AMT 26/07/15 : Meat, Boring Sorbet and Handwriting a Million Pages

I can't believe this is the last AMT. Sadness.

1. What's your favorite grocery store splurge?

I'm going to be very boring here, and just say meat. Or fine fish (why do they not sell pike? or sole? what is wrong with you Tesco??). Because they are very much a splurge for us at the moment.

via

Although Simon would probably say "Children's books" (I have a problem) but that's not a grocery store splurge, right?!

2. How's your penmanship?

Pretty good, if I do say so myself! I like calligraphy, so that helps.

This is from Cyrano de Bergerac. Simon has had to learn it by heart, because, if you don't, my dad won't speak to you (ok, I kid, but a lot of the family discussions will go over your head).

But my normal handwriting is mostly surprising to Anglophones, because it is joined-up. I know. The very idea!

The thing is, French kids are still taught joined-up writing first and foremost, and you will find many children's books in France looking like this:

Ok, technically, this one is from the 1930s. But the other books are in Patapon's room and he's sleeping.

I think it is just prettier, I'm a big fan. 

There is also an argument about being able to write more quickly, and that's true too; in the crazy course I did for my degrees - crazy, I tell you, after three years of it you end up with six of them - we often had to write between 14 and 20 A4 pages in five hours for our essays (of which we wrote about a million), all by hand. So yeah, you needed to write fast. And legibly. And correctly. 

But also, it IS prettier.

3. Do you have a "Summer Bucket List?"

Nope. Summer is for summering. I have trips to France planned (because, duh!) but that's it. 

Besides, this summer, Simon has no holidays and he is in the placement from hell (the hospital itself is a very nice one, but the hours are long and his commute lasts two hours, so he doesn't see Jude during the week and barely sees me) so I am white-knuckling it until the new placement in September.

4. What's the best thing on the radio right now?

Cricket? 

It's what seems to be on the radio a lot in my house (oh dear, that last Test Match of the Ashes, England... I'm still recovering.)

Otherwise, I like podcasts, but Fountains of Carrot, In Our Times AND The Read Aloud Revival are on summer break. I am going to have to go around the other Answer Me This posts, to try and see if there are some new suggestions.

5. Ice cream or frozen yogurt?

Sorbet. Ha!

Seriously, when I was in Rome with my friends (that time I fought the paramedics), we had millions of gelati (obviously) and my friends kept getting these really indulgent caramel-toffee-chocolate-all-the-cream-all-the-sugar mountains, whilst I just had sorbet. Because that's all I like (I am aware I am a weirdo).

Nope, not interested. (via)

The Italians just shook their heads in despair.

6. Have you had that baby NOW?

You have! Congratulations!

Visit Kendra for more.

AMT 19/07/2015: Monty Pythons, Jumbotrons and NOT Driving

First, thank you so much for your prayers after the previous post, they are immensely appreciated.

Now, there isn't an appropriate transition from that post to this one, so...

via

1. What's currently on your To Do list?

Well, there is the usual "getting the house and garden sorted", and there's the pesky curtain I really need to finish (still hanging with pins in = not cricket), Jude also badly needs a hair cut (his THIRD one, would you believe it?! At this stage, his hair is basically a wonder of nature.)

The big one however is getting a placement sorted for him at nursery for next year, but as I haven't been given my hours yet it's a bit tricky (would you have a hypothetical place for a hypothetical 1 year old at some hypothetical point in the future for a hypothetical amount of time on some hypothetical day? Tough sell).

And I suppose there is this whole driving thing (Nooooooo! shan't, shan't, shan't!!!)

2. Better type of superhero: magic/radioactive powers? Or trauma/gadgets/hard work?

Well, I've started watching Daredevil (Kendra and her streaming advice are very bad for overall productivity), which I am loving, so I am going to go with the second one.

Word of warning: I do spend a lot of that show with my hand in front of my eyes, or eyes shut with fingers in my ears. Yeah, it's a bit violent.

I quite like Batman too, so it works (although "limitless wealth" does strike me as a bit magic power-y).

