Happy New Year from Val d'Isere!

xo,
aKiP (or aKiVd'I right now)

Merry Christmas

I've made it safe and sound to Val d'Isere!  It's really lovely here.  I got some time off tonight to talk to my family online.  It was really great to see them.


It's in the 20s here and has been steadily snowing.  It's surprisingly pleasant though, even for me!


The older two girls came down with the same stomach bug that I had.  The grandmother was the first one we know to have it, and the trend has continued.  :(  We're just praying that the baby doesn't get it.  Especially me, as I am in the same room as her... oy.


Alright, well, sorry so short, but I am going to the grocery store if possible and then back to the flat for the night.  Merry Christmas everyone!  


Lots of love and bisous.
xo,
aKiP

Christmas Eeeeeeeeve

So, in the end, I didn’t go to Val d’Isere early Wednesday morning.  I spent most of early Wednesday morning either on or hugging the toilet.  No fun. 

I did not leave the couch all day Wednesday.  Other than for bathroom visits, a stop in the kitchen to make some cherry Jell-o, I did nothing but sleep all day.  I really needed it.  My entire body ached in that way that even your hair hurts.  I woke up at 10 PM, went back to my bedroom, and was asleep for the night as of 11:30. 

Thursday, I rested mostly, but I braved the outside world and went to the SNCF ticket office to get my new train ticket—for Friday morning—and hit the grocery store for some rice and soup. 

This Christmas season has been difficult.  I have not felt at all in the Christmas spirit.  It’s all so foreign, and different, and that’s surprisingly not easy.

I keep thinking of “I’ll be home for Christmas” and while the “if only in my dreams” part is applicable to me, it’s for the birds.

So, it’s Christmas Eve, and I’m en route to Val d’Isere now.  I still have 2 hours before my arrival.  I slept at the start of my trip, as I am still pretty wiped, and I was up at 6 this morning.  I looked at some pictures of the area online last night, and that was cool.  I’m still not exactly sure what to expect, but whatever awaits me, I am happy to reunite with the family and see the girls.  They still have gifts from me to open!  That will be fun.  And, they’re not my family, but they’re the next best thing.  

Merry Christmas Eve!

Xo,

aKiP

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

I'm off first thing tomorrow morning to the French Alps.  I'll be in Val d'Isere with the family.  They have a flat there that they use for skiing trips a few times per year.  I will be sleeping in the same room as the baby, and will therefore be up very early!  Whooo hoo!  Snow and early mornings are some of my favorite things....


I will be without internet there, so that means no photos or updates of any kind until I return on January 2.  I will sneak out to an internet café on Christmas day to call my family.  


I hope everyone has a wonderul Christmas!  2010 was a good one...let's see what amazingness awaits us in 2011!  


A little silliness: My Christmas "Movie"


xo,
aKiP

Hazy, yet crystal clear. Part 2: Paris.

When I came to Paris, I was blinded by the city.  I was blinded by both what I brought to the experience as well as what Paris had to offer me.  I just fell so in love with all of it.  I was accepting; it was just one amazing reality to accept after another.  From the Notre Dame, to the way the Parisians don't move out of the way when you have no where to go on the sidewalk, I just accepted it.  Face value.  It is what it is.  I was a tourist at first, and I wanted to experience and love every moment of my visit here.  

Upon my return to Paris, as a new resident, I realized how much I have started to know/understand the culture.  (I actually, for a brief time, got a little annoyed with people and these known oddities upon my return.  And then it became, "Oh, those Parisians."  [Important footnote: My temporary annoyance was not helped by jet-lag.])   In the end, I see I can now separate what I know/think about the culture into categories: those that I am fond of because I genuinely like them, and those that I am fond of because they are so foreign/strange/inefficient or FRENCH.  I am sure that over my time here, the list will grow, and I will continue to categorize.

