Weekend in Paris

I am in love with Paris, France.


I'm here in this beautiful city visiting a friend from high school, Joleen. It's her golden birthday today on Feb.20th. I know it's her birthday, but I am the one having the time of my life! Seeing her here, so indescribably happy with her life, has lifted me out of this funk I've been in since being back in France; refreshed me. I am deeply grateful to be here, and she is showing me a gooooooood time. Tomorrow's agenda will be incredibly touristy...and I cannot wait. Picnic in the park and climbing the Eiffel Tower, checking out the thrift store scene in the deuxieme arrondissement, back to her apartment for dinner, and then dancing the night away. Sounds fun, no?

Repeat: I am in love with Paris, France.

Until next time,
Feel Ridiculously Fine,
MG

Jour de Saint Valentin

The French, ironically enough, don't celebrate Valentine's Day like we Americans do. It's not neeearly as commercial here. No advertisements, no Valentine's Day candy section at the grocery store, barely any Valentine's Day cards. Maybe it's because they're always soo into their significant others, they don't feel the need to have this Hallmark "Holiday." But today, I am seein' the love. My host dad, Jean Jacques, is living and working in Sudan with the United Nations, while my host mom, Laurence, is here in Nantes with the fam. She woke up this morning to a huge package and a bouquet of flowers from her husband of 28 years. J'adore. She was so elated! Now, though I may not be a huge fan of Valentine's Day (I was a florist during high school and we literally dreaded this day), I guess I can be happy for all those who are cute & couple-y. I have no Valentine this year, as it is always my Dad, and he's 4,000+ miles away from me this year. But I am still a fan of love. 

Really though, aren't we all?

^ Mimi & Bob, circa the early 1980s. Matching LaCoste windbreakers?

Must be love.

How will I be celebrating my Valentine's Day? Well, I have my host family's apartment to myself for the weekend while they are at their house by the ocean, so after going to get a hair cut and enjoying today's sunshine, I'll make myself dinner in my jammies, watch a movie, drink wine & eat delicious French chocolate. Sounds heavenly. 

Amusez-vous bien, ce jour de Saint Valentin!

Sending lots & lots of love across the Atlantic,

MG.

thursday thoughts

My Mood as of recent?

weary wednesday

Hiiiii.

Another unproductive day here in Nantes. I taught English to les petits this morning...Marlène and Gabriel, whom I adore. Showered, came to the IES center, only to eat lunch and sit around...read...listen to music..."work," and eat ungodly amounts of candy. I find myself increasingly more aggrivated and annoyed with my daily life, I need some people and excitement in my life. As cliché as it sounds, my life here in France is really like a rollercoaster. Today is an "I hate this place" day.

If how I felt today had a song, it would be this one:

Desiderata

I need to do a better job of living this out:


Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

that face!

Oh boy, do I miss that face!

You three are in my thoughts today. 

I think about my friends & family on the regular, but I am missing you guys particularly hard today. 

Keep ya heads up & I'll try to do the same.

Until next time,

Feel Ridiculously Fine,

MG

sunday sentiments.

Sundays in Nantes, France are a joke.

Nothing is open. Not even the grocery store or bakeries *gasp!*. Instead, everyone spends the day in the parks or in their homes with their families. It's a beautiful thing, I think...to essentially shut down society, if you will, to spend some quality time with your loved ones. However, my host family is out of town in Paris, and not having many people to hang out with, I spent the day walking around the city. I love how the gray (or is it grey with an 'e'?) sky contrasts against the dark gray clouds, making anything that is green simply seem like it's exploding with color, how the streets are almost empty, and how one is able to enjoy the time simply...wandering. I had no due dates (with the French strikes going on, I don't even have class), nowhere to be, and took advantage of the alone time walking through the crisp air.

This weekend was zesty: spicy couscous restaurant for dinner on Friday, and homemade Mexican food for dinner last night...mmm. Tonight I video Skyped with my best friend from last semester, "the other Madeline," for two hours. Talk about zest! That girl's zest for life will never cease to amaze me. I've got so many freakin' inspiring people in my life. How could I ever feel lonely or heavy-hearted?