Hello everyone. Hope this blog finds you all well and doing some fun things.
Lisa and I went to Albi, France this past Sunday, which is over two hours south of where we are in Agen to see the museum of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrac (known to the French). He’s well known around the world as Toulouse Lautrac. He was famous in his time and was born in the same hometown of Michel Nadai. Albi was a charming and beautiful town/village and I enjoyed it immensely and would love to go back sometime with Tom. Toulouse Lautrec is very well known for his love of “women of the night” and spent most of his time with prostitutes and especially at the famous Moulin Rouge. A lot of his art is capturing these women in various scenes. He is also well known for his scenes of horses and was injured as a boy on a horse and the growth centers in his legs were damaged, so the rest of his body developed normally, but his legs didn’t. He was called a midget, but wasn’t and from the pictures I saw in the museum, wasn’t too much shorter than average height for that period of time. He was the first silk screen printer and the museum was so touching to see his paintings with what I’m learning. Lisa was generous enough, as this is her favorite artist, to take me around and show me different techniques and how he used the colors to bring such harmony to his paintings.
I was especially touched by one piece of art he had sketched in pencil. He captured this woman partially undressed in front of the mirror as she was washing her face with her top down. Even though from the side and back of her you could see she was overweight and her breasts, being large, hung below her, in the mirror, was an image of a thin woman with perfectly shaped breasts. Lisa and I mused over this piece and I found it especially touching and told her I wonder if this is how he saw all his women. He saw the beauty in them, his art certainly depicts this, his appreciation for women’s bodies and he was not prejudice about size or age. I told Lisa how our culture teaches women to do the opposite and we have got to see ourselves as beautiful in the mirrors, instead of critiquing every inch of our bodies. He saw perfection in the mirror and so should we. (My loose translation and how this personally touched me at least). We all are perfection in the flesh.
Had a funny experience as we walked our way back to the train station and Lisa went across the street to put some postcards into the post (mail) and I waited on the street corner. This lady and two men passed by and I looked the female in the face and smiled at her and she instantly smiled back and I was in shock. As I stood there thinking on how unbelievable it was that someone smiled instantly back at me, she passed me and finally turned and walked back to me and asked me in French where I was from? I spoke back in French and told her from Carolean de Sud (how they pronounce South Carolina) and she laughed and said “where?” I said, “Oh my gosh, you are American” and grabbed her. She and I hugged and she laughed and told the story about how when she passed me and I smiled at her and she told the two men, “that woman is not French, she smiled at me first and also, she’s not wearing black”. LOL. We all found out where each one respectively was from and the three of them are in the development and building of Boeing airplanes and are located in Toulouse for months at a time helping the French. We all laughed at how I was standing there wondering why this woman smiled so quickly and laughed about how we are constantly trying to get the French to smile at us, as it’s our natural instincts and some of them will smile, but only after you hold it for awhile. The woman invited us to stay with her in Toulouse, as she was tickled to find other Americans here and we told her we were leaving and couldn’t get back her way. What a joy to meet someone else from America and have a few moments of fun with them.
We had a full week of finishing up the mural and then starting on the seascape. It is amazing to paint the waves of the ocean and the water. I love it and found it very relaxing just because the scene is so peaceful itself. I’m so thrilled about all the things I’ve learned and found myself today, while walking around Agen thinking, “T, you are a real artist now, you are growing up.” LOL.
I spent today for five hours walking all over Agen, going to my favorite places, spending my last weekend here reflecting and rejoicing. It was absolutely beautiful outside and the joy of having a full day to me and just going where I wanted to and when was awesome. I missed Lisa though, as she’s gone for the weekend and missed being a tour guide for either Lisa or Osamu or both. I’ve been a tour guide; imagine that, for Agen since I arrived back in January LOL. Too funny.
Today, I walked the three miles or so to visit Le Nostradamus. It’s a restaurant where Nostradamus lived while here in Agen. I made the trek so Lisa and I could try to get a reservation for this coming Tuesday evening. (Her payback for me visiting the museum with her LOL). Once I arrived, I was pleasantly surprised to find the restaurant was open and went inside to have a cappuccino and talk with them. I asked if anyone spoke English and was tickled to find out the owner was who they sent over and she and I had a great conversation about Nostradamus. I told her what I had read on the internet about him living there and she said he had only lived there within a six year period of time. The information about him marrying a woman from Agen and having two children was correct. That this home she now has her restaurant in, was his actual home and was a part of his wife’s family. It was a farm and some of the people who have visited the restaurant since she and her husband purchased it five and a half years ago, tell her stories about their families coming to the farm and getting milk. They claim it was the best around. They purchased it from another couple who had run the restaurant for ten years previously. There is a picture of him hanging just inside the door.
It was stone and mortar, exactly like the home Serge and Mary Rose live in and I found it so charming. All the interior walls were stone and were not as thick, were about 18” thick, where theirs is at least two feet. The ceiling is wooden and some of it was tongue and groove boards with pillars. It was emotional for me thinking of all the history in that place and if I could just get the walls to tell me about all the history, I would be so thrilled. There was a fireplace and I am so excited to come back this coming week and I’ll take pictures then. So sorry I didn’t have my camera with me this weekend, I left it at the studio after we took a picture of the beach scene. I do, however, have more pictures posted.
I’ll be writing one more blog when I get to Paris next weekend. This journey is almost over and I’m so thrilled I made it through it all. It’s been a revealing and beautiful journey, although painful at times, that added to the beauty of it all. What I have learned about me personally and life cannot be captured in a small blog, it would take a book to unload all the information, but I’ve tried to share the main things with you all.
Some interesting things I’ve found out while here in France is that there are so many American influences in France and so many French things in America. They are proud of the fact that the Statue of Liberty was donated to America and Lisa and I both laughed when we were asked if we actually knew that this past week. OF COURSE, we knew that LOL. There are a lot of French words in our cuisine. The words menu, crème brulee, even though much sweeter and not as good LOL, trompe l’oeil, and so many others I thought of today and cannot think of now, are inherited. I’m wondering why we didn’t make them different and why certain words were adopted as was from the French. Made me smile to think of how much we really, all share with each other.
I’ve learned that everyone has the same basic need. We truly are all connected and are so much alike, when you break down all the cultural differences that keep us apart and separate us by unwarranted prejudices. That I will, no matter what others may try to tell me, hold hands with anyone who will allow me. I’ve found quite a few who do and are willing here. It’s been a gift. I’m determined in life to find those who can sit around the campfire with me and sing KUM BAH YAH together LOL.
My friend Christine and I had dinner again this past week and all the things I’m saying above is evidence of how much we are so much alike. She’s the shoe woman I found in the elevator at Appart Valley LOL. We have developed a friendship and enjoy each other’s company so much. We have seen each other or had dinner every time she’s come into town since we finally connected in the store that Saturday. She is absolutely precious and has found the love of her life over the Christmas holidays. I could not be happier for her. She’s been single for over 20 years.
I relayed the story about how Tom and I met and that the very first dinner date we had, he took me to a French restaurant in our area and the very first time he told me he loved me, was in French and he waited over two more months to tell me in English. She laughed as she thought of me being in France at this point in my life. She’s also invited Tom and me to come back for a visit and spend some time with her and her new love.
Life is good and I’m almost finished. I’m rejoicing, like I said above in the accomplishment of it all and can say that it tested me in everyway imaginable. I’m so grateful for everything I’ve tasted, felt, experienced, learned, seen and touched. I will not go back to America the same. The French have seen to that. Today I found myself with a baguette of bread hanging out of a bag to bring back to Appart Valley to go with the spaghetti I was cooking for dinner. How’s that for a French influence?? I will sorely miss their bread, it’s awesome!
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Saturday, January 31, 2009
LAST TWO WEEKS!
HELLO EVERYONE!!!!!
Sorry I haven’t been able to write in two weeks, and thank you for your patience.
We went through the worst storm I’ve ever been through this past weekend in the southern part of France. It was worse than the one they had in 1999 in force winds, which clocked over 175 mph at the west coast of France. A lot of people have been without power and water this entire week because of the storm and we were some of the very fortunate in Appart Valley to only have problems with the internet for a few days. Some of you are asking me about this because it’s been in the papers and in the news. It lasted for many hours during the early morning of Saturday a week ago. I was so thankful to feel in a safe place. There were a lot of families who had to come and stay at Appart Valley because of their lack of utilities for the week.
