Firenze and Venezia: Day 13

Day 13
Woke up early to go to the Accademia for our scheduled visit to see the famous David. We checked out of our hostel since we're supposed to leave by 10:30am, but left our baggage in the office.

The David was really, really huge. Not allowed to take photos though. Grabbed a postcard on the way out. Also saw more religious paintings. By now, I'm kind of burnt out from all the art. There's just too much to see.

After the museum, we grabbed a cappuccino for breakfast then headed back to the Leather School. Lovely, lovely, they remembered us. Keisha was checking out the purses, Lucia the wallets, and I got my wallet monogrammed. It was so cool, just standing by the craftsman as he selected gold leaf papers, and fitted my initials into the stamp. He showed me the "E.G.F." and asked for my approval. I nodded and said, "Si."He stamped it, showed me the stamp and awaited my approval again, and then put the wallet back in its wrapping. Peeked in on Keisha as she tried out a green leather over-the-shoulder handbag. Absolutely gorgeous. I joined Lucia as we both looked presents for our family to get monogrammed. I chose things for Mom, Dad, and Kuya, and got them monogrammed. Then Keisha's salesman came over to give me storage bags for the presents. Awesome! When we were about to leave, the main guy who helped us asked, "How did you find us?" I mentioned my Lonely Planet guide. He smiled and said, "Come back again" before saying goodbye. As we left, we said thank you and goodbye to the craftsmen working.

I thought about our lovely things and how they would totally fit that "grow old with and pass it down" type stuff that I'm into. I thought about if I'd get to "come back again". Maybe by that time I'll be working. Maybe by the time I come back, I'll need a new wallet, with new initials in gold.

Walked to another area known for leather, Piazza San Lorenzo. Stand after stand of leather goods. Some specializing in just purses, or just belts, or pashmina scarves. Keisha wanted leather gladiator sandals, Lucia a purse, and I was good and totally done with shopping. Right until I found myself at a belt stand with Keisha. The vendor was really nice and funny. I picked up a green leather belt but found that it was too big. "I fix for you!!" the vendor said. He put the belt around me, saw how much he should cut off, and then disappeared with the belt. When he came back, the belt was shorter, and he put one more hole for the buckle so that I can cinch it tighter. So sweet! For Keisha, he shortened her snake skin belt, put in another hole and even made a little loop with the extra snake skin. Lucia was at another vendor one stand down and got a black leather purse.

Afterwards, we went to the train station to get our ticket to Venezia. Got tickets for 15H-ish which was in an hour. Picked up our baggage at the hostel and went back to the station and got Mcdonald's before boarding our train to Venezia. Slept for most of the train ride.

VeneziaGot into Venice around 18H. It was so surreal traveling by train over the ocean and pulling into the station. Like something out of Spirited Away.We exited the station, and all I could think was Dr. Indiana Jones exhaling, "Ahh...Venice" in The Last Crusade. We got a 2 day pass for the "metro" which is really a boat that goes from dock to dock all over the islands. How cool is that?!

On the boat, we watched gondolas, boat taxis, and people with their own boats pass us. Got off at Ponte di Rialto where it was busy with tourists dining by the canals. I had directions to the hostel which were more complicated than I thought. And we passed lots of stores selling Venetian glass and leather bound journals. After what seemed like forever, we found our hostel through a tiny alleyway where we saw a lovely circular lamplight pointing to the entrance.

Checked into the Locanda Poste Vecie, and our sweet hostel lady showed us to the Annex, which was a couple metres down from the hotel. The annex was the "hostel" part while the lobby was part of the hotel part. The buildings were converted from a palace. I guess where we were staying were the servants quarters. She was really sweet and helped with Keisha's luggage, but was out of breath on the third floor where our room was. She also showed us the two shared bathrooms on the second floor.
Our room was HUGE and cute with paintings of famous Venetian bridges on its walls. Originally for 4 people with 2 queen beds, we decided to book it anyway since it was cheaper than other three-person rooms we found, and this hotel was in a super-central area. I mean, 2 minutes from Ponte di Rialto. Come on!

We collapsed on the bed to rest for a couple of minutes, then started unpacking. For fun, we laid out all the leather goods that we bought in Firenze on the bed and took a picture. We really went to town there. While Keisha was napping, Lucia and I decided to see the area since it was only past 21H. We walked around the canal area and the bars and found a cafe by the Ponte where we got sandwiches, chips, and water to go. Came back to find Keisha awake and hungry, so we ate while sitting on our beds, amongst our leather goods. Unpacked some more and went to sleep in our comfy warm beds.

j'aime...la liste.

Things I like:

1* watercolors
2* sitting in parks to study with chocolate and fruit to eat
3* sitting in cafés to study with a demi-citron to drink
4* 1664 Blanc in its blue bottle
5* wearing a button-down over a flowy dress
6* stores dedicated to certain things (http://www.geant-beaux-arts.fr/) and Dubois on rue Soufflot
7* wearing flowy dress with my rugged engineer boots
8* not wearing a watch
9* mimes
10* finding new uses with old things (Bonne Maman jam jar for water when painting)
11* calligraphy
12* girls wearing high-tops and dresses
13* guys wearing 5 day stubble and wrinkled button-downs cuffed to elbow
14* brebis fromage + tuc crackers (+ jam, as suggested by Melissa, but I've never tried it)
15* square scarf as a headband
16* shortcuts or different paths to the same place
17* Monoprix peach champagne
18* when boys think I'm cute and tell me so (thanks Taylor!)
19* hosting dinner party
20* looking at all the color choices at Dubois (see 6*)
21* seeing my priests on bikes or wearing sandals while shopping for fruit
22* giving old people directions
23* tartines: opened faced sandwich

I am mean.

Picked up my friends from the airport today. Cher emerged first, looking a bit worried and only holding a handbag. I ran to her and we hugged and asked what happened, and she said she couldn't find her luggage. They had been looking for an hour. I got into stressed mode sort of, took her to information and I asked what they should do. Then I said to her, since I couldn't go into the baggage claim area, "You go back in there and talk to US Airways and you be PERSISTENT! Don't come out without your luggage!"

How welcoming I am.

I never realized how mean I can be until after the fact. I blame it on living here. They're such sweet girls and I love them to death so I felt bad about forcing them to be super persistent. It's their first time abroad, and they don't know the ropes so well. But they will learn, by God they will learn. They finally came out, 5 minutes later, and with their luggage. I hugged them again like it was the first time I saw them.

