What a Wonderful World

Hi friends,

I'm going to let this beautiful video speak for me today...we all have so much to be grateful for in this wonderful, beautiful world.

http://www.flixxy.com/wonderful-world-david-attenborough.htm#.TvR3HRTGwOw.mailto

I said "wow" and "awww" as I watched, and then I watched it again and said the same things. I've watched it three times this morning, and each time it leaves a smile on my face. Hope it does the same for you.

Best wishes to everyone for a love-filled, happiness-filled, gratitude-filled 2012!
love,
Gina

La Nuit du Fruit!

Oh la la...what a fun evening!

A few dear friends came over last night for the first of what I imagine will be a few little housewarming parties. I was showered with beautiful gifts, champagne, cookies, and more fruit than you can imagine! We laughed and laughed and had such fun. Thanks friends...I love every one of you!

Potter played the part of the host, welcoming and rubbing on people in addition to attempting to check on the food once or twice--a duty he was relieved of, and quickly. Gracie played hard to get and hid under the bed. We all have our roles to play, right? 

In addition to having great friends, sweet kitties, and a whole lot of fruit to be thankful for, I'm thankful for the crazy website of FREE case studies I found while working yesterday. I need case studies for a couple of my classes, and I think I may have hit the jackpot.

And I'm thankful for skype, free phone calls to landlines, and all the great technology that lets me keep up with my parents while they're adventuring around.

So what about you? Anything you care to share with me? Thanks for stopping by!

bisous

Time off

Hi friends,

How's it going? Me, I've had a pretty productive day for a day off work. Got the cable situation resolved chez moi. Now I can watch tv in my den...and so much tv! I have an enormous number of channels! I got tired of flipping around 300 and stopped. Who knows how many I actually have. There's a possibility I can call and go down a level. Or two. I didn't want a lot of channels...just a few select ones. Also got caught up on my laundry and got a good amount of work done for two of my courses next semester. Still plenty of work to do, but I feel good having gotten started.

So I'm grateful for the things I got accomplished today, for another seven days off work, for absolutely gorgeous weather today, and for a nice Christmas. I really missed spending it with my parents, but I did get to talk with them a bit.  I hope you all had a great Christmas.

Thanks for stopping by!
bisous

Friends

Hi,

My friends L&P (I don't know if they want to be named, so I'm going with initials) are in town for a few days, and I'm so happy to see them! We had dinner at my favorite restaurant last night...yum, yum, yum. And we're dining together tomorrow night at an as yet unnamed restaurant...we're just gonna try our luck. On Christmas Eve. Yeah, I'll let you know how that goes.

In addition to being grateful for getting to spend some time with great friends over delicious food and having partners in the adventure that Christmas Eve dinner could prove to be, I'm grateful that my favorite restaurant continues to meet my expectations with their delicious food, that I have snoring kitties to the left and right of me, that we are snug in our sweet little apartment, oh, and that I have TEN days off work starting tomorrow! Ok, not totally off work--I have a ton of work to do to prepare for next semester. But I can do 99% of it sitting on my sofa in my pajamas. Pretty good working conditions, huh?

So, what about you? Anything you'd like to share? Thanks for stopping by!

bisous

Feet Treats

Hello friends,

How are you? Things are good here in chilly Paris. Right now I'm particularly thankful for heaters!

My friend Donna and I had talked about needing pedicures (I haven't had one in two years!), and she mentioned a pedi place that she used to visit pretty regularly. So using a tactic my friend Ann and I used from time to time when we wanted something but felt guilty for buying it, we gave each other pedis for Christmas. Clever, non? I am now the owner of cute, professionally painted, Christmas-red toes. Très cute.

A good pedicure feels great, and even though this one wasn't the best, it was a nice treat. I also had another nice treat today--lunch with my friend Philippe and a friend of his. I've found a great little Italian place in my neighborhood, so we went there. Delish.

So I'm thankful for treats for my toes and belly, time with friends, a warm cozy (cute) apartment, a little work this week followed by a full week off next week, and friends coming to visit soon! It's odd not going home for Christmas, and I miss my parents like mad, but Christmas this year will definitely be interesting.

So how about you? Things going well with your Christmas planning? Would love to hear what you're grateful for! Thanks for stopping by.

bisous

Strawberry Twizzlers

Hey friends,

How are you? Are you ready for Christmas?

Today I went to the Marché de Noel at Trocadero. It's beautiful with its little chalets, an ice skating rink, and a little mini version of the Alps in case you can't get away for a little ski holiday this winter. I treated myself to a little vin chaud. Mmmm...vin chaud is one of my favorite winter treats. I chose the wrong shoes and thought my feet were going to fall off, but I'm home now, and I think they're gonna make it. They've found their way into some super warm bedroom slippers that an ex-boyfriend brought me back from Nova Scotia or British Columbia...or somewhere else on the chill side. (Thanks Bobby!)

It has been a beautiful day too...cold but sunny with blue skies. A gorgeous Sunday. So I'm thankful for a beautiful day, the beautiful marchés de noel, yummy vin chaud, warm bedroom slippers, and strawberry Twizzlers which came in my Chrismas pack from Mom and Dad. Yes, I know, it's a little premature for me to be enjoying (er, to have finished) my Christmas Twizzlers, but I was moving and needed both the box and the packing stuff inside. That's my story, and yes, I'm sticking to it.

Here's an interesting pic for you. This is a building on Avenue Rapp that I noticed today when I was walking back from Trocadero. It is gorgeous in an odd sort of way, and it is totally out of place amongst all of the conventionally beautiful buildings that surround it. As I stood across the street to take the picture, two (American) guys were walking by. They looked to see what I was photographing, and one said to the other, ''yeah, that's beautiful." Yes, it is.

bisous!

Bookends

Happy Friday mes amis!

I've got a kitty to the left of me and a kitty to the right, and I'm happy being bookended by my two favorite little warm fuzzy beings.

Today I'm so grateful that it's Friday because that means tomorrow is Saturday, and the next day is Sunday! Tomorrow I'm going to finish cleaning the old apartment and drop off the keys. That'll feel awesome. Then I'm coming home to organize some more. I'm also glad to have friends to see & social things to do tomorrow. Then Sunday, I'll walk up to what I hear is a fabulous marché de noel at Trocadero. (I love that I can walk to it from home!) I'm so grateful for all these things and more.

And I got an awesome surprise yesterday...one of my best friends in the whole world is coming to Paris for an unexpected work trip in a couple of weeks, and she's spending the weekend with me! I can't wait!!!  We are going to have so much fun!

I'll save the story of my commute to work for another day, but suffice it to say, it was a total breeze this morning. What a welcome change that is!

Ok, let me know what you're grateful for!

bisous

Home

And we're here. Finally.

So, the day started out with the mover not showing. And not calling or responding to my calls. At the end of the first hour, he texted and said he'd be there in 10 minutes. 45 minutes later, still no one but me there. So I texted again, called him again...no response. At the end of the 2nd hour, my friend Donna said she'd call him. He answered (now why wasn't he answering when I called?). She texted me after about 5 minutes and said he'd made a mistake and to call him. So I did, and this time he answered, blah blah blah...was across town but would come right away. So instead of starting at 10, we started after 1.

But I'm grateful, so grateful. Grateful that he finally showed, and that we got me moved in. Grateful that my meeting with my previous landlord went well. Grateful that I get to stay here all day tomorrow and get unpacked and organized. And supremely grateful for my awesome new apartment...it has so much more space and is incredibly quiet compared to the last one. A friend asked me if the princess was installed in her palace, and I have to say that comparatively speaking, I AM in a palace.

