Unbelieveable

127 Pennsylvania Ave in happier times....

This past Wednesday the town I was living in before I left for the City of Lights was struck by a devastating tornado. The house that I had called home for the year before my move was unfortunately in the path of that nasty storm and is no longer... well... much of anything. Even though I haven't been living there for the last year it was a home to me and it is heartbreaking to think about it no longer even resembling what it was when I left. There were a lot of memories in that house, from the first time I walked in when David was looking at it with the real estate agent, to the painting parties, arguing over shutting the hall light off (I have a very bad habit of this), whether not not to keep the island with the wine fridge, late nights with movies and wine, bbq's, falling asleep on the couch and sitting on the front steps just staring at the trees outside and that is just the tip of the iceburg.  Luckily VERY luckily no one was hurt and David (thankfully) walked away with minimal bumps and bruises. It just makes me realise how important it is to not ever take a thing for granted and truly appreciate what you have with everyone good and bad. Things could have turned out very differently and I am beyond grateful they did not. Right now David is surrounded by his family and friends as they pick up what is literally the pieces. I had a message this morning saying they found my sock monkey-unharmed, sitting in a pile of rubble.... I want to be there to help clean this up,give david a giant squish,  and in a way I guess say goodbye to that piece of my life and just see it for my own eyes. It is really hard to comprehend and for some reason I am truly having a difficult time with it... Here are some pictures and a few interviews he has done. Please keep David and all of Western MA that was touched by this in your thoughts and hearts. Some people were not nearly as lucky as he was to walk away....

David's truck and the flag that was on the front of the house...

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 ….   

Tuesday Tuesday Tuesday

So there has been a bit of a gap since I wrote last. I am blaming it fully on the death disease that smacked me in the face around 11am last Tuesday. I woke up feeling happy and fine, went off to work, started my day and all of a sudden BAM!!!!!!! It was like death's cousin - whom I will call Almost death, makes you wish for your mom and to be out of your misery - arrived in full force. I spent the following three days in bed. I slept for a complete 24 hours and after that moved just enough to check email for work on my blackberry. I haven't been down and out like that in a long time. It was actually far enough down I made my first real doctors visit. It was quite interesting for a few reasons. 1. The office was in an old apartment/house style building so it felt about as as oppositebfrom a dr office as you can get. 2. Don't check in and fill out paperwork and hand over your insurance card. You sit and just wait. 3. The actual exam room was a beautiful old bedroom, completebwith a fireplace and huge bay windows - the exam table and desk thrown in there just looked like it was out of a movie. 4. The combo of Franglais the doctor and I spoke was good enoughnto get by BUT made me happy I wasn't trying to explain anything crazy!! After some antibiotics and cough syrup prescription were written, I was on my way back home to bed. Saturday morning - about 4 days after the lovely cousin of death( ok maybe I am being a bit dramatic) made a pit stop in Paris to visit me I was back up on my feet and ready to rock. Which was good news because Saturday was the start to yet another weekend of firsts in Paris!!!! More on that soooooooooooon :))))

The reason you stayed tune...

The weekend :: A beautiful (and quite honestly my favourite) part of the week, as I am sure most people would agree. I know I have said (again and again) that I had the most amazing weekend ever, but seriously they just keep topping the one before!! Although I feel like I could write pages and pages about this past weekend I will keep it to a quick review. I do call the right to have the possibility of a follow up post. Let’s start with Friday – a night in a new area of town I have never explored – The Zenith, a lovely little concert house in the 16th. Where I was given the great pleasure of seeing Ben l’Oncle Soul… anyone who knows me is aware that I have been in love with this singer since the first time I heard his music. It is an incredible mix of jazz and soul with a nice mix of English and French as well. Allowing me the opportunity to practice my French language skills (always a plus). The show was just unreal. The set up was like a big band show complete with dancers, guest appearances and a totally random crowd – making for great people watching… not only was Uncle Ben awesome but the opening act Imany was a great new discovery. Her voice is gorgeous and soulful and I highly recommend you Google or YouTube or whatever it is you do to find her music. As most of the things I do here in Paris are – it was also a learning experience. The first lesson was just a reminder about how important it is for me to improve my speaking skills – within minutes of being seated Annee had an ice cream salesman (I have no better term to describe him) going down to the floor to buy us a beer, he didn’t even ask for the money upfront – fantastic start to the evening. The most interesting part came next though., I was completely shocked that everyone stayed in his or her seats for almost the entire show. Even the people on the floor were just standing and sitting where they chose. It was crazy – especially with such good tunes blasting all around us!! Being the party package we are though Annee and I made it a point to get up and bust a move. Ensuring that we had nothing but a fantastic time. Now I said before that this concert was in an area I am not overly familiar with but the walk back to the Metro was filled with some serious characters – most of them being men trying to pick up anything that walked by. My favourite catcall/pick up line of the evening goes as follows “Mademoiselle your face is so much prettier than your boots” normally this being spoken in French would have me flattered and at my feet but after having three other randoms tell me their address to go sleep with them I just wanted OUT OF THERE. I will keep that gem of a line in my repertoire for a later date though… The rest of the weekend was simply filled with the typical spring/summer activities’ including shopping (for the two beautiful babies I am so excited to meet in a week!!!), drinks on a variety of terraces and lots of walking in the sunshine. Oh and an incredible little dinner with some very good company - which is the reason I was out past my bedtime last night... 

