TODAY
Well I ended up at a super crummy hotel on the airport property. Catherine sent me a link and I booked it. I was very disappointed when I got here as I had visions of a soft bed, an English channel or a movie, and maybe even room service. Where is the Sheraton?
I got over myself as quickly as I could. Got a pop, chips, usa today, my camera and went to chill on the grass in the parking lot. Once I saw all the planes start to take off, I decided I would try and fill a frame with a plane. It is not as easy as you might think. I have no viewfinder, by the time you pull it in and try to focus, they are out of frame. I decided to do it until I got a good one..so take a look.. MADE me laugh out loud to myself cause there I was, as usual, making something good of a crummy situation.
I was out last night late and up early so I am tired. Have lots of emails to work on, business to do, reorganize my too heavy of bags, shower, grab a bite and go to bed. I have an 18 hour travel day tomorrow. The comforts of home are going to feel extra special.
I am ready to come home but so happy with my time in Paris. I have absolutely no regrets and did everything a girl could have wanted. I am more experienced now and will fall into it more easily the next time. A now seasoned Parisian, I can go out anywhere alone at night and get home on the metro. I can eat alone and enjoy it. I can say no to boys, even when I feel lonely and want some comfort. I can do just about anything I set my mind to. Even when I am afraid, I can overcome the fear or anxiety. When I am sad or scared or full of anxiety, I can talk myself out of it. I do not feel needy or wanting or longing for something to fulfill me. I feel pretty complete all unto myself. I am a pretty smart girl, still pretty cute, it’s the smile & the eyes, and people like me cause I put myself out there and bring energy to everything.
Can’t wait to see everyone and get/give lovies…
Old news
Friday night
After more than 8 hours of sleep, I woke up feeling better yesterday and slightly energized. I basically packed up my apt., did some errands and watched a movie.
Rue de Houchette is a little street off St.Michel and St Germain, and I had seen last week that it was full of clubs.
Lovely dinner at Place de Pont, front row view of the Friday night frolickers. Enjoyed an aperitif, followed by dinner, wine and coffee. Strolled afterwards and wandered in and out of a few places. I went to Cavette de Houchette, where the 7 piece jazz group played downstairs in a cave..they say it was once a prison. Great group, but the dancers are awe inspiring, I think it is the old fashion swing vs lindy which has those crazy moves. Got myself a glass of champagne and found the last seat to be had. I chilled good and even let myself go enough to bop along.
The crazy French boys were out in force last night. I enjoyed the attention but am starting to understand the culture and. I now do not get caught up in the, oh you are charming, or you have beautiful eyes, or any of the lines they give. I don’t go out on my own at home, so really do not have a lot of experience with the nighttime pairing dance.
I was the flame and the moths were flitting about last night. I am definitely in a different place these days as that does not interest me. I am my most proud of myself for getting out tonight, going to the clubs on my own, feeling content with myself, enjoying it all without someone by my side, fighting off the boys and getting home alone at 1:30 am..
I was on my way to Bassin de Villette today as I knew there was a fete going on. Happily got a txt from Guy asking what I was up to and telling me he was working there. So off I went and after finally finding him, I got a very long, very wet, very fun ride on the police boat with lights and speed and everything…too fun..
Started to rain on the way home. Not sure if I am going out tonight, I am very tired from my craziness last night…ended up watching too many sex in the city and did not go to sleep until 3:30. I have to clean my apt tomorrow and Guy wants to take me to dinner.
Probably just the right amount of excitement for this girl. It’s funny, I went from fairly isolated with pockets of fun at home, to completely busy and on the go every single second since I got here.
Posting a video of the drummers at the fete. General random pics along with the very cool band last night.
Saturday night
Just got back from Trocadero, the area across from the Eiffel Tower. I was going to go a few minutes where I went last night and grab a bite but started thinking of what I forgot..the Tower at night..so I took 3 metros and 40 minutes later, I was there…lots of nice pictures to send you. I love how there are so many shops and places to grab a quick bite, little mom& pops, squished together, pushing out into the sidewalks and streets..no huge corporates grabbing the real estate here.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Bloody Hell
Bloody Hell
That’s how I feel today. Up all night tending to the bloody visitor…lol. I wasn’t happy when I woke up with a pain in my neck that scattered down my back as the day progressed.
I worked most of yesterday and didn’t get it all done, mostly cause London was a bit over the top for hustle & bustle. I hunched over my too small table with my neck down a few hours. Aside from physical fatigue, my mind is processing on so many levels, I am feeling overly emotional for the first time since I‘ve been here.
It started on the train back from London, when I met a sweet girl who was having a baby in a few weeks. She told me her mom had been sick with cancer and died two years ago. My heart pounded, my eyes swelled, and I told her about Steven and we talked. We talked about all the stuff, her life & family, pregnancy, child birth, breast feeding, hormone issues, even libido. She had some concerns and questions, and asked me if it was going to get better as it concerns her mom.
I got to be there for her for just a moment and it was satisfying to both of us. I felt bad as I didn’t even get her name, nor her mine. It was a lot of French and English and it was a lot of conversation in a short amount of time. It was almost midnight when we got back and we all scurried in different directions.
When I walked home, all I could remember was that she was sad and missed her momma, and wanted to know if it would get better this year. I reassured her that yes, this next year will be better. She loves thinking of her mom but is tired of being sad. That is exactly how I felt. Year 3, I was tired of being sad. This whole year has been amazingly better and since in Paris, excitedly distracted, there is no sad.
Mussee Picasso is on the fringe of the Jewish area and thought my deli would cheer me up, hhmm.comfort food.…. The guy that took care of me is English, first one I have met in Paris, odd coincidence, and he chatted me through lunch. I stopped at all the Jewish bakeries but did not succumb today.
I had been to Picasso before when I was here 3 years ago, but didn’t take pictures and really couldn’t remember much. I looked in the book and it said pictures w/o flash were allowed but apparently that was not the case and I was reproached. Also stopped at 17th Century Musee Carnavalet.
Walked a long way towards home looking for a store I had been before but never found again. Stopped for a diet coke and a break on my back and decided to go home. Couldn’t find my way across the Seine, lost my bearings completely and thought I might cry as I criss-crossed the Bastille part of the city. Finally got on a metro and went home.
Happened to be perfect timing, as Catherine dropped by about 5 minutes after I got home. I had to pack up yesterday as Catherine came to clean the bedroom as she has someone coming after I leave and she is on her way to a conference. I am not using the bedroom other than as a closet full of clothes, suitcases, bags, everything piling up. The doc gave me pills of different sorts, rubbed my neck a little and tried to help keep me happy. She encouraged me to continue my adventures after my rest and do not be discouraged as she thinks it will rain until I leave. The rain brings me down. It makes it not happy to walk.
Lisa and Patrick are gone. Jillie got a gig in the country and is on her way. Guy is busy with teaching and protecting Paris. I have a couple opportunities, although tempting, are not my choice for direction at this time. My plan for tomorrow night fell through not to mention the cancellation on my part for tonight.
A Bear said it best,
You've been saddled to a cyclone in a whirlwind for over five weeks...goin', seein', doin'....everything you could possibly do or want to do. non-stop. happy, laughing, smiling... new friends, new adventures, new...everything. non-stop. for over ... five weeks…any wonder there's a little 'overwhelmed at it all' hittin' you now? don't think so. think it's just the natural rhythm of it all.
I know this is natural and I have been going pretty high for quite some time, happier for the longest time in a long time. I know I am leaving soon and it’s all so strange. People have lives and everyone can’t spend all their time playing with me…wwhhaaa.
Setting that all aside, I miss my comforts {tired of this futon), I need to work and it is frustrating from here, miss my girl and my life. Today, on my low, is the day to beat myself up for eating too much, spending too much, staying too long and not working enough.
I love Paris and had the adventure of a lifetime. I still have a few days and have lost some steam. The rain doesn’t motivate me like the sunshine but tomorrow will be a new day. I had a plan for Versailles but with the weather and lack of energy, not sure about that one. Wish I had someone to lean on, to figure it out, look it up and make a plan, find out where it is and which metro to take and can help find a bathroom when I need one. I am worn out and off my game.
I will say again. This is everything and more than I ever imagined but it is not for the faint of heart. Going it alone is a tedious task. Any ideas for the next few days are welcome. Tomorrow is a new day.
Enjoy Picasso, the pictures almost got me thrown in the brink.
Shout out and love to my mom who has spent today getting one new bionic knee.
That’s how I feel today. Up all night tending to the bloody visitor…lol. I wasn’t happy when I woke up with a pain in my neck that scattered down my back as the day progressed.
I worked most of yesterday and didn’t get it all done, mostly cause London was a bit over the top for hustle & bustle. I hunched over my too small table with my neck down a few hours. Aside from physical fatigue, my mind is processing on so many levels, I am feeling overly emotional for the first time since I‘ve been here.
It started on the train back from London, when I met a sweet girl who was having a baby in a few weeks. She told me her mom had been sick with cancer and died two years ago. My heart pounded, my eyes swelled, and I told her about Steven and we talked. We talked about all the stuff, her life & family, pregnancy, child birth, breast feeding, hormone issues, even libido. She had some concerns and questions, and asked me if it was going to get better as it concerns her mom.
I got to be there for her for just a moment and it was satisfying to both of us. I felt bad as I didn’t even get her name, nor her mine. It was a lot of French and English and it was a lot of conversation in a short amount of time. It was almost midnight when we got back and we all scurried in different directions.
When I walked home, all I could remember was that she was sad and missed her momma, and wanted to know if it would get better this year. I reassured her that yes, this next year will be better. She loves thinking of her mom but is tired of being sad. That is exactly how I felt. Year 3, I was tired of being sad. This whole year has been amazingly better and since in Paris, excitedly distracted, there is no sad.
Mussee Picasso is on the fringe of the Jewish area and thought my deli would cheer me up, hhmm.comfort food.…. The guy that took care of me is English, first one I have met in Paris, odd coincidence, and he chatted me through lunch. I stopped at all the Jewish bakeries but did not succumb today.
I had been to Picasso before when I was here 3 years ago, but didn’t take pictures and really couldn’t remember much. I looked in the book and it said pictures w/o flash were allowed but apparently that was not the case and I was reproached. Also stopped at 17th Century Musee Carnavalet.
Walked a long way towards home looking for a store I had been before but never found again. Stopped for a diet coke and a break on my back and decided to go home. Couldn’t find my way across the Seine, lost my bearings completely and thought I might cry as I criss-crossed the Bastille part of the city. Finally got on a metro and went home.
