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Ella Fitzgerald sings about Paris in the spring...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZWYun6GzMo

Another funny post about

paris_baguette_protocol

Work, work, work!

I came to Paris knowing that finding a job without working papers, and without being fluent in French, was going to be hard. Add in  labour laws that favour employees (therefore providing a MAJOR disincentive for employers to hire new staff), a high unemployment rate (currently 10%)  and a global financial crisis, and you really [...]

Obession? Determination? Just plain stubborn?

Sometimes I really surprise myself with how single-minded I can be about certain things.

For the past year, I have been living and breathing my goals of getting a job and settling down in Paris. Its gotten to the point where I actually cant do anything nice and relax because I keep thinking about how that’s [...]

French Culture – the 3 P’s

OK, after a year in Paris, and after reading possibly every book there is on what foreigners think about French culture and values, I think I’m getting the hang of some of the themes….

Politeness

You wont get ANYTHING done in France unless you’re polite. And not just basic common decency, I mean OTT, almost grovelling type [...]

Looking back over 2009

I was looking back at my horoscope for 2009 (thank you Jonathan Cainer), and thought that, yet again, he really hit it on the head.

I took his advance and really DID try to just not be too hard on myself even though I really DID feel like things were all too hard, not clear, being [...]

Illegal Immigration - French style

This is a very sensitive post. It deals with issues of race and immigration which are very close to some people’s hearts.

I have to say upfront that I have no doubts whatsoever that I am one of the most privileged people in the world, and I have no right to complain about minor inconveniences to [...]

Things I didnt realise

I didnt realise how good my life was until I got here and realised it was gone.

That’s not to say that I didnt realise my life was good – I knew it was great.

Thats not to say either that I didnt appreciate what I had – I was so grateful for what I had.

But I [...]

I thought it was just me....

But no – coffee in Paris really IS bad.

This article claims that it’s because the French have acquired a certain taste for burnt dishwater, but I think it’s more that they havent been exposed to anything better.

Which I find REALLY strange. I mean, they really do train their children to have sensitive palates, they appreciate [...]

Time to sign up for

My name is Kristie, and I’m a French-bread-a-holic.

Its been 8 hours since my last baguette.

I have recently come to realise that I am more than just appreciative of French bread. I am, actually, addicted.

Why? Because French bread actually has flavour. It tastes of bread like grandma used to make, and ovens and fire and toasted [...]