It's Christmas Day, my fiancé is sleeping due to being unfortunately ill, so I assumed that since many of you are wanting to hear the story I would make an attempt to tell it. :)
By Saturday, December 20th, Ben and I had already seen Montmartre, climbed the Sacré Coeur, took pictures in front of the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and many other classic tourist monuments in my favorite city, but he had yet to walk down the Champs-Elysée at night with the lights and Christmas markets along the streets.
....did I forget to mention I HATE tourists? Why on earth would you bring your infant in a stroller to a city like this at Christmas? They are never going to remember it, and are only going to make anxious people like myself angry because you're pushing me off of the sidewalk. Needless to say, even after a Belgian Gaufre covered in cherries, chocolate, and whipped cream, I was a little frustrated at the crowds. So Ben, as his usual calm self, pulled us off the main drag and towards the Elysée Palace - where Président Sarkozy lives. We admired his large, gold gate and wondered what him and Carla were eating for dinner. After some calming down and a walk through the other lovebirds on benches and under streetlights, we got in line for the ferris wheel ("La grande roue"). Only up for holidays, I had never ridden it before in all my time spent in France. So we paid our 9€ each like good tourists, hopped in with a French family and an Asian couple and got a panoramic view of the city. 2 spins and you're out!
We then walked towards the decked-out-in-snazzy-Christmas lights Place Vendome and I admired the insane amounts of jewelry in stores such as Chanel, Dior, Cartier etc. as we walked arm and arm in the chilly, but pleasant evening weather. Unsure as to what to do next, Ben suggested that we eat at the restaurant I had discovered on a walk several weeks ago and wanted to try. I had mentioned it looked cozy, romantic and had a decent menu....and so we went. It was indeed cozy, romantic, and off the beaten trail of Saint-André-Des-Arts, and most of the people eating there were French...which is always a good sign. :) I ordered for us and we enjoyed our meal (and one of our few rare dates!) at La Jacobine. During the meal Ben asked me what my favorite spot in the city was, and I really couldn't give a definitive answer, but I said that during my very first trip to Paris with Megan Waters (now Megan Lynch), we walked along the Seine at night and it was one of my favorite Paris memories.
Upon leaving, we held out for dessert at a crêpe stand for Ben and Italian gelato for me, and in between bites of my insanely delicious chocolate sensation I asked, "Now what should we do? Want to ride one of the boats along the Seine?" He hesitated but suggested we walk that direction anyway. We approached the river and came upon Pont Des Arts...a bridge where no cars can cross and people bring food and wine and often have a picnic. We walked about halfway and stood there holding each other for warmth while admiring the river and city of lights. Once a group of tourists had passed and there weren't many people around us he began to tell me a million wonderful things about me and how much he loves me. It was then I realized....it was time. Before I knew it he was on his knee, I was crying, and the Eiffel Tower had begun to sparkle on the hour. A couple of girls who were getting a little tipsy on a bench nearby began to shout and applaud, and I was placing a GORGEOUS ring on my finger. Yes, it was perfect.
I am now a fiancée in Paris, leaving for a trip to Istanbul, Turkey tomorrow, and on August 29, 2009....will be a bride.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Hey, look who got engaged! :)
Me! :) Paris, France. Pont Des Arts. 10PM. As the Eiffel Tower sparkled on the hour. <3
Save the date! - August 29, 2009!
Save the date! - August 29, 2009!
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Students are my passion
That's it. I've decided. I'm going to be a teacher. I love it too much. :) I just spent an hour helping some of my favorite students in the library as we changed back and forth between French and English, joked about cultural differences, and found muliple synonyms to help explain words. I was simply "heureuse" as I watched their eyes brighten with curiosity while I explained what certain phrases meant. I'm falling in love with this place and these people, and while my departure is still a long ways off (April) , am going to miss it terribly when I leave.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Learning
Learning how to teach, speak, understand, love, cope, encourage, listen...everything we must be willing to do in our lives if we are to bring joy to others and ultimately find any type of meaning and purpose for our lives.
