Smells Like... Snow?

I have been checking weather.com daily now, and snow has been in the forecast for a while, but the days keep changing. It is 2C right now (not cold enough for snow) but there is definitely a certain feel to the atmosphere. I had my responsable's BTS class today. "I sink it weel snow," he said in his years-of-English-teaching-but-still-undeniably-French accent, "I can smell eet." I was surprised to hear this, as he looked surprised when I mentioned my forecast findings the other day.

Despite losing my free Wednesdays, I really enjoy his class. He teaches them the stuff they will need to know, but doesn't mind going off-topic and having me discuss, "The way we do it in the US..." and letting the kids have a break from analyzing texts. Although I told myself as I dragged my ass out of bed this AM that I would reviens tout suite for a nap, I instead went and did laundry, bought some groceries and am now at home, well, screwing around online :)

I won't have my other BTS class tomorrow for the second week in a row. So I only have one group of premieres. Luckily their prof told me I could re-use the same lessons I used with the group I had last term, so that's less work for me :)

There has been a fire alarm/smoke detector/shrill sound-making device going off for a good hour now in my complex. Highly annoying. I'll place blame on the elephants upstairs. God these people (I am convinced there's more than one, as one human being could not possible make so much noise)... I'd love to meet them. I'd love to see what it is that they find so amusing about rolling a bowling ball back & forth across their floors. Their apartment must be 100 times the size of mine, as they walk CONSTANTLY. Where to, I don't know-- I could walk from one side of my studio to the next in 10 steps. Maybe they just pace. And every morning without fail, the elephants get up at 7 and march around until 7:30. I assume their job at the circus starts at 8. I have taken to keeping earplugs next to my bed, and when I wake up around 5AM for my nightly pee break I put them in so as not to be woken up again.

Monoprix, as much as I hate that place, has come through. Yesterday I discovered a newly-erected Asain food shelf with "ramen" in several flavors (I use the "" because, as any American knows, ramen costs a dime. This stuff runs 60 centimes-- nearly a buck a pop), stir-fry kits, sauces, etc. I had to have it. Last night I made myself the most wonderful stir-fry I've had since leaving San Francisco. I think Monoprix & I were co-owners of a Chinese restaurant in a past life...

Back on the topic of food, one more rant, dear France... I love me some pasta. And I love that you acknowledge and accomodate this. But WHY can't I find any kind of tomato-based pasta sauce without CARROTS in it?! I don't think this is what the Italians had in mind. Are you just that hell-bent on taking a cuisine that could veyr well rival your own & sabotage it?! Ditto for the pizza with your goddamn emmental cheese on it. That theory would also potentially explain why you don't have decent cheddar cheese (England-- not that Brit cuisine holds a candle to, well, anyone else's!), SPICY salsa (oh Mexico, you may be dirty, but your food is wonderful), or anything open 24 hours (not that "American" food is great, but it's greatness lies within the ability to get whatever you want whenever you want it). You are just that damn proud. Don't worry, the gig's up: the world gives you props for your cuisine. Where would we be without tete de veau and escargots, anyway (don't get me started on the andouillette)...

But you know what, la France? Make me some soft, pretty, powdery snow (not icy rain/snow like weather.com is threatening) and I'll forgive you, just this once...

Officially the Weekend...

Had my meeting with the chef de service today. Good news: none of this turning in the docs 2 months before the wedding date nonsense (though he did say they prefer the stuff to be turned in as soon as possible). The only probs now...
-Jess DOES need to be present for the publication de bans, which must be posted no less than 10 days before the marriage. He was planning to be here for a week. Hmm...
-All witnesses must speak French. Damn. Sorry, Steve and Kristina.
-We cannot simply ask a bilingual friend to be Jess' interpretor during the ceremony; has to be an official translator. So we have to shell out money for a total stranger to do something that several of my friends could and would do for free.
But still, the chef de service was very nice, and seems willing to work with me on this. Yay.

My hours changed, which means I have no more 9AM classes with shitty terminales grudgingly regurgitating texts to me (yay!). But it also means no more free Wednesdays (boo). Although my Wed class is with my responsable, and I'm sure if I wanted to take a day off he would let me. I now don't have any classes before 10, so I can't complain.

