Don’t give up on me.

I know a lot of you have given up on reading my blog because I have failed to continue writing. Sorry.  There are a number of reasons from “I have been very busy” to “these fucking french keyboards and their out of place keys”. I really have no excuse.

My life in europe is great.  I really have a social life now.  Unfortunately, it’s august now a most of my friends are on holiday. I too, have had the chance to travel. i spent a week in Troyes with my wonderful family.  I’ve already written about that.

Last weekend, i went to Rennes with my roommate.  I did my first ride share.  We met the guy in a suburb and he drove Cécile, myself and a Senegalese man to Rennes.  We the first night we stayed with her sister and had a wonderful whiskey night (one of many).  The next day, we went to the beach. Yes!! finally i went to the beach. it was so nice, even though it was the english channel which of course means cold water.  After playing some American football on the beach (we found a ball), we went to St. Malo. What a beautiful city. it’s fortified and at the tip of a peninsula. A little bit touristy, but nice. That night was another whiskey night.  we stayed at a guys house who is named Samuel.  He parents house is in a tiny village named St. Sulpice la Fôret.  the la fôret refers to the fact that it is surrounded by a forest. The next day, we ate some crêpes and had a rather quiet night, only a little whiskey.  The next day, we walked around Rennes and I took another ride-share back to paris. This was not such a good experience because the guys only took the national roads and not the highways. I was pissed because there were five people paying 20€ each, so he made 100€ and didn’t talk to highways…cheap bastard. I got back to paris around midnight with five hours of traveling.

Tuesday i spent in paris and Wednesday i took my first European bus trip to Luxembourg. I went to Trier to visit bea.  The bus ride was also interesting because half of the passengers were czech. We even walked an american movie in czech.  It was so nice to be in trier with bea. she had to work a lot, but i already know the city so i just walked around and did some second had shopping.  The second night i was there, we went dancing at a place called to forum.  Bad music, but i had a great time. I’ve grown rather accustomed to staying out until 5 or so, so i wanted to stay much longer then we did.  The next night, we stayed home and watched sex and the city and the weather man.  The following day, Bea had to work very late, so i met her friend Jann, and went to a party then met bea later in the city.  I took the train back to paris with Jann today and bea is coming tomorrow. on tuesday, Christina and Darren are coming!!!

I shouldn’t talk about leaving already, but i am starting to get said. i’ve already had to day goodbye to people and i am not happy.  This evening Jann and I had dinner with a girl from seattle who has been living here for five years.  i began to think how great it would be to stay here and that i am leaving in two weeks. it’s sad. i want to see bea and my french family and friends more often. i’ve begun to make a life here and now i am leaving. it’s just sad.

On another note, i was reading the bbc worldnews and found out that there was an earthquake in mexico city.  Martinique and Brit are there right now on their honeymoon.  I also looked at hannahs blog to see if they mentioned anything about it, and the last entry was “we arrived in Mexico City yesterday.” Shit, i hope they are ok.

I will post again when i have to time. Wth Christina here it may not be right away.

Devon

My Favorite Place in Paris

Last night I found my favorite place in Paris. It is a broken fountain about three blocks from where I live. Let me give you a little background.

I am in desperate need of a beach. I don’t really know why. I don’t know if it’s the heat, today it’s in the 90’s and it’s going to be even hotter tomorrow. Or if it’s just because iI get crazy cravings and I simply want to go to the beach. I’ve gone to several parks that have a little lake in hopes that there will be a small patch of sand. So far no luck. (On the contrary, I’ve found so really nice parks.) Last night, Delphine came over and we went to rue Moufftard for a drink. After one beer we decided that it was too expensive and bought a beer at a market in the square. I proposed going down to the base of rue Moufftard where there is a quite little place with a fountain. When we arrived, she said “you may be looking for a beach, but we found a fountain.” So we took our shoes of and i rolled up my jeans and played around in fountain. it was fantastic!

Soon however, i may have a bit of luck. Paris Plages starts soon.

It’s definately not the same thing, but it may suffice.

I’ll keep you all posted in my search for a beach.

Devon

Bastille Day

Yesterday was Bastille day. For me it sort of started on thrusday. I went to a fireman’s Bal with Marina and her friend Anne. It could have been really fun except that it was so crowded. It was impossible for one to dance because there was no space to move. We drank a beer and some champagne and the left to go to a night club near by. It was one that Marina used to go to. We danced a bit to the crapy music they were playing (like a virgin by madonna is an example). we left around one.

Yesterday, i met xavier from my work for a couple beers. That was great because it was the first time i heard speak badly about the restaurant. it was interesting to get his true perspective on the restaurant. After a few beers, we went to have dinner where Marina met us. After dinner, Marina and I went to Monmartre to meet Delphine (a friend on my roommate the i really like). When we got to the top of Montmartre, there were people everywhere, it was really crowded. The funny thing is around 11:00, people started to leave, but we never saw any fireworks! We could only see the fireworks off in the distance. And at Monmartre you can’t really see the eiffle tower so we didn’t see the show there. We went back down the hill and watched some african drummers for a while then came home.

