Skip to main content

Still between worlds

So, I have returned to Paris. This time feels different, since I took a one-way ticket. New York now recedes into the background and the reality of being in Paris takes on a more concrete form. It all feels a bit more real, a bit more mundane.

I continue to work to find my "place" here. I joined a French amateur choir here. For the first time in 20 years, I am singing, which would seem to be fairly important. It hasn't hit me that way yet. We will see, but I am enjoying it. I am looking for work more strenuously. I had a good interview and will have a second interview. I spoke to my financial advisor and if I don't find work, I still should be OK financially. Nice to hear.

It does seem a bit more monumental this time, as my home base is now Paris, not NYC. It does put more pressure on me (of course this is just me doing this to myself). Needing to find friends, something to do with my days. Up until now, it did not seem important, but now, it suddenly does. Of course, it is the holidays, which stymies the efforts again. I am very determined though to make this work. My love for Helmut is there which is a great anchor, but I have to have more.

I brought all my quilting materials and sewing machine. I am in the middle of working on a quilt with 40,000 one inch squares. A pixellated image of Central Park. I can now work on this here. Happily there is quilt shop right around the corner, so I can get supplies there. I think this will help also to ground me and get me working in the right direction.

I press on and will succeed here. Just getting my bearings now. I have a lot going for me and a lot to be thankful for.


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Chronomically challenged

Parisians are ALWAYS late. I think New Yorkers run the gamut, but Parisians are late. They always have a good reason: traffic, the weather, kept at work, the Métro, the dog, the kids, garbage truck. But late. I am in a period of adjusting to this. My tendency is to be on-time. I call it the German in me. Helmut, who was born in Germany, is Parisian now and so I am alone in this bit of frustration. For the most part, people are 15 to 30 minutes late but for some it can be a bit extreme. For instance, meeting my friend Laure means scheduling a 1/2 hour (at least) for this arrival time. I want to emphasize, this is my issue, not Paris'. BUT There are extreme cases. One time Helmut and I were supposed to meet someone for dinner at (let's say) 8 (16h). She called and was going to be late. About an hour and a half after our original meeting time, we left for dinner. She knew where we would be, so she could meet us. At this point I had my doubts if she was going to come at all....

A Toast

Wine is very important in France and, from what I have witnessed, a part of Paris social life. New Yorkers share a bottle of wine or have a glass together, or even a cocktail, but there is something a bit more about sharing wine in Paris. It is first of all, much more prevalent. In NYC, I will sometimes have one glass of wine. If two others at the table want wine, we may discuss getting a bottle. Rarely have I gone through more than a bottle. In Paris, if two people want wine, it is almost automatic that you get a bottle. If more than two people are at the table, there is a strong likelihood you will be getting more than one bottle. It is less of a special occasion in Paris. Not that it is not special, but it is more part of the meal than something "special." Never ordinary. When the wine is poured, there is a special moment where we all toast. This is like in NYC, but not. In NYC, when you are all served, we hold up the glasses and everyone moves them to the center, mak...

Five to Seven

A very French concept: cinq à sept or in English a "five to seven." This refers to the time you spend with your mistress or perhaps second-level significant-other. It is perfectly admissible to miss an unimportant meeting at work with the excuse, "Sorry, I have a five to seven." Late for dinner? Sorry, my five to seven ran over. Drinks after work? Sorry, I have a five to seven. I do like the fact it is all out in the open. Of course I doubt you can use this with your wife or partner. But this is France, after all; maybe you can.