It's been over six months since I last wrote something for you all... which is too bad. I enjoy writing, I hear that some of you enjoy reading, and there is so much to say! That being said, there's so much to say that I feel like I never quite have the time to say it!
So over the last six months there have been trips to Spain, Italy, and Portugal (what can I say? All of these fabulous places are so close!), amazing birthday surprises for my big 3-0, many visitors, a move to a new apartment, and a very busy work season. Most of it has been great, and some things have been a real drag, but in general life is always good. For each one of these events, I've drafted a blog in my head, and then it has faded away as I never got the time to put it down.
I guess another reason why I've not written very often this year is because some of the novelty has worn off. Last year, there were certain things about living in France that absolutely struck me as being different or crazy, and I just needed to write about them. Maybe things here now seem less weird, so it's not as obvious to me what people would like to hear about. The transition to life in France is funny... I sometimes find myself searching for a word in English, and blurting out the French word instead. I also sometimes speak an awkward form of English, that's essentially a direct translation of a French phrase. Once I double-kissed my sister without thinking. She gave me this look and said, "What was that all about??" I even have to remind myself to look up at the Eiffel Tower on my way to work every day.
Though in a lot of ways, I'm still 100% American. I still pay a ridiculous amount of money for a cup of Starbucks coffee (it's even more expensive here), and am foolishly excited about their seasonal lattes. I miss American grocery stores every time I go to a French one. (They don't bag your groceries here... they just shove them down the little "chute" and you have to bag and pay as fast as you can so as not to upset the people behind you). And of course, I still 100% argue that Fahrenheit is the best scale for temperature for every day use. It's degrees are smaller, which makes it more precise! Also, I still can't get used to saying it's "30 degrees out!" when it's super warm. Being from Upstate New York, it's just not going to happen. Thirty degrees means cold!
So that's where I'm at right now. Many blog ideas swirling around upstairs. Maybe in the "off season" for my work I'll be a bit more productive here. Either way, I hope you enjoyed this little update.
