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.

Going Crazy!

Ok, It is currently 1am in the morning here in Lyon, France and I am busily preparing for tomorrow's feast and wondering what the fuck I was thinking when I started this project? I have nearly 40 guests coming to a flat in the Hotel de Ville and I am getting a little nervous that something is going to go wrong. I have already prepared around:
50-60 cookies
5(7) apple pies (1 that slipped and landed on the counter and was thus used as a taster and grub for Isabelle, Arno, and Richard, and 1 that was given to my roommate after the cake she prepared for the party was not up-to-par)
5 pumpkin pies ( of which I must say that I am very proud because I have never attempted pumpkin pie from scratch and it was also not from a can, fresh lyonnais pumpkin)
3 giant pans of macaroni and cheese
3 giant pans of pommes de terres au gratin
2kg (4.4 pounds for you Americans) of candied almonds
another 2.5 batches of cookie dough to make tomorrow
I am going to make:
Sweet potato soup
Brussel sprouts with pancetta, white wine, butter, and garlic
Garlic and dijon mustard mashed potatoes
2- 5kg Turkeys ( that took me three days and 4 butchers to find )
1- 4kg fully cooked ham ( going to rub down with mustard, garlic, and honey when I warm it up
2kg haricots verts ( those are the lovely skinny french green beans )
chestnut, apple, and sausage stuffing for the turkey

I think that is about it and the guests will be arriving at 4:00pm in the afternoon and I am hoping that I will begin serving around 6 or 7. That is the game plan anyway, we'll see... I definitely tried not to go overboard with too many new things. Just using some classic American table items to give the International students an idea of a true American Thanksgiving. I will elt you all know how it turns out. I hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

-a la prochaine!

Being Thankful

Today was a pretty trying day and all due to one of my classes who just do not care about learning english. I know that I should not take it to heart but I would like to be the best that I can be and somehow find something that interests them. Afterwards, I went and had lunch with Noemie, Laurence, and another friend to give Laurence her scarf back.
So I am beginning to get a little nervous about Thanksgiving. I have 25 people on the guest list and more wanting on board every day. The biggest difficulty is going to be arranging the preparation of the turkey and coordinating heating everything in the oven. I am going to cook anything that I can ahead of time. However, I think that I will be serving for about 3 hours because it will have to be in shifts. Once for everyones first plate and then another for second and third courses and we cannot forget about the desserts that will be in high demand too.
I just finished setting up a wireless network on my computer and I must say that it is one of the coolest things I have ever seen. Although I did it to transfer a little Tribe Called Quest to a friends computer but the stupid thing will not allow it to be played because it will not transfer the license and so I am a little pissed off. If I had bought a CD it would not have been a problem to share the music and I think that the music industry needs to give a little more.
Well, I am going to try and begin updating this site much more often so drop in from time-to-time and leave me a message or comment. A la prochaine!

Misfit's Thanksgiving 2004

Hello All! I am getting ready to celebrate Thanksgiving here in Lyon and I am baking some cookies today. Last year I had around 30 people in my little 2 bedroom apartment and this year I am expecting 30-40 in Lyon, France. That is heaps as my Aussie buds would put it. I am charging 1o euros a head and I even bought a new knife to carve the bird. Which reminds me that I have to find 2 turkeys before next Thursday!
Things are going really well here right now and my French is improving although you would not know it from the grades that I have in my class. I understand more than ever, I learn more vocab each day but it has yet to transfer into a positive result in my French class.
This is short but I promise to update again soon.

Gros Bisous!

Hamming it up for the camera with Isa, and Chrissy. 

Mixing it up in the kitchen for the crew one night, yummy porc a la moutarde!!! 

Here we are in the Parc de la Tete D'Or, beautiful day last Sunday 

With the ladies in this one, did not know tongues were out! 

Here we are having some fun 

Renée, me, and Meagan hanging out this past weekend. 

A view of the Basilica 

Here is me with my Aussie Maddy 

The Red Sox Win The Pennant, New York City hospitals treat millions in shock...

