Today was a slow day. I woke up at 11 again, and realized that I probably needed to find an alarm clock. After a good-morning Skype call with my dad, I ventured out a bit and made it to the nearest Monoprix (a grocery store). This Monop', as it's called, was pretty small compared to American grocery stores, and while I managed to find some shampoo that I like, my search for an alarm clock wasn't fruitful. I returned to the apartment, I had lunch, knitted just a little bit, and then left to pick up the kids from school.
Today was the same schedule as yesterday, but Eldest tried to convince me that his mom said it was ok for him to take his Nintendo DS to the park. Now, neither his mother or father had said much about the DS, so I told him that I hadn't heard that it was ok for the DS to leave the apartment, and a tantrum ensued. He cried, he stomped around, he pouted. Then, he went to his father's office, and explained the situation. Fortunately, his father told Eldest (and me) that I was right to say no. Each child gets 20 minutes of play on the DS during the week, and an hour on weekends, so Eldest used his 20 minutes after we returned from the park.
[Side note: The building that I'm living in has an elevator, which is a rarity in Paris] The kids & I were waiting for the elevator after we had returned from the park. The door opens, and in the elevator is the former au pair girl, the Canadian. She stayed with this family for two years, so the kids were happy to see her. While I prepared dinner, she helped me by making sure the kids take their showers. She stayed for dinner, but had to leave soon after. It was great to meet her in person, and she was very nice, which is a good thing. :)
After the father came home, I ventured out & met up with another au pair girl, from Spain. She has a few American friends, so I met all of them while we hung out in the Spanish girl's apartment. One of her American friends is from DC, while the other two are from California. These girls were all very nice, but my interests don't really line up with theirs. I have no problem with people who smoke, but I don't. I have no problem with people who drink, but I don't really drink (yes, I did abide by the laws of the legal American age). These girls aren't bad people, but all they seemed to talk about was who they were going to hook up with, which, if you know me, is definitely not something I have any interest in. These aren't judgments, though. During the daytime, I'd definitely join them again. Then again, any friends I can make would be helpful.
Only 20 mins a week! How is he ever going to beat a level?... poor kid. Haha are you going to be able to fallow that rule, or do you think you'll give in? I really enjoy reading your blog! Please keep it up!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you met people this quickly. Granted, they're not ideal but at least they're human and your age!
ReplyDeleteOh, ho ho dear....the real adventure begins. Smoking, drinking and hooking up are the three national pastimes of France.
ReplyDeleteOne thing you should do...at St. Eustache in the 1st Arrond across from Les Halles has a free organ concert at 5:30 pm on Sundays (check the time online). The organ in this church is one of the largest in Europe. When it plays you can feel your sternum vibrate on the low notes. Pretty powerful stuff.
@Heather- I plan on definitely following that rule. That's something the parents set up, and I don't want to undermine them, so yeah...that's that.
ReplyDelete@Britt- that was pretty much my thought process, though to that list, add the fact that they speak english. that's a biggie.
@Brian- I understand this, but they're not my pastimes, which is going to make this interesting. Before I left, someone at my college also suggested that I go listen to the organ concerts at St. Eustache. Will definitely check it out!
How old are the kids???
ReplyDelete@Leighanne- I'll msg. you on Facebook. trying to avoid giving out too many details here :)
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