Brad is coming to France! For work of course, but he wants to plan a side-trip to A'dam and insists I go with him. I can't afford it, says I. Brad says he will pay. I feel bad-- my boyfriends are always paying my way, how is a girl ever gonna learn to live within her means when she keeps getting spoiled like this?! But Jess pointed out that my refusing to go is going to be a bummer for him, so to accept his offer. OK, twist my arm.

Brad is planning to leave the same day Chris arrives. Plus, Jess may be in London the first week of March. A) lots of visitors. B) lots of visitors coming while I'm not gonna be on vacation. I'm hoping Jess can pop over to Troyes for a few days.

Speaking of vacation plans, Mere and I are booked for Barcelona and Porto during the Feb vacances. We need to book our hostels still but flights are settled. Woo hoo!

I'm starting to stress over all the stuff I need to do before I leave France: terminate my lease, close my bank account, etc. Bah.

And did I mention Jess signed me/us up on the Smart car wait list?! :D

Chillaxin' Sunday

In regards to my previous post, I was indeed overly excited. I got my CAF letter stating I do only get 40E a month. But I fought the disappointment and realized hey, it's still 40E, it may not be the 80E I'd thought but heck, I'll take it!!! That will more or less be a savings fund for ticket home/wedding dress/Jess' wedding ring. Oh well. :)

Last night was quite nice. Laura, Mike & I got together and made dinner at Laura's place, followed by a galette de rois (Mike was the roi), wine and conversation. Similar to my last time in France, it is so nice to have a kind of instant support network. Like, we're all in this together, we have to be there to support each other. I've heard of other assistants in bigger areas (with presumably, more assistants) who never get together. I see my fellow assistants at least once a week, usually more. I think I'd go insane if I didn't.

Today won't be too exciting. I have a couple of lesson plans to finish up, that's about it. Probably more research for vacation plans, all the paperwork we need for the wedding, general randomness. Speaking of the wedding...

I have a meeting with the chef de service at the mairie's office on Thursday. This will be the make-or-break deal here: I am asking for an exception to the rule stating that BOTH people must be present when bringing in the completed application. Obviously, Jess is not flying to France just to walk 100 yards with me to the mayor's office. It's a catch-22 here: I'm afraid they'll say, "You don't have all the paperwork, so no," whereas Jess & I are thinking, "We're not going through the hassle and money to get all these documents translated until we have the green light." I hope it works. Please send your best thoughts towards Troyes!!!

My honey is so great. I've been saying for about a year now how much I want a Smart car once they come out in the US. Well, it's 2008, and the wait list is long. Jess signed me/us up ($99 refundable deposit) so we could, in theory, have a Smart by 2009. I was ecstatic (and obviously, very spoiled), but my dreams kinda crumbled when I realized Smarts only come in manual transmissions. Um... I touched a stick shift once in my life, 11 years ago, and failed miserably. Not so sure if I want a stick shift... oh Smart, why can't you be more American, just this once?!

I just sent out another update email, which I try not to overdo but at the same time, I love doing it b/c it guarantees I'll get lots of emails from friends & family :) Like I said in the email, my time here is about halfway through. I'm planning to leave in early May (assuming Jess & I can get married here-- otherwise I may try to swing an earlier departure). Now all the end-of-program things are starting to become realities: cancelling my phone/internet, electricity, lease, CAF, bank account. Bah... I can stall another few months on those things I guess. I seriously don't know where I'd be without the assistants in France forums-- they've saved my ass more than once!

OK, best get back to... whatever it is I should be getting back to :)

Let's Not Get Too Excited Here...

Ah France. How I cannot wait to leave your pile of bureaucratic paperwork in a smoldering pile of ashes. But just when you piss me off the most, you show me a glimmer of love...
I'm still not completely certain I'm reading this correctly, but I checked my CAF statement online (yay for giving me a little card & login info!). And I can't tell if this is for one month or two, since it lists the pay period as Nov-Dec. But at any rate...
I'm owed a payment of 80E!!! Yay!!! Double yay if that is per month, but hell, even if it's for 2 it's still something. YAY!!!

