I'm an alien

This afternoon was a big step for me and my legal right to stay in the City of Lights. Spent the afternoon in the Immigration Office with all of the other Parisian aliens out there. To be honest, I hope that is the one and only time I have to sit in that office. Glamorous it was not. Honestly I felt like I was in a bad, low budget movie. Although the people watching was top notch and I did get quite lucky - I actually got a seat that wasn't being splashed from the water dripping into an overly full bucket in the middle of the floor. After waiting for about 45 minutes I was taken into a back room with curtain separated examination cubicles, was weighed and measured (so far so good - the chocolate filled bread has yet to catch up with me) and then placed in a locker sized space with a blue door and a nice paper dress.  Xrays and another 45 minute wait then I was lucky enough to be let into another back office and be examined by the "doctor".  You would think with all the waiting and formality there would be an actual physical but NOPE, you take three deep breaths, say if you smoke or not and get your blood pressure taken. Guess what my friends - you are now reading the blog of a Parisian citizen well once my visa arrives and then only for the time frame that it is valid. But close enough for now!!!!!

Pétanque & Picnics

Quite the lovely weekend here in Paris. Lots of firsts for little old Heather Caisse. It was the first weekend that I spent becoming "immersed" in the French community. Saturday evening I was invited to a picnic on the canal with some friends rom work and their circle of friends. At first I was a little nervous, had no idea what to bring and no idea if any of them besides the ones I worked with would speak english... but after stopping at the market and picking up a nice bottle of wine and a tasty looking strawberry tart, I met up with my friends (Fred and Agnes) and we were on our way. Once we started walking and chatting I stopped worrying about the speaking and what to bring part and just began enjoying the evening.  We ended up at a great little spot along a canal of the Seine where 7 others met us, including one of the cutest darn babies I have ever seen in my entire life. The next 4 hours were filled with laughing, eating - smoked sausages, bread, hummus, fresh veggies, potato salad (with fresh homemade mayonnaise), fruit and french cakes. Now these are not real cakes but salty cakes filled with delish little things like mushrooms and ham and onions. Now to wash all this down we had wine, champagne and beer. Aside from teaching each other  silly words and sayings - French for me, English for them and laughing and really just enjoying we witnessed someone jump into the river and take a swim. Now this may sound normal BUT seriously I wouldn't touch this river with a ten foot pole. As soon as it happened the conversation went to wagering bets about how many hours it would take for this guys skin to fall off::

Once the shock of the mystery swimmer wore off and everyone had a full belly and glass of wine in hand, I was introduced to the lovely French game of Pétanque.  This game is quite similar to Bocce Ball and I am just as bad at the French version as I am with the English version.  Either way it was one of the best nights and experiences I have had since I have been here in Paris. Being invited to join a circle of friends during their Saturday evening was flattering and exciting. Even though I wasn't able to understand everything that was going on we were able to communicate, laugh and enjoy the beautiful evening together. I am very much looking forward to having many more of these picnic parties while I am here.  One last interesting tid bit. I was requested for next time to make CUPCAKES - apparently this is not something that is common here and my skills are needed to bring these happy little treats to the hands of my French friends. Anyone want to send me a box of Duncan Hines??? Hahaha...... just kidding, just kidding, I'll make the real deal the first time around then all bets are off!!

                                

Today (Sunday) was also an awesome day. Picnic in the park (Luxembourg Gardens) with the fine gentleman responsible for offering me this opportunity!! More on that one and pictures tomorrow. Right now I am debating on a before bed treat and a glass of wine......

Chantilly Pictures

French BBQ

 I spent the last three days in a town called Chantilly. It is about an hour Northeast from Paris and absolutely gorgeous.  Paris is beautiful but very much a city and for a serious country girl - shout out to NH, MA and VT : ) - it was beyond refreshing to see trees, fields of corn and wheat and flowers growing. Not to mention some quiet, birds (not pigeons) chirping and even the peeping of toads at night. Still no AC for those thinking I got my break from the heat, I know you are all very concerned. Beside the nice break of nature I was also able to experience something that I had been seriously craving. BBQ!!!  I got what I was hoping for, well in a very French way. On the opening evening of the event, we took advantage of the beautiful weather and scenery and had a massive bbq behind the castle - yup that's right we were at a castle. I think chateau is the "correct" term but castle sounds much better :)  I have lots of pictures of where the event was held and I will post them once I unpack my disaster of a bag. Something exciting for you who are reading this to look forward to. Back to BBQ - they set up a large charcoal grill and cooked up all sorts of yummy things - baked potatoes the size of my head, with fresh sour cream and chives to put on top, grilled tomatoes and rosemary, lamb, beef and mergueze ( not sure that is how you spell it but I will look into it). It really hit the spot.  Funny that I ate dinner at a castle and spent three days in the Paris countryside and the best part was the bbq I had on the first night. I guess the simple things really are the best!!!

