BEST DAYYYYYY

Okay.... I don't even know where to begin I am just happy as a clam right now.... okay... point form always works when you have no order but have so much to say.

1- My brother arrived this morning from South Africa... he showed me amazing videos and pictures of our family.... I miss them so much... it is so hard having family that lives on the other side of the world, $2000 dollars away... I am so much looking forward to seeing them in December... after seeing videos and pictures, even personalized ones from my little cuzzies... just means the world to me. Wow... so touched, and so looking forward to seeing them.

2- My bro, Riyad, met me after work and we headed towards La Cigale which is a concert venue in the red light district, a few blocks from Moulin Rouge. Last Friday we went out for a Consular Section dinner and we went to this fab Italian restaurant. When I saw that the concert was in the same area... I knew we had to go there for dinner as Riyad's fave food is pasta. Well... I will take the credit of introducing him to his now favorite Italian Restaurant in the world.... (and thank you to Rana for having your going away party there on Friday).

3- I saw that Playing for Change was coming to Paris and had to buy tickets, Riyad happened to be here at the same time, so I bought 2........

3a- THE BEST CONCERT I HAVE EVER BEEN TO!!!!!!!

3b- I HAD THE HONOUR... AND WHAT AN HONOUR IT WAS TO MEET THE FOUNDER: Mr. Mark Johnson... he is such an inspiration. He is in my top 20 most influential people of my life ( at least 10 of those people being family members). He is the founder of my essence and my essence is founded upon the concept of bringing world peace through music. WOW... what an honour it was to meet him and tell him that I am so proud of what he is accomplishing... please visit to refresh your memory.

http://faridaexplores.blogspot.com/2010/04/my-love-for-musica.html

And as promised on my post from April ... I have been showing everyone and anyone this DVD, spreading the message like germs spread on the poles in the metro. hahaha. Our conversation was around me telling him how much I truly appreciate his work and am so proud/motivated by him as a person, and that I have been and will keep bringing the DVD around the world with me... spreading the word. He kept hugging me and kissing my cheek saying thank you so muchh and I said I was from Vancouver and he said he loves Vancouver... and oh my hat (hehe.. zee) It was just wonderful.

3c- Now the concert itself... to die for. It was so incredible. I just can't even explain the energy in the whole place. DEFINITELY AN IIIIITTTTTCCCCCCCCCCCC (ITC= Inability to capture) Videos take way too long to post on blogspot, so I will upload them somewhere else for you to view, but here is a taste of concert... not a bite, just a taste.










4- So Riyad and I get home at about 11: 45 from the concert and I thought, what the heck, I'll check my mailbox.

OHHHHH MYYYYYYY GOSSSSSHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!! I am sooooo blessed, you just don't understand. My INCREDIBLE co-workers put together a package with letters, notes, goodies such as gum, raspberry deodorant (hehe), microwave popcorn (Mia :) ), nibs, skittles, a Public Service Frisbee... hahahahahaha... and a fantabulous HOME MADE card (thanks anita) signed by the whole office. CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS?!?!?!? BECAUSE I CAN'T!!!!!!!!! How can people be so kind?! I called the work line today to thank the few people that were around and it just didn't even have the words for them. I was just ecstatic. A special Thank You to Magda for organizing it and sending it off, but MANYYYYYY thank you to all those who contributed... as simple as signing the lovely card, your kind gesture of keeping me in your 'mind space' alone just makes me so grateful to you.

I haven't looked at it all or read it all yet, but individual 'thank yous' will be going out upon my return from....

5- BARCELONA IN THE MORNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So my brother and I are heading to Barcelona in the morning! Which I still haven't packed for... and it's 1: 30 am... but that's OKAY... because soon enough I will be dipping my feet in the Mediterranean Sea!!!!! Obviously blog posts and pictures to come....

6- All in all... a fantabulous day. I love my life.

The flag is at half mast today...

Today was a day of mourning, as I am sure there are many more to come.

