My Survival Award

So this year has kind of metaphorically kicked the crap out of me.  I've been challenged in more ways than I have ever been in a single year of my life.  But I am thriving and surviving and trying to persevere.  While I think of myself as a pretty frugal person that does not tend to splurge very often, I decided to splurge on something to reward myself to getting through this tough year (or at least the first half - I have to believe the worst is behind me).

What is that reward?  I'm going to Paris!

Before this whole unforeseen relocation, my plan had been to go to Paris in April if I passed level 3 of the CFA.  But then I got relocated and life got turned upside down. Shortly after moving, I realized that even if I do find out that I passed the CFA next month, an April trip to Paris was not in the cards for me as next April will mark one year in Charlotte, and I have no idea what the future holds after that.  Planning a trip to Paris just wasn't responsible as I just might be moving at that point.  Who knows.

So I had resigned myself to the fact that a trip to Paris just wasn't in the cards for me until 2015 most likely.  But then I got to thinking...  maybe I could go to Paris for Thanksgiving.  In the back of my mind, it all seemed very unlikely, but I decided to look at airfare, and if it wasn't exorbitant, and if the guy I rented an apartment from in 2011 had one available in the Latin Quarter, then I would go.

Well, it turns out that there was in fact an apartment in the Latin Quarter available for rent AND the plane ticket was not ridiculous.  It's not cheap by any stretch of the imagination since Charlotte is not a hub for international travel, but it was reasonable.

So I ran the idea by a couple of people who know me well, and are honest.  The response I got was basically "YES, OF COURSE, GO!"

And so I am going!!  I will be in Paris for 5 days in late November!  My flight is booked and I've signed the contract on an adorable apartment in the Latin Quarter, which is an area I haven't stayed in before.

I'll wake up to this view...

Why yes, that is the Notre Dam in the background!

And this is where I still stay...

I might not come back.  (Just kidding, Mom).

It all still feels like a dream to me at this point.  Part of me feels guilty spending the money (even though I have more than enough in savings), but a bigger part of me knows that I need and deserve this trip.

The thing is - this trip just might be what saves me.  I know that sounds dramatic to say, but there is just something special about Paris.  Even though it's far from my roots of North Dakota, going there feels a little bit like coming home.  I always come back from Paris feeling happier, more full of life, and honestly, more full of hope.  Now, more than ever, I need to be filled with those emotions.

And in the end, Audrey Hepburn said it best when she said:

"Paris is always a good idea"

Lights out...

Good morning and Happy Thursday! Today is my Friday since I leave for France tomorrow!!!

Just a reminder, for the next week or so, the lights will off on this blog. Instead I'll be posting over on my France blog. The first post is up! Click over if you'd like to see what I'll be up to during my vacation in France!

Au Revoir!

Time for a Soiree!

I do not know how this is possible, but the weekend of my 30th birthday has arrived. I know I sound like a broken record when I say this, but where in the heck did the last year go? Or the last 5? Seriously!

My 30th birthday party is tonight and I am so, so excited! It will be a small party with family and close friends. I've been thinking about this party for months so it will be fun to see it come to fruition!

Luckily, two of my closest friends are hosting the party so I have had lots of help! Of course, it will be a French-themed 30th - what else would you expect from a Francophile like me? Before I even started to think about the menu, I was shopping for the perfect dress! I purchased this dress back in November during a Shabby Apple sale! Stripes strike me as Parisian and I like that it has sleeves - I think it'll be the perfect outfit for my soiree!

Here is what we'll be serving! Not everything is French-themed, but the majority of the aps/sweets are!

• Baked Brie
• Olive Tapenade
• Gourgeres (French for cheese puffs)
• Spiced Pecans
• Stuffed Mushrooms
• An Assortment of French Cheeses w/ crackers & French breads
• Proscuitto wrapped chicken
• Macaroons
• Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

I am sure I will have pictures to share next week!

Be sure to stop back on Sunday - I'll be posting my thoughts on turning 30!

Au Revoir - I am off to the kitchen!!

Looking Ahead

First off - thank you so much for all the sweet, kind, encouraging comments. One good part about going through something difficult is that I am reminded how many amazing people I have in my life!

Yesterday's post was a heavy one... Yes, I am sad and I miss the Barrister, but luckily, I have so much to look forward to. 2010 was a tough year for me - both professionally and personally. I was not sad to ring in the new year. But I am hopeful and believe that 2011 holds great things for me.

So I will take my eyes off the rear view mirror of life. I will work on letting go of all that happened in 2010. Luckily, I've got lots of exciting things to look forward to:

• Sister time. I'm flying down to Tucson over MLK weekend to visit my sister Abby and and her husband. I can't wait to thaw out and see the sun! While I'm there, we'll drive up to Phoenix and visit one of my best friends who had a baby in December. I can't wait to meet my faux niece, Elle!