Happened to be perfect timing, as Catherine dropped by about 5 minutes after I got home. I had to pack up yesterday as Catherine came to clean the bedroom as she has someone coming after I leave and she is on her way to a conference. I am not using the bedroom other than as a closet full of clothes, suitcases, bags, everything piling up. The doc gave me pills of different sorts, rubbed my neck a little and tried to help keep me happy. She encouraged me to continue my adventures after my rest and do not be discouraged as she thinks it will rain until I leave. The rain brings me down. It makes it not happy to walk.
Lisa and Patrick are gone. Jillie got a gig in the country and is on her way. Guy is busy with teaching and protecting Paris. I have a couple opportunities, although tempting, are not my choice for direction at this time. My plan for tomorrow night fell through not to mention the cancellation on my part for tonight.
A Bear said it best,
You've been saddled to a cyclone in a whirlwind for over five weeks...goin', seein', doin'....everything you could possibly do or want to do. non-stop. happy, laughing, smiling... new friends, new adventures, new...everything. non-stop. for over ... five weeks…any wonder there's a little 'overwhelmed at it all' hittin' you now? don't think so. think it's just the natural rhythm of it all.
I know this is natural and I have been going pretty high for quite some time, happier for the longest time in a long time. I know I am leaving soon and it’s all so strange. People have lives and everyone can’t spend all their time playing with me…wwhhaaa.
Setting that all aside, I miss my comforts {tired of this futon), I need to work and it is frustrating from here, miss my girl and my life. Today, on my low, is the day to beat myself up for eating too much, spending too much, staying too long and not working enough.
I love Paris and had the adventure of a lifetime. I still have a few days and have lost some steam. The rain doesn’t motivate me like the sunshine but tomorrow will be a new day. I had a plan for Versailles but with the weather and lack of energy, not sure about that one. Wish I had someone to lean on, to figure it out, look it up and make a plan, find out where it is and which metro to take and can help find a bathroom when I need one. I am worn out and off my game.
I will say again. This is everything and more than I ever imagined but it is not for the faint of heart. Going it alone is a tedious task. Any ideas for the next few days are welcome. Tomorrow is a new day.
Enjoy Picasso, the pictures almost got me thrown in the brink.
Shout out and love to my mom who has spent today getting one new bionic knee.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
I’ve seen London, I’m seeing France, Catherine and I saw someone’s underpants.
A few nights ago at dinner, while Catherine was on the phone, a group of guys came down the street making themselves noticed. As they approached, I noticed one guy wearing a short skirt and fishnet nylons. As they rounded the corner, it became obvious that the one guy had his skirt hem tucked up into his waistband, displaying his tighty widey underpants..Of course, my jaw dropped, as I made funny noises and motioned Catherine to look, while she is having her serious conversation.
Knowing a day in London was not going to allow for any real discovery I was hoping I would know if I wanted to revisit someday. Nope, not for me. Of course I am smart enough to know and see that it is a wonderful city richly filled with history and culture. The group I was with thought it reminded them of NY, while for me, it resembled LA.
Excited to go through the chunnel and speed off to London, I was walking to the metro at 6:15am, barely light..The morning was calm after the longest loudest nighttime rain I had heard since I was here. Meeting at the tour office, shuttle to Gare Nord, through customs and security, our group is ready to go. Fifteen minutes before departure, a delay announcement informs us that a train broke down blocking the track. Maybe a half hour later, they announced a 35 minute delay, which turned into a 2 hour delay. As it turned out, the entire train station was halted during this episode.
I met two couples traveling together from Atlanta. After hanging out for 4 hours, they invited me to join them for the day, and I did. As it turned out, I am glad I was adopted for the day. I even told a joke on our way home and made everyone laugh, imagine that. It had been told in French and I told it in English and remembered the punch line. We all helped each other get through our very few hours in London.
Our tour company was not there to meet us as they gave up, so we had no shuttle to our tour bus. No one had pounds or knowledge of exactly where we were headed. We gathered our steam and took a cab to Marble Arch to catch our tour bus. We gave up the Thames Cruise to have enough time to see the city and have a great pub experience.
Our lunch was yummy and I had a draft. Becca & Arthur might have guessed but ended up with the Plowman’s Lunch, complete with pickled onions & chutney, while everyone else had Fish & Chips and Mushy Peas. They were very sweet to me and we all seemed to make our hurry scurry of the city doable and fun, lots of laughs to be had.
We took 2 of the 4 city tours completely so got a good look and orientation to the city.
Because our trip delay, we missed the changing of the Guard, which happens one time a day. London is beautiful, love the river and the bridges, the fact that Buckingham Palace is right in the middle of the city and gravitate towards the big monument squares where people gather.
It is sprawling, missed the neighborhood feel of NY and Paris, with a market, café, and necessities on every street. I would have liked to be there at night when Picadilly Circus lights up like Times Square. It felt like the Louvre, crowded with people clamoring for action, very windy, not quaint, not friendly…
After an 18 hour travel day, I didn’t get to sleep until 3am and up today after a quick 7 hours of sleep. One hour better than the night before but really not enough. Woke up with parts, TMI, but most of us are girls. Very tired. Worked several hours this morning, then decided to go up to Mouffetard and find a big salad and fruit for home. My couple hours out is about the only non rainy time in the last couple days. It rained all day yesterday while I was across the English Channel and another storm is on it’s way. The couple hours of thunder and downpour has now passed.
I am tired and finishing up my corrections on my curriculum. I am trying to figure out how to spend the next couple days and I think I will let it happen after some good rest tonight. I still have a bunch of work stuff to do but will hopefully finish up in the morning. See ya’ll soon.
.
Knowing a day in London was not going to allow for any real discovery I was hoping I would know if I wanted to revisit someday. Nope, not for me. Of course I am smart enough to know and see that it is a wonderful city richly filled with history and culture. The group I was with thought it reminded them of NY, while for me, it resembled LA.
Excited to go through the chunnel and speed off to London, I was walking to the metro at 6:15am, barely light..The morning was calm after the longest loudest nighttime rain I had heard since I was here. Meeting at the tour office, shuttle to Gare Nord, through customs and security, our group is ready to go. Fifteen minutes before departure, a delay announcement informs us that a train broke down blocking the track. Maybe a half hour later, they announced a 35 minute delay, which turned into a 2 hour delay. As it turned out, the entire train station was halted during this episode.
I met two couples traveling together from Atlanta. After hanging out for 4 hours, they invited me to join them for the day, and I did. As it turned out, I am glad I was adopted for the day. I even told a joke on our way home and made everyone laugh, imagine that. It had been told in French and I told it in English and remembered the punch line. We all helped each other get through our very few hours in London.
Our tour company was not there to meet us as they gave up, so we had no shuttle to our tour bus. No one had pounds or knowledge of exactly where we were headed. We gathered our steam and took a cab to Marble Arch to catch our tour bus. We gave up the Thames Cruise to have enough time to see the city and have a great pub experience.
Our lunch was yummy and I had a draft. Becca & Arthur might have guessed but ended up with the Plowman’s Lunch, complete with pickled onions & chutney, while everyone else had Fish & Chips and Mushy Peas. They were very sweet to me and we all seemed to make our hurry scurry of the city doable and fun, lots of laughs to be had.
We took 2 of the 4 city tours completely so got a good look and orientation to the city.
Because our trip delay, we missed the changing of the Guard, which happens one time a day. London is beautiful, love the river and the bridges, the fact that Buckingham Palace is right in the middle of the city and gravitate towards the big monument squares where people gather.
It is sprawling, missed the neighborhood feel of NY and Paris, with a market, café, and necessities on every street. I would have liked to be there at night when Picadilly Circus lights up like Times Square. It felt like the Louvre, crowded with people clamoring for action, very windy, not quaint, not friendly…
After an 18 hour travel day, I didn’t get to sleep until 3am and up today after a quick 7 hours of sleep. One hour better than the night before but really not enough. Woke up with parts, TMI, but most of us are girls. Very tired. Worked several hours this morning, then decided to go up to Mouffetard and find a big salad and fruit for home. My couple hours out is about the only non rainy time in the last couple days. It rained all day yesterday while I was across the English Channel and another storm is on it’s way. The couple hours of thunder and downpour has now passed.
I am tired and finishing up my corrections on my curriculum. I am trying to figure out how to spend the next couple days and I think I will let it happen after some good rest tonight. I still have a bunch of work stuff to do but will hopefully finish up in the morning. See ya’ll soon.
.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Medieval Escape to Bruge
I may have never mentioned that, and many people know, the Eiffel Tower lights up the sky on the half hour every single night. Aside form the sparkly lights all over the Tower, it beams a light across the city, larger than I have seen. From my apartment, barely through the shrub sitting on top of the building across from me, I can see a couple/few little sparklies twinkling, but there is no strain or squint necessary to easily see the powerful beacon from my terrace.
I walked to the metro at about 6:15 yesterday to get to my tour place. I like the confidence I have now for getting anywhere on the metro.. Figured out that a big air conditioned but is not a plane and I cannot read or write, which gave me lots of thinking/processing time.
I was ancy from the first 4 hours drive. Wanting to wander a larger portion of the town, I broke away quickly from the guided walking tour. Found too many gifts to add to the pile. I got lost as I seem to do. Ended up in the real part of town vs the old part with all the tourists and they were having a carnival and huge run around the city. I got a couple pictures at the end as we boarded our bus.
The old woman in the doorway is spindling Belgium flower lace. She is tatting. Bruges is the last place that makes hand made flower lace. Most is machine made with hand touches made in China & Taiwan.
Took a bunch of pictures but the little ‘Venice of the North’ really deserves an overnight. I immediately headed for food since I hadn’t eaten yet. Other than legally smoking pot, a cool memory about Amsterdam was french fries and mayonnaise. Fries are Belgium by origin, klein friets, small fries..with mayonnaise although they offer several sauce choices for about $2. I don’t even eat mayonnaise, but I partied on down with my klein friets. Yummiers.. .
Walked the big square, went with my group on the canal ride, and then shopped. I found a store with yummy delicacies.. some of that fabulous white asparagus.. and a whole cooler case of little canapés waiting for a poo poo platter to happen. I had to take a picture, asked the owner and then ordered a few.
Half a white potato with crème fraise and salmon roe… -we love that in our family..
Pumpernickel bread with cheese loafed and sliced like a checkerboard cubes.
Pinwheel of artichoke, cheese, some meaty, vegetables.. can’t remember exactly.
Seems a little nuts of me to go 4 hours back and forth to see Bruge, to spend 5 hours, but I am glad I did. Lugging home kilos of chocolate boxes and bags of silly things, I had to laugh at myself.
