I am one ugly girl!!! This is about 8 or 9 drinks into the evening. 

Hilarious, there is a show here that has two comedians and they did a skit with a guy acting like Cindy Crawford, Fred is re-creating it! 

No Caption Needed! Thomas, Fred, and Me 

Here we go, into the costumes. This is Myriam and my brother Fred. 

Deborah, Me, and Elaine. We had dinner one night last week and I made Halibut with Risotto aux girolles.  

Here is Mal, Mad, and Cass. I have gotta go to Australia!!!  

Having Fun in Paris

Dressing in drag..... Last Sunday Fred and I went to meet some of his friends for brunch. We went to a popular American style place and had french toast, pancakes, and a cheeseburger. After hanging out there we went to meet Myriam. Myriam is a girl that we had Christmas dinner with and that night we met for some coffee. The atmosphere reminded me a lot of a place that I used to go in Charlotte, except they had the best desserts that were fresh-made daily and tasty. We had some interesting conversation about how 2 of her ex's are now gay. I do not know what they are thinking because she is cute, intelligent, and holds a PHD in Shakespearean literature. When we left the coffee bar we all three decided that it would be nice to have a drink. We were headed in the direction of a restaurant the two knew when we saw this rather cool looking bar that was very cozy, so we stopped there instead. After a few margaritas and her 22 year old summer love showed up we started to open up a lot. One of the proprieteurs showed us a trunk filled with costumes and wigs left over from a party earlier in the year. So, we started looting the trunk and dressing up. It ended up being one of those special chance nights where everyone in the bar followed suit and we danced, sang, and dressed up in drag. Really, dressing in drag was never so much fun.
The nex day was a bust and Fred and I woke ourselves up at noon or so, struggled to get running and then headed over to Hippo for a late lunch. Next, we got some firewood and watched some films before heading back to bed.
Yesterday Fred had to go down to Cannes for some work with Miss Europe and I had the place to myself. Fortunately, because the tartare did not agree at all with me. I think it was the raw egg and not the raw beef. Although the late night of drinking the night before I ate it may have been another factor.
Last night I met up with the afore mentioned PHD for a night at this small wine bar restaurant. The place reminded me a lot of the wine vault without the outrageous prices and a lovely small, fresh menu of appetizers and entrees designed to accentuate the wines. The owner was a young guy who loved wine and seemed very knowledgable so I left it to him to pair the wine. He chose a somewhat sweet wine from the south of France. Unlike the Vault he chose a good accompaniment and not the most expensive. It was a full bottle that was only 12 euros! The night was great and after the first 20 minutes Myriam and I were laughing and talking like we had known each other a few years.
Today I am meeting up with another Aussie, Olivia to have a cup of coffee and say our "see you next times." Later tonight I am going out with Fred, Thomas, and Myriam to go back to the bar from Sunday for there last night. I am thinking of inviting the Americans, English, and Aussies out to try and add another element so that it will be as fun as the first time. I will be sure to keep all of you posted.

Cheers, Salut, @+, ciao, later!!!

Christmas in Paris

Hello everyone!!! I am in Paris for Christmas and I am having a great time with my brother Fred. We are eating well and getting to spend some QT together. Tomorrow his mother is coming over for the big feast on Christmas Eve and we went shopping for all the things today. We got some duck, escargots, and Homard de Bretagne!!! This is like the best lobster in the world, even better that Maine lobster because the waters are so cold on the coast in the channel. It better be because it was 120 euros for the 2 that we picked up!!! I am preparing them simply to ensure that we utilize the maximum natural flavors. I am going to roast the tails in the oven gently to accentuate the juices and keep in the flavors and then boil the claws half-way and finish them in butter. The ducks are going to have a citrus-date glaze and be baked tomorrow evening as well.
All I have done since I have been here is gone out for dinner and watched the 10th season of FRIENDS. Although I miss my family, I am happy here in Paris with Fred. It is nice to be here and not be worried about the time and getting around to see the sites, I have already seen them. I may hit up a few more museums and do some shopping but that is it. Sorry it has been a while since my last post but I know that you know how the holidys can be.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!! Joyeuses Fetes!!!

