Back in Rennes

Coming back from the US is always hard... especially when the weather in Brittany does not cooperate - the minute we crossed into Brittany driving from Paris it started to pour - no kidding. Of course, I miss my friends back home already... they have been so good to us this summer, especially the two who are now New Jerseyans, you know who you are. I still can picture the two of my very best friends, just a few weeks back, holding a towel around Hana helping her change out of her bathing suit - such good fortune to have such good friends who take such good care of my kids! Thank you, M and C!

My mom came back with us this time, and she brought a friend too so I don't feel so stressed about having to entertain her or anything like that. She is going back to Paris shortly, she says she will be staying at some Korean Buddhist temple for free - not sure what that is all about, hopefully not a scam or anything like that.

I suppose since this marks the beginning of my second year in France, I should start to think about doing something other than, well, hang out. It's amazing that a whole year has gone by. When I was hard at work in NY and London, I would often find myself coming home and suppressing all urges to ask PeeWee, "so what did you DO today" - How have you made yourself productive, useful, exactly? I mean, what is there really to do around the house? Well, plenty, it turns out. I've loved my year "off", but I wonder if another year like that is sustainable, both financially and mentally.

OK back to real life in Rennes...