Sunday, October 26, 2008
Pics
Finally uploaded Picasa and you can now go to see the pics of some of the things I've been sharing with you!!!! Enjoy!!!! XOXOXO - Tammy
Saturday, October 25, 2008
School in France and Students
Hello everyone. Hope all is well with all of you and that you are happy and looking for ways to express yourself in this life. Expressing yourself in some way is one of the greatest ways for you to touch others!!!
I'm dedicating this specific blog to the school, what it is like to study here and the students within. I have interesting things to share with you.
We are halfway through the first module which consists of eight weeks of marbling and wood graining. We have started, this past week, the advanced woods and marbles and let me tell you, this is not for pansies LOL. This is intensive and difficult and I found it even more difficult than anything I've done previously. It is interesting, how you can get wood graining easily when you are exposed to it so much in life. The marbles are much harder to grasp, so much activity and so much variations with the specific marbles studied. Sometimes, having a strong cup of cafe' is the best medicine to make you nervous for the marbles LOL.
Okay, on to the instructor Michel Nadai. Even though my sweet Tom put his link on the website, it in no way relays what his school is about, what is really done here and I'll spend some time relaying this to you so you know on a personal level what this is like.
Michel Nadai is by far the most talented, sympathetic, grounded, intensive, funny, entertaining, discriminating, intuitive, lovingly demanding, compelling, patient, attentive teacher I've ever come across and I've been taught by some of the best America has to offer in the decorative arts.
He becomes your Mother/Father/Sister/Brother as he watches you and nothing escapes his eyes and attention while you are with him in class. His heartbeat truly is YOU and it's about you getting it. There are times that I think I'm getting it and I'm proud of myself and Michel comes by and says "Tammy, I don't like, erase" LOL. On one occasion this week, I was struggling. He stood with me for awhile teaching me how to use a badger brush, because “I'm American and we aren't taught how to properly use one”, I told him to "kiss my butt" LOL. Thank God, Michel knows me and he just laughed at me out loud, got a kick out of it and hugged me twice. The hugs felt good, as you become so intense about wanting to get it as much as Michel wants you to get it. Marina tells him he's in a bad mood when she gets upset over something she's trying to do, only to have him do the same thing to her LOL. Even though I kid him and point to my eyes to motion to him "hey, I'm watching you", the truth is, he's watching us intently. He is engaged in us, invested.
His style, ease of doing things, demonstrations are something that we all are in awe of each time he gives us a visual of what we are trying to create. When he finishes and you see this Master's art, your breath is taken away and you go to your board and when you finish, what you see is nothing close to his. We all have to be reminded by him as well as ourselves, that we are not masters and have not been doing this as long as he. Getting the concepts and learning the techniques and wrapping our minds around the study of it all is what we are getting and everyday corrections and inspiring words from him when we did get it, help get us through this process of learning.
We are much more serious here in France about art as a whole. We wear white lab coats in class and it makes it more formal for us in this regard. I feel more serious about what we are doing because of this, funny how a little white coat makes a difference.
France embraces its artist; after all, out of the five most famous in the world in this area of expertise, three of them are from France!! When the City of Agen found out about Michel Nadai looking for another studio to move from the village where he was, they were only too happy to accommodate him and his school, knowing this would bring international recognition to them as a City. This is a great place for his studio and school and offers a lot to the students. Much more than what I understand the previous village did. I'm thankful to be here in Agen.
We are moving into a new studio Agen is finishing for us and will have an Open House and have some local newspaper coverage, because of the fact that Michel earned the most prestigious award known in Europe, "Best Craftsman of France". This award is strenuously achieved by the highest standards and the competition is only given every four years and many years, this is not given for this specific category because they cannot find anyone worthy to earn the title. This is much like the Olympics to Americans. The best of the best only compete and the things I've heard about applicants and how the judges threw them out of the competition because a tiny screw in a custom and hand made boat wasn't facing the right direction, is unbelievable. I've seen a portion of the panel he did for his competition and I just stared at it for awhile. It is magnificent!!!
Needless to say, anyone who dares to take this course comes out a much better person having known Michel and his wife, Kyoko and is a much better artisan. How he embraces you and cares about you as a person, with the standards of excellence required, is a great balance of the best you could hope for.
Michel is witty and yet, he expects you to pay attention, to do it the correct way, not to try to make this any simpler, use the “Master's techniques” and loves you all along the way. I don't know if I can truly relay the intent and purposes of his heart in this blog, but I'm trying. Kyoko is by your side, encouraging you and trying in English to relay everything he's teaching, as well as emotionally holding your hand, knowing there were many struggling artists before you and will be many after you.
To take this on, from his perspective, as well as mine, is a very intense way of changing your life. He wants you to walk away with what he calls an equivalent of seven years apprenticeship with a Master, which is the French way of doing things. In America, we are truly a microwave society in so many ways and our schools offer two day, three day and five day classes for artists to learn these techniques. The four weeks I took in Atlanta, GA are pale in comparison to what is given here and I'm still thankful for that time with him there and that that school was so innovative in realizing the talent and benefits to us locals who could take his classes.
Kyoko, his wife is one of the sweetest, kindest hearted, good people, you've ever met. She's beautiful to look at, her voice is kind to the ears and she is so intelligent that she is translating simultaneously while Michel is teaching. Sometimes, as Michel is studying English and speaks it, she translates the English back to the French students without giving it a thought and we all laugh. She is just as much engaged in this process as he is and I cannot imagine her not being here. She cares about you getting it as much as Michel and in translating will add just a few things here and there and even ask if Marina and I understand what Michel is saying. I've seen this woman go from French, to English to Japanese (when a visiting Japanese prospective student came to visit) within moments and with such ease, that it's like watching a beautiful song being composed before your eyes. Needless to say, class would not be the same without her and her addition to this, with heart and skills, is paramount to the success of this school.
Okay, onto the students.
Patrick is a big teddy bear. He's precious and is always looking for ways to accommodate and help us and is a very giving person. He is very tall, over 6' and is always opening window shades we cannot reach without ladders and turning our panels around for us, as they are huge and helping us. He lives during the week, at a literal castle where King Charles the VII, visited and rented a space during his reign. He is living in a tower overlooking a beautiful landscape. I'll have to get him to take my camera home with him one day and let him take pics for us all.
He says the owner of the castle is over 85 years old and all of the furnishings are older than she is. That she is kind, but leaves him alone because she cannot climb the rounding staircase he does to get to his space in the top of the tower LOL. He says he couldn't even find her, the castle is so large if he wanted to. The name of the castle is Chateau Dauge.
Patrick, like I said is a sweetheart of a guy, is retired, worked in the wax business for years with his family and is taking it easy, enjoying his life and taking this course. He has applied for and been accepted into the next process of acquiring a space in the famous Place du Fertie "Montmartre". (If I misspell or find out some of this is incorrect, I'll correct for you). This place is where the artists are in a special space reserved for them to paint and sell their paintings. There are over three hundred artists who have qualified for this space, which is difficult to obtain. They allow 150 a weekend and alternate weekends. It's famous for people to visit and a painting typically will sell easily there. Patrick will go to Paris when this comes through and spend a weekend and then during the two weeks prior, be painting, so he will have paintings to sell to the public. This process is grueling and takes almost four years to complete. Patrick is honored to get approval to get through the first process and is now being asked to produce more documents to further his entrance. I asked him if he has to wait on someone to die to get a space to have the French roar with laughter. He said sometimes that happens, but sometimes they move or decide not to participate anymore. Some of the artists have been there for more than 30 years. It sounds like a great place to meet people and to get exposure as well.
