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Wednesday, October 26, 2005

Settling In

Thank you to those who have written to ask what is going on with me. It's been a few months and you might think that was enough for me to get my life in order. However, it's taken me a lot longer to organize my life. Nothing about the move was traumatic. In fact, it's been far easier than I imagined. But it has still been a slow process for me.

What I wasn't prepared for was the amount of time it takes to get acclimated -- renewing old frienships, starting new friendships, getting used to the American school system, getting the house we bought over the internet into shape. It's a great house and we are happy with our purchase, but it needs a lot of updating. I've already painted 5 rooms, changed light switches, put together bookcases.... some days it was a bit overwhelming... and I still have two more rooms to paint.

Some adjustments made me laugh. My daughter came home one day and said she learned about the "pleasures of Egypt." Since she is only in kindergarten and goes to school for just 3 hours a day, I was surprised, but happy and started to ask her questions. She stopped me and said that wasn't what she learned. It took a minute to realize she meant "the pledge of alligence." I didn't think about some of the more basic cultural differences for the kids, like learning the pledge of alligence, which they recite every morning.

As I am beginning to feel my life settle down a bit here in DC, our family is preparing for our first trip back to Paris in November. The kids are so happy and excited about the trip and seeing their friends. We all miss our Paris friends a lot. My son will actually go to school, with his former classmates, for a day. I am already writing lists of the items I want to bring back to the US with me.

Here is a picture of me in my empty Paris apartment the day we moved out.


After we moved out we headed over to my sister's apartment in the 6th. We spent the night there and then left Paris the next morning for our new life in the US. I took some final pictures that last morning. Here is one...



Finally, as we were checking in for our flight from CDG, the woman at the counter asked us a few questions and we explained that we were tired because we were moving back to the US after 5 years in France. We learned when our names were called in the boarding area that she had upgraded us to business class. Although we all slept on the flight back, my daughter didn't even bother waiting for take-off. Thank goodness for those wonderful business class seats.


-- said Auntie M in Paris
3:14 PM

37 comments

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Comments:
How truly wonderful to see this post! Hope adjustments ease up a bit as time goes on. And for your Nov. trip, will you see your former landlord too? (Among the probably many! social visits to do!) Gosh, the old apt. looks gorgeous!

Yes, my son lacks some of that American education basics (from the bilingual educ.) but he does know the SS Banner from attending yrs of football games.

Hope you are well and give yourself a break once in awhile. Thanks for thinking of your fans!!

Terry in SF

# posted by Anonymous : 4:46 PM  

it's so good to hear from you and that things are going well! i look forward to future updates :)

# posted by kristin : 5:55 PM  

Yay! It's so great to hear from you! So happy to know that the move went well and everyone is settling in. I can't wait to hear more about your life in DC. :)

# posted by ViVi : 8:55 PM  

It's good to see you back again. I'm glad your move went smoothly. Are we going to here about life in the U.S. now?

# posted by Anji : 8:55 PM  

How nice of the airline worker (don't know the appropriate name) to upgrade you all. Welcome back to the US! :)

# posted by Liz : 9:13 PM  

Thank you all for visiting. I really miss my daily blogging and hearing from you.

# posted by Auntie M in Paris : 9:30 PM  

Oh M - I was pleasantly surprised when I saw your post show up on my bloglines!! I miss reading your posts. Glad to hear all is well and you all are settling in okay. Look forward to reading about your adventures there in DC. I hope to visit that area next summer - my dearest friend lives in Columbia, MD.

# posted by Pat : 10:02 PM  

A warm feeling to hear that everything is going so well for you and your family.

# posted by L'Oiseau : 10:34 PM  

Welcome back state-side! It's great to see you back online again.

# posted by > Lisa (yes, as in Mona, but much cuter!) : 10:44 PM  

Ahhh -- I'd been waiting for that "whatever-happened-to" post.. ! Did you really buy a house over the Internet?

The Pledge of Allegiance... I should start work on that one with my kids...

I'm glad you're adjusting, though I do miss your tidbits and info on France...

# posted by magillicuddy : 11:58 PM  

Glad to see you back! I know how hard it is to leave someplace you've come to love...good luck in DC!!!

# posted by Janet : 1:07 AM  

I clicked over in the off chance that you were posting again and I was so happy to see your post. It must have been so difficult to leave such a beautiful place and wonderful culture. Glad you are getting resettled and I hope to continue to read about your new life.

# posted by Loretta : 2:35 AM  

Hi M., it's nice to hear from you again. I'm glad your transition hasn't been too rough. Ours has been fairly easy, especially for the kids, who seemed to seamlessly integrate (or reintegrate). Have a great time in Paris next month. We're not going back until June, unfortunately, although my husband will be there on business in December.