Mom and Dad packed some things for me, mostly things I asked for like shorts and boardshorts. Like I'll be needing them soon, haha. It's raining right now. Dad also put a crapload of lens wipes for my eyeglasses. That was lovely. I know it was him because he always has those in his pockets or in his truck or sticking out of his backpack that he uses for work.

We sat in the airport for a bit so that they can rest, and I was presented with a gift: The Darjeeling Limited dvd. What amazing friends I have. I actually emailed Cher if she could get it for me, and then I said nevermind it's no big deal I'll get it when I go home, and then she surprised me with it anyway! God, I demand too much. Right when I sent out that email asking for it, I felt like such an ass because she's already bringing a crapload of my stuff here and back. God, these girls are amazing.

They're asleep right now--funny how I blog when most of my friends are asleep--but tonight I'm making a nice, roast chicken dinner courtesy of the butchers up the street who cook a mean chicken. Salad, potatoes, wine, bread, and ice cream for later. I'm salivating already.

spring breakish

I feel like I'm on vacation. Two classes are canceled this week, and today's my first class of the week, and it's already Wednesday. Awesomeness.

On Monday, I took Stacy to the Champs to see the Arc de Triomphe. Then I got freaking lost trying to find line 2 in the labyrinth that is Charles de Gaulle Etoile station. I took a wrong turn and took us in a circle. Not one of my finest moments. We finally got to Montmartre, had late lunch, and Susie met up with us at Sacre Coeur. Then we got some coffee, took Stacy to Pigalle, and head home.

Yesterday, took Stacy shopping around rue de Rivoli. She wanted a new wardrobe and was willing to drop up to 500 euros. I think every girl that comes here believes Paris to be shopping mecca, but only if you've got the bucks. She got a dress and 3 cardigans at H&M, but didn't see anything else she fancied. I got a cardigan too and some tank tops for my upcoming spring break trip.

Took her to Angelina for the best hot chocolate in the world. We were looking at our purchases at the table, and one of the higher up guys (he was wearing a suit, and didn't look like a waiter) came by and said, "C'est superbe!" and smiled at us, and Stacy got a kick out of that. He kept smiling whenever he passed us and that was nice. He must be thinking, "Oh you girl tourists and your shopping". Stacy loved the chocolate and millefeuille as well as the decor of the place. This lovely American family sat across from us, and asked Stacy, "Do they take long here to order?" And Stacy said, "Ask this girl, she knows this place!" And I said no, it should be okay. And the Dad was funny, he saw my dessert when it came and my hot chocolate, and I noticed his jaw dropping a bit in awe, and when the waiter came he motioned to me and said, "I'll have what she's having." It was a nice moment and made me feel good.

Went back to my hood and went to this bar that I've never been to, and got pints of Hoeegarden with slices of lemon, so good. The bar guys were really nice, one of them cute in a dork way, so I might go there occasionally. This was a big deal for Stacy since she's 20. Then we got champagne and wine at the supermarket so we can get smashed at my place. I went in the morning to get groceries while Stacy was getting ready and bought a crapload of cheese and dry sausage and crackers. So we had a little French soiree with Susie and watched videos on Youtube and made fun of the film Across the Universe which Stacy hates with a passion.

My friend Edward Appleby mentioned Paris For A Year at his online home Rushmore Academy the other day. Thanks Edward!

condensed

Wow, have never done so much in two days! I am exhausted again. I need to start working out or something. It's hard to keep up with Stacy who is a rainbow/squirrel/ball of energy rolled into one.

She did crash the first day from jetlag which is why she didn't come to fondue. I met up with Jean and Emily at Montmartre at this fondue place that gives you wine and baby bottles. It was absolutely insane! We met up with these 2 American guys and girls who were visiting Paris, and they were really funny and cool. A great time. I had two baby bottles of wine, but only because the waiter and Emily made me do it!! Naw, he was really sweet because I spoke French for my friends and just got me one. By the end, the 7 of us were all stumbling, and in my drunkness I asked, "Do you guys have Facebook?" It was silent for a second, and I though, "Oh shit", and then they said, "YEAH!" A pen and paper was passed around and we got each other's names. So now I'm going to have acquaintances from Texas, West Virginia, and New York!

On Sunday, went to the Cinematheque since it was free. I wish I went to church for Easter, but it's hard to do the things you want to do when you have someone visiting you. God has not been replaced with Cinema, haha. Susie came too, but at the cutoff for the free entrance, so I felt bad.

After, met up with Sarah H. and I took Stacy to lunch nearby the Notre Dame. I found this decent cafe and always wanted to go there. Might go there for studying, the people are really nice, and it's comfier than the Saint Medard. I had a croque but with mozzarella and tomatoes.

We got tickets to Be Kind Rewind, then passed the time going down St. Germain. Like Catherine, Stacy likes to shop, so we ducked into a little boutique to look around. I helped Stacy get a dress and jacket. She has this thing when she knows an interesting person (like yours truly) she asks them to go with her on a shopping day where that person is her personal stylist. In exchange for my fashion advice, she buys the person the metro ticket for shopping and lunch. So, we spent one day at Union Square in SF buying her clothes.

I made her try on things she wouldn't usually wear like mini-skirts and tight jeans, because she has a cute body and should show it off. So I helped her pick dresses and jackets yesterday and told her what would go well with the jacket she bought. Being a fashion stylist is fun! I think I dress okay, not amazing, I just like looking unique and buying things that flatter my body and make me feel confident.

I also got myself a really cute skirt for spring. It's a gray prairie skirt, pleated and full, and there's a petticoat underneath with an eyelet border that peaks out under the skirt every so often when you walk with it on. It looks so coyboyish and American, I love it. I had my boots on and tights when I wore it, and that looked cute. It also had deep pockets that I could hide my hands in! I could not say no, I had to have it. Finding something cute and unique makes me happy, and it gave me great joy to wear it. It's weird how clothing can make you feel confident.

