Sometimes I think it registers as easier to worry than not
Somehow it comes easier to our psyches to fill ourselves with things beyond us than to let go of these things—to release them to the creator of the gift of life we are given to LIVE (not to worry)
It’s a constant battle I think
Of mind over matter?
No
Of faith over fear
We—or at least I, have a responsibility to myself to give honor to God who has ALL the power
When I am weak he is strong
When I don’t know where to go
When I don’t know what to do
He knows
He knows my heart
He knows my intentions
He knows all my comings and my goings
He tells me where to go
I don’t always listen—I don’t always do what He would have me do, but he always makes a way for me to find a way back to Him
His mercy and His grace are my daily bread
What would I do without it?
Certainly I would perish
Perhaps not physically but spiritually, mentally, emotionally
I HAVE to give things over to Him because I am not equipped to carry their load
There’s a song by Take 6: come unto me all ye that labor, and I will give you rest, take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly of heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls, rest unto your souls, rest unto your souls, it’s easy…ooooh, for my burden is light…
I forget this ALL the time
I forget “ye though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I shall fear no evil for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff, they do comfort me”
(bobby mcferrin’s version—medicine man)
The lord is my Shepard I have all I need
She makes me walk in green meadows
Beside the still waters she will lead
She restores my soul
She rights my wrongs
She leads me in a path of good things
And fills my heart with songs
Even though I walk
Through a dark and dreary land
There is nothing that can shake me
She has said she won’t forsake me I ---
She sets a table before me in the presence of my fools
She anoints my head with oil and my cup overflows
Surely
Surely goodness and kindness will follow me
All the days of my life
And I will live in a house forever
Forever and ever
Glory be to our mother
And daughter
And to the holy of holies
As it was in the beginning
It now and ever shall be
World without end
Amen
-------
Our father
Which art in heaven
Hallowed be thy name
Thy kingdom come
Thy will be done
On earth
As it is in heaven
Give us this day
Our daily bread
And forgive us our debts/trespasses
As we forgive our debtors/those who trespass against us
But lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil
For thine is the kingdom
And the power
And the glory
Forever
Amen
My favorite part of His glory…these songs and prayers that are His truth…is the prayer that HIS will be done
Because in all my worrying and thinking and thinking and overthinking I trust at least that whatever does happen is HIS will.
I often forget that part too—that throughout all my days, numbered though they may be, it’s His will being carried out. And I love, trust and honor Him enough to give my life to Him, just as He gave His life for me
Friday, February 15, 2008
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
By the way...this may take a lil while
Je ne veux que vous croyons que je fait rien ici...as in, i don't want you to think i do absolutely nothing while i'm here
I have some pretty great conversations (certainly specific to my being here and taking time "to get away...free[ing my] mind...and fly[ing] away"-thanks ledisi) with people who i love...like my linesister natalie, who recently inspired me to throw out my fear and really get up off my a** and DO the research and DO the work to get where I want to be
I guess I spend a lot of time wishing, hoping, thinking, praying that inspiration will come (which, by the way it often does) but work is not at all a bad pursuit towards attaining happiness.
I want to share a part of our long-ish convo with you...and anyone else who may feel me on my quarter-life crisis(hness)
[and this is NOT to discount/diminish anyone else's imprint or effect on me before i got here or right now, and trust me there're a LOT of you]
(in medias res)
NAT: and first off Arin
9:36 PM it takes a LOT of guts to
quit your job
and travel abroad ALONE
NAT: some people go their whole lives without seeing an ocean
from the plane
ME: God worked it all out
NAT: its a HUGE thing
ME: yea--Thanks
NAT: plus you are HELLA young
we aren’t even 30
you got PLENTY of time to work
I had a friend who quit working at JPMC
and moved to Brazil
for 2 years
9:37 PM ME: this is how i know i'm surrounded with GOOD people
not that GOOD means you always get it
but good people who even when they don't get it say, ok
i'm with you
cause at the end of the day, that's what matters
the there-ness, you know?
