expat on the go...

SNOW IN THE SOUTH

Well, we have been here for 6 months and I have to say that I actually love it here! Although, when we moved, people told us that it doesn't snow, but 'sleet' in this part of the world - one word - liars! It has snowed 3 times since December! What's that all about? I have to say that the news is saying that they have not seen these weather conditions for at least 30 years. I guess we brought the snow with us! I have to say that the people are very friendly and polite. What a wonderful change from New Jersey and especially, Paris. Now let's get some warm weather!

GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA

We are here.  We  have been here for a week.  I already like it!  People are very friendly.  The food is good, and there is a lot of wine - they are wine drinkers (wouldn't have pegged them for wine drinkers!).  The kids started school today.  I will try to change my weather column sometime soon.  Although, you have to realize that we are in temporary housing, I am visiting houses and trying to adapt to the humidity!  Whooo!  It''s hot here!  Bring you up to date soon.

I HATE TO MOVE

Okay, let's face it, I hate to move!  Not only do I have to deal with the schools, here in NJ, but the school in NC - 2 kids, one in elementary school and one in high school.  I also have to deal with the house here, in NJ, keep it clean (HA!) to sell it, AND I have to think about the house in NC (what colors we need to paint the walls, furniture we may need or not need, etc...).

Of course, the housing market is not what it used to be.  The last house we sold in 24 hours - Yes, that's HOURS.  We are now in the 4th week for this one. 

The honey and I are about to not talk to each other.  That's the trick we've learned after 13 moves in 17 years of marriage.  I don't know what Dr. Phil would say about that, but it works for us.  We stay civil and respectful, but 'communicate' as little as possible.

Right now he's in Greensboro, NC.  We have the house inspection tomorrow.  I hope that goes well!

As you may realize by reading this post - I'm stressed, I'm tired, I've had it!  I can't wait to write from my deck in NC.  That will be a good, positive post, I promise!!  :)

EXPAT ON THE GO...

Here we go again.

My husbands' company closed its 'global headquarters', here in NJ.  A few people got to relocate to Greensboro,NC and my honey was one of them.  He's the 'global Risk Manager' warrior.

The honey and the kids are in Greensboro, NC, as we speak, to see the new school and some houses.  I am having a quiet night at home - super clean home, because we had a realtors' open house today.  I will have a 24 hour period of quiet and calm.

My daughter shed tears, as we told her the news.  She is now sharing the news with her friends and the people at her present school.  My little honey tried to find my honey a job in NYC, by looking for a job on the internet.  You see how your children deal with stress, when you make them deal with it.

The little honey said he would write, "This house stinks" on the sheet describing our house (the realtors' description of the house).  He then said he'd, "draw fire coming out of our house" - on all the sheets).

My teenager tells me that, "Everything is okay" - I don't like that - I don't trust that. 

We'll see ... I think I'm still in denial because I really like my area and neighborhood.  At this exact moment, what is important is to sell this house and not have to worry about keeping it clean all the time.

Right now I'm into watching, "Weeds".  WOW... loving it!  Watch it, it's great!

See y'all... ;)

CHRISTMAS IN MONTREAL

Funny how, when you've left you're native country to go and live abroad, things change.  For example, my husband went to get wine at the SAQ (liquer store).  Once the transaction was done, my husband asked for a bag.  Of course, you have to realize that my husband speaks French, so no one would suspect that he hasn't lived in Montreal, Quebec for 13 years. 

The lady answered (in French, with a sassy attitude), "Mister, we haven't given bags out for 2 YEARS!"  To which he was so dumbstruck that he didn't say anything in response.  He left the liquer store, looking like a hobo, bottles in hand, no bag.

We did go to the Atwater market.  Somewhere I had never been before.  It was magnificent.  Here are a few pictures:

 

 

And what would a Montrealer do without going to the world famous, Schwartz's  (smoked meat place):  If you are lucky to be in the vacinity, order a smoked meat sandwich (medium - meaning medium fat, don't do the lean thing, it isn't as good), a cherry coke, pickle (normal - they also have the 1/2 and 1/2, it's ok), and some fries.  Then walk, walk, walk - burp, burp, burp ;)

 

Christmas at my honey's parents' house:

The kids:

 

Ahhhh sibling love!

My in-laws, with the little guy given his thumb up on grandma's 'buche de Noel':

 

My little honey with the other grandma (my mom) - they're nearly the same height ;) 

 

Lord help us - 'the Teen':

IT'S BEEN A WHILE!

We are still in renovation mode.  Although most of the boxes have been cleared.  I will post pictures of before, during and afer soon.  I'm feel like I'm still catching my breath from the move and what that entails.  Ahhh, it isn't easy getting old!  (And having older children to worry about, on TOP of that)!

My parents have left.  The house feels a bit lonesome without them.  It is boring to do housework by myself... where do I start?  what do I do? 

They are painting the cabinets upstairs, so I can't go there!  The kitchen is 'pretty' clean (ok, mom, I still have all the piles!)  ;) 

I would like to thank my mom for all her hard work!  What a blessing she was, at this point in my life!  And, thanks dad, for driving her here and back (and for cleaning the kitchen window and patio awning!).