I’ve had a lot of great food, and such sweet times with Osamu and Lisa. They became two of my best friends while here. Osamu left today to go back to Florence, as his school is starting back on Monday. He will be sorely missed, especially by Lisa who found a brother in his time here with us. Lisa and I are going tomorrow to Albi, France to see her favorite artist’s museum and his works. I’m looking forward to going, but am wanting a day off too LOL.
We had an Open House at the studio all day today and were busy there watching Pierre do his famous marbles. It was so tediously and eloquently done and I cannot describe poetically enough how beautiful it was to watch his hand doing the marbling. I felt privileged to be in the presence of such a Master and to feel his sweet and humble spirit again since meeting him in Paris in early December. He remembered the “American hugs” and I was able to hug him again.
We are all fatigued and worn out from the long hours we are working on our mural in the studio each day. I leave at 7:45 in the mornings and don’t get back into my room until well after 7:00 p.m. All of the students are tired. The extensiveness of the mural Michel chose is much more than I could have possibly imagined doing and is a very complex and technically challenging mural. (See photos). I’m working through it though and we should be finishing with it sometime early this next week. YEAH. Then, we get to work on an ocean and sky and also come up with a project we want help with in prospective and composition. The next two weeks will fly by.
We had two weeks when we first returned from Christmas break of prospective and color theory. We loved what we learned and then the mural started. We are thankful to gain the knowledge and experience of painting this piece and are proud of our accomplishments. All of us who have been in the program for the entire five months can tell a huge difference in the energy levels in the three new students in this particular module LOL. They are raring to go and we are all exhausted LOL, and it’s NOT just because we are older either.
I have been going through a lot of personal growth and am learning so much more about myself and others and by listening and paying attention. There’s so much to be learned when you put yourself in a position like this.
I read something in regards to the personal things I’m learning and wanted to share it with you, just in case you find yourself in this place in your life. I’ve found it takes courage to look at yourself and see what you need and what you want in this life. Deciding that you are going to expand yourself and grow, is HUGE and costs you something along the way. I’ve also found that fear is nothing but a cloud and when we start to walk through it, it dissipates.
There were five lessons to make you think about how you treat others sent to me via E-mail by my sister and this one was the fourth. Sorry the author is unknown; else I would give credit to him/her.
The Obstacle of Our Path
In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then, he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the King’s wealthiest merchants came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way. Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand! Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.
This is so about what I’m learning about me, about others, about life, about love, about getting in my own way in life, about faith, trust, hope, and moving into my future. It’s not easy being here and in this place, but I’m facing it and am actually thankful for all the struggles with me personally, because a lot of my walls I didn’t even know I had are tumbling down before my eyes and there is freedom in facing things inside yourself. There is gold to be found later when you uncover things and get things not needed or wanted out of your life taking up your space.
I hope this E-mail gives you all some hope for your own lives. When you don’t have the normal vices in life to divert your attention and fatigue is your best friend on a daily basis, you find a lot out about yourself. It’s truly the best gift I could have received during this time in my life, even though through difficult times.
I must say that my precious husband has been through so much in this journey with me as well and has been the most patient and loving husband I could have asked for. He’s sent me so many care packages and reminded me of his love for me, his belief in what I’m doing and the purpose of me being here and our relationship is blooming even more over it all. I’m so thankful for him in all of this and don’t feel I would be quite so brave without his support, kindness and love through all of this.
I also want to thank Susan for all the cards and notes and pictures she sends frequently while I’ve been here. You are such a GREAT friend and I’m thankful for you woman!!!!!
Thank you to the rest of you who are watching, listening and learning through my experiences here, you are on this journey with me as well. I am thankful for the “village” it is taking to raise me LOL.
Until next time, with great love and knowledge of a much fuller life to come ---- Tammy!!!
Sorry I haven’t been able to write in two weeks, and thank you for your patience.
We went through the worst storm I’ve ever been through this past weekend in the southern part of France. It was worse than the one they had in 1999 in force winds, which clocked over 175 mph at the west coast of France. A lot of people have been without power and water this entire week because of the storm and we were some of the very fortunate in Appart Valley to only have problems with the internet for a few days. Some of you are asking me about this because it’s been in the papers and in the news. It lasted for many hours during the early morning of Saturday a week ago. I was so thankful to feel in a safe place. There were a lot of families who had to come and stay at Appart Valley because of their lack of utilities for the week.
I’ve had a lot of great food, and such sweet times with Osamu and Lisa. They became two of my best friends while here. Osamu left today to go back to Florence, as his school is starting back on Monday. He will be sorely missed, especially by Lisa who found a brother in his time here with us. Lisa and I are going tomorrow to Albi, France to see her favorite artist’s museum and his works. I’m looking forward to going, but am wanting a day off too LOL.
We had an Open House at the studio all day today and were busy there watching Pierre do his famous marbles. It was so tediously and eloquently done and I cannot describe poetically enough how beautiful it was to watch his hand doing the marbling. I felt privileged to be in the presence of such a Master and to feel his sweet and humble spirit again since meeting him in Paris in early December. He remembered the “American hugs” and I was able to hug him again.
We are all fatigued and worn out from the long hours we are working on our mural in the studio each day. I leave at 7:45 in the mornings and don’t get back into my room until well after 7:00 p.m. All of the students are tired. The extensiveness of the mural Michel chose is much more than I could have possibly imagined doing and is a very complex and technically challenging mural. (See photos). I’m working through it though and we should be finishing with it sometime early this next week. YEAH. Then, we get to work on an ocean and sky and also come up with a project we want help with in prospective and composition. The next two weeks will fly by.
We had two weeks when we first returned from Christmas break of prospective and color theory. We loved what we learned and then the mural started. We are thankful to gain the knowledge and experience of painting this piece and are proud of our accomplishments. All of us who have been in the program for the entire five months can tell a huge difference in the energy levels in the three new students in this particular module LOL. They are raring to go and we are all exhausted LOL, and it’s NOT just because we are older either.
I have been going through a lot of personal growth and am learning so much more about myself and others and by listening and paying attention. There’s so much to be learned when you put yourself in a position like this.
I read something in regards to the personal things I’m learning and wanted to share it with you, just in case you find yourself in this place in your life. I’ve found it takes courage to look at yourself and see what you need and what you want in this life. Deciding that you are going to expand yourself and grow, is HUGE and costs you something along the way. I’ve also found that fear is nothing but a cloud and when we start to walk through it, it dissipates.
There were five lessons to make you think about how you treat others sent to me via E-mail by my sister and this one was the fourth. Sorry the author is unknown; else I would give credit to him/her.
The Obstacle of Our Path
In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then, he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the King’s wealthiest merchants came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way. Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand! Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.
This is so about what I’m learning about me, about others, about life, about love, about getting in my own way in life, about faith, trust, hope, and moving into my future. It’s not easy being here and in this place, but I’m facing it and am actually thankful for all the struggles with me personally, because a lot of my walls I didn’t even know I had are tumbling down before my eyes and there is freedom in facing things inside yourself. There is gold to be found later when you uncover things and get things not needed or wanted out of your life taking up your space.
I hope this E-mail gives you all some hope for your own lives. When you don’t have the normal vices in life to divert your attention and fatigue is your best friend on a daily basis, you find a lot out about yourself. It’s truly the best gift I could have received during this time in my life, even though through difficult times.
I must say that my precious husband has been through so much in this journey with me as well and has been the most patient and loving husband I could have asked for. He’s sent me so many care packages and reminded me of his love for me, his belief in what I’m doing and the purpose of me being here and our relationship is blooming even more over it all. I’m so thankful for him in all of this and don’t feel I would be quite so brave without his support, kindness and love through all of this.
I also want to thank Susan for all the cards and notes and pictures she sends frequently while I’ve been here. You are such a GREAT friend and I’m thankful for you woman!!!!!
Thank you to the rest of you who are watching, listening and learning through my experiences here, you are on this journey with me as well. I am thankful for the “village” it is taking to raise me LOL.
Until next time, with great love and knowledge of a much fuller life to come ---- Tammy!!!
Saturday, January 17, 2009
First Two Weeks in School
Welcome back to France with me!!!
Since returning to France, it has been a totally different journey and I’m thankful for every moment in this experience. We have three new students. Osamu, who is Japanese and is studying at an art restoration college in Florence, Italy for four years and is on winter break. He will not be able to finish the entire six week module, because his winter break will end at the end of this month. He is kind, quiet, sweet and tugs on his little goatee constantly, even while eating lunch or dinner LOL. He’s a darling and is 26 years old. The youngest student we have.
