Orange October And Every Other Color Under The Sun

Happy Halloween!! Can anyone else believe that October has already come and gone?!  As happy as I am that tomorrow begins the best month of the year, my Birthday month (yes, month), I’m sad to see October go for several reasons. For starters, the coined term “Orange October” is officially over. With the Giants winning the World Series and their San Francisco parade happening today (don’t even get me started how much I wish I could teleport there for the afternoon), we’re saying goodbye to baseball and hello to basketball. This year I feel I’ve been especially in tune with everything going on in the world of sports and those kudos go to ESPN America for being the only channel here in English. Another prominent reason I’m sad to see October go, is my much anticipated second rendezvous to London came and went way too fast and I don’t know the next time I’ll be back to my second favorite city in Europe (can anyone guess my first?).

Before I talk about London, some other great things I did this month included turning into a running feen. Up until last week, I’ve been averaging running around 30 miles a week and I also ran in two races. The first was with Leslie in the Nike Paris 10km (which is equivalent to 6.25 miles- I still get confused with European measurement units). The other race was a week later, which I decided to crash because I was too late trying to register. This race, the Paris 20k (half marathon), was really great because we not only ran through the streets of Paris but some of the neighboring parks and along the Seine. It started and ended at Lady Eiffel and was awesome because I got all the refreshments and snacks during and after the race along with the medal-- for free! Sure, I feel a little guilty crashing the race but with 25,000 people in attendance, I think they can let one slide :) 

Going hand in hand with my Forest Gump month, soccer was very good to me as well. We haven’t lost a game in league yet and in our four matches of October, I scored three goals! It’s a great feeling getting to contribute to this team as well as enjoy it so much. ES 16 (my team) has been one of the greatest unexpected blessings here for me and will undoubtedly be one of the hardest things to say goodbye to. 

One day that would be a sin not to mention was last Sunday when Leslie and I went to Disneyland!!  Yes, Paris has it’s very own Disneyland and Walt Disney Studios, complete with Main Street USA, Space Mountain, the Princess Castle, and all. Getting off the metro and walking through the gates, Leslie and I instantly turned into giddy little girls with excitement we could not contain. We saw a few children walking around with Minnie Mouse ears and without hesitation bee lined it to the Disney store so we too could wear the ears around for the day (I’m being completely serious, check it out below). I’m sure by this time you’ve come to accept it as fact that there is no such thing as a bad time when Leslie and I are together, and our day at Disneyland I’d say was a prime example. We had so much fun riding the rides, seeing Mickey, having a cocktail break, and simply just chatting while standing in lines. Anyone that has been to Disneyland knows that standing in hour long lines should be expected (regardless of how great your FastPass skills are), so going with someone you can tolerate and talk to all day long is highly advised, unless you’re one of those gross groping couples that just stand there and pet each other. Lucky for me, Leslie and I have truly become the Ying to our Yang so chatting it up for hours on end is a breeze. Our day at Disneyland was unforgettable and one more thing to check off the list. 

Okay, so now... London!!! After three months, I finally got to go somewhere where speaking English is actually encouraged! So refreshing. Both times I’ve been I’m amazed how easy and quick it is to get from Paris to London (2 hours by Eurostar), yet what worlds apart they are. Either way, getting off the train at St. Pancreas instantly put a smile on my face as all the familiarity came rushing back. I said “a demain” (see you tomorrow) to my host family and hopped on the Picadilly Line to go to Monika’s flat. It took me at least a dozen “pardon’s” instead of “excuse me’s” to finally register that I could speak English here. Pairing that with getting to see my good friend and roommate from San Diego was just the cherry on top. 