Really tired today form the big day out or was it just too much bus time. I had to type up my curriculum this morning and get it emailed. The idea of my marketing seminar at home was pretty cool, but it was still just a business. The real turn on for me was to find a way to make a life doing something I know in Paris. Cause for me, Paris is cooler than cool, and makes me fuzzy all over. It may not happen so quickly, but at least I got to catch the buzz.. the buzz that makes you want to practice.
Laundry list of things to do today and I am still strong at it. Since I was supposed to be home last week, I am in catch up mode all the way around personally and for work.
Tomorrow is London, and even though our tour guide told me I will not have time to really do anything, (odd sales approach) I am really excited to even get a few hours to take in some essence of London.
I walked to the metro at about 6:15 yesterday to get to my tour place. I like the confidence I have now for getting anywhere on the metro.. Figured out that a big air conditioned but is not a plane and I cannot read or write, which gave me lots of thinking/processing time.
I was ancy from the first 4 hours drive. Wanting to wander a larger portion of the town, I broke away quickly from the guided walking tour. Found too many gifts to add to the pile. I got lost as I seem to do. Ended up in the real part of town vs the old part with all the tourists and they were having a carnival and huge run around the city. I got a couple pictures at the end as we boarded our bus.
The old woman in the doorway is spindling Belgium flower lace. She is tatting. Bruges is the last place that makes hand made flower lace. Most is machine made with hand touches made in China & Taiwan.
Took a bunch of pictures but the little ‘Venice of the North’ really deserves an overnight. I immediately headed for food since I hadn’t eaten yet. Other than legally smoking pot, a cool memory about Amsterdam was french fries and mayonnaise. Fries are Belgium by origin, klein friets, small fries..with mayonnaise although they offer several sauce choices for about $2. I don’t even eat mayonnaise, but I partied on down with my klein friets. Yummiers.. .
Walked the big square, went with my group on the canal ride, and then shopped. I found a store with yummy delicacies.. some of that fabulous white asparagus.. and a whole cooler case of little canapés waiting for a poo poo platter to happen. I had to take a picture, asked the owner and then ordered a few.
Half a white potato with crème fraise and salmon roe… -we love that in our family..
Pumpernickel bread with cheese loafed and sliced like a checkerboard cubes.
Pinwheel of artichoke, cheese, some meaty, vegetables.. can’t remember exactly.
Seems a little nuts of me to go 4 hours back and forth to see Bruge, to spend 5 hours, but I am glad I did. Lugging home kilos of chocolate boxes and bags of silly things, I had to laugh at myself.
Really tired today form the big day out or was it just too much bus time. I had to type up my curriculum this morning and get it emailed. The idea of my marketing seminar at home was pretty cool, but it was still just a business. The real turn on for me was to find a way to make a life doing something I know in Paris. Cause for me, Paris is cooler than cool, and makes me fuzzy all over. It may not happen so quickly, but at least I got to catch the buzz.. the buzz that makes you want to practice.
Laundry list of things to do today and I am still strong at it. Since I was supposed to be home last week, I am in catch up mode all the way around personally and for work.
Tomorrow is London, and even though our tour guide told me I will not have time to really do anything, (odd sales approach) I am really excited to even get a few hours to take in some essence of London.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Moaning Hores
My hores are moaning. Arthur said that to me our life together when I felt like this. My ovaries hurt and I feel yuck. WWhhaa, I am just achy and tired. I have done so much and walked more miles in a month than I did last year. Got my packages ready and forms filled out, walked everything to the poste, only to find out it was closed, along with the bank, which was my next stop. I still don’t know what holiday it is, but honestly, I thought maybe I was confused and it was Saturday. Definitely pms.
Really interesting night with the fellas. I was privy to 3 men, longtime good friends, get on like silly boys, men will be men. They were very good about slowing down their speech and translating when needed, but mostly I felt like I was keeping up.
Guy had one of his firefighter guys, also Civil Service, come by to meet me, as they all hear about Travis. I am on a mission. Nice young guy, same age, doing the same thing as Travis, even working next on his paramedic. They do not get much off time here but must work normally 120 hours a week – I think that is 5 24’s. He hung out with us oldtimers and I mostly teased him about finding an American girl.
We had another great meal that went on till midnight. The manager was from the same region as Guy, and that started the boys playing. They goofed around and told stories and told many naughty jokes. I needed some translation here and there, especially as they start talking so fast. But one of the last ones of the night, I understood in French, without translation, and made me laugh out loud… so funny.
I was pretty low energy yesterday so wanted to do something with no walking.
Enjoyed the Canauxrama. Absolutely cool and nothing like what I expected.
Canal St. Martin, with a fully enclosed tunnel..to parc de la Villette. An excursion through the 4.5 km canal built in 1806 by Napoleon. Four double locks, the pictures will explain and look at the video. The boat gets brought into the lock, one door opens – the other closes. The water gets brought in until the water brings you up to the level of the next piece. One of the final ones brought us to street level. I hope you can get an idea from the pictures. I had never seen anything like it before.
There is grand history to all of this but nothing to yack about here. A very fun excursion, unexpected awe on my part, met some nice people from Suffolk and probably only walked a mile all day. My body is tired of walking, some days I have done too much. Working today, watched a movie, tried to get business done but I told ya how that went.
We are all meeting tonight for dinner as birthday boy Patrick is leaving tomorrow.
I am suppose to meet Catherine tomorrow at her new place and to go for an early dinner. It is our last chance as I will be on the go this next week. My trip for Mother’s Day leaves at 7am and gets back at 10PM.. big day to Bruges. Tuesday’s adventure on EuroStar is 7am out of Paris and back at midnight…yippee!!
If I had another six weeks here, my language would be at it’s peak.. still much to learn, but my conversations flow much better and I have so much more confidence. Really excellent conversation with my taxi driver last night about the Louvre as it compares to the other museums. We talked about all the walking I had been doing and he felt that this generation of French kids complain about walking 10 minutes. If there is not a metro stop near their destination, their not interested.
Haven’t heard from many of you as in the beginning. People get use to someone being gone. I have a small tiny handful of fans that keep me going, I suppose which is really true for everyday life. It won’t be long before I am home and the blog mostly ends. Then I will probably be back to more telephone talking, but I feel fortunate that I had this method of mass communication throughout this journey.
Everybody have a very nice weekend.
Really interesting night with the fellas. I was privy to 3 men, longtime good friends, get on like silly boys, men will be men. They were very good about slowing down their speech and translating when needed, but mostly I felt like I was keeping up.
Guy had one of his firefighter guys, also Civil Service, come by to meet me, as they all hear about Travis. I am on a mission. Nice young guy, same age, doing the same thing as Travis, even working next on his paramedic. They do not get much off time here but must work normally 120 hours a week – I think that is 5 24’s. He hung out with us oldtimers and I mostly teased him about finding an American girl.
We had another great meal that went on till midnight. The manager was from the same region as Guy, and that started the boys playing. They goofed around and told stories and told many naughty jokes. I needed some translation here and there, especially as they start talking so fast. But one of the last ones of the night, I understood in French, without translation, and made me laugh out loud… so funny.
I was pretty low energy yesterday so wanted to do something with no walking.
Enjoyed the Canauxrama. Absolutely cool and nothing like what I expected.
Canal St. Martin, with a fully enclosed tunnel..to parc de la Villette. An excursion through the 4.5 km canal built in 1806 by Napoleon. Four double locks, the pictures will explain and look at the video. The boat gets brought into the lock, one door opens – the other closes. The water gets brought in until the water brings you up to the level of the next piece. One of the final ones brought us to street level. I hope you can get an idea from the pictures. I had never seen anything like it before.
There is grand history to all of this but nothing to yack about here. A very fun excursion, unexpected awe on my part, met some nice people from Suffolk and probably only walked a mile all day. My body is tired of walking, some days I have done too much. Working today, watched a movie, tried to get business done but I told ya how that went.
We are all meeting tonight for dinner as birthday boy Patrick is leaving tomorrow.
I am suppose to meet Catherine tomorrow at her new place and to go for an early dinner. It is our last chance as I will be on the go this next week. My trip for Mother’s Day leaves at 7am and gets back at 10PM.. big day to Bruges. Tuesday’s adventure on EuroStar is 7am out of Paris and back at midnight…yippee!!
If I had another six weeks here, my language would be at it’s peak.. still much to learn, but my conversations flow much better and I have so much more confidence. Really excellent conversation with my taxi driver last night about the Louvre as it compares to the other museums. We talked about all the walking I had been doing and he felt that this generation of French kids complain about walking 10 minutes. If there is not a metro stop near their destination, their not interested.
Haven’t heard from many of you as in the beginning. People get use to someone being gone. I have a small tiny handful of fans that keep me going, I suppose which is really true for everyday life. It won’t be long before I am home and the blog mostly ends. Then I will probably be back to more telephone talking, but I feel fortunate that I had this method of mass communication throughout this journey.
Everybody have a very nice weekend.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Making Things Happen
Should I write about the weather, the food or the men. The weather is crazy, like Portland, one day, it is cold, dreary, grey and cold and then the sun comes out and it is warm and blue and wonderful. Yesterday’s choice for outings were with a boat policia, an aristocrat or Patrick and Mr. Secret Agent.
Patrick, Guy & I just had the best meal to date in Paris. The amazing home-style repas where the owners feed you until you tell them to stop. You choose your entrée but they do the rest. Sabine brought soup to start and said it was to warm us. She brought pastry encrusted escargot and country pate, which is formed like meat loaf. Her eccentric husband/chef brought our entrees, the guys had lamb and I had scallops skered with apricots. Salad followed with accoutrements of carrot yogurt and salmon yogurt to put on top of your salad…grilled herb potatoes, along with grilled eggplant and yummy haricot verts, but the old fashioned green beans like grandpa Henry, Helens dad use to grow, fat and flat and full of flavor.
She gave us special cherries soaked in liquor and after that special liquor, lots of wine. Really great French meal, been waiting for that one.
Guy, aside from being military security in charge of civil police, teaches and is an ambassador. He believed my marketing course is perfect for business students here. He is going to get me a meeting with the people to figure this out. Ok, now how exciting would it be to have to go to Paris to teach.
He said it will be good for my resume to teach in a couple different business schools and then I could do a conference. We found one on the internet that teaches beginners, google marketing, for 495e a day/ that’s about $650 US per day. I am not so expensive. Guy is a very interesting man.
OK, so cool, so Guy drove me home in his police car, and yes, ran the siren and lights a couple times to make me laugh BUT we get to the end of a road, that is pietons (walking) street… and there is a line of 5 white cement cylinders in the road.. and I am trying to figure out what he is doing… As it turns out, these spots are under surveillance and he was waiting for them to see him, and all of a sudden the cement cylinders descended into the ground, to allow us to pass, and when I turned around, I saw them raising back up.. OK, having never seen that, good way to impress a girl Mr. Secret Agent Man.
