Madrid

Crossed the border into Spain, no problem. Drove by some lovely beach towns, but headed straight for Madrid. Checked into the Holiday Inn just outside the city.

The next day we drove into the city and found a parking spot, but it was far from El Prado. We took a taxi, and it wasn't that expensive. Dad was really excited to see the paintings of El Bosco. They're really dark and creepy, but very fascinating. I can probably stare at "The Garden of Earthly Delights" for hours looking at each figure. Saw some Goya too and Velázquez. I love "Las Meninas". It's just so cinematic. I kind of like breaking the third wall sometimes in films, it's so powerful.Had late lunch in Madrid's huge park, Parque del Retiro. Bocadillos with serrano ham--yum. It was really hot. There were loads of people on paddleboats out on the lake though. Looked like fun. Walked to the car, which wasn't that far and drove back to the hotel to rest.

Next stop, Toledo!

lunch at d'orsay and another adventure

Today, took my parents to my favorite Musée D'Orsay. First they came to my place to use the interwebs and read up on the Lakers. Both Mom and Dad are die-hard Lakers fans. "I've got all the games programmed to record on DVR while we're gone," Dad said.

When we got there, we started at the top, at Impressionism. It was crowded, but still nice to see these paintings before I leave. Dad talked about Burt Lancaster in The Train and how his character is supposed to stop a train from transporting French art into Nazi Germany. I love how stuff reminds Dad of movies. I've never seen this film, but I'm making a list of films to watch with Dad when I get home. Yummy, long French lunch there too. My first time. Mom and Dad did a tour last night and their tour guide said that the restaurant on the second floor was good and not too crowded. The ambience was amazing, like dining inside a palace. The service was excellent as well. Showed off my French skills once again for my parents as I ordered for them, and the waiter didn't change into English, and he said, "Très bien, Mademoiselle." And that made me feel very, very good, and it made me look very, very good in front of my parents. The first time I ordered sandwiches for them on the street at Notre Dame, Dad said very loudly and proudly, "THAT'S MY GIRL!" And then I shushed him and smiled. Mom was impressed with the food, but Dad was nonchalant. Dad is simple though: a $2.50 burrito at a hole in the wall that only has 3 tables in LA appeals more to my Dad's palette than filet de poisson et ratatouille. Yay I finally had ratatouille! He said it "wasn't bad" and then qualified it by saying, "You know, the English never say something is 'very good'. They say it's 'not bad'." Okay, Dad.I don't know when it started, probably when I left for college, but Mom and I can have these grown-up conversations and it feel likes an out of body experience of sorts for me because in a lot of ways I feel like a kid, very young at heart, but in these convos, I feel so grown up. During dessert (profiteroles à la D'Orsay!) Mom complained about a few things going on at home while Dad enjoyed his coffee and would butt in occasionally to say something smart-alecky.Mom then told me a very good story (both of my parents are very good storytellers) about something that happened while they were in line to get into the museum, and I was already inside getting their tickets (with my museum carte I can skip the lines). Anyway, Mom told me that a lady who had gotten ice cream was ducking underneath the line dividers to get to her group who was ahead of them. As she got up, both flavors of her ice cream smeared onto another lady's jacket ("Vanilla and a sorbet", Mom said) and then, "SHE DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING!!" Mom laughed. "I almost tapped her," Mom said, referring to smeared jacket lady. "Can you imagine? That lady taking off her jacket and seeing the stain? 'What is this?'!" And then Mom does this thing where she makes a funny face; smiles and laughs; and then claps once right in front of her. A lot of her funny stories end like that. Oh Mom. I can't stop smiling as I write this.

After lunch, more art. I mostly people watched. Lots of Americans. I've never really noticed how big and lazy we are. Seriously. I'm no model, but at least I don't complain walking up three flights of stairs. I guess I'm used to it, but even back in SF, I'd walk 5 flights up the Humanities building to get to class. I watched a group of young girls today staring at the flight of stairs to get to the second floor, and they looked around and said, "Where's the elevator?" The elevator was behind me, but I didn't say anything. Their teacher had to make them walk it. And these were healthy looking girls. I was really perturbed.

Bought myself a museum guide book to take home and then we headed back to my place. I started to pack a little for Spain and home while my parents rested. Lucia gave me her sleeping bag to take back since she didn't have space and I said I could take it back. Only it was way bigger than I imagined. I unrolled it, thinking I can make it smaller, but with no success. Even Mom said, "Don't do it, Elaine. You won't make it better." She was right; it was laughably bigger.

Dad woke from his nap and noticed it and was like, "AAAHH!! WHAT DID YOU DO?!" And he was laughing so hard how I made the sleeping bag bigger than it originally was. He then set out to fix it. We have it so good--Dad can fix almost anything. Our cars, the air conditioner...hell, he is currently installing the wood floors at our house by himself ("I finished your room," he said a couple days ago). So he fixed it.I've packed 2 bags, ready for the Americas, and one backpack for Spain, and my studio still looks the same. It's going to be hectic for the next couple of weeks, I'll definitely update when I get the chance.

why I love where I live

There's a small leak above my kitchen sink, and for some reason I thought my landlord Mr. Bassoul would be mad (there's been a lot of bad landlord things going on among Micefa students) even though it wasn't my fault. I've been really lucky. He came over and made an appointment with a plumber for tomorrow, and he wasn't mad just sorry about the inconvenience. I've been catching the water and using it to water plants and do dishes since it's clean, and he's really happy about that. "I like the way you think!" he said. He really cares about recycling and stuff.

