An enjoyable weekend...

Well before this weekend it seemed as though nothing too exciting had happened, other than starting classes last week. However, this weekend provided a few opportunities that I really enjoyed. On Friday, I received a call from a friend who lives in the village here to go oout with him and one of his friends, which I of course accepted. It was really nice, we went out in small city of Poissy, which is about 20 minutes from Bazemont. Not only was I able to drink my favorite beer (Paulaner for those of you who want to buy me some for my birthday, christmas, or just because you love me), but I enjoyed some very interesting conversation about the differences between France and the US, particularly in terms of the health care reform. I have been talking to a lot of people lately about the health care reform, since the major US news is also big news over here. People here have a difficult time understanding why Americans are so opposed to the reform, so I try to explain what I know, but they nearly always end up frustrated. And, I can't say that I blame them...Either way, I really enjoyed hanging out with the locals and really feeling like a part of France.

Sunday was the best, and most interesting, day of the weekend because I went to see Laurent's (the dad) show! It was magnificent!! Although it's difficult to describe the show itself, my best effort would say it's a mixture of classical and modern music with comedy. The transitions between the classical and modern music are absolutely incredible, as the group essentially has picked rhythms and melodies from classical music that are used in modern music and smoothly transitions from a piece by Bach to something by Michael Jackson, for example. The group, known officially as "Le Quatuor" basically invented the idea of this type of show, as nothing like it (at least in Europe) existed before the creation of this group. This year, they are celebrating 20 years together!! To put that in perspective, just think of how many popular artists have lasted 20 years...and then think about how many artists remain relevant for that period of time. Not very many...and those that have lasted that long are considered among the greatest artists we have ever known. Every detail of this show is genius at work...I know I'm doing an awful job of describing the show itself, but considering I've never seen anything like it and very few groups like this one exist, it's quite a difficult task. However, here's a link if you're interested: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2tZm3OiO_E&hl=fr This particular clip is, as the title indicates, an excerpt from the segment they call "The Music Professor" and I think it does a fairly good job of illustrating some of the more appealing parts of the ideas behind this group.

Of course, these types of shows have to take place somewhere, and even the venue was incredible. When they play in Paris, the shows take place at the Théâtre des Variétés, one of many little Parisian venues that has an incredible charm and coziness built into its walls. You can see the theatre on its website: http://www.theatre-des-varietes.fr/ just click on "le théâtre en images" or google it and look at the images. We also had the chance to go backstage, since we knew one of the artists. That was a very neat experience as well. Each performer gets essentially an apartment, complete with sofa, bed, showers, toilets, etc. A person could really live there if they wanted to! Plus, it's kind of neat to see a familiar person's name and photo at the entrance of the apartment with a sign that says (in French of course) "Laurent Vercambre's Dressing Room." I don't know exactly how to explain the place, but it is full of plush reds and warm golds and has the feeling of a living room almost (although it's a huge living room with a bunch of seats). We also were able to see the room that shows all the famous people who have played, acted, etc in the theatre and that was incredibly neat. Next weekend is my weekend with the boys and the weekend after I plan on going back to Paris for some sightseeing and friend-seeing. For now, that's the news from across the pond...I'll post some pictures of the house as soon as I finish taking them.

Recent Happenings and Future Plans

Well I thought it was about time for an update, even if I don't have anything in particular to discuss at length. Things are settling into a nice rhythm now, so I'm very happy about that, it makes the days a little better when I know exactly what is going on. The kids' activities and school are in full-swing. They both play tennis (as I think I hinted in an earlier post), Jorge(9) started hip-hop classes this week (both that and tennis on Mondays) and he also has swimming and guitar on Tuesdays, so the beginning of the week is very busy for him. Eddy isn't doing as many activities, but he has ping pong (they have ping-pong competitions here, it's pretty intense) on Tuesdays and tennis on Fridays, so they both stay fairly busy between activities and homework. I started my french classes today, which was actually mildly disappointing because my teacher is Greek. My host parents were also surprised and told me that if it's not good for me, then we can try to figure something else out. Personally, I think it will be alright because I am fairly sure I will be switching courses soon to a French professor (or at least I hope so!). The courses are always nice though for expanding vocabulary and just reinforcing things I already know. The courses are 3 times a week (Mon, Tues, Thurs) for 2 hours each time. I don't think that will be too overwhelming, although our professor did say today that he expects us to work on homework for 4 hours/week, which I think was about my workload in college...anyway, I like the structure.