But yeah, Daredevil FTW!

3. Finding out if baby is a boy or a girl before birth: Good idea? Bad idea?

Well, we didn't want to know for Jude, but were told anyway. Similar for this one, except we weren't sure whether we wanted to know or not (my OB/GYN in France is a friend of the family, so yeah, free care, but he doesn't ask before casually telling us the gender, and for this one I didn't warn him in advance because I thought it was still too early to tell. Oh well...).

I can see the attraction of the surprise, but I like to knit gender-specific items, so I am torn. And for this one, we had a girl name all sorted for ages, but were really struggling for a boy's name so it was useful to know whether to keep torturing ourselves or not over it.

And no, I am not telling. I know, that's basically cheating. What can I say. Horrible person, right here.

via

4. Have you ever appeared on a stadium jumbotron?

I have no idea what you are talking about. Let's Google it.

Riiiight.

Ok, so yes, I kinda have. When singing with the Youth Choir in Lourdes in the underground cathedral, we were on the jumbotron (although it was hard to see me, altos at the back and all that - very unfair discrimination if you ask me, we deserve the jumbotron just as much as the sopranos - ).

But that's about it.

The only live sport I ever attend is cricket, and they don't really use the jumbotron to show non-fancy dress supporters (and a supporter in fancy dress at a cricket match is already committing a very grave etiquette faux-pas, so there.)

5. Are you more book smart or more street smart?

Hahahahahahahahahahahaha. 

I am really not street smart. I am the opposite of street smart. The world is a scary place, I need books to explain it to me a little bit so I am less scared. 

Yes I have lived in cities all my adult life.

No, that didn't help.

At all.

I can analyse you a mean written document though. 

Ok, I tell a lie, I am reasonably good at understanding people as well. But not at interacting with them. Even if I'd like to.

6. Have you had that baby yet? 

Well, no-one is really pestering me yet, considering the baby is due in January (the NHS says late December, but I don't believe them anymore), but just in case you ARE in a position where people start asking, here is a handy website to direct them to. 

Join Kendra for more! (and, Kendra, I am counting on the baby being born on the 22nd, so no labour yet, ok?!)

AMT: 12/07/15 Frozen Winters and Lost Proposal Sites

1. At what temperature do you keep the thermostat set? Summer, winter, day, night?

Well, actually, owning a thermostat is quite a new (brilliant) thing for me. We used to have a very old copper boiler which we would just put on until toasty, then turn off until frozen and repeat the cycle. 

Not exactly economical, but a HUGE improvement on my previous flat which was all inefffective electrical storage heaters, with a little antiquated counter thing into which I had to keep putting pound coins (and nothing else) as a sort of pay-as-you-go, in order to keep the electricity on. It was hugely expensive, and a huge pain in the neck to get change at the ready. Most of the time, despite a teacher salary, I simply couldn't afford to have the heating on. Once it just ran out whilst I was running a high fever in the middle of winter (I lived alone). Oh, and that winter was the coldest in England for a decade.

Hi! I will not keep you warm, but at least I'll cost you a lot of money. (via)

Such fun.

So my point? Thermostat, I love you (and keep you at 20°C - or 19, if Simon's looking). 
Oh, and I don't bother about the summer. Because the summer rarely bothers with us.

Update: 19°C = 66.2°F (I really don't understand Farenheits, so I'm trusting Google on this one.)

2. What is your favorite frozen beverage?

I am not sure I am familiar with frozen beverages, the two things seem somewhat antithetical. 

I think I had a granité once (which may be equivalent to an American "slushy", but then again, what do I know).

Didn't like it.

3. Where do you keep your keys?

In my purse, which I hang behind the door. Simon, however, seems to need to have his keys on his bedside table, which I find very strange. Anybody else does that?

4. Have you ever really been lost?

Quite a few times. 

