Re-entry seems like an appropriate term to describe the process of re-adjusting to life in the US. Most days, I feel like an astronaut plummeting to the ocean with only a tiny parachute to slow the impact: Everything looks familiar, but the perspective is all wrong. Everyone speaks my language, but bars and restaurants are … Continue reading Re-entry
Moving
Begin again
We've landed! We've now been back in the US for ten days, but those ten days have been chock-full with visiting family and driving all our earthly possessions from Maine to Missouri. Most of our things have been boxed up in a storage unit for the past year, and it was overwhelming to see it—I … Continue reading Begin again
Le fin, part 1
Well, here we are at le fin—the end. I’m calling this Le Fin Part 1, though, because those two extra words make it seem less final. It’s just the beginning of the end, not the end of the end! Part 2 is yet to come! As Ernest Hemingway once wrote, "If you are lucky enough … Continue reading Le fin, part 1
Le retour
After yesterday's teaser, I figured it was time for a more substantive Life Update. I've been avoiding the topic of our return as long as possible, but now that 2019 is upon us, it’s time to face the fact that Colin and I will be back in the U.S. next month. I'm not thrilled about … Continue reading Le retour
Six months in
Today marks six months since we boarded the plane for Paris, and I can't believe it. Where has the time gone?! We have simultaneously done so much and so little, and although we've seen a ton, our list of places to go and things to do just keeps growing. I can’t even bring myself to … Continue reading Six months in
How to move to France: Part II
See Part I – which includes everything from scheduling your consulate appointment to actually applying for and getting your visa – here. Bienvenue en France! It’s tempting to think that you’re done with paperwork now that you’re here, but unfortunately that’s not the case. The second half of the process of moving to France requires … Continue reading How to move to France: Part II
How to move to France: Part I
While orchestrating our move to Paris, I relied heavily on blogs and other online resources to figure out what to do and how to do it. Unfortunately, I discovered that info can be pretty limited, so I decided to write a few informational posts detailing what I’ve learned. Apologies if these aren’t as interesting to … Continue reading How to move to France: Part I
Allô? Does this téléphone work?
The central tenet of life abroad, I've decided, is a little thing I call the "Rule of Three." Every single thing you do takes three times as long, costs three times as much, and brings three times the stress that it would at home. And at the end of the day, you are one-third as … Continue reading Allô? Does this téléphone work?
Let’s back it up a step…
I've officially lived in France for one week! Most of that week passed in a fog of jet lag, but I think I've finally adjusted—although, funnily enough, until last night I thought that Paris was five hours ahead of Boston. Turns out, it's six. Who knew?! Good thing I didn't try to call you in … Continue reading Let’s back it up a step…
Le Debut
Well, here we are, friends. After months of anticipation, our duffle bags are packed, our visas are stamped, and our French language podcasts are piling up like tourists waiting to see the Eiffel Tower. All that is to say, ready or not, we're going to Paris! Allons y, I believe they say. It's a terrifying, … Continue reading Le Debut
Practice Makes Parfait 