Real Deal American Junk Food

First person to send any of the following will be my hero:


1. Cheddar and Sour Cream Ruffles (and maybe Wise Honey BBQ chips as well)

2. Sam Adams SUMMER Lager

3. Trident Gum- NOT CINNIMON ohhhh OR Grape Big League Chew

4. A Friendly’s Bacon Cheeseburger or Chicken finger Supermelt complete with a black raspberry chocolate chip milkshake and loaded waffle fries ( I know this one is a bit much but if ANYONE can figure it out I will consider being your lifelong slave)

5. Cabot Private Stock Sharp Cheddar

6. Rainbow Chip cake and FROSTING!!!!


I won't lie and please don't judge but this photo actually caused me to drool just for a second... 

 7. Snyder Honey mustard and Onion Pretzel Pieces

8. Barqs Rootbeer

9. Corn on the Cob with extra butter, salt and pepper

I suppose I could add the butter, salt and pepper here...

10. Stove Top Stuffing

I know all of the above are disgusting and extremely bad for you but I am having some serious "taste of home" cravings. I am not sure if it is because I missed all the wonders of Memorial day Weekend… BBQ’s and first trips to the beach so I think gorging on American snacks will make it better … OR … If I am really just lacking some real deal junk food in my life. Don’t get me wrong I LOVE (a bit too much) all of the treats here and the yummo food but some things can never be replaced. EVER!!!

** Anyone who knows me will be surprised that the Blue Box of Love (Kraft Mac and Cheese) is not on here but it is only becuase my loving mother has me stocked up for the next 5 years :)))))))

One year later...

This time last year I was waiting in line at customs in a lovely little (ok little is a lie) airport we like to call CDG just outside of Paris. I was about to start what has turned out to be one of the most challenging, rewarding and amazing things I have ever done in my life - and this has only been the first year. I have to admit when I left I was scared as hell, nervous I would never make friends, fit in and get over how much I was sue I would miss home - this was a huge veer off of the course I had been moving in a year ago but I have been sitting here just playing back everything that has happened in the last 12 months and I do not even know where to begin to explain it all. The amount of memories I have been lucky enough to create is almost unfair. I have been able to travel to places in Europe I had never even dreamed of being (on that note I leave for Geneva in an hour)... I have final gotten over my fear of entering a boulangerie if there is anyone else in there and hey now I can actually even order bread and treats and carry on a conversation with the lovely madame behind the counter... I can find a metro almost anywhere in this city now and can actually even wander around for days on a time with only a minimal amount of confusion and misdirection ... I have tried more wine and food and desserts than one could even imagine, but still miss a good Weber made cheeseburger and corn on the cob... I am a master of walking on cobblestone in heels and have managed to stay upright on all flights of stairs since the one incident almost a year ago (I think everyone is happy about this talent)... I have met some of the most incredible people ever since being here, really though, I know it sounds cheesy and that I have said it before but I know that I am a better person because of them and that no matter what they will be there (just like the PIC and I were there for the little old lady that had fallen and couldn't get up in my building on Thursday night... more details on this later but it was a very rewarding good deed and I think she was happy to not be stuck on the floor of her apartment anymore!) for me, I have even been lucky enough to be let into some of their families which gives me a feeling of overwhelming appreciation and happiness <3 ... I have purchased more shoes than is rationally healthy for a 27 year old girl but hey I need lots of options to go with all of the amazing clothes I have bought here too... I have been able to experience music, art and lots of long walks taking in some of the most beautiful and intricate sights the City of Lights has to offer... I have been challenged and then some personally and professionally making big changes to lots of things in my life... but now I know I can do this and come out in a better place as long as I know what I am doing is right for me... I have realised that there are also no words to explain how important my family and my friends at home (who are pretty much my family) are to me, not that I didn't see this before because I have always been a huge fan but seriously I can't even describe the amount of gratitude I have for them - they listen, they care, they support, the give me reality checks when I am being a bit crazy and they constantly remind me how loved I am... so I hope they all know how loved they are. I have had my eyes opened by a few of these people and know that no matter where I am or what mood I am in I will NEVER be able to live without them... now I just need to get the ones who haven't made the hop across the pond over here because I can only imagine the ruckus we could cause in this little ville. But seriously enough of what I have already done now it is time to focus on what is left to do and that my friends is how I will start my next year in Paris... focusing on the adventures I will be taking, the challenges I will be faced with, the laughter and memories I can't wait to start making, the food and wine I will try (I am considering a  cooking class), the new summer shoes I will purchase, the late night conversations (and occasional drunk dials) with my favorite people at home and just continuing to appreciate the opportunity I have been given and truly making the most out of it mistakes, successes, tears, laughter, kisses, quietness, singing, dancing ... all of it....  so that little change in direction I took exactly one year ago has turned out to be as far away from the wrong direction as one could possibly get...

