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Today's realization is that changing cities, changing jobs, changing friends, changing days, weeks, months, and probably years does nothing to change such a profound pain of loss.

May 7, 1980 - March 9, 2008

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Can't sleep...yet again. Universe, what have I done to you? My alarm goes off in 3 hours, and I'm very excited about the energy-filled day that I will be having tomorrow! On another note, I got my visa for Brazil with absolutely no problem. The women at the consulate are exceptionally friendly (except for the one that yelled at me for stapling my photo on my application instead of gluing it -- she handed me both and said "please attach your photo" -- silly me)

In any case, I'm going to attempt to fall asleep and salvage what might be left of tonight's slumber. Bonne nuit :-)

Just a few photos from my ice skating adventure last weekend:

When:                  1 Dec 2007 - 9 Mar 2008 (annual)

Where:                 Place de l'Hôtel de Ville

Cost:                    Free; skate hire €5

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Christina, Me, Allison, Quinn

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Picture perfect :-)

Christina's day out :-)

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Cute.

I had a lovely Saturday yesterday enjoying the many splendors of a lazy weekend lounging around Paris. After over two and a half years of living here, I still am surprised at how much this city has to offer. After a walk along the Canal Saint-Martin with a coworker and Christina, we made our way down to Republique, and continued on to Bastille. My coworker lives in a not-so-desirable apartment south of Paris right now, and wanted to explore some new neighborhoods... so, after showing her around for a bit, we decided to stop for a late afternoon drink/snack. Goal: something delicious, light, not too pricey...  Solution : Le Paradis du Fruit at Bastille. There are several of these restaurants throughout Paris, but surprisingly delicious for a chain. They're all about fresh fruit/veggies/healthyness in general. I had a smoked turkey/swiss cheese grilled pita (comes with a side salad and a delightful dipping sauce), and Christina had a tuna salad grilled pita. (Each are 6 euro).

Pita

My coworker opted for something a bit more hearty -- a very pleasing chicken/carrot curry with a very savory sauce, followed by their veggie curry rice (12 euro). All exceptional. Their pina colada was equally as delicious...but the final seal of the deal came in the form of dessert : a banana, coconut milk, fresh coconut, ice cream and whipped cream sundae for me (mmm!) and a chocolate cake with creme anglaise for my friend. (mmmm!!) Needless to say, we were all satisfied with our food, and will definitely return.

Sundae

Also to be tried - fresh fruit smoothies (from the menu, or your own special mix) and *all* of their desserts.

NB - Has a heated terrace for all of you that are desperately seeking a place to smoke since the new no-smoking law!

Le Paradis du Fruit - Bastille
12, Place de la Bastille
75011 Paris
Hours: Monday - Sunday (12h - 2h)

http://www.leparadisdufruit.fr/

Just thought I'd post about two shows that I've seen in the last few weeks -- both hilarious and wanted to spread the word.

Couscous aux Lardons

This show was just hilarious! We laughed non-stop for the whole thing. The actress is excellent, and the chemistry between to two leads was perfect. Anyone that's ever been in any inter-cultural relationship will especially appreciate this show. If you buy your tickets on cityvox, you save about 14 € on the price.

"Ce spectacle c'est leur histoire : Rachid aime Marie-sophie, Marie-Sophie aime Rachid ! un mariage, deux cultures, deux belles mères... La vie à deux c'est déjà compliquée mais lorsqu'il s'agit d'un couple mixte, ça devient la folie.

Une confrontation des cultures abordée sans parti-pris, mais pour notre grand plaisir, avec dérision. 2 comédiens débordant d'énergie, gags et quiproquos en avalanche : de quoi dérider les zygomatiques."

http://www.fra.cityvox.fr/theatre_paris/couscous-aux-lardons_202820/Profil-Eve

Comédie République
1, Boulevard St Martin
75003 Paris 
Tel : 01 40 29 03 02

Garnier et Sentout

Is a bit hard to follow in the beginning due to a decent amount of plays on words...in french, and they speak pretty quickly. However, the show quickly falls into its groove, and the sketchs are just great. Especially the "Resto Bio" :-)

http://www.fra.cityvox.fr/theatre_paris/garnier-et-sentou_185317/ProgrammationEvenement

Le Point Virgule

7, Rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie 75004 PARIS

Tel : 01 42 78 67 03

Réservations : 01 42 78 67 03

I'm going to Brazil! Just bought my ticket this afternoon. Leaving on the 12th of February for two weeks! Madrid is postponed (good thing my ticket won't be wasted!). So, goal of this vacation: get the tan of a lifetime, eat some amaaaaazing food, and have a few nice drinks out of coconuts :-)

So, my holiday plans might be changing soon... to a somewhat cooler destination than Madrid (wondering if EasyJet tickets are transferrable...). Not yet confirmed...we'll see if I can take the time off work in February, and then decide from there....