After dropping my stuff off at her place, we went to a near by pub for lunch and to catch up. We spent the rest of the afternoon walking around the city I’ve come to love, saying hello to Big Ben, the Thymes, the London Eye, and more. And being a girl strolling the streets of London, it’s only natural to end up on Oxford street navigating straight to TopShop. It was a great afternoon which turned into an even better evening as we went to a Halloween party at a popular club in Kensington. I pulled an audible buying a five pound (thats currency, not weight) old school England soccer jersey, throwing on some eye black, and calling it a costume. Monika dressed up as a witch which I found almost not cliche because it’s so cliche... really, when is the last time you or any of your friends have dressed up like a witch for Halloween? One thing is for sure though, London and the States are worlds apart when it comes to Halloween. While the States motto seems to be “less is more” for the ladies as well as overall clever and comical, London Halloween is no joke. The Ghouls and Goblins come out to play as their mentality is the bloodier, creepier, and/or scarier the better. I was honestly frightened throughout the night at this club with everyones costumes. I’m not sure if this is a European thing or just the case in London, but I guess I will find out tonight when I go out here in Paris! And once again, with no costume yet in store, I’m taking any and all suggestions.

After one frightful night and countless British accent impersonations later (never gets old), I woke up Saturday morning a little dazed yet so excited because today was the long awaited NFL International game at Wembley Stadium! Since the game wasn’t until five, I was able to do some sightseeing that I wasn’t able to do last time around with Grace. Number one on the list this time was Tower of London. Having three hours until I had to head over to the game, I quickly realized how much there was to see here and how rushed I began to feel! But wow, how amazing Tower of London was. For those that don’t know what it is, it’s the century old historic castle where the Royalty lived, as well as where the Beefeaters still currently reside, and my favorite part, where The Crown Jewels are kept. There is simply way too much information for me to tell you about but one thing I have to say is that out of every European city attraction I’ve been, this was absolutely my most favorite. From the guided Beefeater tour, to walking around White Tower, to seeing in person the Royal crown, orb, and swords, this place blew my mind and I already want to go back!

Not wanting to leave Tower of London but crunched for time, I took the tube over to Wembley Stadium and met up with Thom, Nathan, and Paul. Because this is on the outskirts of the city, I did not see it the last time I was in town but what a sight! The world famous Wembley Stadium was knocked down and rebuilt in 2007 so what stands today is the new, modern, 90,000 seat, English national mantra of a stadium. Since 2005, the NFL has done an International game once a year. Since 2007 and until at least 2016, this series have been held at Wembley. This year it was the New England Patriots verse the St. Louis Rams. And although these are the two team playing, the stadium is filled with people wearing jerseys from every team. Instead of wearing an extra one of the Ricke boys jerseys, I decided to make my own shirt. As mentioned in my previous post, I love Rob Gronkowski so I followed through with Leslie’s idea and made a “GRONK ME” tee. You can see a picture of it below but unfortunately it was so cold at the game it was covered up the whole time. 

There were some differences I noticed to this game than any other NFL game in the states. For starters, the pregame show started with a mini concert by Train- way cool! The St. Louis Ram’s were the “home” team but it was interesting to hear the crowd cheer more so for just a good play on either end than to actually be rooting for the Rams. The fans were also much more tamed at this event than at any European soccer matches. Unlike all football games back home where the first couple minutes you can’t even hear yourself think, no one really cheered even during the kick off. At one point I joked to Thom that it sounds like were at a tennis match more than a football game, with half enthused golf claps after each down. Nonetheless, there were 84,000 people in attendance and it was such a rare and neat thing to get to experience and be apart of. Next year, their bumping it up with two NFL games at Wembley, one being the 49ers playing Jacksonville Jaguars..... DAAAAADDDD?!?

Sunday came and went in the blink of an eye and Monday morning I set my alarm to make sure I could check out one other place before catching my Eurostar back to Paris. Standing in line outside Westminster Abbey with my head cranked towards the sky, I stood in awe of this Gothic church but with little knowledge of the particulars that happened inside. Walking around inside with my audio guide, I was once again blown away with the history of this international attraction. To see in person the burial site of Sir Issac Newton, Charles Darwin, and the entire English Monarch was mind boggling. To see in person the one thousand year old Coronation Chair was enchanting. To walk down the same nave that every King and Queen has stepped foot on, along with recently where William and Kate were married was simply rad. If Tower of London holds the number one spot of my favorite European attraction, Westminster Abbey is in a fighting second place against the Roman Coliseum. 