One of my colleagues here at the Embassy passed away this morning in his sleep.

Shame.

His name was Yuri.

He was 25 years old, young, healthy, and active. I didn't know him that well... but was starting to.

He worked at the Embassy, helping out in various sections and was planning on moving back to Canada with his girlfriend who works in the Consular Section with me. She has been working at the Embassy for 8-9 years and had decided to move back to Canada to start a life near family and friends... her time was up here in Paris. Her date of departure is July 14, her last day at work July 9. Yuri was planning on moving back to Canada so they could start a life together.

We celebrated her time and dedication at the Embassy last Friday at a beautiful Italian restaurant.

I'm still in shock, it was just the other night where we were out, I had met his mom and dad for the first time and he sat across from me at the table. He was warning me about how hot their hot sauce was and was telling me stories and everything. Because we are a little short of people these days in the Consular section, he has been working with us for the past 3-4 weeks. He never said no if I asked him to make guarantor or reference calls for me, always had a smile on his face, and I can still hear his laugh now. I was just joking around with him yesterday as he was sorting through old blank passports... he said to me, "I think we should give Canadians blank books and let them do their passports themselves"... I started laughing and said, "Nooooooo, not a good idea." We laughed.

It's so weird to have someone so young in your life one day and not the next. Just like that.

The general atmosphere in the office was very difficult. I was in the hall next to the room where another colleague took the girlfriend and gave her the news. She started screaming and crying and said no, no, he'll wake up. Oh it was so sad.

No further news has been given but that it happened while he was sleeping at 8: 30 am this morning, his mother found him in his bed.

Shame... please say a prayer for him, his family, his loved ones and for yourself, your family, and your loved ones.

This is the reality, we can go at any time and at any place.

My heart goes out to him....

The sun is shining....

Okay... so I think I'm becoming a little more appreciative of this city they call Paris now... maybe appreciative isn't the word. I think it's just getting into my blood stream now. Let me explain...

Last week a co-worker from the Passport Office came to Paris with his family and he made a note to make sure he saw me to report back to the office how I am. It was such a wonderful visit. We sat on your typical Parisian patio where all the chairs are very close and all facing outwards. This is what you do in Paris. You sit, eat, drink, chat, and people watch- a perfect Parisian experience. Nelson was so great because he actually showed me a different perspective to these people we call "Parisians." He showed me why he appreciates them and to be honest, things that I thought were negative qualities, he changed my opinion... he taught me to just appreciate these people for who they are and what they have to offer this city they call 'home.' We had a wonderful conversation... and I'm sure he'll take back the update of my life to the office back home :)

Okay... so I was on my way home, running some errands, and then remembered a cafe a friend had recommended because he said they had great burgers... and mmmmmm. they do! So as I'm sitting on the patio by myself, reading my 20 minutes free paper in French.... I pick up my burger, take 2 bites and then put it down feeling a bit embarrassed/out of place. So, I picked up my knife and fork, and started eating my burger with them. Can you believe this? I felt more comfortable eating a burger with a knife and fork!!!!! That was probably "my moment."

I had another one today.... I was running out the door to buy new sponges, dish soap, and garbage bags and as I got to where I had to validate my card for the train I realized I left it at home. Home is just across the street... but the first word that came out of my mouth was... "merde" which translates to "sh*t or damn." I shocked myself as I ran back down the stairs to go grab my pass.

I have met a few more people too... so my "friendship" circle is starting to grow... I think that helps too.

The sun is finally shining! Of course weather has something to do with moods... and boy is it shining here... a beautiful, HOT, 31 degrees! That deodorant from Canada sure is coming in handy these days :) hehe

Speaking of deodorant, the wonderful mec (=guy) who brought me prized posession was leaving France Saturday night and he invited me out for dinner. We were originally going to go to great looking place in a park, but because of the beautiful weather, everyone else wanted to go too, so we didn't end up getting a seat as the line was HUGE. So we went walking along looking for a sushi place a friend of a friend had recommended Joe's friend and couldn't find it. As we're walking along, we see this cute little hole in the wall resto, if you blinked, you would have missed it. It was down this random street and was super tiny, but the menu looked good. We sat outside at one of the two tables and ordered the BEST salads ever!!!!! This place was SOOOO Parisian!!! It was great!!!! Anyone who comes to visit, I promise to take you there as the 2 owners/staff were great, the food was divine, and the joint was superb. They only support artisan people which I loved about it!!!!