Today I decided to DO the Louvre. Can’t say that I wanted to other than, you could not spend 6 weeks in Paris and not go to the Louvre. Impressionist lover that I am, I still can appreciate art in other forms.
Rick Steve’s says when speaking of the Orsay, “I personally find it more enjoyable and rewarding than the Louvre. Sure, ya gotta see the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo, but after you get your gottas out of the way, enjoy the Orsay.
What struck me the most today, was how rude and inconsiderate people were, and I have really not seen that before in Paris. Selfish and self centered, maybe because there was just so many people. I do not ever like to group together people, but today I will say, that the Asians that visited the Louvre today were the most rude and pushy people that run in packs and think they are superior. That place was the craziest crowded place, I have been in Paris.
I toured the entire museum and found it impressive because of the vast amount of art and history. From everything I had heard, I thought it would be more intimidating than it was. There are three big wings and really everything is basically in one wing Denon.
I could not get a good shot of the Mona Lisa…I couldn’t believe how small it was. The Venus de Milo was not the most impressive sculpture but it sure gets a lot of attention. I liked the Winged Victory but as you will see, I really did not take many pictures, mostly too dark and not allowed flash, too many people and not enough air…but I had a blast taking all the penis pictures and will put them in their own album for your viewing enjoyment.
The picture of the crown belonged to Louis XV, had to wait awhile to get close enough to take a pic for you, it is jewel studded with a 140 carat diamond.
I walked home thinking I was going to relax and have some dinner along the way, but ran across a very nice food market.. I got tomato mozzarella along with a great big rice saffron ball covered in vegetable ragout.. got two slice of pate, (country and encroute) for a picnic tomorrow… and some mega big cherries.
I think tomorrow I am going on a canal ride that is off the Seine and travels 2 ½ hours..bringing a picnic.. yumm.
Tomorrow night, big dinner with Patrick, Guy and the other professor Stephen..who is not taking us to Synagogue Friday night.
It was mentioned to me that this journey will be a gift that keeps on giving as my transformation continues at home. Very true. That I have been unveiled from my more isolated life and that is very true and I doubt I will ever be the same.
But what I know, I am definitely a city girl, I like an ethnic store on every corner, food and people form everywhere, interesting things to do. That is why NY, SF and BC are my top cities.. I like speaking french and I am getting good. I like the way it makes me feel.
I heard this guy on CNN talking about the Beatles. He said he believes talent is the desire to practice. A desire to do whatever it takes..like an entrepreneur.. – my definition of an entrepreneur, is someone who will do whatever it takes to get the job done. This guy believe that the Beatles wouldn’t be the Beatles if they hadn’t been a house band in Hamburg for 2 years, apparently 2 years 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. He feels they had the desire to learn, practice, mesh as a group, learn new genres, write songs and generally become what they were to later show us. I did not know that story, but dug the theory.
Sort of like Meesh, who knew nothing about making glass beads and I don’t know that she was born with some talent for it, yes she is artistic, but it was her desire to practice and keep practicing that is making her a bead talent. I have been studying French my whole life. I don’t have talent but have always had the desire to learn the language and practise. And if I want to be more fluent and have a life in Paris and teach in Paris, it will take a talent, a desire to practice and work hard and do what it takes..hhmm, now this makes me think of Barbara N… Her talent .is the huge desire to practice her craft, work hard and do whatever it takes to get the job done. And like me, if something fails or we falter, we get up, we dust ourselves off and we do it even better..whatever it takes.
My mom says about acting, if you can think of anything else in life you want to do, than you should do it.. cause this is going to be hard, talent or not talent, it is about PRACTISING, WORKING HARD AND DOING WHATEVER IT TAKES TO GET THE JOB DONE. So Meesh will fire beads all over the country, and I will teach marketing in Paris and Barbara will act and touch hearts everywhere with her stories of bravery and light..
I think we are all capable of more than we know. We restrict ourselves with fear. I have mostly not lived in fear as I know I will always do whatever it takes to get it done. And my history shows that I am capable.
Again, I must say, how lucky a girl, if I could tell you all, I have to go to Paris to teach marketing.
With a whole month behind me and two weeks to go, I do not have time to visit enough with all my friends and do everything I want to do, but I guess that just means I will have more adventures to look forward to when I return to teach my first class.
Patrick, Guy & I just had the best meal to date in Paris. The amazing home-style repas where the owners feed you until you tell them to stop. You choose your entrée but they do the rest. Sabine brought soup to start and said it was to warm us. She brought pastry encrusted escargot and country pate, which is formed like meat loaf. Her eccentric husband/chef brought our entrees, the guys had lamb and I had scallops skered with apricots. Salad followed with accoutrements of carrot yogurt and salmon yogurt to put on top of your salad…grilled herb potatoes, along with grilled eggplant and yummy haricot verts, but the old fashioned green beans like grandpa Henry, Helens dad use to grow, fat and flat and full of flavor.
She gave us special cherries soaked in liquor and after that special liquor, lots of wine. Really great French meal, been waiting for that one.
Guy, aside from being military security in charge of civil police, teaches and is an ambassador. He believed my marketing course is perfect for business students here. He is going to get me a meeting with the people to figure this out. Ok, now how exciting would it be to have to go to Paris to teach.
He said it will be good for my resume to teach in a couple different business schools and then I could do a conference. We found one on the internet that teaches beginners, google marketing, for 495e a day/ that’s about $650 US per day. I am not so expensive. Guy is a very interesting man.
OK, so cool, so Guy drove me home in his police car, and yes, ran the siren and lights a couple times to make me laugh BUT we get to the end of a road, that is pietons (walking) street… and there is a line of 5 white cement cylinders in the road.. and I am trying to figure out what he is doing… As it turns out, these spots are under surveillance and he was waiting for them to see him, and all of a sudden the cement cylinders descended into the ground, to allow us to pass, and when I turned around, I saw them raising back up.. OK, having never seen that, good way to impress a girl Mr. Secret Agent Man.
Today I decided to DO the Louvre. Can’t say that I wanted to other than, you could not spend 6 weeks in Paris and not go to the Louvre. Impressionist lover that I am, I still can appreciate art in other forms.
Rick Steve’s says when speaking of the Orsay, “I personally find it more enjoyable and rewarding than the Louvre. Sure, ya gotta see the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo, but after you get your gottas out of the way, enjoy the Orsay.
What struck me the most today, was how rude and inconsiderate people were, and I have really not seen that before in Paris. Selfish and self centered, maybe because there was just so many people. I do not ever like to group together people, but today I will say, that the Asians that visited the Louvre today were the most rude and pushy people that run in packs and think they are superior. That place was the craziest crowded place, I have been in Paris.
I toured the entire museum and found it impressive because of the vast amount of art and history. From everything I had heard, I thought it would be more intimidating than it was. There are three big wings and really everything is basically in one wing Denon.
I could not get a good shot of the Mona Lisa…I couldn’t believe how small it was. The Venus de Milo was not the most impressive sculpture but it sure gets a lot of attention. I liked the Winged Victory but as you will see, I really did not take many pictures, mostly too dark and not allowed flash, too many people and not enough air…but I had a blast taking all the penis pictures and will put them in their own album for your viewing enjoyment.
The picture of the crown belonged to Louis XV, had to wait awhile to get close enough to take a pic for you, it is jewel studded with a 140 carat diamond.
I walked home thinking I was going to relax and have some dinner along the way, but ran across a very nice food market.. I got tomato mozzarella along with a great big rice saffron ball covered in vegetable ragout.. got two slice of pate, (country and encroute) for a picnic tomorrow… and some mega big cherries.
I think tomorrow I am going on a canal ride that is off the Seine and travels 2 ½ hours..bringing a picnic.. yumm.
Tomorrow night, big dinner with Patrick, Guy and the other professor Stephen..who is not taking us to Synagogue Friday night.
It was mentioned to me that this journey will be a gift that keeps on giving as my transformation continues at home. Very true. That I have been unveiled from my more isolated life and that is very true and I doubt I will ever be the same.
But what I know, I am definitely a city girl, I like an ethnic store on every corner, food and people form everywhere, interesting things to do. That is why NY, SF and BC are my top cities.. I like speaking french and I am getting good. I like the way it makes me feel.
I heard this guy on CNN talking about the Beatles. He said he believes talent is the desire to practice. A desire to do whatever it takes..like an entrepreneur.. – my definition of an entrepreneur, is someone who will do whatever it takes to get the job done. This guy believe that the Beatles wouldn’t be the Beatles if they hadn’t been a house band in Hamburg for 2 years, apparently 2 years 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. He feels they had the desire to learn, practice, mesh as a group, learn new genres, write songs and generally become what they were to later show us. I did not know that story, but dug the theory.
Sort of like Meesh, who knew nothing about making glass beads and I don’t know that she was born with some talent for it, yes she is artistic, but it was her desire to practice and keep practicing that is making her a bead talent. I have been studying French my whole life. I don’t have talent but have always had the desire to learn the language and practise. And if I want to be more fluent and have a life in Paris and teach in Paris, it will take a talent, a desire to practice and work hard and do what it takes..hhmm, now this makes me think of Barbara N… Her talent .is the huge desire to practice her craft, work hard and do whatever it takes to get the job done. And like me, if something fails or we falter, we get up, we dust ourselves off and we do it even better..whatever it takes.
My mom says about acting, if you can think of anything else in life you want to do, than you should do it.. cause this is going to be hard, talent or not talent, it is about PRACTISING, WORKING HARD AND DOING WHATEVER IT TAKES TO GET THE JOB DONE. So Meesh will fire beads all over the country, and I will teach marketing in Paris and Barbara will act and touch hearts everywhere with her stories of bravery and light..
I think we are all capable of more than we know. We restrict ourselves with fear. I have mostly not lived in fear as I know I will always do whatever it takes to get it done. And my history shows that I am capable.
Again, I must say, how lucky a girl, if I could tell you all, I have to go to Paris to teach marketing.
With a whole month behind me and two weeks to go, I do not have time to visit enough with all my friends and do everything I want to do, but I guess that just means I will have more adventures to look forward to when I return to teach my first class.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Lox, Bagels, Rugalach, Mondel Bread and More
My longtime friend Patrick is in town and we have lots planned. Every time I see him, I remember why I keep him as a friend. We have over 10 years of history and he has watched me go through a lot. He is always a gentleman, always wanting the best for me, an excellent business man, very intelligent and always connected whether Portland or Paris.
