Les Vacances avec Denis, en Australie et Nouvelle Zélande

6 weeks of holidays. 10 days in Mooloolaba, Brisbane and then onto 4.5weeks of blissful fun in New Zealand. You could guess I was somewhat OVERLY excited. Seeing the family, The Nevsters 60th, Australian weather and NZ scenery.

Family - awesome. Great seeing them all and everyone is in great form. Chanel had a wonderful rock on her finger, and has set a date for her wedding. December 18th 2010. Bridesmaid - moi. yep. Alby was in classic form, and tried his hardest to get Denis drunk - achieved somewhat too. Matt was great, and towards the end of the holiday rang to inform me that he finally dropped a knee and threw a ring on Launa's finger. Happy times all round, yet to hear of the date for their wedding. Another trip home.The Nevsters 60th - awesome. Pre holiday I was unsure as to how family dynamics would work with ALL of us together for the first time in perhaps 4 years, plus additions of partners and the like. Worked surprisingly well, and was heaps of fun. Dad had plenty of drinking partners, and mum had plenty of coffee partners. It seemed to work. The day of Dad's birthday was nice with a family breakfast and a few presents given. Got the moustache moving a little, and a hint of a smile. For the evening we had drinks, and then went out for dinner. Nevster was his quiet usual self, but I can't help but wonder if he was just a little bit emotional.Australian Weather - far from awesome. When we flew out from Heathrow it was snowing. Our thoughts were somewhere along these lines "It's gonna be so hot in Aussie, and so sunny. I can't wait to get a tan, and stop being so sickly white" The actual weather went somewhere along these lines: Day 1 - blue skies and sunny. Day 2 - Tropical storm comes through, absolutely pours with rain. Day 3 - Storm still present, also very windy. Day 4 - No change. Day 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 -It has now been named the 100 year Storm, and floods major parts of Queensland. Day 10 - Clearing with sunny periods, some clouds and wind.NZ Scenery - There is nothing like home. There is nothing like Napier on a sunny day. There is nothing like the winding roads that wrap along the coast line in New Zealand. There is nothing like Pohutakawa trees hanging over the sand or coastal road in the afternoon sun. There is nothing like coastal bush walks with stunning cliff top views. There is nothing like climbing over rocks on beaches in the Coromandal. There is nothing like the cruise through the Marlborough Sounds on the InterIslander (or Denis throwing up on it). There is nothing like sunny evenings in the backyard at Mum and Dads place. Home was bliss. There is nothing like it.

Sweet, short and non-overwhelming

My new philosophy of email writing, is being introduced to blog writing.

I often log on to this page, look at my last entry, think about how much has happened in the OVERLY large amount of time that has passed by and how it will take sooooo long to write about it.

And how many of you people are there actually reading this?

And so, as someone pointed out recently "If you want Coleman to reply to an email, just write her a couple of sentences and she will reply. Because if it's short and sweet, then she will reply right then and there and not feel overwhelmed or obliged to write an equally long email in response"

This strategy was adopted, utilised and now to be reported on as, Successful.

And so for the blog; short entries, remarks more than stories, observations rather than reports, updates rather than essays.

The New Year approaches. A new chapter begins.

Some may consider that the New Year has already passed. Others may be weary of the approaching Chinese New Year. And if you're me, then you are only focused on the 'New Year' that is determined by the expiration of one's visa, and consquently the movement, yet again, to another country.

And so the New Year approaches....

Only one week remains here in Paris. I finish work next Friday, and will be leaving Paris on the Sunday - 21st February 2010.

New Years often signal the closing of one chapter and the beginning of another. And should I give title to this chapter, I would use the words 'Delicious' and 'Charming' in it somehow. Because that is how I would summarize my year in Paris. Delicious and Charming.

Delicious food. Delicious wine. Delicious cheese. Delicious weather. Brocantes, Boulangeries, Buildings. Gardens, Grass. And charming local people. Charming Patrice from the pub downstairs. The charming man at the Tabac on the corner who waves to me everyday. The charming security guards at Banque de France who laugh at me everytime I have lessons there.

A friend asked me recently if I achieved everything I wanted to achieve while here in Paris. True to my drifting nature, I didn't actually have any aims or objectives for my time here. I have loved it, and if I was able to obtain another visa I would without a doubt have stayed here for longer.

