Summer 2013 in France (Part 6)

Summer 2013 in France (Part 6)

This time, it's final. All is set. Packing is done. Bound to Tahiti with more than 20 hours flight with a stop over in Los Angeles. And be arriving hopefully Wednesday early morning.

I have checked everything inside Pierre's flat. All is clean, cubboard is filled with his survival needs....food, etc. Closets are filled with clean smelling clothes and I am wondering how these things would last and be kept orderly...but I am happy with what I have accomplished. I did the last day buy yesterday and he's got everything to make his stay convenient and conducive to study hard, if not harder. I can say, I can leave with my mind at peace. This is what I am trying to convince myself. Leave with a peaceful mind. Really, could I?

But still, why do I feel sad? I can't prevent myself from worrying being a mom. Mom is a mom who worries every time for her children no matter what age they may be. They will always stay as my babies.

As Pierre left me this morning, he gave me a very tight and long hug with a kiss.....and he said:  "Thank you for everything mom."  The sweetest words I could get and could melt my heart away.

As I look back and think for what I have done in the past 7 weeks in France, it's really amazing to imagine what everything took place during that time. It was like a marathon to me. It's all focused on the family. Like Cynthia's struggle to finish her thesis, her family's plan of changing house, her going back to work after staying for 15 months, Marie-Anne's getting a permanent job, Mathieu's non-stop work, Pierre's search for a  new flat and school, Philippe's challenging job, in-laws' little health issues, plus Pierre's friends who came one after the other. And not to forget my babysitting job!!

But one thing that made it really special is the presence of our dearl little princess Lena. The real center of attraction. Our little sunshine. It is really fantastic how this little creature could do and unite the family in one piece. A real blessing to the family. Having her with us gave us so much joy and we are so grateful. Our little angel indeed.

My children said that I am so gaga to her. Definitely! How one can never be gaga when you see her? She is such a sweetie. I have never ever thought that being a grandma could be so gratifying.

I am leaving with a heavy heart but I am thankful that I leave with great memories behind. I was able to bond with my children. I must admit that it was not always easy. There were flaws. There were frictions. Not always ideal as people would think. We are not perfect family. Far from that. But we try to be nice and loving to one another.

Oh yes, in just about a little time, the taxi driver would come and pick me up, take me to the railway station bound to Paris Airport. Summer 2013 is over. 

On the other hand, there's Lolo Pogi who is becoming impatient. He wants me back in Tahiti rapidly. He said, I have been away too long and he wants us to get back to our normal empty nesters' life.

Au revoir la France, bonjour Tahiti. Our journey continues. Life continues. Life is beautiful. Until next summer and many more summers to come.

Summer in France 2013 (Part 5)

Cranves-Sales: 

Just like in the song ... "All my bags are packed and ready to go." My flight to Paris is in the afternoon and I have few hours left to enjoy Léna. My last day with her. After three days of babysitting, time to leave with regret and how I wish I could take her with me. But Lola's role is over until the next time I come.  I really enjoyed having her this summer and the last three days spent with her, with just me and her was really beyond measure. How she has changed a lot. I must admit, I am tired but it's worth it. I will miss her terribly but there's something I have to look forward to. I will be seeing her again and the rest of the family in a couple of months. And besides, skype is good and available. I get to see her almost everyday anyway.  But of course nothing can replace the real thing....I will miss her hugs, her laughters, her caprices, her smiles, her cries.....Ahhhhhhh, Léna, you are such incredible baby!!! You make us all crazy!!

My stay is not yet over in fact. When I reach Paris, I still have to take the train bound to Douai this time. I will be joining Pierre and help him settle in his new flat. He got to the new place yesterday and here I come for a much needed help. I have to make sure that he got all the things he needs before I get back to Tahiti. Then I can clearly say....."mission accomplished."

It is not easy when we are far from the rest of the family. So I take every opportunity to spend the time with each of the children. I am so glad that despite Marie-Anne's busy schedule, she came to see me everyday and we had lunch together. Sweet bonding time together as we took good care of Lena. Thank you Mimi. You just can imagine how I appreciate the time we spent and laughed together.

Cynthia is back to work. Quite challenging for her after 15 months of stay-home-mom. But she's happy to be able to finish her thesis before she really gets into the serious business. I am happy to be able to assist her in those last couple of days. She concentrated her time and effort during the holiday and she only got to the beach three times. That was not much but it paid off well.

Yesterday, I finally had some time to call my friends. It was such a good feeling to talk  to them and get some news from them. It was a shame that I didn't get the time to see any of them but I promised next time, I hope it will be much easier for me to do so.

Thank you Tessa, Catherine, Nihad, Francoise, Jean, Mme. Courrian,  and  Sylvie for having you on the phone. It was always a pleasure to hear from you. Thank you also for the rest though we communicate via FB. For the rest, let's keep in touch. I am just FB away.

I have got mixed feelings. Sad to leave, believe me. But I am happy also to to go back to Tahiti and join my hubby and find my real place. Find my normal activities and find my tennis and Pinoy friends. It's been almost two months that I have been away and it's about time to be in my place and drop my luggage, find my own things as well. 

