Meaningful Photos is one of many science-based practices for a meaningful life curated by the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley. For this mindfulness exercise, the how-to states: “[Take] 15 minutes per day for one week to take the photos.” Instead I did the following: From my phone's camera roll, I selected nine favorite … Continue reading Meaningful Photos: a Mindfulness Practice
Category: France
French Perfume
As I walked to my bus stop, someone outside the Alma-Marceau métro station in Paris handed me a perfume sample. I thought: For how many people will it become their favorite or maybe even their signature scent? For how many people will this fragrance be life-changing?
Les mouchoirs en papier
Pocket facial tissues and pink toilet paper in France
La Tour Eiffel
When visiting the Eiffel Tower, please set realistic expectations. Until the bulletproof anti-terror glass walls have been completely installed, don't expect to find the Eiffel Tower looking as beautiful as she does in your friends' social media posts.
Meudon Observatory Park
France is known for having beautiful parks and gardens. At the Meudon Observatory Park, I got to see artfully trimmed trees, manicured lawns, as well as a splendid view of the Paris skyline.
A Francophile is Born
I describe how I became a fan of all things French. A 30-year love story in about 3 minutes.
Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur
One Butte-iful day exploring Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur in Paris!
Paris: Strolling Around the Marais
With its street art, colorful doors, and famous square, it's easy to be charmed by the picturesque and historic Marais neighborhood in Paris.
From the Archives: Volunteering in Hérisson, France
In 1995, I spent almost a month working on an international volunteer project in Hérisson, a tiny village in central France. Our group’s goal was to spruce up the town's medieval castle
Toulouse: Walking Through the Old Town
After spending a few wonderful days in Paris, I hopped on a flight to the city of Toulouse, in southwest France. Toulouse, or La Ville Rose, is the capital of the region called Occitanie and the department of Haute-Garonne.
Building a Toy Airplane and Dreams
After my visit to Airbus in Toulouse, I went to the gift shop and bought a model airplane building-block kit of the Airbus A380! It's a fun souvenir that family and friends can put together. To assemble 70 blocks and build the cute replica, it took the Girls and me only 45 minutes, which included … Continue reading Building a Toy Airplane and Dreams
SBUX @ CDG
While there was no shortage of Starbucks in Paris, I resisted the temptation to go because I promised myself that I'd get out of my comfort zone. I did good on that promise until my last day in Paris, when I went to one at Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airport.
Let’s Visit Airbus
I took a tour of the Airbus final assembly site in southwest France, near the Toulouse-Blagnac airport.
Kilometer Zero Proust Questionnaire
Here are my answers to the popular placemat questionnaire
Farmers’ Market near Toulouse
One of my favorite things to do is visiting market halls and open-air farmers' markets. I love the idea that many food vendors prepare their artisan cuisine on site using fresh ingredients produced by local farmers. I appreciate the abundance and the variety. Plus, I love the possibility of making new discoveries.
Versailles
This is the story about how I got lost, then found myself at Versailles
The Louvre
I'm going apesh*t at the thought that I could have caught a glimpse of Beyoncé and JAY-Z in Paris. I was at the Louvre in May, too!
La Vie en rose
I had the pleasure of hearing two live performances of the classic French song on accordion and violin
Visiting les Bouquinistes and Shakespeare and Company in Paris
I'm writing this while sitting on a stool near a typewriter on the second floor of Shakespeare and Company (in the poetry section). I want to remember the cat. I feel an immediate kinship with it. It’s a gray tabby, like my first cat, Amiee.* It turns out they call the cat, Aggie.** I must say, it is … Continue reading Visiting les Bouquinistes and Shakespeare and Company in Paris
Supermarket Music
As the saying goes, music is the soundtrack of our lives. It's true, because from now on, these songs will remind me of my coffee break on Rue d’Orsel.