When I look back on my year and think about what I enjoyed so much, I think it was my time on my own. Surprise. Yes, I have always been a campaigner for Your Own Company, but this year has been somewhat a self-indulgent year for this. After being amongst such a large group of friends in Seoul, and finding some difficulty with it towards the end, coming to Paris was a large sigh of relief. And it was largely the same situation as when I moved from Dunedin to Melbourne.

And the apartment. Charming... definitely a charming apartment, and one I have thoroughly loved living in. I am truly sad to be leaving it behind. Despite the near freezing temperatures during winter and the crumbling parts within, it has been my private abode of wooden beams, leaking water and mice. Many a guests have commented on it's charm, and I quote "It's just so You Kiri"

My whole experience in Paris has been blessed with luck. Luck with the apartment, luck with work and luck with people.

But as 'Delicious and Charming' closes, thus opens the new chapter. Presently sans title, but avec some details and emotions. Pre-Paris I would not have predicted at all that the following chapter would be as it is. The details for the following chapter are set out below.

Setting: Brussels, Belgium
When: Arrival April 8 2010
Additional Main Character: Denis Bodart
Other Characters: future housemates; Tom, Marie-Annick, Denis, Mercedes plus more to follow. Patricia (from Seoul days)

Story Outline:
Yes, the return to shared housing. Including myself there will be 7 others. All of whom are native french speakers. I will have another working holiday visa which will allow me to stay for only 1 year, and so the job hunt will start immediately upon my arrival to Brussels. I will look into teaching again, but if able to move away from this it would be cool. Although this is exactly what I said when I came to Paris. Touch will be reintroduced into my world hopefully, provided trainings and games are easy to get too.

Expectations: None. I will continue to drift. Meander is still my favorite word.

It is a strange feeling to be leaving a place when not ready too. Every other time I have left somewhere I have always been really over it, and looking forward to leaving. I am excited about doing something new, moving somewhere new, and calling an end to the constant communication through a computer, but it's strange to be leaving somewhere earlier than expected. Paris still feels unexplored and unfinished. Still too much contentment with day-to-day life to just walk away from.

Any regrets for Paris? No. But I do wish I had been more aware of the work situation throughout summer. And I wish I had gone to more galleries and museums earlier, instead of waiting for money or bad weather. Money never came, and the weather just made me want to stay at home.

I would love to come back and live in Paris with money.

Favorite places or memories? Jardin de Luxembourg and Montmarte. The markets by my house on Saturday mornings and it's awesome dip. Picnics in summer. The Boulangerie by my house. The reaction I get when I walk into Bar des Artisans, the pub downstairs. Patrice. The many walks and scouting for cheap beers with Denis. The day we found 2.50euro pints, in the sunshine with live music. The rain when I'm in my apartment. Seriously the list goes on.

Such a difference in memoirs to be leaving a place while still in love with it.

Winter Wonderland

I awoke this morning to a promise fulfilled. The weather report proved correct, and this morning as I gave a shivering glance out the window I was delighted to discover that it had been snowing overnight. The courtyard was white, the trees carrying snow on their branches which only highlighted the Christmas decorations someone placed in the trees. Awesome.

As the morning ritual was conducted, the snow began to fall heavier and heavier. The walk to the station, then to the office was fun as I watched how much snow was settling on my jacket. It was awesome.

My first class consisted of mainly just my favorite student and I staring out the window as we watched the snow swirl around, then appear to hang suspended in the air, and then drop. Snow is a really cool concept. Lots of little white flakey objects that slowly fall from the sky. If you stop and just watch, it's really cool.

If I get a White Christmas I am willing to forgo the Champagne Barbeque Breakfast.

Other news of late...

My girls came to visit. Yay Claudia. Yay Harriet. Yay Becky. Yay that weekend. Three fabulous reasons as to why I moved to Europe and it is a shame as to how little I have actually seen them. But it was a wonderful weekend and I continue to count myself UBER lucky that I have such awesome friends. And who clearly know me so well. Sometimes better than I realise.

Friday night, consisted of us literally just drinking wine and talking at my apartment. Becky fell asleep and so I threw things at her. It was like old times.

Saturday started... ahem, late. Awesome. As the team awoke each converged to the bed, with tea, for more talking before Claudia got cabin fever and started moving. With the wheel in motion we managed to get ourselves up and out of the house. Plan: walk. Where? dunno. Culture. Best to make feel good about something in the weekend as opposed to just drinking. And Christmas Lights.