And when I got off the metro, I got a "welcome to the neighborhood" from the lovely Eiffel Tower which I'm sharing with you below. Ah...home at last.

bisous

J-1.5

Salut mes amis,

I'm going to start by saying just how grateful I am for ibuprofen! I've spent the day cleaning out, throwing away, and finally, packing. My back can tell you every detail. But it's almost done. Almost...still more to do than I probably realize. Now that I've got a bunch of boxes packed, I don't know where I'm going to sleep the next two nights...there's practically no room to pull out the bed! Ha...I should have thought about that, huh? Mind you, in two days, I'll have a BED-bed, and I won't have to pull it out--just walk into the bedroom. Ah, a bedroom...I'm looking forward to having one again.

So in addition to my soon to be bedroom and all of the other great things about my new apartment, I'm grateful for the help I'll have moving into it and the time I'll have to get settled in and start making it home.

And ibuprofen. Merci my friendly little orange-ish pill. What would I do without you?

bisous!

Gingerbread men

Hey friends!

Hope you've all had an awesome Saturday. I ventured outside of Paris today with a friend and was richly rewarded for it. First we visited the Emmaus store where we found fabulous furniture, dishes, books, and Christmas goodies. We both bought a few well-priced Christmas pieces...and now I have no choice but to get a tree. We also spent a little time, although not enough, visiting the beautiful little town of Saint Germain-en-Laye. It is a very chic little area with beautiful streets and stores and a Marché de Noel complete with rides for the kids and...Santa! In case you were wondering, Santa speaks fluent French. The man is quite impressive.

I'm grateful for the fact that I can so easily visit charming little towns like this, that I have a fun, adventurous friend who likes to discover new places (or in this case, re-discover since she had been there before), that I have a good excuse to buy a tree, that I have a no-plans night to stay in, warm and dry, with my babes and a nice glass of red. And, in case you've forgotten, that I'm moving in just a few days!!!

So as for you, what are you grateful for?

Here's a picture of a little cake and cookie shop in Saint Germain-en-Laye called "Petit Gateau" where you can see gingerbread men hanging in the window along with the other Christmas decorations and where, inside, you see kids making gingerbread houses. So sweet!

bisous

A Sense of Accomplishment

Salut mes amis!

Don't you just love it when you finish the day and have a real sense of accomplishment? There are many days when I couldn't really say I had accomplished much, but yesterday was not one of them. Yesterday I got my Christmas shopping for my parents finished and got it all shipped off. And whew, was that a great feeling! I also think I got both of them some things they'll love--another great feeling.

Got a few things accomplished today too. I just love checking things OFF my to-do list.

I'm also grateful today for not getting caught in the rain (yes, it is STILL raining in Paris), for catching the metro home without a wait, for the nice people on the metro today (there were a couple of them...sadly, it's unusual), for the wonderful peeps at the pharmacy who have saved boxes for me, and for the fresh brussel sprouts at the market today -- gonna sauté those babies in a little butter, mmmm, mmmm, mmmm!

Here's a pic for you. It's of a little Christmas tree lot of sorts at one of the florists on my street. Taken around 5:00 this evening, what you can see of the sky is beautiful. Notice how most of the trees are short, squatty little fellas.

Care to share what you're thankful for? If you're reading this, I'm also thankful for YOU!

bisous!

"If you get, give. If you learn, teach." ~ Maya Angelou

Sardines

Hey!

How are you? I'm once again in one of my favorite places--under a blanket. Why? Because it is COLD out there! And rainy, and it's warm and dry under my blanket. Can't wait until next week when my blanket and I will be hunkered down against the elements in our cute new apartment!

Today was the most cram-packed day I can remember ever on the metro. I think I've mentioned before how my line is THE busiest in Paris...well, today there was a problem (the rule rather than the exception) right around rush hour, and at one point, so many people jammed themselves in and pushed all of us together so tight that my front side and my back side were touching...each other. But I made it. I exited one stop early and walked the rest of the way just so I could breathe.

So gratitude...I'm grateful that I could get off one stop early and walk...grateful for comfortable shoes that are nonetheless cute, and grateful that the rain had stopped. Also grateful that the electricity, telephone, etc. are all taken care of for my move next week. Grateful for a day to do some shopping tomorrow...have GOT to get my parents' gifts shipped toute de suite!

I'm also grateful for all of the different Christmas lights all over the city. Neighborhoods have their own stuff going on, so everywhere you go there's something new to see. Here's a picture of the Lamarck Caulaincourt metro wearing its Christmas decor. Pay no attention to the Manson-looking dude exiting. Really, how did I not see him and wait until he had passed to take the pic? ;)

bisous!

Bad acting

Hi friends,

I'm sitting here checking email, and I have 90210 on the television...the original 90210. Sure, some of the actors are ok, but some are soooo bad. It's so entertaining though.

Long day at work today, but things went like clock-work which was nice. First, I decided to take the bus instead of walking (because I had a ton of papers to carry) or taking the metro (horribly packed in the morning), and the bus arrived at the bus stop about 30 seconds after I did. Sweet! Then, surprise of surprises, I had a seat (!), and there was almost no traffic, so we arrived at our destination in record time. And when I got out of the bus to walk the rest of the way, the rain had stopped.

At lunchtime, I stopped by Sephora where a lovely transvestite helped me pick out a lipstick. And this evening at the bank, my checks had arrived, and all of the information was correct. Finally, I hope I cleared up the little insurance problem that I found out about over the weekend. (Seems they changed my insurance from my old apartment to my new one a little prematurely.)

So I'm thankful for buses that aren't cram-packed, rain stopping just in time, somewhat well-behaved students today, a head-butting Potter snuggled against my arm, getting a customer service person on the phone quickly, and many, many other things today. Hmmm, now that I think about it, I should have bought a lottery ticket!

Et toi? Anything you'd like to share?

bisous

Done!

Salut mes amis,

Today I spent the entire day grading papers. I had close to 200 midterms to grade. (Aside:  why do I continue to do this to myself? There has got to be a better way.) Anyway, I got it DONE! Yes! It is so nice not to have that hanging over my head anymore.

And the best part was that just as I was nearing the end of my rope and thinking the pile was actually reproducing instead of getting smaller, I got a gift. The last 10 or 12 papers were already graded. I had started them this week and been interrupted, and I had totally forgotten that I had already graded some. Talk about perfect timing. Et voila, numero uno on the gratitude list.

Number two:  the beautiful church bells I heard ringing on and off throughout the day today. Three: André Rieu concerts on Sunday night tv from time to time. Beautiful music, beautiful location...lovely way to end the week. I'm also thrilled to have found a Christmas gift for my Mom that she's going to love.

Hope you've had a great weekend! Would love to read your gratitude list. Thanks for stopping by!

bisous

Dark chocolate with bergamot filling

Hey! Happy Friday!

I love being busy, but I am so glad this weekend has arrived. I'm exhausted. But it's a good exhausted which is actually a pretty good way to end the week.

Tonight I treated myself to a little chocolate, and one of the pieces I got was dark chocolate with bergamot filling. I'd say it was good, but that would be a huge understatement. Man, was it awesome. The good news is, I only bought one. The bad news...you got it, that I only bought one.

So on the gratitude list today is the pleasure of a weekend well-earned, the incredible deliciousness of good chocolate, friends heading this way for Christmas (yay!), and only TEN days between me and my move!

And you...anything to tell me?

bisous

Where has the week gone?!

Hi friends!

Is it Thursday already? I got caught in a whirlwind of busy on Monday, and I've just swung out of it but not for long because tomorrow is going to be a busy one too.

But it's good! I'm glad because it has been mostly work with a little fun thrown in. Yesterday my friends Eric and Steve took me to Ikea just outside of Paris. I had plans, big plans, but Ikea didn't come through for me, so I didn't leave with the haul I had planned on. Oh well, it was a lot of fun.

Today I'm thankful for such sweet friends who would spend their day helping me shop for my new pad. They are so much fun too, so I absolutely loved spending the day with them. We even had drinks and watched the news together in the evening...I loved it.