"No one shall be forgotten who was great in this world; but everyone was great in his own way, and everyone in proportion to the greatness of what he loved." -Kirkegaard, Fear and Trembling
I love my students. I love living in France. I love my boyfriend. I love my family. I love teaching. I love to travel. I love to learn new things. I love listening to my tea kettle boil water as I sit here and type a blog that I know will not come out in complete thoughts; but I hope to be an encouragement and inspiration to all who read this emphasizing that I have certainly not been devoid of challenges, frustrations, tears, misunderstandings, cultural & language problems, distance issues, etc. However, I have found myself in a place that as I come home to my little studio every night gives me the opportunity to absorb everything I've learned and share it with all of you. And while I may fall, disappoint or confuse, am willing to be vulnerable about the realities we are all facing (even more specifically recent university graduates) and the hope we have in a faith and community that are waiting for us to embrace them.
With that said, I suppose you'd like to know what my life looks like at the moment. Well, let me begin with - I'm going to Istanbul, Turkey! That's right, I bought Ben the most fabulous Christmas present ever, a trip for two to Istanbul! We leave the day after Christmas, and will be picked up at the airport by the driver of the Turkish family who runs a hostel with a view of the ocean and the Hagia Sophia. I kid you not! Needless to say, not only am I excited to see him in 23 days, but I am excited to see a part of the world I never thought I'd get to experience!
My day to day life in the city is busy, somewhat routine, but always different. I teach 12 hours a week with a one-hour commute on the metro, babysit 15 hours a week, and in my spare time go to the movies, talk to Ben on Skype, read, and waste time watching Gilmore Girls episodes. My classes are finally somewhat routine, and most of them I get on my own in my very own classroom. I have some of the friendliest, frustrating, hilarious, and all around decent students at lycée Gustave Eiffel. With a high school of mostly boys I've found myself quite popular. There isn't a day that goes by where someone in the hallway doesn't shout "Madame! Good afternoon! 'ello! 'ow are you?" It's quite touching and makes up for the annoying ones that chatter the whole time when I'm trying to speak (even when I reprimand them in French.)
Babysitting is great and this evening Juliette told me that I am the best "nounou" (nanny) in the world, and the nicest American as well. I'm pretty sure she hasn't met that many Americans, but what the heck, who can complain about love and kisses from an adorable little 4-year-old French girl? I'm so glad to have the opportunity to make extra money, speak French and befriend a little girl who I hope will not forget me when she gets older.
Christmas is coming! I can see it everywhere in this commercial & historical place I currently call home. The lights are on, the markets are starting, and the kids choir is singing in church! Just when I think I don't know very many people here I am blessed with an introduction by a British woman with whom I've been sitting in the same pew for several weeks now. She and her husband (who sings in the choir) are expecting their first baby and were very kind to stay after and chat with me. Little blessings this this do not go unappreciated here.
Well, I'll close for now; I wish I could transport you all here to experience my life in Paris instead of just read about it, mais, je vous souhaite une bonne semaine et une joyeux Thanksgiving! Keep me in your prayers as I will keep you in mine. *gros bisous*
"No one shall be forgotten who was great in this world; but everyone was great in his own way, and everyone in proportion to the greatness of what he loved." -Kirkegaard, Fear and Trembling
I love my students. I love living in France. I love my boyfriend. I love my family. I love teaching. I love to travel. I love to learn new things. I love listening to my tea kettle boil water as I sit here and type a blog that I know will not come out in complete thoughts; but I hope to be an encouragement and inspiration to all who read this emphasizing that I have certainly not been devoid of challenges, frustrations, tears, misunderstandings, cultural & language problems, distance issues, etc. However, I have found myself in a place that as I come home to my little studio every night gives me the opportunity to absorb everything I've learned and share it with all of you. And while I may fall, disappoint or confuse, am willing to be vulnerable about the realities we are all facing (even more specifically recent university graduates) and the hope we have in a faith and community that are waiting for us to embrace them.