Heading back to Paris two days ago was a bitter sweet feeling. While Paris is familiar and “home” to me, London has swept me off my feet and is the only other place in Europe I could easily see myself living. Getting to visit twice was nothing but an absolute thrill, so the notion of not knowing the next time I’ll get to go back is sad to me. While thinking about this, I can’t help but feel a little scared of how it will feel to indefinitely leave Paris. It raises the question, am I ready to leave? While the answer at this moment is absolutely not, I’m hoping I’ll feel more ready come December 15. 

With my somewhat somber attitude towards October coming to a close, there’s still much to look forward to in November and my last full month living abroad. First, my undisputed favorite sport to watch, football, is in full swing as November will be the make or break month for both my favorite college and professional teams. As much as I love spending my weekends vegging out watching football, those days will be few and far between due to my ever so hectic schedule and rough life. This weekend I’ll have to settle with checking scores on the go as I’ll be traveling to Germany and Denmark! Leslie and I, along with her friend visiting from Texas, Christine, will be bundling up Saturday as we head to Berlin. Even though the temperatures have been drastically dropping all around Europe (it’s currently 38 degrees here in Paris), I’m not the least bit less ecstatic to finally be getting to go to Germany and seeing the Deutschland! We’ll spend two days in Berlin and then fly to Copenhagen from there for another two nights. Be sure to check back in next week as I’m confident I’ll have great stories and pictures to update you all about. 

As for the rest of November, some highlights will include my birthday (duh), Karen and Sophia Bonacorso (the mother and oldest daughter from my my host family from Boston) coming to Paris for Sophia to perform at the Paris Opera!!, Leslie and I running a half marathon (not sure I’m quite looking forward to this yet), soccer continuing with practice twice a week and games every Saturday, and rounding out the month by both mine and Leslie’s host families getting together to celebrate Thanksgiving. November is definitely a month with lots to look forward to and lots to be thankful for :) 

Thanks for reading! Until next time, bisous! 

Foggy day- View from top of Arc de Triomphe 

Paris 10k!

My little man

Start of the 20k run in the rain!

Nike 10k Village

Fireworks with Leslie and Lindsey at La Defense Grande Arch

Bath time with The Josher

Disneyland Paris!

Minnie Ears :)

Love October

Monkey Man on Eurostar- just can't keep still

I LOVE LONDON 

Harry Potter Platform 9 3/4- off to Hogwarts! 

The Witch and English soccer player

My London Halloween Date 

Tower of London from the outside

The Beefeater tour guide with Tower Bridge in the background

White Tower- where the Royalty lived

Crown Jewels Castle

Part of the courtyard 

GRONK ME shirt

Add caption

On my way to the game!

Wembley Stadium!

Patriots about to score... again. The game was a blowout!

Westminster Abbey

Oktoberfest-less

Bonjour tout le monde! (Hello everyone!)

I figured what better way to open up this new post than to fool you all (including myself) in how fluent I have become in French. However, I will give myself some prop’s here as I did not need Google Translation to help me out with this one! 

With French classes thrown out the window miles ago, I’ve taken a sharp right turn on Just Winging It Avenue. As my teammates repetitive voices drown out into the background of insisting on me speaking French, my inner voice aggressively rips that megaphone from their hands and is coming in loud and clear: Not going to happen! Thinking about my frustration every time I hear Josh tell me he doesn’t want to go poop in the toilet and insists on me putting a diaper on him, I can only imagine my teammates annoyance towards this self-righteous, stubborn, “‘Murica’” expat. But hey, at least they’re frustration doesn’t end with them having to wipe my derriere (voila! see, fluent).

Even with the language barrier ever so present at practice (“what did coach say?” leaving my lips countless times), I couldn’t ask for better teammates. They’re truly all great girls that I’ve really started to bond with, especially now that I get to play in our games every Saturday. I mentioned in a previous post that those who know me well will find comical, but I am starting and playing the entire game at forward... and tooting my own horn, doing a good job. No more smelly goalie hands :)

Besides having soccer two nights a week and a game every Saturday, school started back up a month ago with Josh starting preschool. Every day (except Wednesdays- I’ll get to that) I get Josh ready and off to school. I’ve realized this act is much similar to preparing for a soccer match, with Josh being the opposing team. Some days, you play against you’re average, fair-playing guys. And other days you get the pleasure of playing against crappy, terrible, unsportsmanlike opponents. Where’s the red card when you need it?! Either way, you go in there with a game plan and your game face on- get him dressed, fed, out the door with shoes on the right feet. A win for me consists of getting Josh to his classroom without tears, resistance, or screams. A loss? You don’t want to know. 

