My number one reason why Paris sucks:
It's 12:30am, I just started my period, and I'm out of tampons. Oh, and there is NO WHERE I CAN GO BUY THEM UNTIL 8AM.
Yeah, I'm putting this on the internet.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Sunday, March 25, 2012
The Best of Times
It was a less-than-perfect weekend. Nothing inherently terrible. It started with reminders of home. I received a package on Friday evening filled with summery clothes, necessities, and Easter treats from my mother. Then, I decided to stay up very late to watch the Ohio/UNC. Ohio, as you know, lost, and I ended up hanging out at my favorite bar, pretty much alone, until the metro re-opened Saturday morning at 5:30. That part wasn't so bad, but this resulted in severe sleep-deprivation and a fairly bad hangover, despite a ham & cheese toastie around 4am and less than 1 drink per hour. Saturday was spent in bed, shutters drawn, ignoring the sunshine outside. Around 7pm, I gathered my wits, threw on sundress, and headed out to find wonton soup (the only thing to appease my stomach) and friends. After burning my tongue on hot broth and sucking down a liter of orange juice, I felt almost normal, but headed to bed at 10pm. This morning I woke up early, though the time change made it pretty normal (9:30). I headed out to meet friends for a bike ride shortly after lunch, and conquered Parisian traffic on my bike with a broken seat. We indulged in falafel, ice cream, and a lot of sunshine. While out and about I learned that the poor kid I care for hit his head yesterday hard enough to be taken to the hospital, and so I'll be working all day tomorrow and Tuesday. I walked all the way home from Hotel de Ville, after nearly being deafened by thousands (seriously) of motorcycles revving and beeping past the government building to raise awareness of road safety. After some disappointing spaghetti at home, I'm watching the end of season 4 of Mad Men.
So.
Nothing too crazy. Nothing too terrible.
But as I sit here, Sunday night, relaxed and maybe a little bit tan, I feel as though I have had a pretty stellar weekend. I lived. I tried some new stuff. I was enough of an adult to watch a sports game all alone in a bar and not die. I rode a bike in crazy traffic, and none of us got hit by a bus! (Just close calls.) I took care of myself when I felt bad. Not a big deal.
Today, when I left to go biking, I walked through the Champ du Mars. They have turned the fountains on again, and there was this hound who was leaping through the spray. He would dive into the fountain after a ball, splash around, and then climb out and race away. Eventually he'd trot back to his lady, and she'd toss the ball back in. He was absolutely the happiest dog possible at that moment. And I got weirdly choked up with something like gratitude, or peace, or jealousy, or something. And I just thought to myself, "I am overwhelming lucky." Or the equivalent to that.
Anyway. Nothing was special about this weekend. Or really, everything was.
crazy motorcycles
So.
Nothing too crazy. Nothing too terrible.
But as I sit here, Sunday night, relaxed and maybe a little bit tan, I feel as though I have had a pretty stellar weekend. I lived. I tried some new stuff. I was enough of an adult to watch a sports game all alone in a bar and not die. I rode a bike in crazy traffic, and none of us got hit by a bus! (Just close calls.) I took care of myself when I felt bad. Not a big deal.
Today, when I left to go biking, I walked through the Champ du Mars. They have turned the fountains on again, and there was this hound who was leaping through the spray. He would dive into the fountain after a ball, splash around, and then climb out and race away. Eventually he'd trot back to his lady, and she'd toss the ball back in. He was absolutely the happiest dog possible at that moment. And I got weirdly choked up with something like gratitude, or peace, or jealousy, or something. And I just thought to myself, "I am overwhelming lucky." Or the equivalent to that.
Anyway. Nothing was special about this weekend. Or really, everything was.
falafel from L'As du Fallafel (obvs the best one in the Marais)
right on, graffiti, right on
spring-a-ding-ding
band and dancers on the quay
planning to spend next weekend here, on the tip of Île de la Cité
what's up, baby
Thursday, March 15, 2012
March 15
I've started about 4 new posts this week, but I can't seem to finish them. And I can't figure out why. Am I bored talking about myself? (Not likely.) Am I too busy? (Not too busy to read blogs all evening.) Am I out? (Yeah, because the 2 euros I have can buy me...oh wait, nothing.)