He brought raw oysters to class this past Monday, six dozen for seven of us. He lives on the east coast of France on the ocean and is probably lying in his hammock reading a book this weekend, weather permitting. The oysters were fresh from the sea that morning and were as large as my hand. I have never eaten raw oysters and let me explain, they were raw LOL. When told how to eat them, you either put lemon juice on, or a personal marinade recipe, Michel made consisting of vinegar, shallots and other ingredients. They told me just to swallow them whole. When I did, I, they laughed and asked me what I thought and were raving about how great these were. Marina doesn't like raw oysters and said they were great as well. When I told them I didn't understand the point of having them, that you just swallow them and don't taste anything but the vinegar marinade or the lemon juice, they laughed. Seems I'm entertaining them frequently LOL. They then told me to chew them a little.
I'm eating some of the most unusual things here in France that I've not eaten, but this experience of being open and tasting their food and experiencing their culture is as much a part of this, as the art. So, my mindset is "experience and taste".
On Monday, during the oyster feast, Michel told the class he wants to start a school with me in America and us be the teachers. Patrick, thus, told me on Thursday evening that he wanted to invest in this school and would give me money to help start it. I was elated and shocked at his generosity. He has been hiding his English from us until this past week where he spoke more and more to us. He says he hasn't spoken it for years and it is coming back to him and thus, he's using it more.
He has again invited us to go to his home on the shore and we will definitely be doing this sometime soon. I'm looking forward to this and being with him and his wife and possibly meeting his two daughters who are fluent in English. What a treat!!!!
Brigitte is a red headed spunky fireball and has a childlike, fun spirit. She's the one who is interested in the hugs and has a contagious smile. She walks into class and seems so excited to get a hug and say "Good morning" as only she can. She's a sweetheart who has wanted to be in this school for about seven years, from what I understand. Her husband is a policeman and rides a motorcycle. I understand the motorcycle cops are some of the strongest men in France, as they have to be. She says her husband keeps his stories of his days to himself, and is very discreet. One of her friends relayed a story to her not too long ago about seeing her husband chase down a man and tackle him to arrest him LOL. It's probably best Brigitte doesn't know these things during the day.
She's vivacious and very caring. Is only about 5' tall and is precious. She laughs a lot and is enjoying the process like the rest of us and is thankful to be here.
Marie is a lot more subdued than the rest of us LOL. She's also known as the neatest of all of us and the cleanest and most organized. Her area is immaculate and she is one of the most efficient people I've watched. She's only about 5' tall as well and is kind hearted as well. She speaks the least amount of English, but you can see on her face, she is trying to get it and understand and communicate. She did find a place to live, other than her car during the week and seems to be content no matter where she is or what she's doing.
Marina, you already know some about. I'll tell you something very intriguing. She was given a scholarship by the Queen of England to come to this school. She applied this past May and was accepted through a process of applications and interviews. She had to appear before a board and show her work and what she is capable of. She is a very studious person and has attended quite a few schools herself. She's one of the most fascinating people in the class to me because of her attitude about life, about traveling and going places. She was born and raised in Wales. She says when the Prince of Wales learns to speak their language, they will accept him as being Welsh. She said even Princess Di addressed them in a sentence or two in Welsh when she came to visit.
When she is finished with this course, she is already invited to a luncheon to allow others to see her accomplishments. It seems that they give this scholarship to eight different people only two times a year. A luncheon provides them all with congrats next June. She doesn't know if the Queen will attend, but is excited even so.
In the first whole week while there, the three French and Marina and I were outside without our interpreter, Koyoko. Someone mentioned us all reciting our own alphabet and we all did in our own language. Marina did Welsh and I have to tell you, it's broken sounds, not like letters or even words but sounds. When she finished, I started mocking her by pretending I was gagging and it was a good imitation. The whole group laughed and I've asked her to repeat this a few times for me LOL. We all get a kick out of it.
She has lived in America as a nanny, Canada, Belize as a bartender, Australia and other places. She started traveling in her 20's and is about to turn 40 this next month.
Amazing group of people and we are all thankful to get to know each other. You cannot spend this much time with each other and not get to know each other. It's a special club, when you are all in this together and adding these people to my life, makes me even richer.
I brought some chocolates Susan sent me with to the class this past week to let them taste American chocolate. I had heard them talking about how America doesn’t do chocolate well. When they ate the extreme dark chocolate, they were bragging about how good it was LOL. GO SUSAN!!!!
The one resounding thing we have spoken about is that this is the best teaching we've all ever received. The most intensive and difficult, and yet, most rewarding. I told them I was told the same thing by American students when we were completing the four week study.
I hope you are enjoying partaking of this experience with me and want you to know that I think of all of you!!! I'm thankful to say I'm coming home for Christmas and will be there almost two weeks. When I return to France on January 3rd, I will only be here for six more weeks. I'm thankful I'll be with my man and family and friends and want to hug them and hold them all for awhile.
When I write you again, it will be to tell you more of the French and their ways. I’m taking notes so I can remember all the things to tell you.
I’m going to a Cathedral where Marina and I found silver leaf grain and am going to sit on the floor taking pics and practicing drawing this wood graining. Michel says it’s the most difficult and I have to practice before class on Monday as we will be working with it again. Have a good weekend and know you are loved!!!!!
Tammy
I'm dedicating this specific blog to the school, what it is like to study here and the students within. I have interesting things to share with you.
We are halfway through the first module which consists of eight weeks of marbling and wood graining. We have started, this past week, the advanced woods and marbles and let me tell you, this is not for pansies LOL. This is intensive and difficult and I found it even more difficult than anything I've done previously. It is interesting, how you can get wood graining easily when you are exposed to it so much in life. The marbles are much harder to grasp, so much activity and so much variations with the specific marbles studied. Sometimes, having a strong cup of cafe' is the best medicine to make you nervous for the marbles LOL.
Okay, on to the instructor Michel Nadai. Even though my sweet Tom put his link on the website, it in no way relays what his school is about, what is really done here and I'll spend some time relaying this to you so you know on a personal level what this is like.
Michel Nadai is by far the most talented, sympathetic, grounded, intensive, funny, entertaining, discriminating, intuitive, lovingly demanding, compelling, patient, attentive teacher I've ever come across and I've been taught by some of the best America has to offer in the decorative arts.
He becomes your Mother/Father/Sister/Brother as he watches you and nothing escapes his eyes and attention while you are with him in class. His heartbeat truly is YOU and it's about you getting it. There are times that I think I'm getting it and I'm proud of myself and Michel comes by and says "Tammy, I don't like, erase" LOL. On one occasion this week, I was struggling. He stood with me for awhile teaching me how to use a badger brush, because “I'm American and we aren't taught how to properly use one”, I told him to "kiss my butt" LOL. Thank God, Michel knows me and he just laughed at me out loud, got a kick out of it and hugged me twice. The hugs felt good, as you become so intense about wanting to get it as much as Michel wants you to get it. Marina tells him he's in a bad mood when she gets upset over something she's trying to do, only to have him do the same thing to her LOL. Even though I kid him and point to my eyes to motion to him "hey, I'm watching you", the truth is, he's watching us intently. He is engaged in us, invested.