Believe it or not, I'm grateful for the cold, drizzly day we had today because I came home and snuggled in with my furry companions, a big blanket, and a list of emails a mile long to catch up on. That just means I'm loved and wanted though. :)

I have so much to be grateful for, today and always. What about you?

Here's a pic that Eric took of Steve and me as we embarked on our big day o' fun. We are READY with our bright yellow sacs!

bisous

Brrrr...

Friends, it is COLD here right now! I walked to work this morning, and it was great, but the first 10 minutes before I got warmed up were brrrr chilly. So I'm very grateful for a cozy, well-heated apartment.

Yesterday was much less chilly, and my friend Donna and I went to the Marché de Noel at La Défense--a huge marché that everyone in the surrounding area decided to visit yesterday, apparently. I love the marchés, and even when I don't buy anything, I love wandering through them. But yesterday I bought earmuffs. To quote a friend, "last year I thought my ears were going to fall off." Me too, so I'm thankful for my new ear-saving earmuffs.

I'm also grateful for:

• paper calendars
• paper books
• beautiful Christmas ornaments

I may even get a little tree this year. TBD...they're expensive here, so I'd have to find a deal on one to buy it. I do miss having one though.

For your viewing pleasure, the cutest, coolest cat in the universe. Seriously...you can't possibly disagree!

bisous!

Francsgiving

Last night (actually, starting late yesterday afternoon), I celebrated Thanksgiving with a band of merry marys and other fabulous friends. How was it? 

It. Was. Awesome.

Really, the food was great, the conversation was...hilarious, enlightening, so much fun, and my friends...well, they rock.

I am so grateful for my Paris friends. They are funny, sweet, opinionated (me too!), great cooks, interesting...in a word, awesome. I'm also grateful that my corn pudding turned out so yummy. I don't have my recipe for it, so I had to find one that looked close on the internet, and I lucked into a good one.

And now a relaxing, mellow Sunday. Nice...

How about you? Tell me!

bisous

To our health!

I've seen several articles recently about the positive effects of gratitude on our health. Excellent! One more reason to keep on keepin' on!

Today I'm grateful for my washing machine. When I move into my new apartment, I'm definitely going to have to buy one. I've gotten used to not having a dryer (that's right, it all gets hung on a drying contraption), but the washing machine is a must.

I'm also thankful for the nice, funny women at the school where I teach. The receptionist puts up with so much, but she has such a great sense of humor about it. The woman who runs the MBA program also puts up with a heck of a lot. I don't know how she does it, but she also does it while laughing. I guess it's laugh or cry sometimes, and these women have become experts at choosing laughter.

And my new non-itchy scarf. As much as I love my cashmere and wool scarves, I find myself constantly scratching my neck when I wear them. A bad allergy for a girl living in chilly Paris!

It's the day after Thanksgiving (and by the way, I'm glad we don't have Black Friday insanity here), and the Christmas season has truly begun! Here's a picture of the grilled salmon chateau at the Champs Elysees marché de noel. The grilled salmon chateau is new this year, and the guy inside is dressed in...I don't know what, traditional salmon grilling attire? He's in the back right corner, in the pointy hat. Different.

You can see the salmon grilling by the fire. Cool, huh?

Ok, tell me what you're grateful for today?

bisous!

Merci!

Happy Thanksgiving!

In France we call it Thursday.

I didn't do anything special today (although I did have Indian food for lunch which was made me giggle), but I will be celebrating with friends on Saturday, and we'll do the traditional prepare way too much food then eat way too much thing. My first two years here I didn't celebrate Thanksgiving at all, so this will be a fun first with great people.

For dinner tonight I had one of my favorite meals, if you can call it that:  heavenly Mont d'Or cheese, warm baguette (I mean it was HOT when I bought it), a fresh pear, and a little red wine...well, a couple of glasses. I figure the loads of cheese on bread aren't the healthiest thing I could have, but the pear and the red wine have to add a little touch of healthy to it. Right? Man, it is so good. It's a seasonal cheese, so I can only eat it about 6 months out of the year. Probably a very good thing.

As for gratitude, I'm thankful for so much today including delicious food, sharing delicious food with friends, having found a 2nd place for decent Indian food...theme of the day is apparently food...totally unoriginal. I mentioned yesterday being thankful for my parents, my health, and their health, but since it's Thanksgiving I have to mentíon again how very thankful I am for all of that. And for Potter and Gracie...and Belle and the absolute saints (Sterling...especially YOU!), that take care of her. I have so much to be grateful for, but I'll stop here for now.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you have much to be thankful for today too!

bisous

Friends

Hiya,

Remember the Friends episode where Phoebe gives birth to her brother's triplets :) and Joey has kidney stones? Remember Joey's doctor and the way he said "kidney stOnes"? Yeah, well it's not as funny in French.

When Phoebe gives birth to a girl, Frank says, "Il est sans zizi" which means...he doesn't have a penis. That's actually funnier in French.

As for me, I'm grateful that I understand Friends in French. I'm also thankful for more work than I can handle right now. I am literally having to turn work down. Wish I could just postpone it to August! Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and I'm grateful to be celebrating with friends on Saturday!

And I'm thankful for this beautiful painting I bought. I haven't shown you this one yet, have I? Thanks for stopping by...would love to know what you're thankful for!

bisous

Mmmm...

Hi there,

How's it going? Me, I'm good...had a chopped up day today. By that I mean that I had an appointment with a client this morning from 10 to 1 in a town about 30 minutes away and an afternoon (5 to7...what?!) appointment with a client just barely outside of Paris. It felt like a long day of work, but it really wasn't.

Choppy schedule or not, I'm very grateful for the work!

What else...how about:

• my awesome parents!
• my good health...and that of my parents
• marchés de noel with their fair-like food and little chateau stands
• vin chaud
• roasted chestnuts...mmmm...

Tis the season for such yummy things! What about you...what are you grateful for today?

bisous

Ooh Lundi

Salut mes amis!

Yes, today we are Monday. That's how we say it in French...we are, not it is. Not that you needed to know that.

And like all good Mondays, this one was tiring. Three classes of my students took their midterms today while I walked up and down the aisle and watched them like a hawk because they will CHEAT in a New York minute. So even though they were the ones taking the exams, I'm exhausted.

Exhausted and snug in my little apartment with my little punkins. So, I'm thankful for the little punkins, for another Monday successfully completed, for the guy who is going to move me in THREE WEEKS AND ONE DAY into my new lily pad! And for my gorgeous watercolors I bought yesterday to go in my new lily pad.

Here's one. I'll show you the other one later. ;)

So...what about you? What's new? Did you have a good Monday?

The lighting isn't good, but you get the idea. Oh, and Paris peeps...anyone know where I can get them framed pas cher?

bisous

From the flea market to Le Bon Marché

Hi friends,

Yesterday was a beautiful day although it started out very cold. My friend Donna and I went early (for me) to the Vanves flea market because I'm looking for a rug for my new place. I'd love to bring the gorgeous rug that I have stored at my parent's house over instead, but I think it's cost prohibitive, and I figured the flea market would be a good place to look for a rug. And it was...for Donna. At least one of us got a good deal!

We stopped for a quick lunch then went somewhere else looking for my (as yet unlocated) rug then headed to La Grande Epicerie in search of cranberries. No luck. So we went next door to Le Bon Marché to dream. It's decorated in black and silver, and the Christmas section is gorgeous. I took a picutre of my favorite tree--the one decorated in cupcakes! I had to stop myself from loading up on ornaments that represented two of my favorite things:  cupcakes and penguins. Penguin ornaments! Too cute. There's nothing saying I won't go back.

After a fun day of shopping I had a great evening and a great dinner with friends I hadn't seen in months.

All in all a beautiful Saturday. So I'm thankful for a fun day with a friend and a fun evening with other friends, discovering a couple of new places to look for deals (I found a lavender sofa--yes, that's right--that I fell in love with, but it was sold...bummer), sleeping in a little this morning, and a low key, restful Sunday.

