paris...finally

Well, since the last couple of days at home included getting ready for the trip and, oh, I don't know, a little thing called CHRISTMAS...it actually seemed like I would never make it here...but I did! as I was taking the shuttle from the airport, the driver and I were chatting, me in broken (very, very broken) French, and he in slightly less broken English, about how it now was a reality that I am in Paris on the day after Christmas. Yeah, nothing like driving by the Arc de Triomph, down the Champs Elysees, and seeing an itsy bitsy "Tour" in the distance while experiencing your first hour in Paris to drive that point home.

So, yes, after a drama-filled day of flying on Christmas (never, EVER think flying on Christmas day is an easy feat...it's not!), I have made it to Paris. It is freakin' cold (4 degrees Celsius when I arrived, which you can convert on my nifty little converter so you know how cold it is on the US system), but there are lights EVERYWHERE. And yes, when I was here before, in the summer, I noticed how well-lit Paris was, but times that by about 100, and that's how it is during the season of Noel. It truly is the City of Lights, and everyone is in a holiday mood. Joyeux Noel!

So, here is my reading material for my layover in Philly, and my drink of choice (diet pepsi, of course). So far, so good, except for the evil chaos that erupted at LAX before I had even gotten on the plane (and NO, I was NOT late). I was completely early, it was their fault, and I have eyewitnesses to prove it, about 20 of us almost didn't make it on our flight to Philly due to US Airways lack of organization and ability to post signage...sigh! But, sometimes the best trips start this way, so I know it will still be a wonderful trip!

Coutdown to Paris...2 days to go!

So, for the first paris blog, I thought I'd list everything I have to accomplish before getting on the plane on Thursday morning...
1) Go to DMV and recover lost driver's license (yep, as if I REALLY needed this to happen in the midst of everything else). Before I do this, I have to call about 3 places to see if it's turned up anywhere...
2) Bake sugar cookes, frost them, and eat them...
3) Make mashed potatoes in crock pot, and bake yams for Christmas Eve dinner...
4) Make Mom's favorite cake (German Chocolate, from scratch)
5) Go to the bank and deposit check so nothing bounces...hahaha, this is "DO RIGHT NOW!!!"
6) Visit with Angela
7) Pack
8) Take out half of everything I packed cuz my suitcase is too heavy and repack.
9) Figure out how I'm getting from airport to apartment in Paris.
10) Make my Top 10 for Week 1 in Paris list (Week 2 will happen at the end of the first week)
11) Wrap presents, write out cards, and make sure everything's in order for the Aca Deca retreat I'm leaving on when I get back..

So, yeah, the next couple of days will be a little bit busy. In fact, look above for a great example of what it will be like...but I know it will turn out ok...

have a happy Eve of Christmas Eve!!!

Marisa