Farewell

H has finally decided to take a look at the blog and has taken extreme offense at what I have written over the past couple of years.

I should like to point out that while I may disagree with the point of view of my in-laws and perhaps that of many French people, I do appreciate the inside look into the French and quite enjoy the extreme cultural differences even if I do not agree with their outlook on things - life is all about learning, after all. I will also readily admit that some conversations and stories have been slightly exaggerated in order to provide a steady stream of laughs, but the H has failed to see the humor in this and believes that what I have written is cruel and insulting. This blog was originally intended to be a way to keep in touch with my friends overseas, and slowly became a (humorous, in my opinion!) outlook upon the cultural differences between France and America. Contrary to what the H may believe, I do not hate his family at all - I believe they are good people with good souls and hearts, and I am very sorry that he has taken this all in a negative light, despite the fact that I meant it to be comedic.

Therefore I will be taking a hiatus and I may or may not continue with this blog - the H will most likely not agree with anything else I may write about France and will probably moniter what I write - I do not believe that I will be happy not being able to express myself and I believe the H will take issue with everything I write, so perhaps the best solution may be to stop. I will have to ponder this issue in depth, so we'll see what will happen.

This has been quite an adventure and I have been grateful to have an outlet for my writing; indeed I have been grateful for everything I have experienced.

I know, it's been awhile!

Things have been busy, busy.

I went to Paris recently for the weekend for a wedding, which was fun while I was there but not so fun coming back, mostly because I had to go to work the next day. Surprisingly enough, I managed to hold up okay the next day.

The day I got to Paris, the in-laws had a big dinner planned for that evening, with the H's grandma, his grandma's best friend, and his godmother, who stayed for the weekend.
One of the funnier things that happened that weekend was that the godmother spent forever talking about the university in England (not Oxford nor Cambridge) where her 21 year old son is doing a study abroad.

Godmother (GM): There's a whole campus! It's like a community! Students live on campus!
MIL: Ah, bon?! (Really?!)
Me: DUH! I've mentioned it before! The vast majority of Anglophone higher education institutes have a campus!
GM: Oh, it's beautiful! It's all green grass and trees - it's a really huge complex, and students live in student housing right on campus!!!!!!
MIL: Really?! On the campus?
Me: DUH! EVERYONE does!
GM: Oh, goodness, and they have like, all these large buildings for the classes, and a computer building, and a cafeteria!!!!!
Me: DUH!!!! EVERY college has that!
GM: There is even like, a shuttlebus that students who live farther away on campus can take to their classes!!!!!
Me: DUH!!!!!!!!!
GM: And my son is one of the youngest students there!!! All the other students are way older because they've done all this crazy stuff, like traveling the world, or working in the real world for one or two years!!!!!!!!!
Me: Well, DUH!!!!!!!!! LOTS of people do that!!!!!!!!
MIL: (sniffing) Not in France, we do not. That would be crazy.
Me: Well, I think it's a good thing to do. It gives you more life experience than you'll ever get in a classroom.
GM: Well, my goodness, it was so wonderful, this whole "college experience" that they have in these Anglophone countries. It must be really great! It's like, a whole life!
Me: Well, yeah.
GM: I tell you, it really opened up my eyes. I had no idea that a college could be so nice and pleasant. It's really like, another planet compared to France. I had no idea!!!!
Me: Well, yeah.
MIL: (throwing up her hands) Well, that's all fine and dandy, but here in France, every single student has FREE ACCESS to higher education. It's all FREE. Everyone knows that in America no one can afford college.
Me: Yeah, well, you get what you pay for. That's why French colleges are all crappy with no cool computer room, dorms, or professor office hours.
MIL: Yes, but it's free.
Me: Yes, but an education is an investment.
MIL: Why pay so much money when you can get it for free?
Me: Because it's all about the quality.
MIL: You can get just as good quality for free.
Me: No you can't.
MIL: At least every student has the right to a free higher education in this country. No one in America can afford college and only the rich and elite have access to higher education.
Me: That's not true.
MIL: Oh yeah, well how do they pay for it?
Me: Um, it's called a scholarship. Or a student loan.
MIL: It's ridiculous to spend so much money on something. And for FOUR YEARS!
GM: Yes, well, I didn't have to pay that much. Only 3000 euros, because my son is on the Erasmus exchange program.
Me: (to myself) Yeah, aka the Party Program like in L'auberge espagnole. Whateva!
(out loud) I'm going to bed. I'm all jet lagged and tired.