I am reading a book called Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay.  It's about the occupation of France in July-August of 1942, and a modern woman looking to uncover details about that dark time's events.  At one point, the French husband attacks the American wife for things she's probably noted/complained about in the past.  "We know what [you (the American)] think of our schools, our hospitals, our endless strikes, our long vacations, our plumbing systems, our postal service, our TV, our politics, our dogshit on the sidewalks."  I personally understood with each one of these items in a personal way.  The way that only someone who's lived there can understand them.  What's the most interesting is that I could see and identify with both her perspective and his disgust with her judgment.

Don't misinterpret, my desire to be here and my wanderlust remain fully in tact.  I just think I approached my return a little differently this time.  I think it's fair to say that I may have a deeper understanding of Paris for what it is, and under the shininess of it all, and I can see the "true Paris" in all its naked, bureaucratic, unglamorous glory.  And yet, I still am completely enthralled and in love with it.  

I now have a better perspective and acceptance of things, and they inform and influence my life here.  I wonder if my acceptance will ever fully switch over to annoyance at some point.  Over time, will I get "fed up?"  Doubtful, but not impossible.  In any event, the point is:  I may be a bit more "used to" the city, but the honeymoon is nowhere near over.

I feel more grounded post-trip home.  I returned with a feeling of security in knowing who I am and what I value.  It's just a feeling of knowing my place in the world, and freeing myself to be able to fully experience whatever Paris has to offer.  I see more clearly than before that I am traveling with an anchor of knowledge that I will go back home at some point, but I am going to have a hell of a good time now.  I am just going to continue to be in the moment and experience this journey that I have allowed myself.  As John Mayer says in 3x5s, "I finally overcame trying to put the world inside a picture frame."  I just LIVED it, and I think that's how I am getting the most out of my experience.

My soul sings here.  I have done something entirely for myself.  It has worked out for me so far.  I have done it as just one little person in a great, big world of opportunity.  I see how incredibly blessed I am.  This is truly a gift from God, and a once in a lifetime opportunity.  

Today, I'm taking away from my experience that...

I am truly blessed.  Not only is there a God, but he's on my side, cheering me on.

You need not live your life for others before having first lived it for yourself.  It's not about making others happy (although that is part of it), it's about making yourself happy.  

Life is not about seeing what happens, but, instead taking control and MAKING things happen.  

I believe that once you have your grounding and you truly know yourself (via whatever process or length of time it takes you to acquire that end), only THEN you are free to allow yourself to find true happiness.

xo,

aKiP

Hazy, yet crystal clear. Part 1: USA.

It's been ages since I've posted on my blog.  And, yes, I know.  It's high time that I fixed that.


After four eventful months in Paris, I went home for ten days.  I left the house at 6:30 AM (1:30 AM EST) on Saturday, November 20.  After a five-hour layover in Dublin, I safely landed at JFK at 6:15 EST (12:15 Paris time).  The customs/border control process was surprisingly painless.  I even got flirted with by the man checking my passport.  Which I briefly wore as a badge of honor, as I thought it was not too bad after having spent 18 hours traveling!  At the end of the journey, Mike awaited me in an immense crowd of people with a huge smile and a single, beautiful, red rose.  It was a lovely homecoming.  


The time home was eventful to say the least.


Saturday night: I got to see Mike's place, all set up and decorated.  He got new furniture and really did a nice job outfitting the "pad."  Then we went to a lovely dinner, and I collapsed around 12:30 AM.


Sunday 11/21: I was up early and showered.  I opened the packages I'd sent to Mike's and decided what I was keeping and what was going back.  I made coffee too.  It'd been a long time since I'd done that.  Mike and I met my mom and went shopping.  Then we went to an awesome dinner at Aikou in Morristown.  Lastly, we went to Mike's office and worked on my cousin's wedding program.  I collapsed again that night (and each night after....in bed sound asleep by 11:30 and wide awake between 6 and 7 EVERY morning.)


Monday 11/22: Mike and I went into NYC for my noon appointment at the French Consulate.  We took the train and then a cab and Mike got us right to where we needed to go.  I applied for my visa (after a few small hiccups).  After that, we dropped the visa pick-up paperwork off to Susan (the owner of the au pair agency), so she could pick up my visa on my behalf on Friday.  Then we hit the famous Butter Lane cupcakes before leaving the city.  Mike drove me to South Jersey on Monday night.  We stopped at Kinko's, dropped off the wedding program to be printed, and then went my parents' house.  Bed.