Thats how i spent my Bastille day. I hope everyone is doing well.

J’ai démenagé!!!

Hello everyone.  So, I've been rather bad at updating my blog.  I'm sorry for that.  It's going to be easier now because my roommate has internet. so, i should be more on the ball.

I'm going to start with work.  It sucks!  I am still working in the Garde Mander section and i found out today that I am probably going to stay there.  I can't decide if I should stay in the section or not.  If I stay, the people are much nicer then the other sections and i can't handle being yelled at constantly.  Furthermore, if i stay in the garde manger section, I can really become proficient at what i am doing rather then learn a little here and there.  I also work with a really nice guy named David who is very helpful and is the only person who has given and positive feedback.  The chef still yells constantly and I am getting more and more used to it.  I can't take it personally.  Today however, I asked someone in the sauce section if they had any white vinegar because garde manger was out.  he said "Not for you!  Now go away."  I was in such shock that I could respond except with" ahh… ok" I couldn't believe it.  Other then that, work is the same.  I work from 9am until about 6 or 7pm, sometimes later.  I work about 45 to 50 hours a week, which is much more then necessary.  I am going to try to leave earlier then the 18th of august so i can travel a bit.  I was also thinking about changing restaurants, but after receiving some good advice for Alain (Rodolphe's dad), I am going to try to stay and just tred throught the shit.

Outside of work, my life here is good.  I saw Achille the other weekend and ahd a great time with hil drinking beers in various districts of Paris.  I have only had the chance to hang out with him once because we are both very busy. Tant pis!  I went to Troyes last weekend whichwas nice. It's really nice to go "home" on the weekends to relax.  When I'm there, I spend most of my time at the table having one of those mutiple hour french meals (on saturday, it was Andouillettes de Troyes à la Chaurcine, a local speciality of pig intestings with a creamy cheese and mushroom sauce.  Delicious!!!), or sleeping outside in the sunshine.  I have a rather nice tour de france sunburn to prove that. (A tour de france sunburn is the same as a farmers sunburn in the US)

Alas, my move.  I moved into the apartment of Angélines friend.  Its great.  Cécile, my roommate is awesome.  She's a middle school french teacher who is 26 years old, the same as me.  We get along very well.  We eat and drink together in the evenings,  and spend a lot of the rest of the time talking.  My new apartment is in the 5th arrondissement near the Pathénon and rue Moufftard.  It only takes me 20 minutes to get to work on the métro (when there isn't a strike).  I'm on the 5th floor and have an excellet room. my address is:

3, rue Collégiale

75005 Paris 

Look it up on google earth.

Well, I've been here just over a month already.  Le temps passe vite (time passes fast).  I think Bea is coming this week so that should be really fun.  I'll keep you all posted.  Until later,

Devon 

Je suis bien arrivé à Paris

Hello everyone!  Sorry it has taken so long to write. It's definately not from bordom or lack of stuff to write about, it's just hard to find a cyber café. In addition to that, the idea of wireless internet everywhere you go hasn't quite caught on here. But alas, here I am.

So where should I start? I arrived last thursday, just over a week ago.  I have had no free time at all. Thursday I also had a bit of jet leg, so I spent most of thursday sleeping, either at Rodolphe's or in the park near his house.  Friday morning, I went to Le Laurent, the restaurant I am working at. Everything was good, there was somemore paperwork they needed (the french are extremely beaurcratic and require a form for everything, I'm suprised I don't need a form to take a shit in public).  The chef seemed nice and he gave me a tour of the restaurant.  It's incredieble!!!  I think if it would cost about 200 dollars to eat a three course meal there without any drinks.

On saturday, I happily went to Troyes to visit the Keller Family, I call them my french family.  I was great to be back there.  I saw everyone.  Séverine came from Reims to see me and i got to see Philip and Céline.  I saw Antionette's mother.  On sunday, we returned to Paris and Monday i started working.

Work is going ok. I work from 9 – 6 (really 7) with the weekends off.  the first day i was completely overwhelmed.  My french isn't as good as it should be to work at such a fast past.  The often tell me to go the the fridge downstairs and get somthing and i often have to think about it or ask again what they said.  I met this canadian guy at work the first day who said the chef is completely crazy.  He said he makes Gordon Ramsey look like a pussy.  Words or encouragement i guess.  Shortly after, i heard him start to yell.  He's completely mad.  He even made me cut my hair and shave. he said "Demain, tu te raze et couper les cherveux où à la maison." which translates to "tomorrow, you have to shave and cut your hair or i'm sending you home."  I couldn't believe it and I felt like a complete sell out the entire time I was cutting my hair. Oh well.  I just finished my friday and it actually went pretty good.  I got off at 6 and I an begining to understand more and more. Rodolphe and I most speak in french so i have some extra pratice, but by then end of the day, i'm usually so tired, french becomes frustrating.

