To begin again...

 So...if it's going to begin again, it's got to happen now!  Even as I make dinner for the family tonight, my mind is full of the journey we've been on in the 3 1/2 years since I last posted...and how to begin again.  A new friend recently posted on her blog the following quote from Frank Smith:

"Thoughts are created in the act of writing. It is a myth that you must have something to say in order to write. Reality: You often need to write in order to have anything to say."

This is the point from which I must begin again. I've learned that I'm an evolutionary being.  I don't progress necessarily by setting one goal and moving on to the next (future post: Why I Don't Do Diets)...I often take the back roads, the long and windy ones.  The scenic ones. The road won't necessarily be paved with all the tick marks of the 'list' but it will be 'lovely' and 'picturesque,' reminiscent of the comings and goings of living a life with all of the crazy and unpredictability that has been: Our Life In France.

Last I wrote, June 2010, we had been in France a year and a half.  We were relishing the joyous novelty of being in Paris, of living in the City of Lights, loving random things like the fact that in order to take our Mac Books to get fixed, the only place, at that point, was the Apple Store at the Louvre! Seriously, a bummer ride to take!  Seriously?...every time we had to drive in, turning left onto Rue Antoine de Saint Expèry, there in full view was - Le Tour Eiffel!  Each time, even up until our last trip to the ET, I kept thinking, and may this be ever our mantra to Living Life Overseas, may we never take this for granted.

At that point, we didn't know how long we would be in France.  At that point, we were still pushing rocks up hills trying to understand why our visas were taking so long to go through; why every time we put paperwork in hoping to advance the visa cause, we were told we had yet another form to file, waited weeks for that to be processed, only to be then told that something was yet still missing, during which time, we had to leave the country every 3 months to maintain our still-visitor visa status.  By the time our visas officially did come, we had to fly to San Francisco, last minute, to pick them up!  The insanity of this requirement, this obligation, will never cease to bewilder us or our pocket book!  Those last minute tickets wound up costing €10K! 'Insanity' became the special key-word we would use to capture pretty much anything we neither understood nor could tolerate but had no choice but to endure.

Three years have changed a lot. Our kids grew up. They struggled. They needed friends. They learned a new language. They struggled some more. They made friends. They went on holidays. We went on holidays.  Swiss holidays.  French holidays.  Oooh là là.  Daddy worked.  They struggled some more. We endured.  We treasured loving friendships.  We overcame.  We moved across town (other end of the village, 3 minutes). We installed a kitchen - in a rental. What?!  We had a garden.  We gardened.  We composted.  Lots of crazy.  Lots of amazing.  Lots of Daddy working.  Lotsa-lotsa things.  ...and then we moved to Singapore!

Aaahh, so happy to be here!  J'adore la france, mais, je suis contente d'être là.  We're in the right place. We are ready to live, love, work and play!  Singapore and SE Asia - we're ready for you! 

OK-lah?! 

Un But Nouveau (a new goal)

So I have a new goal:

One photo per day.  One story or thought to accompany it.  One month.  We'll go from there.

It's simple.  It's brief.  It's ambitious - for me.

We'll see how it goes.

;-)

Here goes:

Day 1

 Joshua took this.  It's on my facebook page.

I've been trying to encourage an interest in photography.

He's not biting.

But he did take this photo.

It's great, don't you think? 

Technically, I couldn't speak as to whether or not this is the case.

But my aesthetics tell me it's a good one.

Artsy? 

Avante garde?  

Do I even know what that means?

Or just plain cool.

What is curious to me is that I was driving when he took the photo.  He was sitting directly behind me as I handed him the camera and casually said, as we were approaching the Eiffel Tower, 

"hey, why don't you take some photos..."

I was hoping something inside him would spark.

He took this photo first.

Then I quickly glanced back and realized that he was shooting through the window...

Inside, I'm thinking: 

"This was not what I had in mind, dear son!" 

...so I suggested he put down the window.

And of course with my handy-dandy multi-window car controls,

I rolled down his window myself, after which he continued to take a few more photos: 

These were all taken in order and

you can decide for yourself...

They're nice

but I'd say his first shot was the best.

 

It's interesting.

It has character.

It captures light, 

the speed we were driving, 

and 

it has a sense of magic to it.

Those last three?  

Standard. Lovely and still cool but 

standard.

I took from this a lesson.

My son had an inclination.

Granted, he took the photos because I asked him.

But HOW he took them was a decision he alone determined.

Until I inserted my opinion,

or rather, my expectation on how

he should do something,

(take photos 'out the window')

(I never said 'roll the window down-before you take them...')

which - 

was my own 

opinion.

it -

was not his

opinion.

Had I let him be,

had I just allowed him to 'have a go'

who knows how much more magic 

he may have created.

Ah, parenthood.

We live.

We learn.

We [must] let go.

And allow the magic that is within our children - 

To thrive.

This is the hope.