He also gave me the address to his website! If you didn't know already, every Sunday morning from 11H to 14H I can hear him play his accordion and sing songs. He plays right in front of my church and people come to sing along and dance. Check out his website.

Other reasons to love where I live...So my opera singing French neighbor--I kid you not, I hear him practicing during the day with piano accompaniment--was probably super drunk last night since he was singing from his window to the people down below. Don't know if you can see him in the photo in the bottom right.It was beautiful. I think the way our buildings are placed allow for great acoustics. Some woman praised his singing from the street, and he proceeded to drague ("hit on") her from 3 stories above! Oh these French men! They exchanged digits for all to hear. He kept singing all night then ending it with, "Jean-Louis! Celibataire!" ("Single!")

Today was an especially lovely Sunday morning. Sun was out, Mr. Bassoul was playing his accordion, and the marketplace was bright with fresh fruits and vegetables. Called Lucia to see if she was up for free museum Sunday (my last one!). She ended up being at Keisha's, only a couple blocks away. She moved out of her studio and away from her horrible, evil landlady. We met and did some grocery shopping together. I love grocery shopping on Sundays. It's the best here. Got some pitas, hummus, and beer at the Franprix, cantaloupe and watermelon from the vendors. Went back to my place and I made lunch. So tasty. Stuffed pitas filled with hummus, tziki (sp?), salad, carrots, and tomatoes with a side of potatoes and grilled aubergine. Yum! Add that and a bottle of Kronenburg. Then we had the melons that we cut up beforehand for fruit salad and put in the fridge to cool. I put the table closer to the window so we could hear the music. I really like this set-up. Might keep it like this for the rest of my time here. For free museum day we went to the Musée National du Moyen-Age Thermes de Cluny which Lucia and I both wanted to see before leaving. Moyen Age means Middle Ages. I was really excited to see the Lady and the Unicorn tapestries.

Lucia's leaving in less than two weeks. It's already June. I can't believe how fast this all went by. And I'm going to turn 22 on the 23rd. Weird. I feel grown up, but in a lot of ways, I feel like a child.

LISTMANIA
Books I want to read when I get back home:

• The Odyssey by Homer and my old copy of Greek myths: Being in Sicily reminded me to brush up on the classics. Whenever at a famous site I was asked if I knew the stories but I said that I read them a while back and couldn't remember them well.
• Books on Arthurian legends, Aesop's Complete Fables, and the Brothers Grimm Tales: I need to reconnect with my childhood. They're also just good to read.
• On Writing by Stephen King: Because I heard it was deece, and "LOST" referenced it (white bunnies with numbers on their backs).

Places to eat at in LA and SF:

• Home. Dad's steak, Mom's pansit and stir-fry vegetables in oyster sauce, WHITE RICE! from a rice cooker...All this eating and sitting outside in the backyard with the smell of barbeque in the air.
• Tommy Burger's on Rampart and W. Beverly Blvd. (I'm getting a cheeseburger, chili cheese fries, and a root beer.)
• In N Out by my house. (Cheeseburger, animal-style fries, and a strawberry lemonade.)
• Lucille's in Brea. Full rack baby back ribs, fries, and coleslaw. I'm salivating already.
  
• That really good ice cream shake place in Eagle Rock that I went to with my brother before leaving but was closed. Why do you close at 10pm on a Friday?!
• Taco Nazo for fish tacos.
• That burrito place that Dad took me to in LA for a wet burrito and tortilla chips.
• Pho Huynh Hiep 3 at Westlake Village in Daly City
• Mitchell's for ice cream in SF
• bubble milk tea at Lollicup
  

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.

Firenze: Day 12

Woke up late and got a croissant and cappuccino next door to the hostel. It cost less than 3 euros for both! Heaven. Keisha was having some money trouble. She couldn't withdraw money from an ATM, and when she called to check her balance it had been really low. So we spent the morning hashing that all out.

Went to the Uffizi and stood in line for almost 3 HOURS. Unbelievable. It was worth it though. Unfortunately, we couldn't take photos. I really like religious and medieval art. Saw Botticelli's The Birth of Venus. Sat on a bench and just stared at it for a while. It looked...faded to me, like it was almost disappearing. Maybe when they print it in books, it looks better, they enhance the colors more. But at that moment, I felt so lucky to see it right then and there, right before it got worse. And I thought about an excerpt from Fight Club, how even the Mona Lisa is falling apart.

Afterwards, we went...leather shopping. I took the girls to the Scuola del Cuoio or the Leather School at the monastery of Santa Croce. Started after World War II by Franciscan friars, the leather school is located right behind the church. It felt kind of hidden, which was really nice. You walk through this garden behind the church, and go up a set of stairs and down this hallway in the building at the back, and then you'll see these rows of work benches and old men putting leather wallets together. Between each workstation was a door into a room where women were sewing.

Glass cases held purses, bags, briefcases made in leather, ostrich, elk. I'm a huge bag girl, so this was heaven. For all of us. I was glad to have Keisha there too who knows quality when she sees it since she's worked at Louis Vuitton, and she was impressed. We looked at bags and wallets. The sales guys were really nice, letting us touch everything, not harassing us or bothering us. I found a gorgeous red Epi leather wallet. Epi is textured leather. It has ridges and the texture of tree bark almost, but with the ridges really close together. It was bright and it looked fun and mature at the same time. Unique as well. Handmade right there, no middleman. Inside the leather was smooth and black. I bought it. 99 euros. At Louis Vuitton, it would retail for over $600.

