What a Girl Wants

Ruby has a few things she adores:
1. Her Harrod's kitty, a gift given to her from our friend Tom-- she never goes to bed without it.
2. Silver "widdy" shoes ( I think that is her way of saying pretty). Anais sent them to her for Easter and she demands they are put on as soon as she catches a glimpse of them peeping out from her closet.
3. Tap dancing numbers in the silver shoes, a la Happy Feet. She saw it once and has been busy at work mastering the choreography.
4. This probably should have been listed at number one, talking on the phone. She has been known to answer it when it rings and just starts babbling. At a recent softball game she wandered into the field busily chatting on a toy cell phone, looking like she was trying to find the best signal. You will notice in this picture she in fact is multi-tasking with two phones.

5. Purses and necklaces, she already has an eye for accessorizing. Quite the fashonista with her totes, cell phone and necklaces! I can honestly say that while I love it, she really picked up this all on her own.
6. When Papa comes home, she throws whatever she has in her hands and fights Barkley to get to him first.
7. Go Dog! Go. Her favorite book, she will search high and low until she finds it and she wants it read over and over again. "Dog. Big dog. Little dog. Big dogs and little dogs. Black and white dogs."
8. Saying, "Mmmmwah" when she gives kisses.
9. Saying "Yummy Yummy" while she is eating.
10. Her binky. There was an incident at the playground with binkies yesterday. Let's just say she will go to great lengths to get a hit when she needs one.

House Calls

When you need to visit the doctor there is a well established procedure we all follow. First you make the call and deal with an often horrendous and incapable secretary. Second, depending on how bad you feel, you try to convince the not-medically-trained nurse that you are in fact close to death. Once she places you on hold for ten minutes, she asks if you can make it there at a most inconvenient time, and of course, you are obligated. This routine becomes even more complicated when you add a child to the scenario. For some inexplainable reason, when I need to get out of the house with Ruby I require a minimum of 10 additional minutes to my routine to cover the check list: water, diapers, wipes, snacks, binky, books, change her diaper, shoes and socks, jacket in case it rains, sweater in case it gets cold (that is a product of our crazy weather however). Inevitably I find myself in the hallway, baby loaded in the stroller waiting for the elevator when I realize I didn't put the dog away or I forgot my ID, or I left my address book that has the door code so I can get into the place I am going. I promise myself regularly I will be more prepared and streamlined...but at some point I just need to embrace who I am.

Ruby was sick recently and I wanted to take her to the doctor, but when a baby is sick you want to keep her in when it is wet and cold outside and for her to get as much sleep as she can. The medical system here operates quite a bit like it does back home, with a few nice exceptions. First, if a nurse can't immediately assist you she gives you the doctors direct cell phone number, which he answers without fail. (Note: I use he simply because our pediatrician, is a he). The doctor will then tell you if there are any over the counter medications you should try or he will schedule an appointment.

In our case there was also a third option. We called SOS Medecin. An on call doctor service, that for a price LOWER than a office visit, comes straight to your home at a time best for you. Once they have made their analysis they call your doctor on his cell phone, tell him what they found for his records, inform him of prescriptions they are giving and seek his advice on further treatment recommendations. I don't think I will be going back to the doctor's office for anything other than a routine check up and vaccines in the near future.

PS: This post is dedicated to Daphne, for always believing in me and encouraging me when I was most discouraged (really she was hogging the computer and I couldn't post the entire time she was here visiting and now she is all mad that I didn't update! Sisters!)

The Magic Kingdom

We took Ruby to experience the marketing goldmine that is Disneyland, or rather we took my Mom to Disneyland and Ruby came along. The day was fantastic, and although I was a bit disappointed not to have met up with Cinderella or Alice (my childhood faves), Ruby had a blast on tried and true rides (It's a Small World and the Mad Hatter's Tea Cups), thought she was in heaven on Casey Jr.'s Circus Train, and slept through Pirates of the Caribbean.

The Boys of Pointe du Hoc

"We're here to mark that day in history when the Allied armies joined in battle to reclaim this continent to liberty. For four long years, much of Europe had been under a terrible shadow. Free nations had fallen, Jews cried out in the camps, millions cried out for liberation. Europe was enslaved, and the world prayed for its rescue. Here in Normandy the rescue began. Here the Allies stood and fought against tyranny in a giant undertaking unparalleled in human history.