Random

Ok I am trying to go to sleep, running through today in my head and playing some parts of it back. Specifically a conversation I had a lunch today with a coworker about singing Opera. Yes, a bit random but totally normal, we actually even got a little preview at the table - anyway as the conversation went on (which was very interesting as I am a big fan of singing really loud whenever I can AND I have never met anyone who actually is trained to sing opera) he said something very intriguing, "My son is studying and wants to be a professional opera singer." Maybe it doesn't take you a back as much at first but the way he said it was so proud and very flattering and all I could think is OMG - I have never heard and probably will never hear a man at home say that about their son. I take that back, I am not even sure I would hear a mother say that about her son around a table of co-workers, I mean do we even actually have opera training at home?? Why did I think this was so out of the blue and completely something I would never imagine hearing?? I mean we have commercials on tv about pooing in blue jean diapers yet a father being totally supportive of a career in opera blew me away..........

Home is ......

Spent the 4th of July weekend in a place that doesn't celebrate 4th of July.  I'll get over not having a long weekend but it really made me miss everything that comes along with the warm and festive holiday.... bbq's (which I am seriously just missing in general, what I wouldn't give for a nice grilled burger with all the fixings, some kielbasa, zucchini and corn on the cob.... maybe a nice lobsta too... ok completely just side tracked, back to action), fireworks, music, beer, chips, horseshoes, sunshine and being with friends and family. I will have a new kind of "freedom" celebration here next week. it is France's "4th of July" known as Bastille Day or officially "La Fête Nationale". On the 14th of July there will apparently be madness all over this place. Another history lesson by Heather: Bastille day commemorates the storming of Bastille - which took place on... yup you got it July 14th (1789, for those who were wondering). This glorious day marked the beginning of the French Revolution, more on that once I learn more myself. The Bastille ( I know you are curious) was a prison that pretty much marked and symbolized Louis the 16th's ancient reign. When Bastille was taken over (the prison only held about 7 prisoners at the time of the attack, but still, those people meant business) it was a the people showing that the king's power was no longer the word on the street and that the power should be based on the Nation - this was the birth of the republic and what a nice republic it is. The coolest thing about this is that on 13th apparently it is PARTAAAAAY central, the fire stations hosts balls where you go and drink and there are fireworks and galas and things I will have to just witness first hand from what I am told. Don't get me wrong I enjoyed every ounce of my weekend and I am sure I will enjoy every ounce of Bastille day and it's festivities but this weekend did one thing very well and it truly made me realize that (get ready for a little cheesiness) home really is where the heart is <3

The schedule of festivities!! 

Friday

Ever slept in an oven?? Come on down to 4 Square Gabriel Faure, Paris France and give it a try.... come one come all...

Ok - so seriously, I have always enjoyed sunshine, warm weather and everything that comes along with it. BUT I never realized just how horribly spoiled I was when it came to air conditioning. Looks like I'll be sleeping around September..........

Soooooo hoooooooot ......

I wish I was writing to post about my fantastic new finds from all these fabulous sales but unfortunately I haven't even had a chance to look anywhere. By the time I have gotten out of work the last two days it has been almost 8 and EVERYTHING closes here at 7. So even if math isn't your strong suit I am still betting you can put 2 + 2 together. Now back to the topic at hand... HOLY HOTNESS> Never have I ever been so warm in my entire life as it is on the Metro in the mornings. WOW. The worst part is this is only the beginning of the summer so I am sure the mercury is going to keep creeping up. I had invested in a fan when I first got here BUT now that I am sitting in my apartment sweltering (ok, I might be exaggerating a little right now) I think I probably should have bought 2!!!

