un petit pause

I will not be posting in a few weeks, but when I do again, it will be about my upcoming bike trip and Madrid trip, and pics!

NY bound

I am going to NY! Early October, for a friend's wedding. And a chance to catch up with other friends. I am really wondering how strange it will be, to be back in the US. It was strange enough, after my summer studying in Paris during college, and even after 2 week trips to Mexico and Guatemala. How weird will it be after living here 6 months?? I know one thing, I will be saying Pardon on the metro, i mean subway, instead of Excuse me. The 2 trips I've taken to London since moving here I was doing that.

I remember going to a little American goods grocery store here, I couldn't find brown sugar at the local Monoprix. Even that was a bit of a cultural shock, seeing goods I hadn't seen in months - PopTarts, Bisquick, Quaker Oats, etc.

Not only will I see my wonderful friends and wonderful sister (who would all be more wonderful if they would comment more often on the blog, c'mon people) but I can catch some METS PLAYOFF ACTION on TV! Yes, the Mets, who just had to suck the past several years as I schleped out to Shea all summer long, are having an Amazing season, and playoff bound. My prediction - great seasons the next 3 years while I'm in Paris with at least one World Series title, mediocrity or worse once I move back.

La Rentrée

It's beginning of September, La Rentrée (the Return) in other words. All the French are back from their vacation, all the businesses closed in August are back open, kids are back to school, etc. The school/office supply section of Monoprix had a line of about 20 people at the cash register, instead of 3. Luckily I didn't need any notebooks or pens, so no standing in that line for me. The bus this morning was full of moms (and a few papas) taking their tykes to school. There I did have to stand, after a summer of pleasant bus rides, sitting and reading. The trains from Gare St. Lazare to the office are back to their normal schedule, of 2 long trains (8 cars) every 10 minutes, (at 8:38, 8:41, 8:48, etc) instead of one short train (4 cars) every 12 minutes. Which meant instead of a leisurely wait until the next train, i rushed to get the next one and walk all the way down the the last car to minimize the walking time afterwards...I had forgotten how long those trains are! The gym last night was back to being packed, the Champ de Mars on my last few runs has been packed with joggers, and so on. I don't think I quite realized how empty Paris got in the summer until now!

My own Rentrée will not be until October, my vacation is the last 2 weeks of Sept. It just occured to me yesterday that I haven't actually gone on vacation (as opposed to taking days off here and there) since June 2005! Ireland with my parents! No wonder I'm so stressed lately. I need a vacation!!

mmm bread

Sometimes I think there is nothing better than a warm baguette straight from the oven at the boulangerie, and as soon as I get home I break off a chunk and butter it and the butter melts and I add a bit of confiture (jam)....HEAVEN.