A picture finally!

April 27th

Hey all! My first pictures! Okay, girl on the left is Katie and me in middle and another American girl on right named Ann. This picture was taken at 4ish am and we were well into the champagne. Needless to say, I had a champagne hangover before I even left the party. It was a 40th birthday party of a girl that lives in the 7th with a balcony view of the Eiffel tower! It was incredible! Anyway, she is a sort of clothes designer etc and made us try on these barets she made and wanted to take our picture. I thought it was cute. There is another one that I have not gotten yet when we are all wearing wigs! It is quite funny. Anyway, model/scout guy is out. Now, Lauren, again has come through with yet another meeting with an American guy that has lived in Paris for 2 years. We are meeting tonight for drinks. Will keep you posted on that. My meeting ended up being yesterday evening (it got delayed a week due to his schedule). It was not very positive but he promised to set up some appointments for me and I am to follow up with him next week. I will let you guys know if anything happens. Mr. Big has officially made friends with my neighbors. He crawls out of my windows everyday and scratches on thiers. My neighbors are very young french guy or guys not really sure how many live there. There seems to be a lot of late night activity and none during the day. Anyway, they don't speak much english but don't mind Big coming over for visits. I had to go over there last weekend and fetch him as I was leaving to go out and he would not come back! So, at least one of us is making male friends (although, Big is a boy so I guess that would make him gay or just very french!) Nothing else too exciting here.

fashion note: converse are all the rage here and puma's are still very popular. Flats are also big with fishnets and all kinds of fun crazy tights/hose.

Easter in Paris - very boring!

April 18th

still no internet at the new pad. But finally have some time to just sit at of all places McDonalds to jump on their free wifi. Which in french is pronounced "wee-fee". Gay? It is next door to my favorite pannini stand where I will be going after this blog. Have big sort of meeting tomorrow with "big wig" in Paris. We'll see if he needs some american that does not speak french to assist him with anything. Katie and I have been spending most of our weekends together going to dinner at inexpensive little french cafes and going to the same bars since we now know all the owners and they give us free drinks! Thanks Slim. Katie claims my french is improving but I still can't even speak in full sentences most of the time. I am understanding alot more conversation on the metro and overhearing more conversation that I can pick up. Some progress, I guess. Anyway, I am having no luck on the french boy hunt. I have been out with a french guy that is a model/scout of all things! he and I met through of course Lauren's crazy connections. He and I went out twice last week but all he talked about was himself and how much his models love him. Who cares? he also admitted that his mother still does his laundry which was a huge red flag. he said all of my past girlfriends have taken over that duty when we were together and I said well that would not be possible with me unless you paid me to do it!!! Loser. I have also been to a french birthday party in the suburbs. That was interesting. Of course, friend of katie's and only one person at the party spoke english. it was almost unbearable. French are strange, since this is my first party that I have not participated in I spend the night watching the interactions. they don't talk to each other unless they are already friends. they make no effort to get to know anyone else new? what is that all about. Who want to have the same group of friends for the rest of your life? The food was incredible though so I spent some time trying things I did not recognize. The one guy that spoke english was very nice and we spent about 2 hours talking. Not cute but very nice. If you haven't heard the protests are over. the fairy french government caved! What a bunch of wussy's. Not all of you may like Bush but at least he stands his ground. Villepin is really sexy but apparently a slave to the poles. Although, I think the damage has been done. He is out for President the french hate him (he is too conservative) Imagine that??? Next protest that is upcoming I predict will be the car fires in the suburbs again. It has been awhile and that was never really resolved. I am getting some hummings on the news that the poor immigrants in the Banlieus (suburbs/projects) are getting their feathers ruffled again. this past weekend was pretty much a drag. Paris was empty except for the tourists. Everything was closed so no shopping (even at the grocery store). that is about it for now. I have not had any major falls/flubs in french (that are really funny at least) recently.

Sowers...OUT!

Back in Business - sort of...

April 5th

WOW! Boy, you guys have missed alot. I just don't have the time or patience to write all of the stuff that happens to me on a daily basis. The internet connection at the last apt on rue des rosiers was awful. Anyway, I ended up getting the cute apt in the 16th on the 6th floor. So, I moved in last weekend and it was quite the work-out. I was supposed to get help from "french friend" but apparently not the top of his list. I moved by myself and it took 3 days up and down 115 steps to the metro back and forth! I hope I lose weight after that one. Still getting settled and used to the new quiet neighborhood. It is quite different and not as active but very safe.

Kristina and I did take a side trip to Bordeaux when she was here which was beautiful. Only stayed for 2 days but enjoyed the opportunity to get away and see something new.

still at rue des rosiers...
So, I have had a meeting with this guy we will call Teri. He is very nice and takes me to lunch at this cute place right by my apt and we are discussing my joblessness. He asks me quite a few questions on why I am in Paris etc. I give him my unrecited true answer and he says you should write that down it sounds good. Well, he takes my resume and says he will pass it on and send me an email with some names to call etc. It is not a job but some hope.

Next up get a call from the secretary of another French gentleman I am meeting with on April 19th. I google this fellow and find out he is one of the top CEO's in Paris! Now we are talking! It seems this guy is very close to Chirac so don't really know how I feel about that but will keep American mouth shut! I will work for anyone if they pay me, right?

I haven't been going out as much since all guests have since departed and Katie was in London for a week. I also had to move so no funny stories.

BUT...leave it to Lauren to hook me up! Rick has a friend at Kellogg who is french and obviously has lots of friends here. We chatted a bit via email and he referred me to his friend Vincent who I am meeting up with tonight. We are meeting at one of his friends apts for drinks at 10pm then to a club called Duplex? Should be interesting. He stressed to me twice about the dress code, little does he know who he is talking to! Hopefully, will make some new friends and some of better be french. I need to practice my lacking of french speaking skills!

Well, my battery is almost dead so i will try to write more tomorrow!!!

Update

April 3rd

Fast forward to now for now. Guys no access to internet in the new apt. No updates for a few days. Might try to hit some internet cafes but don't relish sitting there for 3 hours. Might try a few wireless cafes but have not had a lot of luck with those so far. The new apt is really cute though!!! I got the one in the 16th and it is 115 steps up to my place no elevator. Girls, buns of steel will not begin to define my new hot ass!!!

All is well in Paris! Protestors what???