St. Germain

So today there were riots so we were not allowed to go into Paris, and the metro was all backed up, so we did everything by foot:) But it was still such a great day!

Started out... with the usual wake up call from Caitlin, along the lines of "yoooo d-o-double g" or "woahhhhza" or some 2pac song she's trying to memorize.. so even though I am not a morning person, my alarm clock is the best ever, in addition to a particular morning e-mail;)... definitely beats Michael and Erik pounding through my bedroom door then jumping on me, crawling under the covers and cracking my toes or rubbing their freeeezing bodies up to mine under the covers...

SO YEAH.. then I went for a GREAT road run... through Vesinet, le Pecq, Criossy, so pretty. I love running the streets of France. Came home, then headed to St. Germain. St Germain is just on the other side of the Seine, and it's a really cute town with a big chateau and garden.

It's actually where Louis XIV was born. We couldn't go inside because it was closed, but it was cool just walking around it. I'm totally running there tomorrow, and just getting lost in the gardens. The view is AMAZING.

We met up with two boys from our group, Jess and Marissa and went to some other boys house to watch step up 2, (great flick), and yeah, just hung out..so that was fun! Cait and I kinda lost track of time though, and we didn't realize how far away their house was from ours so we were a half an hour late for dinner. But Madame was okay with it:) For dinner we had grapefruit, pasta, (I'll come back to that later) a piece of baguette and two cheeses. I think one was a bleu cheese and the other was a softer, less smellier one. Not bad though. Pallet expansion. So the pasta. Caitlin gave Madame a bottle of green salsa as a "thank you gift" for letting us stay here--and after many attempts of trying to describe what salsa is to her, she still did not get her head wrapped around the fact that it is not spaghetti sauce. So. We had noodles with salsa on top for dinner. It was actually good, but so hilarious. Maybe tomorrow will be pot stickers and maple syrup?

Now I'm in my room, skyping=best invention ever, and ready for a big sleep-in tomorrow because, oh yeah, no class! That's all for today. A demain!

just another day in Pari :)

So today I woke up, went for a run on the seine again..... starting to feel more and more like the rexius trail.. but i would LOVE to know how far I am running. It's hard to track because my legs are numb so I can't tell how fast I am going... I heard I can like google map it or something and track my miles? It was funny today. I saw this guy running on the trail awhile a head of me. And sooner or later I caught up to him, (he was old, so it's not like he was a middle aged marathoner..) and it was funny cuz as I was trying to pass him, he totally sped up, so we were running side by side for a minute, ..which is like a fourth of a song, kiiinda a long time, and finally i just bit the bullet and sped up, but then he was on my tail for the entire run. It was so funny. He got so competitive, and naturally I did too cuz I wasn't going to let him pass me after that, so yeah that was fun and i got a better work out. Thanks ego.

After the run, came home, showered, then went back to lafayette gallerie to do our walk-- I wish i had a lot of cool things to say about it but basically it was just walking around looking at architecture on random buildings. Still cool though! One of which was the opera building and we really want to go see an opera or a ballet one of these nights! I told my mom (french mom) I was all excited to go out and get all dressed up and "chic" but she said that I could just wear jeans. daaaaangit. I had a much better idea of the opera in my head I guess.

For dinner tonight we had lentils and brussel sproats. Good thing I'm not a picky eater.....oh wait.....

shopaholic!... but not really..

.... i was THIS close today to making a designer bag purchase today. It was between a 790 euro D&G handbag... 50 percent off!!! soooo approx. 501 u.s dollars. restraint. THEN hello marc jacobs handbag that i have had my eye on for months! buut that was 550 euros soo i didnt need to do that math to realize that i could get it in the u.s. for cheaper, and when i didnt need to live off a budget with no income for the next couple months. 

so this was in the lafayette gallerie... my new fave. so then, i felt the need to try on some silk black formal prom-like dresses, cuz they were on sale obviously! and i hate to say that I had to use restraint not the buy those (yes, plural..) either. I spent an hour and a half on the FIRST floor...don't worry there are 5. you bet your bottom ill be back tomorrow. materialistic?? no no, just a good appreciation for beautiful material things:) 

BUT i guess what my mom would like to hear more about is my first day of classes... so this morning I woke up just as Cait was leaving for her 9 o'clock class, went for a lovely run, then to the institute at 11. So I guess the institute is a lot further than i expected..... good thing I only need to go there two days a week for classes.did i mention i have tuesdays, thursdays and fridays off?? And still taking 12 credits.. pretty legit! hard load. tough life. 