I know of a few happenings in the foreseeable future and I'll share those to get up some excitement about blog postings for these events: we have a birthday party (about the 3rd or 4th since I've been here!!) on Saturday at one of the neighbors and those are always fun because it's a good opportunity to use my french and meet people, etc. Sunday we are going to the Dad's show, which opens tomorrow in Paris!! I am really looking forward to going there, first of all because it's in Paris and secondly because I think it will be a unique experience. Anyway, the whole family will be going there...and the next weekend the Mom is in Nantes for the weekend, so I get a weekend with the kids and I am actually really looking forward to that!! (don't choke on your food if you're eating...I know it's surprising) I think it will be a nice opportunity to grow closer with them and just goof around and pretend like I'm a little kid again :) Probably the biggest news in the foreseeable future is my plan to go to Amsterdam with a few Colombians. Although we haven't set a date yet, it sounds like it is going to happen for sure and that will be a lot of fun, especially because we are going to spend a day in Bruges (Belgium), a place I have wanted to visit for awhile now!

I almost forgot about the music festival I attended on Saturday! It took place in Maule, a town just 10 minutes away, which is a fairly small town (6,000 inhabitants), but they did a great job of bringing some interesting acts to the festival. I went with the family on Saturday night and we saw 3 acts, the most interesting of which I think would have to be the African big-band group, which brought a lot of energy and a different vibe. I also met a great couple who live on the outskirts of Paris, with whom I exchanged information and now I have another place to stay in Paris and people to hang out with when I go there, so that's pretty exciting as well! Unfortunately, I was allergic to some sort of grass there or something because I had a little bit of difficulty breathing and therefore sleeping that night, but it was still worth it!

Well that's it for now from this side of the pond...comments, suggestions, and snide remarks are always welcome!

Photos-Eddy & Jorge, Laurent's Birthday, Trip to Countryside

GREAT NEWS!!

I found an English translation of the book I was talking about for any of you who might be interested: http://www.amazon.com/Could-Almost-Eat-Outside-Appreciation/dp/0312203640/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1253278756&sr=1-1 The title in English is: "We Could Almost Eat Outside: An Appreciation of Life's Little Pleasures...it might be hard to find outside of Amazon, I'm not sure...but I definitely recommend reading the book, you will love it! That's it for now...wanted to share my excitement with everyone!

Just another Wednesday...not

Well I've realized that if I don't write immediately about the little things in France that I have enjoyed, I won't write about them at all. Therefore, I am writing now about last night, which was a quite fun experience. For those of you who don't know, I am the 3rd au pair my family has had. The previous two have both been Colombian, as the family wanted someone from South America, since that is where the kids are from. Anyway, one of previous au pairs' parents are in Paris now visiting their daughter who is also an au pair outside of Paris. So, my host family invited the parents and daughter to dinner last night. 2 immediate observations: (1) I have lost at least half of my Spanish (2) It is incredible to have not one, but 2 different cultural backgrounds in the same room at once and for an extended period of time. My host mother went all out making appetizers and a wonderful dinner and dessert. And although the cuisine was great, that was nothing new. The highlight of the evening was just sitting and talking (in 3 different languages, no less) with my host family and the Colombian parents and daughter. I had a great conversation with the father about the situation in Colombia with the drug trafficking (sp?) and to hear his views on Chavez and the Venezuelan situation, which were surprisingly similar to my views on the situation. It was nice to revisit Colombia a bit, since I had studied it in depth in one of my spanish courses in college and also just to hear the various perspectives. It was also neat to meet someone who is doing the same thing I am doing and who lives near Paris as well, although since there is a big Colombian contingent in Paris, I think they generally do things with one another. Nonetheless, we talked about Prague and I am now set on going there no matter what, so hopefully that will happen sooner rather than later. Anyway, these cultural exchanges are just one great part of living in France and I feel very fortunate to be able to meet and talk with such interesting people. Sorry if this post seems rather disorganized, I wrote it in a hurry and without much thought...that's it for now though!

