YouTube...good for a few laughs at least.

I am not a fan of YouTube, and am not one of those people that can spend hours just clicking around watching other videos.  I deleted the app on my iPhone, and it never comes up on my computer.  If I share a video on my blog, it usually comes from a close friend who shares the same ideas I do.  So, its not a popular option with my computer mouse, until a huge success with these videos came about.  

Just in case you don't know about the "....people say videos," you should totally go to YouTube and watch a few of them.  (Okay, maybe all of you under the age of 30....) Some of my favorites are "...girls say,"  "...sorority girls say," and "...people say on facebook."  It is endless videos of hilarious phrases and sayings -all true- of things that people say in real life and often don't realize how ridiculous it is.  *Guilty!*

Now, there just as many going around of things people "don't" say.  Such as this one below, which is a video of things that people that live in Nashville "don't" say.      

I found it so funny....

"I wish people would say Nashvegas more often."

"This Gibson sucks...does anyone have a Fender?"

"Pancake Pantry line is short today."

"Taylor Swift really paid her dues as a musician before she got discovered."

"Yea, I think real estate in Belle Meade is pretty reasonable." 

HAAAA I can't help but die out laughing.  Those of you not from Nashville probably won't get all the jokes naming place references, but there are quite a few for the general public.  Enjoy.  

Chinese New Year in Paris, Round 2

Yesterday was the Chinese New Year's Parade in Paris.  There was a smaller parade in Belleville on Saturday...but we go big or go home, so we headed to the 13th arrondissement near Paris' Chinatown district.  This was the same parade we went to last year, and although the parade wasn't any different this year, we were able to sneak in a delicious Chinese after meal of sticky rice, shrimp beignets, and sticky, sugary pork.  

Firecrackers marking the beginning of the parade.

Probably my most favorite photo of the parade, even though he isn't related to anything that has to do with Chinese New Year.  Notice his suit is made of fabric with SIM cards printed on it for a cell phone company and with this SIM card, you can "call all over the world" for practically nothing.  Yea, right.  

Because what's a "Year of the Dragon" without the dragon???

And then my obsession with precious asian kids kicks in.  I didn't get very many because of people being in the way and cutting in front of us, but here's the best of them.  

Really hating this person that walked in front of me with their poofy toboggan.  

So presh.  

It was REALLY cold in Paris yesterday.  Like, 30 degrees tops.  Our hands and feet were icicles and our cheeks as red as apples by the time it was over.  I've never been so glad to duck into a warm restaurant for spring rolls and soy sauce!  

I HAD to share this, and hope it doesn't offend anyone....but I also think you will find it to be VERY true of how Americans view the world.  

I especially love the "coffee comes from here" and "call centers" labels.  Got pretty big laughs with my European friends so I'm hoping you will too.  It's pretty sad that this is the narrow mindedness that most average Americans have....and that half of them couldn't even tell you where India or Australia are....but, that's life.  

Enjoy.   

Familiar Faces!

Since I had to find alternate plans for the weekend, regular Saturday morning pain au chocolat seemed to be the answer.  We always meet at St-Michel fountain, and walk down the street to Paul because they have an upstairs room where we can sneak our pain au chocolats from another boulangerie without anyone noticing.  

St-Michel was not the same today!! Someone had put bubble bath in the water, therefore making amazing suds in the fountain.  It is done from time to time but I, personally, haven't witnessed it.  Amazingly hilarious.  

This week a sorority sister of mine, Colleen, has been in town visiting.  I have had the wonderful opportunity to join her and her father for a couple of meals.  She lives in Chicago, so we probably wouldn't have met up under other circumstances...but it sure is lovely to see a familiar face!!  Colleen was a year older than me, but we had several classes together and were good friends.  

Tonight we are headed to restaurant Andy Wahloo.  Suppose to be a Moroccan inspired restaurant/bar for the upwardly mobile...or those just looking for a change of pace.  5 euro happy hour cocktails had Laura sold, so we are going to try and make it in time for a drink or two.  

Trains, Planes, and Automobiles.

So, everyone knows that Europeans are known for "striking" at any moment.  France especially.  And no I don't mean hitting another human being with a strong fist.  I mean that awkward, inconvenient, period of time when organizations, employees, or the like decide they deserve a snack break from their daily job or think for some far minded reason that they haven't received what they deserve.  

