Expats in France Can Face Banking and Housing Technicalities

As a self-employed doctor in Oklahoma City, OK, William D. Jones, MD, specializes in occupational and preventive medicine. Throughout his life, William D. Jones, MD, has twice lived in France. 

While moving to any new country can mean substantial paperwork and numerous other technicalities to sort through, many expats find it difficult to get established after moving to France, because of the country’s banking and housing rules and customs.

When you arrive in France, you might find it hard to rent an apartment if you do not have a French bank account. Complicating the matter, French banks often require you to have a permanent address before opening an account. 

If you can provide bankers with enough additional information to make them comfortable with you, they might make an exception. Bring any banking documents you can to show you are responsible with money. A letter from your US banker can go a long way, too. You should also be prepared to make a large initial deposit in the amount of thousands of dollars. 

As for rentals, many French landlords prefer to rent to the most stable, least risky tenants. Preferred tenants are typically people who have an established rental history in France, since the country’s housing laws can make evicting a problem tenant difficult. Barring an established checking account, you might have to pay a large portion of your rental agreement up front. In an interview, Julie Nies, an American food writer living in Paris, said she had to pay her first French landlord an entire six months of rent, thereby covering her whole lease upfront.

European French vs. Quebec French

An Oklahoma City, OK, occupational and preventive medicine specialist, William D. Jones, MD, treats patients through his private medical office. Before becoming a physician in OK, William D. Jones, MD, studied economics and French at Vanderbilt University. He has lived in France and relied on his French language skills while traveling in Quebec, Canada.

Though people who speak European French and Quebec French can understand one another, the two represent separate dialects with key differences. These differences arose due to historical circumstances that separated the French settlers in Canada from France itself in the 18th century. As a result of this separation, Quebec French preserves older forms of the language that have largely disappeared in Europe.

Some interesting differences between two types of French include vowel sounds. The “un” sound, for example, has died out in Europe, but in Quebec, it is very much alive.

Moreover, the collision of English speakers and French speakers in Quebec means that the vocabulary of Quebec French bears some hallmarks of English. However, during the 1960s, the rise of Quebec nationalism and a concomitant desire to preserve Quebec French language and culture caused many speakers to consciously avoid English-derived words.

The Irish Setter - Personality and Temperament

 


A physician by profession, William D. Jones, MD, of Oklahoma City, OK, has led a private occupational and preventive practice for more than 20 years. In his free time, William D. Jones, MD, serves as dog show secretary for the state Irish Setter Club of Oklahoma.

A sociable and energetic large breed dog, the Irish setter has become known for its playful nature. It begins life as a mischievous puppy and takes its time in growing out of this persona. The dog needs plenty of exercise to work off its energy, and an owner must be willing to direct this energy into constructive pursuits.

By turns independent and eager to please, the dog must feel motivated to learn a new skill. Its high levels of intelligence can make it into a trickster, and some less confident owners see this characteristic as a lack of trainability. The gentle yet authoritative owner, however, can earn the dog's loyalty and teach it lessons that it will remember for life.

The setter's strong will and quick mind make it an asset to the hunter in the field. It retains a strong hunting instinct, as well, though it remains an affectionate and loyal family pet. The setter is a friendly dog and is more likely to welcome guests than to threaten them, but it retains a strong protective instinct toward its family.

Exercises to Improve Baseball Bat Swing

A graduate of medicine from Brown University, William D. Jones MD, of Oklahoma City, OK has been practicing medicine for over two decades. A lover of sports including baseball and softball, William D. Jones MD has donated to Angel Foundation at SWAT Academy, a training facility for youth athletes which instructs baseball players on how to improve their swing.

Bat speed is essential for hitting good balls on the pitch. A good bat-head swing ensures proper contact with the ball while guaranteeing good distance on the hit.

There are a variety of exercises which specifically target parts of the body vital for gaining good bat speed such as the abdomen, legs, and forearms.

The abdomen twists in a rhythmic motion during every swing, providing speed and momentum for a good hit. To target the abdomen, players perform weighted crunches which are similar to regular crunches, only that a weight is held out at arms-length. Hanging leg raises are good for building lower abdominal strength.

Strong legs enable the trunk and arms to enhance bat speed. Legs produce the force required for a powerful bat swing. Squats are a great way of building leg strength.

Forearms transfer the strength of a good swing onto the bat. A good grip completes a swing. To improve grip, players can perform grip-strengthening exercises such as squeezing tennis balls, softballs, and racquetballs.

The Enjoyment of French Cooking

With a private practice in Oklahoma City, OK, William D. Jones, MD, helps others improve their health and quality of life. Prior to establishing his work in Oklahoma City, William D. Jones, MD, spent time living abroad in France, where he learned French cooking techniques that he still employs today.

While many people might enjoy French food, they may feel unsure or intimidated at preparing French cuisine in their own home. They may associate it with fancy restaurants or special occasions, not everyday cooking. However, French cuisine doesn’t have to be inaccessible.

French cooking involves combining different flavors in a dish in an artful way. Liquid ingredients are often reduced so that they are stronger and more vibrant. For instance, you might heat wine first so its taste becomes more concentrated, rather than simply adding it to the dish. Additionally, a key part of French cooking is a strong foundation of quality ingredients, such as chicken or beef, prepared to bring out taste and texture. With French recipes as a guide, a person can recreate favorites such as rich French stews and meats.

When cooking French-style food, keep in mind that the culinary experience is about enjoyment. French meals consist of several courses designed to be savored. Therefore, take your time to savor each bite of the food you prepared.

An Introduction to the Airedale Terrier

An occupational and primary preventive care physician in Oklahoma City, OK, William D. Jones, MD, additionally serves as secretary of the Irish Setter Club of OK. In his free time, William D. Jones, MD, enjoys spending time with Cooper, his Airedale terrier.

The Airedale terrier, sometimes known as the waterside terrier or king of terriers, is the biggest of the terrier breeds. The Airedale stands apart from other dogs with pointed ears that fold against the skull, a high set tail, and a long, flat head.

Classified as a “medium energy” dog, Airedales can do well with children and other animals so long as they are appropriately socialized from an early age. Along with being intelligent and loyal, Airedales are generally pleasant and friendly toward strangers, though environmental stimuli like other animals may affect their obedience.

While fairly easy to train, Airedales respond poorly to aversive training techniques. Instead, owners should train using positive reinforcement. Airedale owners should additionally do their best to make training an enjoyable, rewarding experience. The dog’s intelligence makes teaching a command relatively simple, but it also leads to the Airedale becoming bored with repetitive actions and routines.