Paris: Home of my Heart

PARIS....once again where do I begin! As soon as I laid my eyes on the streets of Paris, I knew this would be everything I dreamed of and more. The fast paced city streets, with Parisians of every race and the old architecture that could be seen as far as the eye could see. I dreamed of Paris, yes, but now Danni was in Paris and it was about to be AHMAZING! But first let me back up...lol

I took a 9am train from Lyon to Paris. I was actually quite excited to get out the city-like atmosphere of Lyon and see the country-side of France--and oh was I in for a treat! The country-side, or as the French call it " the province", was beautiful! The sun rose as my train headed towards Paris and hit the rolling hills filled with Tuscan cottages. It was simply beautiful! I thought to myself, "dang--I bet they have GOOD FOOD in these small towns" ha-ha! My fat butt! (sike) And the fact that, this is France! I’m definitely not in the US anymore lol. Cut a 2 hour ride short, I reached my destination and the entire station was outside (nothing was enclosed)! Let me tell you...it was FREEZING! My two girlfriends wouldn't be in Paris until 1:20pm and it was only 11am...FML! Thank God I brought my "New Moon" book ha-ha. I bundled up in a nearby cafe ordered a pain au chocolat and chocolat au lait--DELISH and was in another world in no time...

Turns out my girls got lost and ended up at a DIFFERENT station, so it took about an hour and half to finally unite in Paris Gare Lyon. Let me tell you, when I saw their faces, I ran like a crazy person about 100 feet, luggage speeding behind me, into their arms lol! We all just laughed and got moving to our next destination--the hostel.

After the complications of the oh so confusing PARIS METRO, we got to our Hostel, to only be sent about 5 city blocks to the partner hostel--with our luggage. What do you do in these situations--LAUGH! Lol sooo I did, unlike Olivia who had to pee and was running like a race horse ha-ha! Finally we got there, pleased with the setting and the room and happy to rest a bit. It was now 5:30ish pm--we were supposed to there by 2pm :) Oh well....we take our showers, get dressed and head out immediately for what else??!!! The freakin' Eiffel Tower--what every tourist does! lol And let me tell you it was AHMAZING--down to Makeia saying, "oh, I wish it would glitter like it does on New Year’s..." and guess what....IT DID!!! We all were in awe, by it massiveness and the fact that after seeing this Paris landmark in pictures for the past 21-22 years, we were actually seeing it with our own eyes!

In between being harassed by the vendors, and the many pictures we took, we grabbed food and caught a cab back to the hostel to figure out our next moves and to bundle up...(cold as **** there). By the time we got out the hostel, it was 1:45am and we were running down 3 city blocks to reach the corner store by 2am---for what else??? LIQ and JUICE ha-ha and three cups that the clerk charged us 20 euro cent for...I swear! Lol

As we attempted to "sip" on our juice mixture we were once again harassed by loads of French men, some older--some not ;)--by the way, the Frend, or at least Parisians, drink wine right out of the bottle, just strolling down the sidewalk! So, since we WERE in Paris for the night, we were Parisians for the night! Ha-ha After about 8 minutes of trying to catch cab, turns out our special clerk from the corner store flagged one down FOR US! Sweeeeeeet! Too bad the cab driver turned out to be a CREEP, taking us in circles around the gorgeous breathtaking Arc de Triomphe, where every car I swear was driving about 70 miles per hour around that circle (no speed limit)!! Just imagine...me hanging out the window--trying to take picture of this madness---RUSH!!!

We realized this crazed cab driver was taking us away from our destination, we jump out, paid him 10 euro's and hailed down cab! Hahahaah. By the time we were done with that craziness it was 3am but clubs closed at 6am there!!!! :(Slightly heated we finally found our savior, our light in our dark knight ha-ha, our Club 67—3 for 40 euro's baby (good price)! And boy did we party, in more ways than one! Night successful, mission accomplished! <3

The next day we ate, reflected on our first day and that through it all, it could not have been better! It helped us grow up, wake up, and build more confidence in our abilities to succeed! We can do anything we put our minds too! We smiled across the lunch table realizing that were all are going to end up doing wonderful things—and the fact that Paris has NOT seen the last of us. And what I better way to end this trip---SHOPPING at Galleries Lafayette....SOLDES!!! Aka SALES!!

