Hello all...
Just a quick word to say that I am in the process of switching over my blog to Wordpress.
The new blog can be found at: akareninparis.wordpress.com
Cheers!
xo,
aKiP
Monday, March 28, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Janvier Reminiscing...
It's been 10,000 years since I have last blogged. It's a shame that I set it as a goal for 2011 and I have failed thus far. I'm not going to waste time and/or energy making further promises or odes that I will get better.
We'll just see how it goes.
There's tons to update...so I'm just going to dig in and do my best here.
January 2-9
All museums in Paris are free on the first Sunday of the month. So, on January 2, I attempted to go to the Louvre. HahahaHA. It was at least a 4 hour wait to get in. Ummmm...nonmerci. So, I ended up at the Pompidou Center (modern art musée) instead. It was nice. There's a really cool observation deck at the top.
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| Pompidou Center |
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| Me under a Pompidou Sky |
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| Modern Art 1 |
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| Modern Art 2 |
So, yes, in the end, the class was indeed "too easy" for me. I feel so cocky saying that, but it's the truth. I'm looking forward to the next trimester (March 28-June 18), as it should be more challenging. It's been good for me to go back to the basics though, and it has laid a good foundation for me for the rest of my French studies with France Langue.
The evening of January 4 also marked a significant new activity in my Parisian life. I started to sing with the St. Joseph's adult choir. St. Joseph's is an English speaking Catholic church here. St. Joseph's Website The people (all women) in the choir are so welcoming, supportive and lovely, and I have also begun cantoring with the church as well. It's been an important addition to my life here.
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| Scrumptious Falafel |
January 14 was a beautifully sunny winter day. Took a promenade around the Trocadero... just near the Eiffel Tower.
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| The Trocadero |
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| Amazing sky on Jan. 15 |
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| La Rotonde (if you couldn't tell) |
On January 18, I I was "interviewed" by one of the girls I watch. It was pretty cute. (Video to come....if I can get it edited sometime this century!)
I had an interview for a part-time teaching job on the 19th. Instead of interviewing, I jumped in and taught a lesson, as they were down a teacher! I was offered the job, but subsequently had to turn it down...it's a long story. The short version is that they wanted me to be an independent contractor, and that has the potential to conflict with my visa.
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| Just outside the language school (Near Place des Vosges) |
My school planned a day trip to Rouen that I participated in on Saturday, January 22. I am SO GLAD I went. It was a great experience. Rouen is in northern France, in the Normandy region. It is a medieval city in which Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in 1431. We started at the Musée des Beaux Arts de Rouen and looked specifically at the museum's impressive impressionist collection.
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| Monet |
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| Our group! |
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| Amazing Joan of Arc painting |
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| Marcel Duchamp |
From there, we went to the site where Joan of Arc (Jeanne d'Arc) was burned at the stake.
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| Medieval buildings in Joan of Arc square |
Then we visited the famous Rouen Cathedral before lunch. Monet painted this cathedral about 30 times. He would set up canvases and paint thoughout the day to study the effect that the sunlight had on the cathedral (he did this a lot--with landscapes, etc.) throughout his career.
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| Monet: Rouen Cathedral |
After lunch, we got back on the bus and went to the Martinville Chateau (Castle) from the 15th century. For more photos, visit Martianville Castle Album
On January 23, my friend Patrice had friends in from Lyon. We had brunch and then walked around. We were going to visit the Panthéon, but in the end, we decided not to go in.
We did go into Saint Etienne du Mont Church, where St. Genevieve is buried.
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| St. Genevieve's Tomb |
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| Amazing sculpture |
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| Beautiful staircase in the center of the church |
I had the great pleasure to go to an amazing museum on January 24. It is my favorite musée in all of Paris (so far). Musée Jaquemart-André.
Took some random pictures of my class on January 25. (Happy Birthday Hondo!)
"Lunched" on hot chocolate amazingness at Angelina on January 28. A lifechanging experience. So incredible.
From January 29-February 1, I went to Frankfurt, Germany. Frankfurt Album
....I'll get up to date eventually....
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Ready, set, READ.
One of my resolutions in 2011 is to read more books.
What motivated me to read more? Well, a few things.
1) I have time to read here, and I can MAKE time to read here. Especially while traveling on the metro or various other trains I'm exposed to.
2) Books in English are expensive here. I think I'd taken literature written in English for granted until I moved to a foreign country. So, when I returned in December, I did so with three books that were interesting to me. Here I am on January 5, having already finished 2 of them and about to start the third. (I've asked for more to come over from the United States in the luggage of those coming for a visit!)
