Lucas can now climb up the staircase, but he doesn't know how to climb down yet. Now, everytime I want to go out, he starts climbing up the stairs and I end up chasing after him...
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Stairs
Lucas can now climb up the staircase, but he doesn't know how to climb down yet. Now, everytime I want to go out, he starts climbing up the stairs and I end up chasing after him...
Chestnuts
I just got a phone call from my new friend Angel ;) That was the very first call I received that is not from Fred or a telemarketeer. I was pretty excited to be talking on the phone and making plans to meet for coffee with our kids.
Its a cloudy day today but I doubt it will rain. I will be meeting my friends Angel & Elizabeth in Simply Food after lunch, and then I hope to do some shopping in town.
Yesterday while Fred & Lucas were playing at the slides at the L'Ormeau playground, I picked chestnuts that have fallen from the trees in the playground. In Malaysia chestnuts are not cheap, and I was happy to be able to pick the chestnuts here for free. We came home with my bag bulging with the nuts.
As we didn't have charcoal, I decided to boil some chestnuts in salt water. After an hour, the nuts were ready to be eaten. Imagine our disappointment - the nuts were bitter! I had to throw the whole lot away.
Its a cloudy day today but I doubt it will rain. I will be meeting my friends Angel & Elizabeth in Simply Food after lunch, and then I hope to do some shopping in town.
Yesterday while Fred & Lucas were playing at the slides at the L'Ormeau playground, I picked chestnuts that have fallen from the trees in the playground. In Malaysia chestnuts are not cheap, and I was happy to be able to pick the chestnuts here for free. We came home with my bag bulging with the nuts.
As we didn't have charcoal, I decided to boil some chestnuts in salt water. After an hour, the nuts were ready to be eaten. Imagine our disappointment - the nuts were bitter! I had to throw the whole lot away.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Toddler shopping, eating and naughty corner
Today is a beautiful sunny Saturday! A bit chilly but the sun is shining so hopefully this afternoon, it will warm up enough for me to take Lucas to the playground.
Yesterday I was feeling ambitious so I took Lucas shopping - BAD, BAD idea! He lasted the drive and about 15 minutes in the mall before he started fussing and pulling at the straps, wanting to get out of the stroller. So I left empty handed, bundled Lucas into the car and took him to his favourite cafe. As the carpark was full I had to make a loop and I forgot I was in France and started to turn right on the wrong side of the road. Luckily the van coming towards me was going slow and stopped and the car behind me didn't plow into me! It all happened really fast and my heart was still beating fast when we finally parked the car and walked to the cafe.
"Simply Food" is a small cafe with outdoor seating and a play area for toddlers at the back of the cafe. The owner has thoughtfully made the place child friendly with playmats and toddler tables and chairs and a lot of toys to keep the young ones occupied while mama and papa have their meals.
Lucas hasn't been eating a lot, as he is at the stage where he just likes to taste the food, so he has only a few mouthfuls of most foods I eat and I supplement his diet with his milk and cereal. However at Simply Food, Lucas loves the 3 cheese toasted panini. I actually considered going there everyday so Lucas will eat but at 4 euro a panini, its too much to have everyday.
When I came home, I found that Baby Center has sent me another email as Lucas is now 23 months 4 weeks old and what a nice coincidence - the article was about mothers with toddlers this age who isn't able to sit still for more than a few minutes. I'm so glad to read that its perfectly normal that Lucas will not let me shop or sit down and eat quietly. Mealtimes have been hard as he will sit for a few minutes and then he starts to get out of his highchair and climbs on my lap to eat from my plate. He does that for a few minutes more and then gets antsy and starts to climb on the dining table, or he pulls me to play with him. He is getting better at using the spoon but still prefers to use his hand. Mealtimes can get really messy at this household :)
A few weeks ago, while I was on Skype with my friends in London, Kelvin & Ling Ling, I overheard Ling Ling asking her son Kieran if he wants to go to his naughty corner and I asked Kelvin if it really works. So a few days ago, I tried the 'naughty corner" on Lucas as he was throwing a mother of a tantrum. I picked him up and placed him in a corner and told him (above his screaming and kicking) to stay in his naughty corner until he calms down. It didn't work as everytime I placed him there he would just run off screaming more. But after that incident whenever he starts to misbehave, I would point to the corner and said "do you want to go to your naughty corner" he would either protest loudly or calm down! We didn't even need to really explain to Lucas what is a naughty corner - he just understands!
Yesterday I made a quick run to Carrefour for some salads, and came home with 2 kgs of grapes for 1.87 euro! What a bargain! Its grapes and pears season now, so the fruit is in abundance. Lucas doesn't seem to like grapes very much. In fact he only seems to eat pears mashed into his cereal, sometimes I add applesauce. His favourite pasta right now is macaroni - I suppose its because its small enough for him to pick up with his little fingers.
Last week, I took Lucas to the playground at L'Ormeau. I like going to this place as Lucas is allowed to run in the grass, and on a nice sunny day, the college kids are out sitting on the grass in groups, drinking beer and some playing the guitar and singing. On that particular day, there was a guy who was practising his flame throwing baton (without the fire) and Lucas was totally fascinated. He kept going near the guy when he was resting and started talking to the man in baby talk and pointing at the baton. Lucas also started chasing the rugby ball thrown by a couple of guys ( to my single friends out there who are planning to visit me - take Lucas to the park and he will chat up all the guys for you!!!!!) who were totally charmed by him and even tried to throw the ball near Lucas for him to pick up.
Lucas also grabbed a ball from another little boy and threw the ball in the boy's face. Sigh. That was so bad :( But it was a light throw tho' the other boy's mom didn't look too happy. I asked Lucas to apologize and he lightly touched the other boy's face to say sorry :)
Yesterday I was feeling ambitious so I took Lucas shopping - BAD, BAD idea! He lasted the drive and about 15 minutes in the mall before he started fussing and pulling at the straps, wanting to get out of the stroller. So I left empty handed, bundled Lucas into the car and took him to his favourite cafe. As the carpark was full I had to make a loop and I forgot I was in France and started to turn right on the wrong side of the road. Luckily the van coming towards me was going slow and stopped and the car behind me didn't plow into me! It all happened really fast and my heart was still beating fast when we finally parked the car and walked to the cafe.
"Simply Food" is a small cafe with outdoor seating and a play area for toddlers at the back of the cafe. The owner has thoughtfully made the place child friendly with playmats and toddler tables and chairs and a lot of toys to keep the young ones occupied while mama and papa have their meals.
Lucas hasn't been eating a lot, as he is at the stage where he just likes to taste the food, so he has only a few mouthfuls of most foods I eat and I supplement his diet with his milk and cereal. However at Simply Food, Lucas loves the 3 cheese toasted panini. I actually considered going there everyday so Lucas will eat but at 4 euro a panini, its too much to have everyday.