And then there are Wednesday’s. Glorious, glorious Wednesday’s. This is how I know the French are mad because in grade school, kids don’t have school on Wednesdays. Any au pair that comes to France quickly becomes a member of the “I Hate Wednesday Club” and does everything in her power to not get a Barney song stuck in her head, or the days lunch stuck in her hair. Ten times out of ten, it’s a guaranteed fail. 

Okay, so Wednesday’s aren’t my favorite, but it is without a doubt a trade off I’m willing to take for getting to live in Paris. Skyping one of my friends recently, she has been up to date with everyone going on with me, yet still, after seven months, can’t get over the fact that I live here.. I live in Paris.” This almost indescribable feeling she has towards my situation and wrapping her head around it is what I feel blessed to continually feel on a daily basis. Yes, the normalities of my schedule are there, but getting to explore Paris every day has never once lost its magic. There is a reason why over 800 movies have been filmed about Paris and countless books, songs, publications, photographs, and so on have been all inspired and created here. Although I haven’t been everywhere in the world (yet), I would take on the argument with any person to state unmistakably that Paris is the best city in the world. I fall in love with this city more and more every day. Looking back on how I got here or even why, it all seems like one big blur now but I know without a doubt this is where I am supposed to be. With my “Seven Month Mark” happening tomorrow, it’s amazing to look back in awe of all the places I’ve been, experiences I’ve had, people I’ve met, and “firsts” I’ve been blessed with... and how FAST it all has gone by. 

Only eleven weeks left here and I already don’t know how I’m going to leave but I know come December, it will be my time. I can’t lie and say I don’t miss home at all. I miss SO many things including my family, friends, Bear and Charlie, San Diego, Danville, Vons/Safeway, Marshall’s, Trader Joe’s, English, big cars, ice cubes, mexican food, customer service, reality tv... okay, so some I admit are probably a healthy break, but one I would be fooling myself to not mention is my brothers football season. Being Joe’s first collegiate year as Boise States starting quarterback, I could not be a more proud sister for the discipline, determination, perseverance, courage, and strength my brother has had to endure getting to this point and is continuing to fight on a daily basis. Staying up til 5am here to watch his first game against Michigan State, my heart yearned to be there. At the same time, being on my own and so far away has allowed me to count my many, many blessings and the family I have back home. Thinking back to the painful, sobbing good bye to my parents in the airport, tears immediately well up again as I think about December and getting to hug my dad again for the first time in almost a year. You can call this emotional or sappy (heck, even I am), but what this is call is blessed. Joe- keep doing you’re thing and I can’t wait to be there front and center for your bowl game! I love you and miss you.

So what’s next? Eleven weeks and counting and you can bet I’m going to squeeze Europe for every last drop I can get! Besides the cool exhibits such as “Paris vu par Hollywood” and special events like the Grande Arch fireworks/light show and Nuit Blanche that are always taking place around the city, this weekend Leslie and I are running in the 10km Paris Centre which should be fun! 

The last weekend of October I’m going to London (again!) to the NFL Patriots verse Rams game at Wembley Stadium. For those that might not know, I tend to have a thing for tight ends and Patriot’s, Rob Gronkowski is no exception (don’t worry Tebow, you’re still my number one). Patriot fans have had a growing interest in him as well and have coined the phrase “You Got Gronk’ed.” Explaining this to Leslie over a coffee the other day at our usual hangout, Starbucks (yes, I know, we live in the cafe capital of the world yet just can’t help it!), she witfully responded that I need to make a shirt that says “Gronk Me.” One more reason to add to the list of why I love this girl. So Robbie, if you’re reading this, keep you’re eyes peeled for the young, American, totally available girl in the Gronk Me tee ;)

Going to London for the weekend will also give me a chance to see my good friend and roommate from San Diego, Monika, who is now going to graduate school in London. She tells me her room is the size of a shoe box but I can’t wait to snuggle up! ... won’t be the first time anyways. Getting to see familiar faces from home has been one of my favorite things. Not only does it give you a taste of home, but some major cool points to tell everyone. “Hey, remember that time in Budapest?!” “We liked Barcelona, but just loooved Amsterdam.” “Oh, you just haaave to go to Prague if you get a chance.”

