AMERICAN: PRETENDING TO BE FRENCH
BOTH IN REAL LIFE AND IN MY VISA APPROVAL DREAMS!
ANOTHER INDECISION — DISGUISED AS AN EXTENSION
Well, I have a formal extension. As I began to write my weekly dispatch this morning I saw that the French Government had sent me an email. It was odd. Because last night I dreamed it was Christmas (I had spoken with my mother last night at length about the plans she has for the holidays in hopes I’ll be there with them… so I’m quite sure that’s why sugar plumbs were dancing in my head) and therefore, I woke up this morning very excited and feeling hopeful that some good news was coming. And it was good news, albeit, any news from the French Government when you’re standing on your ear, is good news. Alas, it was just not the news I had hoped it would be.
I opened the email with all the excitement and hope in the world to only read that I had been granted an attestation de prolongation de l'instruction de la demande de carte de séjour. Simply put, I have submitted all the required documents but the administration needs more time to examine my application and decide whether I’m in or out. So the waiting game continues and the sadness of not knowing if I get to be with my family for the holidays continue to keep me up at night. Still in limbo. Only this time, with this letter, I am in officially legal limbo. I am no longer illegal. I can stay in France by law. I just can’t leave yet.
Full disclosure – I have been off and on weepy since I received the news. I wanted it so bad! I want to start planning my trip home and get to see my family for Bethanskgiving (a name I branded our family Thanksgiving gatherings years ago. This year it’s taking place under the stars in Latta, South Carolina as they all plan to pitch tents), the Nights of a Thousands Candles at Brookgreen Gardens over Xmas with my mother’s side of the family, Christmas morning in Greenville with my sister and her delicious babies (full grown teenagers), a trip to Richmond to see my bestie as a mama of a ONE YEAR OLD, Jimmy (by the time I get there), snuggles with Goldie Hawn… ahhhhh everything. I didn’t know I wanted to go so bad. But I am very homesick it turns out. This news has made me very homesick indeed.
Always wanting what I can’t have, eh? Or, as I’d rather look at it, maybe I am seeking what is seeking me. Maybe this desire will get me home for the holidays after all… because I want it so bad. Fingers crossed and breath held.
SOMEONE… SHOW ME TO THE BAGS!!
This past week has been a busy one! I had a deadline at work that kept my head down and focused for the better part of three days, I had a sweet coffee and quiche date with Emily and Baxter in Place des Vosges, I had a random rendezvous at Louis Vuitton, (no, this appointment wasn’t for me … per se. I was sent on a shopping trip for a friend’s aunt – alas, sadly, to no avail. I came out empty handed (quite literally as they didn’t have her IT bag she was coveting), but fed from all the eye candy they had served up! Not only did I get to play dress-up with all the newest totes, mini sacs, overnight bags, briefcases etc. etc., I got to speak the little French that I know with my sales guy, Leonardo, I got to strut around and hear about all the collections, and I got to be escorted downstairs to the private exhibition they have up for a tour where I feasted on a vintage LV trunk-cot bed, and disco cocoons hanging from the ceiling), I got to attend a Design Week Whitewall Projects expo (where a fellow guest, in a three piece suite with a woven yellow wool trench, that he wore as a cape, walked in with me … so I, within seconds, became cooler), had lunch at Le Nemours, took a long leisure stroll through Jardin de Palais Royal, learn about the Conseil Constitutionnel (which I think the logo looks JUST LIKE the Chicago Cubs), I was pointed in the direction of Christian Lacroix, (where I stared like it was my job to identify him. The verdict is in. It was!), I had coffee with Miranda at Bel Horizon (where she brought me a fresh batch of her granola that I had become addicted to when I called her home mine last summer), and I went for strolls, lots and lots of strolls that led me all through Paris.