When I came home, I found that Baby Center has sent me another email as Lucas is now 23 months 4 weeks old and what a nice coincidence - the article was about mothers with toddlers this age who isn't able to sit still for more than a few minutes. I'm so glad to read that its perfectly normal that Lucas will not let me shop or sit down and eat quietly. Mealtimes have been hard as he will sit for a few minutes and then he starts to get out of his highchair and climbs on my lap to eat from my plate. He does that for a few minutes more and then gets antsy and starts to climb on the dining table, or he pulls me to play with him. He is getting better at using the spoon but still prefers to use his hand. Mealtimes can get really messy at this household :)
A few weeks ago, while I was on Skype with my friends in London, Kelvin & Ling Ling, I overheard Ling Ling asking her son Kieran if he wants to go to his naughty corner and I asked Kelvin if it really works. So a few days ago, I tried the 'naughty corner" on Lucas as he was throwing a mother of a tantrum. I picked him up and placed him in a corner and told him (above his screaming and kicking) to stay in his naughty corner until he calms down. It didn't work as everytime I placed him there he would just run off screaming more. But after that incident whenever he starts to misbehave, I would point to the corner and said "do you want to go to your naughty corner" he would either protest loudly or calm down! We didn't even need to really explain to Lucas what is a naughty corner - he just understands!
Yesterday I made a quick run to Carrefour for some salads, and came home with 2 kgs of grapes for 1.87 euro! What a bargain! Its grapes and pears season now, so the fruit is in abundance. Lucas doesn't seem to like grapes very much. In fact he only seems to eat pears mashed into his cereal, sometimes I add applesauce. His favourite pasta right now is macaroni - I suppose its because its small enough for him to pick up with his little fingers.
Last week, I took Lucas to the playground at L'Ormeau. I like going to this place as Lucas is allowed to run in the grass, and on a nice sunny day, the college kids are out sitting on the grass in groups, drinking beer and some playing the guitar and singing. On that particular day, there was a guy who was practising his flame throwing baton (without the fire) and Lucas was totally fascinated. He kept going near the guy when he was resting and started talking to the man in baby talk and pointing at the baton. Lucas also started chasing the rugby ball thrown by a couple of guys ( to my single friends out there who are planning to visit me - take Lucas to the park and he will chat up all the guys for you!!!!!) who were totally charmed by him and even tried to throw the ball near Lucas for him to pick up.
Lucas also grabbed a ball from another little boy and threw the ball in the boy's face. Sigh. That was so bad :( But it was a light throw tho' the other boy's mom didn't look too happy. I asked Lucas to apologize and he lightly touched the other boy's face to say sorry :)
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Lucas getting into mischief
Lucas is getting up to more and more mischief everyday! He has now learnt the art of opening doors so we cannot keep him out of the bathroom and the kitchen by just closing the door anymore. Furthermore he knows when he's doing something he should not be doing, and he will go to a corner to hide.
Yesterday my heart nearly stopped when I realized that Lucas has sneaked off while I was doing the dishes in the kitchen. I found Lucas in the bedroom with a steak knife in his hand - Fred left the knife on the table, an oversight on Fred's part that would have been costly if God hasn't been looking out for Lucas. I was so scared at the sight I checked him to see if he'd stabbed himself. Luckily he was distracted by the sight of his lovey on the bed!
Fred is still not very diligent with Lucas - I have to constantly nag at him not to leave his drinking glass on the table or his nicorette gum or his wine opener. Lucas on the other hand is swift as the wind and crafty as a fox when it comes to things he should not be touching in the first place.
Today he ran off to a dark corner with a pen and quickly tasted the pen before I took it away. He also likes to take the TV remote and take the batteries out - again in his little corner.
When he thinks I'm not looking, he will go to the kitchen drawer and lick all the spoons and forks before putting them back. He also likes to play with the onions and today he ran to his corner with an onion skin firmly lodged in his mouth.
He is also now tall enough to reach for Fred's espresso machine - another danger as Lucas keeps trying to pull the handle. I have told Fred again to remove the handle thingy that is sticking out of the machine after he finishes making his coffee or else one day Lucas will succeed in pulling the whole contraption down.
It would seem that nothing is spared in this apartment where Lucas is concerned. Everything is fair game to him - the tomatoes, the potatoes, the light switch, the laptop, the TV, the drawers, mama's jars and bottles of cosmetics, the shoes and the shoe rack, the broom, the hot stove, the pots and pans... the list just keeps growing bigger and bigger.
And its not that we have not told him no and pulled him away. He knows he must not touch, especially the hot stove, the washing machine and the TV, but it seems that the more we tell him not to do it, the more determined he is to touch it!
I have tried telling him No very firmly, to giving him a replacement so that he would not touch the forbidden. In the case of the TV, I have tried switching off the TV when he goes near the TV. I have even tried to smack his little hand - didn't work, he laughed at me instead. In the earlier days, all I had to do was remove him from the room and close the door. Now I can't even close the door! And Lucas is not even 2 yet - what will happen when he enters his terrible two??????
Yesterday my heart nearly stopped when I realized that Lucas has sneaked off while I was doing the dishes in the kitchen. I found Lucas in the bedroom with a steak knife in his hand - Fred left the knife on the table, an oversight on Fred's part that would have been costly if God hasn't been looking out for Lucas. I was so scared at the sight I checked him to see if he'd stabbed himself. Luckily he was distracted by the sight of his lovey on the bed!
Fred is still not very diligent with Lucas - I have to constantly nag at him not to leave his drinking glass on the table or his nicorette gum or his wine opener. Lucas on the other hand is swift as the wind and crafty as a fox when it comes to things he should not be touching in the first place.
Today he ran off to a dark corner with a pen and quickly tasted the pen before I took it away. He also likes to take the TV remote and take the batteries out - again in his little corner.
When he thinks I'm not looking, he will go to the kitchen drawer and lick all the spoons and forks before putting them back. He also likes to play with the onions and today he ran to his corner with an onion skin firmly lodged in his mouth.
He is also now tall enough to reach for Fred's espresso machine - another danger as Lucas keeps trying to pull the handle. I have told Fred again to remove the handle thingy that is sticking out of the machine after he finishes making his coffee or else one day Lucas will succeed in pulling the whole contraption down.
It would seem that nothing is spared in this apartment where Lucas is concerned. Everything is fair game to him - the tomatoes, the potatoes, the light switch, the laptop, the TV, the drawers, mama's jars and bottles of cosmetics, the shoes and the shoe rack, the broom, the hot stove, the pots and pans... the list just keeps growing bigger and bigger.
And its not that we have not told him no and pulled him away. He knows he must not touch, especially the hot stove, the washing machine and the TV, but it seems that the more we tell him not to do it, the more determined he is to touch it!
I have tried telling him No very firmly, to giving him a replacement so that he would not touch the forbidden. In the case of the TV, I have tried switching off the TV when he goes near the TV. I have even tried to smack his little hand - didn't work, he laughed at me instead. In the earlier days, all I had to do was remove him from the room and close the door. Now I can't even close the door! And Lucas is not even 2 yet - what will happen when he enters his terrible two??????