The longer I stay here and the more weekends that pass the deeper in love I fall with this city and the friends I have made in it : )

Stay Tuned

Sunday is always a good day for review but this Sunday was so gorgeous that I managed to stay outside until just now... a perfect reminder of why I loved summer last year so much and am SO EXCITED for this summer. The weekend was perfect weather wise and packed so full. Unfortunately "Responsible Heather" needs to go to sleep for a bright and early start to the work week. So recap tomorrow... like I said, stay tuned!!!

**DISCLAIMER:: I was apparently so tired I didn't even manage to click on the publish post button last night... oops!!!

Things I have learned (so far) this week:

1. Don’t ever get too comfortable in ANY situation. It always seems that as soon as you (ok in this case, I) get settled and ready to just move forward with some control, a major curveball is pitched and we have a game changer… This isn’t necessarily a good or bad thing but it is something that I need to always keep in the back of my mind. It is the changes and challenges I have faced so far that I have gotten me to the place that I am at. So may as well make the best of the opportunity and spin it to be as positive as possible.


2. Always remember that when exiting the metro in the spring/summer months that your skirt is most likely going to become a victim of the wind tunnel on the escalator – ALWAYS wear adorable underwear when showing some leg during these two seasons, you never know who could be behind you when you experience this Marilyn Monroe type moment…


3. No matter what anyone says chocolate is an instant picker upper. I have leaned on those cocoa scented, steady shoulders a few times this week. Just when my faith in the good world was diminishing a delightful Kinder Schokobon or a square of Lindt can brighten any situation and mood.


4. A person does not always need 7 or 8 hours of sleep in a row. When managed properly, sometimes a little catnap, interrupted with a visit from someone who can always provide a smile then going back to sleep works just fine. This does have some exceptions and probably does not work for everyone BUT in my experience the mood picker upper and smile provided are always worth the interruption of my REM cycle.


5. Springtime in Paris is beautiful BUT my nose is not a fan. Between the leaves budding, the flowers blooming and the pollen making its rounds about the city, I have been experiencing the occasional moment of sounding like a dying carborator when I inhale. This is not cute…

Men ... French vs. American

Since I have arrived in France this topic has come up at least once (or twice or even three times) a week. Sometimes because I am surrounded by French and American friends, so it is an easy thing to debate, sometimes because I am trying to over analyse what a text or gesture actually meant, sometimes it is just simply because well French men have an incredible presence that I find rather intriguing. Now that I am exploring this world a a bit more, I find that there is always a question of culture, what to expect, what is considered normal here and what is simply American ... because let me tell you what, dating here is a whollllllllllle new ballgame baby. A few weeks ago during a rather intense conversation  my good buddy and I were discussing a recent encounter I had with a gentleman...  which of course lead to the always present question of who is better - French or American guys. Although I can not give a 100% answer currently, the jury is still out on this one. We did a little search to try and figure out why the French man is so irresistible this is what we found....

Why are French men so irresistible???

Don't be scared - click it and take a peek...

A few highlights for those of you that don't have time to read at this very moment:

•  A Parisian has no competitors for fashion sense. Ordinarily you would never buy an orange scarf for your boyfriend, until you see a Parisian walking along the Champs Elysees with an orange silk scarf complementing his "decontracte" style. (I never thought I would double take a man in a scarf and tight jeans, I am continually proven very, very wrong ...)
• It does not matter what a French man tells you, if he says it in French you will be at his feet. Their accent, pronunciation and who knows what else are so irresistible (Ding, ding, ding ... we have a winner)
• Attitude, French guys look straight into your eyes when they are talking to you. (At first this is almost intimidating unless you are talking to someone with gorgeous eyes)
• With French men you can talk about anything you talk with your girlfriends. ( Yup - it's true, anything and everything, periods, sex, clothes, shopping, you name it they can chat about it)
• A French man actually appreciates your selection of toiletries. They can even recognize your perfume by name. (This is for sure a true story...)
• French men are still gentlemen (mmmmhhhhmmmmm, I'm talking opening doors, giving you the jacket, and carrying your purse)
• Their life does not revolve around football matches.  - Ok this is the only thing I MUST dispute, even though I don't have much to go on from what I have seen, this quality is built - in trait, no matter where you are ...

