Looking back at 2012

Here is the much needed, much overdo, recount of where my adventure abroad has taken me over the past few months. I have been terribly negligent of le seizième and find it rather disappointing I've not managed to share the countless stories created since my arrival; however, it does serve as a testament to how busy I've been with my many discoveries and experiences!

So, back to the beginning. You may be wondering what le seizième actually means. This title, with its excessive vowels and mind boggling pronunciation, is the name of the area in which I am so lucky to live. Le seizième means the sixteenth, as in the sixteenth arrondissement of Paris. Paris is divided into twenty quarters which are called arrondissements, and le seizième arrondissement is where I call home.  It is a quiet neighborhood inhabited primarily by families and the elderly, and I love it. 

So why do I in my early twenties, fresh out of college, and quiet fond of having a social life enjoy this neighborhood that is most often described as painfully boring by my peers. To me le seizième is the village of Paris. It truly feels like a small French community while still being in the big and bustling city. Walking down the street I am always surprised by the burst of english words amid the hum of the french language, a rare feeling when living in such an international place. I have my local corner store at the end of the street, three boulangeries(1), three strictly produce markets, two fromageries(2), two boucheries(3), and two flower markets all within a five minute walk of me. The architecture of the neighborhood is truly beautiful with it's winding roads lined by elaborate building facades that could easily be mistaken as historically significant, and in fact many of them are.

Although I have allowed myself much time for wandering around the neighborhood, le seizième might still consider me as merely an acquaintance. There are so many more nooks and crannies left to discover, and I intend to seek them out vigorously as I continue my grand adventure.

(1) bakery
(2) cheese shop
(3) butcher's shop
(4) street

My lovely little rue(4).

I adore these house boats that bob along the closest part of the seine to me.

View from the Eiffel tower looking out over the 16e arrondissement.

Bonjour et bienvenue à 2013!

Bonne année à tous!(1)   2012 proved to be a year of spontaneous decisions, cherished memories, and major life changes. While I recognized how much I grew throughout my time at UCSB, I know this next chapter will be the most challenging yet. A challenge to identify my life path, seek out my aspirations, and make things happen for myself. I've never felt such a duality of excitement and fear than I do about this new freedom. Though already six months out of school, I still feel as if I am a fresh graduate. The road ahead of me stretches wide with possibilities and an undetermined direction.

The beginning of each year is characterized by new beginnings, new possibilities, and new goals, all which are often then translated into the both valued and despised (when we actually dare to address them): New Year's Resolutions. This year my New Year Resolutions are vast and varied, exciting and daunting. Naturally, many of them focus on where my feet will hit the ground next and how to make sure I'm running when they do. One of my more immediate resolutions concerns this blog, and to devote as much time to it as I do mange(1) -ing on croissants. The following posts will serve to share my stories up to the new year. As I look ahead at 2013 I resolve to faire la mise à jour(3)  this blog for my loved ones at home and my future self to look back on, a future self that I also resolve to discover.


(1)Happy New Year everyone!
(2) eat
(3) keep up to date

Rainbow over Paris after a rainy climb up the Eiffel Tower.

To want to, is to be able to.

Sun and smiles to look forward to this year.

wise words from a lovely lady

weekend discoveries

I decided to take advantage of the amazing weather this last samedi(1)  and spent my day outdoors. I started at Blvd. St. Michel and wandered my way along the the seine, across Îsle de la Cité & Îsle Saint-Louis(2) and explored the northern part of the 5ème & 6ème arrondissements. Paris was packed with tourists and locals alike savoring up le soleil(3). I found a beautiful poster for my room and a copy of Voltaire's Candide from the booksellers along the seine. I grabbed some delicious sorbet while faire du lèche-vitrines(4). Stopped to admire Notre-Dame and Hôtel de Ville for awhile and found a pop-up cultural exhibition on African diasporas and independencies. I also happened upon a weekend event called La Parisienne organized to promote women's health. So many things to see and do here!

(1) Saturday

(2) Two islands in the middle of the seine river

(3) the sun

(4) window shopping, literally "window licking"

There are so many treasures to find at the booksellers along the seine.

An impressive array of outrageous shirts I saw on Isle Saint- Louis.

The beautiful architecture of Notre-Dame

Notre-Dame.

Women partaking in aerobics under the la tour eiffel at La Parisienne. 

Hundreds of women lined up along the bridge for a marathon around Paris at La Parisienne.

African diasporas & independences exhibition in front of Hotel de Ville.

Framboises et mangue.

One of the many love locks on pont l'Archevêché.

Pont l'Archevêché and Notre-Dame.

Some beautiful dahlias from rue Clèr market.

Inspiration

Vivre.

Captured in the neighborhood

Blvd Emile Augier after the rain.

One of the many spectacular sunsets I've seen from my family's window.

My morning run.