Well, if the saying " The Red Sox will beat the Yankees when pigs fly. " Then you better go out your cars in the garage before they get a ton of pig doo on them. I am ecstatic that we finally lived down that curse. The only sad part is that I am 4500 miles away and I cannot go to the World Series or hang out with my Dad, brother and friends watching the Series.
In order to watch and more appropriately listen to the game due to the fact that the internet feed was too poor I had to stay up until 2am just so see the beginning. Nearly 4 hours later I was so happy and thrilled I counld not sleep. The only problem is that it was 6am and I had to work at 8:30. The kids were taught a lesson in American baseball rivalry today.
Lyon is awesome although I have not had any money for almost three weeks. Now, I have a little but I am still waiting on French bureaucracy to work my paycheck into my account. That, or waiting on the bank to put it into my account. They tend to hold the deposits a few days longer here to make some interest on the money while in transit, and there is nothing that I can do about it. It has been very good for me though because I have been forced to do things very cheaply like walking the city. I have walked at least 40 km but probably closer to 50 km in the last 2 weeks. I think that I have lost about 5 kilograms as well. That is 10-12 pounds to you and me.
I have had some interesting experiences as well. On Monday I had an appointment at the Prefecture. This is basically a police or government building where we have to go and get a carte de sejour for our stay here. I let the UNI make my reservation and went. I am also a language assistant as many of you know and so I had to explain that when I arrived there. I did and then was given a list of things to obtain like a 55 euro tax stamp and my student ID. This is where it got difficult. After meeting with the Academie I learned from another assistant that we do not pay for the OMI timbre, tax stamp. This is what I thought and so I returned to the Prefecture to fix the problems. I snuck in the back and they let me spill my problem. After basically telling them they were all wrong, ten times they went to ask the woman in charge. She said that I had two choices, stay there and pay for the stamp, be forced to get a work permit, or schedule a new appointment at another office where the assistants go. Guess which I chose? That was a day wasted away from work and way too much stress to have gone through. The upside, I did it all in French and they told me I was pretty good too after I apologized because in order for me to have convinced them I had to tell them no and explain things several times. That was a real motivator and confidence booster for sure.
That is all, I am going to try and post some pictures but it is going to be difficult since the BloggerBot is on my pooter in the States.

TOUT A L"HEURE!!!

One month in, no regrets.

Bonjour toutes le monde!
I have now been in Lyon for almost a full month and I feel like I am definitely having a blast meeting people and learning French. It is not always as easy as I would like it to be, but I am adapting all the time. My roommates are both French students in there first year of university. So, I think that I am like the big brother of the flat.
I have met a ton of people including friends of Noémie, the international students ( so far I like the Aussie and Kiwis the best .) the Americans mostly are annoying right now. A lot of them fit the stereotypical "L'auberge Espanol" classification for Americans and as a result I do not hang out too much with them. I am going to Paris next weekend and as long as the advance from the assistantship comes through I am also going to Prague at the end of the month. Kat, I have two students that I go to class with from.........drumroll.......Krakovia, Poland!!! Can you believe it? Maybe I will make it there after all.
Some of the differences here are amazing. The food is very cheap, red bell peppers by the kilo are 3 times cheaper than the States, the cheese is amazing too. Also, I have purchased a cell phone and I am paying 53.50€ per month for 4hours anytime, 6 nights and weekends. The unlimited concept for nights and weekends has not taken affect here and it is expensive. That is what happens when the largest shareholder of France Telecom is still the country of France. Also, the computer labs here are a joke, as well as the process for DSL or dial-up access. At the UNI you must sign in and then you only have 1 hour to do any work or emailing that you need to do. That is the hardest thing when I can just go to UNCC back home and pik one of the hundreds available on campus. Then again, it is free here, school I mean. So that causes a lot of difficulty. I have no choice on class times and I did not receive my schedule until the day before classes! Oh, and to get internet access you have to "open" a telephone line for 23.00€ and then pay 13€ per month to keep it. This has no internet access yet, it is a seperate transaction for that and it will be about 15.00-20.00 € for that. Oh, since I have a phone I can at least call people right? As long as it is to a land line, yes. Cell phones cost more, by the minute. Someone tell Nextel that there is a fortune to be made here if they get some competition.
Just a little look at the differences that I have encountered, not good or bad, just different. The teaching has just started and I think all is going to be fine now. Money is getting tight like the Presidential Race, hope they both work out to my favor.
Well, I am running out opf time here in the lab so I will post again when I have some free time. I have tons of pictures as well to download here and at the Niners Abroad site too.