Going, going...

...Gone.

Tuesday 11/23: Errands in AM.  Visit with Debbie Silverstone and 2 of her 3 lovely children.  Then a visit to see my bestest friend, Jim, and then off with him to see my favorite girl, Ella Sophia, and meet the new-ish arrival Olivia (Jim's neices).  Then cheesesteaks in Manayunk and back to Jersey.  Bed.

Debbie with twins Alec and Emma and me

Me with Ella and Olivia!

Wednesday 11/24: hair color/eyebrow wax/manicure and pedicure appointments from 10:00-2ish.  Kourtney's wedding dress rehearsal from 3:00-6, and then rehearsal dinner.  Bed.

The female cousins surrounding
bride-to-be, Kourtney!

Thursday 11/25: Turkey bird day!  Snow in AM.  Played outside with ella for a while.  Then Dinner at Aunt Anne & George's.  Got to see Heather who is due any day and Patrick.  Everyone looked well.  :)  Bed.

Dad, Mom, Heather and Pat

With "the folks"

Friday 11/26: Black Friday.  Visit with the Hurly kids.  The four of them have gotten so big.  Brought them goodies from France.  Then, ran errands with my mom.  Went to the Verizon store to look at new phones for my dad.  Then, Mike came down and we went to BJ's and got food/wine/supplies for the open house on Sunday.  Then rehearsal with Vince for the wedding.  Friendly's for dinner.  Bed.


Saturday 11/27: Haircut at 10.  My mom's best friend, Gwen, did my make up at 10:45.  Then off to the wedding location to set up and get ready for the big day!  I sang at Kourtney's wedding.  The wedding was lovely.  Kourtney was stunning, Joe was so handsome, and the ceremony was really inviting and enjoyable.  

Joe and Kourtney the Groom and Bride, and my cousins!

My singing went very well.  I was relatively pleased with my performance.  I had one little bobble, but it was good overall.  What surprised me the most about the singing experience was the reaction from my family.  First, the groom pulled me aside.  He told me that when he came in the building, he could hear me singing and he thought it was a recording.  Then he thanked me for singing, and said he felt lucky to have us sing at his wedding.  He's a gem, that Joe.  At the reception, my cousin, Jamie, told me he'd never heard me sing before.  I rebuked him at first because of course he must have...I've been singing since third grade!  But, in the end, no.  He was right.  He asked me to sing at his wedding if he gets married.  My Uncle Mike thanked me for singing and for "the entertainment" three separate times during the reception.   Jennifer, the groom's mother told me that my voice is so pretty I should go on American Idol.  My Aunt Kathy complimented me as well.  As always, the Ave Maria was her favorite.  My Uncle Tony told me, yet again, that "I've got the goods" and thanked me for my time and effort for Kourtney's wedding.  At the end of the night, Joe pulled me aside again.  He told me that he feels so fortunate to love what he does everyday ("bossing little kids around").  And he told me that with a gift like my voice, if I enjoy it, I should use it professionally.  That was so nice.  It was just such a positive all around.  I got to help my cousin by organizing all of the music and musicians and doing the program which felt SO good.  I was so honored to be a part of it.

K&J's ceremony

Sunday 11/28: Open house.  Fantastic experience!  So good to see everyone, but I need to work on my party-flitting skills.  I didn't circulate anywhere near enough.  Bed.

With my girls: Jen, Tracey and Rileigh

With the CHETAs (Cherry Hill East Theater Alumni)

Monday 11/29: Packing.  Dinner with Tracey, Rileigh, Adam, Mike and Jen.  Target to buy a new suitcase...stayed until 10:30.  More packing.  Bed (way before packing was anywhere near done).  