The great Parisian sanitation department strike was a few weeks before I arrived in the fall of 2010, as well as the metro/public transportation strike which affected some of my friends who came at the beginning of the school year but I seemed to dodge both of them coming in November.  There have been small strikes stirring up conversation and riots in Bastille, protests and marches through the Grands Boulevards and blips in transportation delays on a few of the RER trains...but nothing that has affected me directly.  

Until NOW.

Belgium's 3 greatest trade unions have decided to strike starting Sunday night lasting 24 hours until Monday night to protest the governments budget cuts.  This just happens to include ALL public transportation in Belgium.  SO, our Thalys train that runs from Paris to Amsterdam (with a stop in Brussels) will not be running our return train.  Trains, metros, buses, airports, airplanes.....everyone will be on strike so unless you are taking a taxi, you won't be going anywhere.  What good does that do the country?  I have no idea because the government has already said they they have no plans of reallocating money to the budget.  Belgium is already in enough governmental turmoil, so if they are going to shut down the transportation, they might as well just shut down the entire country.  It's small enough....that's totally legit, right?  

I am a bit bitter...can you tell?  Certainly shows I am not truly European.  We will reschedule our trip for another weekend...possibly the weekend of the 11th if I don't have to babysit.  Or perhaps on into March.  

Now...let's just hope Italy doesn't follow suit and decide to take some time off.  If that happens.... Europe and I?  Well, we will have a problem.  

Australia Day

Getting really excited about spending the weekend in Amsterdam!  Apparently its Amsterdam fashion week (which I don't imagine to be anything like the chic and highly known fashion week in Paris), floating flower markets, canals...and the possibility of snow on Sunday morning!  Better bundle up...we're headed north!!

But, that's not before we get in a little sunny weather celebration.  Today is Australia Day!  So happy Australia Day to all my Australian friends, past and present!!! While Ashleigh is enjoying warm weather in Perth, fireworks, and sunshine for her Australia Day celebration...I will be celebrating with my friend Sarah from Adelaide, Australia in Café Oz in cold and rainy Paris.  It's one of her last nights with us before she heads back home, so it's a can't miss!  

Karma is a bitch.

As I was watching Marie-Césare parade her pony around the ring today, in the other piste were some older kids around 9-10 years of age.  They were trying their hand at galloping one at a time.  I was thoroughly impressed until a little girl went at it and wasn't holding on tight enough and fell off.  Once I realized she was okay, I had a good chuckle to myself.  The poor girl was petrified and here I was laughing....but it was funny.  

So, as karma would have it, tonight I got on the bus to head home and the driver stepped on the gas with full force and I flung to the back of the bus on my rump end.  I wiped out.  I couldn't help but laugh, and fortunately there were some kind souls who helped me to my feet.  

What goes around, comes around.  

Chez Benoît

Well, Laura and I started our one-nice-dinner-a-month quest last night.  Both of us are interested in checking out funky new restaurants and eat nicer than a 3 euro crêpe ever now and then.  Since our income and budgets don't really allow for us to fine dine all the time, we decided for out last 5 or 6 months here, we will pick one place we want to go a month and 3 course our way into a large l'addition.  

Last night we went to Chez Benoît, an obscure restaurant in the 4th between Hôtel de Ville and Châtelet.  The restaurant was small in appearance, but we noticed there was another back room and a private party room upstairs for all your dining needs.  Deep red booths and typical brasserie style chairs were accompanied by white tablecloths and sparkling crystal.  Newspapers were hanging from the racks behind each table so at lunchtime businessmen could catch up on the latest stocks and worldly news.  

Our table was right near the door so we were able to see all the action.  The menu's were large wooden frames with an almost cartoonish drawing of a French chef and his kitchen accompaniments.  The first thing that was brought out was a small peppery cheese puff which could have very well been my favorite thing of the night.  It had the flavor of a southern cheese straw, but the pastry and butteriness of  a French delicacy.  We placed our orders, waited for the sommelier to pour the wine and got down to business.  

I had smoked salmon with potatoes covered in a buttery, rich béarnaise sauce with fresh herbs and spring onions.  Laura ordered perfectly golden scallops with black truffle.  My salmon was so incredibly delicious, and not fishy at all.  It was easily some of the best salmon I've ever had.  After topping off our half bottle of wine from the Rhône river valley we chimed in with dessert.  I of course, am a sucker for a tarte tatin and Laura went with a solid choice of profiteroles.  