3) The girls. The girls I live with are 11 and 8 and they are VORACIOUS readers. The oldest can tear through a book in one evening. It's highly impressive and quite good motivation.
4) Reading is good for you, and I have not done enough of it in my life.
One of the two books I read, Sarah's Key, by Tatiana deRosnay, I've mentioned on my blog already. I enjoyed it, and I'd give it a 6 out of 10. The story was a page-turner, and I read it quickly (unusual for me...I am a notoriously slow reader), but I found once I'd turned all the pages that I thought..."eh."
Speaking of EH. The second book I read, while in Val d'Isère over the holidays, was The Art of Racing in the Rain, by Garth Stein. The book was told from the perspective of the dog, Enzo. Having adored every word of John Grogan's masterpiece, Marley & Me, I had great expectations before reading this book. Especially since the back cover features a quote from Entertainment Weekly, "Fans of Marley & Me, rejoice." Well, I was NOT rejoicing. Not while reading it and not even after the "loose-ends-conveniently-tied-up-happy-ever-after-ending." It was entirely and unnecessarily depressing. And Enzo, the narrating dog, who was near the end of his days and looked forward to being reincarnated to come back as a human, needed his mouth washed out with soap. Who needs to hear a dog curse?! It went from bad to worse to over-the-top depressing, and then just flat out unrealistic. Not recommended.
As I find with most of life...we can even learn from less-than-positive experiences. And, there were a few beautiful things to be taken away from this book.
I enjoyed these quotes, spoken by Enzo, in The Art of Racing in the Rain.
PAGE 160: "To live every day as if it had been stolen from death, that is how I would like to live. To feel the joy of life, as Eve felt the joy of life. To separate oneself from the burden, the angst, the anguish that we all encounter every day. To say that I am alive, I am wonderful, I am. I am. That is something to aspire to. When I am a person, that is how I will live my life."
PAGE 188: "I felt strangely anxious that day, in a very human way. People are always worried about what's happening next. They often find it difficult to stand still, occupy the now without worrying about the future. People are generally not satisfied with what they have; they are concerned with what they are going to have."
I think there are lessons in these two excerpts that I can apply directly to my life, and my goals/resolutions for 2011. And I am thankful to Garth Stein and his furry character, Enzo, for these lessons.
xo,
aKiP
What motivated me to read more? Well, a few things.
1) I have time to read here, and I can MAKE time to read here. Especially while traveling on the metro or various other trains I'm exposed to.
2) Books in English are expensive here. I think I'd taken literature written in English for granted until I moved to a foreign country. So, when I returned in December, I did so with three books that were interesting to me. Here I am on January 5, having already finished 2 of them and about to start the third. (I've asked for more to come over from the United States in the luggage of those coming for a visit!)
3) The girls. The girls I live with are 11 and 8 and they are VORACIOUS readers. The oldest can tear through a book in one evening. It's highly impressive and quite good motivation.
4) Reading is good for you, and I have not done enough of it in my life.
One of the two books I read, Sarah's Key, by Tatiana deRosnay, I've mentioned on my blog already. I enjoyed it, and I'd give it a 6 out of 10. The story was a page-turner, and I read it quickly (unusual for me...I am a notoriously slow reader), but I found once I'd turned all the pages that I thought..."eh."
Speaking of EH. The second book I read, while in Val d'Isère over the holidays, was The Art of Racing in the Rain, by Garth Stein. The book was told from the perspective of the dog, Enzo. Having adored every word of John Grogan's masterpiece, Marley & Me, I had great expectations before reading this book. Especially since the back cover features a quote from Entertainment Weekly, "Fans of Marley & Me, rejoice." Well, I was NOT rejoicing. Not while reading it and not even after the "loose-ends-conveniently-tied-up-happy-ever-after-ending." It was entirely and unnecessarily depressing. And Enzo, the narrating dog, who was near the end of his days and looked forward to being reincarnated to come back as a human, needed his mouth washed out with soap. Who needs to hear a dog curse?! It went from bad to worse to over-the-top depressing, and then just flat out unrealistic. Not recommended.
As I find with most of life...we can even learn from less-than-positive experiences. And, there were a few beautiful things to be taken away from this book.
I enjoyed these quotes, spoken by Enzo, in The Art of Racing in the Rain.
PAGE 160: "To live every day as if it had been stolen from death, that is how I would like to live. To feel the joy of life, as Eve felt the joy of life. To separate oneself from the burden, the angst, the anguish that we all encounter every day. To say that I am alive, I am wonderful, I am. I am. That is something to aspire to. When I am a person, that is how I will live my life."