French will be easy-- but fun. and im meeting with the grad student, who is the teacher for my conversation courses and he said he'll set goals with me to make this semester worth my while for french. I'm excited, I need to have a 40 min convo with a native french speaker a week, so hello creeper metro guys.. or security guards? ;) Then world religion I think could be interesting if it weren't so long and there weren't so many things about my professors physique to distract me. and the even bigger problem is how cold the room is. and the only way i deal with coldness is sleeping soooo i'll need to figure out a game plan for getting through that class this semester... considering it is the only lecture, aka real class im taking. 

tonight we went over to the pattersons house for fhe. we had pasta and salad for din and watched she's the man. great flick. but cait and i were really tired so we skipped out a little early. Now I'm home and being a rockstar on day one of my commitment to this blog. Tomorrow we'll be back at lafayette... but this time for a WALK (aka academic credit ok?) and shopping. did i mention end of january is the month of "soldes", sales? shopping will be taken down a notch in feb.-april. BUT in my defense I have purchased LESS than 100 dollars worth. including food. going strong. hopefully michael majors in accounting and can create my budget for the rest of my life.... 

a demain!

ma première semaine !

So I really should write more often than once a week, I apologize, I will try to get better at this. But ok, this week was so packed and has flownnnn by like no other! I feel like I have been here for a month already--in a good way-- and still loving every moment, smell, taste, person, experience etc... SO...We didn't have school this past first week, but it was our time to get acquainted with Paris, the metro system and just to get settled in. We are all taking this "Paris Walks" class and basically what it is is a book of twenty different walks (sights, buildings, cathedrales, chateaus etc..) in Paris, and we choose 16 of them over the course of the semester. The walks range from 1 hour-to 6 hours. The fact that they are "required" make them boring at times, but really I'm so grateful for them because it has kept us busy and seeing a lot of cool things that we probably otherwise would have missed. 

Starting from last sunday-- freaking LOVE church. I go to the Versailles ward and it's so awesome. I was surprised that I could follow every meeting. The spirit was soooo strong the whole way through and I was just eating up every moment of it. Sunday school was fun because we went to the young adults meeting, and it was fun hearing comments of kids my age. Sacrament was also really cool because there were two missionary speakers... a sister, (who is officially my favorite person ever) and an elder. The hymns were my favorite part though. I was focusing a lot more on the words so that I could understand them, so I think that's why they were so special to me. 

On monday we went our whole group at the institute for devotional. Then we cruised Paris a little...went shopping, and ok, I have spent just about nooothing, so I am so proud of myself. But of course the purchases I WANT to make are about a half a grand, so saying that I am using restraint should be more like I'm using common sense. Monday night we had FHE at the Patterson home, (my professor.) They have SUCH a nice place. Two blocks from the eiffel tower, total of 5 rooms, and in the nicest area of Paris. BYU got hoooooked up. So FHE and dinner at their house will be really nice every monday just to chill and be with everyone.. it's funny how it feels like home at their place. I love it, home away from home, but in Paris with people who were strangers just 9 days ago!

On Tuesday we did the "Marcher le nez au vent" walk. The sights and smells around the Madeleine. Everyone in our group is on their own for the walks but Caitlin and I go with two other girls from le Vesinet as well and we have a fun little fouresome going:) ....us four are the only girls in our area, so it's really convenient and we have a really good time together! So we started at l'eglise Madeleine, which was so cool.

 I can't believe these exquisite cathedrales here...stain glass, images and paintings of Christ as so beautiful! I learn a lot every day by seeing the different depictions of Christ, his life and his ministry inside the cathedrales I saw this week. After that we walked down the Rue Royal, which I loved of course cuz Chanel, Dior and Gucci were along the rue. Then we went to laduree which is a really famous patisserie for it's macaroons, (not coconut like the united states,) but they are cute bite-sized cookie sandwich things and we all got a couple to split. So cute! 

Then we went to Moulin Rouge (sketch) .. and obviously "off limits," but we went before dark so it was still semi-safe;) We went to a perfume museum, flower shops as well...

Then wednesday the 21st..... mom's bday!! :) so the best day ever of course! But I was sad I was not with her to celebrate, but I did go to Notre Dame in her honor! It was the "Paris in Layers:Notre Dame, Saint-Chapelle, Ceonciergie" walk. It was definitely one of my favorites since I have been here. We went inside Notre Dame and it was just soooo cool! Better than I remembered. The stain glass is SO SO breathtaking--and I actually remembered some of the gothic architecture history that I learned in my history of creativity class! snaps for meggers.We plan on going to mass in notre dame either next sunday or the sunday after. can't wait! 