Saw the film, which was okay, I just liked the sweded parts and filmmaking parts. After, we chilled at my house since I was tired. Then, we headed to Les Caves Lechapelais for a "gothic soiree" because ladies before midnight were free. It was really cool and interesting, but I was so exhausted so I just watched all the gothic people dance. Susie made an interesting comment that she liked seeing all the "awkward" people here. It's no exaggeration that in all my time here I haven't seen a gothic looking kid, I really don't mean to generalize, but I can't find another way to say it. So does it make sense that after seeing all these cool and interesting people, I can breathe a sigh of relief that Paris isn't just Louis Vuitton and Longchamps bags and boots and skinny jeans on girls, and it's not all suits on guys or plain but nice clothing? Beneath that--in the caves (basement) for example--the awkward kids are there, dancing their hearts out to loud German music.

They had this sort of laser light thing, and it freaking looked like something out of Star Wars, it would actually shoot the light like a space gun that fires lasers or something, and I was scared out of my mind, but it was cool to watch Susie and Stacy dance to it. I was just cowering on the sidelines, trying not to get shot at last night.

Also am in touch with the web designer for Rushmore Academy (we became friends on Facebook!), and I'm going to write a report for him on Wes Anderson's masterclass at Fnac! Sweetness. I'd like to think that I'm a foreign correspondent for film in Paris. How cool would that be to live in Paris and just write in English? Kind of like what I'm doing right now.

catsup

So, been blogging about my journeys like I promised. Since being home, just trying to take it easy and get over this cold and catching up in my classes. Bought the plane tickets for Italy already and booked hostels in Florence and Venice--yay! I can't believe it's only in 5 weeks or so. Very excited. It just seems like a dream, don't think it'll hit me until we board that plane. Will also travel by train from Rome to Florence and Florence to Venice. That'll be cool.

I'm no doctor or anything, but I figured I got the sickness from all the running around tourist-style with Catherine which I'm not used to. And from being totally dehydrated all week. We'd get espressos at cafes or to go when we were out. I only had maybe 3 cups of tea that whole week when I usually have at least 4 cups of tea a day (2 in morning, 2 in afternoon). Coffee is dehydrating anyway. I had no idea that I was not drinking enough water so I think that's what helped get me sick. So drink water, kids!!! I think I'll bring loads of tea bags to Italy so I can have tea whenever.

Also, this is stupid, but my favorite pair of jeans that I've had for 4 years is getting a hole in the..erm...upper thigh section. NNNOOO!!! I knew this was going to happen, but didn't think it'd come so soon! I thought we'd at least reach the summer together, in one piece. They're a pair of Gap "pencil cut" jeans which Gap doesn't even do anymore. Le sigh. And all the jeans here are weird and are cut for tall, insect women, not stumpy Hobbit-like folk. Blurg.

Planning to see The Darjeeling Limited at my favorite cinema in Paris, you know the place. I can't believe they're playing it here! It's like the Grand Action people read my MySpace or Facebook and my blogs and know what I like. Wes Anderson is the reason I'm a film major. It's funny that this movie is coming into my life at a time where I'm really been into travel by train and the idea of spiritual journeys and so forth. Most of the movie takes place on a real train and is about three brothers on a journey in India. Also read an interview that Wes Anderson and Jason Schwartzman--co-writers of the film--we're writing it while in Paris! They'd sit in cafes at night and write together. Jason Schwartzman even said that Wes Anderson lives in Paris!! It's just so weird and cool, all these connections. How cool would it be if I was in some cafe, and Wes Anderson just sat down next to me. I'd be giddy as a schoolgirl. Also, am developing a bit of a crush on Jason Schwartzman after watching all the interviews. He seems like a normal, humble guy.

Dinner last night at Kathy's was amazing. She made this salad dressing that was to die for. She gave me and Lucia the recipe. I'm going to try it out tonight. Kathy's staying longer in Europe and plans to backpack after school. Lucky girl. It would be nice to come back here in 5 years or so and do the backpack thing. It feels like, as far as seeing the world goes, it feels like people do Europe in their teens and early twenties, South America in their late twenties, then after that Asia around 30s, 40s, and 50s. It's just a thought I had. All I know is that I want India to be the last new place I visit. Sounds weird, but it's this sort of spiritual journey thing I'd like to do someday.

west end girls: london day 4.

Monday: Last Day

Woke up kind of early thinking we were going to go to Buckingham Palace to watch the changing of the guard. Didn't happen. On the way to the Tube, we both felt hungry, so we stopped at a cute patisserie. The owner was definitely French. It felt like a movie set. Nothing is this cute!I got tea (rose petal, as suggested by the owner), an almond croissant, and orange juice. Lucia got coffee, almond croissant, and juice too. We sat at a big wooden table, the kind I'd like in my home one day. It was so good. Everything, from the plates to the teacups to the shop decor was dainty and girly. Loved it.It started to pour, and Lucia didn't want to be outside, so we decided to do what most girls do when they feel like doing something...We went shopping.

Took Lucia back to Covent Garden where there are loads of shops. Beeline straight to H&M because we're always wondering if the stuff is different in each country.

Being In Love Rule of Shopping

I've developed this a while back when trying to shop on my modest college budget that was funded by my part time job. When shopping, if I fell in love with an article of clothing, if it fit me well, if I needed it, if I couldn't walk away--I bought it. It was that simple. I mentioned this to Lucia while she was debating over a faux leather jacket at H&M that looked absolutely stunning on her, complimented her skin tone, and foresaw totally adding to her wardrobe with the pieces of clothing she already had without being some piece that she had to "build on". She still wasn't sure. I asked her if she was in love with it, if she couldn't walk away without totally regretting it.

She bought it.

I've added to my rules of shopping since college in particularly since coming to France. In particularly, quality goes a really, really long way. I think I'm more willing now to hold out on something if I know it's going to last a long time, especially for something important like a wool jacket. With basics, H&M is decent and not pricey. I bought 2 hoodies, one zippered another plain just because the 2 I brought here are already dying. I've had them for a while anyway. Also, pieces that have history or even just a story to them like the Johnstons scarf are nice because they're more than the article, they mean something, have sentimental value.

Lucia bought some other essentials to her wardrobe while I just replaced what was dying. We walked some more, peeking into shops and windows. Went to an accessories store where Lucia got sunglasses, and I got my own big umbrella which I love. It's black, white, and splashes of bright green flowers. It's easy to open and close as well, easier than my pocket umbrella. We got fish and chips and a pint at a pub--most tasty.