Coming to an end for some...

Hello all. Today is the last weekend before everyone goes there seperate ways for Christmas or to their respective countries. I am thankful for the time that I have shared with everyone here this semester. Although I am also very sad to say goodbye. I know that I will probably never have dinner on Friday night with Isa, Chrissy, Richard, and Mad all together again.
Hopefully I will meet new people and while I hope to build close realtionships with them as well it is inevitably going to be different. As is life I guess. I tried to also do some Christmas shopping today at Part-Dieu. That is the equivalent of Concord Mills here in Lyon. It is 4 floors and has everything that you could ever want inside. I walked through the crowds and decided to come back another day. If someone yelled "fire" I think that half of the people in the place would have been trampled.
I am having a little french Raclette tonight with Maddy and her friends who are in town. Raclette is a semi-hard cheese and you boil and slice some potatoes, some hams, and of course lots of cheese. You set up the trays and then put an raclette oven on the table and cook your own little creation. It is very good in fact and a lively conversation always is being passed around the table with the scent of carmelizing goodness. It is one of the reasons that I love cooking. Eating brings more satisfaction to a group of friends than anything else you can think of, barnone.
This is also the last night of the Fete des Lumieres. The entire city is lit up every night with colorful attractions. The Place des Terraux outside the L'Hotel de Ville is a cool little projection of different things from France. The festival is famous and there were thousands of people out every night to check them out. I imagine that tonight is going to be another late one. It seems that everyone is leaving just before the holidays and since they have become my family it makes me sad. Plus, of course I miss everyone from home as well. I thought that Maddy was going to come to Paris but since Fred's mother is staying over two nights it is not going to be possible. I want to spend time with Fred so perhaps it will work out for the best this way.

Well, gotta run and help out. Merry Christmas everyone

Nete is wiping the sweat from my brow in this one, you have to love that Scandanavian hospitality. 

The two on the left are friend of Mathieu and the vivacious girl in blue is my roommate Jeanne and the cutie on the right is Renee.  

A few of the people enjoying themselves to cheese, beer, and wine. 

Me with the spread, we had lots of leftovers somehow with 45 people. 

Here is Maddy about half-way through the night. Just love her to death! 

T-Day +7

Thanksgiving here in Lyon was a success. I am not sure how because I cooked for over 45 people and we had leftovers too! I spent a few restless days preparing the desserts and finally found a couple whole turkeys. All-in-all the guests were all very pleased and I must say that it went off without a hitch. Jacob, Michael, and Renee made it into town to join in the festivities. Sorry again that I did not have time to hang out as much as I wanted, a la prochaine.
The semester is coming to an end and most people are getting ready to go back home to there families. However, Maddy and I are staying in France. I am going to my brother's place in Paris and she is going to come with me. I cannot wait to see Fred and spend a day in a Parisian cafe watching the world go-by.
Last night I had a strange dream, I stayed at Mad's place since she talked me into going out last night. Although it was supposed to be an early night we ended staying out to 3:00am and one of the girls from Baruch College ended upi "hurling" in the club. Not a pretty site at all but she was fine and we all had an "EW! That was gross" and a good laugh. Now back to the dream, I was back in the States after my trip. I remember being in the grocery store and thinking "shit" i miss France. Also, I spoke a little in French and a little in English which I think is pretty cool. I have had a couple of dreams in French and English but not a full French one yet. My dream was weird because all I could think about was how I was going to get back to France.
It is funny here though because I have really learned a lot of verbal French and heaps of oral comprehension and my grades in French still suck. I tested into the advanced class and I have no idea how but I will only get the same credit for this class as the other 2 below it at UNCC. They have no idea that there are all of these different classes but since a professor is coming over next semester I hope that it will be remedied before I return. Return...not sure that I am ready for that thought just yet.

I do miss you all. Hope that you are still checking in from time-to-time.