Xmas Time in Troyes

I just noticed today that Xmas decorations are going up all over Troyes. Lights hanging over the streets, trees for sale, decorations in the store windows...I've never really been much into the holiday season. I guess American commercialism has jaded me, along with the nonstop Christmas carols starting in November. I realize that yes it IS still November now, but I'm loving it. Maybe it's because I never watch TV and therefore am not innundated with commercials telling me to buy, buy, buy! Maybe it's because I never listen to the radio and the same 10 Christmas songs being repeated over and over and over. Maybe it's because it's actually cold enough to snow here. Wow, could I actually have a white Christmas?! That would be so cool!There's nothing more I could ask for this year. My love is coming to visit me, we're gonna frolick around Europe, and I'll get something I've wanted for years: a kissy photo in front of the Eiffel Tower. Chouette! All things to make me smile in spite of this cold from hell.

La Vingt-Sixieme Annee de Moi

It's my birthday today. Very weird feeling, to be in France-- rather, to NOT be at home, with friends and family, planning a big fanfare. Don't get me wrong, my crew here is awesome, but it's just not the same. I need to get used to the concept that things not being the same does not necessarily mean they are worse or better. Just different. But having my birthday away from home is almost as surreal as having had to work yesterday, on Thanksgiving.

Still not 100% what tonight's plans are. The other anglophone assistants are gonna join me in celebrating my 26th, options are either a wine bar or a hookah bar. Hell, I'm down for both, but we'll see...

Goddamn France and Their Goddamn Strikes...

So it's possible that people back home know about the strikes here in France, either from me directly or from articles such as this in the SF Chronicle (if the French strikes make American news, it's a big deal, because they strike all the time and are mostly ignored by international media). Then to make things worse, today I read this French Trains Hit By Sabotage

Not that I have any travel plans until I head to Charles de Gaulle airport to see my honey on Xmas day, but still, this is ri-goddamn-diculous. All because the train workers think they are entitled to their 37-year pension plan while the rest of France has a 40-year plan. Get over it already, people's lives are being seriously fucked up.

There was a teachers' union strike yesterday too (pics to come) but it was only a one-day thing and I don't think people's daily lives were too affected (unless they happened to be driving through downtown Troyes yesterday while the roads were barricaded).

Goddamn France...

Notre Anniversaire

I'm still not able to wrap my head around that fact that "anniversaire" means both "birthday" and "anniversary." Obviously yes, it resembles the English word "anniversary" but try finding an "anniversaire" card that is not in regards to what we anglophones call "birthdays." C'est impossible. Oh well. Ended up making my own card anyway :P

Today is our one year anniversary. Obviously married couples base this on their wedding date; since we're not married (yet), this is the date of our first kiss. I remember thinking at the time that A) I was destroying a perfectly good friendship, and B) he probably wouldn't call me the next day, which I was surprisingly OK with. The LAST thing on my mind was that within a year I'd agree to marry this guy. The world does indeed work in mysterious ways.

So, cheers to us. Nikki and Jess. We're just fabulous.

The Truth

Came across this article and died laughing. If anyone wants a quick insight into my life here, this sums it up in a nice lil tongue-in-cheek fashion
The American's Guide to France

London

So here I sit in London Heathrow airport. Is it already over?? How could 6 days go by so quickly, when I waited for an eternity for Nov 2nd to arrive? If time flies when you're having fun, it seems to never have existed when you're madly in love.

I got in on Nov 2 and after waiting through the most hellacious customs line (got stuck behind half of Moscow, I kid you not), I emerged, tired from hauling luggage, but ecstatic to see Jess. It was almost unreal to see him, I swear no one has ever looked as good to me as he did that first second I saw him. We headed to London and checked into our hotel. His company gets major props, the place was just fabulous.

We spent the weekend walking around London, enjoying the sights and the very un-London weather. We avoided most tourist spots since A) we've both been here before and B) they were PACKED, but we managed to hit up Camden, the Tate, and walk past Big Ben, Parliament, the Millenium bridge and St Paul's. Our evenings we sepent enjoying delicious food and each other.

Monday and Tuesday during the day, I was on my own while Jess worked. I did manage to steal him away for lunch and occassional cigarette breaks though. My only regret was getting a bit too woozy-boozy on Monday night-- so not sexy, but Jess was understanding as always. Then last night my meltdowns started...

It wasn't so hard when I first left for France, so I don't understand why it was so, so painful for me to leave him this time. He'll be in France in Dec for two whole weeks, yet I was just devastated to leave. I bawled, I hyperventilated, I did. Not. Want. To. Leave. Now that I am at Heathrow I feel better, but am definitely welling up thinking about how lonely I will be to sleep alone tonight. But I can take solace in my early b-day/anniversary/X-mas gift from my hubby-to-be: a spiffy new laptop, and it's PINK to boot. Me, spoiled??? Ya think?!?!

Oh well. I suppose the energy would be better put to use thinking of a lesson plan for tomorrow. And a new countdown begins: 48 more days til I see him again...

P.S.- Pics will be posted soon, I am at Jess' mercy since we tended to only use his camera. Stay tuned.