YAY!

I thought this week would creep its way on by as I am very anxious for tomorrow, but it surprisingly flew by (like each week before it!). I had many classes, a lot of preparing, and a lot of drama with our car (thanks to the mechanics doing something terribly wrong to it and then not being able to figure out what they did wrong)!!!!  However, all in all, the week was a positive one, partially because I have been so excited for what tomorrow will bring..... MY MOM!

My Mom has had quite the travel bug lately. She spent last weekend at a very good friend's wedding (which I regretably could not attend) in Boston. She arrived back in NJ on Sunday evening. She flew out Tuesday morning to North Carolina for a little trip with her gal pals and arrived back in Jersey late last night. Tonight, she leaves for France! She'll be staying at the beautiful Best Western Hotel Belfort in the best room! Retired life is treating her well.

AND, not only will my Mom be coming, but today marks the last day (or at least this is what I have been promised) in the marathon work schedule my guy has had. Over 40 days (with the exception of the one amazing Sunday) he has worked non-stop - day and night - and usually until the wee hours of the morning. Let's put it this way - if I saw him before 10pm, it was a miracle! And, I don't really think I ever did. In fact, over the course of the last week, he was working until 2, 3, 4 and sometimes 5am!!! UGH! Glad that is over.

Not only will I be able to see my guy more, but I will have my Mom here, too... so it's perfect! I know my French man will be a perfect tour guide, and I am really looking forward to spending time with two people I really love.

I am looking forward to eating delicious food, seeing new sights, shopping, talking, and showing my Mom the town where I have lived for the past 7 months (with the exception of the one month vaca I took back home!).

I know the 10 days my Mom will spend in France will be marvelous. She will arrive tomorrow evening at Basel-Mulhouse Airport - on the border of Switzerland and France - just 45 minutes from my home!

So that's my big, exciting news! What are you all doing this weekend?

a new perspective.

I think something we all need to consider is perspective. Life is all about the way you look at things, and this fact has the ability to shape your entire life. The past, present, and future. It is one of those glass half full theories. I can look back at pieces of my life and have regrets or have flashbacks of paralyzing memories or I can take the high road and consider something hard to come to terms with... maybe everything does happen for a reason. I need to truly, wholeheartedly believe this. There is an Arabic word - mektoub - which simply, eloquently means 'it is written,' so maybe each and every moment, the good and the bad were written, predetermined for us. I now have a new perspective - and can I tell you how incredibly wonderful and life changing it is?

For example, instead of looking at my new "city" as one that doesn't compare to home and to the hustle and bustle of NYC, I've learned to love it for its simplicity, its quiet streets, and its amazing history. I finally see it as a beautiful place. Honestly, it is like I have been given a new set of eyes (thankfully, still blue!). With a little bit of perspective, I am able to see this place in a whole new light. I don't want to stop taking pictures. I want to capture this wonderful city in daylight and at dusk. I want to capture the changing colors as autumn unfolds. I just want to enjoy every beautiful moment. How many people can say they have a huge fort in the middle of their city!?

And, this theory pertains to everything in life - friendships, relationships, why I picked the university I picked, why I chose the career I chose, and even why I decided to come to France - it was all written. Knowing that I can't change anything gives me more strength to enjoy and to live in the moment. It gives me more strength to be the person I know I am meant to be. What is meant to happen will happen, and I can't stop missing out on wonderful moments because I'm too busy analyzing the past or stressing over which path is the next one to take. It's like my life is a fantastic, wild ride down the Amazon. I will hit some bumps, my boat may flip over, it won't always be glamorous, but I will get back in and keep trekking down that river.

I am enjoying the ride. Are you?

Pictures from my weekend (in my fabulous city!!!):

relaxing.

Thursday's have become the only non-hectic day in my week as well as the only day I don't have class at 8am. I usually have two classes at night, but this week - just one! It's not until 5:15 so I pretty much have the whole day to myself. It's also the night I meet my new French friend, Cyrielle, for some beverages in the old part of the town, my favorite part! There are cafes with outdoor terraces, old Irish pubs, delicious restaurants, the best creperie, war monuments, and of course, the enormous lion of Belfort. I can't wait to take my Mom here when she visits (and maybe my Aunt, too!). I have only tried two restaurants so hopefully we'll get to try a few more.

My plan for today is catching up on my favorite blogs, watching my favorite shows via the Internet, and sending a few e-mails. I want to take a long run, too. This time of year is my favorite time to run. It reminds me of the days of cross country season - going on long runs with my best friends and just gossiping and laughing and telling stories the whole time. I have so many fond memories of that time.