PAGE 188: "I felt strangely anxious that day, in a very human way. People are always worried about what's happening next. They often find it difficult to stand still, occupy the now without worrying about the future. People are generally not satisfied with what they have; they are concerned with what they are going to have."
I think there are lessons in these two excerpts that I can apply directly to my life, and my goals/resolutions for 2011. And I am thankful to Garth Stein and his furry character, Enzo, for these lessons.
- Recognize the blessings in being alive.
- Feel that I'm wonderful.
- Know that I am.
- Stillness.
- Occupy the now.
xo,
aKiP
It's not easy eating greens!
As my time here goes on, I am missing green veggies.
I can't speak universally for French people on this, but only within my family unit. We need to eat more GREEN vegetables at mealtimes. I'm missing them and all their vitamins and goodnesses.
We eat a lot of potatoes, shredded carrots, pasta, tomatoes, cucumber, and salad. Ok, so lettuce is green, but I'm not including that in my gripe about lack of veggies. When we do eat veggies, I feel like there are not enough of them in comparison to the other foods on the plate.
We had asparagus the other day, and the girls only ate the tips! The rest was going to go to waste!!! It's my favorite veggie, asparagus, so I ate some, and made the girls finish the rest. I cut the bottoms off before cooking them, so they weren't at all stalky.
Yes, portions are smaller here. In general, they eat a lot LESS. But, I don't want that to apply to my vegetable intake while here. If anything, I want that to become MORE!!
I miss broccoli, and green beans, and limas, and cooked spinach, and all those yummy veggies that used to take up at least 1/3 of my plate.
Sigh. (I have it so rough, don't I? HA!)
xo,
aKiP
I can't speak universally for French people on this, but only within my family unit. We need to eat more GREEN vegetables at mealtimes. I'm missing them and all their vitamins and goodnesses.
We eat a lot of potatoes, shredded carrots, pasta, tomatoes, cucumber, and salad. Ok, so lettuce is green, but I'm not including that in my gripe about lack of veggies. When we do eat veggies, I feel like there are not enough of them in comparison to the other foods on the plate.
We had asparagus the other day, and the girls only ate the tips! The rest was going to go to waste!!! It's my favorite veggie, asparagus, so I ate some, and made the girls finish the rest. I cut the bottoms off before cooking them, so they weren't at all stalky.
Yes, portions are smaller here. In general, they eat a lot LESS. But, I don't want that to apply to my vegetable intake while here. If anything, I want that to become MORE!!
I miss broccoli, and green beans, and limas, and cooked spinach, and all those yummy veggies that used to take up at least 1/3 of my plate.
Sigh. (I have it so rough, don't I? HA!)
xo,
aKiP
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Schooled.
I started French class at 10:30 this morning.
I wasn't particularly thrilled about it last night, because it marks the significant change of my lifestyle here in Paris. It's another level of responsibility added to my life here...and it means I can't sleep in on Tuesdays and Fridays anymore. (THAT is probably the biggest disappointment). But, after going today, I'm looking forward to going back. It was really, really good. :) [Had I only known, I would have been like Nemo last night! NEMO]
The teacher was late--quite typical in French culture really. So, not too surprising. Her name is Joëlle, and she was quite gentle and almost fragile looking (aka FRENCH!), and just really lovely. She was so positive and encouraging, and welcoming. She created a great classroom environment almost immediately.
So, the course was quite basic. It's a debutante class--beginner of all beginners. She explained that because we are beginners, she will speak in English and French for the first few days/weeks of class...until we adjust. There was one girl who only spoke Russian. Felt so bad for her. The look on her face. Poor thing. I sat between Katie and David. Katie and I walked out together. She's also an au pair here, in the suburbs just on the other side of the 16th. She's 23 and Australian. Very nice.
As for content, we learned the French alphabet, numbers to 20, names of people and names of countries today. Joëlle quickly ascertained that my level was above this course. She made a few remarks to me about it (in front of everyone, although I'm not sure the others understood.) And while she has a point, and I DO know nearly all that we learned today, there are still things that I can learn from the debutante class. I made a conscious decision not to get cocky and allow myself to think that this was "TOO easy for me," even though it was not particularly a challenge. I picked up a few new words and expressions from her (80%) French lesson today. I can always spend time refining what I do know. Spelling, grammar, parts of speech, expressions, pronunciation, accents, and identifying masculine versus feminine are all things that I need work on, and I can certainly do that in her class.
