So as you can imagine, there’s a bit of homesickness that comes along with being thousands of miles away from home. I’m in a new country (it’s my first time traveling out of the USA), in a new apartment (my very first apartment ever, actually), living and going to school with people I have never met before. I’m all for adventure, and can’t wait to experience what’s to come…but sometimes it’s just nice to have the comforts of home, ya know?
So, what’s a gal to do? Well, Skype is my lover. Seriously. I talk to my parents and friends often and am so glad to “see” their loving and supportive faces smiling back at me. The yoga mat I bought the other day didn’t hurt either – there’s no place like ommmmm. And of course, there’s some good ol’ fashioned comfort food. Oatmeal, that is.
I finally found some at a local market just down the street from my apartment, along with some peanut butter and preserves. Et voila – breakfast!
It’s not a pretty meal – but it’s hot and comforting and has made my mornings (and some evenings when it’s too cold to venture out for food!) feel a little more homey. Oh, and a cup of tea doesn’t hurt either.
What’s your favorite comfort food? Anything that really reminds you of home?
Oh, and in case you missed anything this week, here are some highlights from my first week in Paris!
My very first day! See my apartment and read all about my first day in my new city.
Il fait froid! Adjusting to a new temperature…
Class trip to Notre Dame – lots of pictures in this post!
Rendez-vous with a beautiful blogger! And my first weekend in Paris…
I’m off to study – today was the first day of class and they are NOT messin’ around!
A tout a l’heure!
{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
Yumy oats!
definitely grilled…with asparagus and rice…yum!
sorry, grilled salmon is what i meant to say!
I love that you managed to find some way to whip up PB&J oats :)
honestly? how did people function before there was video chatting. I don’t know how I would function when the boyf is away without it!
When I lived abroad in Belgium I LOVED that peanut butter! Enjoy it with your avoine!
It’ s so tough to be so far from everyone you know and love. But what a wonderful, once in a lifetime opportunity. And besides, it’ll be over before you know it. I hope you feel more at home in your new home soon.
And I go for potatoes. Major comfort. I’ll take them in any form. I love them roasted in the oven. Oh yum!!!!
i love skype :) glad you still were able to get oyur oat fix abroadd. haha
Glad to hear that Skype is performing its all-important function of connecting you with your much-loved fam back home :) And of course, having a yoga mat and oats helps oodles too, I am sure!
Is that Confiture Bonne Maman?!?! They make AWESOME honey, too! =D
My favourite comfort food at this time of the year here (winter!) is crispy baked yam fries. YUMMMers.
Good luck on your studies, Courtney!
I spent 2 weeks in Paris last spring for work, and one of the first things I did was go to the grocery store to buy oatmeal and snack bars, so I know where you are coming from! I just realized that all of my favorite comfort foods are breakfast foods – oatmeal, pancakes, and french toast!
Yum. Those oats look delish.
When I’m feeling homesick I usually have egg noodles with honey and parmesan. Sounds strange but it’s quite good.
Actually your oatmeal looks beautiful!
I’m originally from San Fran so I would say my favorite comfort food from my past was warm sour dough bread ( like a small doughy round ) and butter! Yummo!! Now after 11 yrs in Hawaii, I grab a inari “cone” sushi when I want something really to make me happy! Stay warm over there! Aloha!
Ahh I wanna cry I’m so jealous that your in paris! On the post below I had the same butterflies in my stomach moment when I saw the eiffel tower for the first time and pretty much every time I turned around and saw eiffel standing there looking all gorgeous! If you can find a Monoprix near you they have a section of their store dedicated to north american, mexican and indian food :)
Oooh and skype was my lifesaver while I was abroad to!
Aletheia,
Yes, it is Confiture Bonne Maman – so delicious!! I’ll have to look for the honey too!
Skype is the best! Comfort food is pasta!
I’m so glad you’re enjoying at least a few comforts from home but don’t let Skype get the best of ya, there’s a whole city outside that cute Parisian window of yours ;).
Also, I was looking over your past few posts and saw that you tried a galette. Aren’t they amazing? Galettes de Roi are by far my favorite French pastry, light, almond-y, delish and fun! They’re traditionally out during the holidays and I played it a few times when I’ve visited my French friend: With every gallette comes a crown and inside, a small figurine. After a meal the family, or group of friends, sit around the table except for the youngest person who has to bend down beneath it. As another person cuts the galette into equal pieces, the one under the table assign to whom that piece goes to. Once everyone has one and it’s time to eat, the lucky person who gets the piece of the galette with the figurine becomes the “king” and thus gets the crown. I’m sure there’s a traditional children’s sotry to it, but an americaine can only know so much :).
That oatmeal looks so yummy! Glad you found some in Paris!
My favorite comfort food: spaghetti and meatballs!
Bonne nuit
Your comfort food is much healthier than mine! When I was living in Berlin a couple years ago, I had my parents send me packets of taco seasoning. There was nowhere I could get anything that even resembled decent Mexican food, and I couldn’t find most of the spices anywhere, so that was the closest I could get to home. It didn’t hurt when they threw in a package of Starburst jelly beans :-)
Yum looks so comforting!
I would have to say oats would probably be my comfort food home away from home as well.
I’m still so jealous you’re in Paris- what an awesome expereince!!!
Ahh those oats look so comforting. Anything involving peanut butter and jelly is a comfort food!’
And Skype is a life saver. I skype with my mom even when we are in the same house hahaha ;)
Have a lovely Wednesday and enjoy yourself!
Skype is seriously the savior of international calling. I used it daily when I lived in China. I’m so jealous of your adventures in gay Pareeeee! Live it up! :D