In Search of a Place to call HOME

Yesterday was a bittersweet day for both Nathan and myself. I, again, struggled to get out of bed; it's gloomy out, cold, I have no friends, I miss home, don't know the language, and I'm not sure if I want to be vulnerable again and venture out. Nathan has been experiencing some discouraging stuff at work too; many of the people he was excited to work with will be leaving to go back to the states soon, he doesn't know the systems, it's month-end (or quarter-end...not sure??), he feels like he can't contribute or work with a flow, he misses home. Well I got out of bed, and he obviously went to work, and we both just tried to survive our days (it seems that both of our favorite time of the day is dinner--there's so much comfort in having each other there, I can already feel our marriage evolving, becoming even more substantial--such a sweet time).

So my day begins at 10:30 (yes I slept in--I tell myself I'm still trying to overcome jetlag---and so is Sophie (except she sleeps in ALL DAY...sucka)). I lounge around, check emails, facebook stalk, apartment hunt for hours, watch pixelated versions of LOST, journal, read, (avoid going outside)...and this continues for HOURS. Finally Sophie is waiting by the door, and I realize I haven't taken her out to go potty all day. We decide it's time for a walk.

I decide to take a new route and explore a different part of the neighborhood. Sophie and I are walking along, pass several tea rooms that look inviting (stacks of beautiful baked goods fill the windows, people sitting inside with a friend, laughing over espressos). I think to myself, if only a few of my best friends lived here *sigh* and move on.

Sophie and I continue to walk along the sidewalk, not knowing where we're going. I'm wallowing in self-pity when a man runs up to me and says something in French, not allowing me to walk further. "I'm sorry! I don't know what you are saying!" I exclaim to him, as I try to get around him. Then he points up to the sky and says, "ehh, glass!" I look up--glass? He looks around and says, "ICE! ICE!" By this time, there is a crowd gathering and a few men show up with red and white caution tape, they secure the sidewalk where I had been standing. I strain my eyes and look up, there, right above where I was standing only seconds ago, was the biggest icicle I had ever seen, cracking, shivering, just waiting to come crashing down from several stories above. AHHHHH! I thanked the man, over and over again, crossed the street, and walked on...closer to the street than the buildings now, looking up in paranoia every few seconds.

Finally, direcly in front of me, I see a park with dogs running around in the snow. Sophie speeds up, knowing this is where she belongs, and I indulge her, running to keep up (the further away from buildings the better). Long story short(er), as Sophie is playing fetch with sticks and iceballs, a woman approaches me and asks about Sophie. I tell her I don't speak French (yet!) and she begins to introduce herself in English. Her name is Corinne. She is in her thirties and used to be a wedding dress designer in London. She has a King Charles Spaniel ("The same as Charlotte in Sex in the City" she explained). We talked for what seemed like forever, and I explained how it has been difficult feeling like I fit in, not knowing the language. Then she said, "Well it seems that you need a woman to speak to you in French, and you can help her in English"--was she suggesting what I thought? Well, hell, I'm going to ask anyway.

"Corinne, would YOU want to practice your English with me? And help me in my French?"

"Ok." Ha! Done-zoh! Praise God! Corinne and I are meeting again today at the park with our dogs around 4:00. So cool! I'm not sure where this will go, but it's encouraging to know that I can make friends here. I'm also looking into Language School options--so excited to start that up soon. It looks like a lot of the classes begin January 18 or February 1.

As far as Nathan's day went yesterday. He said that it started hectic, again feeling like he was drowning, not able to keep his head up. He felt really homesick too. Then toward the end of the day, he started getting a handle on a few things and felt like he was working without any help for a good amount of time. He came home feeling more encouraged. The other thing that excited us both was that we set up an appointment for a really beautiful apartment located right in St. Francois square! We will see it on January 13. I've included a few pictures of the square.