The Day the Fog Split

We had an interesting phenomenon this afternoon! As we looked out over the étang, we saw a fog bank rolling in. Then, just before it hit the shore, it split! Some rolled South, most rolled North, and we were left with our lovely sunshine!

We joked about having a wind-god on our roof, blowing a divot for us :-)

Sickies Chez Nous

What have we been up to? NOTHING! We've been sick at our house - just colds, nothing too serious, but certainly unpleasant, and definitely kept us from doing *anything!*

Traipsing all over Montpellier for my administrative tasks having to do with staying legal here meant that I was out in mostly miserable weather, waiting on transportation or walking to an office. A week ago Thursday, I felt well enough to get out for some much-needed supplies, but then Friday's appointment brought a relapse.

I stayed inside as much  as possible after that. Fortunately, Rick was feeling better enough that he could go out for some important food items. Finally, after nearly a week of keeping out of the weather and slurping hot toddies, the sick-storm broke! Yesterday was oh, so warm and mild, and so we stocked up on more groceries (scotch doesn't last forever, you know).

Then today - ahhhh, today - we *strolled* to the beach in the sun, shedding layers as we went. What a glorious day!

I'm glad we enjoyed it, because - you guessed it - rain is forecast for the next 4 days!

~~~
Note: I had an amazing picture to share here, but Google Blogger has a new bug (gasp) that doesn't allow adding pictures. I will probably blog quite a bit less until (1) it's fixed, or (2) I finally switch hosts...

Ten-Year Residence Card - The Interview

Ten-Year Residence Card - The Interview

Two days ago, just over a week (a week that includes Christmas!!!) after my Carte de Séjour appointment, someone from the préfecture called (yes, called! No text, no email, no snail mail). She wanted me to come in for an interview, to see if I was integrated enough to get the 10-year residence card (instead of 2 years). Even more surprising, she suggested the next morning! I said that afternoons were better, and so we agreed on the day after!

I was so prepared! And so early! My interview for a 10-year residence card started exactly on time, and lasted less than 10 minutes. It's purpose is to determine if you are integrated enough in French life, so there are a variety of questions they can draw from. Others who have recently succeeded had reported questions such as:
- what is the motto of France, and what does it mean to you?
- what are some symbols of France?
- can you sing the national anthem?
- name a king from French history, and discuss some details
- current politics: name of president, prime minister, previous ones, mayor, préfet, etc
- geography: name rivers, mountains, cities; name countries and seas that form France's boundaries
- your life in France: why do you live here? Do you work? Work-related questions
- what associations and clubs do you belong to?
- what are your plans for the future?

Well, I had answers and expansions for all of those (although I had an excuse for not knowing the actual lyrics for La Marseillaise). But I got only basic questions on current politics and geography, and no follow-ups when I said I was retired.
In addition, my interviewer asked:
- what language do you speak at home? (ack! I had to say English, it's the language from our life together; but also some French). She didn't look completely thrilled at that...
- do you watch television? (not much); what channel has an oak tree as a logo (I don't know; I watch some news on channels 1, 2, and 3, and a detective show with subtitles) **
- name a regional newspaper (uuuummmm, Le Monde?); Midi-Libre, with a smile (ah, yes, of course)
- can I vote? (this was confusing; I said, you? If you are a citizen, then yes). I got another smile.
- do I fill out papers by myself? (hmmm. also confusing. I pay taxes with my husband.) ok
- do you drive? you have a license? (yes)
- do you go grocery shopping? (in fact, I do this with my husband also; we're like Siamese twins). I got a little laugh at that one.

At the end, she said I qualified (I passed, with a "très bien !"), and my French was good! I asked if the police would come by, and she said it was obligatory (to confirm a real marriage). I mentioned that we had plans to be away in Spring, and she said as long as we were there in the next 3 months, there was no problem.

And now? This!

More Bubbly!

~~~
** UPDATE: After my at-home recap, Rick looked for an oak tree logo - nothing! So *probably* what happened is I heard "chêne" (masculin, oak tree), but she said "chaîne" (féminin, TV channel) - she was just asking what channel (aka canal) I watch, and I answered. LOL, sometimes it does pay to over-answer a question!
BTW, "chêne" and "chaine" are pronounced *exactly* the same way. The only key to which it is would be to hear une/un or some different-sounding-maculin-feminin adjective. So I don't feel too bad :-)