Then, there’s the American Lisa Burns. Lisa and I hit if off the moment we first wrote each other. I was in class one day in the first module and heard Kyoko answer the phone in French and immediately say “yes, I speak English”. I knew in my heart at that moment it was an American and asked Kyoko if I could write her about my experiences here and see if she had any questions about the school. This sweet thing Kyoko gave her approval over; started a unique friendship between Lisa and me. She is absolutely precious and I am learning more and more about the French culture from her as she can explain the differences in the American ways and the French ways. She married a Frenchman this past year and has been living with Tom in Belgium for the past four years. They met in her home state of Oregon. She is delightful and adds so much to our class. She has been doing art for years and I enjoy watching her work, she's great.
Jasque is a French Architect who joined us as well. He’s been an art instructor and is talented. I love how he has moved the window treatment portion of our mural. He swims during lunchtime, while the rest of us chill and eat lunch together and just enjoy each other’s company. He’s high energy and very active and is nervously running around all the time trying to get his things done LOL.
We have been celebrating since our first day back at class, this custom with the French called “The Epiphany”. It is the celebration of the three kings visiting Jesus and Mary and Joseph. They celebrate this custom by putting little prizes into cakes and tarts. If you are the one who gets the prize, you are a Queen or King for the entire year and you have a crown to put on. Then you have to purchase the cake on the following day. I keep winning this stupid little prize LOL. No, actually I and Kyoko won the first two on the first day. Patrick had bought two cakes and then we each bought a cake. Marina and Osamu won those two and Marina bought the third one, as we all said we could not eat four pieces of cake to find the prizes, so we cut this down to one cake, instead of two. When Marina bought the third day, the last piece was left for Jasque and we knew it had the prize in it. When he came back, we told him the piece of cake was waiting on him. Before he could even eat it, a visiting artist came into the studio; we’ve seen her a few times. All of a sudden, the piece of cake disappeared and we all laughed when we realized she took the piece belonging to Jasque and didn’t bother to let us all know. We didn’t celebrate this tradition again, until this week. Michel bought one and started it all over again. Patrick received the first prize and on his tart he bought, Michel won. We thought it was all over, until I was eating my piece and low and behold, there were two prizes in that tart and I had the second one LOL. You’ll love this, the tarts were prizes of The Simpson cartoon characters and our crowns were Simpson crowns.
Getting back to the school and what we are learning. I cannot begin to describe how intense this module is compared to the others. We were warned about this many times before by Michel and Kyoko and none of us could have prepared ourselves for this learning curve. I believe that in the prospective, color theory, where we had a visiting artist and teacher come to teach that portion and then the composition of art we have done in the past two weeks is as much as you would get in a year in an art college. I cannot believe how much information and subsequent change in my life. I’m so thankful I didn’t get to The Louvre before I left Paris and that when I go home in February, what I will see in these paintings will be totally different and my appreciation much greater. This module is exhausting us and by the time we get back to our rooms, we are can hardly function. Our eyes, minds and bodies are suffering LOL. We are all so grateful though, that Michel built this curriculum around giving us, as is his method, everything humanly possible to enhance our growth as artisans. I am now beginning to understand why he said this entire course was the equivalent to a seven year apprenticeship.
I am shocked at what I’m learning and gleaning from all of the teachings of Michel and so are all of the other students along with us. The new students got introduced to a very loving group and they are commenting on how close we all are and we have embraced them as part of our family. I personally am spending a lot of time with Osamu and Lisa taking them around town, introducing them to my favorite crepery restaurant, taking them to Chinese buffet and generally seeing around town. Agen truly is a beautiful experience. I did find out that the population here is around 70,000 and outside the perimeter of the town limits is another 70,000 people.
Oh, and one thing I have decided since my last blog. I said I would tell you when I figured out if I liked the French custom of how long it takes them to bring the check. Thanks to Lisa explaining why they do this, I think it is a wonderful concept. She says the French think that the dining experience is just that, an experience and they consider it rude to interrupt you to bring you the check. They expect you to ask for it LOL. All this time, I’ve been waiting patiently and getting frustrated at times when they were just being respectful of my time and meal LOL. The culture differences are most difficult in this regard, what is meant as a courtesy can be perceived in a totally different manner. I am so reminded of the movie Crash so many times as I see what happens around me in regard to how humans relate and look at each other. I think we could all learn from each other and be better people just by being open to listening and hearing what others feel, sense and how they function in their lives.
You’ll get a kick out of this, on my way into Paris at the airport, I was asked by this couple where the train station was in the airport and I guided them there. Now, mind you, they were totally speaking French and I had to get the woman to speak some broken English with me speaking broken French and I mean broken LOL. When we got to the train station in the airport, they were heading to where they live in Bordeaux, which is one train stop before Agen. While waiting in line at the café to get a cappuccino, they got behind me in line and were asking more questions about me liking being here in France and studying. She told me that she had been in NY quite a few times and that her opinion of Americans was that we all walked around with our head’s off. ROFL. I laughed at this and knew she had not been around many Americans and thought of the biases we all have toward one another. It was sobering. Come to find out, she wasn’t French and was from Amsterdam. This is all saddening to me on so many levels, wishing that we could all just hold hands and love each other. (I know, I hear you Tom, me wanting to sit around the campfire and hold hands and sing Kum BA YAH with everyone and you keep telling me that’s not the case LOL). I still wish for a more united world. My being here is opening up the French more to Americans and me to the French. In that regard, this is a beautiful experience!!!!!
Don’t forget to look at the new pics on the blog (you'll have to scroll down to find them, don't know why they don't automatically go to the top of the page), and the article for Artisphere is completed and it will be coming out soon. They changed their minds from them writing about the opening of Michel’s studio, to me writing the article. They are planning on doing a personal article on me when I complete the course. I’m excited about that as well and have found working through this process of this article an absolute wonderful experience with the Editor, she is awesome. Had an interview and photo shoot while in Greenville for the local magazine called Talk Art, look for that article by Ann Hicks coming your way soon as well. Ann is a good friend of mine and I can’t wait to see what she has to say. She is a wealth of knowledge herself.
Hope all is well with each of you. Thank you so much for going through this experience with me and I am finding out that there are more of you reading this than I knew. I love that you are finding something in this reading that touches you and hopefully, you are being enlightened as to what it is like living in a foreign country. We can all grow from each other's experiences. Thank you for your portion in this.
Happy Birthday to the love of my life - Tom!!!!!!!
Tammy Goben
Since returning to France, it has been a totally different journey and I’m thankful for every moment in this experience. We have three new students. Osamu, who is Japanese and is studying at an art restoration college in Florence, Italy for four years and is on winter break. He will not be able to finish the entire six week module, because his winter break will end at the end of this month. He is kind, quiet, sweet and tugs on his little goatee constantly, even while eating lunch or dinner LOL. He’s a darling and is 26 years old. The youngest student we have.
Then, there’s the American Lisa Burns. Lisa and I hit if off the moment we first wrote each other. I was in class one day in the first module and heard Kyoko answer the phone in French and immediately say “yes, I speak English”. I knew in my heart at that moment it was an American and asked Kyoko if I could write her about my experiences here and see if she had any questions about the school. This sweet thing Kyoko gave her approval over; started a unique friendship between Lisa and me. She is absolutely precious and I am learning more and more about the French culture from her as she can explain the differences in the American ways and the French ways. She married a Frenchman this past year and has been living with Tom in Belgium for the past four years. They met in her home state of Oregon. She is delightful and adds so much to our class. She has been doing art for years and I enjoy watching her work, she's great.
Jasque is a French Architect who joined us as well. He’s been an art instructor and is talented. I love how he has moved the window treatment portion of our mural. He swims during lunchtime, while the rest of us chill and eat lunch together and just enjoy each other’s company. He’s high energy and very active and is nervously running around all the time trying to get his things done LOL.
