bonheur

bonjour mon amis...ou des inconnus....:)
quelques photos















I am so behind on my blogging!  Paris and making friends here in Valbonne has set me back some.   
It is a scary thought that I do not have much time left.   Not going to think about it.   Yet.

Saturday
I spent my entire Saturday in Nice with 2 other au paris.  I got to bike the entire coastline! I even biked some on the main road.  Who am I these days!   It took me about three hours.    It was really....nice.  It was also very nice spending the day with other au pairs!   We all have at least some common ground.  Even though we come from totally different places and areas in our lives.   It is definietly interesting to see.   I have realized just how much of an "American" girl I am.   My day in Nice I talked with people from Holland, Mexico, Germany, Romania---what an interesting group of people to all be sitting on the beach together in France sharing about ourselves.   I can honestly say my experience here in France has been so wonderful and englightening!  


My bike ride, the flower market, and Nice at Night! 








SundayIle Sainte Marguerite


I spent all day Sunday with my friend from Holland, Renee on an island off the coast of France! We had to take a boat ride--it was so lovely and relaxing.  We were on the island all day. Hiking, relaxing, swimming, exploring, picture taking, and talking.    It was the perfect day.  Christine and Christophe are so nice to give me all that time off this weekend!  They knew that these were things I desperately wanted to do before I left.  So thanks again to you both! If you are ever in this area of France, defintitely go see this island! 






Monday
This morning, Marie woke up so excited to play with me!  Having not really spent much time with her lately, I was very happy to get to play with her!  We were best buds alll day long.  She even spent her afternoon looking for things in the garden as "a gift for my mom"  Yes. A gift for my mom inAmerica.... She said she saw her on skype and "she loves her"  I love her too, Marie!


Marie has had a fever the last few days, but if you did not know her, you would not be able to tell.  She is always full of life and energetic!  I love that about her.  This morning she made the biggest mess I have ever seen in her room!  A mess so big her mom just decided to take the day completely  reorganizing it.   It was a fun morning, though.  We made a giant "Boat" in her bed!  She put almost every toy she owned in her bed, as well as an umbrella, a lamp from downstairs which she wanted plugged in and underneath the giant fort I made over the bed.   It was so cute to hear her using English.  I was trying to squeeze my twenty-three year old five-foot seven self inside this tiny fort on her bed and my feet were sticking out.  She proceded to tell me no, "No!  Look at the feet and the toes!" Then she helped me squeeze them in as well.
After this, I was so hot from all the blankets!  I picked her up and we opened her window for some fresh air.  She then began singing the melody to Elton John's Can You Feel the Love TonightShe was singing it in French but, me being the AMAZING (ha) musician I am I immediately recognized the song!  I began to hum along with her and she was in my arms as we looked out at the beautiful mountains and palm trees in the distant.    Perhaps it was just how music always touches my heart, or hearirng the soaring melody of this world famous song, or being emotional in gerneral about leaving,  but Marie and I had one of "those" moments together.  I'll never forget it.  We then searched the house for her stuffed "Simba" and watched the Lion King.   We danced together when this song came on during the movie.  Later that night..I  got in the bath with her in my bathing suit!  She was so excited she was jumping up and down  and up. And bust. My lip.  Ah yes, a busted lip by a four year old during bath time.  I quickly called Christine in and took care of the bleeding.  When I came back, Marie was so happy because she "wanted me to stay with her!"It is stories like this that I will always remember!


Tuesday
Poor Marie is still fighting a sickness.  She woke up early this morning with a terrible fever.  Her mom had taken her to the doctor the other day, but they were informed it was just a virus.  
So today Christine took her to the doctor again, they tried to do a strep test but Marie (sorry) threw up everywhere! Therefore they could not get the test in.  In America, a doctor would just go ahead and prescribe Marie the antibiotics for strep, but not here in France.  They could not do anything so if she is still running a fever in a few days they have to go back to the doctor AGAIN! Despite being sick, when she has a little bit of medicine in her she is playful as ever. (as I already mentioned)Today I pushed her around the house on a skateboard, played with a kermit the frog puppet with her, let her try on my beautiful graduation present Michael Kors watch that she has always loved (I know, I know.  She only wore it for about five minutes)  I probably should have not let her wear it, because now shes keeps telling her mom that she wants one.  Watch out, Christine--she is starting young!



the au pair community



It seems anytime I am in a big group of other au pairs, it turns into a little "venting" session.  I have realized that "venting" is an American expression used mostly by young people so let me explain.Venting-  (v) When a person tells stories of their hard times, frustrations, bad experiences, to other people who can relate or just listen to them complain.
Therefore, I have heard many many first hand account au pair stories since I have been here.  I must say that I really do have THE BEST host family there is!  I spent a lot of time praying about what country I should go to, and about what family I should be with this summer.  It was not just a "hmmm I think this sounds like a good idea to go live in another country, I will do it!"I knew that leaving my home, my country, my family, and joining all new ones was a big decision!  I prayed a lot, and I had such a peace about coming here with Marie and her family!

Don't get me wrong, my experience here has not been extremely easy all the time and a vacation 24 hours a day 7 days a week.  I am just saying that I am so blessed by my wonderful family here in France and that I am so happy that the LORD has placed me here and opened up my eyes to so many wonderful, beautiful things.