The best part about my dessert?  The ice cream that came with it...or perhaps the über fresh crème fraîche that was plopped on the side.  The ice cream was caramel with soft chunks of apple, crispy bits of crust, and brown sugar drowning in its goodness.  The waiter came by with what resembled an ice bucket, but instead he asked me if I would like crème fraîche with my tarte tatin.  (Who would ever say no to homemade crème fraîche?)

Laura's profiteroles came with a small bowl of perfectly smooth, rich, and creamy melted chocolate.  The cream on the inside of the profiteroles was fresh, and made with real bits of vanilla unlike the ones you find some places where they have been sitting out for days.  After she finished her profiteroles she wanted to continue to dip her spoon in her chocolate to finish it off but considering the dining circumstances....she had excellent willpower and the waiter whisked it away before she could think twice.  

Perhaps one of my favorite parts of the meal was the hazelnut petit four we received with our check.  It was a dense, moist small cake with a sugared hazelnut plopped on top.  And we figured out that the longer we sat there, the more little cakes they would bring us and the hazelnut was followed by a homemade Madeleine.  We enjoyed our Madeleine while talking to an older couple sitting beside us.  They were from Greenville, South Carolina and have visited France several times.  They were so republican I couldn't hardly stand it...and I forgot how old southerners can be.  My favorite question of the night, "So, what's it like to work for the French?" like they are some sort of alien species.  

Unfortunately, I left without any photos....I just couldn't help myself from putting another target on my back, but next time, next month, I will definitely be keeping you all photo-updated.  

Librairie des Abbesses

Have been meaning to post this for awhile...just have never gotten around to it!  I wanted to tell you about my favorite bookstore in Paris, La Librairie des Abbesses.  It's a very small bookstore located just off the metro at Abbesses metro station in Montmartre.  Every time I pass by I just can't help myself but have a peruse around.  

I go in specifically for their selection of children's books.  Devine Combien Je T'Aime (Guess How Much I Love You), Bonsoir Lune (Goodnight Moon), L'Arbre Genereux (The Giving Tree), and Madeline are among a few of my favorites I have purchased here.  The selection always varies and yesterday it was hard to keep my paws off of Eloise à Paris.  

The walls and bookshelves are red and the tiny passages don't leave much room for reading like megastores such as Barnes and Noble, but there is something about the tiny shop with its climbing wall ladders and French storybooks that make me feel warm and cozy inside.  

The shopkeeper is super sweet, is willing to help out with anything, and is the cutest little old lady I've ever seen.  She must be 105 years old but she's still got spunk and personality.  So if you need a good Parisian photo coffee table book, a cookbook, or even a bestselling novel, I advise you to pop in to Librairie des Abbesses next time you're wandering the streets of Montmartre.  You will walk out with much more than you came in for, I am certain of it.  

Bon Anni Taylor!

I went out to Chatou to get Taylor early afternoon on Saturday.  The girls had plotted a spot in the château gardens in Saint-Germain-en-Laye and we had planned to spend the afternoon in Taylor's part of the woods for his special day.  We all chipped in and found an old map of Paris that he has wanted for awhile...may not be the exact replica that he's looking for but it was close enough..and I popped in to Ladurée that morning before catching the RER to pick up macarons all around and a special birthday cake for Taylor.  

It took an act of congress to get us all out in the suburbs at the right place at the right time, but we pulled it off without too much trouble!  It was yet another dreary, grey day over Paris but put a candle in a Ladurée specialty, le Saint-Honoré, and it's enough to brighten anyone's day.  

We had a bit of a wander around Saint-Germain-en-Laye and then went for lucious crêpes at a small restaurant nearby.  I had the Valéria, chicken, potatoes, tomatoes, cheese, and crème fraîche all rolled into one huge, too-big-to-finish galette.  

Sounds like a pretty decent birthday, non? Unfortunately I had to babysit Saturday night, but promised a celebration next weekend in Amsterdam!!!!

ITALY!...It's happening!

Well, its official.  I am making a return trip to Italy.  Laura and I are leaving on the 18th of February and returning on the 26th.  We are flying into Milan and will spend 2 days there.  We bought an Italy train pass where we can travel 3 days within one month and our pass will get us from Milan to Venice (yay, Venice!) and Venice to Rome with a stop in the republic of San Marino along the way.  We will then fly back on the 26th to Paris from Rome.  This is one of the trips I said I was bound and determined to do before I came back to the states and it is happening!!! Last year, Ashleigh and I were so close to Milan, but never made the 2 hour train ride up, so I'm excited to discover such a fashion and design capital.  Venice was a given, and can't wait to show my Mimi the photos and tell her all about it.  We will also be in Venice during Carnevale and for Mardi Gras.  Venice has one of the largest celebrations in the world so I can't wait to don my mask and join in!  San Marino is on Laura's bucket list, and is the world's oldest republic.  Small enough we can pop it in one day.  And Rome...oh I can't wait to drink wine, have more focaccia, spaghetti, sit by the Trevi fountain, and visit the Vatican.  It is going to be EPIC.