We have been celebrating since our first day back at class, this custom with the French called “The Epiphany”. It is the celebration of the three kings visiting Jesus and Mary and Joseph. They celebrate this custom by putting little prizes into cakes and tarts. If you are the one who gets the prize, you are a Queen or King for the entire year and you have a crown to put on. Then you have to purchase the cake on the following day. I keep winning this stupid little prize LOL. No, actually I and Kyoko won the first two on the first day. Patrick had bought two cakes and then we each bought a cake. Marina and Osamu won those two and Marina bought the third one, as we all said we could not eat four pieces of cake to find the prizes, so we cut this down to one cake, instead of two. When Marina bought the third day, the last piece was left for Jasque and we knew it had the prize in it. When he came back, we told him the piece of cake was waiting on him. Before he could even eat it, a visiting artist came into the studio; we’ve seen her a few times. All of a sudden, the piece of cake disappeared and we all laughed when we realized she took the piece belonging to Jasque and didn’t bother to let us all know. We didn’t celebrate this tradition again, until this week. Michel bought one and started it all over again. Patrick received the first prize and on his tart he bought, Michel won. We thought it was all over, until I was eating my piece and low and behold, there were two prizes in that tart and I had the second one LOL. You’ll love this, the tarts were prizes of The Simpson cartoon characters and our crowns were Simpson crowns.
Getting back to the school and what we are learning. I cannot begin to describe how intense this module is compared to the others. We were warned about this many times before by Michel and Kyoko and none of us could have prepared ourselves for this learning curve. I believe that in the prospective, color theory, where we had a visiting artist and teacher come to teach that portion and then the composition of art we have done in the past two weeks is as much as you would get in a year in an art college. I cannot believe how much information and subsequent change in my life. I’m so thankful I didn’t get to The Louvre before I left Paris and that when I go home in February, what I will see in these paintings will be totally different and my appreciation much greater. This module is exhausting us and by the time we get back to our rooms, we are can hardly function. Our eyes, minds and bodies are suffering LOL. We are all so grateful though, that Michel built this curriculum around giving us, as is his method, everything humanly possible to enhance our growth as artisans. I am now beginning to understand why he said this entire course was the equivalent to a seven year apprenticeship.
I am shocked at what I’m learning and gleaning from all of the teachings of Michel and so are all of the other students along with us. The new students got introduced to a very loving group and they are commenting on how close we all are and we have embraced them as part of our family. I personally am spending a lot of time with Osamu and Lisa taking them around town, introducing them to my favorite crepery restaurant, taking them to Chinese buffet and generally seeing around town. Agen truly is a beautiful experience. I did find out that the population here is around 70,000 and outside the perimeter of the town limits is another 70,000 people.
Oh, and one thing I have decided since my last blog. I said I would tell you when I figured out if I liked the French custom of how long it takes them to bring the check. Thanks to Lisa explaining why they do this, I think it is a wonderful concept. She says the French think that the dining experience is just that, an experience and they consider it rude to interrupt you to bring you the check. They expect you to ask for it LOL. All this time, I’ve been waiting patiently and getting frustrated at times when they were just being respectful of my time and meal LOL. The culture differences are most difficult in this regard, what is meant as a courtesy can be perceived in a totally different manner. I am so reminded of the movie Crash so many times as I see what happens around me in regard to how humans relate and look at each other. I think we could all learn from each other and be better people just by being open to listening and hearing what others feel, sense and how they function in their lives.
You’ll get a kick out of this, on my way into Paris at the airport, I was asked by this couple where the train station was in the airport and I guided them there. Now, mind you, they were totally speaking French and I had to get the woman to speak some broken English with me speaking broken French and I mean broken LOL. When we got to the train station in the airport, they were heading to where they live in Bordeaux, which is one train stop before Agen. While waiting in line at the café to get a cappuccino, they got behind me in line and were asking more questions about me liking being here in France and studying. She told me that she had been in NY quite a few times and that her opinion of Americans was that we all walked around with our head’s off. ROFL. I laughed at this and knew she had not been around many Americans and thought of the biases we all have toward one another. It was sobering. Come to find out, she wasn’t French and was from Amsterdam. This is all saddening to me on so many levels, wishing that we could all just hold hands and love each other. (I know, I hear you Tom, me wanting to sit around the campfire and hold hands and sing Kum BA YAH with everyone and you keep telling me that’s not the case LOL). I still wish for a more united world. My being here is opening up the French more to Americans and me to the French. In that regard, this is a beautiful experience!!!!!
Don’t forget to look at the new pics on the blog (you'll have to scroll down to find them, don't know why they don't automatically go to the top of the page), and the article for Artisphere is completed and it will be coming out soon. They changed their minds from them writing about the opening of Michel’s studio, to me writing the article. They are planning on doing a personal article on me when I complete the course. I’m excited about that as well and have found working through this process of this article an absolute wonderful experience with the Editor, she is awesome. Had an interview and photo shoot while in Greenville for the local magazine called Talk Art, look for that article by Ann Hicks coming your way soon as well. Ann is a good friend of mine and I can’t wait to see what she has to say. She is a wealth of knowledge herself.
Hope all is well with each of you. Thank you so much for going through this experience with me and I am finding out that there are more of you reading this than I knew. I love that you are finding something in this reading that touches you and hopefully, you are being enlightened as to what it is like living in a foreign country. We can all grow from each other's experiences. Thank you for your portion in this.
Happy Birthday to the love of my life - Tom!!!!!!!
Tammy Goben
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Paris, Last Stop Before Home!!!
There is so much to tell you about this past week. We finished up our Trompe L’oeil module and I’m so pleased to tell you I’m excited about what we learned and how we moved through this session. Michel said we did things he’s never asked of his students before. That’s thrilling for me personally. I’ve posted two more panels that I still have work on to complete. I’m happy about them both. Have never painted a face or the upper body and it was wonderful doing it and the feeling of accomplishment when I stepped back and could tell it was a she and her body was in good shape was so rewarding!!
I had dinner with a new French friend. The woman in the Chanel shoes LOL. Her name is Christine and she and I are going to have dinner together again in January the first week I return for the last module. Amazing how small the world is. When she started sharing some of her story with me, I realized we had lived somewhat parallel lives. There was definitely a kindred spirit in her with me and I’m so glad to get to know her.
Saying our Christmas goodbyes in class was bitter sweet and Michel will not be returning in January for the landscape and mural module. He had committed to a huge restoration project in a church. We enjoyed his company.
The love and care we have for each other is a bond you cannot duplicate. It’s one that’s earned and our efforts in the class to succeed and learn as much as possible without going insane is commendable LOL. Our laughter carried us many days as we progressed.
I left class on Friday evening and took the train to Paris. Took a little over four hours, but that was great, since getting to Agen from the airport took over seven hours. I arrived very early in the morning on Saturday and rested a little before my full day Saturday.
The two women I had met at the famous school in Paris came by to pick me up at 11:30 in the morning and they were two of the most fantastic tour guides I could have ever dreamed of having.
Danielle is an Administrative Assistant at the school and works with the Director who is pictured on the blog. Danielle has been taking some classes and has been smitten with art and wants to learn more.
Marielle is an experienced artisan and has worked as an assistant and apprentice with Pierre who is also pictured. She is excited about her new career move in getting to teach at the school starting in January and has been featured on TV a few times doing demonstrations of her original wall treatments. She’s so talented.
Marielle took us around in her 2 horse power Citroen. It’s a classic car and Frenchmen all over were stopping her and talking about her car. See picture. When she drove up to pick me up, I was looking at that car and thinking, “OH MY GOSH, that car is awesome” and then I saw her wave and was thrilled to be getting to ride in it. It was very small inside like our old Volkswagens and reminded me of them years ago, but so much more.
I knew once Danielle arrived and they got inside the car with me, that I was in for a full day as they started pulling out maps and things they were determined for me to see. I have to tell you that them doing this for me and not even knowing me, was one of the most precious gifts I could have received here. They were so selfless and gracious and wouldn’t allow me to even pay for the fuel we consumed. They had a full agenda of what I was going to see and experience while here in Paris LOL.
To have two women who are so into art, to know what to show me and where to take me from an artist's point of view was so incredible. I couldn't have asked for more.
We went to the Eiffel Tower first where I barely got my foot out of the car door and was approached by a young woman asking for money. Fifteen seconds later, I was approached by another one. I asked Marielle and Danielle who they were, as they looked Middle Eastern and they told me they were gypsies. The first question out of their mouths was “do you speak English?” You can tell I’m NOT French with the blonde hair.
We visited and saw so many sights, I cannot possibly remember them all, much less the names and all the history, but will try to recap some of it. We saw The Moulin Rouge. This is the red light district and some of the names of the shops I cannot publish on this blog, they were so graphic.
We saw where Napoleon was buried and some of the statues he erected displaying names of Generals who served him, as well as some of the battles fought and territories conquered.
We went through the tunnel where Princess Di died and also to the Ritz Carlton where she spent her last hours alive.