The workers there said I can come back tomorrow and get my initials on it (YAY!!), but not today since they were closing. We decided to come back tomorrow before we leave for Venezia. Keisha and Lucia were also thinking about what to get for themselves.

Went to other leather stores around the area, but nothing measured up to the Leather School. The girls were looking for nice leather carry-on bags. I love the idea of a leather carry-on bag or weekend bag, something that would age well, that would go wherever you traveled. Something you could pass on to your children that would have a lot of history to it.
We found a deli and ate some really, really great food. I got chicken and roast vegetables (aubergines, zucchini, bell peppers), and we shared a bottle of the house wine. It was really good and cheap and finally another meal without pasta. We just sat and savored the meal and talked for more than two hours. I love that. Back in the States, I can't remember a restaurant where we could stay for more than two hours. That rarely happens. And where the servers don't bother you every waking moment with, "How's everything doing? How's the food?" Here, they leave you alone, especially when you're having an intense conversation.

Afterwards, it was dark out and we wanted to end the day with the Piazza Michaelangelo. Our Vatican tour guide said that it's the best place to watch the sunset. Unfortunately, we missed it, but we still wanted a view of the city. We crossed the river Arno and walked up a hill until we found it. A large parking lot for buses but with an incredible view of the city. And a replica of the famous "David". We watched the view without saying anything, just taking it all in for a while.

la nuit de rien

Tonight is "night of museums" and loads of museums are open until midnight. But I'm still tired from last night, and I just want to stay in with tea like an old lady.

Today, went to Giverny to see Monet's house and garden. His house is so beautiful inside. Couldn't take photos though. Took photos of lots of flowers and trees and birds. Then Lucia, Susie, Melissa, and Lily and I found a small outdoor restaurant by a stream and spent two hours there talking and eating. It was nice. The chef came out and talked to the people at each table, it was cute. Will post photos of gardens later.

I've got tons of homework to do, blurg. 2 tests next week and 4 papers to write. Boo. Like a lot of people here, I'm kind of over school and just can't wait for summer even though this year has been one really lax school year. I don't even feel like it's been a school year, more like a gap year. I just hope all this doesn't transfer into next school year. I have to find a job and work my ass off so I can graduate in time, but I know that even with 12 units a semester, I'll make it. I don't want to worry about the future, but it's so hard not to.

eat it like a sandwich

School was blah today. Went to Musee D'Orsay to cheer my spirits/people watch/write. Left when too many people kept walking past me while I was writing. It was a nice hour. Then went to my cafe to get a demi-citron (Stella with lemon syrup). Did some writing there, then my waiter spied on me too to see what I was writing! Boo.

The best thing was, this Australian man in front of me ordered a sandwich. He spoke the basic French phrases like "Merci" and "Bonjour". When his waiter left, he said to me, "Parlez-vous anglais?" I said yes. He asked, "How do I eat this?"

"It's a sandwich. You eat it like a sandwich."

I smiled trying not to laugh, and the waiter came over asking what was wrong, and the Aussie explained what he was asking me, and the waiter and I looked at each other with this collective thought in our heads and just smiled. The whole thing made my day.

Then an amazing dinner with friends, lots of laughing and stories. Good food, beer, wine, dessert. I had a really good time. Thanks everyone.

Free Museum Sunday: Musée Rodin

It snowed last night, and I missed it. Actually, I caught the first bit of tiny flakes, but I didn't stay up because I didn't think it'd amount to anything, but I was wrong. Saw this when I looked outside my window. Dang.For free museum Sunday, I went to the Musée Rodin. Took the line 10 to the RER C--super easy. Met up with Lucia in the gardens. She was hungry, and I could always go for a cup of tea, so we ate in the gardens. It was most lovely since the sun was out for a bit. Lucia got a salad, and I got a strawberry pastry and Darjeeling tea (from the Mariage Frères (Mariage brothers)--famous French tea purveyors). Both were amazing.If I didn't mention it already, I'm a HUGE fan of tea. So I was really excited to have tea from this famous French tea company. The tea was really light and delicate, perfect for a springish day. I think I have to go to their tea shop before I leave Paris.

The museum was pretty cool. I really liked "The Kiss", which is the famous one. I think my favorite is "Death of Adonis" though. Lucia and I finished the museum in an hour or so--it's not that big. Then we wandered in the gardens and watched little kids run onto the grass when it's actually forbidden, but it was fun to see them break the rules. I took a pic of the museum, and on the main lawn, on the right, you can see a kid lying on the grass--his pose is hilarious.
Saw Lily, Sarah, and Romina there as well as Kathy and her parents who are visiting her. After, Lucia and I walked by Invalides, and we saw boys playing soccer on the grass. Lots of boys. Lots of cute, athletic boys. They wore bright jerseys and shorts that hit above the knee and showed off their calf muscles. It was nice a nice sight. I get the same fluttery feeling whenever I see guys in baseball uniforms. It's just a nice picture.

west end girls: london day 1.

Another long weekend in London, how lovely! C. left at the same time as me. I literally watched her drive away in the taxi then headed straight off to Gare du Nord to catch the Eurostar train with Lucia.

