Friday, April 27, 2007

A few Parisian Images


This is Napoleon's Suite at the Louvre. This picture for me seems to be Paris at it's most elaborate. It seems throughout the city you see bit and pieces of this decadence from the buildings, decor, and amazing food. The government has very strict standards for the quality of food brought to Paris, I haven't eaten a poor quality meal yet and today I even tried steak tar tar mixed with Dijon mustard's, and it was very nice!

Chateau De Vincennes. As far as I know this was a church in one the Kings Courtyards before he moved to Versilles. I've seen a lot of Gothic architecture while being here in Paris and I still feel in awe every time I come about a church like this. To me these churches represent hundreds of years of my own Christian heritage. When I visited the Notre Dame with it's many religious statues it actually made sense that they we're there to visually remind us the many beliefs we have. I understand now, especially since most people used to be illiterate when the churches were built and the service was always in a different language, Latin. It was really nice, to just see religious images, very peacefully somehow.



Notre Dame!

Cabby and I near her apartment.



I was lucky enough to briefly meet a photographer on this bridge in Paris. So I asked him to take a few pictures with my camera. I'm having so much fun, I can't believe how much I love it here. Paris is by far the most beautiful city I've ever seen, I just wish I could speak french. It would be incredible interesting to live abroad for a year and learn the language. Maybe one day when my children need to learn french. :)



Sunday, April 22, 2007

A lazy Sunday afternoon in Vincennes

Today Cabby and I went to meet one of her great friend Eddy. He surprised us with a row boat ride in Vincennes. It was such a great way to spend and hour. We had to walk for a little while to the find the park so when we arrived it was especially nice to dip our feet in the cool water.

Friday, April 20, 2007

Cabby's Apartment



The view out Cabby's window.



Catching Cabby strolling through her mirrored living room.



Me in Cabby's kitchen about to find the much needed coffee.

Mom I'm sorry but you haven't had pastry until you've tried this. Pain au chocolat, french pastry with chocolate inside, oh my, we'll be running downstairs every morning for this!


After we spent all day shopping here we are taking a much needed espresso break.


First Night in Paris



First pic in Paris

I had a very short flight, or at least it felt that way thanks to a pretty good sleep on the plane. When I arrived in Paris Cabby and I jumped on a train, then a metro and I was back at her apartment within an hour. Once we neared her apartment I couldn't believe how many well priced shoe stores line the streets. Cabby responded, "oh yah I live in the shoe district!" I'm very glad I didn't pack a full suitcase!



Here I am for our first night passing by the Arc de Triomph on our way home. I arrived at Cabby's apartment, we had a snack of melted chevre over tomatoes, basil, and rye bread and then into the shower I went to get ready for a night on the town. On Thursday nights Cabby meets a select group of her close friends at a pretty night club near the Champs Elysees from 7pm to 1pm. Everyone arrives at the door with printed email invitations dressed in work attire. In other words the men are all wearing dress shirts and pants and I thought thought they looked great!



I forgot to mention the big allure of the 7 to 1 parties is that it's 12 euros at the door, you receive a light but very flavourful buffet dinner and then one champagne glass which everyone continuously refills at the bar until 9pm. I couldn't believe that on my first night in Paris I was drinking unlimited champagne with Cabby!


Here are Cabby's Parisian friends who were exceptionally nice to me and have taken me under their wing. They all speak some form of English but were shy to do so until they'd had a bit of champagne. However later in the evening they decided I should be attempting french so my rule of thumb is if someone speaks to me in English I try to respond in French. I'm actually surprised at how much I'm remembering.

I'm sooo excited to explore the rest of Paris for the next 2 weeks, and honey I miss you already!

Monday, April 16, 2007

Paris

Wednesday I'm leaving it all behind and heading for 12 days in Paris. I'm extremely fortunate in that one of my best friends Cabby who I grew up with has lived there for 2 years now and of coarse is very fluent in Francais.
Right now I haven't done too much for preparation except listen to an ipod podcast of French basic phrases in my car one morning. After about 20 minutes however my face started become sore from trying to pronounce merci through my nose. I can't wait though, my goal is to have a a few mini conversations with people in francis, you know like ask, were is the bathroom in a restaurant. "Ou est le salle de bain." "Combien est le cher sac", "Combien pour les soulier" Yes I plan to shop for all my spring clothes in Paris this year!