His style, ease of doing things, demonstrations are something that we all are in awe of each time he gives us a visual of what we are trying to create. When he finishes and you see this Master's art, your breath is taken away and you go to your board and when you finish, what you see is nothing close to his. We all have to be reminded by him as well as ourselves, that we are not masters and have not been doing this as long as he. Getting the concepts and learning the techniques and wrapping our minds around the study of it all is what we are getting and everyday corrections and inspiring words from him when we did get it, help get us through this process of learning.
We are much more serious here in France about art as a whole. We wear white lab coats in class and it makes it more formal for us in this regard. I feel more serious about what we are doing because of this, funny how a little white coat makes a difference.
France embraces its artist; after all, out of the five most famous in the world in this area of expertise, three of them are from France!! When the City of Agen found out about Michel Nadai looking for another studio to move from the village where he was, they were only too happy to accommodate him and his school, knowing this would bring international recognition to them as a City. This is a great place for his studio and school and offers a lot to the students. Much more than what I understand the previous village did. I'm thankful to be here in Agen.
We are moving into a new studio Agen is finishing for us and will have an Open House and have some local newspaper coverage, because of the fact that Michel earned the most prestigious award known in Europe, "Best Craftsman of France". This award is strenuously achieved by the highest standards and the competition is only given every four years and many years, this is not given for this specific category because they cannot find anyone worthy to earn the title. This is much like the Olympics to Americans. The best of the best only compete and the things I've heard about applicants and how the judges threw them out of the competition because a tiny screw in a custom and hand made boat wasn't facing the right direction, is unbelievable. I've seen a portion of the panel he did for his competition and I just stared at it for awhile. It is magnificent!!!
Needless to say, anyone who dares to take this course comes out a much better person having known Michel and his wife, Kyoko and is a much better artisan. How he embraces you and cares about you as a person, with the standards of excellence required, is a great balance of the best you could hope for.
Michel is witty and yet, he expects you to pay attention, to do it the correct way, not to try to make this any simpler, use the “Master's techniques” and loves you all along the way. I don't know if I can truly relay the intent and purposes of his heart in this blog, but I'm trying. Kyoko is by your side, encouraging you and trying in English to relay everything he's teaching, as well as emotionally holding your hand, knowing there were many struggling artists before you and will be many after you.
To take this on, from his perspective, as well as mine, is a very intense way of changing your life. He wants you to walk away with what he calls an equivalent of seven years apprenticeship with a Master, which is the French way of doing things. In America, we are truly a microwave society in so many ways and our schools offer two day, three day and five day classes for artists to learn these techniques. The four weeks I took in Atlanta, GA are pale in comparison to what is given here and I'm still thankful for that time with him there and that that school was so innovative in realizing the talent and benefits to us locals who could take his classes.
Kyoko, his wife is one of the sweetest, kindest hearted, good people, you've ever met. She's beautiful to look at, her voice is kind to the ears and she is so intelligent that she is translating simultaneously while Michel is teaching. Sometimes, as Michel is studying English and speaks it, she translates the English back to the French students without giving it a thought and we all laugh. She is just as much engaged in this process as he is and I cannot imagine her not being here. She cares about you getting it as much as Michel and in translating will add just a few things here and there and even ask if Marina and I understand what Michel is saying. I've seen this woman go from French, to English to Japanese (when a visiting Japanese prospective student came to visit) within moments and with such ease, that it's like watching a beautiful song being composed before your eyes. Needless to say, class would not be the same without her and her addition to this, with heart and skills, is paramount to the success of this school.
Okay, onto the students.
Patrick is a big teddy bear. He's precious and is always looking for ways to accommodate and help us and is a very giving person. He is very tall, over 6' and is always opening window shades we cannot reach without ladders and turning our panels around for us, as they are huge and helping us. He lives during the week, at a literal castle where King Charles the VII, visited and rented a space during his reign. He is living in a tower overlooking a beautiful landscape. I'll have to get him to take my camera home with him one day and let him take pics for us all.
He says the owner of the castle is over 85 years old and all of the furnishings are older than she is. That she is kind, but leaves him alone because she cannot climb the rounding staircase he does to get to his space in the top of the tower LOL. He says he couldn't even find her, the castle is so large if he wanted to. The name of the castle is Chateau Dauge.
Patrick, like I said is a sweetheart of a guy, is retired, worked in the wax business for years with his family and is taking it easy, enjoying his life and taking this course. He has applied for and been accepted into the next process of acquiring a space in the famous Place du Fertie "Montmartre". (If I misspell or find out some of this is incorrect, I'll correct for you). This place is where the artists are in a special space reserved for them to paint and sell their paintings. There are over three hundred artists who have qualified for this space, which is difficult to obtain. They allow 150 a weekend and alternate weekends. It's famous for people to visit and a painting typically will sell easily there. Patrick will go to Paris when this comes through and spend a weekend and then during the two weeks prior, be painting, so he will have paintings to sell to the public. This process is grueling and takes almost four years to complete. Patrick is honored to get approval to get through the first process and is now being asked to produce more documents to further his entrance. I asked him if he has to wait on someone to die to get a space to have the French roar with laughter. He said sometimes that happens, but sometimes they move or decide not to participate anymore. Some of the artists have been there for more than 30 years. It sounds like a great place to meet people and to get exposure as well.
He brought raw oysters to class this past Monday, six dozen for seven of us. He lives on the east coast of France on the ocean and is probably lying in his hammock reading a book this weekend, weather permitting. The oysters were fresh from the sea that morning and were as large as my hand. I have never eaten raw oysters and let me explain, they were raw LOL. When told how to eat them, you either put lemon juice on, or a personal marinade recipe, Michel made consisting of vinegar, shallots and other ingredients. They told me just to swallow them whole. When I did, I, they laughed and asked me what I thought and were raving about how great these were. Marina doesn't like raw oysters and said they were great as well. When I told them I didn't understand the point of having them, that you just swallow them and don't taste anything but the vinegar marinade or the lemon juice, they laughed. Seems I'm entertaining them frequently LOL. They then told me to chew them a little.
I'm eating some of the most unusual things here in France that I've not eaten, but this experience of being open and tasting their food and experiencing their culture is as much a part of this, as the art. So, my mindset is "experience and taste".
On Monday, during the oyster feast, Michel told the class he wants to start a school with me in America and us be the teachers. Patrick, thus, told me on Thursday evening that he wanted to invest in this school and would give me money to help start it. I was elated and shocked at his generosity. He has been hiding his English from us until this past week where he spoke more and more to us. He says he hasn't spoken it for years and it is coming back to him and thus, he's using it more.
He has again invited us to go to his home on the shore and we will definitely be doing this sometime soon. I'm looking forward to this and being with him and his wife and possibly meeting his two daughters who are fluent in English. What a treat!!!!