Still felt sick and crappy, but I didn't really care, I was going to London. Boarded the train, no problem. We got into St. Pancras around 11, but neither Maek nor Lorraine would be home until 1pm to receive us. I got lunch at the station since I was hungry, but Lucia ate on the train. Got a tasty Caesar salad, and after could not stop coughing for the life of me. I couldn't even talk, either. It would just make me cough more and my throat all itchy.

While Lucia watched our stuff, I went to a tea and coffee place. Wrote down what I wanted in my Moleskine and showed it to the server. It read: "Peppermint tea, please. Sorry, I can't talk." The server was super nice, almost abnormally nice. Drank my tea and for an hour or so, Lucia and I sat at the station, which is super nice, by the by, and planned out our weekend. We brought my Let's Go book to help us. We wrote down possible itineraries, the metro stations for each place we planned to visit, and just all the things we wanted to do.

Afterwards, headed toward the Tube station. We talked to one of the Underground tube guys, and he was helping us decided whether we should get a week pass or 4 daily passes. He was super nice. He did the math all for us, and we ended up gatting 4 daily passes straightaway. From there, we headed towards Maek's, only changing trains once.

Got out of the station, and a nice newspaper vendor asked us if we needed help, "Don't be shy, girls! What street do you need?" He ended up not knowing where we should go, so we bought a map at a little corner market, the "A to Zed" map. To say the letter "Z", they say "zed", and not "zee". God love the Brits. The guy kept saying, "Ay to Zed? Ay to Zed?" And Lucia and I kept looking at each other with this same look like, "What the hell is this guy saying?!" And then when I saw the map, I finally understood.

We found Maek and Loz's easily, and Maek was home and we got to rest and he made some tea for us. Then we headed back into the city. Went to Trafalgar Square and into the National Gallery, which is free. Saw "Sunflowers" and some Saurat. Got some fish and chips at a small little restaurant. So good.Took the Tube Went to nearby the River Thames and walked across Millennium Bridge to go to the Tate Modern, also free. Passed some protesters in front of the Scientology building wearing V for Vendetta masks, and they were actually really nice, not threatening at all. Asked us if we wanted some propaganda, and we kindly declined although now I wish I took some of it. Saw some modern arts which I'm starting to appreciate.

We took lots of pics throughout the weekend, which is great, and not the stand in front of this monument and just smile kind, which I'm kind of getting tired of. I mean, we did take some of those, but not a lot. Luckily, Lucia didn't think me weird of asking her to take a certain kind of photo, to frame it in such a way or that I didn't look into the camera. Took lots of silly ones as well.

Went home totally beat. Slept like babies that night.

success!

Successfully picked up Catherine at the airport. She was tired and not feeling well--drank 2 small bottles of wine on the plane ("Why not? It was free. It was like happy hour on a plane!" --C.) and completely regretted it. Airplane food did not help either. So she took a later flight and rested at Heathrow.

Right off the metro, she took out her SLR camera and took pics. Back to my place, I made her tea while she plopped on my bed and took a breather. Lucia dropped by for some GREAT news about Italy.

Basically, we're going to spend 2 weeks in Italy--WOW! And the best thing is that almost half of our lodging will be FREE. AAAAHHH!!! Keisha knows some people there with vacation homes, and a lot of them won't be around, as well as her boyfriend's fam is willing to host us. We're hitting up Sicily, Rome, Naples, Florence, and Venice. You have no idea how excited I am about all this. Getting to spend time in the countryside in a house with an Italian family will be really cool and interesting. And the food, dear God, the food! Will try and learn some Italian basics.

Catherine people watched at my window, commenting on how lovely the boys are with their "coats and scarves and speaking French to each other". She is absolutely a doll to be with and it's interesting seeing Paris through her eyes. The three of us got dinner across the street. I had the tartiflette which is pretty much cheese, potatoes, and ham. Really good, but never again unless I want to die in 5 years. C. had roast chicken and fries and loved it. She also likes the Coke and how it came with a slice of lemon and a spoon.

Said bye to Lucia, then we sat at my window and talked till 2am about boys, philosophy (that's her major), and just did a running commentary on whoever was walking down our street. And then watched Wes Anderson's Hotel Chevalier to get in a Parisien mood. We also looked at prices on the internet for a room at where they filmed it. They were outrageous! 400 euros for a standard room. Insane. Good times.

Itinerary (things C. wants to do):
1. Versailles
2. Graves of Sartre and Beauvoir
3. Shopping
4. Opera
5. Sit in a cafe and work on her thesis (while I'm in class)
6. Bar/lounge
7. the outside of the Louvre
8. Tour Eiffel

I'm gonna do my best to be a good host so wish me luck! I'm really glad though she doesn't want to be a total tourist and see absolutely everything ("I'm being realistic."--C). By the way, she's sleeping still, dead tired, that's why I gots time to blog.

blog break

LOVELY!Above is an engagement photo of Kuya and his girl. I like this one too since it's quintessential SF:I'm going to take a blogging break, if that's possible (you know how much I love blogging here), because Catherine is arriving tomorrow, and she's going to have all my attention, and I leave for London the same day she leaves Paris. My laptoppy took a dump last night, so I think it needs some rest. I think it has become self-aware because Kuya and I were discussing computers this past week.

Keisha's French guy friends asked if we wanted to go bowling, so I'm doing that tonight. Yay! The boys are hilarious too, so it'll be a fun time. Then I have to do a crapload of homework tomorrow morning before picking up Catherine and showing her around town.

