Christmas

My time here in France is really flying! I’ve been here for 3 ½ months; can you believe it? Neither can I. Only 6 months left!

 Now, who is ready for another semi long catch up post?

The week I moved to Le Vésinet was pretty busy; trying to adjust to my new place and to my new schedule took a lot of energy. I spent the week leading up to the Christmas break getting used to living on my own and to the family and area. I really like it there! The Chatin’s are very kind and welcoming. They are concerned about making sure I am comfortable in my “little house.” Greg is super fun. He has a lot of energy and a very creative mind. We spend time each day reading in English, going over his English homework, and playing. He makes up the weirdest games. However, his favorite is tag in the dark with light sabers (he LOVES Star Wars)! I can’t wait until it is lighter out when we get home from school so we can play outside some.

School that week was pretty much the same as every other week. The students and teachers were very busy with exams and getting ready for the holiday, so I kept things simple and talked about Christmas with my students. My prep school kids and I sang Christmas carols. It was fun and I think they enjoyed it.

 The Chatin's Christmas Tree

 In the Chatin's basement

Friday 18/12 came with a sense of joy! That night I didn’t have to stay long with Greg; he had a friend over and his mom said I could leave whenever I wanted. So we played some soccer, I watched the two boys play tag (i.e. run around the ground floor of the house in circles until they were too tired to continue) then they showed me some music videos (mostly Star Wars). It was a good start to the break.

Nativity one of my student's drew

Saturday 19/12: The first day of the Holidays! Since I had my OFII (immigration) medical appointment on the 23^rd I had to stay in Paris for the first days of the vacation. Also Amanda was leaving for Scotland on the 23^rd too – so we decided to spend the day at Ikea. I think I’ve mentioned Ikea in like the last 3 posts…I love going to Ikea! I met Amanda in St. Cyr where she lives and we headed to Ikea. We did the typical walk through of the store and got some stuff as usual (why is it so hard not to buy things from there?). After we finished there we walked over to the Pizza Hut near the store (the Ikea we went is being remodeled so the restaurant part is closed L). We enjoyed our late lunch of garlic bread, pizza, and a “grand cookie” for dessert. Then we discovered a huge Auchan (think Walmart) right by the Ikea/Pizza Hut area. So we went and got an air mattress for Amanda and a few other things. Then we headed back to Amanda’s apartment. Once there she gave me my Secret Santa gift; it was a Doctor Who mug! I was pretty excited about that (I use it all the time now). Then I had to head home since it would take me about an hour and a half to get home. It was a pretty great day. You really cannot go wrong with Ikea and pizza.

My new Doctor Who mug

Sunday 20/12: Today I woke up late…a really bad habit I need to break! Amanda and I had decided to have a Doctor Who marathon at her place. So once I was up and moving I started making my way to her place. While discussing what kinds of snacks (if any) I should bring we decided to make perogies. So I stopped at the Monoprix at La Défense and got the supplies (potatoes, cheddar cheese, Doritos, candy) we would need for our little marathon. When I got there we started the show and watched for a bit before starting the perogies. She taught me how to make the dough and then we made the mashed potatoes to go inside the dough, filled the dough, cooked them up, and enjoyed them. I’ll admit I don’t remember exactly how to make them, but I know how simple it is now J. After watching a couple more episodes it was time for me to go back home. I didn’t want to miss the bus to the train station.

 Eiffel Tower on my way to Amanda's

Yummy homemade Perogies!!

Monday 21/12: I did laundry and cleaned up my little house. That was about it, haha. I just hung out at home, finished unpacking/organizing, and cleaning. It was a relaxed and easy day.

Tuesday 22/12: I met Amanda at La Défense today. We decided to go try a new restaurant together called Factory & Co. It is a burger/bagel place. They have very American style food, besides the burgers. There was crinkle cut French fries (you could get cheese on them too but I forgot), and lots of American desserts (I got a key lime pie). It was really good. I’m glad one of my students suggested it to me. After lunch we walked around the mall and I got the last Christmas present I needed for Sharice. Once we were done at the mall we both headed to our separate homes. We both needed to pack for our trips. So that is what I did when I got home.

