Bonjour - trois (and final)

Sunday we took a train to Vernon and then to Giverny to visit Monet's home and gardens. The trip was just over an hour and so great - the area outside of Paris is lovely. We explored and took a lot of photos. I actually stood on the bridge Monet painted...very cool. We ate at a cute little outdoor cafe (one of maybe two restaurants in Giverny).

Monday we went shopping for food and fashion we wanted to take home; sadly, I found very little of either that easy to get home or wouldn't break the bank. After shopping, Lori, Lorie and Laura and I went to La Grande Mosquée de Paris. We ventured out without our guide and just maps, which means we ended up taking the "scenic route" to get there. There was a little north African restaurant we lunched at and then attempted to map our way home (a more direct route than we took to get there). It started raining and we spent a lot of time comparing maps, but we made it and we were very proud of ourselves.

We decided to make one more attempt to get to the top of the Eiffel Tower and found that the top was closed due to weather. We'll have to catch the view from the top the next time we're in Paris. Instead we had a makeshift dinner party in our little room with French cheeses, fruit and other treats from our MonoPrix or Champion markets.

Tuesday, we were up early and traveled home. We'll always have Paris.

Bonjour - deux

We went to Versailles Friday. It is so large and so grand, but the gardens were my favorite. We didn't really have time to explore (that would take a whole day to see just the gardens) but what I saw, I loved. I would love to go back, skip the palace and just walk and picnic and enjoy the outside.

We went out for a Seine River cruise Friday night to see the city from the river and it was pretty great. Just as we were ending the cruise, the Eiffel Tower was lighting up; what a great city!

Saturday was the Musée d’Orsay with a glorious Impressionist exhibit, lunch out in this adorable little pedestrian roadway, then to Napoleon's Tomb and the Musée d’Rodin (The Thinker, The Kiss) and Gardens.

Saturday night - Sacré Coeur and Montmartre and La Place du Tertre. Stephanie wrote months ago to get us into this beautiful little restaurant for some authentic French cuisine.

As with any trip...it's going by so quickly. Again, as with any trip, I am so lucky to get to experience this!

Bonjour!

I am in Paris! We arrived yesterday morning, dropped off our luggage and started exploring. We went to buy our metro passes, museum passes and tour a little bit. By walking and walking we hoped to keep the exhaustion at bay long enough to get on "Paris time". We saw Eiffel Tower, Champs Elyees, Arc de Triomphe and Notre-Dame. I remember most of that only because in my jet-lagged state, I still remembered to snap some photos.

We're in this little hotel by the Louvre (and by little, I mean tiny rooms) - it's clean and right by the metro stop and a market. At the end of the day, I was ready for sleep, but we were then favored with a street concert and then learned what "city of light" is all about (technically, the nickname is about ideas, culture and architecture, but for this trip it was about bright lights all night long). With earplugs and eye covers sleep came and then a new day.

Today was the Louvre (completely amazing - I might have to move in to see it all) and Sainte-Chapelle and tonight we'll go up the Eiffel Tower and view the lights of the city.

Tomorrow is Versailles!

Runnin’ against the wind…

Lorie and I have taken to running 5K races this spring/summer. We figure it's a good way to get out, exercise and support some great charities (we also find the runner sub-culture particularly amusing). Anyone want to join in the fun?

http://www.utahraceguide.com/viewmonth.php?month=5

Hushpuppies Redeemed!

Well, I find myself in South Carolina for the second time in 30 days (and for the second time in my life). Hilton Head Island is lovely - really lovely. I highly recommend it to any and all who like beauty, ocean breezes and gracious hospitality.
About my earlier thoughts on hushpuppies, I have been proven wrong (or at least the restaurant who served them to me before was very wrong). They are delightful and also recommended if you get them at The Old Oyster Factory, inc.
Ah, the Grand Ole South...

So windy in Harbour Town!

a room with a view

Walk on the beach...

Countdown to Paris

This will be me in a week and a half...

And the next adventure is...

Monday I head off for a super quick site visit at the Hilton Head Marriott Resort & Spa. I am working on a event there for the fall, so I have/get to explore the island. Anyone have any "must-see" suggestions for me?

http://www.hiltonheadisland.org/

Happy Lyndsey Day

Today is a special day - it's the day we celebrate Lyndsey's 30th birthday. She's the nicest, dearest and most lovely gal. She's a darn good friend and has incredible taste in music, movies, and munchies. Here's to another 30!

Jeni

I am so proud of you. I love you lots! Keep up the good work.

Love, your big sister

When I grow up…

I want to be an astronaut. Well, to be perfectly honest, it was that or be in the White House. That is another story for another day. Back to space travel…my friend Sarah and I watched the International Space Station and the shuttle go streaking across the sky last week. It was very cool, very fast and very small. The only reason we knew it was, in fact, the shuttle and ISS was because we were watching for it and we were aware of the signs. Isn’t that a metaphor for life?

We stood there with our faces to the night sky enjoying the scene and imagining being there. I always wanted to be an astronaut and so did Sarah. She thinks it’s not too late, I think she’s the most optimistic person I know.