TGIS

Bois Du Boulogne. My heart lies there in those woods. A forest that runs through Paris, filled with tall old trees and liesurely Parisians. The thing I like best about this place is how it is real. Paris is full of wonderful parks yes...however they are cut and trimmed and to perfect to actually be considered real. Bois Du Boulogne is tall grass and old flowers. Weeds and insects. Over flowing trees with long healthy branches who intertwine with one another.

You can see me there, having a picnic. Reading "Eat Pray Love," or my Paris 2010 tourist book. For those of you who do not know Paris. The 16th is the most prim and proper area in Paris. Filled with tall gorgeous white apartments and quiet streets. Women who do not try to hard- but still manage to look amazing. The 16th is my dream world.

Last Sunday I woke up early and fled to the 7th. The 7th is the Eiffel tower area. Quiet yet exciting. Rich and touristy and filled with space. I walked from Champs Elysees to my favorite street in Paris. This street is parallel to the Seine, across from the Eiffel tower with old trees towering over you like a canopy. I could not be happier walking in the sunshine on a sunday down this street. True Bliss! I picnic at the Champ de Mars before I have to race off to the Notre Dame to meet my friends for the best Fallafels in Paris in the Marais.

I have been experimenting with cooking, and planting a garden. Two things I am uncertain of and yet have always wanted to experiment with. I now know one of my favorite things in life is planting flowers. Sitting in the dirt with a sun cascading down on you as you dig into the Earth to plant something so beautiful! Flowers are another love of mine. I appreciate flowers much more since living in France. So many flower stands. Flowers are a daily pleasure to most Parisians. In Canada it seems you buy flowers for things such as Birthdays and Holidays. Here you buy flowers because..."why not?" They are cheap, beautiful, and a way of life.

As I write this- my head is bobbing up and down from sleep deprevasion. To tell the truth- I beleive I am writing this to help stay awake until my host parents arrive home! I can not fall asleep while I am babysitting incase Eva (my 2 year old) wakes up and I have to hold her hand until she falls back asleep. (Its true, the only way she falls asleep is by hand holding). I went out lastnight to a Cave and danced the night away to celebrate one of my good friends final night here in Paris before she heads back to Canada. Another goodbye. I will miss her.

Quick news is....my camera broke which was my second one purchased here in Europe. I am starting to get my july figured out and deciding all the places I wish to go to. I am once again a student at the University of Saskatchewan. I no longer hop Metros and have finally reloaded my Navigo card. Fact: I have yet to see ONE TRAIN POLICE MAN since reloading it. Funny...when i was illegal I saw on average one every week. My train is on strike so you can find me frantically running through the Metros trying to get home in time before they close. My french is improving and I am travelliong to Toulose next tuesday for a family vacation.

Here is to hoping they come home soon.

tgis.

far away in the sunshine are my highest inspirations.

I may not reach them,

but i can look up and see the beauty,

beleive in them

and try to follow

where they lead.

Nothings

It is starting to warm up (a bit)... Paris is looking fantastic these days. Nature is full of bright yellow trees and purple flowers. Buds and tulips. I purchased my first coffee frappucino last wednesday, and although it tasted like heaven- I do not remember them being so expensive.

I find myself in the Notre Dame area lately. Wandering with no purpose really. It is one of the farthest areas from my house and yet I continue to go. Montemarte is my lover I know now. I am meant to live there. Last saturday I met some friends on the Sacre Coure steps. It is the best view of Paris up there. Live music was playing behind us who belted out some of my favorite artists while the sun set behind Paris. Tracy Chapman, The Eagles, MGMT, and Red Hot Chili Peppers. After we said our goodbyes I visited my best friend- la tour eiffel. (On the way there I happened upon a puppet show in the metro which was quite entertaining!). I love reflecting at the eiffel tower. I sat there with my nutella crepe while reflecting and daydreaming. It then started to pour rain so I quickly (hopped) the metro and came home.

Dark chocolate is my sinful lover these days.

I never had a sweet tooth until I came to France.

I am writing a "must do list" tomorrow of things I "must do" before I leave this life here. Although it is only the first of April, I find myself constantly thinking of how it is ending soon when I still have three more months. I want to see and do everything!

My birthday was tres passionate et super! I had an Alice and Wonderland themed birthday, where of course- I played Alice. Me and my friends have a running joke of how I am "Alice" here in Paris. Always lost...and curious and full of thoughts! So. I decided to become Alice for a night and join the rest of the characters for a "tea party" at the mad hatters house. Later we went to dance, although before I could get to the discoteque I was late...late for a very important date, my own birthday. I got lost....with the queen of hearts and marche hair. We were lost in the rain with a tap dancer at our feet. We found our friends many..many steps later.

Tomorrow I am picking up my bike from the shop, and going for a long ride. Smoking shisha dans le nuit and sunday is Easter! I think Mass at Notre Dame is going to be a once in a lifetime opportunity. I can't wait! Along with a beautiful easter fondu at a friends place.

Bad news as of late is: Im sick with something terrible that will not leave me. My Computer caught a nasty virus and soon my protector expires so I will be unprotected. Although I renewed (and payed quite a large price) my subscription, I can't download it because my computer is a mess so I am out of luck. More books for me I presume! I am reading Pride and Prejudice now and I love it.

A Bientot.

La.