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Last day of summer
So, Autumn is finally here. Today will be the last day of summer. But for Lucas & I, Autumn started 2 days ago. Its been freezing here in Tarbes, waking up at 8 degrees in the morning, and the highest temperature after noon is 13 degrees. Last weekend, we went to Decathlon for some shopping - we bought polaire wool pullovers for Lucas & I (very cheap, as I am able to wear clothes made for a 12 year old, we paid 10 euro for each pullover. Lucas' pullover was 12 euro). We also got Lucas a winter parka in orange. He couldn't fit into a 2 year old parka, so we bought him a 3 year old one which is a bit roomy but should be just nice after he has his sweater underneath. We also got Lucas a pair of ski boots for 12 euro and a pair of sneakers for 10 euro.
Next week, we will go shopping for Lucas' long sleeve Tshirts, winter socks and PJs. We will also be looking for a small radiator for Lucas.
I wanted to get a doona (filled with down) but Fred is allergic, so I guess we have to settle for a hot water bottle or an electric blanket.
Last night was so cold for Lucas & I, we started heating up the apartment. Even then, Lucas woke up feeling cold and snuggled into our bed.
Today when I went to pick up Lucas at creche, I noticed that he had a long scratch under his left eye. Unfortunately the caregiver didn't give me any explanations and instead Fred had to call her to ask what happened. Apparently one of Lucas' new friends threw a toy at him, barely missing his eye. The caregiver assured Fred that Lucas is fine and that she had already applied some anti septic on the wound. But I can't help but feel that maybe they were not very diligent in their work. I noticed the last time I went to pick Lucas, he was playing on his own outside in the garden. One of the caregivers was sitting in the porch on a blanket with a baby on her lap. Lucas and 5 others were left to play outside on their own. While this may help foster independant play in the toddlers I wonder if I should be looking for another creche, as I know that I will worry everytime I drop Lucas off. Or will the other creche be the same?
Next week, we will go shopping for Lucas' long sleeve Tshirts, winter socks and PJs. We will also be looking for a small radiator for Lucas.
I wanted to get a doona (filled with down) but Fred is allergic, so I guess we have to settle for a hot water bottle or an electric blanket.
Last night was so cold for Lucas & I, we started heating up the apartment. Even then, Lucas woke up feeling cold and snuggled into our bed.
Today when I went to pick up Lucas at creche, I noticed that he had a long scratch under his left eye. Unfortunately the caregiver didn't give me any explanations and instead Fred had to call her to ask what happened. Apparently one of Lucas' new friends threw a toy at him, barely missing his eye. The caregiver assured Fred that Lucas is fine and that she had already applied some anti septic on the wound. But I can't help but feel that maybe they were not very diligent in their work. I noticed the last time I went to pick Lucas, he was playing on his own outside in the garden. One of the caregivers was sitting in the porch on a blanket with a baby on her lap. Lucas and 5 others were left to play outside on their own. While this may help foster independant play in the toddlers I wonder if I should be looking for another creche, as I know that I will worry everytime I drop Lucas off. Or will the other creche be the same?
Friday, September 18, 2009
Car wash and cleaning
My new classmates have "thawed" their cool attitude with me, 2 of them were even kind enough to help me watch my car when I was backing out of the carpark as my back was partly blocked by a mobile library.
Yesterday's class focused on speaking french and while I was not the worst, definitely 90% of my classmates are more advanced than I am! When I am unsure about a word or a phrase, the English ladies help me with the English translation :)
This morning Lucas is at an additional creche session. The Headmistress told me that she had an opening this morning if Lucas wanted to join, so I dropped him off at 9 am. The apartment is so still without him running around! I have finished the laundry and cleaning the apartment and I still have 2 hours before I need to pick Lucas. I think I have gone through such little time on my own and have gotten used to being busy with Lucas, I am at a loss here as I don't know what to do with myself!!!! Its also freaking cold today - 8 degrees, or else I'd go wash the car.
Oh, in France, you wash your car yourself :( I was totally spoilt in KL where I paid RM35 to the gardener to wash my car twice a week and once a month I sent my car to Mid Valley to get it waxed for RM30 (Its cheap as I had the membership for Cars Intl).
Here, I need to bring coins to operate the water hose and vacuum and its all DIY.
Fred stayed up til 2 am last night cleaning :) We were watching a weekly TV program where these 2 ladies would go to people's houses and teach these people how to clean. The program was really shocking as I could not believe how these people could live in such squallor!
One woman would eat in bed and throw her food wrappers and yoghurt cups by her bed and would leave it there. Her apartment was disgusting. Her bathroom and toilet were filthy, WORST than any public toilets you find in Malaysia! Her kitchen was full of unwashed dishes and pots and pans with fungus and her microwave had to be thrown out! Clothes strewn all over the apartment and her bedsheets were horrible and had yucky stains, looked like she hasn't washed or changed those sheets for years. The host of the show actually asked her how she can stand the stench in the apartment and she said she doesn't smell anything!!!! It was so gross. I didn't stay up for the 2nd house as it was already 11, so Fred continued watching alone and was so grossed out by the 2nd house (there were dead mice and dog poop everywhere in the house) he started cleaning, wiping down surfaces to get rid of bacteria.
Anyway we learnt that using lemons to clean surfaces, including the floor is the best. The host also advocated mixing lemon with white vinegar. For bad odours, she grated oranges, mixed the grate with orange juice and cinnammon in a bowl. She also cut a lemon into 2 and left the lemon wedge in the fridge to get rid of the bad smell.
Yesterday's class focused on speaking french and while I was not the worst, definitely 90% of my classmates are more advanced than I am! When I am unsure about a word or a phrase, the English ladies help me with the English translation :)
This morning Lucas is at an additional creche session. The Headmistress told me that she had an opening this morning if Lucas wanted to join, so I dropped him off at 9 am. The apartment is so still without him running around! I have finished the laundry and cleaning the apartment and I still have 2 hours before I need to pick Lucas. I think I have gone through such little time on my own and have gotten used to being busy with Lucas, I am at a loss here as I don't know what to do with myself!!!! Its also freaking cold today - 8 degrees, or else I'd go wash the car.
Oh, in France, you wash your car yourself :( I was totally spoilt in KL where I paid RM35 to the gardener to wash my car twice a week and once a month I sent my car to Mid Valley to get it waxed for RM30 (Its cheap as I had the membership for Cars Intl).
Here, I need to bring coins to operate the water hose and vacuum and its all DIY.
Fred stayed up til 2 am last night cleaning :) We were watching a weekly TV program where these 2 ladies would go to people's houses and teach these people how to clean. The program was really shocking as I could not believe how these people could live in such squallor!
