ASM Rugby!!!

Here is the new Stade in Clermont-Ferrand for their beloved ASM rugby team!

Just some shots of the team and the wierd thing they do when 8 on 8 men get WAY TOO close for comfort! Very awkward!!

Me and the SUPERFAN!!! Nice ass!

Puy-de-Dôme

Romain and I had this past week off from school, so we took some time to visit some sites around us! We decided to see the local chain of volcanos. The department we live in it actually named, Puy-de-Dôme, since this chain is kinda known. We took Maggie along, since she is a beast of nature and all, and decided we were hiking all the way to top, come hell or high water! Alas, we did not even come close to the top (we'll blame it on the trail closings). Still, it was fun!

Come for a stroll with me and Maggie

Just some scenes along our path...

This garage door says "death to the Mayor".

Another bites the dust...

So, it official, my middle sister is engaged!!! Whoa! Guess I'm the only one living up to the Sengel name! Congrats, Dr. Mandy!!!!

Bonne Année 2008!!! (....and Happy Bday, Tina!!)

There is a bit of a tradition here to eat, "King's Cake" the first Sunday of the new year. (So I had it several more times and days than that!)

Each cake comes complete with a crown and little trinkets hidden inside. Tradition claims if your piece of cake has the trinket inside then your new year is sure to be filled with luck, plus you get to wear the fantastic crown!! Of course no one warns you to be careful cause I about broke my damn tooth on the blessed toy! If you look closely, that is baby Jesus in his manger! At first I though it was a snail (go figure), but it was Jesus...not sure which creeps me out more! (he had huge black eyes!)

Maggie's new friend!

I'd like to introduce you to Maggie's newest friend, Penelope! Sure she needs a good brushing and bath, but she suits Maggie just fine! (Penelope is Pierre Yves and Nathalie's dog, Romain's aunt & uncle)

Christmas Eve Dinner

Well, it's Christmas Eve & it's time
for dinner!!Whoo-wee! nothing like some goose liver to get the festivities rolling! Despite the
unfamiliar menu, the dinner was very nice. Good conversation, although most in French, so I smiled, and great company! Bernadette set up the table real nice, huh Clark.