nouvelle cuisine

Is strange to think back 
how i never knew how to cook
maybe just fried eggs, maggie mee etc
and in 6 months,
i am able to easily make meals 
and discover new dishes
my hidden talent in cooking? haha

anyway some of the new dishes:

1) Simplifed version of eggless okonomiyaki
To get rid of a bag of cabbage and i forgot to buy eggs
No okonomiyaki sauce so i made teriyaki sauce instead
Results is edible but oily 

2) tofu lasagna
Usually i make tofu in chinese style
eg mapo tofu or cold tofu with chilli and soya sauce
husband love tofu and wants to try tofu in many ways
however, we often have soft tofu, is quite limited to make other dishes
since i have tofu left, i decided to google and found this dish
Overall, tofu has not much taste but added freshness to the lasagna
that it doesnt feel je lat when you eat more
so is really better than what we expected

3) Salmon and spinach quiche
My 2nd time cooking quiche after the previous pizza-thin quiche
Probably is a little more complicated than the previous bacon quiche
but the dish end up better and really tasty!

4) Rosti - leftover potatoes at home

I will be happy to cook for my sister and family
when they come to visit 
may be bored of bread
hope i will be able to cook for them!

Daytrip to Provins

While researching for my sister on their trip
I discovered a few small cities near paris that seems to be interesting to explore
so, after few weekends of postponing because of bad weather, lazy, etc etc
We went to Provins for a day trip!

Provins is quite near paris of 1.5hours train 
Despite waking up early at 8+, we almost missed our train of 10+
because of taking our own sweet time at home and metros delayed
Unlike normal explorers / tourists, train rides are always good for me to sleep.. haha

We arrived near noon and the weather was quite hot and humid
while we alked around
we accidently came to the underground galleries and tour ready in 5mins!
so we bought our tickets and join the tour..
the place is great because is so cool.. maybe about 17degrees?
I guess it is because its underground but was wonderful to cool us down..

While on our way to the city center
we went to the Saint-Quiriace Collegiate Church
We stayed awhile there to listen to the choir practice
Churches are so old in france and the age makes them so elegant and beautiful..

Finally driven by hunger, we came to the city center and settled for lunch
the husband had crepes while i had the super-worth-it fries and sussage (5 euro!)
there was a small ceramic fair and we took a quick browse

Thereafter, we went to the Caeser's tower, which ressembles a typical castle from fairytales
Again certain rooms were cooler than exterior, which husband said is beacuse of the thick wall
we climbed to the top and i think we were at the highest point of provins for the beautiful view..

It was getting late and we were getting tired
but we decided to go for 1 last attraction, the museum of provins
which was similar to a wax museum with a big undergorund cool room

It was time to go back paris
husband decided that it was not worth it to take the bus (euro2.50/pax) back to the train station
since we walked in the beginning
being a "good" wife, i agreed with him

i guess we under-estimate the distance 
and our physical tiredness
the walk seems so much further than we came
and we had to run for the last 300m to get to the train on time, the next train will be 1 hour later
the moment we arrived the train, it started to rain!

As usual, i fell asleep on the train ride back
and next day, i have muscle aches from all the walking, haha, im getting old!
Husband has not been interested to visit france because he went to many places
yet, is always a new cheap adventure for me to explore france!
Look forward to another trip..

Dinner at Le Poulpry

Thanks to in-law's recommendations and groupon
we went for a nice dinner at Le Poulpry
which is located in 1 of the best schools in france
Despite quite a number of the french dining, 
with the starter, main course, dessert...
i felt that i am still unused to long period of dining
Maybe more used to the asian way to eat fast and full at 1 dish

Strangely, in any restuarants,
I often felt that the starters taste better than the rest
so my theory is - the level of satisfaction goes down with more food intake
when start with starter, i am hungry so it tastes the best!
thereafter, im beginning to be full and my level of satisfaction reduced, the food tastes less great..
haha..

anyway just to upload the photos as its one of the best place
that the food is worth the price and really good...

Being a married woman

Unlike normal dating

We spent most of our courtship in long distance relationship

Unlike normal wedding

I am relocated to paris without my job, family, friends, language, life etcs

I guess life will be very different if we are living in Singapore now

I will probably be working long hours (maybe lesser)

but definitely spending more time with my friends 

As i do not have friends, family and job here and my classes have not started,

my life basically revolves over husband, home, cooking, learning french..

and the husband do makes an efforts to be home, accompany me or bring me out with his friends..

I am not complaining, its a good tai tai life that many will envy me!

However, i do miss having my personal life and job...

be it, hanging out with friends, with my sister....

or working like theres no tomorrow...

and to have something happening to my life...

so that i can have more in-depth conversations with others...

maybe im just ungrateful of my life...

summer is really here!!!

Despite husband's previous warnings about summer

how it can be worse than Singapore

i thought i will survive it well with 29 years experience in our sunny island

and for the first weeks of summer

A few hot days happened, average of 27 degrees in the day

but drop to average 15 degrees with strong wind at night

apart from the few days, the days were rainy or cloudy

that it became average 17 degrees in the day

and dopped further for the night

i was like "This is summer?! where i need to wear jacket to go out..."

husband decided that we may have a cool summer this year..

