La Maire D'Eu

Say it quickly and you'll see why I've got the giggles. Apparently, there's a little town on the border of Normandie and Picardie that's called simply "Eu."


Photo taken from the article linked below. (Charles Bremner)

Why is this funny? Well - first of all "eu" is the sound that's made in French when people are at a loss for words...kind of like "um" or "uh" in English. Could you imagine answering the question "where are you from?" with "Ummmm?"

I recently spotted this article which details the town's struggle not only to change their name because of its sound, but also because it can't be found in Google searches by tourists. Think about it - googling "Eu" will probably give you a whole host of hits regarding the European Union, conjugations of the French verb "avoir" and a whole handful of other things OTHER than this French town.

Although the name change is opposed by some residents, the Mayor is pushing to adapt the name to attract increased tourist activity - something that has been difficult in this internet age with a town name that's so hard to distinguish.

It's definitely a story I want to follow to see whether or not La Maire d'Eu succeeds in her quest.

MIss Tic Street Art - Perfect Timing!

As my faithful readers know, I am a huge fan of the street art that I stumble upon accidentally every day here in Paris.

Here's another example of the lovely Miss Tic whose works seem to spring out at me exactly when I need them to. I posted one of her pieces a few months ago, which I also fell upon completely by accident.



While walking through the 13e arrondissement this afternoon, I was feeling a bit down, a bit overwhelmed by a handful of events that are happening in my life, and listening to especially nostalgic music on my iPod. I literally stopped in my tracks when I discovered this Miss Tic piece which translates to "It's life - this will pass." The most poignant part of all was the fact that someone, perhaps feeling the way that I feel lately, stopped to write "When?" underneath the piece. It's something I had been wondering myself and I was, for that moment, happy to feel as though I was not alone and that I wasn't the only person who passed this treasure and thought the same thing.

Picture post

Just a quick picture today...because I'd rather be picnicking :)

Little discoveries...

I love it when I turn a corner and stumble on a gorgeous site. It never gets old! Here's a view of the square (and La Fontaine Louvois) with the gorgeous fountain that I stumbled upon today on my way back from lunch. Beautiful!

Sunday Sounds

First of all, here's a video of a song I used to listen to YEARS ago, long before I came to France. It's awfully silly and can be somewhat annoying at times, BUT I'm so proud because now I know ALL of the words. I used to just hum along and sing to the chorus because I didn't understand the whole thing. As most of the lyrics are slang or really familiar words, it took living here for me to understand it. I had a big smile on my face last week when it came back up on shuffle on my iPod after years of not hearing it. Enjoy - and see which words you can pick out! :)



Now for some serious music - I heard this one last week for the first time and thought it was so pretty. Here we go....

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

How can you not love this photo???


Thanks to Brent and MariLyn for it's use!

Fun signs!

Would you shop here? I'd have trouble as a marketer promoting this place in English-speaking areas...

Cool website!

Wordle - www.wordle.net is a really cool site that lets you create an image using the text on any website. I created this image with the text found on the front page of my blog. I think it's a really neat way to see the things I talk about the most and is a great representation of my blog content.

Paris Street Art - 6ème arrondissement

Check out this little gem that I spotted just off of rue de Buci in the 6ème...see which celebrities you can identify! I personally am most drawn to the bald Britney Spears in the bottom left corner.

What a difference a day makes....

I can never get a handle on Paris weather - it fluctuates SO quickly!

Case in point...check out the view from my window yesterday - beautiful snow, roofs all white, and dark, gray sky....

And, here's today! Note the sunshine gleaming off the windows and beautiful blue sky!

Paris Street Art - 13eme arrondissement

One of my favorite things about Paris is the random street art that can be seen at the turn of a corner in any part of the city. I've posted previously about my devotion to and love for the Paris Space Invaders, but here's a little taste of a totally different piece that I spotted this summer while walking in the 13eme arrondissement.

In this seriously FREEZING winter, I've been searching for warm memories! I love the phrases this artist used and they seem particularly pertinent - loosely translated as "Let's be happy while waiting for our happiness." And of course, "Poetry is an Extreme Sport!"

Spotted by Locals - Paris style!

I am always on the lookout for good info on places to go in Paris - where to eat, where to drink, where to shop? The possibilities are endless!

I've turned so often to blogs in the past few years for information about my city and the cities I've been lucky enough to visit. Turns out that blogs have been the key to my getting around in my new home...

I am so happy to share a new blog that features all the type of information that I usually love to know about a city - from a local's perspective! Check out the Paris Spotted by Locals site for all kinds of cool info about where to go and what to do in the City of Lights! You may even find me in the "Interesting Links" section - in good company too, I might add!

Enjoy!

Where in the world?