I am not shy. Well, very rarely. And, if there's one thing I am pretty good at, it's being a student. I am not so hot at doing a lot of things, but in a classroom, I tend to feel quite at ease and don't feel the need to hold back when I have questions/concerns about content. I don't know if I am always a good student, but I definitely know that I am very good at BEING a student.
Maybe that's my calling in life. Professional student.
Anyway, I digress. Uh, so yeah, I'm not shy. And so I asked questions today. Not unrelated ones that derail the whole lesson (like a few students in my CELTA English teaching certification course had a propencity to do), but ones that pertained to the lesson. Pertinent questions. I got a little verbal "tap" on the hand for asking my first question in English. She told me to say it in French, especially since she knew I knew how. So from then on, I asked questions in French (I'm sure it was broken French, but I got my point across!), and I had several good conversations with Joëlle, the lovely, as a result.
What was interesting was that another girl came in a half hour after our class began, and she was just sitting in on our class--only for today--because she messed up and had missed her course at 9:00. She was a level above us, and decided to "slum it" with us for the 2 hours and 15 minutes. I'm sure I must have been on the same level as her (if not higher) because there were several occasions when Joëlle asked a question, and she didn't know the answer. And it was really a sign of how good Joëlle is as a teacher that this girl learned new things in class today, from a teacher teaching debutantes.
Although the prof. suggested I look into seeing if there is space in the next level of classes, and I may, it'd be a real shame to move up and not benefit from having Joëlle as my teacher.
Secondly, at the moment, I am at the top of this class, and that's a rather comfortable place. It's not so bad to be at the top. The trouble with moving is, I don't know where I'm going to fit in there. I'm not concerned with my status in that class...it doesn't matter if I'm not even near the top of the next level up. I just don't want to struggle. It'd be really nice to be challenged, but I don't want to be in over my head or uncomfortable.
I did my homework as soon as I got home, ate lunch, and then took a nap.
It was a very, very rewarding experience. On Friday, I start with French history lecture at 8:30, and then go back to French class at 10:30.
xo,
aKiP
Sunday, January 2, 2011
New Year's Resolutions
My New Year's resolution for 2010 was to do a Photo Blog (365,000 Words Blog). I, unfortunately, failed that as of November 4, 2010. I made it most of the way there, and then failed. Big disappointment. I think it happened for 2 reasons, really. First, I think I got settled in to my "normal, day-to-day" here in Paris, and I stopped keeping up with the pictures. Secondly, as I said on 12/16, as John Mayer says in 3x5, "I finally overcame trying to put the world inside a picture frame." I just LIVED it, and tried to "live in the moment"--a true area of weakness for me, and I didn't take as many pictures with my camera as I did with my mind.
So with my resolutions this year, I hope to make up for my shortcoming (read failure) last year. (And hopefully by writing them down here, I will be more motivated to see them through!)
Resolutions 2011
So with my resolutions this year, I hope to make up for my shortcoming (read failure) last year. (And hopefully by writing them down here, I will be more motivated to see them through!)
Resolutions 2011
- Start to learn/improve French
- Keep up with aKiP Blog better (Fine print: at least one post per week)
- Piece together 365,000 words to "finish 2010" if possible
- Be more adventurous...try new things
- Keep in better contact with friends and family
- Be more positive
- Take dance classes/lessons
- Take advantage of my current location and TRAVEL more
- Live in the moment as much as possible
- Sort through my spirituality issues
- Read more books
- Experience more of the arts: More museums, ballets, operas, and music, etc.
That's the list, folks! Here's hoping I can get all that done.
xo,
aKiP
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Bye bye, Val d'Isère
Today marks the wrapping up of the 9 days I've been in Val d'Isère. It's a really beautiful place. I spent Christmas here and New Year's Eve/Day here as well. It feels like I have been here for years. That's not a complaint; just merely an observation. It's such a different lifestyle than Paris. It's so....white here. :)
Last night, I had a really nice NYE celebration with the family and a couple that are close to them. It was cool. Sophie is Belgian and Nekil is Indian, and they live in London. It was really nice to spend time with them--they're a fun couple.
There are lots of English people here. It's been really neat to hear "my" language being spoken all over the place this week.
The strange thing is how unreal it all feels. It hasn't yet hit me that it's 2011...or that Christmas is over....and that I have to wait another whole year to truly celebrate it. It's a strange, surreal feeling that I'm here and this time has passed.
Can't say it's unpleasant, because it's not. At all. I'm perfectly content. The experience is just rather dream-like at the moment. (I'll take that, mind you, over being homesick and/or unhappy.)