What about you? What are you grateful for today?

I took a picture of the cupcake tree, but it didn't come out so hot, so instead here's a picture of some of the ornaments close up. Cuteness.

bisous

Oops!

I did it again...forgot (literally) to post yesterday. That is until I was just this close to falling asleep. I figured it would be ok if I just went on to sleep and made sure not to miss today.

Friday...ahhhhh. I love walking home from work, and tonight's walk was especially nice because it's not freezing cold, and it's Friday.

What else...well, I was grading research reports today, and one of my former students quoted me. She actually quoted something I said in one of our leadership sessions and even attributed it to me. Cool, huh? And for the record, she wasn't sucking up--she didn't know I'd be grading these. I'm not related to these reports in any way, but the direction of studies asked if I'd help with the grading during my advising hours because they're behind on getting them graded.

I'm also thankful for take out sushi. It's what's for dinner tonight. The wine is already chilled, so all I have to do is enjoy my dining experience.

And tomorrow I have a dinner party to go to which will no doubt be fantastic!

Finally, I'm incredibly grateful that my family is safe after the bad weather that tore through the southeast this week. So very thankful for that.

Yay! The weekend is here! Hope you've had a great week!
bisous

Simple things

Hello,

So, today I'm thankful for some simple things. As usual, I guess. Anyway, let's get on with it:

• a good day's work with a new client
• a nice dinner with a friend at Le Fumoir
• a warm, cuddly, enthusiastic welcome home
• lotion--the cold and indoor heat are starting to take their toll on my skin...once soft and supple, now itchy and dry. Lotion helps. If only I could reach my back!

So I'm off to bed, but I'd love to wake up to your comments! ;)

bisous

Perceptively small

Salut mes amis!

It's me again. I'm finally home after a long day and am happy to be enjoying the warmth of my little abode. The weather isn't quite at the frightful stage yet, but it sure is cold!

So today's gratitude list includes Franglais. Or Frenglish. Or Engrench. Haha...I think I like that one best: Engrench. I was reading student papers today and had to laugh a few times at their Engrench. My favorite, although it was difficult to choose, was a description of a store as "perceptively small."  I'm thinking he meant deceptively small, but one never really knows. I was glad I was alone in my office when I read it because I giggled...loudly. And for the record, I'm sure I make the same sort of mistakes in French. And am laughed at. It's ok; if I figure out what I've done (or am told which is more often the case), I laugh too. It's funny!

Among other things I'm thankful for,

• nice people on the bus this morning. Really! I'm not kidding! The metro was temporarily not running, so we all hightailed it to the bus stop....all of us. Plus the usual bus riders. But in spite of being uncomfortably close to complete strangers, everyone was super nice and super polite. Believe me, that's not normal. But it was certainly a welcome change.
• Nikos Aliagas. I know, you probably don't know who he is, but he is so handsome, and I saw him on tv for about 5 minutes tonight and was reminded of just how handsome he is. Wow.
• already having dinner in the fridge. No grocery store stop when I left work at 7. No wondering what on earth I would fix. Done. Nice.

OH! I have forgotten for days to mention that my friend Ann knew the Tim Conway little old man character's name:  Mr. Tudball! Yes!!! And his secretary was Mrs. Wiggins, but it was Tudball that I couldn't come up with. They were a funny pair.

Ok, tell me what you're grateful for today. Pretty please!

bisous

Please be patient

Salut!

Welcome to Monday, a day that brings 3 classes of college students my way. Suffice it to say that I would not do this particular job if they didn't pay me, but I am very glad for the job and the €€€.

I just read a funny story about the decision of the NY subway powers-that-be to stop making "please be patient" announcements. Apparently, people were ticked off at being asked to be patient and complained. They make those announcements here too, and generally people are patient. I can't imagine a French person complaining about such an announcement. Although, here we are missing out on one NY announcement:  "a crowded subway train is no excuse for inappropriate sexual touching." Sometimes I've wished we had that one. Amazing that it would be necessary, huh? Randomness today on the GP.

Onto other things...like gratitude. So, I'm grateful for a lot of things including:

• having officially given my apartment quitting notice in order to move into my NEW APARTMENT!
• the return of some of my MBA students who rock...I was happy to see them.
• sunshine in Paris...never get enough of that
• a lovely little red wine that I lucked out in buying

And a nice, cozy dinner at home with the sweetest furry children in Paris. Chilly outside but warm inside. Love it.

So tell me about your day...
bisous

Productivity

Hello all,

Boy, have I been productive this weekend. I almost always have something hanging over my head (doesn't everyone?), but this weekend I got so much accomplished that I actually had the thought, "what am I going to do now?" Sure, there are still things to be done, but I almost never have to actually THINK to come up with something.

Sunday in Paris, and it was a beautiful day. Sunshine and blue skies...a rare occurrence lately. I have a super-busy week coming up, so I tried to let myself relax and chill this afternoon so I can perhaps be less stressed during the week.

So, onto the list...gratitude today for:

• a relaxing, beautiful Sunday
• so many things accomplished over the weekend
• pistachios...lunch today after my too-large dinner last night
• yoga pants...right girls? And no, I wouldn't DARE wear them on the streets of Paris, just chez moi.

And you? Anything to share? Enjoy the rest of your weekend, and have a lovely week!

bisous

Babahhhhh

Salut mes amis!

Ouf...I am full. Just came back from a yummy dinner with a sweet friend. Good entree, mediocre plat, but amazing cheese tray and dessert. I could actually be happy with the cheese tray, a little red wine, and the dessert. Hmmm....next time. The dessert:  a baba au rhum...cake bathed (completely soaked) in rum with chantilly...whipped cream. Oh. My...this is sinfully good stuff.

So, on the grateful list today:

• enormous cheese trays
• somewhat pickled cake for dessert...with whipped cream, of course
• a fun friend to share it all with
• a nice little after-dinner walk (I needed a long run instead but wasn't appropriately dressed)
• a comfy made up bed to climb into and have sweet, (rum-soaked) dreams

And you? Has your Saturday been good to you? Tell me!

Here's a picture of a painting by one of my favorites, Jerome Mesnager. Hope you enjoy it.

bisous

Margarita!

Hello campers!

Happy Veteran's day! Gonna get right to the point today b/c I'm heading to meet a friend for Mexican food, a real treat and not so easy to find here! So today I'm so very grateful for:

• Our brave, unselfish veterans and their families who buy and pay for our way of life every day
• a clean house
• Mexican food and margaritas...viva Friday!
• have I mentioned my new apartment? :) Sorry...still SO grateful!
• YOU! Thanks for coming here and reading, and double thanks if you post too!

Ok, have a great day!

bisous

Pre-holiday holiday

Hiya!

Well, today I had appointments scheduled with two clients. Unfortunately, both cancelled earlier in the week. I should have known better...tomorrow is a holiday, and either they felt that they needed to get work done today before the long weekend, or...the more likely story, they took today off work too. One was supposed to call me today to reschedule. Never heard from her. She'll reschedule eventually, but my guess is that I was the last thing on her mind today. Oh well, it happens. On the other hand, I got a new client/project today that I'll start working with in two weeks. So it all evens out.

As for gratitude, I've got a few things on today's list in addition to the new client:

• getting my haircut...same style but it feels so fresh
• friends offering to help me move...so sweet!
• fun plans for the next two evenings
• a completely indulgent, yummy dinner
• a good cup of coffee made at home (because going out in this city to get a good cup is not really an option)

By the way, it is chilly in Paris right now! Supposed to warm up a little for the weekend though. Good news; I'm not ready for winter quite yet.

So what about you? What are YOU grateful for today?

bisous

New apartment!!!!!!!!!!

Salut mes amis!

