Un petit désastre

Today was a bit of a disaster early on. The morning started out fine. We went to Angelina, suggested by Michela, for some hot chocolate and breakfast. It was really tasty. Aside for Chino's Jus au Citron (which was essentially squeezed lemon juice).

Another day in Paris + ESCF Ferrandi

Today Chino and I got an early start, even though it feels like all of this running around is catching up to me. Not quite rid of the cold/SARS yet, but I'm working on it. We strolled through Luxembourg gardens and then had breakfast at Bread and Roses. They had yummy brioche:

Perusing the Paris markets

So apparently everything closes on Sunday. No shopping. Not many bakeries are open, and some restaurants even close. So unfortunately my plans to hit up Bon Marche, Kookai, and Etam were foiled.

What do Parisiens do on a Sunday? Relax and hit up their local market. We found ourselves at the Bastille market. And no, I am not stalking David Lebovitz so I can be like an old lady and ram him with my non-existent rolling shopping bag. They do have beautiful seafood, produce, flowers, and breads. We even picked up some goodies for dinner and some samosas to snack on.

Pretty flowers:

Sugar rush

Seems like Chino and I did nothing aside from eating sweets yesterday! Started off the morning w/ some pastries and headed up to Sacre Coeur. Its quite a hike, but this time I chose a metro station a bit to the Northeast so it wasn't too bad.

Here's Chino looking like she's going to push me down the stairs:

Versailles

So Chino and I went to Versailles today. I've been to the palace before, so I camped out in the gardens (and fell asleep) while she did the tour. We then took some pictures in the garden... silly poses.

Chino in Paris

Today I picked up Chino at CDG. Though she looked a bit tired, she perked up when I handed her a pain au chocolat. I was able to go the place that Joan recommended and scarfed down mine in a matter of seconds. No self control whatsoever. But its great to have Chino here!

Fat Tuesday

Mardi Gras took on a new meaning tonight at home. More like...make you fat Tuesday. Chino and I started off the night decently with some Vietnamese rice noodles (banh cuong) and then some chicken porridge (chao ga), made by yours truly.

Temple of doom

No, I didn't go see an Indiana Jones flick, but this was even more terrifying. Today consisted of changing the oil in my car, running errands, knitting, and reading. Quite uneventful so far.. or so I thought.

Chino came to pick me up around 9:30 to go celebrate Alex's sister's bday. We met up w/ them at a restaurant called Koh Samui & the Monkey. Loved the name.. the drinks all had something to do with a monkey. After last week's debacle, I decided to abstain. We then went to Tom Collins where Chino convinced me to have one drink. Yes ONE drink, and ONLY one.

We then went to a club called Temple around the corner. I feel like a list should suffice for the rather shitty experience there:

1) $20 cover charge.. rip off.
2) Freezing cold!
3) Tacky fake fireplaces that didn't help with line item #2.
4) Enough sacrilegious Buddhas that would give the Dali Lama a heart attack.
5) Infestation of asian guys. I felt like I was back in Vietnam.
6) Weird guy who did this dance that looked like he was taking a crap on the ground.
7) Club cleared out before it was even closed.

On the bright side, the company was good and I attempted to get my money's worth by getting some exercise on the vacant dance floor. Clubbing hasn't been all that fun lately.. as if somethings missing.

Since my mantra of the year is "hope", I think it would be more than adequate to say that I hope to god that we never go back there.

Twilight

Okay okay.. so I'm not a teenie bopper, but the books are damn good! And yes I know Stephanie Meyer isn't a good writer. But the books are just addicting. I'm in the middle of book three and just printed out the leaked "Midnight Sun".

Finally saw the movie last night with Chino and Wendy. I'm buying that movie. I'm buying the boxed book set if I like Eclipse/Breaking Dawn.. or maybe just the collector's edition of Twilight. And maybe a cardboard cut out of Edward (for my cousin of course). Oh and by the way, Edward playing the piano? Hot. Obsessed? I think not... okay maybe just a little.

Donut wheel

Donut wheel always brings back good memories. Its one of those places that I'll always hold close to my heart (and stomach). Now it just seems to be packed with high school/college kids who obviously can't find a better place to go study.

Some fond memories:

- Mom buying me and Dave each a custard filled bar (chocolate for me of course) and dropping us off at day care where I swear to god the other kids were about to lynch us and take them off our hands. I was a terrified 3 year old.

- Coming home from college and going out for late night donuts with the girls.

- Drunken 21st birthday thrown in the backseat of the dodge diplomat with my legs hanging out the window and trying to order donuts. Probably slurred a lot.

- Late night donut missions.. sometimes alcohol involved.. sometimes just good company.

Last night the girls knew what would hit the spot. Nothing like an old-fashioned chocolate glazed donut to cheer me up.

Lunar new year part 2

Saturday evening was Margie's (Lynda's future daughter in law) bachelorette party. Suffice it to say, I overdid myself. I hit an all time record low. Thank god Chino was there to pick me up several times (figuratively AND literally). I love that girl. Oh what would I do without her? I'd probably be dead in a dumpster somewhere...

She's so cute!! Before the night went downhill: