Quatorze Juillet 2014

Remember how I said Fete de la Musique was my favorite day in Paris?  Well look out, Fete!  I think I have a new favorite day weekend: Quatorze Juillet.  Commonly referred to as Bastille Day in the US, it is French independence day.  Although I loved last year's celebration, this one was even better!

MM Vingt: S-s-summertime, summertime {happiness}

Last summer was a little strange because there was no clear distinction between my normal life and summer life.  As a teacher, that utter joy you feel on your first day of summer is something I always looked forward to.  So, this year, although not quite the same as my teaching days, I once again got to experience what the excitement of summer feels like again.  My daily French classes and after-school English classes that I taught ended within the last two weeks, so it's freedom! :)  And to paraphrase Lana Del Ray, it's been a s-s-summertime, summertime of happiness (not sadness!)

So what have I/we been up to?  Nick's mostly been in Africa working offshore 16-18 hours a day.  He's having fun {more on that later}, and so I am back in Paris.

While the Boys are Away, the Girls Will Play--In Normandy!

Nick has been in Africa (well, on a boat off the coast of Africa) for over a week and a half now, so when my friend Katie suggested a girls' trip since her hubby was out of town too, I eagerly jumped on board.  We decided on the Deauville/Trouville area of Normandy for its beaches and easy drive from Paris.

Paris has been rainy and cold recently, and the weather in Normandy wasn't much different, but we did get some sun and had a blast hanging out.  Also, how perfect are these flags we found?!?

MM Dix-Neuf: The French Pool Experience

It's been quite a while since I've done a Monday Minute, so here goes!

Last week we had a gorgeous warm, blue sky day, so knowing it was the last nice day forecast for quite a while my friends, Katie and Val, and I decided to hit up a French public swimming pool.

June Visitors Round 2

And so rounding out our visitors for the month (but not for the summer!), were my dear college friend, Andrea, and her husband, Tyler, and just a few days later my sweet friend Katie and her family.

That Time We Partied All Night Louis XVI & Marie Antoinette Style

That's right.  An all-night party (11:30pm till dawn).  At the Chateau of Versailles.  Period costumes and masks mandatory.  Basically, we partied like Louis XVI & Marie Antoinette would have partied if they lived in today's times.