One woman would eat in bed and throw her food wrappers and yoghurt cups by her bed and would leave it there. Her apartment was disgusting. Her bathroom and toilet were filthy, WORST than any public toilets you find in Malaysia! Her kitchen was full of unwashed dishes and pots and pans with fungus and her microwave had to be thrown out! Clothes strewn all over the apartment and her bedsheets were horrible and had yucky stains, looked like she hasn't washed or changed those sheets for years. The host of the show actually asked her how she can stand the stench in the apartment and she said she doesn't smell anything!!!! It was so gross. I didn't stay up for the 2nd house as it was already 11, so Fred continued watching alone and was so grossed out by the 2nd house (there were dead mice and dog poop everywhere in the house) he started cleaning, wiping down surfaces to get rid of bacteria.
Anyway we learnt that using lemons to clean surfaces, including the floor is the best. The host also advocated mixing lemon with white vinegar. For bad odours, she grated oranges, mixed the grate with orange juice and cinnammon in a bowl. She also cut a lemon into 2 and left the lemon wedge in the fridge to get rid of the bad smell.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
winter clothes
I was just wondering what I would need to buy for Lucas & I to get ready for the winter in Tarbes. This will be our first white winter and I really have no idea what is sufficient. Are jeans sufficient? Pullovers, jackets, mittens... what else? Does Lucas need special shoes and socks? All he has are cotton socks.
I am especially worried for Lucas. What will he wear to sleep? He has his sleep sack but I don't think that's sufficient.
The weather's getting colder now, this morning it was 8 degrees. We are indoors with pullovers so we are fine, and for now, what we have for the outdoors seem OK. But my new Fijian friend warned me that the winter is extremely cold, so now I have to start getting ready.
Any advice will be appreciated!
I am especially worried for Lucas. What will he wear to sleep? He has his sleep sack but I don't think that's sufficient.
The weather's getting colder now, this morning it was 8 degrees. We are indoors with pullovers so we are fine, and for now, what we have for the outdoors seem OK. But my new Fijian friend warned me that the winter is extremely cold, so now I have to start getting ready.
Any advice will be appreciated!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Multinational classmates
The past few days have been hectic! We are waking up earlier to get ready, get Lucas ready and leaving for our respective schools. I drop Lucas off at creche, he's always the first to arrive cos mama doesn't want to be late for class.
My new class is FULL, there are about 25 students (I say about 25 as some students were absent and some left halfway thru' class). This group has students from South Africa, England, Fiji Island (husband is playing rugby for Tarbes), Azerbaijan, Poland (very unfriendly!), Portugal, Mexico, Nigeria, Armenia, Moravia and Belarussia. The students in this class are not as friendly as the other class, and even among themselves they have their own clicque. When I walked in the first day, the Eastern Europeans were all seated at one end of the room, and the English speaking students were in the other end. Yours truly ended up sitting next to the Fijian (Lucy) and the Nigerian (Angel).
Today I made a new friend - Elizabeth, the Mexican and Andre the Portugese. Andre didn't really talk to me - I think he was a bit shy but he did make an effort to "break the border" by coming over to the English corner and sitting next to me. Also he ended up copying all the exercises from me - maybe that's why he wanted to sit next to me :)
Elizabeth has a 3 year old and arrived in France about the same time as I did. She speaks very little English and we ended up speaking to each other in French instead, which I really prefer as i find that when I am trying to speak to the Eastern Europeans in French we actually learn faster.
Yesterday I left class at noon to go pick Lucas, but neglected to take into account the traffic and also I got a bit lost so I arrived at the creche only at 12.25 pm. I got reprimanded, albeit gently but I felt really bad for being late. So this morning Fred wrote an apology note for me to take to the creche and I left my class early together with Angel who had to pick up her daughter from school and I arrived at the creche at 12.
Ever since Lucas started creche he has changed so much, and so fast! This morning, knowing he was going to go to creche, he was cooperative and I got him ready in a flash without any chasing. Today when he saw me at noon, he wanted me to see him playing with his friends. Also, he has learnt to play by himself when he's at home with me. He also picks up words in french and is learning to eat more solids. Today he finished his macaroni for lunch! And he used the spoon most of the time! He also sat down throughout lunch! I was so amazed and happy!
When I gave him an apple slice he said "apple" (!!!!) Lucas also says "flower" and is still trying to say "butterfly" and "elephant".
My new class is FULL, there are about 25 students (I say about 25 as some students were absent and some left halfway thru' class). This group has students from South Africa, England, Fiji Island (husband is playing rugby for Tarbes), Azerbaijan, Poland (very unfriendly!), Portugal, Mexico, Nigeria, Armenia, Moravia and Belarussia. The students in this class are not as friendly as the other class, and even among themselves they have their own clicque. When I walked in the first day, the Eastern Europeans were all seated at one end of the room, and the English speaking students were in the other end. Yours truly ended up sitting next to the Fijian (Lucy) and the Nigerian (Angel).
Today I made a new friend - Elizabeth, the Mexican and Andre the Portugese. Andre didn't really talk to me - I think he was a bit shy but he did make an effort to "break the border" by coming over to the English corner and sitting next to me. Also he ended up copying all the exercises from me - maybe that's why he wanted to sit next to me :)
Elizabeth has a 3 year old and arrived in France about the same time as I did. She speaks very little English and we ended up speaking to each other in French instead, which I really prefer as i find that when I am trying to speak to the Eastern Europeans in French we actually learn faster.
Yesterday I left class at noon to go pick Lucas, but neglected to take into account the traffic and also I got a bit lost so I arrived at the creche only at 12.25 pm. I got reprimanded, albeit gently but I felt really bad for being late. So this morning Fred wrote an apology note for me to take to the creche and I left my class early together with Angel who had to pick up her daughter from school and I arrived at the creche at 12.
Ever since Lucas started creche he has changed so much, and so fast! This morning, knowing he was going to go to creche, he was cooperative and I got him ready in a flash without any chasing. Today when he saw me at noon, he wanted me to see him playing with his friends. Also, he has learnt to play by himself when he's at home with me. He also picks up words in french and is learning to eat more solids. Today he finished his macaroni for lunch! And he used the spoon most of the time! He also sat down throughout lunch! I was so amazed and happy!
When I gave him an apple slice he said "apple" (!!!!) Lucas also says "flower" and is still trying to say "butterfly" and "elephant".
Mr & Mrs Chong
Congratulations to Mr & Mrs. Francis Chong :)
May your marriage be happy, peaceful, filled with laughter and lots of little Elaine & Francis :)
Wish I could be there at your wedding... will be waiting eagerly for the photos!
May your marriage be happy, peaceful, filled with laughter and lots of little Elaine & Francis :)
Wish I could be there at your wedding... will be waiting eagerly for the photos!
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Lucas hates rinsing his hair...
