Arriving at LAX--- SMOGGY L.A.

Some things never change!

More plane stuff...

I'm SPECIAL!

Being a vegetarian does have the occasional "perks." I always order "Asian vegetarian" when I fly so I am always assured of a GREAT Indian meal... Even for plane food, it beats out the best Indian resto in Paris... Hands down!

London, Heathrow!

What a GREAT airport! And SOOOO thankful that my connecting flight was in the same terminal and that I had PLENTY of time to relax, even to take a latte! I cannot tell you how SUPER SIZED this SMALL latte was... Just look at the cup!




Where I'm going next!

Leaving my wonderful hubby behind in France.....

Wasn't an easy thing to do... It was quite sad! I cried the last bit down before I got through security. Bye honey! I'll miss you tremendously, but I'll be having a great time in California! Bye everyone!


By the way, YIKKKEESS (Look at my HAIR).... I waited 3 months to have it redone in San Diego... Thank God it looks a lot better now!!!

Good News!!!

Hi Everyone!

I got some good news from Apple the other day! They notified me that my computer will arrive here on the 21st!!! I'm sooo happy! I promise that I will start posting pics as soon as I'm back on a Mac!

I hope you are all doing well... What can I say, the weather is perfect here.. That's all I need!
Take care and have a nice weekend!
Leesa

Here I am!

Hi Everyone!

Well, I think I'm finally over jet lag and accustomed to Cali time! Yea! I have been super busy since I've been here but enjoying my time. It's very different to come back to the States for a visit after living abroad for 3 years... I no longer have the connection I once had when I lived here. I feel like a visitor vs. someone who was a "local." Anyhow, it's all good!

I went to the DMV yesterday to renew my license for the next 4 years. I had a hard time explaining to the guy that my "residence" is in France and that I no longer have one in the U.S. He MADE me write a U.S. address, rather than the French one, even though there was a place for a foreign address on the form!! He wanted me to use my "friend's address" as my "legal residence" but I opted out and used my U.S. mailing address... Oh well.. I took the written test again (only 18 questions) and only missed 1! Yeah!!!

It has been overcast and about 15C in the a.m. and then it burns off and it's about 25 - 28C in the afternoon. Great! Seeing lots of friends and doing all the same things that I used to do when I lived here.... It's fun, but I love my quiet life in France more. I miss Alex, of course!

I won't have my "own" computer until around the 23 July, so I don't know if I can post any pics until then.

I hope all is well with everyone and that you are all having a great summer!
Take good care,
Leesa

First picnic on the Seine in Paris this summer...

With more to come!

A GORGEOUS EVENING and fun with friends!! Thanks to everyone for coming...

Almost back in California!

Hi Everyone and welcome to my California blog!!


Just an early welcome back to me... I'll be flying across the sea in just some hours from now! Can't wait to get me some California sun and surf.... See you over here in a few days!

Stay tuned for posts from Sunny Southern California.

BOM CARNAVAL!!!!

FELIZ CARNAVAL TO EVERYONE!
I have spent most of my life celebrating Carnaval, Brasilian style - since I was a kid up until my late 30s in both L.A. and San Diego. It's one of the most festive celebrations I know. If I could, I'd travel the world to participate in the many celebrations all over the world. Here is a little taste of Carnaval in Brasil. Enjoy!

**Pictures taken off the net.

OCTUPLETS born in California!!!

Jan. 27, 2009
BELLFLOWER, Calif. - A woman gave birth Monday to eight babies, only the second time in history octuplets have survived more than a few hours, doctors said.

The mother gave birth to six boys and two girls weighing between 1 pound, 8 ounces, and 3 pounds, 4 ounces, doctors at Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center said. The hospital had scheduled a Caesarean section for seven babies, but doctors were surprised when an eighth came out at 10:48 a.m.

ALL IS HAVE TO SAY IS: GOD BLESS THIS WOMAN!!!!!

Happy Mr. Obama Day to ALL!!

YAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!


I wanted to pass on the well wishes that Jason sent to me via email this a.m.

"I wanted to be one of the first to wish you all a Happy President Obama Day. Since it is 2 AM in Columbus right now, I just might be one of the first."
I know he's got a really tough job ahead of him but I am open and optimistic and ready for the CHANGE that OBAMA will bring forth! Wishing you a great time, Mr. Obama! So many of us here in France, all of us ex-pats, are just SOOOO HAPPY you are coming into office today to be sworn in as our NEW PRESIDENT! God bless you and God bless America and the World.

BYE BYE BUSH....
HELLO OBAMA!!!



Me and a few of my Obama friends. Get your Obamican HERE

Ready and waiting for CHANGE!

Down town San Diego at night

This is one of my favourite views in San Diego- the skyline at night!
**Photo taken by good friend, Bob F. from Chula Vista!

Views about America/Americans

Funny, but TRUE!!!

Bonne Année 2009 de la France!

Wherever you are in the world, and whatever you are doing, Happy New Year 2009!!!!

Miss France 2009

Chloé Mortaud won the title "Miss France" this year! Yahh... She's actually Fraco-American... He dad is French and her mom is American. I think that's pretty excited! A French/American "Miss France!"

K&K's 200th Podcast LIVE from Paris!

I didn't get to go to the K&K Live Podcast at the Great Canadian Pub this Saturday because I was nursing my cold. Many people from near and far went and it seemed to me (as I watched on UStream... That is was a BLAST and a half!! Kudos to Katia and Kyliemac! Here's their website: Katie and Kyliemac Podcast I'm sooo proud of you gals!! I hope to make it the next one (300th?), of course. I did get to see most of my friends who were there via the camera they had hooked up for the UStream.... so that was pretty cool....
Anyhow, since I didn't get to go, I have no pics. But I found Milk Jam's wonderful collage. Please visit by her blog HERE for more information about the big event!

Happy Birthday Alex!!

Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you...
Happy Birthday dear Alex....
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!

AND MANY MORRRRRRREEEEEEE!!!

Love you very much honey! Have a wonderful day today!

Ta petite femme, Leese

Franco-American Thanksgiving chez les Legrain

So, as you already know, we celebrated Thanksgiving in France this past Sunday.... I week and a few days later than the actual Thanksgving date in the U.S. but HEY... this is France and we can do it when we want because it's not even observed here!!! Canada has theirs in Oct... The U.S. in Nov. and now-- in France in Dec. At any rate, it was DELISH-ously delicious!

We had a great group of about 20 or so adults and about 7 kids... It was at our friends' place in Sceaux. A big THANK YOU to Frédérique and François for hosting our 2nd Thanksgiving at their house... I am thankful that I am a good cook/baker to pump out some really tasty dishes for everyone to enjoy!

On that same note... I am thankful for the same from our guests because without all of them... we wouldn't have had quite the variety of dishes that we had!! More than enough to go around and Alex and I will be eating left overs for a few days! A big THANKS to all of our guests (friends) who were there- it's what made the day a such special one...

Also, please see where Barbara blogged about it HERE!

Meanwhile, back in Little Italy, San Diego...

The annual Christmas tree lighting in Little Italy was held yesterday night.. It's a very fun event -- a great community event... I used to live about three blocks from Little Italy and there was always something cool going on over there....

**Photos by Bob Francella, San Diego resident and Little Italy local

Thanksgiving in France!