My typical day here consisits of getting up at 7:30. Eating a pain au chocolat and a café. Leave the apartment at 8:00 and walk to the metro station (a ten minute walk). I take the train from the Chateau de Vincennes to Champs Elyssé-Clemonceau (about 30 minutes).  I then cross the Champs Elyssé and I am at work where the maddness begins.  I leave work in the evening, go back to Vincennes and usually eat dinner around 8:30. And I am in bed by 11:30.  It's pretty boring and I still haven't had the chance to mail my mothers day gifts.  Soon, i will be moving to the city in the 5ème (5th district), so I will be a little closer to work.

It's strange being here and working. It feels completely natural.  I don't feel like I am in a foreign country at all. I think because this is my forth time here and I already know the city, it just feels natural. it's great!

This weekend i am going to stay in Paris (perhaps i'll have to time to write another blog soon). tonight, i am going to a dinner party with rodolphe and tomorrow we are going dancing.  I really need to take advantage of my days off, because during the week, it's only work. 

Anyway, please write a comment or two.  I miss you all dearly. Until later,

Devon

Life lesson No. 3572

Banks suck!!! They suck for a number of reasons.  They are owned by people who care about nothing but money.  They don't care about the individual who is often times struggling by, trying to enjoy life without having to spend it locked up in their apartments.  They also suck because they have all of the hidden fees like "over draft fees."  The problem is that they don't necessarily tell you when you are overdrawn.  They send out some stupid statement three days later.  If I am forced to get a fucking recording when I call the bank, why can't they set up some stupid recorded voice saying "Please contact your bank, you are currently being charged over draft fees."  If I had known that I was in the negative, I would have done something about it three days ago and not have been charged over a hundred dollars in "fees".  Ok, so what have I learned if the life lesson?  Always keep track of your bank account.  Remember, when you write a check and the next week you account says you have X amount of money, there's a good chance that's not including that huge check you wrote the previous week.  In reality, your account may be -X amount and every little charge that occurs afterwards you go in the hole, and will include a nice little $27.00 fee.  My old system of "once I reach a certain dollar amount, stop spending as much as possible for a few weeks" is no longer going to work.  I think I may have to get organized.  Why is it that the companies we need the most, like banks, insurance companies, and gas companies (I'm talking about Peoples Energy, Chicago's natural gas company that likes to fuck people over, especially in winter when it's 10 degrees outside), always suck?!? They know they can treat us like shit and get away with it.

On the other side of this little lesson, I have been reminded (not that I ever forget) how great my family is.  I called my mom because I know I can vent to her and she may make me feel better.  And she did.  She reconfirmed that everything will be Ok and not to stress over this.  The only thing that sucks is being so far from my family, it's just not the same.  Normally when I get upset like this, I go over to my parents house where my dad is making dinner.  We get some wine and he pours the endless glass.  Then, we all sit around and watch jeopardy.  I miss watching jeopardy with my family.  My sister, brother-in-law and myself attempt to keep score, until we stop counting in double jeopardy, and just have fun.  I wish I was lounging on my parents couch right now. "Who is Marie Curie?!" I really miss my family sometimes.

Ok, the good news is that I am leaving for Paris in exactly one week.  My financial issues will be solved hopefully Friday when I should get a student loan.  And, I recently discovered that the chef I am working under, Chef Pegouret, studied under Joel Robuchon (the chef of the century as the french like to say).  I'm going to write a nice blog about that after I do some more research.

Until then,

Devon

My first blog!!!

Hello everyone! This is so exciting because this is my first blog.  I got the inspiration from my friend Martinique and Hannah who both blog often.  It seemed like the right thing to do since I am soon leaving the country for a very short period of time, but one that is going to be incredible.  As all of you know (at least I hope I told everyone), I am going to Paris to do a "stage".  (This just is a fancy word internship.)  Blogging seems like an easy way for me to keep my friends and family up to date as well as keeping a journal of  my experiences abroad.

I leave for Paris on May 10 in the afternoon.  It's only about a week and a half away.  I'm really excited but nervous.  Although my french has improved this past year thanks to Achille, Felix, Pierre, Karine, and the Alliance Francaise, I am still a little nervous to use it in the work setting, especially in the kitchen where things move at a very fast pace.  The restaurant is called Le Laurent (www.le-laurent.com), it was two Michelin stars (three being the best).  One of many Paris on-line restaurant guides says "C’est probablement la plus belle table de la capitale intra muros…," which roughly translates to "It's probably one of the most beautiful tables within city limits…" I like to throw this around because Paris isn't know for it's shotty restaurants and crappy food.  I am going to stay with Rodolphe for the first month or so then I will begin to look for a roommate.  The restaurant is closed on Sundays so I hoping to spend time in Troyes as well as travel around Europe a bit(depending on finances), I am hoping to go the Berlin for the Hospitality Club Beach Party.  I am so fucking excited to live in Paris this summer!!! 

 

Going to Paris for the summer of course means leaving Chicago this summer, the best time to be in Chicago.  Even though I am coming back here, I am sad to leave because I moved to this city without knowing anyone, and now I have made this great network of friends.  I am really going to miss my friends here while I'm gone.

Well, you should all read this regularly and I will try to write as often as possible. I look forward to hearing your comments so please post anything that comes to you head.

Until later,

Devon