Hesitations

Last night our family went to Boulevard Hausseman in Paris to have a walk and see the windows of Galeries Lafayette. And to have some quality as well. 

Every Christmas season,  they (the management of this boutique) displays moving decors that both kids and adults adore. Absolutely one list to see if you're in Paris on a Christmas season.  

After those "windows - looking," we head out to HD (Happy days) diner at Boulevard des Italiens in Opera. As a sort of pre-ender celebration as a family. For we will not be celebrating the New Years's Eve with my husband because he'll be working a night shift just like the last year's New Year's Eve and the year before that and the year before, before that as well.

We love this place. The motto is going back to the fifties. Both my husband and I were old school, although we were not born in the Fifties. We love the ambiance anyway (for a fast food). We ate, we talked, we laugh, laugh some more and ate again. To make the story short, we were full after eating.

So it's time to pay. We were served by "Fernando, from Dominican Republic." (We just have to ask because he has this accent that intrigued all of us.) He gave us the bill in a small sized HD envelope. My husband took it, and then place a 100€ bill inside that enveloped and returned it to Fernando. Fernando gave him our change, my husband gave him some tips and then we said our thank you's and goodbye's (as per polite response in any restaurant here in France). 

I placed the envelope with the receipt in my bag and we left. On our way, I realized that the price of that restaurant went up. So I tried to see the receipt by opening the envelope. Behold, the 100€ is still inside.

I hesitated! I hesitated to tell my husband about it! I hesitated to give back the money, thinking that if I keep it I'll have 100€ more in my pocket.

I walked few steps more before I had the courage to tell my husband that the money that we gave Fernando is still in the envelop together with the receipt. I thought I will just go with the flow. Whatever my husband decide, I will follow.

Luckily my husband is a good man. He took the envelop, practically run back to the HD diner and asked for Fernando. He didn't hesitate! Not for a little bit.

I saw the face of Fernando. Of how grateful he is that my husband return the money. It was 100€ bill after all. More than a day salary of an employee in a restaurant.

After that I felt ashamed of myself.

I am not a Saint. I'm only human. One or few people might have experienced the same dilemma that I had.

But I acknowledge that the tempestuous thoughts that I had is not right. To keep the money and leave the person with a problem of his own. My husband is right. He thought of Fernando lacking money is his cash register. And thought that if he was that person, either he's at risk of losing his job, losing the trust of his employer or worst he'll be the one paying for the food that we ate. He's always saying put yourself in the shoe of the person.

In France, we've learned that it's hard to earn money. So what rights do we have to take the money of others? We don't really live a life of Sainthood but at least we live a life of righteousness.Choosing the right thing is always hard, but we choose it anyway. That is what I've learned from this story.

I'm sorry that I hesitated! Lesson learned and will keep so that I can live a life that I can always be proud of! Thanks to my husband and kids.

Christmas Celebration 2014

December is so much fun.... for kids. First, the thought of Christmas for them means presents... not a lot of them, but they are expecting at least one from us and one from Santa (as it is in our family tradition.) Second, is the Christmas vacation. Two weeks not waking up early, TV all they can until late at night, play and more fun stuff.

But for me and my husband, this is also work month. Both of us is working in Food and Beverage division. Him, working at a hotel in Paris as a "cuisinier," and I on the other hand is working at one of the restaurant at Disneyland Resort Paris. December is one of the busiest month, imagine that.

Luckily for my husband he can get few days off while me on the other hand cannot. Actually on the 24th, I still need to work. Although, they let me off a little bit earlier, it's not the same as not working that day.

Anyway, we cannot stop Christmas from coming so I just took advantage of the rest of the hours that is left before Christmas Eve to buy our kids their presents. And the most important for our family is to celebrate the Midnight Mass that will begin with the Christmas Carol at 21h30 and The Holy Eucharist that will follow at 22h00.

Every mass that we attend during Christmas Eve is special but this one is much more special because our youngest was chosen to carry and bring baby Jesus into the manger. She was shy and nervous so the priest decided that I walk by her side just to guide her.

