you like that song, don't you?

Yes, I like all 4 of those songs.
There is something about French 80's music that intrigues me. I have always enjoyed 80's music, but it was never my favourite. But apparently French 80's is my new music preference this month. I'm sure this obsession won't last long.

In other news, Valentin is growing so fast! I didn't see les enfants for almost 2 weeks because they were on vacation, which meant I was also. He is 2yrs and 3months, and is no longer a baby, but a little boy now. He is talking; normally his own made-up language, but occasionally he'll throw in a French word, or repeat me when I say a funny word in English. He likes when I say "bye-bye", and is always repeating that. The other day I was pushing him in his stroller, and he was holding his winnie the pooh stuffed animal, speaking loudly about nothing in particular to the" dou-dou" (French for stuffed toy, or favourite child belonging) as we are walking down the sidewalk. I am crossing the road, and suddenly he throws the animal roughly onto the street and yells loud and proud, "BYE-BYE DOU-DOU!!!!". He also proceeded to remove his little running shoes from his feet 3 times and chuck those on the groud as well during the stroll. I didn't notice until I was a block past. Basically the entire stroll was just me bending down and picking things up. Good thing is super cute.

rearranging on a rainy day

There are so many things that should be keeping me occupied, but the weather right now is annoying. it is preventing any outdoor strolling, which is normally what I do when I have no spending money, and most of my friends are working, and I have the day off. I prefer to not spend my spare time in my room because it is basically a bed and computer, with a few art supplies. I end up wasting time getting lost on the www and then after regretting it. Or I find my bed, and a book and get lost for 2 hours doing that. Occasionally I will get out my box of crafts and see what magic I can work with my scissors.

Today the weather is gloomy and I'm just really not feeling super inspired. I was planning on going to the Musee D'Orsay today for some sketching, but it is closed on Mondays. (As well as many of the galleries in Paris today). I was out this afternoon until around 3. I needed a new turtleneck with a neck that didn't strangle me. So I found a gray sweatery kind of one for pas très cher. There was a sale in the store that was buy one pull and the 2nd is 50% off. I wasn't a very hard customer to convince. I found a thin navy blue over-the-head knit, with a cute little design around the neck. (i just tried to spell neck with a k: kneck, I sincerely thought it was spelled like that at the moment. Thank you spell check.) Anyway, I was pleased with my little purchases. I returned home, as it was beginning to rain a bit, and that damn buy 1 get the second 50% off sale took my last 15 euros I had with me. I think I was doing a better job saving money before I could understand sales-people. Once home I decided today was the day I would finally put my room in order. Last week we removed the wardrobe from my room, and replaced it with a 3 drawer dress, and a portant vetements (clothes hanger thingy - I can't remember the word in English). The bed is now on the opposite side of my (almost) 1-square meter room. This required some rearranging, which also required me emptying almost all of my belongings into the corridor to make room for the moving of the bed etc.... and now I am stuck with trying to find my bed before I go to bed every night. I am having layout issues. I have been rearranging my room literally since the age of 6. I would lock myself in my room for a couple of hours, and use all my strength I could muster at the age of 6 and push my furniture around until I was content with the new arrangement. Unfortunately this room is so small there are very few options for creativity. It is almost in order, and I will post photos soon.

peuf

Last night I went to the China Club* with 4 others. The China club is a three-story jazz bar/resto in Paris. The main floor is a beautiful restaurant decked out in deep reds and shiny black.... it is classy. Beautiful leather sofas sitting across from each other that can fit 3 or 4, with a table in between for dining. This I have yet to do though, because I think I must make a reservation well in advance. The basement is almost as beautiful, with a stage in the corner, for free live music that I assumed was playing every night....but last night, no music. On the top floor is an extension of the restaurant now, but used to be a cigar room (before the law was made just last January 08 that smoking was prohibited indoors in France). Cigar room! I imagine men sitting around in fancy suits, peut-etre even in fancy red robes with ascots smoking their cigars while speaking of politics and trying to be polite. Anyway.... I didn't really eat dinner last night so those 3 glasses of wine last night felt more like 5. And of course, the night ended up with me and one friend at Macdonald's at 2am. I got a happy meal, with apple sauce for dessert.

*The website claims that the China Club is closing down, but the website has not date set, and every time I go, it is still open. I think it's a joke.

These are some photos from last Sunday's flea market scavenging.

petite bulle inconsolable

Here is one of those lames quizzes that I normally make fun of people for taking the time to do. Well, now I am going to be one of those lame people who take the time to do it.

Nine Things About Yourself:

1. Almost every emotion I have is directly connected to my tear-ducts. And for me, crying is therapeutic.
   
2. I hate confrontation, and try to avoid arguments.
3. I am never on time.
4. I love to love and be loved.
5. My passion is making things by hand; being crafty. Cut and paste!
6. My mood is highly effected by those around me. Even by the emotions of films and people in novels.
7. I like to do anything and everything that is cozy.
8. I live in Paris, France! And will never be tired of red wine.
   
9. I carry a notebook with me.... always and everywhere. I feel lost and naked if I don't have it with me. It carries whatever information my brain might forget. Ideas, thoughts, important things....

