Rainy Days Are Good Days Too

This Friday has been great. And for the most simple reasons. I awoke, cozy, warm and well rested to the sounds of the heavens opening up and lightening crackling through the sky. A little sad at first because I knew it’s the last normal morning J and I would have for an entire month. But the thought of waking up in Paris quickly cheered me up again. I decided to take my time coming in to work since the roads were so messy and stopped off to get breakfast – which I never allow myself. Nothing better than a chicken & biscuit with an ice cold coca-cola.

Work was steady and before I knew it lunch had rolled around. I decided to visit Borders and start my newest book, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and enjoyed that for an hour. After leaving Borders, I purchased some lottery tickets (which I never play, let’s hope I win!! I think it’s over $300 million) and was complimented by the cashier at the store that I did not look American, rather European and had the most beautiful smile. After that I returned to work where I had a delicious piece of Johnny’s Pizza waiting for me. This nice older gentleman had decided that I needed to eat more so he was thoughtful enough to bring me a slice, which I thought very nice of him.

All the while it’s dreary outside and everyone’s kinda sleepy, I feel wonderful. I’m buzzing on my Seattle’s Best, on a Friday afternoon, with a belly full of pizza. And I’m really looking forward to the Redbull soapbox race tomorrow. Sometimes life does throw you a good hand, even on rainy days.

Conjecture ce qui?

Hello World, guess what? I am going to Paris, France! Yes, I know its crazy isn’t it? I bought my ticket last week for a week in the gorgeous city and I can’t wait to explore and engulf myself in the French culture. In my clutch of excitement, I’ve been reading tourists books on things to do, see and eat. Language books and even studying a map of the city to familiarize myself with it beforehand. This is going to be the biggest vacation of my life thus far and I can’t even explain with words how excited I am! I have some major layovers and it’s gonna be almost 24 hours travel time but I got a great deal on my package, just $940 flight + hotel on Expedia.com Most flights are that price so if you’re looking for good deals, try them. Also it helps that all of my travel days will be on a weekday.

Some of my friends have been joking with me about going solo (maybe meeting up with someone while I’m there) and telling me that I’m gonna end up like the girl in “Taken.” I’m hoping the cut-off age for sexual enslavement is 16 but you never know. I’m an old woman compared to their standards… and if I am “taken,” send Bill Clinton. If he can get two girls outta North Korea he should have no problem saving me. It’s gonna be so much fun!! My plane goes to Chicago, Germany then to France. I wish I had enough time on my layovers to go out and enjoy Chicago & Germany a lil’ bit but I will just have to save those for another vaca. I was telling J yesterday, I’ve already started thinking about the next city/Country I’d like to visit.

This World isn’t as big as some people claim it to be, I’m gonna see it all! I will definitely be bringing back lots of gorgeous pictures of this notorious romance city. And the Louvre! Oh my God, Venus de Milo, Mona Lisa and the Monet museum. This city is rich in history and art. I may just end up moving there. Alright, I GUESS I should get back to work… blah! Have a terrific day everyone, I’ll be blissfully daydreaming about my upcoming trip.

p.s. I finished reading Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy and it was a magnificent book! I can see why it’s gone down in history as a classic piece of literature. I felt like I knew Anna and eerily enough, our lives have been somewhat similar. If you truly appreciate a brilliantly, sophisticated book, read it.

Au Revoir!

Benjamin Franklin

I recently finished reading Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography.  It was a magnificent read!  He began each day with the thought “what good shall I do today?” And ended with “what good have I accomplished today?”  I loved the little poem that was contained in the book (I’ll have to look up exactly who wrote it):

Let not the stealing God of Sleep surprize,
Nor creep in Slumbers on thy weary Eyes,
Ere ev’ry Action of the former Day, Strictly thou dost,
and righteously survey.
With Rev’rence at thy own Tribunal stand,
And answer justly to thy own Demand.
Where have I been? In what have I transgrest?
What Good or Ill has this Day’s Life exprest?
Where have I fail’d in what I ought to do?
In what to GOD, to Man, or to myself I owe?
Inquire severe whate’er from first to last,
From Morning’s Dawn till Ev’nings Gloom has past.
If Evil were thy Deeds, repenting mourn,
And let thy Soul with strong Remorse be torn:
If Good, the Good with Peace of Mind repay,
And to thy secret Self with Pleasure say,
Rejoice, my Heart, for all went well to Day.

My favorite quote of all time from Franklin:
“Either do something worth writing, or write something worth doing.”

I was telling a friend that it’s kind of sad at the end of the book, it’s almost like you’ve been a part of this other life and as you draw towards the end you know it will soon be over.  But there’s so much more interesting material to read!  I’ve started a book on Nefertiti now.  The Egyptian culture is really interesting to me, I can recall as a child checking out books on the embalming process… what a strange kid.  

So far, I’m enjoying this novel; even though it’s mainly fiction – - there’s a lot of non-fictional information throughout the book.  I’ve learned that Nefertiti was a very important figure during her reign, almost as important as her husband.  She was not only extremely stunning but very knowledgeable and a kind leader.

I’ll update once I’m finished w/ the book.  As the end of my work day draws near, I must finish up some things and prepare for my release.  That almost sounds as if I’m a caged animal at the zoo… which isn’t too far from the truth.   I guess I should be lucky to have a job though.

Have a wonderful afternoon folks!