Over the Counter Drugs and a Great Friend

"What can I bring you? I've got Tylenol, Aleve, Benadryl...." my friend Ana offered, concerned about my laryngitus voice over the phone.
It's true, I absolutely love Paris, but a few things that can really cloud up my rose colored love affair with this city:

1. Being sick and single in Paris.
2. Not being able to go to Walgreens, CVS or even Wal-mart to pick up a few over the counter drugs.

Oh, how I miss American drugs. Why don't the French have over the counter drugs? Why don't they have the good stuff, like Tylenol, Robitussin or anything cold and flu?

Thank God for good friends in Paris

...and thank God for wonderful Parisian desserts! (all of them)

Just last week Ana and I were laughing and talking over her home-made pizza and wonderful French pasteries.

One week later, I was sick with a cold. Thank God for American friends in Paris who bring a few extra over the counter drugs back with them. I'm almost over the mysterious cold, no thanks to French meds or a French man.

A Social Mixer in Paris

I have to admit, sometimes my blog life has a hard time keeping up with my real life. And there's a big huge difference in the two.

In my real life here in Paris, I am working towards keep my life balanced, between friends, family, health, fitness,creating a business, accomplishing personal goals, managing finances, becoming fluent in french, and creating and keeping a strong spiritual foundation.

In my blog life, I am focused on "Just Living, while doing my own something in the present moment." Those present moment are captured in the photos shared.

This post is from a moment of living last week at: The Controversial Manual's Social Mixer held at Le China.

Instead of writing about the event myself, I will simply link to Paris Insights, the blog of Monique and Tom. (the couple who invited me to the social mixer) where you can read more about last weeks event. 

meeting Florence at the Metro

"I thought smoking was not allowed in the metro stations." I asked my French Friend Florence, the night we met For the Controversial Manual Social Mixer.
"It's not permitted", she replied in French, "It's strictly forbidden." she mumbled with a cigarette dangling from her mouth.
"Hold on. Stand still." I said, as I snapped her photo. "This is appropriate for a controversial evening." I thought to myself.

Inside Le China where the Social Mixer was hosted

Florence, Florence and Monique

Sarah and Courtney

Florence and Florence (I love having a Parisian friend with the same name!)

A corner of The Social Mixer

A Social Mixer

This was just another night spent with a few good friends in Paris and another reason J'aime Paris!

We Will Never Forget - Moving Forward in Peace 10 Years Later

The 10 year anniversary of September 11th 2001 was remembered in France as well as the U.S.

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President Obama reads Psalms 46 at Ground Zero.

meanwhile, The American Church of Paris hosted a memorial ceremony at the Statue of Liberty in Paris.

Statue of Liberty, Paris 11 Sept 2011 (she intentionally faces New York City) We will never forget.

We came from all walks of Life to remember today.

The Progrem (double click photo to enlarge)

U.S. Ambassador Charles Rivkin

Peace from Paris.

Pastor Scott Herr, American Church in Paris

His Excellency Ambassador Rivkin lays the wreath for victims and heros.

An earlier ceremony took place at Place du Trocadéro



No matter where we are, we will never forget in moving forward towards peace.

Heavy Winds and Rain on a Saturday night Dream.

Heavy rains and high winds on Saturday night reminded me of Hurricane Irene as we enjoyed a few cocktails and dinner at a cozy corner cafe. "I have a feeling, nobody's going anywhere, any time soon." my friend leaned over and whispered to me, just as our other friend got up to snap a few photos.
"Ah, yes. I agree, nobody's leaving right now." I replied as I pulled out my camera to capture the photos from where I was sitting.

There's nothing like sharing a comfort food dinner (Roasted Chicken and beer), great conversation (Paris Goals, Success Stories, and Blessings), and laughter with a few friends on a Saturday night in a corner Parisian cafe while a cool "tropical" breeze blows past.

We're all going to be here for a while....

As the tropical storm rains pour down outside.

Walking home, after the storm, chestnut trees show signs of the battering rain and wind as chestnuts and leaves covered the sidewalk.

The Seine shares a cool fresh breeze as I cross the bridge on the way home. 

Even with heavy rain and high winds, the evening was still perfect. (this is still my dream in Paris after all).