My nights were filled with work meetings, walks to the Seine before and after the calls, a dinner at Cara’s with her and her boodle Stevie (she made yogurt chicken and I prepared butternut squash while Stevie rub a dub dubbed in the tub. Precious evening in their beautiful home!), had beers at Chez Daniel, La Perla, and on the Seine of course. This week though, my Seine beers were had perched high above all the others across the river to spectate from my island. I watched so many people run while we had the last few days of evening glow — now, at 6pm even, the sun has set here en France. It was cool to watch the evening turn into night and see the starts come out. I would look up for the grand casserole (as I learned that The Big Dipper is called in French). If I couldn’t find her while I walked or sat on the Seine, I would gaze from my apartment skylight until I spotted her shine. Winter sky.. nothing better!
IS THE WEST THE BEST?
This weekend I saw so many new things. A Paris I hadn’t seen before. I went to the very east part of Paris — even outside the Périphérique. I biked through Bois de Vincennes (the largest green space in Paris I came to learn), was shown the only mountain in Paris (turns out it was built for the zoo. My mouth gaped open for a good 10 minutes though before I learned what it was. It’s for the monkeys which for some reason made me laugh, hard.) I got to see Chateau de Vincennes and have the history of 100 year war and all the methods of protecting the area when the enemies would attack, I had wine (and the best lamb tacos of my life) at Passerina, before returning home to cook fresh ravioli from their épicerie, Pastifico Passerini, with French butter and sage. This was one of the best days! The saying has always been “the west is the best.” But I’m starting to think it’s the other way around. The east was pretty great this day, if you asked me!
And finally, I bought the sweetest paintings this weekend. Three in total. I strolled. For hours upon hours upon hours on Sunday. My flâner, as this aimless and unhurried stroll is call here in France, took me to the Louver, over to the Opera, up by the Odéon (where I bought the three precious paintings at a pop-up market), through Jardin du Luxembourg, and over to see my Notre-Dame before I returned home. When I bought the painting, I asked the price first. The vendor turned it around and the sticker said $4500. Sticker shocked (literally) I started thanking him for his efforts of getting it down but that was too pricey for me. I mean… this is case in point. I do have champagne taste on a beer budget. But just as I was thanking him, he asked, “is this for you or for resale?” I told him it was for me. And then went on to share that I had just moved into a sweet apartment and I had her in mind to go above my mantel. The price must have been a reference or something. Because in a matter of seconds he said “what about $100?” EXUCSE ME??!! I didn’t hesitate. I reached in my pocket explaining that I had just bought my other two paintings before so all I had was $90. He took my cash and said he was just happy it was giong in my home. He had loved that painting too and hadn’t seen anyone light up as I had when I saw it. Who knows if $4500 was real (could NOT have been) but I just loved that I now have this sweet moment to tie to the purchase of my first painting in Paris. What a prized moment and token to cary away.
En route home, I walked slowly past our lady, the Notre-Dame. A few women had asked me to take their picture (after a French couple had stopped me, complimented my painting, and then asked me in French where market was so that they could go. I am proud to say that I gave them directions in French and wait for it… they understood me!!!!), after I took their photo they offered to take mine. Porquio pas!!?? I had a beautiful moment to remember after all. This weekend was bliss! So I stood proud with my American-ness practically dripping from me: New York Yankees hat on, Mirth duster draped, hidden LL Bean tote behind me FULL of other goodies, Hanes tee shirt under it all with a pair of American rag and bone denim. hahah I’m talkin’ dripping in American-ness. And yet, feeling French!! The perfect backdrop of Our Lady — the most beautiful and famous French monument, The Notre Dame, with my beautiful French masterpiece. C'était parfait! What a way to end the week!
Off to another great week this week. I’ll get to have a dinner with Patrick and Fanny, who finally have a date for their bar to open here in Paris (eep! can’t wait to hear the details!), I will see Sara tomorrow for one of our yummy deep-talk dates, I’ll get to have coffees with my new friends Cara, Leah and the newest of all, Lash, and, as always, I’ll plan to get in as many Seine flânters as possible while the sun is up and out!
Until next week. Xxo ac