From the City of Lights to the Left Coast

Taking a fast train to Paris tomorrow for a weekend in my favorite city. When I lived in Paris in 2002 I found myself hating it at times. Just like a poor hungry beggar would resent the festive meals seen thru fogged windows, I resented Paris' unattainable entertainment due to my lack of cash. Not that I have much more money now, but spending just 2 days in the City of Lights will be invigorating. I love the abundance of shops, people, activities, and the beauty of the monuments and Christmas decorations. I love using my intimate knowledge of the city to show others around. I look forward to seeing the Eiffel Tower illuminated by Christmas lights and the smell of roasting chestnuts on the street.

Monday I will be taking a direct flight from Charles De Gaulle to LAX. I am not stoked about security or customs, but some evils are necessary. To say that I am excited about being back in Cali is an understatement. It has be miserabley cold here for the past few days (-1° C at the lowest) and I look forward to wearing t-shirts and seeing the sun again. I hope that I have the will power to get back on the plane and return to truly freezing conditions in a town that is about as exciting cold white rice.

Have I mentioned my latest escape plan? Last week I received my long term visa (carte de séjour) that is good thru the end of '05. This is truly a blessing as it gives me the right to work and others only received permission to stay thru July '05. I guess being a sweetheart to the lady at the front desk and always keeping my smile really paid off. Anyway, I will be heading to the French Riviera in April to find a job in a bar or on a tourist sailboat and work thru August or September. All I want to do is lounge on the beach during the day and take money from drunk tourists by night. I am living the life.

If I don't update while I am in the States, I would like to wish everyone a very merry Christmas and a happy and safe New Year.

Burritos and Burgers, here I come!!

You have 7 days...

Birthday Summary:
So the Fete de Lumières was cool and the party I threw Friday night was pretty entertaining too. The fete in Lyon was exactly as I imagined it. Packed with people, lights everywhere, vin chaud (hot wine) for sale on the streets. The birthday party that I threw was pretty cool. We ate lots of cake, watched The Ring, and played hide and go seek in the dark in the highschool. Have I mentioned before that there are no bars or clubs in Romans, thus the cheesy party.

So I am coming home one week from today. I am so freakin excited to get the hell out of Romans for a decent amount of time. Also that fact that I am going to see my nearest and dearest all over Cali just makes me feel like I won the lottery.

This week should fly by. I have been christmas shopping everyday and am about to go out shoppin again right now. I think that I am taking more presents than actual luggage. I am trying to get a case of champagne thru customs, does anyone know anything about this?

More exciting posts to come this week...

Today is my 23rd Birthday!!!

Hello faithful readers and filandering browsers,
Today is my birthday and once again I will be spending it in France. The big 21st was in Paris and now the not-so-big 23rd will be in not-so-big Lyon. There is this huge Fete de Lumières held in Lyon every 8th of December to honor the Virgin Mary's protection of Lyon from the Plague. Of course that now translates into wicked light decorations all over the city and a big party in the street. Heading up there just as soon as I am done with this posting.

So let's talk Christmas vacation...

I have received a few messages from peeps who want to chill while I will be back in Cali for a brief time. If you would like to have lunch or a drink with me, email me. I dont have a cell anymore in the States so I am having to set up meetings before hand.

I might be in Santa Cruz from Dec 26-29 for all you NorCal kids out there. Lucy, Jenny, Katie, Kristina, Becky, looking forward to seeing all of you. Let's Party like it is 1999.

And Grandma, I am very excited to see all of the family for New Years at your house. Save some onion dip for me.

Love-
Lex

Can't keep a secret

Here it is... I am coming home for Christmas!! Dad took pity on my pathetic non-existant Christmas plans and decided to fly me home. I am so excited! Gonna eat mexican food within minutes of getting off the plane and kissing the ground. Life in Romans is all the sudden not so bad. See y'all in a few weeks!!

Just when you thought it was over

Last night I received a phone call that changed my whole outlook on life. I have been in a foul mood all week. My birthday is next Wednesday and that always wears on my spirits. In combination with a lonely holiday season in freezing France, I was starting to get depressed. But then my phone rang while I was paying for some groceries and everything changed. I have been erupting in fits of joyous laughter all day for the knowledge I received has set my spirit free.

Who called me and what did they say? The truth will be revealed in a fortnight.