So I'll be gone for a week or so. Enjoy life, read some books, watch some movies, listen to musics, visit museums, take up a new hobby or interest (I've recently been interested in calligraphy). That's an order. Here are some books, musics, and movies that I've enjoyed abroad:

Books:
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
The Watchmen by Alan Moore
The Moviegoer's Companion

Musics: (not that extensive)
Thrice's The Alchemy Index Vol. 1 and 2
Wax Tailor: French hip hop artist
Radiohead everything

Movies:
To Kill A Mockingbird (Gregory Peck)
College (Buster Keaton)
2001: A Space Odyssey
Barton Fink
Paris (might not be out yet in US, but check it when it comes)

Museums: (Here are some of my faves in LA)
Getty
LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art)
National History Museum of Los Angeles county
Norton Simon Museum of Art in Pasadena
Bowers Museum in Orange County

Be well! Will probably pop in for a few updates, but other than that take care! loveelaine

yay for learning, weird modern art, and more learning!

Yesterday's Paris History class was really cool. We learned about the fortifications that used to be around Paris during the Middle Ages. Today they're the boulevards of Paris. We even walked up the street from my place and saw a part of the wall that's still standing (see photo above). Cool.

Went to Centre Pompidou for the museum with Susie, Taylor, and Lily. Free on Wednesday for students. Waited in the bookstore, and while I was browsing the cinema books, I saw my screenwriting prof's John Ford bio that he just wrote translated in French! I was floored. I knew he was a writer and all, I just didn't realize how huge he was. It had this Scorsese quote on the book sleeve, and it was endorsed by TCM, Positif, and Telerama. It made me grateful to have him for a teacher and a supporter since he urged me to consider a career in screenwriting.Didn't even finish one floor of the museum. We went from each piece, making fun of it mostly. A lot of it was really cool, some pieces were ridiculous. This was seriously three blank white canvases in a row:Will definitely go back more often Wednesday nights.

Went to that grammar class, the one I had to test into, and I got in! Yay! It's really no big deal, a bunch of kids that didn't get in asked if they could stay, and she was cool. Madame PQ is truly a great prof--she wrote my grammar book along with my French history prof! So I'm in good hands. We went over the exam. She kept on asking why we chose "de" instead of "des" or why not "du"? This doesn't make sense to people who don't know French, I know. It was just intense. She wouldn't accept our "It sounds right" or "because it's this rule". She demanded more than that. I love how insane this semester is going to be, it's totally making up for last semester.

Lunchtime. Oh the lengths we will go for something that reminds us of home. Susie, Morgan, and I went to Jussieu to get "sandwichs mexicaines" also known as burritos. We waited something like 40 minutes to get this thing. We stood in the rain to order, then the guy said come back in 5 minutes. We hung out at a papeterie around the corner, came back, and waited like 15 minutes. All for a burrito, and not a true burrito, it was like as if you explained to your French pen pal who has never seen a burrito but maybe googled it, and he tried to make it himself--this would be it. It was rice, cheese, ground beef, chopped tomatoes in a tortilla. It was decent and spicy, but not the real thing. How it made me want the real thing...

After, Morgan and I met up with Lucia at Musée Carnavalet for their exposition on Benjamin Franklin. Walked from Sully-Morland and through Village St. Paul in Le Marais. We stopped by this weird thrift store and looked through the windows, it looked like a crazy garage sale, and these two cute French boys stopped too and were looking. All I could think was, "If this was a movie, and they talked to us, this would be our 'meet-cute'", but it's not and they didn't. I heard them speaking English, reading something inside. Francophone English accents are cute sometimes.

The exposition was really cool. Just the idea of an old dude coming to Paris and living here is pretty cool. I went up the the cashier to get a tarif jeune (youth ticke). I said it like this though, "Euh, tarif jeune, s.v.p?" And the cashier was funny saying, "Mais oui, vous etes jeune!" (Of course, you're young!). It made me happy that he was making a joke, and that he didn't answer me in English or anything, because sometimes they can tell you're not French, but when you get French back or even slight joking, it's nice. It's like you finally accomplished something. Then he made a joke about Benjamin Franklin.

After the exposition, hung out with Lucia a bit before her class. I got a piece of DELICIOUS chocolate while Lucia got dinner. I was still full from the burrito. Tastiness.I read French Women Don't Get Fat, and it actually really helped me appreciate food more and that it should be a celebration. So instead of buying a box of sweets to have in the house, a piece of really good chocolate to savor at an appropriate moment would be better. Also, Lucia and I also changed our eating habits so that we save money for traveling, and it's really helping me lose some poundage for the wedding. Woot.

2001: A Space Odyssey

Could not concentrate at all in class today. I took notes and everything, but I just couldn't concentrate on any of the French revolution. Blurg.

Went to Musée d'Orsay with Susie for a bit and saw the Art Nouveau section. Pretty sweet. Especially all the furniture they had on display.

Saw 2001: A Space Odyssey today at my cinema in 70mm, the film format it was filmed in. The films we see today are in 35mm. So just imagine, each frame is twice as big. Lots of detail. With the image so huge and the complete silence during the space scenes, you get this total feeling of space. It was incredible. It was creepy. I wish someone watched it with me, really. I was kind of freaked out. This is my first time seeing it. I actually wished that I had a date or someone, some boy to hold my hand as I watched this movie 'cuz every time someone went outside the space shuttle and the only thing you could hear was one of the guys's heavy breathing inside the helmet, I was gripping the armrests. My teeth were clenched, I was in such suspense.