Made some changes on the layout of the blog...hope you enjoy!
*Hopefully it's working, it takes a really long time to load on my computer!*

Cakes and Cupcakes

Since Chloé is coming back today, we made a cake yesterday for her arrival.  Marie-Césare chose vanilla cake with strawberry icing (for her mom...just happens to be a favorite of Marie-Césare as well).  We had some extra batter so we made little cupcakes and distributed them to some of the neighbors.  The cake turned out pretty good, and the icing was delish.  Marie-Césare was a bit impatient, so we put the icing on the cake too soon and it melted and ran off...but still looked presentable.  She was so proud.  

For Christmas, I had given her a whole baking/cupcake set.  In the box were tons of sprinkles (including the ones you see here), a small, multicolored whisk, a fun spatula that stands up on the counter, Hello Kitty cupcake liners, and a cupcake recipe book.  Now, baking is fun and she loves to be able to use her whisk and her spatula.  

As we waited on Franck to get home we pulled out a toy that we haven't played with since the first month I arrived.  We drew a house, and all the loving people in the house.  This is, of course, my idea of a house.  Her idea of a house is an apartment building with a sidewalk out front.  But she went along with mine anyway....

Franck, Chloé, Gaspard, Marie-Césare, and Maggie!

Tomorrow is Taylor's 25th birthday..woohoo!!!! Happy Birthday Taylor!!! So, I told him I was coming out to Saint-Germain-en-Laye for the day.  Unfortunately, I told Chloé a month ago I could babysit tomorrow night not even putting the two dates together.  At least I'll be able to spend the day with him before I head off to kid-land at night!  And we're going to Amsterdam next weekend so I have no fear that a celebration will be going down then as well......

So, I finally did it.  I went to the Opéra.  They have been telling me the auditorium is closed...well, I've been 6 times and had no luck.  Long story short, I still haven't had any luck with the auditorium....but with my friend Sarah leaving, we decided to just suck it up and do it together with....or without the salle de spectacle.  So today I am leaving you with a little sneak peek of an upcoming Opéra post.  

Wanderlust

Well...it's that time again.  You all know I can't stay in Paris for too long without having a tingling of wanderlust.  We've officially made our reservations for a weekend in Amsterdam!  We are taking the train out of Paris next Saturday morning (the 28th) and are coming back Monday morning.  So excited for my first trip to the Netherlands and although it will be quite chilly...I've heard its a beautiful city and a can't miss.  

Also, a pending trip back to Italy!  My friend Laura has the same week off of vacation as I do and we both are wanting to visit Rome and Venice.  February is not an ideal time to experience the warm Italian sun but we figure less tourists, less lines, and more vino for us!  And I'm not passing up the chance while I have a friend who wants to come along.  Trying to squeeze in Milan and San Marino while we're there.  Totally think it will be happening.  

No official plans for Italy but we're having a search party session for the best deals tomorrow afternoon...wish us luck!  

Window Views

I love walking out of my apartment heading towards la toilette and catching at just the right time the sparkling Tour Eiffel.  The bathroom down the hall is not so exciting but when I pass la Tour to get to it...it makes it all worth it.  Have I told you I can see it from just across the way?  I had no idea and had never even looked out the hall window until one day Taylor pointed out that I can see l'Arc de Triomphe and my 6th floor bragging rights view of la Tour.  Now I look all the time.  

In yo' face.  

Today was started off by a chocolat chaud at Paul, and a normal Saturday morning pain au chocolat.  Except this time, Laura brought the pain au chocolat from the boulangerie around the corner from her house.  It was a much crispier pain au chocolat from our previous ones, but the chocolate was gooey and meltily delicious.  I know, meltily is not a word but it had to be used.  

Being the 3rd sunny day in a row (yes, now we count the sunny days...not the rainy days) we chose to follow the Seine down to Jardin des Tuileries and to Place de la Concorde.  Easily one of my favorite places in Paris on a sunny day.  It's got everything good that Paris has to offer, Champs Elysées, beautiful fountains, the obelisk, Jardin de Tuileries, the Louvre, la Tour Eiffel, le Grand Palais...the list just goes on and on!  Pictures don't do it justice.  

