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).

French Visa Renewal -- First Appointment, So Far So Good.

This afternoon was a clear reminder of my status in Paris. "Immigrant". For some reason I like the term "foreigner" much better, but today I was clearly an Official Immigrant as I followed the stream of non-Parisians through the prison like enclosure and security of the immigration office. My one-year visa expires in a few months and it was recommended to start the renewal process early.

I was pleasantly surprised (once again) of the efficiency of the French immigration process. The office was located in a modern building and the processing system was set up very similar to the DMV system in the states, only an almost modern luxury interior with state of the art numbering system and modern design wooden seating. Very clean, very impressive.

Within 20 minutes of passing through the security entry, I was given a number, called to Window 4, processed and on my way back out the door. Done!

Granted, this was my initial renewal visit, so I was only registered and given a second appointment date to return with a list of documents. My only concern is that the return appointment is one week prior to my actual Visa expiration date. (I'm going to trust the "system") The required documents are basically the same requirements as the initial visa: Photocopies of Passport pages, Bank Statements,  Proof of Living arrangements in Paris, copy of the initial visa, and the one exception (now needed) is a translated copy of my Birth Certificate.

The only part of this renewal process (so far) that annoys me, is the birth certificate translation requirement. However, it's only a minor document to take care of, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the actual renewal process will go smoothly in a few months. So far, so good. On my way back home, I decided to snap a few photos of the area to share with those who's lives don't involve a visit to the immigration office.

The immigration office was just around the corner from a very modern "Paris".

My Immigration office (based on where I live) is very close to La Defense.

Yes, this is Paris...well, actually this is the La Defense Area, just above the 17th Arrondissment.

La Defense. 

Once again, my experience with the French Immigration was a pleasant surprise, since I have only heard horror stories of crowds, long waiting periods, and rude administration. For this initial renewal appointment, I was in and out the door in less than 30 minutes. (I decided to arrive at 3:30 in the afternoon...so maybe I missed the morning rush?). Today was just one more day to add to my reasons for absolutely lovin' life in Paris!

A Place of Yes and a Margarita in Paris.

My younger sister's enthusiasm for this book (look left) has rubbed off on me as I watch her blazing through exciting goals and accomplishments in her own life in Las Vegas. She's fueled by her new BFF, Bethenny Franklel's book "A Place of Yes".

I bought the book. I'm inspired! From my own place of yes, I've decided to change my personal motto from "Just Live." to:

"Do your own "something" in the now."



Martini and Croque Monsieur meets (almost) Skinnygirl Margarita 

Bethenny Frankel also created the Skinnygirl Margarita , a product which I don't think has made it to Paris. Inspired by her anyway, I ordered the margarita and a croque monsieure to celebrate, discovering my "Place of Yes",  the last few days of summer and the beginning of a new season in Paris.  

Walking Home, just a random photo of Eglise de las Sainte-Trinte

...still walking, no matter how many times, I see the sparkling tower in the evening, it takes my breath away.

My place of yes, is still someplace in Paris...(to be continued).

The End of Summer.

On a random Monday summer afternoon, I decided to hop on the bus to capture a few more summer photos. Summer is coming to an end and the reminders are all around the city.

Traffic becomes more lively as the summer ends.

The "Paris Beach" begins it's depart.

The Summer is ending, the cars will be back soon.

Parisians are slowly returning to the city for "Rentree", who knows what changes the next season will bring? I'm looking forward to them all.
Although I love all four seasons, Fall and Spring are the best times of year in Paris with a few days in Winter (when the Christmas Lights come out) and a few mild days in Summer for bike rides and picnics.

Here's to changing seasons!