I'm so nervous....I can't stop laughing!

I'm writing this blog so I can share this entire experience with my people. You know who you are. You're the ones who make my life so full and rich....the ones who think I'm funny, AND interesting (God love ya).

I don't leave until July 16, so I won't bore you with ALL of the details just yet.....like what I did today, for instance. Although, I'm sure a few of you would be happy to know I got a great deal on a jumbo size of my favorite hairspray.....more than enough to last my entire 5 week stay!

Now I can check "Start Travel Blog" off my to do list. Thanks for the idea Nora.

written by  Lifeisjuicy on June 26, 2007 from Everett, United States
from the travel blog: My Excellent French Adventure!
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I am learning more about detachment and attitude choice than I ever could have anticipated. I am close to tears as I begin to write this entry. Some joyous tears…some sad…some just release from holding myself so tight trying to keep it all together. I am being challenged to be stronger and more attuned to the goodness of strangers, myself…and life in general. Imagine that.

The second leg of my flight to Paris was on Air India. What a beautiful experience. The flight attendants were so colorfully adorned in saris, sandals, bare bellies showing, and red dots. The food was great, and each seat was equipped with little screens showing Indian programming. I didn’t sleep a wink. The first day of 3, actually, that I would go without sleep. Go ahead…try and predict how well I coped with the events to follow……

I arrived at Charles DeGaulle airport in Paris…alone….easily slipped through customs (amazing, with how shifty I look) and was excited to get my bags and take on Paris. Yep…..get my bags. Hey….where are my bags? They should be RIGHT HERE. Nope….not here….or here….or there. It was a great opportunity to recognize the grace and helpfulness of the French when an American speaks little French, beyond basic greeting. I’ve become a proficient mime. They know exactly what I mean when I do that little Trapped in a Box gig.

I could have cried…but I didn’t….I could have gotten mad, or afraid…but I didn’t. Okay…only a little afraid. I decided it was the Universe’s way of helping me get all of those heavy bags holding all of my clothes and art supplies to my hotel.

Two days later, the morning I was to leave Paris for our village…my bags were found and returned to me. It was a beautiful reunion.

Paris is unlike any other place I’ve experienced. I love it. I’m gonna marry it. Oh….and I LOVE speaking French….or English with a French accent most of the time actually……they don’t really know what I’m saying…but I feel very cool.

We ran around Paris like fools with no sleep…because we were. We tried on wedding dresses in a Couture Wedding shop (Rita did the trying on) and saw some of the most beautiful and unique dresses ever. Took a tour of the city at night, bought Eau de Toilette at a very fancy shop, ate gelato cones that they scooped to look like flowers, drank great coffee, and shopped at Senelier….a famous Paris art store, where I got my artist’s pallet. Did I mention I broke out in a rash from my really expensive Eau de Toilette? Somebody back home is going to get a very nice gift—a barely used bottle of Mure et Musc. The nights never seem to end in Paris. People are still dining, drinking, smoking and laughing into the wee hours of the morning. We also went into Notre Dame, which is indescribable.

Romance is everywhere…lovers embracing and kissing, sharing their hearts and passion on the sidewalk, in the streets, on benches and bridges. Love, beauty and laughter, at a pace that allows for smelling the roses. What a lovely way to be. I am learning much from the French.

We took the train from Paris to Angers day before yesterday…then a cab to Argenton-Chateau—the village that is our home for the next month. It is lovely, and small…about 1,000 population. Access to Internet is very limited, so my Blog entries and emails will be sporadic at best.

Our house about a 5 minute walk from class. It’s a new house, so it does not have the ambience I had conjured up in my head, (you know, the sash open, lace curtains blowing in the breeze, overlooking a valley of green and cobblestone…oh, and a cow) but in exchange….it is clean and beautiful, sparse and simple. It’s perfect. The vistas here are breathtaking, and after I am done writing today…I plan on roaming the town and taking pictures.

The old bartender at the town café is already making fun of me when I slaughter the words for the different kinds of coffee. I must make this goofy face and do something funny with my shoulders…because he mocks me, and gets quite a kick out of himself at my expense. So, last night I got out my Rick Steves’ French Dictionary before bed. We’ll see who’s laughing today!

I’m off now to the little grocery store, “Shopi” to get a few staples. I’ll write again soon.

