Bonjour!

Well this is quite an overdue BONJOUR from Paris! This past week has been both parts crazy and relaxing - and I guess it's fitting that I make my first post on my one week anniversary in Paris! (Let's just go with it...)

I don't think my arrival could have gone much smoother, which was fabulous. Cheers to all my luggage making it across the pond! I'll spare you the mundane details of traveling and just give you my favorite moment - I was taking a taxi from the airport, there was that oh-so-typical Parisian drizzle outside and "La Vie en Rose" came on the radio. We then crossed the Seine and I looked to my right to see the one and only, Notre Dame. I wish I could have captured that moment. It was truly magical (ok enough cheese for the rest of this blog, well that kind anyway... hehehe).

Summer ended in a bit of a craze (moving, packing, work, a special wedding, and squeezing in as many sentimental moments with family and friends as possible, etc.), so this past week I have been taking the time to relax in between getting situated in Paris & taking my french classes. Our professor is the exact opposite of what I expected (so he's entertaining and keeps us all engaged which is amaaazing when you have a four hour class everyday). He wears shirts that say things like "Kill the Beer" and has made Beatles and AC/DC references. Me likey! I'm surprised at how much I remember and don't remember at the same time. It will all come together!

Since there's not much to share yet, I will leave you with some of my favorite summer memories!

Last dinner in Lawrence with some great friends! Yokohama -- I strongly recommend going here if you are ever in Larrytown.  

Kirsten and her maids at her bridal shower! For any non-Minnesotan readers - everyone takes their shoes off upon entering someone's home, which explains our nakey feet (it's a weird MN thing I think?). Also, sorry for the poor quality, snagged this from Facebook.

With my sister, Caryn, my brother-in-law, Nick, and my Mom. We celebrated my Mom's birthday with dinner + dessert at Vic's (get the ribs, you will not be disappointed and you'll have meals for days) and a post-feast walk on the Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis.

The Color Run - a new tradition!

Twins game with Caryn and my Dad! The lime green is a nice touch, no? ;)

With Julia and Tara, my middle school sweethearts, before the bachelorette debauchery began!

The REAL olympics. PS Dan wins for best face- see if you can't guess who he is.

With some fellow Gophers at Kirsten and Noel's wedding!

MARRIED! Congratulations you two, I wish you all the love and happiness in zee world, and then some. Thank you so much for having me be a part of your day, it was incredible. 

Last night at home with Caryn & my Dad!

Okay, okay if you made it this far, I will give you one glimpse into my Parisian lifestyle. This past weekend, I walked around the city with a few friends to soak up the last rays of summer. We were in luck as there was a heat wave over the weekend (sarcasm, you'll get used to it), so here I am taking cool refuge in a fountain!

There are lots of exciting things planned for this year - stay tuned to see what happens! The last few days have brought forth some fantastic plans and I can't wait to get started on them. So I'll leave you with that. ;)

Comment/Skype/Facebook/Tweet/Email (or all of the above) me MAYBE.

(To select adults reading the blog, it's a reference to a song)

Bise! L

PS Bear with me as I try to figure out this whole blog thing. And feel free to comment on things you like/don't like about the blog and my posts - I gotta keep ya entertained!