Recently Lucas developed a fear of the shower. I realized it when, a few weeks ago, I switched on the shower to rinse his hair after a shampoo and he started shaking and screaming with fear. Until then, Lucas would usually just stand at the edge of the shower and we have had to rinse him with his head out of the bath tub and the whole bathroom would usually be flooded after his bath.
After "investigating" I found that Fred has been forcing Lucas back into the tub and rinsing him with the shower, not by doing it gradually but with the shower switched on full force. He wanted to do it fast as to not prolong the rinsing but the plan backfired.
The past week, because Lucas was so scared I rinsed his hair by wetting a wash cloth and slowly trickling water through his hair. But then Lucas started to have "dandruff" and he was scratching his hair. We found out that because the shampoo has not been properly rinsed out, Lucas' scalp has developed flakes, so I had to find another way to rinse his hair.
This morning, I decided to have Lucas take a shower with me, with me blocking the force of the shower spray. I also pre-empted Lucas by counting 1,2,3 before I poured water on his hair with his favourite bath cup. I showed him how mama washed her hair, and stood under the shower and blew out the water at him. It worked like a charm - by the end of the shower, Lucas ventured close enough to the shower for the water to rinse his hair clean.
After "investigating" I found that Fred has been forcing Lucas back into the tub and rinsing him with the shower, not by doing it gradually but with the shower switched on full force. He wanted to do it fast as to not prolong the rinsing but the plan backfired.
The past week, because Lucas was so scared I rinsed his hair by wetting a wash cloth and slowly trickling water through his hair. But then Lucas started to have "dandruff" and he was scratching his hair. We found out that because the shampoo has not been properly rinsed out, Lucas' scalp has developed flakes, so I had to find another way to rinse his hair.
This morning, I decided to have Lucas take a shower with me, with me blocking the force of the shower spray. I also pre-empted Lucas by counting 1,2,3 before I poured water on his hair with his favourite bath cup. I showed him how mama washed her hair, and stood under the shower and blew out the water at him. It worked like a charm - by the end of the shower, Lucas ventured close enough to the shower for the water to rinse his hair clean.
Friday, September 11, 2009
911
To the firefighting heroes of 911, you are not forgotten. Rest in peace always. God bless you and your loved ones.
1st day at class & my new friends
Yesterday was my first day at class. It was a long and tiring day for me. Fred took the day off to look after Lucas as we had not managed to arrange for a babysitter. In the past 4 months I'd gotten used to getting up and taking my time making Lucas' breakfast, chasing him a couple of times around the apartment to change his clothes, getting Lucas to brush his teeth and then having my coffee and croissant. This time however, I didn't have that luxury of time even tho' I woke up at 7.45 am. The night before Luc must have "known" that he would not see mama nearly all day so he woke up at 5 am and didn't want to go back to sleep until I brought him to our bed. He fell asleep after the sun rose and I managed to sleep for another hour of so before the alarm went off.
My class has 15 people including me - 4 Armenians, 2 Chechens, 2 Moroccans, 2 Vietnamese, 1 Thai, 1 Nigerian, 2 Uzbeks and 1 Malaysian. When I arrived the students who were already there had already "booked" places for their friends, so I ended up sitting in a "wedge" between 2 tables. I thought the Armenians were a bit unfriendly at first but by break time, we were all friends. Ludmilla brought me cookies and the Thai girl from ChiengMai (I didn't get her name) brought me coffee. No one in the class spoke any english except for the Thai girl and Charles, the Nigerian but we managed to bond over our broken french :) One of the Armenians, Edward is really funny with his quips in Russian and broken french and had the class crack up in laughter throughout the day. The Eastern Europeans in my class speak to each other in Russian, I reckon by the time we finish our french lessons in a few months, I may be able to speak some Russian as well since they translate everything in French to Russian to help each other out.
Ludmilla and her very pretty daughter Rosanna (waist length long black hair, tight jeans, black singlet, dark kohl eyes....) are from Armenia. Rosanna told me they actually live in Odos and walk (yes, WALK) 5 kms to attend class! The government helped her family by providing shelter and food, but neglected to give them a free bus pass!
Sitting on my right is Raya from Uzbekistan. She is a qualified nurse in Uzbek and would like to look for a job in France. Her spoken french is a lot better than mine, and yet she has problems getting a job. All the students in my class are jobless. All of them expressed that they would like to work but most of them are blue collar workers - mechanic, welder, roofer, Edward does plumbing for heating systems and they do not have the diploma required from France to work in their field.
My professeur Elizabeth told me at the end of class that I will join the more advanced class starting on Monday. I tried to tell her that I didn't want to change the class but to no avail. She wants me to try that new class on Monday and then if I really cannot cope, I can go back to this class with my new friends...
My class has 15 people including me - 4 Armenians, 2 Chechens, 2 Moroccans, 2 Vietnamese, 1 Thai, 1 Nigerian, 2 Uzbeks and 1 Malaysian. When I arrived the students who were already there had already "booked" places for their friends, so I ended up sitting in a "wedge" between 2 tables. I thought the Armenians were a bit unfriendly at first but by break time, we were all friends. Ludmilla brought me cookies and the Thai girl from ChiengMai (I didn't get her name) brought me coffee. No one in the class spoke any english except for the Thai girl and Charles, the Nigerian but we managed to bond over our broken french :) One of the Armenians, Edward is really funny with his quips in Russian and broken french and had the class crack up in laughter throughout the day. The Eastern Europeans in my class speak to each other in Russian, I reckon by the time we finish our french lessons in a few months, I may be able to speak some Russian as well since they translate everything in French to Russian to help each other out.
Ludmilla and her very pretty daughter Rosanna (waist length long black hair, tight jeans, black singlet, dark kohl eyes....) are from Armenia. Rosanna told me they actually live in Odos and walk (yes, WALK) 5 kms to attend class! The government helped her family by providing shelter and food, but neglected to give them a free bus pass!
Sitting on my right is Raya from Uzbekistan. She is a qualified nurse in Uzbek and would like to look for a job in France. Her spoken french is a lot better than mine, and yet she has problems getting a job. All the students in my class are jobless. All of them expressed that they would like to work but most of them are blue collar workers - mechanic, welder, roofer, Edward does plumbing for heating systems and they do not have the diploma required from France to work in their field.
My professeur Elizabeth told me at the end of class that I will join the more advanced class starting on Monday. I tried to tell her that I didn't want to change the class but to no avail. She wants me to try that new class on Monday and then if I really cannot cope, I can go back to this class with my new friends...
Monday, September 7, 2009
My 250 hour mandatory french lessons
Today my MIL came over to babysit Lucas while I went to the Porte Ouvertes Association for my french lessons initiation. The meeting was only 30 minutes and I found out that the 250 hours given to me for french lessons is actually mandatory attendance. If I am absent for 3 times, they will notify the ANAEM and that will affect my PR here in France! Furthermore, I was given a rigid timetable, with no chance of change. So Fred & I are now running around looking for someone to take care of Lucas while I attend class 12 hours a week - Monday & Tuesday mornings 9 - 12 and Thursdays 9-12, 2-5. Currently Lucas has creche Tuesday mornings and then Thurday afternoons so that leaves us with 2 slots to fill.