That sounds kind of bitter. Hmmm.
My only real hypothesis is that my life here has become fairly mundane and when I think of something I'm actually interested to write about, I realize, oh hang on, that has literally nothing to do with my life in Paris. What I'm saying is, in my head, this is just a BLOG and not a blog about my life here in Paris anymore. I have blogging ADD, or whatever.
Also, I talk to so many people about what I'm doing online, or facebook, or through Skype, etc., that it gets uninteresting to type things up again, you know? If you want to know about my Rome trip, you should look at the 300+ photos I posted on facebook. Or ask me! I can't be bothered typing up a blow-by-blow, because, honestly, I'm not that interesting in recapping what happened. Rome was a gorgeous, dreamy 48 hours of history and culture, and I loved every second. The photos I took tell the story for me.
But I can't NOT post, because I am inherently a people-pleaser. That's why I take care of children; that's why I am never the person who insists of going here or doing that; I'm a middle child and I want people to like me. And enough people have told me they read this, or they think it's funny, or whatever, that I can't stop! I'M DOING THIS FOR YOU!! You like me, you really, really like me!
Or, maybe I'm delusional.
Anyway, so I guess I will attempt to tell you what's up now. Hope it's not boring.
1. Something I've learned from living alone is that I am not an inherently clean person. No one ever admits that--you're either a self-proclaimed neat freak, or you just don't talk about it. Well, screw it: I'M MESSY. I don't like cleaning, I don't like dishes, I don't hang up my clothes at night. My floor is dirty (dirt, actually, from my running shoes), I wash dishes only to use them again straight away. I'm really good at cleaning up in 10 minutes when someone is coming over. SUCK IT.
2. I've decided I'm not taking French lessons in the spring trimester. I can't afford it, because my credit card bill is high enough. And also, I'd rather have my days free to do Paris stuff in the warm weather. I have to go to all the museums I can before I turn 26 and have to start paying the full fee, so that's my reasoning. Not sure how to tell my host family, because I'm pretty sure it's illegal for me to not take classes....however, basically every other person I know who is an au pair is also not taking classes, and hasn't since Christmas.
3. Oh, also, I finally got brave and looked at my bank account. Here, my account is a credit/debit, and I'm currently in the red zone. Not good. Goal is to be back in the positive by April. Paris is freaking expennnnnsive, and yes, I think it is pricier than New York, in terms of living costs.
4. I've been spending my evenings reading blogs instead of spending my evening spending money...and let me tell you, I have read some shocking things lately. I try to keep politics on here to a minimum, but I'm just going to take a minute to say WHAT THE WHAT is going on in the USA? So much legislation that seems so unnecessary! Can I just say that once in for all, you can believe whatever you want, but you are not allowed to tell other people what they must believe. And basically, what that means, is the rules need to accommodate ALL beliefs.
5. Also, I read a comment that blew my mind yesterday. Some guy said something, in the same sentence, about how our government is attacking the Catholic Church and that isn't right, so we should get "that Muslim" out of the presidency. My goodness, the irony is just...wow. I laughed, and then I cried.
6. AWAY FROM POLITICS NATALIE. Hmm...well we rented The Little Mermaid from the library yesterday, and he was totally freaked out by the shark, but then when Ariel spies Eric for the first time, as she's sitting on the side of his boat and the sailors are partying, you know there's that close up? And he goes, "ooh, she likes him!" Kill me from cuteness.
7. Kid was refusing to eat yesterday too, so I broke out the old iPod and started playing Disney songs. His favorite? "I'll Make a Man out of You" from Mulan. Classic!
