perfection.

I brought Helen and a rough cold home with me from Paris so this past week was spent taking advantage of our internet, which finally started working, and catching up with Helen over almond croissants and bad internet television. I took her to the market where we stalked up on produce for dinner and then Apple Pie where I had a lovely reunion with miss Lisa and some of the other Rennes assistants as we nibbled on tea and carrot cake. 

Seeing friends and returning to favorite restaurants and coffee shops is such a hue part of reentry. The fact that I have been recognized and have received many “Je suis contente de vous voir! Bon retour!” makes me feel even more at home.

this one is for you margaret. l'epicerie wasn't the same without you.

Helen left this morning (Sunday) and the apartment feels a little empty so I filled the Sunday with lots of mini excursions. The weather has been abnormally wonderful these past couple of days though so I have been getting my vitamin D and took a nice walk today to a brodarie which is a bit like a yard sale for multiple neighborhoods. 

rennes gardens are stunning

especially on a day like today 

Last week Berit and I went to one and we walked around for two hours and only saw a section of it – that should give you insight as to the potential size of them. People sell everything from old clothes and shoes, to TVs and stereos, to kitchenware and furniture. I’m so bad at going to those because I think I should buy something only because it is two euros, but then someone else’s junk becomes my junk … I was controlled today and only bought a sweater. For two euros. However I was wildly impressed by one woman’s My Little Pony collection and “joked” about how I would have loved this 15 years ago (slash now?). 

am i right or am i right?

After a late brunch and some writing, I ventured to have a café with Caely and we took a Sunday stroll to an outdoor photography exhibit called “Passages” where the featured photographer captured important events in adolescent lives. For instance some of the kids were celebrating their first party or their quinceanera (I hope I’m spelling that right). There were some photos from France and the US, but most were taken in Ukraine and Cuba – I’m including a few of my favorites.

i like this one because it reminds me of home! 

So as you can see I’m back to my old routine – seeing friends, wandering around Rennes, and eating food that is so delicious it’s honestly unfair...

apple pie specials!

just a quick dinner helen and i threw together ...

this is why i came back. 

I’m so happy to be back and so excited to have school start – only one more week! There is another English assistant teaching at Chateaubriand this year, which will be great as she is returning from last year she just got reassigned schools. I’m excited to get back into the swing of things and see old students and meet new students!

first market back

quite possibly the quaintest late brunch ever ...

On tap for this week is more IKEA runs, a couple first rendez-vous’ for tutoring, running around trying to get my immigration paperwork settled, putting finishing touches on the apartment, and of course discovering new restaurants and revisiting familiar ones.