The next few weeks might be busy with work and all, but in the meantime I leave you to peruse this hysterical SNL skit:

Optimisim

So, I just read in the New York Times that an avalanche occured on Mont Blanc and that 8 are missing and presumed dead.

"'There's no chance of finding anyone alive,' French Interior Minister Michele Alliot-Marie said while visiting the area."



Wow. Way to be optimistic and reassuring.


Full article here.

Olympics Frenzy

I am so excited - just two more days until the Olympics!!!!!!!

Last weekend at Mom's house, Mom was saying that now that her son-in-law is a non-American, she can suddenly see things through his eyes - because she has been in the US for so long and has gained US citizenship, she's pretty much used to all things American.

One of the big things Mom noticed (through the eyes of the H) is that Americans are crazy about winning. We LOOOOOVVVEEE to win, and we are a crazy competitive people. This winning thing has always baffled the in-laws and my other Frenchie friends - a friendly game of Monopoly or cards becomes a crazy showdown with yours truly, who is guilty of being hyper competitive at times. It reminded me of last year, when they showed the World Swimming Championships on TV in France. A French swimmer was up against Michael Phelps and the poor Frenchie did not finish very well - something close to last place, whereas Phelps (obviously) took 1st place. The French swimmer was then interviewed by good old Nelson Montfort, who was all, "Wow...so you did NOT swim well...what happened?!" and the French swimmer was all sulky and upset (and then, in typical Frenchie style) said, "Well, duh, I was swimming against Michael Phelps! I mean, the guy ALWAYS wins...it's really not fair at all; he doesn't give anyone else their turn to win, he always has to win, and it's really annoying."

Well, when I heard that line, I shrieked at the top of my lungs and the H became very alarmed, thinking that maybe there was an insect in the area. "Oh my god!!!!" I shouted, "what is WRONG with that guy?! Puh-leeze, it's a freaking sport, you're there to WIN, not give other people a chance to win! Suck it up, French Swimmer! You lost because you SUCK!"

Anyway, I read in the New York Times this morning that the French Ministry of Sports or whatever is hoping that France will bring back at least 37 medals. Whatever! Everyone knows that all the medals will go to China and the US...and maybe Russia will get some too. France will probably make their goal of 37 though, if you include silver and bronze medals, which we all know merely means that you lost the gold medal and thus, the competition! Even H agrees with me that the French rarely win gold, but often win bronze, though H likes to think that 3rd place is actually a very good thing.

In other Olympics news, I find it really annoying that people are politicizing the Olympics. I mean, yes, we all know that China has got a bit of a dodgy human rights record, but the Olympics are about the BEST IN THE WORLD coming together to duke it out in their respective sports, so I think everyone should just leave all the politics out of it! As far as I'm concerned, if certain athletes and/or countries feel that strongly about China, then DON'T GO TO BEIJING for the Olympics and just boycott it once and for all, like people did during the Moscow games. I had read last week that German athletes would have a choice of T-shirts with various political slogans printed on them (stuff along the lines of "Free Tibet" which I find very annoying because they are not even asking to be completely separate from China) which I find very insulting to the host country, and it's not like the German athletes are there to join in the demonstrations - they are there to try to win gold medals for Germany! (By the way, good luck with that, Germany). Athletes (at least here in the US) live their life for the Olympics (except in sports like basketball and soccer) so everyone should just concentrate on winning and not on harassing China about its laws and policies (which, I might add, might seem barbaric to some cultures, but hey, maybe it works for China. We wouldn't know, considering the fact that we are not actually Chinese people living in China...)