My MIL is reluctant to commit a fixed time for babysitting and furthermore will be away for 3 weeks so we now have to check with the creche to extend Lucas' hours. I was bringing Lucas to the creche last Friday for his 1 hour initiation and overheard the manager of that creche turn away a mother and her baby as the creche is already full, so I reckon our chances are not very good.
Sigh. Times like these I wish Fred had a bigger family or a more supportive one. My parents would drop everything in a second if that meant they get more time with Lucas. Unfortunately they are too far away to help :(
My MIL is reluctant to commit a fixed time for babysitting and furthermore will be away for 3 weeks so we now have to check with the creche to extend Lucas' hours. I was bringing Lucas to the creche last Friday for his 1 hour initiation and overheard the manager of that creche turn away a mother and her baby as the creche is already full, so I reckon our chances are not very good.
Sigh. Times like these I wish Fred had a bigger family or a more supportive one. My parents would drop everything in a second if that meant they get more time with Lucas. Unfortunately they are too far away to help :(
Fetes du Sport at Soues
My little one is growing up so fast! Yesterday we went to Soues where the Sports Day for Families was held. Lucas saw some kids playing footie, and promptly ran over to join them. These kids were more Hugo's age, around 10 - 12 years old and they were nice enough to humour Lucas and some were even laughing, watching him chasing the ball. Fred had to run into the football field to take Lucas out of there.
The whole area by the lake was divided into sections with different types of sports and the kids and adults are encouraged to try out the sport.
H1N1
It was announced in the news that the french public will be given the H1N1 vaccine starting from October onwards for free. As this service is open to all french citizens and PR holders, the government has recommended that certain groups of the population receive the 2009 H1N1 vaccine when it first becomes available. These target groups include pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, healthcare and emergency medical services personnel, persons between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old, and people ages of 25 through 64 years of age who are at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune system and the elderly.
For mere mortals like me, I will have to wait for the social security to send me a letter to bring to the doctor for my vaccine. The Government has announced that there is no fear that they will run out of the vaccine but everyone should be systematically vaccinated in the order above.
As of today 1 creche and 1 college has closed because of the outbreak - school just reopened last week in France.
For mere mortals like me, I will have to wait for the social security to send me a letter to bring to the doctor for my vaccine. The Government has announced that there is no fear that they will run out of the vaccine but everyone should be systematically vaccinated in the order above.
As of today 1 creche and 1 college has closed because of the outbreak - school just reopened last week in France.
Shopping cart
On Saturday, in my newfound independance I drove to Meridien shopping in the outskirts of Tarbes. I wanted to take advantage of my time-out (my husband and I agreed that on his off day, he will take care of Lucas while I get my own time to do whatever I wanted) to slowly browse through the array of foods at LeClerc (something I must have taken up from mom who loves to browse the aisles of grocery hypermarkets slowly also...). When I shop with Fred, we are in and out of the place in 30 minutes tops!
When I arrived and parked my car, walking to the shopping cart I realized I didn't have a 1 euro coin. There was an elderly lady returning her cart so I asked her for change ( with my coins). She had a plastic "coin" and asked me to go to her car with her instead, where her daughter looked everywhere for a 1 euro coin. After fruitlessly searching - she emptied her handbag and her car coin compartment, she brushed my "c'est pas grave" aside and gave me a plastic coin. She waited by her car to see if the coin worked (I also had a plastic coin of my own but it didn't work) and her coin didn't work, she rummaged for 2 more plastic coins and waited again while I walked the length to the shopping carts and tried out the coins. Thank God one worked :)
This lady was a total stranger and went out of her way to help me get a shopping cart and waited for me to see if I managed to get a cart!
I don't know many people who would bother searching her handbag and the car. I don't even know if I would try so hard to help. This one incident made my day. There are some really nice french people after all!!!!
When I arrived and parked my car, walking to the shopping cart I realized I didn't have a 1 euro coin. There was an elderly lady returning her cart so I asked her for change ( with my coins). She had a plastic "coin" and asked me to go to her car with her instead, where her daughter looked everywhere for a 1 euro coin. After fruitlessly searching - she emptied her handbag and her car coin compartment, she brushed my "c'est pas grave" aside and gave me a plastic coin. She waited by her car to see if the coin worked (I also had a plastic coin of my own but it didn't work) and her coin didn't work, she rummaged for 2 more plastic coins and waited again while I walked the length to the shopping carts and tried out the coins. Thank God one worked :)
This lady was a total stranger and went out of her way to help me get a shopping cart and waited for me to see if I managed to get a cart!
I don't know many people who would bother searching her handbag and the car. I don't even know if I would try so hard to help. This one incident made my day. There are some really nice french people after all!!!!
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Murdered over a pack of cigarettes
You know this world is starting to deteriorate when you hear that a good samaritan ends up dead over a pack of cigarettes. Foued Guessoum, a 35 year old father to be, cleaning a brasserie dies after he got shot - over a freaking pack of ciggies! He was trying to help the cashier who refused to sell the cigarettes after she had already closed shop. This murderer who lived nearby came back with a gun demanding that he get his cigarettes. This moron who pulled the trigger has not been found after he fled the scene. I just hope that France does not administer lethal injections cos that would be too easy for this murderer. He should be left rotting in jail and getting raped every night for the rest of his life for this horrific crime.
I still find it hard to believe that a life can so easily be taken over something so trivial.
I still find it hard to believe that a life can so easily be taken over something so trivial.
Post a reply
Can someone tell me how to post a reply on my own blog? I have been trying to reply to the comments on my blog several times but the replies are not published...
Friday, September 4, 2009
Independance Day!
OMG, I DID IT!!!!!! I drove in Tarbes with its weird roundabouts and tiny 2 way roads that look like 1 way, all by myself today! I took Lucas to his creche, and left him there (he was wonderful, BTW. Just ran outside and started playing with the other kids) and then I drove to Carrefour to buy more trout :)
I am so happy!!!! Time to pop the champers!
I am so happy!!!! Time to pop the champers!
Lemon & Thyme oven roasted Trout
Last night for Fred's 42nd birthday, I decided to try this recipe for trout based on Jamie Oliver's Lemon & Herb Roasted trout recipe from spreadmybutter.com.
End result - we are going to be having a lot more trout from now on!!!!!
