A gorgeous, sunny morning to walk to the market for eggs, a girly bunch of poppies for just 1 euro = crepes for breakfast and photographic inspiration for the day. ahhh :)
(the last one is my favourite)
Friday, October 30, 2009
Poppy Love
A gorgeous, sunny morning to walk to the market for eggs, a girly bunch of poppies for just 1 euro = crepes for breakfast and photographic inspiration for the day. ahhh :)
(the last one is my favourite)
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Homemade Peanut Butter...maybe.
Today in the quest to fend off boredom...
Aside from the delicious potato and leek soup I made yesterday, I came across some tips for making peanut butter. It's one of Steve's favourite foods, and something you just can't really get here in France. (I'll post a pic of their version soon, it's laughable)
I've been hunting for an inexpensive food processor, and seemingly hit the jackpot this morning at a flea market, for 2 euros. (it's a salad spinner, chopper, and batter blender all in one!) The catch? It's hand-cranked.
I bought some peanuts anyway, tasted one on the way home and realized they still taste like a squishy-ish legume. To the roaster-oven! 10 minutes in there on a little tray and they were as good as North American. lol. After toasting it was easy to remove the skins and toss them into the chopper with a bit of oil. Ready to crank away. ha!
I spent about 20 minutes grinding, getting sweaty and covered in peanut dust before giving up. I did make 2 sandwiches with raspberry jam and the "extra crunchy peanut butter," and they weren't that bad.
Still on the hunt for an electric chopper.
Things are gettin better...
It's an understatement to say that things in France have gotten better over the past couple weeks. The greatest relief: Steve found out last week that he's got a job! He'll be a language assistant (like me) at 2 schools - a high school about a 5 minute walk away, and at a junior high school a bit further. No word yet on what his schedule will be - his first day is November 5th.
We seem to have finally overcome whatever illness was kicking our butts for a couple weeks. Just occasional sniffles left now.
And I am currently on 2 weeks paid vacation!! After spending a breezy 20 hours or so actually working in the classroom, it's fall break. Hilarious, and pretty great. The downside however, is that I have too much free time. Yes it's entirely possible, I'm living it. Free time with financial freedom is one thing, but free time with a tight budget (soon to be loosened, once Steve starts work and I get my pay) is a bit difficult! Thankfully we have internet access at home now, and that, as always, is a time vampire.
Here's a peek at Cannes, where I've been exploring, and what I've been up to.
Making soup - this is a slight variation on Steve's mom's lentil soup recipe. Delicious and good for sore throats & stuffed noses.
Window shopping. Unfortunately/fortunately(?) the street below ours is chock full of designer stores. Prada, Gucci, you name it. This cute bag = more than rent.
Strolling the boardwalk. The weather is too cold to actually swim or sunbathe, but the French still like to sit and watch the passersby. (and judge them)
Browsing the markets. There are a few, and they're often. This one is full of art, flowers, antiques and some tourist garbage - directly beside:
bocce courts. There have been times when nearly 100 old men are standing around watching the intense competitions. Tee hee!
and finally, this is the street where I can shop. Our grocery store is to the right of where I'm standing. I'd say I'm here almost everyday. It's just a couple blocks over from our apartment building.
We seem to have finally overcome whatever illness was kicking our butts for a couple weeks. Just occasional sniffles left now.
And I am currently on 2 weeks paid vacation!! After spending a breezy 20 hours or so actually working in the classroom, it's fall break. Hilarious, and pretty great. The downside however, is that I have too much free time. Yes it's entirely possible, I'm living it. Free time with financial freedom is one thing, but free time with a tight budget (soon to be loosened, once Steve starts work and I get my pay) is a bit difficult! Thankfully we have internet access at home now, and that, as always, is a time vampire.
Here's a peek at Cannes, where I've been exploring, and what I've been up to.
Making soup - this is a slight variation on Steve's mom's lentil soup recipe. Delicious and good for sore throats & stuffed noses.
Window shopping. Unfortunately/fortunately(?) the street below ours is chock full of designer stores. Prada, Gucci, you name it. This cute bag = more than rent.
Strolling the boardwalk. The weather is too cold to actually swim or sunbathe, but the French still like to sit and watch the passersby. (and judge them)
Browsing the markets. There are a few, and they're often. This one is full of art, flowers, antiques and some tourist garbage - directly beside:
bocce courts. There have been times when nearly 100 old men are standing around watching the intense competitions. Tee hee!
and finally, this is the street where I can shop. Our grocery store is to the right of where I'm standing. I'd say I'm here almost everyday. It's just a couple blocks over from our apartment building.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
en France...
It's been nearly 2 weeks in France. An overwhelming experience that I hope to soon get over.