"We stand on a lonely, windswept point on the northern shore of France. The air is soft, but 40 years ago at this moment, the air was dense with smoke and the cries of men, and the air was filled with the crack of rifle fire and the roar of cannon. At dawn, on the morning of the 6th of June, 1944, 225 Rangers jumped off the British landing craft and ran to the bottom of these cliffs. Their mission was one of the most difficult and daring of the invasion: to climb these sheer and desolate cliffs and take out the enemy guns. The Allies had been told that some of the mightiest of these guns were here and they would be trained on the beaches to stop the Allied advance.




"The Rangers looked up and saw the enemy soldiers--the edge of the cliffs shooting down at them with machine guns and throwing grenades. And the American Rangers began to climb. They shot rope ladders over the face of these cliffs and began to pull themselves up. When one Ranger fell, another would take his place. When one rope was cut, a Ranger would grab another and begin his climb again. They climbed, shot back, and held their footing. Soon, one by one, the Rangers pulled themselves over the top, and in seizing the firm land at the top of these cliffs, they began to seize back the continent of Europe. Two hundred and twenty-five came here. After two days of fighting, only 90 could still bear arms.

"Behind me is a memorial that symbolizes the Ranger daggers that were thrust into the top of these cliffs. And before me are the men who put them there.





"These are the boys of Pointe du Hoc. These are the men who took the cliffs. These are the champions who helped free a continent. These are the heroes who helped end a war." -President Ronald Reagan, June 6, 1984

Celebrity Sighting

If you aren't familiar with this celebrity, check out the video below (courtesy Dan):

Bugatti Veyron at top speed
Uploaded by Flabber

Happily Ever After

The Loire Valley, located in central France, boasts landscapes which provide the perfect backdrops for fairy tales. A casual drive through the winding roads leads one to castle after castle--one of the most famous of which is Chenonceau. King Henry IV gave this property to his mistress Diana de Portiers (rumour has it they got together when he was 12--queue the eww factor). After his death, his wife Catherine de Medici kicked out the mistress and took over the idyllic castle. Since that time the castle has been occupied or operated by women. During World War II the front door was located in Nazi occupied France, while the rear door opened to unoccupied France.

Mc LetDown

For three years I have watched Grey's Anatomy with a passion and fervor, which was probably a little undeserved. But, I loved it. I loved every moment and couldn't wait for the next week. It was a topic of peace in my otherwise stress oriented office, something we all could really gather around the water cooler to talk about. This season, I have faithfully downloaded episides via iTunes every Friday, setting aside Ruby's nap time as my alotted slot for this guilty pleasure.

Last night I watched the season 3 finale and I HATED every minute of it. HATED it! Does anyone else out there watch this show any more? I can't think of one story line from last night's episode that I am happy about, on any level. I have read online that the writers wanted to burn the house down. But they did more than that, they ripped out the soul. I am in mourning.

Can we hope for more from Private Practice?

Barack O-blogging

Lame title, I know. But check out this great article in the recent New Yorker on Mr. Obama. Warning: weekly Barack updates from this point forward.

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2007/05/07/070507fa_fact_macfarquhar

Shout Out

This is for our friends in Lima...who would of thought we would see this on along a highway in Holland!

Amsterdam

While attempting to take just the right picture of a canal in Amsterdam, I stepped backward one too many times and fell down a narrow staircase, breaking my digital camera. Luckily, we had my old fashion 36mm on hand. Sadly, that means this is the last round of photos for quite some time as purchasing and developing film, at the rate I take photos, is about as pricey as just buying a new camera.

In Amsterdam we spent the majority of our time wandering the quaint streets in the Jordaan district, admiring all the bicyclists and wishing we could pedal around the city (if I ever retrieve the photos on the digi cam we have some great pics of very interesting bikes). We ate lunch at an Indonesian fast food restaurant, which was excellent and had deserts at the Puccini Bomboni Chocolate house.





We visited local markets selling cheese, dried fruits, flowers, and household junk.



We stood in line for an hour to visit the Anne Frank House. The week before the trip we spent our evenings re-reading the diary, which inspired my journal writing as a child in addition to my interest in world affairs and human rights. As an adult I am filled with awe at the insights and depth of character held by a 13 year old girl. Walking through the Secret Annexe, for me, was a much anticipated and overwhelming, life experience.

Tulip Mania

The tulip fields are beyond description and everyone should try to make it to Keukenhof Gardens while the tulips are in blooom at least once. Since a picture is truly worth a thousand words...

