Dancing Queen (Moroccan version)

The sing-along musical "Mamma Mia" has just been launched in France in French version. Saw the making of Mamma Mia the other night and I discovered that it has already been played in 13 languages, even in Japanese!

It's the musical which my-then-boyfriend (now hubby) invited me to in London and we enjoyed so much. Well, today's subject is not quite about this musical. It's a morrocan version of dancing queen.

Carte de sejour - French visa renewal

As a foreigner, renewing the visa is one of the most daunting tasks you'd imagine: You must make sure all the documents are sorted (I mean you double, triple check), hoping that the person who deals with your case is nice to you and not picking on your small things. 

a big wedding in a little village

la magnanerie de seillans

We have been invited to a wedding of a Japanese-English couple here in South of France over the weekend.
It was lovely to see how their relationship grew and led to mariage.  On that very special day, we were as happy as everyone else there to witness such a lovely ceremony.

ça m'ènerve!

This week, some things have got on my nerves.  I think, more and more like this, as I understand the language.
I found that Cannes is a full of selfish people - tourists, locals, come and go so the local shops or restaurants don't give a damm about making efforts for the customers, as they take customers for granted, they knew or expected that the customers would come to theirs. (if the ambience is good or the tasts is good or some other various reasons. Some of which I think they're rubbish)


It's the customers who need to smile and say bonjour to the sellers or servers at first contact.

Apparently, the French culture is like this, the customers need to be polite to the service provider, if not, they won't listen to you.  (by Talk to the snail, Stephen Clark)

Yesterday, I went to the next door mini supermarket called "Spar" just to buy a bottle of milk. It costed 1.50 euro but I only had 10euro note, 30 centimes and a bit of coppers. The woman asked me whether I had a smaller money but I said no I didn't...
She open the till showing me some 1 euro coins and said, "If I gave you those coins, I can't continue my business the rest of the day"
I could not believe what I was hearing and said "Well, if I had a smaller money, I would have given it to you but I said I didn't." "Usually here, it's the customer who brings the sufficient money to shop, it's not the problem with the shop! that's the rule in France here"
Obviously, she was telling me this, knowing I was a foreigner.
"I've been living just around the corner for a few years, I have never been treated like this. It's not normal!!"

I said, and left the shop and went to another shop next door. They were cool about me not having a smaller money, so I managed to get what I needed.

When my hubby got back from Paris trip later that night, I told him about what had happened with the woman at the Spar including the French rule and all that.  He said, that's bullsxxt. 
There were other things that got on my nerves this week, (see japanese version, if possible) I feel like a grumpy old woman complaining about small stuff... oh no don't want to....but I feel like losing it. it's important. I live here, I am entitled to live comfortably.

I will continue saying what I want to say or what I think it's right. If not, I'd become a loser here.
Oh, peops, don't go to that shop!! Or is it just me??? whatever.

Car boot Sale in Mouans Sartoux

In French, the car boot sale is called 'Vide Grenier' which means 'empty the attic'
On Saturday, there was one in a small village of Mouans Sartoux, 20 mins drive from Cannes. When my hubby's away, I tend to be very lazy and not doing much.  He's away again this week, but this time I decided to be a bit more active myself and left the flat for a short drive.

The weather wasn't so great that day, as if it'd rain any moment.  I texted my hubby where I was heading to.  He replied to me and said, "you tend to have a bad weather when you go to a vide grenier..."

Indeed, he's right. The last time I went one in our gran's country house in North, it rained quite badly.  It was so bad that I almost gave up for going... but luckly I found a set of lovely glass bowls. Usually before going to a place like this, I tend to check over ebay what I would like to buy..This time, I didn't do that.

Well eventually it rained.  Despite the bad weather,the little village was full of stalls and visitors. Quite many stalls have put some plastic cover on top of their products, so it was hard to see...I think I missed quite many too, as it rained some stalls left earlier.
I also expected to see some normal stalls like jams and honey's that kind of thing but none was there. Too bad.

After just over an hour visit, my shopping was 1 euro for a pair of snow boots (not ski boots, regrettably), 1 euro for a set of 6 serviette rings. Not bad, is it?

The World Cup - Not finished just yet

So.... The England didn't get through to the final.(so as France) I have been following most of the games for England and Japan. I often go to local Irish pubs - where I enjoy surrounded with buzz cheering England (and Japan)

Fortunately, Most pubs have big screens and there are crowds of English people who live locally so the ambiences are almost as if you're in England.

Tomorrow, Japan is playing against Paraguay. Hopefully they'll show us another great game.

Things I miss about England....

Thanks to the English community and tourists here in the south of France, there are many things you can get at a local supermarket ; Ribena, Hellmans mayo, baked beans etc.

I saw a documentary about the Rolling Stones the other night.
Back in the 70's, the high income tax had resulted them to leave their own country behind to here in the South of France (between Eze and Nice to be precise, they had a villa there) . They were always short of money, due to the fact that then band manager had nicked all the money they earned and run away. They went bonkers but they moved here living together in a huge villa making briliant tunes. Mick met Bianca and married here!