I am So thankful for that
p.s. you really are pretty smart nat
i mean i know you know that
but it's pretty effing cool
9:43 PM NAT: ha
thanks Arin
trust me
i understand where you are coming from
people who don’t take risks
are the ones who don’t get it
ME: ...indeed :)
9:44 PM NAT: what are you trying to do?
ME: well, lots actually
ME: what am i trying to do?
sing
and write
NAT: Ohhh
gotcha
in the meantime?
ME: i'm working on my (same) poetry book now
editing it down
singing--i may want to go back to school for that
NAT: would you be a speech writer?
oh ok
that’s FABULOUS
ME: i'm planning on taking a look at berklee in boston when i get back
NAT: well why don’t you try to go to school abroad for singing?
why come back
9:46 PM ME: that could be cool
NAT: i would try at least-never hurts to try
try to go for an international program
sometimes the states is just too conventional
ME: i have to say i kind of suck at researching programs
you're right
not to mention too expensive
9:47 PM NAT: well now
so in the EU
but i am sure you will be more inspired there than here
a lot more to capture the moment
ME: i feel like there's often not a clear way to find out about programming
you know?
9:48 PM NAT: yeah there is
just google what you want and it will come up
i don’t care if its a string of random words, you will find something
i just googled
music
+ masters
+ international and stuff came up
ME: you actually put the + sign in there?
NAT: yeah
ME: hmm…i never tried that before
i guess it's time for me to buckle down, huh?
:)
lol
thank you nat!!!!
9:53 PM NAT: yeah
you gotta be looking for it to find it
this ain’t like finding a man
ME: Music is the only thing I can think to do
as in, going to school
committing to
giving time to
i could get a writing degree
but i feel like time would better be used to workshops and seminars for that
and time just spent reading and being self inspired
NAT: well then do it arin
you gotta be willing to put time into finding programs
9:58 PM its all available
thats the beauty of the internet
ME: hmm
i am finding some cool stuff
NAT: i have found that too much research leads to no action
Fast fwd…this is where NAT become goddess of knowledge and wonderful faith and things to come—faites-attention! (if you're still with me, that is)
NAT: don’t be so hard on yourself
trust me
the grass is always greener
i have to remember that a lot myself
that we are all super blessed
11:03 PM regardless of whether we are doing what other people want us to or not
and... sometimes its really hard to leap out on faith
for our dreams
when i quit at the bank... i told people that I was going to come out from my Master program making at least 15K more
and everyone was like... you are going to work for a nonprofit
you aren’t gonna make that kind of money
plus they didn’t think that it would be possible for me
because i was going to a school that wasn’t harvard
11:04 PM well...
today I make 25K more than I did
at the bank
didn’t pay for college
had a fantastic opportunity that landed me in ebony
and have lived in a couple of different places
but it was really hard
when i was trying to think about doing it
11:05 PM cause i couldn’t get the buy-in i wanted for it
and my own dad said the degree is what secretaries
get
but i did it anyway
and lived in a studio in LA
got paid 25K for 14 months
worked
went to school
and at the end of the day
had the BEST F***** time of my life
even though I was broke as f***
and had to ask my manager for money to eat sometimes
11:07 PM ME: i love it
11:08 PM you're such a doer
NAT: we all are
we just gotta figure out what it is
that makes us reach our tipping point
and what it is that leads us to our passion
and have faith that things will work out
for us in the end
and know that we can’t measure our lives by someone else’s
which i struggle with a lot
but we can’t do that
11:10 PM for me
i remember i told someone that
i could be married and have a 100K salary
and be cool
and this dude liked to s*** himself
11:11 PM well.. fact of the matter is
that there are people who make less than that
that have worldly goods
my sisters husband
his aunt
benz and BMW
paid
house paid off
and they work at the damn post office
(There was more, but you get the point…)
--which is, i don't mind the questions. i rather like them very much--they lead me (as i hope i sometimes do you) to get where i'm going.
lovelovepeace and respect...and patience
I have some pretty great conversations (certainly specific to my being here and taking time "to get away...free[ing my] mind...and fly[ing] away"-thanks ledisi) with people who i love...like my linesister natalie, who recently inspired me to throw out my fear and really get up off my a** and DO the research and DO the work to get where I want to be
I guess I spend a lot of time wishing, hoping, thinking, praying that inspiration will come (which, by the way it often does) but work is not at all a bad pursuit towards attaining happiness.