I take the 5:30 bus to the 7:00 train and I'll arrive in Paris at midnight tonight. I'll post pictures once I return home. Happy New Year's Day!
xo,
aKiP
Last night, I had a really nice NYE celebration with the family and a couple that are close to them. It was cool. Sophie is Belgian and Nekil is Indian, and they live in London. It was really nice to spend time with them--they're a fun couple.
There are lots of English people here. It's been really neat to hear "my" language being spoken all over the place this week.
The strange thing is how unreal it all feels. It hasn't yet hit me that it's 2011...or that Christmas is over....and that I have to wait another whole year to truly celebrate it. It's a strange, surreal feeling that I'm here and this time has passed.
Can't say it's unpleasant, because it's not. At all. I'm perfectly content. The experience is just rather dream-like at the moment. (I'll take that, mind you, over being homesick and/or unhappy.)
I take the 5:30 bus to the 7:00 train and I'll arrive in Paris at midnight tonight. I'll post pictures once I return home. Happy New Year's Day!
xo,
aKiP
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Merry Christmas
I've made it safe and sound to Val d'Isere! It's really lovely here. I got some time off tonight to talk to my family online. It was really great to see them.
It's in the 20s here and has been steadily snowing. It's surprisingly pleasant though, even for me!
The older two girls came down with the same stomach bug that I had. The grandmother was the first one we know to have it, and the trend has continued. :( We're just praying that the baby doesn't get it. Especially me, as I am in the same room as her... oy.
Alright, well, sorry so short, but I am going to the grocery store if possible and then back to the flat for the night. Merry Christmas everyone!
Lots of love and bisous.
xo,
aKiP
It's in the 20s here and has been steadily snowing. It's surprisingly pleasant though, even for me!
The older two girls came down with the same stomach bug that I had. The grandmother was the first one we know to have it, and the trend has continued. :( We're just praying that the baby doesn't get it. Especially me, as I am in the same room as her... oy.
Alright, well, sorry so short, but I am going to the grocery store if possible and then back to the flat for the night. Merry Christmas everyone!
Lots of love and bisous.
xo,
aKiP
Friday, December 24, 2010
Christmas Eeeeeeeeve
So, in the end, I didn’t go to Val d’Isere early Wednesday morning. I spent most of early Wednesday morning either on or hugging the toilet. No fun.
I did not leave the couch all day Wednesday. Other than for bathroom visits, a stop in the kitchen to make some cherry Jell-o, I did nothing but sleep all day. I really needed it. My entire body ached in that way that even your hair hurts. I woke up at 10 PM, went back to my bedroom, and was asleep for the night as of 11:30.
Thursday, I rested mostly, but I braved the outside world and went to the SNCF ticket office to get my new train ticket—for Friday morning—and hit the grocery store for some rice and soup.
This Christmas season has been difficult. I have not felt at all in the Christmas spirit. It’s all so foreign, and different, and that’s surprisingly not easy.
I keep thinking of “I’ll be home for Christmas” and while the “if only in my dreams” part is applicable to me, it’s for the birds.
So, it’s Christmas Eve, and I’m en route to Val d’Isere now. I still have 2 hours before my arrival. I slept at the start of my trip, as I am still pretty wiped, and I was up at 6 this morning. I looked at some pictures of the area online last night, and that was cool. I’m still not exactly sure what to expect, but whatever awaits me, I am happy to reunite with the family and see the girls. They still have gifts from me to open! That will be fun. And, they’re not my family, but they’re the next best thing.
Merry Christmas Eve!
Xo,
aKiP
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
I'm off first thing tomorrow morning to the French Alps. I'll be in Val d'Isere with the family. They have a flat there that they use for skiing trips a few times per year. I will be sleeping in the same room as the baby, and will therefore be up very early! Whooo hoo! Snow and early mornings are some of my favorite things....
I will be without internet there, so that means no photos or updates of any kind until I return on January 2. I will sneak out to an internet café on Christmas day to call my family.
I hope everyone has a wonderul Christmas! 2010 was a good one...let's see what amazingness awaits us in 2011!
A little silliness: My Christmas "Movie"
xo,
aKiP
I will be without internet there, so that means no photos or updates of any kind until I return on January 2. I will sneak out to an internet café on Christmas day to call my family.
I hope everyone has a wonderul Christmas! 2010 was a good one...let's see what amazingness awaits us in 2011!
A little silliness: My Christmas "Movie"
xo,
aKiP
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Hazy, yet crystal clear. Part 2: Paris.
