Oh Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun...

I couldn't blog yesterday because I was too busy enjoying the sun!!  We had the sun for an ENTIRE day.  I didn't know it was possible.

Today, I'm hitting up Paris.  I got a call from a long-lost friend from Canada who is currently in la ville d'amour and am very excited about seeing her.  However, our tearful reunion will be cut short because apparently all train traffic is stopping at 8pm due to a nation-wide strike.  Yes, France will be on strike tomorrow.  They are calling it Black Thursday on the radio and schools, trains, planes, any and every public service will all be hitting the streets (or more than likely staying at home).  At least my friend gets to experience France in all her glory.

Now, off to Paris. Life is tough, I know.

I'm awesome...

bold, I know. Do let me explain.

I actually like exercising. Yes, I derive pleasure out of sweating like a pig. It makes me feel virtuous and I've felt the so-called runner's high. Recently, however, I've fallen so far off the exercise bandwagon that I can't even remember what colour it was.

The gym and I had an on-and-off relationship this fall. In the spring, my schedule was such that I popped into the gym (by popped I mean worked my derrière off) before coming home. I like having a routine (Type A, much?), I like stability, I like commitment. I've been trying to figure out how to make it work for me. For the past three days, I went at the crack of dawn (Well, French crack of dawn - No gym opens before 9, far away are the days of going at 6:30/7). Hence the awesomeness.

I also have a bit of motivation, besides feeling great and and losing those 10 lbs that just keep on hanging around. For those of you who don't know, there is a Mr. Double-Double Petit Café. He's more of the petit café persuasion. I don't often speak a lot about details of my private life here however, he got down on one knee and folks we are getting married! We've talked about it before, of course, but there was always visas/work permits/etc involved. We really wanted to have all that stuff sorted before getting married. I'm excited and a bit overwhelmed. The wedding is going to be this summer in Canada. I've never really felt like much of a girlie girl (minus my love of chick-lit and romantic comedies) but the other day, a friend and I looked a few wedding gowns and I must admit I started feeling a little giggly inside. A little bit.

Am I turning into a Bridezilla?

The rest of 2008 + What I love aboot France....

Where were we in my tale of woe and decit. Oh wait, that was 2007.

Fall of 2008 can be summed up by the following limerick.

There once was a girl from Lille
Who started a new job to buy her meal
To Sweden she took a trip
And to the south but left no tip
Now she dances Irish : the real deal

Maybe I should hold back on those dreams of becoming the next Margaret Atwood. If you didn't just get all excited and think "Ah Margaret Atwood she's Canadian", you know what you need to read...How to Be a Canadian by Will and Ian Ferguson. It's a pretty funny book. Ok, I didn't pee my pants laughing (except maybe once) but it definitely made me smile.

What you've all been waiting for....what I love about France.

Since we are just between friends (and any random Internet stalker who happens across this site) let me share something with you. I'm plagued with digestion issues - always have been and always will be. What makes me so happy I could almost giggle with glee is "Citrate de Bétaïne". It's like Polident, you stick 'er in a glass of water and it gets all fizzy only instead of then dropping your dentures in there, you throw it back and it cures all that ailes you.

Now you know.

It was a cold and rainy Monday morning...

After a busy weekend including a fantastic bout with the 'flu, it's that time again, my friends....it's MONDDDDDDDDDDDAAAAY!

I'm trying to get myself psyched up here.  Go team go team go team.

Suddenly, I want to erase my last post.

In case you aren't paranoid enough...

Marc L***

2008

I think I'm being cyber-bulled by a certain someone who shall remain nameless.  Let's face it, I always forked my lunch money over to the big kids on the playground.  The year two thousand and eight you want, the year 2-0-0-8 you will get.  The truth be told, I'm just a little bit too hyper active to sit and type for this long.  However, as we speak, I should be out hunting and gathering (at the grocery store) and it pouring rain.  Yes, even when not in Canada I still feel the need to keep up the weather updates.  Why I didn't pursue this as a career, I'm not sure.  Enough of the excuses, let's get down to the meaty stuff.

Jan 2008:

I am unemployed.  I am homeless.  Yet, I'm quite pleased with myself.  I've just left a stable job in Canada to return to France for another jaunt.  I rang in the New Year in Normandy.  Not exactly sure what I'm going to do or where I'm going to go but I'm at peace with this (well, except for some of those late night bouts of insomnia when I start wondering what on earth I'm doing)  What I am supossed to be doing is helping my brother move in Canada (sorry about that...) but the move to France was a bit of a last minute thing.

Feb 2008:

I am employed.  I am homeless.  Staying with friends, living on a fold-out couch, but playing a lot of tarot.  Between trying to find an apartment and attempting to be somewhat competent at the new job, a weekend to Brussels brings back my adventurous spirit, that and a few extra inches around the waist (Why oh why do I like you so much beer...and chocolate...and waffles...)

