Test post

Okay, it's been a while. And I feel sad about that.

But here we are.

In that time, like for everyone, things have changed.

Life is basically routine and yet not predictable at all.

So, a new friend of mine is pregnant in France. I suggested she read my entry about Having a Baby in France... well, she enjoyed reading the blog. Then I remembered how much I enjoyed writing the blog. 

Not to mention the enormous REGRET (such an unhelpful emotion) that I had not kept much of a record of my kid's childhood. And of course, they are already asking questions about what they "were like when they WERE little" and of course, it is a blur.

Yes, I have photos and I have videos of them dancing. But Leo in particular has said some awe-inspiring statements and posed deeeeep-ass questions that I thought, I should write that down... but didn't.

So, here is my PSA (public service announcement): get a notebook, ATTACH a pen to it and put it somewhere it must always stay and fill that thing up with all the cuteness and enjoy it when they get older... you know like, 7 and 9.

Here are my sweeties now, age 7 and 9:

More soon!!! 

Hi. My name is Nicole.
I am American, whatever that means anymore. I live in France.
I am raising French children.
I have been writing this blog in my head for the last 6 years.
Today is the day it starts.
Why today?
Because I have a French class about to start which takes place in my home and I have to clean before the others get here. This pressure motivates me.

The purpose of this blog is to complain about France. I am a natural complainer and am quite good at it. It doesn't usually change anything and it certainly doesn't make me pleasant company, but well I am over 40 years old so I can do what the fuck I want.

This blog will contain negative stories and examples of French stupidity and lots of swearing. It will be French bashing. I will be be making tons of generalizations and accuse the French of all kinds of idiocy. My own personal American bias will be shining through, as will my extreme liberal, feminist, humanist views. If you are a Francophile, take off your rose colored glasses and get a dose of reality here.

It will not be updated regularly. It will be updated when I feel like complaining or highlighting the ridiculousness which is the French culture, way of life, customs, attitudes and general bitch sessions of what it is like to be surrounded by and dealing with the French on a daily basis.

I may,  every once a while, get consumed by guilt and write an occasion entry with something good about the French. Maybe.

I will probably share a few stories that don't belong to me, giving my ex-pat friends the opportunity to "get it out" and heal from a public rant session (highly therapeutic really!) This will not be hard because most, if not all, of my foreign friends despise living in France as much, if not more, than me!

So... let the fun begin. First post coming soon!

Voila!
-Nicole