Struggla

I found Matisyahu back in high school (during those Napster days). I instantly fell in love with his music and lyrical creativity. For him it's not all about counting dough, drinking the finest vodka, or having the hottest chicks all around him. For M, it's all about being jewish, getting through life, and telling it how it is without resorting today's typical cursing and shouting. One song that I can never listen to without blasting is Struggla. So after another trip to the prefecture (Third récipissé, 7 months, and still waiting for my carte de séjour), I'm blasting his music for some inspiration and hope.  Their excuse today? "We're just very slow." No shit Sherlock. That's one stereotype about the French that I unfortunately have to accept; I certainly cannot try to defend it as being false after all this nonsense.

Bref, last weekend was an absolute success (APPLAUSE). Woohoo for starting 2012 off right! On Friday night I hosted a little dinner party. Saturday day I went out to explore town a bit with my friend Emily and her friend from home (England), Kat. My first? Exploring les Halles de Paul Bocuse. I felt like I was back in Reading Terminal Market (only difference is that it was full of perfectly shaped chocolates, huge sausages (yes, that's what she said), wine vendors, and mini swanky restaurants rather than cheesesteaks, Chinese, and Amish vendors. From there we headed off to Crock 'N Roll. Emily had heard about it from the infamous Petit Paumé. In essence, they are a restaurant specializing in croque monsieurs (or to you Americans, grilled cheese). The inside décor was very modern, resembling an old factory in a odd sense. They have musicians come in for nightly concerts as well as weekly art exhibits. Super cool and super yummy! My new favorite in Lyon (sorry L'épicerie)

Deliciousness 

We then crossed the bridge over to Vieux Lyon and walked through the traboules and down the cobblestone streets, slipping in our boots from the rain. I was finally able to enter the one traboule I've never been able to sneak into (because it's always locked) and tried to take a video before someone caught me. Usually the residents keep their doors open for tourists, however, this particular traboule only lets in tour groups through the Lyon tourist office (or lucky people like me who sneak in as a lady punches in her code). Mind the shakiness, I'm just getting used to my new video camera =)

Later that we night we went out to eat (AGAIN, I know, I know) to Bleu de toi, a mussels and fish restaurant found on the famous rue Mercière. I was a bit hesitant to eat seafood after my food poisoning on NYE, but i said to myself, it's 2012 and we're all supposed to die this year anyways so why the heck not? Delicious and not too expensive (15 euros for mussels, fries, a salad, and a kir). Another successful food run. I'm still not surprised how I've never gained weight here in France. 

This week at school we are working on snow and snowmen. I've shown my little French babies my childhood favorite, The Snowman. It was probably the first half an hour all year where I didn't have to tell anyone to sit still or stop hitting or stop playing with their friends hair. They were so captured by it, just complete fascination with the flying snowman and his funny curiosity. Plus, that song gets you every time; it's just so emotional for some reason.

Finally, my quotes of the week. 

" Katie, please help me."- The first full phrase made by a French child who doesn't have English-speaking parents =)

"I'm so boring"- Outside at recess, I hope he was trying to say "bored"...I sure hope.

Me: "Put on your scarf! It's cold outside!"

Child: "Katie! C'est pas un "scarf," c'est une écharpe!" (Katie, that's not a "scarf", it's a scarf!)

"Tes barrettes sont bizarres Katie." (Your hair clips are weird, Katie)

And I leave you with this inspirational, hysterical, yet controversial video.

Toodles à tous!