In review...

It was quite the week not only here in Paris,but, back at home where two beautiful (and healthy) little baby girls have blessed us with their presence (thanks to two of the most amazing couples I have ever met). I can not wait to meet these two munchkins ... soon enough ; ) Let's see what else happened this week ... the team at worked was awarded the ISO certification we had been working towards (working very hard) and it was a great accomplishment. This was followed up by a spur of the moment shopping spree and dinner with my girlfriend (the spring wardrobe is coming along nicely, thank you). All topped off with a lovely weekend where I was introduced to a new card game and spent a gorgeous Saturday afternoon having a picnic in the park and laying in the sun. It was relaxing and more than enjoyable. I can't wait for summer to arrive so I can spend more of my time that way... The weekend is seeing itself out with a rainy Sunday afternoon, perfect motivation for some French homework and maybe even possibly a few bites of Ben & Jerrys (I stumbled upon a pint of Chunky Monkey - a rare and exotic find as I was leaving the grocery store, score one for me!!)...

The Airborne Toxic Event

Anyone who knows me knows how important music is to me. Not just becuase I love to sing to really cheesy songs and dance around but because it keeps me sane. There are some songs that have special connections to certain parts of my life - good and bad. It helps me focus at work, keeps me motivated when I am cleaning my apartment (which I hate and am looking for a cleaning lady if you have any suggestions...), it makes me happy when I am missing home or having a bad day and it really just brings me to a place that nothing else can. A few weeks ago I had the fantastic opportunity to see a fantastic little band called The Airborne Toxic Event at a nice and intimate venue called,  La Flèche d'Or , in Paris SIDENOTE: I went to this show with my good buddy Fred - who also has a similar passion for music (almost daily we bust into song at the coffee machine) and he continues to enlighten me with new songs not only from this band but others as well. Since the show I have simply been addicted to their acoustic Bombastic videos that are on Youtube. This is for multiple reasons, one being we met the lead singer (and then the rest of the band) after the show in Paris and were able to actually chat for a few, so I feel a bit of a special connection to the music now. Second I am a TOTAL SUCKER for a guy playing the guitar and the words to these songs are just so well written.  Today in particular Fred passed along a few beauties that I can't stop replaying so I thought I would share my right now favorite with anyone who may stumble upon this post today...

ALL I EVER WANTED:


And a few photos from the evening of the conert - just because!!!

A sea of black...

Ok so for the last, oh I don't know 6 months or so, it has been close to impossible to leave my apartment without a jacket on. Not a huge problem for me I suppose because anyone who knows me knows that I have quite the jacket collection. But the thing here is that people LIVE in black jackets. It's unreal. I have had this thought before but with all the flowers blooming and the trees sprouting pretty green leaves it is seriously depressing. Now I have to admit I did cave slightly to the black jacket thing rotating two (ok maybe three) different black jackets with a gray one thrown in here and there. But enough is enough. It is time to swim away from the dead black jacket sea and onto brighter spring colors. So tonight I ventured out in a beautiful (if I do say so myself) coral/ pink colored rain coat and let me tell you what... I am currently sticking out like a soar thumb as I sit on the metro. No matter though because I know that everyone is looking just wishing they could trade in their blahness for a nice change of pace. So to all you black jacket lovers out there - switch it up - I bet you'll like it ;)

Joyeux anniversaire a moi!!

J'ai habité a Paris depuis dix mois!! C'est incroyable comment vite le temps passe.

Sometimes I think about it and it feels like it was just yesterday that I was standing at the gate in Boston crying as I waved goodbye (and got yelled at by the security agent for not paying attention), or waiting outside of the boulangerie until there was absolutely no one around so I could go in and buy my bread without peeing my pants from fear!! It is a little unreal how much change can come and how much progress can be made in just 10 short months. Although I came here for work and to experience some of life’s crazy ups and downs I promised myself before I left that I would speak French no matter how long it took. Even though some days I feel like I should be fluent in this silly language I know that I am getting just a bit closer everyday. My goal is to be able to carry on most conversations in French before May 15th. Why that day you ask ... just because ; )

In honor of these last ten months I have come up with 10 things I am very happy about right here -right now:

 1. The fact that my family and some of the very best friends a girl could ask for have supported me being gone and growing, especially through all my tearful calls home, my stories that probably make no sense because you have no idea where I was or who I was with, my drunk dials and my always present indecisiveness about when I will be home next. Being gone makes you realise who really will be there - bottom line. Thank you.