I have so many plans  and projects to do with my friend Valerie. And one of them is sewing. We are just newbees but we'll try our best to  do some nice stuff for Christmas presents.

I have just talked to my husband. He just arrived from his trip in New York City and he said that it is really about time for me to go home and be together. We plan of having a quiet but fun moment over a weekend in Moorea. He wants to go diving and see the whales again. While I need to relax, stay cool and unwind. Just peace and quiet. And think of the beautiful and happy memories spent with my loved ones during this summer. And be grateful for the privilege that each of us enjoy. 

That's all for the moment. The clock is ticking. It is time to get ready for lunch then off to the airport. Bye-bye Geneva, hello Paris-Douai! Here I come.

Summer 2013 in France (Part 4)

Washing machine has just stopped spinning. The laundry is drying outside under the sun. The house is well fixed and super clean. Léna's finger prints over the glass windows and doors are gone. It is so peace and quiet. We miss Lena's noise. Her toys, high chair, table and other baby needs are already put in the garage.

The little Coppel family left at 5 o'clock this morning back to  their home-sweet-home. Vacation for them is over. I just got a message informing me of their safe arrival after ten long hours drive. And Léna was very kind dduring the trip. She slept pretty well. I already miss her.

Philippe has left for Tahiti three days ago and now back to work. And I will be joining him in just a couple more days. Tahiti, here I come. We'll be back to being empty nesters again.

Pierre is left with me today and tomorrow. I am preparing his things for his move. He is leaving on Tuesday for Douai and I will leave on Sunday to join Cynthia and family. I will babysit for three days. I can't wait to see Léna and cuddle her. Cynthia is going back to work on Monday. And then I will join Pierrre in Douai to help him settle in his new flat with his friend. After which, bye-bye la France!! Just a thought of it...makes me  feel sad.

A lot of things have happened this summer. The bad part...it all started with a lost luggage of Philippe but got found and delivered few days later. Thank you Air France.

Pierre didn't make it to get to the business school he was aiming for after two years of prépa in Cannes. He was of course disappointed and he decided to take another year to take his chance. And his  prépa school is in Douai, up north of France. 

We went to see a dying friend at the hospital. Very sad indeed. I wrote someting about it in my latest blog entry entitled : Till We Meet Again.

Mathieu's new scooter was stolen about two days ago and what a shame. He is obliged to go to work with his bike. The weather is still good but when winter comes, that's another thing. 

And the happy part is.....just being surrounded with my loved ones is more than enough for me.

Actually, my summer holiday in France is getting to its end. I must admit, it was not always a relaxing summer for me. People come and go. I have to take care of everything. This is a special summer as Cynthia absolutely needed my assistance and support while she finishes her thesis. It was really a challenge for her and having a little baby who needs a lot of attention and it is not a piece of cake. Although, Léna is such an easy baby. A real joy to take care of her. She's a super darling. And now, thanks God, Cynthia is done with the most important part of her thesis.  It needs to be printed, proofread and a summary. She really worked so hard and finally, she made it! Oufff!!

Hopefully she will acquire her doctorate's degree and become a full-pledged dental surgeon before the end of the year. That will be a grand achievement. And I hope to attend in her thesis defense infront of the jury if ever time permits. Yo-ho-hooooooo!!!

All is done and ready for Pierre. He only needs to get there and settle in his new flat and new school. Yes! Another adventure and wishing him good luck.

As for Marie-Anne, unfortunately, she didn't get much time with us this summer as well as her husband (who works so hard too) but she just signed a contract of a permanent job in the stablishment where she works right now. It was a good news for all of us and we are hoping that they can get a holiday in Tahiti before the year ends. Keeping the fingers crossed. We have been waiting for them to come and see us over there. 

I feel tired. I haven't really got much time for myself. I devote all my time to my family. I am not complaining. In fact, I am happy. Being surrounded with my children, my apo especially brings so much joy and happiness to me. I can't imagine summer without them. I seize the time because we don't see them very often. Living thousands of kilometers away isn't always easy. I get to miss them all the time. Not easy for a mom and a lola like me. 

We haven't seen much of our friends this summer. We focused more on our family. Although we visited a dying friend in the hospital. Not always fun. Rather sad but life is made that way. We need to be realistic sometimes and be accepting. Life is short. We should be always grateful with the things that we have.

One thing I am thankful about is having internet here at home and even though how busy I am, I still manage to get connected in the cyberworld.  

We are trying to organize and conduct a medical mission by the end of the year in our barangay back home ion the Philippines and hoping it will be materialized. I need some help and support on this. If anyone interested to get involved, please let me know. I am just FB away. Thank you. 

I try to follow the Phillipine  current events thru iternet. Its damaging typhoons and floods. Its political issues concerning the pork barrel in which majority of the politicians have pocketed the money. I try to disseminate the info on the upcoming "one million march" in Luneta to be held on Monday, the 26th. I am hoping that a lot of people will manifest and get involved. Other cities are doing the same including some cities in other countries like US and Canada.

Voila, this is to sum up my summer 2013 part 4 and I have to stop for the meantime as I still have lots of things to do before packing.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh, life is good, just the same!!