When I was a scout, we would do what we called "raids", which was basically sending the different patrols entirely on their own with a map and some food, to reach some forlorn destination in the middle of nowhere, sleep over there and find their way back. The first year we did this - I was about 12 -, I swear the way we were supposed to take was completely overtaken with brambles, so we ended up quite severly lost and had to  resort to getting to the nearest road with a sign and call the "Chefs" so they could rescue us. Not our finest hour.

I also like getting lost on purpose when I discover a city.

Technically, we were a bit lost when Simon proposed (he was wildly improvising as his plans had to be cancelled due to simultaneous flood and drought), we were walking completely at random in Oxford - which neither of us knew - I was wondering what was wrong with him - he found a bench and voilà. But I am not sure we will ever be able to find the spot again!

5. What is the last movie you saw in the theaters?

I think it was The Hobbit. The first one. 

Man, I need to go out more...

AMT: 04/07/2015 Fighting Paramedics and Sleep-Rowing

1. How did you celebrate the 4th of July? (Or, for you international types . . . Do anything fun this weekend?)

Being an international type, I've been sparing a thought for Americans, and working on the material for my "sharing my grandmother with you guys" series. The material is accumulating nicely, but no computer makes post-writing somewhat challenging (and we're in the middle of a heat-wave here in the south of France,  so I am basically busy melting, cooling in the pool and watching my feet swell up). All the fun is therefore currently being had by me.

2. Do you sunburn easily?

Before the bridge. Skin intact.

Yes. I do. All the time. I also get sunstrokes really easily (why am I complaining about the English weather again? Can't remember). I hate just doing the pancake on the beach, I need to be doing something, and sand is not a comfortable place to read, so I am mostly in the sea, which helps a bit. But even then, and despite regular applications of factor 50, every holiday comes with one day when I forget, and then...

Memorable sun-burns: 

In Rome, on the day of the canonization of Padre Pio. Two million people in the streets, I fell and hurt my knee, wrist and shoulder (I may be a bit clumsy), some paramedics plucked me away from my friends, I had to wrestle away from them as they were taking me to the ambulance (it wasn't THAT serious). I then struggled through the crowds to find my friends, eventually did, but in the upset, I just forgot the factor 50. ROOKIE ERROR ISABELLE!

Also, the worst I ever got was cycling the Golden Gate on a cloudy day. We just didn't realise the sun was that fierce (thanks a bunch San Francisco). I spent the rest of the holidays with impressive portions of my shoulder skin peeling off. It's a great look, you should try it. Will be all the rage next year.

3. Hot dogs. Yay or nay?

Well, depends what you mean. In French, a hot dog is exclusively the sandwich you make with a hot-dog sausage, which is mostly nay for me. They LOOK like they are going to taste great, but they always taste dry and disappointing. Bad hot-dog.

Via.

Now if you are talking about the sausage itself, I'd like to say nay, but we are living on a budget over here, so sometimes need must. They're nice chopped up and added to a carrot and lentils warm salad (also known as the pauper's version of the Petit salé aux Lentilles).

4. Have you ever personally set off fireworks?

Nope. They are forbidden in France, unless it's the 14th of July. Unless you count these tiny snappy ones you throw on the floor? (Thought you wouldn't...).

Via. Wasn't me.

5. Have you ever jumped off the high dive?

Yes. Despite myself. 

Although I am not scared of heights, I'm not a fan of jumping from high places. So when I have to do it anyway, I just push everybody out of the way and jump straight in, so I don't have time to think about it. Great, safe technique there.

Also, I remember being too scared to jump off a high jetty into the Mediterranean when I was four. My brother and 15 year-old auntie jeered. So then I jumped, and they had to run to catch my then-eighteen-month old sister who wanted to follow suite.

Don't worry, my parents were safely away on the beach, taking pictures of the happenings. 

What's the opposite of helicopter parenting?

6. Do you do anything weird in your sleep?

Sadly, I don't. Unless you count snoring as weird. My sister, however, is amazing. You can have whole surreal conversations with her whilst she sleeps. 

Marc and Isabelle come in on tiptoes to go to bed without waking her up. Banane sits up on her bed, eyes still closed.

- (aggressively) So, did I win?!

