Life after London

My french co-worker placed a news article on my desk this week; this part caught my eye:

"The architect Frank Lloyd Wright once said that if the world were tipped on its side 'everything loose will land in Los Angeles'."

--Matthew Garrahan, "Diverse city looks beyond challenges.", Financial Times Tuesday, October 28 2008.


I was going to say that I found this true - I'm loose (okay, not in that way) and I find myself likely drawn back to the city that raised me : )

A Parisian Weekend

It was my second time going back to the city of l'amour. The first time, to be honest, I wasn't too impressed. I decided to give the place another chance since my gal pal has now moved there for a fashion internship.

I had a GREAT time : )

The highlight was really attending the ballet at the famous Opera House. It's where the Phantom of the Opera is set. Looking down at the staircase at the main foyer, I couldn't help but hum "Masquerade" to myself.

I also ate far too much: Pastas, pain au chocolat, baguettes, creme brulee, fruit wine, cafe au lait, macaroons and drinking chocolate...

I still have little desire to live there, however. Maybe only for a short time...

Himmel der Bayern (Barvarian heaven)

I returned Saturday evening from Munich. It was alternately beautiful and thought-provoking.

The beautiful part:
It was warm the first night we arrived. I wore a light, turquoise cardigan out to dinner and was quite comfortable. It's autumn (for the places that actually have seasons) and the trees were turning shades of red and orange - I had never truly experienced the happiness of "fall."

The food was delightful. I think I ate my body weight in sausages, potatoes and apfelstrudel.

My newest goal is to learn German - I may need it someday when I live there...who knows?


Thought-provoking part:
I saw Dachau. I stood on the very grounds.
I had a long think about it on Sunday afternoon.

Brit Input on a Foreign Election

I received my ballot in the mail!

Doesn't mean I'm any closer to deciding which bubbles to fill in...

This weekend I took a short trip outside London to Richmond. It was absolutely beautiful - but that's not the point.

On the way back on the train, my British friend asked, "Who are you going to vote for?"

I said that I wasn't quite certain yet and asked his opinion.

A woman sitting in a nearby seat poked her head around and asserted herself, "Excuse me. I don't mean to intrude on your conversation, but I just have to say that if you vote for McCain, he's going to die and Sarah Palin will take over..." She continued a very forceful attack on Ms. Palin. We amusedly returned to our private conversation, but I heard words like 'Russia' and 'war' spew from the seat behind us. The woman's elderly companion touched her knee in warning, however, the British commentary continued.

Always interesting to be a bearer of controversy : )

I've made my decision. I'm going to decide this Tuesday & mail it off!