After having lived here for 1 month, I have a few confessions:
1. I still cannot conduct an entire transaction in French without the use of hand gestures and pointing, or worse, English. Emmett probably understands much more French than I do, and I'm certain that if he could talk, he'd say something like, "Mom, I'll save us all the angst. Here's what s/he said...." I can get by on my side with phrases and words I know, but if either I or the merchant tries to complicate things by asking a question, I'm thrown. I love learning this language though and relish this opportunity.
2. I have not yet ridden the bus.
3. I have not stepped foot inside any of my favorite museums, although after revisiting the Musee Rodin, it is now on my list of favorites.
4. I have not had a cup of espresso, coffee, or tea.
5. David and I have not had a meal out by ourselves. (Can that be?... Standing at a cafe drinking hot chocolate and eating gelato on the run while Emmett was with Anabel for a couple hours doesn't count. I guess I'm not counting our dinner out with (big) Emmet and Chris either.)
6. I have not yet purchased any clothes in Paris. I did buy a pair of shoes, though.
7. My cooking has not progressed beyond seared or broiled fish, roasted or sauteed vegetables, pasta, salads, and scrambled or fried eggs. Part of the reason is that we are limited by the cookware and kitchen utensils, but I can be more creative than this.
8. I miss having a microwave. It's funny because we hardly thought of it as a necessity at home...until Emmett starting eating solid foods. Now when we want to heat or defrost his food, we place his portion into a ceramic bowl, put the bowl in a pot of water, cover the pot with its lid, and wait several minutes for the water to boil in order to steam his food. Gone are the days of 30-second meal prep. The same process takes place with eating leftovers, too.
9. I haven't found nonfat milk here, so I'm "forced" to drink demi-creme milk (not quite whole milk, but close!). And it is sooo good! It's going to be hard to go back to nonfat again....
10. The smell of cigarette smoke in enclosed spaces still irritates the heck out of me. Call me a soft Californian, but I don't understand why so many people smoke in restaurants and around their children. The smoke deadens the tastebuds and one's sense of smell, and it diminishes the appetite. Why?
11. I still haven't acquired a taste for bleu cheese. I've tried for months to get used to the taste and conquer my distaste for it, but I have a long way to go. I sampled a bleu cheese at Mike and Jeannie's dinner that was quite good, but that was the closest I ever got to enjoying it.
12. Emmett, I hope you understand when you read this someday. As much as I love introducing Emmett to Paris (I love having him here with us in this trip), part of me misses seeing Paris without a baby. On previous trips, one of our favorite things to do was to explore Paris at night. We'd wander to different parts of town, eat late dinners, marvel at the lights surrounding buildings and monuments, and treat ourselves to ice cream. We have taken Emmett out and about at night, but we also want to have him home at a reasonable hour to get a good night's sleep. I also miss the freedom to explore museums, landmarks, stores, and neighborhoods without worrying about the time. I know in a few years he'll begin to appreciate some of these aspects of Paris more.
13. I have not eaten enough cheese since arriving.
14. I have not acquired more knowledge of wine, even though I drink it more than I did at home.
15. I don't miss Asian food.
16. I don't miss driving.
17. I haven't made a friend yet. Acquaintances, yes, but no one I can call up for a chat or a walk.
... To be continued, I'm sure
1. I still cannot conduct an entire transaction in French without the use of hand gestures and pointing, or worse, English. Emmett probably understands much more French than I do, and I'm certain that if he could talk, he'd say something like, "Mom, I'll save us all the angst. Here's what s/he said...." I can get by on my side with phrases and words I know, but if either I or the merchant tries to complicate things by asking a question, I'm thrown. I love learning this language though and relish this opportunity.
2. I have not yet ridden the bus.
3. I have not stepped foot inside any of my favorite museums, although after revisiting the Musee Rodin, it is now on my list of favorites.
4. I have not had a cup of espresso, coffee, or tea.
5. David and I have not had a meal out by ourselves. (Can that be?... Standing at a cafe drinking hot chocolate and eating gelato on the run while Emmett was with Anabel for a couple hours doesn't count. I guess I'm not counting our dinner out with (big) Emmet and Chris either.)
6. I have not yet purchased any clothes in Paris. I did buy a pair of shoes, though.
7. My cooking has not progressed beyond seared or broiled fish, roasted or sauteed vegetables, pasta, salads, and scrambled or fried eggs. Part of the reason is that we are limited by the cookware and kitchen utensils, but I can be more creative than this.
8. I miss having a microwave. It's funny because we hardly thought of it as a necessity at home...until Emmett starting eating solid foods. Now when we want to heat or defrost his food, we place his portion into a ceramic bowl, put the bowl in a pot of water, cover the pot with its lid, and wait several minutes for the water to boil in order to steam his food. Gone are the days of 30-second meal prep. The same process takes place with eating leftovers, too.
9. I haven't found nonfat milk here, so I'm "forced" to drink demi-creme milk (not quite whole milk, but close!). And it is sooo good! It's going to be hard to go back to nonfat again....
10. The smell of cigarette smoke in enclosed spaces still irritates the heck out of me. Call me a soft Californian, but I don't understand why so many people smoke in restaurants and around their children. The smoke deadens the tastebuds and one's sense of smell, and it diminishes the appetite. Why?
11. I still haven't acquired a taste for bleu cheese. I've tried for months to get used to the taste and conquer my distaste for it, but I have a long way to go. I sampled a bleu cheese at Mike and Jeannie's dinner that was quite good, but that was the closest I ever got to enjoying it.
12. Emmett, I hope you understand when you read this someday. As much as I love introducing Emmett to Paris (I love having him here with us in this trip), part of me misses seeing Paris without a baby. On previous trips, one of our favorite things to do was to explore Paris at night. We'd wander to different parts of town, eat late dinners, marvel at the lights surrounding buildings and monuments, and treat ourselves to ice cream. We have taken Emmett out and about at night, but we also want to have him home at a reasonable hour to get a good night's sleep. I also miss the freedom to explore museums, landmarks, stores, and neighborhoods without worrying about the time. I know in a few years he'll begin to appreciate some of these aspects of Paris more.
13. I have not eaten enough cheese since arriving.
14. I have not acquired more knowledge of wine, even though I drink it more than I did at home.
15. I don't miss Asian food.
16. I don't miss driving.
17. I haven't made a friend yet. Acquaintances, yes, but no one I can call up for a chat or a walk.
... To be continued, I'm sure
posted by Lynna | 1:25 PM
2 Comments:
Wait till we are in Paris, you'll get plenty opportunities to be alone together. We'll take care of the li'l one.
Cerritos Man
momoof4boyz!
Oct. 25 is the day we fly over! After one night in Paris, we'll travel by train to Holland for 3 days. It's gonna be....very, very dingin for my old carcass.
There's some room for more diapers for Emmett!
:) :) Cerritos Man
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