It wasn't scary at all, it was just...disconcerting. Computers turning against people. Deep space. Space scares the crap out of me though. So does the deep sea. Any place that doesn't have breathable oxygen. Great film. Kubrick is amazing.

I love that Kubrick has a look. You can spot a Kubrick film. He has certain camera moves and stylistic techniques. He's a true auteur. Same can be said for Wes Anderson. He definitely has a look. They tell stories with their own style. I really wish I had that ability. But on the other hand, the Coen Brothers tell a great story. They have style, but not as much as Kubrick. They're great visual storytellers. I could be talking out of my butt, I'm no Ebert. And I only got a B in Critical Film Studies. But that's what I think.

What I'm torn about is that I don't know what's more important to me. I want to tell a good story (as a writer), but I want to have style (as a filmmaker). What's better, style or storytelling? Story is more important to me, but I want to stand out. I just see films sometimes that make me think of Wes Anderson or some other director, and that's cool to be influenced by those films, but then I don't even remember that director's name, only that his film looked like a Wes Anderson one. But like I should worry about this now, I haven't filmed anything other than travel vids since last year. I swear, these are the things I'm thinking about when I should be listening to my French professor talking about Montesquieu.

Hiroshima Mon Amour and a cool surprise

Went to Centre Pompidou last night to see Alain Resnais's Hiroshima Mon Amour with friends. Only cost 4 euros. Cool film but kind of slow, story-wise, for me. I love the cinematography and editing though. Huge turnout. Then stayed after to watch a little doc on the film. Also had Quick Burger before hand, and I haven't had fast food in a long time, and it was tasty at the time, but soon regretted it afterward cuz I felt nasty and food coma coming on.

Got an awesome email this morning, two awesome emails. The first one was from Kuya, and I don't want to write what it's about, all I want to say is THANK YOU. You are the coolest, sweetest, most awesomest older brother a girl can ever ask for. I don't know what I've done to deserve you or Mom and Dad. Must be the karmic repercussions of a past life of good deeds. Love and bisous and hugs from abroad. Love love love you!

Second email was a cool surprise which will be unveiled when ready. All I have to say is, Wow. I'm so speechless. I'm a pretty speechless person anyway, but this...This makes me mute. Gah!

Today, some homework is on the agenda. Mailed more letters. One postcard, a bookmark from Amsterdam to my friends, and a letter to home containing Amsterdam stubs and a map. My flowers are blooming! Slowly, but surely. Will go for a walk since it's sunny and nice outside.

day 4: Anne Frank, old LPs, and the best ice cream in Amsterdam

Day 4
(NOTE: Sorry, I just added stuff that I didn't want to forget. Start at the pic of Lucia and Keisha looking at records.)
Our last day. Checked out and went back to Centraal Station to put our luggage in lockers. Found a hidden treasure of a restaurant that served the yummiest English breakfast: eggs, beans, ham, sausage, and toast. And tea. Absolutely delicious, and it only cost 7.95. I've had coffees in Paris that cost half of what I paid for this meal. The guy working was laidback, seemed like a guy that'd work at Bang and Olfusen or whatever or design furniture for Ikea. Tall, lanky, pale, glasses, shaved head (or balding?).In between taking orders or serving, he'd go to the booth by the window and pet his cat. I was going to take a picture of Keisha and Lucia with their food, and he came over and offered to take our picture for us. Score one for the Dutch people. They're amazing in my book.From there, we walked to the Anne Frank House and Museum. Loads of people, but a good, humbling experience. Walked up a tiny staircase, through her room, and saw her home the way she saw it through photos and written accounts. We could hear the bell tower down the street strike the hour, and it felt really sad to think she'd hear it too but never be able to go out and play in the sun or ride a bike.

I've only read excerpts of her book, but I vowed to put it on my reading list. I got a book on the museum with loads of pictures (photos not allowed in museum) and the history of Anne Frank's family.

Walked back in the direction of the train station and wandered through an open market. Kind of like a swampmeet, these people were selling their old stuffs. Keisha, Lucia, and I spent time looking through old LPs that cost 1 euro each. I couldn't help myself and got the soundtrack for The Sting (awesome old ragtime) and West Side Story (one of my favorite musicals). It sucked to carry them around, but anything for that awesome sound. I don't have a record player here, but my parents have one at home.

Still had more time to kill before our train, so we went looking for ice cream/souvenirs. No luck finding ice cream, until we saw a man licking a cone of vanilla, so we asked him where he got it. He happened to be Dutch and not a tourist, and he pointed down the street. "The best ice cream in all of Amsterdam," he said. We were intrigued.

Went in line for the ice cream place. It was a hole in the wall, and the line was out the door. One by one, people came out with cups or cones of this one kind of ice cream. Turns out they only serve one flavor: AMAZING. Really, it was like vanilla whipped cream tasting, and the consistency was between frozen yogurt and whipped cream. Really thick and rich. You know how ice cream gets liquidy when it melts? When this melts it gets foamy, not liquidy or drippy. I can't explain it. It was delicious. Spent more time in an H&M and got a beanie for 1 euro. I wanted something that I could put all my hair in and look like one of the Olsen twins. Keisha got sunglasses, and Lucia got a tank top.

Went back to the train station, and boarded the train. We were exhausted. But the trip was perfect. We did a lot of things that we wanted to do and had fun. Not too much unnecessary stress or worry that comes with most travel, and the stress and worry that did come was short-lived and a learning experience. I was sad to leave the city, but to go home, towards Paris and my own bed...sounded nice.