Camions and Raw Emotions

I feel like I've been hit by a camion. Seriously, I've been doing the drinking thing for about 10 years now, so WHY do I continue to drink myself stupid? Last night at the UN's birthday party (the UN is what we affectionately call the house where Michael, Ramiro and Antje live, as they are all from different parts of the world), there was plenty of wine to be had. I had found a CA Zinfandel at Carrefour and decided on that as my contribution (all due respect to my wine connesieur fiance, Gallo is still crap, I don't know why I listened to you about that one). Of course, CA wine has a much higher alcohol content than French wine, a fact I know yet somehow seem to conveniently forget. I finished a good chunk of that bottle moi-meme, then moved onto more wine, more wine, a beer (thinking maybe one beer would help fight off the wine drunkenness), then the Champagne came out... I don't even know what time it was when I finally said, "I need to go home. Now." Rich was a homey and walked me all the way back into centre ville, a good 45 minute walk. I don't know who all I did/didn't say goodbye to. I was such a mess when I came home that my initial idea of eating something was soon abandoned as I konked out on my bed, sans face-washing or teeth-brushing. Ugh. In all honesty I would still be happily asleep if I hadn't decided to text Mere to see if she wanted to go for a kebab. Turns out she stayed at the UN last night, and they are going to the factory outlets today for the soldes (way to add insult to injury-- I am too broke to shop!). I may tag along, but considering I am A) broke and B) hungover, it may not be a great idea. Plus, I know it will be a mob scene. I do want to be social at every given opportunity though; I have noticed I get depressed when I don't have enough human interaction.
I wanted a kebab but I don't want to put forth the effort of getting dressed, going out, and getting one.
And I just really got a sad wave of missing Jess. He always takes good care of me when I'm in this state. I can't believe it's been almost a week since he left. I miss him so much. Please God, don't make me wait another 4 months to see him again...

Pensees Randonnees...

My financial situation is basically at rock bottom. Like, I will be living off baguettes until my next paycheck. I take sole responsibility for not managing my finances better (I've always been shit with money), and I absolutely do not regret any of my splurges while Jess was here, but the next few weeks will be stressful as all heck. Basically my CB is off-limits until February, which sucks considering the sales just started and everywhere I look I am taunted with "Reduction de 50%!" signs.

On the bright side, I'm expecting a couple small reimbursements: one from the secu sociale for my medicines from last month (I already got the reimbursement from the dr visit, and I sent the forms in together), and one from CAF. Since I finally got my carte de sejour, my application with them is now complete and they can start calculating how much to give me. One assistant here got almost 200E/month for her 300E rent. My rent is less, and I'm older which will probably hurt me, but still... even 20E would be very much appreciated. No idea how long it will take them to process it though. Keep your fingers crossed for me :)

On another bright note, due in part to the France smoking ban (which has, to my surprise, been very much enforced other than a few places in Paris) and due to Jess wanting to quit, I have decided to quit smoking. I have 2 cigs left in my last pack and after that, I am done. I am not allowed to buy another pack (well, in my aforementioned condition, I have no choice!), I am not allowed to bum them from people, nada. I started smoking regularly the last time I was in France because of a "can't beat 'em, join 'em" mentality: every bar and cafe was smokey, the only way it was completely wretched for me was to smoke too. Then once I started dating a smoker, I saw little reason to quit. I enjoy smoking, but I can't use either of those two excuses anymore. I'm feeling good about life in general, and this will only add to it. But I apologize in advance if I end up mooching anyone's gum excessively; I'll need to satisfy the oral fixation somehow!

This marriage in France thing is starting to seem like more trouble than it's worth. The paperwork & translating of documents isn't so bad, especially since one of Jess' friends is a lawyer with an office in Paris, so maybe we could get some help there. The main problem is that the dossier says, in big bold letters, that BOTH people getting married must be present when the dossier is turned in. I'm trying to find a way around this-- surely they can't expect someone to come here from California just to hand over a pile of papers?!?! But then again, this is France, and I wouldn't put it past them.