Apparently, i spoke too soon

today is the start of the summer heat!

im writing this with the fan blasting at me..

today is 30 degrees in the day and expected 21 degrees for the night

although it sounds alright for the night, night only arrives after 10pm

and the next few days will be about the same..

hot, hot and hot...

i am already missing the cool weather of spring and autumn...

30degrees may be the average temperature in singapore

however, i seriously feel that singapore is well equipped for 24/7 summer

and here, summer is just for 2 months

the amount of aircon is almost non-existant

metros and shopping centres are fine in the 3 seasons

but in summer, is just stuffy and hot...

thank goodness for the hot/cold water function

i may hate the accidental use of cold / hot water in washing stuff

but cold water is the saving element now

when i mean cold water, its feels like a glass of iced water served in restuarants

now i wonder how the pipes keep the water cool

and why in singapore the water cant stay cool..

hmm...

Gigs

one of husband,s friend is in a garage rock duo
since he invited us to his gig, so we went after my long OFII saga
it was nice to attend an underground gig in paris
it was a short evening as i was really tired
but it was a fun experience!

OFII appointment - part II

Actually, my whole appointment was to end at 1130am
if only i brought the correct document
my electricty bill was more than 4 months old
so i was told to return with a newer bill or a rental receipt
You may wonder why i bring an old bill
apparently, we dont receive monthly bill
and that was the latest at home

anyway, we were supposed to pay taxes of euro 240 in stamps
yes, stamps!
i dont understand the idea of paying in stamps
but husband say alot of things are paid in stamps
I went home and was due to return at 2pm

when i arrived, there was a long queue
so i assumed that its the 2nd intake of the day
i went to the guard and tried to explained in my bad french that i am here to submit my documents
the guard told me that the office is closed and i am to come next morning
i got a shock and tried to explain (in bad french and english) that the lady told me to come at 2pm
the guard was nice and approached a chinese man to help us translate
after some translation, the guard insisted that the office is closed
but i can join the queue to see the admin / recptionist
in the room i realised people are not here for 2nd intake
but to ask questions on immigrations etc

As there were about 15 people,
i cant imagine how it is to queue and possibility facing the same answer to come tomorrow
i remembered the lady passed me their office no in the morning
so i decided to call
through very bad french and english, the lady finally informed me that she is coming down to pick me up
and i was so happy
apparently the office is indded close
but i have a 2pm appointment that the guard wasnt aware
and she informed that is good i called
as the admin/receptionist wont know about the appointment and dont understand english
so she will probably just send me home
after all that queueing

so finally, i submitted all the documents
and got a new sticker on my passport
For now, i have an appointment with french school on 11 sept...
and a full day civis lecture in october..
the next big challenge will be to apply for my residence card in 3 months...  

I cant explained how tired i was mentally, emotionally and physiclly after the appointment..
at least things are moving..

OFII appointment - Part I

So finally, after my 3 months in paris i am due to my appointment with OFII
which is the office of immigration and integration
an appointment to wlcome and help foreigners
who may be here for work, studies and spouses

a week before my appointment
i decided to google on any info of the OFII appointment
which i got a shock on the information provided
a) most information will be provided in french
b) there will be a test on french to decide the no of free french classes provided
c) need to be half naked for the xray with no gown provided & can be a male nurse
these provided enough stress for me for the week

anyway, i arrived at 7.30am for my 8am appointment
and was surprised that i wasnt the earliest
and a queue started at about 745am

While queuing,
a lady from china came to me
and asked me whether this is the place for medical check
as her accent was so strong, i took awhile to understand her chinese and replied her
i think she tried to make some small talk
and asked me what book im reading and that it must be a languag from my country
so i just replied short that is an English novel
and she went awy

the start was relatively easy
just to show the letter and passport
thereafter before to go to the waiting room
a lady was there to identify the language preferred
probably because there are not many singaporeans undergoing this process

The conversation happened: (in french)
me: English
lady: Chinese?
me: no, English
lady: Chinese?
me: I am from Singapore, I speak English
lady: Oh Singapore, yes its English, Sorry..

Well, since the lady was really nice and smily
I didnt feel offended for thinking i am from China
i guess they see more from China than Singapore

Then we were put in a waiting room
another lady ask for our language spoken
and provided us a audioguide to be used for the video
i read in forum that in some offices they provide translators instead
which ended up watching the videos many times till your language translator's turn
so its lucky that paris has more advanced technology

The lady started to welcome us
She was really nice and i noticed that she tried to spoke in simple french
although i got lost at times
i guess she was explaining the programme for the day
based on the forum i read

