A few reflections from a 23 year old...

It is hard to believe that it was exactly two years ago that I reached the milestone of 21 and had the interesting experience of celebrating such a "high-lived" occasion in France.  I must admit that I have grown and learned so much as an individual, as a developing woman rather, over the past two years that the 21 year old girl who decided to live abroad for a year, more or less for the right or wrong reasons, seems like a stranger to me.  The night of my 21st birthday, I found myself in a strange home, having dinner with a family that I could barely comprehend language and culture-wise, going out to the bar with a mix between American and French acquaintances, taking shots of tequila, kissing a random French boy who ended up breaking my heart (but at the same time lead me to who is now the love of my life), and waking up to a collection of random French CDs, a coat that didn't belong to me, and text messages leading to fact that I was in a relationship with the boy I kissed that night.  I am not saying that I didn't have a great time (from what I seem to remember); however in comparison to the second (and surely not the last) that I spend in France this past weekend, "il y rien à voir" (it doesn't even compare).

For my 23rd birthday, Benoit offered me the biggest dictionary I have ever seen.  It consists of ever single word in the history of the French language, including the word's origin and evolution.  It weighs approximating 25 pounds.

I told Benoit that now I am in love with two men, Benoit and "Robert" (which is the name of this brand of dictionary ironically).  But yes, it is also true that there are two men in my life that I love and hold most dearly, Benoit and Robert (Hi Daddy!).  :)  Miss you.

Luckily, I didn't have class this past Friday, so I was able to return to Nantes Thursday evening.  My friend Pauline invited me to have dinner with her family Thursday night and they too offered me a book for my birthday; however, more practical, in that it is a recipe book of how to host a dinner between friends!  What luck, because that is exactly how I celebrated my birthday Saturday night!  

Ironically as well, Benoit had the day off too on Friday.   Friday morning we slept in, walked around Nantes for a bit, enjoying the much needed and rare sunshine of the early fall afternoon whiling ate smoked salmon sandwiches and fresh caramel candies.  Shortly after, Benoit decided to take me a short day trip to Guerande, a small fortified medieval town dating back to the 15th century.  Today, Geurande is known for their fresh sea salt, still harvested by hand by French salt farmers. 

Friday night, Benoit took me out to a restaurant (big deal in France) on the port of Pornic.  I started with a warm goat cheese and walnut salad and Benoit opted for the oyster and shrimp platter.  As a main dish, I had grilled ray in a warm cream and butter sauce with white rice, and Benoit had a rare piece of a beef with fries.  As a dessert, of course I chose the chocolate mousse and Benoit had the trio of sorbet.  

Saturday at Benoit's grandparent's house in Pornic, we hosted a themed birthday party.  What was the theme you may be wondering?  I chose the theme, "What makes you think of America?"  Response?  Witness pictures below:

For Benoit, it was Steeler pride and Jägar...I won't tell you how he was feeling the next day...

For others, it was GIs and Uncle Sam...

And for the rest, baseball players, cowgirls, Brittany Spears, and Mickey Mouse.

My dinner was a great success, with the huge help of Benoit of course.  The dinner was as follows:

Aperitif: hot dogs bites with Heinz ketchup and mustard (Yes! You can find Heinz ketchup in France and it is considered one of the best brands), Pringles, peanuts, Ritz crackers and Philadelphia cream cheese (which also exists here!), and chips and salsa.

                -Things that don't exist: Marzetti coleslaw sauce, okra, and pumpkin in a can (which made  

                 the rest of my menu a bit of a challenge)

Entrée: Dad's coleslaw--Marzetti substitute?  Dijon mustard, mayo, and lemon juice.

Main dish:  Mom's jumbalaya--There is no substitute for okra so I just left it out.

(Sorry, no cheese course.  And even though that has become a tradition in the Namestka household, it still remains a "French thing")

Dessert: Pumpkin pie--Pumpkin in a can substitute?  A REAL pumpkin!

Everyone raved about the coleslaw and the jumbalaya; however, the pumpkin pie was less than a hit than I thought it would be.  The pie itself turned out wonderful; however, it was more the texture that didn't pass well by the French.

Haha by that point, the Jäger had already got to him...the next morning, Benoit blamed the polish.

The next day, we spent the whole day at the beach!  It was actually hot that day!  :)

Thank you everyone back home for all of the wonderful birthday wishes.  You too made my birthday a day that I will always remember.  I feel so loved and appreciated.  Thank you and I love you so much!  

Thinking of you always.

Laura