le premier mars

January and February I appear to have been M.I.A. from the blogosphere, but I've decided to make a come back in March with a new blogging strategy...shorter, less epic though hopefully equally entertaining posts.

New news: Given no natural catastrophes occur to myself or family, I plan to return to teach next year in the same teaching position at Marne. The catch was also giving my word to UNL to return to Nebraska in Fall 2010 to begin the Masters Program. Done and done. Also, housing is covered for next year as well as Woody has recently informed me I'm welcome to stay next year too. It would be fantastic to not have to move. I quite like my neighborhood in the Xeme. So...those of you who have not visited this year have another chance to check out Paris. :)

Highlight of the day: fresh (well, frozen then thawed) berries in my oatmeal for breakfast. Also trying a perle de coco (coconut pearl?) dessert after dinner of Chinese food. I wasn't sure what it would taste like since Jacob joked the warm, white ball had the same weight and consistency as a used diaper, but it was a delightful gooey sweet rice cake, with coconut of course. Made me think of the rice cakes Haewon, a former LLC student of mine, used to make for me. I have a hunch that most of my 'highlights' will focus on food. Eating is always an adventure in France.

That which I wished I didn't have to do: translate. It's great being paid for skills I went to school for, but my procrastination + lack of proper desk = me slightly stressed out with a sore bottom and wrists. However, I am glad for each day my eldery laptop continues to process.

Current book: "The End of Oil". I know I ought to be reading more in French (or even Spanish for that matter), but I really can't get enough English non-fiction crammed into my brain these last few months.

Last movie watched: "Bridget Jones's Diary" avec les filles (a.k.a. Blythe and Anne). Anne tried driving into Paris on Saturday night for a film and later, a karaoke bar but she couldn't find a single parking spot anywhere...not even in Vincennes, just on the outskirts of Paris proper. She had spent over 2 hours on the road, sending frustrated text messages, then we finally decided to meet back at her place for drinks, pizza, and the best video the automatic rental machine at Videofutur had to offer. Next weekend, we will try for karaoke again.

Current music: Damien Rice "O". I left it on repeat while translating and listened to the whole album almost 3 times over. Darn good, a little heart-wrenching, but good. I bet he does good live shows.

Oh yes! Something else I forgot to mention in "New news": I am the proud recipient of an authentic carte de sejour as issued by La Republique Francaise. I floated out of the prefecture de police with a stupid grin of relief. It's nice to be legal, especially after all the loops I've jumped through for it. I'm even content with my ID photo. This means I can go get some of that universal health care without a hitch as well as vote if I deem either necessary.

I'm tenatively planning on flying into Washington D.C. on July 1st to visit my friend John, celebrate the 4th with Obama over tea, then Amtrak/Greyhound/carpool my way back to Nebraska, stopping at other various cities to see old friends who I miss dearly. Possibly in Philadelphia, Chicago, and somewhere in Iowa. If anyone is interested in "road-tripping" early/mid July, let me know. I'll bring snacks.