Lunch a couple days ago was champagne, foie gras and scallops and two kinds of wine, yummy.
Enjoyed the afternoon at a local, but very large contemporary art event. It was quite impressive and both of us found art we took to heart. I may go visit the artist next week to discuss buying a piece. We had special mint tea made for us…
Meeting many of his friends and colleagues this coming week.
His friend is hopefully taking us to synagogue Friday night.
Steven is professor at two business schools. He says I can teach my Google class in English as all who are in business school speak English. He thinks there is much opportunity for this class and I should put together a curriculum. When I get home, I am going to update my resume and put together a business portfolio, pictures speak louder than words.
Tonight, we are going to the newest trendy hip spot in Paris and then for some jazz. He has many people for me to meet and things to do.
I guess my travel outside of Paris will have to wait until after he leaves.
I know I am going to Bruges and London but not sure about Versailles. There are just too many things to do.
Morenos is the posh sophisticated very trendy restaurant Patrick took me last night.
You can tell right away this is going to be a different Parisian experience. Modern façade, sleek and modern décor, geometric and colorful shapes. The experience reminded me of the restaurant at the W in NY that Becca loves.. HeartBeat..
Our bartender wanted to make his specialties for us, so we shared a pepper martini and a ginger martini, both unique and fun. Thought how much Travis would like the savory pepper drink. Accompanying our drinks, they brought crudités, tomato with goat cheese, marinated salmon and long cheese sticks with butter cream.. yum.
I see a trend in Paris for serving on granite tiles, very cool presentation. Portions were not large but perfect and succulent. Dessert was over the top. Dancing, laughing, meeting people for fun until I cried uncle and came home at3;30 am, yippee!
Too much fun was had by all. Cleaning, washing, marketing, shopping will get me through today while I wait some special couscous dinner tonight.
Ok so it sounds like I am always eating.. well eating and looking at art.. I suppose the best thing to do while visiting Paris.
The sweet, very young guy at the store today, asked me out for coffee, and told me I have beautiful eyes and am very sympathique. They seem to all say the same thing. Good line, don’t ya think.
On my way out this morning, I ran into my friend Philippe. It feels so cool to randomly run into someone I know. He thought it was pretty strange as he was only in my neighborhood because he was visiting the doctor and on his way to work. Made me feel like I am home.
Spent the entire day in the Jewish area. First I had to find the food. Ate the yummiest lox and bagels.. in Paris, which came with more than the normal accoutrements. Along with normal lox, cream cheese, tomatoes and capers, they included extra think sliced salmon (like sushi) a container of salmon spread, some salmon roe and tepanade.. funny, huh, I ate it all.
Spent more time at the Holocaust Center than the Musee of Art & History Jewish. They were both very similar to ones that Becca & I have visited other than the history went further back. Very limited pictures, not allowed, however the pictures are in my brain.
More food, found some rugalach and mondel bread..and some type of almond paste (marzapin) covered figs. Shopped and finally found a small gift that I have been searching for since I got here. Literally walked all day long until every piece of my body hurt.
Tomorrow night, I am having dinner with Patrick again and his friend that is head of civil service, police & fire. Thought a lot about what I need to do to teach in Paris. They want a resume, a portfolio and a draft of a curriculum. All of these, I could easily put together.
So as it turns out, my landlord Catherine rented this apt. to me for the extra two weeks. As she had people coming to stay here, she had to put them in her home. She was going to stay at her brother in laws apt, also has a country home, but decided to rent something. I think she is fond of me now and wanted me to feel settled. It was much generosity for her to allow me to stay and make all inconveniences for her.
She has some papers to write and wanted to find a place to be inspired. She is a very sweet and kind person. Patrick is going to stay here when he comes back. She & I will be having dinner as soon as I have time.
I need/want to make a plan for Mother’s Day as without my girl, I need to stay busy, so no sad. I am sending Becca to Gramma Gail as a gift from me to my mother and it is a gift Becca can give her mother and grandmother, so a quick trip to LA for my little one.
I probably need to quit shopping. I keep finding things for Becca.. and small treasures to add for all my girls. I have to start sending some things home soon.
It is not, if I will come back to Paris, but when – is September too soon.. oh my.
Love ya’ll to Paris and back again.
Lunch a couple days ago was champagne, foie gras and scallops and two kinds of wine, yummy.
Enjoyed the afternoon at a local, but very large contemporary art event. It was quite impressive and both of us found art we took to heart. I may go visit the artist next week to discuss buying a piece. We had special mint tea made for us…
Meeting many of his friends and colleagues this coming week.
His friend is hopefully taking us to synagogue Friday night.
Steven is professor at two business schools. He says I can teach my Google class in English as all who are in business school speak English. He thinks there is much opportunity for this class and I should put together a curriculum. When I get home, I am going to update my resume and put together a business portfolio, pictures speak louder than words.
Tonight, we are going to the newest trendy hip spot in Paris and then for some jazz. He has many people for me to meet and things to do.
I guess my travel outside of Paris will have to wait until after he leaves.
I know I am going to Bruges and London but not sure about Versailles. There are just too many things to do.
Morenos is the posh sophisticated very trendy restaurant Patrick took me last night.
You can tell right away this is going to be a different Parisian experience. Modern façade, sleek and modern décor, geometric and colorful shapes. The experience reminded me of the restaurant at the W in NY that Becca loves.. HeartBeat..
Our bartender wanted to make his specialties for us, so we shared a pepper martini and a ginger martini, both unique and fun. Thought how much Travis would like the savory pepper drink. Accompanying our drinks, they brought crudités, tomato with goat cheese, marinated salmon and long cheese sticks with butter cream.. yum.
I see a trend in Paris for serving on granite tiles, very cool presentation. Portions were not large but perfect and succulent. Dessert was over the top. Dancing, laughing, meeting people for fun until I cried uncle and came home at3;30 am, yippee!
Too much fun was had by all. Cleaning, washing, marketing, shopping will get me through today while I wait some special couscous dinner tonight.
Ok so it sounds like I am always eating.. well eating and looking at art.. I suppose the best thing to do while visiting Paris.
The sweet, very young guy at the store today, asked me out for coffee, and told me I have beautiful eyes and am very sympathique. They seem to all say the same thing. Good line, don’t ya think.
On my way out this morning, I ran into my friend Philippe. It feels so cool to randomly run into someone I know. He thought it was pretty strange as he was only in my neighborhood because he was visiting the doctor and on his way to work. Made me feel like I am home.
Spent the entire day in the Jewish area. First I had to find the food. Ate the yummiest lox and bagels.. in Paris, which came with more than the normal accoutrements. Along with normal lox, cream cheese, tomatoes and capers, they included extra think sliced salmon (like sushi) a container of salmon spread, some salmon roe and tepanade.. funny, huh, I ate it all.
Spent more time at the Holocaust Center than the Musee of Art & History Jewish. They were both very similar to ones that Becca & I have visited other than the history went further back. Very limited pictures, not allowed, however the pictures are in my brain.
More food, found some rugalach and mondel bread..and some type of almond paste (marzapin) covered figs. Shopped and finally found a small gift that I have been searching for since I got here. Literally walked all day long until every piece of my body hurt.
Tomorrow night, I am having dinner with Patrick again and his friend that is head of civil service, police & fire. Thought a lot about what I need to do to teach in Paris. They want a resume, a portfolio and a draft of a curriculum. All of these, I could easily put together.
So as it turns out, my landlord Catherine rented this apt. to me for the extra two weeks. As she had people coming to stay here, she had to put them in her home. She was going to stay at her brother in laws apt, also has a country home, but decided to rent something. I think she is fond of me now and wanted me to feel settled. It was much generosity for her to allow me to stay and make all inconveniences for her.
She has some papers to write and wanted to find a place to be inspired. She is a very sweet and kind person. Patrick is going to stay here when he comes back. She & I will be having dinner as soon as I have time.
I need/want to make a plan for Mother’s Day as without my girl, I need to stay busy, so no sad. I am sending Becca to Gramma Gail as a gift from me to my mother and it is a gift Becca can give her mother and grandmother, so a quick trip to LA for my little one.
I probably need to quit shopping. I keep finding things for Becca.. and small treasures to add for all my girls. I have to start sending some things home soon.
It is not, if I will come back to Paris, but when – is September too soon.. oh my.
Love ya’ll to Paris and back again.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Chartres and Life in Paris
Time flies when you’re having fun and exploring something you love as much as I love
I remember a few nights ago, I was out on the town for that much awaited well coursed dinner with accompanying live jazz. Plenty of wine and some yummy Cointreau with the dessert designed in St. Tropez…you just know that is going to be sinful.
A couple days ago, I was lunching at St. Michel followed by wandering at
Pariscope – every temporary and permanent exhibit, theater, cinema, walks, meetings, anything going on in Paris, with reminders of all the stuff they didn’t mention. It’s weekly and you have to buy it at a tabac.
American Library – a central point for social/educational events and walks with side tracks to all kinds of other American gatherings.
Shakespeare & Company – English books, someone is always playing piano in back and you don’t have to buy a thing. You can sit down, pick up a book and read. Loved it.
Café Universal – People helping people with anything you need.
I wandered Notre dame and happened upon the mass. That night I ate an apricot and pistachio tart with flan for dinner. Better go back to my theory I told Becca, if I take this whole trip and don’t gain weight, I will be happy. I thought with all the walking, I might lose weight, but it wouldn’t be as much fun if I didn’t splurge.
I am in better shape and walking (or moving my body in some way) 5 out of 7 days a week is the secret for my health.
The last 24 hours were incredible. I now know the metro, short distance and long distance trains. From
I really had no idea what to expect but it was an incredible experience. Mass & music upon arrival followed by a lovely dinner, great conversation and exploring the little village. I was going to bed and heard more music outside, thought I would check it out, only to find a light show on the church with music coming out of speakers everywhere. I have tried to capture some of it for you. I am posting the pictures that are not right, or perfect, or normal, so you can sort of see the spectacle. I didn’t know how to shot this correctly so I was basically exploring.
Perfect petite dejeuner and off to walk the labyrinth. Commentary for this experience will wait for another time, if at all, as I continue to process. Something I wish everyone could experience. Nudged and urged, I took Malcolm’s tour, and that suited me perfectly. I was in awe and spent most of it with my mouth open and probably could have followed him for several hours.
My new friend Lisa is an extremely intelligent woman with a passion for the history of this town and Cathedral, its story and symbolism's within the stories. She is a gifted educator and was the perfect guide for my effortless journey.
Burned down in 853, and several times following, this church stands as a 12th century Medieval Cathedral. I am slightly overwhelmed by the experience… in several ways for several reasons. If you want to know anything about Notre Dame de Chartres Cathedral, you can just Google it. The pictures should show the magnificence of it all.