We then headed home to pack. Stopped at a Marks and Spencers to get some traditional British dessert to eat at home. I suggested sticky toffee pudding which I had last time. God, I love Marks and Spencers and their ready to eat meals. They're quality and really tasty. Got home and packed then ate our dessert. Maek and Loz got home right before we left, and Maek gave us a ride to the Tube station.

Before leaving, we told Maek about our next trip to Italy. He was really happy for us since he really loves Rome. He really stressed how important it was for us to travel while we're young and still here. There's still the stress about where's the money going to come from, how am I going to plan this? I really think it's worth it even if it means not eating out for a while or not buying anything unneeded. I mean, even that for a couple of weeks can mean a nice weekend somewhere like Greece or Amsterdam. We're all so close to everything; we have to take advantage. Once we're back in California, a plane ticket alone to Europe can be pricey. And where will we find the time when we're not working or going to school? It's hard.

I think I did good though, as far as traveling goes. I didn't do the whole "backpack across Europe" deal, but I got to live in Paris, visit family in London, do Amsterdam, and now two weeks traveling up Italy for spring break...That's pretty good.

The train ride back was nice. I kept thinking about my own bed and going back to living alone. I was coughing up a lung the whole time and annoying loads of passengers, and Lucia was nice and got me tea. Lovely girl. I didn't even ask her to, she just offered and did. She brought back tea and a sandwich to share with me. Oh the goodness of good people.

Got home late and beat, but I got to sleep in the next day.

Hotel Chevalier

Decided to focus "Catherine Week"--which is what I've been calling all the weeks my friends are visiting me (Stacy Week is next)--to one post on one particularly interesting evening.

As I had written before, C. booked a night at Hotel Raphael where Wes Anderson filmed "Hotel Chevalier", a short film featuring characters from The Darjeeling Limited. C. sometimes books a room for one night at luxurious hotel. This one was special since it was in Paris and we both share a love for Wes Anderson.

Walked in instantly greeted by a nice man in a longcoat. Hey grabbed our bags off us, we weren't even 5 steps in. We walked straight to the check-in. I hung back, observing the decor and the hotel inhabitants--very luxurious and a couple of businessmen at the bar.

Room 403. C. had asked for a "girly" room. The same guy that took our bags, I forgot his name, but a nice fellow, took us to our room. It was...It's hard to describe with words.It was like walking into a palace. Or a museum. He set our bags down in the bedroom area, and showed us all the features of the room and the bathroom. He had a sense of humor: "That is a blow dryer, not a phone, hahaha" when he showed us the dryer in the bathroom. It did look like a phone. He left us to our complimentary fruit basket. C. asked for champagne flutes and a bucket of ice since we bought some cheap champagne on the way.This was to be ours for one night.

We sat on the couch and vegged for a bit. We were tired from our morning trip to Versailles which was somewhat spoiled by bad weather. We poured champagne and toasted to ourselves and to "Mr. and Mrs. Catherine Fernandez" as the card in the fruit basket read. I took a bubble bath for the first time in a long time and had champagne next to me. It was wonderful. It's funny how simple things can make you feel so good.

Changed into pajamas. C. begged that I buy some matching pajamas so I can match with her, so I got some on the way to the hotel at Brooks Brothers where C. gets hers. Around 8 or 9, we both just fell right asleep on the most comfiest bed ever. I woke up at 10pm to hear C. ordering room service. She got us sandwiches.

I brought my laptop, and we played music from The Darjeeling Limited. When the server came with the tray of food, he didn't know where to put it since all the tables had something on it. C. just said, "Put it on the floor."

"On the floor?" he said incredulously. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah." I stood by the door, trying not to laugh. The server bent down and said, "Very well" and put the tray on the floor. We sat on the floor eating the sandwiches. At one point, C. had grabbed mine accidentally and took a bite out of it. "Is that my sandwich?" I said, while she was holding it. "Oh. Yeah." She put it down and picked up hers. What a night.

We drank more champagne and talked aimlessly while music was playing. We put on our bathrobes and put the chairs out on the balcony and drank from there. We saw the searchlight from the Eiffel, but not the tower itself but we didn't mind it. C. lit match after match trying to light her cigarette until I finally lit it for her, cupping the light away from the cold wind.We talked about film, future, philosophy, and boys. While bundled in our robes and slippers, she said something very sweet that also broke my heart in a way: "You're a sweet girl. Please don't let anyone walk all over you." I was speechless. Not because it was true for my past, but because I could see it all happening in the future like it was supposed to happen.

We put the music on louder and danced in the room, drunk from champagne. At least I didn't have to worry about going home. We danced and danced, and then we lied down on the floor staring at the chandelier. Went to sleep around 3.

Woke up early and sat on the balcony in my robe and wrote some things I learned during C.'s stay here. Don't think I'll write about here, some things I get to keep to myself. We said goodbye to the room and checked out at noon. I'll never forget the night of luxury that I got to spend thanks to C.

this is it kuya!

Hey Kuya, here's the cute sweatshirt I bought at Spitalfields market. It was in the men's section and slightly baggy, but I like wearing it with jeans or with pajamas.

untimely deaths

It's always sad to hear about untimely deaths, especially the deaths of young people who you knew would make it really far in this world, who had something good to contribute to this world. Fortunately I'm not talking about anyone I know, I'm just still hung up on the death of Heath Ledger.

I have had my share of moments when I'm reminded of my own mortality. I guess his death was one of those moments. 9/11 was one of those moments too. And I'll never forget what I was doing, where I was, who I was with when these moments happened. This time, I was online at my studio alone. Kathleen (a friend from high school) had written on her Facebook status update that she was sad about Heath Ledger. I thought, "Oh no, he must've got hurt on the set of some film."

His death is just the reminder of my own mortality, of all our mortalities. Life is fragile, beautiful, a gift, not to be wasted. He was 28, only seven years older than me. My brother's age.

If I had 6 more months to live, if the end of living in Paris meant the end of me, what would I do?

