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