And so, through Saint Germain, past The Louvre and through the Jardin des Tuileries to Musee de l'Orangerie where Monet's famous Water Lillies are displayed. And displayed impressively well might I add. Post culture it was onto Galleries Lafayette (with a minor drink stop) for the Christmas Lights (killed by the crowd) and then walked onto Montmarte. With drink stops of course. While settling into yet another (strong) cocktail, I received the news of a surprise visitor. Denis then joined us, before heading to dinner. Dinner was awesome.

Sunday unfortunately meant the departure of the girls. None of them seemed tempted by my offer of staying. Boo. It's unfortunate that my time with the three of them is always so short and always so fleeting. It is beyond fortunate however, that their visits are always SO MUCH FUN.

No one makes me laugh so much, no one knows me as well, and no one makes me feel so at ease as each of them do.

They are making it into my Resolutions for 2010.

They. Are. Awesome.

Road Trip Euro-Style

As mentioned in my previous email, anyone who's someone in Paris leaves this frisky city in summer for search of what French already do well - a good life. All hail the search for a better life.

Being an inhabitant of this city for one year, it was my duty to partake in this annual event. And like others, disappear for a substantially long amount of time.

Salut Euro Summer Holiday. 4 weeks. Brussels, France and Spain. Road Trip Styles.

My need for a holiday wasn't massive. This conclusion could be determined easily from my last "Summertime and the living is easy" post. But somehow, this month long holiday managed to relax me so much that I felt like I needed it. Like I deserved it. Like I deserved "such an escape from reality" (As written in my *cough* journal. Yes, I still manage to maintain a handwritten journal) Reality had been treating me well up until this holiday. It was treating me real well. Life will hand me my just reward one day however. In the meantime, let me revel in my reality.

So, being 'Someone' in Paris, I frolicked my way up to Brussels one more time in First Class Train Travel courtesy of the Thalys. Free meal, free alcohol. My search for a better life was off to a good start. The activities in Brussels were limited to the usual, but of course enjoyable. A highlight this visit would of course be fueled by my continuing love of zoos. The Antwerp Zoo was frequented, loved and documented. See attached photo of the Zoo Entrance and one of it's animals attempting escape.

I was a virgin to the city of Antwerp, and it was an interesting place. The physicality of the city was lovely. The train station was impressive and noteworthy to mention.There were trees, the buildings were old, detailed and historical looking. Postures of a past age making its impression on those who visit. However, it was the vibe and the feeling that didn't strike a chord with me. I do admit weather will always contribute to the feeling and mood of a city and it's people, and it wasn't a lovely summer day when there. But the general vibe of the place, was almost sans character or charm. What was surprising however, was the large number of Orthodox Jew's living there. Curly sideburns, knee high socks, white shirt-black vest and kippah galore. Aotearoa may be a melting pot but we ain't melting no culture like so. I didn't leave with a desire to return to Antwerp but it was an interesting, eye opening trip none the less. And is that not what exploring Le Monde is about?

So post week one in Brussels, it was time for 5 people to cram into a roomy sedan vehicle. Destination A: A for Avignon. Or just near it anyhow. Avignon is in the South East of France and famous for it's incomplete bridge and surrounding countryside of wineries and vineyards, castles and churches. Courtesy of friend/family connections, we had the joy of staying at a family owned Olive Farm and Guesthouse. It. Was. Beautiful. Really. The countryside reminded me a lot of Napier and Hawkes Bay. Large blue skies, a landscape of rolling hills, tree lined roads and fields upon fields of wineries. Winding clear rivers, following the feet of the hills and cliffs. Opportunities to jump from cliffs, walking along the river and fine drinks in glorious weather. I travel to the most distant place possible from home, to only dwell in all characteristics of home. What is exploring Le Monde about again?

After a couple of days basking in all things Hawkes Bay, we hit the road again for Destination B: Port de la Selva, Spain. Settled in North East of Spain, it is a tiny fishing village hugged along a rocky coast land by bare hills which only accentuate the white houses, blue seas and 'petite-ness'. Again, through friend/family connections we were living in a huge house, opposite the marina facing west for the sunsets each night. Daily activities consisted of all things relaxing and holiday like. Petanque, drinking, walking, drinking, swimming, eating, drinking, sleeping, snorkeling, bike riding, drinking and windsurfing. Let's insert "trying" in front of the 'windsurfing'. It was marvelous. I was clouded by an ignorant bliss throughout my entire holiday and I loved it. Quote journal once more "I have no desire to go back".



