Livin' my life like its golden...

It started with a mushy and funny send off from Jo. We had lunch at the airport and he hilariously carried around my stuff and held my hand like I'd need flown before. He asked if I was coming back and I told him yes. Now I'm here...I wonder.

I will try to make a long story short...

I fly to Paris and discover that the young girl that lives with the 2 boys I am going to France with, father either killed himself or accidentally died in a "boating" incident a few days before. Tiger mom is worried and think its tied to some people he owned about 2 or 3 million dollars...US dollar. Maybe russian mafia...I don't know

Pictured above is where I'm writing my blog from in the main house. I think thats the Atlantic or something.

I get to Paris and Tiger mom picks me up and tells me why I was rererouted. This is probably the first time in my life that I've traveled and not looked at a map or figured out transit or anything before arriving. I have, for some reason, left it up to Tiger mom to take care of things. She seems like a Type A personality so whatever. I let perfectionist do their thing, especially if they're my benefactors.

We go to the hotel because its 9pm and STILL BRIGHT AS HELL OUT, drop off my things and go to a restaurant nearby. Apparently Parisians don't really like Paris.(or so says tiger mom to me over a glass of wine) We go to bed because I am sooooo tired from the 10 hour flight. She tells me that everything is taken care of and not to worry. We get up at 6am to pick the boys (the ones that love me and are the reason I am on this trip) from the airport. They were so excited to see me when they walked to the car. I yell 'Bonjour' and tell them "wo shi yao shuijiao" (I want to sleep)
We go to a hotel and have the most amazing breakfast. I am eating like a pig meat and ALL!!!! Perrie and Jacques look at me and tell their mother that they've never seen me eat like this. I look at tiger mom and tell her that I fear I will get fatter in France. She smiles and says "no worry, i won't let that happen" (I should worry)
Pierre is pictured below amazed at my eating ability

We go to the Paris Air Show and I understand why Tiger mom is kind of a big deal. She hands me all of these flair pins and crap for me to wear so that we can get into planes, not wait in line, sit on rooftops watching the show drinking wine, eat with millionaires (pictured below),and so on

We somehow end up spending 8 hours there and I'm so so tired. I don't remember eating just going to bed. We wake up and I have no idea whats the plan for today. Tiger mom calls my room and tells me that I should come down to breakfast. I go down and the hotel has the largest most delicious looking buffet I've ever seen. I pile everything on my plate. I'm not sure why I did that. It wasn't the last supper and I wasn't that hungry. Tiger mom leans over and quietly tells me "en france we don't mix everything. sweetie you're not in America. Enjoy your food slowly...its not going anywhere." I smiled and thought "WTF" and then immediately thought, she's right. I knew when I got all that crap I looked ridiculous. I didn't finish the food and Tiger mom informs me that instead of taking the train to London, we're going to drive through France to Toulon. "Doesn't that sound fun". I said ummm sure ok. I attempted to pay for breakfast and she wouldn't have it. She's given me cash and I've not spend one dollar on anything. I ask her when should I start classes with the boys, she replies "you're in France. Just enjoy yourself" What is going on here?!?!?So we set off on what became an 11 hour trip, stopping in 6 cities for wine and cheese and coke. We arrive at "the compound" (which is how I will refer to their summer home from now on) at 9pm. Tiger mom whips up a four course light meal for us and we watch the sun set. She apologizes for my house not being ready..."I dislike unreliable people because they're useless... Don't worry. The main house is fine for now." The compound consist of 3 separate living spaces that are small houses with 5 to 8 rooms each, and 1 main house with 15 rooms. The outside looks like something on the Florida coast with its brightly colored outside, the inside looks like a cottage from the book Jane Erye. Its not fancy, but its nice and quaint. I can't get a full picture of the compound because its position on a damn cliff surrounded by what seems to be a jungle of lavender flowers and all sorts of foliage and the ocean. Tiger mom bought it for her 50th Birthday a few years ago. I don't think she's as rich as I thought but seems to have a very powerful way of doing things.

Top pic is Tiger mom asking the Pilot how he likes flying.
Next pic is one of the helicopters she sales to different military agencies around the globe(arms and all)
The next pic is a helicopter she helped design and sells. Its a French/Chinese collaboration. Her "baby".
The last is of her after asking the owner "how much for this" and then laughs at the price.I'm not sure if it was too cheap or too expensive... she then hopped in it.


So tired now. I must nap before dinner. The eldest Jacques is cooking lasagna and vegetables. I think we're shopping in Marseille tomorrow.
I believe Tiger mom is grooming me for something by spoiling me rotten and I think I'm ok with it.

More to follow soon

missing everyone and wishing you all were here with me.

love,

Anne with and 'e'