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!
Saturday, November 27, 2004
Monday, November 22, 2004
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!
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!
Saturday, November 20, 2004
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!
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!
Monday, November 01, 2004
Thursday, October 21, 2004
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!!!
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!!!
Tuesday, October 05, 2004
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
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
Wednesday, September 08, 2004
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.
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.
Saturday, September 04, 2004
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
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
Saturday, August 28, 2004
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!!!
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!!!
Tuesday, August 24, 2004
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.
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.
Tuesday, August 17, 2004
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.
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.
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