells them, I am an idiot and can't even say 'hello' correctly, so don't expect too much.

The USA is not unique in wanting new-comers to embrace American ideals.  Of course to me, it sounds easy.  Hell, it sounds like a privilege.  Everyone wants to be free right? But the French also feel this way.  Except their version might be, everyone wants to be French right?   Their notions of superiority are no different from our own.  I mean, they can admit that the best technology is developed in the USA, but they are catching up again.  Anyway, they have very progressive ideals and over 500 types of cheese!

So, I seem to be working the "We" vs "Them" dichotomy to the point of exhaustion.  I say "we" like I matter to America, which I don't.  I don't shop there, I don't work there, I don't own any property there, I don't even have a car there (gasp)!  And unfortunately, I don't see a return date for a long- long time, if ever.  I say 'them' like they are over there.  Well, they are not over there.  I am over here and I am here where they are.  My 'we' are far away, so maybe it is way past time I start changing my concept of we.  

Yeah, after two and a half years, I start to realize this on a whole new level.  Seems a little slow, doesn't it???  Well,  I was distracted by being pregnant and having a baby, so much of my energy was birthing,  breast feeding, soothing and general baby stuff and my identity was that of a new mom.  Now that Sabine is older and I am getting back into the groove of thinking again (just kidding)... actually, having Sabine has made this identity question even more powerful.  I don't see anyway to end this blog entry really because it is an on-going issue.  Any insights would, as always, be appreciated.

This btw, is not to say, that I will not continue to point out the often bizarre and sometimes charming cultural differences - cuz I am still a big-mouth American even here in hushed toned France;)  Just building more awareness of my place in the world divided up by immigration, laws, beliefs, cultures, governments and other dividing lines that most of us don't even have to question.

I do know one place that I am completely "at home", with my beloved husband and daughter.  Awe :)

At the famous Angelina's Restaurant in Paris (wearing my New Balance shoes!)

Extra Good Oatmeal.

Well, since it does have the word 'kitchen' in it, there is some implication of cooking from my blog's title.  I do really love spending time in the kitchen, yes even cleaning actually.  Put on some music and do my thing.  Whatever that thing is, there is a sense of accomplishment at the end.  Whether it is soup,  a loaf of banana bread or all the dishes done - there is a beginning and an end.  That is nice.

So, I am not going to add recipes everyday, but when the mood strikes.  The mood has struck today and anyway, Sabine is busy right now.

She is in her room doing her thing and we have big plans today to go to the American Library of Paris when she emerges.   I don't particularly like to disturb Sabine when she is in play zone by herself.  I want to encourage alone time and that means I don't go into her room or check on her while she is in there.  It is a completely child friendly zone and with the exception of the dirty cloth diaper bin (with lid) there is nothing she can't touch.

My recipe of the when I feel like it is called:

Extra Good Oatmeal:

2 cups of steel cut oats (NOT instant)

1 cup water

2 cups apple sauce

1 cup finely shredded carrots

1 cup cooked brown rice

1/2 cup raisins

1 tsp cinnamon

overly mashed banana for extra sweetness (optional)

1 tsp vanilla or almond extract (optional)

1/4 cup wheat germ (optional)

1/4 cup ground flax seed (optional) 

also: walnuts, coconut, apple pieces, blueberries, anything really!

It is tricky making oatmeal look as good as it tastes in a picture.

Cook on low to medium for about 5 minutes - stirring frequently. If you prefer mushier consistency then 10 minutes would be better.  Because there are raisins, carrots and applesauce, there is no need to add refined, processed white sugar. 

Top with yogurt and almonds if you want.

Believe me when I tell you, unless you are gluten intolerant, this breakfast will make you feel good!  And keep you going for a long time.