David + Rugby

I just found these videos and they made me laugh out loud. You might not think they are too funny...I think you maybe just had to be there...



These were from Sept 2007 when Paris was hosting the Rugby Word Cup. The tower was decorated for the occasion. Green on bottom with a blow up rugby ball under. I think you can tell from these videos...



I love my little brother...he makes me laugh even when he's far away.

Pool days...

There is an indoor swimming pool behind my apartment. I swam regularly last spring, but it closed for the summer. Finally, it opened back up in March. The new rule was...MUST WEAR SWIM CAP. It took me a bit to get the cap and my tickets. I finally am back in the routine of going and this is what I look like...



Ha ha...I can't believe I'm putting this on here!

Tour de France

It's not often that a major sporting even occurs in one's backyard. So when it happens, might as well go check it out. Right? Well, I had stuff going on all day Sunday and couldn't get to the Champs-Élysées until right as the bikers were coming through. Therefore, this was my view.



I saw some bikes go by on the tops of trucks and a few bikers on the screen. I stayed maybe five minutes...but I was there!

What do you want to be when you grow up?

I thought once I grew up that question would not be asked. So, I am either not grown up, my theory was incorrect or both. In the last 10 years that question has come up more times than I can count. The answers? Well...I need both hands to total the number of times I changed or contemplated changing my major. (Somehow I graduated in the allotted four years we are told is the normal amount of time one should be in school.) During the last four years I have had 3 1/2 jobs:
1)CCC 1/2) Babysitter while I lived at my sister's 2) BOTO 3) IMB. My current position is nearing an end I find myself asking the old familiar question. My answer, I don't know! (Said with a smile, of course, because my days were ordained before I took a breath and I'm ok with not knowing and figuring it out along the way.)

I've been putting some serious thought into what I want to do next because I might actually find myself there for more than a year. Even if I'm not in the next place for more than I year, I still want it to count for something. I want to enjoy it and I want it to matter to someone since I'll be going in at least five out of seven days of the week. But, I am realizing that I have a lot to do with the enjoyment and benefit of how my time is spent.

I heard this quote yesterday and am allowing it to resonate.

"The habit of thinking of work as something one does to get money and position is so ingrained in us that we can scarcely imagine what would happen if we began to think about work otherwise...During World War II one of the great surprises we had in our lives is that we found ourselves for the very first time happy. Why? Because for the first time in our lives we found ourselves doing something not for the pay because the pay was miserable and not for the social standing but for the sake of working together to get something done that benefited everyone."

Dorothy L. Sayers

So, let the job hunt begin...in a few months!

Bastille Day

I engaged in some French pride to celebrate the national holiday. Parades, picnics and fireworks! It was only 10 days after America's Independence Day,so I was able to pretend I was getting in on a little 4th of July fun.

For a mini history lesson...
Bastille Day



July 13-outside my window. I watched several towns' firework shows from my bedroom window!



The Parade on Champs-Élysées



Fly-over



They dropped some folks out of parachutes!



We camped out to wait. This is my view as I was laying below the Eiffle Tower.



The lights went out...



And then fireworks!





This was my favorite. :)



Choas trying to get home...I'm not sure I've ever been in the same place as so many people. No exaggeration.

Mom and Dad

My parents came for a visit! I think they enjoyed their time in France. My dad was glad to find out that I can still play Phase 10 even though I wouldn't let him win. :)



A special treat for them: Blue Eiffel Tower!








French Pride



We took a little trip to Giverny (Monet's home and garden)





And, went back to Normandy. This is at the German cemetery. Over 20,000 Germans are laid to rest here.



America and France



This is one of Monet's paintings from his garden.


To view more photos click here.

The class

I haven't mentioned my ladies class in a while. It has finished and we did a program for the big finale. It was quite funny. Very funny. The setting was a museum and we each had different scenes in the musuem. I was a whiny little girl who wanted her doll. I was told to dress like a little girl and I'm not sure anyone was too pleased with my custome. It was the best I could do...



This is my Polish friend, Joanna.



Nessima was my mom in the play.



Small group...



Large group...including teachers, acting coaches and the set director.

The First Day of July

This is all the time that remains for me in France...minus the last 10 or so days of October. Where does the time go? I really do love France. I think Clive would be ok with my use of love in that context. She is a fascinating place. I'm thankful for the time left.