Minivans & Miscellany

It was soooo nice and warm and sunny on Sunday. What happened?! It has been cold and gray and rainy here since then. Blech.

Last night was the first time I'd gotten a decent night's sleep in awhile. So ironic that this morning I had a morning class and had to drag myself out of my cozy bed, trek 20 minutes to class, and less than an hour later, trek 20 minutes back. But it's a really nice BTS class, and I don't actually teach it myself (my responsable teaches, I sit and chip in when he asks. Easy enough). I see this class twice a week, and during yesterday's class they were all excited because of an upcoming mock oral exam. They asked for a practice for their practice exam, which I found kind of amusing. But amusement went to flattery when they asked Patrick if I would be there to help. Sure, I'll be there, I said. Not like I have anything else to do for 5 hours on a Wednesday afternoon...

I still can't help but reflect on the fact that Jess should be arriving here in less than 48 hours. But what can ya do? At least, as he pointed out, the gap between seeing each other this visit and the next time will be a week shorter. Such an optimist. Why the hell is he marrying ME?! ;) Luckily everyone is able to still go to Epernay for Champagne tasting next week-- in fact, MORE of us are. Jess called Hertz yesterday to book a minivan, as we have 6 people going. It will be about 25E per person for the car, gas, tolls, etc.- a bit pricey, but a lot cheaper (and quicker!) than the train/bus combo you'd need to take coming from Troyes. That Jess is a brave man; driving in France is one thing, driving a minivan in France... yikes. But he has to drive-- he and I are the only ones old enough, and Princess here doesn't know how to drive a manual transmission (which, upon discovery, always yields a laugh from my students).

I just emailed Jess, Brad and my brother officially asking them if they'd be willing to serve as my pack mules. I had such a difficult time getting all my bags to the train station and through CDG last time I left France that I am trying to plan ahead (especially since, unlike Le Mans, Troyes not only doesn't have a direct train to CDG but you have to change train stations in Paris. Ugh.). Yeah there is always the option of shipping but A) it is expensive, and B) last time it took over THREE MONTHS for my stuff to get from Le Mans to California. No thank you. Whether it's just a bit of space in a suitcase or a willingness to take an entire extra bag, any little bit helps!

Ever since getting back from Barcelona & Porto I have been trying to watch my diet. I need a perfect beach wedding body (well, close enough) so even though the healthier food costs a bit more it isn't terrible. Veggies are always cheap when bought at the marche, and when it was warmer last week I got into eating salads again. Stirfries, soups, whatever I could think of to combine lots of veggies and not so many carbs. But in this crap weather, I finally caved and bought a baguette, and have been nibbling at baguette & pate for the last hour. Hey, I'm only human...

Note to self: Don't forget to...
-Start writing letters to cancel utilities & get out of lease.
-Go to BN flippin' P Paribas, drop off a copy of my CdS, and set up a RDV to figure out how/when to close my account. God I hate them,
-Ask one of my profs if I can have March 27 off to go to Prague with my brother. Well, ask, but more like say I already have my ticket and I am going. She's a dear though, and I doubt it will be a problem (knock on wood).
-Figure out what all I can pawn off onto my aforementioned pack mules.
-Talk to two of the other assistants here who may want to come to Amsterdam with me & Brad. Yay!
-Clean apt before Jess gets here, as this is my last weekend that I will be chez moi for a month!