"Perhaps if we never veered off course we wouldn't fall in love, or have babies, or be who we are. After all, seasons change. So do cites. People come into your life and people go. But it's comforting to know that the ones you love are always in your heart. And if you're very lucky, a plane ride away."

Hotel Banke

This week has been another big one. I have been to my favourite pizza place twice (Da Carmine.. I have mentioned this lovely Italian hole in the wall in previous entries and I STILL highly recommend it when you are craving an amazing and authentic italian pizza) AND I was able to catch up with a friend over amazing cucumber and gin martinis followed by a fantastic meal. You can find these delightfully refreshing drinks at the Hotel Banke right across from Galleries Lafayette. The hotel itself is beautiful and the bar and restaurant area are relaxing and filled with smiling and friendly staff (this is not something you stumble across too often here…) In fact one of the waiters noticed how short I was compared to the table after sitting on the banquets side of a table and brought me a lovely gold pillow to boost me up higher at the table. Talk about service!!! Aside from the delightful service the food was delicious and the conversation and catch up was beyond satisfying. It was one of those moments that made me realise how far I have come since I have been here and how important some people have been in helping me achieve everything I have thus far. So a big super thanks to my dinner “date” for recommending the location, sharing your delish garlic encrusted filet de boeuf and the always inspiring and genuine conversation.

Derby Hotel - 4**** and definitely worth it - well at least the martinis are : )))

Must stay motivated ....

I find that as the weather here in this lovely little city of lights improves that my motivation to sit and write in front of my computer diminishes. Until I take a few minutes and reflect on all that has happened since the last time I recorded my adventures, it is then I realise that I write no just to share what is happening in my always crazy life with the handful of people that read but because it actually helps me digest everything that I bring on to myself. In the last week or so I have:




Thrown my first (very successful) house party, complete with signature drinks, pink shakers, glow jewellery, dancing and amounts of laughter I wasn’t sure was actually possible to reach.


Spent two lovely Saturday enjoying an unhealthy amount of food on a blanket in a park; taking photos (which I really will post soon) and really just enjoying the sunshine that we have been lucky enough to experience over the last few weeks.


Purchased 2 unreal pairs of shoes for an incredible price but simply trying (and trying is the key word here) to speak French with the salesman. It worked I paid much less than I should have… I did have a short skirt on that day though… either way, my feet are happy ; )


Experienced my first (and most likely not last) French breakup/heartbreak...But in the long run this one really will be for the better… a few tears, a short dress, one of those new pairs of shoes and a few weekends on the town should turn this one around.


Taken a silly game the PIC (partner in crime for those of you who forgot…) and I use for cheap laughs to a whole new level and introduced it to many innocent friends, bringing them down to our level of wickedness.


AND

Realised that in 5 short days I will have been living in Paris for EXACTLY one year. Bringing on huge amounts of reflection, laughter, tears, sadness, excitement and anxiousness (not sure that last one is actually a word, but we are running with it for now) …. I am sure this one will be expanded on in the next few days.

FINALLY!!!!!

I found a place to get ROOTBEER and a delish real-deal American style breakfast. Two things that have been missing from my life for almost a year now. Ok I did NOT find this, a friend had told me about it awhile ago, but I was finally lucky enough to have a delightful dinner companion who knew I was in dire need of pancakes... so alas I am now in love - with the pancakes of course!!!

Now when I say a real-deal American breakfast, I am talking, pncakes, French toast, a delightful amount of omelette combinations and BACON – not this ham like stuff they think is bacon but good old crispy, fatty clog your arteries up bacon!!! Aside from breakfast (and ROOTBEER) you can also get chilli, an endless amount of serious burgers and CHICKEN NUGGETS. I think I may quit my job and go work there… ok I won’t quit but I may become a regular at this place. It is designed to look like an old school diner and with the comfy booths, cool decoration and delish food – I can’t think about much of anything that is wrong. Maybe I am being biased because I had chocolate& peanut butter filled pancakes for dinner last night but … hey… it is the little things in life ; )

Take a look and you will see why I am so enamoured .....



Click to see the menu, read the story behind BIA and other tasty tidbits!!



Monday... really... already...

There is no way I can recap this past weekend in this blog post, for multiple reasons… I am currently trying to recap it all in my head still, some stories will never be retold and well words probably won’t be able to give it justice. What I can recap is that from about 6pm on Friday until this morning it was just non-stop. I think a list is the best way to share some of the experiences with everyone.