Brigitte is a red headed spunky fireball and has a childlike, fun spirit. She's the one who is interested in the hugs and has a contagious smile. She walks into class and seems so excited to get a hug and say "Good morning" as only she can. She's a sweetheart who has wanted to be in this school for about seven years, from what I understand. Her husband is a policeman and rides a motorcycle. I understand the motorcycle cops are some of the strongest men in France, as they have to be. She says her husband keeps his stories of his days to himself, and is very discreet. One of her friends relayed a story to her not too long ago about seeing her husband chase down a man and tackle him to arrest him LOL. It's probably best Brigitte doesn't know these things during the day.
She's vivacious and very caring. Is only about 5' tall and is precious. She laughs a lot and is enjoying the process like the rest of us and is thankful to be here.
Marie is a lot more subdued than the rest of us LOL. She's also known as the neatest of all of us and the cleanest and most organized. Her area is immaculate and she is one of the most efficient people I've watched. She's only about 5' tall as well and is kind hearted as well. She speaks the least amount of English, but you can see on her face, she is trying to get it and understand and communicate. She did find a place to live, other than her car during the week and seems to be content no matter where she is or what she's doing.
Marina, you already know some about. I'll tell you something very intriguing. She was given a scholarship by the Queen of England to come to this school. She applied this past May and was accepted through a process of applications and interviews. She had to appear before a board and show her work and what she is capable of. She is a very studious person and has attended quite a few schools herself. She's one of the most fascinating people in the class to me because of her attitude about life, about traveling and going places. She was born and raised in Wales. She says when the Prince of Wales learns to speak their language, they will accept him as being Welsh. She said even Princess Di addressed them in a sentence or two in Welsh when she came to visit.
When she is finished with this course, she is already invited to a luncheon to allow others to see her accomplishments. It seems that they give this scholarship to eight different people only two times a year. A luncheon provides them all with congrats next June. She doesn't know if the Queen will attend, but is excited even so.
In the first whole week while there, the three French and Marina and I were outside without our interpreter, Koyoko. Someone mentioned us all reciting our own alphabet and we all did in our own language. Marina did Welsh and I have to tell you, it's broken sounds, not like letters or even words but sounds. When she finished, I started mocking her by pretending I was gagging and it was a good imitation. The whole group laughed and I've asked her to repeat this a few times for me LOL. We all get a kick out of it.
She has lived in America as a nanny, Canada, Belize as a bartender, Australia and other places. She started traveling in her 20's and is about to turn 40 this next month.
Amazing group of people and we are all thankful to get to know each other. You cannot spend this much time with each other and not get to know each other. It's a special club, when you are all in this together and adding these people to my life, makes me even richer.
I brought some chocolates Susan sent me with to the class this past week to let them taste American chocolate. I had heard them talking about how America doesn’t do chocolate well. When they ate the extreme dark chocolate, they were bragging about how good it was LOL. GO SUSAN!!!!
The one resounding thing we have spoken about is that this is the best teaching we've all ever received. The most intensive and difficult, and yet, most rewarding. I told them I was told the same thing by American students when we were completing the four week study.
I hope you are enjoying partaking of this experience with me and want you to know that I think of all of you!!! I'm thankful to say I'm coming home for Christmas and will be there almost two weeks. When I return to France on January 3rd, I will only be here for six more weeks. I'm thankful I'll be with my man and family and friends and want to hug them and hold them all for awhile.
When I write you again, it will be to tell you more of the French and their ways. I’m taking notes so I can remember all the things to tell you.
I’m going to a Cathedral where Marina and I found silver leaf grain and am going to sit on the floor taking pics and practicing drawing this wood graining. Michel says it’s the most difficult and I have to practice before class on Monday as we will be working with it again. Have a good weekend and know you are loved!!!!!
Tammy
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Living in France
BONJOUR EVERYONE!!! Let me first apologize for not getting on my blog sooner and giving you updates. Each of you are so special to me and I LOVE reading your comments and receiving your E-mails. It is interesting how precious people you love, become even more meaningful while you are away. I am holding onto your relationships and cherish any comments you add to my life while here.
There have been so many of you asking some of the same questions of me, that I wanted to share them on the blog.
Living in Agen is such a wonderful experience in so many ways. The town of Agen is smaller than the two surrounding it on the train route, Bordeaux and Toulouse. I'm located in between these two cities. Agen is about the size of Greenville and yet, has such "old charm" in the structures and architecture of the buildings. It is an older city, famous for two things "prunes and froi gras (duck)". I'm eating the prunes but haven't tried their delicacy. I heard about the froi gras on the way here by people who live in Paris and will definitely try this before I leave.
Contrary to what I thought, not many people speak English and even the younger generation who are supposedly taught this in school do not even try to "make English (their words)" when I ask them to speak it. The few I've met here who do speak English are more than willing to talk to me.
Michel, Kyoko, Marina and I went to Bordeaux last Saturday and the feel and vibe of that city was much more exuberant. Kyoko even says herself that she dresses more conservatively in Agen and if you wear expensive things here, they are offended by it, thinking you are trying to flaunt your worth. Says they have issues with showing you have money here. I told her they need to get over it LOL.
Yesterday, Marina and I walked into town and experienced the market. It was predominantly vegetables of every sort, things I've never seen before, such as black things that looked like sweet potatoes. I have no clue what these are for and couldn't find anyone who spoke English to explain. Bread, cheese, meats, nuts, flowers were also in abundance. It was a beautiful sight and listening to the French as they traded with each other, was an experience in itself.
Rugby is HUGE here in the European nations and I was awakened by 5:00 a.m. this morning with loud and partying French outside my apartment. Rugby field is only two blocks away. If I could have spoken French to tell them to go away and leave the property, I would have.
Marina and I went into town for her to watch a Rugby match yesterday afternoon in an Irish pub. I drank Cider and found it very appealing. Took a book and was reading while she watched the game. We met this gent from France named Pierre. Pierre was an eccentric older man who realized we spoke English quickly and joined our table. After speaking to him for awhile, he started relaying stories, one after the other, about famous people he knew in London in the 1960's to 1971. He told us stories about John Lennon and he being best of buds,walking down the streets every day together, getting on a bus, going to the top floor of the bus and exchanging each other's money made from the previous day. When I asked him why they did this, he simply explained "we were bored" LOL. He says it was a wild time during the 60's and everything he told us, Marina was able to confirm as far as the area in which he lived and what it was like during that time frame. He lived in the Kensington area, where Princess Di lived just before she died. He knew Princess Margaret and said he did some photography for her. He said he knew he was going to die if he didn't get out of there and decided to leave. Found himself a German wife and lived in Germany for the last 15 years. Came home just a week ago to France and found a great place in the City. He kept calling me "crazy wonderful" LOL. Marina told him I really was crazy ROFL. This didn't deter the old man. He was struggling with his English, and kept repeating himself and when he'd tire of trying to "make English", he would revert to French and we would look at him with blank faces asking for English again. We believe he did too many drugs during that time in his life LOL. Marina is great to have around, as she dated a Frenchman and can at least get around and speak it some.
The following things I am going to share with you are not my opinions of the French, but from their own words. I do not know these things personally, so please do not misinterpret judgment from me in any way. They do not like to work LOL. They only work a 35 hour work week for salaried employees. They are not service oriented and life is about them first. They eat bread everday of the week and it is not uncommon to see them walking around town with baguettes as long as 3' or so in their hands or under their arms. They do, however, bathe regularly LOL. I had heard they didn't and that is not true. They said that is true around the Louis XIV, XV and XVI periods of time. Marina says that even in England during that time, they didn't bathe regularly. They eat anything that moves, including horse, which is very dark when I saw it in the grocery store. The French sit at check out counters, from the grocery stores to the places like Lowe's and Home Depot. They are not particularly friendly and hardly smile in these posts.
