I’m French but since I remember, I have always been excited about discovering new countries and meeting people of other cultures than mine. I ADORE travelling but not with other tourists, rather by trying to melt in the country I visit with local people.

That’s probably why I always define myself as a world citizen before even mentionning that I’m french. Speaking English, Spanish and a little bit of Italian allows me to communicate with people from all over the world and I really love this idea. I have connections almost everywhere on earth and the social networks are a good way for me to stay connected with them as if they were close to me.

I have three daughters (14, 11 and 6 years old) and a stepdaughter that I met when I started my relashionship with my husband at the age of 24. At that time, she was 5 and she is now, almost 21, meaning also that I’m 40.

I raise my 3 girls with THE MAN, who is my husband since 11 years, and try to give them the same hunger of knowing different cultures. The godfather of my little one is German and her godmother is British. It’s not unusual to welcome guests from America, Spain or even welcome a tibetan Lama at home.

I’m a southerner, as I was born in Aix-en Provence, but as my dad while I was a kid, was working for an american IT cie, we used to move a lot in France from south to north. I studied in Lyon and gave birth to my daughters there. Five years ago, as I was dreaming of moving abroad (in a very sunny place) my husband told me that he had a great carrier opportunity to live in Clermont-Ferrand. It was hard, as this city was for me the real emblem of « Petite Province ». But as I know that we often have to build our own hapiness, I worked on it, even in Puy de Dome and started to enjoy the area. I made good friends and was happy to connect with the International Women’s Club where I met girls that are, now, really good friends of mine.

One arrived from Shangaï, the other from England, another one from Chile, and some were americans. As you may know, I’m now an author (Ex-fan des régimes Ed. De La Martinière) and really need to write. That’s why I started this blog called “Prose kawa” where I handle various subjects.

1. Which color best describes my personality?
Orange “Hermès”. Brillant color of this very french brand.

2. Which talent would I most like to have?
I’d love to be able to play the piano and express my feelings with music that I play.

3. What characteristic do I most admire in a person?
The sense of diplomacy.

4. What characteristic do I least like in others?
Cruelty.

5. What do I consider my greatest achievement to date?
Having my girls of course and beeing in love with my husband even more than the first day we met after 15 years. Career wise, having been published by one one of the most prestigious parisian publishing house.

6. If I could change one thing about myself, what would it be?
Take more backward movement on certain situations before reacting.

7. Who are my favorite writers?
I like the french classic litterature and especially Flaubert or Balzac. But I also love to read british authors like Isabel Wolff or Marian Keyes. I recommend “The particular sadness of lemon cake “
from Aimee Bender (2011).

8. Who are my heroes in real life?
I admire Tibetan people who try to survive in China or every people who try to maintain the Tibetan culture in general as everything’s being done to erase it from earth.

9. How do I spend my free time?
I write a lot, i always make things by sewing or painting … I adore all things related to interior design.

10. What is my motto?
For a change, I have not chosen a quotation but an entire text that was given to me from my dad when I was a youth and that I always bear in mind. I’d like to share it with you for those who don’t know it. It’s called “The Desiderata” and it was Found In Old St. Paul’s Church, Baltimore in1693.

“Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender be on good terms with all persons’”
“Speak your truth, quietly and clearly, and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant, they too have their story”
“Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself”
“Enjoy your achievements, as well as your plans. Keep interested in your career, however humble, it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time”
“Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But not let this blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and every where life is full of heroism”
“Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth”
“Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imagining. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.”
“You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, the universe is unfolding as it should”
“Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.”
“Be Cheerful”
“Strive to be happy”