8. My host mom freaked out yesterday when I told her I let the kid run around without a jacket. For the record, it was 64 degrees yesterday. He was wearing an undershirt, turtleneck, and cotton/cashmere sweater. I made him remove his down jacket because his face was bright red and his hands were sweating. She said she would prefer next time if I brought him home, changed his clothes, and then took him back out with the coat. Are you kidding me??
Enough.
Going to Reims, in Champagne, this weekend. I'll toast to you all.
P.S. FINE Rome details.
a. I ate gelato three times.
b. I kept thinking the Italian flag was the Irish flag, esp when it was faded.
c. All photos of the Colosseum look the same.
d. Italian men are no more forward than other men, in my opinion, although I hear it gets worse in the summer heat.
e. Rome has perfected the mid-price meal. In Paris, you spend 5 euros or 25 euros. In Rome you can spend 14-16 for a good meal.
f. Rome has two kinds of streets: main roads and narrow cobbled alleys.
g. I loved it!
That sounds kind of bitter. Hmmm.
My only real hypothesis is that my life here has become fairly mundane and when I think of something I'm actually interested to write about, I realize, oh hang on, that has literally nothing to do with my life in Paris. What I'm saying is, in my head, this is just a BLOG and not a blog about my life here in Paris anymore. I have blogging ADD, or whatever.
Also, I talk to so many people about what I'm doing online, or facebook, or through Skype, etc., that it gets uninteresting to type things up again, you know? If you want to know about my Rome trip, you should look at the 300+ photos I posted on facebook. Or ask me! I can't be bothered typing up a blow-by-blow, because, honestly, I'm not that interesting in recapping what happened. Rome was a gorgeous, dreamy 48 hours of history and culture, and I loved every second. The photos I took tell the story for me.
But I can't NOT post, because I am inherently a people-pleaser. That's why I take care of children; that's why I am never the person who insists of going here or doing that; I'm a middle child and I want people to like me. And enough people have told me they read this, or they think it's funny, or whatever, that I can't stop! I'M DOING THIS FOR YOU!! You like me, you really, really like me!
Or, maybe I'm delusional.
Anyway, so I guess I will attempt to tell you what's up now. Hope it's not boring.
1. Something I've learned from living alone is that I am not an inherently clean person. No one ever admits that--you're either a self-proclaimed neat freak, or you just don't talk about it. Well, screw it: I'M MESSY. I don't like cleaning, I don't like dishes, I don't hang up my clothes at night. My floor is dirty (dirt, actually, from my running shoes), I wash dishes only to use them again straight away. I'm really good at cleaning up in 10 minutes when someone is coming over. SUCK IT.
2. I've decided I'm not taking French lessons in the spring trimester. I can't afford it, because my credit card bill is high enough. And also, I'd rather have my days free to do Paris stuff in the warm weather. I have to go to all the museums I can before I turn 26 and have to start paying the full fee, so that's my reasoning. Not sure how to tell my host family, because I'm pretty sure it's illegal for me to not take classes....however, basically every other person I know who is an au pair is also not taking classes, and hasn't since Christmas.
3. Oh, also, I finally got brave and looked at my bank account. Here, my account is a credit/debit, and I'm currently in the red zone. Not good. Goal is to be back in the positive by April. Paris is freaking expennnnnsive, and yes, I think it is pricier than New York, in terms of living costs.
4. I've been spending my evenings reading blogs instead of spending my evening spending money...and let me tell you, I have read some shocking things lately. I try to keep politics on here to a minimum, but I'm just going to take a minute to say WHAT THE WHAT is going on in the USA? So much legislation that seems so unnecessary! Can I just say that once in for all, you can believe whatever you want, but you are not allowed to tell other people what they must believe. And basically, what that means, is the rules need to accommodate ALL beliefs.
5. Also, I read a comment that blew my mind yesterday. Some guy said something, in the same sentence, about how our government is attacking the Catholic Church and that isn't right, so we should get "that Muslim" out of the presidency. My goodness, the irony is just...wow. I laughed, and then I cried.