I am a huge list-maker and the end of any year always sees me making even more than usual. Lists of resolutions, lists of things to do, you name it!

I wanted to remember back to 2008 and the cities I visited - here's a list!


* New York
* Berlin
* Tours (and the rest of the Loire Valley really...)
* Warsaw
* London
* Minneapolis/St Paul area
* Lyon
* Strasbourg
* Reims
* Los Angeles/ SOUTH BAY
* Palm Desert

On my list for next year....I KNOW I have got to visit Italy again for the first time in more than a decade, but am not sure where exactly I will go. Would love to see another Eastern European capital (Budapest?) and of course go back to London! Spain is one of my most favorite countries, so that's definitely up there too! I've got to enjoy being in the middle of Europe with such ease in traveling for as long as possible!!!!

Any ideas?

2009, already??

I'm not going to lie....it's always difficult to leave California but this time was gut-wrenching. Excruciating. I started welling up days before my departure just at the thought of leaving.

Of course I will need to get down to the bottom of all of that but wanted to share some of my "at home" views that make the integration back into Parisian life that much more difficult tonight as I sit in my apartment, the heater not working, shivering and thanking my computer for being warm :)

Over the holidays, I got together with friends for a delicious Italian meal at one of my old favorite "haunts" in the Marina. One of my LA-based friends from PARIS was there too and she and I took the time to make a list of things we love about Paris. Some were little things, some big, some pretty obvious and some obscure...it really helped though and put things in perspective.** Things are not all bad here, nor do I want to convey that as being the case...sometimes it's just nice to have some reminders of why you like your situation instead of focusing on the negative. That said, a wonderful, prosperous, happy and peaceful New Year to you all out there! Perhaps some inklings of resolutions will be posted up soon!

**Please note the top of the list (if you can make it out...) says K&K!!!!! :) Other items include Macarons, Paris at nighttime, public transportation, etc.

An alternate universe.....?

I was floored to find 100 calorie pack Toblerone snacks at my local Champion grocery store. Have I stepped into an alternate universe? I am so surprised to see this trend popping up in France already! Mais c'est trop Américain, ça!

Sigh....

I feel the weight of the last eight years already beginning to lift off of my shoulders. A sense of hope. The feeling that the "what if" has occurred, and an indescribable, unwavering and overwhelming feeling of pride. Proud to be an American. Proud to have believed in the impossible. Proud to have witnessed history.

I've been quiet on the blog regarding this election and will likely post no more on this subject than what I say tonight. At the end of the day, I am thrilled and reassured by the ability of Americans to see a situation and turn it around for the best. I am heartened by the strength and determination of not only the candidates and their staff but also the American people. And most of all I am deeply honored to have been witness to it all.

I thank you, Mr. President and cannot wait to see what our collective future will hold in the years to come.

Check me out!

Although you wouldn't know by looking at it, I DO check my own blog almost every day. I'm not saying that I post - clearly - but just a quick once-over to see how it's looking.

I checked the stats today and was blown away to find that I had literally more than quadruple the number of hits I get on a normal day. What had happened? Did I become suddenly and unknowingly FAMOUS overnight?

Well, in a way YES! I am happy to say that one of the photos on my blog has been posted and mentioned on one of my FAVORITE websites: www.theparisblog.com! And, I've also noticed that some of my new Anglophone girls have posts up there too! Congrats ladies!

Check it out....totally fun! And thanks to Laurie for showing the love - of course you can steal my photos anytime! That's what they are there for!

A well-needed break....

I was supposed to leave early from work today. I was supposed to go straight to the gym for some cardio and a yoga class....

Instead, I came straight home, had some snuggle time, made a quick, easy dinner, and shared a bottle of semi-cheap champagne. Just because. And I couldn't be happier.

New Music Monday

Instead of stressing about my crazy job situation, the insane economy, or anything else, I've decided to introduce you guys to what has been on my iPod these days...some old, some new, but alllllll good! It's really funny how easily I can escape into music and totally change my attitude. Hope you can do the same - Enjoy!

American Boy by Estelle feat. Kanye West
I cannot get enough of this song. LOVING it! My favorite is the lyric where Kanye references a "peacoat!" Amazing!


And this one....The Game feat. Lil Wayne - My Life. I've been in a gangsta rap mood lately which I don't mind at all! :)


And finally, my oldie but goodie that's been stuck in my head for about 3-4 weeks at this point after I heard it in the airport...
Stevie Winwood - Back in the High Life AMAZING!!! I think I could listen to this song on repeat for HOURS!

Stormy weather...

We've been having some spectacular thunder storms in Paris lately...which I kind of LOVE.

Here's a view of the storm from our living room. If you listen carefully you can hear some of the crazy thunder. Enjoy!