1. Finally get museum cards at the Louvre and D'Orsay. Will do today and spend the day at D'Orsay probably.
2. Walk the length of the Seine.
3. Visit all the places I longed to visit while staying here, even if it's for just a two days.: Amsterdam. Prague. Rome.
4. Buy the red Converses. I've always wanted a pair. They're just so bold and colorful, but I never went for it. I guess 'cuz they weren't "safe". These have some sort of sentimental value to me too as there was this boy I really liked but only told a few people about who wore Red converses. He was a freshman like me in college. Have you seen Citizen Kane? Bernstein says to one of the news reporters,

A fellow will remember a lot of things you wouldn't think he'd remember. You take me. One day, back in 1896, I was crossing over to Jersey on the ferry, and as we pulled out, there was another ferry pulling in, and on it there was a girl waiting to get off. A white dress she had on. She was carrying a white parasol. I only saw her for one second. She didn't see me at all, but I'll bet a month hasn't gone by since that I haven't thought of that girl.

That's who the boy with red cons to me. I never talked to him. I never saw him after freshmen year. Probably transferred. Not a month goes by when I don't think of him.

Okay. Enough. Get busy livin' or get busy dyin'.

reasons to carry a camera at all times

Was on my way to take my exam. I should have carried my camera with me. Here's why:

1. On Port Royal, the street I take to the MICEFA office, there was a parade/march going on by the EDF, France's electricity company. Pretty cool. There was a bunch of guys on top of an EDF van. And this guy was mooning everyone while his friends cheered him on. Hilarious.
2. There was an old lady bundled up in a blonde colored fur coat talking on her cell phone while zooming past me on a motorized wheelchair. Priceless. Lesson learned.

So, I'm done with classes. I start Micefa classes in two weeks and will have to sign up for classes for St. Denis too. Insert sarcastic "yay" here.

I really like what I'm wearing today. Today's clothing combination would have never occurred to me. I feel like I dress better here than I ever did back at home. Like more girly. The other night, Sally complimented my wardrobe and that made me feel good. I wore a gray knee length twill skirt that I got for 8 bucks at Crossroads on Irving in SF, teal long sleeve under a black hoodie and my navy wool blazer, and black tights under my boots. I was feeling pretty spiffy too.

Today, I wore my flowy brown jersey dress that I got at H&M to wear for Christmas and a light blue buttoned up oxford shirt over the dress with black tights and the famed engineer boots. See the pic at left. Sorry, didn't feel like talking a pic with my head in it or a whole body pic for that matter. It's the colors that are important in the picture. I like the boots because they're really masculine but when paired with the dress, it tones the whole outfit down. The oxford shirt says I'm ready to learn, and the boots say I'm ready to kick your ass. And in a dress no less. I never thought brown and light blue would go well together, but I really really like it. I think I'll wear this on one of my museum days in London.

It's funny how what we wear can change our whole attitude and outlook. I like the dress because it's super comfy and I wanted to be comfy for the whole of 1.5 hours I took to take my test. And it's nice knowing I can just put on some clothes that I know will make me feel good. I read that Scarlett Johansson puts on red lipstick when she's feeling down.

indiependence, yeah! or: alone again, naturally

Went to the Mayflower last night and got compliments from friends about the new "hoodie". It's not even a hoodie, hence the quotes, because it doesn't have a hood, just this weird funnel neck that I love. And although it is H&M and mass produced, it is quite unique in that, as Nick said, it's not something that you'd find in the States. And I like that idea. Everyone was mentioning how annoying it is to see the same purse on everyone here and in the States. I know that when I first came here, I wanted to look the part because I didn't want to be labeled tourist or American, that I'd rather be mistaken as French. Now I don't want either. I just want to be me.

Felt sort of bad that we were kind of being loud at the bar. David, the awesome and lovely bartender, came by and told us to keep it down. Yikes. I'm naturally a quiet person, and I'm only loud in rare occasions, but I'm afraid that when I get back the States I'm going to feel like the volume's been turned up around me. David wasn't mad or anything, and when we left he blew us kisses from behind the bar.

Kuya asked me via Facebook why I changed my status from "Single" to "It's Complicated". Mainly because I like to mess with people. Naw, kidding. I just don't want to go out with anyone right now, and I know that guys (at least the wrong guys) won't bother when they see that. (Sidenote: One guy that I was interested in last year did ask me why this was my status and asked if I'd be single when I came back, but I found out he's got a girlfriend now. C'est la vie.) Anyway, It worked for me last year, and I'm sure it'll work again this year. So pretty much, "It's Complicated" means "Don't effing bug me, this is the most amazing time of my life, and I want to experience it by myself and/or with good friends" and the implied "Yes, I don't care if this increases my chance of being a cat lady or that fun, single aunt when I'm older".

Class did not happen today. Big surprise. Instead I got sucked into another French class since the secretary of the Foreign Language department suggested we just stay anyway for this other class which turned out to be really boring, yet informative, and this German Jim Halpert-ish kind of guy sat next to me and talked a lot, so that was cool.

Have been feeling really detached from the whole Christmas and holidays thing. And it's not because I don't have any decorations or anything. I have the one card from Edel up on my wall. I don't know..It's like I'm watching it all happen before me on the screen in a movie theatre, and I'm sitting in the audience. I'm on the metro every day, and I see these dads and moms, husbands and wives, young people carrying shopping bags of nice things to be wrapped. I see couples embracing and kissing on the quai while they wait for the next train or walking hand in hand down my street. And I'm happy that they're all enjoying this. The scary thing is that I'm not even sad about it, it just doesn't touch me anymore. I've learned to become really indifferent and detached to a lot of things since being here.

I once sent a message to my brother ending it with, "your assassin abroad, Elaine". And I did it as a joke, but I do feel like an assassin, being alone, trying to adapt, figuring out escape routes (I was doing that the whole time during today's class and then finally left partway through when the prof left to talk to someone). It's fun training, and I like playing the part and getting the experience. Also just watched Hitman, and Timothy Olyphant was pretty badass.

stress

This was inevitable.

In addition to the stress of school (craploads due before Christmas), there's just this overall stress of trying to make sense of this past semester here. We've come almost to the halfway point. What's different now? There's the expectation to come home a different person. And of course we'll come back a different person, but underlying this "different" is that we're supposed to come home a "better" person or finally resolved/found/accomplished something. What if that doesn't happen. What if we come back home a jerk? I don't think I'll come home a jerk, but I just have this feeling that when I get home there's going to be some disappointment.