# posted by Lisa : 3:11 AM  

looks like you had a beautiful apartment in paris. anyway, welcome back!

hope to hear from you more often.

# posted by maryse : 11:50 AM  

OH! I'm so glad you've posted again. I was just thinking of you this week. I'm glad your getting settled alright.
I love the photo of your dd sleeping in the flight home.

Glad to hear from you

# posted by BohemianMama : 7:31 PM  

I'm glad to see you back. Wish you luck.

# posted by Anonymous : 8:35 PM  

Welcome to Washington! Looking forward to seeing life here through your eyes.

# posted by Anonymous : 11:43 PM  

Auntie M I'm soooo happy to hear from you again, I've been wondering about you so much lately. I'm glad everything's fine with you and your new life in DC. can't wait to read more.

# posted by irene : 3:12 AM  

I really miss your posts. So fun to read this post from you from the other side. I love hearing what you experience now that you're back.

What a gorgeous Paris apartment! So pretty.

# posted by chrisc : 11:19 AM  

What a surprise! I'll be visiting Paris again soon and was lamenting the loss of so many good Paris blogs. I Googled Paris Blogs and lo and behold there you were (are) third from the top. What impeccable timing. Good to read you again although I was hoping to find that you were living in Paris once more.

# posted by maribel : 12:30 AM  

Hi Auntie M! I was so pleased to see your post. Thanks for the update. I look forward to reading about your adventures in Washington, DC. We recently celebrated our 1 year anniversary in Paris. Thanks again for your support and advice! Take care!

# posted by Oz : 1:45 AM  

Oh...so glad to see your post!! I saved your blog on my favorites and often look through the archives and get nostalgic for my daily dose of your posts from Paris. I too am leaving for Paris on 7 Novembre and will be there for ten glorious days. Will I see you on the rue Cler?? How will I know you?! Best wishes, enjoy your trip...et merci encore!! Ken-Paul Gallant

# posted by ken gallant : 7:13 AM  

What a great blog. I´m a big Paris fan too.
Salut!

# posted by marco_099 : 7:03 PM  

I spent a wonderful time visiting your sister in Montpellier recently. I bet you miss France. I do, and I was only there just over a week! Thanks for updating the blog. I was wondering how it was going in the USA for you and your family.

# posted by Brenda : 2:34 PM  

Welcome back to the blogosphere! We NEED your good writing and sensible approach here!! How wonderful -- a Paris trip for you! Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy --- and then hurry home to us, ready to write! Bon voyage!

# posted by Marilyn, the Ingredient Sleuth : 1:44 AM  

Hey M,

I am a writer (Ramla A.) at http://karachi.metblogs.com, one of the many city blogs that the USA-based http://www.metroblogging.com/ hosts. Metblogs is seeking more Paris-based writers, and I found your blog by following links from French blogs (meanwhilesomewhereinfrance.blogspot.com).

Metblogs will give you a place where you can hobnob with other Parisian bloggers online.

To apply, visit: http://www.metroblogging.com/apply.phtml. Please pass the word around to fellow Parisian metbloggers, and French bloggers from other cities, for that matter.

BTW, this is just my personal recommendation, not by the site. I have been watching your blog for some time and thought it looked interesting. Regards.

# posted by The Prophetess : 6:35 AM  

I miss reading your blog too, I may never get to Paris. Please post a link to your new blog when you get it.

# posted by Linda : 8:32 PM  

You are back..thank goodnes.. be safe this week. painting is such a job isn't it???

# posted by eastmoormom : 5:09 PM  

I was only in Paris for 3 days and fell in love. If I were single, I just might have become a permanent resident! I cannot imagine after living there for 5 years to have to move back to the US. I miss reading about your adventures in France.

# posted by Tina : 3:48 PM  

Auntie M,

It's been a while since I visited, but was so glad to see your last post. I do hope you'll keep posting from time to time as you see you have many fans. Paris may never be the same!

# posted by Eric : 8:31 AM  

Hi - I'm sorry to have discovered your blog about Paris after you seem to have left - shame! Well I'll supply you with regular Paris photos and comments if that's of any interest to you! Good luck!!

# posted by Sab : 5:12 PM  

What an adventure! I hope you'll update us soon. How was your trip back to Paris?

# posted by Christine : 8:44 PM  

Auntie M - Merry holidays to you and your family! Hope things are settling down a bit. How was the trip back to France awhile back? Terry in SF

# posted by Anonymous : 6:22 PM  

Happy New Year! Have you set up a U.S. blog yet?

# posted by Anji : 9:32 AM  

Hi Auntie !

Bonne Année 2006 et Bonne Santé from Paris !

Best,
L'Amerloque

# posted by L'Amerloque : 7:14 PM  

Yes, I wonder if you've set up your US blog yet. How are you adjusting back there?

# posted by Eric : 9:16 PM  

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