An artisan (from Italian: artigiano) is a skilled manual worker who makes items that may be functional or strictly decorative, including furniture, clothing, jewelry, household items, and tools. The term can also be used as an adjective to refer to the craft of hand making food products, such as bread, beverages and cheese.

That night they didn't have the tuna for my salad because the artisan that supplies their tuna didn't have any. ISN'T THAT GREAT?!?!?! I loved that they told me that... so I took the salad 'sans thon' and it was still divine.

All in all, my days are getting brighter! I have to enjoy this time here while I can... I know very well that in about half a year, I won't be here any more and this will only be a memory and wonderful experience.

Check out the wonderful picture I took!

Wavin' Flag

Well.... I had one of the most amazing days today. After work I walked over to the Eiffel Tower where a massive screen has been set up for every soccer game. I patiently waited as South Africa dominated France!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAYYYYY!!!!!!!! What a perfect match, me being here in France, not meshing well with the French.... and having my home team, the underdogs, come out from behind and KICK THEIR BUTTS!!!!!!!!!! It was so exciting for me to see all the french people walk home with their heads hung low. hahahahahaha... VIVA AFRICA!!!!!!!!!!!!

Followed by the game on the big screen was a free outdoor concert with my one and only.... K'NAAN!!!!!!!!!! So in case you didn't know:

Biography

Born in Somalia,^[3] K'naan spent his childhood in Mogadishu^[4] and lived there during the Somali Civil War, which began in 1991. His aunt, Magool, was one of Somalia's most famous singers. K'naan's grandfather, Haji Mohammad, was a poet. He is Muslim,^[5] and his name, Keinan, means "traveler" in the Somali language. He spent the early years of his life listening to the hip-hop records sent to him from America by his father, who had left Somalia earlier. When he was 13, K'naan, his mother, and his three siblings, older brother, Liban, and younger sisters Naciimo, Sagal were able to leave their homeland and join relatives in New York City, where they stayed briefly before moving to Canada, to the Toronto neighbourhood of Rexdale,^[6] where there was a large Somali community and his family still resides.^[7]Nas and Rakim. Despite the fact that he could not yet speak the language, the young K'naan taught himself hip hop and rap diction, copying the lyrics and style phonetically.^[8] He then also began rapping.^[9] There, K'naan began learning English, partly by listening to hip hop albums by artists like

He is married to Deqa, a pharmacist. They have two sons, born in 2005 and 2007^[10][11].

Career

K'naan became a friend and associate of Canadian promoter Sol Guy, who helped him secure a speaking engagement before the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in 1999, where K'naan performed a spoken word piece criticizing the UN for its failed aid missions to Somalia.^[12] One of the audience members, Senegalese singer Youssou N'Dour, was so impressed by the young MC's performance and courage that he invited him to contribute to his 2001 album Building Bridges, a project through which K'naan was able to tour the world.

This project led to his work at other UN events, as well as the Montreal Jazz FestivalHalifax Pop Explosion. It also helped him meet Canadian producer Jarvis Church and his Track & Field team in 2002, who produced his debut album The Dusty Foot Philosopher, which was released in 2005 to critical acclaim. In 2006, it won the Juno Award for Rap Recording of the Year, and was nominated for the 2006 Polaris Music Prize. It also won the BBC Radio 3 Award for World Music in the newcomer category for 2007.^[13][14] The Dusty Foot Philosopher was re-released and re-packaged as a "Deluxe Edition" featuring new mixes and a bonus DVD in the United States (and various international territories) by the emerging media company and record label iM (Interdependent Media, Inc.) in 2008. and the