I want to share a part of our long-ish convo with you...and anyone else who may feel me on my quarter-life crisis(hness)
[and this is NOT to discount/diminish anyone else's imprint or effect on me before i got here or right now, and trust me there're a LOT of you]
(in medias res)
NAT: and first off Arin
9:36 PM it takes a LOT of guts to
quit your job
and travel abroad ALONE
NAT: some people go their whole lives without seeing an ocean
from the plane
ME: God worked it all out
NAT: its a HUGE thing
ME: yea--Thanks
NAT: plus you are HELLA young
we aren’t even 30
you got PLENTY of time to work
I had a friend who quit working at JPMC
and moved to Brazil
for 2 years
9:37 PM ME: this is how i know i'm surrounded with GOOD people
not that GOOD means you always get it
but good people who even when they don't get it say, ok
i'm with you
cause at the end of the day, that's what matters
the there-ness, you know?
I am So thankful for that
p.s. you really are pretty smart nat
i mean i know you know that
but it's pretty effing cool
9:43 PM NAT: ha
thanks Arin
trust me
i understand where you are coming from
people who don’t take risks
are the ones who don’t get it
ME: ...indeed :)
9:44 PM NAT: what are you trying to do?
ME: well, lots actually
ME: what am i trying to do?
sing
and write
NAT: Ohhh
gotcha
in the meantime?
ME: i'm working on my (same) poetry book now
editing it down
singing--i may want to go back to school for that
NAT: would you be a speech writer?
oh ok
that’s FABULOUS
ME: i'm planning on taking a look at berklee in boston when i get back
NAT: well why don’t you try to go to school abroad for singing?
why come back
9:46 PM ME: that could be cool
NAT: i would try at least-never hurts to try
try to go for an international program
sometimes the states is just too conventional
ME: i have to say i kind of suck at researching programs
you're right
not to mention too expensive
9:47 PM NAT: well now
so in the EU
but i am sure you will be more inspired there than here
a lot more to capture the moment
ME: i feel like there's often not a clear way to find out about programming
you know?
9:48 PM NAT: yeah there is
just google what you want and it will come up
i don’t care if its a string of random words, you will find something
i just googled
music
+ masters
+ international and stuff came up
ME: you actually put the + sign in there?
NAT: yeah
ME: hmm…i never tried that before
i guess it's time for me to buckle down, huh?
:)
lol
thank you nat!!!!
9:53 PM NAT: yeah
you gotta be looking for it to find it
this ain’t like finding a man
ME: Music is the only thing I can think to do
as in, going to school
committing to
giving time to
i could get a writing degree
but i feel like time would better be used to workshops and seminars for that
and time just spent reading and being self inspired
NAT: well then do it arin
you gotta be willing to put time into finding programs
9:58 PM its all available
thats the beauty of the internet
ME: hmm
i am finding some cool stuff
NAT: i have found that too much research leads to no action
Fast fwd…this is where NAT become goddess of knowledge and wonderful faith and things to come—faites-attention! (if you're still with me, that is)
NAT: don’t be so hard on yourself
trust me
the grass is always greener
i have to remember that a lot myself
that we are all super blessed
11:03 PM regardless of whether we are doing what other people want us to or not
and... sometimes its really hard to leap out on faith
for our dreams
when i quit at the bank... i told people that I was going to come out from my Master program making at least 15K more
and everyone was like... you are going to work for a nonprofit
you aren’t gonna make that kind of money
plus they didn’t think that it would be possible for me
because i was going to a school that wasn’t harvard
11:04 PM well...
