Adieu Colbert

It's gone! The ugly, hulking mass of rusting iron is finally on it's way to Brest to be dismantled. Mia and I went down to the waterfront to say Adieu to the Colbert but it was already gone. In it's place: a great view of the river. So we went to play on the swings to celebrate.

She should be waking up any moment now from her nap. In fact, I think I hear her calling now. We're going downtown to the Maison des Enfants to sign her up for "ecole" starting in September. Tuesday and Thursday afternoons she'll spend three hours playing with a group of other kids her age and Mommy will have time to go grocery shopping, run errands, or go to Pilates.

To work or not to work

Today is Pentacost Monday. Three years ago, today was still a national holiday, one of the many paid vacation days in France. Then the government decided to that everyone in France would work an extra day and the taxes collected would go to help the elderly and the disabled. It was a good idea on paper but, the French being who they are, they protested. They didn't go to work and they took their kids out of school. And three years later over half of them - all from the government sector - are still working on their suntan at the beach. Those of us in the private sector, including Thomas and I, are solidaire with the elderly and disabled. We're at the office.

A big smile for Dada

Thomas is a little jealous right now because he seems to think that Mia only has eyes for her mama. He saw her going through my purse this weekend and watched her pull out my French green card. She apparently said "mama" twice and then kissed my photo. So this picture is just for Dada to remind him how much Mia loves him too.

The girls

This is the best shot Thomas was able to get of Mia and Nina together. They just wouldn't sit still. Understandable considering the fact that there were 10 kitties that needed to be chased.

Long weekends

What's great about the month of May in France is that there's a holiday a week - usually a Tuesday or a Thursday - so everyone has 4 day weekends. Everyone likes to faire le pont so we all hope for nice weather. This last weekend was yet another Christian holdiay in a supposedly secular county so we went to the Lozere with some friends. It used to be the least populated region of France and is now the second-to-last on that list. Needless to say, there were a lot of cows and Mia had a great time taking walks and smelling the wildflowers.
faire le pont make a bridge, as in taking an extra day off

A new picture!

I spent about 30 minutes trying to get a picture of her in her new red sunglasses. She just kept shaking her head, saying, "Nah, nah, nah" and waving her right index finger back and forth. You'll just have to trust me when I say she looks like a movie star in them! In honor of the Cannes festival starting today....

Adieu Chirac et Hello Sarko

There are a few big differences about watching an Inauguration in France. First of all, it's only a few days after the election, so there's no lame-duck period and the country keeps moving forward. Second, the Loser, in this case Mme Royal, isn't present at the ceremony, even as a show of solidarity. In fact at the lunch that followed the ceremony, there were only about 20 people – mostly friends and family. Finally, it's in May. Everyone has an amazing tan and women can wear feminine, beautiful dresses instead of overcoats that make them look like polar bears.
Despite the differences, I still cried as I held Mia in my arms and watched Sarkozy shake Chirac's hand, wondering what the future will hold and hoping for the best.

Wish you were here

Still just the two of us but we had a terrific Sunday. The sun was shining, it was warm but not too hot, and it was market day. Some people love the roasted chicken and fresh bread but what I love about the Colbert market is the local color. And our friends, who we run into so frequently that it's actually hard to get any shopping done. Today we were also treated to an appearance by the Mayor of Bordeaux, Alain Juppe, who will soon be named Minister of somthing-or-other by the new President. He's always followed by a trail of reporters and cameramen so I don't think he gets much shopping done either.

Speaking of politicians, there was an article in the paper today that Bill Clinton was here yesterday to play golf with some of his buddies and lunch at Haut Brion. One of the spectators said that our ex-President joue comme un pied meaning he's a pretty lousy golfer.

What happens in Vegas...

Stays in Vegas. Thomas leaves tomorrow morning for a two day trip to Sin City. On business, of course, or that's his cover story. Something about a dinner with 52 vintages of Palmer being served. He just finished packing his bag and realized that the flight is not at 6am but at 10am so we have an extra hour to sleep in tomorrow! Mia will be so happy.

I know I have been somewhat lax in posting pictures but last week the weather was so crummy and this week Mia has pink eye. So no matter how adorable she looks in her summer dresses, the runny nose and the puss-filled eyes somehow lower the cute factor.

When Thomas is away

Carlina can play! On the computer that is, and only because Mia is in bed. Here's what I found to keep all of you (okay, and me too) dreaming of Paris. Enjoy!

Off to a good start

Sarko has taken a few days off to rest before taking office next week. The liberals are in a huff because he took a private jet down to the Med to spend three days on a luxury bateau. Just the flight down was reported to cost over 40,000 Euros and everyone is wondering who gave such a nice inaguration gift to the new president of France.

Meanwhile, cars are still being burned during the daily protests. I think they're not far from the 400 mark which is pretty good considering the massive police presence that has been deployed since the election results were made known. (On a side note, Sarko was Minister of the Interior and was the Boss of the entire police force - makes you think.) An English journalist was quoted as saying that in England they have Parliment to serve as a balance of power whereas in France, they have la rue and know how to us it.

It's a national holiday today so Thomas had the day off. I'm ashamed to say that we did nothing to comemorate it, only going grocery shopping ....

Merde, alors

5 years of Sarko - I'd better learn the Marsellaise or they'll take away my carte de sejour.

The good news: Mia's walking! Falling a lot too, but mostly walking.

Silence SVP

Only two hours and 40 minutes left of the "official" presidential campaign. On Sunday France will finally choose and put an end to the daily polls that show Sarkozy ahead of Royal. Thomas is without hope and, I fear, headed for a long period of deep depression depending on the outcome.

The good news is: It's already the weekend! In April and May we have so many long weekends that it seems that hardly anyone actually gets any work done. We have a wedding to go to on Saturday down in the Pays Basque. It's supposed to rain and be incredibally cold so I'm glad I have an adorable summer dress from jcrew to wear. Mia gets to have her first sleep-over at her friend Lola's house but we'll be back for her on Sunday in time to vote and watch the election results with her parents. Who are, of course, voting for Sarkozy....but we like them anyway.

Italy was great - I'm glad to report that we will not be moving back any time soon but that, thanks to Myair, there are now low-cost flights between Bordeaux and Bologna so we can visit all of our friends any time we want. With Mia next time so she can taste gelato.