The plants, that is. This succulent has been working on blooming for over a month and has now exploded with pink flowers.

I am terribly excited about my trip to Paris in a smidge over a month. I've been a longtime listener of the Katia & Kyliemac Podcast, and had the chance to meet them both the last time I was in Paris. They hold a picnic every year on July the 14th, and listeners, friends, and other lovely people come join them for a day of picnicing, friendship and wine on France's national holiday, La Fête Nationale. I have always wanted to go, and now that I'm not 4000 miles away on the other side of the Atlantic, I can! It still boggles my mind that I can get to Paris from London in a bit over 2 hours.

I had a really lovely time with my partner in Paris the first time I went, but as an American with an admittedly romanticized idea of what it would be like, I was a bit dissapointed. Being physically accosted by strange men on the steps of Sacre Coeur during the first hour of our trip didn't help, either. I was prepared for all manner of gypsies and beggars and the like, but not burly men trying to separate me from my boyfriend and physically touching us. It really shook me up, and I was a ball of nerves for a lot of that first day. But overall I really did enjoy Paris, and that 3 day trip was a nice romantic getaway for us. I had the "I can't believe I'm really here!" moment a lot.  

This time around I will be going with a friend I've made since I've been here in London, and hopefully meeting up with a friend from Belgium. I am looking forward to a relaxed trip with more time spent wandering around and enjoying different neighborhoods, as opposed to a lesson in Epic Sightseeing 101. There is an artist whose blog I follow, Paris Breakfast, and after seeing so many paintings of delicious pâttiserie and photos of cafés on the left bank, I will have a tourist moment and go get breakfast at Café de Flore. I will also probably leave with some chatchkas as well. Sugar bowl, milk pitcher, teapot, keychain, you name it. I love the green and white motif.

We'll be staying in the 14th arr. in Montparnasse. Last time I stayed near the red light district, close to Montmartre on the Rive Droite. Time for some Rive Gauche experiences. Latin Quartier, Saint-Germain-des-Prés( Café de Flore et Les Deux Magots, here I come), Petit-Montrouge(or rather under it, Catacombs!). 

Someone please tell me where the past 8 months have gone? Because I swear it was only a week ago that I had just arrived in London, stressed out from moving and monumental changes and ready to tackle a new life here. 

So, I've been busy. I finished up with all my taught coursework in March. I wrote a dissertation proposal that is awaiting approval from the Grad School powers that be. My mom came to visit and we went to Ireland, the (probable) land of our ancestors, and had an amazing time. I went back to Ohio for a super short visit. My Aunt & Uncle came to town and I got to spend time with them, which was a fantastic few days for me, as I really love them and never get to see them. and none of that is in chronological order. 

Oh and, I got a job, working for a brilliant small business whose focus is on bringing safe and non-toxic personal products into the UK's awareness. I really love going into work and helping people find solutions to their problems. It's part time, and I hope to be there for a long time. I missed waking up in the morning and feeling excited about going into work.

Next month I'm going to Paris for Bastille Day. I'll be spending time at a picnic for expats and francophiles, with two lovely ladies who run a few podcasts and are generally awesome in every way. I'm bringing a friend, and meeting another one there. I'm looking forward to having a positive Paris experience this time around.

The rest of this summer will be full of work. Work at the shop, work on the dissertation, and hopefully a few weekend trips to other places in the UK. I have friends to see, couches to sleep on, and adventures to be had.

I won't make any promises, but I do think I should be documenting life more. It will be nice to have things to reflect back on.