today I make 25K more than I did
at the bank
didn’t pay for college
had a fantastic opportunity that landed me in ebony
and have lived in a couple of different places
but it was really hard
when i was trying to think about doing it
11:05 PM cause i couldn’t get the buy-in i wanted for it
and my own dad said the degree is what secretaries
get
but i did it anyway
and lived in a studio in LA
got paid 25K for 14 months
worked
went to school
and at the end of the day
had the BEST F***** time of my life
even though I was broke as f***
and had to ask my manager for money to eat sometimes
11:07 PM ME: i love it
11:08 PM you're such a doer
NAT: we all are
we just gotta figure out what it is
that makes us reach our tipping point
and what it is that leads us to our passion
and have faith that things will work out
for us in the end
and know that we can’t measure our lives by someone else’s
which i struggle with a lot
but we can’t do that
11:10 PM for me
i remember i told someone that
i could be married and have a 100K salary
and be cool
and this dude liked to s*** himself
11:11 PM well.. fact of the matter is
that there are people who make less than that
that have worldly goods
my sisters husband
his aunt
benz and BMW
paid
house paid off
and they work at the damn post office
(There was more, but you get the point…)
--which is, i don't mind the questions. i rather like them very much--they lead me (as i hope i sometimes do you) to get where i'm going.
lovelovepeace and respect...and patience
old and new
ms. chen, it looks about as appetizing as it was, but it was my first real meal here. i haven't been back to the place yet, but i have passed it by in hopes of better things to come (and come they have) :)
the seine...again
i say, the chgo river wins this time
street sign--because without them i haven't much an idea of where i am, or where i'm going
fun times in the city...pas loin de notre dame, à côté de la seine (not far from notre dame, next to the seine--major river in paris)
SUCH a great day
for flo-pitt: make your dreams come true (so i can come back to visit you!)
the seine...again
i say, the chgo river wins this time
street sign--because without them i haven't much an idea of where i am, or where i'm going
fun times in the city...pas loin de notre dame, à côté de la seine (not far from notre dame, next to the seine--major river in paris)
SUCH a great day
for flo-pitt: make your dreams come true (so i can come back to visit you!)
Des Images
La Seine
the mayor's (old) house...and people at the crosswalk
don't worry...i know him; he's my Bordeaux man, François (how appropriate!)
we had lunch that day, and a whole bottle of WINE (it was like...1:30pm)
by the way, i took this pic because i find there are lots of randomly placed carousels here, which makes me think somebody had the idea paris would surely be a novel place to visit...because who doesn't love a carousel?
what an amazing backdrop (to a great yawn)...even typing the word made me yawn
notre dame!
obviously chicago was built at a different time and for different purposes than Paris...but this architecture here sometimes has me feeling a little...small
the mayor's (old) house...and people at the crosswalk
don't worry...i know him; he's my Bordeaux man, François (how appropriate!)
we had lunch that day, and a whole bottle of WINE (it was like...1:30pm)
by the way, i took this pic because i find there are lots of randomly placed carousels here, which makes me think somebody had the idea paris would surely be a novel place to visit...because who doesn't love a carousel?
what an amazing backdrop (to a great yawn)...even typing the word made me yawn
notre dame!
obviously chicago was built at a different time and for different purposes than Paris...but this architecture here sometimes has me feeling a little...small
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Fio Maravilha, you speak the truth
1st- Merci beaucoup again for all of you who are reading me and loving me from afar.
I thrive off of your thoughts and goodness in prayers and joys for me. I will come back one day (even though several are voting I can stay until you visit--Vite-Vite!...(hurry, hurry!))
2nd-(and i'll try to keep this short and doux/sweet)--I just saw a comment on one of my most recent blogs from a good friend from preschool (shout-out to NCDC!) and in the comment she said I don't need a man i Paris, however fun it may be--this IS paris people. She went on to say the reason I don't need a man here is because Paris will end up making me love myself for having come at all.