When I came to Paris, I was blinded by the city. I was blinded by both what I brought to the experience as well as what Paris had to offer me. I just fell so in love with all of it. I was accepting; it was just one amazing reality to accept after another. From the Notre Dame, to the way the Parisians don't move out of the way when you have no where to go on the sidewalk, I just accepted it. Face value. It is what it is. I was a tourist at first, and I wanted to experience and love every moment of my visit here.
Upon my return to Paris, as a new resident, I realized how much I have started to know/understand the culture. (I actually, for a brief time, got a little annoyed with people and these known oddities upon my return. And then it became, "Oh, those Parisians." [Important footnote: My temporary annoyance was not helped by jet-lag.]) In the end, I see I can now separate what I know/think about the culture into categories: those that I am fond of because I genuinely like them, and those that I am fond of because they are so foreign/strange/inefficient or FRENCH. I am sure that over my time here, the list will grow, and I will continue to categorize.
I am reading a book called Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay. It's about the occupation of France in July-August of 1942, and a modern woman looking to uncover details about that dark time's events. At one point, the French husband attacks the American wife for things she's probably noted/complained about in the past. "We know what [you (the American)] think of our schools, our hospitals, our endless strikes, our long vacations, our plumbing systems, our postal service, our TV, our politics, our dogshit on the sidewalks." I personally understood with each one of these items in a personal way. The way that only someone who's lived there can understand them. What's the most interesting is that I could see and identify with both her perspective and his disgust with her judgment.
Don't misinterpret, my desire to be here and my wanderlust remain fully in tact. I just think I approached my return a little differently this time. I think it's fair to say that I may have a deeper understanding of Paris for what it is, and under the shininess of it all, and I can see the "true Paris" in all its naked, bureaucratic, unglamorous glory. And yet, I still am completely enthralled and in love with it.
I now have a better perspective and acceptance of things, and they inform and influence my life here. I wonder if my acceptance will ever fully switch over to annoyance at some point. Over time, will I get "fed up?" Doubtful, but not impossible. In any event, the point is: I may be a bit more "used to" the city, but the honeymoon is nowhere near over.
I feel more grounded post-trip home. I returned with a feeling of security in knowing who I am and what I value. It's just a feeling of knowing my place in the world, and freeing myself to be able to fully experience whatever Paris has to offer. I see more clearly than before that I am traveling with an anchor of knowledge that I will go back home at some point, but I am going to have a hell of a good time now. I am just going to continue to be in the moment and experience this journey that I have allowed myself. As John Mayer says in 3x5s, "I finally overcame trying to put the world inside a picture frame." I just LIVED it, and I think that's how I am getting the most out of my experience.
My soul sings here. I have done something entirely for myself. It has worked out for me so far. I have done it as just one little person in a great, big world of opportunity. I see how incredibly blessed I am. This is truly a gift from God, and a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Today, I'm taking away from my experience that...
I am truly blessed. Not only is there a God, but he's on my side, cheering me on.
You need not live your life for others before having first lived it for yourself. It's not about making others happy (although that is part of it), it's about making yourself happy.
Life is not about seeing what happens, but, instead taking control and MAKING things happen.
I believe that once you have your grounding and you truly know yourself (via whatever process or length of time it takes you to acquire that end), only THEN you are free to allow yourself to find true happiness.
xo,
aKiP
Hazy, yet crystal clear. Part 1: USA.
It's been ages since I've posted on my blog. And, yes, I know. It's high time that I fixed that.
After four eventful months in Paris, I went home for ten days. I left the house at 6:30 AM (1:30 AM EST) on Saturday, November 20. After a five-hour layover in Dublin, I safely landed at JFK at 6:15 EST (12:15 Paris time). The customs/border control process was surprisingly painless. I even got flirted with by the man checking my passport. Which I briefly wore as a badge of honor, as I thought it was not too bad after having spent 18 hours traveling! At the end of the journey, Mike awaited me in an immense crowd of people with a huge smile and a single, beautiful, red rose. It was a lovely homecoming.
The time home was eventful to say the least.
Saturday night: I got to see Mike's place, all set up and decorated. He got new furniture and really did a nice job outfitting the "pad." Then we went to a lovely dinner, and I collapsed around 12:30 AM.
Sunday 11/21: I was up early and showered. I opened the packages I'd sent to Mike's and decided what I was keeping and what was going back. I made coffee too. It'd been a long time since I'd done that. Mike and I met my mom and went shopping. Then we went to an awesome dinner at Aikou in Morristown. Lastly, we went to Mike's office and worked on my cousin's wedding program. I collapsed again that night (and each night after....in bed sound asleep by 11:30 and wide awake between 6 and 7 EVERY morning.)
