Busy Bee

Wow wow wow… another couple of week stretch with no update from me. Sometimes I am a serious let down. But I have to please crazy business for this lapse in writing. I just finished the biggest event I have coordinated thus far in my career and to top it off I helped to MC/Animate it. And let me tell you what – being up on stage is definitely a good time. Not that I like the attention or spotlight or power of having a room of 120+ people paying attention to me, it was because I know I was helping support the next generation at Alstom learn and grow…. Hahaha ok so it was mostly the first part but I tried to convince myself it wasn’t just that. Anyhoo… in the final weeks of planning some things have passed by here as well including Thanksgiving – which I celebrated with a traditional (and expensive) turkey dinner at a small café and again the Friday after with a French style feast at a friend’s home – complete with foie gras (one of my personal favorites). It wasn’t a typical Thanksgiving holiday by any means, mostly because we work both Thursday and Friday here but because it was the first time in 28 years, I have not spent it with a single family member. Unless you count my newest family – the French one I have made since being here for almost two years… Other than that work has sort of gobbled up my life and I do not have too many interesting stories to tell, but I think that will all change now that the big events are over and I will have the opportunity to take in Paris once again without wondering how many people coming to my next event are vegetarians or if I booked enough hotel space or debating the price of a champagne cocktail for the welcome drink… With special attention to come to the window displays that are decorating the shopping centers of Galleries Lafayette and Printemps as well as decorating my apartment and my mini tree, welcoming my first guest in a while, a trip to Barcelona for (hopefully) some sunshine and photography opportunities and enjoying the holidays here in Paris, yup that is right, not only did I just spend my first Thanksgiving here without any family but I am about to venture into the Christmas season here as well… I will keep you posted on how I am faring with this one!!

Parentals and Strasbourg

For the last 5 days or so I have two rather fantastic house guest. They go by the names of Ma and Pa and are one half of my sets of parents. Yes - lucky girl here - two sets of parents. Wooohoo (and I say that completely genuinely)!! What a great time it was to show them around "my" city.  I never realized how much I wanted and actually need people to see my life here until they arrived. It made things seem so much more real and it also made me realize how much I have grown and accomplished since I have been here. Six months ago I could barely find my way back to the Metro station, and for the last week I have played Parisian Tour Guide. We fit about as much as three people can fit into 3 days (we spent two of their full days here in Strasbourg - details on that will come). I think my legs are still sore from all the walking and exploring.  We experienced a little bit of it all - from waiting in line at the Tour Eiffel (just to decide there was NO way we were waiting that long), to wandering the Jardins de Luxembourg, cheering to a Thanksgiving Pizza dinner and getting snowed on in Monmarte. Truly fantabulous. Yes, I am pretty sure that's a word and if it isn't it's the only thing I can think of to describe how great the last few days were, so too bad!! We finished off our time together by venturing off to Strasbourg - in the East of France for the weekend. We chugged through snow covered farmland on the TGV (thanks Alstom!) and arrived to discover a gorgeous little German influenced town. This weekend was also special because it was the first weekend of their annual Marche de Noel festival. Essentially the entire town looks like it threw up Christmas, in a very beautiful and charming way. We ate traditional food - most of it covered in cheese and bacon and saw Christmas lights and decorations like I have never seen before. Wandering through these themed markets which covered the entire city centre  you could find pretty much anything you would ever want, from smoking Santa shaped incense holders, handmade ornaments, any type of Christmas light ever known to man, hats and mittens and every other knick knacky arts and crafty type thing you can imagine. I was almost sure I would run out of memory space on my camera - but it made it through, meaning as soon as I reflect and get all the photos on my little computer the best ones will be shared for all to see - Sharing is caring, as I like to say. All in all the last week was one of the best I have had here in Paris, I can't wait for more of my family to visit so I can share this experience with them. Maybe if I get enough practice, I can start my own tour company..... now that's a thought!!!

PS. The air mattress was a serious success. Perfect size and no leaks and the guests seemed comfy and cozy!!