Anyway, I am all excited for the US to win their medals although I am really just rooting for everyone (except maybe Laure Manaudou; I don't know but there is just something about her that bothers me) and I hope everyone can have a good time. Yay, Olympics!

Grrrrrrr

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!


Carla Bruni is not only on the cover of Vanity Fair this month, but she is also on their best dressed list!!!!

AND on Friday, she sang to Barbara Walters on 20/20. Here is the link.


Ugh. I do not get all the fuss. I especially do not understand why all of America is in love with her. Come on, people, wake up! It is all a web of lies! She is totally playing everyone! Argh!!!!! And why are people not outraged that she serenaded Barbara Walters?! What kind of a First Lady goes on TV and sings a song from her upcoming album?! Carla should do more Brangelina-type activities like giving all her money to charity and visiting orphans in Africa! That's what First Ladies do! And is it just me, or is it really, really annoying that she keeps comparing herself to Jackie Kennedy?! Ugh. Anyway, I actually went out and bought Vanity Fair and read the article and got myself all worked up into a fit of rage...then I brought the magazine into work to lend it to a Frenchie co-worker...who is borrowing the magazine tonight so that she, too, can read it and work herself up into a fit of rage. When I get it back, I'll see if I can get around to posting some excerpts - there are some real doozies in there about how she regrets making her "relationship" with Sarko so public and how she has given him a makeover and all that crap.

In other non related news, the job is going well, and I am very excited for the Olympics to start at the end of the week. I've completely become accustomed to waking up every morning at 7:30 am (and you thought I'd never be able to do it!) and in fact I believe I am following in my father's footsteps of not needing much to sleep - I am in bed every night by 1 am and usually doze off around 2...but I'm actually not that tired during the day.

I've been suffering from mosquito bites - there is a vicious little mosquito flying around the apartment and it's the kind that gives me the crazy creepy reaction. In fact, I had one on my arm last week (it's more or less gone down now, so the bite is not so horrifying to look at anymore) and it was the talk of the office as everyone gathered around me to scream "Oh my god!!!!!!!!". I got another one near my butt the other day but that one has started to calm down too. I am merely suffering right now from one of those giant, painful pimples that take several days to erupt, but still hurt. It is unfortunately right by my nose and the bump has surfaced, but the zit hasn't shown itself yet. Grrrr.

Let's see...oh yes, H has gotten himself one, possibly two, internships, so he is very excited. H works in film production, but has no idea how it all works over here in the US, so this is a good opportunity to relearn the ropes...and all in English! His English is also slowly improving, although he still hasn't gotten rid of that pesky habit of "I must to go..." or "I must to be..."

Le petit Nicolas

Oh, Nicolas Sarkozy. Le petit Nicolas. It's just been one blunder after another. I almost feel sorry for him (but not too much, because I really like to dislike him - and he makes it SOOOO easy). I mean, the minute he takes office, he goes off on vacation in the US, thus inviting himself over to a BBQ with Bush, then he more than doubles his salary. Then he does really embarrassing stuff like insulting civilian passerby at a fair, checking out an Israeli model's cleavage, marries a former supermodel now wannabe pop star, gets drunk with Putin and then makes a speech (while intoxicated), pocketed a MontBlanc pen at an EU summit, visits the Pope while accompanied by the most vulgar comedian in France and spends the entire visit texting people, and goes around firing and hiring people who work in the media as a way of showing off his power. Not to mention he is obviously forever being snubbed by other heads of state, as has been happening recently with the whole Olympics.