Monday 11/22: Mike and I went into NYC for my noon appointment at the French Consulate. We took the train and then a cab and Mike got us right to where we needed to go. I applied for my visa (after a few small hiccups). After that, we dropped the visa pick-up paperwork off to Susan (the owner of the au pair agency), so she could pick up my visa on my behalf on Friday. Then we hit the famous Butter Lane cupcakes before leaving the city. Mike drove me to South Jersey on Monday night. We stopped at Kinko's, dropped off the wedding program to be printed, and then went my parents' house. Bed.
Tuesday 11/23: Errands in AM. Visit with Debbie Silverstone and 2 of her 3 lovely children. Then a visit to see my bestest friend, Jim, and then off with him to see my favorite girl, Ella Sophia, and meet the new-ish arrival Olivia (Jim's neices). Then cheesesteaks in Manayunk and back to Jersey. Bed.
Wednesday 11/24: hair color/eyebrow wax/manicure and pedicure appointments from 10:00-2ish. Kourtney's wedding dress rehearsal from 3:00-6, and then rehearsal dinner. Bed.
Thursday 11/25: Turkey bird day! Snow in AM. Played outside with ella for a while. Then Dinner at Aunt Anne & George's. Got to see Heather who is due any day and Patrick. Everyone looked well. :) Bed.
Friday 11/26: Black Friday. Visit with the Hurly kids. The four of them have gotten so big. Brought them goodies from France. Then, ran errands with my mom. Went to the Verizon store to look at new phones for my dad. Then, Mike came down and we went to BJ's and got food/wine/supplies for the open house on Sunday. Then rehearsal with Vince for the wedding. Friendly's for dinner. Bed.
Saturday 11/27: Haircut at 10. My mom's best friend, Gwen, did my make up at 10:45. Then off to the wedding location to set up and get ready for the big day! I sang at Kourtney's wedding. The wedding was lovely. Kourtney was stunning, Joe was so handsome, and the ceremony was really inviting and enjoyable.
My singing went very well. I was relatively pleased with my performance. I had one little bobble, but it was good overall. What surprised me the most about the singing experience was the reaction from my family. First, the groom pulled me aside. He told me that when he came in the building, he could hear me singing and he thought it was a recording. Then he thanked me for singing, and said he felt lucky to have us sing at his wedding. He's a gem, that Joe. At the reception, my cousin, Jamie, told me he'd never heard me sing before. I rebuked him at first because of course he must have...I've been singing since third grade! But, in the end, no. He was right. He asked me to sing at his wedding if he gets married. My Uncle Mike thanked me for singing and for "the entertainment" three separate times during the reception. Jennifer, the groom's mother told me that my voice is so pretty I should go on American Idol. My Aunt Kathy complimented me as well. As always, the Ave Maria was her favorite. My Uncle Tony told me, yet again, that "I've got the goods" and thanked me for my time and effort for Kourtney's wedding. At the end of the night, Joe pulled me aside again. He told me that he feels so fortunate to love what he does everyday ("bossing little kids around"). And he told me that with a gift like my voice, if I enjoy it, I should use it professionally. That was so nice. It was just such a positive all around. I got to help my cousin by organizing all of the music and musicians and doing the program which felt SO good. I was so honored to be a part of it.
Sunday 11/28: Open house. Fantastic experience! So good to see everyone, but I need to work on my party-flitting skills. I didn't circulate anywhere near enough. Bed.
Tuesday 11/30: Packing all darn day. Cancelled lunch plans to pack. Primo sub for lunch, compliments of Dad. Weighed bags at UPS store to make sure they weren't over the alloted weight. Airport at 3:30 for my 6:30 flight. Again, painless from soup to nuts. Arrived back in Paris on 12/1 at 8:15 AM (2:30 AM).
After four eventful months in Paris, I went home for ten days. I left the house at 6:30 AM (1:30 AM EST) on Saturday, November 20. After a five-hour layover in Dublin, I safely landed at JFK at 6:15 EST (12:15 Paris time). The customs/border control process was surprisingly painless. I even got flirted with by the man checking my passport. Which I briefly wore as a badge of honor, as I thought it was not too bad after having spent 18 hours traveling! At the end of the journey, Mike awaited me in an immense crowd of people with a huge smile and a single, beautiful, red rose. It was a lovely homecoming.
The time home was eventful to say the least.
Saturday night: I got to see Mike's place, all set up and decorated. He got new furniture and really did a nice job outfitting the "pad." Then we went to a lovely dinner, and I collapsed around 12:30 AM.