As I say in my blog "About Me", I do dream of Paris. I have experienced Paris only for 2 days and one night and know that one day I want to reside in that beautiful city. The two dynamic, gorgeous, independent women that I experience this adventure with (Makeia and Olivia), I wouldn’t have traded them for the world! This trip, though short, is to be remembered forever. For us, three American’s, from Rhode Island, Alabama and Washington, DC metro, “came,saw, and conquered”.

Paris, the city where anything can happen. For us—IT REALLY DID.

BISOOOOUS <3
Danni

France: Just the Beginning

So, I know I am starting about three weeks, almost a month late, but better late than never right?? Haha let's see here, France...where to begin. France, in particular Lyon, more central France along the Rhone Alps has been a JOURNEY with trials and tribulations. BUT one of the best times in my 22 years of life and it’s only the beginning! A brief description:

I left in tears from Dulles Airport with the support of my family and Brandon. I never thought I would cry. Honestly I didn't have the time! I was too busy hanging with friends, packing and trying to get my "ish" together before I left. Before I knew it, it was January 1, 2010 and I was about to walk through the gate with my dad--depart from family and never see them again... No, it wasn't "a never again" situation, but 5 months seemed like a lifetime at the time! My emotions consumed me as my strong, always poised mother started tearing--it was downhill from there... lol. Anyway, to cut a loooong story short, we left (THANK YOU DAD) to fly thousands of miles away, to a foreign land. Oh, I can't forget to mention, "Club style"--as in better than 1st class baby! (was surprisingly bumped up) <3 So, let’s just say it was VERY comfortable haha. But, flying thousands of miles away is when I really realized that I am scared of planes! Luxury or not, I was terrified for the 1st hour....

Once we got there, my dad and I were quite overwhelmed...period! From the language barriers to getting around the city, to setting up my apartment! It was crazy, but I honestly I wouldn't have traded those tribulations for the world. It helps you grow. Thank God to my father for coming and helping me settle--I cried when he left (big baby :/) lol. I know I could have done it on my own, but it was good to have the support and I guess you could call "Danni's first three days in Lyon" as a bonding experience...lol

Orientation (2 weeks prioir classes beginning--French culture immersion, French class, PARTAY <3): haha--let’s just say LONG HOURS!! But I'm glad to had gone through those 10am-5pm classes daily because that is when I met some of the most interesting people from all over the world--one of the objects of studying abroad--Experiencing new cultures! And can you say PARTAAY! First week was nothing but class---Party--class---PARTY AGAIN! I listened and danced to music I never thought was "me" and had the time of my life. When you go abroad you want to open yourself to different things...and as much as I love my R&B--Trey, Maxwell, Robin Thicke, Drake and so on--I grew beyond that and listened to TECHNO and others, yes I know! But let me tell you, if you just "let go"...you can have such a ball!!

I have only been here 3 weeks, going on a month, and I already see myself changing as well as my life goals altering for the best. Traveling abroad is like a drug, you don’t want to STOP! You want to experience everything you can--especially when you’re young and vibrant!---and NO I don’t do drugs! Lol, you realize when you get to your destination, that no matter where you come from--you are ALL so much alike in so many ways--you all have the desire to explore, to meet new people, experience new cultures, learn and have a great time! Once I realized that...everything became that much better!

So... I just came back from Paris this past weekend, the city of love and adventure, that seemed to feel like home...with two great friends from home, Makeia and Olivia <3--but I'll share those adventures for my next blog, coming soon... <3

Au revoir <3

Danni

Noël!!!!! :)

Ma nourriture préférée de Noël devrait être les biscuits faits maison de Noël ! C'est devenu une tradition pour faire cuire beaucoup de différents types de biscuits. Moi et ma mère feraient cuire, des biscuits de sucre, des biscuits de morceau de chocolat, beurre d'arachide, des biscuits de noix de coco, des biscuits de farine d'avoine et plus ! J'aime faire cuire au four et toutes les fois que Noël vient autour j'attends avec intérêt le temps de dépense avec mes un bon nombre de mère, de cuisson et naturellement de traitement au four de biscuits de Noël !