We did a little soldes shopping at Longchamp (okay, so we didn't actually do any shopping, just more looking) and they had my beautiful bag that I've been eyeing in the window for 5 months.  The bright blue snake skin handbag that is the perfect size and shape, but alas, on sale, it is still 400 euros.  I thought to myself.....London.....or the bag.....honestly, it is a toss up, but in the end I chose London.  I hope I don't regret that decision.  

We ended the afternoon in Le Marais/Hôtel de Ville.  Not feeling a falafel, I veered away from the group and went into a Jewish bakery on Rue des Rosiers.  I am so glad I did.  I walked away with some awesome homemade hummus, real dill pickles, a poppyseed bagel....and this sandwich that will rock your world.  

Pastrami, some sort of pickled meat, cucumbers, pickles, tomatoes, and a red pepper relish.  On a warm, soft, poppyseed onion bun.  

Hummus, Eggplant caviar, tapenade, roasted tongue of some sort...

Some dessert fluff, creamy fish goo, and fresh roasted red peppers all at your disposal.  

I have been meaning to stop by this display since I saw the article in the Direct Matin daily journal, but was glad I stumbled upon it today.  The city of Paris has been reducing their "carbon footprint" and really focusing on recycling efforts lately so these plastic bottle trees seem appropriate.  There is garland on the outside of the Mairie of the IVth arrondissement made out of these same bottles.  Pretty cool idea..I only hope after they tear them down they are recycled!  

Red and green 'Badoit' bottles to be exact.  

Babysitting tonight, watching Franck's illegally downloaded version of "J. Edgar" in English, and church tomorrow.  Hoping for another sunny day!  

Mary Had A Little Lamb

The little kid that lives on the 6th floor just under me has picked up the recorder this semester at school-well, is trying to.  I have heard a super high pitched, squeaky, off beat version of "Mary Had A Little Lamb" about 300 times tonight.  It's like every time he doesn't succeed, he starts over.  

We could be here all night.  

Mmm Mmm Good!

Guess what I found as I was browsing the shelves of Monoprix tonight?  Campbells soup!!!!  Cream of Chicken and Tomato.  2.19 euros.  

The European version but it's gotta be close to the same...right?

Guess what I'm having for dinner???? Grilled cheese (emmental, no cheddar) and tomato soup! 

Mmmmm Mmmmm Good!  

Success feels so darn good.

Well everyone, I went for my 5th visa appointment today.  I arrived at 8:30 to a hugely long line that looked like it started forming at 6 am.  Luckily after I passed through security, I went directly to guichet Z like I was told last time, handed over the papers that they needed, proof that I paid for school through June, and took a seat and got comfortable.  I don't know what they do back there and why it takes so long.  I guess its because they analyze every. single. detail. of your dossier.  

I was called back to guichet U around 9:45...not a bad wait I thought.  (Don't know whether thats me becoming accustomed to queues in France or what...but it wasn't long at all.)  She asked me to sign a few documents, hand over my crazy, standard sized, prison, no smile, passport photos, and to verify some information.  After she carefully took out a double sided piece of tape to attach my photo, she handed me a small piece of paper with another rendez-vous time.  It had a date on it to which I was to return and pick up my titre de séjour!!! SUCCESS!!!!  (Titre de séjour = visa/residence permit.)  She doesn't know how long it will be extended for, but I am hoping through the end of July.  

I bounced out of the office on cloud 9, and couldn't wait to text everyone I knew.  I am not celebrating until it is IN MY HANDS, but am much more at ease now.  Downside...I paid for 70 euros worth of tax stamps that I didn't need to, and now have to buy 49 more euros of different tax stamps.  My Christmas money is dwindling down to nothing....but-I will now be legal!!! haha!  

I go back March 12th to pick up my titre de séjour but until then I have a récipissé and I can travel and function as normal.

So rest easy parents, friends, and grandparents....J'ai réussi!!!! 

Wandering Weekends...

Things have been very uneventful since New Years weekend, which I am thankful for.  My internet has been dodgy, so I leave you with a few photos of my week/weekend wandering around Paris.  

Speculators are weighing in on whether or not we will have a great flood of 2012...its due to happen every 80 years.  

It's the highest I've ever seen the Seine since I've lived here...but I certainly could live without another great flood in my life.  

