Starbucks Parisian Style

While living in Paris, I have stayed away from Starbucks out of principle. Why go to an American chain when I can stop by any corner cafe and enjoy a Parisian café crème. Yesterday, after having lunch with my friend Michael and his husband Michel, we decided to grab a cup of coffee. They ended up suggesting Starbucks; I wasn't going to object after all I have been to a Starbucks in Cologne, Germany. Might as well try one in Paris ... once in a while can't hurt, right? They took me to a Starbucks near l'Opéra, which has the reputation of being the most beautiful Starbucks in Paris. It's Starbucks, how pretty can it be? Well, I was in awe! It use to be an old theater and now it has transformed into a Starbucks.

the chandelier

the main sitting area

the ceiling

Now, I can't believe I'm about to say this ... but the next time you're in Paris it is definitely worth stopping by Starbucks at l'Opéra.

Truly Spoiled

I often think to myself what a lucky person I am ... I am living my dream, living in Paris! The City is so beautiful that it is like living on a movie set. I really couldn't ask for anything more ... well, maybe a job ;o)

Birthdays in Paris have really proven to me what a truly lucky and loved person I am. I have spent the past two birthdays in Paris which is a fantastic opportunity in itself ... but I feel like I have been extra spoiled with birthdays.

Last year Julie came all the way from Boston to celebrate my birthday with me and on the big day we went to the comedy show How to Become a Parisian in One Hour (see last Septembers post for tips on how to be Parisian). Then this year, Carmen who about two weeks ago just moved from Amsterdam to Geneva decided last minute to come to Paris for a long birthday weekend celebration. On the big day, we had tickets with a group of friends to an Opéra en plein air (open air opera) showing of Madame Butterfly in the courtyard of Invalides.

Picture taken with iPhone while waiting to entire Invalides

I was also fortunate enough to receive so many emails, texts, and facebook messages that I felt overwhelmed with love. Especially being so far away from my friends and family it means the world to me. Thank you so much!!!! I couldn't have asked for anything more ... I had an absolutely wonderful birthday!!!

Back in Paris

Hurricane Irene did not stop Ralegh and I, we are back in Paris and I’m sporting a new MacBook Pro. Besides the jetlag, it is nice to be back. I even think Ralegh enjoys having me to himself again. Don’t get me wrong; a summer off from the real world just to visit friends and loved ones was great. Though, I did start to miss my new city and life here (and of course my Bikram classes). I think I knew it was time to head home when I was in Lauderdale and saw a lady clearly in her late sixties early seventies (and I’m being nice) hop out of her massive Hummer wearing skinny white jeans, 6 inch heals, a sequins top and the kicker… a stamp tramp!!! Seriously!!! I couldn’t help but stare … only in South Florida are you going to have such visions. I could actually go on and on about the things I saw in Florida, such as, a baby stroller being used for a dog or knee high ugg boots in 95°F weather, but I won’t bore you with my ramblings.

Now that I’m back, all I have to do is update my resume and translate it to French and the job hunt begins. So wish me luck! And of course if anyone has any advice or contacts for me please don’t hesitate to send them my way.

The Apple is Dead

I know what most of you are thinking... Wow! A post! Never thought you'd see one again ;0)

Yes, I may be one of the world's biggest procrastinators (don't ask me how my NY Bar Application is coming along) but that's a whole other psychoanalysis. And yes I guess that my New Year's Resolution to blog regularly wasn't upheld but most aren't, right? In my defense, the approximate four month hiatus of blogging is not completely to blame on my laziness or my wonderful ability to procrastinate. In mid-March my Apple died (and for any nonbelievers Geraldine and my parents were both in town so I have proof :) he he he).

The death of my Apple led to many tears shed ... yes, real tears were shed as I had not backed-up my computer since August so every photo and basically my life since I moved to Paris were all gone into oblivion. Obviously, I'm still a little bitter and of course have no one to blame but myself. Great! It was especially fun being reminded by my computer savvy mother (I did not inherit her gift) that it's just so easy to do back-up and I should do it every time I download photos or purchase something on itunes... and why did I not do this? But I'm digressing ...