Weather for the week::

TODAY	TOMORROW	SAT	SUN	MON	6-10 DAY
Partly Cloudy	Mostly Sunny	Scattered T-storms	Sunny	Partly Cloudy	Extended Forecast
High: 90° Low: 70°	High: 92° Low: 66°	High: 78° Low: 59°	High: 81° Low: 59°	High: 78° Low: 57°

" Les Soldes"

So tomorrow is the BIG day - the official start (8am, because we Parisians need time for coffee and croissants) of the sumer sales in Paris. It has been so entertaining to hear everyone's game plans for the day tomorrow. That's right - I will be one of the only ones in the office. I won't lie - if I didn't have my first event starting next Wednesday, there is no way in H-E- Double Hockey sticks (Gram, that one was for you) you would find this pretty little, shoe obsessed girl in the office. My priorities got the best of me and I will be exploring in the evenings and ALL weekend long : ) Whether it is suits, shower curtains, shoes, frying pans or accessories EVERYTHING will be on sale tomorrow at the "Soldes". After a little research I found out exactly why these sales are so tempting and widely anticipated, read on for my kind of history lesson!!

• So the "Les Soldes" in Paris are held twice a year. Typically the last week in June to the first week in August AND then again in the winter from what I read starting in January to February. The sales consist of 5 weeks in which ALL of the stores present their best bargains. In order to preserve and upkeep the small businesses in Paris "legally" stores can also offer two - one week or one- two week sale before or after these sales, with all sorts of other regulations. If a store is to hold a "Soldes" and actually use the word, the buzz on the street is that the store can actually be fined. Now who on earth would want that. So I have started to train my for "promotions" and "-20" or "-30"  as soon as I see that I know I have hit something good. I got off track with my history lesson there but then again history was never my strong suit.......

Case in point for the next 5 weeks, you can almost guarantee to see new purchases shared with everyone who happens to stumble upon this little thing I like to call my blog.... any suggestions on what my first :Les Soldes" purchase should be?????

Bon Weekend

A successful weekend in Paris it was. The weather was unbelievable and the walking shoes were on. I tried to go visit some places I had yet to see since my arrival (which was a month ago!!! Crazy right?!?!?!) Besides some beautiful pictures, I was also able to get some sun, exercise and a few new additions to the wardrobe. I have no idea how I am going to control my shopping here - it is just too much to control. Let's digress for a second and talk about the shopping. So in Paris they don't have constant sales like we do back home.  I think they regulate these types of things to help promote small business, and being here, I completely understand why. So what they do instead is have 2 HUGE sales- pretty much an entire month of Black Friday from what I have been told. It just so happens that the summer sale starts next week - cha-ching : ) I will keep you posted on that one.  Now back to the weekend. Yesterday I took the metro to St.Michael and just wandered around until I came across a nice little park to set up shop. Bought myself a panini(which blow away any that I have ever had before) a bottle of water and laid out in the grass with a good book. I have to be honest I didn't get much reading done because the people watching was much more interesting. After a few hours there I decided I would try and get myself home by foot so I could get to the market before it closed. My sense of direction - not so good yet!! Haha, good thing I do have a good understanding of the Metro though. This morning I decided I would do the same thing but I had a goal - get to the Arc de Triumph and the Champs de Elysee. One of the most famous streets in Paris. I knew it was relatively close to my apartment but I didn't realize just how close until I arrived. Once you arrive at the Arc it's just a matter of walking around it in a circle until you find the side street you want to explore - mine was almost on the other side, but no worries. I take every step as just a little more exercise!! As I strolled along the Champ, I passed stores that just blow your mind - Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Nike Paris - window shopping galore. I strolled the entire length then decided I would just keep going until I ran into someplace that I knew. This place ended up being the Jardin Trocadero - right near the Eifel Tower. Once there I found a nice little cafe - in the shade (note to self - purchase sunscreen asap) and took a leisurely lunch and took in the scenery AND the best cup of coffee I have had since I arrived. Here are some tasty little shots of the weekend::

 

Success

Made it through my first official strike in Paris. Actually to be honest, since I only take one Metro line direct to and from work, I barely noticed a difference. So score 1 for Heather 0 for the Strikers. Let's hope that I stay this lucky during the course of my stay in Paris. On another note, I was eating dinner this evening (with a delish piece of soft, moist and tasty fresh bread) when all the sudden a trumpet player starts down the street playing "It's a Wonderful World". Live, free and amazing music while I enjoy my dinner. Great way to end my not-affected strike day : )  AND I found out about this delightful like thing called "RTT". Every month you are required by law to take an "RTT" day - not a vacation day, not an unpaid day, a beautiful little "RTT" day.  Seeing as there are only 4 more work days in this month I found out at just the right time. All in all I would have to say today was a SUCCESS!!