INGREDIENTS:
1 whole rainbow trout, scaled and gutted
few sprigs of thyme
sea salt & black pepper
3 tbsps lemon infused olive oil
1 lemon
4 bay leaves
1 clove garlic, crushed
METHOD:
Preheat oven to 200 degrees celcius. Give the trout a good rinse and pat dry with paper towels. Using a mortar and pestle, grind the thyme leaves with 1 tsp sea salt, crushed garlic, black pepper and the olive oil until it becomes a fragrant paste. Rub this mixture all over the trout, covering the skin and inside the belly. Cut lemons in half and remove the ends so they have a flat edge. With the point of a knife, make an incision into the flesh of each lemon half and stick a bay leaf into it. Place trout and lemons on a roasting tray and bake, approximately 20 minutes. The trout is cooked properly when the meat is easily pulled away from the bone at the thickest part of the fish. The skin should be crispy and the roasted lemons should take on a marmalade characteristic.
Serve the trout with the lemon, which you can squeeze on to the fish. The flesh should flake away easily but remain pink and moist. I served my fish with some roasted potatoes, courgettes and a fresh watercress salad, but it’s really up to personal tastes. You can fillet it restaurant style at the table, or go rustic and combine the flesh with the salad.
End result - we are going to be having a lot more trout from now on!!!!!
INGREDIENTS:
1 whole rainbow trout, scaled and gutted
few sprigs of thyme
sea salt & black pepper
3 tbsps lemon infused olive oil
1 lemon
4 bay leaves
1 clove garlic, crushed
METHOD:
Preheat oven to 200 degrees celcius. Give the trout a good rinse and pat dry with paper towels. Using a mortar and pestle, grind the thyme leaves with 1 tsp sea salt, crushed garlic, black pepper and the olive oil until it becomes a fragrant paste. Rub this mixture all over the trout, covering the skin and inside the belly. Cut lemons in half and remove the ends so they have a flat edge. With the point of a knife, make an incision into the flesh of each lemon half and stick a bay leaf into it. Place trout and lemons on a roasting tray and bake, approximately 20 minutes. The trout is cooked properly when the meat is easily pulled away from the bone at the thickest part of the fish. The skin should be crispy and the roasted lemons should take on a marmalade characteristic.
Serve the trout with the lemon, which you can squeeze on to the fish. The flesh should flake away easily but remain pink and moist. I served my fish with some roasted potatoes, courgettes and a fresh watercress salad, but it’s really up to personal tastes. You can fillet it restaurant style at the table, or go rustic and combine the flesh with the salad.
My baby Lucas
I am posting photos of Lucas for those of you who are not on Facebook! During our summer vacation, we drove to Boudreax for the day. Here is Lucas after his swim in the lake.One thing that ceases to amaze me are the number of topless female sunbathers... it must be the asian in me, I tend to look everywhere else but at the bared boobs. Everyone else seems to take it in their stride and act like its normal - which I guess it is for France.
Lucas waiting for Lance Armstrong during the Tour de France behind our apartment...
Lucas started his first day of creche yesterday - it was his adjusting period, so he was there for 30 minutes of play. He seemed comfortable, albeit a bit shy and didn't play with the other toddlers. He was mostly playing by himself while we observed him. At one time, he went to his teacher, pulled her hand to the sliding door and indicated he wanted to go outside to play! When it was time to leave, he didn't want to go! After I managed to carry him up (he squirms around like a worm when he doesn't want to be carried) he waved bye bye to the other kids happily. Lucas' wave is like the Queen's LOLs... instead of palm out, he waves palm inverted towards his face.
Today I will be driving Lucas to his creche by myself! And parking the car by myself! Lucas will then be by himself in the creche while I occupy myself for an hour outside as part of his adjustment period.
The mayonnaise jar
Sometimes we need to be reminded to just take some time off and breathe... and not sweat the small stuff!
I got this from my aunt a couple of days ago - most of you have probably read this before, but this is a gentle reminder.
I needed this reminder to just STOP cleaning and being so obsessed with the hair (mine mostly) on the floor and sit with my son quietly in the mornings and enjoy my cup of coffee. The laundry and ironing can wait....
The Mayonnaise Jar
When things in your life seem almost too much to handle,
When 24 Hours in a day is not enough,
Remember the mayonnaise jar and 2 cups of coffee.
A professor stood before his philosophy class
And had some items in front of him.
When the class began, wordlessly,
He picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar
And proceeded to fill it with golf balls.
He then asked the students, if the jar was full.
They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured
them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly.
The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.
He then asked the students again
If the jar was full... They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand
And poured it into the jar.. Of course, the sand filled up everything else.
He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded
With an unanimous 'yes.'
The professor then produced Two cups of coffee from under the table
And poured the entire contents Into the jar, effectively
Filling the empty space between the sand.
The students laughed.
'Now,' said the professor, As the laughter subsided,
'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life..
The golf balls are the important things - God, family,
children, health, friends, and favorite passions –
Things that if everything else was lost
And only they remained, your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter Like your job, house, and car.
The sand is everything else --
The small stuff.
'If you put the sand into the jar first,' He continued,
'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.
The same goes for life..
If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff,
You will never have room for the things that are
Important to you.
So...
Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
Play with your children.
Take time to get medical checkups.
Take your partner out to dinner.
There will always be time
To clean the house and fix the disposal.
'Take care of the golf balls first --
The things that really matter.
Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.'
One of the students raised her hand
And inquired what the coffee represented.
The professor smiled.
'I'm glad you asked'.
It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem,
there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.'
I got this from my aunt a couple of days ago - most of you have probably read this before, but this is a gentle reminder.
I needed this reminder to just STOP cleaning and being so obsessed with the hair (mine mostly) on the floor and sit with my son quietly in the mornings and enjoy my cup of coffee. The laundry and ironing can wait....
The Mayonnaise Jar
When things in your life seem almost too much to handle,
When 24 Hours in a day is not enough,
Remember the mayonnaise jar and 2 cups of coffee.
A professor stood before his philosophy class
And had some items in front of him.
When the class began, wordlessly,
He picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar
And proceeded to fill it with golf balls.
He then asked the students, if the jar was full.
They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured
them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly.
The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.
He then asked the students again
If the jar was full... They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand
And poured it into the jar.. Of course, the sand filled up everything else.
He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded
With an unanimous 'yes.'
The professor then produced Two cups of coffee from under the table
And poured the entire contents Into the jar, effectively
Filling the empty space between the sand.
The students laughed.
'Now,' said the professor, As the laughter subsided,
'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life..
The golf balls are the important things - God, family,
children, health, friends, and favorite passions –
Things that if everything else was lost
And only they remained, your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter Like your job, house, and car.
The sand is everything else --
The small stuff.
'If you put the sand into the jar first,' He continued,
'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.
The same goes for life..
If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff,
You will never have room for the things that are
Important to you.
So...
Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
Play with your children.
Take time to get medical checkups.
Take your partner out to dinner.
There will always be time
To clean the house and fix the disposal.
'Take care of the golf balls first --
The things that really matter.
Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.'
One of the students raised her hand
And inquired what the coffee represented.
The professor smiled.
'I'm glad you asked'.
It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem,
there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.'
