I have gone out three times without putting make up on. I have gone out six times without my purse – just carried my wallet and I stopped at the grocery store today in my gym clothes. Definitely not Parisian activities. Definitely not a la mode which means of course stylish as opposed to with ice cream on it.
Month: January 2016
Almost 2 Weeks In…
Whew. The “medical” week is over. Doctor visits, dental visits, innumerable x-rays and tests and even a pneumonia shot. The consensus – I am in fine shape. Except for the damn postnasal drip which causes awful hacking and coughing. People expect to see a lung explode. My back aches from the force of the coughs – I know fully understand the definition of a wracking cough. New antihistamines and sprays are supposed to get this under control in at least 2 weeks.
My doctor was amazed by my flu shot story – that I had to buy it and take it to the nurse… or give it to myself. And she likes my photos – I have been emailing her all week about the various tests and treatments and cold status and since Kaiser has a place to add a photo, I decided to send her photos of Paris. What the heck.
Kaiser was also old home week as I bumped into a dedicated blog reader. She appreciated my blog in which I took out the priest. Good laughs.
What’s next? Well, no surprise… I am applying for another 6 month visa. My appointment is next Friday at the consulate in San Francisco. It’s much simpler this time – just using the same docs with a new date. And new photos. I actually took the best ones – selfies were better than ones friends took. Only have to buy the medical insurance and figure out exactly when I am flying back. Probably between April 5 and 12. On my first research, flight costs have gone up 500 bucks! Yikes.
It’s strange to be in my house again. I have already visited Goodwill with 5 bags of donations. And more to come. This weekend I am going to open my clothes closet and go shopping! I took out one shirt last week and compared it to a similar shirt I had in Paris. The water and the washing machine pretty much beat the heck out of it. A friend suggested using vinegar instead of fabric softener. I’ll try but I think it needs the dryer. Oh. There’s a laundry a block away in Paris – maybe I will try that next time.
A block away? Yup, I am going back to the same apartment. It has its drawbacks but it has a lot of pluses- like I know the neighborhood well. And best of all, she let me leave some things there.
I miss Paris. I miss France. I miss my friends. First thing I did my second day back was order TV5 on Comcast. It’s the French television channel. I found myself desperate to hear French! I still don’t understand it all – vocabulary!! – but much better than last February.
Now off to the gym. Walk 5 miles a day in California? Doesn’t happen. So got a cheap gym membership for a couple months. Oh, note to self, buy new walking shoes…
Back In The USA
I am tired. And sick. Jet lag hasn’t been so bad but my cough that I thought was an allergy in France has hung on too well. I see the doc tomorrow.
Many observations but the overwhelming one is that everyone was right. Both American and French friends who said I was awfully busy! I didn’t really realize it- I was just over there and had things to see, places to be. An unbelievable pace I now realize.
Next time I promise I won’t feel guilty about having more just hanging out days… For now: more chicken soup and back to bed.
Infinite Paris 