Our youngest is already 4 so it's just normal for her to ask questions. And Christmas season is a time when kids ask a lot... a whole lot of questions. Having to bring baby Jesus to his manger thought her one thing: that Christmas is not really about the presents, Christmas is the birth of Christ. And taking Christ out of Christmas, wouldn't be "Christmas" at all. It would just be a celebration like any other. But because it is for remembering the birth of Christ, it makes it more special and magical for her.

After the mass we left and arrived at home exactly on the Christmas Eve itself at 00h00.  Christmas dinner was celebrated by just us four because the little one already slept before we were able to prepare the table. It was a simple dinner between us, yet meaningful to each and everyone.

After dinner, our tradition is that for the kids to open their Christmas presents even it is in the wee hours in the morning. Our youngest woke up (without meaning to) and were able join us in the opening of gift. You can see in their faces that they are happy to received such gifts. They were not the most expensive gifts but as we always thoughts our kids, they are luckier than those kids who can not even celebrate simple dinner with their families. Either because of such circumstances as financial, or their parents works abroad, or separate families or no one or no families to have dinner with.

We have so much to be grateful for, though we may not have a lot at least we have enough. That's already happiness for us.

Hope each and everyone of you had a meaningful Christmas!

Leaves to write on

Few leaves to write on before the end of this year. Now I'm hunting another "planner" out there. Excited and looking forward for the year 2015. I know this will be a good year. Much bettter than 2014, for I am ending it right.

2014 begun with a blow and a heartache. It was a shock to me personally.  But I wouldn't say that I am not grateful. I am grateful, for the experience of pain, struggles and heartaches made me stronger and realize a lot of things with regards to how I see my self and how I see other people even loved ones. I gave importance more on myself and my family. 

Looking back it's not as bad as it started. As a family we were able to withstand all struggles financially and otherwise.  We were able to travel, see new things, try new things and even eat new things. It was an experience where we all learned our lessons. And another additional memories to keep.

I forsee 2015 to be of great blessings. I am claiming the shower of blessings that will be coming our way. Although a little less on travel side but 2015 will be more on focusing on our little house renovations,  I want to see the result of all our efforts to upgrade our loving home. It already started a week ago but I hope to continue it more next year.

As I always say, learning is an unending process. So learning to drive is one of my priorities for the year 2015. Being courageous to face your fears is also learning, don't you think? Plus taking another formation would do me good specially right now where I can't see myself at work. 

2015 also will be of great changes. Changes regarding our status here in France particularly our "Nationality." It's time to show our loyalty and gratitude to all the opportunities that this country gave us. Although it doesn't mean that we will forget our country of birth. 

Personal changes also are included in this. 

I am acknowledging that  these great changes that will bring more blessings to me and our whole family. 

I am excited to write all of that.  Looking forward to a prosperous New Year 2015. 

Colleagues, friends and Pedra Alta

My husband and I rarely go out with friends or colleagues. You might think that maybe it's because we don't have friends. We do have friends but yes, not that much. We are, should we say, selective of the people we hang out with. But if you belong to the group of friends that we have, it only means one thing. You live the way we live and the importance that you give to your family is unbreakable. We are not weird though.  We are just the type of person who want to spend more time either with our kids or with each other.  But if opportunity comes, we also love to go out or have lunch or dinner with someone else.

And that opportunity came as I need to organize a dinner for my friend. (I told you we also got friends.) It's a sort of post - birthday celebration and homecoming for her after her Asian vacation. All I need is to find a restaurant that can accommodate a large group. And I found one. Pedra Alta at Pontault Combault. 45 minutes away from our work. But the problem is the transportation.  How can we go there? I don't drive. Two of my colleagues have a cars but limited places. That where my husband came into the picture. 

He knows the person who will have her post-birthday celebration, actually they are also friends. So he won't feel excluded. Plus the fact that he knows all my colleagues. So I asked him if he can drive us to the restaurant after work. He offered to come along. So that was better.

This is the first time to try out this Portuguese restaurant as recommended by a Portuguese friend. And one thing I can say, their servings which they call "one dose" is enormous for one person. Even the "half dose" is still big.

We were expecting more colleagues to come but because of some reason, they aren't able. So we were left with friends, and we don't mind. We ate, we talk, we laugh, laugh some more and ate some more and we had a fantastic dinner. In other words, we simply love it. Who would not? With a great company like that plus the food and the ambiance of the night. It was a dinner to remember. And we will definitely go back.