GUESS WHAT...I have a cute new apartment!!! Finally...a new apartment! It has been a long, frustrating haul, but today I sealed the deal, and I am thrilled. It is so cute, and it is in an adorable area. I move in mid-December, and I cannot wait!

So, as you might imagine, I'm grateful for...

• my cute new apartment in an adorable neighborhood
• my friend who lives there now, and my friend who put me together with her...and how beautifully everything has worked out
• the nice (and cute...gay? married? too young for me? ...too soon to tell) landlord
• and so many other awesome things about my new pad. I am beside myself!!!

Yes, I'm a little obnoxious with joy tonight. And I make no apologies for it! I've already met one of my new neighbors...here's a picture of her.

Isn't she gorgeous? ;)

bisous

Paris strikes again

Hello,

So, today is (another) strike day in the French transport system. The big trains were the only ones involved, not the metros, but today I had problems on both. First, my metro was jam packed--totally normal, so I took a deep breath and shoved myself on. After rolling along about half-way to the next station, we stopped in the middle of the tunnel and sat for a couple of minutes. We started rolling again and made it to the next station where we waited for a long time without moving only to be told that we were going to the next station...but no further. This has never happened to me before, so I wondered what on earth was up. Usually when you get on the metro going somewhere, it goes all the way there. They said it was because of something that had happened at Saint Lazare (my destination because I was taking one of the big trains going out of the city), but they didn't say what had happened, and they didn't say the station was closed, so I kept moving in that direction. Didn't even occur to me to be worried. I just knew I had an appointment to get to in Bois Colombes, and I needed to catch a train to get there.

So, I got off the metro and started walking toward the bus stop. Next bus: 5 minutes. No problem...except the bus was overflowing with people. So I started walking again. Got to another bus stop and another bus, and I could actually fit on that one. Finally made my way to Saint Lazare, and oh la la, was it a mess! A MASS of people all walking like Tim Conway's little old man character from the Carol Burnette show--an impossibly slow shuffle. The crowd was so impressive that one guy took out his phone and started filming. Then I saw that there was an ambulance sitting in the middle of the station and ambulance workers making their way around. I never figured out what had happened, but it was apparently coming to a conclusion. So after doing the little old man shuffle for a few platforms, I saw the crowd beginning to thin and took off toward my train which was leaving in about 1 minute. IT WAS PACKED! See, with the strike, there are fewer trains running...so the ones that are running still have to carry the same number of people. I ran all the way to the last car and again shoved myself on. Can't believe I managed to get on that train. It was not comfortable, but I only had to go four stops, so it was bearable, and once we started moving, everything went smoothly. I even made it to my appointment on time. Fortunately, I had allowed almost 30 extra minutes because of the strike, and I needed every one of them.

So, today I'm grateful for, among other things:

• just a little morning inconvenience and nothing horrible happening at Saint Lazare
• making it to my appointment on time
• sushi for lunch...yum
• a perfectly smooth commute home after work
• my cute spotted umbrella and the fact that I remembered to put it in my bag this morning

The strike will be over at 8:00am tomorrow, and I am glad for that--even though today was the only day this week that it mattered to me as I won't be taking any of the outside of the city trains until next week. I like staying in Paris for work...so much easier.

So what about you? How was your day? What are you grateful for?

Here's a funny little pic of Tim Conway playing the slow little old man...anyone remember the character's name?

bisous

Yogurt with a side of sarcasm

Salut mes amis!

From time to time I think of doing a sarcastic gratitude list. If I were to do that, I'd say I was grateful for things like the amazingly warm, friendly French; the fact that Parisiens wouldn't dream of leaving dog poo on the sidewalk; the politeness of people in the metro (not to mention their minty fresh smell); the ease at which things get done around here, and so on. But I'm not going to make that list. Not today anyway. Today I'm going to kick off the list by being grateful for sinfully good yogurt.

You read that right... yogurt. Full fat, of course, and so creamy and rich...the best yogurt ever. My favorite flavors are the least exciting:  lemon, vanilla, and plain. Sometimes with fresh fruit added in, but usually not. It's amazing how yogurt can be good enough to be dessert.

So what else for today? Well, how about...

• hope
• a hilarious video of a friend dancing on top a car sent by another friend...it's comforting to know some things never change. ;)
• students who want to learn
• a warm, cozy home to come home to at the end of a chilly day

I'll bet you could make a sarcastic gratitude list too...couldn't we all? What about the things you're really grateful for today? Care to share?

Here's a picture of Sacré Coeur that I found somewhere (and can't remember where...shhhh...). I didn't take it, but I can't say who did. But isn't it gorgeous?

bisous!

Life is either a daring adventure...

Hi there,

Yep...two days and counting! :)

Hope you're all having a lovely Sunday. I am getting some work done and feeling good about it! So, without further ado...today I'm grateful for, among other things,

• a fun lunch with a friend
• getting things checked off the to-do list
• supportive friends
• a good week coming up with a decent amount of work and a decent amount of free time and opportunities for fun!

And you? What're you thankful for today?

The title of today's blog entry comes from the cool picture below...can't remember where I found it, but I love the pic and the quote.

bisous

Being Needed

Hello you!

I'm just going to jump right in. Yesterday I was having coffee with someone who has become a good friend, and she said, "You know, you need to get back to doing your gratitude journal again. I used to read it, and even though I never commented, it would make me ask myself what I was grateful for. It helped me, and I'll bet there were other people it helped too."

Wow. At the time I was honestly too tired for the impact to hit. But this morning I thought about it, and it really made me think. What if my gratitude journal was helping make one person's day a little better? What if it was helping one person put things into perspective and realize that she had things to be grateful for even on the bleakest seeming of days? What if it was helping someone...and now because I'm not keeping up with it, it's not? Or how about this--what if it was only helping me, but in so doing, making me a little kinder to people or a little more understanding? Little actions can make big differences, and if I can help someone have a better day, I want to do it.

So it's recommitment day here in gratitude land. They might not always be long posts, but I am pledging to make them regularly...make that daily. And I'm not putting a minimum number on them either--before it was 5 a day, and I sometimes went over, but as my friend pointed out, some days one thing is enough. And I'm putting them back out there on facebook too b/c my friend also told me that if I don't, she doesn't know they're here.

So we're baaaack........and it's Saturday morning, so today I'm so grateful for:

• sleeping in...how sweet it is
• Mont d'Or cheese...tis the season, and it is delish
• the possibility (insert prayer here!) that I may have found an apartment
• my sweet, wonderful parents
• my sweet, furry, snoring, kitties
• last but not least, being able to do something--even something small, to help someone else. What a gift.

So it just happens to be six today. And now...what about you? I love reading your comments and learning about what you're grateful for.

Yep, it feels good to be back. Have a great weekend!

bisous

Being Well

And she's back...for now.

Geez, what can I say? Maybe I'll do better about coming here...but I keep saying that and I don't, so I make no promises. I'm still grateful, but I'm an expressive social style who jumps from one thing to the other and gets easily bored. Yep, that's the best excuse I've got. But it IS true.

Ok, so all about the gratitude. I spent the better part of two weeks miserable and sick, so the first thing I want to express my gratitude for is:

1)  finally being WELL!!!! Over that awful mess, and feeling almost like my old self
2) new friends
3) naps with a snuggly kitty (Potter loves napping together)
4) Gracie kisses
5) tomorrow is a holiday! (I feel guilty being grateful for that b/c I worked so little over the summer, but nonetheless, I'm grateful for it.)

I'm looking for a new and improved apartment, and I'm hoping and praying that very soon THAT will top my gratitude list. C'mon new and improved apartment!!! I'm rootin' for you!

Mild day in Paris today...chilly but not freezing. Walked to work--that was nice. Ok, rambling now...more later.

bisous

Indian Summer in Paris!

Woo-hoo! The weather this week (and last) has been GORGEOUS!!! Early September had me worried. Days getting shorter, temps in the fifties, and even the non-Frenchies had started bringing out the scarves--including yours truly. But this weather right now is awesome, and it's thing numero uno on the gratitude list today.

