September: The weather was absolutely gorgeous. I felt like I was being pulled in 100 different directions; each day was a new experience. I became well acquainted with French bureaucracy as I navigated my way through the French banking system, the Carte de Séjour process, La Poste, and French cell phone companies. Classes began and I realized just how difficult it is to adjust to student life after 5 years on the outside. I connected with a few good girl friends, notably Meighan and Cassandra. Together we began to explore the city....
Lessons Learned: Give yourself an entire afternoon at least to run errands. American customer service and efficiency doesn't exist in Paris.
October: I found a Mexican restaurant for my 26th birthday party! (which has now since closed. of course.) Meighan began dating a frenchman who introduced us to another group of fun friends. At one of their parties, I met Monsieur, who slowly worked his way into my heart. I took a school trip to London and had a crazy Halloween in the East End with Meighan and two Londoners we met along the way.
November: The weather! I realized that winter was really something that I had forgotten about while living in Los Angeles. School became more intense, which cut into my newfound social life. Monsieur and I continued dating casually. It was really difficult to do, but I managed to explain to him the whole concept of "dating" in America and how I wasn't instantly his girlfriend just because we were seeing each other regularly. He seemed bemused by the whole idea, but he was totally a good sport about it and let me have my way. Meighan and I hosted an amazing Thanksgiving dinner party at Monsieur's huge house in the suburbs where we roasted two turkeys and improvised Thanksgiving classics. It was a complete success and people still talk about it.
December: School finally wound down and despite the cold, I discovered how truly beautiful Paris is at Christmastime. I met Monsieur's family at Christmas, and was happily surprised at how nice and welcoming his mother and stepfather were to me. I ate approximately 5 kilos of foie gras and terrine de canard and promptly went into a food coma which lasted several days. Monsieur gave me tickets to the Opera as a Christmas present and I had a major freakout because they were for March and I still hadn't made up my mind about our relationship....
January: Meighan and I went on an ill-fated trip to Barcelona that ended in us coming back to Paris early, sans computer, phone, house keys, passport, credit cards, or dignity. It's a long story, but let's just say that I will not be going back to that city. School began just as I was getting my life back in order. Monsieur was so very sweet during the whole thing. He held my hand and drove me around to my various appointments at the Préfecture and embassy without a complaint. I discovered a Lucha Libre Mexican wrestling bar in Paris with real nachos! and margaritas! Monsieur and I finally became "officially" a couple. I decided that I needed to let go of all of my past issues and either enjoy my time with Monsieur and a be open to our relationship or just move on.
Februrary: Planned a trip to Bretagne (Brittany) France to stay in Monsieur's family's house there.
March: Went to Bretagne for two weeks and had an amazing time, despite a battle with food poisoning. I learned how to roast a chicken and tasted some of the best oysters of my life.
more to come...
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