FLASH BACK....to Halloween 2004

2004....
that was a good year went to many a party......wish I had more pictures on my computer.....
but here is one....

VOG and I......VOG, you really showed trust that night and I will never forget it! ;)

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween!!!

Here are some wonderful pictures of a Halloween cake that my super talented sister made. Yes this depicts a scene from one of our favorite movies...."It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown."






















All of this Charlie Brown talk reminds me of a conversation I had the other day with my mom....I was telling her that my French has improved and well...I should be fine as I had taking French for many years. It is like words just start coming back to me. ....and she said... "Remember when Charlie Brown was in France and he was upset and then started yelling...and he realized the he could suddenly speak French." Hee hee yeah...that is what it is like. You start off thinking everyone here speaks like the Adults in Charlie Brown....WAH WAH WAH WAH...and then it starts to click and you understand.

The Peanuts are very special to my family.....I am known as Lucy, my little sister is of course Sally, and my brother....well he is like a hybrid between Charlie Brown and Snoopy......

Have a Happy Halloween, and here...they celebrate All Saints day tomorrow...(so Thursday and Friday are off)!!! Wohooo

Walking around Montpellier this Weekend....

Some random pictures from the weekend......

Great weekend and a big Thank you!

Thank you Red Sox….for indeed doing it in four straight games….man I would love to be home!

Thanks to awesome sister….who lives in Colorado…who texted me at 5am here to tell me the wonderful news when it happened!!!! And who when asked to make World Series cookies for the bakery/restaurant…. made like 40 Red Sox cookies versus 5 Colorado Rockies cookies …..what did her boss expect….Red Sox Nation is a loyal nation!!!

My weekend was a great one….

It is warm and sunny and I need my sunglasses!!!

I went to a lovely Saturday Market and bought lovely Sunflowers for my place.

Love my place…..

Went see two movies …that are playing in English but with French subtitles….(not the best movies…but still entertaining)

Walked around this lovely city …still finding hidden treasures!!!

Man these people know bread and pastries…..

Had lovely conversations with the family…..

Had lovely chats with M about important things…..

Watched Harry Potter the Prisoner of Azkaban (one of my favorites)on TV in French sooo funny to hear ‘arry Potteur…and the other spell in French accents….soooo cute!

Open Plea

As someone....6hours ahead and out of the loop....left only to catch up the next day via internet reports.........

Please Red Sox....For the love of Leg cramps and chair imprinted knees....from Fenway seats.....(Keeping Fenway alive....always seems like a good idea....that is until you sit down...and everyone tall...thinks...yeah tear this thing down and get me a recliner.).....any way back to the plea......

Please Red Sox do it in Four straight games....
I use to think watching over the years was tough but now ....not having a clue and piecing it together over reports....the day after...well that just sucks.

When I get home or talk to someone from home .....I hate having that feeling of ...."Hi my name is Reb and I live under a rock."

You know......when

You know you are working in a Lab in France.....when you go downstairs to start a reaction and there is a Champagne testing in the lobby......

What the hell....put down our experiment and join in.
Joie de vivre!!!!

Rain drops of roof tops.....

Having an apartment and not living in the lab….makes such a huge difference to my mental state here. I know my way around, my French is ok and the people here make it very enjoyable.

Last night it started to rain and I could hear wonderful rain drops outside of my room on the terrace roof. I was sooo peaceful.

I enjoy my time here….I think taking time out of my Cambridge lab and well Cambridge in general is good for me. It makes one feel nomad-ish but really it makes you become alert and to appreciate your new surroundings and maybe reflect on the surroundings you have left behind. I am lucky that I have a great memory and make lots of mental notes so I amaze the people in my lab as I wander around as if I have worked here forever. I am used to just being put in the middle of a place and finding my way around by myself …it is really heartwarming to be here where people want to give me maps and draw out things for me like I am a little girl.

My parents believe in being prepared when you can be …as life shows you that there are plenty of times that jolt you out of your comfort zone. They always would do “a dry run” …so the day before we would drive to make sure we could find the place or even just check it out. …..I remember for my first interview (involving a proper science job)….My mom and dad said, “Why don’t we go and find where you are suppose to go.” This always gave such comfort and calmed any nerves. I never understand how more people don’t do this.

M is great at this…..he visited me in Cambridge right before I left to come here. He had an interview before and after his trip. He had left one of his suits at my house and was planning on leaving it further for his graduation in December. The night before he was leaving he said, “You know what, I am NOT going to leave that suit but wear it on the plane and pack my other one, that way if my luggage is lost then I will still be ok for my interview the next morning.” I said that sounds like a great idea…….and sure enough that is what happened. M’s bag was misplaced and so he just went and bought a new shirt and tie…as M is a big man, finding a suit is not an easy task….. This is Brilliant and he rocks in my book. Cleverness and planning to me are sooo sexy!

A year ago….yesterday was when he and I first met…… I know this as I was the rowing team captain and he was showing up for his first outing…...and I have a bizarre memory……

Back dans Labo.....Montpellier.....this time is much better!

I am back in Montpellier working in the lab for 6weeks. Things are good….my French is ok, the people are thrilled to have me back…..and this time I am staying in an apartment…and not living in the lab. The protocol has been modified to make it easier and not sooo time consuming so all and all things are good.

The weather here is nice and sunny and I am trying to walk around and not work such long hours.

I warned the people in my lab that since I am here for my two favorite holidays….Halloween and Thanksgiving….they are forced to celebrate these, which they are really thrilled to do!

My problem with having Thanksgiving here is that the apartment has no oven and a very tiny grill…I mean tiny a pizza could not fit in…..

Any way….I will think of something….SAJF is going to come here to visit and that will be sooooo great!

Here are some pics….of the apartment….

I have a cute terrace....(doesn't photograph well....)