2. My fantastic group of friends that I have made here. These people have truly become my "French Family". They help me with everything from setting up my cable and internet,  to sharing recipes and little known restaurants, singing cheesy songs over coffee with me, inviting me to meet other people and see things I would never imagine finding if I was just exploring on my own and they always have stand up advise when it comes to being homesick, work and all the other little things that may come up... (including but not limited to shopping dilemas, Mr.Cocktail, interpreting textos and deciphering what they maybe serving at the cafe for lunch...)


3. Coffee. At first this incredibly strong black stuff just kept me up all night. Now I wake up craving it. Two in the morning (usually with some tasty little biscuit or cookie) and one after lunch. And if you throw in sitting outside on a gorgeous spring day you can't go wrong.


4. My Franglais. Yes that is my mix of French and Anglais. This is something I have been working very hard at - as mentioned above and there are days when I literally want to jump up and down and scream YIPPEEEEE when I understand entire conversations... you can't even imagine my enthusiasm when I actually speak in a complete and proper sentence. It's a beautiful thing.


5. My ever-growing dictionary of inappropriate French Words... This actually factors in from Number 4 - but now I will be able to go home and use all the bad words I want and no one will ever know. Sorry Ma but it's going to happen ;)


6. Pain au chocolat - enough said. Seriously how I have lived for 27 (oh snap almost 28) years without this buttery chocolate filled delight is beyond me.


7. Euro Disney - yes maybe this one sounds strange. But I had one of the best days of my life here when ma seur et son copaine were here visiting. My face honestly hurt from laughing at the end of that day. Between the rides, the princess crowns, the crazy people we saw and hearing Disney characters in French - I couldn't have asked for a better day with two more amazing people.


8. Vin Chaud - another one that maybe a bit odd but I have MANY happy memories attached to this cheerful little winter drink. Especially walking around the bitter cold land of Strausbourg with my parents, exploring Hambourg with a very dear friend and of course daring to battle the winter cold still sitting on a cafe's terrace (I live in Paris, I can't say no to a terrace). It makes for a happy little pick me up. This one can also just include all of the other delicious wine I have been lucky enough to experience here in Paris as well. Because let me be honest - I have tried a lot and I have liked a lot...


9. My boot collection - yeah yeah yeah - you were all just waiting for this one. My shoe/boot collection has "matured" quite nicely since my arrival in Paris and yes that makes me a very, very, very happy girl


10. Last but not least - knowing that I still have an incredible amount of experiences to look forward to, more friends to make, laughs to laugh, wine to drink, tasty treats to eat, French to speak without the Franglais, and relationships to build and grow in- with people both here and back home. I am incredibly excited about the last one in the list of many but then again I would be lying if I said I was not excited about the rest of the list ...

Tis the season

For sitting outside at a cafe with a delicious cappuccino and a wonderful and tasty little treat. There really is nothing to complain about when it comes to Spring time in Paris. Being able to sit outside is not only refreshing but makes for very interesting people watching... and that is always a good time. If you are in the right area at the right time you can see just about everything. Today, while enjoying a Sunday Funday cafe break and a little girl time, we were lucky enough to be serenaded by a lovely marching band. Not a bad setting at all especially when you factor in the amazing new dessert I tried today.  It is called a millefeuille. It has jumped up to the number one spot on my FAVORITE desserts I have had here so far. I think I may be in love...

 

Millefeulle @ Cafe de la Paix

Burning Rubber...

And not because I was driving!! Last night was one of the strangest nights I have experienced here and I am pretty sure that there wasn't even a full moon. Around 130am, after a few good hours of sleep I heard quite the commotion outside of my building. Side note: this was loud and clear because it has been so gorgeous the last few days I had all of my windows open. I went to take a peek and what do i see but a girl in her pajamas wrapped in a blanket screaming at (well what I have to assume is) her boyfriend. While she is yelling and crying he is trying to escape on his scooter. He managed to get on the bike but his sweetheart was not moving out of the way. This played out for about ten minutes and he eventually was able to maneuver around her and take off rather quickly - this being the first time rubber would burn on my street. About 30 mins later I was back at the window trying to see what could have been the cause of a very loud bang. I was looking for a guy with a gun running away or something that exploded. But all was clear. Thinking things were finally going to calm down I settled back in and was almost immediately greeted by the delight aroma of burning rubber. I don't mean a car peeling out, I mean a pile of rubber that someone set fire to. At the window again I start searching and see a firetruck at the end of the street and the pompiers all getting out but nothing on fire... Yet. That is until I look straight down and see a car right below me in flames and smoke pouring out of all the doors. First time for everything I guess. After assessing the situation the pompiers eventually put it out and that was that. The police looked around for a bit, it didn't look like they found much, everyone left and the charred car was left for the poor owner in the morning. Imagine having that to walk out to when ae are ready to leave for work... Oh la la not a delightful way to start the day.