My brother is coming to visit in March, so I need to make sure I have enough money saved for a weekend trip with him. We're thinking Prague, and I found flights for 100E which isn't terrible, and I've heard Prague is a fairly cheap city. We may spend a couple nights in Paris-- may have to set out feelers on the assistants boards and see if we can't find a place to stay for free. Not to mention I will have to suck it up and buy the inflatible bed thingie I saw at Carrefour. Expenses keep adding up...
And speaking of expenses, how the f-- am I going to afford Jess' wedding band, and my wedding dress, by May?! Keep in mind that I will also have to buy a plane ticket home at some point. That's a good $1,500 just with those 3 things. It's times like this that I am praying the Euro stays as strong as it has been ;)

I hope Jess can make it to London for February vacation. I know nobody will say that London is a cheap place, but with him there I don't have to pay for a hotel room or most meals. Plus, I get to see my boy, and that is priceless-- even if I had to pay for all expenses I wouldn't give up that chance! And if he doesn't make it to London during that time, I need to make some cheap vacation plans quick. I refuse to spend 2 weeks alone in Troyes. I'd go insane.

I don't mean to make this post sound like a bitchfest-- these things are worrying me to no end, but unlike most of last month, things don't seem bleak anymore. I know I'll make it, it's not like I have a choice after all. My rent is paid, my electricity is paid, I have internet and long distance calling (oh sh*t, I need to pay my FT bill still... FT please don't shut off my phone line!) I just washed all my clothes and I still have plenty of food in my kitchen. I won't be able to go out for meals or even for drinks maybe, but I am far from destitute. If it came down to that, I know there are people back home who could bail me out. But that's the easy way out, and there isn't much to gain from taking the easy way out. I take solace in having that thought in the back of my mind though-- that, and the fact that wine is so cheap here!

Visitor(s?)!

My little brother is coming to visit me! It will be his first time in Europe. Sadly it won't be during a vacation for me, but with my 3 day weekends it won't be too shabby. We'll spend a couple nights in Paris, and a weekend in Prague (I hope!). And I'm sure Chris will be able to entertain himself with cheese, churches and museums when I do have to teach.
And, there is a chance my good friend Vinay will be in Paris for business, and turn it into a Eurotrip as well. So I'll have two of my bon-est amis in town at the same time.
Even more, my old roomie Christy wants to visit during my April vacation. How I will afford all this, plus wedding stuff, plus a plane ticket home... no idea. I'm due to win the lottery soon, yeah? :)

Don't Cry Because It's Over...

Don’t Cry Because It’s Over...
... smile because it happened. And I think I've been doing well, for the most part.

Jess landed on Xmas day. In true French fashion, I was late getting to the airport because of an "action sociale" with the RER at Gare du Nord (leave it to the French to strike on Xmas day). But just seeing him was marvelous. We rented the car, drove back to Troyes, and cuddled in my tiny apt to stay warm.

The next day we were off on our Eurotrip. Picked up 2 other assistants in Reims, then stopped in wet, snowy, foggy Luxembourg for the afternoon. After 2 hours of trekking through snowy slush, we were ready to go.

We got to Dusseldorf by nighttime. After wandering around aimlessly trying to find the place the other girls were staying (please, if you are ever tagging along in someone's car, at least have the courtesy to get directions beforehand), and getting miserably lost on the way back to our hotel, we were settled for the night. Dusseldorf is not the most spectacular city; more than anything, it was a layover en route to our next destination, and an excuse for Jess to go to Germany.

The next morning (and more wandering back to find our companions), we were on the road to Amsterdam. That was the only time we hit traffic the entire trip. Jess and I got a kickass hotel/hostel room (a private room in a hostel) smack in the Red Light district. I was, of course, anxious to get to a coffee shop ASAP, and the rest of the trip was a delightful blur. We saw the Puzenboat (a boat on a canal full of stray cats), walked around, got offered drugs on the street a total of 14 times, and after two nights were on our way again, but not so quickly.

Again, back to the whole, "Please, be organized!" thing, one of our tag-alongs was almost 2 hours late meeting us at the train station to head back to the car. Not off to a good start. As a result, our planned afternoon in Antwerp turned into a mere hour before heading to Lille (northern France, our middle ground between A'dam and Paris).

Early the next day we were off again. Destination: Paris. We had to get the rental car back by 10 at Charles de Gaulle airport, then we bid our companions adieu and headed into Paris. We got to our hotel only to learn that the hotel was under construction, and they had gotten us a room at the hotel across the street. Whatev. Steve and Kristina met us and we got our Paris adventure started.

Props to my fiance for picking an awesome hotel in an awesome location-- 10 minutes walking distance to the Eiffel Tower. We climbed it the next day, something I didn't have the chance to do the last time I spent time in Paris. And then, the New Year... thanks to my savior, AKA the unofficial assistants website, I had found some Mexican restaurants in Paris. And though California burritos did not exist, the waiter was actually MEXICAN, the salsa was actually SPICY, and we got there in time for happy hour. Life was good. Back to the hotel to get gussied up for NYE.

