Inquiring minds want to know

Here are the LONG overdue responses to the questions asked by those of you who participated in my Thank You giveaway. I really enjoyed all of the questions and hope to do this again in the future!!! I am sure you will all sleep much better this evening after finally having my responses :)

What has been an unexpected blessing related to life in France?
This is a tough question to answer but I think that one of the biggest blessings has been learning to believe in myself more. At times this experience has been scary, frustrating, and discouraging but looking back on this last year I am able to see how much I have accomplished and the fears I have overcome. I was just talking to James this week and reflecting back to a year ago. At that time I went on my first interview here in France. I cried at the train station because I was worried that I would get lost, my brother-in-law met me on the other end and escorted me to my interview to ensure I would find it. Today I am navigating the city well, have been on many more interviews and really overcome the fear that I wasn’t able to do all of this on my own and here I am doing it and pretty well on most days.

What has taken the most getting used to?
Besides the language I would say that the other thing that took some adjusting was using the mass transit system. I was so used to jumping in my car at whatever time I wanted/needed to leave. Now I am operating on train schedules and they are not going to wait if I decide to change my outfit or pack a quick lunch.

What would you have be the same in France as in the US if possible? And excluding friends, family, and a dryer!
While France is considered the fashion capital of the world, I would really love a few of my favorite American stores. Isn’t life just better with a Target, TJMaxx and Old Navy within a 15 minute drive?!

Being the crafty-pinterest-loving gal that you are, what have you found t satisfy that part of your life?
I have REALLY missed this part of my life! It is a goal to try and find ways to incorporate more of that here. Cooking has been the one thing I have really been able to get more into.  The crafty and creative side of me has been a bit neglected.  I tried to get my “fix” while I was back in the states and did a few sewing projects and brought a few supplies back too.

If you had to pick one day that was the most memorable since you first arrived in France, what was it? What did you do? (keep it PG, lol)
This is a tough one as there have been many memorable moments but I think the first day we got to stay in our new apartment is at the top of the list. It was like reaching a destination that I had been traveling to for SOOOO long. To final be in our own home together and no longer in a state of constant transition was truly an amazing feeling. I think the first night we grabbed sandwiches from Subway and just sat and looked at each other in amazement that we were finally at this point.

Has your choice in wine changed?
Prior to coming to France I don’t know that I really had a strong preference. I drank what others suggested and sometimes grabbed a bottle of wine based on how cute the label was. I am pretty sure this would give most French a heart attack! Since being in France I am always excited to try new wines but with the decision left to me I choose a Coteaux de Lyon or Monbazillac (white wine).

What meal do you miss the most from the states?
Thanksgiving dinner! I am going to attempt to make a Thanksgiving meal this year if I can get all of the needed ingredients.

What’s been your most embarrassing moment so far in France, haha?
Do I dare say that I don’t think I have a real embarrassing moment?! The closet thing is probably when my brother-in-law snapped a really great picture of me sleeping on the train with my mouth open like I was in a deep sleep. It was one of my finer moments!

What is the biggest difference in our culture compared to the French?
In my opinion the biggest difference is food. The French LOVE food and take great pride in it. However they seem to naturally eat more whole foods as there is just so much less processed food available here. They have 3 solid meals a day and usually don’t snack (with the exception of “gouter” which is a snack around 4-5pm and usually only the children eat). Their meals seem less rushed as almost everyone takes a real lunch break of a minimum of an hour. Having dinner with family or friends is almost always an entire evening event and seems to be savored more. Don’t be mistaken, they know how to indulge in fine cheese, wine, and desserts just like we imagine them doing but they are so much better at doing it in moderation.

How are you staying so cute and thin with alllll them bakery’s around?!
It’s true, the bakeries are EVERYWHERE! I really try to limit my visits to them but if I do go it usually requires walking there so I think I burn at least 1 bite of whatever I am eating by all the walking.