One Year Ago...

(around this time) we arrived in France. We spent four days in Paris working out final details, becoming official with the Embassy and recovering from jet-lag (like the overstimulated, exhausted children kind of jet lag).

Four days later, already totally overwhelmed, we hoisted hundreds of pounds of luggage, two kids and our dog on a train and headed for "the South of France" for the first time. Four and a half hours later, we arrived to sunshine and palm trees and our new "home" for the next three years.

I can say personally, socially, intellectually, spiritually, this last year has been the most difficult year of my life. (I'll be the first to admit, I've had a very easy life, so maybe that's not saying much).

We have changed and grown and adapted in a lot of ways. When French friends ask us if we speak French at home, we are quick to say, "no". Our home is our refuge. But even in our refuge of normalness, throughout our year of living here, some of France has crept inside.

1. Language. This came easily for some--LILY. And it came out of necessity (and at great financial cost)--ME. And it advanced itself in leaps and bounds--Phil. French people tell us Lily speaks without an accent, fluently for a kid her age. I can now make phone calls, go to the doctors office, have lunch at a friends house, and follow a sermon all on my own. Phil can fly helicopters, debate topics, and make people laugh all in French.

2. I used to think getting two kids out of car seats and dragging everyone into a bakery for a silly loaf of bread was way too much effort. But, now I'm hooked. As is Zachary. He starts pointing and screeching every time we pass the place. Fresh bread everyday is no longer a hassle, it's an event.

3. I'm over "sticker shock". Phil won't be happy to read this. Groceries, gas, clothes...you name it, it's more expensive here. But COLA is a wonderful thing and I've learned to relax. Last year, I would go to the check out, "hear" the total amount from the clerk, and have no idea what she said. I'd swipe my card, knowing it was expensive, but not knowing the exact amount. Now, I can't necessarily claim ignorance, but I swipe my card and move on none-the-less. And now that I can understand numbers, I've even been known to make correct change once or twice!

4. I love carbonated water, olives, beets and smelly cheeses. Our diet has embraced the products of this region. Every once in awhile, I still load up everyone up in the car for some McDonald's---a little American break. But I'm more likely to crave goat cheese on warm baguette now than fries.

5. We can now successfully host a four and half hour dinner party for French people. We know to invite them over at 8:30pm (and they'll show up at 9:00). We know to have all the dishes clean at the beginning on the night, because with a four course meal, you're going to need all of them. We know the phrase, "help yourself" doesn't really translate into the behavior that Americans are used to at an informal dinner between friends in the US. We know to serve lettuce with the cheese course which is after the main course and before the dessert course. We know a dinner ending at 1am is totally normal and expected.

6. I've found freedom in parking illegally. I gave-in to the immature argument of "everyone else is doing it." At the beginning I resisted with all the "anglo-saxon-rule-abiding-nature" in me. But now you'll find our Subaru all over this area, with the flashers flashing parked haphazardly. Wearing my scarf, I can walk away with confidence knowing no one will even bat an eye at me.

7. Even our dog, Scout has adapted. During our short, initial stay in Paris, we had to walk her fifteen minutes to find a patch of grass where she would feel comfortable enough to "do her business". Even though we stepped over huge piles of poop on the sidewalks to get there, she had to have her grass. But just the other day, I witnessed her "going" in the middle of the street. I was flabbergasted...she's become French.

There are more examples, but that's enough for now. We have two more years here, you know! And possibly the biggest change of all from one year ago is... NOW I can say truthfully, I'm VERY much looking forward to them.