I love taking my long line to my short line to get home tonight. I love being able to stop and get salad rolls and fruit and opening the door to my apartment. I love
Monday, April 27, 2009
Further Wanderings
Steak and frites, sunshine and blue skies, enjoying lunch on a boat on the Seine, really, what could be better. Walking all over Paris, breathing it in, learning more French –sometimes there are too many tourists in Paris, wish they would go home.
Evening champagne picnic with all the trimmings. Beautiful spring day in Paris.
Woke up to an Antique Fair across the street at the train station. If I lived here, I would have bought things. Unusual and interesting old furniture, perfect to find a vanity, bureau, side table. Lots of materials, lace, silver, lamps and clocks. International flavor with tables specializing in Japanese, Chinese and Moroccon.
Wandered up to Mouffetard, which is still one of my favorite off the path places. The Pantheon is in my area so I knew eventually I would go. Not so into the religious part of it all, but I very much respect the culture and history that is represented.
Voltair, Rouseau and Descartes are there along with Joan of Arc, Kings. Aside from the crypts, there are walls of vaults. The huge dome ceiling is held by the columns within the structure. Hundreds of years old and standing proud, it was worth the time and the walk.
One small group of friends enjoying dinner on their boat on the Seine. Yummy white asparagus, truly the size we decided of a long skinny penis.. with some vinegarette.. the best. Pasta with too much fresh parmesan, many different wines, salad and tastefully chosen cheeses. New friends, lots of fun conversation, talking about art and the world and eventually even Susan Boyle. I hope my even newer friends become better friends, so I have lots of opportunities to speak French and learn the world that is Paris.
Standing back and wondering why I love Paris and what makes it different from other places, but especially Portland. What makes Paris is the tourists, the visitors, and the wanderers. People from all over the world are here to see and feel what Paris has to offer. The other large cities that I love have it, SF, Vancouver, NY etc... 2.15 million people live within 40 square miles. And with the addition of the tourists, Paris becomes 10X as dense as Manhattan.
Yesterday was another one of those, clean my house, do the wash, change the sheets, pay bills (online) do marketing, reconcile the bank stuff and relax.
I was late getting out today as my landlord Catherine wanted to make sure life was going well and to see what I needed. Nice visit. I love my apartment and am very comfortable. She hasn’t seen me in a couple weeks and says it looks like I have lost weight..
I have now made a list of what I haven’t seen and done in Paris so I can make sure it all gets done. I also have the rest of my out of town activities to do.
Today I actually followed a walking tour out of a book for Champs Elysees and the Arch de Triomphe area. It was my favorite sort of following my nose day, very enjoyable, but windy and cold day. I had a complete mid day lunch, my first, chilled and ate and of course, that moment could not have been better.
Decided as I passed the Andy Warhol exhibit, that I might as well take a look. It was on the pricey side of costs. While a pop art icon, it seems he found something that worked and stuck with it. I guess they all do that which is why it usually revolutionizes art for that period. The coolest part of the exhibit is that every picture was someone famous. I imagine he had a very interesting life, although quite tumultuous as I understand. I didn’t read much or buy anything, but I did read a post that said, he did not care who he painted, it was $25,000 a picture, and he would paint anyone. Really enjoyed the video room with him in different videos, dressed in drag on SNL, some interviews and such.
Walked a lot today. I love Paris. I love stopping and finding what I want to eat all the time. Do you want pizza, crepes with anything, waffles with anything, breads and bakery of every kind. Sandwiches yummy, all kinds, and all the little bistros, with their awnings and heaters, waiting to welcome you for some chillin. I love the metro. I love the rivers and the bridges and that they are part of the event, all were built with huge sidewalk areas to walk. You have queue access to the bottom of the river as well. Love people watching.
None of these people are fat. I can tell an American man as he is wearing washed out jeans and his belly is hanging over his belt. Bums and some old men and some old women are chubby but Parisians are healthy looking, I won’t even say thin because they are all just seem to have healthy looking bodies. No fake boobs, no fake nails, I do not even see many nails which are polished. They are simpler and seem to concentrate on other happiness’s.
With my extended time frame, I guess I am now half way through my journey. I haven’t been this comfortable and inspired by life for years. As always excited for tomorrow.
Btw, the rain that was looming all day waited until I got off the metro and hit my street.
Evening champagne picnic with all the trimmings. Beautiful spring day in Paris.
Woke up to an Antique Fair across the street at the train station. If I lived here, I would have bought things. Unusual and interesting old furniture, perfect to find a vanity, bureau, side table. Lots of materials, lace, silver, lamps and clocks. International flavor with tables specializing in Japanese, Chinese and Moroccon.
Wandered up to Mouffetard, which is still one of my favorite off the path places. The Pantheon is in my area so I knew eventually I would go. Not so into the religious part of it all, but I very much respect the culture and history that is represented.
Voltair, Rouseau and Descartes are there along with Joan of Arc, Kings. Aside from the crypts, there are walls of vaults. The huge dome ceiling is held by the columns within the structure. Hundreds of years old and standing proud, it was worth the time and the walk.
One small group of friends enjoying dinner on their boat on the Seine. Yummy white asparagus, truly the size we decided of a long skinny penis.. with some vinegarette.. the best. Pasta with too much fresh parmesan, many different wines, salad and tastefully chosen cheeses. New friends, lots of fun conversation, talking about art and the world and eventually even Susan Boyle. I hope my even newer friends become better friends, so I have lots of opportunities to speak French and learn the world that is Paris.
Standing back and wondering why I love Paris and what makes it different from other places, but especially Portland. What makes Paris is the tourists, the visitors, and the wanderers. People from all over the world are here to see and feel what Paris has to offer. The other large cities that I love have it, SF, Vancouver, NY etc... 2.15 million people live within 40 square miles. And with the addition of the tourists, Paris becomes 10X as dense as Manhattan.
Yesterday was another one of those, clean my house, do the wash, change the sheets, pay bills (online) do marketing, reconcile the bank stuff and relax.
I was late getting out today as my landlord Catherine wanted to make sure life was going well and to see what I needed. Nice visit. I love my apartment and am very comfortable. She hasn’t seen me in a couple weeks and says it looks like I have lost weight..
I have now made a list of what I haven’t seen and done in Paris so I can make sure it all gets done. I also have the rest of my out of town activities to do.
Today I actually followed a walking tour out of a book for Champs Elysees and the Arch de Triomphe area. It was my favorite sort of following my nose day, very enjoyable, but windy and cold day. I had a complete mid day lunch, my first, chilled and ate and of course, that moment could not have been better.
Decided as I passed the Andy Warhol exhibit, that I might as well take a look. It was on the pricey side of costs. While a pop art icon, it seems he found something that worked and stuck with it. I guess they all do that which is why it usually revolutionizes art for that period. The coolest part of the exhibit is that every picture was someone famous. I imagine he had a very interesting life, although quite tumultuous as I understand. I didn’t read much or buy anything, but I did read a post that said, he did not care who he painted, it was $25,000 a picture, and he would paint anyone. Really enjoyed the video room with him in different videos, dressed in drag on SNL, some interviews and such.
Walked a lot today. I love Paris. I love stopping and finding what I want to eat all the time. Do you want pizza, crepes with anything, waffles with anything, breads and bakery of every kind. Sandwiches yummy, all kinds, and all the little bistros, with their awnings and heaters, waiting to welcome you for some chillin. I love the metro. I love the rivers and the bridges and that they are part of the event, all were built with huge sidewalk areas to walk. You have queue access to the bottom of the river as well. Love people watching.
None of these people are fat. I can tell an American man as he is wearing washed out jeans and his belly is hanging over his belt. Bums and some old men and some old women are chubby but Parisians are healthy looking, I won’t even say thin because they are all just seem to have healthy looking bodies. No fake boobs, no fake nails, I do not even see many nails which are polished. They are simpler and seem to concentrate on other happiness’s.
With my extended time frame, I guess I am now half way through my journey. I haven’t been this comfortable and inspired by life for years. As always excited for tomorrow.
Btw, the rain that was looming all day waited until I got off the metro and hit my street.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Chillin in Style
Family & friends,
My blog is a privilege to all of us. I get to keep in touch and feel supported and cared for, and you guys get to follow my journeys and know that I am fine.
I can’t write everyday; even every other day will get hard as these next days pass.
It takes more time than you think to write cohesively trying to share just tidbits. Sometimes the picture uploads and transfers to facebook are done twice because of international incidents.
So please, no guilt or telling that you miss the blogs and look everyday and sad if they are not there. I love my fans, and love the comments, support, encouragement, emails, fbmail. I also am doing banking, marketing (which is in excellent shape right now), ordering – not much, but other stuff to do.
My business is doing well. We are holding our own after some 20% dips the first quarter. Martha is doing fabulous at home making it all happen. Thanks for getting the orders out and keeping the customers happy (emails, phone calls, returns). She has to do the whole job or I couldn’t be here. And her hubby put the ‘bluebird’ on my shoulder.
Chillin at the Tuileries
Absolutely beautiful warm spring day in
The Orangerie is fabulous; very different from all the other museums because it was completely renovated. There are two rooms where the entire walls are a mural of Monet works that was restored. There were many other Monet’s that I had never even seen.
Matisse, Cezanne, Modigliani – I didn’t take many pictures, really had to stick to certain ones or you could spend the whole time taking pictures. Took several Picasso pictures that I also had not seen before.
But, I love Renoir. I forgot how much I love his paintings. They melt and soften me.
Went back to a different part of the gardens, got one of those sacred green chairs and began some serious chillin. I can’t begin to share the thoughts of my soul during the peaceful moments.
Did more shopping, definitely should have listened and brought very little cause I didn’t pack right anyway. And whoever said, actually I read it twice, don’t bring tennis shoes unless your jogging. Everyone is wearing tennis shoes, many fashionable, but many adidas and there are plenty of stores. I bought some pretty cute ed hardys (left mine at home), so I took a special picture of that.
Walked pretty far home and my feet hurt. My special place for salad rolls told me to come back later, she is making fresh for me. I have lots to do.
I am going to be busy but you all know what’s up over here in
I am going to take a few days off the blog as I am going to be living life, breathing it big time and hopefully completely to busy to write. I want to be too busy to write. I am ready.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Monet's Garden
Today I am feeling stimulated and exhilarated, like my cup runneth over on the inside.
There’s even some peace and knowing in all that razz mataz.