Nationwide Strike

According to this nifty little notice we got at work today, on June 24th there will be nationwide strikes. This will be quite interesting.... for a few reasons:

1. I have no idea how to read the information on the RATP (transportation website) because it is all in French, so I should probably have someone look into that for me tomorrow
2. From what I have been told this will be my first of many strikes that I will live through in the City of Lights. 

France: Notice of nationwide strike June 24, 2010 

The Inter-CGT-CFDT, UNSA, FSU-Solidarity-CFTC called for a day of strikes and demonstrations on June 24 to protest against government plans to reform pensions. (Side note - can you even imagine what would happen if people decided to strike against all of the government choices that have happened in the last year or two - MADNESS- ok back to the notice) Many disturbances are expected both in the air at the level of rail traffic 

Air France 
Five unions of Air France (CGT, CFDT, CFTC, UGICT / CGT, UNSA) require employees to work stoppages of one to 24 hours. www.airfrance.fr 
Civil Aviation 
The Union of Civil Aviation personnel CFDT also voted a strike notice for that date. 

SNCF 
The four unions representing the SNCF - CGT, UNSA, SUD Rail and CFDT - had filed a strike notice for that day. www.infolignes.com 
RATP
The state of the RATP will follow on www.ratp.fr 

It could be worse.... they could not warn us right??

In other good news, haha - the SUN made it's first Summer appearance and let me tell you what - it made the walk to and from the office so delightful. It is days like today when walking is truly a beautiful thing..... word on the street it the good (and sunshine filled) weather is going to continue on right through the weekend. Maybe my whiter than white skin can experience some good old fashioned Vitamin D????

Fête de la Musique

Apparently the 21st of June is not only the first day of summer in Paris it is also a day to celebrate music. Everyone at work had been telling me about this and had explained there would be bands and music around the city but I have to be honest I did NOT expect to see someone playing some sort of musical instrument in every direction you turn. It was probably the most entertaining walk home from work I had ever had. I haven't been feeling so hot the last few days (stupid sinuses) and really didn't want to do much except curl up in bed once I left the office - but as soon as I stepped out of the Metro my entire mood changed. The sound of acoustic guitars and jazz singing just rang through the street. The further I got down the street the more I saw, kids playing buckets and home made drums, a group of "grandpa's" playing french horns , a punk rock/ska band and 4 guys singing Man Of Constant Sorrow (imagine that with a French accent - AWESOME). So after changing, I had on incredibly adorable peep toes today but less than conducive for walking and exploring, I headed out with my camera.

Check this out:: Fete de la Musique

3 Weeks and my first house guests!!

So I have been here for 3 weeks and let me tell you what, they have been jam packed with visits, getting lost, eating unbelievable food and of course a little shopping. Paris truly is an amazing city, I think I could get off a different metro stop everyday that I am here and just wander around and never pass the same thing twice. Work is a whole new world (in a very good way) and I think it will will require some posts just about that. My schedule is only one of the new things I have to get used too - one perk - I get to sleep much later in the morning : ) Back to the adventures, last week I had my first set of visitors - Jess and Joe. Good times had by all. They stayed for about a week and I am willing to bet they are still full and their legs are still sore. I wasn't able to take anytime off of work (too early and a big integration project going on) and so they were left to their own two feet for the weekdays........ I think they did quite alright - take a peek::

Bonjour and Bienvenue à bord d'Air France 

Somewhere along their first adventures

First night out on the town  

Spent the day at the Palace of Versailles - IT'S HUGE

so cute!!

