Paris: Part Two

Prior to getting to day two, the evening before I spent an hour or so planning out my next two days – I wanted to maximize my time – but also not miss out on some of my personal must sees before heading back home. I consulted my maps, thought about what would interest me most, and what made the most sense in proximity to each other. I realized later that I probably could have used another few days to get in a couple more museums and enjoy more of the area. I guess that’s a good enough reason to hope for another trip over to France in the future.

I started day two with a metro trip over to the Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile, as it’s one of the other more famous landmarks of Paris. I also wanted to see some of the details up-close and personal, and make my way up to the top for some breath taking view, since I am too much of a sissy to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower. I will say that this is in the center of one of the scariest street intersections – a major rotary if you are from New England, like me, or a roundabout for those of you from elsewhere. I did figure out quickly that there was an underground pathway to the Arc, and got right in line to get my ticket to go to the top.  I wanted to see the view from the top, and there are so many views from here. I also felt more secure, and saved myself a panic attack atop the Eiffel Tower (safety first folks, safety first). It was bit cloudy, but it was great to spend time up at the top and learn about the Arc construction.

From the Arc, I made my way down the Champs de Élysées, for an early afternoon of shopping and lunching. I tried to avoid stores we have back home in the states as what’s the fun in shopping where you can at home. I poked around and ended up with two cream colored tops – one long sleeved and one short- clearly, I had a theme going. I love watching people in the shopping district on a weekday, you get the tourists, but you also get a lot of people who seem to do this daily. I really enjoy making up stories about people’s background while sauntering around.

After my shopping adventure, I headed over to the Musee de Armee, or the National Army Museum, because I really wanted to see the World War II exhibits. I always find that I am drawn to learning more about this time, so I thought why not take some time and go to that section of the museum. When I arrived, I found a military ceremony taking place, so I stopped and tried to figure out what was going on, but there was band, some marching and a gentleman gave a speech. I still haven’t figured out what was going on, but I definitely couldn’t resist some snapshots and taking in the grandeur of the event.  I really wish I knew what was taking place, but it was still neat to see something like that without planning it.  After the ceremony was completed, I spent the rest of my time touring Napoleon’s tomb and the World War I & II exhibits. I am always a bit fascinated by the histories of the wars from different countries, since we are so versed in the American side- particularly when the second World War really kicked off for us so many years later then in Europe.

My final bits of the day were spent having wine and dinner near my hotel, there’s something about getting a craft of wine at the end of a long day.  

I've got one more day to go, hopefully you are enjoying reading about my travels.

40 days?

I am a completely lapsed Catholic – I attend mass only on high holidays with my mother if I am home. For some reason though, I feel the urge every Lenten season to figure out something or somethings to try to absolve from. I think I view this as another chance to take on a resolution from the new year, or something to that affect. Anyway I’ve contemplated a few ideas:

Alcohol:  I actually really want to do this, it’s one of my 15 before 2015, but this is not the year. I have a weekend girls trip to Florida – and I already want a drink while I am in the pool. I also have a coworker from another office coming to town and we want to get drinks and catch up. I clearly have my Irish Catholic priorities in place.

Soda: I love me some coke zero at lunch time, and seltzer should pretty much be a food group as far as I am concerned.  So far today, I skipped my lunch time beverage and stuck to water and tea at my desk. This could be reasonable, but then what do I mix the alcohol I am not giving up with? I mean a nice straight up drink is good for one, wine is not a pool drink…  can we make it week day soda?

Shopping: I love to online shop (who doesn’t?). Nothing makes me feel better than a nice new piece of clothing to wear and enjoy. My fear with this one is that it’s going to go from 20 degrees to 80 degrees and I am going to feel like I need something to refresh . However, I do think I could keep myself on track.

Sweets: Chocolate… oh so good, this would actually be a bit of a challenge as I’d include a trail mix that has chocolate chips in it, which is one of my current vices. I also will just crave something sweet and indulge myself. This is definitely a strong contender.

Right now I am thinking of going with the sweets and shopping and holding myself to it. I’d also like to spend the next 40 days cleaning out the clutter around my apartment and start minimizing again. 