There is no needy, no sad, no longing, some missing. I am not the same girl I was almost 5 years ago, July 11, 2004. I am more and better, and while the lessons have been tough, I have learned and grown. I have taken my lemons and made some lemonade. I love how I feel and it’s been a long time. I have so much spirit and spunk spilling out of me right now. At least today!
I feel so strong and so whole, like nothing is missing, like I am complete package unto myself. Everything I need is right here, in my heart and in my head.
Yeah, I love this place. Even a month is not enough so I guess I will have to stay longer.
I have things to do, places to go and people to see. Sorry, staying longer.
Yesterday after coffee and croissant on my terrace, I worked, did wash and a few mandatory things. Very relaxing.
Even though I had a half a page of directions and was a little nervous, I went to meet Tony’s friend Lisa. After the Batobus, the one bridge, walking under the other bridge, past the big black boats, I found the 2nd one in and called her, as I really was not sure how to get into her barge. Well you just walk on the other boat and climb over the rails and jump aboard.
I met Lisa and Jillie and their two water policeman friends, Philippe & ??. After some tea and talk, the water police took us out on their huge rubber ‘boat’ to show us some speed. He told me in no uncertain terms to hold on here and hold on there and do not let go. OMG, talk about exciting, and no, if I had let go, I would be in the Seine. If going fast enough to take my sweater off my body wasn’t enough, they dodged in between the Seine wall and the Batobus and the Batomouche until I was screaming and squealing and laughing myself silly. So fun, so cool.
Lisa lives in Oregon and travels back and forth to Paris constantly every month. She rents a room on this boat on the Seine,. It’s a fabulous location and what a way to live. I feel like we made a nice connection and am looking forward to time I can spend with her. I think Jillie is English, not sure though, older, wiser, interesting and has been living on this boat for 35 years. The guys were so nice and we all hit it off and it was a great adventure.
The girls were going shopping so I left there as I had a plan to meet someone I met but never got to spend time with. He called to tell me he would be late. I said what about another day. He said he was leaving the next day for Romania for 2 months. I said bye bye, don’t have time.
Walking towards a metro, I saw H&M, H&M in Paris with a 50% off sale. What else could a girl want since I needed some cooler tops? I brought too many sweater things and not enough COTTON so 6 tops, cotton pants and a dress, a $115 euros, I am so happy. Salad rolls and chicken satay to go.. yummy.
Woke up and did some more work. Got an email from the girls that Philippe called twice last night to find out how to get in touch with me. He asked them to give me his number.
Lisa invited me to go to Chartres next week. It is one of the oldest Cathedrals in Paris. We will travel by train and stay overnight in a B&B. Then we will walk the labyrinth, which apparently is not always available to do. A meditative maze… How exquisite is that? They are also talking about going Saturday to get thai massage and hamam.. wow.
Today was my tour to Giverny and it was everything I wanted it to be. Monet's house was a house and it seemed that everyone was enthralled by it but for me, the gardens were just so magnificent. Knowing all his art and then seeing where he was inspired made the flowers even more special to me. And it was a perfectly beautiful day.
At Giverny, I went off on my own, in my own direction, at my own pace, ‘cause I am a girl who really doesn’t like to hang with the pack.
I met the nicest gal, Joann from Long island. What a kick, we were like two peas in a pod. We gabbed all the way there and all the way back and really enjoyed the heck out of each other. She is full of life, a big family Jewish/Italian, smart and evolved. She had her first daughter the same year I had Becca, and that’s sort of how it started.
I think we will stay connected for the rest of our lives. At least it felt that way today.. whatcha think Joann?
Not sure about tomorrow. I don’t even need to figure it out now. I am great at the metro. I easily use two at a time and figure out how to get most anywhere I want to go.
Jillie’s boat is near Tuileries Gardens, the gardens that attach to the Louvre. Yesterday I wandered in to eat my chocolate crepe, after dumping Jean Francois, and got a few pictures. Then today, I was to meet my tour near the same location. I brought my lunch and wandered through again and took some more. The suits were out, the old people, the whole world, eating their sandwiches and enjoying the day. They have so many lovely places to hang out and eat in the middle of the day, AND they make it a priority to do it.
After the tour, I walked a bit and found a nice café for a salad nicoise before I took my two metros home. Did I mention the home made pistachio ice cream I had at Monets Garden.
While I haven’t tried it or even sure I want to, the bicycle program is very cool. They have stops all over Paris with maybe 15 bicycles. You start a card with a deposit and then you can pick up a bike anywhere for like 2 euros and drop it anywhere there is another block of bikes. So you can pick up and drop off different bikes from different areas at any time day or night. Bicyclists have huge rights here and all main roads, that I have seen, have specifically bike baths.
Did you know in most bathrooms, all cafes & restaurants, the men and women share the same common area of a bathroom? Two stalls, one – sometimes two sinks, so you are waiting with men & women to get into your stall and then ya’ll wash your hands ensemble.
I remember in NY, it seems in the older apartment buildings, you smell everything your neighbors are cooking at every meal. That is the only memory I can compare to living in an old apartment building in Paris. In the beginning, it bothered me some, but now it makes me smile and then I feel like I am home.
Living in an apt. saves a lot on money. With my breakfasts in, lunch on the run $3.10 (today my baguette had cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce and goat cheese – thought of you Martha), and usually dinner out, along with transportation costs, I think I am spending about $35 a day.
I have decided to go to Bruges (Belgium). I think I am going Sunday and then London next Wednesday. And there are so many things in between. I want to go to the newly renovated Orangerie which houses the rest of my impressionists along with many more Monets
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Feeling Right at Home
My self is happy. I feel at peace, content, proud, filled up, excited, renewed, smart, clever, loved and cared for.
Today I felt like I lived in
Getting better with the map and the metro and easily found my way across the river to Le Marais without walking, The merchants mostly rest on Sundays but if you wander enough, there is always plenty of things to see and do.
I left my beautiful black cashmere scarf in the cab last night. Interestingly enough, two little shops had two different kinds of what I wanted for around my neck. I walked towards a general area versus looking for a certain street and happened upon a place full of people having brunch.
Yummy. Even though it was cold and rainy, they always have outside covered areas with heaters. My French brunch included my café crème, jus d’orange and a big plate with four little bowls and 3 breads. Cherry tomatoes (halved with dressing), scrambled eggs with smoked salmon, fromage frais avec herbs (not sure what it was, means fresh cheese, tasted like tziki), fruit salad that had been soaking in spices. Two breads were like toast and the other bread was pain perdu. I know it is not ‘lost bread’ but then it was, similar to French toast but no egg, lost in the spices and sugary flavor.
I felt settled with being on my own and enjoyed knowing how far I had come to feel the way I did in that moment.
Already knowing that Georges Pompidou Centre IS open on Sundays, I felt that was a possibility. Modern Art is not my thing but part of my art knowledge includes Matisse, Picasso & Chagal and I had no previous knowledge of Kadinsky, which was the special exhibit, and of course the center itself is an amazing structure. Kadinsky, I tried to feel his passion, see his flow and understand his pov, but I really thought Arthur & Becca could have come up with some stuff like that. But the point was that it was a point of view and very much different from what had come before. Like Pollack, don’t we all think we could make one of those pictures.
Following my nose in the late afternoon, the sun was out and tout monde etait dehors. All kinds of little stores were opened and I frolicked in & out, picking up some goodies and gifts. Cruised towards the river and enjoyed watching and listening and wandering home. Stopped for all kinds of yummy fruit, cheese, water and staples. I found myself getting home from pretty far away, by foot – not directly on the river, without ever looking at my map.
Happy to be home, munching on some yummies and I am really happy about my relaxed Parisian style.
Last night was interesting. I felt pretty nerdy taking my own picture before I went out so I could have a dress up picture. Calling a cab as Catherine directed did not work and finally got one on the street. He crashed into a bus upon our approach to Moulin Rouge, so my entrance did not go unnoticed.
Moulin Rouge is very much like a fancy Vegas show, except French and small boobies. The cattle call to get in and eat dinner was not an exquisite event but I made fabulous friends with the table next door.
No cameras allowed last night or at Kadinsky. I found out at the end of the exhibit that cameras were allowed on the other floors, so grabbed ya’ll a few Picassos.
Tomorrow I need to clean my house and do some business from home. Tony turned me on to a friend – girl, who lives mostly in
I have calmed my pace but there is so much to do. Pretty sure I am going to stay longer so I can do all the things I want to do. I still have to go to
I really don’t want to rush through this. My goal was to immerse myself so I could calmly live it, be it, breath it and become Parisian.
Sorry to be long winded. I don’t expect anyone to read it all, except maybe my girl and my mom, but am grateful that everyone is enjoying.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Flowers & Art
Well it seems that everyone misses my adventures but there are only so many hours in a day. I am once again exhausted. While it is everything fabulous, it is hard work, lots of walking, too many people everywhere, not to mention, for me, talking french is somewhat challenging and tiring. I have lost so much french, it is really difficult. The French all think I speak well but I am pretty sure that is because they are use to Americans who cannot speak at all.
So yesterday i started out with the idea that I would do nothing. I packed all my goodies for a picnic, brought a book, my postcards, camera etc and went to the jardin de plantes, next door, actually something in my neighborhood.
I enjoyed a couple hours quiet and alone until i met Stephane. I noticed him as he was singing to someone on the phone. Then a huge gust of wind, HUGE, blew billions of cherry blossoms towards us, we looked at each other and laughed and he said something about it was like winter snow. On parle un peu.
Briefly, he is doing his practicum at the hospital to become a psychologist. Ironically, or not, he works with cancer patients. After chatting a bit, he asked me if I wanted to go do something with him when he was done with a couple of patients. OK, why not, let's try again.
Met him later and we really enjoyed a nice evening. We went on the RER, train, not metro, to have a drink. We went for yummy express sushi and then to the movie.. American, in English.. the new Tommy Lee Jones movie. It was all very relaxing and a whole lot of fun and I got to speak oodles of french. He brought me home, he knew my fear of being lost, and then turned around to go home outside of Paris. We have a plan for a picnic at Versailles on Sunday.
So today, I used Becca's museum pass and went to Musee D'Orsay. I am somewhat an art snob, I like what I like, period. I suppose we are all like that. Things haven't changed, I still like what I like - mostly Monet, Degas, Van Gogh, Renoir, Lautrec and Pissaro. These have been my artists of choice my entire life. Fell for Pissaro 10 or so years ago in NY. When I saw Monet's haybales, it made me cry. I am sure I was the only one in the musee crying, some things touch my heart and there is nothing I can do...just me, still and always the 'big emotion' girl. It was all quite lovely but i must say that we have had some very nice visiting displays in Portland. There were no Lilly Pads, but I heard they are in the Louvre. I think since I have seen all Impressionist art everywhere from NY to SF, I was not overwhelmed by the amount.
