2.1.11

sunday




I left for Paris one year ago. I was greeted with snow, cold feet, and a cup of tea. I slept for fourteen hours, spent hours bumbling about Monoprix, and in a bout of mal du pays, plowed my way through every television show Sally Field appeared in. I slipped on ice, fell once or twice, lost many pairs of socks, and managed to get a large blob of red wine out of cream carpet. I idealized Paris plenty and found my idealizations were, more or less, quite true. My days there were not terribly carefree; Lord knows they were hardly perfect. They were often rotten, miserable, and worn out like my tired shoes. And yet, I reflect fondly, miss that city like a bat torn out of hell.

I don't care much for New Years or other things which call attention to time. I'm troubled enough as it is by such thoughts. However, not all the almond champagne in the world can loosen my dear memories. I suppose this is my poor attempt at well-wishing! Here's to hoping!





17 comments:

  1. what you said about time, it struck a chord. i have always wondered why New Year's was something i preferred to ignore. i'd sleep through it, most of the time, and still do.

    love the photos as always and it's hard to miss a place that gave us so much of ourselves.

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  2. Beautiful. I mourn for every day that passes, but it's hard not to get caught up in the sentimentality of a new year.

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  3. To accomplish my retreat from the ridiculous hustle, I prefer to think of every day as a new beginning and the 1st of January just one among them. Because it ain't really nothing more. Whatever it is to bring will be received with open arms, since we tend to lack any other choice.

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  4. best wishes to you for 2011. I'm also one to ignore the celebrations of the new year i'd rather treat it as another day x

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  5. I idealize my rotten few days in Paris too--that city always gives you exactly what you need, even if it's a soggy sandwich and lonely train rides.

    And yes, here's to hoping!

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  6. New Year is just that but I do make resolutions, only ones that are pleasure filled & effort free. I may be in a bubble but it's one that gets me through January :)

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  7. Great post. It's funny what you remember most after you've left. Happy new year!

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  8. These photographs are so cute.
    I adore the car!
    Anna
    xx

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  9. i fully agree with you on new years. as someone who has, not so much regrets as just wishes, new years is just another time to reflect on how little i've accomplished during my time on earth so far. i fell asleep as the clocks chimed 12; it was just another night for me.

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  10. Your Paris heartache takes me back to my own 2004 January departure to the city of lights. I still can't fully wrap my brain around that contradictory experience. So many days of beauty and loneliness. Those 5 months seem like a long grey dream now (that I wish I could dip back into).

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  11. beautiful photos and beautiful memories. thanks for sharing. i treasure my year in europe.

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  12. oh!! i know exactly where this car is!!!

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  13. I really like your blog, and your pictures, and your writing. My sister studied abroad one semester and she loved it, but complained about the cold showers.

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  14. If I ever switch from my to a car it would have to be a car like one of these...

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  15. I always find something new on this blog please share a post about Footwear new trends

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  16. i LOVE the picture with the yellow bus!

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