A typical day in Bazemont

As promised, here comes my "typical day in the life of Regan Becker" post. The day usually starts around 9, since I can sleep in as much as I want and the evenings are generally pretty late. Breakfast consists of a choice between cereal or bread with an assortment of jams/butter/honey, along with the traditional morning coffee French-style (strong! :)) After breakfast, I generally take a glance at what activities are going on that particular day. Wednesdays are the busiest, since Jorge has off school, but other happenings might be tennis, guitar, or swimming, or perhaps a guest for dinner. This just gives me a good chance to plan out my day. Since Bazemont is a small village (around 1,500 inhabitants) there isn't a whole lot going on here. I guess there used to be 3 or 4 cafés and a patisserie (bread/pastry store) here, but those are gone now and now that I think about it there aren't really any interesting businesses in the village. However, it's not really a big deal because Maule and Aubergenville (both 5-8 min driving from here) have plenty to offer in terms of that. I have gone a few times to cafés in Maule, but I don't really ever need to because everything I need is here at the house.

Anyway, I have every day free until 4 pm when I go to pick up Eddy (12 yrs old) from school in Maule. My mornings are generally spent reading whatever French publication I can get my hands on. I buy the Philosophie Magazine, which is fun to read, and for other "light" reading I can always read the newspaper which comes every morning. I also now have a backlog of French books to read that have been given to me by my family as they have gotten to know my interests. Unfortunately, I am not very far in the first one I have started, but I did manage to finish "La Première Gorgée de Bière et Autres Plaisirs Miniscules", (The First Sip of Beer and other miniscule pleasures) which was one of the most incredible books I have ever read. As the title suggests, it is a book about the little things in life which bring pleasure, such as those days of spring where one could "almost" eat outside. Anyway, the morning generally goes by pretty quickly somehow and then it's time for lunch. Lunch consists of leftovers on Mon, Wed, and Thurs, but leftovers are pretty good when it's French cuisine that is left over. Things that are always included in a meal in France are: Bread, Water, Wine, and Cheese. Fortunately, there hasn't been a lot of potage (french soup consisting of who knows what ground up and somehow remaining tasteless)...generally its fish or duck or chicken or some sort of wonderful meal that we eat...and of course to finish off wine and cheese and finally un petit café.

One of my favorite parts about this family is the musical aspect and many of my afternoons are spent playing the piano, whether its playing something I know or just playing freely. Sometimes the dad (professional violinist for those of you who don't know) will accompany me on violin or guitar, which is always a lot of fun. Like many of my friends' parents, the dad has similar taste in music as I do, so its been fun to discuss different musical ideas and to exchange music. Sometimes I take walks around the village or just sit in the backyard and read (although it's beginning to get a little too cold for that).

As I mentioned, I pick up Eddy at 4 o'clock every day (although that will end once I begin classes next week because I don't get done until 3:45), Jorge (9 years old) gets home at 4:30 and they generally do their homework right away. If there are any activities I will take them to their activities for the evening, then we eat and then they basically go to bed.

Post-bedtime is reserved for catching up on e-mails, blogging, and trying to make progress of my graduate school applications (keep your fingers crossed for me!). I generally put on music (right now it's Tom Petty "You Wreck Me" playing on iTunes) and try to get down to things. Late-night for me is also the best time to talk if you are interested in skyping or if you need to get ahold of me, I am always on the computer around 3 pm CDT or 4 EDT. I also try to get my own things organized (right now that consists of reminding myself to open my bank account, charge my phone, and send mail to the French government before they come after me!) which isn't all that exciting, but is one of those things that needs to be done no matter where one is. Well that's about a typical day for me...nothing too exciting, but yet my days are at my own pace, which is really a wonderful luxury. Next post...my first piano concert in France

L'Orangerie and Sainte Chapelle