I need a vacation!  Talk soon...

HANG IN THERE

I am in renovations, unpacking, and cleaning... more unpacking and more cleaning.  When I have my head out of the water a little I will be back with my normal blog.

Hang in there - I have not forgotten you!

At this point, were I to live walking distance from the George Washington bridge, I would take a walk on it, stop half way and jump off!

I (with the help of my mom) am about 80% done with the Paris shipment.  And, don't forget the major cleaning!  On Saturday,  we receive the shipment of stuff that has been in storage for the past 3 years.  We were only supposed to be in Paris 1 year, so I didn't bring a lot of 'stuff' - most of it is in the storage - which has been costing my husband a fortune, by the way!  We receive all that precious stuff, that I haven't seen in 3 years on Saturday - HELLO?  - can anyone say Salvation Army (call me ;)  )!

Gotta go, talk soon...

WE'RE BACK 'HOME'

OK.  We're back 'home'.  Why did I put home in ' ' ... well, our house is being renovated, so we are in temporary housing until Aug. 28th and we're still not sure if the floors will be finished for us to put the beds in the bedrooms.  I will post pictures later on, when I have more time and am less jet lagged!  I just want to cry at this point!  I saw my house yesterday and ALL has to be done!  Cleaning everything - oven, fridges, windows - dust, dust, dust!  It's to be expected, I guess, but on top of it, I have to unpack the stuff that's coming from Paris and then the stuff that has been in storage (for the past 3 years - that's coming on Sept. 16).  Luckily, my parents are coming to help us get organized - again!  

We're getting the bathroom, on the bedroom level redone and adding a walk-in closet to our master bedroom.  We are taking one of the four bedrooms on that level to extend the bathroom and add the closet.  It should be better that way!  We are also adding a bathroom in the attic - where the Teen is headed.  

Speaking of the Teen... she was all excited about coming back to the US to eat her 'junk food'.  Well, last night, at the hotel buffet,  she nearly had a hissy fit - nachos with chile (but very gross nachos with chile).  We came back to the suite and made pizzas that the hubby had bought.  She didn't like those either!!!  Maybe there's no satisfying her!

The 'shock' when you get here is the bumper stickers.  I told my husband that I don't like them anymore!  They look, I don't know, 'tacky'(?).  And, of course, the larger people.  Although, I am used to that.  The portions are bigger.  I went to the hotel's buffet tonight and noticed that the cup, for the beverage, was much larger in my hand than any cup in France.  I told the kids that if they learned anything in France was to control your portions and don't get 'sucked in' to the large portions - even if they cost .89$  !!!!!

On the positive note - the people are friendly, polite and smile, smile, smile....  The  customs agent was singing a 'Sesame Street' song.  What a change from the unfriendly, rude, 'c'est pas possible' attitude, that I just didn't (and couldn't) get used to.

I will post pictures of the last days of our vaca.  As I mentioned, when I'm feeling less jet-lagged!  Talk soon...

HERE'S HOW THEY MOVE IN PARIS

Here's how they move you in Paris, when you're on the 6th floor and you have an elevator the size of a very small closet! ... fit for 3 people - and I'm not kidding:

View from our street, of the container/truck and the 'furniture elevator' that brings the furniture/boxes down from your apt. to the truck:

 

Scene from the balcony:

 

Going down....

 

Down and loading...

 

Another view from the street... see the box on the elevator?

 

Actually, this system takes about 2 hours to load!  It's quite efficient!  SURPRISING!

We're in Lyon now.   Will download pictures of our dinner last night tomorrow, when we get to Narbonne.  Vacation really starts on Saturday - 5pm.  Bring on the VACATION!!!

WE HAVE LEFT PARIS...

We have left Paris and are in Lyon.

June 29th -  Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!  Love you very much!  Wish you were here!

July 1st - HAPPY CANADA DAY!!!

Ok, so the day before we left, we had this HUGE problem we had to solve - this is something I thought I'd never say, "We have too much wine!" - the company wouldn't 'ok' the wine in the moving container, so we were 'stuck' with these cases and cases of wine (remember the wine show post?).

Luckily, our wine friend came to the rescue!  Thank you honey, there's a good one in there for you!  He works for a French company and is being moved back to the US - and of course a French company understands that you will be bringing wine back home!  What a question!!!

That means a trip to Kokomo, Indiana - yes, you read right!  KOKOMO, INDIANA!!!  Do you think it's the 'Kokomo' that the Beach Boys sing about?  Maybe there's a nice beach there!

"Aruba, jamaica ooo I wanna take you
Bodies in the sand
Tropical drink melting in your hand
Well be falling in love
To the rhythm of a steel drum band
Down in kokomo"   Kokomo, by the Beach Boys...

Sounds like we'll have to bring suntan lotion, scuba gear and our swimsuits!!!

That's it for today.  I'll post pictures of our move when I will have a little extra time.  Also, we ate at 'Ouest' (one of Paul Bocuse's bistros) yesterday - I have pictures of that also.