10 mars, 2010

Meowdy y'all!


Wow, so I've posted 5 whole times so far this school year. Yikers. Where to even begin? I think my last post was during vacances if I remember correctly, vacances during which I did a whole lotta nada. I did go to Paris the first weekend, but the rest of the time was spent with the kitties and the copain(will get to this eventually.) It was basically R&R time that was really necessary after a speedy Christmas hols which didn't even feel like vaca because of running around seeing people and being sick and all the general holiday craziness. I do have to admit I got a bit stir crazy by the end this time what with the French friends working and many of the Anglos gone, but I didn't have the sous even if I did want to go somewhere. Hopefully April will be a different story and if not, I have travel plans swirling around in my head that need to eventually get set in stone. Maybe a weekend in England this Spring? Maybe a reunion in the south of France in July? Paris for Ep. 333 in April? My English friend in the states chez moi and visiting our other Rennes buddies elsewhere in the states this Summer? There's definitely some sure-ishness somewhere in all those plans. I also plan on renting some terrain with a salle de fete to fete my anniversaire in April which a friend of mine did last year to fete her 30 ans and we had a blast. I'll be co-feteing my anniv as the copers' bday is just 4 days before mine and he is turning the big 3-0. Anyways, there is exciting stuff to look forward to and time is a-flyin as usual and April will be here before I can say supercalifragi...

In other news, I have indeed...joined a book club. Thought I was going to say something else, now did you? Well, this isn't new news persay as it's been going on since December. I haven't had time to read all the monthly books(I finished December's over Feb vaca for example), but I am enjoying the monthly get-togethers and reading on a (semi) regular basis. We've done Water For Elephants, We Need to Talk about Kevin(still need to read this one!), The Land of Green Plums(this one's started) and this month is Life of Pi which I have already read...thank goodness. A pretty great lineup and I've already started April's book which is The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo which I've been wanting to read for a while now. I also have the second one in this series lined up as I joined France Loisir and got my first book for a discount so I chose that one knowing I'd be reading the first one for April. I hope its being in French doesn't ruin it for me. It's true the English version is a translation from Swedish, but still...I prefer French books that are originally in French. Petit rant, whatev. But yeah, I love reading, I really do and always have. I was totally that kid that stayed up late with my flashlight reading late into the night. I love books that you just.can't.put.down. Yay for reading...and nerdiness!
Lastly, as you have gathered by now, I am currently maquee, c'est a dire, avec boyfriend. It's relatively new aka 4 months this Sunday, so I'm still on my toes and getting used to the newness of the situation(ok, that just totally made me think of the Jersey Shore...am I the only one? Bueller?) Things are going well, but it is difficult sometimes considering that (insert nickname here) is a cuisteau and works many late nights and then is off in the afternoon when I'm generally working, well MTRF in any case. Luckily, as the season slows down ie it warms up outside (it's a savoyard resto), he works less and at the end of March, he will have two whole days off plus a half day(it used to be just two half days til January, people, that was roughhhh.) It is hard for him to get to know all my buds considering his schedule, but as I have had pas mal de soirees these past weekends with all the bdays, cremailleres and whatnot, he has gotten to know a few of my proches. So, we will all have to keep tuned to see what happens with the copers, but all is well for now! I will need to think of a nickname for the blizzog, but I don't think it should take too long as we all know how I love a good nickname. I actually have a few already, but I'd like to think of a different one for here. I'm thinking maybe something having to do with cooking or specifically cuisine savoyarde like Mr. Potato Head or something equally ridiculous. Ideas are welcome!

Besides that, the kitties are good. Still not yet cuddling in each others paws and no eskimo kisses as far as I can tell. To be honest, Owen is kinda douchey sometimes. Well, 50% douchey and 50% cuddley...ok maybe 40/60. I'd like to blame it on kittenhood, but kittenhood is quickly coming to an end as he will be 11 months in a few days. One day he will de-douchify, at least I can only hope so for now! Sienna at least gets a break at night when Owen goes in his panier to sleep. Ah, the kitties, gotta love em. Well, I think that's it for now, but it's been good talking! Talk soon(ish.)

