Extraordinarily Ordinary
Brewster's basketball team, the Golgoths13, played three games on Sunday in Marseille. They are in a tournament to determine which league they will play in this season. On Thursday when I asked the kids what they'd like to do for the weekend, they both agreed to a staycation in Aix-en-Provence. Brewster added that going out for sushi on Friday night would be fantastic. Sadie agreed and I thought the plan sounded easy and relaxing.We found our sushi spot on yelp called "Sushi Love" and headed out on Friday night into town. Our google maps lead us to the address that was not a restaurant so we moved on to our second choice. We walked down a street that we'd never been to and found our restaurant empty. Normally, I am adverse to a restaurant with no patrons, but in this instance, we were ready to sit down. We sat next to an aquarium and were instantly entertained and happy.We were not alone in the restaurant for long. A few more people sat down and we noticed many deliveries going out the door. The sushi was delicious! The three of us had a good conversation and once again, I realized how special it is to be with Sadie and Brewster without any other friends or weekend invitations. The isolation leaves us to rely on each other for friendship. We laugh a lot. We all miss our friends but know that four months is short amount of time to be away. The kids have expressed how different they would feel if they moved to France permanently. All of their friends at school live here. We are just on an extended holiday. Lucky us!We walked into the old part of town after dinner and had an ice cream. I couldn't believe all the action in Aix-en-Provence. I hadn't been out in my own town on a weekend. Students filled the bars, couples enjoyed the outside seating of the numerous restaurants. Brewster said he felt like he was on a vacation in his own town. "Let's do this more often." We all agreed.Saturday morning I went for a run and met the kids on Cours Mirabeau to walk around the Saturday market. Brewster found a pair of black Nike shorts with a Paris St Germaine Patch on them for 50% off. We agreed that was likely a marketing tactic: marking them down 50%. But it worked and we bought them. Sadie picked out a few hair clips and I bought some lavender spray. We then strolled over to the fruits and vegetable market and were greeted with samples of local deliciousness. Salt Butter Carmel on bread! Who knew something so tasty existed?? "You bet," I told the kids. "We'll buy it." The next vendor fed us pesto, artichoke and mushroom spread also on bread. I was so proud of the kids for tasting each one. We settled on the sun-dried tomato pesto and walked home with a backpack filled with fresh goodies. We stopped at the English bookstore to pick out a new book for Sadie. Brewster was so helpful in his advise. I love their shared passion for reading. We left knowing our market adventure was a success.Right across the street from our apartment is Parc Jordan. Soon after returning home, we packed up a baguette, snacks, drinks and bag of toys and headed over to the park for a picnic. We spent the afternoon enjoying our lunch, reading and tossing a ball. I wondered why I didn't picnic more in Park City? It was so fun!
On the way back to the TGV station, we drove through a massive tunnel under the Marseille neighborhoods. It was a 5 euro toll, but well worth it. We blasted Maroon 5 and sang along. The energy was fantastic. Before we returned the car, we had to fill up with gas. Brewster navigated us to a station which only had broken pumps. The French cook some fine food, but do not make it easy to fill up with gas on a Sunday. I was happy we weren't trying to catch a train! The next station wasn't too far from our apartment so I dropped both kids off at home. They were happy to chill and I didn't mind returning the car solo. I rode the bus back to Aix-en-Provence and walked home via our local pizzeria.We started a Sunday night pizza tradition. We eat in front the TV. My dad bought Brewster the NFL game package so he watches the early Sunday NFL game live and all the highlights on Monday and Tuesday after school . He is in heaven having access to all that coverage! The Patriots played early yesterday so he was VERY excited to watch the game live on his computer. He texted with his Poppy the whole game and went to be happy only when he was confident they would win. Sadie and I are 20 episodes into "The Gilmore Girls", a mother-daughter sitcom (or maybe a drama?). Sunday night is our time to watch together which is a treat.This morning we woke up to October! The mornings are chilly and dark but by lunch the sun is out and it is warm. Sadie reminded us that we picked up our puppy Cosmo a year ago today. One year feels like a lifetime ago. But it was just 365 days.Speaking of days, we can't wait to see Matty in 17 days! We miss him. I don't want to wish our time away. I am acutely aware that this sabbatical is special. Our ordinary life of school, sports and chores and is extraordinary. Vive la France!