I'm also grateful for...

2) lots of work including a new client or two or three!

3) A new apartment, shooting for mid-December...wish me luck b/c finding the right place at the right price in Paris is a challenge, to say the least.

4) One of my bestest friends in the world is coming to see me!!! In May. That's next year. Seven-ish months away. I know, I'm prematurely excited, but I am SO excited!!!
5) Allergy medicine. Thank God for Zyrtec. I finally realized why I've felt crappy lately. Something is in the air, and it's doing a number on me. Got the goods today, so I'm hoping for some serious improvement, and toute de suite!

Of course, I'm also grateful for my overall health and that of my parents, for my parents overall, for my schweet furry bunny kitty babies, that I get to live in this stunningly beautiful city, that my business is doing remarkably well, for new friends and old friends, for delicious things to eat and drink, for lovely music, funny movies, sculpture that brings tears to my eyes, uh...I'll stop. But I am grateful for so many things...even when I don't come here and say it.

One more thing...random music. I'm so thankful for the talented musicians that are all over this city, so I'm sharing a pic here of a violinist between songs on a Sunday afternoon on the Pont Saint Louis. Lovely day, talented artist sharing beautiful music, and a cool hippie chick sitting on the curb in the background just groovin' and swayin' with her eyes closed. Yeah, I loved it too, my hippie chick sista.

bisous!

La Rentrée

Hi!

Welcome to fall. It's early September in Paris, and today was in the 60s. I love fall, and 60s would be nice except we never got much of a summer. Que sera sera, I guess. I'm thankful that it did finally stop raining, and we have had some lovely weather the past few weeks. In fact, the rain we've gotten lately has come at night--my favorite time for rain--so days have been mostly dry with a decent amount of sunshine.

So what else am I thankful for? Today a few specific things come to mind:

1) my sweet friend Ken who put a smile on my face this morning when I saw on my email that he had left a comment on my last entry. He's the reason I'm back tonight. Thanks Ken! You are the bomb. Sending love your way.

2) my funny, sweet, cute parents...Dad turns 70 on Sunday!

3) that the notification I got from the tax office that they hadn't received my June payment was basically wrong, and that the issue was relatively easily resolved. (they HAD received it, the check had cleared, but they had posted it incorrectly...fortunately, a quick visit was all it took to put everything right again.)

4) my cute new shopping basket that I got at the flea market. It is adorable and makes shopping easier and kinda fun

5) that I get to sleep in tomorrow. I'm pooped after a long day!

So many more things (especially since I have been a bad girl when it comes to blogging lately), but I'll stop there. Thank you Ken...for stopping by, for commenting, and for inspiring me to come here and show a little gratitude today. And to anyone else who comes by, thank you too! Hmm....let's see if I can find a good picture to end with...here ya go...a little pic of my cute red shoes on the beach in Normandy...was too cold for swimsuits, but it was gorgeous.

bisous!

Fast Five

Salut!

Ok, fast five today:

1) going to the beach this weekend! My first trip to a French beach. Can't wait!
2) a delicious Mexican dinner last night with delightful company
3) funny movies
4) fresh, clean towels
5) a manageable to-do list

Et toi? Care to share what you're thankful for today?

bisous

Sunshine, blue skies

Yes, we have sunshine and blue skies again today! The weather lady just said I'd be back to disappointed again very soon with lower temps, more clouds, and more rain, but I am not going to admit it to myself. For now, Paris is bathed in sunlight, warmth, and summer. And all's well with the world.

What else...well, here we go:

1) started working with a cool new client today
2) having Mexican food tomorrow night! Can't wait!
3) a good night's sleep last night
4) new friends
5) a new boulangerie around the corner! The promise of delicious bread--that much closer! (this is the poor guy whose car blew up yesterday...he's going to need to buy a new car. I sure hope his bread is good.)

bisous

Um, yeah...

...about my gratitude blog...

A few friends have asked me where I've been. Certainly not here blogging. I felt like I was boring...saying the same things day after day. No, they said, and even if you do say the same things, it's ok. Alrighty then, I'm going to try to get back into regular gratitude blogging. I think it's good for my soul anyway, and I always said if no one else read or commented, that was ok with me. (Although I do LOVE it when people comment and especially when they add their gratitude lists.)

So, where were we...Ah July. Bon voyage, July. And don't let the door hit you on the way out. No, July wasn't a bad month. It was a month of good work and good fun, but the weather was dreadful. Cold, rainy, grey, miserable weather. I mean, I like to put the jeans far, far in the back of the closet for at least four or five months out of the year, but no. So far, they have spent about 2 days put away before I've had to pull them back out in order to brave the chill. Tomorrow is August, and I am hoping that this little month will redeem summer in Paris this year. It's all on you August...and I am pulling for you!

So, without further blah, blah, blah...the gratitude:

1) yesterday and today, Saturday and Sunday...sun! sun! sun!!! Blue skies! No rain!!! Merci Dieu.
2) that the car that blew up around the corner today won't be waking me up tomorrow morning with its little "I'm gonna blow up" threats. Seriously, two mornings of horrible noises waking me around 4am, and I was glad to see the firemen putting that thing out of its misery.
3) Frenchie Wine Bar...delish Frenchie food and no need to make a reservation two months in advance!
4) Mexican food in Paris...not 100% up to back home standards, but darn close
5) One year (THAT'S RIGHT!!! A whole year!) carte de séjour that I get on Friday...woo hoo!!! At last!

Ok, so I'm back. :)

bisous (pic of me in Rome this year on my birthday...great trip!)

Fast Five

Fast five...today I'm thankful for, among other things,...

1)  the cool breeze blowing through the windows of my apartment
2)  Picard and its lovely tarte au citron
3)  sunset...after 10pm
4)  good face cream
5)  kitty bedfellows

Hope you've got lots of things to be grateful for!

bisous

Possibilities

I came "this close" to calling this post "Pregnant." Not as in expecting a child but as in pregnant with possibilities. I didn't because I'm anti-heart-attack, but boy was it tempting. :)

So yes, I'm feeling like my life is pregnant with possibilities right now. Can't go into it, but suffice it to say, I'm feeling some good stuff coming my way. Yay!

I'm thankful for, among other things,

1)  possibilities, possibilities, possibilities
2)  safe travels for my parents
3)  good books
4)  clients making mad progress
5)  "Minuit à Paris," Woody Allen's new movie which is really more of a love note to Paris, past and present

Really enjoyed the movie and I think it's now out in the US (I think we actually got it FIRST for a change!), so I highly recommend it. Light-hearted and filled with light; beautiful shots of Paris. Made me say, "It's true, I live in the most amazingly beautiful city in the world." And I do. So grateful for that too.

And you? Love to hear what's new in your world!
bisous

Slack...and back

Oh la la...I am slack. But I'm back. Slack and back.

It's not easy, this life. But you know that. And in spite of the fact that life is hard, life is also beautiful. Witness:

1)  the cool breeze that has perfect timing and blows exactly when I need a little cooling off
2)  new friends who end up being the perfect companions for an evening of wine tasting and laughing, and laughing, and laughing
3)  a full social calendar...then a night or two at home to recover
4)  "Dr. House." That's what it's called here, and it's just as awesome as I remember.
5)  Robert Downey, Jr. (I know at least one of you who is as thankful for this beautiful, talented man as I am. :)

Et voila...for now.
bisous

Learning

Hey friends!

Quick list today...let's go!

1)  learning...I love to learn, and although I have a love/hate (mostly hate) relationship with computers, I love that they allow us to learn so much (for free!). Whether it's how to make a certain dish or how to understand other people better, there are so many great learning resources at our fingertips
2)  skype...on the same theme, I love being able to see my parents and talk with them even though we live on different continents
3)  that I live (for the 2nd year in a row) in the district that is home to the official BEST baguette in Paris! Lucky me!
4)  that I have work (even if it's just a little) Monday through Friday this week
5)  that I have a date with a friend to have MEXICAN food this week too!!! Bring it ON!

