Well, after visiting the Shanghai Exhibit in San Francisco, Shanghai's sister city, I got nostalgic and decided to return to Shanghai for a week in May. While in town, I've managed to visit the "Expo" (world fair), see friends and former colleagues from the French School, and visit the orphanage where I volunteered last year. It's fun to return to a place where you lived for six months, and with a place like Shanghai, you notice changes. In just a year, there are now 10 metro lines (instead of 3 or 4 last year) and numerous new stops. On the streets and elevated by-passes, you see cute new taxis, lots of repainted facades and decorated trees. In DVD and CD shops, there is a front space for "legal" items but behind the back wall there is ... read more

I don't want to make those of you who live in colder climes jealous, but the last few days here in the San Francisco Bay Area have been really springlike, as the flowers and trees on my street in these photos illustrate. I continue to enjoy my classes and activities here and feel right at home in my neighborhood. For an article I wrote recently on "Cities on Water", please visit Hilary Kaiser's Weblog: Thoughts and Travels of a Franco-American .... read more

It’s COLD here, often 0°C. or less. Everyone is bundled up in heavy coats, scarves, hats or ear-muffs, and boots. It’s even snowed some in the last few days. (see photos below.) What a change from California (where I'll be returning January 23)! I had a nice New Year’s Eve at friends and gave a little “open house” on New Year’s Day. Now, it’s doctor’s appointments and many other medically-related tests and purchases (i.e. eye glasses, orthopedic soles, allergy medicine, etc.) that I like to have done in France because I have health coverage here. I’ve also been visiting art exhibits; going to talks, book signings, concerts, and movies; and enjoying seeing friends and my sons Sebastien and Marc. My Christmas present this year from Seb and his wife Aurelia was the announcement that Aurelia is ... read more

Wishing one and all a Happy Christmas—Joyeux Noel-- and health and happiness in the New Year ! As I write, Christmas carols are playing on KDFC, the Bay Area’s local classical radio station. I look out the window of my apartment and see the lights of San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate and Bay bridges in the distance, and in the foreground, Christmas lights on the houses in my tree-lined street. It’s gotten a bit colder, and the skies have been grey for the last week. Nevertheless, I’m still able to go swimming in the outdoor pool on campus and to play tennis in the Rose Garden. That’s California for you! It’s hard to believe that in just one week I’ll be back in Paris, where I now plan to stay until January 23 or ... read more

Here are some photos which will give you an idea of my activities and of some places I've visited in this lovely area of northern California. You might enjoy reading an article I've written on my new blog . (click on the link to see it) ... read more