Wednesday 23/12: OFII appointment and travel day!! Today was my OFII appointment. This is the last thing I needed to have for my VISA to be finalized. My appointment was at 1:30; so I spent the morning anxiously making sure I had everything I needed and triple checking that I was all packed for Switzerland. I left for my appointment around noon and arrived at the office a little before 1 (I was secretly hoping that they would let me in early…no such luck). I had to wait outside the office building, good thing it wasn’t cold, until 1:30. Then they let everyone who had an appointment at 1:30 in. We got checked in sat and waited in one area and then we were led to another area to wait for the doctors. I anxiously waited for about 10 or 15 min before my name was called. The exam part went pretty fast. They check your; height, weight, eyes (my right eye is really bad), blood, and then do a chest x-ray. Then you wait for the doctor to call your name. I waited there another 10 min. Once called he just asked about any family medical problems, checked the blood pressure, checked the x-ray, and sent me back out to wait again. This time I waited just a few minutes and was led to the original room to wait again. A few minutes later I was called and finally got my stamp in my passport and became a legal resident in France! The process for me took about an hour (I was worried it would take even longer, I had to get to the airport)! After the appointment I headed to the metro. The metro stop is right outside of the Bastille monument, so I took a moment to look at it before making my way to the airport. I took the metro to Gare du Nord to get on the RER B to take me to the airport. Once I arrived at the platform there was a train heading to the airport just arriving; I debated if I wanted this one (it makes all the stops between where I was and the airport) or the next one (it only makes a stop at the two airport terminals). I decided to take the train that just arrived, I was anxious to get moving. I don’t know why I was so anxious it was only 3 o’clock and my flight wasn’t until 8:45pm…Anyway, I got on the train and tried to de-stress about finding my way through the airport. Once I got to the airport I started in search for the terminal I needed. I was at 2G…I followed the signs and got on a shuttle bus that took me to the terminal. Apparently it was not attached to the main building. Once at the terminal I got some food at Paul (a chain bakery here in France) and sat and took my time eating it; I was really early (I would rather be really early than late). Once I finished my food I went through security, and went up to the waiting area. The flights here didn’t get assigned a gate until 20 min before takeoff…weird I know. So I played games on my phone, eventually got a croissant and a hot chocolate, Skyped with my mom. After a couple of hours they finally announced the gate and started boarding. I was the third one on the plane! They got everyone seated and settled pretty quickly. I was glad it went so fast, I wanted to get to Switzerland. The flight itself was super smooth and only an hour long. Once I landed and exited the plane I headed for the exit. I had to wait a little bit for Sharice and her family to arrive. Apparently they went to the French side of the airport and I didn’t get the text until after I had walked out the Swiss door…so I had to wait for them to come around (they had a gate blocking the road from one side to the other). Once they arrived we headed back to their home. They only live an hour from Basel (where I flew into) so the drive home went fast. Once home we all got ready for bed and went to sleep. *A few things about flying out of a European airport. 1. They don’t check your ID at security, just your boarding pass. 2. Security goes super fast. 3. They check your ID at the gate (weird) along with the boarding pass. This may be different if you are leaving the Schengen Zone…but I haven’t done that yet.*

 The Bastille

Paris from the plane

Thursday 24/12: Christmas Eve. Today Sharice’s family was having a party at their house; they call it Ball Fest (where you eat ball shaped foods). So Sharice and I frosted cookies while food was being prepped. Then the family started to arrive. Once everyone was there we started eating the food, which was all really good. There was: meat balls with some kind of yummy sauce, meatballs stuffed with mozzarella and marinara or alfredo sauce to dip them in, a cheese ball, deviled eggs, mashed potatoes shaped into balls, veggies (normal shapes), and cookies. It was fun to meet a bunch of Sharice’s family. The family I met last time I was in Switzerland was there and I made friends with the kids once again (no requests for me to change dirty diapers were made this time, thankfully). There was lots of laughter and fun stories; I really like Sharice’s family. After the party Sharice and I set up the Christmas tree, decorated it, and put out the presents for Christmas morning.

