Interview with “The Good Life France”

Prior to my time in MN I was asked if I would be interested in being interviewed for a website called “The Good Life France.” This website is a wealth of information! It has everything from the practical things one may want to know about France all the way to the fun things to do and see.
I find myself taking a look at the page often and as one of my go-to resources. So stop on over and give it a visit-and of course feel free to check out my interview too!!!
The Good Life France
Thank you to Janine and The Good Life France team for letting me be a part of your amazing work! I feel honored to be featured and for you sharing my story.
Hello and welcome to those of you stopping by for the first time. Thank you for visiting and feel free to stop over anytime!
P.S. If any other expats find me through “The Good Life France” I would love to connect and hear from you!

Party of Lights

One of the cool things about living in Chartres is the light show that takes place from the end of April until the middle of September. The light show consists of 29 different locations, some of them are the large and well know spots while others are small and off the beaten path. The show ranges from still images projected onto buildings to animated shows that are quite elaborate.

Last Saturday evening marked the end of the light show for the season. Additionally this was the 10th Anniversary of the light show so the city decided to celebrate. We started the evening off with dinner at our home with some family. I made another new dish and I am proud to say it was a huge success. After dinner and dessert we walked around the city to participate in the celebration.

James and I had walked around and looked at the lights a few other times during the summer and we were lucky enough to share them with my Mom, aunt, and cousin when they visited. However this evening consisted of a much more elaborate spectacle. There were performers everywhere! Music and a 3-D show in the city center. The city was full of energy and life.

For anyone coming to visit us during the time that the light show runs, this is a must do activity!

The Cathedral lit up with one of many displays of the evening.

                                    

The women dancing on stilts.

Not sure what this is suppose to be but there were many of them on display.

Looking good in the 3-D glasses

Another location of the light show, the theater

Here’s to another year

 

Prior to leaving for my time in MN I completed the paperwork necessary to renew my visa. Given my experiences in the visa process in the past I wasn’t expecting for it to go very smoothly. I gathered all of the documents that were listed requirements and put a few others in just in case. James and I went to the prefecture office to submit my documents and request the renewal. To my total shock and amazement this was completely painless and we were out of there after about a 10 minute interaction. I was given a receipt that showed I had made the renewal request. This receipt served as proof of the renewal until my official visa was available to pick up (in case my current visa date expired).

While I was in MN, James got notice that the visa was ready to be picked up. The paper said it had to be done within 8 days. This was a slight problem as I wasn’t even going to be back in the country for 12 days. He went to the prefecture to discuss this and was told not to worry, that it would be available for up to one month.

Upon my return to France I went to the prefecture alone (am I getting brave or what ?), paid the required fee of 106 Euros (much less than the 340 Euros for my 1st visa), and was given my Carte de Sejour. Success! This officially means that I am allowed to stay and work in France for another year!

What do James and I decide to do to celebrate? Why go out for sushi of course!!! Totally French of us huh?

                                           

                                                   Here is a sampling of our yummy sushi!

                                            

                           Proudly showing off my Carte de Sejour outside of the Prefecture office!

                                  

Increasing the cozy factor

 

This weekend we did a little DIY/decorating in the apartment. It is nothing major but the affect is wonderful. As most of my friends and family can attest, I enjoy decorating and creating a home. This process hasn’t been as fast as I would like it to be with our new apartment but I am finding a way to increase the cozy factor a little at a time.

While I was back in the states I was able to hit up my trifecta of favorite stores: Target, Ikea, and TJMaxx, for a few items. Additionally, one of the best things about our new items is that a few of them were made by my grandma with a little help from me (I would like to take more credit but she really did a most of the sewing). I also was able to make a few pillow cases for our bedroom with the assistance of Molly (who is quickly becoming a sewing guru). I love that I was able spend time with both of these ladies and to do some crafty things while I was home. It is one of my favorite activities and I haven’t been able to do much of that in France up to this point.

So I won’t keep you waiting any longer, here are some photos of the lovely additions to our home. There will be more to come as soon as some boxes arrive, as my shopping in the states exceeded the suitcase capacity, no big surprise there!

The table runner with a fun reversible option.

One of the new pillows that My grandma helped to sew (2 others arriving in the boxes)

James installing the curtain rods. Before and after

Maelle’s room, before and during. We underestimated the size of her window so will get another curtain panel to complete it.

The fancy pillowcases I made with Molly.

So there you have it, the fun little updates. There will be more to come…

I am Fancy and I know it!

This post comes to you from the train on my way home from work. As  mentioned in my previous post about the generosity of others during my time in MN, this blogging in motion is made possible by dear friends.

In a conversation with one of my bff’s prior to my trip back to MN, I had told her that I was still somewhat struggling to meet people in France and find ways to connect and create a social circle here. I have some wonderful coworkers but outside of work I haven’t been able to find avenues to meet people (besides James as I also don’t expect him to find me my own friends). We had talked about how the blog was really a good outlet for me and maybe through the blog I would find others in France feeling the same. During our chat I told her that I spend so much time on the train everyday and it would be the perfect use of time to blog, however I was going to need to look into getting a lightweight mini computer to really make that something easy and practical. So one of my shopping tasks while in the states was to check out my options and specifically netbooks.

Fast forward a few weeks and I am having coffee with the above mentioned bff. At the end of our coffee date she told me that her and her husband would like to help make it possible for me to get a netbook. This should have come as no surprise as she is one of my biggest life cheerleaders, but this act of generosity literally brought me to tears.

Thank you will never be enough, and if the blog doesn’t help me find one single friend here in France I still know I have the most amazing friends on the other side of the pond!!