March 2008: 

The last of a long list of moves.  Home sweet home.  (Between March '07 and March '08, I moved 6 times - thanks again brother for all the help...)  Settling in was fun, and short, a shoe box only requires so much decorating

April 2008: 

Steph takes to the streets of France - driving !  I was terrified at first what with the driving standard and the leprechaun sized roads, that and the 130 km/h speed limit but it was quite liberating.  I'm starting to feel settled, I've made some friends, I've got a place.

May 2008:  

My friends start announcing their imminent departures.  Yes, just so you know, every friend I've made in France leaves quickly thereafter (Is it something I said?)  So, if you are interested in getting back to where ever you come from just give me a call, I'd be more than willing to oblige.

June 2008: My expulsion to Canada: Take One

Mid-June, after saying good-bye to all the friends who jumped ship, I gleefully get on a plane to go home for the first time in quite a while.  I'm also sort of required to leave because of paper work.  But mostly I just want to see home, see old friends and spend quality time with my family.

July 2008:

Getting back to France, I'm unable to work.  I decide to go on a retreat to Taizé which was a fantastic idea (if we are being modest here).  I met people from all over the world including a few I still keep in contact with and really had a chance to clear my head and refocus.

August 2008: 

My parents come to France!  A whirlwind trip of Europe was to be had by everyone but I was just happy to show them where I lived.  It was a great trip, highlighted by the Beer Garder in Munich and champagne under the Eiffel Tower.

September 2008: Expulsion to Canada: Take Two

I was going to Canada for a week to sort out papers.  The French consulate had a different idea and sent me on a wild goose chase across Canada and I ended up back at my parents' house waiting for a letter.  Every day running to the mailbox to see if it had arrived.  The post man actually took out a restraining order (I joke, I joke.....kind of).  I eventually got my working papers and was good to go.

 Q408 will have to wait.  I'm bored of my own life, I can't even imagine what it's like for you!

I need to get snow treads for my winter boots?

I've got two words for you.
Black Ice.

Every sidewalk/street in this city is covered with a thin layer of the stuff. I'm doubling axeling all around town. This is in my shoes with the good grip. I've been forced to adopt the shuffle à la I'm afraid to break my hip. Needless to say, this has slowed me down to approximately the speed of an earthworm. Excellent. 5 minute walk to the grocery store now takes 20. At least I get more fresh air?

To fight insomnia last night, I was checking out Last Minute.com and found a week inclusive to Tunisia for 149 euros. I almost booked it, until that little voice reminded me that I have a job.

*le sigh* The visions of sandy beaches were stolen from my imagination by this bitter reality and so I decided to check out another website I ofTEN consult in an attempt to relax....Allrecipes.com. I found today's lunch, Broccoli Beef I except I was severly lacking in the beef departement so I subbed in Red Pepper and added a few big pieces of onion. Yummmmmmmmay. The only thing missing was sketchy second-hand "nougat".

What time is it? Where am I?

Guess who's back..back in France....
Steph is back...tell your friends...
Guess who's back, guess who's back, guess who's back, guess who's back...

Ok, I'll stop there.

Did I mention I slept in? I have approximately 972 things to do today which are time sensitive and was planning on getting a good 450 done this morning. Perhaps I'll be able to do wonders in the next 30 minutes but I'm going to go ahead and bank on no.

The first thing I have to do. Go to the library and face the music. This has been a life long issue with me, I am incapable of bringing library books back on time. I try. I write it on my calender. I plan to take them back a week in advance. But it's just stronger than me. However, those threatening letters are starting to get the message across. I'd hate to be kicked out of the country over a few late library books. How would you explain that to people? "Oh yeah, well, me and my publisher had a serious falling out"?

There are many positive things going on in my life as well. So far my avoiding junk food resolution is going along swimmingly - it's really hard to fall off the healthy eating trolley with the most exciting thing to eat in your cupboard is a can of corn. Move over Old Mother Hubbard, you've got competition. I have to get groceries but last night the grocery store was, for all intents and purposes, out of food. I knew I should have brought more food back from Canada, I'm only going to get so far on BBQ Sauce and Maple Cream Cookies.

Yesterday it snowed all day. I like the snow as much as the next guy, in fact I recall a few posts back declaring myself elated that it had snowed in France. Yeah, got my fill in Canada. There's the other side of the coin when it comes to snow called Mr. Slush. Me and Mr. Slush have a tumultuous history - he's not vey welcome and yet always finds a way to invite himself into my shoes. The scoundrel even sneaked his way overseas. The audacity! He must be stopped.

Off to fight the good fight...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Happy 2009! We welcomed the new year with a giant blizzard. Which is still going. It's hard actually to tell if it's snowing anymore or if the wind is just blowing all that white stuff around.

2008 was a crazy year for me but probably one of the best so far. I am so excited for this year, with all the possiblities it holds.

All the best for this new year to everyone.

May love and laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy that long endures.
May all life's passing seasons
bring the best to you and yours!