 Frosting cookies while watching "Elf"

Sharice's nephew Benjamin (aka Boba) chowing down on his chocolate Santa at Ball Fest

Christmas tree with all the presents

Friday 25/12: Christmas! Today Sharice and I slept in. When we woke up we all opened our Christmas presents. I got a package from my parents that included; chocolate oranges, brownie mix, sprinkles, BBQ sauce, Ranch Dressing, and Reese’s peanut butter trees. Sharice and her family got me; a Christmas sweater with a penguin on it, a little stuffed kitten (Sharice knows how much I want a cat), a candle holder that has a thing that spins when the candle is lit, and lots of candy. Once presents were opened we had breakfast; French toast that was made in the crockpot, eggs, and sausage (nothing like breakfast sausage, but they tried). After breakfast we had a pretty relaxing day. Sharice and I went for a walk and explored some of the next town over which included an old church, always my favorite! Once home we played dreidel, which is always fun. It was a good a Christmas. We decided that next year we will have Christmas in London though.

 All my gifts!

My kitty - named Ronald Weasley (because he is a ginger)

 My little dinosaur I chiseled free

 Arch on our walk

 Arch on the walk

 The church in Grenchen

 The church in Grenchen

 A different church in Grenchen

 Dreidel

Christmas sweaters!!

Saturday 26/12: We had a relaxing day at home. We checked movies off the list we made. That was about it.

Sunday 27/12: We went to church! It was good to go and be spiritually fed. However, I had no idea what was going on, as everything was in German. Thankfully in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints everything is the same. So even though I didn’t understand the prayers I knew the meaning. After church we took a nap and then relaxed the rest of the day.

Monday 28/12: Today we went for a walk to a grocery store. We got pizza for lunch, chocolate milk, and some little cake things. Then we went home and made them and watched more movies! (We watched a lot of movies during my break). Later that night we went with Sharice’s mom to a couple of different stores. We went to Biel to go to a toy store and to the grocery store. Then we went to Solothurn (the medieval city) and went to another toy store (we got a puzzle, Jenga, and a couple of card games for the family). Then we headed home and played Jenga. Sharice had never played before. It was fun to play with her (even though I lost).

 Solothurn Christmas lights

 Solothurn Christmas lights

Jenga!

Tuesday 29/12: Today we decided to take a drive to Germany. Sharice’s sister loves to go for really long car drives, so this was a treat for her. We drove up through France (Alsace), and through part of the Black Forest in Germany. We had lunch at Subway (we were hungry and wanted food without having to wait) then headed back. It was about an 8 hour drive. It was cool to see some of the country side of Switzerland, Germany, and France. It was a good drive. After we got home we had about an hour and then we headed to the movie theater to see Star Wars: The Force Awakens. It was a good movie (very expensive – Switzerland is a very expensive country) except this random 10 minute break in the middle of the movie…in the middle of a suspenseful scene. It kind of threw off the mood of the movie…but was still good.

Wednesday 30/12: Today was another relaxing day. We did make the brownies that my parents got for me. We made peppermint frosting with real candy canes. They turned out pretty good!

 Brownies with homemade peppermint frosting

 Brownies with homemade peppermint frosting

Thursday 31/12: New Year’s Eve. Today we went to Bern. Bern is the capital of Switzerland. We walked around, saw the parliament building, did some window shopping, and went to an old church! It was fun and there were some great views of the city and of the Alps. After we were done in the city we went home. For dinner we had fondue! I have never had fondue and so it was fun to try it at home. We just had bread with the cheese, but it was delicious! I’m glad I finally got to try that famous Swiss meal. We spent the evening watching another movie. We almost missed the New Year. It was kind of fun to be in a new country for the New Year. It was also kind of fun to be in a separate year from my friends and family for more than an hour or two.

 Bern - Big Chess

 Bern - clock tower

 Bern - Church

 Bern - Fountain by the church

 Bern - Church

 Bern - Parliament building

 View of Bern from the Parliament building

Fondue

Friday 1/1: New Year Day. We didn’t do a whole lot today; just hung around the house. I did make dinner for Sharice’s family. Dinner was French dip sandwiches and mashed potatoes. I made the meat in the crockpot. It turned out so good…at least I thought so!