With that said, I suppose you'd like to know what my life looks like at the moment. Well, let me begin with - I'm going to Istanbul, Turkey! That's right, I bought Ben the most fabulous Christmas present ever, a trip for two to Istanbul! We leave the day after Christmas, and will be picked up at the airport by the driver of the Turkish family who runs a hostel with a view of the ocean and the Hagia Sophia. I kid you not! Needless to say, not only am I excited to see him in 23 days, but I am excited to see a part of the world I never thought I'd get to experience!
My day to day life in the city is busy, somewhat routine, but always different. I teach 12 hours a week with a one-hour commute on the metro, babysit 15 hours a week, and in my spare time go to the movies, talk to Ben on Skype, read, and waste time watching Gilmore Girls episodes. My classes are finally somewhat routine, and most of them I get on my own in my very own classroom. I have some of the friendliest, frustrating, hilarious, and all around decent students at lycée Gustave Eiffel. With a high school of mostly boys I've found myself quite popular. There isn't a day that goes by where someone in the hallway doesn't shout "Madame! Good afternoon! 'ello! 'ow are you?" It's quite touching and makes up for the annoying ones that chatter the whole time when I'm trying to speak (even when I reprimand them in French.)
Babysitting is great and this evening Juliette told me that I am the best "nounou" (nanny) in the world, and the nicest American as well. I'm pretty sure she hasn't met that many Americans, but what the heck, who can complain about love and kisses from an adorable little 4-year-old French girl? I'm so glad to have the opportunity to make extra money, speak French and befriend a little girl who I hope will not forget me when she gets older.
Christmas is coming! I can see it everywhere in this commercial & historical place I currently call home. The lights are on, the markets are starting, and the kids choir is singing in church! Just when I think I don't know very many people here I am blessed with an introduction by a British woman with whom I've been sitting in the same pew for several weeks now. She and her husband (who sings in the choir) are expecting their first baby and were very kind to stay after and chat with me. Little blessings this this do not go unappreciated here.
Well, I'll close for now; I wish I could transport you all here to experience my life in Paris instead of just read about it, mais, je vous souhaite une bonne semaine et une joyeux Thanksgiving! Keep me in your prayers as I will keep you in mine. *gros bisous*
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Je suis tellement contente
It's true. I am blessed beyond measure and couldn't be more excited about life. I have been blessed with new friends, gotten together with old ones, was taken out to lunch on Sunday by a family in the beautiful and welcoming church I now attend (www.americancathedral.org), and while distance is hard, makes the planning for a special Christmas visit (aka BEN IS COMING) all the more fun! My life here in the city is truly unique, and I only hope that as I trust God to take care of the little stresses, will benefit in great measure by this experience. I love the students (even though I find myself speaking very clearly for the rest of the day since they don't understand much), the teachers are super excited to have me at the school, I begin babysitting on Monday, am going to a fashion exposition on Friday, and had a day off today to meet a friend I haven't seen since I was here in December! Truly....truly blessed. If one feels lonely, one only needs to take the steps needed to jump back into society, give of yourself and your time, and the rewards of friendship and blessings will indeed come. It's exactly what I need right now, and while I'm going to get busier starting next week, am ready to run around the city like the resident I have become! A bientôt!
A walk in the bois de bologne
Nutella and chocolate ice cream! :)
A walk in the bois de bologne
Nutella and chocolate ice cream! :)
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Résidente Parisienne
I lead a fascinating life.
Let's begin, shall we?
The toaster oven ticks the 25 minutes away for the quiche I placed inside for dinner as TV1 plays a French film in the background here in my studio on the 6th floor of an historic building in the 16th arrondissement. My legs are becoming stronger and my mind is expanding as I cross the street to peek at the arc de Triumph on my way to catch the metro in the morning. Now granted, this is my 4th voyage to Paris, but I find a new kind of reality to the city as it literally becomes mine in the "new Paris resident" type of way.
What it takes to become a resident of France and how to avoid crying over French beurocracy (with bizarre stories interwoven) -
1. Problem: Get from the Charles de Gaulle airport for under 20 euros. Solution: Take the Air France bus and speak English to your friendly Australian neighbor who helps you with your suitcases up 6 flights of stairs.