Holland v. the Netherlands

We spent my birthday celebrating in (chose your preferred name of country from the title above). The tulips were in bloom, the weather beautiful, and we left the country wanting to purchase bikes . Here are some pictures from the small town of Kinderdijk, which is world famous for its network of 19 windmills built circa 1750.

I Love Paris in the Springtime

Ruby Tuesday

We happen to think Ruby is about the greatest name there is, and loved singing the Rolling Stones classic to her since she was born. But little did we know just how many great songs had been written about our little girl! Just the other day a good friend gave me the heads up to a 1995 Rancid hit, "Ruby Soho" and ensured me it was a masterpiece. I was not disappointed. So, we decided it was time to make a Ruby Soundtrack, and for those of you who enjoy iTunes, check out these great odes to our little girl. Ok, most of them might pre-date her by just a bit, but we'll never tell her that! So here is her Soundtrack, carefully selected and placed in proper playing order: (And by the way, she shakes her booty to number three!)

1. Ruby Soho....Rancid
2. Ruby...Kaiser Chiefs
3. Ruby Blue...Roisin Murphy
4. Ruby...The Apples in Stereo
5. Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town...Cake
6. Ruby With the Eyes That Sparkle...Cold Mountain Soundtrack (instrumental)
7. Ruby...Camille
8. Ruby...Ahmad Jamal
9. Ruby...Utah Carol
10. Ruby Dear...Talking Heads
11. Ruby Baby...Bjork

Chez Nous

I don't know why I haven't posted any pictures that show our current abode, so in lieu of not having anything else to say, here is our living room. I will post others later, but blogger is having some technical difficulties today:

Young, Single, and Fabulous!

This celebrity sighting comes via a friend who is living the life in Paris as an art restoration intern for a museum in the area. As if that weren't enough she informed me yesterday that she is attending a Diddy party tonight! I mean, a Diddy party, are you kidding me? I have often wondered who those lucky people were that Diddy invited to his infamous White Party's etc...and now I know one! I am hoping for pictures tomorrow!

I still can't get over it...a Diddy party!

Rene' Clair

For those of you who enjoy the highest degree of cinematic prowess, you have likely heard of Rene’ Clair, a French director who made his debut in the years following the Great War (or as we are taught in American Schools World War I). As was common in the years following the Great War, art reflected society’s dissatisfaction with industrialization. Dadaism and Surrealism (artistic “movements” that blamed reason and rational thought for the massacres of WWI) rejected the traditionally rigid intellectualism supported by the art world and believed the only way to insure the continuation of mankind was by an outright rejection of the values that had propogated the problems. In order to liberate the human mind, individuals had to embrace the use of the unconscious mind, to attain a dreamlike state, truer than reality.

From this train of thought came Monsieur Clair’s 20 minute film Entr’acte, which premiered in 1924. Entr’acte’s are breaks during performances that allow scene changes or simply a break from the subject matter. This film premiered at the Theatre Champs-Elysees in Paris for the Baallets Suedois production Relache. The music for both the film and the ballet were composed by Erik Sartie.

The beauty of YouTube.com is in the fact that this film, a treasure of the early cinematography, can now be viewed by all. If you have 20 minutes, take the time to let your computer load the film (featured below), turn on your volume, and prepare to watch film as art. Don’t forget what I told you already about Dadaism while watching. For those uninterested, or lacking the time to view Entr’acte, I have also located a 5 minute documentary of the creation of the Eiffel Tower (originally produced without sound), also directed by Rene Clair. Both are true artistic treasures. Enjoy!

Entr'acte (20 minutes)


La Tour (5 minutes and set to music composed in 2003, watch without sound to view as the director intended)

Here Comes the Sun

The ever present gray skies of winter have quickly been replaced by temperatures reaching 60 degrees and sunshine (a sight rare to behold throughout the winter months). Paris isn't far from London after all, so rain is common. If there is sun, everyone in the city is out taking advantage of it, and we have eagerly joined the masses. Walks along the Left Bank of the Seine (from Notre Dame up the Champs Elysees), picnics at Fontainbleau and Jardin de Tuileries, a renewed commitment to walk everywhere we go, (hopefully finding one of Paris' little-known treasures along the way), and daily visits to open-air markets for fresh produce, seafood, meat and cheeses.