Saturday 2/1: Another relaxing day. We did go to the grocery store with Sharice’s mom. Then I made dinner again for the family. This time I made some alfredo sauce (from scratch) and pasta, garlic cheese bread, and some frozen peas/carrots. Another top notch meal, in my opinion.

Sunday 3/1: Time to go home. Today we slept in. Sharice wasn’t feeling well so we (her and I) didn’t go to church. We just hung out and I packed up my stuff. Once Sharice’s mom got home we headed to the airport. I got my bag checked in (I had some full size liquids coming back with me) and then we said goodbye. It was hard leaving them again. They were so good to me while I was in Switzerland. I am determined to go back before I leave for the U.S. My flight home was relatively smooth; again it was a short flight so not bad. The longest part of the journey was getting back from the airport. I made it onto the RER B just fine. Then took the RER A to La Défense where I stopped and got some dinner at McDonald’s; the only thing still open at 9:15pm on a Sunday. Then I finally headed home. I got home around 10:30pm and got ready for bed and went to bed! I was glad to be home safe.

Monday 4/1: Today I went with Matthieu to take Greg and Paul (one of the older boys) and then came home and took a nap! I love that I have Mondays off from work. Once I got up I went to La Défense to meet Amanda for our normal Monday get together. We went to Chipotle, the Orange, and lastly Monoprix. Then I had to head home to go with Matthieu to pick up Greg from school. This time I got to drive! I was nervous that I would struggle with the manual car, since it has been several years since I’ve driven a stick shift. I got over that in about 30 seconds. Apparently driving a stick is like riding a bike. It came back so naturally. Once we got home Greg read a little of his book to me, then we played for the rest of my time there (night time tag again). Then I came home and made chicken enchiladas for dinner, they turned out alright. I just used a kit that I found at Monoprix. I like the ones I make in the US with green enchilada sauce.

Some some people riding horses on my walk home from the train

Tuesday 5/1: My first day back at school. It was a normal day at school. The kids seemed happy to be back. I was and I wasn’t at the same time, haha. After I finished at 11am I headed to La Défense to meet up with Amanda, again. This time we had lunch at a diner in the 4 Temps mall called HD Diner. It is a 50s themed restaurant. We both got the same thing; grilled cheese, tomato soup, sweet potato fries, and an Oreo milkshake. It was pretty good; it reminded me of home and was good for the chilly weather (i.e. 45ºF). After lunch Amanda headed home and I did some grocery shopping at Auchan. Then I headed home to go with Matthieu to pick up Greg from school. I drove to the school. Then Matthieu took over because we had to go pick up Thomas (oldest son) from his school. I didn’t want to get overwhelmed with trying to make my way through that route. Once home Greg had his snack and then he read a book to me (different from yesterday) that he thought was really funny. It was called Sticky Burr it was perfect for Greg. I think I found his attempt at different voices to be more entertaining than the book itself. By the time he finished it was time for me to go. So I went home and ate some leftover enchiladas. Have I ever said how much I love leftovers? They make life easier when you are tired and don’t want to cook.

 My grilled cheese and tomato soup

Oreo milkshake

Wednesday 6/1: Another day at school…however, none of my students showed up today…which was kind of sad. I just sat in my classroom and did some planning and reading and started working on this here blog post (I decided I should get it started). When my last class was a no-show I left and headed to La Défense to the Monoprix there, the whole mall was super busy. Apparently today is the start of a lot of sales in France, it doesn’t happen often. I was going to look for a new bag for school (mine had broken), but I didn’t want to wait in that line. So I got on the train to come home and went to the Monoprix that is closer to me (just past the train station). I found a new purse there (50% off) and a few other things I discovered I needed (aka shampoo/conditioner Reese’s peanut butter cups etc.). Then I came home to finish working on the blog! I don’t work with Greg on Wednesdays.

Now I am caught up once again. I hope you are all enjoying these updates; even though they get so long. I’m really enjoying my time here and hope that things continue to run smoothly with the rest of my stay here in France! Although I can’t wait to go home in July for my sister Melanie’s wedding!

**Things I learned about Switzerland while there: 1. everything is closed for Christmas and New Year’s (even in between the actual days).  2. Stores close between 5 and 6pm every day…which sucks…I wonder how people get groceries after work…I’ll have to ask (I forgot while in Switzerland).