We spent some time in Reciproque’ shops. These are second hand stores where true designer labels are sold. They were great shops, but still very expensive.
We spent a lot of time in Montmartre where Patrick is approved as an artist and will probably have to wait four years to get a spot there. It was fascinating and wasn’t what I expected. This area of Paris is my favorite so far. It was like a small village environment and there was a famous church at the crest of the hill just to the right of where the artists stay all weekend.
Alot of the artists there were doing chalk renditions of people who approached them to get their faces painted. There was alot of talent in that one spot and it was rewarding.
We had café and chocolate crepe at this wonderful crepery where a young Italian man was playing predominantly American songs and pouring his heart into them. I sat in tears at soaking in this moment and finally some American songs without the French accent to them LOL. He was great and watching his passion over doing what he loved, touched my heart. See picture.
The ambiance of this restaurant and all the small notes posted all over the walls and ceilings were touching, realizing how much history was in this one place and how many people had graced it’s doors. They are famous for their Brittany style crepes, which is where Marielle grew up in France. It is located on the northwest region of France.
We went to this famous restaurant for dinner called Au Pied de Cochon. Cochon translation in English is “pig”. When Marielle told me their signature dish is a pig’s head, I didn’t really believe it, UNTIL, the people next to me ordered such and I was revolted at looking at it LOL. The French do truly eat anything that crawls and do not waste ANY portion of the animal itself. It took us three hours to get served a simple three course meal.
One thing that I love about the French is their love for food and when they eat, it’s an event in itself. They take more than 30 minutes to an hour and a half just to bring you the bill and are in no hurry to serve your food, as they believe you are enjoying the company of each other. One thing that drives me crazy about the French is exactly what I said I love about them LOL. I haven’t fully decided which opinion will be mine ultimately.
In so many ways, Paris reminds me of Manhattan in the feel of the city, except that the buildings are far more exquisite and statuesque. This city is beautiful and has a charm Manhattan doesn’t. The architecture is something to marvel. The shops and close proximity you are when you are in the restaurants, as well as how small the shops and restaurants are, is so reminiscent of NY. Made me long for home!!!
We saw the Christmas lights of buildings and the Champs Elysses. I cannot describe for you how decorative and illustrative these Frenchman celebrate their Christmas. It truly is something that has to be experienced and is as elaborate and beautiful as the city itself.
As I got on line and was typing this, I was looking out my hotel window and watching Paris come alive with lights for the evening and saw the beauty even in the darkness.
I will tell you something, when we were working on the wood graining and marbles in the first module, I made an observation that will stay with me. The most tortured woods and marbles in nature, are in fact, the most beautiful. I hope you can see the beauty in this statement. I know something of this personally and now professionally. I am grateful!!!!!
I’m leaving in the morning and this will be my last blog entry until I return in January. Please be safe, relish the moments with your loved ones and know you are loved . . . MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!
Tammy in France
I had dinner with a new French friend. The woman in the Chanel shoes LOL. Her name is Christine and she and I are going to have dinner together again in January the first week I return for the last module. Amazing how small the world is. When she started sharing some of her story with me, I realized we had lived somewhat parallel lives. There was definitely a kindred spirit in her with me and I’m so glad to get to know her.
Saying our Christmas goodbyes in class was bitter sweet and Michel will not be returning in January for the landscape and mural module. He had committed to a huge restoration project in a church. We enjoyed his company.
The love and care we have for each other is a bond you cannot duplicate. It’s one that’s earned and our efforts in the class to succeed and learn as much as possible without going insane is commendable LOL. Our laughter carried us many days as we progressed.
I left class on Friday evening and took the train to Paris. Took a little over four hours, but that was great, since getting to Agen from the airport took over seven hours. I arrived very early in the morning on Saturday and rested a little before my full day Saturday.
The two women I had met at the famous school in Paris came by to pick me up at 11:30 in the morning and they were two of the most fantastic tour guides I could have ever dreamed of having.
Danielle is an Administrative Assistant at the school and works with the Director who is pictured on the blog. Danielle has been taking some classes and has been smitten with art and wants to learn more.
Marielle is an experienced artisan and has worked as an assistant and apprentice with Pierre who is also pictured. She is excited about her new career move in getting to teach at the school starting in January and has been featured on TV a few times doing demonstrations of her original wall treatments. She’s so talented.
Marielle took us around in her 2 horse power Citroen. It’s a classic car and Frenchmen all over were stopping her and talking about her car. See picture. When she drove up to pick me up, I was looking at that car and thinking, “OH MY GOSH, that car is awesome” and then I saw her wave and was thrilled to be getting to ride in it. It was very small inside like our old Volkswagens and reminded me of them years ago, but so much more.
I knew once Danielle arrived and they got inside the car with me, that I was in for a full day as they started pulling out maps and things they were determined for me to see. I have to tell you that them doing this for me and not even knowing me, was one of the most precious gifts I could have received here. They were so selfless and gracious and wouldn’t allow me to even pay for the fuel we consumed. They had a full agenda of what I was going to see and experience while here in Paris LOL.
To have two women who are so into art, to know what to show me and where to take me from an artist's point of view was so incredible. I couldn't have asked for more.
We went to the Eiffel Tower first where I barely got my foot out of the car door and was approached by a young woman asking for money. Fifteen seconds later, I was approached by another one. I asked Marielle and Danielle who they were, as they looked Middle Eastern and they told me they were gypsies. The first question out of their mouths was “do you speak English?” You can tell I’m NOT French with the blonde hair.
We visited and saw so many sights, I cannot possibly remember them all, much less the names and all the history, but will try to recap some of it. We saw The Moulin Rouge. This is the red light district and some of the names of the shops I cannot publish on this blog, they were so graphic.
We saw where Napoleon was buried and some of the statues he erected displaying names of Generals who served him, as well as some of the battles fought and territories conquered.
We went through the tunnel where Princess Di died and also to the Ritz Carlton where she spent her last hours alive.
We spent some time in Reciproque’ shops. These are second hand stores where true designer labels are sold. They were great shops, but still very expensive.
We spent a lot of time in Montmartre where Patrick is approved as an artist and will probably have to wait four years to get a spot there. It was fascinating and wasn’t what I expected. This area of Paris is my favorite so far. It was like a small village environment and there was a famous church at the crest of the hill just to the right of where the artists stay all weekend.
Alot of the artists there were doing chalk renditions of people who approached them to get their faces painted. There was alot of talent in that one spot and it was rewarding.
We had café and chocolate crepe at this wonderful crepery where a young Italian man was playing predominantly American songs and pouring his heart into them. I sat in tears at soaking in this moment and finally some American songs without the French accent to them LOL. He was great and watching his passion over doing what he loved, touched my heart. See picture.
The ambiance of this restaurant and all the small notes posted all over the walls and ceilings were touching, realizing how much history was in this one place and how many people had graced it’s doors. They are famous for their Brittany style crepes, which is where Marielle grew up in France. It is located on the northwest region of France.
We went to this famous restaurant for dinner called Au Pied de Cochon. Cochon translation in English is “pig”. When Marielle told me their signature dish is a pig’s head, I didn’t really believe it, UNTIL, the people next to me ordered such and I was revolted at looking at it LOL. The French do truly eat anything that crawls and do not waste ANY portion of the animal itself. It took us three hours to get served a simple three course meal.
One thing that I love about the French is their love for food and when they eat, it’s an event in itself. They take more than 30 minutes to an hour and a half just to bring you the bill and are in no hurry to serve your food, as they believe you are enjoying the company of each other. One thing that drives me crazy about the French is exactly what I said I love about them LOL. I haven’t fully decided which opinion will be mine ultimately.
In so many ways, Paris reminds me of Manhattan in the feel of the city, except that the buildings are far more exquisite and statuesque. This city is beautiful and has a charm Manhattan doesn’t. The architecture is something to marvel. The shops and close proximity you are when you are in the restaurants, as well as how small the shops and restaurants are, is so reminiscent of NY. Made me long for home!!!
We saw the Christmas lights of buildings and the Champs Elysses. I cannot describe for you how decorative and illustrative these Frenchman celebrate their Christmas. It truly is something that has to be experienced and is as elaborate and beautiful as the city itself.
As I got on line and was typing this, I was looking out my hotel window and watching Paris come alive with lights for the evening and saw the beauty even in the darkness.
I will tell you something, when we were working on the wood graining and marbles in the first module, I made an observation that will stay with me. The most tortured woods and marbles in nature, are in fact, the most beautiful. I hope you can see the beauty in this statement. I know something of this personally and now professionally. I am grateful!!!!!