I'm taking the advice of a friend that suggested ways to combat depression. Not that I'm depressed, at least I don't think I am, but I do engage in activities that those depressed would engage in. But I'm not depressed! Don't worry! So here's the plan:

1. Stop sleeping late: I'm going to sleep at least 8 hours a day.
2. Three meals a day: I've lost my appetite usually by the end of a crappy day or am too tired to eat something. Being with friends is good, because I like eating with people.
3. Stop watching movies online!: Totally against my principles, but I let it go this year since I'm poor and they don't have Netflix here. I'll limit to 2 films a week. This is valuable museum/learning time that I'm wasting when I'm waiting for a Nic Cage film to download. I admit I watched National Treasure here because I missed America.

As depressing as this post seems, it felt really good to write it. Now for some happy things...After class today, Suzie and I went to H&M on rue de Rivoli. I initially wanted to just look around and kind of wanted something to wear for Christmas. Bought a brown jersey dress that's in the same style as an olive one I have, a winter Radiohead-esque sweatshirt (it reminds me of Radiohead for some reason, and radiohead has been saving my life via my ipod shuffle), and a scarf. I'm really happy with the things I bought. They weren't really impulse purchases, I mean I had good reason to buy them. The dress to wear for Christmas, the sweatshirt because some of my hoodies are getting ratty, and the scarf for...well, it looked really cute! I guess I'm not so close to enlightened detachment from material things after all. Tried on several pairs of different sized pants to test out how much weight I've lost, and I'm now down two sizes. Yeah! Didn't buy them or anything, just wanted to see where I was at. Also bought boots online that are badass as heck, but won't be getting them for a while. They're definitely better than the boots here, and they're way more durable. More bang for your buck, as they say. They're Engineer boots made by Frye, the oldest shoe company in the US. Their boots were worn by both sides of the American Civil war. I love history like that. And I've always wanted a pair of boots like these. I figured they're more cost effective since tall boots are more of a winter thing, and I'm only spending one winter here, why not buy an amazing pair of boots I can wear all year and they get better with age? Anyway, Keira Knightley is wearing them here:Got a snack then went to Melissa's place in St. Michel. Hung out with Kristin, Nayo, Melissa, Sarah, and Kathy. Then we went to Gare du Nord area for Indian food. Met Sally there, and Susie's friend Jason came along. He's from New York and his year abroad is almost over. He's really nice and looks just like Jon Heder (the actor that plays Napoleon Dynamite). I'd say he looks likes Napoleon Dynamite just to make fun, but I didn't.

After, Suzie and I went to Shywawa to meet up with Taylor and his bf, Aaron. Didn't drink, but just hung out for a while, it was nice. I feel like I'm learning more and more now how to socialize better which'll be a good thing for me to have when I start working in film. I'm learning something! Yay!

so cold

There's nothing more lovelier right now than walking into my warm, cozy studio from the freezing rain and cold. It's 45 degrees F. I grew up in southern California. That's cold to me. And it's only going to get colder. Bring it on. My body is getting used to it. I've been fighting this cold that's there and not there at the same time. But drinking lots and lots of tea has really helped. I love sitting at my window looking out onto the street and drinking my tea in the morning. I will never have this ever again. I'm also convinced that drinking tea is keeping my face relatively zit free. Yay!

So, with this cold, and my lack of winter clothes, I've been bundling up with layers of clothing. It's almost become a ritual. Tights under the pants. Knee-high socks over the tights. Long sleeve and short sleeve. Sweater and jacket. Scarf and beanie, then gloves. The parentals insist that I buy some sort of coat until my friend visits and brings my wool coat. I have decided on a long parka with a hood. I already have a wool coat and a jacket, but I don't have a long parka.

Braved the cold again with Kristin to meet Susie, her boyfriend Andy, Melissa, Alan, Taylor, Nayommee, and Sarah at this bar Shywawa at St. Michel. I almost didn't go just because I was about to log and capture clips from the Normandy trip to edit, but I decided to not be a hermit and to get a beer. I got a beer cocktail called a Monaco. It's Stella, limonade (like 7-up), and grenadine. It was tasty. I used to feel bad about drinking alcohol just because it's a lot of calories, but I made this rule that for every alcoholic drink I have, I have to drink a cup of tea. On top of my morning, afternoon (if possible), and evening tea, that's a LOT of tea. But I don't mind. I love tea.

It was a grand old time. I never used to go to bars even in SF. I just felt that was such an adult thing, and I've always felt intimidated going into one. Now, I really love it. It's really cute seeing Susie with her Andy. They're so great together. It's nice that they're handling this being away for a year thing well. Being around them made me miss hanging out with my Kuya and his now fiancée. Sometimes being with couples and being the single one can be either really cool or totally effing annoying, especially if your friend is different around her boyfriend. Luckily, that happens rarely.

I like what couples have, and I love the idea of relationships and commitment, but I also really like this independent Jane Eyre thing I got going on. And I didn't think I'd be like this, but I think I'd like to do this for a while, this independent thing until I'm finished with school. I thought I was independent in SF, but Paris just took it to a whole, new level, and I like it, I really do.

armageddon

Another free day due to uni strike. Students will vote on Monday whether or not to continue the strike. Us exchange students aren't supposed to get involved because our visas could get taken away and we could be sent home. Anyway, it's not our fight.

Lucia came over and we went to Keisha's to hang out. Then got a texto (slang for "text message") from Susie. She, Taylor, Nayommee, Steven, and Sarah were all going to Breakfast In America. We met up there also with Kathy too. Keisha had a babysitting job to get to and couldn't join us. I got a tasty chocolate milkshake and shared nachos and fries with Susie. A true American meal. I really don't eat that badly, only when I'm in America, haha. Plus it was cheaper.

Then we all hoofed it to Chatelet to see if line 14 was working so that we can head to H&M. That's the computerized line that works normally during strikes. Unfortunately, we were met by this:It was crazy to say the least. No one knew what was going on. Some British girl overheard us speaking English and even asked what the deal was. We all looked at the TV screens set up that showed the status of certain lines. Sometimes the intercom would come on stating the statuses too:"Ligne 7, quasi nul; Ligne 4, quasi nul.." Which means "almost null". It was pretty insane. Like the end of the world. Later on, Sarah was explaining it to her sister on the phone, and I mentioned that it was like Children of Men. Just crowds of confused people wanting the same thing, trying to fend for themselves.

