everyday i'm shufflin'...

So for those of you who are unfortunate enough NOT to know what this is...I introduce you to the world's greatest dance move: the shuffle. The song is pretty dang awesome also. Yeah, it's pretty dumb, but it gets in your bones and you just gotta dance!

limited time? go to 3:40 and start watching....AWESOME!

It's pretty much the theme song here in Paris because everyone sings it and then once someone starts singing it, we all have to shuffle to it...doesn't matter if we're in front of the Eiffel Tower, or in the metro station, or walking on the cobble stone. Everywhere, everyday! It probably doesn't help that I also start my mornings off with this song. It gets stuck in my head. :)

So anyway, the shuffle. It looks quite simple, but really...it's quite difficult. But after you learn...you will look freakin' SAWEET! So I have found a tutorial for all of you and I urge you to learn it right now. It is really for your own good! haha

BUT if you don't have time, simply watch the music video and THEN you will make time. Promise.

P.S. Sorry for the little bit of inappropriateness in the tutorial :)

the BIGGEST grave yard in the world!!!! ...ok ok, only in Paris.

Yesterday was Monday. We didn't have class. Yes. I love study abroad schedule.

So we went to lunch and then went to Paris's largest grave yard--Pere Lachaise cemetary.

I went there with my family my freshman year of high school when we visited Paris, but it was a little bit more interesting this time around, as I knew who a couple of the people buried there were--only a couple. HA! I need me some more culture to fully appreciate that place ;)

Anyway the couple people I knew there--or should have known at least--were Oscar Wilde, Moliere (who we have recently studied here in our French Lit. class) and Jim Morrison.

Oscar Wild is a well known author who was apparently gay. I guess it was a big deal back then because everyone and their mom kisses his grave with lip stick. Lip stick is everywhere!! ...let's just say I would never actually kiss that being the minor germaphobe I am. Ew.

Jim Morrison. I'm not really a fan, but I got a picture with it just to say I did. That's really it. Haha

Today we had class, but I am now done at 3 pm instead of 5 pm because my photo class ended last week. Once again, I love study abroad schedule. It's so nice!!

We have a new professor though--Doctor Hudson. Professor Olivier is back in the states and Hudson is here to take over--and we have LOTS of fun things to look forward to. On Thursday morning we leave for Normandy for three days and I. Am. Stoked. So excited!!

But today, we simply ate treats and talked about our excursion. YES!! I introduce you to the millefeuille:

Well tomorrow should be full of more surprises!! Take it easy and see ya soon!

religieuse? like a nun? no, a pastry.

Yesterday was FILLED with food. And it was de-li-cious!

For lunch, we met up at a Couscous restaurant that our professor suggested we go to because he apparently has found that this is the best place in Paris for couscous...and apparently the most expensive also. ;)

But I decided with the first bite that it was worth every centine! Yumm! It was so good. I just love food and this was wonderful food.

After couscous...and a much lighter wallet...we went to get MORE FOOD at another delicious and expensive place our professor suggested...worth it once again! It is a fancy pastry shop called Carl Marletti and we tried the religieuse, which is basically two cream puffs stacked on top of each other. They are both filled with a very rich and very think chocolate pudding-like substance and topped with ganache. Then in addition, there is a hazelnut icing that is lightly added to the top. Oh my! It literally changed my life and my mouth is watering just thinking about it. Gahhhhh! yum.

Today, we went to church and it was the longest church I have ever been to. Ok, so I might be a little bit dramatic with everything, but my attention span is about 45 minutes and we had ward conference today. Ward conference here is different--it's basically three hours of sacrament. Then, to top it off, church went over about a half hour. Ugh. I need to work on focusing my excitement and enthusiasm on church... instead of food. ...like that'll ever happen... ;)

But after church, we hit up Sacre Coeur and it was awesome! It's quite a walk up to the church, but once again...worth it! (sing-songy voice) not only was the church and the view beautiful, but there are musicians that just perform and invite people to sing and dance with them It was literally like a karaoke bar outside in front of the Sacre Coeur...drunk people included. Ha!

It was a great afternoon, but now I think I'll take a nap. :)

I think I'll move in...