I was happy to be 'No one' in Port de la Selva, rather than 'Someone' in Paris.

Which in turn reminds me of a great quote from an awesome New Zealand movie, In My Fathers Den. "I would rather be a no-one somewhere, than some-one no where"

One place I would love to be Some-one, no-one or just one of many, would be Barcelona. A day visit to the Spanish city was extraordinary. I loved it. And I came away from that day convinced I would live there next year at the completion of the Paris Chapter. Ahem. The city has Attitude. It has an impression of a carefree existence where one can meander and cruise. It has people with spark. It has buildings with funk. It has an environment of fun. It has been placed in my Top 3 of Where I must Live list. The country Spain has always been my number 1 place to live before death befalls me. Now, now I know where I want to live in this country.

Paradise pleasures continued in Spain for 3 weeks before the long drive back to Paris, and the remaining people back to Brussels. And Day 1 in Paris was cloudy, grey, windy and cold. The first indication that Summer had passed. The reality of work, living week-to-week and making ends (not) meet returned. And continues.

It was a great road trip, time well spent in three great countries of Europe. It contributed to a rose-hazed memory of summer that I often find myself looking back on. Next year, who knows where I will be living and what kind of summer holiday will be possible.

La joie du déplacement le monde.

"Don't be a stranger to Possibility. She is a wonderful Mistress."
- In My Fathers Den

P.S I am under no illusion that I could possibly be 'Someone' anywhere.

Summer time and the living is easy - too easy in Paris

As promised, here is my latest installment of what is now long gone. Summertime in Paris.

It seems a little odd to be writing about summertime considering the recently change in weather in Paris and what can only be described as a shockingly cold Autumn, which in turn can only be presumed as an early Winter. (Notice this year I am calling it Autumn, not Fall.) Not only is it odd to be writing about it, but I am predicting it will be somewhat hard to muster inspiration to deliver some sort of cheerfully, sunny memoir of days that deserve an overly cheerful and sunny attitude. None the less, I will try.

My second summer of 2009 was, generally speaking, great. Paris was much warmer than I expected to be, and the days long, blue, sunny and encouraging. Encouraging to be lazy, carefree and relaxing. I had been warned that every Parisian leaves Paris for summer - and when we put a time period on this term 'Summer' we literally do mean two months. And so yes, Paris was quiet, uncrowded (except for the tourist spots), calm and pleasant. And yes, people really do go away for two months. Including all my students, which therefore meant I had little to no work for the two months of summer.

Now the lazy part of me relaxingly yawned, stretched and continued to meander about to my hearts content, pleased with this unexpected vacation within the city. The bank account quietly screamed in resistance. No work means no pay. No pay means no money. And no money means that I simply continue to go about my life and try my hardest to ignore this fact. And if I can't ignore it, try my hardest not to let it stress me out. I have resigned to the fact that I am going to come away from this year in Paris dirt-broke poor with only the bones of my arse to live on. And that fat if I am going to be entirely honest.

Throughout the months of June, July and August I would on average work, at the most, 10 hours. Many weeks however I only worked 5 or 6 hours. So there was major time for walking, reading, daydreaming, staring out the window daydreaming, finding cafe's or pubs in the sunshine for drinking and daydreaming and then again, more staring out windows. The walking and daydreaming were hours well spent, and a wonderful pastime in order to appreciate Paris's wonderful architecture.

I have a large soft spot for Melbourne, and still claim it as my favourite city in the world. But I will confidently say that I think Paris is the most beautiful city I have seen, and wouldn't bother to argue with someone that it is possibly one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Paris appears to only have one style of architecture in the inner city, which makes me curious as to when it was all built and how/why, for what must have many numerous years, did they only stick to this one style as designed by Mr. Haussman. For whatever reason it may have been, I think the continuation, the repetition of these buildings on such a grand scale is what makes it so impressive. Add in the thousands of monuments, statues and gold plated figurines, plus the steeples, gargoyles and stained glassed windows amidst the gardens, fountains and stone-cobbled streets and you are greeted with one gorgeous city. Set this portrait of wonder in clear blue skies crisscrossed white from the cross-european fights, late night activities and temperatures of 35plus and one can only conclude that living is indeed easy in Paris.