And you? How's life?
bisous

May flowers

Hi friends,

Hope all is well with you! I have been super-slack lately with this blog. I don't know why...I've always got so much to be grateful for. I'm not even that busy right now. Maybe that's it. You know how the more you have to do, the more you seem to be able to get done? Maybe I've got too little on my plate. Should be the reason that I'm even better about coming here regularly, but apparently I don't work that way. Anyway, on to the reason I'm here. Today I'm thankful for lots including:

1)  a fun surprise visit from a friend last week
2)  the fact that the wool coat has been put away for the season. And not a minute too soon.
3)  sunshine and cool breezes
4)  no sugar for a few days...gotta break the cycle, and I'm doing it
5)  a whole stack of books that I can't wait to read
6)  the beautiful wedding slideshow that my friend and gorgeous bride Melina shared with me...I couldn't be there, but the slideshow is evidence of just how magical and beautiful their day was. Loved watching it.
7)  a delightfully magical dinner with "the girls" Sunday night...so much fun and such sweet, amazing chicas
8)  one less mad terrorist wandering the earth (God BLESS the US military.)
9)  good feedback from my clients (who may love me almost as much as I love them)
10)  a beautiful new day
11)  the gorgeous flowers all around - in the florists, in the parks, on the trees, everywhere...magnificent.
12)  a beautiful, sweet, magical royal wedding. Loved the dress, love the whispered sweet-nothings...loved everything...
13)  ...except the hat. Beatrice, what in the world were you thinking? Horrible but such a great laugh!!!
14) and finally, I am so grateful to be FINISHED with the WORST CLASS EVER. Seriously, every professor at the school dreaded teaching this group; they were the most immature group of students I have ever seen. Anyway, I am finished with them, I have graded their final exams, turned in their grades, and I am D-O-N-E done with them. Hallelujah!!!

Ok, had to make up a little for lost time, so went a little overboard today--a baker's dozen plus one. Hope you're having a wonderful week and have lots to be grateful for!

bisous

Thank you

Salut!

I have GOT to get back into a regular routine of coming here daily. I've been slack; I know it. I'm no less grateful, just less disciplined about expressing it. But I'm here today, and for that...I'm grateful. Also,

1)  grateful for the delicious pink grapefruits that I've been enjoying this week
2)  and for the surprise visit from my friend Debbie! One night swinging through on her way back to the US, but we had fun, and it was great to see her
3)  sunshine and blue skies
4)  jasmine scented soap
5)  "this close" to being finished with the worst class ever

Also, a huge understatement here, I'm so very grateful that my friend Matthew was not killed on Easter Sunday when he had a terrible bicycle accident. I think I'm safe in saying that there are many of us, not to mention Ann and their kids, who are also grateful for this very thing. He is still in the hospital but out of ICU which is great progress, something else to be so very grateful for.

What about you? Hope you have lots to be grateful for today.
bisous

Yes, yes, yes

Hi friends!

I know, I've been slack. (thanks Pieter for reminding me. ;)  I've been distracted with social events and gorgeous weather, but I'm here now and I'm thankful for many things including:

1)  a lovely afternoon and evening spent with a sweetheart of a guy, my friend Darrell
2)  finding cover quickly when the rain began to fall
3)  finding cover the second time the rains came
4)  a gem of a wine bar that we also found at just the right time
5)  Mexican food...basically. Needed some real sour cream, but still, it was a good substitute for France.

Hope you're having a great Easter weekend!

bisous

Serious gratitude

Hi friends!

Hope you're all well. Today I've got some serious gratitude for some really important stuff. Like:

1)  I'm so grateful that the tornadoes tearing through NC didn't kill or hurt (or even damage the property of) my family or friends. See what I mean...serious.
2)  Also grateful that the frightening stuff is over for now and they seem to be having lovely weather down NC way. (Also sad for those who lost their lives, their loved ones, etc. If you can say a prayer, that'd be a wonderful thing to do.)
3)  Actually grateful that a divorce is finally happening. A dear friend, a bad marriage, and finally...movement in the right direction...it's going to be a long, hard road but movement in the right direction is good.
4)  Grateful that my cats come when I call them. They're only playing in the stairwell, but still...
5)  Finally, grateful for my good health, the good health of my parents, the good health of my brother and nephews and so many others that I care about. And the good health of my children with fur...you know by now that they are my children. The fur just makes them fluffier than everyone else's children. (Plus, no need for a college fund!)

Whew...Monday and I'm exhausted, but a good night's sleep will fix me right up, and with so much to be thankful for, including GORGEOUS Paris weather, tomorrow is bound to be brimming with beauty! So what about you? What's good in your life today?

bisous

Free drinks!

Hi friends!

Happy Friday! Went to one of my favorite restos last night with two fun girlfriends and laughed, and laughed, and laughed. We enjoyed some delicious food, great wine, a little bubbly, and were even treated to a little wine by the bartender. The treats were a little much for me...free drinks aren't always the gift they're intended to be. Had a bit of a headache today. Oh well, c'est la vie, et la vie est belle...even with a headache.

So the list of just a few things I'm thankful for:

1)  fun girlfriends who can make you laugh and laugh and laugh
2)  places where they know me...I love it when I walk into a restaurant and they greet me with kisses on both cheeks, and who would have thought that I'd have that happen fairly frequently in a city the size of Paris?!
3)  Friday...whew.
4)  A clear calendar for the weekend in a city full of possibilities
5)  fun events to look forward to next week

And you? How are things in your world? Have an awesome weekend!
bisous

Dip!

Salut mes amis!

No, the dip isn't my latest date. ;)  This dip was in the temperature which went from 70s to 50s overnight. Brrr...well, almost. It was chilly walking home last night and chilly heading out this morning, but the afternoon was crisp, approaching warm. The next few days will be cool-ish, but there's only one day of rain predicted, and we should rebound to gorgeous soon. So...fast five for gratitude:

1)  sunshine even when it's cool
2)  sweet movies about friendship
3)  a fresh, new notebook with American lines (nice horizontal ones as opposed to the grids on French notebooks which are very distracting to me)
4)  butter cookies (that I can only allow myself to buy occasionally)
5)  potential new clients

Et toi? What's making you smile today?
bisous

Paris pigeons

Salut mes amis!

And happy Friday!  Another gorgeous day, and today I took advantage of it and held my business ethics course in the park down the street from the school where I teach. Right now all of the classrooms are hot, and the one I found myself in this morning was like an oven. When the student that I sent out to fetch a fan came back empty handed, we decided to head to the park. This is a specialty class, so instead of thirty-some students, I have six. And only five showed up today, so we were perfectly happy on a little patch of grass in the sunshine. So...gratitude:

1)  a great class in the park...and only one pigeon threatened us (and he missed!)
2)  pigeons with bad aim
3)  the beautiful dress I found today...on sale for 20€!!!
4)  sesame baguettes
5)  a(nother) fabulous dinner last night with friends

What about you? Good week?
bisous

Glorious day!

Salut mes amis!

Oh what a glorious day! Today we were in the 70s...not hot, hot, hot, BUT gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. I came home from a session with a client about 4, did a little more work, and just had to get out again. So I walked and walked and walked. Didn't buy anything. Didn't do anything productive. Just wandered. It's one of my favorite things to do here. So, right, I'm here to express gratitude. Here goes:

1)  yes, I'm going to say it for the 100th time because last year we barely had ONE warm day and it came in June, so I feel the need to let it be known that I am so very grateful for this glorious spring we are having and that it came during springtime instead of coming for a short two-week appearance in June.
2)  burrata. In case you don't know it, it is a heavenly mozzarella and cream combination that will ruin all other types of mozzarella for you. But it's worth it. Burrata means buttered if that gives you any indication of it's divine nature. I had some last week (at one of Catherine Deneuve's favorite restos, by the way), and I want more.
3)  spring/summer clothes. I am SO over heavy coats, tights, JEANS, boots, hats, scarves, etc. I love just putting on a dress or a skirt and a top and going. No insulation needed.
4)  fun celebration dinners with good friends
5)  possibilities

Oh, and the picture...it's the view from my friend Allen's apartment. Sweet, right? In the background is the Pantheon, and right beside it is the Eiffel Tower sparkling. More gorgeous.