I’m leaving in the morning and this will be my last blog entry until I return in January. Please be safe, relish the moments with your loved ones and know you are loved . . . MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!
Tammy in France
Monday, December 15, 2008
Merry Christmas from Agen
Hello Everyone!!!!
This will be my last blog in Agen for awhile. I’m leaving this Friday evening to arrive in Paris late in the evening to find my hotel and spend two full days until flying out on Monday, YEAH!!!!!! I’m so looking forward to getting home for awhile before our session starts again January 5th.
I have some great things to share with you. I've been contacted by two magazines wanting to do articles on my experiences and/or blog here and am so thankful for these opportunities. Both of these will be coming out soon. One is local in the City of Greenville and the other one is international. I'm so excited to be a part of this with them.
I cannot finish this module without telling you about the new student we had join us three weeks ago. His name is Michel and don’t even ask me how to spell his last name LOL. He’s of Spanish origin and was very shy the first week, but man, did he ever come out of his shell after the first week LOL.
He’s a lot of fun and is constantly playing around and acting like he’s tripping himself and making jokes, all of which, we have to hand motion to each other or get translation to understand them all.
He spent time with us and found out how much fun we all have, and yet, how serious we all are about our art and what we are doing and he fit in perfectly with this class. You’ll see a picture of Michel in the Picasa web album. He’s a very nice guy who is a sweetheart. I speak to him in Spanish, English and try some French. He speaks French most of the time in his every day life and lives in Toulouse with his wife, where Brigette lives. Son just graduated college with an engineering degree. Congrats!!!!
We have been working intensely on the panel you’ll see on the web album. The” ripped paper panel”. Talk about details!!!!! We spent a lot of time just working on putting the little fuzzies created by string. Please notice the name tag, the transparent tape holding the paper together if you can see them on the picture on the web album. You’ll laugh, this morning we varnished this piece for safe keeping to travel home with them this weekend and as I was applying the varnish, I freaked out when I went over the tape, thinking I’d ruin it. Then, I realized, it wasn’t real, I painted it on. That’s real trompe l’oeil, when I can fool myself LOL.
We are finishing up two more panels this week, one of which is the green ornate molding one you see in the web album. We are putting a very ornate "Grotesque" period ornamentation on this piece and it's going to be even more beautiful. I'm so thankful Michel is challenging us the way he is and yet, loving, looking over our shoulders watching as only he can.
I’m going to get serious for just a moment and tell you that being here for all this time, 12 weeks, to be exact. Has been sobering, enlightening, frightening, wonderful, beautiful, painful, excruciating at times, such a great experience and loving on so many levels. The friends I’ve made while here with the other students and loving Michel and Kyoko the way I do and having time with them, is one of the great benefits.
The ways I’ve personally grown in my relationships with those closest to me is one of THE most rewarding things about being here. You find out who matters and what your priorities are when you are in a position like this.
I’ve also found out about me personally and when you are away from everything you are comfortable with, don’t have the same diversions you do in your daily life and are alone, living in a country you can’t speak their language, there’s mostly you, especially at night and on the weekends to spend time with.
Having said this, seeing the “real” you, the insecurities, the fears, the things you feel deep down about life, about yourself, about others, comes forward and it’s a “bear”, let me tell you. You have to face yourself and decide how much of you will be hindered by your insecurities and how much of you will not be forced to live this way anymore.
I can say, after thinking about these things and deciding to face my fears while here and moving forward and deciding to grow, that I’m so thankful for this experience and ALL that it entails. It stretches you like a piece of canvas and you feel you are being stretched and pulled on all sides. You can’t help but either crawl into a hole and hide, or you come out and face everything and challenge those things that can hold you back in your own life and your own personal growth.
If there were one thing I could give to you, it would be this gift itself, to know you. To know what you fear, what makes you laugh, what makes you cry, what you want and don’t want. To feel, to need, to sacrifice, to watch the love and feel it from others at a much deeper level than you can imagine because of your heart’s desires and needs. It’s all so beautiful!!!!!
That's the one thing about finding art in my life that is fascinating. You never get it, you always feel some fear when starting a project, and yet, you just go and do. I love the fact that I cannot conquer this and that it will be a lifetime of learning!! I love learning and growing.
BLESS you all for touching me so much and I am so grateful to so many of you who have truly walked in this place with me. You know who you are, I’ve told you. What you have done for me and how you have changed me by your presence in my life is astounding and I’m so thankful for you!!!!!! So, in your own ways, you have been partaking of this personally with me on this journey. You have been here with me in France.
I’ll try to write while in Paris, this weekend before I leave, but if I miss you, please know you are loved in France, that you are in my thoughts and prayers and that I’m longing for your physical presence in my life.
Thank you again, to my dearest friend and love, Tom. Honey, you are, like I said in an E-mail this morning one in ten million. Your sacrifice, love, respect, gentleness, support, kindness and unselfishness in all of this have been the biggest gifts of all!!!!! Thank you for sharing this life with me and believing in me!!!!
MERRY CHRISTMAS from Tammy Goben!!!!!
This will be my last blog in Agen for awhile. I’m leaving this Friday evening to arrive in Paris late in the evening to find my hotel and spend two full days until flying out on Monday, YEAH!!!!!! I’m so looking forward to getting home for awhile before our session starts again January 5th.
I have some great things to share with you. I've been contacted by two magazines wanting to do articles on my experiences and/or blog here and am so thankful for these opportunities. Both of these will be coming out soon. One is local in the City of Greenville and the other one is international. I'm so excited to be a part of this with them.
I cannot finish this module without telling you about the new student we had join us three weeks ago. His name is Michel and don’t even ask me how to spell his last name LOL. He’s of Spanish origin and was very shy the first week, but man, did he ever come out of his shell after the first week LOL.
He’s a lot of fun and is constantly playing around and acting like he’s tripping himself and making jokes, all of which, we have to hand motion to each other or get translation to understand them all.
He spent time with us and found out how much fun we all have, and yet, how serious we all are about our art and what we are doing and he fit in perfectly with this class. You’ll see a picture of Michel in the Picasa web album. He’s a very nice guy who is a sweetheart. I speak to him in Spanish, English and try some French. He speaks French most of the time in his every day life and lives in Toulouse with his wife, where Brigette lives. Son just graduated college with an engineering degree. Congrats!!!!
We have been working intensely on the panel you’ll see on the web album. The” ripped paper panel”. Talk about details!!!!! We spent a lot of time just working on putting the little fuzzies created by string. Please notice the name tag, the transparent tape holding the paper together if you can see them on the picture on the web album. You’ll laugh, this morning we varnished this piece for safe keeping to travel home with them this weekend and as I was applying the varnish, I freaked out when I went over the tape, thinking I’d ruin it. Then, I realized, it wasn’t real, I painted it on. That’s real trompe l’oeil, when I can fool myself LOL.
We are finishing up two more panels this week, one of which is the green ornate molding one you see in the web album. We are putting a very ornate "Grotesque" period ornamentation on this piece and it's going to be even more beautiful. I'm so thankful Michel is challenging us the way he is and yet, loving, looking over our shoulders watching as only he can.
I’m going to get serious for just a moment and tell you that being here for all this time, 12 weeks, to be exact. Has been sobering, enlightening, frightening, wonderful, beautiful, painful, excruciating at times, such a great experience and loving on so many levels. The friends I’ve made while here with the other students and loving Michel and Kyoko the way I do and having time with them, is one of the great benefits.
The ways I’ve personally grown in my relationships with those closest to me is one of THE most rewarding things about being here. You find out who matters and what your priorities are when you are in a position like this.
I’ve also found out about me personally and when you are away from everything you are comfortable with, don’t have the same diversions you do in your daily life and are alone, living in a country you can’t speak their language, there’s mostly you, especially at night and on the weekends to spend time with.
Having said this, seeing the “real” you, the insecurities, the fears, the things you feel deep down about life, about yourself, about others, comes forward and it’s a “bear”, let me tell you. You have to face yourself and decide how much of you will be hindered by your insecurities and how much of you will not be forced to live this way anymore.
I can say, after thinking about these things and deciding to face my fears while here and moving forward and deciding to grow, that I’m so thankful for this experience and ALL that it entails. It stretches you like a piece of canvas and you feel you are being stretched and pulled on all sides. You can’t help but either crawl into a hole and hide, or you come out and face everything and challenge those things that can hold you back in your own life and your own personal growth.