Since then, K'naan has been on tour promoting his album and working on his follow-up release, "Troubadour," his debut album for new label, A&M/Octone Records. He has also been collaborating with artists like Nelly Furtado, Mos Def, The Roots, Dead Prez, and Pharoahe Monch on tours such as Live 8^[15] and Breedlove Odyssey.^[7] He also collaborated with Damian Marley on the "Welcome to Jamrock" touring session.^[16]

K'naan released The Dusty Foot on the Road, a collection of recording made during his world tour on Wrasse Records.^[17]

K'naan rose to mainstream popularity by participating in the 2008 BET Awards Cypher, This was his first appearance on American television. His second studio album, Troubadour, was released on February 24, 2009 on A&M/Octone Records, and will be distributed through Universal Music Group worldwide. The album's first single, "ABC's", was released to radio in late 2008. K'naan has featured in several video games such as Madden NFL 09 with his song ABC's, and FIFA 06 with his song "Soobax". The song "If Rap Gets Jealous", a rerecording of a track of the same name – with different verses – from The Dusty Foot Philosopher, features Metallica lead guitarist Kirk Hammett. K'naan was also the first featured artist on X3, a collaborative project between CBC Radio 3, Exclaim! magazine and aux.tv to promote new Canadian music.^[18]

Style and influences

Jim Welte has said K'naan has "a sound that fuses Bob Marley, conscious American hip hop, and brilliant protest poetry."^[9] His voice and style have been compared to Eminem,^[8] but his subject matter is very different; according to K'naan, he makes "urgent music with a message", talking about the situation in his homeland of Somalia and calling for an end to violence and bloodshed.^[19] He specifically tries to avoid gangsta rap clichés and posturing,^[20] saying:

“

All Somalis know that gangsterism isn't to brag about. The kids that I was growing up with [in Rexdale] would wear baggy [track] suit pants, and a little jacket from Zellers or something, and they'd walk into school, and all the cool kids would be like, 'Ah, man, look at these Somalis. Yo, you're a punk!' And the other kid won't say nothing, but that kid, probably, has killed fifteen people.[12]

”

This statement was made to explain his position on the world of difference which exists between where he grew up, and the ghettos of the first world.^[21] Nonetheless, K'naan denies that he is overtly political, instead explaining that he "[shows] the state of the world [and] if you call it like it is you're being political."^[22] His own opinion of his music is that it's a "mix of tradition and [a] kind of articulation of my own life and [..] my past experiences."^[22]

In a December 2008 interview with Hard Knock TV, K'naan stated he had never smoked marijuana or drank alcohol, despite having toured with the Marleys.^[23] This is in-keeping with K'naan's deep Islamic beliefs.

K'naan has said that he is influenced by Somali music and the traditional instruments of Somalia.^[24] His most recent album, Troubadour, also draws heavily from Ethiopian sources, particularly Ethio-Jazz by Alemayehu Eshete and Tilahun Gessesse.^[25][26] These influences can be heard in the Ethiopian jazz samples in his songs "America", "Dreamer", "Somalia", "ABCs", "Bang Bang" and "I Come Prepared".

Now my aunt Marcina likes to take the credit for my knowledge of this superb artist... so I'd just like to give her credit here for her probably knowing him longer than I have, there you go Marcina! hahaha... I should have listened to you.

Now, moving on.... in 2008, my ex and I both found out that we loved his music while we were dating.... and he became our favourite shared artist.... because he used to host a radio show he scored some back stage 'media' passes for a show out in Cumberland, BC on August 17, 2008-


which is about 1 hour north of Nanaimo B.C. I was able to get in on the deal too and so we got to stand right up at the front and take awesome pictures and videos!!!! At this point K'naan wasn't really well known to the general public... he was an artist trying to get a break.... but John and I definitely saw/felt his potential... he has rhythm, he speaks truth, he sends a message, and he has an intense stage presence!

