Instead of having the “writers block” problem I self-diagnosed a few weeks ago…I’m begging to have an “excessive-blogging” problem. Hey, I guess I just switched from one extreme to the other (hopefully for the better). Ever since I downloaded Picasa (sorry, photoshop- you’ll still always be my first love) it’s been SO easy to make collages of my trip. All you have to do is select the photos…and then BAM- it’s placed in a visually pleasing order (which I love). Plus, Picasa has this cool “upload to blogger” button that saves an incredible about of time.

…okay, enough of my Picasa ranting. ANYWAY, if you do not know this already, my parents have been visiting me for the past two weeks here is Paris. In all honesty, it’s been like a breath of fresh air having them here. Being able to invest in those little things I usually take for granted (like napping while having TV on in the background, eating home cooked chicken noodle soup when I’m sick, or having someone to talk to about home) has been so incredible. It was wonderful being able to show them a little of Paris through my eyes & show them what I have grown to know and love in this city. Although I am sad about my dad’s depart (tomorrow), my mom is still here for another week! We have planned a trip to Brussels for Thursday and I can’t wait to see what Belgium has to offer (besides waffles and chocolate).

So I know this entry was a short one, but I just wanted to post two more picture collages (I’m hoping you’re not sick of them already). The first is just a FEW of the Eiffel Tower photographs I have taken since I have been here. Like I said, I could fill up an entire computer hard drive with these pictures. I guess that’s what happens when I have an obsession with Ruby (my camera) and Paris (that breathtaking city I live in-it’s still SO weird saying that). The second collection of photos is what I like to call “Patterns of Paris”. I’ve noticed that my eyes are always open (and constantly looking) for creativity in every form possible (I blame my artistic mother and father for that one). I tend to snap pictures every now and again of the patterns I see in ANY thing (bridges, broken down doors, old pillars, in a cemetery, or in a church)…and to my surprise, they kind of became a cool little collage. I’m sure there will be more patterns of Paris coming soon, so don’t you worry. I think it will be a nice project to look back on at the end of my trip and it helps exercise my creative mind each and every day. I hope you enjoy these photos, because I know I do.

Seeing how often I’ve been posting, I’m sure you will hear from me soon. Miss and love you all. Now, it’s time to explore!

Eiffel Tower Obsession

Patterns of Paris

 xox, mer.

Look at this! It’s only been one day since I posted my last entry- this is definitely a new record for me.  I’ve decided to post another entry to fill you guys in with more photographs…because who are we kidding, everyone loves photographs! Below are some pictures I have been taking in my Urban Social Photography class. I absolutely LOVE this class and it is by far my favorite. I hope you all appreciate the beauty of Paris just as much as I do! Thanks for looking. There will be more coming soon!

xox, mer :)

Hello all! Before you become angry at the fact that I haven’t been keeping up with the blog as I promised…let me tell you one thing; I FEEL REALLY GUILTY. I have this problem I will address as “writers block”. I will sit in front of my computer telling myself I NEED to write an entry, just one little entry…and my fingers won’t move. I’ve come to realize (after speaking to my roommate Shilpi about the problem we both share) that I just need to START typing…and the rest will just flow.

            So it’s officially been an entire month since I’ve arrived in Paris. Wait a second…ONE MONTH?! I genuinely tried to listen to everyone when they told me this would be over before I knew it…but honestly-where did the time go? I read over my previous blog posts before I started this one (in case I forgot what a blog was…) and it’s extremely humorous to me how much I’ve adjusted to living here. A month ago, I was a frightened little American in a city I barely knew, dying to get to know the world around me…and now look at me? I truly do believe I have become so comfortable here, and pushing myself into this situation (like I did) was the best route for me. I couldn’t be happier with my time already spent here in Paris.

            Since we last talked, I’ve had SO many experiences. Let me just list a few and try not to bore you; I’ve spent a day on the beaches of Normandy, I’ve climbed up (what felt like) a MILLION stairs of the Arc de Triomphe to witness a beautiful view of the city, I’ve had a picnic in front of the Eiffel Tower with wine, a few baguettes and close friends, I’ve visited the Lourve (for a homework assignment) and Notre Dame, I’ve attempted to make crepes with my roommates (and they weren’t too bad), I’ve taken a field trip to the biggest wine cellar in Europe (and touched a 22,000 euro bottle of wine), I’ve spent hours in Puces de Paris Saint-Ouen (the largest flea market in Paris), we’ve adopted a new roommate (actually, he is a tomato plant) that we named Henri, I’ve been at loss for words when I stepped into the Sainte-Chapelle church, and I have become closer than ever to the people in my program.

            I don’t want to make this blog post extremely long, but I have so much to say. My weekends are already looking really full here, which makes me SO happy. I have already booked my Fall break trip to Italy with my roommate, Cathryn (we will be heading to Rome, Naples, Florence, and then Pisa). We are still in the process of searching for cheap tickets to Dublin and Amsterdam for a few long weekends. I cannot wait until I get to see Emily (even if it’s just for a day) and have Sam be here for 10 days. Being able to show the people who I’m closest to where I’ve disappeared to is going to be absolutely incredible.

            There are still so many places I want to visit, so many things I want to do, and so many experiences that are waiting to be discovered here. I cannot wait to see how the next three months will be. I have put together a few photo collages for you to see, please enjoy! I SWEAR I will do my best at trying to keep blogging my little heart out. Even though I am having the time of my life in Paris, I do miss home at times. Sending love from the city of light!

Sainte-Chapelle

Puces de Paris Saint-Ouen

The Louvre

Eiffel Tower Picnic

Pere Lachaise Cemetery

Notre Dame

xox, mer :)