Tuesday 11/30: Packing all darn day.  Cancelled lunch plans to pack.  Primo sub for lunch, compliments of Dad.  Weighed bags at UPS store to make sure they weren't over the alloted weight.  Airport at 3:30 for my 6:30 flight.  Again, painless from soup to nuts.  Arrived back in Paris on 12/1 at 8:15 AM (2:30 AM).  

It was so busy that it was surreal.  It was almost as if I was in a haze and not completely aware that I was actually there and not just dreaming.  Kinda foggy, as if it was a dream.  As I was sitting in the airport on the way home, it hit me that I was in the United States.  It's hard to explain.  Needless to say, next time I'm home for a visit, I hope it's for longer than 10 days and I will ensure that it is relaxing.

Thanks for the birthday love

I made it back to Paris without any problems.  Safe and sound back at the house in Paris.  All is well.  Thanks for the love on my birthday too!  

xo,

aKiP

Hiatus

I will be in the good old USA for Thanksgiving and my cousin Kourtney's wedding.  


I'll again be "a Karen in Paris as of December 1.  


A tout a l'heure!

xo,
aKiP

French food

An interesting article from the Independent today.  (Copying the text/photo here as it will eventually be taken down from the link below.)

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/french-dinner-table-ndash-now-a-un-heritage-site-2136080.html


xo, 
aKiP

French dinner table – now a UN heritage site

By John Lichfield in Paris

Wednesday, 17 November 2010

• • NORMAL
  • LARGE
  • EXTRA LARGE

ALAMY

Unesco has decided that the rituals associated with fine dining in France deserve recognition

The ritual of the long and detailed French meal was yesterday declared part of the world's official, cultural heritage. A committee of the UN cultural organisation, Unesco, decided that the French mealtime tradition, and the place of food in French history and society, should be included in its list of the "intangible" jewels of mankind.

Confusion seems bound to arise, but the Unesco decision is not – in theory – a declaration that French cuisine is superior to other cuisines. Nor is it a declaration that coq au vin or bouillabaisse are endangered gems of world culture.

Nonetheless, France hopes that the decision will be seen as an endorsement of French culinary prowess at a time when other countries – including, horror of horrors, Britain – make claims for the superiority of their own celebrity chefs and top restaurants.

Paris suggested two years ago that the French mealtime tradition, with all its social rituals and associated skills and crafts, should be included in a new Unesco list of "abstract" achievements of the human race.

Unesco's Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, meeting in Nairobi, agreed yesterday to accept the bid. This was the first time that a gastronomic subject has been admitted to a list which already includes traditions and institutions as disparate as the Royal Ballet of Cambodia and the Mexican festival, the Day of the Dead.

The French success was quickly followed by the acceptance of a joint submission by several countries on the qualities of the "Mediterranean" diet. A Mexican submission on the importance of the centuries old maize-based culture of Central America has yet to be judged. Other traditions to join the Unesco pantheon yesterday were Spanish flamenco dancing and Chinese acupuncture.

The significance of being included on the Unesco's list of intangible jewels of the human spirit is not clear. In theory, the French government – which sponsored the bid in the first place – will now be obliged to take action to preserve the country's mealtime rituals.

The committee's decision yesterday spoke especially of the importance of food in a France as a "traditional social custom, for the celebration of moments in the life of individuals or groups". This could be equally true of almost any country or social group in the world.

More specifically, the French bid drew attention to the ritualised pattern and paraphernalia of the big family meal or dinner party in France, from the number of courses to the proper deployment of forks, glasses and napkins.

"A meal is an experimental laboratory for a food culture – it brings together all of its quirks and customs," said Annick Vin of the French heritage and gastronomy mission (MFPCA), which was placed in charge of the French bid. Ms Vin hopes that the Unesco success will encourage the French government – and French people generally – to stem a rising tide of snacks, fast-food and TV meals which threatens to transform the country's habits.

"We need to transmit (the love of food) and educate children if we don't want our food culture to be standardised," she said.

President Nicolas Sarkozy supported the French candidacy which – despite the small-print – has often been portrayed in France as a move to declare French cuisine per se part of world heritage. Many celebrity French chefs have supported the campaign. Others have been doubtful, arguing that it will give the impression that French cuisine is an "endangered species".

