Just got an email back from the manager of the concert I wanted to see that was sold out.  I’m now on the guest list and will be photographing the show as well.  All thanks to a friend in NYC.  :D

My first full day in Paris is complete.

My flight here was one of the best flights I’ve experienced yet in all my traveling.  I wasnt anxious or tired or stressed.  Everything went smoothly and I slept well.  I even sat next to a nice old man who was a camera buff back in the 70’s.  We had loads to talk about.

After getting situated on my room I went for a little walk and grabbed some lunch at Le Goncourt Bistro just around the corner from my flat.  After a few funny language barrier moments with the waitress I ordered Beef Bourguignon and a cafe creme.  Both made me a happy happy gal.

I definitely feel lost without my phone here.  I have to make sure I know where I am headed and have a good map before I head out.  I went on a long walk to a concert venue to purchase a ticket to a show on Friday..  I went the long way by accident.  Turned out to be a lovely walk along the Pere Lechaise. The venue was closed and the tickets are sold out anyway.  BUMMER.

After all that I was ready for a nap.  I woke up when one of my flat mates came home.  Edward made me tea and gave me chocolate and proceeded to be adorable and charming. Although he didn’t have to do much. I would have thought that anyway. haha…

I’m actually here.  I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face all day.

I really really wish I knew the language better.  I feel like the only word I’m capable of is “merci”.

But I have to remind myself, i’ve only been here a whole 12 hours now.

Carried my luggage up 5 flights of stairs. I’m really glad I went for the medium sized luggage and only 3 pairs of chausseurs.

Met my flat mates. Three very attractive French men.. Weeeeeeee!! Haha.. I mean, Oui. ;)

Today I dressed in shades of blue and green I had selected for my flight.

Sleep is a wonderous thing.
Last night I was cursing my suitcase and my limited wordrobe for the next 7 weeks.
I was doubting the harebrained decision that brought me to this precipice of the journey I’m about to go on.
I could only be grumpy about the idea of it all. What was I thinking?!

Comfy blue and green tweed skirt with tights and tall black boots. A blue lace cami under a denim button up and my retro blue dress coat.

Comfy for traveling and well dressed enough to get first class if it is available.
I checked the mirror. I saw a classy lady.

I went through security and the female TSA agent gushed over my outfit.

Yep, I’m ready for Paris.

“she turned her cant’s into cans, and her dreams into plans..
” – Kobi Yomada

In 30 days I dive head first into the adventure of a lifetime.  I am so excited I could just jump out of my skin.

Are you a dreamer?

Do you have hopes, desires and aspirations for yourself and your life?  It wasnt until recently that I very much identifiy with that label.  I have always been this way, and I have in sense, made a life for myself because of my willingness to chase those dreams.  When I first started photography years ago I did it because I enjoyed it… I didnt really know I could make a career out of it..  but I dreamed of be able to have that as my career.  Here I am 8 years later…   my dream a reality.  Living a life that is fulfilling, challenging and rewarding because I took that step into the unknown.

I am heading to Paris for the next two months.  I’m also taking a lil trip to Morocco and Amsterdam while I am abroad.  What is the point of dreaming if you dont try and make it a reality?

A couple years ago I said to myself I would love to live in the beautiful city of Paris for awhile.  If you’ve read the Alchemist, then you understand the sentiment of how the universe can conspire to help you once  you make your intentions known.. and I feel like just that is what has happened..  I couldnt have orchestrated my life better this past year to prepare for the freedom that I now have to leave my life here and just “Be” in the City of lights.

So off I go in just a months time to be and breath and live.  Someone pinch me.

“To love is to suffer. To avoid suffering, one must not love. But then, one suffers from not loving. Therefore, to love is to suffer; not to love is to suffer; to suffer is to suffer. To be happy is to love. To be happy, then, is to suffer, but suffering makes one unhappy. Therefore, to be happy, one must love or love to suffer or suffer from too much happiness.” – Woody Allen