- Erm, you weren't actually WITH us, so...

- Oh, shut up you're just jealous!

Once she also sat up and started pretend-rowing in her bed. 

She also sang a couple of times (unfortunately, our laughs always wake her up).

AMT: Snails, Pounds and News Addictions

And now, for my favourite link-up, it's Sunday Answer Me This- Time!

1. How long have you lived in your current home?

Just over a year.

For the first four years of my living in England, I moved every year. It was horrible. I had to leave stuff in storage at friends' flats, and give books to charities and other horrors. Then we moved into The Big Flat (we called it "Appartementinettinella") and stayed there just under three years. Then we moved into our current house before Patapon was born.

Putting down roots is not quite straightforward, even now, because we'll have to move wherever Simon needs to go once he is a junior doctor (764 days to go), and that may be far away. Although I'm pretty sure my southerner husband is reconciled with the North now.

2. How do you find out about news and current events?

I have a very dramatic alert on my phone for BBC News, I also follow the headlines of Catholic happenstance with Catholic World News by e-mail and Aleteia by Feedly, and for the rest, Courier international (it's a brilliant concept, but it's in French, sorry).

Looking at the list, I'm starting to wonder if I am not a bit of a headline junkie.

3. Would you be able to make change for a twenty right now? For a dollar?

Nope. I only have one dollar I saved from our family trip to America. You can have that if you really need it.

If we're counting in pound sterling (which I don't advise anyone to do) I could easily give you change for a tenner anytime, all in little 1,2 and 5p coins. I have a piggy-bank full of them upstairs.

Otherwise, I have enough for a bus fare in my purse most of the time. (Aaaah, not driving, the fun!)

4. What's the craziest food you've ever eaten?

Well I'm French, so that's basically a cheat question.

via

I've had snails a good few times (it's really the sauce which is nice), and raw steak (we call it "tartare" and it's awesome). Never had frogs legs though, it's more of a regional dish. 

Via. Man, do I want a steak tartare now...

5. Which of the commonly removed parts have you had removed?

None. I still have all my teeth, my tonsils and my appendix. I am quite whole.

6. What's you're favourite sport to watch on TV?

Cricket! Of course. As Simon says, it's one of those sports you can have in the background whilst chatting and doing other things, because the pace is so leisurely.

The excited crowds of football (soccer, if you must) just make me uncomfortable. Although I quite like watching rugby sometimes, despite the fast pace. Then recover with a bit of snooker.

I think I am turning more British than the Queen.

Answer Me This: The Father's Day Edition

1. What's the best thing about your Dad?

Many things. Of course. 

Dancing with 4-year old me.

The fact that he started the whole "I need two pieces [of chewing gum or candy], because one would be all lonely in my mouth" is pretty great (and useful, people put you down as "disarmingly charming" instead of "shamelessly greedy").

But I suppose the best thing about him is how incredibly principled he is and remains, despite all the difficulties he encountered, especially in his professional life. The way he is still fighting for the Public Hospital in France, giving up his time, sanity and rest for it is quite remarkable. He is a good man. In the best sense of the term.

See?! Doing everybody else's job! (he's an anaesthetist, not a surgeon)

Also, he loves toddlers. Genuinely. Loves them. Has lots of time for them.

Best Grandad (Papounet) ever.

2. What's the best thing about your kids' Dad?

He is the most attentive Dad I know. 

My favourite thing in the whole universe is when we hear the key turn in the lock, and I say: "Jude! Look! Who is it?" And Patapon just lights up, squeals and wiggles until his Daddy takes him and throws him about (at which point I have to close my eyes). It's the sweetest thing.

3. What's the best advice your Dad ever gave you?

I struggled with bullying when I was little, and I remember a letter my Dad sent me when I was at Scouts Camp (I was 11 at the time). I still have his letter, so I am just going to translate the bit I mean (and try not to cry too much, blasted pregnancy hormones!)