If there were one thing I could give to you, it would be this gift itself, to know you. To know what you fear, what makes you laugh, what makes you cry, what you want and don’t want. To feel, to need, to sacrifice, to watch the love and feel it from others at a much deeper level than you can imagine because of your heart’s desires and needs. It’s all so beautiful!!!!!
That's the one thing about finding art in my life that is fascinating. You never get it, you always feel some fear when starting a project, and yet, you just go and do. I love the fact that I cannot conquer this and that it will be a lifetime of learning!! I love learning and growing.
BLESS you all for touching me so much and I am so grateful to so many of you who have truly walked in this place with me. You know who you are, I’ve told you. What you have done for me and how you have changed me by your presence in my life is astounding and I’m so thankful for you!!!!!! So, in your own ways, you have been partaking of this personally with me on this journey. You have been here with me in France.
I’ll try to write while in Paris, this weekend before I leave, but if I miss you, please know you are loved in France, that you are in my thoughts and prayers and that I’m longing for your physical presence in my life.
Thank you again, to my dearest friend and love, Tom. Honey, you are, like I said in an E-mail this morning one in ten million. Your sacrifice, love, respect, gentleness, support, kindness and unselfishness in all of this have been the biggest gifts of all!!!!! Thank you for sharing this life with me and believing in me!!!!
MERRY CHRISTMAS from Tammy Goben!!!!!
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Grae
Just had to get on line again and let you all know what my grandson did this past Friday. He started crawling, sitting up and really moving around. He started crawling while Katie was on the phone and she was so thrilled. Today, I got to see this little tyke doing his thing.
Thank goodness, he loves the laptop and the picture on it and crawled right to me and the camera everytime they pulled him back to let me watch him. I'm SO thrilled over this news and am sad I'm not there, but will be soon.
Tyler and Katie put up their Christmas tree a week ago Friday and Grae was rolling wherever he wanted to go during that week and rolled under the tree twice and had to have a bath, because he kept getting tree sap on him ROFL.
He's the most beautiful little thing and I can tell has a very strong nature about him. I can't wait to hold him and am so thankful Tyler and Katie share him with me the way they do. How beautiful it all is!!!!!
In love with grandson - Tammy
Thank goodness, he loves the laptop and the picture on it and crawled right to me and the camera everytime they pulled him back to let me watch him. I'm SO thrilled over this news and am sad I'm not there, but will be soon.
Tyler and Katie put up their Christmas tree a week ago Friday and Grae was rolling wherever he wanted to go during that week and rolled under the tree twice and had to have a bath, because he kept getting tree sap on him ROFL.
He's the most beautiful little thing and I can tell has a very strong nature about him. I can't wait to hold him and am so thankful Tyler and Katie share him with me the way they do. How beautiful it all is!!!!!
In love with grandson - Tammy
Trompe L'Oeil Module
Welcome back to my blog!!!!
Thank you all for your kind words and Emails and Craig, honey, thanks for letting me know you were reading it. I'm so thankful for all of you and how you are participating in this with me. I'm thankful each of you take the time, even if you don't tell me, to read what is going on here in France and what my experiences are like. I hope you are enjoying the details of this while it's happening.
This past week was interesting to say the least. I visited an Osteopathic therapist for some major back pain I was experiencing and it was quite the experience.
I also found myself missing so much, just hearing English and hearing French all over the place. Was reflecting on this while in the grocery store after I'd checked out and was waiting on Michel, Kyoko and Marina to finish. That even though I'm not a nosy person, when you can't even understand what people are behind you saying, it feels like you are in a vacuum of sorts. I'm so longing to hear my language and be able to interact with people and just ask a total stranger, "how is your day going?"
I also noticed how all the students are trying their best to communicate and how difficult it is on so many levels. We are all working as diligently as we can, to interact and to get to know each other. Michel, the newest student is of a Spanish origin and I can speak more Spanish to him than any other language and I find myself, going from Spanish, to a word or two in French to a little English LOL. I can honestly say that I'm loving being with these students and there is a bond with all of us and we care deeply about each other.
I think Patrick even feels from me, this homesickness I'm REALLY starting to feel again since I know my time is limited and I'm so PAST wanting to get home. I told Tom this past week, if what I was learning wasn't so important, I'd be on that train to Paris coming home.
What we are doing in this module though and what we are learning and gleaning from this class is the LOVE of my heart when it comes to art. This is the Trompe L'oeil module and it's only four weeks. We are two weeks into this module and only have two more. I have posted some pictures of one panel that is almost complete. A green stone marble with a very ornate molding. Michel says it's not finished, so there will probably be something added inside this stonework. Also, a ripped paper panel we are currently working on, as well as one of the panels we will be doing in class in January with the landscape and mural class, but it will also have a live model we will paint and some other things added to it as well. The ripped paper panel, I had just started and it's much more complete than what this picture reflects. Please notice the penciled in part, vs. what the shadowing alone did to this piece. I'm SO excited about this particular piece. It's as ornate and detailed as the peeled off paint we did in the ATL class.
I had a wonderful day here in Agen yesterday. It's been five weeks since I was able to go downtown and just walk the streets and see the sights. I took off early in the morning and went to the market and have some of those pictures posted. I also ate lunch at this crepery restaurant I've been dying to go to for lunch and had one of the best meals here in France.
One of the things I love about the French restaurants is that they have individual items and entrees, then they have special prices for two, three, four, and five course meals. You can choose typically between two different items in each category. I love this, or just ordering one thing. The meal was delicious but made me want Robyn's chicken crepes too. Their crepes are different than what we make in America, but delicious. Especially the chocolate ones with creme!!!!!
I also stopped into two hair cutting establishments and got my hair done. I'm telling you, it's quite the experience not speaking French and trying to relay what you are thinking about. Even when they say they speak a little English, this means two words maybe. SO, I revert to smiling a lot and hoping and praying they don't totally mess my hair up. I kept thinking yesterday, "okay girl, it's only hair and yours grows fast, so do this and stop worrying." When you do find someone who can speak a little, they want to tell you about where they visited while in America. I have to tell you all that everyone who has visited America has said nothing but GREAT things about where they visited and they all want to return.
One thing that I cannot get used to here, is like I said the restroom situations and I cannot get comfortable walking into a restroom with a man in it. It freaks me out everytime!!!! I also cannot get used to how the French push you in line. When you are in line at the grocery store, if you don't hurry and get your groceries up on the counter, they will literally put their things either on top of your things, or just make you loose your place and have to hold your items if you aren't fast enough. I noticed in lines yesterday paying for things I was finding in the stores, how they push up against you. I'm not used to people getting all close and personal and speaking loudly their language in my ears. If I could speak French well enough, I'd tell them to back off LOL. It's just their culture and I'm IN their land, I have to adjust and understand what they do and how they do it. There are some things though, I will not emulate. Don't want to develop these habits. Others, I love about them.
While in town yesterday, ran into Michel, Kyoko and his daughter. It was so good to see them and while sharing a cafe' or in my case, a cappuccino, Mary Rose came by. We had fun and you'll see a picture of this as well.
I also saw this beautiful lady I'd met in the elevator this past Friday morning when I admired her shoes. Some things are universal with women LOL. She spoke some English so she told me what kind of shoes they were and smiled when I kept telling her I loved them. Literally almost bumped into her in a store yesterday and she was so kind to tell me she's staying here ten days out of the month at the same place I'm staying in and wants us to go to dinner in the restaurant downstairs two weeks from now, just before I leave. I'm so tickled to meet this lady and to find someone I can speak a little English with and to have dinner with her will be a delight.
I can't tell you how beautiful some of the women are here in Agen. Sometimes, when I'm at a cafe' or just in the grocery store around town, I see this absolutely drop dead gorgeous woman next to me or walking past me and I'm amazed and just want to tell her how beautiful she is, but can't LOL. Sometimes, I'll say magnifique, which is something they do understand somewhat. I wished I could take pictures of these women for you, but they wouldn't understand why I wanted to take their photos LOL.
I'm also finding that alot of jewelry people wear around Agen and Le Passage are very minimal. I've never seen such tiny gold wedding bands the men wear. They are all commenting on my diamond and think Tom is just Mr. Awesome, which he is LOL. They are also threatening to keep my diamong ring or some of my other jewelry to make sure I come back after the Christmas holiday LOL.
