Day 1

Not much else happened the night of Arrival Day; i was getting sleeping and lazy and everything.

I got a good night sleep and woke up around 1030am. Yes, this is normal waking up time for me, not ashamed to admit that. Isn't it great how i've adjusted to Paris time already? Of course, Shah and i did wake up for Subuh (praying together again, oh what a bliss), and we went back to sleep. Only Shah had to go to work after an hour, and i remember him kissing me byebye and i had sleepily said bye back.

The first thing i thought about when i woke up: what's for breakfast? Shah had run out of milk, cereal and bread before i came and didn't have time to replenish. So i improvised. Shah's Caca (that's what he calls his uncle) had packed this karipap-like puffs for him - along with other fancy lamb and chicken and rice - which i tried out the day before and really liked. I heated two of the puffs, added a few kurmas to that, made some tea, and ta-dah! Instant breakfast!

This was actually my second round of brekkie; i had finished my first two puffs and two kurmas in a second

My tea. Not Lipton's biggest fan, but it's still tea.

And you HAVE to have a look at what's inside the "karipap":

Yes. That is cheese oozing out of the puffs. YUM, right? So i guess they're cheesepuffs then.

All four that were left were safely digested by me. I could have eaten more, no question.

In case you're wondering, my father-in-law and mother-in-law gave the kurmas to Sheh. And Sheh also has another big load of kurma from his Caca. He's rich in kurma now. Good thing i love kurma. Give me a cup of hot tea and a plate of kurma and i'm happy as can be.

I'm not the adventurous type, as i have my own paranoias. I'm happy waiting in the apartment for Shah and not venture out myself. I've always been this way, since forever. I can just stay in, with hot tea (or any other hot drink, really) and good snacks with a good book, and be perfectly contented. I've never told anyone but Shah this, but back in NZ, i would go to Borders after class on Fridays when i finished early (or any other day when i only have morning class), order an English breakfast or a hot chocolate with scones or a muffin, and read a book quietly while munching. I didn't even have to bring my own book, as Borders let you read theirs, as long as you don't get them dirty. That was the best OK. I'm just that kind of person. Some of you might be yawning simply reading what i just described, but to me it was utter bliss.

Maybe there's something similar here. I have to find out...

I was still a bit groggy, i wasn't sure why. I went napping after lunch (Caca's food again, with Shah who came home during lunch break) and when i woke up, i had slept for about 3 hours. I probably clocked in 15 hours of sleep in Day 1.

Since we ran out of cheesepuffs, i knew it was crucial for me to get breakfast food. It's alright with Shah, who gets to eat nice morning food at his office (he talked of pain au chocolat and pain aux raisins and  i got slightly jealous). We made plans to go grocery shopping that evening before having kebab for dinner.

So off to Monoprix we went. I had made a list of things to get. Aside from breakfast things, i wanted to buy garlic, onions, veggies and other things for cooking. I tried, but i just couldn't find a normal shaped onion; all i found was this oval-shaped onion (wish i took photos, i will soon). It's fascinating really. It's similar to the purple bawang we get in Malaysia.

I asked Shah to take a photo of me picking out mushrooms. How more real can Paris get, eh?

We spent about 38 euros. And i went "Yikes. There goes more of my shopping money."

No, grocery-shopping is not under "Shopping" in my dictionary.

We then headed out to this kebab cafe. Monoprix, this kebab place and our apartment are all about 5 minutes apart, it's excellent isn't it?

I was left flustered while ordering though, as the kebab guy spoke in French. Shah was amazing, he spoke French whenever (and whatever) he can. I'm still quite tongue-tied around those who can't speak English. But i'm TRYING, that's the most important thing.

They had run out of most of their meals, so Shah and i got the same thing. And i can't say i remember the name of it. Whatever it was, the beef was tender and juicy and yummm.

And the fries! And the sauce. Ntah kenapa sangat sedap? Not a big fan of the roti though

Shah and his Coke. Nakal

Of course i got myself a hot drink. Turkish tea in the cutest glass cup

And Shah's colourful Coke in the cutest glass

We went home cold but full afterwards. I'm warming up to Paris already (not literally, my feet freeze over all the time here)!

More soon xxx