The Unesco list of intangible human heritage was created in 2003. There is also a list of sites and monuments of global importance – ranging from the Giza pyramids to the Loire valley.

The rival cuisines

Mediterranean

Fresh, simple and flavoursome, the Mediterranean diet is widely regarded as one of healthiest in the world. Linked with a range of health benefits including lower rates of heart disease and cancer, Mediterranean cuisine is characterised by its emphasis on fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans and olive oil. However, many swear it's the leisurely pace of meal times and the moderate consumption of red wine that are the real key to its benefits.

Mexican

Authentic Mexican cuisine is different to the Tex-Mex mix found in American-style chains. Varying by region, Mexican offerings include doughy tamales, slow-cooked meat barbacoa, or tortillas. But chocolate is Mexico's most historic culinary export. Chocolate was originally drunk not eaten, and the name is derived from the Aztec for "bitter water".

Duck duck first and last...GOOSE!

I had foie gras for the first time today.  As I was eating it, I learned that my ability to eat it was as a result of some awfulness that was done to a goose.  


From wikipedia:
"Animal rights and welfare groups such as PETA,^[69] Viva!,^[70] and the Humane Society of the United States^[71] contend that foie gras production methods, and force feeding in particular, constitute cruel and inhumane treatment of animals. Specific complaints include livers swollen to many times their normal size, impaired liver function, expansion of the abdomen making it difficult for birds to breathe, death if the force feeding is continued, and scarring of the esophagus. PETA claims that the insertion and removal of the feeding tube scratch the throat and the esophagus, causing irritations and wounds and thus exposing the animal to risk of mortal infections."


That being read, that will be my last foie gras.

Mahrie-ah-juh

In an conversation today in which I had to explain the difference between a "wedding" and a "marriage."  (The French call a wedding a mariage.  Mahrie-ah-juh) 


This is what I came up with.  On the fly.  "A marriage is the commitment and time you spend with someone that you get married to.  The WEDDING is the ceremony that starts your marriage." 


I actually CAN teach English.  Really.


xo,
aKiP

Fruitful

I got a job to tutor 2 children on Wednesday mornings.  I'll teach them songs in English as well as basics like simple sentence structure and vocabulary.  Looking forward to it.  

Speaking of things I'm really looking forward to, I am heading home a week from today.  I will be busy with something every single day I'm home.  So much to do, so many people to see, so little time there.

Today, I went to Galleries Lafayette Gourmet grocery store to stock up on goodies to bring back to NJ with me.  It was a fruitful trip. 

Christmas lights are popping up everywhere.  GL had amazing Christmas (Nöel) window displays up already.  It's nice and everything, but I'm not ready to conquer Christmas until post-Thanksgiving.

So, everything is good here.   Settling in and feeling more and more comfortable with the family each day.  At home babysitting tonight.  Gonna finish watching the movie the girls had on, Mamma Mia, because it's actually in English (a language that I FULLY understand).

xo,

aKiP

Open House Bon-Voyage Details

Well, the thought was that I would go to Paris for 6 weeks, find a job, come home for a visa, have a going away party and then return. Things didn't go according to plan, and now I'll only be home briefly around the time we carve the giant turkey bird before returning to Paris for a YEAR.

So, I've decided to take the opportunity of my brief visit home for the Turkey Day holiday to visit with as many friends as humanly possible! Stop by my parents house any time from 3-7, and bring whatever you wanna...a friend, a drink, a dish, a dessert, or just YOURSELF!!! :) We'll be sure to have some goodies to nosh on as well. Can't wait to see you!!



Sunday, November 28 · 3:00pm - 7:00pm

xo,
aKiP

An "Any Rainy Sunday" Update

Sorry about the sound not aligning with the video...Blogger doesn't like my vids.

xo, aKiP

Ahhhhh, Pareeeee.

