Finding a Groove

As represented by my posts this week, it has been all about Le Cordon Bleu. Non-stop from the first day. Sunday has arrived which means as a break from school. Time to catch my breath.

Last night was the first full night sleep – 10 hours – that I have had since I arrived in Paris. The combination of jet-lag, saying goodbye to my husband, and the anxiety of school left me with restless nights. So…“YAWN!!!” [big stretch] Ahh here we go.

There have been periodic snow storms since I arrived which is somewhat unusual for Paris. Perhaps I brought the Utah snow with me! When I say snow, I mean a ¼ inch (if that) which roughly covers the sidewalk. Hardly anything to write home about. The only reason that I am writing ‘home’ about this is because of the sheer panic the French exude over this. [giggle]

Today, as you know, is the 10th of January. And wouldn’t you know, but my fellow Parisians are still saying, Bonne Année, Happy New Year. I am beginning to see that this ‘beating a dead horse’ theme is something that I need to get use to.

London is known for gray skies. But such is the case for Paris. I guess the paramount love-affair with La Tour Eiffel pulls our attention from the sky. The rare case of sunshine must be the reason Parisians don’t wear sunglasses. I, on the other hand, where mine up until midnight. Or should I say did. After noticing that I was the only one with sunglasses walking around all American, Brad Pitt like, I opted to expose my eyes. Yet another attempt to live like a true Frenchmen.

The country of France does not have any heat - such is my perception. The Métro is cold. The trains are cold. Le Cordon Bleu is cold. My apartment is cold. The stores are cold. The restaurants are cold. France is cold! I have been slowly (I am a huge wimp when it comes to cold air and cold water) trying to turn down my internal body temperature. I streak around my block once per day. Kidding. I wear fewer layers, loosen my scarf, and occasionally take my hat off. It’s actually working.

I have also learned that baguettes are subsidized keeping them at an affordable price. You really do buy a baguette everyday. As for croissants I have only had two, but I could easily live on these alone.

All in all, I am moving forward into a settled life here. My French has improved two-fold. I often get comments that people think I am French because of my accent. I have pin-pointed all necessary stores, shops, and services of my neighborhood. Most of all, I have made my apartment feel welcoming and warm – a great place to ‘escape’ to.

C’est si bonne.