6. AWAY FROM POLITICS NATALIE. Hmm...well we rented The Little Mermaid from the library yesterday, and he was totally freaked out by the shark, but then when Ariel spies Eric for the first time, as she's sitting on the side of his boat and the sailors are partying, you know there's that close up? And he goes, "ooh, she likes him!" Kill me from cuteness.
7. Kid was refusing to eat yesterday too, so I broke out the old iPod and started playing Disney songs. His favorite? "I'll Make a Man out of You" from Mulan. Classic!
8. My host mom freaked out yesterday when I told her I let the kid run around without a jacket. For the record, it was 64 degrees yesterday. He was wearing an undershirt, turtleneck, and cotton/cashmere sweater. I made him remove his down jacket because his face was bright red and his hands were sweating. She said she would prefer next time if I brought him home, changed his clothes, and then took him back out with the coat. Are you kidding me??
Enough.
Going to Reims, in Champagne, this weekend. I'll toast to you all.
P.S. FINE Rome details.
a. I ate gelato three times.
b. I kept thinking the Italian flag was the Irish flag, esp when it was faded.
c. All photos of the Colosseum look the same.
d. Italian men are no more forward than other men, in my opinion, although I hear it gets worse in the summer heat.
e. Rome has perfected the mid-price meal. In Paris, you spend 5 euros or 25 euros. In Rome you can spend 14-16 for a good meal.
f. Rome has two kinds of streets: main roads and narrow cobbled alleys.
g. I loved it!
Michelangelo was inspired by these arches when building St. Peter's.
I love coffee.
Saw George Clooney in Piazza Navano.
Friday, March 9, 2012
Sweeping the Clouds Away
It's sunny here in Paris.
It is 56 degrees.
There is a trumpeter hanging out on my street right now.
I've spotted at least 5 flowering trees this week.
My shining moment of 70 degrees in Rome has made me even more excited for spring.
I've got cornichons and spreadable cheese in my fridge for the weekend.
My spellcheck wants me to change cornichons to unicorns.
I get to wear my Anthro flowered dress today and be seasonally appropriate, even if I still have to wear tights.
I'm so excited to pick up the kid from school that I am going to leave early!
Oh SPRING, how I have missed you!!
It is 56 degrees.
There is a trumpeter hanging out on my street right now.
I've spotted at least 5 flowering trees this week.
My shining moment of 70 degrees in Rome has made me even more excited for spring.
I've got cornichons and spreadable cheese in my fridge for the weekend.
My spellcheck wants me to change cornichons to unicorns.
I get to wear my Anthro flowered dress today and be seasonally appropriate, even if I still have to wear tights.
I'm so excited to pick up the kid from school that I am going to leave early!
Oh SPRING, how I have missed you!!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
The Before
I feel as though I should write a post before I jet off to Italy tomorrow, because otherwise I will have little to no chance of explaining what has been happening slash what I have been thinking NOW.
Which, let's face it, isn't much.
First of all, are you aware that it is 58 degrees here in the Paris at this moment? And for some miracle, I am not working at 5pm! How is that happening!?!?! Instead I am sitting here with windows wide open hoping that some of my hand-washed undies will dry before I go on vacation. Because I'm wearing the last pair and THEY are only dry because I didn't let them soak and turned on the heat last night. Yes, folks, it's time to do laundry. But there is no time to do it before I leave, so some part of tonight will be spent assessing the least dirty of my socks. ALTHOUGH it is supposed to be 68 in Rome on Friday, so maybe I just wear sandals? Too soon?
Right, so I'm going to Rome tomorrow. My friend and I will have two full days there (Fri and Sat) and then we depart Sunday morning. I'm SO FREAKING EXCITED, and it just hit with full impact that I will be seeing Rome! I'm such an anticipatory person (is that a word?), so this is unlike me. But who cares, Italy will be my reality tomorrow! I would say give me suggestions but I really am not paying attention.