(Ça c'est l'espoir) 

I love my mother.

It's Mother's Day in the US today.  Here in France I send my mother, Vera, the very best Mother's Day wish I can muster from thousands of miles away and in front of a virtual audience.  

My mother is the best mother

Anyone could ever wish for.

I know this because

I've watched her make sacrifices for me,

All of my life.

First, most important but only the beginning, 

She gave me life.

She was a thoughtful mother...

Which is something I appreciate now as an adult mother...

Trying to be conscious myself.

She is a loving wife,

She is a loving soul.

She is a wonderful Nana

to her grandchildren. 

She is passionate.

She loves the earth.

She loves nature and hiking. 

She loves sustainability.

She loves Goodwill. 

;-) 

She brought with her a heritage I am proud of 

Not only a fascinating history of Russian, Swiss and Welsh ancestry...

but  

A heritage of 

love

kindness

goodness of heart

positivity and optimism.

My mother loves to be healthy.

She loves to eat well.

She is my friend,

She is guileless,

She wishes the best for everyone,

from the mailman

to her children.

My mother is the best mother.

I know this because

she loves me

she knows me

and she still loves me.

My mother trusts me.

 And I believe she always has.

My mother has faith in me.

And I believe she always will.

I am a blessed and lucky woman

To have the best mother ever.

Happy Mother's Day, Mum! 

 Tash.

I love you. 

xo.

from France.

oh, that would be Paris.

;-)

see you soon!  

"Spring is here," said the bumblebee

This month

Elijah turns 3! 

we took the week 

to play...

here 

and there...

SO

come play.

"Spring is here," said the Bumblebee

"How do you know?" said the Old Oak Tree

"I spy yellow daffodills [or crocuses, as the case may be]...

Dancing with the fairies on the windy hill." 

[said the Bumblebee]

At

l-o-n-g

last,

we can go outside without a coat,

plant some crocuses without a chill,

take a bike ride

to Parc de Sceaux.

and so...

At

l-o-n-g

last,

we did!

Leading up to his 3rd birthday,

Goggles

have been his favorite toy of choice.

At first they went everywhere...
the store
the neighbors house
the park

and then it was...

to church

and eventually
...to bed!

While on one hand he is

contemplative
and a doer of
what all newly turned 3 year olds do:

picking up precious stones

from even stone buried-in-cement pathways

"...they MUST come out somehow!"

...to begging for someone to kick the ball with him!

And so of course,

we do!

Who wouldn't?

...and then it's time for a rest,

but only on Mummy, of course.

It’s been snowing, raining and is just plain cold.  

Perhaps this is why the refrain  

‘Paris in the Springtime’ 

rings loudly in my mind 

as I watch the huge snow flakes and rain drops 

take turns falling out of the sky

…I’m just waiting…

with images of cherry blossoms 

at Parc de Sceaux waxing tauntingly in my mind.

it's certainly not happening in real life -

yet. 

We took the bus to the store yesterday in the latter part of the afternoon, and like today, it was freezing cold!  

I took heart, however, as I realized that it was actually 

still light 

and by the time we returned home, 

darkness was only just starting to fall.  

Not so would this have been the case even the week before…

or maybe I just didn't pay attention? 

Regardless, 

I could feel the beginnings of those blessed

extended days eeking it’s way 

back into lives.  

I can’t wait.

Elijah and I recently took in the woods up behind our house...

Note: this long stone wall is the wall to the school.

 

Cross the street and here we are! Horses on the left.

 

 

Climb the tree and looK - I'm high! 

Elijah took over photo duties for a while...

Then it was mama's turn again...

These are the horses who live on the trail as we enter the forest.  Midline to the left is a stone wall where lies 
the school. 

As I shoot this photo, Elijah sits in a tree...

Ah, such a good life.

 

Then we head back...and stop at the gate to the school 

on the way home...

Little brother is looking for big brother.

Sorry little guy...

Must wait...

a little longer.

It may be cold but it is fresh air!

Examples...and Crêpes Citron

I just have to say that I have the best kids ever!

Ever!
Do you know what they did tonight?
They were thoughtful,
kind
and great hosts...
I was SO impressed with them tonight!

Let me tell you about it:

Our friends from Ireland, Zélie, and her two kids, Aaron and Inés, who recently moved to Paris, came for their first visit to our house this evening. We had just finished a walk around the neighborhood and showing them around, when it was getting dark and it was time to wrap up the evening.

As we entered the kitchen for a brief sit down before they left, Joshua and Sasha, who had made crêpes for breakfast this morning and had leftovers, offered to cook some up! Who would turn down homemade crêpes by Joshua and Sasha? So Sasha turned on the stove, cooked up the crêpe itself and Joshua dressed the crêpe with a very old family favorite:

le crêpe citron - butter, sugar and lemon.

I watched them as they organized themselves,
as they served Zélie and her kids,
making sure it was just they way she wanted it,

and I was just so impressed,
and so proud.