Sunday 11/21: I was up early and showered. I opened the packages I'd sent to Mike's and decided what I was keeping and what was going back. I made coffee too. It'd been a long time since I'd done that. Mike and I met my mom and went shopping. Then we went to an awesome dinner at Aikou in Morristown. Lastly, we went to Mike's office and worked on my cousin's wedding program. I collapsed again that night (and each night after....in bed sound asleep by 11:30 and wide awake between 6 and 7 EVERY morning.)
Monday 11/22: Mike and I went into NYC for my noon appointment at the French Consulate. We took the train and then a cab and Mike got us right to where we needed to go. I applied for my visa (after a few small hiccups). After that, we dropped the visa pick-up paperwork off to Susan (the owner of the au pair agency), so she could pick up my visa on my behalf on Friday. Then we hit the famous Butter Lane cupcakes before leaving the city. Mike drove me to South Jersey on Monday night. We stopped at Kinko's, dropped off the wedding program to be printed, and then went my parents' house. Bed.
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| Going, going... |
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| ...Gone. |
Tuesday 11/23: Errands in AM. Visit with Debbie Silverstone and 2 of her 3 lovely children. Then a visit to see my bestest friend, Jim, and then off with him to see my favorite girl, Ella Sophia, and meet the new-ish arrival Olivia (Jim's neices). Then cheesesteaks in Manayunk and back to Jersey. Bed.
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| Debbie with twins Alec and Emma and me |
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| Me with Ella and Olivia! |
Wednesday 11/24: hair color/eyebrow wax/manicure and pedicure appointments from 10:00-2ish. Kourtney's wedding dress rehearsal from 3:00-6, and then rehearsal dinner. Bed.
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| The female cousins surrounding bride-to-be, Kourtney! |
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| Dad, Mom, Heather and Pat |
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| With "the folks" |
Saturday 11/27: Haircut at 10. My mom's best friend, Gwen, did my make up at 10:45. Then off to the wedding location to set up and get ready for the big day! I sang at Kourtney's wedding. The wedding was lovely. Kourtney was stunning, Joe was so handsome, and the ceremony was really inviting and enjoyable.
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| Joe and Kourtney the Groom and Bride, and my cousins! |
My singing went very well. I was relatively pleased with my performance. I had one little bobble, but it was good overall. What surprised me the most about the singing experience was the reaction from my family. First, the groom pulled me aside. He told me that when he came in the building, he could hear me singing and he thought it was a recording. Then he thanked me for singing, and said he felt lucky to have us sing at his wedding. He's a gem, that Joe. At the reception, my cousin, Jamie, told me he'd never heard me sing before. I rebuked him at first because of course he must have...I've been singing since third grade! But, in the end, no. He was right. He asked me to sing at his wedding if he gets married. My Uncle Mike thanked me for singing and for "the entertainment" three separate times during the reception. Jennifer, the groom's mother told me that my voice is so pretty I should go on American Idol. My Aunt Kathy complimented me as well. As always, the Ave Maria was her favorite. My Uncle Tony told me, yet again, that "I've got the goods" and thanked me for my time and effort for Kourtney's wedding. At the end of the night, Joe pulled me aside again. He told me that he feels so fortunate to love what he does everyday ("bossing little kids around"). And he told me that with a gift like my voice, if I enjoy it, I should use it professionally. That was so nice. It was just such a positive all around. I got to help my cousin by organizing all of the music and musicians and doing the program which felt SO good. I was so honored to be a part of it.
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| K&J's ceremony |
Sunday 11/28: Open house. Fantastic experience! So good to see everyone, but I need to work on my party-flitting skills. I didn't circulate anywhere near enough. Bed.
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With my girls: Jen, Tracey and Rileigh
Monday 11/29: Packing. Dinner with Tracey, Rileigh, Adam, Mike and Jen. Target to buy a new suitcase...stayed until 10:30. More packing. Bed (way before packing was anywhere near done). |
Tuesday 11/30: Packing all darn day. Cancelled lunch plans to pack. Primo sub for lunch, compliments of Dad. Weighed bags at UPS store to make sure they weren't over the alloted weight. Airport at 3:30 for my 6:30 flight. Again, painless from soup to nuts. Arrived back in Paris on 12/1 at 8:15 AM (2:30 AM).
It was so busy that it was surreal. It was almost as if I was in a haze and not completely aware that I was actually there and not just dreaming. Kinda foggy, as if it was a dream. As I was sitting in the airport on the way home, it hit me that I was in the United States. It's hard to explain. Needless to say, next time I'm home for a visit, I hope it's for longer than 10 days and I will ensure that it is relaxing.
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