My friend speaks truth. I know I've already spoken of the book Eat, Pray & Love, even to the degree you would think I'm still doing book publicity, but alas, I just believe in good books. And I HIGHLY suggest it to you ALL. Not just women.
There's a passage in the book when the author says something about how at least from the Italian perspective, Americans seem to LOVE working as hard as they do. That [we] don't spend much time actually pursuing happiness, or indulging in it. It has something to do with the Puritan roots, perhaps. And while I do love to succeed at doing well at what I pursue, I have to say I may not be a real authentic American, because I'm enjoying this time away from work immensely.
The amount of clarity, time, creativity, happiness I'm garnering from this trip already have been great. It's hard for me to vocalize my feelings, and I know I have yet to experience all the joy that will come from me having taken this journey--I'd even go as far as to say I should stay away from these "treacherous" men for at least a whole week...as much as I love the fair/er sex (depending on how you view it), I find my energy in their presence often zapped away...my attention often distracted and something beautiful passing me by.
The other night, I walked around after meeting a friend of my mentor for coffee (i had vin chaud, of course), in search of the American Church of Paris to find job listings, housing opps. I couldn't find it at first, but I found the words of my friend Johanes rang true. The joy of Paris lies largely in just walking around, seeing what's here, enjoying the architecture, the light of the eiffel tower, the dark of the early evening (there's hardly any sun over here), and countless other unknowns. I found myself taking pictures of doors.
Doors, guys. They're GORGEOUS--seriously. I'll post them soon, but there are so many treasures here...and they lead me to discover treasures in me. To walk around lost, not only in body, but in mind. Trying to figure out what I'm here for, what my path is and should be. TO somehow relish in this cluelessness for a sec, knowing the resolution will come in its time, and to not fear it when it does.
How often do we get to enjoy the joy of (1) not doing, and MUCH more importantly I think (2) not KNOWING...?
Take a second to understand that what you know is little to nothing, and then take a minute...or hour...or lifetime, to be thankful (to whomever you choose to thank) that you don't have to know because you are loved and kept safe by something bigger than (i know, hard to believe) even yourself.
It's an awesome thing. Embrace it. Love life.
And smile :)
I thrive off of your thoughts and goodness in prayers and joys for me. I will come back one day (even though several are voting I can stay until you visit--Vite-Vite!...(hurry, hurry!))
2nd-(and i'll try to keep this short and doux/sweet)--I just saw a comment on one of my most recent blogs from a good friend from preschool (shout-out to NCDC!) and in the comment she said I don't need a man i Paris, however fun it may be--this IS paris people. She went on to say the reason I don't need a man here is because Paris will end up making me love myself for having come at all.
My friend speaks truth. I know I've already spoken of the book Eat, Pray & Love, even to the degree you would think I'm still doing book publicity, but alas, I just believe in good books. And I HIGHLY suggest it to you ALL. Not just women.
There's a passage in the book when the author says something about how at least from the Italian perspective, Americans seem to LOVE working as hard as they do. That [we] don't spend much time actually pursuing happiness, or indulging in it. It has something to do with the Puritan roots, perhaps. And while I do love to succeed at doing well at what I pursue, I have to say I may not be a real authentic American, because I'm enjoying this time away from work immensely.
The amount of clarity, time, creativity, happiness I'm garnering from this trip already have been great. It's hard for me to vocalize my feelings, and I know I have yet to experience all the joy that will come from me having taken this journey--I'd even go as far as to say I should stay away from these "treacherous" men for at least a whole week...as much as I love the fair/er sex (depending on how you view it), I find my energy in their presence often zapped away...my attention often distracted and something beautiful passing me by.
The other night, I walked around after meeting a friend of my mentor for coffee (i had vin chaud, of course), in search of the American Church of Paris to find job listings, housing opps. I couldn't find it at first, but I found the words of my friend Johanes rang true. The joy of Paris lies largely in just walking around, seeing what's here, enjoying the architecture, the light of the eiffel tower, the dark of the early evening (there's hardly any sun over here), and countless other unknowns. I found myself taking pictures of doors.