Alas, Sarkozy has suddenly decided to attend the Opening Ceremoy of the Olympics in Beijing. It's so obvious that he doesn't want to miss out on hobnobbing with other important heads of state - and that he wants to be there to stick his head even further up Bush's ass. I mean, it so obviously went something like this:

Sarkozy: (like, a year ago or something)....and I MAYBE will attend the Olympics, but ONLY IF China and Tibet start talks with each other and they can come to an agreement! Free Tibet! But I might just boycott the Olympics!
China: Who is that little man trying to impose himself in our affairs? Is he someone important? Do we even care if he comes for the Olympics?
Tibet: Um, actually, we don't want complete and total freedom, we just want some more autonomy.
China: Whatever. Shut up.

(Late last month/early this month):
Sarkozy: Hey, so I'm thinking that like, MAYBE I'll come to China after all, seeing as China and Tibet have decided to start talking.
China: Who IS that little guy? And what is that junk spewing out of his mouth? I mean, these discussions with Tibet have been scheduled since like, 2 years ago...
Tibet:..........
Sarkozy: Though, I do think China does need to improve their human rights record....
China: Ugh, whatever, Sarko! You're not even invited! Don't even bother coming! WE DON'T WANT YOU HERE.

(Last week)
Bush: Yeah, so I'm gonna head over to Beijing for the Olympics...mostly as a spectator. Ya know, to support the American athletes and all. Me and the wife are gonna head over. It'll be fun.

(Day after Bush's announcement)
Sarkozy: Hey everyone, guess what? I'm totally going to go to the Olympics TOO!!! Isn't that awesome??? I'll be bringing along my trophy wife, Carla Bruni, former supermodel. She's coming out with an album this month, so everyone should buy it! Oh, and yes, Carla will be wearing flats again. I have condemned her to a life without heels. I'm so excited for the Olympics! I'm gonna tell the Chinese president next week at the G8 summit. I'll bet he will be SOOOO psyched that I'm coming! Awwwww yeah!
China: No, seriously, who IS he? Who invited him??? Didn't we tell him not to come?
Bush: Dang, I was counting on a mini-vacation, enjoying myself, watchin' some sports! That's like that time Sarkozy invited himself over to a BBQ at my country house last summer. I mean, I am like, the most hated US president ever, I just want to try to enjoy the last few months I have left. Can't a guy catch a break?!

Benefits

Today I received my benefits and orientation packet from the Large Corporation. It is scary and exciting at the same time - scary because there are lots and lots of papers and forms to fill out, and exciting because I get lots and lots of benefits and this is really a big step in my life.

I admit, I do not think I will ever be passionate about bras, but I am quite tempted by all the perks of this job. This will be the first time in my life that I will have normal working hours - no crazy pre-fashion show hours (i.e. 9am - 2 am) - they have explained that I will get to go home every day no later than 6:30 pm. (On the other hand, I start much earlier than I have before - 9:30 am!) I have a REALLY good health insurance package, plus I get a 401k, life insurance, travel accident insurance, dental, and something about dismemberment (though I think this falls into travel accidents or something). The people on the team seem to be really very nice people, and I have been told, "There are no divas here; no people running and crying!" I mean, I realize that this is par for most jobs, but not where I have always worked.

So this will be a whole new interesting experience. Maybe I will love it, maybe I will hate it, but I am loving the feeling of freedom. I don't have to worry about staying here because there won't be any other positions open anywhere. And I don't have to worry about being pigeon-holed, as I would in France - people in New York actually LIKE it when you work in other areas.

Anyway, I'm hoping that maybe I can eventually volunteer at the ASPCA in the evenings - like maybe I can learn to walk dogs or something. We'll see how it goes.

I probably won't post very much this month, as I will be starting work next week. I probably also won't be writing very much about work - I'm already worried that I've written too much information, as I don't know what the company policy is on blogging (and believe me, I will NOT be asking - no one needs to know the real identity of Parisian New Yorker!)

Oh, and in another note, the in-laws can finally breathe a sigh of relief, in particular MIL, who was very stressed about the whole health insurance issue (the H can be covered under my plan as a beneficiary). Not to mention I had always claimed that it is much easier to find a job in the US, and within a week of my moving back to NY in March, they kept asking every other day, "So, where's your job? How come you haven't found your job yet? Huh? I thought it was so easy to find a job in the US?!" (the H is also guilty of doing this). Well, it may have taken a bit longer, but at least I had tons of interviews and people actually RESPONDED, plus I ended up with more different options (believe you me, I would never, ever have been offered an interview in anything other than womenswear in Paris).