Taylor and I ran across this pharmacie in the 16th the other day.  Not only can you go in and get what you need, but if they are closed you can use their handy pharmaceutical vending machine.  Shampoo, denture paste, condoms, earplugs, electric toothbrush, and anti-lice meds are all on the menu.  They are a little more expensive than they would be inside, but if you need razor...then have no fear, you can get a razor.  

Taylor making his choice.  

I love all my German/Austrian friends past and present, but I don't understand their need to always carry around a full on pencil case.  I haven't carried a pencil case since I was in the 5th grade.  You can always count on them to have a pen or pencil at your disposal, but please return it, so the next person can borrow one.  

One of the better finds this weekend:  A wander through Poilâne in the 15th.  Poilâne is one of the most famous names in bread.  In all of their locations, Poilâne produces about 20,000 loaves of bread each day, with many being shipped across the world.  The original location is in the Latin Quarter, but we stumbled across this second location on Boulevard de Grenelle.  

La Tour Eiffel made out of bread...yes please!  

Such a sweet carrousel. Its bread too!  

Now is the time for Kings Cakes/Galettes des Rois.  They are everywhere in boulangeries, supermarkets, there is even a frozen version in Picard.  I prefer the almond ones, versus marzipan...I can't get around the texture and bland taste of marzipan.  They are much different than the Kings Cakes we find in the States, Taylor even thinks they are better back home.  (That's because they are basically a giant sugary green, yellow, and purple donut.)  I prefer the ones here, especially the galette Didou whips up.  Mmmm.....

Marie-Césare had one at school on Thursday with her classmates and of course...she won the ceramic trinket on the inside.  She always wins, even at school!  

New Years Eve

I am finally getting around to posting New Years Eve photos...why? I have no idea.  Laziness I suppose.  New Years weekend was filled with lots of running around and visiting every. single. tourist site. available.  

Toni (Pat's sister) and her family were in town, and I was delighted to have some familiar faces to spend the weekend with.  They spent a week or so in London with Kerry (who is an au pair there) seeing the sights anddddd spending Christmas in London doesn't sound half bad does it?  I was so glad they were able to pop down to Paris even if for just a couple of days.  We started off the morning by visiting Sainte-Chappelle, a must see for them during their visit.  We finished up with the Christmas lights at Galeries Lafayette and dinner near their hotel in the 9th.  We left Toni and her husband to have their own New Years celebration and Kerry, Elena, Andy and I met my friends at the Eiffel Tower.  We had nothing planned...no big parties or soirée's, lets face it-I was just glad to have the night off.  I didn't want to spend the tick of midnight in a bar somewhere in Paris, so we decided that the Eiffel Tower seemed pretty memorable.  (So cliché, but memorable.)  Trying to miss the overcrowded metros we planned to meet around 9:30, and spend the evening on the Champ de Mars.  Luckily it wasn't too cold, and we were able to find a few places to sit.  

People crowded around the empty fountains in the middle of the Champ de Mars.

Me, Kerry, Elena, and Andy
Kerry, Elena, Andy, and I....WHY do I never know which one is correct?

The lame fireworks that supposedly "weren't" allowed.

The metro, line 8, at 1:00 am.  We decided to walk.  

Gendarmerie and garbage men already sweeping/cleaning the Champs Élysées at 2am.  And yes, they all walked in a line as to shield the garbage trucks and street cleaners from whatever harm was to come ahead.  

Midnight was spent with champagne toasts and bisous all around and as I stood in front of the sparkling Eiffel Tower reflecting on 2011 I was so glad to have some family and some very dear friends standing next to me.  I'm excited to see where 2012 will take me... full of change, excitement, and worldly travel I hope.  

Sunday was spent in Montmartre with the Fowler's, a quick jaunt to Angelina's to taste some delicious hot chocolate, and the afternoon in the Jardin du Luxembourg.  I am always sad to see familiar faces go, but am so lucky that they had the opportunity to pop down.  It was lovely and I always enjoy sharing my city with the people I love.  

This weekend we are not planning much, definitely church on Sunday, and probably a pain au chocolat on Saturday morning.  I've got to gather my things for my next visa appointment.  My wallet just took a hit this morning because I paid for my last trimester of French classes.  Boom.  I hope that's the last 380 euros I pay to France Langue for awhile.  

Mission 2012:  Finding a job in the states that will allow me to use my French often so I don't let 2000 euros go to waste!!!!!!!  Any ideas?