Maybe I'm being
presumptious, but...

It warmed my heart tremendously
to think that they really are watching us,
and they really are learning
...even when we're not paying attention.

Oh, the pressure.
Not really.

Just a reminder.
To be aware...

that while they learn about the world

from the perspective of their

own individual and

unique selves

our impact
as parents
is tremendous.

and we do them a disservice
to underestimate this.

I have long believed that
we are the lense through which our children learn to see the world.

Raising a child
is such a gift.

Raising a child
to become a wonderful human being

is an honor
beyond belief.

I love my children.

E.T. and the Writing Workshop

We drove in to Paris Friday night to take Joshua to a writing workshop for kids age 12+ at the American Library, which as it happens, is a block from the Eiffel Tower! As we drove in, we passed this incredibly cool Art Nouveau builting just as we were about to turn the corner to park at the Library. I had to walk back down the street and take some photos! After a little online research I discovered that this is called the Lavirotte Building, designed by architect Jules Lavirotte, and is one of 9 of his buildings in the 7th arrondissement. It was built between 1899-1901. The photos just don't do it justice:




As I turned around to meet meet up with the family who had already entered the Library, this was the view which greeted me:

Dropping Joshua off at the Library for his class, we crossed the street to enter the park, the Champ de Mars where lies the Eiffel Tower. It was about 7pm on a Friday night. His class was only two hours and I didn't realize we had a little treat waiting for us. It was simple, it was sweet, and if I hadn't been paying attention, I would have missed it.


Walking through the park, I marveled at the activity at the foot of this world renowned monument. People picnicking in the mood of the Friday night end-of-week/beginning of weekend joviality, two guys, literally, walking a tight rope on a strap they tied between two trees and the guys selling their miniature Eiffel Tower key rings on huge metal rings, making them stand out a mile off.




Walking up the path toward the Tower, it struck me, how on a Friday night at the end of September, this place was still packed...the line to get into the Tower was still a mile long, folding on itself multiple times until they reach ticket counter.


We wander up to the Tower, under it and through to the other side. It was all very simple. We headed straight for the carousel and crêpe stand on other side of the street. The festive mood reached even across the street.
Such a funny guy, looking high above him, with food in his mouth, swinging his arms...the Eiffel Tower is E's moniker for "Paris"....while driving to Paris...he's looking for the E.T.!

It couldn't be helped.
This was Paris, after all.

As twilight approached and the sun set
the lights of the Eiffel Tower
came on



I buy some crêpes

and I look over to Paul who had just purchased tickets
for Elijah to ride the carousel.

Joy
Beauty
Sweet
and Simple

All this even despite the Angry Crêpe Guy,
who really was just ready for a career change.
So I didn't take it personally.
Angry crêpe guy's associate kindly gave me my savory crêpe for free.
He understood.

So I go back to my family with my
free crêpe and share.

Night is falling
Festive mood ensues
All is well.


Happy children
decent crêpe
Carousel rides.

Under the Eiffel Tower, I played with my husband, daughter and son as the sun went down [while the other son is being intellectually enlightened]. The lights take on a dramatic feel as the sun sets and the sky blue of the day turns to dark indigo, then black.

Set against the night sky, the Tower is so striking.
Awesome.
If you think about it, it's really just a pile of iron.
Oh but really,
the magic, the awe
it's tremendous.

I saw people taking photos of themselves with the tower in a way that previously hadn't occurred to me. I thought, oh why not! Being a generally modest person, I didn't do things like this, but hey, this was Paris and I was at the Eiffel Tower! So I took a photo of myself against the Tower!
Then I grabbed Sasha! Magic...I could feel the joy in the moment. I loved my daughter so much! This was one of those grab moments. Take it before it's gone.

Back to the carousel, we jump on, trade off with the little guy for his 5th ride! He knew the joy, and needed no words.

Trading back and forth, I'm now waiting and watching Paul and E going around and around. Sasha was chasing them around the carousel while it spun, the night was falling and the magical carousel had us under it's spell.

Almost time to return to pick up our big brother in his writing workshop. We begin to head back, walking under the Tower once again, the line and crowds as long and packed as ever.


As we get to the other side and by now it's dark, I'm struck again at how many people are still picnicking at the foot of the Tower, and they're not necessarily the same people as before!

Some came prepared for the mood. We passed a couple with a little candle on their blanket as they ate their dinner.

This must be Paris.
And this fact gets by no one.

As we leave the Tower and park behind us, we return to the Library to find Joshua having thoroughly enjoyed his writing workshop. The teacher was a published author and walked the kids through the process of finding their topic, and researching their subject. We didn't know when we dropped him off if this would be a one time thing or not. We were thrilled to discover that he really liked it and wanted to return.

I guess this means we'll have to come back next Friday.

Darn.
Oh well.

Paris we love you!

See you next Friday...