Some of us just went home from there, but Sarah, Susie, Kathy, and I hoofed it to St. Lazare which is 4 long stops away. We got to the H&M and got some cheap tights to wear under our pants because it's getting way cold. I found a cute beanie to wear for the trip to Normandy. And my huge freakish head gets pretty cold too.

Hung out at Sarah's place then took the 14, which wasn't so bad anymore, back to Chatelet then hoofed it home from there. About 30 minutes. Walking home, all I could think about was if this was the end of the world, if I had to fend for myself, right now, what would happen? I didn't have my knife that I usually carry. My phone has a euro left on it. I had my wallet, map, pen, Moleskine, Navigo metro card. I was wearing jeans, tights under that since it was so cold, shirt, long sleeve over that, Carhartt hoodie, beanie, and loafers. It's kind of hard to run in loafers. I would be screwed! But I think I'd be better off than most of the Parisien ladies here. They're all wearing fancy stuff and nice shoes.

H&M stuffs I bought:
1. 2 pair set of black knee highs to wear under pants
2. 2 pairs of black tights
3. 1 pair of thick, gray tights
4. 1 pair of polka-dotted knee highs
5. 1 green beanie
TOTAL: 35 euros. INSANITY! But totally necessary due to the coldness. Plus, H&M is probably as good a deal as I can get right now.

clothes and a casting call

It's getting kind of cold. I thought I'd be able to handle it with my warm, cozy Carhartt jacket, but even then that's not enough! My wool jacket that I already have is falling apart from being worn every day too. Back in SF, I only wore it at night. I've given up hope on my clothes that were sent here. It's been more than a month, and I haven't been contacted about it. What the heck. I went to the post office about it, and they said they would contact me, but they haven't. It really pisses me off that my parents went through all that trouble to pay for that package, and all those great winter clothes I bought, and it's all just gone. My Michael Kors wool coat, my North Face jacket, even this awesome button down shirt that my Mom had worn back in the day. And in true Tyler Durden anti-consumerist fashion as well as the Buddhist teaching of detachment from all things, it's gone. It sucks, but at the same time, it's sort of a blessing.

1. Not having these clothes means less stuff to take home
2. I'm a different size now than what I used to be when I wore those clothes
3. I'm learning to be more minimalist with my lack of clothes which are pretty basic as best.

I don't underestimate the power of a closet full of basic clothes. Like a short or long wool coat. Or a pair of dark jeans. Or a regular black hoodie. Basics are good because they go with everything and don't go out of style. But man, these Parisienne girls seem to have all the basics down. I'm kind of sick of seeing the same basic clothes over and over again. I mean, they dress well, but they all look the same. Add something different girls! Show some color. I kind of miss the eccentricity and originality of clothes that I often see in SF.

What every Parisien girl seems to have:
1. Tights: Black, patterned, colored. Worn with ballet flats or boots.
2. Boots: Tall, short, with heel, or flat. Definitely leather or leather looking.
3. Trench coat: Khaki or black. This kind of goes without saying.
4. Longchamps purse: Seriously.
5. Tight jeans. Tight pants in general: Worn tucked under the boots.
6. Leather bomber jacket: This, even though I see it a lot, I kind of actually like. It goes with everything. Dress it up, dress it down.
7. Converses: I love Cons, and so do the Parisiens. Everyone wears them from guys in their mid-forties to little toddlers.
8. Wool coat: Either pea coat or trench, wool coats keep these people warm.

Keisha forwarded me an ad for a casting call in Paris. She told me about it at the party and thought I should do it. They need native English speakers for some small roles for a film called "Espion" ("spy"). They don't even ask for people with experience. I told her that I'm not into acting, and she said, "So? This is Paris. And you're always on the other side of the camera. Try being in front of it. Get some perspective." A true lady of wisdom. I signed up for an acting class at SFSU once. I figured that it would help me with directing films to know what the actors have to go through. But most of the people were very theatrical, I couldn't handle it. And it didn't work with my schedule. The thing with the camera is that you don't have to go big with a camera. You can be subtle, and the camera will catch it. With theatre, you gotta go big so that the people in the back can see you.

It'd be nice to be on set again, but I don't know.

Toussaint

Today is Toussaint, or All Saints Day. No school today or tomorrow. Thank God. School here makes me absolutely miserable sometimes. I have a group project due on Tuesday that is absolutely ridiculous. I really don't like my professor. She's one of those ladies that's ready to retire. She likes the Americans but treats some of the Asian kids and this one Palestinian guy like crap. I'm never having her again. But she gives out helpful homeworks. Have to meet my group today which is total crap.

Got a coffee and pain au chocolat at my favorite boulangerie/café up the street which is oddly enough across my favorite bar which is also next to one of favorite eye-candy stores. It's a presse that sells newspapers, magazines, stuffs for writing. In the windows are all these AMAZING fountain pens. Did some writing at the café that was neither French nor homework but more amazing since it has to do with my film idea, so that makes me happy. One of the guys working there kept dropping boxes of soda and making such a racket just so that I could recognize he was there, so I finally looked up at him from my writing, and I gave him this look like he was bothering me, but then we both laughed. It was a nice moment. No words exchanged, a complete short, silent film.

Walked around the block to the building where Hemingway lived. And I thought it would inspire me, but it just made me depressed as hell. I forgot he killed himself.

Did some shopping. The horrible thing about feeling miserable is that the only thing that can make me just a teeny bit happy is buying things. Bought Le Petit Prince which I read in religion class in high school in English, but the original is in French, and it's relatively easy to read 'cuz it's for kids but very philosophical, and I thought that that would be encouraging to read since I'm having such a lousy time learning French. Bought it at this awesome comic book/video rental place/book store which is so truly amazing, it'll make nerds weep. The guy working there was super cool. Well dressed man in his 50s that looks like he really should be working at an art museum or auction house. He wrapped my book in some comic book paper, which was really cool, and I think I'll keep it forever.Bought a Carhartt jacket that is so warm and toasty I don't even need to wear a long sleeve under it or a scarf. Gloves maybe because my hands get cold and the sleeves don't cover the hands. It looks like a plain hoodie, but it's more than that--inside it's warm, comfy velour. When I'm wearing it, I feel like I'm wearing a wetsuit. I absolutely love it. It was a bit pricey, but to justify it all I'm going to say is that it's an investment piece. I'm gonna make this thing last forever. And it probably will. It's really well made. Heck, I'm wearing jeans I bought my senior year in high school. It's also one of the few things I've really wanted here.

the first travelogue: Mont. St. Michel

Here's the first travelogue I made. I apologize for the crappy camera movements and such. I'm really no good at filming, when all I really want to do is look at things with my own eyes. The quality isn't that great, but that's because I had to compress (is that the right word?) it to upload it to youtube. And the ending got messed up. Boo. Anyway, I'm no good at the technical stuff, I'm much better at writing and putting things together. The song is Sufjan Stevens's "Concerning the UFO sighting near Highland, Illinois."