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
French salary and medical
I am beginning to understand that the wages and salaries here is really low and that is the norm. A schoolteacher's salary is only 1,800 euros nett a month and in a documentary I saw on TV recently, a fireman who has been working for the past 11 years is bringing home 1,700 euros a month. An architect we know is making 2,500 euros a month, but then she got her current job though connections, and therefore knows the President of the company well.
When we wanted to put Lucas in the creche and the director of the creche was advising us on the cost, her statement (not meant to be unkind) that we will only need to pay around 1 euro an hour, unless our household salary is above 4,500 euro which is extremely rare and so she doesn't think we fall into that category.
In Tarbes, its still relatively cheap to live comfortably especially when we are a one salary household. I wonder then how do the people live in Paris with such a measly amount of money? The teacher I mentioned above is based in Paris and was complaining that after she deducts all rent and expenses she is living on 20 euros a day and cannot afford to eat in the school canteen.
In Paris, rental will be a major expense, even for students. A one bedroom apartment (unfurnished) costs 550 euros and above. When Lucas goes to university, although the uni fees are minimal, we have to now start planning on his living expenses. If Lucas decides to go to INSEAD for instance, there goes our retirement fund as INSEAD charges a bomb for school fees as well (rumoured 40,000 euros a year). One is beginning to think that maybe private education is not too bad in Malaysia after all?
In France, most companies provide restaurant tickets for their employees as one of the benefits. Fred's company seems to be one of the few "kiam siap" companies who do not provide the tickets. Neither does his company pay for OT (i.e his boss seems to have the habit of calling a staff meeting during their 2 hour lunches and make them stay back after work hours for another hour to do some telemarketing). Fred's company also doesn't provide the complimentary insurance for him and his family. Complimentary insurance in France is important so that the insured will not need to "top up" on any medical/ optical/ optician charges. With this insurance, we do not pay anything at all. In France we are given social security and as soon as Lucas & I got into France Fred applied for us to get our Medical Card. With this card, we can walk into a doctor's office, show him the card and get consultation for free. Same goes with the pharmacies.
Talking about the doctor, in France, there are no nurses or receptionists at the doctor's office. Its all very civilised here, you walk into the waiting room, and are greeted by other patients waiting there with "bonjour", you sit and wait your turn. In the doctor's office, its all paperless except when he gives you your prescription to take to the pharmacies. The doctors here do not dispense any medication. Even for injections, you need to get a prescription, go to the pharmacy and then come back to the doctor for your injection.
I have since changed my doctor from the son to his father - the son doctor was nice enough but I feel more comfortable with his dad, even though the senior doctor doesn't speak english. This was since junior stabbed himself with my needle while administering the tetanus injection LOLs... and while he did promise that the injection wouldn't hurt at all, it didn't hurt while he was injecting me but I couldn't raise my arm for a week after. My second injection administered by senior didn't hurt and I was sore only a day.
I have obtained my "permis de conduire" and have started driving to Lucas' creche and to town. I am still unsure about which side of the road I am supposed to be sometimes and still unused to the priority given to the right and also the weird roundabouts. But I am getting there. Soon I will not need to wait for Fred to go shopping around town!
At the same time I have also received my "carte de sejour" which is my resident card. As my french is poor, they have only given me a 1 year visa. This card allows me to start work in France, which brings me back to the salary comparison above. Its confuses me as while I have registered with some headhunters, I have been receiving jobs with a minimum annual salary of 60,000 euros a year. So does that mean that the salary range is actually not as low? Or are the offers emailed to me a hoax? Anyway, I am unable to apply for now as I am not proficient in French, but would like to know what to expect for when I work so that I can dream of all the Max Mara clothes that I can buy when I start work....
When we wanted to put Lucas in the creche and the director of the creche was advising us on the cost, her statement (not meant to be unkind) that we will only need to pay around 1 euro an hour, unless our household salary is above 4,500 euro which is extremely rare and so she doesn't think we fall into that category.
In Tarbes, its still relatively cheap to live comfortably especially when we are a one salary household. I wonder then how do the people live in Paris with such a measly amount of money? The teacher I mentioned above is based in Paris and was complaining that after she deducts all rent and expenses she is living on 20 euros a day and cannot afford to eat in the school canteen.
In Paris, rental will be a major expense, even for students. A one bedroom apartment (unfurnished) costs 550 euros and above. When Lucas goes to university, although the uni fees are minimal, we have to now start planning on his living expenses. If Lucas decides to go to INSEAD for instance, there goes our retirement fund as INSEAD charges a bomb for school fees as well (rumoured 40,000 euros a year). One is beginning to think that maybe private education is not too bad in Malaysia after all?
In France, most companies provide restaurant tickets for their employees as one of the benefits. Fred's company seems to be one of the few "kiam siap" companies who do not provide the tickets. Neither does his company pay for OT (i.e his boss seems to have the habit of calling a staff meeting during their 2 hour lunches and make them stay back after work hours for another hour to do some telemarketing). Fred's company also doesn't provide the complimentary insurance for him and his family. Complimentary insurance in France is important so that the insured will not need to "top up" on any medical/ optical/ optician charges. With this insurance, we do not pay anything at all. In France we are given social security and as soon as Lucas & I got into France Fred applied for us to get our Medical Card. With this card, we can walk into a doctor's office, show him the card and get consultation for free. Same goes with the pharmacies.
Talking about the doctor, in France, there are no nurses or receptionists at the doctor's office. Its all very civilised here, you walk into the waiting room, and are greeted by other patients waiting there with "bonjour", you sit and wait your turn. In the doctor's office, its all paperless except when he gives you your prescription to take to the pharmacies. The doctors here do not dispense any medication. Even for injections, you need to get a prescription, go to the pharmacy and then come back to the doctor for your injection.
I have since changed my doctor from the son to his father - the son doctor was nice enough but I feel more comfortable with his dad, even though the senior doctor doesn't speak english. This was since junior stabbed himself with my needle while administering the tetanus injection LOLs... and while he did promise that the injection wouldn't hurt at all, it didn't hurt while he was injecting me but I couldn't raise my arm for a week after. My second injection administered by senior didn't hurt and I was sore only a day.
I have obtained my "permis de conduire" and have started driving to Lucas' creche and to town. I am still unsure about which side of the road I am supposed to be sometimes and still unused to the priority given to the right and also the weird roundabouts. But I am getting there. Soon I will not need to wait for Fred to go shopping around town!
At the same time I have also received my "carte de sejour" which is my resident card. As my french is poor, they have only given me a 1 year visa. This card allows me to start work in France, which brings me back to the salary comparison above. Its confuses me as while I have registered with some headhunters, I have been receiving jobs with a minimum annual salary of 60,000 euros a year. So does that mean that the salary range is actually not as low? Or are the offers emailed to me a hoax? Anyway, I am unable to apply for now as I am not proficient in French, but would like to know what to expect for when I work so that I can dream of all the Max Mara clothes that I can buy when I start work....
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