After that we walked across the square to the crypt with is underneath the cathedrale of actual archeological sites of the buildings from I don't even know how long ago. But it's something that I normally would have found totally boring, but I guess I actually like learning about boring stuff now! Then we went the Conciergie, which was also really cool. It's basically a prison that housed the prisoners from the Reign of Terror and Marie Antionette and Robespierre. That was also sooo neat. I read a lot and learned a bunch about Marie Antionette. I'm excited to learn more about her as we go to Versailles and see where she lived etc... The chateau is about a mile from our church building and I heard it's amazing. Can't wait. Unfortunately the Saint Chapelle was closed (seriously the French are so inconvenient. Nothing is open mondays, some not even tuesdays, places close SO early, closed during lunch hour, but also not open in the mornings.... ahh! but I still love them:) And want to be one of them:) 

Madame feeds us every Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday and these dinners consist of about five courses. This night we had soup first, this dish that she just heated up, but was very french, and really good actually. I asked her what was in it and she said flour, egg and fish. Kinda weird? I think France will do wonders for my picky pallet. Already has. Mom I like brie cheese now!...it has to be mild though. And really really mild swiss. but that's only when I'm starving...which is very frequent. But I lately I like the feeling of the empty grumbling stomach;) Then we had salad--which is just leaves and this kind of horseradish sauce--again, an experience. Then bread with cheese, followed by an apple. But even though some of the food is pretty wack, I enjoy the culinary experience. And again, everything tastes better when you're super hungry.

On thursday I was really excited about going to the Louvre but I guess that's not even a walk because we do it with our fine arts class, so I was okay with post-poning it until I gain an appreciation for the art in advance:) But it was also suuuuper rainy. The first day I bailed on the early morning run along the seine.. I guess I'm not the rockstar runner like my dad, but I draw the line in wind, freezing rain, darkness.... so I just did a couple more stairs on the metro instead;) Because it was so cold and wet we did the metro walk and met up with some other people in our group. Basically the walk just familiarized us with the metro, and I feel really

 confident on it now! Even though yesterday the girls hoped on the metro and the doors closed and it left me behind:( haha it was really funny though. We also did a the Palais Royal walk that day, which took us near the Louvre and into the Louvre antiquitaire, which are just antiques..and don't worry, I found my future engagement ring:)

 My husband will have to love me a lot for how much I plan on him dropping on my historic Paris rock;) We also went to the Sacre-Coeur.. which I also remember doing with my family and it was SO beautiful!

 Second tallest building in Paris (to the tour eiffel of course) because it's built up high on a hill. But that was amazing! After that walk, we went to institute. That was really cool! I guess institute is like seminary, at night, for young adults, but it was really interesting and spiritual. I love volunteering to read out loud. Even though I stumble a couple times, it's fun trying to lay on a thick french accent because no one makes fun of me! Plus a cute boy Cedric shared his triple with me, and we chatted for a bit, soooo maybe I was trying to show off? ;) Oh and we also had our first crepe today! Oh my gosh it was massive and so rich. But Caitlin and I told each other we wouldnt have anything more than once here so no more crepes for meggers:)

On friday, we decided to have a "chill" day because we have been kind of going non stop all week so we went to the Champs d'Elysees and shopped around at all my favorites... Dolce and Gabbana, Prada, Dior, Chanel, etc.... yeah. my favorites. I wish. The security guards in these places are hilarious. They hoover big time and I'm scared to cough. But Cait and I dressed up so we would blend in just a litte:) We have a lot of fun together! We also saw the Arc de Triomphe! So beautiful. Why is Paris just the coolest city ever?

Then friday night we went over to the other Vesinet girls house and they made dinner for us...pasta, bread, salad and chicken. It kind of felt like I was back at 341 Alpine Village..:) I miss those girls so much! Then Marissa and Jessica's host mom has two grandsons who are our age and they took us to St. Germain to this bar-restaurant and it was really fun! They spoke to us in english and we responded in french. Cute boys. They are going to take us clubbing next weekend in Paris... because I told them how much I wanted to go to a real euro-techno club, so of course, can't wait! So that was a really fun and more laid-back day/night!

Yesterday, (Sat.) we woke up a little late, went running then headed back to the Champs to do the walk. This was my favorite so far. First we visited the Invalides, and saw Napoleon's tomb. So cool! I loved reading about him. Even though he was known as the "butcher of Europe," he was very fascinating stuff. I remember going when I was in third grade with my family, but everything is just so much more real to me now! I love it. I like see my maturity in the fact that I find things interesting now! Then we went next door, (still in the Invalides) to the musee de l'armee which was a lot to take in, but I learned a lot about Frances history of WWI and WWII. I'm afraid it was kind of in one ear-out the other-so I definitely want to go back.

 We all really like that though! It's funny the security guards in the exposition got Jessica's number and I had a date with one of them when his shift was off.. but of course I felt too bad to say 'no' so I just stood him up instead. But he was really nice! And I love practicing my french! I was bummed because the Musee Rodin was included in the walk but it was closed, (again, cool France) becuase of un manifestation, which I think is a riot. So i guess that is a legit reason. So we will go back Tuesday and I can't wait! I remember that being one of Michaels and my favorites when we came here. Gates of Hell, the Thinker, mmm:) I'll start updating this thing every night and get more on the ball so I can go more in depth. Sorry!