We rang in the new year in front of the glowing Eiffel Tower. French fireworks leave a lot to be desired, but the cheerful chants of, "Bonne Annee!" were sufficient. The only downside of this entire trip was later this night, with Jess and I getting into a stupid, drunken fight. I woke up the next morning hungover, physically and emotionally. But in true Nikki & Jess fashion, we were able to calmly discuss the issue and get over it.

The rest of the time in Paris was wonderful, though the touristy stuff was avoided. We went to the Grande Arche in La Defense, which my architecture-loving future hubby adores, and went to the top. It was quite impressive, and the area is also home to the only Starbuck's I have ever seen in France. We caught a train and headed back to Troyes.

That night Jess got to meet Rich, one of my fellow assistants. We had pizza and drinks at Gainz Bar, one of our increasingly favorite haunts (because there is just so much to do here). The next night we hit up Le Montana, which happens to be Ladies' Night on Thursdays. Free entry and champagne for me, a good idea in theory, a bad idea once executed.

During our time in Troyes, we also hit up the mayor's office to find out what, exactly, they demand of two foreigners wishing to get married here. A few, "Why don't you just get married in the U.S.?" and, "This will be very complicated" statements later, we had our list of required paperwork. Typical French bureaucracy here-- if you can successfully complete the damn-near impossible paperwork, you're good to go. That requires Jess and me to gather various documents, have them professionally translated, find 2-4 people to be our witnesses, get an interpretor (I'm hoping I can ask one of my professors to do it and not have to pay someone) and get all this stuff turned in 2 months before we wish to get married. The kicker? We have to be together when we go turn the stuff in. I'm gonna try to find a way around this; even if Jess is in London next month again on business, I don't think he should have to come to France for a day just to walk with me the entire block and a half to hand over some paperwork to the mairie. Damn France.

The next day we rented a car yet again to head to Fontainbleau and Epernay. However, we got to the car place at noon and (curses to me for not thinking of this) they are already on their 2 hour lunch break. So we didn't get the car til about 3, ended up getting wretchedly lost in Fontainbleau, and had to scrap Epernay. Oh well, it was worth it just to stay in a hotel room with a big bed and bathtub once again.

Back to Troyes on Saturday. That night, Jess, the lovely Brit assistants and I gathered for a game of Apples to Apples and a very special treat: a bottle of wine that Jess brought. I missed California wine so much, and the bottle we had on Xmas day knocked me on my ass. But it was a nice time.

Sunday was spent wandering around Troyes once more so Jess could get some pictures. Then the packing commenced, we snuggled into my dinky bed, and enjoyed our last night together.

I don't know if I have ever dreaded an alarm as much as I dreaded the one this morning. I wish I could've gone to Paris with him, just for those few extra precious hours together. Instead, I helped him haul his bags onto the train, kissed him goodbye and jumped off before I too ended up Paris-bound. I watched him take his coat off and get into his seat. I followed the train as it departed. I let out a sob so loud the conductor guy on the platform turned to me. "C'est difficile a dire 'au revoir' a mon amour," I whimpered. "Mais il revien? (But he will come back?)" he asked. "Oui," I said. "Ne pleut pas, alors!" he said with a sympathetic smile.

I wish I could say I took his advice. I did, until the second I got back to my now very empty apartment. I only cried briefly though, because fortunately Chris was online and chatted with me taking my mind off things. I guess it's good classes started again today as it kept me from dwelling on my sadness, and it was nice to see smiling faces asking me if I had a nice vacation.

However, I find it ironic that the Christmas lights in town that have been blinking for weeks are now turned off. And just like this morning, the second I walked in the door, I cried.

But I am not sad. This was cake compared to when I left Jess in London. The days are getting longer, the weather is getting nicer (for now), only one more month til my next vacation and hopefully, Jess will be back in London then. Chris is going to visit me. I may see Priscilla on Friday. Christy is down for 4:20 in Amsterdam and Vinay will be in Paris for business sometime around then as well. And if all goes to plan, Jess will be here again in April, and take something very special back with him-- his new wife.