" I hope you are not withdrawing into your books too much and do participate in the life of your patrol. (...) Don't hesitate to try and perform as many acts of service as you can, and help others; good deeds are always what makes us happiest. Know that if someone is making you suffer, it's always because they are even unhappier than you. If you can understand this, you will see that things are a lot simpler than they seem. (...)

Your Papa who loves you."

4. What's something you have in common with your Dad?

Without hesitation: history! I got the bug from him. He had all the great encyclopedias, all the great biographies, and all the beautiful books (he is a bibliophile, they are BEAUTIFUL books). 

He started me with good historical fiction he loved as a kid, and then we would talk about the time period, and then I would read up about it all.

We still lose everybody at dinner-time in the summer, debating the morals of Talleyrand, the francophobia of Bismark or the relevance of Gambetta. 

He was the saddest when I said I was stopping my PhD (sorry Papa!).

5. What's the manliest thing you can do?

I had to ask Simon. And he reminded me that I love putting furniture together. I do. Especially Ikea Billys I can use for yet more books. I can build you one in record time these days.

6. Who is your favourite fictional Dad?

Dr Gibson in Wives and Daughters is pretty great, attentive and loving. The BBC adaptation shows it really well, too. Also Arthur Weasley. Obviously.

It's really hard though! So much of literature seem to require a terrible-dad plot device! (looking at you Jane Austen.)

See Kendra for more AMT fun.

Answer Me This: 14.06.2015

One of the things I most wanted to be able to do, back when I didn't have a blog, was to somehow be able to join the fun link-ups.

Lo and behold, I have a blog!

So, without further ado: 

Answering [Kendra] This

1: Any big plans this summer?

Why, I am glad you asked, yes I do! Obviously some travelling to France will happen, or Patapon's French family will probably come over and kidnap him anyway, but the BIG one, is that I am going to try to get my driving licence (gasp, shock, fear, no, no, no, I don't want to).

Now, I suppose that for Americans, I am basically admitting to not knowing how to read or something equally basic, but, you know, Europe is quite small and condensed, and I have lived in cities most of my adult life, where it makes more sense to avoid the nightmare of parking and just ride the bus (or métro, you choose your poison).

Excuses, excuses.

Anyway, we can't actually afford a car at the mo, but we probably will be able to when Simon finishes studying (counting down the years... ok, months... ok, I'm actually counting down the days - all 779 of them) and I will probably (maybe?) be glad to drive then. 

And because of other things, now is an ok-ish time to do it.

So, yeah, if you live in Britain, stay off the roads come August.

2: What is the strangest thing you believed as a child?

Hmmm, let me see... Not Father Christmas, didn't have time, my big brother told me straight away. 

I was convinced the lady who lived next-door to our school was a witch (so did most of the school), and that there was a secret castle hidden behind the big wall opposite the entrance of the school.

3: What is your favourite amusement park ride?

Well, I am not very well-versed in amusement parks, but, around Paris, much as we love Disney...

And we do love Disney...

... I'm afraid the better rides are here. Which is sad, because it closes in the winter (booh!).

4: What's on your summer reading list?

Apart from this you mean?

Boo-oo, I just want to cry

Probably lots of re-reads, Narnia, Harry Potter, Jane Austen and Middlemarch are on a yearly rotation. And lots of crime fiction. This series is great so far.

I'm also currently finishing Paradise Lost (love it, who'da thunk it?), next I'm reading The Divine Comedy, it's happening. Pinky swear. 

Also, why is this man not writing more Thursday Next novels? I'm having withdrawal symptoms. (If you haven't read any of his novels, do. And how I envy you! I have none left to read.)

5: Have you ever fallen asleep in public?

Yup. All the time. Buses, trains, boats. But I suspect this question is mostly about pictures, right?

6: What is your favourite smell?

Not lavender essential oil (more on that next week). Otherwise, probably frangipane (a key ingredient of the Galette des Rois of awesomeness). My sister found me a shower gel that smells of it (my sister is awesome), but it ran out. My sister needs to get on this. 

Galette des Rois

Banane?! (That's not her real name, she's called Sophie, like a normal non-fruit person).