2. Problem: Get a bank account in order to receive a salary that might not even come until the end of NOVEMBER. Solution: Go to HSBC where the very enthusiastic banker works, fill out an entire tree's worth of paperwork for over an hour, and realize that you have yet several hoops to jump through to prove your place of residence and be 100% in the system.
3. Problem: Find the high school in which you are assigned to teach English. Solution: Take the PROPER metro train that stops at Bagneux, listen to the announcement over the loud speaker that says GET OFF, SANS VOYAGEURS and wait for the next. DO NOT stay on the wrong train, bang on the windows yelling "'ello??? 'ello??", and pull the emergency lever so the conductor can walk you along the tracks to the next station where you can back track to where you need to go.
Once I got to the high school I was met by very friendly French office workers who then guided me to the professors lounge where I met 5 even more friendly English teachers, got a tour of the place where I can take out French books to read in the library (!), received a little professors mailbox, learned that I might not get any paycheck at all until the end of November, and joined a class of 25 teenage boys for a question and answer session to practice their English. Number one question asked, (with accent in tow), "Do you have a boyfriend?" Response, "Yes, he is in the United States." "Merde." *haha*
4. Problem: Find extra jobs in the city to make up for the minimal salary the embassy pays language assistants. Solution: Land a babysitting job and have a chance rendez-vous with a girl who posted a need for an English tutor online. I'll most likely begin the daily babysitting job in a week and a half for a little 6 year old girl named Juliette whom my Paris roommate Isabel watched all last year. Regarding the English tutoring, I ended up chatting it up with my new Saudi friend Abeer who is studying psychology at the American University, speaks English, French, and Arabic and wants me to help her with her research papers in order to learn how to write properly. Karen, all of your Writing Center sessions are coming in handy right now!! :) And Dr. J, all of your endless research updates are helping me explain to her how to effectively summarize articles she has read! I thank you both for your knowledge and challenge to my learning.
The first couple of days of this new adventure were hard. I cried a lot and asked myself why I was here for seven long months, but my dear friend Cassie who traveled with me stuck through it all, gave me a hug when one was needed, and was (and still is) with me as we tackled French paperwork, confusion, disorganization, and the continued process we need to get our 'carte de sejour' in order to be legal in the country. Being that we are flat broke, we enjoyed the city and the weather that was granted us in the first few days, and complained, laughed, and admired together...life in Paris...as residents.
What does life in Paris as a resident really look like? Here's a story with which to close my entry:
We were standing on the bus on our way to another quarter of the city when we noticed an elderly woman speaking with a blind man who had to have been at least 75 years old. She needed to get off at the next stop, but she tapped the shoulder of a middle-aged man who got on with his wife and daughter and explained that the blind man needed off in two stops and could he please tell him when to get off and assist him in the process. He wholeheartedly agreed and sat across from the man until his stop. Now, not only did he help him off of the bus when he needed off, but he kept walking with him on the sidewalk and asked where he was going...all the while arm in arm with the hunched-over little man wearing a tattered hat and gripping a walking cane. The younger man's smile, caring attitude, and lack of concern for his own personal affairs put me in a state of awe and gave me some insight into the surprising compassion of the French public, their concern for the elderly, and the reality of their humanity that I am excited to dive into for the next seven months...as a resident.
Let's begin, shall we?
The toaster oven ticks the 25 minutes away for the quiche I placed inside for dinner as TV1 plays a French film in the background here in my studio on the 6th floor of an historic building in the 16th arrondissement. My legs are becoming stronger and my mind is expanding as I cross the street to peek at the arc de Triumph on my way to catch the metro in the morning. Now granted, this is my 4th voyage to Paris, but I find a new kind of reality to the city as it literally becomes mine in the "new Paris resident" type of way.
What it takes to become a resident of France and how to avoid crying over French beurocracy (with bizarre stories interwoven) -
1. Problem: Get from the Charles de Gaulle airport for under 20 euros. Solution: Take the Air France bus and speak English to your friendly Australian neighbor who helps you with your suitcases up 6 flights of stairs.
2. Problem: Get a bank account in order to receive a salary that might not even come until the end of NOVEMBER. Solution: Go to HSBC where the very enthusiastic banker works, fill out an entire tree's worth of paperwork for over an hour, and realize that you have yet several hoops to jump through to prove your place of residence and be 100% in the system.