Doors, guys. They're GORGEOUS--seriously. I'll post them soon, but there are so many treasures here...and they lead me to discover treasures in me. To walk around lost, not only in body, but in mind. Trying to figure out what I'm here for, what my path is and should be. TO somehow relish in this cluelessness for a sec, knowing the resolution will come in its time, and to not fear it when it does.
How often do we get to enjoy the joy of (1) not doing, and MUCH more importantly I think (2) not KNOWING...?
Take a second to understand that what you know is little to nothing, and then take a minute...or hour...or lifetime, to be thankful (to whomever you choose to thank) that you don't have to know because you are loved and kept safe by something bigger than (i know, hard to believe) even yourself.
It's an awesome thing. Embrace it. Love life.
And smile :)
My neck...my back...!
They both hurt a lil bit because of the debauchery I got myself into today.
Sadly, I admit that I went on a true, fun-loving, perfect shopping excursion in Paris today :(... :)
For those of you who know me, you know I'm a shopaholic. I can't help being myself.
I love seeing new stuff on SALE, aptly called SOLDE here in Paris.
It turns out stores only have sales twice a year here, and people don't really shop outside of the sale periods because things are SO expensive.
I got a few robes (dresses), une chemise (a shirt), un sac (a bag) (yes Lindsey, I fell prey), and...something else I'm sure. Je me souviens pas maintenant (I can't remember now), but I just tried almost everything on and I have to return some things, because I didn't feel like trying it on at the store. Alas...
Ce weekend derniere (This past weekend), I went with my Finnish friend to the markets here...similar to Eastern Market in DC, or not too unlike a flea market anywhere. I enjoyed the day other than the freezing cold weather I had to endure to get through it. I was tempted by many objects, including a cute salt and pepper shaker set (for 4 euro), a nice vase at the same stand (for 10 euro), and a pair of cute timberland boots (no comment on how much i was considering paying for them). Ils etaient trop cher! (they were toooooo expensive)
What I did get at the market--by the way, ils sont deux marches grandes (there're two big markets) et nous avons visité les deux (and we went to both)...
À la premiere marché à Montreuil, j'ai acheté: (at the 1st market at the Montreuil train station, i bought)
1-un cadeau pour mon ami Dre (attendez-Dre!)-(a gift for my friend Dre...wait and see, Dre!)
2-les stockings-(leggings)
3-une jupe grise et marron-(a [cute] gray and brown skirt)
j'ai oublié les autre choses, mais c'etait bien (i forgot what else, but it was cool)
The other market (at Clignancourt) was better, cleaner, etc.
I got some boucles d'oreilles (earrings) handmade (or so i'll say) by this nice Senegalese man...two more brass boucles (bracelets) and a pair of bottes marron! (brown boots)*
*Now I know whoever has seen my shoe collection is right now thinking: i don't BELIEVE she got another pair of shoes, but I SWEAR i have no boots like this...ils sont trés confortable (they're really comfortable)...et je les adores! (and i love them!)
Let me add here that people in Paris really aren't all that fashionable. I think New York may be holding it down a little better in that category.
I'll try to take some shots of what I see, but be assured that people DO wear jeans beaucoup de temps ici (most of the time here).
--Also, what's throwing me off (and disheartening me just a little bit) is that they don't care about their shoes as much as I think we do. Ca veut dire (that's to say) I LOVE cuir (leather), and hope most of my shoes (within reason) will be made of leather...but the prices and fashion here reflects a general attitude of ca m'enfiche! (i don't care!)...I'm hurt :(
Leather costs so MUCH..and most people really just wear (dare i say it) plastic...or at least that's all i've seen in stores
Tant pis! (too bad)
Tomorrow I start my oral french classes, after which I hope to meet up with my cute train guy from last week...more on that later :)
Bisous!
