EAT, Pray, Love

So, you may be wondering, "Madison, how have you not gained 30 pounds since you've been in France?" Well I have. And this is an example as to why.

Today was another outdoor market or marché. My plan was to buy some strawberries and maybe a few clementines. Instead I walked away with 20 euro worth of food. I don't even... I just kept seeing these beautiful things and had to try them! I regret nothing.

My purchases: Salami, goat cheese, half a baguette, cranberries, olives, clementines, strawberries and some sort of gummy candy covered in powdered sugar.

I mean, how fantastic is that?

Goat cheese, salami and a hot baguette. These are the things that make life beautiful.

I don't know what these are, but they looked fun and ended up being quite delicious.

I don't want to miss anything so I've decided to just embrace it. Eat, Pray, Love and what not. I'm leaving soon, and won't have access to such a wide array of palatable and saporous cuisine so I'm just going to say, c'est la vie!

-M

PS I changed the settings and I think that anyone can comment on my blog once more!

See You Soon. Literally.

Two Months.

Nine Weeks.

Sixty-Three Days.

Where the where did time go!

-M

Loolahbah-what?

In one of my classes the teacher decided to teach the class "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." Today they were practicing the lyrics without the music. The teacher said a phrase, then the students repeated. They started with the first verse:

Some-vhere over zee ran-boo

Way up -iyyyy

Zere's a land zat I -eard uuuf

Once een a loolahbahloo.

Loolahbahloo? Wait, is this Dr. Seuss or something? After hearing them say these lyrics I could not recall the real ones, nor could I figure out what the what a loolahbahloo was. They kept saying it over and over again and it confused me even more. I thought, Okay either I've sung the wrong lyrics my whole life, or they are pronouncing a word so incredibly wrong that I can't even guess as to what it is. It happened to be the latter of the two when I finally remembered the lyrics {after 45 minutes} and realized that loolahbaloo is lullaby.

Crazies.

Also, please prepare yourself for what could possibly be the best photograph I have ever taken. Ever.

Remember how much I love the metro? Remember how much I love the metro troubadours? Well I thought this metro love could not be matched or surpassed until I witnessed the performance of a metro singer/dancer.

The doors opened, he set up his music apparatus, positioned himself in the space between the bars, put his head down and took a few breaths. I was completely overcome with excitement. I was practically jumping up and down in my seat, in fact I might have been.

Then the dancing began.

Oh reader. It was magical. Fist pumps, spins, down on one knee, jumping, head {and heart} clutching, arms reaching out to metro riders. He even sung. I just. Words truly escape me. I don't know if I can ever adequately express how much this even meant to me. I can honestly say, that my experience here in France may just be complete. Ah I wish I could relive it over and over again. I LOVE THE METRO!!!

PS This is what I should have done to that crazy man that was freaking out at me at the metro stop.

-M

Easter in France

(http://parisbreakfasts.blogspot.com/)

So in case you were wondering, I thought I'd share a little about the Easter holiday in France. Easter, or Pâques, is celebrated in pretty much the same fashion as it is in the States with a few differences. Instead of an Easter Bunny bringing eggs, they have a tradition of the "Cloche Volant," or the Flying Bells. French Catholics believed that on Good Friday, all the church bells in France flew to the Vatican, and bringing with them the misery and grief of those who mourn Jesus' crucifixion on that day. The bells then return on Easter Sunday and bring chocolates and eggs, dropping them in the garden. Parents ask their children if they hear the bells that have brought Easter surprises. Along with easter egg hunts children also have chocolate bells, fish, chickens, and more recently, bunnies.

Happy Easter!

-M

(http://www.frenchfriends.info/culture/easter-paques-traditions)

AHHHH!!

MC keeps eating my food!!!!!!

Hello! I can barely afford to buy my own groceries!

Ugh.

-M

Happy Easter Weekend!

I went to an activity at the Institute this evening and we made little chocolates! It was delicious fun!

This is Betsy. I love her!

SO GOOD

-M

This is where I get to work on my fitness

I know stopping to take a photo every five steps somewhat defeats the purpose of exercising, but really, how beautiful is it where I live?

Ah the light post!

J'adore le printemps.

-M

The last few days

This is just a splash of photographs from the last few days of my mom's trip. Most of them are of food, but it wouldn't be my blog if every other pictures isn't of what I'm about to eat, right? We had the most magical time here in Paris. It was flawless and I wouldn't have changed a thing.

The red things are delicate little rose petals.

I know I made such a fuss about disliking macaroons, but I discovered that I LOVE the vanilla flavor. It's delicious.

Oh, Champs Elysées

Oh look! Heaven comes in a box!

Raspberry tarte model?

Oh. My. So much love for this dessert.

This is such a classic Parisian scene. Basking in the sunshine, lovers gazing into each other's eyes, lounging by fountains. What a life.

My mom wanted to become more "creative" with our photographs instead of having all of the same smiling pictures over and over again. I admit I was unsure of it, especially when she wanted to take a jumping picture at the Louvre...

but then I wanted to do it too.

Okay. I really am not leaving.

Berthillon ice cream, along the Seine with my mom!

We had a lovely lunch at a café facing the Eiffel Tower. So fantastic.

Maline's last day.

11 euro. Ugh.

Luxembourg Gardens

I love the tree and the streetlights in this photo. And the air is sparkly!

Quite possibly my most favorite place in Paris.

Paris, je t'aime.

Maline's last meal!

Mussels

Escargot!

Rabbit

Duck

Creme Brulée and Tarte Tatin

I just love my moim so much and although it is sad that she has to leave, we had the most perfect two weeks! Oh my heart is utterly happy.

-M