Croque_Madame

Congratulations, Crepes! What you're doing will not only make you a better teacher but, believe it or not, a better parent, too.

How many people spend their lives choosing to postpone their dreams, to put aside their needs, only to end up resenting the very people whose dreams and needs they valued more than their own?

Six weeks in France! On your own. Having an adventure. That decision took courage. You've earned more than congratulations from this Fodorite, you've got my admiration, too.

I wish you a joyous, perplexing, challenging, exhilerating experience that will feed your mind and spirit for the rest of your life.

crepes_a_go_go

Merci beaucoup Croque Madame! It took courage and a wonderful husband, children and parents who are sacrificing as well for me to fulfill my dreams. And all of them are more than happy to sacrifice. It crushed my parents when I did not finish my education all those many years ago. They are so thrilled that they offered to borrow the money to finance this venture. But I wouldn't dream of letting them pay. In a way, this is a gift from me to them. They will tell this story to people for years to come, and with such pride too!

And as your name implies, you must love croque madames as much as I do. I think of them at least once a week! And I plan on eating my fair share. I know a little local joint near Odéon in Paris that makes the best. The owner is the rudest person I ever encounter in Paris - I think he resents tourists in a locals joint. But I don't care - I just keep coming back. When he sees that his ignoring me doesn't budge me, he finally seats me at the one or two remaining empty tables. Sometimes I get lucky and he has taken a day off. Then there's a young guy in charge and he's always nice. C'est la vie!

Thanks again for your kind words. Everyone's kind words, in fact.

Scarlett

Hi , crepes! Congratulations from me too!
You deserve a huge pat on the back!

Mary_Fran

"How many people spend their lives choosing to postpone their dreams, to put aside their needs, only to end up resenting the very people whose dreams and needs they valued more than their own?"

Does this really happen to people? Speaking for myself only, until my kids left home, they were "it." I would never have left them during their teenage years to to "my thing," unless we had talked it over and decided it was the best thing for us to do as a family. And knowing them as I do, I am confident they would have said "Hurrah, Mom! Go for it!"

Now, they take me places and include me in their lives.

We give our kids 18 or 20 years of our lives, during which time they broaden our horizens and give us so much joy! In return, they care for us for the rest of our lives and make really torturous decisions when we need to be cared for. It's about "family," and if we've had our priorities straight, the decision to be loyal and to care for us with love isn't difficult.

I'm sorry, but this "What about me?" stuff where our kids are concerned wears thin with me. I have no regrets about putting my kids first.

If your child doesn't applaud youd decision to take six weeks out of his/her growing up years to do your thing, think about it. What's up with that? What's missing? What is he/she telling you?

helenhopehana

what is QIXO. i am trying to get some cheap tickets also, will this work for me?

Rookie

Good morning, crepes -

And C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S ! ! !

Your feet may never touch the ground again the same way. I envy your future French students. With your love of the French life and culture, I envision you becoming that gutsy teacher who actually takes her classes to France. My very best wishes for your trip and your teaching future.

SuzieC

I want to add my congratulations as well. WOW! How tremendously exciting!
I remember a French Teacher I had back in the middle-ages (we wrote on hand hornbooks...), she made class more interesting and exciting because she talked about the trip she took to France every summer. Since I flunked French 1 and had to repeat it ... ahem... I got to hear about 3 of her summers. She turned me into a Francophile, and finally got my brain to think en francaise..

sfowler

Felicitations!
Good for you to say "this is what I want to do" -- and do it.

I've been sitting in on French classes at the college where I teach. I was "good" for 2 years -- then pppppfffffttt -- various parts of life intervened. And they won't "un-intervene" until next winter term -- when I will be so out of sequence... but THEN I will say "It's MY time"

aj

You go girl!!!! I wish that I could stay in Paris that long. Life here is just getting a little too complicated! I need a reality escape soon! Enjoy my favorite city!

SB_Travlr

Congratulations, CGG -- go for the dream! What a great experience you have ahead.

And since Fodorites love literary tie-ins, you might want to read a book called "Without Reservations: Travels of an Independent Woman" by Alice Steinbach. She is an American reporter who goes to Europe for, I think, a year -- lives in England, Paris, and Italy. It's listed on Amazon, who cleverly provide that "related books" link -- it seems that independent mature women living in Europe are fast becoming their own genre -- LOL! Maybe I should contemplate that, too; more fun than what I'm doing at work right now...

Travelnut

I think it's healthy for kids to realize their parents are real people with interests other than their (the kids) own. I think it's good for kids to feel secure but no need for them to think the world revolves around them. And we're talking about a near-adult at 15 years...and mom is not abandoning him, just taking an educational break. AND she said she'd try to share it with him when school was out. Sounds like a grounded mom to me...

mvor

Congratulations, crepes! I am inspired by your quest and wish you much joy in France and in fulfilling your dream. Maureen

tallyhotravels

Travelnut - glad somebody set Mary Fran straight! Who would post a nasty reply like that when the subject title was "Somebody share my JOY"! Just another example of why there are more horses asses than horses!

Boots

I agree with SB_Travlr on the recommendation of "Without Reservations" and with TallyhoTravels for other obvious reasons. I would like to add another recommendation for a book--"Almost French" by Sarah Turnbull. Not only is it a good read, it will help you understand the cultural differences. Have a great time! Boots

jarmnm

Wow!! How lucky you are to have not only the people you have around you to support you, but the drive and desire to make your life even better than it already is/was. I hope your dreams come true and you have FUN every minute of your adventure. I went back to school after 20 years and I'm now a therapist working with adolescent substance abusers and loving it. We're planning our dream trip this summer to London and Edinburgh. We'll look forward to a wonderful trip report! Have a great time!

J!

Also, don't pay attention to those narly people on line who are so plugged up with self-righteousness they can neither appreciate nor celebrate with people who follow their dreams!

daph

So happy for you! I went for a month to study French in Paris when our children were 14 and 16. They survived just fine and could always call their father at work if there were any problems during the day. Two years later our son went with me on the same trip, plus a month in Greece. Our daughter was invited along but she has never been that interested in European travel. Have a great time. We have gone on Air France twice and it does add to the "je ne sais quoi" = something like I don't know what"!

crepes_a_go_go

Thanks for responding Daph. Nice to hear from a mother who has actually done the same thing. My children are unhappy that they can't go with me, because like me, they love to travel. But they are THRILLED that I am doing this. They constantly tell me how proud they are of me for going back to school. My 15 year old ocassionally has to help me with my schoolwork. I thank my lucky stars that he is a math and science whiz to help his strictly liberal arts mom! My other son is 10, and I overheard him telling a lady that his mother is getting her degree to "save the French program at our school" - LOL! Kind of like a superhero I guess!

And they will be well looked after. Grandmother will stay during the week so that they have clean clothes everyday and something to eat besides McDonalds. Dad could handle it just fine, but it will sure be nicer with Grandma at the helm! They didn't even have to beg her!

popesa

I'm a senior who is delighted to hear that you are doing something for you...while you can do it...and not putting it off.....have a wonderful time and please tell us all about it..

cigalechanta

I share your Joy!! and I hope more joy comes your way.

hanl

I'm sure you are going to have a fantastic time. I studied for 6 months in Tours as part of my degree and I absolutely loved it. It's a very pleasant town to live in.
I'm sure things have changed since I was there (94-95) but if you have any specific questions I'd be happy to help.