12 commentaires:

au soleil levant a dit…

Nice to see you blogging again! Sounds like life has been pretty crazy for you, but congrats on Owen de-douchifying a little, hope he continues to. And big congrats on the copain! A copain who cooks! Hope you get to take advantage of that.

Victoria a dit…

Missed your blogging. Hope you decide to come to Paris for Episode 333, since yours truly will be there!

Oneika a dit…

Great to FINALLY see a real post from you! That's awesome that you and the copain are enjoying life and I am jealous that he cooks! Write more!!

Leah a dit…

M-Dedouchification is not yet completed, but maybe magically for his 1 year bday in April? I can only hope! Copain who cooks is (mostly) good, now if I could only get him to be as anal, I mean, tidy as me!

V-Yay, good to hear from you! Where have you been all my life? Haha. I should be there for the big 3-3-3, looking into train tix as we speak. Would be great to meet you!

N-I know, boo to non-bloggers! I'm vicariously living through you and your blog, though, with all your fun and exciting traveling! I will (hopefully) write more soon!

Laura a dit…

Bonjour Leah~
Je suis Americaine and fresh to Bretagne...Saint Malo to be specific. Formerly, a Pennsylvanian, I fully 'got' your Jersey Shore reference...I once had exceptionally high hair and worked at a funnel cake stand on the boardwalk - dare I admit? Ah, but that was a long time ago. Anyway, I am now in Saint Malo as of August 2010. I will continue to check back in on your blog to see you for an update and perhaps we will eventually cross paths (my husband was born in Rennes, so he knows it well). Your writing is entertaining! I hope your kitty is no longer douchy and that you found the appropriate nickname. Regards, Laura

Leah a dit…

Hi Laura!
Nice to hear from a fellow 'mercan in Bretagne! This blog is totally ridic and abandoned(for now anyways), but I'm always glad to hear it amuses someone besides me. The cat is still douchey yet sweet and the copers is still nicknameless...not much has changed! St. Malo is a really nice place, let me know if you want any advice on where to go and what to see!

Fist pumps& funnel cakes,

Leah

Anonyme a dit…
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Leah a dit…

Hi again,
If my comments weren't sent to my inbox, my blog checking would probably be little to nada. You're definitely right, there is a lot to see in la belle bretagne...make sure you get over to Quimper, Carnac, Pont Aven, Vannes and the Cote de la granite rose if you haven't already! Don't feel bad being happy about your daughter going off to school, you need a break! I'm on the opposite end of that and often feel the same right before the kids go on vacation!

As for learning French, I don't know of resources off the top of my head and I already had a pretty good base before coming here. That being said, so much of my learning has been from friends and the S.O. Making friends is not easy, but if your hubs has friends in the area, try to tag along and get in as much practice speaking and listening as possible. You could also think about doing a language exchange with a Frenchie who'd like to learn English. More expensive options would be going to classes at the University...there is the CIREFE in Rennes, but that would require a commute. I'm sure there is something in St. Malo you could look into. I would maybe go to the city hall and see if you can get info from them. I would avoid language schools that can be quite overpriced. Otherwise, try to expose yourself to French as much as possible. Watch TV, listen to the radio, read, talk to the butcher, baker, candlestick maker, dogs, cats and small children. Ok, I think you get the point! Trust me, it will get better with time. You'll wake up one day and realize how much progress you've made and it will be a great moment.

I am on FB and don't mind connecting with expats at all, but I didn't find you on there under the name you gave me(?) Could it be something else? Lemme know and I'll look you up again and no worries, I'll delete any message with your info! Bon courage for the rentree!

Anonyme a dit…
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Anonyme a dit…

P.S. pardon all the typo-s! Serves me right for passing on the pre-send spell-check. ;-)

Leah a dit…
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Anonyme a dit…

check your email when you have a second.