3. Problem: Find the high school in which you are assigned to teach English. Solution: Take the PROPER metro train that stops at Bagneux, listen to the announcement over the loud speaker that says GET OFF, SANS VOYAGEURS and wait for the next. DO NOT stay on the wrong train, bang on the windows yelling "'ello??? 'ello??", and pull the emergency lever so the conductor can walk you along the tracks to the next station where you can back track to where you need to go.
Once I got to the high school I was met by very friendly French office workers who then guided me to the professors lounge where I met 5 even more friendly English teachers, got a tour of the place where I can take out French books to read in the library (!), received a little professors mailbox, learned that I might not get any paycheck at all until the end of November, and joined a class of 25 teenage boys for a question and answer session to practice their English. Number one question asked, (with accent in tow), "Do you have a boyfriend?" Response, "Yes, he is in the United States." "Merde." *haha*
4. Problem: Find extra jobs in the city to make up for the minimal salary the embassy pays language assistants. Solution: Land a babysitting job and have a chance rendez-vous with a girl who posted a need for an English tutor online. I'll most likely begin the daily babysitting job in a week and a half for a little 6 year old girl named Juliette whom my Paris roommate Isabel watched all last year. Regarding the English tutoring, I ended up chatting it up with my new Saudi friend Abeer who is studying psychology at the American University, speaks English, French, and Arabic and wants me to help her with her research papers in order to learn how to write properly. Karen, all of your Writing Center sessions are coming in handy right now!! :) And Dr. J, all of your endless research updates are helping me explain to her how to effectively summarize articles she has read! I thank you both for your knowledge and challenge to my learning.
The first couple of days of this new adventure were hard. I cried a lot and asked myself why I was here for seven long months, but my dear friend Cassie who traveled with me stuck through it all, gave me a hug when one was needed, and was (and still is) with me as we tackled French paperwork, confusion, disorganization, and the continued process we need to get our 'carte de sejour' in order to be legal in the country. Being that we are flat broke, we enjoyed the city and the weather that was granted us in the first few days, and complained, laughed, and admired together...life in Paris...as residents.
What does life in Paris as a resident really look like? Here's a story with which to close my entry:
We were standing on the bus on our way to another quarter of the city when we noticed an elderly woman speaking with a blind man who had to have been at least 75 years old. She needed to get off at the next stop, but she tapped the shoulder of a middle-aged man who got on with his wife and daughter and explained that the blind man needed off in two stops and could he please tell him when to get off and assist him in the process. He wholeheartedly agreed and sat across from the man until his stop. Now, not only did he help him off of the bus when he needed off, but he kept walking with him on the sidewalk and asked where he was going...all the while arm in arm with the hunched-over little man wearing a tattered hat and gripping a walking cane. The younger man's smile, caring attitude, and lack of concern for his own personal affairs put me in a state of awe and gave me some insight into the surprising compassion of the French public, their concern for the elderly, and the reality of their humanity that I am excited to dive into for the next seven months...as a resident.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Paris, chez moi encore...
Bonjour tout le monde!
It's been 5 days since I arrived, but I want to sit down and update everyone with a fabulous first entry into my life, emotions, stories, frustrations, and 6 story move-in back to the city, but I'm going to have more time to write in the next couple of days, so keep checking back! For now, I'd love to hear from you either by internet or postal mail, so here is the address:
Mallory Fisher
9 rue Chalgrin
75016 Paris FRANCE
It will be good for 7 months, so please keep in touch!
A très bientôt, Mallory
It's been 5 days since I arrived, but I want to sit down and update everyone with a fabulous first entry into my life, emotions, stories, frustrations, and 6 story move-in back to the city, but I'm going to have more time to write in the next couple of days, so keep checking back! For now, I'd love to hear from you either by internet or postal mail, so here is the address:
Mallory Fisher
9 rue Chalgrin
75016 Paris FRANCE
It will be good for 7 months, so please keep in touch!
A très bientôt, Mallory
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