I know it's an opportunity to clean, too, but that's just not in the plan for today! Today is a ME day!

Ladies, if you have a man in the house, does he help with the cleaning? Does he help with the cooking? I'm wondering how people work this out. In my parents' house, it was always whoever cooks doesn't clean and vice versa. We don't have a dishwasher so cleaning isn't a 5 minute task!

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? 

new home and other random thoughts.

This weekend I spent some time at Belflorissimo. It was a flower market in Belfort - but only for the weekend. I love fresh flowers. I love the smell. I love the way they look in the house. And, even if I buy them for myself, which is usually the case, there's something romantic about having fresh flowers. I was excited to look at all the flowers and to put some on our table, in our apartment... OUR apartment. Yay! Finally. This is really our first apartment.. together.. alone. I couldn't be more excited.

We spent all day Saturday running around to grocery stores to stock our cabinets and to home stores to buy much needed essentials. We were busy unpacking, organizing, reorganizing, and just getting settled. The apartment is so perfect, and I am so happy here. We even have a little backyard with a garden - I've already purchased mint and tomatoes but can't wait to buy more flowers, basil, etc. I see dollar signs involved here, but I really want to transform our little yard into an escape... with lights, a hammock, flowers, fresh herbs and veggies, some lounge chairs... hmm... and more!

All these new adventures and forward moving steps together with my love have me thinking a lot about love. And, I realized that the French language, one supposedly so romantic, doesn't have a word that deciphers between like and love. Doesn't that seem wrong? I feel like when you're in a relationship, it's a big step to say "I love you" after months or years of saying "I like you." In French, there's really no differentiating. If I want to say I like something, I say, "J'aime" (I like) but if I want to say I love something, I also say "J'aime" (I love). I told my teacher that I feel like a creep telling someone I like them because I think it sounds like I'm saying I love them. She said usually someone would say, "J'aime beaucoup" (I like a lot) if you're referring to liking something and just j'aime if you love it. So all this time I've been telling people "J'aime ma professeur," I've been sounding like I'm in love with her?? Couldn't this problem just be solved by having a separate word for love? Is that too much to ask?

Well, that's all I have time for today. I'm already feeling so at peace in my new home and anxious to accomplish more. I sat down and made breakfast and drank a cup of tea in my pajamas this morning. My guy and I have already shared fun meals together and late night sweet treats. That sure beats having to get all dressed and put makeup on to go get a snack at the hotel. Today, I want to do some gardening, deep cleaning, and then pack my bag because tomorrow I'm off to visit my Aunt and Uncle in Italy for a week!

Ciao friends! xx

award winning sweets - count me in!!!

Over dinner the other night, my guy's brother enlightened us on Belfort's hidden gem - Pâtisserie KLEIN. Apparently, the grandfather, his son, and now, in its third generation, Stéphane Klein, have all been France's champions in creating art with chocolate and sugar. This barely recognizable little shop features some of the most beautiful and tasty creations. Now, I have been eating my fair share of sweets in recent weeks but Klein's candies and chocolates, as anticipated, were on another level.

my love's afternoon treat

mmm.. mine, the house specialty

cherries, lemon cream, and whipped cream

all chocolate with caramel, mousse, and biscuit

 We truly loved our afternoon treats. You can see they are very small (as are most portions in France compared to the US), but I swear, I couldn't finish mine in one sitting. It was so rich. My love, on the other hand, did not have a problem polishing off his Toyko-themed treat while saying, "Mmmmm" with every bite!

Klein's charges top dollar and people come from all over the world for 2, 4, 5, or 6 day classes on everything from pastry making to sugar work.  The classes start at €1500 which is over $2000 right now. I guess it is a small price to pay when you're learning from France's best!

The best part for us is - Klein's is located right next to the hotel! How did we not know about this place before!?

How Bizarre!

As we search for an apartment in France, I find this song on repeat in my head... and oooo baby, it's making me crazy!

In the US, when you rent an apartment, it (as far as I have ever seen) comes with standard appliances. Yes, you may opt to add a dishwasher/washer/dryer and sometimes, on rare occasions, you may need to get a refrigerator but most other appliances come standard. In fact, nice apartment buildings now come standard with dishwashers/washers/dryers and even workout facilities! Our last apartment building in Jersey City had all of that (NOT TO MENTION a pool, a sauna, and a full volleyball court).