So also, this return to spring is reminding me why I have continued to make baby-sitting a part of my career for this long--afternoons at the park. What other job--besides camp counselor--can you hang out and play games outside all day? It's the best, especially after such a dreary winter.
An exchange today....
Kid: Natalieeee....
Me: Yo.
Kid: You can't say yo. Only pirates.
Okay.
Today at the playground I had to break up a lot of canoodling pigeons. I understand about springtime and babies and all that jazz, but do it somewhere else. I'm not trying to see that.
Saturday marks the halfway point of being here in France, assuming I leave on July 31st, which will be pretty close to accurate. Weird to think that. I feel like I'm much closer to the ending than the beginning. I suppose that is because all the hard stuff is clumped together at the front part of the stay--jetlag, making new friends, speaking French in public, homesickness, big holidays. And now it's nothing but smooth sailing and weekends away. I don't know how many more abroad trips my credit card can handle before I come home, but I want to get to Spain at least. Maybe Switzerland. Greece, if I can swing it (but no idea how). But also, trips in France--Toulon, Champagne, Bordeaux, Mont-St-Michel, Montpellier. I need a sponsor, or a sugar daddy, or.....something not creepy.
Well, I really should pack since tonight is karaoke night at my favorite bar and I work in the morning. Don't worry, I'm practicing. And get ready for around 500 photos of Rome.
Which, let's face it, isn't much.
First of all, are you aware that it is 58 degrees here in the Paris at this moment? And for some miracle, I am not working at 5pm! How is that happening!?!?! Instead I am sitting here with windows wide open hoping that some of my hand-washed undies will dry before I go on vacation. Because I'm wearing the last pair and THEY are only dry because I didn't let them soak and turned on the heat last night. Yes, folks, it's time to do laundry. But there is no time to do it before I leave, so some part of tonight will be spent assessing the least dirty of my socks. ALTHOUGH it is supposed to be 68 in Rome on Friday, so maybe I just wear sandals? Too soon?
Right, so I'm going to Rome tomorrow. My friend and I will have two full days there (Fri and Sat) and then we depart Sunday morning. I'm SO FREAKING EXCITED, and it just hit with full impact that I will be seeing Rome! I'm such an anticipatory person (is that a word?), so this is unlike me. But who cares, Italy will be my reality tomorrow! I would say give me suggestions but I really am not paying attention.
So also, this return to spring is reminding me why I have continued to make baby-sitting a part of my career for this long--afternoons at the park. What other job--besides camp counselor--can you hang out and play games outside all day? It's the best, especially after such a dreary winter.
An exchange today....
Kid: Natalieeee....
Me: Yo.
Kid: You can't say yo. Only pirates.
Okay.
Today at the playground I had to break up a lot of canoodling pigeons. I understand about springtime and babies and all that jazz, but do it somewhere else. I'm not trying to see that.
Saturday marks the halfway point of being here in France, assuming I leave on July 31st, which will be pretty close to accurate. Weird to think that. I feel like I'm much closer to the ending than the beginning. I suppose that is because all the hard stuff is clumped together at the front part of the stay--jetlag, making new friends, speaking French in public, homesickness, big holidays. And now it's nothing but smooth sailing and weekends away. I don't know how many more abroad trips my credit card can handle before I come home, but I want to get to Spain at least. Maybe Switzerland. Greece, if I can swing it (but no idea how). But also, trips in France--Toulon, Champagne, Bordeaux, Mont-St-Michel, Montpellier. I need a sponsor, or a sugar daddy, or.....something not creepy.
Well, I really should pack since tonight is karaoke night at my favorite bar and I work in the morning. Don't worry, I'm practicing. And get ready for around 500 photos of Rome.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Roma
So my friend and I booked travel to Rome for the first weekend in March! Neither of us have ever been to Italy before, and Italy is one of those places I have always wanted to see. But first I need to learn some Italian. Honestly, people all over Europe speak multiple languages, and English tends to be one of them. (One of these days you are going to get a post about how Americans need to start taking other languages seriously...literally it's so sad that almost everyone I meet in Paris can converse in English and I can name on two hand people I know who speak French.)
