The Little Things

The Little Things make the best moments!
To start out:

 These little balls of goodness. Basically, mashed potato balls that taste like donuts. Alex calls them round french fries! These make life okay.

 And secondly, French horoscopes. I don't know what it's saying but I do know that at the end it says "Bravo!" so the Universe must think I'm doing something right. Okay!

Back to the rest of my day:
 Today I started off with a short (like really short) run up and down some stairs. I am exhausted but it felt good to get my blood pumping a little.
After that and a nice hot shower, I used my half day to catch up on the LDS Women's Conference! Generally I think those talks are too much about "multiply and replenish the earth", which they are, but after having a new nephew born and me being anchored to children for the next year, I found a lot of comfort in being reminded that children are innocent and need to be taught with love. It sure help put me in the right mindset for a Wednesday :) I love how the gospel can change a day/attitude around instantly.

I attended a phonics class today as well so that I can have the tools to help teach the 5 year old how to read in English. It was great being in a room of adults who spoke English! There is no greater relief than being understood, I swear. It was a fun class and at one point, all of me and the parents were sitting there making "ooo" and "ppp" and "fff" and "wwww" sounds hahahaha. It was like we were back in Kindergarten! Then a nice long time at the park (my fav) and home to a yummy meal.

That's about it! Even the most insignificant days turn out to be the best kind. And I know it was all because of my choice to listen to conference. I cannot wait for this weekend's sessions!! ...In France time, of course.

French class began....BUT I HAVE A NEW NEPHEW!

So Monday was my first French class. Ya it's good, my teacher's nice, the class is easy so far, it moves really fast which is good, there are 15 of us au pairs and I am excited to learn (I better because I dropped half my life savings on this thing).

Anyways, so ya, class is good.

But I have a new nephew so who cares about classes!!! I'm an auntie x4 and I could not be happier!! Little Juneau James Lane was born on September 28th at 7lbs 9oz. I want to hold that little ball of cuteness so bad!! I can't wait to meet my nephew:) Makes me miss my other nephew, Harrison (who just started crawling apparently!) and my nieces, Emma and Kennadie. Goodness I'm having auntie withdrawls!

Juneau, I am so excited you are here and everyone is happy and healthy! A head of thick, dark hair and some rolls are all I want to see right now. Love you, little man!

Coolest Sunday Ever!

Despite our very late night dancing and partying in Versailles, I decided to go to the Paris ward with Emily and Hannah and then we would go out and explore the city on the Sans Voiture day (Paris Without Cars)...some "green" initiative or whatever.

To begin, the 9:05 train that I was going to catch simply didn't show up so there I was freezing on the platform for another 17 minutes. Then as I wove my way through the station and onto the right metro, there was a man, completely unconscious and sprawled on the floor, who twarted my attempt to get to church on time as well. The dude was breathing but even after people tried touching his face, gently slapping his cheeks, he didn't even flinch. That metro was delayed with me on it. But after a problem-filled train then metro ride into the city, I finally made it to church and sat down outside of the chapel.

I truly believe things happen for a reason but with that whole fiasco, I've only got one idea. This sweet Asian girl came and sat by me and started introducing herself. I don't know her name because she has broken English and a very, very Asian name. Like Korean or something. But she doesn't speak French either. We got to know each other and she said that she usually comes with the Soeur Missionaries but came later today and didn't really know what to do...I guess I was the answer! I took her into the chapel with me and she sat with us girls. The missionaries were surprised that she made a friend to follow around and I was more than happy to be that for her. It was a good day of church:)

After church was the cool part of the day though! We walked around the larger streets of Paris, like Notre-Dame and Invalides, then finally made our way to Champs-Elysees, the one road that you didn't want to miss since it was car-free.

On the bridge near Notre-Dame, heading to the other little island that I forget, there were rollerblading performers setting up a little show. We decided to whip out the snacks I brought and sit on the curb to enjoy the show. It is the little moments like that which make the best memories! Afterwards, we headed towards The Marais district and wound through the Jewish District enjoying the sights, the sun, and the smells. Oh, the smells. We stopped by a corner bakery to admire the golden puffs of bread filled with miniature chocolate chips which were coming out of the oven in exactly 7 minutes (we asked). Throwing some change together, we took a lap around the block and, 7 minutes later, headed back in for our fresh Sunday treat. Emily was in charge of feeding the machine our change...she got nervous nd just began dumping change into it as we all laughed at her. "Just take the money, I want my bread!" Hahahaha good times, good times. Scarfed that down on some steps, walked through a flea market, then headed towards the Eiffel Tower/Champs Elysses.

  It was awesome! The road was filled with people from the Arc de Triumph to Concorde and it was completely ours. We saw these people having a sort-of mini picnic in the middle of the road and, since we were starving for lunch, we decided to give it a go as well. We got some baguette sandwiches and plopped down on a little blanket that we grabbed from Hannah's apartment. Immediately, people began snapping our photo left and right, one guy from Algeria asked if he could get a picture with us at our picnic, a wall of about 10 photographers with their huge Nikons and Canons formed and snapped our pic. We had paparazzi and we were lovin' it. Although the pressure was there to suddenly be a "pretty eater" and heaven knows it's not that easy eating a baguette sandwich! Our 15 minutes of fame was basically a highlight to my month in France. But the best part- THE BEST PART- was when a woman and younger guy approached us, asked to take our photo, then introduced themselves as Journalists from CBS wanting to interview us. Hullo!! My first interview. I was over the moon. They whipped out their hand recorders and little microphone and asked us all about our day in Paris without the traffic and how we were celebrating. I was in such shock and awe that I couldn't even comprehend the first question they asked me because I was so googly eyed. (The question was "Is there an 'E' at the end of Cook). Wow, Julia, way to blow that one! Hhahaha but ya, it was a phenomenal day. Exhausting, too!