John used his smooth talking skills and was also able to get us a picture taken with him and he signed my CD!!!!!

Then in February 2009 I heard he was coming back to Vancouver and was playing at the Commodore... an AMAZING venue for concerts (just not techno/house music because their sound system is a little TOO good/deafening) so I bought 2 tickets not knowing who I was going to go with... by this point John and I had already broken up, but K'naan is the type of artist that you want to see and appreciate with someone who loves him just as much as you do... so I invited my friend Julia. It was great, we both saw him at 'The Big Time Out' the summer before, so she was the perfect match!!! We went to his concert and loved it dearly... his new CD Troubadour had just come out and we were blessed with hearing these 'fresh out of the oven' tracks!!!

A great venue, a great concert, with a great artist! I love the pic above too... of course "Waving Flag" is on this album, and I was jumping for joy when I looked down and saw the picture I had just taken with the flag kind of iridescent like it is.... gave myself a pat on the back.

Then I hadn't seen him in a while... but was still listening dutifully to his album and heard he was coming for the Cultural Olympiad 2010. There was many artists from around the world who came to Vancouver for the Winter Olympics... and it wouldn't be a cultural olympiad without K'Naan himself. As soon as I saw the flyer on the lamp post, I went online right away and tried to buy 2 tickets, again, not knowing who I was going to go with. The best seats available were saying 18th row and so I was trying to use my credit card info to purchase the tickets, but for some reason it wasn't accepting it!!! I was so mad, so as soon as the office was open the next morning I called on my lunch break and asked for tickets to see K'naan at the Orpheum Theater (another AMAZING venue!!!!!) The gentleman said, "I have front row tickets right in the middle, will this do?" AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH OF COURSE IT WILL DO!!!!!!!!! IT DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So I purchased 2 tickets to front row, right in the middle seats. wow.

Down to the last minute, I asked a few people all of which who couldn't make it. I decided to call up the good ol' ex. We hadn't talked for a while, but as mentioned above, I wanted to go with someone who appreciates him as much as I do, and I know John does. So I text him and asked... he texted back saying he just 'fist pumped' in the air and YES he will go! hahahahaha... That said it all. I'm glad I asked... he appreciated the invite.



Another wonderful concert.... and sitting in another VIP location. He provided the VIP at the outdoor concert, I provided the VIP for this one.

And then came June 22, 2010.

Well, before this date, I was reading the free french METRO paper on the train on my way to work as I normally do and was reading about all the goodies happening around town in relation to the World Cup. I saw that France was playing South Africa on June 22 and knew I had to watch the game. So I thought why not at one of the large outdoor screens they have set up around town... I kept reading and saw that K'naan was playing a free concert right by the Eiffel Tower!!!!! wooowowwwweeeeeee... I'll be there~!!!!

So I tried asking a few people to go with me, but they all declined because the French are mad over soccer....so if the French won, it would be mad chaos. Oh well... as mentioned above, I'd rather go by myself anyways... because they weren't die hard fans. So I made my way to the big screen, watched the end of the game, and then as the French fans mosied on out with their heads hung low, that's when I made my way in to the front row to watch K'naan!!!!!


It was great, seeing him on stage, presenting himself as an unknown artist to people who don't speak his language... it was kind of cute because he was a bit shy! I watched the 5 songs he sang and then watched him go off stage. I walked over to where his vehicle was and was peeking at him through the fence. Much to my surprise, he ended up walking over to the fence, asked the security to open it so he could shake the hands and take pics of people!!! I WAS RIGHT THERE!!!!!!

When I thought I was getting closer, I was actually getting further, people trampling all over eachother, including me... people were mad and forceful!!!!! It's a dog eat dog world out there (hahahahaha) so I shouted out, "K'naan, I'm from Vancouverrrrr!!!!"