The comments about Thanksgiving and enjoying that custom Americans have and how great that experience was this past Saturday evening has touched my heart this week. Comments from Nikola like "Tammy, I thought I'd be nice and put everything on my plate and taste everything and then decide what I liked and eat it. The problem was, I liked it all and ate everything". It warmed my heart that these people were so open to an American custom and having Jean tell them all about Boston and the history of the pilgrims was great as well. You could see a sparkle in their eyes as they reflected on how new our nation is and how vulnerable and courageous our forefathers were to move to a new land and develop it.
I'm looking forward to Paris in two weekends and will definitely be in town with Merielle, who so generously is going to take me around all day on Saturday. Am more looking forward to getting home and need this time with family and friends. I cannot tell you how the smallest things are missed and longed for.
Today, it is actually sunny and I'm loving it and am about to go around town to a park I found nearby. I also want to look at a restaurant that Nostradamus actually lived in while he stayed here years ago. I'm wanting to check this place out and it's close to the park.
The French think the sun is out when it's totally hidden behind the clouds and not visible. This is not sunshine to me LOL. I guess, when you live in an environment where it's raining most of the time in the winter, they feel that at least they can tell the sun is supposed to be out, so they think it's sunny. These things are things I miss so much. It's been an adjustment being in this winter weather here.
You all take care of yourself and know this lady in France loves you all and thinks of you often.
I read something and am borrowing it from a lady I received an E-mail from and it's the epitomy of how I feel about living. LIVE IT LOUD!!!!! Gotta love that!!
Tammy
Thank you all for your kind words and Emails and Craig, honey, thanks for letting me know you were reading it. I'm so thankful for all of you and how you are participating in this with me. I'm thankful each of you take the time, even if you don't tell me, to read what is going on here in France and what my experiences are like. I hope you are enjoying the details of this while it's happening.
This past week was interesting to say the least. I visited an Osteopathic therapist for some major back pain I was experiencing and it was quite the experience.
I also found myself missing so much, just hearing English and hearing French all over the place. Was reflecting on this while in the grocery store after I'd checked out and was waiting on Michel, Kyoko and Marina to finish. That even though I'm not a nosy person, when you can't even understand what people are behind you saying, it feels like you are in a vacuum of sorts. I'm so longing to hear my language and be able to interact with people and just ask a total stranger, "how is your day going?"
I also noticed how all the students are trying their best to communicate and how difficult it is on so many levels. We are all working as diligently as we can, to interact and to get to know each other. Michel, the newest student is of a Spanish origin and I can speak more Spanish to him than any other language and I find myself, going from Spanish, to a word or two in French to a little English LOL. I can honestly say that I'm loving being with these students and there is a bond with all of us and we care deeply about each other.
I think Patrick even feels from me, this homesickness I'm REALLY starting to feel again since I know my time is limited and I'm so PAST wanting to get home. I told Tom this past week, if what I was learning wasn't so important, I'd be on that train to Paris coming home.
What we are doing in this module though and what we are learning and gleaning from this class is the LOVE of my heart when it comes to art. This is the Trompe L'oeil module and it's only four weeks. We are two weeks into this module and only have two more. I have posted some pictures of one panel that is almost complete. A green stone marble with a very ornate molding. Michel says it's not finished, so there will probably be something added inside this stonework. Also, a ripped paper panel we are currently working on, as well as one of the panels we will be doing in class in January with the landscape and mural class, but it will also have a live model we will paint and some other things added to it as well. The ripped paper panel, I had just started and it's much more complete than what this picture reflects. Please notice the penciled in part, vs. what the shadowing alone did to this piece. I'm SO excited about this particular piece. It's as ornate and detailed as the peeled off paint we did in the ATL class.
I had a wonderful day here in Agen yesterday. It's been five weeks since I was able to go downtown and just walk the streets and see the sights. I took off early in the morning and went to the market and have some of those pictures posted. I also ate lunch at this crepery restaurant I've been dying to go to for lunch and had one of the best meals here in France.
One of the things I love about the French restaurants is that they have individual items and entrees, then they have special prices for two, three, four, and five course meals. You can choose typically between two different items in each category. I love this, or just ordering one thing. The meal was delicious but made me want Robyn's chicken crepes too. Their crepes are different than what we make in America, but delicious. Especially the chocolate ones with creme!!!!!
I also stopped into two hair cutting establishments and got my hair done. I'm telling you, it's quite the experience not speaking French and trying to relay what you are thinking about. Even when they say they speak a little English, this means two words maybe. SO, I revert to smiling a lot and hoping and praying they don't totally mess my hair up. I kept thinking yesterday, "okay girl, it's only hair and yours grows fast, so do this and stop worrying." When you do find someone who can speak a little, they want to tell you about where they visited while in America. I have to tell you all that everyone who has visited America has said nothing but GREAT things about where they visited and they all want to return.
One thing that I cannot get used to here, is like I said the restroom situations and I cannot get comfortable walking into a restroom with a man in it. It freaks me out everytime!!!! I also cannot get used to how the French push you in line. When you are in line at the grocery store, if you don't hurry and get your groceries up on the counter, they will literally put their things either on top of your things, or just make you loose your place and have to hold your items if you aren't fast enough. I noticed in lines yesterday paying for things I was finding in the stores, how they push up against you. I'm not used to people getting all close and personal and speaking loudly their language in my ears. If I could speak French well enough, I'd tell them to back off LOL. It's just their culture and I'm IN their land, I have to adjust and understand what they do and how they do it. There are some things though, I will not emulate. Don't want to develop these habits. Others, I love about them.
While in town yesterday, ran into Michel, Kyoko and his daughter. It was so good to see them and while sharing a cafe' or in my case, a cappuccino, Mary Rose came by. We had fun and you'll see a picture of this as well.
I also saw this beautiful lady I'd met in the elevator this past Friday morning when I admired her shoes. Some things are universal with women LOL. She spoke some English so she told me what kind of shoes they were and smiled when I kept telling her I loved them. Literally almost bumped into her in a store yesterday and she was so kind to tell me she's staying here ten days out of the month at the same place I'm staying in and wants us to go to dinner in the restaurant downstairs two weeks from now, just before I leave. I'm so tickled to meet this lady and to find someone I can speak a little English with and to have dinner with her will be a delight.
I can't tell you how beautiful some of the women are here in Agen. Sometimes, when I'm at a cafe' or just in the grocery store around town, I see this absolutely drop dead gorgeous woman next to me or walking past me and I'm amazed and just want to tell her how beautiful she is, but can't LOL. Sometimes, I'll say magnifique, which is something they do understand somewhat. I wished I could take pictures of these women for you, but they wouldn't understand why I wanted to take their photos LOL.
I'm also finding that alot of jewelry people wear around Agen and Le Passage are very minimal. I've never seen such tiny gold wedding bands the men wear. They are all commenting on my diamond and think Tom is just Mr. Awesome, which he is LOL. They are also threatening to keep my diamong ring or some of my other jewelry to make sure I come back after the Christmas holiday LOL.
The comments about Thanksgiving and enjoying that custom Americans have and how great that experience was this past Saturday evening has touched my heart this week. Comments from Nikola like "Tammy, I thought I'd be nice and put everything on my plate and taste everything and then decide what I liked and eat it. The problem was, I liked it all and ate everything". It warmed my heart that these people were so open to an American custom and having Jean tell them all about Boston and the history of the pilgrims was great as well. You could see a sparkle in their eyes as they reflected on how new our nation is and how vulnerable and courageous our forefathers were to move to a new land and develop it.
I'm looking forward to Paris in two weekends and will definitely be in town with Merielle, who so generously is going to take me around all day on Saturday. Am more looking forward to getting home and need this time with family and friends. I cannot tell you how the smallest things are missed and longed for.
Today, it is actually sunny and I'm loving it and am about to go around town to a park I found nearby. I also want to look at a restaurant that Nostradamus actually lived in while he stayed here years ago. I'm wanting to check this place out and it's close to the park.
The French think the sun is out when it's totally hidden behind the clouds and not visible. This is not sunshine to me LOL. I guess, when you live in an environment where it's raining most of the time in the winter, they feel that at least they can tell the sun is supposed to be out, so they think it's sunny. These things are things I miss so much. It's been an adjustment being in this winter weather here.
You all take care of yourself and know this lady in France loves you all and thinks of you often.
I read something and am borrowing it from a lady I received an E-mail from and it's the epitomy of how I feel about living. LIVE IT LOUD!!!!! Gotta love that!!
Tammy
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