Sadly, I admit that I went on a true, fun-loving, perfect shopping excursion in Paris today :(... :)
For those of you who know me, you know I'm a shopaholic. I can't help being myself.
I love seeing new stuff on SALE, aptly called SOLDE here in Paris.
It turns out stores only have sales twice a year here, and people don't really shop outside of the sale periods because things are SO expensive.
I got a few robes (dresses), une chemise (a shirt), un sac (a bag) (yes Lindsey, I fell prey), and...something else I'm sure. Je me souviens pas maintenant (I can't remember now), but I just tried almost everything on and I have to return some things, because I didn't feel like trying it on at the store. Alas...
Ce weekend derniere (This past weekend), I went with my Finnish friend to the markets here...similar to Eastern Market in DC, or not too unlike a flea market anywhere. I enjoyed the day other than the freezing cold weather I had to endure to get through it. I was tempted by many objects, including a cute salt and pepper shaker set (for 4 euro), a nice vase at the same stand (for 10 euro), and a pair of cute timberland boots (no comment on how much i was considering paying for them). Ils etaient trop cher! (they were toooooo expensive)
What I did get at the market--by the way, ils sont deux marches grandes (there're two big markets) et nous avons visité les deux (and we went to both)...
À la premiere marché à Montreuil, j'ai acheté: (at the 1st market at the Montreuil train station, i bought)
1-un cadeau pour mon ami Dre (attendez-Dre!)-(a gift for my friend Dre...wait and see, Dre!)
2-les stockings-(leggings)
3-une jupe grise et marron-(a [cute] gray and brown skirt)
j'ai oublié les autre choses, mais c'etait bien (i forgot what else, but it was cool)
The other market (at Clignancourt) was better, cleaner, etc.
I got some boucles d'oreilles (earrings) handmade (or so i'll say) by this nice Senegalese man...two more brass boucles (bracelets) and a pair of bottes marron! (brown boots)*
*Now I know whoever has seen my shoe collection is right now thinking: i don't BELIEVE she got another pair of shoes, but I SWEAR i have no boots like this...ils sont trés confortable (they're really comfortable)...et je les adores! (and i love them!)
Let me add here that people in Paris really aren't all that fashionable. I think New York may be holding it down a little better in that category.
I'll try to take some shots of what I see, but be assured that people DO wear jeans beaucoup de temps ici (most of the time here).
--Also, what's throwing me off (and disheartening me just a little bit) is that they don't care about their shoes as much as I think we do. Ca veut dire (that's to say) I LOVE cuir (leather), and hope most of my shoes (within reason) will be made of leather...but the prices and fashion here reflects a general attitude of ca m'enfiche! (i don't care!)...I'm hurt :(
Leather costs so MUCH..and most people really just wear (dare i say it) plastic...or at least that's all i've seen in stores
Tant pis! (too bad)
Tomorrow I start my oral french classes, after which I hope to meet up with my cute train guy from last week...more on that later :)
Bisous!
Friday, February 1, 2008
Thoughts for Paris... (1st days)
"...there seems to be a conflict for americans: we must get educated and get goods job. in the midst of this all, we must learn foreign languages. perhaps it is because of our distance from the base whence we came, but here, i see italians speaking italian and so on. why do i feel such pressure to learn, toforce my way into the language. i will/have now decided to want to learn the language as it comes. i will do as i have planned and will live here in paris learning as i go taking it all in. making friends. forcing them to go with me, to speak slowly as i venture out onto the boughs of francais....."
let's take this as some semblance of a journal entry...that doesn't really make sense, and kind of contradicts one of my more recent blogs
but i wrote it, and i wrote it w/ my blog in mind, so this is for you
charge any inconsistencies to the language gap :)
let's take this as some semblance of a journal entry...that doesn't really make sense, and kind of contradicts one of my more recent blogs
but i wrote it, and i wrote it w/ my blog in mind, so this is for you
charge any inconsistencies to the language gap :)
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