I didn't know what else to say, as I was getting trampled on I was planning words to say if I got the chance to meet him. I was slowly and unknowlingly getting further and further away when all of a sudden security was pushing us all out, and I was RIGHT there!!!!!! so now, on the other side of the fence, another girl came up that I guess knew him and he said to the bouncers, let her in... I was able to get a second of eye contact, gave him a look of despair which said (and he heard), " Dude, I'm from Vancouver, I was right up at the front of the crowd and I didn't even get a picture"... so he said, let those two girls in. I waved and he waved back, and he said the one at the front and the one I waved to. YAYYYYY... so I squeezed my way back in and said, "Thank you so much, I met you in Cumberland at the Big Time Out and at the Cultural Olympiad and I'm a big fan." The picture was taken quickly and right before it was snapped he asked, "Do you know this girl? (The other one that got in)" and I said, "No, but it's all good!" And he laughed, then *CLICK*... I thanked him again, said "Salaam Alaikum" and he took my hand and said, "It was nice to meet you." Then before I could blink, the other girl had him with her camera and I was being escorted out by security. People looked at me like "Oh my gosh, I can't believe you were in there," and I looked at them with that exact same expression on my face. Wow.... I was shaking for the next 10 minutes and am still smiling now....4 hours later. I am not only an avid fan, but am so proud to see him grow as an artist.

What can I say.... gotta support the locals, even when they come to Paris :)

Fitting in

This is ultimately what I want to do…fit in. Now how to do that… If I really want to be french, I have to make some changes. I have to consider buying glasses with neat/designer frames. Now I have 20/20 vision… so they would have to be non-prescription. What else… I will need to pick up smoking. Everyone smokes here…especially the girls, I think it's more of a status/popularity thing… Okay… how about walking around in 3 inch stiletto heels… I have no issues wearing heels and can appreciate a beautiful shoe when the time is right… but daily?! And on my way to work!? I have to walk A LOT!!! And trying to walk along the cobble streets in these?!

What about giving people attitude?! Now this one I can't master for sure… but it's a dog eat dog world out there… I just might to have to put on my b*tch face… hahahahahaha… I'd burst into laughter, I'm sure of it!

Ultimately I just wish I could be myself and be appreciated. I wish I could wear whatever I want and not get stared at. Why are people so obsessed with material goods here?! Who has the latest phone, the latest frames, designer handbag…. okay, I appreciate beauty too, don't get me wrong. I give into buying nice things too… but can't imagine spending loads of money on certain things… maybe it's just because I don't have that kind of money!!!??? But a dear colleague of mine put it all into persecutive for me in one sentence after I told him I was going to live in France for a year:

"The only thing you can take with you {after you pass away} are your experiences."

So I'm not going to buy those designer frames, I'm not going to pick up smoking, and I'm not going to buy 1000EUROs shoes that I can hardly walk in because of the cobble streets. I'm going to go to travel instead. I'm going to travel around this world and meet people in other countries who will appreciate me for who I am and all that I have……… on the inside.

The great thing about blogging is that I can say all this now... but then watch, in 4 months I'll totally be one of them!!! Blogging is a great way to watch myself and my thoughts develop!!!!

A day in the french life of MOI… exactly 4 weeks later.

I now wake up at 6: 45am. Go to the bathroom, brush my teeth, change quickly, get my lunch together, and am out the door by 7am to catch the 7:05am train. I take the train 2 stations into Paris. Grab the metro which is SOOOO much nicer than taking it around 8:15am like I used to. This 1 hour difference makes my life so much more peaceful in the morning. I get a seat on the metro vs. being crammed in with hundreds of other Parisian commuters… this is if I even get on the first train. So I get to the embassy around 7:35-40am. It opens at 7am but I have routinely been going to the gym at the embassy from 7: 40- 9am. It's great!!! I get a great work out, take a shower, and am 72 seconds away from my desk. I usually have a yoghurt and some petit déjeuner cookies and a bottle of water. It's so amazing!!! I'm going to keep it up!!!