When in class one day last week, Michel was drawing on the board, the Country of France and was showing us where the marbles we were studying, are extracted. When he mentioned the north of France, he called them barbarians LOL. Knowing, this is where Marina is from and we all laughed. When I then asked, "I've heard you guys don't like America, you don't like England, who else don't you like?" They laughed and said "we don't even like the French" LOL.
There is great fun among us in class and Marina shared with me yesterday that the day I arrived in class, there was immediate unity being formed. That until I arrived, the French were like "no English" and not particularly interested in finding out about English or our ways either. Each day, until Thursday of last week, you go into class and are greeted by the French with "bonjour" and you kiss the air on the sides of the cheeks of them. Bridgette learned about American hugs from Michel and decided she prefers them to the French ways. SO, we are now hugging each other each day. So much for leaving France in the way Marina and I found it ROFL.
I got into trouble this past week in the grocery store. I thought I was doing them a favor by picking up lettuce leaves and paying for them. I was away from Kyoko a little distance and could only see by the ladies reaction, when I took the lettuce leaves to be weighed, that I had offended her. I called Kyoko over and she relayed that this is not acceptable. People take lettuce leaves to feed their turtles and rabbits and that they didn't appreciate me taking the leaves off the lettuce bunches LOL. I told Kyoko to say to her to please pardon me, that I didn't take them off the bunches, but was in fact, thinking I was doing them a favor by taking the ones that had fallen off.
I also was exposed to something unusual at a tasting. I picked up a toothpick and ate the piece of meat. Was something I'd never tasted before, only to find out I had tasted tongue. The tongue of what, I have NO clue. It was, however, tasteful, but I don't think it's something I'll purchase.
Kyoko, Michel and I go to the grocery store each Tuesday and Friday evenings after class. I enjoy this experience and am learning alot from being with them. They have milk, not kept in the refrigerator sections that only has to be refrigerated when opened. They have the most cheese and sausages I've ever seen and I have to admit to you that some of the sausages look inedible. I am sampling some of the already prepared foods and find them to be very good. I ate a dinner the other evening consisting of onions and eggplant, with a tomatoe with toasted cheese on top. Delish!!! It is odd in that you can take one of almost anything you want. If you want one bottle of water, you open the package and take only one. You don't have to purchase the entire of most things in the store, just take as you wish.
On the other days of the week, Marina and I look like little kids walking home each day with our backpacks on. She likes to go by another grocery store on the way home, as it is a habit with her to get fresh food each day to prepare. So, we track to the grocery store and then home, which is only about a 20 minute walk each day. To get some exercise, we walk around town some in the evenings. She tells me of a park nearby where a game I know Tom has played is being played by alot of older gentlemen. I can't remember the name of this game, but it's a big steel like ball being rolled. She says they are serious about this game and wants to play with them, but knows they would think she was intruding.
There are bakeries all over town, even in the neighborhoods. Their bread, most cases, only lasts for one day, therefore, each day, they are in the bakery getting fresh bread and pastries. We have one just a block away from our school and it was quite an experience while there. I loved it. I could get used to this fresh bread and chocolate croissants.
They enjoy "apperative", which is a pre-meal drink to help the digestive system. I was invited while in the home of Michel and Kyoko this past Sunday to their neighbors home for this. I was almost in tears at the entire scene unfolding in front of me, realizing I'm in France and experiencing it the French way. The home they live in is over 500 years old. The ambiance I felt and warmth from these people were very touching. The walls consists of more than two feet thick of mortar and stone. The inside decor was stunning, as she either made the window treatments and pillows herself, or hired some of them. She is a seamstress and when she found out what I can do, there was a special affinity between the two of us. She presented us with nuts, some kind of wavers and then a fig pie. Their pies are not the traditional ones we see in America, but are flat like pizza's. It was awesome. I am breathing in these moments and seeing the beauty in them.
I have to end this post by talking to you about my precious husband. The pain I feel from being away from him is so harsh at times. I live knowing I will be with him at Christmas and that gets me by. He's been so precious to send me care packages and we are both so thankful for skype where we can see each other and share what is going on in our lives. I don't know if I could bear this time without this. He was so cute the other evening before he left for his whirlwind tour around the world. He literally took the laptop around the house with the webcam, trying to find a specific piece of jewelry and a beam compass I needed LOL. While he was looking for the compass in the Guest Bedroom closet, my little Sophie jumped on the bed and was near the computer. When I spoke to her, she came closer and was looking directly at my picture being projected onto the laptop. She could hear my voice and see me, but lost interest in a couple of minutes while Tom was still searching LOL. She turned her back to me and I saw the cute little butt with three little "cow licks" on it. At least I got to see her.
Tom is currently in Australia and is on a sightseeing tour today at the Blue Mountains (famous in Australia). He's in Sydney and they are speaking to him about taking an assignment there. We will know more as the week progresses. Being this far away from him is much more painful than when he was in Greenville. He's having a good time seeing Sydney though and will start his meetings tomorrow. He's giving me an account by account view while I'm on line blogging and just said the koala bears are much larger than he thought and are very cute and the kangaroos are much smaller than he thought. He took a six hour tour yesterday of the city and surrounding areas of where he's staying. He's in a hotel looking directly over the bay and the famous Sydney Opera House.
Please take care of yourselves, write when you can, find something to relish in this life each day and breathe in the moments. They pass much too quickly. Know you are loved - Tammy
There have been so many of you asking some of the same questions of me, that I wanted to share them on the blog.
Living in Agen is such a wonderful experience in so many ways. The town of Agen is smaller than the two surrounding it on the train route, Bordeaux and Toulouse. I'm located in between these two cities. Agen is about the size of Greenville and yet, has such "old charm" in the structures and architecture of the buildings. It is an older city, famous for two things "prunes and froi gras (duck)". I'm eating the prunes but haven't tried their delicacy. I heard about the froi gras on the way here by people who live in Paris and will definitely try this before I leave.
Contrary to what I thought, not many people speak English and even the younger generation who are supposedly taught this in school do not even try to "make English (their words)" when I ask them to speak it. The few I've met here who do speak English are more than willing to talk to me.
Michel, Kyoko, Marina and I went to Bordeaux last Saturday and the feel and vibe of that city was much more exuberant. Kyoko even says herself that she dresses more conservatively in Agen and if you wear expensive things here, they are offended by it, thinking you are trying to flaunt your worth. Says they have issues with showing you have money here. I told her they need to get over it LOL.
Yesterday, Marina and I walked into town and experienced the market. It was predominantly vegetables of every sort, things I've never seen before, such as black things that looked like sweet potatoes. I have no clue what these are for and couldn't find anyone who spoke English to explain. Bread, cheese, meats, nuts, flowers were also in abundance. It was a beautiful sight and listening to the French as they traded with each other, was an experience in itself.
Rugby is HUGE here in the European nations and I was awakened by 5:00 a.m. this morning with loud and partying French outside my apartment. Rugby field is only two blocks away. If I could have spoken French to tell them to go away and leave the property, I would have.