1. Mojitos on the terrace to start a weekend always are a good idea

2. Incredibly hot man followed my partner in crime and myself on our way to the metro to ask “ If we would take a glass with him…” a glass means have a drink

3. Getting stuck in the turnstile of the Metro because I forgot my pass and was trying to sneak through with the PIC (partner in crime) until she got stuck and the guy behind us had to try and let all three of us through at the same time. Resulting in us getting through and him only making it half way through… laughed so had I cried.

4. Flaming shots - literally they were on fire

5. Seeing a Bulgarian give PIC a great rendition of a lap dance

6. Having dinner with a group of 10 people I had just met and laughing so hard I cried – once again , while PIC went back to meet super hot “take a drink with me” man for a drink

7. Stumbling to another bar after dinner for a night cap only to almost get in a fight with some very rude men who need work on their pick up lines

8. Walking to the taxi stand in the Converse sneakers of my very kind escort while he carried my (super cute yet) super not comfy shoes for me

9. Waking up on my couch even though I had obviously been in my bedroom to find my pj’s - seeing as half of my wardrobe had thrown itself up from my closet

10. Free massage in the center of a park after a delightful late lunch with PIC

11. Impulse purchasing the sexiest watch ever (for myself) and picking up a nice little birthday gift for the one we call Mr.Cocktail

12. Meeting the same group of ten for dinner again approximately 2 hours after eating my first lunch/dinner – resulting in a bit more laughter

13. More flaming shots

14. Trying for ten minutes to let myself into the wrong building – those digicodes on the front door are great, as long as you can see straight…

15. Waking up on my couch again

16. Delight brunch with PIC and another friend – who unfortunately was forced to listen to us piece together the previous 48 hours

17. Followed by a brisk little walk through my favourite part of Paris

18. Napping. Eating. Nip Tuck. Bed

19. Waking up to remember it was Monday not Sunday and it was time to get back to reality….



uncharted

I have to be honest. Lately I have been feeling a little lost, like I am kind of wandering around with no real plan in my mind. Which if you know me at all is 100% NOT NORMAL. I have been here for almost a year (24 days until the big 1 year anniversary - yes I am that nerdy I am counting down...) I can barely remember a time in my life where I have felt like I do right now. I am not even sure that I can put it all into words. So many changes and choices and firsts, professionally and personally,  for the first time I can remember I actually feel a little overwhelmed with life. I am sure a few deep breaths and some long deep thinking will fix it all but at the time being I can't get my head to stop racing for long enough to manage to get one of those deep breaths in!!! Yikes....  Until then this song seems to be singing right to me...

Jump start my kaleidoscope heart,

Love to watch the colors fade,

They may not make sense,

But they sure as hell made me.

I won't go as a passenger, no

Waiting for the road to be laid

Though I may be going down,

I'm taking flame over burning out

Compare, where you are to where you want to be, and you'll get nowhere

Lots and Lots and Lots has happened ...

It has been awhile again… I really have to cut down on these hiatus periods. It isn’t like nothing happens, its just that I can’t seem to A. Keep my eyes open when I am finished to write about it, B.Take a ten minute break in front of my computer to write enough to give whatever it is I am writing about justice, or C.I just don’t stop… ever… that is what it really feels like lately. Wow actually as I am writing this I can’t even remember the last juicy Parisian details I shared… and let me tell you what the last 2 weeks have been JAM-packed. I have done everything from go to a rugby game at the Stade de France, make it up to the 2^nd level of the Eiffel Tower (finally- 11 months later), fly to the states on an American airline (I will admit, I am a snob, I fly Air France and I love the free champagne and wine, it truly helps my sleep for the 7 hours) met a whole new side of my crazy family, got my butt kicked in a few hands of Pitch (a sweet card game you play in teams and try to collect points, I used to be the master champ.. it has been awhile), met two angelic little babies and was able to spend time with some of my best friends and enjoy all the baby babble,  took square dancing lessons (not so much a champ at that) and celebrated 10 years of friendship with my love Miss. Ashlee Carter, had a mini family photo session after a lovely Easter breakfast, and upon my return to this lovely ville I ate Pakistani, Lebanese and Moroccan in a three day period, said good bye and good luck to my boss, mentor and friend (while eating Moroccan),  baked chocolate chip cookies for the first time since my arrival and had a lovely picnic with two of the most amazing kids I have ever met. PHEW – I am tired just from typing that… I think a photo review post is in need to help document all of these delightful things ….