But in the mean time, here are the words I already know in Italian! That should help, right? Lay out what I know and fill in the holes...
Buongiorno - Good day
Buonasera - Good evening
Buonanotte - Good night
Ciao - Hi/Bye
Arrivederci - Good-bye
Presto - Soon
Prego - You're welcome
Grazie - Thank you
Si - Yes
No - No
Dove - Where
Piazza - Plaza
Spaghetti...
Linguini...
Fettucini...
Penne...
Tagliateli...
Tortellini...
Ravioli...
Farfalle...
Pizza...
Gelato...
I think I might be able to get by on that, but I should at least learn how to say, "Do you speak English?" Or at least some vocab that isn't half food....
Parli inglese? There it is!
But in the mean time, here are the words I already know in Italian! That should help, right? Lay out what I know and fill in the holes...
Buongiorno - Good day
Buonasera - Good evening
Buonanotte - Good night
Ciao - Hi/Bye
Arrivederci - Good-bye
Presto - Soon
Prego - You're welcome
Grazie - Thank you
Si - Yes
No - No
Dove - Where
Piazza - Plaza
Spaghetti...
Linguini...
Fettucini...
Penne...
Tagliateli...
Tortellini...
Ravioli...
Farfalle...
Pizza...
Gelato...
I think I might be able to get by on that, but I should at least learn how to say, "Do you speak English?" Or at least some vocab that isn't half food....
Parli inglese? There it is!
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Happy Sans-Valentin!
^That's the funny little sounds-alike they do here in France, if you are without a Valentine. Actually I do have a Valentine. A couple--myself, my city, and champagne. Not the worst V-Day I have ever had, to be fair!
I've post about 50 times on this blog, and I do believe the narrative has fallen apart somewhat. It is a lot easier to blog about your life when you aren't really out there living it. Thus, the conundrum. I want to be a really great blogger--giving you detailed posts, full of photos and anecdotes. But then I also want to make last-minute plans, and I forget my camera, and sometimes I just want to watch reruns while I eat too much cheese. Not exactly note-worthy, but still a big part of my life here in France.
So I'm just not going to apologize. And I'm not going to try to hard. Either you will like this completely unembellished version of my life here in Paris, or you will not like it, because I'm not telling you enough, or I sound pretentious, or it's just not very interesting (maybe all!??). And because I'm celebrating my love with my new boyfriend Fake Champagne (the real stuff is still expensive here), I'm just going to write you a little listy. Hey, I think in lists.
Recent Thoughts on La Vie Parisienne
1. Just realized my window was open. I have really crappy windows, and sometimes the pressure in my room gets weird and opening the door opens the window a bit. Luckily, it's no longer below freezing all the live long day. (Also, I have intense metal shutters to keep out the bad guys.)
2. One of my least favorite things about my living arrangement is that everyone around me likes to cook. And either I go out of my room at 11pm to pee and get super hungry from a buttery-garlic smell....or I'm hungover and it smells like gross fish. There's no in between.
3. Twice in my life I have come home to find firefighters doing stuff in my apartment building. Once was last year, because snow had blocked part of the exhaust and so they had to go in all the apartments to check for gas leaks. And the other was last night, where they were chipping ice from the exterior of the building to alleviate a very similar situation. Makes the heart race either way.
4. It's really obnoxious when your bank is further away than your grocery store and you don't have any cash but you need food, and most food places won't take cards for less than 10 euros, so you go to the supermarket, but then you have to also spend 10 euros, so you do, but then you forget eggs. A very specific situation, I realize.
5. This kid is picking up on my speech patterns. It's weird. Also, today he told me my last name...which I'm pretty sure I have never a reason to tell him. Bizarre. Kids these days. Also, babies and explosive diapers....what is my life.