Don't know if I'll be working on another film since I'm losing space on my hard drive. I should have brought my external one. Dang. Oh well.

Also, it's getting cold and no news on the package my parents sent me that is filled with my winter clothes, and especially my favorite winter coat in the world that's black with a sweet orange lining and the North Face down jacket that I got for a steal. Crap. Losing packages sucks.

bless their hearts for trying to translate.

If that does not make you laugh out loud, then you have a heart of lead which nothing can penetrate. Not even Will Ferrel can touch that heart of yours. After a lovely self-guided tour of Notre Dame's towers with Liz and Lily, we headed to Rue de Rivoli stopping by a group of garden shops near Cité that I discovered a while back. And that's where we saw this adorable sign, but no sign of "cat". Just look at that underlined "please". Whenever I'm sad, all I have to do is look at this picture, and I'll light up like a Christmas tree.

After our climbing the billions of stairs to the top, it was simply amazing. Check out this sweet gargoyle!:You can see most of Paris's great monuments, from Sacré Coeur to the Eiffel Tower.

We loaded up on a grec sandwich after cuz we were so hungry. Then we set out to find the perfect boots. For me. Because winter's coming, and Mom and Dad said it was okay for me to get boots. Incidentally, my package of winter clothes that the parentals sent me are somewhere in the region of Paris. I got a letter to go pick it up at the post office, but I got the letter late and now I've got to wait for another letter telling me where to get this package. Bah. It's really my fault for not checking my mail at MICEFA.

I've been lucky though since it's not that cold yet. I have my wool jacket, and that suffices well. Plus, I get so warm walking around and being in the Metro. Anyway, about the boots, I'm really shopping around, looking for the perfect pair. Something leather and weather-proof. Something that also looks a bit like the one this girl on the red is wearing, but with a buckle over the ankle:I know what you're thinking: “That's an ANIME character!” Haven't you heard of cos-play? I can find those boots. So, something a bit more masculine, something that says, “Yes, you are right to think that I might have a motorcycle” but can easily be softened with tights and a cute skirt. Look at me, trying so hard to be fashionable. Something with a bit of a heel, that comes to about mid-shin and that comes in either a black or a dark, muddy brown. I'll let you know next year when I find these boots. Funny thing about this search is that I found the perfect boot that fits this description, but it's in America. Figures.

It's funny how much I changed, in regards to clothes. I seek perfection, or near it. I have to be in love in order to have it. If I'm not in love , then what's the point. Why should I spend money on something adequate—unless it's like handsoap. This is a really good shopping mentality. It means, I won't go all out on a random shopping outing. Whenever I go shopping now, it's just going to be to look for what I need and in order to buy it, I have to be in love. And it has to look freaking amazing on me. Back in the states, I used to casually go shopping with friends and end up coming home with things I don't really need. I just wanted to fill my closet.

But now when it comes to clothes, it's all about quality. When you buy quality, it lasts longer. But I do contradict myself when I say that I do buy H&M and Forever 21, self-proclaimed “cheap, seasonal clothing”. Clothing you wear for a season and give away the next. But I take care of these clothes. Things of quality (or slightly lesser) demand care and attention. As such, I have a H&M skirt that's 4 years old and still in good condition. It also goes with everything in my wardrobe. And it'd go great with boots.

Ah! Didn't mean for this whole blog to be about clothes and shopping. Don't worry, I'm not going all Paris Hilton on you guys, I'm still the same girl with the same passions...I just added clothes to one of them.

Incidentally, I updated a crapload of photos. And I made my photos section much simpler and easier. For me. Took out the "old" albums from this page, but they're still in my photobucket account. Added a section for the musees, featuring pictures from the Musee D'Orsay. Check it!

another san francisco moment and feeling more adult

Yup, had another San Francisco moment apart from the m.c. Liz, Lucia, and Siobhan (also in IP, but this is my first time hanging out with her) found a Korean restaurant in 2eme. A little hole in the wall that serves amazing soup and potstickers (called "raviolis" here). And it was cheap too! Back in SF, it always felt good to find a really great restaurant and to frequent it. It made me feel like a real citizen, a true habitant. And there weren't any tourists eating there either.

Met with Katia at la brasserie Le Cardinal also in 2eme before dinner to get a cafe. I had their cafe viennois, which was excellent, but pricey. We talked (en francais!) about our classes, and we helped Keisha by staging a fake French interview with her. She has an interview tomorrow with Louis Vuitton, and we're all hoping she gets it. Katia interviewed her, while we played her "collegues" who are also interviewing her. It was very useful, even though I'm not going to get interviewed for a job here, just going through stuff like that that I know I'll do in the future. It felt really adult just to sit in a cafe and talk about important stuff like that.

What also made everything more "adult" was that I was dressed pretty nice today. Nicer than usual. I mean, I used to go to church in jeans and a hoodie, but today, I wore an olive dress over black tights and a black cardigan and red, pointy flats. I also had a red purse that goes with the flats. I looked damn good today, I think! It really boosts your confidence to dress nice, and I've never appreciated it until now. And it felt comfortable, you know? I wore this whole outfit the whole day! I mean, I still need to break in the flats, but I felt comfortable and at ease in what I was wearing. And I know that, when I get back to the states, I might be out of place a little bit or that everyone's going to see how different I've become, but I don't really care. I'm so happy with the way I've changed, I don't want to revert back to my old lifestyle. I want to keep this up.

And it wasn't just me. Lucia, Liz, Romina, Siobhan, Katia (but of course, she's French)--we all looked really great today. And I must mention that everyone except me dresses really well regularly. And we all looked great together, no joke. Like Parisiennes, like adults. Notice that I didn't name Keisha, because she always looks great. When we arrived at the cafe, even Keisha was surprised! I think more so at me because I never dress up.