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!

Off to London!

Just a week and a half after visiting the UK for fun, family and friends, I'll be back tomorrow for work.

I am getting really excited already - I have said for so long that I don't care for London but after my last visit I'm wondering how true that is...it's a BLAST!

It'll be just about 30 hours that I'm there but it will be a nice infusion of English speaking, fun, and a nice change of scenery.

I'll be back on Thursday for more Paris shenanigans. Hoooooray!

Book List - Part two

Okay, so we're about a month and a half away from my deadline to read 50 books! Eeeeeeek!

I'm not done yet by any means but things remain do-able for the moment. The last time I updated you all on the list of books I've read since August 25, 2007, I had read 15 books. Here's the rest of the list for now, in the interest of being totally up to date and putting things out there so I'm more likely to stick to them. :)

16. Kite Runner (Hosseni)
17. Girl With a One Track Mind (Lee)
18. A Clean Slate (Caldwell)
19. Simple Genius (Baldacci)
20. Sammy's Hill (Gore)
21. Is Our Children Learning? (Begala)
22. 1,000 Splendid Suns (Hosseni)
23. Deer Hunting with Jesus
24. Starter Wife (Grazer)
25. Eat, Pray, Love (Gilbert)
26. Dear John (Sparks)
27. Prep (Sittenfeld)
28. The Weight of It (Wilensky)
29. The Other Boleyn Girl
30. The Almost Moon (Sebold)
31. Change of Heart (Picoult)
32. Ca Va Mal Finir (Leotard)
33. Me Talk Pretty One Day (Sedaris)
34. Doctor's Wife (Brundadge)
35. Babyville (Green)
36. Blame it on Paris
37. Second Change (Green)
38. Every Crooked Pot (Rosen)
39. Holidays on Ice (Sedaris)
40. Naked (Sedaris)
41. A Time to Run (Boxer)

Eeeeeeek - as you can see, lots of progress, but still NINE books left in the next seven and a half or so weeks. Can I do it? It'll be rough, but I am really really hoping to succeed on my little goal.

Stay tuned to see how I do!

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!!

My favorite holiday of the year!!!

Last year at this time I was an intern and spent my early morning in the hospital for a heart issue.

This year I'm a real worker at the same company and am spending my day acting like the American that I am, for better or worse. I have struggled since moving here with my identity - I often feel overly critiqued, stared at, different and criticized because of my differences with coworkers, and the French public in general. I often adjust my behavior accordingly. This is not to say that some degree of adjustment is unnecessary (as of course I have to be expecting to adjust slightly), but sometimes I go a bit too far in over-adjusting and changing who I am to please people here.

So today, if only for today, I am taking a break. Not scared to tell my boss that her sexual references and jokes are inappropriate in the workplace and are offensive to me. Not hesitating to wear blue and white. Not ashamed to wear a bracelet with the American flag on it - my standard accessory for Independence Days and national holidays when I was in the States.

Because, at the end of the day, no matter what I do to try to fit in, adapt, or hide it...I am an American. Proud of it. No reason to hide and happy to celebrate the birthday of my country! Now, I just wish I had a great Dodger game, hot dogs, friends and family to celebrate with...

C and J Restaurant Review #1: Anahuacalli

For the inaugural restaurant review post* I am so happy to present Anahuacalli, an amazing Mexican restaurant in the 5eme arrondissement, nestled just off of Boulevard Saint Germain and in the shadows of Notre Dame.

We've passed this restaurant MANY times and have always wanted to give it a try - unfortunately we seem to always pass at lunchtime, and the restaurant is closed for lunch, except on Sundays.

After a particularly hard work week, we decided to head over there on a Friday night on our way home from the movies, and we were not disappointed.

Immediately upon entering, we were greeted very warmly by the hostess who later ended up being our server. She was extremely friendly and welcoming, and made room for us at a great table, despite the fact that we didn't have reservations. Note - it would be a good idea to reserve a table in advance, as the place was packed already around 8:00pm when we were there but became increasingly crowded as the night went on.

Our server spoke impeccable French, Spanish, and English and seemed to want to speak English with us as she overheard us discussing the menus in English. Upon being seated we were presented with delicious chips and (spicy!) salsa as we perused the menu.

We of course decided to start with margaritas which were to die for - certainly the best I've had in Paris.



When we first arrived, we thought of getting a PITCHER which I'm really glad to have not done. The one margarita packed quite a punch on its own. No need for anything else or a second round.

My partner in crime who we'll call "FINO" ordered guacamole as a starter. As some of those of you who have known me for a while understand, I pretty much DESPISED all that was avocado-related until about....oh, five minutes ago. I'm new to the guac scene but have to say that this was pretty delicious.

Finally, for the main course, I hesitated between the enchiladas rojas and the tamale. FINO and I have a running joke about tamales in Paris - another Mexican restaurant that we love in the 5eme has tamales on their menu and I try to order them every time we go, and EVERY time they've run out or are not available. I don't know if it's all a lie or what - are there or are there not tamales? Maybe they're just so good that they've run out by noon, a half hour after opening(???)


Anyway, my chicken tamales were delicious although a bit on the dry side. I was happy to heap spoonfuls of salsa onto my bites to give them that extra "kick!" I sampled FINO's enchiladas as well and they were delicious! I may have to try those next time.

All in all, a GREAT place to get your Mexican food fix in Paris - one of our favorites so far.

Anahuacalli
http://anahuacalli.com/
30 rue des Bernadins
75005 Paris
01.43.26.10.20

* Please excuse the cell-phone quality photos. I'll try to do better next time! :)

New blog feature...

Hello all!

I'm excited to introduce a new feature to my blog that I'm hoping to make semi-regular. It's going to be based upon something that is near and dear to my heart as an American in Paris...

Get excited for.....THE C AND J RESTAURANT REVIEW FEATURE!

Named after Cindy and Jerry, who love dining in Paris and know more about it than anybody I've met (despite the fact that they live all the way across the world in California!), the C and J Restaurant Review will be an opportunity for me to post about and review restaurants that I visit in the City of Lights. I've been to some great ones, so this is going to be lots of fun!!!

Stay tuned for the inaugural installment - to be worked on and hopefully be completed today :)

Work, work, work

Yes - I am still working at 10:45pm - see my screenshot for confirmation....

And yes - I am drinking an amazing glass of Bordeaux and eating REAL, imported KRAFT Mac and Cheese at the same time. It's the little things that keep me from going totaly mad.... :)

P.S. Please note that the photos are poor quality as they were taken with low light with my old, antiquated, last-year's version, not so sexy iPhone. Anyone have $199 to spare?? Or actually $299 for the cute, white 16gig model...I've got to benefit from all of this madness somehow, right??? ;)

P.P.S. Didn't I LEAVE politics to not work until 11:00pm at night anymore??

Only in France

Wanted to share this shot of Chateau de Breteuil that I had the pleasure of visiting for a friend's wedding reception last week. It was unbelievably gorgeous and SO "typically French chateau" to me that I had to share. I have to also admit that I'm proud of my picture-taking!! :)

Only in France....

Space Invader of the Day

I stumbled upon this guy on a lunchtime walk yesterday. Up close and personal!

Lunchtime!

This is what I gazed upon while nibbling on my home-brought lunch this afternoon.....I swear, I couldn't even make this stuff up! Unbelievable!

Drive-By Space Invader

Just a quick post to show you all the BIGGEST Space Invader that I've ever seen...taken from our moving rental car in Champigny-Sur-Marne, a suburb east of central Paris.