6. I don't have a headboard in my shoebox. My little twin bed is against one side wall and I have a table at the head of it, but there's nothing to lean against. It doesn't make sense to put it in a corner, since the window overhangs the wall a bit, and the only other corners are by the door. Basically, if I am on my computer in bed, I'm lying on my left side, and my right side is feeling the neglect.
7. Buying mascara in Paris means spending more than 10% of my paycheck. That's ridiculous. Never thought I'd miss NYC prices.
8. At my local grocery store, 6 eggs will cost you 1.75 euros. In my grocery store in Brooklyn, 6 organic eggs (albeit medium-sized ones) cost me 1.75 dollars. Just saying.
9. I'm currently debating the merits of solo travel to Italy...uh anyone free the first weekend of March? Looking to book....now.
Alright, I'm done typing. Here are some photos of recent snowfall. I was in the country for one night at a friend's house, and it snowed something like 4 inches! Pretty.
I've post about 50 times on this blog, and I do believe the narrative has fallen apart somewhat. It is a lot easier to blog about your life when you aren't really out there living it. Thus, the conundrum. I want to be a really great blogger--giving you detailed posts, full of photos and anecdotes. But then I also want to make last-minute plans, and I forget my camera, and sometimes I just want to watch reruns while I eat too much cheese. Not exactly note-worthy, but still a big part of my life here in France.
So I'm just not going to apologize. And I'm not going to try to hard. Either you will like this completely unembellished version of my life here in Paris, or you will not like it, because I'm not telling you enough, or I sound pretentious, or it's just not very interesting (maybe all!??). And because I'm celebrating my love with my new boyfriend Fake Champagne (the real stuff is still expensive here), I'm just going to write you a little listy. Hey, I think in lists.
Recent Thoughts on La Vie Parisienne
1. Just realized my window was open. I have really crappy windows, and sometimes the pressure in my room gets weird and opening the door opens the window a bit. Luckily, it's no longer below freezing all the live long day. (Also, I have intense metal shutters to keep out the bad guys.)
2. One of my least favorite things about my living arrangement is that everyone around me likes to cook. And either I go out of my room at 11pm to pee and get super hungry from a buttery-garlic smell....or I'm hungover and it smells like gross fish. There's no in between.
3. Twice in my life I have come home to find firefighters doing stuff in my apartment building. Once was last year, because snow had blocked part of the exhaust and so they had to go in all the apartments to check for gas leaks. And the other was last night, where they were chipping ice from the exterior of the building to alleviate a very similar situation. Makes the heart race either way.
4. It's really obnoxious when your bank is further away than your grocery store and you don't have any cash but you need food, and most food places won't take cards for less than 10 euros, so you go to the supermarket, but then you have to also spend 10 euros, so you do, but then you forget eggs. A very specific situation, I realize.
5. This kid is picking up on my speech patterns. It's weird. Also, today he told me my last name...which I'm pretty sure I have never a reason to tell him. Bizarre. Kids these days. Also, babies and explosive diapers....what is my life.
6. I don't have a headboard in my shoebox. My little twin bed is against one side wall and I have a table at the head of it, but there's nothing to lean against. It doesn't make sense to put it in a corner, since the window overhangs the wall a bit, and the only other corners are by the door. Basically, if I am on my computer in bed, I'm lying on my left side, and my right side is feeling the neglect.
7. Buying mascara in Paris means spending more than 10% of my paycheck. That's ridiculous. Never thought I'd miss NYC prices.
8. At my local grocery store, 6 eggs will cost you 1.75 euros. In my grocery store in Brooklyn, 6 organic eggs (albeit medium-sized ones) cost me 1.75 dollars. Just saying.
9. I'm currently debating the merits of solo travel to Italy...uh anyone free the first weekend of March? Looking to book....now.
Alright, I'm done typing. Here are some photos of recent snowfall. I was in the country for one night at a friend's house, and it snowed something like 4 inches! Pretty.
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