I don't think I could live in an urban city for a long time, I'd go crazy. But Amsterdam would be a lovely place to live. Not just for the bikes, or the soft drugs baked into a tasty muffin. It's the perfect mix of urban and small town. The people are warm and friendly. They have dedicated bike lanes. The pancakes are delicious...I'd definitely go back again.

day 3: Van Gogh and the largest film archive in the Netherlands

DAY 3

Woke up feeling refreshed and hungry. Keisha said she saw some restaurants advertising English Breakfast, and that sounded so good. We went into one, but they stopped serving English breakfast at noon, and it was half noon. The waitress was really sorry. No worries, we got some omelets and mint tea and shared a dutch apple pancake which I forgot to take a picture of! The mint tea was excellent.

The waitress brought out this thick syrup that's not as sweet as maple and powdered sugar for the pancake--heaven. I loved it. I love it more than American pancakes. It was thicker than a crepe, but thinner than an American pancake. The waitress kept coming back and making sure everything was good. She seemed eager to please.

Walked to the Van Gogh museum and saw it seemed like a billion amazing paintings. Really neat. Unfortunately I couldn't take photos. Then to the Rijks Museum which is a history museum featuring masterpieces from the Dutch Golden Age. By then it was late afternoon so we got some food and went home to rest before the Film Museum.

Walked literally down the street and into the park, and to our right was the Netherland's largest film archive. It looks like a huge mansion sitting in front of a lake, really lovely. I went online beforehand in Paris to see what they're showing, and it's 12 Angry Men and To Kill A Mockingbird. We got tickets for the second film.

The film was in its original version with subtitles in Dutch. The titles were a little late, so when we laughed at something said, the Dutch people laughed a few seconds later. I love this film, a classic. It moved me now, and it moved me 10 something years ago when Dad rented it on laserdisc. It made me want to make something beautiful and classical with a message that would affect the children that watched it and the adults they would become. Easier said than done though.

It was cool to do something that Dutch people would do, just to be in the company of them and not tourists like ourselves. Keisha lost her scarf in the theater, but one of the ushers had found it and it was at the cashier. How lovely. A cool way to end the night.

day 2: Rembrandt and not your average coffeehouse

DAY 2Lucia and I walked around waiting for Keisha to arrive. Went down a canal street with vendors selling tulips and all kinds of flowers. It was nice. Keisha arrived at Leidseplein, so we met up with her and took her stuff back to the room. We got falafel for lunch at Maoz--a falafel chain.

Walked to Amsterdam's history museum, then decided not to go inside, figured we really wanted to see the Rembrandt's and Van Gogh first before any history stuff. They had free maps of Amsterdam, so we got one. Went to Rembrandt's house and saw all his etchings. They re-did the house to make it look like what it looked like in his drawings and paintings. Two words: box bed. Coolest thing I've ever seen. Imagine going to sleep in a large wooden wardrobe. So cool.

Afterwards, we were pretty pooped from walking around, so we decided to find a coffeeshop. Not just any coffeeshop, a shop that also sells marijuana. Went to this souvenir shop where the girls are super nice and answered a lot of our questions, and they told us to go to the Bulldog.

The guard outside the coffeeshop stopped me and asked if I was 18, which was cool. I love it when that happens. I said yes and that I'll show him my i.d., but he let me in. We got coffees, then Keisha bought some...stuff, and Lucia bought a space cake.

I smoked. I'm not going to lie, and I'm not going to keep it from my blog. I was in Amsterdam, how could I not? I would never put myself in any danger, and I was with friends, one of them decided not to partake, and the hotel was down the street. I read all about it, got advice from friends who've smoked before, so I was well informed and I knew what I was doing. I have no regrets. I did it, I know what it's like now, and I don't think I'd do it again.

The sensation was interesting...I've never felt like that before. Sort of slow, kind of giggly. And I had weird thoughts that I vaguely remember mostly the paranoid kind. We were seated close together, and Keisha's knee was touch mine, and all I could think was, and this is going to sound ridiculous, but all I could think was, 'I have to move my leg. It is touching Keisha's. It's sort of warm. I'm warm. I have to move my leg or our legs will intersect. Our molecules and atoms will collide and mix. I won't know which ones are mine' I can't believe I remember this. Then I looked down, and they weren't touching anymore, our knees. But it felt like they were still touching! I remember also thinking, 'Don't forget this, Elaine. Write about this. Don't forget the atoms.'

It was kind of like my birthday in Las Vegas, for those of you who were there. Enjoyable, but something I'd never do again. We went back to the hotel sort of in a daze, and I laid down on the bed. I was strangely euphoric, and also very hungry. We watched tv for a while, all of us lying on the bed, and talked a lot about food, and how were we going to get some. I didn't feel too hot, and then I vomited in the bathroom.

I told Keisha and Lucia that they could eat without me, but if they could just bring me back some food. Neither of them wanted to eat out, so they said they'll go get pizza and drinks. They came back with Pizza Hut, which tasted AMAZING, Heinekens, and some soda. I downed the soda since I read in the Amsterdam guide book that sugar can help you feel better.