Steve and I arrived in Nice via Frankfurt after what seems like the most hectic month of all time. I couldn't get excited to move to France, I didn't have the time.
Alas, we made it here - and through the German airport security. (our cameras and Xbox were thoroughly tested.)
After being in the Nice airport for about 5 minutes, we realized our French is horrible.
Steve's is worse.
Week one was filled with an unending list of things to do. The program I'm working with likes to take you about halfway with the information you need - and then ditch you to fend for yourself. All of my training has been in French. 2 days worth of speakers gliding over my head. Thank goodness for the kindhearted assistants Lucy and Katie, who were fabulous enough to translate for me and write notes back and forth in class! Even so, by the end of the day there's a headache even stronger than the dumbfounded look on my face.
I have a new-found respect for anyone who has ever left the bubble of their own country to start anew in a foreign place. Nothing about it is easy.
& perhaps that sentiment is amplified by the attitude of the French. Efficiency does not translate here. Businesses can be closed over 2 hours midday for lunch. Why fill out one form when you can fill out 4? Submit this, but only after you've received that, which requires this.
It's kind of incredible.
And then, there's also the feeling of being absolutely broke. Steve and I had modest amounts in our savings accounts, to sustain us for the first bit, and pay for a few mini vacations in the area.
However, the exchange rate is downright rude, and we encountered the worst surprise I've ever encountered. Agent's fees.
Here's the scoop. My cousin Jocelyn lives in Nice and found our apartment for us. It's in a great location, quiet, nice light. 600/month. Ok, it's more than the 450 we had wanted but we won't be tied to the location and can look once we get here. Now comes the meeting to get our keys. We meet who we had thought was the landlord at the apartment to sign the lease. All is fine until she wants the money, and says, ok you owe me 1350. (on top of 400 we had sent in advance) !&^*((*!*#!!! what? Apparently, it is normal here - on top of the first and last - to pay the agent who handles things between you and the landlord. Her fee: a month's rent.
I burst into tears. It can't be true. We ask again and again in our broken French and the agents 3 words of English... we weren't warned about this. We can't get in touch with Jocelyn.
She says pay it or leave it.
We pay it.
ugh
And we saw our savings accounts buckle at the knees and keel over.
End rant.
More of our misadventures to come. I know it will get better, it has a little already. Thankfully the weather is still beautiful, and we are able to spend some time enjoying this:
Steve and I arrived in Nice via Frankfurt after what seems like the most hectic month of all time. I couldn't get excited to move to France, I didn't have the time.
Alas, we made it here - and through the German airport security. (our cameras and Xbox were thoroughly tested.)
After being in the Nice airport for about 5 minutes, we realized our French is horrible.
Steve's is worse.
Week one was filled with an unending list of things to do. The program I'm working with likes to take you about halfway with the information you need - and then ditch you to fend for yourself. All of my training has been in French. 2 days worth of speakers gliding over my head. Thank goodness for the kindhearted assistants Lucy and Katie, who were fabulous enough to translate for me and write notes back and forth in class! Even so, by the end of the day there's a headache even stronger than the dumbfounded look on my face.
I have a new-found respect for anyone who has ever left the bubble of their own country to start anew in a foreign place. Nothing about it is easy.
& perhaps that sentiment is amplified by the attitude of the French. Efficiency does not translate here. Businesses can be closed over 2 hours midday for lunch. Why fill out one form when you can fill out 4? Submit this, but only after you've received that, which requires this.
It's kind of incredible.
And then, there's also the feeling of being absolutely broke. Steve and I had modest amounts in our savings accounts, to sustain us for the first bit, and pay for a few mini vacations in the area.
However, the exchange rate is downright rude, and we encountered the worst surprise I've ever encountered. Agent's fees.
Here's the scoop. My cousin Jocelyn lives in Nice and found our apartment for us. It's in a great location, quiet, nice light. 600/month. Ok, it's more than the 450 we had wanted but we won't be tied to the location and can look once we get here. Now comes the meeting to get our keys. We meet who we had thought was the landlord at the apartment to sign the lease. All is fine until she wants the money, and says, ok you owe me 1350. (on top of 400 we had sent in advance) !&^*((*!*#!!! what? Apparently, it is normal here - on top of the first and last - to pay the agent who handles things between you and the landlord. Her fee: a month's rent.
I burst into tears. It can't be true. We ask again and again in our broken French and the agents 3 words of English... we weren't warned about this. We can't get in touch with Jocelyn.
She says pay it or leave it.
We pay it.
ugh
And we saw our savings accounts buckle at the knees and keel over.
End rant.
More of our misadventures to come. I know it will get better, it has a little already. Thankfully the weather is still beautiful, and we are able to spend some time enjoying this:
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