So I promised myself that this week I wouldn't write more about my trials and tribulations with my passport. Thanks to all of you who sent nice replies - made me feel better about the whole ordeal. I'm sorry if I haven't been as prompt with my replies. 

This last week I have been just completely sunk at work. There was a big demo this last Thursday and they had me working crazy hours. Biking at 1AM through the streets of Paris is exhilarating just magnitudes less so when you know your son will be waking you up in a few hours. That plus all the things that happened last week were starting to make me feel pretty blue. The biking does keep me encouraged though. I really need to get that helmet, I find myself getting crazier and crazier. I don't know why I feel the need to race everyone that passes me. Some woman had an electric bike and I just about killed myself 10 times pushing myself to beat her(I had this running dialogue in my head "I have a need - yeah for what? - a need for speed - what? - A NEED FOR SPEED").

Last night though things took a positive turn. Celine and I were trying to figure out if we could afford sushi for dinner and we when we finally did come to a solution we ordered a party platter for 5. It was really just perfect and set the tone for what has been so far an excellent weekend. For the first time we were actually able to walk through Paris together. That plus the stellar weather is making me think things are looking up(pre-brunch falafel for brunch tomorrow? yeah I think so).

Celine is doing ok. The agregation is the most ridiculous thing ever. At this point I am less concerned if she passes or not and more if she survives.

Gael is doing well. He wants to be free constantly to roam the house. Being held or in the play pen have no interest to him. I respect that in him - I certainly can relate. Unfortunately there are two things which he isn't supposed to touch in the house and those are the two things that he crawls for(laughing the whole time): the paper ikea lamp and the drawers. We've given up on the drawers and he's taken some tumbles. We really need to secure them against the wall. The paper lamp is history. I was going to send you a picture, but I am too lazy. Imagine a dog going to town on a pillow or a corner of furniture....yeah that's our son.

I've been thinking about Seattle a lot this last week and I wanted to do a quick pros/cons list of living in Paris vs Seattle:

Pros:
* Bread - also I need to brag that the last few days I was first at the boulangerie! Thanks Gael!
* Public transit - I seriously don't like driving, and the public bike share program is awesome(yes I need to get a helmet)
* Too many museums/wine caves/restaurants/concerts
* Speaking French - it's fun even if I make people wince and groan

Cons:
* No easily accessible good cheap thai/mexican food here - this was a serious issue when I first arrived. I didn't realize how much me eating thai food had become a thing. There is just so much of it in Seattle. Most places in France just label themselves as "asian" vendors and sell a mix of a bunch of different things. This next week I am hoping to expand my radius and travel a bit for lunch.
* Costo. I don't know why I miss it, because honestly it wasn't that useful for us in Seattle, I just miss it. You'll always have a place in my heart $2 slices even if I can't stomach you anymore.
* Goodwill/shirts in boxes - I left most of my esteemed t-shirt collection at home. I run out of shirts and end wearing these deep v-necks to work.
* No SPL - I don't/can't read French yet

More rambling. This is just going to be my newsletter now. Peace and chill,

DJ