oh, happy day. happy year.

I just love a Monday like this. I was organized and had my clothes ready the night before. I woke up in time to have a cappuccino before leaving the house. I had the time to primp and thus felt great leaving the house. AND, when I walked outside, it was sunny and magnificent (although freezing!).

Now that is surely the best way to start the morning. Usually, I am a very unorganized, unpunctual person. I am always running around like a chicken with my head cut off. As prepared as I think I am, I am always sliding by at the eleventh hour. I don't know what it is - but I can never get my butt in gear to get out the door. As much time as I think I have, every single day I end up running out of the house like a bat out of Hell. Today just wasn't one of those mornings. A new day!?! WOOOOO!!

It's 2:15. I've worked for 5 hours and gone food shopping! This is just an incentive to try to be more organized. It is one of my favorite feelings to be somewhere on time (early is too much of a dream) and put together. However, I rarely get to feel this feeling. I think I will make it one of my New Year's resolutions.

As far as New Year's Resolutions are concerned, I really didn't have the chance to think about that or to make any goals for myself. With the death of my Uncle and my travels and then trying to get back in the swing of things and then spending the weekend trying to tie up all the loose ends, I haven't had the time to sit, reflect, and set some new goals.

Some wonderful things did happen in 2011 but let me put it this way : I'm happy it's over. I think that 2012 is a wonderful opportunity for a fresh start.

If 2011 wasn't your best year, then move on. It's over. There is nothing you or I or anyone can do now.  Things happen for a reason, and perhaps through all the bad, we can make some good out of it. We are where we are today because of actions and choices that have brought us here. All we can do is seize the day. Carpe diem. We are here. We are now. Make the best of it. As Leon would say (Curb Your Enthusiasm), "Turn that shit around." 2012: Let's do it!!!!

What are your New Year's resolutions?

My New Year's Resolutions:
1. being punctual
2. being happier (more positive)
3. being more organized
4. controlling my anger
5. stop sweating the small stuff
6. saving (hence not spending so much) money
7. paying off a big chunk of my college loans
8. buying (not renting) an apartment
9. being better at calling friends and family (not all my communication should be done through e-mail and Facebook)
10. becoming fluent (!!!!) in French
11. SO I can start my dream job (rather than teaching English forever)
12. losing my last 6-8 pounds
13. taking up a hobby
14. getting on a routine of exercising and sticking to it
15. running another marathon
16. actually making progress with les écoliers du partage / friends across borders (see #10 - if I can become confident enough to make calls in French, then I could really be more useful with this)
17. visit new places


What I'm listening to right now:

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

La vita è bella!

My guy has been working on a project at work that has consumed his life. It has caused me a bit of heartache as I find myself doing everything alone. I eat by myself - breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I spend my days entertaining myself. I'm literally always alone. The thing about being alone all the time is it affords you too much time to think and sometimes thinking too much isn't a good thing. Sometimes my thoughts become my arch nemesis. So going on a little trip to be with a huge family was just what I needed this weekend, and it's just what I did.

When my guy's sister called me Thursday night to invite me to her house for the weekend, I was excited for the chance to be around people. I was excited to see the wife of my guy's oldest brother whom I haven't seen since arriving in France. I was excited to see all the little nieces and nephews. I was excited to talk to adults. I was excited to showcase my newly acquired French skills!

We departed early Saturday afternoon in what was sure to be an adventure. My love's middle brother rented an 8 passenger Mercedes van. When it pulled up to pick me up, I had to laugh. In it were his parents, his sister, his sister's husband, their 2 babies (one born last month and the other who turned 1 last month - both who were absolutely amazing for the long ride), the middle brother, and myself. I got to sit shot gun! His brother and sister asked me about my family and about home, we talked about television shows that were famous in France and did I know them. His brother was excited to ask me if I knew Baracuda which made me laugh. It was a great chance for me to improve my French and to bond with my new family. The only thing missing was my love who was, of course, working.

The reason for us all traveling to his sister's was because she bought a new house. We were all meeting there to celebrate her new home and the birth of the baby. It is Islamic tradition to kill a goat when a baby is born. They brought the goat back for a big BBQ. What better place to have a big family gathering than at her new home!

Upon arriving at his sister's house, I was in shock. She had sent me pictures of the house they'd purchased and it was... in need of repair. Repair it they did! Seriously, it should have been taped for a flip that house kind of show. The transformation was 360. The original house was unrecognizable. No details were missed. From the modern kitchen to the beautiful furniture from the amazing collection at French furniture manufacturer Collinet to the big terrace to the dreamy little girls' rooms to the bathroom with the big tub, I was seriously in awe. The house was so beautiful and as I told them so, they were so modest. I kept looking from the originals pictures on my iPhone to the house in live form. Wow!

before

after

before

after

So once I got the full tour, I set out to mingle with the family. My love grew up very differently than I did. I have one sister. He has 3 sisters and 2 brothers. I'm the youngest of 2. He's the youngest of 6. My sister is 18 month older than me. His oldest sister is 15 years older than him. In addition to his brother's and sister's, he has 2 nephews and 6 nieces. He has 3 brother-in-laws and a sister-in-law. His whole family speaks French and Arabic. They make me laugh trying to speak English. I find it to be very cute. His one sister speaks very well. He wasn't there to translate for me this weekend so I was forced to speak French which was perfect for me!

We ate delicious BBQ ranging from chicken to sausage to goat, shrimp cocktail, ratatouille, tabbouleh, salad, cakes, and bread. We drank Moroccan mint tea and tons of espresso. The weather was amazing. Everyone was in good spirits. I just can't stress enough what a warm, loving, and fun weekend it was. I loved watching the family dynamic - the guys joking with each other and sharing stories, the little girls playing, the 3 year old boy proudly fastening the Velcro on his sandals, the ladies coming with their hands wide open as their mother shared with them the goodies she brought from Morocco - olive oil, almonds, peanuts, honey, etc. She assured me that I, too, would share in this one day. With that being said, I got to leave with good memories and a hint of excitement for what the future has to bring.

view from the terrace