I was tired, can't seem to get untired. On my way home, since I hadn't eaten and becca seems to have some concern that i actually eat more than bread & ham, really why, I went for a nice meal.
Enjoyed beef bourgogne, super yummy with wine sauce and potatoes, and I ate every bite. Since I have only been eating packaged orange choc cookies, I decided to grab a fresh tart on the way home for later. Tough life in Paris..
So I am home early, very tired. Going to quickly do this blog, put up the pics and watch a movie. Nan sent me with some good ones and have enjoyed them all.
Serendipity Day After Tomorrow Family Man (really enjoyed that) Made of Honor
Any ideas how to make my body not ache or my feet not swell. Why am I so tired, this is not for the faint of heart. I have to get to the Louvre tomorrow on my 2 day pass, only really interested in the Impressionists..sorry but it's what I like.
I apologize in advance but it is very hard to get pictures in the museum, I did not always have time to frame properly.. my biggest surprise was to see Whistler's Mother, not because it is one I like, but OMG, it is Whistler's Momma..so famous.
Saturday night is my very fancy and exciting dinner & show at Moulin Rouge.
Here is my menu which comes with half a bottle of champagne. It is a dressy event.
So yesterday i started out with the idea that I would do nothing. I packed all my goodies for a picnic, brought a book, my postcards, camera etc and went to the jardin de plantes, next door, actually something in my neighborhood.
I enjoyed a couple hours quiet and alone until i met Stephane. I noticed him as he was singing to someone on the phone. Then a huge gust of wind, HUGE, blew billions of cherry blossoms towards us, we looked at each other and laughed and he said something about it was like winter snow. On parle un peu.
Briefly, he is doing his practicum at the hospital to become a psychologist. Ironically, or not, he works with cancer patients. After chatting a bit, he asked me if I wanted to go do something with him when he was done with a couple of patients. OK, why not, let's try again.
Met him later and we really enjoyed a nice evening. We went on the RER, train, not metro, to have a drink. We went for yummy express sushi and then to the movie.. American, in English.. the new Tommy Lee Jones movie. It was all very relaxing and a whole lot of fun and I got to speak oodles of french. He brought me home, he knew my fear of being lost, and then turned around to go home outside of Paris. We have a plan for a picnic at Versailles on Sunday.
So today, I used Becca's museum pass and went to Musee D'Orsay. I am somewhat an art snob, I like what I like, period. I suppose we are all like that. Things haven't changed, I still like what I like - mostly Monet, Degas, Van Gogh, Renoir, Lautrec and Pissaro. These have been my artists of choice my entire life. Fell for Pissaro 10 or so years ago in NY. When I saw Monet's haybales, it made me cry. I am sure I was the only one in the musee crying, some things touch my heart and there is nothing I can do...just me, still and always the 'big emotion' girl. It was all quite lovely but i must say that we have had some very nice visiting displays in Portland. There were no Lilly Pads, but I heard they are in the Louvre. I think since I have seen all Impressionist art everywhere from NY to SF, I was not overwhelmed by the amount.
I was tired, can't seem to get untired. On my way home, since I hadn't eaten and becca seems to have some concern that i actually eat more than bread & ham, really why, I went for a nice meal.
Enjoyed beef bourgogne, super yummy with wine sauce and potatoes, and I ate every bite. Since I have only been eating packaged orange choc cookies, I decided to grab a fresh tart on the way home for later. Tough life in Paris..
So I am home early, very tired. Going to quickly do this blog, put up the pics and watch a movie. Nan sent me with some good ones and have enjoyed them all.
Serendipity Day After Tomorrow Family Man (really enjoyed that) Made of Honor
Any ideas how to make my body not ache or my feet not swell. Why am I so tired, this is not for the faint of heart. I have to get to the Louvre tomorrow on my 2 day pass, only really interested in the Impressionists..sorry but it's what I like.
I apologize in advance but it is very hard to get pictures in the museum, I did not always have time to frame properly.. my biggest surprise was to see Whistler's Mother, not because it is one I like, but OMG, it is Whistler's Momma..so famous.
Saturday night is my very fancy and exciting dinner & show at Moulin Rouge.
Here is my menu which comes with half a bottle of champagne. It is a dressy event.
Mise en Bouche |
 |
| *** |
| Foie Gras de Canard, Figue Confite |
| ou |
| "Nage" de Coquilles Saint-Jacques au Vouvray |
|
| *** |
|
| Filet de Boeuf "Rossini", Pommes Gaufrette |
| ou |
| Braisage de Daurade "Dugléré" |
|
| *** |
|
| Fromage de Chèvre Frais aux Raisins |
| ou |
| Coupe "Martini" aux Fraises, Sorbet Litchee |
| ou |
| Panna-Cotta au Chocolat Blanc, Sauce "Cacao Noir" |
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
A Regular Parisian
Cafe et du pain avec apricot jam.. on my terrace to start the day.
I successfully took the metro to see Musee Rodin.
Since I walked a mile from there, I treated myself to a chocolate bread I have never seen before. I am never going to lose weight like this.
Rodin was relaxing and perfect. I loved it and got some nice pictures for everyone. The hardest part of getting a photo opp is waiting patiently (without cursing under your breath) for people to not be part of my picture. I found the audiolog very useful and was one of the geeks who listened to everything. The museum displayed at least 25 times as many pieces as I am showing. I only memorialized the ones that spoke to me.
I meandered in the garden and it felt wonderful. I spent the entire afternoon.
Afterwards I used my map to find St Germain, seems to be one of my favorite places. I was determined to find a particular metro back so I get easily get to and from that area with ease. It is right there where I have been before but could not find it. It is almost 6pm, and I am getting use to my pastis and people watching so I settle in. I decide, since salade nicoise is on the menu, to have dinner.
I am very tired once again. It is that time of the month (TMI) so I am sure it is physiological and I am not worried, but am sick of being tired. I am completely proud of myself for getting where I wanted to go today, casually finding my way to dinner, 'chillin' without the armor of a book or otherwise, and found my way home.
I successfully took the metro back and as I was walking home, I was thinking that I was feeling very Parisian.
Enjoy the pictures. Thanks again for all the encouraging emails and facebook notes. It means alot to me and has become a part of my daily ritual.
I successfully took the metro to see Musee Rodin.
Since I walked a mile from there, I treated myself to a chocolate bread I have never seen before. I am never going to lose weight like this.
Rodin was relaxing and perfect. I loved it and got some nice pictures for everyone. The hardest part of getting a photo opp is waiting patiently (without cursing under your breath) for people to not be part of my picture. I found the audiolog very useful and was one of the geeks who listened to everything. The museum displayed at least 25 times as many pieces as I am showing. I only memorialized the ones that spoke to me.
I meandered in the garden and it felt wonderful. I spent the entire afternoon.
Afterwards I used my map to find St Germain, seems to be one of my favorite places. I was determined to find a particular metro back so I get easily get to and from that area with ease. It is right there where I have been before but could not find it. It is almost 6pm, and I am getting use to my pastis and people watching so I settle in. I decide, since salade nicoise is on the menu, to have dinner.
I am very tired once again. It is that time of the month (TMI) so I am sure it is physiological and I am not worried, but am sick of being tired. I am completely proud of myself for getting where I wanted to go today, casually finding my way to dinner, 'chillin' without the armor of a book or otherwise, and found my way home.
I successfully took the metro back and as I was walking home, I was thinking that I was feeling very Parisian.
Enjoy the pictures. Thanks again for all the encouraging emails and facebook notes. It means alot to me and has become a part of my daily ritual.
Monday, April 13, 2009
The 7th Day is For Rest
God said the 7th day is for rest, did he? Well Becca said, I probably need some rest.
Couldn't get to sleep until almost 3am last night, might have been the 2 hour skype with my girl. I woke up at 9am, the earliest yet, and felt fairly rested. I have been thinking of a nap for the last couple hours but not gonna do it. I think I will get to bed tonight at some reasonable hour and I think i will now be on Paris time. I have heard it takes about a week to truly adjust to a new time zone. I feel adjusted.
My body and mind are slightly worn out. I did a fabulous job of wandering this week. Wish i had a pedometer, but I am sure i walked 20 - 25 miles.
I have a pretty good feel for the city now. Of course, I found out, the busiest time, ever in Paris is April 4 -14th for Easter/Spring Break. Well that is over today and the city should calme un peu.
Since I am normally a homebody and work alot, I am really not used to being on the run, or shall I say, walking for 8-10 hours in a day.
So my girl encouraged me to hang at home. I am catching up on work, emails, postcards, a little clean up, got some groceries, watching some videos, even listening to a little cnn.
What were my groceries today - just about the same yummy french things that cost so much at home but are so cheap here. A whole round of brie is 2 euros, my special cookies another couple euros,already told you about the fabulous apricot jam. Let's not forget the very large jar of cornichons for 2 E.. so happy at home in paris eating bread, brie, jambon, cornichons, cafe chocolate with orange choc cookies..haha, and I am losing weight.
Yesterday, hmm, I had a nice adventure, Samy took me places i would not have normally seen, so that will be the photos for today. We had mostly a nice day but he got very forceful and pushy and did not listen so eventually i ditched him. Too bad, tant pis, he wanted to take me everywhere, he wanted to take me to London this weekend and Versailles next week...
To make the whole boring long story short, I do not appreciate pressure from men, I can understand why a man would want to kiss someone in a romantic spot at a special moment, but i do not understand forcing a tongue in your mouth, and to continue such behavior after being asked to stop. There was more, but not necessary to rehash. Anyway Becca says this is somewhat normal if someone is into you, and guessing from my past, I guess it is somewhat normal for me, but it's not where I am at right now. And after talking with my girl last night, I think i was just not that into him.. got to have that vibe.
La Defense is amazing. It is the largest commercial area in Paris, nicknamed "le petit Manhattan". I have never seen these kind of buildings in Paris. The Boit de Bologne is another part of Paris, I never knew existed,, outside space - for running, cycling, picnics, lovely with the little waterfall.
Not a huge plan for tomorrow, non plus. I think i am going to wander to Rodin's Garden and Museum. Wed & Thurs, I am going to use my museum pass and see the Orsay and at least Mona Lisa and a couple impressionists at the Louvre.
I am very excited as I have reserved Moulin Rouge for a very fancy dinner and show Saturday night. Next week, I think I need the Champagne tour and probably going to Giverny.
So glad my girl gave me good advise as i am feeling relaxed and I think it is true that the 7th day is for rest... I have no idea how or why anyone would/could do Paris in 10 days or 2 weeks.
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