Well, here it is not the case. The apartments come with some counter space and a few cabinets and that's it. You need to buy everything! So it is very weird to walk in a kitchen and see it completely bare. Or, we go and visit a place that people are still living in and when we ask what comes with it.... nothing. They have provided all their own appliances. I can not seem to get over this.

Upon walking into these kitchens, I get this big grin creeping across my face every time. It doesn't cease to amuse me... this whole naked kitchen business. I guess it is a good way for the owners to keep the renters in the apartments. I am already dreading moving out of the apartment I haven't even moved into yet, because I am imagining unhooking all these appliances and lugging them to our next destination.

Is the whole appliances included concept unique to America? Before I was asking, "Does it have stainless appliances?" Now, I am asking, "Does it have a stove?"

Regardless, I am excited to hopefully have a place very soon. I have been nomadic in recent months and am looking forward to getting an apartment and all the fun that comes with that. Especially now, while I am taking my French lessons and not working, it is the perfect time to enjoy making the apartment feel like a home. I am excited to decorate, to unpack my suitcases, and mostly, (big sigh of relief) to cook!!!!!!

I have lost weight without having a kitchen (my pants are all falling off) so some good has come out of it, but I so miss cooking. I miss my plates, my pots, my pans, my blenders and mixers, my muffin trays, and having food around me when I'm hungry. I miss being surrounded by freshly baked muffins. I miss trying new recipes and cooking our favorites, too. I miss being able to sit at the table with my man enjoying a meal together while we watch our favorite shows. Mmmm.... I'm getting hungry just thinking about it!

In the meantime, I have compiled a list of so many recipes I can't wait to cook! I sent my mom these recipes and she said, "Wow, you must really have nothing to do!" I have been perusing cooking sites, other blogs, and reading the food section of the New York Times online. As soon as I try these recipes and am satisfied with them, I'll be sure to share them with all of you!

Until then, the search for a naked apartment continues...


*P.S. I have included pictures of what I want to eat right now!!!

Vanilla cake with chocolate chips inside, topped with chocolate frosting and strawberries.

Chocolate chip cookies with jumbo chocolate chunks!

Veggies with a lot of spices over fish AND roasted over pasta!

lemon poppyseed muffins

coconut curry chickpea soup mmmm my favorite!

Does anyone have any favorite recipes they want to send me?  E-mail me: kaylanreaboold@gmail.com :)

Eurockeennes

This summer Belfort will come alive for the first few days of July when the Eurockeennes music festival arrives. Boy, am I excited!

Who wants to come visit!?

Tour de France: Belfort

Train Station by night - Directly across from the Best Western Hotel Belfort, the beautiful and accommodating hotel which I am currently calling home or la maison

Lion of Belfort - made by the same sculptor that did the Statue of Liberty. 

View from the Fort at the top of Belfort (where the Lion of Belfort is located)

My first stop on my Tour de France is obviously Belfort because that's where I'm living; and I had to put my pile of suitcases somewhere! Belfort is a quaint town that is full of colors and rain. It rains a lot here, and when it's not raining, it's cloudy. However, I will say that this week, we were blessed with a few very sunny days that gave me the slightest glimpse of hope as to what Belfort will be like when it is Spring! The people were out on the streets and everyone was smiling. I couldn't tell you what they were saying, but by all the energy and the buzz, I could tell they were just as happy to see the sun as I was.


To be fair, it is a different lifestyle than I am used to so in my critiques, it is only the opinion of an outsider that grew up in a foreign culture. However, I must say that a few things are quite strange here. See below...

1. On Monday, I ventured out on the town only to find that the stores would not open until 2pm (I wonder what they do all morning).
2. Nothing (except for maybe 2 pizza places which are open until 10pm and a few kebab restaurants) is open after 8pm (I wonder how they make money). Don't say they see that they are losing out on so much business? I am not the only one crawling the streets at 8:30 looking for a place to get some food! I grew up where food stores are open 24/7 and pizza places are open until 2am. It is so strange to walk the streets and see every business closed. As I sat at the front desk of the hotel, I heard all of the guests checking in asking what restaurants were open, and the receptionist could give them only 2 options: pizza or kebab. Most opted to wait for the wonderful breakfast put on at the hotel! I see a business opportunity in Belfort... open a restaurant with many options and keep it open until midnight!
3. The last train stops at 7pm (I guess it's good for the hotel business).
4. I wonder if school is mandatory. I see kids walking around all day long.

Well, I think that's all I can think of for now, but I am sure there is plenty more where that came from... next stop on my Tour de France... still to be determined.

Until then, au revoir et a bientot! Bisous!