(photo via pinterest via someecards)

Paris: Part One

Oh Paris – you were top on my list of places to visit, and finally I was able to make my dreams come true. I spent three full days exploring the city of love, on valentine’s weekend no less. Granted I was sans valentine, however I do feel like spending a few days in Paris constitutes “winning” the holiday.  I took the Eurostar over from London, which was super quick and really easy to do, plus it put me at a major train spot that brought me to a metro that dropped me off a block from my hotel. As a non-French speaker, I never had trouble navigating the metro ( I swear the States are the worse for clear public transit instructions).

The first night I was super tried, as I was out way too late the night before – oops. I haven’t seen 3 am in about 3 years until then – I guess there are worse things though then having a good time on a Friday night. I just got settled and made my way to a bistro for dinner before heading to an early bed time so I could take full advantage of my day on Sunday.

i see london...

In less than a week, I am heading over to London for business. I am looking forward to enjoying some spring like temperatures compared to the winter those of us on the eastern seaboard have been experiencing. I am hoping to see some new places, as well as enjoy the walk to and from the office each day – past the American Embassy - probably the ugliest building I saw while I was there last time, it just has a very utilitarian file compared to the historic architecture everywhere else on that walk. I am a complete tourist though, and I really just love popping in to shops and pubs on the way “home” to the hotel each night, and spending some social time with my friends and colleagues in that office. I cannot wait to spend some time in Selfridge's checking out all the fun items and getting lost in the amazing book section of the store.

However, I think the best part of this upcoming adventure is the one that I am tacking on to this trip - I am heading to Paris for a few days to finally do some sightseeing and see the Eiffel Tower. That's right I am tackling on of my 15 before 2015 items very early. I couldn't be more excited to get there!

(graphic via etsy)

15 before 2015

I totally missed the 30 before 30 posts that I keep seeing (I am old, well not really, but I am over 30 so that just seems silly to start a 40 before 40, because well I don’t want to). Instead, I am going to set a small list of goals for the next two years, and hopefully check in with this list from time to time throughout the years. Might I never touch this, sure – might I really feel better about having some goals out there. Here I go…

Get to Paris  and take the Eiffel Tower photo

Spend an afternoon in the Met, the Guggenheim, and the MoMA

Workout 3-4 times a week, every week

Read Non-Fiction regularly (ideally, every fourth book I read).

Get a pet – I really want a dog – and have a hankering for French Bulldogs (intsagram obsession). A dog might be too much so maybe I am looking at a little kitty to keep me company, or glare at me or whatever cats do. Two years to figure this out (it’s going to be a goldfish).

Get completely out of debt, student loans, credit cards, all of the above and save more money. I’ve started a little log for each month to track my progress for 2014. I hope to be debt free by December 2014, if not sooner.

Shop less. I love new clothes, I love online shopping, but I have so much already, it’s time to get rid of things before getting anything new.

Give up alcohol for Lent. 40 days, 40 nights. I am never attempting this for New Years as my birthday is so close to the beginning of the year. I just feel like a break from drinks might do a body good. Plus Fat Tuesday is a great last party night.

Volunteer my time to an organization. I tend to be a person who will write a check, or donate some money to a cause, it’s time to donate my time.

Spend two weekends a year exploring a city I’ve never been to in the United States. It’s time to start taking advantage of those weekly airline deals, the book 36 Hours, and see some of the United States.

Purchase a home. I love my apartment, but it’s time to graduate to homeownership in the next few years.

Stop allowing for completely lazy Saturdays in front of the television. I am so guilty of allowing myself to park it in my jammies (and no, not just my Christmas jammies) on a Saturday and waste the entire day watching television. One thing that might help this is that Soapnet is off the air, so no more 90210, One Tree Hill or Gilmore Girls to suck me in during the weekends.

Work on being more green in my everyday life. I am a disposable water bottle girl, and it’s so bad for the environment. I’ve also been trying to make the switch to bar soaps and shampoos to better the environment as well, the bonus is my hair looks so much better with bar soap and requires much less washing.

Get this work life balance thing under control. I am very guilty of working over the weekends, on vacations and late nights. I’d like to normalize a bit and be less of a workaholic.

Learn to snowshoe – I’ve always wanted to do this and I am going to make it happen.

Some are more ambitious than others, some are fun, others serious, all and all I like it. I’ll check in from time to time with an update to see how I am progressing. It’s fun to have a list of things to accomplish. Wish me luck!

(quote via pinterest)