Keeping it real...

This post is slightly different from most of my entries but it's just me keeping it real with my thoughts and feelings...

I have been so excited for my trip back to see friends and family. Like a kid counting down the days until the end of the school year kind of excited! Yesterday was my last day of work prior to leaving so that I could give myself a day to pack and get some things done at home before leaving tomorrow.

Yesterday afternoon I found myself a bit unsettled about the trip, strange and so unexpected! I tried to figure out what in the hell could be wrong with me! Really I am SO excited to see my people and do some things I have been missing like crazy so why could I possibly be anything but over-the-moon happy about getting a month in MN.

After a little analysis (no one should be surprised that I analyze, and often times over-analyze) I have come up with 2 things that have caused a slight shift in my feelings. The first is quite obvious (well to me it is), I am sad that I am not going to be able to share this month with James. The logical side of me knows that it isn't possible for this trip but I know I am going to have SO much fun and I hate that he will miss out on that. I also love when he can spend time with the other people I love because him being able to connect to them is important to me too.

The second reason is a bit more difficult to admit and talk about. In this last year I have continued on my journey to try and lead a healthier lifestyle and lose weight. This has been a pretty long journey for me and I have worked hard to get to where I am today. I am still not at my goal but have made some more progress this last year. There are things that are included in my life here that are just naturally part of my day and help me to stay on track. Going back to the states is going to challenge me in this area.

I am aware that there are certain things that will contribute to the challenge for me there. Some of the main ones are that:
A lot of my socializing will include food or drinks.
There are favorites that I haven't experienced in a year (restaurants and foods that are not easily available in France).
It is easy to overeat things when I think in terms of "OMG I don't know when I will be at this restaurant again or have this meal again so I better really enjoy it!"

However, I have found along this journey that knowledge and putting my fears out there will help me to stay on track. So after giving it a lot of thought I have a plan (again, who is surprised that this girl likes a plan). I want to enjoy going to dinner with friends and indulging a bit in things but I need to find a balance and ways to be active while I am there too.  I am going to try and be active in some way each day (just as I am most of the time in France) and I am going to try to eat intuitively (in hopes that I am eating when hungry and not overeating or eating just to eat).

So that is where I am at this morning. I want to return to France still on track, I want to prove to myself that I am capable of things that are difficult in this area of my life.  I don't anticipate that I will lose weight during this month that I am back in MN but I hope that I come back to France having maintained (and not gaining). My main goal is to enjoy every last second of my time there, spending it with amazing people and doing fun things!!!

I am off to get those suitcases ready now!!!!

Winner, winner, chicken dinner...

Or more like winner, winner, wine or chocolate!!!!

There were a whooping 11 entries for the giveaway (3 people who subscribed as a "follower") and 8 comments! So I numbered the entries from 1-11, starting with the followers as numbers 1, 2, and 3 and then comments were number 4-11 in order that they were made.

I am sure you are all on the edge of your seats to find out who won, so I won't keep you waiting any further.

Winner number #1 is Rod and Jody. So you get to choose which of the items you prefer. The other winner is DRA.

So Rod and Jody if you could let me know ASAP which you choose so I can get the other gift to winner #2.

Thanks so much for all of you who participated! I will be answering all of your questions in an upcoming post. However my suitcases are sitting empty and require me getting my butt in gear to pack :)

Tour de France in Chartres

***Reminder...giveaway is still open for a few more days! If you are interesting in joining the fun check out the previous post!!!

Yesterday the Tour de France came through Chartres so of course we had to go watch. The day consisted of time trials which I was told was actually a better way to watch the race in person as the cyclists are spaced out versus being in the large groups.

I have watch a little bit of the race on TV with James but in person it was amazing to see how fast they are actually moving! It's even more impressive that it was the 2nd to the last day and they still had the energy to be zooming past us!

We stood around the 1km to the finish mark for a while watching.

 

Waiting for the yellow jersey to finish the race!

 Here is a French favorite, Rolland, cruising by!

 The Polka Dot Jersey, Thomas Voeckler, had the crowd cheering.

 And last but not least, the yellow jersey! Winner=Bradley Wiggins.

 

They were very serious about supporting their riders! Where do you even find an outfit like this?

 

These guys kept the crowd entertained in between riders. 

 No need to guess where these guys are from, kangaroo and all!!!

