Ah Beautiful Parie

So I finally saw Paris. And everything good and beautiful you have heard about it is true. When I saw the Eiffel Tower for the first time my heart literally slowed. It was how I imagine it is when you meet your true love. Honestly, Paris may be my true love. The Dubarrys and I drove around and saw Printemps and the Galerie Lafeyette; the Champs Elysees; the Grand Palais (where they were having a Tony Hawk exhibit; hehe) and so on. Then we went to a Lebanese market and purchased some exhotic foods and spices.

The food here is incredible. I was worried becuase what I knew of French cuisine is that it was butter, butter, butter and cream and cheese, none of which agrees with my stomach. But the French cuisine is really about simplicity and moderation. The french enjoy food for how it tastes and do not like to confuse the palette with too many spices or too many options. I've had things like mussels, smoked salmon on bread with creme fraiche, and today I had my first French pizza. We went to a restaruant where a man made individual delicious pizzas. Mine had anchovies on it! I had never had anchovies, and honestly I didn't love them. Too salty. But the rest of the pizza was wonderful. The waiter chose our wine which was grand; in the French way, which means a big wine. So very full and rich and red. I think one of my favorite thinge is wine all day long!

The waiter could tell I didn't speak the language and kindly switched to English only to encourage me to not waste time and practice speaking French. The people here are very kind. I do think Americans do not fall into the prettiest stereothype (thank you George Bush), but they are happy when we come over, not as a tourist, but to learn the language and culture. They are happy to help any willing students learn how things should be done. So far I wholeheartedly agree with the French and am a grateful student.

PS: I will have pictures, we are having trouble getting my computer hooked up to the internet. So please be patient and thank you for the comments; its good to here from you all!

Bonjour mes amies! I have successfully crossed the ocean and arrived in France. Its been nearly a week and I am really enjoying my time here. The children are adorable, very intelligent and so sweet. My first night here the two oldest, Cesca and Alastair, brought me a pot of flowers and I can see that soon my walls will be decorated with bright abstracts by the talented Cesca.

Speaking of my apartment; I love it. It is a studio with a loft. There is a large sky light with a remote control shutter and a large window. I love the shutters. Every night I open the window and pull in the shutters, then close the sky light. Aparrently, the French sleep in complete darkness, they don't waste their time with measly curtains that will allow sunlight to creep in. The French decide when the day starts, not the sun. I think my favorite part of my apartment is the loft. We will be moving my bed up there today, then I will climb a ladder to get to my "bedroom." I'm sure you are all picturing a quaint old fashioned cottage, but actually the apartment and the main house are quiet new, bright, clean and modern.

I've also had my first French lessons. We are not allowed to speak any other language at all in the class; there are many languages present, including Spanish and Russian. So it is trés difficule because I can't understand the explanations of the language as it is all in French! But its good, I can see I will be picking the language up quickly. Already random new French words come popping into my head and pouring out of my mouth. I can't even escape it at night; in my sleep I dream about the language. I love how the French pronounce their "r's". Imagine a cat coughing up a hair ball. When I took French in college we were taught to pronounce our "r's" that way, but most of us didn't and those who did were viewed as pretentious suck ups. Now I have 4 year old Cesca pronouncing my name that way. But its so cute, I love it.

Finally, there is the congregation. Everyone is very friendly, I was mobbed after the meeting with bonsoirs. I didn't understand anything except sister, brother and truth. I did sing the songs in French and it was so much fun! I met a lovely couple who were a part of the recently split up English group. They are both pioneers and are very encouraging.

Ok, thats all for now. There is so much more to share, but this whole time I have been typing on an European keyboard and this post has gone on long enough.

How this came about

So I realized when I was letting people know that I had a blog that many do not know whats happened. So here is the story. My friends Heidi and Emily were visiting from Canada. The three of us had been planning forever to move to Paris together. About this time, however, we had decided that it was most likely not going to work. So I was exploring other options, blah, blah, blah. Back to the girls visiting. Emily said she had an email from a friend whose sister was looking for an au pair. Ironically (as most things happen in my life) I had said I would not go to Europe as an au pair. I asked Em to forward it to me. Just to see. I emailed Helen and heard nothing back:( Then one week later, I got a phone call from Helen! And things kept working out. A lot of great things! I will be living in Rabouillet (30 miles south of Paris) in a studio apartment. I watch the Dubarry children on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. On Mondays and Fridays I will be taking 2 hours of French lessons and have weekends off! The Dubarrys are witnesses (yay!). I will be going to the French congregation with them for the congregation book study, school and service meeting. On Sundays, I will head into Paris for the Public talk and Watchtower study in English until I am fluent enough in French to handle it all at the French congregation. Helen says most of the brothers in sisters in the congregation in Rambouillet speak English and will be very supportive with me at the meetings and in service. Many friends over here are giving me some connections too. I feel very supported and blessed spiritually and materially. Everything has been taken care of. Whenever I felt it couldn't be done, Jehovah supported me through prayer, friends and the meetings. Its been wonderful to see how loving he and all my spiritual family are!

Getting Ready

So I'm getting ready. Thanks to Kristen I am packed! Thanks to Kimi and Heidi the perfect flight is purchased. I'm dealing with loose ends and watching any Parisian, French movie I can think of; from American in Paris to French Kiss. I really can't wrap my mind around what I am about to do as I have never even been to Europe. I can imagine Meg Ryan walking around France, but not me! Whatever my mind isn't dealing with my stomach is!