I had to translate this song into English for my French class, using a version without the captions of course, for my French class. Such a beautiful song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UlEJXkxnSc

Bonjour!! So I've moved, yet again! I left my homestay...it just really wasn't for me. In retrospect, I should have known I would not really like it. Perhaps under different circumstances yes, but overall it just wasn't a good fit. However, now, I could not be happier! I am in a cute little apartment off the Champs Elysees (think Times Square) in the 8th arrondisement, within eyesight of L'Arc de Triomphe directly down my street. Great location, it's sunny and beautifully decorated and it feels so homey! I love my new roommate; A 20 year old student from Berkeley, Danielle is studying here at Sciences Po until June. We hit it off so well at our aparment viewing (scheduled at the same time coincidentally) that the landlord thought we were friends, viewing it together. It's difficult to get an apartment here so the landlords conduct sort of interviews and then choose the tenants. When she called Danielle, she said, "So you can go ahead and tell Bianca too!"...Danielle didn't even have my number! Too funny. In any case, we've hit it off and started making our little Parisian auberge into a home!! Only down fall....7th floor walk up! Or according to Danielle bout 127 steps! I'm already getting used to it. One thing we can't figure out though, is why some people on our floor do dishes in the sink in the corridor??? Our floor is the only one with a sink on the floor randomly and we keep hearing/seeing people washing dishes out there. WIERD. Overall, I'm pretty proud of myself for looking for, finding  and securing an apartment entirely independantly- not an easy feat at home, let alone in a foreign country.

Now, that I'm finally feeling settled in with final living arrangements and beginning the second week of classes, I am excited to start planning some trips and doing some sight seeing! I've been here for close to a month and l feel like I've seen and done nothing! Seen a few monuments, but not a single museum or aything!

Yesterday my  friend Alyssa and I ventured up to Sacre Coeur which is a huuuuge church in the heart of Montmartre, a very charming old villagey-type neighborhood. We got so many pastries and ate them on the steps, watched an improtu break dance show and had gorgeous weather. Couldn't ask for better!! However, it's starkly contrasted with Moulin Rouge and the rest of "Pigalle" loaded with sex shops and peep shows. LOL.

This afternoon, Alyssa and I climbed the 283 steps (a piece of cake for me, living up 127!) to the top of L'Arc de Triomphe...breathtaking view of the entire city! We could see Sacre Coeur way in the distance which was cool since we were just there yesterday. Alyssa and I read the sign indiciating prices, and saw it would cost 6 euro since we didn't fit into any of the "free" categories...European Union passport, French ID, under 12, etc. However, Alyssa was like, I got this....she goes "Bonjour Madame!" and forks over her American passport open to the Visa page...the women hands were a free ticket! So I do the same...free ticket! We walk away and Alyssa goes, "Always say Monsieur or Madame. They love it." HA! Beeaautiful weather today as well, warmish and sunny 8-)

Unfortunately, the one thing raining on my parade here...is homework! I love my classes, though...Fashion & Power, Multiculturalism in France, Parisian Contemporary Art Scene and French Conversation and Composition. No shortage of work though!

My fashion class has a blog we all must contribute to, feel free to take a look ---> http://fashionandpower.blogspot.com/

& a few pics...

living/dining room. LOVE.
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Sacre Coeur
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Moulin Rouge
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Soup near Sacre Coeur
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Paris Je t'aime
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Me, Alyssa and L'Arc
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CLICKK --> Lastly...my video from the top of L'Arc de Triomphe (Very windy and a little Blair-Witchy)

Le weekend is coming to an end. But not before I watch the Jets game at 12:30 am Paris time though...with a 9am - 1pm class tomorrow! Going with the French guys I made into football/Jets fans..they do the chant and all haha soo cute. Anyways, had a great lunch with Bianca and Alyssa this afternoon near the Louvre. I've decided that even when waitstaff speak to me in English, I will reply in French. You gotta put yourself out there, you know?!? Lunch was amazing...espresso, a sandwich: lettuce, tomato, mayo and hardboiled egg on a baguette and a nutella crepe. SO perfect. Over lunch we basically just relived the whole weekend through conversation :-)

Another embarassing thing happened to me of course this weekend...I always find a way to embarass myself. Friday, after class, all excited for the weekend so I buy a bottle of champage. Here, with bottles starting at less than 2 euro, I splurged on a 7 euro bottle. They plastic bag it and I walk out. I walked less then a block when I hear an explosion of sorts and look down. The plastic bag had broken and the champage smashed. The pieces of shattered glass flew higher than me and landed on the (smart)car next to me and all around me. I was covered in champagne, standing in a puddle of foam and people were starring. SO EMBARRASSING!!! And saddening: I wanted the champage! I discreetly kicked the glass pieces to the curb and walked away. UGH. But all is well, tonight I purchased 2 cheap bottles and made sure to double bag. Sometimes, you gotta learn the hard way.

Speaking of learning the hard way...last night was specifcally interesting...night life here is challenging. It's near impossible to get into most clubs, and I learned how truly difficult it is to get a cab here. New Yorkers are soo spoiled by a 24 hour subway system and 24 hour hail-able cabs. On the weekend, the metro closes by 2 am with the last train being like 1:30 am, and you cannot hail cabs. You have to call one, and they start the meter when you call or get one at a taxi stand. However, we got like three cabs stolen from us at said 'taxi stand'. But finally, I got home and went to sleep and proceeded to dream about purchasing red Chanel lipstick and the hugest umbrella. Haha..whatever, that's what happens when it's always raining and Chanel is everywhere. This weekend in a few pics...

boots
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drinks at "toi"
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chillin by the Louvre
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Bonjour mes amis! It's official, I've been in Paris for nine days. Strange how it simultaneously feels like nine years and nine minutes...I feel like I've done so much and yet nothing at all. In the last few days I've moved on up from a hostel to a beautiful flat in the 16th arrondisement, which I've been told is comparable to Manhattan's upper east side, and I would have to agree. My room is charming: yellow, and bright and sunny with two floor- to-ceiling windows and a tiny little balcony. My neighborhood is a busy hub, I am walking distance from my school, the Eiffel Tower, L'Arc de Triomphe and so much more. It's full of cafes, bars and mouth watering shopping: Chanel, Dior, Chloe and countless others line the streets oh so casually. I, of course, manage blend in seamlessly with such haute couture, by taking a tumble down the stairs in the metro in 4 inch heels. Not a good look!! Luckily, I have an alternative mode of transportation thanks to charming French men...motorcycle ;-)

Here are the last few days in a photo-nutshell~

a peek out of my front door...
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jardines de tuileries
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pont des arts, where people lock there love to the fence and
throw the key in the water. my favorite: the combination locks.
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la siene en rose
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alyssa and louis
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la tour eiffel
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bianca en rose
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iaminlovewiththiscity.