The Paris Blues...

Well let's just face it, life in Paris, with its fromage and wine filled afternoons, is anything but difficult nor something to complain about... that I am certain of!  However, with change there will always be challenges to follow. There will be days where the smell of underarm sans deodrant, old pee, and sour cheese will really start to get to you. It is not an easy process, getting acquainted to a new life, but it is indeed a process to be embraced. There is nothing more revitalizing than waking up after a day of the blues to sunshine and the smell of fresh pasteries.

Paris by Day...

Class starts at 9am, it takes 10-15 minutes on the metro to get to my school and yet I find myself hauling ass (pardon-moi) across the Champs-Elysees at 8am trying to make it to my class that I'm not even late to. Why? I am missing Paris at 8am...its finest hour... the homeless are still in whatever Metro stop they slept in, there is no one on the streets, the air cool and crisp, and it smells of fresh espresso and warm croissants. Cliche, I know, but its true. Its a time of day to be cherished. Furthermore and unfortunately, they make the easiest form of transportation underground where, let's be honest, the scenery and smell is not as pleasant. Luckily as said before I am only on the Metro for about 10-15 minutes. Then the rest of my morning until about 1:00pm I spend at school where, IN THE CLASSROOM, there is natural light and windows (something american girls and boys only dream of). :) I have two classes each day and both are very hard; I question at times whether it is in fact french... After school, I have the afternoon to myself to go to Museums, shop, or just relax. I spent this afternoon mapping out how to get to each museum from my school and I think that I will try to visit one tomorrow or Friday. However Saturday is what I am really looking forward to this week, a friend and I are going antique shopping... I will be sure to tell you of all the goodies I buy! The food has been great, my host mom is quite the chef... tonight we had fresh sausage, potatoes, and salad! She has also introduced me to a little something called Fromage Blanc, she said is their equivelant to Cottage Cheese in the US... its nothing like it. More like a yogurt... but cheese and when you add sugar it is amazing! Anyways, again I am up too late and must be off to bed. A bientot!

Wait... where am I?

Fascinating what maps can do for you... if you know how to read them! If not, the possibilities are endless of where you might end up! Today I journeyed out on the town to try and find the school that I will be attending starting tomorrow. The funny thing about streets...they are quite long and when you ask the Metro Lady which line to take to the rue de raspail... do not listen because you will end up at 261 rue de raspail and not 38 rue de raspail and you will be forced to walk. However, the wonderful thing about walking is that you can see everything and stop when you would like. I came across a street market and treated myself to a chocolate croissant and luckily this market took me from 110 to 95 on the rue de raspail such a good way to waste quite a few blocks. Finally I found my school and then was faced with the question of how to get home. I found the nearest bus stop, made sure it was going in the right direction and plopped myself down, opened my chocolate croissant and waited. When the bus finally came I had made sure to write down key places to look for near my school (in my little black book...thanks honey) so that I would know when I returned that I was in the right place. I hopped on the bus and was on my way...in fact I was so thrilled with myself and my successes for the day that I went too far on the bus and ended up being asked to get off it because we were at the last stop. Somehow I found my way home though and I am pretty sure that I will be able to find the school tomorrow. Just in case though I will be leaving an hour early. Well I am off to dinner with a friend from CSU who has been here studying for a year. I will be sure to write again with tomorrow's adventures. À bientôt!

A New Life in a New City

Wow who knew travelling alone  could be so terrifying. Even when everything is planned to the last detail there will always be something that goes wrong like missing your plane in London and getting lost in Heathrow airport. Or perhaps waiting for two hours for your shuttle to take you to your hotel and your not sure if they are even coming... small things like that that could scare a first time traveller shittless. My advice to those travelling away from home for the first time...DO NOT GO SO FAR AWAY!!! It is hard and scary and you will miss your family and fiancé. However, I made it and I am finally in my host house and have met everyone here...the mom, Marielle and the two girls Charlotte and Coralie. They are all nice. So now to pass the time...I plan to fill my days with many activities to help them go quickly. Tomorrow its trying to figure out where my school is and the park that I can go running in and perhaps actually go for a run! Its late here so I am off to bed! Bonne nuit.

A year in waiting

It has been a year since I applied for an international internship in Paris, France and I finally got one! As if living in Paris isn't enough for a 24 year old, Apparel Design Major... I will be working with some of the best in the industry and soaking up every minute of it! As I sit here packing and preparing for what is to come, I look forward to the adventures and experiences that are sure to await me! Follow me along the way as I will be sure document every step! A bientôt!