We explored restaurants, Versailles, a crazy market with everything you could imagine and of course crepe stands. It was so exciting and really cool to be able to spend one of my first weeks here exploring with people that truly appreciated being here as well. So sante Jess and Joe - thank you times a million for spending our vacation with me...... <3

Bonjour Paris

Ahhhh ... a few minutes before lunch for a quick update. These will become a daily thing as soon as I have internet connected in my apartment. I am hoping sometime this week so keep your fingers crossed!! I arrived on Friday, May 28, 2010 and since then everyday has been nothing short of interesting. I am unpacked and mostly settled in my new home and it is just lovely. The area is perfect for me - I am surrounded by markets and a stores and I have already stumbled into one or two shoe stores : ) No purchases yet but that is coming soon!! I am about a 5 minute walk from the train station and then only about a 15 minute ride to the office. I can make the walk-train- walk to the office in about 35 minutes - no complaints there. Work has been great, everyone has been very welcoming and I have really just jumped right in to the projects. Ok - lunch time.... more to come soon.

DRUMROLL PLEASE!!!!

It is here!! Today is the day!! Once I arrive and have my internet setup of course, the plan is to have daily or close to daily updates.  Gotta finish up the last minute packing and shut the computer down. Bon Voyage 413, Massachusetts <3

8 Days

I am writing this from Chattanooga, TN at an event I have been coordinating for the last few months. Everything has finally calmed down and really gotten under way so I have a little time to take a breath and catch up. What the calming down has done is made me realize that in 8 quick days I will be on my one-way flight to Paris!!!! It is amazing how fast time flies by. The good news is I am going to be ready to go once I get there. My things (mostly shoes and clothes, and photos of very important people) have already arrived and are in storage waiting for me to get there. Once I have those delivered to my (gorgeous) apartment I will be ready to really get settled in my new home across the pond : ) What is still amazing to me is the amount of communication and paperwork there is when applying and receiving a French work visa, as this is my first time being an expat, I am not sure how other countries are but this seems to be very involved. I am just hoping that my visa picture never leaks out online or to anyone for that matter, not so hot!!!! Speaking of which I need to send some more information to the packing/moving company now.




Let the countdown begin ...............

A little eye candy from the "Orientation" Trip

Honestly don't remember where I took this one... I will look into though when I am there and let you know!!

Not so sure I would actually trust this boat to get me to safety is the big one started to sink but still very cool to look at!!

One of the coolest things about Paris is all the markets and fresh flower shops ... the smell AMAZING

So many things.........

Going on right now. Trying to plan an event in Chattanooga FROM New England - quite interesting to say the least all the while trying to do a million and one things to get ready to move to a new country. It has been quite an intense few weeks and although it is really starting to take a toll on me, I can look forward to the day when I can look back and say "wow", I can not even believe I did that!! Two weeks from tomorrow I am leaving on jet a plane .. don't know when I'll be back again.... ok well that is a little untrue because I will be back in August and I do know that.  BUT the two week thing is VERY true and there is lots and lots to do until then.... including but not limited too - packing the rest of my life into 2 suitcases, running a successful Leadership and Management event for about 70 people in Chattanooga, seeing everyone that I want and need to see before I go (which is turning out to be two things:: nearly impossible and a constant cry fest) and well about 50 other things. I knew this would be intense and a huge learning experience but it seems like everyday another layer of something is added not always related to moving either. Turns out that taking a job in another country makes you take a long hard look at what you have in your life. So far I can't complain about a single thing - maybe that is why as the move date creeps closer, I am getting less and less strong about saying goodbye (re-read the last sentence or two - notice the tear part, haha)........ I can only imagine what the next two weeks will hold for me - once we get through that - then maybe just maybe I can start thinking about the next two months!!!! More later.

Oooooops....

I have been an AWFUL blogger. BUT I swear I will change my ways because there are only 31 more days left before I leave and I have so much to share. So I am going to try MUCH harder to devote some serious time to this bad boy because big things are coming. Aside from trying to pack up my life (and my shoes- which are a HUGE part of my life) I am trying to plan a week long leadership event in Chattanooga from Windsor, CT..... That in itself has been quite the learning experience. Needless to say I have been one busy little lady. Thankfully I  am blessed to have such AMAZING support between my family and friends and co-workers OR ELSE I would be a blond hurricane of craziness. So THANK YOU to everyone who has listened to me cry, ramble on excitedly, whine, yell, sigh and throw things I should be packing. I appreciate it more than you will ever know. NOW - back to work so I can get out of here..... more to come... criss cross applesauce I PROMISE : )