Open-air markets are a delightful benefit of Parisian living, especially for someone who loathes the grocery store. Thanks to Rick Steve's most tourists are familiar with Paris' oldest market still operational today, rue de Cler. Tourists will go out of their way to visist this market while they are in the city, insistent this must be the best available. Thankfully, Steve's didn't make them aware of two others which are much more well known and frequented by locals: rue de Poncelet, and rue de Levi. If you enjoy food, enjoy making food, and enjoy shopping for your food at a farmers market, a visit to these areas would be your own personal mecca. Hopefully more of our guests will look forward to sharing at least one meal with us purchased and prepared from items we find at the local market. (Perhaps following a cooking class at the Cordon Bleu cooking school) It is truly the height of Parisian living.

Housemum 101

I have received a lot of questions lately as to what I have been up to, how I keep myself busy, what I occupy myself with about the home and with Ruby, etc...The best answer can only be given by one of my favorite characters of the modern cinema, Will from About a Boy:

"I find the key is to think of a day as units of time, each unit consisting of no more than thirty minutes. Full hours can be a little bit intimidating and most activities take about half an hour. Taking a bath: one unit, watching countdown: one unit, web-based research: two units, exercising: three units, having my hair carefully disheveled: four units. It's amazing how the day fills up, and I often wonder, to be absolutely honest, if I'd ever have time for a job; how do people cram them in?"

My life and that of an unemployed bachelor living off his father's royalties are shockingly similar. Today:
Shower: one unit of time
Breakfast with Ruby: two units of time
Cleaning: (my form of aerobic activity) one unit of time
Web-based research: two units of time
Finding a new tv addiction thanks to iTunes: two units of time
Doctors office (scheduled visit): FOUR units of time

Appreciating the Moments

I hate my wardrobe. French people have small feet and bums. I am homesick and want to go to Target. My house is never as clean as I would like it and it seems every other mother I know manages it better than me. Inspite of my gripes and numerous imperfections, these were some great things that happened this week:

1. Ruby began to role-play. She would pick up her favorite dolly, given to her by her great-Aunt Jan, grab a little blanket and lie down pretending to be asleep.
2. She let go of her Papa's hand and walked five steps toward me this afternoon.
3. Her hair finally made it into a pony-tail holder and although the look is somewhat whale-spoutish, it is adorable with all her curls.
4. While I was holding her hand and walking into the kitchen, she slapped her other hand against her leg several times motioning for Barkley to follow.
5. While listening to my iPod and walking across Place de la Concorde I felt like I was in my own personal music video, and although I would like to fire whomever is in charge of wardrobe, my step was just a bit lighter and the smile on my face was uncontollable. I am still in love with this city.
6. I was introduced to my first vampire novel, a teeny-bopper/chick-lit book called "Twilight" and I loved it.

Piercings

I admit, I have spent far too many hours watching, and re-watching episodes of Friends. I think I spent my entire pregnancy on the basement couch watching TBS marathons, six hours was the max. There is an episode where Kristina Applegate stars as Rachel Greene's sister. She watches the baby, Emma for the afternoon and returns her to her parents with her ears pierced. My sisters are all too practical to do something like that, so that is not my question. But,

Do you think piercing a baby's ears is:
a: Adorable, I would do it in a heartbeat
b: Cute, but I wouldn't do it to my kid
c. Ridiculous, why accesorize a baby
d: Next to child abuse
e: Adult or child, no one should do it!

Please vote by leaving your comment. Who knows, Ruby's fate may rest in your hands.

Parlez vous francais?

The Spanish Influenza

On the last day of our vacation, Ruby and I came down with the flu. Last night we both had temperatures of 103 and today we are completely lathargic...in addition to watching gag reels of Friends and Elmo Has Two Ears I have found myself taking several online quizes. Despite my better judgement I took one entitled, "Do you want the terrorists to win?" I should have stopped there, but instead I felt compelled to see the end result. With questions such as, "Did you vote for John Kerry in 2004?" I knew my results would be grim. Here are my results, and to think the first stanza I ever memorized was the Pledge of Allegiance.

Your 'Do You Want the Terrorists to Win' Score: 79%

 

You are a terrorist-loving scoundrel who hates our dear leader and the values he defends. There are few redeeming qualities about you. You most likely celebrated when the evil-doers hit us on 9/11, then opposed the Iraq war when we tried to pay them back. You hurt us at every step and cause troops to die in the field by questioning Bush's decisions. You are most likely a lost cause, doomed to be a brainwashed victim of free thought and liberalism forever. No dose of Ann Coulter's prose can save you now.