So from 9-5 I process passport applications received in the mail and answer the phones in the morning. I get questions about passports, citizenship, legalizing documents, sin cards, retirement, and so many other things. By working in the consular section, we are there to answer questions to Canadian citizens living or visiting abroad. There is also a position called "astreint" which means that this person is in charge of all 'urgent' passports. This person doesn't answer the phone nor do they get envelopes to process… they just take care of the people who have had their passports lost and or stolen. Most of these cases are stolen passports… pick pocketers. Gosh… they get people alright. Myself and another girl Isabelle (another new girl) shared this position last week… it was incredibly quiet… but good for us because we were just learning. It is actually quite exciting because you're dealing with people, helping them catch their flights back home the next day. And most of the people are INCREDIBLY appreciative (got to love Canadians) and when you ask them to fill out the Client Feedback Form… they are always very generous! These feedback forms get sent to Ottawa to get added to our files… I've had some reaaallyyyyy positive ones!!! Yippee!!!!!

Anyways… that's work life… after 5pm:

- go for dinner/coffee with a friend from work

- run errands (bank, phone, groceries)

- come home and make dinner

- come home to do laundry

- grab my laptop and go to a burger shack to write emails

- watch some of the TV series my cousin uploaded to my computer

So this is what I'm doing now… But part of my 'becoming more proactive' about seeing and appreciating Paris means that I'm going to be putting on my walking shoes to explore a certain area, take a book to a cafe, seeing a specific monument, going to a museum, etc. Now after a long day at work, I just want to go home and kick off my shoes… but at least 2 nights a week… it wouldn't hurt.

Exploring paris with a partner in crime vs the trio: me, myself and I.

So this is my dilemma. I am dying to have a partner in crime… maybe I'm just a social being… but I wish I could have another single, easy going, fun, 26 year old female to be my partner in crime. I want someone to go to cafes with, enjoy the nightlife, explore the surrounding areas around Paris, go to museums with, etc. Now I know this might be asking too much or maybe it's too early… but I just wish i had this type of person around me right now. At least one close friend that fits the description above.

Okay… so the current alternative is exploring Paris on my own. Now… I think I just have to come to realize that this is my situation, and I have to accept it. Paris is actually a city where this is quite possible. There are many things I can do solo… and I plan on doing that.

I have met some good people… a couple of people from my work have been very nice. But I so badly want to socialize with friendly french people. I have had some encounters with french people so far… but most of them are not welcoming, cold, and unfriendly. :( I heard it's more the Parisians than anything… I heard that the french people from the south are not as depressed and are very nice. So… I have looked into train tickets, even just to head down south for the weekend. It's possible… but SO expensive!!! A return train ticket is 160 euros… ouch. I'll figure something out :) For now… I have a list of museums/shows that I want to go see.

So I looked into playing soccer… it's not as popular here in the summer (for women). Team sports start up again in September when the university students go back to school…everyone drifts away during the summer. So playing soccer is pending at the moment.

I would like to start focusing on the arts. This being a city surrounded by art… I might as well become a part of it. So… I will be looking into taking some painting classes, guitar lessons, and cooking classes. However, this is Paris… therefore things are very expensive. Hopefully I can find some more budget friendly classes.

If you have any more suggestions on being proactive…. let me know! For now… I think I have some good leads :)

Updates on these subjects to come (after pay day: June 30).

Finding the art of my inner soul

So I will probably write the next few blog posts about trying to 'find' myself here in Paris... because I'm feeling a bit lost. Some things just feel disconnected. Not sure why or what...but I have been doing some analyzing.

I have been having a hard time trying to find myself here in Paris-France-Europe-Earth. I have decided to take an art class, my guitar lessons, and a cooking class. They all are looking to be a little expensive...so I have to get around it... but Paris/Europe = Art and beauty. I need to find those very things within myself.

More on these topics to come......

That's so.... french.

So the things you hear abroad are true. The french do love certain things... and these pictures will confirm that. They are stereotypes... but they are up and running!!! Luc and I or just myself have taken some time explore Paris... Enjoy the pictures... they're pretty self explanatory!