Au revoir!

written by  Lifeisjuicy on July 21, 2007 from Argenton-Chateau, France
from the travel blog: My Excellent French Adventure!
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Love from France!

written by  Lifeisjuicy on July 21, 2007 from Argenton-Chateau, France
from the travel blog: My Excellent French Adventure!
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Click on the Orange headline of that particular entry, and it will open up the entire blog. Merci.

written by  Lifeisjuicy on July 21, 2007 from Argenton-Chateau, France
from the travel blog: My Excellent French Adventure!
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I love and miss you all so much. I now realize how much comfort I get from you....and I feel very far away. I know how blessed I am to have you all in my life.....my heart is full with thoughts of you.

written by  Lifeisjuicy on July 24, 2007 from Argenton-Chateau, France
from the travel blog: My Excellent French Adventure!
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Today class was much more difficult. I finished 2 paintings...one went in the "if it aint Irish, it's CRRRRRRAAAAAPPPPP" pile, the other one redeemed itself in the last 2 minutes of the pose. I accidently added about 15 pounds to our poor model, but she is secure enough to take it. We added about 7 more colors to our spectrum....and our teacher says, "few choices, few problems....many choices, many problems." It was as if I couldn't see anything particular today...so I struggled with where to put down my brush...and what color each shape should be.....but, I had a blast anyway....and it felt good to not be attached to the outcome. There were a few people struggling today, so I was in good company. I will try to take more photos tomorrow.

Tonight I'm going to take a stroll down to the river and try to find some perfect rocks to make some of my little beaded rock sculptures. We are celebrating the birthday of one of our classmates tomorrow, and I thought it would make a nice gift. 13 of us are going out for dinner tomorrow night to celebrate. The little village restaurant is mighty tasty and not very expensive. Plus....people are big on dogs here...they are welcome even in eating establishments. You almost always can find a well behaved (key word) laying below a table at its owner's feet. Sometimes they even get scraps....if they don't beg.

Peace...and love.....and lots of sparkles (am I over the top yet) to you all. Know you are right here with me.....you are the wind beneath my wings......la, la...la. Yes, I have now just officially lost it.

written by  Lifeisjuicy on July 25, 2007 from Argenton-Chateau, France
from the travel blog: My Excellent French Adventure!
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Standing Study

Took another trip into Paris for the weekend. I went to 3 museums....and found myself in quite a state. My heart was pounding out of my chest...and I would just break out in tears out of the blue. I had no idea standing in front of the actual paintings would have such an effect on the human soul. Now I know why they call them masters.

This week in class it has been much more intense...longer poses, more difficult angles. My hands are covered in paint....I smell of turp....and I am in heaven. The smell of oil paint lulls me into a state I can't describe in words. When I begin the day, I am present and aware of trying to see the shapes and spots of color.....but, after the first two breaks....I go into some magical space where it is as if something just moves the brush for me. All of the sudden I "wake up" and the day is done. And, Viola! another painting has birthed itself. Our teacher asks—when we are about to lay down a stroke—"Are you doing it for yourself, or, are you doing it for the painting? The painting will always tell you what it wants you to do. When in doubt...ask the painting. And listen."

Today I took a series of photos, one at each break...so I can share with you the making of today's painting. Each block of time is about 25 minutes. It is not yet finished. We are going to set it aside tomorrow....work on a different pose, then come back to it on Thursday, after it has had some time to dry. I'll try and post them today or tomorrow. Until then, I've added a few more pics from my visit to Paris, and one of the other student's birthday party.

Thanks, everyone, for keeping me such good company, cheering me on, making me laugh....letting me go on and on about myself (because that's so NOT LIKE ME!)

Sending you my heart...all the way from France.

written by  Lifeisjuicy on July 31, 2007 from Argenton-Chateau, France
from the travel blog: My Excellent French Adventure!
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Sunday night, Anna, Rita and I went to the local restaurant Du Lac, and stayed way past dark. Here's the jest....it's quite a walk from where we live....at the end of a beautiful winding road...that pours out to a lake, filled with ducks and swans (which we feed our bread to). Lovely, huh. Before midnight...it's lovely. After midnight....it's just plain dark!!! It was light when we went. Black when we left. So, we set out...three chicks, two teeny tiny flashlights, and one long, dark road.

Did I mention it goes right by the cemetery? It does. And, that's right where the giant bullfrog jumped out at us from nowhere. Guess how loud we screamed.

I sang the "50 Nifty United States" song I learned in fourth grade, Rita sang opera, and Anna graced us with the greatest song about angels protecting us and the presence of God. Loudly. It apparently worked, because I sit here writing you tonight.

This week we began painting on large canvas, with big brushes...and loads of paint. If things go well....I'll post pics at the end of the week. If you don't hear from me....well...you know.

Love and hugs and harmless frogs (did you know that frogs pee in your hands if you pick them up?).....Kim

written by  Lifeisjuicy on August 7, 2007 from Argenton-Chateau, France
from the travel blog: My Excellent French Adventure!
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Pigeon anyone? Tastes just like chicken...I'm told.

Thank you so much for your beautiful support. I can feel you love from here. Thanks for the notes...they keep me good company. I'm off the England Saturday after school ends. I'll be back in the states middle of next week. I'll try to call again in the next few days.

Know that I love you.....and thanks, for passing your painting talent on to me. Sorry Dad, they won't let me paint strait lines here!

And, no, I did not try the pigeon meat.

Love and kisses,

Your daughter

written by  Lifeisjuicy on August 15, 2007 from Argenton-Chateau, France
from the travel blog: My Excellent French Adventure!
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