My first (real) job

Yay!

I've decided to go for the bra job - I found out this morning that I didn't get the childrenwear position. So there you go - everything works out for a reason.

I have to deal with the paperwork but I think I will start as soon as it is all done - probably right after the 4th of July holiday.

Yay!

Job Update

This afternoon I received my very first (real) job offer!

It is all very exciting.

I am still waiting to hear back however from the Large Corporation. I had to do a project for them and this morning I went and showed it to them. Not really sure how it all will turn out, but I know that I do have the profile they are looking for (the problem is that it is not womenswear, but childrenswear). Then when I got home after the project review, I received the offer from the Other Large Corporation - this one will be designing bras (again, not really my passion, but it would be a definite plus for my resume).

It has been a real adventure - I sought out the advice of (French) person here in NY who is a friend of a friend and also works in fashion. See, I was quite worried about either of these two positions as they were the most serious offers at the time, but I was quite obsessed with not becoming pigeon-holed into a specialty area (since my passion is actually high end womenswear). The Frenchie pointed out that yes, this would be a gigantic problem in France, and if we were in France, he would tell me to reject both offers (then again, this wouldn't be a problem as I would never even receive these offers in France!). Frenchie also said that in NY it is not really a problem to switch areas as it shows you are adaptable and blah blah. So now we'll wait and see if the Large Corporation from this afternoon will make an offer as well. I have to admit that for the time being I am leaning towards the bra designer job because a lot of womenswear is lingerie-inspired, and also because the people at this particular Corporation seem to be really, really nice. This is quite rare in fashion, especially the more high end designer you get, the bigger the chances are of working in a very negative atmosphere.

Anyway, this is really all very exciting. I have to have a background check and drug test should I accept the bra offer, and I have received my contract and a whole pamphlet about the benefits the Corporation offers (401k, health and dental!!). However, as I didn't understand anything about the insurance mumbo-jumbo, I will be discussing it with Mom, who will explain the finer details about things like PPOs, HMOs and whatnot. (I don't even know what an HMO is!) So exciting!

When It Rains...

I read this article in the New York Times, which was quite interesting, about Barack Obama and what his nomination means for France's black population.

I also read the article to the H, who was not impressed. "Bah!" he said, "You Americans hype up everything - it is SO not a big deal in France, and no one cares. Just like in France it is not a big deal about those riots, but here in America you all think it's some major news story!". Well, I don't know, but I do think that the H, being white, and being a "français de souche" would definitely not be able to see things from the point of view of a black person.

In other news, things have been quite hectic. I had an interview yesterday, one this afternoon, and three more interviews this week. It's quite odd, as I pointed out to the H, that these interviews and callbacks all seem to come in waves. When I first got back and started looking for jobs, I had several interviews all at the same time, in the period of about two weeks. Then suddenly, it seemed as though everything came to a complete stand still, as I received zero responses, then it started pouring interviews. It quieted down again in the past several weeks, and now everyone is calling me again at the same time. I'm quite hopeful this time around, as two of the interviews are actually second interviews, plus one is from someone who received my resume via a third person and contacted me about a position opening up. I'm crossing my fingers to hear back from a couple of other places which would be more appealing to me, although they are not Large Corporations, but small high end womenswear companies, and the position would be for womenswear design. On the other hand, the second interviews are with Very Large Corporations which I feel would be much more interesting in terms of salary and benefits, but they are not in womenswear.

Ah well. We shall see. I have resolved not to stress out about it, and will just let it all Flow. Anyway, must do project for second interview number 2.

**Update: Just got back from 2nd interview number 2 with Very Large Corporation and must do special project for them, which means a 3rd interview...