2011: Récapulatif (Recap)

Tomorrow evening will mark the end to another year in France, but not just the end of 'another year', but the beginning of a new year.  It feels so distant the day I grabbed my two suitcases and jetted across the Atlantic on a warm June day, the tears that sprung up as I kissed my parents, and my American life, goodbye.

Looking back at 2010 posts, I realized that 2011 was not only the year I learned to adjust to the culture... but the year that I really found my balance and my language ability.  When I first came to France I could barely put a proper sentence together, now I am completing a French business Master's degree, in French, with an average of 13/20 (basically a B).  There have been bad times, good times, in between times... but I have more of a sense of nostalgia as I wave goodbye to 2011 because it marks the end of my séjour in Lyon and the beginning of my life in Paris.

I never had plans to pack up house for Paris, as I complain and groan I imagine the millions of Americans who dream to live in Paris... and yes it is exciting- but I love my life in Lyon. All the discoveries that I have made, the maps I have put together to survive, the 'favorites' I have found.

It marks also the beginning of my 'adult hood', my student life is wrapping up nicely and the next steps are to find a big girl job (put lovely by my good Brit friend Katie) and grow up.

So what happened memorable in 2011?

I believe the best way to remember is to break it down...

January

• Learned the French emergency number by heart... as Bri passed out face first at 3AM in the morning from a fever, and I freaked out.  Sad to say I grabbed the phone and put it to his face crying, "What's the number!! I can't explain what happened to you!!" Which is when I promised myself to become fluent. I can't rely on Bri for everything.

February

• Got hired for an Internship!

March

• So uneventful I ended up writing about Instant Coffee and how horrible it is.

April

• Learned the appropriate way to write a Letter of Motivation

May

• Worked, another completely uneventful month

June

• Discovered the true difference between our 'respect the elder' culture and the 'dog eat dog' culture of France

July

• Went to my first concert in Lyon, even better in an ancient Roman amphithéâtre!
• First visit to a gynecologist- yikes
• First hair cut in France

August

• Vacation to Barcelona with the French Fam... in-laws will always be in-laws in any culture

September

• Celebrated my 24th birthday with my Mom at my side, unlimited frog legs and a beautiful Birthday cake

October

• Started my French international business management Master, learned that the education system is completely different than in America

November

• Went to my first French-French party by myself, got totally tipsy but made it back home in time for the last métro.

December

• Bri accepted for position at the Senate, realization I'll be moving in TWO months to Paris.
• +2 kilos

Now the question is.... did I complete my 2011 to do list?  Let's see... here's from my list in the beginning of the year, things with the cross out are complete.. of course I added some commentary.

1. Lose the 10 lbs I probably gained during French Christmas   Did this, but gained it back Christmas 2011
2. Start walking fast..  x Sort of necessary when living in France
3. Start jogging.. Okay.. NO....
4. Start running..  Definitely NO!
5. Try to do some yoga videos a few times a week  Haha, It's amazing what we aspire to do... NO
6. Learn a complicated French recipe  Totally made Julia Child's Boeuf Bourguignon AND mastered pâte à choux!
7. Invite a group of 5 to the apartment for dinner  Totally made an awesome pork roast, in my 'microwave'!
8. Try to buy veggies at marché as much as possible..  Most every weekend we wandered out..
9. Going with #8, try to get up at normal hours   Except during vacations...
10. Pay closer attention to my friends  Made some new onces, tended to the old ones.. SUCCESS!
11. Do a good job for my new job  Did fabulously, then got hired in another position.
12. Try to keep apartment in suitable condition for living  Laundry regularily, dinner every night..
13. Go on a Beaujolais tour  Ooops... eh... NO!
14. Try to go for brisk evening walk after dinner with Brian each night  No, but it's Bri's fault not my own!
15. Get into a Master's program and get visa renewed  CHECK!
16. Take more pictures to share with family  Take more pictures? Yes.  Share with family? No.
17. Replace the toilet paper when it runs out- I never do.  Still don't.
18. Try to pay the basics and then.. pay off my credit cards  Don't use credit cards any more.. thanks for helping out mom!
19. Learn a new dance  Sure... the kitchen dance..!
20. Get into one of those fancy French clubs  Still to be done...
21. Plan something epic for our 2 year anniv'  We ate frogs, that is epic.
22. Try some new French cheese  I regretted it.
23. Totally shop at the marchés, veggie market, boucheries, boulangeries and fromageries... no more American shopping!  Although sometimes I am a bit lazy...
24. Call my brother back in the States at least 4-5 times a week  Eek.. eh....
25. Study my French more often and make an effort to speak 'en Français' with Bri  Moitié/Moitié!
26. Make more unique meals  I'd say!
27. Write all the books that I've been keeping in my head  Okay... so.. I am a procrastinator..
28. Write more advice columns and get back on board with the daily bloggin'!  Hmmm Daily????

Okay so 18/28 complete?  Not too shabby.. tomorrow I'll bring out my 2012 list.  It will be énorme.

Man 2012 is freakin' me out.. but I only see good things (minus the change from 700 sq ft to 350 sq ft for double the price...)

a+