Marina and I went into town for her to watch a Rugby match yesterday afternoon in an Irish pub. I drank Cider and found it very appealing. Took a book and was reading while she watched the game. We met this gent from France named Pierre. Pierre was an eccentric older man who realized we spoke English quickly and joined our table. After speaking to him for awhile, he started relaying stories, one after the other, about famous people he knew in London in the 1960's to 1971. He told us stories about John Lennon and he being best of buds,walking down the streets every day together, getting on a bus, going to the top floor of the bus and exchanging each other's money made from the previous day. When I asked him why they did this, he simply explained "we were bored" LOL. He says it was a wild time during the 60's and everything he told us, Marina was able to confirm as far as the area in which he lived and what it was like during that time frame. He lived in the Kensington area, where Princess Di lived just before she died. He knew Princess Margaret and said he did some photography for her. He said he knew he was going to die if he didn't get out of there and decided to leave. Found himself a German wife and lived in Germany for the last 15 years. Came home just a week ago to France and found a great place in the City. He kept calling me "crazy wonderful" LOL. Marina told him I really was crazy ROFL. This didn't deter the old man. He was struggling with his English, and kept repeating himself and when he'd tire of trying to "make English", he would revert to French and we would look at him with blank faces asking for English again. We believe he did too many drugs during that time in his life LOL. Marina is great to have around, as she dated a Frenchman and can at least get around and speak it some.
The following things I am going to share with you are not my opinions of the French, but from their own words. I do not know these things personally, so please do not misinterpret judgment from me in any way. They do not like to work LOL. They only work a 35 hour work week for salaried employees. They are not service oriented and life is about them first. They eat bread everday of the week and it is not uncommon to see them walking around town with baguettes as long as 3' or so in their hands or under their arms. They do, however, bathe regularly LOL. I had heard they didn't and that is not true. They said that is true around the Louis XIV, XV and XVI periods of time. Marina says that even in England during that time, they didn't bathe regularly. They eat anything that moves, including horse, which is very dark when I saw it in the grocery store. The French sit at check out counters, from the grocery stores to the places like Lowe's and Home Depot. They are not particularly friendly and hardly smile in these posts.
When in class one day last week, Michel was drawing on the board, the Country of France and was showing us where the marbles we were studying, are extracted. When he mentioned the north of France, he called them barbarians LOL. Knowing, this is where Marina is from and we all laughed. When I then asked, "I've heard you guys don't like America, you don't like England, who else don't you like?" They laughed and said "we don't even like the French" LOL.
There is great fun among us in class and Marina shared with me yesterday that the day I arrived in class, there was immediate unity being formed. That until I arrived, the French were like "no English" and not particularly interested in finding out about English or our ways either. Each day, until Thursday of last week, you go into class and are greeted by the French with "bonjour" and you kiss the air on the sides of the cheeks of them. Bridgette learned about American hugs from Michel and decided she prefers them to the French ways. SO, we are now hugging each other each day. So much for leaving France in the way Marina and I found it ROFL.
I got into trouble this past week in the grocery store. I thought I was doing them a favor by picking up lettuce leaves and paying for them. I was away from Kyoko a little distance and could only see by the ladies reaction, when I took the lettuce leaves to be weighed, that I had offended her. I called Kyoko over and she relayed that this is not acceptable. People take lettuce leaves to feed their turtles and rabbits and that they didn't appreciate me taking the leaves off the lettuce bunches LOL. I told Kyoko to say to her to please pardon me, that I didn't take them off the bunches, but was in fact, thinking I was doing them a favor by taking the ones that had fallen off.
I also was exposed to something unusual at a tasting. I picked up a toothpick and ate the piece of meat. Was something I'd never tasted before, only to find out I had tasted tongue. The tongue of what, I have NO clue. It was, however, tasteful, but I don't think it's something I'll purchase.
Kyoko, Michel and I go to the grocery store each Tuesday and Friday evenings after class. I enjoy this experience and am learning alot from being with them. They have milk, not kept in the refrigerator sections that only has to be refrigerated when opened. They have the most cheese and sausages I've ever seen and I have to admit to you that some of the sausages look inedible. I am sampling some of the already prepared foods and find them to be very good. I ate a dinner the other evening consisting of onions and eggplant, with a tomatoe with toasted cheese on top. Delish!!! It is odd in that you can take one of almost anything you want. If you want one bottle of water, you open the package and take only one. You don't have to purchase the entire of most things in the store, just take as you wish.
On the other days of the week, Marina and I look like little kids walking home each day with our backpacks on. She likes to go by another grocery store on the way home, as it is a habit with her to get fresh food each day to prepare. So, we track to the grocery store and then home, which is only about a 20 minute walk each day. To get some exercise, we walk around town some in the evenings. She tells me of a park nearby where a game I know Tom has played is being played by alot of older gentlemen. I can't remember the name of this game, but it's a big steel like ball being rolled. She says they are serious about this game and wants to play with them, but knows they would think she was intruding.
There are bakeries all over town, even in the neighborhoods. Their bread, most cases, only lasts for one day, therefore, each day, they are in the bakery getting fresh bread and pastries. We have one just a block away from our school and it was quite an experience while there. I loved it. I could get used to this fresh bread and chocolate croissants.
They enjoy "apperative", which is a pre-meal drink to help the digestive system. I was invited while in the home of Michel and Kyoko this past Sunday to their neighbors home for this. I was almost in tears at the entire scene unfolding in front of me, realizing I'm in France and experiencing it the French way. The home they live in is over 500 years old. The ambiance I felt and warmth from these people were very touching. The walls consists of more than two feet thick of mortar and stone. The inside decor was stunning, as she either made the window treatments and pillows herself, or hired some of them. She is a seamstress and when she found out what I can do, there was a special affinity between the two of us. She presented us with nuts, some kind of wavers and then a fig pie. Their pies are not the traditional ones we see in America, but are flat like pizza's. It was awesome. I am breathing in these moments and seeing the beauty in them.
I have to end this post by talking to you about my precious husband. The pain I feel from being away from him is so harsh at times. I live knowing I will be with him at Christmas and that gets me by. He's been so precious to send me care packages and we are both so thankful for skype where we can see each other and share what is going on in our lives. I don't know if I could bear this time without this. He was so cute the other evening before he left for his whirlwind tour around the world. He literally took the laptop around the house with the webcam, trying to find a specific piece of jewelry and a beam compass I needed LOL. While he was looking for the compass in the Guest Bedroom closet, my little Sophie jumped on the bed and was near the computer. When I spoke to her, she came closer and was looking directly at my picture being projected onto the laptop. She could hear my voice and see me, but lost interest in a couple of minutes while Tom was still searching LOL. She turned her back to me and I saw the cute little butt with three little "cow licks" on it. At least I got to see her.
Tom is currently in Australia and is on a sightseeing tour today at the Blue Mountains (famous in Australia). He's in Sydney and they are speaking to him about taking an assignment there. We will know more as the week progresses. Being this far away from him is much more painful than when he was in Greenville. He's having a good time seeing Sydney though and will start his meetings tomorrow. He's giving me an account by account view while I'm on line blogging and just said the koala bears are much larger than he thought and are very cute and the kangaroos are much smaller than he thought. He took a six hour tour yesterday of the city and surrounding areas of where he's staying. He's in a hotel looking directly over the bay and the famous Sydney Opera House.