YSA in Versailles

Via a Facebook event, the details were outlined for this awesome YSA stake event to take place in Versailles (written in French then deciphered by moi) and it was totally awesome!

First off, Hannah, Emily, and I all met at the Chateau of Versailles and went into the gardens together to meet up with the others by the canal. Well, we mistakenly paid to go in simply to walk straight to the unpaid part of the grounds. It was 7 euros out of our wallets, 7 baguettes out of our lives, and 7 euros worth of ice cream that we'd never be able to eat. (Hannah did attempt to get our money back but it didn't work)

So we met up with the group of Frenchies, walked to the temple site, and heard a couple of testimonies in French about "their" temple. It was amazing to hear the pride, dedication, and love that these people have for their future temple. The location is a little funny; right next to an apartment building and a lot smaller than I thought. The street it is located on is kind of in between neighborhood/small convenient stores. But regardless, it is going to be beautiful! And well visited I'm sure!!

After that, we all hopped on the bus and went to the stake center for dinner and a dance! There was a dress code for the dance that was sent out only an hour before we left for the canal so the three of us didn't have time to prepare any cute outfits which was a bummer! It was like a bowtie/suspender type dress for the guys and cute 50's style dresses and pinned up hair for the girls. This was literally our chance to dress up all Parisian-cute and go to the most "French" themed party ever.
As veterans to the Mormon stake dance scene, we expected the lame, cheap pasta and salad feed that is typical of every mormon event. However, when we got there, the small gym had strung lights, cute little triangle banners everywhere, and on the food table was an assortment of baguette sandwiches, quiches of every  kind, homemade madeleine cookies, crepes, Nutella, and apple tarts. If that isn't French enough, I don't know what is. The guys were all decked out in hats and bowties and the girls, well, the girls took this as serious as prom. It was the whole 9-yards for them. Us Americans were standing back, observing all of this and thinking to ourselves, "this was our chance."

Welp, despite our lame jeans and blouses, we took over that dance floor. Well, Emily took over that dance floor. A mix between French hip hop, some foreign rap, and throwback American songs, it was the best stake dance I'd ever been to. A big success!!

Since we all had to catch public transportation home, we had to leave around 11 to ensure that we didn't miss the last train home. After walking out towards the nearest bus stop, Hannah and I ran back in and grabbed some baguettes to go. After all, we already spent 7 unneccessary euros that day and couldn't get them back! By the end of the night both Hannah and Emily concluded, "We need 8-baguette men to make up for that".

Thankful for this church, the activities put on by the leaders, and my two awesome friends!! It was a superb weekend:)

(Real-life) Swan Lake

I was looking forward to Saturday so much this week! Just one of those weeks where the "homesick" settles like a pit in the stomach and the kids are extra difficult. So, bless the weekends and good company!

Saturday Sept. 26th was the Young Single Adult's Institute kick-off weekend with lot's of fun activities planned for the Paris Stake. I was not able to attend Friday night's meeting, but Saturday was where the fun began anyways! I met my friends Hannah and Emily in Versailles before we met up with the other YSA peeps but prior to that, I had fun showing Emily some of my favorite spots in Versailles.


We just so happened to stumble upon a movie-worthy field with a lake full of swans in Versailles. I mean, it was heavenly. (When is France ever not heavenly, though. Let's be honest.)

 ***Notice my Swan shirt. What a coincidence! Along with Emily's fear of birds!! One did actually hiss at her, for the record.

Major Goob.

I make my friends model for me...sorry? So picturesque!

Running/Discovering (New Favorite Place)

So.....I had this grand idea to do a diet because I have been indulging in Carbs, Chocolate, and Cheese for exactly a month now and decided I need to lose the fluff of France. A little update on it's progress: I'm not sure I ever really started the diet. Basically it was "Lay off the Nutella, Julia" and "You can go without eating a baguette a day" kind of diet. Great intention, just didn't really stick.

So to counter the 3 C's of Paris, I'm just picking up my running schedule again. After I wake up the kids and walk them to school, might as well go run before I head to the city for classes. Friday, September 25th, I decided to forgo the trails above my house and run East towards two parks by the Seine. Oh my word!! Most beautiful park I have ever had the privilege to run in. Seriously.

Imagine it: grand fountains that are bigger than my house, fields of grass and hills perfectly edged by perfect forests, trails and paths swirling around the acres and acres of land, sweeping staircases fit for a royal courtyard party, flower beds and shrubs perfectly manicured and arranged in neat rows. And once you reach the top of the staircases, a sweeping view with the Seine, the Eiffel Tower, and the cities of France as far as the eye can see. I'm gonna get married here, I swear. Once again, as I traipsed up and down curving, grand staircases, I imagined myself in an 1800's ballgown, floating down the stairs in between royalty and doting young men. Ahhh, that would be the life. (Before the beheadings)

 Posed running pic, duhhhh

Posing like a statue because I basically live in the land of statues.