Passing (as French)

I was looking and the last posting I had was a while ago. I am still in Paris. It is getting cooler as Automne has arrived. The spring and summer were wonderful. I was lucky enough to have my partner Sandi here for 2 months.

The picture is from the firedrill we had at work. A woman I met at work was nice enough to take my picture in front of the waterball.

My French is slowly improving. I can say things with out freezing up. My accent is improving and I can almost pass as French. My main French interaction in French is around food. At least I am not starving. Some words I use without the two step process in my head of translation. I still have a ways to go as I really don't feel I can carry on a full conversation. Everyone is supportive of me learning more French and am determined to improve. I have decided to keep reading my French Dictionary to help me understand more words.

Last Sunday I took the train to Amsterdam for the IBC conference. It was a 3 day thing. Two days of travel and one at the show. It was nice to see some of my friends there. I met some new people. It was funny getting off of the train still wanting to speak French. The Dutch speak English very well. I was not there long enough to pick up any Dutch. I enjoyed listening to it. I have an Ex-Pat friend there but she was out of town when I was there. She wants us to move there. We had a wonderful dinner at the Supper Club in Amsterdam. It was an awesome place with wonderful music and I danced a lot of the night away.

http://www.supperclub.nl/

It is a beautiful day here in Paris and I need to get outside. Catch you later.

Love to you all.

April

2 Weeks back in Paris

The picture is of the best Pate' de fois gras in Paris!

I have been back in Paris for 2 weeks Monday. You would think I would be thrilled to be back but it is bittersweet. Sandi and I were here together for 2 months of the 4 I spent here. Now I am back by myself. It is no fun sleeping without her. No amount of pillows make up for skin to skin contact.

My first week back I was very depressed. I finally realized I needed to get out to get some sun and exercise. That helped my mood quite a bit. Going to the Buddhist Temple here helped as well. I have been chanting everyday and that helps as well.

I am working to get my condo out of foreclosure. I missed a couple of payments and my good friends at the bank promptly did the nasty on me. I personally think this is all arranged to make anyone with out a minimum of a million dollars indebted to the government as a renter of a government owned property. I know I am in good company.

I have to come up with a lot of money between my payments to my ex and the bank it leaves me with about $100. The good thing is I am on site and all my expenses are paid by the company. Paris is a expensive place to live. I have to come up with $700.00 to pay off my bankruptcy lawyer so I can file. Money troubles always add to depression.

This election is depressing. McCain is in my opinion a few bricks short of a full load. I think he is too old and after all he has been through he should just rest. Palin is just downright scary. I don't need some gun loving, right wing woman a heartbeat away from the presidency. I think she is a nut case.

Obama is criticized for being young. I would rather have someone with a new thought and fresh view. Old white men has got us in to a big mess in the world. It dates way back not just with Bush. LA used to have one of the best rail systems until Standard Oil, Goodyear and the car companies managed to get it all ripped out. There is no going back. Europe has one of the best passenger rail systems. The subway here in Paris is awesome. With a little walking and the subway I can get where I need to go.

Next weekend I am off to Amsterdam for the IBC trade show. It is the broadcast show here in Europe. I am taking the train. I am looking forward to it. It will be a big adventure and I have never been to Amsterdam before.

It feels good to get all this out. To much work and no play makes April a depressed girl!

I am heading out for the day.

Love to you all,

April