I'm back

It's been over a year, yes, I do know.....but I'm back. Just so there are no hard feelings, I'll get you started off with a cute picture.


Gypsy with my fake Phantom

de Villepin
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Paris is burning, so we're roasting marshmallows!

I don't mean to be flip, but the coverage of the riots in France reminds me of those scary campfire stories you heard/told as a kid. Not that the riots aren't happening but the coverage makes it sound like France is a war zone. The media is putting the flashlight under France's face and creating crazy shadows that tend to be the scariest part of the campfire stories if you ask me. The shadows are pronounced under their scrutiny but daily life here isn't as scary as it sounds or looks.

We live in the Seine-Saint-Denis department but not in one of the cities closely involved in the rioting, so my reality isn't nearly as threatened as somebody living in Clichy-sous-Bois - True. I feel horrible for anybody that is living directly in the fire and I hope they are safe and remain so until the riots are resolved. But don't worry about every citizen in France (not yet anyway). I walk to the store, I take the bus to work (passing through rioting cities); I do see some after effects but I have not had reason to concern for my personal safety as of yet.

So far, I feel as if I don't step in the camp fire I will be okay.

Paula & Bruce
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Museum of Natural History

Musée d'Histoire Naturelle
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The Musée d'Histoire Naturelle is quite impressive with the massive room full of skeltons ranging from frogs to whales. We'll post the pictures soon for all to see.

The in-laws

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(I use the term in-laws with affection. I couldn't have asked for better!) Here is Jean-Pierre and Martine in Paris.

Never ever dye black

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My brilliant scheme to dye my hair black for a costume party bite me in the arse. Temporary coloring my foot. I finally got it fixed (best they could) - as you can see it's still darker than my natural color. Please learn from my mistake and never ever dye your hair black!!

Back to basics.

Our 2 week break came to an end and hence I went back to school on Monday. Being the nerd (and teacher's pet) that I am, I was happy to get back to work and all the tres bien's. But I was reminded that I am not better than anyone and needed to get back to basics..... Our teacher called us up one by one to sign in and the girl in front of me was speaking to the teacher so I politely waited to the side, looking around aimlessly, trying to appear as if I weren't standing in front of the class (which I hate anyway). I kept hearing a hissing noise but paid no attention until my english speaking friend finally hissed my name loud enough for me to look over. She gave me the frantic 'come here' hand motion and I strolled over to her as she looks at my pants and says "fix your pants". Yup, my pants were unzipped as I stood in front of the class................

So no matter who you are - teacher's pet, CEO, President - make sure you've zipped your pants before starting your day.

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Pierre finally got some snow. It had appeared we were out of luck. It snowed one day in Paris while we were in Montaigu (noting we were told it rarely snows in Paris) and the first time we weren't in Dallas for Christmas it snowed *amazingly* for three whole days. So yeah for finally snowing in the spot we were in! It wasn't much, as you can see, but enough for Pierre to make a snowball (and then complain because his hands were freezing). :-)