Then we went to our professor, Dr. Patterson's house and visited with him and his family. They said we can drop by anytime, and they are so gracious, nice and fun so we will periodically just go over and hang out with them now! They also live in a prime spot, so I'd be happy to drop in :) Then we went to the eiffel tower afterwards to see the lights at night. Really neat. We wanted to go up, but there were such long lines, (smart planning to go on a sat. ..) So we want to go up tomorrow after FHE at their house since it's literally kitty-corner. After we went to this Cafe Marche which was a cute, quaint, cafe right off the main street of the eiffel tower. We loved it!  We love sharing, which is good so we got duck, chicken, salmon and steak and all shared. For dessert we got yummy creme brulee and frozen almond cake and shared that too.. presentaion is everything! I'm definitely picking up culinary traditions and things I want to establish with my family! So yesterday was seriously the best day YET! I love being so happy all the time. I mean, who wouldn't be but, it feels so great to roll out of bed and be like "today I am in Paris...and I'm going to go on an adventure that I will remember the rest of my life!" 

So now, I'm finally updated. Today, we went to church, which was filled with more amazing meetings! I love church. It was funny because in sacrament today there was a whole family of investigators and one of the talks was super deep doctrine on the gathering of Israel, another about differences in the Catholic church and mormon church, (not the best topic for first-time church go-ers,) then a song on our heavenly mother. I was sitting next to two return missionaries and they were kind of shaking their heads the whole meeting because of the talks and hymns and stuff. haha that was funny. But I enjoyed it! 

So that's all for now.... Madame is making dinner as we speak. She just had a party and everyone just left. It's funny because on Friday she had a tubberware/mary kay party-equivalent with these stones her friend sells to make jewelry and that was seriously an all day am to pm party with everyone smoking about 4 packs in 6 hours in a little room, so that was a bit much for my brain and lungs to handle, but when in paris:) Then yesterday we saw her in the morning and she was like "well, I'm going to play bridge at a club tonight, see you tomorrow!" (in french obviously...) then today another party! Basically she's a P.I.M.P. 

Hope you are all well, I certainly am. But I think about you all and pray for you daily! Promise I'll become a better blogger! Much love. 

PARIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh my gosh I cannot believe I am in PARIS! Seriously, so so soooo happy! K so I feel kind of stupid writing to numerous audiences, so I'll just pretend it's an e-mail to my mom and friends or something. K, so this is day two and I am currently in le Vesinet, which is an outer suburb of Paris--about 25 mins on the metro-- and it's such a cute, "quaint" town. I love it. The taxi driver described it as "une ville bourgeois." So yeah, I live her and it's the best.

I live with Caitlin, who's super cool and chill. LOVE her. I also love my host mommy. She's so little and cute, she's so great. I love speaking with her, she says my french is really good--so she's obviously really nice too because it's actually terrible.I feel like I am speaking a language I have not spoken in years... so a lot of brushing up to do, but I told her to correct me whenever I decide to make up my own words.

We live on the fourth floor in a really nice apartment and we each have our own room! Mine overlooks the SEINE river. ahhh it's so beautiful! The view is AMAZING! There is also a running path that I will definitely be visiting every morning, can't wait! Caitlin's room overlooks the city and the view of all the 19th century architecture is so cool! I'll take pics. We share our own bathroom, so we are really lucky! My favorite part about the bathroom is the note that says "put your hair in the shi*" haha. 

I'm most excited about church tomorrow! Instead of going to the Paris ward--we're going the versailles ward. It will be cool because I'll be going to institute on tues. and thurs. nights in Paris anyways so I'll get to know people inside and outside of Paris. 

Otherwise yesterday and today we have just been roaming the streets, and it's the best when me and a couple girls break away from the group and get lost. I can't wait to figure out the whole metro system so I can get more independent. So far the group has gone to like 50 patisseries. They are on EVERY corner. No joke, it's ridiculous. I have yet to make a patisserie purchase but I was a little tempted by a penis baguette in the gay district. I'm glad I wasn't the only one who thought that was hilarious. And sorry grandma if that was inappropriate :/. But it's funny.. the institute is right down the street from the gay strip haha. good placement.

The weather is not too bad--not too cold with a little rain every now and then. The sky is pretty dark--but I still think it's beautiful. I still have not scene the eiffel tower, haha. But I figured I'll be spending most my days either biking, reading or walking around it anyways. I can't wait for that!

So, I think that's all for now...I'm really happy, so LUCKY to have a cool group, awesome roommate, good professor (he's a lot more laid back than his e-mails phewf) but more just so grateful that I have this amazing opportunity!

I've taken like one picture since I have been here, but I'll put some up shortly:)