à tout a l'heure,

Sean Murphy

Homeless, but who cares because I am in France!

It has been a wild ride to Lyon. I arrived and found that my reservation for an apartment was never made because I did not pay a deposit. No worries because I wanted to live with some french students. Luckily, it all worked out and I had an appointment my first day. This is because of my friend Noemie who set up an online profile. There were 9 other people who interviewed and they picked me! I am so lucky these days. The two roommates are students as well. It is a 2 bedroom but they are going to share a room until November when Jeanne goes to the US as an au pair. The other, Arno, is a linguistics major at Lyon 3 where I am attending. We have decided that I am going to speak in French and they will speak in English so we can practice.
I am going to post some pictures of my brother Fred soon from the time I was in Paris. I do not have a great connection right now so I am unsure when it will be. I am using someone else's wireless router right now because they have not secured it with an access portal. OOOPS, but thankyou!
I have a lot to get done today like, buy a bed, desk, and visit the local prefecture ( police station/town hall ) to get my carte de sejour appointment. See you later.

Je suis arrivé à Paris!

To those of you who have helped me, those of you following along, and anyone interested I have arrived. I am excited to be in Paris for the weekend with my brother Fred, but I cannot wait to get set-up in Lyon too. I dropped off Michael at the train station the first day and I have not heard from him since so I hope that everything is OK. Fred took me to the office yesterday and I met his co-workers and a crazy woman named Benjamin that is a riot to hang out with. After that we went to lunch at an "american" restaurant. We were full and I was tired so we came home and took a nap before heading to a party for the TF1 employees. After it turned out to be a bunch of rednecks we went to Hippopotamus for a little late night meal. I did not have the normal Carpaccio because my stomach was having a little difficulty with the tartar de beouf from the first day. ( I hope that isn' t why Michael has not called! )
Well, I have some photos to post but I have to wait until I find a good wireless connection to post them. I do not want to download software on Fred's computer for a couple of photos.
I have to thank everyone that helped me to make it this far. Everyone who donated money, came out to my dinner party, or just hung out and drank a few beers I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Special thanks goes out to my family because without you're support this would never have happened. Especially Brendon, you are the main reason that I have been able to succeed in my pursuits in school. I know that I put you in a difficult position and you have risen to the occasion time and again. You do not like me to get emotional and mushy, but I love you little brother and I will make it up to you 10 fold in the future. Momma, thank for helping me at key moments and I hope that I can make you proud. Dad, you have been a source of motivation because although you have been down you never ceased in your pursuit's. Rachael and Meagan, I spelled your names right and I hope that the two of you get to come over to France for the first time with me this New Year in Paris. You both have made your support and appreciation felt like only a big and little sister can. Fred, you have helped me arrive in Paris, given me a place to stay without anything in return. I cannot thank you enough and I know that like me, it is hard to believe that I am here. I feel like I won an award and I do not want to leave anyone out. However, I have to send out a general thanks to all of you. Timmers, Kat, Caya, Jacob, Jason, Ashley, Nat, Léa, Côme, Renée, Michael, Paul, Erin, Melissa, Lee, Wissam, Adam, AssistantsinFrance, Teri Milstead, Sylvie, Noémie, Pierre, Nolwenn, Caro. I can keep going but I am tired and if I forgot to mention you please know that it did not lessen the effect of your contribution or my thanks.
I will keep you all posted on how this adventure unfolds.

Full of Thanks,

Sean Murphy

Jitters

Here we are about 63 hours from boarding my plane to Paris. I will not sit here and try and tell you I am not feeling a plethora of emotions. I am anxious about getting into the city that will be my home for the next ten months. I am nervous about putting my entire life on hold for the same amount of time. I know that this will be a great experience for me and I would go no matter the cost or trouble. However, I like to know what lies ahead and this is a situation that is far outside my comfort zone. I am leaving issues to be taken care of by my family and friends and hoping that a little luck comes my way.
The last few days I have spent entirely too much money on the things that are "necessary" for this adventure. It is all this nickel and dime crap that I have had to get that I wasn't really thinking about. You know what I am talking about, adaptors, contacts, glasses, luggage, camera, etc...... I have "blown my load" and I have to really pinch every penny for the next few months until I am set up in Lyon. The only real issues that concern me are the truck payment, rent, and taxes. Will everything work out? I will keep all of you posted.

