Spring has arrived in Paris, France!

Before I forget, check out these pictures- I took them this weekend when I went to Champagne!

Ok, so just got back from class- it's finally beautiful out! Spring has sprung in Paris as the weather forecast (excepting tomorrow) is 16 (57F) and sunny! A great way to start April- for all those readers out there who know me (how pathetic- hi mom, that's about all of my readers - anyway :P) I did some spring cleaning today - hardly sufficient though. Laundry was CERTAINLY in order- that's in the machines now. New sheets, food shopping- cleaned my VERY mini-fridge and my "quarter bathroom" (only a sink- quarter or third?).

So I'm just realizing some frightening things: a. It's April (well, tomorrow)- and that means I'm so close to the end of this wonderfully amazingly ethereal euphoric (sephoric!) experience - which makes me very sad (though I am very happy to see my family and friends) - this friday morning, Jess and I are leaving Roissy (Charles de Gaulle airport, it's what "we" Parisians call it) for a stopover in Francfort (as it's spelled in French) and then landing in Istanbul, Turkey- to meet Meg! I can't wait! Unfortunately, the last weather forecast I checked said rain- but I'm keeping my fingers crossed- Istanbul is an incredibly beautiful and historicc city- and yes, don't worry Mom, Nan, etc. I went on the US State Dep't website and read all of the warnings about traveling in Turkey- and specifically Istanbul, I'm practically half way to a J.D. in Turkish law- so we'll be fine! Be right back, laundry! Not that you're going anywhere...

Never-mind, wasn't done yet. So yes Turkey, then the Ballet on the night of Fri, 11 April, then the next morning Jess and I are going to Vienna (to discover some of my heritage and origins.. ? ). The week after Mom, Dad and Brett are coming (can't wait!!) - then Italy for 11 days, then Valencia, Spain for 5 days - studying for finals and a week in June before I come home. That's fast! So we're not allowed to look forward to anything other than "le maintenant" (what's happening now- that's our rule so as not to help the time fly by faster)

and b. I have two-10 page papers due 16 April that I just got the topics for today- So this week is going to be, yeah (and next week too)- and God knows, with the way the internet works here- I might just commit su. (Now I'm in the laundry room- FYI** ["Eff you FYI, guests should never wear more jewelry than their hosts!" lol for those of you who get that Brenda Dickson reference]). One paper is for art history- it's on the shock of Impressionism at the time, it's immediate rejection and it's later adoration. My other paper is on the euro, the unification of Europe and the new European identity (since the 70's). Then in May I have a 10 minute presentation on the big literary movements of French literature (SEE! I actually do have work!!)

So needless to say, I'm going to get cracking on those. (Sorry for the long post, it's been a while, with 3 weeks of visitors- so I'm catching you up on my life!) This past Saturday, we took a day trip to the region of France called Champagne (2 hours east)- the only place in the world that Champagne is made- otherwise it's Sparkling Wine, Spumante, Shit, etc. We first went to the town of Reims (pronounced "Rahnns)- Oh boy these dryers better finish soon, I don't like a pile of wet laundry..... - Anyway, focus. So Reims is the town in France, capital of the region Champagne- with the largest, most beautiful gothic cathedral. It's like twice is big and decorated as Notre Dame de Paris. Due to the bombing during WW II, many of the beautiful stained glass windows (henceforth to be referred to as the French word "vitraux" because it's WAY shorter) were destroyed. So the famous artist Chagalle replaced a section of the vitraux and they're incredible. The rose windows (see pictures above) are nothing short of breathtaking. This cathedal (C. de Reims, I'll call it) is where the first (Catholic) king of France, Clovis, was baptized. In fact, since then- every King of France was crowned there. Down the street is the Basilica of St. Rémy, which is even older and dates back to the years 500- so it's way different looking- older, obviously, but Romanesque style- also quite impressive. St. Rémy is buried there.

We then had lunch on the main pedestrian street in Reims where they were having an outdoor fair (the weather was perfect) for the French organisation "SIDAction" (in French, AIDS is translated to SIDA)- so AIDS Action- concerts, etc. and we had lunch (with Céline and her daughter, Laetitia) at a sidewalk café - mind you all drinking beers together (not Laetitia, though it wouldn't shock me- she's 5). From there, we went to a town called Hautvillers (where all of the huge Champagne "houses" are - Moet, Taitigner, Mercier, etc. We went to this small church where Dom Perignon is buried - he was the monk that invented Champagne. The view from his church is spectacular- see pictures above. In that church are some ridiculously old relics- bones of Saints (that don't decay- since they're saints- so them Catholics say...) dating to the year 300! (In a gold/glass case- pretty cool - random people though, the mother of St. Rémy, etc.)

The views were great, but we had had enough of the educational part, we were ready to hit the Mercier Champagne cellars hard. We took this cool tour on a train through the cellars and learned about the history of Eugène Mercier, a real advertising genius- during the World's Fair of 1889 (the debut of the Eiffel Tower) the rival of visitors was Mercier's champagne and the Hot Air Balloon tours of Paris, while drinking Mercier. Cool.

The tour was great and all, but then we got a glass of champagne (only one! "Not nearly effective" {another great reference for those who get it}). But I bought a bottle to enjoy with my family when they come here- if I don't drink it before then. They're coming in 10 minutes.

What else? Then bus ride home.
Due to my S.A.D. (Seasonal Affective Disorder), I'm in a phenomenal mood- and will tentatively be for a while! Wonderful (as long as these papers and the lack of adequate internet don't make me hurt someone).

I miss you all very much and love to hear from you- so if you see I'm online, but not there- please leave me a message or send me a quick e-mail! I miss you guys so very much!

Here's a shoutout to KCavs and Kelly who I know always read my blog- my mom reads Meg and Laura's blogs all the time too.
Love Love Love
Bisous