Please take care of yourselves, write when you can, find something to relish in this life each day and breathe in the moments. They pass much too quickly. Know you are loved - Tammy
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Dukes Mayonnaise Story
I'm laughing as I type this one. This story starts with me in the Philly airport and on the phone with my sweet husband who is informing me that we have to declare everything in the care package I packed for myself for him to ship to me, to keep from getting in trouble with shipping regulations. When I told him of the various items, such as razor blades, hair spray (ut oh, aerosol), lotions, makeup, yoga videos, lipstick and two pairs of shoes, he asked me if there were any perishables. When I told him about the two containers of Duke's Mayonnaise, he exclaimed into the phone "WHAT? Why in the world would you ship Duke's Mayonnaise to France?" I started giggling and told him emphatically that I didn't like any other mayonnaise back home and I knew I wouldn't like the French's mayonnaise either, so I wasn't taking any chances. Tom, knowing me, knew I was determinded not to take the mayonnaise out of the box and said "okay honey" and laughed with me.
I get the package this past Monday and had even bought some items to make as soon as I received the mayonnaise. I ate a tuna salad sandwich that very evening. I also decided that because of the fact that I only sent myself two of them, that I would be greedy and not share with the French here, after all, they'd never know the difference.
Below, you will read what my best friend Robyn did. She literally wrote to Dukes Mayonnaise and told them about me and Dukes Mayonnaise going international:
-----Original Message-----
From: Robyn Moody
Sent: Tuesday, October 07, 2008 7:36 AM
To: Jennifer Giambroni
Subject: Dukes Mayo In France
Jennifer,
I just had to tell one on my best friend and her love of Dukes
Mayo. Tammy Goben is spending the next 5 months in Agen France taking
Trompe and Mural classes from a very famous artist Michael Nadai. She
has been frantic till yesterday when her package that her husband Tom
mailed arrived with her two large jars of Dukes Mayonnaise! We have
asked if she needed anything else and her only request was to keep sending the Dukes when she needs it. If you could drop her an e-mail I would get the biggest kick! She has started a wonderful blog telling all of us of the wonderful journey she is on. The Dukes story would just make it. If you get a chance her e-mail is as follows:TnTGoben@aol.com She is a decorative painter and Master Seamstress from Greenville South Carolina. Think you will love her.
Thank You So Much,
Robyn Moody
Below is what Jennifer wrote back:
From: Jennifer Giambroni <jennifer@allisonpr.com>
Date: October 7, 2008 12:07:25 PM CDT
To: Robyn Moody
Subject: RE: Dukes Mayo In France
Hi Robyn,
We love to hear that Duke's is international! We'll make sure that the
folks at Duke's send her a shout out! Also, what's her mailing address
so we can send some Duke's goodies for the next care package her hubby
sends!
Best,
Jennifer Giambroni
For Duke's Mayonnaisee
Since Tom is leaving town, Robyn wrote Jennifer back today telling her my husband is on his way literally around the world and gave her my address here in France. This is too precious and everyone here is having a blast with this possibility of getting this package from Dukes.
When I shared this story this a.m. at the beginning of class, Marina, the Britain sweetheart, said no company in Britain would be so kind to even offer such a thing. The French said that if I do in fact, get the care package from Dukes, they have to taste it, if it's such a big thing for me. LOL.
I LOVE THIS story and just had to share. Robyn, thank you for your kindness and what a thoughtful thing to do. Will you be my agent when I return and need some work?
Thank you too, for Dukes Mayonnaise even thinking of me in this way. This is so precious!!!!
Love - Tammy
I get the package this past Monday and had even bought some items to make as soon as I received the mayonnaise. I ate a tuna salad sandwich that very evening. I also decided that because of the fact that I only sent myself two of them, that I would be greedy and not share with the French here, after all, they'd never know the difference.
Below, you will read what my best friend Robyn did. She literally wrote to Dukes Mayonnaise and told them about me and Dukes Mayonnaise going international:
-----Original Message-----
From: Robyn Moody
Sent: Tuesday, October 07, 2008 7:36 AM
To: Jennifer Giambroni
Subject: Dukes Mayo In France
Jennifer,
I just had to tell one on my best friend and her love of Dukes
Mayo. Tammy Goben is spending the next 5 months in Agen France taking
Trompe and Mural classes from a very famous artist Michael Nadai. She
has been frantic till yesterday when her package that her husband Tom
mailed arrived with her two large jars of Dukes Mayonnaise! We have
asked if she needed anything else and her only request was to keep sending the Dukes when she needs it. If you could drop her an e-mail I would get the biggest kick! She has started a wonderful blog telling all of us of the wonderful journey she is on. The Dukes story would just make it. If you get a chance her e-mail is as follows:TnTGoben@aol.com She is a decorative painter and Master Seamstress from Greenville South Carolina. Think you will love her.
Thank You So Much,
Robyn Moody
Below is what Jennifer wrote back:
From: Jennifer Giambroni <jennifer@allisonpr.com>
Date: October 7, 2008 12:07:25 PM CDT
To: Robyn Moody
Subject: RE: Dukes Mayo In France
Hi Robyn,
We love to hear that Duke's is international! We'll make sure that the
folks at Duke's send her a shout out! Also, what's her mailing address
so we can send some Duke's goodies for the next care package her hubby
sends!
Best,
Jennifer Giambroni
For Duke's Mayonnaisee
Since Tom is leaving town, Robyn wrote Jennifer back today telling her my husband is on his way literally around the world and gave her my address here in France. This is too precious and everyone here is having a blast with this possibility of getting this package from Dukes.
When I shared this story this a.m. at the beginning of class, Marina, the Britain sweetheart, said no company in Britain would be so kind to even offer such a thing. The French said that if I do in fact, get the care package from Dukes, they have to taste it, if it's such a big thing for me. LOL.
I LOVE THIS story and just had to share. Robyn, thank you for your kindness and what a thoughtful thing to do. Will you be my agent when I return and need some work?
Thank you too, for Dukes Mayonnaise even thinking of me in this way. This is so precious!!!!
Love - Tammy
Monday, October 6, 2008
Arrival and First Two Days of Class
HELLO EVERYONE!!!! Welcome to my blog and thank you so much for joining me in this adventure.
First of all, let me say a KUDOS and thank you from the bottom of my heart to my sweet husband Tom, who devoted quite a few hours to get this blog going. He put this together so we could all participate, contribute and enjoy each other as I go through this journey. Thank you honey and may you be blessed by everyone who visits here when you read what is going on with all of us!!!! I LOVE YOU. This wouldn't be happening without you. Your contribution is more than I could ever repay; emotionally, phsyically and spiritually. Thank you, love of my life!!!!
Okay, that put me in tears.
Now, let me get busy with the blog. I arrived this past Thursday evening almost missing my plane in Philly and then almost missing my train in Paris to come to Agen. Both times, I was being looked after by people who were kind, generous and understanding. You'd think with seven hours in between flights and at the train station, that I'd have plenty of time to get things done properly, but no . . .