Je vais en France!!!

7 Days left, and the party pictures

I am very slowly beginning to realize that by the end of next week I am going to be about 6,000 miles away from where I grew up. The comfort zone that I have built here is going to be left in search of new culture, adventure, and experiences. I have heard everyone else's stories of traveling abroad and while I seldom tire of them, I pine for tales of my own. I am now much more comfortable with my position than just two weeks ago. I have been to Atlanta and back and received my passport, arrete, and birth certificate. Yesterday I picked up my laptop and purchased an MP3 player as well. The last major detail is to sell my truck. This is the last batch of bricks that remain on my shoulders before I leave. It is uncertain whether or not it is going to happen before I leave but my bro will take care of it if it is after next Wednesday.
I spoke to Fred yesterday about picking me up and what the first few days would hold for me when I arrive and stay with him in Paris. He is taking a half day to pick me up and go to lunch or something. While Michael is leaving the same day to get to Limoges, I hope that he at least shares a table at lunch before going. I also have heard from another exchange student of mine Caro and I think that I will have to see her before I go to Lyon as well. Everything is going well and I do not believe that the bottom is going to drop out anymore. I am going to France next Wednesday and "I pity the fool" who tries to stop me!!!
Thanks to everyone who came to the cook-out, errr, cook-in!!! We had a few technical difficulties that arose as soon as we went outside to grill-it-up!!! That is alright, it was practice for France and we adapted to the situation. The night was wonderful and I had a blast, the clean-up wasn't even too bad. There are a few shots above and if you would like to check out the rest just go to OFOTO at http://www.ofoto.com/ShareLandingSignin.jsp?Uc=7uoigm0v.cmxsyth3&Uy=-y7dtxz&Upost_signin=BrowsePhotos.jsp%3fshowSlide%3dtrue&Ux=1

I hope that you enjoy them.

Getting laid...off

Yesterday I was going about my own business when I got the phone call. Apparently I worked myself out of a job. I worked 29 days at the freight dock and as a result was let go before the 30th day. This was done to prevent me from being able to join the union and be put on a preferential list. I am a little dissappointed but also relieved at the same time. I am going to have to sell my vehicle now and I am trying to call everyone back that I blew off after I thought I was going to keep it. Murphyslaw is taking effect I guess, but not taking control. I will sell the truck and have more money as a result to do things while I am abroad. I phoned the restaurant immediately and asked to pick up some shifts and luckily was given the go-ahead.
I have 14 days and a wake-up until I leave for Paris, I am ready to go. I am feeling the anticipation and a little anxiety as well. It fuels me to get things done everyday towards my trip. This Saturday is also my going away party and I have to organize that as well. I will be making some lovely burgers, ribs, and other back yard faves!!! My mouth is waterind already from thinking of the delicious treats.

Cheese!!!!!! What is Pierre taking a picture of??? 

Do you have any of that lovely Wisconsin cheddah? You know, I really like it, you know. 

Bonjour Lea!!! She is on the right. This is a few months before she became my teacher. 

These are from the Misfit's Thanksgiving last year. I forgot to take pictures last night.  

Good Vibrations and Libations

While we were toasting the Gods last night, we did pour out a little alcoholic concoction last night in the company of friends here at Chez Murphy. Lea, my french teacher and good friend is in town from Texas Tech University. So, since I have not had a night out in a while from working I arranged a rendezvous at the Flying Saucer, my little watering hole. We had some good conversation and then headed back to my place for some cheese and wine. The weather could not have been better, almost chilly as I walked my guests outside in the waning hours of the morning. Then, since the sleep patterns have me like a little nocturnal social butterfly, I headed over to Kat & Caya's place for a little delve into politics, religon, anything else that can cause controversy. I am 25 days away from my departure for France. I hope that the people that I am in contact with there are as great as those that I have met over the past few years. Kat, Caya, Jacob, Michael, Lea, Come, Homere(when you find the place), Tolu, etc........ You have made the past year one that I am going to remember for years to come. I would like to say that we will all meet up again one night when the planets line up for us, but, if it never happens I wish you all the best. We are the future, and although we will become the past, let nothing stand in your way. Do not take "no" for an answer, if you will it then you can make it.