:-)

So, yeah, a little disappointed. But, such is life. On another note, I've decided to go to London for a quick weekend in February. The Eurostar is pretty inexpensive, so it'll be a nice escape for a few days. I've been to London before (in 2002), but it was so brief..I don't remember anything/didn't really see much anyway.

Going to catch up with an old friend, which I'm really looking forward to.

Okkkkayy, as my friends probably know by now...I'm just not very good at taking photos when I go on trips, or just in general. I do go places, and I do see things, but I have no proof (other than the amazing souvenirs that I've got stored in my memory!). (click the link to see photos from Strasbourg's Winter Market that I went to...from someone that actually manages to photograph things..: http://bonjourfeuilles.vox.com/library/post/marches-de-noel-a-strasbourg-12807.html )

But anyway, for 2008, I'm going to try to improve that. I've been keeping my camera on me more often than not, and I will try to 'capture the moment' a bit more often. I don't have anything planned for January, besides taking my exams, so this month might be a bit light. But, don't despair, lots of adventures are planned for February, and I plan to photo-log it all!! (haha, we'll see..).

In any case, it's time to post some of the random photos left over from 2007.

These two photos are from the party that Christina and I hosted back in June/July. These two are my favorites. My reggae band friends came, and lots of singing/dancing/fun occured. The second photo is Christina... I think they were about to have a dance battle if I remember correctly. Jaydee is a friend that I met while doing the documentary.

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Awww. My buddy Jules and Opal at a resto/bar near Buttes Chaumant.

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Danielle and Christina...fighting/dancing :-) Thanksgiving 2008 was amazing..

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Christina and Tom (Tom let us use his kitchen...since it's huge..and has an oven) We love Tom.

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Saaannndra and Lucien. My favorite people in Spain :-)

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Ha! Proof that I've actually been in Spain. I have taken almost zero photos of any monument in Barcelona during any of my trips. I have one of me standing in front of the Sagrada Familia, but it's sooo dark (because we got a late start...), that you can't tell. I'll take another one on my next trip there ;-)

Pion

Pion mixing us drinks in some random club in Zurich.

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New Year's eve at Edith's apartment in Zurich. I cannot remember if we were laughing because Florian had just fallen out of his chair next to us, or if Tbo's flatulence was causing a scene...

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"Bonne année pour baiser.....!!" Frenchies singing their traditional 'happy new year' song. ;-)

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Tbo and I on the train coming from Strasbourg to Paris. He takes the TGV very seriously...

Tbo and V

This place looks creepy in this photo, but it wasn't really. I don't remember the name, but it's right across the street from Bario Latino at Bastille. I was clearly very angry when this photo was taken, but I don't remember why. Probably just hungry.

Ahhh...Thanksgiving. We had a massive 18 pound turkey..and it was divine. My first turkey, guys!

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Me...enjoying a beer...because that's what people do on Turkey Day.

Christina and turkey

Christina trying to mess with my fabulous turkey. Mmmm...I can almost taste it!!

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Yes, much alcohol was consumed on Thanksgiving...I'm surpised we made it through charades at 2 pm...

Laughing

I love this picture because we both look horrible (actually...christina looks fine...), but sums up how much fun we have together...

Sooo, that's all I've got for now. Looking through all of my photos was nice, and I really did have a great year. If 2008 is any better, I can only consider myself very lucky. Much love from Paris to all of my friends out there :-)

I just discovered that starting July 12th, I get 5 weeks of paid vacation from my job!!!!! So, the first obstacle to my adventure in Spain has officially been overcome: How to survive a month-long vacation, minus an entire month's salary.

France, we may fight (getting residence, etc...), but in the end, I still love you :-)

(I'm using part of my already-accumulated 2 weeks to go to Madrid in February)

Yay!