New Blog

So after migrating from Tumblr to over here, I decided to move back to Tumblr. So I present to you: lechoufleur.

Sleepypants

I kinda miss a lot of stuff about France. I'm sure the people around me are getting way-sick of hearing about little Parisian things every so often. But I can't help it—I gave that city four months of my life. While this really isn't a huge amount of time in the grand scheme of things, it seems that way at times. I'm glad to be back, but every now and then, my brain defaults to thought such as, "What's Chloe up doing tonight?" or "We should go back to Tribeca this weekend" or "Oh my goodness I need pistache Ladurée macaron right NOW."

I do not miss my 7 flights of stairs. Or that damn turnstile they installed at Parsons Paris to track our attendance.

I still feel a little at-odds with things back home. Most of my studio mates seem to have gotten considerably closer since I left. I can't relate to any of their experiences last semester. I know, I know, this is what happens when you leave, things change, people change, blah blah blah. That doesn't mean that I like it. I know it's my own fault for leaving. I'm glad I did it—I got to do some pretty cool things and meet some pretty sweet people. I would do it over, despite all the things that weren't so awesome. I guess I'm still just adjusting to the things that have changed in four months (which is kinda lame. I mean, come on. I've been back for like a month).

STILLERZZZZ WOOOOOOOOO PARTY BURNITDOWNBITCHESSSS

This city. Is Insane. Tonight, while out amongst the post-Steelers Superbowl riot in the streets of Oakland, I saw:

1) an 80-year old woman hobbling down the road, making kazoo noises and waving a Terrible Towel (which I still don't understand) 2) two people climbing up on street lights—one was shirtless and started using the crossbar to do pull-ups 3) A handicapped parking sign pulled out of the ground 4) a guy kick a handicapped sign off a light post 5) a bonfire in the road 6) baby trees pulled out of the ground and lit on fire (very 1800's angry villager) 7) more people than I've ever seen before in this odd, excited little city.

I have now seen Pittsburgh at it most interesting (and ridiculous).

Let me just say that Annie's boxed mac and cheese is delicious in a pinch, especially when you throw some mustard and cayenne pepper into the cheese. Delicious.

Oh and I'm back in awesome ol' Pittsburgh. No more France. I updatez soonz. (I realize I've been saying that for a long time now, yes? Such a bad little blogger).

Wham, Bam, Thank you, Ma'am

Last two days in Paris. I have a lot of running around with the family to do before I return to my native land. Mom and Alice have been here since Sunday; Dad and Bea arrived on Tuesday. It's nice to have my family over here, even if my place is way too small to comfortably accommodate five people. But I'm super-glad they're here. We haven't taken a vacation in awhile, and after four months alone, it's refreshing to have so many people I care about around, even if it means I (or someone else) has to do dishes every two hours. I also got to watch my father and sisters devour half a jar of Nutella in about 20 minutes. Which was truly breath-taking.

Christmas was pretty awesome. We had a great dinner at Café du Commerce, which is one of my favorite restaurants in Paris. I've eaten there at least once each time I've visited. The only downside was that they were out of crème brûlée when it came time order dessert (and I think the waiter was slightly mocking me when I tried to clarify what he was saying). I'd been looking forward to a Café du Commerce crème brûlée since I got here, so you can imagine I was a tad disappointed. But dinner itself was delicious. We took Chloe out with us, and it didn't seem like the experience was too painful—always a positive.

The All-Consuming Addiction

If I could only eat one more thing for the rest of my life, it would be macarons from Laduree. I went and got a box of eight on Friday. Having just eaten the last one a moment ago, I am already fighting the urge to go buy more.

Behind

So behind on blogging. After Eugene left the onslaught of final projects began. As soon as things settle down a bit, I'll sit down and write another really long obnoxious post offset with way more pictures than anyone cares to see. And that's a promise (aren't you just so damn lucky).