In those days, they had to import all those English food. Now, it's probably twice or three times more expensive than England, but you could buy stuff if you really miss it. Keith said, [Just that they didn't have the same tea here, the milk tasted totally different.] Yes, I do agree with you, Keith.

I am just as happy as I was in England, so long as I have a pot of Hellmans mayo and Ribena. Well, I can live without them though...

Not the world's tallest but in Asia - as they got beaten by Dubai

It's called Tokyo Sky Tree.

From this photo, you'd probably be able to see my parents' home....I am not joking.
In Tokyo, it's been a on-going project until the spring 2012.
They are building a tallest tower in Asia just behind my parents house, or rather where I spent most of my childhood.

We'd certainly get scared next time we go home- total shock!

Beautiful mystery dinner

I didn't know I had some big fans! Look all these memorabia!!!

Was really a fantastic night - a surprise party by my friends - the theme was "Japanese host club". It's a special bar that young good looking men in trendy suits serving drinks to female customers in a bar. Apparently, there's usually some entertainments (mostly drinking competition, singing, magic etc).

It's another part of Japanese modern cultures.

Well, I was treated like a princess that night - the whole night was just like a dream. - yes, indeed, I was rather merry - not overly drunk though. It was just simply a fun night that I will never forget because....

I went home with the roomslippers!!!! I shut the door behind without changing my own shoes. - the guy there was already asleep.

Bravo guys and thank you for making the day so special.

You guys are fantastic! You lot are indeed a bunch of creative people.

Mystery dinner....

It's Friday (yes!) and a bit more than a week left until my last day at work.
This evening, one of my collegues is taking me out for a mystery dinner...

She (yes, i'm loyal to my hubby) told me to dress up and she'd organise a chauffeur to go to the venue, so we can drink and have a good time! So kind.

Am a bit nervous but very exciting. Am sure it's going to a lovey and fun evening.

Will write you more about it later on....

Lonely Patrick

When I first saw Patrick, it was the day of his 60th birthday party and the day that I moved in to my flat. He's my next door neighbour.

I saw him at his door, when I came back from a local pub, feeling a bit tipsy and happy with my new flat. I asked the old man: "Are you the birthday king? Hello I've just moved in to your next door. Can I give you a kiss to wish you a happy birthday?" and he said hesitatenly "yes" so I gave him a kiss on his cheek congratulating his birthday. He went very blushed.

Since then, he's always been very kind and looked after my bushy garden, taking care with delivery while I was away, he's like a gardien but he also became a bit of a bother from time to time - like checking upon me...Usually he's always at his door steps, drinking beers and smoking. In the summer time, he gets tanned after the hours of gardening.

He had to stop working.... unfortunate injury on his knee, he tripped himself outside my flat (apparently), he'd been on clutches for many months. I was on clutches around the same time as him, and we used to chat over the tea. Obviously, he seems very sad when I recovered and back to work, while he's still had to stay on clutches. And it went on until the day I left the village.

It was sad for me to let go my flat as well as leaving the lovely village behind for a new place in France. The night before my departure, he helped me checking with my car, it was very cold November night, nearly mid night, as I had to put some special stickers to adjust the headlights to French ones. I still managed to keep those stickers on my car though.

Before dawn, I parted to Dover, he was there outside the doorsteps.... (don't know whether he ever sleeps?) Bless him, he greeted at my departure.

When my hubby told me that he saw a brief image of an old man on the google map street view, it brought a smile on my face - I can't have a chit chat with him any more but I know that he's well.

Daniella or Roomba

I am probably not so tidy person.. Yes, I do make a mess at home, particularly when my hubby's away. Perhaps he's more tidier and clean the mess as he makes whereas I'd be more tempted to leave it (or pile it) until I must.

Clearning is the last thing I want to do... and if someone can do it, I'd be quite happy to let them do it.

Daniella was my cleaner. When I was earning enough to afford a cleaner, she comes once a week clearning and ironing for two hours. When I had a broken anckle, that's when I started to call her and since then I got myself totally spoilt.

She's a foreigner,like me, came from Eastern Europe - in some ways, we shared common views of living in a foreing country. We used to talk about love life, she used to say, being in a relationship is more hustled than being single. When I told her about my new love and eventually getting married, she's so pleased with me but also make sure I am happy with my own decision.

The point is, when I think about cleaning, I think of her darely, as being professional, hats off, she's done perfectly. I can't clean the house in the way, she's done.

Then, my hubby mentioned about this clever tool a while ago: THE Roomba
It's an intelligent robot doing the hoovering detecting and avoiding obstacles. That's a great stuff. The another model's even doing the wet mopping.

As Daniella told me she didn't like France and French language, I can't remember why, so I don't think I can bring her over here but I can still carry on dreaming of owning this machine to do the job I am not good at.

Only if this stuff could do ironing and go grocery shopping..