Back in Paris now.  We got back around 10:45 on Tuesday night.  Left at 6 on the dot, and made a stop for dinner at a rest stop.  We actually ate inside a Shell (the same gas station we have in the US) rest stop.  Can't say it was good, but it did the trick.  The drive was about 4 hours long.  Amazingly, no one fell asleep in the car.


Wednesday was fun.  The older girls and I had lunch together while the baby napped and then we went to the Museum of Dolls in the third arrondissement here in Paris.  They loved it.  We also visited a park dedicated to Anne Frank, and my favorite bakery in the third.  (The one I used to frequent!)   Museum website (in English)  The girls each bought a porcelain doll.  They picked very pretty dolls.


Yesterday morning, Laure left for NYC.  Clement is running in the NY Marathon, God bless him!  It's this Sunday.  Seems like they'll have good weather for it.  He's been training really hard for it.


I got my CELTA certification and final evaluation in the mail.  I got a Pass B.  I'm happy with that!!  (You can get a Fail, Pass, Pass B or Pass A.  Something like 5% of all students taking CELTA in the world get a Pass A.  Most get a Pass.)


So, I'm alone with the girls this weekend.  I could get used to being a full-time, stay-at-home Mom, I think. I think I'm pretty good at it.  Both yesterday and today went smoothly.  I was tired yesterday, but today I was fine.  The girls are so good and Ines has been so pleasant.  Everything is going well.  (I hope I'm not jinxing it by saying that!!)


There's a raucous party going on next door tonight.  They're playing jazz and blues live in the house next door.  It's something I'd really appreciate if I lived alone....it'd be so cool.  But, when you've got 3 little girls in bed at 11 PM, it's not so cool!


xo,
aKiP

Bye bye, Bretagne.

I've just finished helping to pack all of the girls' belongings, doing some laundry, and emptying the fridge of any and all perishable goods.  I'll help load the car when Laure gets back and then we'll pick up the girls from the pony club, and set off to Paris.


I had an interesting pedicure today...an hour and 15 minutes long...and no water.  Hmmmmm....


Gonna go pack the car.
xo,
aKiP

St. Malo

I was given a day off on Saturday.  Friday night, Clement suggested that spend my day off in St. Malo, and even offered to drop me off there in the late morning.  I thought it would be nice to get a pedicure in Dinard.  Laure told me about a place that does a great spa pedicure for an hour and 15 minutes for only 24 Euros (about $33.00).  The cheapest pedicures you can find in Paris are 30 Euros, and they only last thirty minutes.  So, my plan was to do that and then make my way (possibly by bus, even) to St. Malo.  Laure and I talked about it, and in the end, she booked me an appointment for Tuesday morning at 11:40, and I was dropped off in St. Malo.  

Thank goodness I didn't waste any time in the spa on Saturday.  I had such a great time shopping, eating and sight-seeing in St. Malo.  It's just magnificent there.  It's a walled city that was built in the middle ages. It's just stunning.  

Things here in Bretagne are much less expensive than they are in Paris.  That caused me to spend 98 Euros there!!!  I bought some food to bring home with me, some postcards, and some gifts.  I got one gift that I had been price-comparing all over Paris, and found it the cheapest here.  So awesome.  


I had lunch at a creperie.  I had moules-frites (muscles and french fries), cider (alcohol--cold), a crepe with caramelized apples, caramel, and vanilla ice cream.  So amazing.  I read that St. Malo has one of the highest concentrations of seafood restaurants in all of Europe.  

On Sunday, October 31 (Halloween...but it's not celebrated here in France AT ALL), there's a huge boat race that leaves from St. Malo.  So on Saturday, in anticipation of the race, there was an amazing festival atmosphere in St. Malo.  There were loads of people everywhere, and several entertainers (singers and dancers), and of course, boats, boats and more boats!

Off to bed. 

xo,

aKiP

Wednesday by the sea

Nothing all that exciting happened today.


I had a quiet breakfast with Ines.


I vaccumed the entirety of the main floor of the house.


Ines and I took a walk on the beach (after the rain stopped).  She was adorable on the beach.