I have met some incredibly kind and compassionate people on the journey here. The older gentleman I sat beside on the way here literally followed me around like I was his daughter and made sure I got to the right places, at the right time. Tom was happy to hear he was an executive working with professional cycling gear LOL. Babe, I've written him thanking him and if he mentions a discount, I'll get it for you.
I met two gentlemen on the train who treated me like I was their sister, again, helping me, telling me all kinds of things about the people here and how to get around and what to see while here. I am so pleased to have found such nice people in such a far away place.
I attended class on Friday and today and I have to tell you, this is emotional for me as well. I am SO honored to be here in this place, at this time. Not only is this coming naturally for me and I'm getting it, but the teaching and the way Michel is teaching is even more than I experienced in the States. For example, when studying wood graining this past week, the class had to literally study the root system and how it moved in order to understand how graining happens. Today, with the marbling, I understood how marbling occurs. Seeing how it is made by nature is the best way to know how to replicate. Studying in depth like this, is the most eloquent and intensive way to learn and I'm GRATEFUL to be here. Once you get these basics, your mind wraps around what you are trying to do and thus, a beautiful piece begins.
The joy in seeing my friends Michel and Kyoko and the comfort they are giving me is something I cannot put into words. Along with fatigue and thus, an emotional day yesterday, they have held my hand and gotten me tissues to wipe my tears and helped me so much. It's such a blessing to already know and love them both. I don't feel so brave because of this, my personal kudos goes out to all those students who have been here without even knowing the joy of these two people before they arrived. How brave they all have been!
There are five of us in this session. One British girl, Marina, myself and three French; Bridgette, who is married to a policeman here, Maria who is living out of her van during the week until she finds a good place to stay and Patrick, who lives on the south coast of France. Patrick has invited us to go spend a weekend with him at the coast. Excited about that.
The traditions with the French are great to get to see and experience. At lunch, they drink red wine and take an hour and a half for this fiesta. We sit outside in the sun and enjoy each other's company.
I'm only the sixth American student to take the entire course. There have been ten of us all together, but others only took one or two of the three modules. I am honored to be among the six. I can only tell you that I will not come home the same person and the training I'm receiving from Michel is the most comprehensive and joyous training I've had.
The French are thin and yet, eat alot of bread LOL. They close everything down on Sundays to spend time with family. They close down stores and shops at lunchtime all during the week and Saturdays to enjoy their lunchtime. They are SERIOUS about eating LOL.
Going to the grocery store and trying to purchase things to cook in my little 4' kitchen is a challenge unless Kyoko is there to help read the labels. Marina and I both today, were having fun even trying to check out at the register without speaking any French.
I have one TV station that's in English. It's CNN and I cannot tell you how angry I'm getting at what is portrayed on that station LOL. Thus, I'm watching French stations hoping I'll glean something from their language and reading books and spending time skyping and E-mailing. I miss Good Morning America!!
That's all for now. Please add your comments and questions and I'll keep this up as I go along. Anything you want to share is greatly appreciated. Even, what you consider mundane. It means the world to me. Thanks for all your E-mails already and know that you are thought of EVERY day.
Please, out of respect for the others on this blog, do not publish or copy any of this material without written permission from the respective bloggers to ensure our intention of this blog. To enjoy each other, to share, to walk through this together. I care about your lives and I know you care about mine.
With great love and joy - Tammy
First of all, let me say a KUDOS and thank you from the bottom of my heart to my sweet husband Tom, who devoted quite a few hours to get this blog going. He put this together so we could all participate, contribute and enjoy each other as I go through this journey. Thank you honey and may you be blessed by everyone who visits here when you read what is going on with all of us!!!! I LOVE YOU. This wouldn't be happening without you. Your contribution is more than I could ever repay; emotionally, phsyically and spiritually. Thank you, love of my life!!!!
Okay, that put me in tears.
Now, let me get busy with the blog. I arrived this past Thursday evening almost missing my plane in Philly and then almost missing my train in Paris to come to Agen. Both times, I was being looked after by people who were kind, generous and understanding. You'd think with seven hours in between flights and at the train station, that I'd have plenty of time to get things done properly, but no . . .
I have met some incredibly kind and compassionate people on the journey here. The older gentleman I sat beside on the way here literally followed me around like I was his daughter and made sure I got to the right places, at the right time. Tom was happy to hear he was an executive working with professional cycling gear LOL. Babe, I've written him thanking him and if he mentions a discount, I'll get it for you.
I met two gentlemen on the train who treated me like I was their sister, again, helping me, telling me all kinds of things about the people here and how to get around and what to see while here. I am so pleased to have found such nice people in such a far away place.
I attended class on Friday and today and I have to tell you, this is emotional for me as well. I am SO honored to be here in this place, at this time. Not only is this coming naturally for me and I'm getting it, but the teaching and the way Michel is teaching is even more than I experienced in the States. For example, when studying wood graining this past week, the class had to literally study the root system and how it moved in order to understand how graining happens. Today, with the marbling, I understood how marbling occurs. Seeing how it is made by nature is the best way to know how to replicate. Studying in depth like this, is the most eloquent and intensive way to learn and I'm GRATEFUL to be here. Once you get these basics, your mind wraps around what you are trying to do and thus, a beautiful piece begins.
The joy in seeing my friends Michel and Kyoko and the comfort they are giving me is something I cannot put into words. Along with fatigue and thus, an emotional day yesterday, they have held my hand and gotten me tissues to wipe my tears and helped me so much. It's such a blessing to already know and love them both. I don't feel so brave because of this, my personal kudos goes out to all those students who have been here without even knowing the joy of these two people before they arrived. How brave they all have been!
There are five of us in this session. One British girl, Marina, myself and three French; Bridgette, who is married to a policeman here, Maria who is living out of her van during the week until she finds a good place to stay and Patrick, who lives on the south coast of France. Patrick has invited us to go spend a weekend with him at the coast. Excited about that.
The traditions with the French are great to get to see and experience. At lunch, they drink red wine and take an hour and a half for this fiesta. We sit outside in the sun and enjoy each other's company.
I'm only the sixth American student to take the entire course. There have been ten of us all together, but others only took one or two of the three modules. I am honored to be among the six. I can only tell you that I will not come home the same person and the training I'm receiving from Michel is the most comprehensive and joyous training I've had.
The French are thin and yet, eat alot of bread LOL. They close everything down on Sundays to spend time with family. They close down stores and shops at lunchtime all during the week and Saturdays to enjoy their lunchtime. They are SERIOUS about eating LOL.
Going to the grocery store and trying to purchase things to cook in my little 4' kitchen is a challenge unless Kyoko is there to help read the labels. Marina and I both today, were having fun even trying to check out at the register without speaking any French.
I have one TV station that's in English. It's CNN and I cannot tell you how angry I'm getting at what is portrayed on that station LOL. Thus, I'm watching French stations hoping I'll glean something from their language and reading books and spending time skyping and E-mailing. I miss Good Morning America!!
That's all for now. Please add your comments and questions and I'll keep this up as I go along. Anything you want to share is greatly appreciated. Even, what you consider mundane. It means the world to me. Thanks for all your E-mails already and know that you are thought of EVERY day.
Please, out of respect for the others on this blog, do not publish or copy any of this material without written permission from the respective bloggers to ensure our intention of this blog. To enjoy each other, to share, to walk through this together. I care about your lives and I know you care about mine.
With great love and joy - Tammy
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