I know some people, much older people, who shall remain nameless, but said that they could totally see me smoking weed and being "artsy" and getting my ideas from it. But I didn't really get any ideas, other than the paranoid kind, and I'm already paranoid already, so it's something I don't really need. During the night, I kept hearing noises, scratching kind, and I kept on thinking it was mice. And I wondered if I was stoned, if this was the space cake kicking in because I heard it takes a while to kick in, and would it make me hear things? Then I went back to sleep. That morning, Lucia told me it was the people next door being loud, and there were no mice.

what is to come

First I must start off with this: The Dutch are the nicest, most laidback people I have ever encountered. So chill, relaxed, and helpful...I wouldn't mind going back. At all.

One of the best trips ever. Felt like a grown-up trip seeing as I planned the accommodations, Lucia planned the train tickets, and we all planned the itinerary. When I was a kid or even when I'm traveling with my parents, they usually take care of that stuff, I've never worried about anything and just did what they planned. But this was really cool, felt really proud of my first planned trip--London doesn't count since the accommodations were free and all that.

Here's what's to come, a teaser trailer if you will...

Van Gogh Museum. Anne Frank House. The Netherlands film museum. Rembrandt. Two coffee houses. One spacecake. Pizza and Heinekens. Best breakfasts EVER. Dutch pancakes are to die for. Stroop and powdered sugar. Bikes. Vondelpark at night. Dutch people are awesome.

Yup, yup. That's what's in store.

Amsterdam!

Got a call from Lucia today asking me if I wanted to go to Amsterdam this weekend. Heck yes! Turns out she's on vacation right before I start school again. She wanted to leave Friday and come back on Monday. Works for me! She took care of the transportation while my job was to find a place to stay.

I was excited--I love spur of the moment things like this. I like planning as well, but London was pretty planned out, and this was spur of the moment. I chose a hotel with a private room with our own bathroom called The Quentin. It had a great location. I typed in all our requirements--three nights, three people. The total came to 60 euros for each of us for the whole stay. Not bad for a private room. And on such short notice. Called Lucia and we discussed it--she gave me the go. So I click on "Book". But the page didn't go through. I figured the page timed out, so I had to re-do the process of finding a reservation. I did it, and then..THE ROOM WAS GONE! I called Lucia.

LUCIA: What?! Try it again!
ME: I did! I did it twice! The room's gone!
LUCIA: OH NO!
ME: Don't worry! I'm gonna make this right! (hang up)

The normal me would have freaked out and just stewed while doing nothing to better the situation. Maybe curse myself, but that didn't happen. I just went back to looking. It was actually kind of fun, thrilling to look at websites searching for hostels and hotels, B&Bs and boathouses--anything that will shelter us three girls on a cold night. There were a buttload of mixed dorms, but not for the nights we needed, and loads of expensive private rooms. I felt like a hacker on the clock, find the password, get into that account, transfer the money. I was clicking Control + T to open windows, Control + C to copy links of hotel websites, and Control + V to copy. Working on Final Cut Pro even translates to real life situations--I love keyboard shortcuts. I was on AIM discussing the options with Lucia.

When she squared away the train tickets (travel by train is so cool!), I asked her to help. She found a website that shows the actual rooms available, and The Quentin was there! Among other hostels and hotels. Out of all of them, it was the cheapest and closer to things. So I booked it. Yay! Some relief. After the whole thing, I felt like I'd lost pounds. I love that feeling.

Later, I read some horrid reviews about it (giving it 2 stars), but whatever I'm kind of excited. And nothing can be worse than a Motel 6 in Porterville, CA. It was really bad. My brother slept with his hoodie on, covering his head, and his shoes on over the covers. He refused to get under the covers. Anyway, it's only three nights, and we'll be out during the day. Exciting!

Also, made this short little thing for fun. Wish I could do a real time-lapse for hours, but this was a minute only into 5 seconds or so. Enjoy!

exposition zizi and another ikea day

Saturday was a cool day. Lucia, Susie, and I braved the cold and walked along Canal St. Martin. They ate sandwiches while I had a pastry. We then headed to Cité des sciences et de l'industrie, a science center for kids and adults. Went to the Exposition Zizi Sexuel, which sounds naughty, but it's actually for kids! The exhibit teaches kids about puberty, sex, reproductive organs, and giving birth. You would never see something like this in the States. In the photo, they have this thing where you learn how to French kiss, haha. I watched a kid do a quiz on sex on a touch screen. He was like 7. And he got most of the questions right! It's really cool that they teach kids this stuff at an early age. Afterwards, we went to a section of the building dedicated to math and physics.

Today...euro breakfast at Ikea!! So good. Susie bought some new stuff for her place. She brought 90 euros to spend, but only paid less than 50! I love Ikea. She got everything she needed like bedsheets, pan, pillows, and other things. Lucia and I got pillows too. They're for the people who are going to stay at my place. It was super cheap.

After our Ikea excursion, Lucia and I decided to meet up at Musée d'Orsay in two hours. We walked through Impressionism and post-Impressionism. Since I'm sick and a bit fatigued, I sat in front of some Monets and just people watched. I love how easy it is to people watch in Paris. I mostly looked at guys. I love guys when they wear their winter wear, their coats and scarves. I love guys in wool coats. It's so sophisticated. Especially wool hacking coats, which is more of a British thing, but I LOVE how it looks. I think every guy should own a wool hacking coat. It's the hacking style that's very cool to me. Jason Statham is wearing one--see the bald man at far right. I love the two stacked pockets at the right hand side of the coat.

Lucia and I then shared a club sandwich at our favorite club sandwich place. Total yum. I'm happy I did so much despite my condition. It's better than sitting at home under the covers being a bum.