Thanksgiving Dîner

Pour le thanksgiving mon famille a:
pris la dinde,
le bourrage,
la cocotte en terre d'haricot,
le pudding de maïs,
les patates douces,
le jambon,
la sauce au jus,
les verts et le pain chaud

Pour le dessert nous avons:
un grand gâteau de chocolat,
un pâté en croûte de crème de noix de coco
un gâteau de carotte énormes.

Le dîner de thanksgiving était très et très amusement parce que j'ai passé le temps avec mon famille affectueux.

Tradition Française de Consommation

Bonjour!

L'étiquette est importante pour le Français. Les deux mains doivent demeurer au-dessus de la table à tout moment. Un homme peut reposer ses poignets et les femmes peuvent reposer ses avant-bras. Les Français mangent avec la fourchette dans la main gauche et le couteau dans la main droite. Les déjeuners et les dîners formels peuvent durer 2 heures, avec l'autant d'en tant que 12 cours. Un repas typique de famille a 2-4 cours. Les repas avec le famille étendu peuvent durer 4 heures. En mangeant dehors, la personne qui invite paye le repas. Le vin est a bu avec la plupart des repas, à moins que le déjeuner, mais le vin ne devrait pas être donné comme cadeau.

La cuisine française est considèrent un art. La plupart des personnes de fench mangent un déjeuner de ligh et un grand déjeuner. Les petits cafés offrent des crossiants et des sandwichs à croque-monsieurs. Personnes françaises habituellement n'aiment pas beaucoup d'Américains différents d'aliments de préparation rapide.

Un de Ma Favorite French Cuisine!!

Omelette classique
Par Wolfgang Puck

Ingrédients
beurre non salé de 1 cuillerée à soupe, plus 1 cuillerée à soupe
4 grands oeufs
Sel et poivre noir fraîchement rectifié
huile d'olive de 1 cuillerée à soupe
tomates cuites 1/4 par tasse
2 cuillerées à soupe se sont émiettées le fromage de chèvre

Directions
Chauffez une casserole antiadhésive d'omelette de 8 à 10 pouces au-dessus d'à basse température. Ajoutez 1 cuillerée à soupe du beurre et fondez. Tandis que le beurre fond, divisez les oeufs en grande cuvette. Ajoutez le beurre fondu et le battez bien. Assaisonnez avec du sel et le poivre.

Renvoyez la casserole à la milieu-basse chaleur. Ajoutez l'huile d'olive et le beurre et la chaleur restants. Ajoutez le mélange d'oeufs et saisissez la casserole par sa poignée (utilisant un potholder au besoin pour protéger votre main). Commencez à secouer la casserole en avant et en arrière tout en remuant les oeufs lentement avec le dos d'une fourchette, soulevant doucement un déplacement de l'oeuf cuit de sorte que l'oeuf liquide glisse sous lui. Après environ 30 secondes, l'oeuf aura formé un " uniformément cuit mais toujours assez moite ; pancake" ; forme. Actuellement, ajoutez n'importe quel remplissage de votre choix, le fromage de tomate et de chèvre, ou laissez l'omelette non remplie dans le modèle français classique. Pour plier l'omelette, inclinez immédiatement la casserole environ à un angle de 45 degrés en soulevant la poignée, de sorte que les oeufs cuits le plus près que la poignée commencent à tomber et replier ; vous pouvez utiliser la fourchette ou la spatule pour aider ceci pour se produire. Tenez le bord lointain de la casserole au-dessus d'un plat heated de portion et continuez d'incliner la poignée vers le haut, de sorte que l'omelette replie sur elle-même et déroule de la casserole sur le plat. Service immédiatement.

Un peu de mes favoris :)

En mon "mind map" en classe hier, j'écris beacoup. Pour amusante j’aime vais faire les courses. Ma favori magasin en la centre commercial est Forever 21, Urban Outfitters et H&M. J’aime aussi à la danse , faire du jogging, lire un bon livre et musique. J’adore faire une promenade a pied en le parc, aller la plage, et la ville! Ma anniversaire est le de Juillet mais ma favorite saison est le printemps et l’automne. Ma favorite cuisine est fetticine alfredo avec pain.

Au-dessous est un cinema de H&M, ma favorite magasin à les courses.

"Jimmy Choo" un nouveau mode avec H&M