Ok, that is enough of the power talk for today. To get your very own "Power of Pursuit" video seminar please send $59.95 in cash, certified check, money order, or bearer's bonds to Sean. Please allow 6 to 8 years for shipping. Enjoy the program!!!

The Big Push

Well, as I get closer to leaving I knew that there would be a big push to get things done before I leave and a possible bump in the road as well. I am at the bump right now, I am going to push through and make everything work out. I am working so much that I have no life, and it is all going into my truck, just to sell it. I wisj I never would have gotten this truck in the first place but my Honda was stolen and it happened. It is a great truck and I would like to keep it, but I would much rather have my freedom form the payments while I am in Lyon. I guess that I am just having a rough day and I need to "push on through to the other side."

One month to go

Here I am in the last month before I leave on my journey to France. I am filled with anxiety, doubt, intrigue and anticipation. I finally picked up the arrete from my parents which arrived earlier this week. This is the letter that I needed in order to get my visa later in August before I leave. I am working so much right now that I have not had any time to practice my French so last week I picked up an audio program on CD. It is below my level but is helping me practice my accent and pronunciation. The next month I have a lot to do, I am trying to sell my truck before I go so I will not have a car payment to worry over while I am in France. I think I found someone to buy it, but I have to pay about 2,000 out of pocket. I am cool with it because it saves me almost 4,500 in the long run. This will come in handy next summer when I am backpacking through Spain.
While I am sure that the time will pass quickly enough I am hoping to work another three weeks and then chill out for a few days travelling around seeing everyone before I leave. Hopefully I can make enough to go down to the beach or somewhere for a weekend to chill out. Then again, Paris is only 30 days and a wake up. One can hardly wait........

Misfits Thanksgiving 2003, with the parents here. George and Teri, love ya Mom and Dad. I am on about hour number 48 with 4 hours of sleep, but well worth it. 

Hanging out, playing the X Box 

At the football game, Go Panthers! 

Bar-B-Que

I was thinking about bringing something to work the other day for my co-workers at the freight terminal. The guys are really a great bunch of people that remind me a lot of the people that I grew up around. This area has been so overwhelmed with new faces that it is hard to see the people who have been here all along. I am not being anti-growth, just reminiscing a little to the time when I worked my first restaurant, before my love of French cuisine took root. Lancaster's B-B-Q. 
   There is a certain satisfaction that I realize when I smell the slow-smoking of pork "Boston Butts." That dash of acidity that the Eastern North Carolina style offers with some White House apple cider vinegar. Then you just need to steam a seedless hamburger bun and scoop, slap, and spread a generous portion of mustard cole slaw. Drooling.......... Then, after you take that first bite and you smell the bakers dozen of fresh fried hush puppies rolling over the table, you reach and bobble-bounce the steaming treat to your lips.  Your conscious tells you that it is not nutritious but nevertheless you bite through and taste the Sweet Betsy with onions from House Autry, delicious. In the land of soft drinks available today there isn't one that I would take over a thick-as-molasses, styrofoam cup, filled with sweet tea, ice and a wedge of lemon. Although I am going to France for a year and I try to be urbane, you will never shake all the adopted southern boy out of me.
    I have about 5 weeks left until I leave for my adventure. The freight job is going to end on the 11th of August because I am a casual worker and the union will not allow me to work more than 30 out of 90 days. I have been so worried about making money. I think that this way will be better so I  can maybe go up to Lancaster's with the family, have myself a cup of sweet tea, laugh a little, and remember where I came from. I think that I have been so obsessed with getting a leg up that I didn't realize how much I will miss Dad's hamburgers and sugary summer desserts, coffee with my mom, wracking my little sisters nerves, a little politics with the big sister, or just hanging with my brother. 
 
