A Frenchified Holiday: Reflections & Resolutions

The Magic of the Season!

Hello my fellow humans! I hope you are happy, warm and well relaxed during this holiday season. I wish you and yours nothing but the very best in 2017, because, let's face it, we all deserve the best!

As this year comes to an end, thank the Gods, I started thinking about my little life and remembering some good times that have happened to me through-out the years, which has made me into the person I am today. (Still a work in progress!) Which brings me to my friend Julie M, who could make me cackle like a witch over a cauldron!

Julie and I at Bistro Rigoletto, photobombed by a random French curly-haired cutie! Bordeaux, France

She, a beautiful witchy looking proper English woman with a toothy smile with a fondness for French cheeses, and BELLY DANCE! 
Me, I had just arrived in Bordeaux and was looking for a job and at that time, was thinking about teaching belly dance classes.
Let's just say that magic brought us together, because honestly, I can't even remember how we met.

"You're a wizard, Harry!" - Hagrid

"You're a Goddess!" - Dolphina

"The Bolognese Roquefort pizza, please!" - Me!

We have a fondness for Dolphina, one of the many belly dancing Goddess to step on our Earth. We shared our love of good food, massages, dancing, flowing fabrics, and salt and vinegar crisps, rather chips, we took the piss out of each other with the American English vs British English, discussed Harry Potter like it was real, because it is, and she introduced me to one of the best pizza restos in Bordeaux, Le Bistro Rigoletto.

She needed a belly dance teacher - I am a belly dance teacher. I needed a little part time job - she needed someone who could cover her cleaning shift at the bar. We helped each other out and even though I haven't seen her in a while, I miss her.

Julie and I met when I first moved from the outskirts of Bordeaux to Bordeaux proper.
I only knew a handful of people, still do too, and when Julie and I met, we were instant friends. But, life happens, the good and the bad, and we fell out of touch, but I am sure our paths will cross again soon, because I believe in magic. 

When I first moved here, I was having a difficult time adjusting to French life, you can read all about it in the I hate France! section of this website.
Julie's outlook on French life changed my view point, she helped me fall in love with France by reminding me that when French life kicks you around, she gave me permission to take the piss out of the French!
By the way, 'to take the piss out' of something or someone or some situation means simply to mock it. The Urban Dictionary defines it as: To rile, mock, or be a jerk to another person whether or not the person is joking or being serious.

Working at the bar was my second paying job in France. My first paying job was a written piece for a national English newspaper about France named, The Connexion.

I remember I was thrilled and so proud when I landed that writing job only after landing on French soil two weeks prior. I was published, in France! I was in heaven, I was so high on confidence... well, you get the idea, but that's pride f*cking with you.
Pride, like all the deadlys, is an endless time loop of consumption. It's their way of f*cking with us. But, that's life, and, as dark and dim as that sounds, that is why I believe in magic.

I believe in magic because of people like Julie. I believe in magic because of people.
I believe in magic because of Mother Nature. I believe in magic because I am a witch.

Happy Yule, ya'll! Winter is Here!

December 21st marked the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year.
We ready ourselves for the darkness of winter, even though the days are getting longer.
It is perfect balance, a perfect magic.

The handsome husband and I celebrated Yule, feasted on a roast pork with stuffing I prepared for the occasion and celebrated the shortest day of the year by lighting candles and incense for a romantic ambiance that was sure to have pleased the Gods! It was a great night! The humans were happy too!

We celebrated Yule together, and Christmas with my husband's family and for New Year's, well, we haven't thought that far in advance, but we do know sushi is on the menu!
My fat ass is always thinking about, preparing or eating food! It's one of my many talents, along with drinking and sleeping.
But, I digress -- I have thought about my New Year's resolutions -- it is simply be good to myself, make magic when and where I can, be responsible, but also not worry so much. It's my definition of perfect balance and perfect magic for an imperfect person!

And as it is written, so shall it be... Blessed be to you and yours, my pretties!
Be careful what you wish for; for you just might get it!!

Goodness to you -- and remember, life is too short to eat bad food!

Peace and be wild,
Jenny