• Meet Me in St Louis. Days after the break-up, I bought an inexpensive plane ticket to visit Nora! I'll head there the last weekend of January. I can't wait to discover her city, meet her mom and dad, enjoy some Mexican food, and maybe take in the penguin exhibit at the zoo!


• 30. On February 6th, I'll exit my 20s, and enter my 30s. I'm still struggling to wrap my mind around this as I don't feel like I should be turning 30. Ready or not, though, here it comes. I'm having a French-themed 30th birthday party (of course, what else would you expect from a Francophile like me) and am looking forward to celebrating with family and friends!


• An American Girl in Paris. The week after my birthday, I'll fly to Paris where I'll spend 8 fabulous days! I'm renting an apartment in the Marais and will chronicle my journey on my France blog. Hopefully you'll hop over there and follow along (I'll remind you of the address when we are closer to my departure).


• Cherry Blossoms. In April, I'll head to DC to run the Cherry Blossom run with Charbelle! I'll be staying with Becky! Mandy is meeting up with us as well, and Charbelle is staying with Jess, so it will be quite the blogger meet-up!!
  

The first 4 months of the year will fly by with all the trips! I heart traveling so am so excited!

What are you looking forward to in 2011?

And the planning begins...

Do you remember when I told you that I was going to Paris to celebrate my 30th birthday? I haven't really talked about it since then. Not because I am not excited - mostly because it didn't feel real.

Sure, I had exchanged emails with the landlord in Paris and signed a lease for my amazing apartment, but it still didn't feel real.

Well as of yesterday, it feels real. Why? Because I finally bought my plane ticket! I had been watching flight prices for the past months but finally accepted the fact that the fare just wasn't going to go down. So I sucked it up and paid a bit more than I was hoping.

And now I feel like the planning can begin! Since I am returning to a city that I am very familiar with, I don't feel as much 'pressure' to plan it all out.

Last time I was in Paris, I had an excel spreadsheet with lists of things to do each day of the week (ahem, I am a bit anal).

This time around, I want to leave more time to wander the streets and see where the city takes me. I want to leave more time to sip coffee and read a book. I want to leave myself open to exploring museums that I stumble upon while walking around.

But there are a few things I am researching as they will require more planning! Here are a couple of things that I am hoping to do while I am on my trip:

• See an opera or a ballet at Le Palais Garnier, most likely on Valentine's Day.
• Take a day trip and tour the Beaches of Normandy. I think my late Grandfather would be proud of me for making that a part of my trip. Plus it's something I am super interested in seeing, especially after watching shows like Band of Brothers & Saving Private Ryan. It makes me sad that I won't be able to talk to him about this part of the trip.
• Visit the Chateau de Versailles. I didn't get a chance to do this last time I was in Paris so I definitely plan on checking it out!

I am not sure what else I will do on this trip, but it really doesn't matter because I will be in my favorite city! And the great thing about traveling alone is that the trip is totally mine to plan. I get a lot of strange looks/comments when I tell people that I am traveling to Paris alone for a week, but I am really excited to have a week to myself (although I will really, really miss the Barrister).

What are your thoughts on solo travel? I've done trips alone in the past and really enjoy traveling alone. I know it's not for everyone, but when people don't approve or think it's odd, I wish they'd keep those thoughts to themselves! Sometimes I get tired of explaining why I enjoy solo travel!

A guest post, 4.28, and other deal breakers

Happy Wednesday, everyone.

First things first - have you ever wondered why I fell head over heels for Paris? If so, then head over to my friend Amber's blog - I did a guest post about Paris over there today! Amber arrives in Paris today. Oo la la I am so envious! I told her to give my love to the city that captured my heart!

Today is a day on my calendar filled with many celebrations. It's my oldest brother & his wife's 9th Wedding Anniversary! I tried to find some pictures to scan in from their wedding but the photos must be tucked away in storage! Today is also one of my college friend's 30th birthday's. I'll be joining her tonight to raise a drink in celebration! That will be me in just under a year. Yikes! Time to get going on that 30 before 30 list! I'll be posting an update on it around the 3 month mark, which is just over a week away!

Click here for a little refresher on how I feel about the date, April 28th. Long story short - me and men born on April 28th are just not compatible. 2 of my significant ex-boyfriends were born on 4/28/81. What are the chances?

Everyone seems to have a 'deal breaker' list of some sort. Well, having a Birthday on 4/28 is sort of a deal breaker. Ok, maybe I would make an exception if I really, really liked the guy. But most likely, if I find out he was born on 4/28 - syonara, nice to know you. Let's skip all the heart ache and just go our separate ways.

It's a unique date screening strategy, don't you think?

What are/were some of your dating deal breakers? In addition to the 4/28 birthday thing, smoking and treating the wait staff poorly are all on my deal breaker list...