Eight Ways To Win My Heart:

1. This question is lame

Seven Things That Cross Your Mind A Lot:

1. Do I have my notebook, keys and cellphone with me? k, good.
2. What do I want to be when I grow-up? fuck, I am grown-up.
3. How can I stay in France without being here illegally?
4. I am hungry.
5. Having a vision of an imaginary possibly non-existent piece of clothing, and convincing myself to either find it, or sew it myself because it is so beautiful.
6. Feeling like there is something I have forgotten to do.
7. Looking around me and realizing how lucky I am to be living in Paris!

Six Things That You Want To Do Before You Die:

1. Another lame question. I am just living and enjoying the moment. With some planning for the future here and there.
   

Five Turn Offs:

1. Buying me a yellow rose at the bar.
2. Buying me a yellow rose at the bar.
3. Buying me a yellow rose at the bar.
4. Buying me a yellow rose at the bar.
5. Buying me a yellow rose at the bar.

Four Turn Ons:

1. Not buying me a yellow rose at the bar
2. Not buying me a yellow rose at the bar
3. Not buying me a yellow rose at the bar
4. Not buying me a yellow rose at the bar

Three Smileys That Describe Your Life:

1. 69
2. :D
3. ] ./Xk)
4. ps. I am making fun of this question

Two Things That Make You Cry:
*Please refer to " Nine Things About Yourself", number 1.

One Confession:

Last weekend I pocketed something worth 4 euros from the flea market. The lady at the stall was not letting me haggle! I would have felt guilty, but last time I bought a pair of shit frames for 20 euros! I think it's fair.

The end! The questionnaire continues tomorrow! Youpi!

I just saw the trailer for the movie based on the novel "Twilight". I shouldn't be as excited as I am. But I can not wait to see this!

mon photo

hazeldisco

The potential new name of my blog. For now though, it will remain the header of my blog and I will see if I still like it in a few weeks. Hazel and disco are two of my favourite words.
The Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines them as:

Hazel

1 : any of a genus (Corylus and especially the American C. americana and the European C. avellana) of shrubs or small trees of the birch family bearing nuts enclosed in a leafy involucre 2 : a light brown to strong yellowish brown

Disco

1 : a nightclub for dancing to live and recorded music
2 : popular dance music characterized by hypnotic rhythm, repetitive lyrics, and electronically produced sounds

Two completely unrelated words. This is the first time I have looked up the definitions of either word. Perhaps I am contradicting my previous post titled "your hair is curly, my eyes are hazel". I have always assumed that my greenish brown eyes were considered hazel, but now I am not sure. Based on this definition I would say my eyes are neither light brown or strong yellowish brown.


Also, I can't stop listening to this song "Polaroid Roman Photo", by Ruth, or any French underground 80's music for that matter. But this song in particular....génial! I have been waiting for a song like this for so long. It's been a couple months now since I'd heard a song that I couldn't stop listening to.

your hair is curly, and my eyes are hazel

Bassin D'Arcachon
Taussat

This post doesn't need words; these photos perfectly describe my relaxing weekend I spent in the South of France.

reflections of an english-face living in paris: lesson 1

I have been in Paris, France now for 6 months. Holy merde! This means I have survived the perils of being an English face among the French faces for half of one year. Which has not been easy some times, so I will give myself a little pat on the back. This also means that I only have 6 months left until my Visa is an asshole and tells me that I have to return to Canada. This, I am dreading. Even though I knew after 1 month here that 1 year was not enough. To make things clear, to the few people that read this, I love Canada. Please do not confuse my extreme love for Paris, as hatred for Canada. I love my country, and am proud to be Canadian (woahhhh fromage, I know), and I also love France, so.... naturally duel-citizenship would be the perfect solution!

Life in Paris for me did take some getting used to at first, and I'm sure there are more surprises to come.

#1: People-watching
Parisian's give a whole new definition to this simple care-free hobby that we Canadians partake in every so often; some more than others. Nothing serious though. I never notice myself being watched unless I'm walking alone. The first time I experienced it, I thought maybe I had bird shit on me, or my fly was open, or I had a bit of food on my face. I was surveyed by everyone; people sitting on a patio cafe, people walking past me. I sometimes even be checked out completely, head to toe.... men and women. I was becoming paranoid and almost worried, so I kept glancing in the reflection of the shop windows. Nothing. I looked completely normal. This continued though, and I was no longer paranoid, and thought maybe people were admiring me.... I guess my hair did look extra nice today, or maybe its the new lipstick colour? But no, this wasn't it either. In reality, the French just love to people watch. They will look you up and down, maybe even talk about you with their friends in a cafe as you pass. Sometimes nice things, and sometimes....because to be honest, I've found myself to be doing it now too. People-watching is definitely part of the French culture.
I think a more fitting term for people-watching Parisian style would be .... "People Scrutinizing" maybe?

In other news I am back from the South of France....and am almost completely rejuvenated. Exactly the amount of relaxation I needed. And also, was my first time hitch-hiking! Only one beautiful warm day of sunshine, but it was a wonderful trip nonetheless. I did a lot of thinking, and reflecting, and talking about my options for staying in France for atleast another year. And I have officially decided that after my return from the holiday, it is time for research. I will not rest until I have found a solution to extending my stay here!