We watched a 15mins video on life in france
basically a brief video about a few major themes of france
felt like a documentary on france in discovery channel

the lady returned after the video
went through a few slides on the topics shown on the video
when i say went through, she was basically reading word by word off the slides
there were some additional information which i didnt understand
but i gathered from the forum that it was about upcoming stuffs eg french classes, visas, lectures

a lady came after
and she seemed to be in a foul mood
i guess most people are on holiday after the national day on 14 July
and she definitely suffers from post-holiday blues
anyway she frown at any noise made
stare and said "PLEASE (in french)" to anyone making a noise  
Eg the lady from china took something from her plastic bag and got this treatment

The lady just went on speaking in fast french for 10mins
from the few words i understand i guess she is talking about some public assistance for lodging and job
but anyway, she just finished her stuff and left

I went to the toilet and met the lady from China again
trying to be nice, i made some small talk with her
about where we were from and purpose in france
when it was my turn to use the cubicle
i heard my name being called
but since i was going in, i decided they will call for me again
suddenly, the lady from china rushed out of the toilet
i assumed that her name was called after me
anyway, we were the only 2 chinese females in the room

Thereafter, it was a long wait for me in the waiting room
so i end up reading my book
finally after 30mins, i was called to an office
feeling nervous that they will test my french
i practiced my self-introduction with husband for days
but apparently, its still bad french in their view
actually, i didnt have chance to speak french
as she conversed with me in English
and before i spoke french, she asked whether im taking french classes
when the answer is no, she immediately informed that she will refer me for french classes
so i guess all the practices wasnt useful
anyway, the french language assessment for the no of hours required will be done in the school
in my september appointment with them

She passed me my medical certificate
and i informed her that i have not done my medical test
then a nurse came to the room, and insisted that im not CYS
i insisted i am and she left
so i guess the lady from china must had went for my medical assessment when i was in toilet
we continued our conversation about signing a contract for integration, lectures to attend
I was supposed to attend 2 full days lectures on civics and life in france
but the lady gave me an option to skip the life in france option
i guessed because i married a french

then a doctor came to the office and insisted im not CYS
and I insisted I am
It came to a point where it become funny to keep insisting who i am
thereafter, i was sent to the medical test
each nurse/ doctor will verified my name and address twice before anything
I went for weight, height and eye test
and sent to the room for xray

so it was like a small changing room
that i was reminded to lock the door that i came in
after undressing, another door opened to the xray room
thank goodness that it was a female nurse,  no walking required and she spoke perfect english
Read on forum that sometimes it can be male nurse, there may be a long corridor to walk from the changing room
or full instructions in french
so, i am really counting my blessings

later, i met another doctor to check xray, my blood pressure and medical history
started with the same verifying my name and address twice
i was a little worried about this
as i have no memory on vaccinations
i should have brought along the old health booklet from primary school
i think its really important to keep record of vaccinations as adults
i should be very overdue on my hep B vaccination
anyway, when the doctor asked me about vaccinations
before i answered
she answered with " Singapore should be very updated with vaccinations, so you dont need any follow up"
So much for my anxiety about not remembering my vaccinations

Then it was done for the morning....

vending machine

France has different types of vending machine
From snacks to drinks
From condoms to pharmacy stuff
& giant vending machine looking like a shop

But I am so amazed
To find an option for tomato soup
From the coffee/tea/chocolate vending machine
Well, taste like minestrone!

CITÉ DES SCIENCES ET DE L'INDUSTRIE

SInce the France's national day was on the 14 July (Monday)
Husband took tuesday off to enjoy a long weekend
We wanted to go for a short day trip to provins
but it was a rainy weekend
so we ended staying home

On sunday i suggested for us to visit the science musesum
since we have been talking about visiting it for the been time
Considering it was a rainy sunday, we thought it will be quite empty
but i guess many families had the same idea with us..

The science centre building is about 3x bigger than singapore's
with an outdoor garden and imax theatre
i was a little disappointed that the exhibits are less kids-friendly and hands-on compared to sg
maybe because we didnt explore the children's area

Most explanations and descriptions were lengthy and in French
so, i got bored after 3 hours..haha
we stayed till 5.30pm for our imax movie
despite singapore has an imax
it was my first experience watching an imax
with the inclined seats, i am amazed how people can eat popcorns 
i was struggling to eat just my gummy bears candies

thereafter, was a big comfort dinner at KFC
now husband is KFC biggest fan
despite the next-day spicy poo poo effect
 I lost count how many times we ate kfc
is strange i never suffered from kfc next day effect in singapore
wondering what is the difference of kfc here...

beautiful eclairs

A friend recommended us
A brand of eclairs
At the marais area
But I often cant find it
Even after she shown me once!

So one day,
I was in the area and search for it
I found it
And decide to buy some home
For husband to taste it..

I was shocked to see that each eclair
Was about euro5!
Normal eclair was euro1.50..

Since it was strongly recommended,
Looks really delicious,
And I just won euro50
(playing scratch card)
I bought 5 of them!!
I feel so poor after buying them..

But they are really delicious
I guess the presentation
Eg with gold flakes
And the authentic taste
Eg taste like real vanilla, lemon
Makes them expensive..

I told husband is the first
And last time to buy them..
Im the stingy wife.. Haha