Besides that I absolutely can't wait to just spend time with Cabby and see what her world is all about. I want to meet all her friends and run around the city with her and see all her favorite spots. Expect pictures, as their shall be many.

Hmmm now I'm feeling just a bit excited. :)




Today I was googling were in Paris I'll be staying, here you can see all of Paris and the green arrow is were Cabby lives.

Paris

Wednesday I'm leaving it all behind and heading for 12 days in Paris. I'm extremely fortunate in that one of my best friends Cabby who I grew up with has lived there for 2 years now and of coarse is very fluent in Francais.
Right now I haven't done too much for preparation except listen to an ipod podcast of French basic phrases in my car one morning. After about 20 minutes however my face started become sore from trying to pronounce merci through my nose. I can't wait though, my goal is to have a a few mini conversations with people in francis, you know like ask, were is the bathroom in a restaurant. "Ou est le salle de bain." "Combien est le cher sac", "Combien pour les soulier" Yes I plan to shop for all my spring clothes in Paris this year!

Besides that I absolutely can't wait to just spend time with Cabby and see what her world is all about. I want to meet all her friends and run around the city with her and see all her favorite spots. Expect pictures, as their shall be many.

Hmmm now I'm feeling just a bit excited. :)

Crack Shack Reno

My brother his girlfriend Michelle, and Quentin and I have taken on a renovation project in Port Moody. It is probably the most disgusting residences I've ever seen, but that made for an exceptionally low purchase price. I thought it'd be fun to blog about our renovation process. Yesterday was our first weekend there and we spent days ripping everything out and cleaning. You'd think we'd be overwhelmed by the end of the weekend but actually everyone was tired and exhausted but really excited. It's defiantly one of the more interesting things I'll do this year.

Okay this is hilarious in my books.



I'm totally one for looking as cute as possible in every situation but this is simply ridiculous. Here is Victoria Beckham flaunting cleavage and mid-drift while SKIING. LOL the dumb things us girls do to look good. LOL

Friday, April 13, 2007

Very Funny!



You just know this kid knows exactly what to say to really get his Mom going!

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Cammie in the Congo

Cammie used to be a realtor at HomeLife but has since decided to dedicate her time to building orphanages in the Congo of Africa. I haven't know Cammie long but after her last visit home, I'm finding myself checking her blog and wondering how's she's doing. I find it very fascinating how she can just leave western civilization and live a completely different life.
I think some of us are really called to do this type of work and for the rest of us well it's our job to support them.
I've never been to Africa but after having other close friends who have, I really think it's something I'd like to experience... one day. I also just watched the movie Blood Diamonds and after I really wanted to know why such a beautiful place with so many resources could be so doomed. Of the people I've talked to one was actually born there and now lives in Delta BC and the other is Cammie of coarse. Both mentioned the sad reality of Voodoo magic as a very negative force in Africa. I was given the impression from my two friends that we really take for granted the Christian morals our western culture is built upon. I hope I'm not being to bold to assume such strong beliefs about another cultures way of life, but regardless of beliefs you can't deny the amount of tragedy you hear and see all over the media about Africa.
So like I said most of us aren't called to do this job but at least we can try to be supportive. I'm weary of donating to big organizations because I don't feel it's personal and it's confusing how my money will actually be used. Cammie however is someone who for me is local and especially needs monthly support. So for those of you have thought about supporting someone who's local and very dedicated, but weren"t sure who, I'm vouching for Cammie. Good luck Cammie for the next year, may your work flourish.

Monday, April 09, 2007

Carly's Party



Adorable birthday girl, Carly!



My tenants threw and amazing party this weekend. They had tiki torches, a huge bomb fire, a disco ball mounted on a telephone pole and a great barbecue! Everyone had so much fun!



Rob, Hadley and me being goofy in the kitchen.



Rob quite possibly one of the funniest guys I know.



Candice serving coffee and bailey martini's, which we drank a few too many of.



A picture with Darryl the party creator.



My partner in crime!



lol, pre-hot tub... post the vodka is now all consumed...



Being posers with my girls.



Me.



I like this fire pic.