 Maëlle got a chance to help raise money for research, every kilometer= 1 Euro! She did great, averaging pace at over 20 kilometers an hour!

 Always a champion in my book!!!

A BIG Thank you and GIVEAWAY

As the I approach the year mark of making the move to France I thought it would be a great time to thank all of my friends, family and readers of this little blog. James and I joke that the only ones reading the blog are my BFFs, Mom, and him! If so that is perfectly fine with me as the blog is mainly for me to stay connected to those on the other side of the pond and share my thoughts, feelings and experiences of being an expat here in France.

Thank you to everyone who has given your love and support. It has made this last year a little bit easier. I know that this move has not been easy, for me, my family and friends, but also for James. As I try to build a life in France and find my path he has had to shoulder a lot of my worries, fears, and tears. I know that it isn't easy for him to see me at times struggling to navigate this path and be so far from the rest of my family and friends. Prior to the move I had a lot of ideas of what life would be like for me here, some of the things I am experiencing I had envisioned and many things I had not. I have spoke to some other expats that are colleagues of mine and they reassure me that I am exactly where they were at this point of the journey. I know that there are going to continue to be ups and downs and I hope you will all continue to walk the path with me.

As a small token of my love and appreciation for all of you I would like to offer a giveaway. Below are the two options I have come up with.

A fun plate to serve cheese or desserts on with a bottle of one of my favorite wines!

 For the coffee lovers here is a Starbucks mug and some amazing chocolate that James helped me discover!

• PRIZE: One of the 2 fabulous combos above
• TO ENTER: Comment on this post and tell me...    

            Is anything else you would like to know about life in France, if so what?
            OR
            Say something to me in French (and hopefully I can figure out what you said) 

• BONUS ENTRY OPTION:  Become a follower of "Life in France"
• GIVEAWAY CLOSES: Tuesday July 24th 12p.m. France timezone
• NUMBER OF WINNERS: Two
• PRIZE SHIPS: The United States or France (although in the future I may try to come up with an international giveaway but at this point I don't think anyone is reading the blog outside of the states...if I am wrong let me know)
• OTHER STUFF: One entry per person is permitted. The winner will be selected using random.org and announced on Tuesday evening.  So check back then to see if you won! I will be bringing the loot with me across the pond.  The first number picked will get to choose which of the 2 options they would like. If you are a local (in MN) I can hand deliver the goods and if you are not I will mail it to you (of course if it is via the mail I am not permitted to ship wine so you will be getting the Starbucks and Chocolate). Good luck...

Farmers and Fireworks

Maëlle and I spent a few hours yesterday afternoon with my French teacher/friend and her lil boy at a farm that allows you to pick your own fruits and veggies. The weather here has been pretty rainy and cold so it was great to take advantage of a few hours of sunshine!

The farm was organized well. We were given a map listing what was current in season for picking and there were these signs to help guide us

The lil farmers

Raspberries as hand accessories

The product of our hard work

Harvesting potatoes

We came home with raspberries, strawberries, cucumbers, cabbage, tomatoes, green beans, zucchini, potatoes, and a ton of mud on our shoes and clothes!!! I look forward to going back here from time to time and especially in the fall when the apples are ready for picking!

Yesterday also happened to be Bastille Day here in France (Independence Day) so we went and had dinner with friends and walked to watch some fireworks! Perfect day all around!!!

Fireworks are always fun

finale action

Play me I'm yours

Walking around the city the last few weeks I have seen a few of these...

Piano at Montparnasse Train Station

Each time I walked past one of the pianos there were always people playing them. It never failed that the people playing had some mad skills! No chopsticks to be found (nothing wrong with chopsticks, that is the level of my piano skills). 

I decided to do a little research to get the back story on these pianos. I found out that the pianos are artwork by a British artist (Luke Jerram) and have been touring internationally since 2008. In total there were 40 pianos placed in different locations in Paris for 2 weeks. The purpose is to encourage people to share their love of music. After the 2 week period of time the pianos are lent to local non-profits until the next edition of "Play me, I'm yours Paris" in 2013.

Really cool idea, don't you think? Would you be brave enough to sit down and play?

I look forward to paying closer attention to the "Play me, I'm yours" next year. I think it may be ambitious to see all 40 pianos but I will definitely be on the lookout!