Good times, Good food, Great People.....

Uncle Sam released me yesterday

It looks as though I have been released from the Army without being called up. My last day was on the 17th of July. I have officially seperated from the US Army. It is kind of a weird feeling though. I went to reenlist about a year and a half ago before the war in Iraq actually started, although, I knew it was coming. I told the retention officer that I would reenlist as long as I was allowed to choose a new MOS, but more importantly that I was allowed to go to France for a year when I returned. She said, "Do not reenlist of you want to go to France because they will not let you go to France for a year." I offered to go to Iraq and help and they said no. So, I guess I should not feel any remorse.
 
Now I have only around 43 days and a wake-up until I leave for France. The new job is working me so much that the time actually is passing pretty well.
 
I am getting excited talking about the things I will be doing on the Assistants website. For those of you who do not know it is www.assistantsinfrance.com. I live for that site, and it has become a little family for me that I know I will use as a support in France when the going gets rough. Thanks LeeAnn!!! Today I posted a thread about wine country in France. I want to get drunk with the intoxication of the beautiful vineyards rolling through Bordeaux. Perhaps, I can bump into an old fixture of the area who sees my enthusiam and invites me in to sample some of the families vintages. Although I know a lot of the major chateaux are owned by larger companies I am hoping for a little luck. Even a glimpse into the old world of France. If I am lucky I could work the harvest and nibble baguette and cheese after toiling all day in the hills. Who knows, my romantic side is coming out. OOOPS!!! I have to make sure that I do not spill my milk on the way to the market, I am running late for work. Thanks for stopping by......                        
                                                                                                                                                                                   

Stuck in the staging area

Well, I now have a decent job even though I am working unbelievable hours. I do think, however,  that this will help me out in the long run because I am going to be used to the hours in France by the end of the summer. I just hope that I start getting paid soon. The three week wait for my paycheck is becoming a little annoying. I have put the restaurant on hold for the most part. I am working one day a week there and using the money to just buy my lunches at work. I have so much to do before I leave and I hope that my arrete de nomination arrives soon so I can get my visa.
 
Oh, although I did not design this site as a political forum I wanted to say that I am voting for Kerry/Edwards this November. I have put up with Georgie for too long. He is creating a huge deficit and putting us in a terribly precarious position of being able to defend ourselves. Not to mention that he is not a smart man and keeps showing us that he is Dick Cheney's puppet.
 
OK, I think that will suffice.

Falling together

I think that things are really beginning to fall into place. I have a decent paying job that allows me to get as much overtime as I can handle and I found the magic supply/demand curve for my truck. Sometimes in life it seems like you are working and not going anywhere, then you look back and say to yourself, "I came all this way." My motto is to never stop moving forward and do not let the little things get you down. Times were very tough over the last six months and I am now coming into the light.

Ok, enough of the reminiscent mumbo jumbo. This week I am working 60 hours plus at the new job until they don't have any work for me. Which, apparently will not be until December but I am not worried about that at all!!!!
Only tough part is that I have not even been to the pool this summer. I guess that is just one of the opportunity costs I am making. I will make up for it snowboarding in the Alps next winter.

Lost in the moment

I have been so neglecting of my blog the last week and a half. I started working the new job moving freight. The pay is pretty good but unfortunately being able to talk about France is out of the question because even though I am a temporary fix I think that I would be let go. Not to mention the fact that it seems the farthest these guys make it outside a tractor trailer haul is Myrtle Beach, SC.

I must say that I am very excited about leaving in eight weeks. I am trying to work as much as possible since it looks as if I will be paying the payment the entire time I am gone.

On the upside last night at the restaurant ( www.dresslersrestaurant.com ) I met a three patrons from the UK. It was not a great night for my pocketbook but one of the guys at the table was hilarious. They were the age where you are just happy to be around people and I think they enjoyed my youth too, not the lecturing types. We discussed France and the UK under our breathes because only a select few at the restaurant know that I am leaving. I asked the guy that was visiting from over-the-pond if I could get his number and we could hang out a day in London when I go to visit for a weekend. He was very adamant about me coming over. He said that if I come over he will come and hang out. Pretty cool in my opinion, sometimes things are just meant to happen.