The fact that at this very moment I’m not in Munich at Oktoberfest has struck a nerve with me and has induced severe FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out). Out of all the incredible events I’ve gone to and adventures I’ve had, Oktoberfest is the one biggie I regretfully will not add to the list. With the bitterness growing inside me, I had to take matters into my own had and book a trip to Germany pronto. Who moves to Europe and doesn’t see Germany anyways?! However, who moves to France for a year and doesn’t learn French? Oh well, c’est la vie :)

Heading up to London at the end of October will begin the kids two week fall break (maybe the French aren’t so mad after all). These two weeks are the perfect chance to check a few more countries off the list. Berlin, Germany and Copenhagen, Denmark... I’m comin’ after ya! Of course, my favorite girl and travel bud, Leslie, will be with me along with her friend from home who is coming to visit, Christine. The three of us will spend two days in each city and I couldn’t be more excited! I’ve heard unbelievable things about both places. Note, “unbelievable,” referring to both being great cities and also the fact that we apparently picked the worst month possible to go to Copenhagen. 

While wasting away another night under the awning of a Parisian cafe on Saint Germain des Pres, sipping on some rose, watching all the people and couples stroll in and out along the boulevard on your average Tuesday night, listening to the musician playing live music on the corner, seeing the Seine sparkle in the distance with Lady Eiffel popping her head out beyond the arbor.... okay, okay, you get the picture :) but this truly is what it’s like on a daily basis. Let me start that sentence over. While hanging out at a cafe a few weeks ago with Leslie, we got to talking to three young Norwegians sitting next to us. They were here on holiday and the topic of us visiting Scandinavia came up. Eager for them to tell us how fabulous Copenhagen is and what a fantastic time we will have, we were quickly shot down with concerning looks towards us as they informed us, “Are you crazy? November is the worst month of the year to visit Copenhagen.” For how friendly and amicable they were, you’d think they could at least sugar coat this let-down a tad bit. The disheartening looks must have been written across our foreheads because the Norwegian lady quickly added, “Oh, but it’s absolutely beautiful! What’s a little cold weather anyways? Just bring a jacket... or two. Um... you’ll love it!”

... thanks? Just like when I lived in Boston the summer before my senior year of college and was certain I’d move there after graduation. I went back during Christmas break and then again when I played with the Boston Breakers. Oh crap, bad example, that miserably cold weather caused me to change my mind a full 180. Well, regardless of what the weather gods will bring to us and the fact that I’m just a flat out weenie when it comes to the cold, my wanderlust has not backed down in the least bit. Adding in the factor that I’ve yet to have anything less than a spectacular trip while abroad, I’d say my probabilities of this one being just a great as the others are very favorable. 

Once back from the trip, I’ll be rounding out the two week break with the most important, noteworthy, momentous, exceptional day of the year... why, my birthday of course! Twenty FOUR?! My life is a third the way over. Where did the time go and when did I get so OLD? Reflecting on this, I’m officially coining this year the Year of Limbo. I’m still young... but not that young. I don’t want to get married yet... but I could see myself settling down in a few years with the right person. I pay for my own groceries but my parents still pay for my phone. I still can’t rent a car. I’ll get to work ten minutes early to try to get promoted. I better get that darn left foot of mine fixed now while I’m still on my parents insurance. Free time is spent reading for pleasure. Hangovers take a week to recover rather than a few hours and a good breakfast burrito. Going to the gym is more mandatory because my metabolism is slowing down. Success is measured in dollars, not letters. Facebook is telling me wedding season is around the corner for many of my friends yet I won’t even check the box on the invite for “plus one.” Weekends are spent doing laundry and running errands. Twenty four, you officially frighten me.

As always, much to be happening in the near future. Thanks to all for your continued love and support and special thanks to all of you who’ve been great sound boards with so much uncertainty approaching quickly for me. Until next time... 

Bisous! (“Kisses”: French way of saying good bye. Who said I can’t learn a little.)