As a result of my Apple's death, the blogs were the first to go (the loss of photos now makes me wish I wasn't already so behind on blogging to begin with) and then went the emails and facebook. I apologize to everyone for the massive delays on responding to emails or lack thereof... I still have over 400 unread emails that need my attention. On the bright side, I'm back in North America for the summer and have access to my amazing mother's computer for now and promise that I will return to Paris with a brand new baby Apple of my own.

The French National Past Time

Every year after la rentrée (when summer vacation is over and everyone returns to Paris and goes back to work or begins school) and the humdrum existence of every day life starts to set in ... Les grèves (the strikes) and les manifestations/les manifs (demonstrations) begin! It seriously is the French national past time. I hear they come back again in March because that's about when the monotony sets in again and everybody needs a little excitement to help them last thru the spring.

I secretly want to attend a demonstration, maybe this March. :) Luckily, this past October, I accidentally walked right into a manifestation. I happen to have my mini camera in my bag and grabbed these few photos right before my camera died - go figure!

Boston Reunion in Zurich

What better place to have a mini-Boston reunion other than Zurich. Obviously it didn’t take much on Jay’s part to convince me to go to Zurich for a weekend … other than an invite from Jose. :o) Though I almost didn’t make it thanks to les grèves (strikes) and la météo (the weather).

At the time I planned my trip to Zurich I did not have any of my winter coats … two certain people were suppose to come and visit me and bring them in October but I won’t mention any names but they will be finally visiting me in the middle of March – so they say! I only mention this because by the time the weekend came along, the forecast was SNOW. I was a little freaked out to say the least, I didn’t expect my little leather jacket to be much help as I had already been freezing to death each morning for the past few weeks. But luckily my coats arrived the night before my trip via mail. (Thank you Carlos!!!!! You’re the Best!!!)

For some reason every time I travel I have some kind of metro (actually trains as well) difficulty or delays … I think it’s just to add a little stress to my life. I arrived at Gare de l’est with less than ten minutes before the train departed. I went to the little kiosk to print my boarding pass and I received a message that no such ticket existed under my name. Okay, don’t freak out (yeah right)… try another kiosk, same thing, only this time I had a lady yelling at me in French to hurry up because she didn’t want to miss the train (along with some not so nice French words). Like I care about her ticket. I need to be on the train for Zurich! With two minutes to go, I decided … screw it! I’m getting on the train and when they come along asking for my ticket I will flash my famous American smile and use my lovely charm to explain that the kiosk wasn’t working but I have an email confirmation to prove that I’m not some foreigner trying to scam a free train ride to Zurich. Oh, and please don’t arrest me! :o) I actually made it to Zurich without ever having my ticket checked … maybe next time I should try to scam a free ride, just kidding. I thought I was home free, I figured that I could just get my return ticket in Zurich. Umm, I was wrong … and in Switzerland where the citizens are super law abiding they weren’t as keen with me not having a ticket. I was told I would have to buy another ticket and they were sold out! Yeah right! I took my chance again and got on the train for Paris. This time they did come along asking for tickets, and I turned on that lovely American charm and I was told no problem with les grèves lots of tickets were screwed up … oh, and as a bonus I was told that my French was good. :o)

As for my trip, it was short but beautiful! On Saturday Jose took us on a hike (we skipped the hike thru the ice & snow). We walked pass a dairy farm and had lunch on the top of the mountain with a gorgeous view of the City. Unfortunately, the weather was not the best so you couldn’t see the snow covered Alps. And the absolutely best part of Zurich was Saturday night walking around the City bar hopping we found a store named ANOUK! Sadly, the store was closed and as everything in Europe is closed on Sunday I didn’t get to do any shopping but I guess that means I'm just going to have to go to Zurich again. :o)

Here are some pictures from my trip. Hope you enjoy!

A Visit to Rambouillet

In the beginning of October, I ventured outside of Paris with my photography group to experience some of the autumn foliage. Unfortunately, it was a little on the early side for foliage but in any event it was fun to get out of the City for a couple of hours. I went to a town called Rambouillet, located approximately 27.5 miles outside of Paris. Rambouillet is famous for the Forêt de Rambouillet and the Château de Rambouillet. The Chateau has hosted several international summits and is known to be the summer residence of the President. Here are some photos of my visit ... hope you enjoy!