Versailles.

That's all I have to say.

Ok. Ok. So, yesterday a bunch of us went to Versailles and it was amazing! I have been there before with my family, but we only explored the chateau then. This time, I felt like the chateau was the least interesting or beautiful part. I mean, don't get me wrong, the chateau is incredible and HUGE, but it's almost too much. Every room is decked out and by the fifteenth room that has gold-lined curtains and crystals all over the place, it's like meh...

But the gardens...now THAT is where it's at! It We even rented a row boat for a little bit and we were just livin' the dream at that point. Honestly, does it get any better than rowin' down a lake on the Verailles property? Well, I guess it could have been a little bit better if someone was rowing us... Just joking! Who do you think I am? :)

After hanging out and looking at the gardens for some time, we went to Marie Antoinette's "farm." Apparently she used to play "peasants" with all of here friends so she has a little village with beautiful cottages out away from the chateau. It was like being in a fairy tale. Can you say Beauty and the Beast? haha I absolutely loved it with all of the land and trees and streams and rivers. It was quite lovely if I do say. :)

I think I'll move in...

i like your boots

Today we had class. The usual.

But AFTER class, I bought the boots. The boots that I have been looking for. The boots that I wanted to buy here for my "big purchase." The boots that if I didn't find here, I would buy some of Clarks desert boots when I got home to Provo.

But, no. I found them. Here. Today. At a vintage store in the heart of Paris. A real vintage store with clothes from all over! My favorite store in Paris now. For sure. Just look at them!

Ok. Ok. Now that you all are jealous, I will tell you more about my day so you can be more jealous...I mean, I am in Paris! :) Just joking! ...but seriously.

After hitting up the vintage store, we went to Place de la Concorde, which is the largest square in Paris and is situated between Tuileries and the Champs-Elysees.

Finally, we went to Musee d'Orangerie, which has huge Monet paintings in it... paintings that cover whole walls! It was absolutely magnificent!

Locoste polo? Nope, I don't have one of those.

I know absolutely nothing about tennis. Zero.

So I decided to go to a tennis match here. HA! I know what you're thinking, but it's the French Open! Ok. Ok. So it was just the preliminary rounds, but it was AWESOME. And it was only ten euros so I figured since soccer tickets were too expensive, I would go see some tennis. I liked it a lot. It's a very classy sport and everyone was wearing their lacoste polos and sweaters around their necks. British accents were definitely turned on.

I didn't really care for girls' matches, cause female athletes don't really do it for me...hehe...well actually girls' sports don't really do anything for me. But the guys were awesome and there were representatives from every country!

It was great...and really hot, as in warm. I was wearing all black--black jeans and a black three-quarter length shirt-- and was just sweating from head to toe. Ew. But besides that, it was wonderful and tres amusante! ;)

i really should be doing my reading...

...but I'm gonna blog instead!

Yesterday, we had class yet again. What is it with all of this school nonsense? BUT in our culture class--that I actually like to call our "goodie eating" class because we just get to eat delicious and expensive treats every week--we got to eat more chocolates. 7 different ones! They were all incredibly extravagant and tasty! My taste buds were having a party. Really.

whoa...iphoto can do weird stuff.

After school, we decided to go to ANOTHER MOVIE! I don't know what is it about movies here--but they're awesome! And this week they're only 3.50 euros so it's pretty cheap. It slo might have something to do with hanging out on Champs Elysees beforehand and buying candy and hanging out at the shops, but who knows why we like it so much? Haha

While we were waiting for our movie to start, we went into a couple of stores including one of my favorites--Sephora. If I had a dream or a wish, it would be to have this many nail polishes in my house! I mean, c'mon it's like a crayola crayer "100 colors" box that everyone wanted when they were in elementary school. Am I right or am I right? :)

At 7 our movie finally started and we saw "Tree of Life." One of the most beautiful movies I have ever seen, but also one of the weirdest. I think everyone should see it once for sure though! If you do, let me just tell you right now...I want to be the mom in that movies. She is simply lovely, and her clothes are stunning, and she is a great mom. Don't say anything...I know it's just acting. :)

Well, I'm off to do some reading now! Wish me luck...it's in French.