Saturday, February 27, 2016

February - Before My Holiday

Bonjour à tous! I started this before I went to Rome! I just wanted to give you all something to read while I get my Rome post ready. Enjoy!

I hope everyone is doing well. I’ve been doing well. It’s been another quiet couple of weeks here for me. I’m just anxiously waiting for my 2 week holiday to start next week! In my last post I mentioned we are going to Rome and I can’t wait. Not only am I excited for two weeks off. I’m excited for the history there! Roman history is another one of my favorite parts of history to study (because it’s awesome). It’s going to be amazing. Since I still have to wait until Tuesday to leave I thought I would get a post up for you. (Surprise I finished after I got home from Rome).

Life has been pretty slow around here. I have just been hanging out with friends and trying to stop and catch the beauty around me. My last post ended with the cold that seemed to catch us all! I’m glad it’s over! Thankfully it only lasted a week this time (for me at least). The Sunday after the illness (7/2) I headed to Cat’s apartment where we made a yummy dinner; French onion mac and cheese. I’ve had a version before that my mom and I made; this was just as good. We caramelized some onions, made a rue, added milk and comte, emmental, and white cheddar cheese…so so good! While we ate our mac and cheese we watched “Sister Wives.” It is always good to just relax and hangout with a good friend.

French Onion Mac and Cheese

On Tuesday 9/2 a friend (Hana, from my larger group of friends) asked if anyone wanted to celebrate “Pancake Day” by going to get crêpes. Apparently Pancake Day is a thing in the U.K. where they eat tons of pancakes. Since my classes were all cancelled I decided to join in on her adventure. So I met up with her at Gare du Nord and we headed to find a place called “Pancake Sisters.” Once we got there it was closed…so we searched for another one and found a delicious crêperie in the 15th arr. I got a crêpe with ham, cheese, and an egg then a dessert crêpe with chocolate; they were both good! After that yummy lunch I headed back to Le Vésinet for Greg (my life). We went to the park that evening with Greg’s friend Alex and his babysitter Hannah (also an assistant from the U.S.). Then we went home and did his homework and made a Valentine for his is American class that Friday. It’s interesting trying to explain Valentine’s Day cards to a 9 year old. He was very excited to make the card for the lucky classmate to receive the card during their party that coming Friday.

 Egg, ham, and cheese crepe

 Chocolate Crepe

 The Valentine Greg made: "What did the boy bee say to the girl bee on Valentine's Day?"

"Will you bee mine?" - Thanks Pinterest for the joke!

On Valentine’s Day I joined a bunch of the girls (from the larger group of girls) for a belated Galentine’s//Valentine’s Day brunch at Breakfast in America. Amanda gave us all a flower and some candy; such a cutie. This time I just had plain pancakes, bacon, and eggs. After brunch we heard there was a parade for Chinese New Year. So Amanda and one other girl decided to go watch it. We made our way over there and arrived just in time for the parade to start. It was pretty fun to see all the costumes they had on. After the parade I went to Amanda’s and we watch a movie and ate pizza for dinner. It was a good day.

 The flower and candy that Amanda got for me

 Chinese New Year Parade

 Chinese New Year Parade

Chinese New Year Parade

 Chinese New Year Parade

Chinese New Year Parade

Chinese New Year Parade

The next week it was pretty chill. Most of my classes were cancelled throughout the week (it is kind of common for the week before a holiday). On Monday 15/2 I went to the store and got Greg a little birthday present (his birthday is on Valentine’s Day). I got him a little Star Wars Lego set with Chewbacca; he LOVED it. On Wednesday 17/2 I went to Saint Germaine-en-Laye and met up with Amanda and Kayla. We got some Starbucks and just chatted for awhile. Then we walked around a bit in Saint Germaine. After I got home that night I did a language exchange with a woman here in France. We talked for about 40 minutes in French then 40 in English. We are going to be talking once a week. I’m hoping that this helps me improve my French more…fingers crossed.

 Palace in Saint Germaine-en-Laye

It was such a beautiful day in Saint Germaine - p.s. I love the shutters on the window.

Friday 19/2 I had my one class and we watched some music videos. Then I was free from school for two weeks. I met up with Amanda and we did a little wandering around La Défense before I headed back to get Greg. It was a really nice day so we joined some of the other kids at the park. Greg asked if his friend, Alex, could come over so he we headed home (with both of their mom’s permission). They wanted to play a video game Greg got for his birthday. When we got home one of Greg’s older brothers was playing on their PlayStation, so we decided to start putting some new pieces Greg got for the game together. While we did this we noticed the neighbor’s Cat outside and decided to go play with it. It was so cute; we all know how much I love kitties! Once Greg’s mom got home she said I could leave and I was officially on vacation!!

 Accordion player on the train to work

 Swans on my way home

 Swans on my way home

 Alex with the cat

 She followed them around the yard - Greg with the cat

 Alex with the cat - she was so cute!

Alex with the cat

 We got her some milk to drink

Greg with the cat - it was the best way to start my holiday!

This is from a different night, but Greg and Alex like to play ping-pong...they played for a bit on Friday night too (after the cat decided to leave)

Saturday 20/2 was pretty relaxed. Then on Sunday 21/2 I went to Cat’s again. This week we made a pizza (bacon, rocket lettuce, homemade Caesar dressing, and cheese), again so good….we make good food. Then we watched “Despicable Me.” I stayed really late at her place this week since we didn’t have school since it was the holidays. Monday 22/2 I cleaned up my little house and got everything together to pack for Rome.
Pizza!


Tuesday morning 23/2 I got everything packed up…and headed out to the airport for Rome. And that is where I shall end this post! Coming soon…Roma! 


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