Do You Want the Terrorists to Win?
Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

Day Three: Segovia

"What is Segovia?" you might ask. I did. Here is a top ten list of things to do in this little known town, little known unless of course you have ever spent time near Madrid.

1. Roman Aqueduct, estimated to have been built between 1st-2nd century AD

From Wikipedia: According to a popular legend, sloth, rather than Romans, was responsible for the construction of the aqueduct. A woman who worked as a water carrier, fed up with hauling her pitcher through the steep streets of the city, made a pact with the devil: the devil could take her soul if water would arrive at her doorstep before the cock crowed. When night fell, a great storm fell upon the city. None of its citizens except the woman knew that this was no normal storm, but instead was the devil working to keep his part of the bargain. However, she repented and prayed all night to avoid fulfilling the pact. According to the legend, the cock crowed just before the devil could lay the final stone, and thus the woman's soul was saved.
The woman confessed her sin to the citizens who, after spraying the arches with holy water, were happy to accept the new addition to the city. Convinced that a miracle had saved the woman's soul, a statue of the Virgin and Saint Stephen were placed atop the aqueduct in commemoration .

2. Cathedral of Segovia: Last Gothic style cathedral built in Europe (I am becoming a de facto gothic architecture expert)


3. The Alcazar of Segovia (or castle)


4. PORK!! Second ONLY to Corky's in Memphis


5. Playground for Ruby to enjoy a few rides on the slide

Madrid: Day Two

7:00am- Wake up to Ruby screaming, she doesn't know where she is so we let her sleep in our room.

9:30am-While getting ready for the day, overhear Nate explaining to his mom that Ruby woke up "in the middle of the night" and he just wasn't able to get a good rest after she moved into our bed.

(Nate here, and allow me to clarify a bit. True, I had no idea what time she climbed into bed with us. But also true that Sina and I both had to sleep on our sides after that, since Ruby was taking up the lion's share of the bed by sleeping sideways...)

10:30am-There is no temple in France, so we were thrilled for the opportunity to attend while in Madrid and were so grateful to Concha and Dorothy for babysitting Ruby.




2:30pm-Delicious lunch prepared by Concha, with freshly squeezed orange juice for dessert. The best dessert I have had in ages.

4:30pm-Ruby pretends to nap on and off for the next hour

6:00pm-Walk to Plaza de Toro, the bullfighting ring. It isn't bullfighting season, but we might be able to find one before heading back for Paris.





7:30pm-Plaza del Sol, Plaza Mayor. Breathtaking city centers with exiquisite architecture, that even I appreciated. It was too late to take pictures, but I will try to get more tomorrow.

8:00pm- Ruby gets the best seat in the house at a tapas bar just outside the plazas with her new friends, Concha and Ignacio.




8:30pm- And, of course, no trip with Dorothy would be complete without a stop, or two or three, at a local bakery.

Hola from Madrid!

After a two hour flight and no time change we are in Spain. The flight was in the afternoon, and being overly optimistic we thought we could wake up and then pack. All of you who know us, already know the end result. We rushed out of the house, and forgot the digital camera. I have extra batteries and the cord to upload photos to our laptop, but sadly, we will not be documenting this adventure with pictures...maybe we will take pictures with the computer...

Plans for the trip: Prado museum, tapas, paella...

Any suggestions?

The Protestant Ethic

In college I studied Max Weber's seminal discourse on protestantism and capatalism. In short, the theory suggests that the protestant value of constant labor in one's pursuit of salvation led directly to the rise and development of capitalism. I saw this work ethic being passed down from a Dutch Oma to her granddaughter in our home last night.

On the Road Again

I drove by myself on the Paris streets today. Despite the fact that I scraped the passenger side of our car coming out of our garage, was almost hit while turning left, and forgot that incoming traffiic from streets on the right hand side of the road have the right of way, I would say it was successful...in that I made all the possible mistakes one could make, came out of it alive, and didn't have to listen to the gasps of horror from back seat drivers.

I am ready for the Etoile now. If only we had a video camera.

Ugly Naked Lady Update

While sitting on our couch this evening we noticed that across the street the resident nudist's lights flipped. Casually we said, "Oh, Ugly Naked Lady is home" As we said this off came her bra and she flung it across the room.