Ok, your turn...tell me what you're grateful for today!
bisous

Weekend

Hi friends!
What a great weekend I had! First, a fabulous dinner (one of the best I've had in ages) at a Basque resto with a group of fun friends. The food was amazing, the service too, and the price was reasonable. I'm going back on Tuesday with another friend. Then on Saturday I wandered around the city with my friend Quynh who was in town for a quick visit. We had lunch on a sunny terrace and just walked and walked. The weather was perfect. Finished up the evening at an international meetup event, and spent Sunday at home doing work-like things. All in all, a great weekend...so, onto the list:

1)  delicious, different food and sharing it with friends
2)  the fabulously awful English translation I found on a menu this week. So funny, a journalist friend is going to do a story!
3)  gotta say it, this amazing spring weather
4)  things to celebrate and friends to celebrate them with
5)  the marriage of my friends Melina and Mark. I hate that I couldn't be at the wedding this weekend, but I have thought about them all weekend long, and I know it was beautiful. I wish them many, many years of happiness!

Hope you had a great weekend. Tell me about it!
bisous

Merci

Hi friends,

It's Thursday afternoon which means tomorrow is...drum roll please...Friday! So here we go with some gratitude:

1)  my friend Kevin who has started sending gratitude cards and who sent me one all the way from Georgia. I love his idea! Thanks Kevin!
2)  a full weekend of social activities including an opportunity to get dressed up
3)  my friend Quynh who is here for a quick visit!
4)  that even though we've had a few rainy gray days (and a few more are forecast), the temps are much warmer. I even went out for a bit without a coat today. It felt GREAT.
5)  sucre citron crepes for breakfast. A little indulgent, but I didn't have anything else...yummy start to the day.

Et toi? How's your day?
bisous

Things I am grateful for...in spite of their lack of availability

Hi friends!

I was reading a blog post written by an American who lives in Paris but who is currently visiting Chicago, and the picture he posted of cheese fries just about did me in. While the food here is DIVINE, there are a few things that I miss from time to time. So here are a few things whose existence I'm grateful for in spite of the fact that I can only dream about them from here. If you're stateside, enjoy something sinful and tasty for me, will ya? A partial list:


1)  cheese fries...with jalapenos...mmmm.........
2)  Mexican food - also with jalapenos
3)  Krispy Kreme donuts in all their melt-in-your-mouth, HOT NOW goodness
4)  margaritas on the rocks
5)  real sour cream

My mouth is watering.

Here's the blog I was reading if you're interested http://www.davidlebovitz.com/

Hope all is well with you!
bisous

Fast five

Hi friends!

Fast five today:

1)  a delish dinner with a fun friend at my favorite resto last night. Ate too much, drank too much. It was great!
2)  a productive Saturday. Weather was less than fabulous which makes staying in and working easy, so that was actually a plus.
3)  my hot water bottle...sometimes it's just the thing that I need
4)  cheese and wine for dinner followed by tarte tatin for dessert. Indulgent, non?
5)  that I can get The Office online. Saw Michael's proposal to Holly today. So goofy sweet, it brought tears to my eyes. I know; I am pitiful. ;)

And you? I'd love to hear what you've got to be grateful for today!
bisous

Des fleurs

Hello!

Today I'm going to do something a little different: a photo gratitude list. Here goes!

Aren't they gorgeous? Beautiful flower shop in the 16th arrondissement.

And him...the magician. I love this painting by Jerôme Mesnager. Of course, I love all of his work. (Please ignore the black crap on the right...I was unsuccessful in my attempts to crop it out.)

And this gorgeous dress by Christian Dior. Amazing.

Check out this ultra-gifted guy from the Parc de Bagatelle. He was showing off for Mom and me. We were appropriately impressed!

And last but not least, (I couldn't type beside this picture for some reason), Le Baiser by Rodin. The most beautiful non-living thing I've ever seen. It is so beautiful that it brings tears to my eyes every time I look at it.

Hope you enjoyed the change of pace as much as I did! What are you grateful for today?

bisous

I can see clearly now

Salut mes amis!

I feel like the fog has lifted, the rain is gone, blue skies and sunshine have returned. Again today we had sunshine and temps in the 50s. I can't TELL you how glad I am to see it. The other night as I walked down the street with a friend, we talked about how ready we were for spring. My friend commented that this winter had not been as bad as last winter, and I said, "I think we're still IN last winter! We had about 2 weeks of spring/summer, and we were back to winter again, so I don't think there's been a "this" winter." She agreed that the two winters had seemed to merge. But alas, it seems that spring has indeed sprung, and I am simply thrilled.

So here are a few of the things that I'm thankful for today.

1)  another gorgeous day and more to come
2)  a nice glass of wine at the end of the day
3)  a recommendation for good Mexican food in Paris...we shall see...
4)  that there are no Peeps in Paris. If there were, I'd have to buy some and eat them. It's better this way.
5) a good conditioner...my hair feels so soft!

I hope you're all finding lots to be thankful for today. Tell me all about it!
bisous

16 minutes

Salut mes amis!

What a day!!! Today was my appointment at the préfecture, and I was hoping, praying, begging for it to be the day that I got my new WORKING residency card. And just sixteen minutes after I arrived there, prayers were answered and wishes were granted. Yes my friends, I got the card!!!

And the renewal appointment in 3 months. Three months? Yes, I'll explain. This card is for people like me who set up their own businesses. That being the case, they want to be sure that your business is going to be successful, so they only issue a temporary card of sorts for three months at a time for the first nine months. After that, if your business is successful, you can renew the card for a year. So today I got the first three-month card. My business has been successful since May, and I'm hoping and planning to only be more successful from here forward, so I'm hoping and expecting (and praying too) that the renewals will all go smoothly, and I'll have the year card in a year or less.

Most important in all this is that I do have the right to stay and the right to continue working for myself and building my business. Buh-bye student status!!! Bon voyage and all that.

I also got a little show of respect at the old préfecture. Parisian friends should now stand up and brush themselves off because I'm sure that little bit of news knocked you on your fannies. Yes, it's true! The woman who helped me told me that I have a very successful business, then she told me that she was making my renewal appointment for 9:00 in the morning because, "you have better things to do than spend your morning at the préfecture." I kid you not. She said that. I agreed, thanked her, and scooted on outta there because what I had to do this morning was spread the good news across the land! I got it! I got it!!!

So yes, today was (and still is) a good day. I am relieved. I am elated. I am going to sleep well tonight. I am also going to need to get on the renewal paperwork toute de suite because that stuff is not easy to round up.

As you might imagine, my list today will be a bit predictable:

1)  the card! the card! the card! Finally!!!
2)  student no more! Something does feel different about that. When you're a student, the expectation is always that you'll leave. Not so when you're a business owner!
3)  the fact that I have so many friends and loved ones with whom to share this awesome news!
4)  on another note, we had gorgeous weather today and have more of the same for the next week!
5)  finally, last but not at all least, my friend Philippe who spent HOURS and HOURS helping me with all of this paperwork. I mean it sincerely when I say I could NOT have done it without him. And yes, I am taking him to dinner to celebrate. Can't wait!!!

And so...an answered prayer. A restless night rewarded. A good friend to whom and for whom I will forever be grateful. And hard work ahead. Ahhh...how sweet it is!

bisous