I made Spaghetti Bolognese for lunch.


Family went out for afternoon so I rested, talked to my dad, and watched some Julie and Julia.


Guests for dinner, so I helped prepare the food and cleaned the table and kitchen after dinner.


Off to bed now.


xo,
aKiP

At Last!! Bretagne Photos

Just me, my tea, and the sea.

Bretagne Part 2

I took the train from Paris to St. Malo on Sunday night.  I negotiated the MAJOR train station at Montarnasse-Bienvenue alone and got on the train early.  Only problem was that I sat down in train car 10 instead of 9.  So the man who was supposed to sit in my seat graciously moved to my seat in train car 9.  The train was immense.  It was the longest train I've ever seen!!  Laure booked me an aisle seat facing the direction we were heading (there are some that face the other way as well).  The journey took about 3 hours and 10 minutes, and it was very comfortable.

s
Laure picked me up from the train station.  She said they had a nice time on their drive to the house.  They stopped somewhere along the way for lunch, and arrived at the house around 4.  It was sunny and pleasant so they went for a walk on the beach.  I got in at 10:15, so it was pitch black all around.  It was hard to get a feel for the area.  
s

I got to see the area yesterday and today in the daylight, and it is gorgeous.  It's absolutely lovely here.  The views from the home of the sea are like something out of a magazine.  The house is brand-spanking new.  It's open floor plan and there are huge windows everywhere so you can see the sea just about everywhere you go.  The house sits up a cliff-ish hill, and so it's directly "on" the sea.  Nothing between the back yard and the sea...well, there's direct access to the beach/sea via a set of what looks to be about 50 steps down and there's a patio in the middle that juts out to show another fantastic view.  

s

They bought this house 3 years ago and they loved the location but the house didn't fit their needs.  It was built in the 70's and was small.  As you can imagine in a place as beautiful as this, the government has strict rules about protecting the land and preserving the integrity of the area.  So, they had to get permits to redo it, and they knocked it all down except for one wall.  The project took 3 years!   The interior design is minimalistic.  It's modern, yet very simple.  No frills...just clean lines and simple design.  My bedroom is not as nice here as my one in Paris, but it's still fresh and comfortable.  It's a single bed (reminds me of college!) with a private bath in the basement.  It's adjacent to the mudroom.

s

The story here on vacation is that I work pretty much 24/7.  That's cool.  Because I work more, I get paid more.  So that's nice.  I've been asked to do housekeeping-ish duties here, as the housekeeper/cleaner in Bretagne happens to be away this week.

s
Laure says this area is not "gastronomic."  This region is famous for Crepes (sweet) galette (savory crepes) and brut cider.  Laure says restaurants here serve only crepes, galette, and cider.  C'est tout.  :)  That's gastronomic enough for me!!  
s
I had my first cider here at dinner last, and it was awesome.  I liked it MUCH better than the one they have at the creperie by my apartment in le Marais (Beaubourg).  Much less acidic, and it didn't taste like alcohol.  Could get into trouble with that stuff!
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We had galette for lunch today.  It was lovely.  Laure bought the galette pre-made and we heated them and filled them with goodness.  I had egg, ham and cheese.  We ate it with a salad I made.  It was a great lunch.  
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Before lunch we went to the little village, Dinard, right near where we live.  There's an outdoor market there (with an indoor part too) on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.  You can find EVERYTHING there from food to clothes to accessories to home decor.  It was cool.  I want to bring my camera there when we go back so I can take some photos.
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After the baby woke up from her nap, we went on a little hike along a trail up on the cliff that runs along the coast.  It was breathtaking, but sometimes my breath was taken away because it was so high and there were no barriers to protect one from falling over the cliff!  I took loads of pictures from up there.  I'll attach some later...internet is cutting out and slow here in Bretagne.  I'm going to sign off for tonight.  I am behind on my postcards...still have to send the ones I got at Hôtel des Invalides!  Oy!
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*Fuel update: we were able to fill the car here today.  So the major shortage of fuel is no longer affecting us.  :)
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xo,
aKiP