Tell Me Something Beautiful

Tell me something beautiful.
Tell me no lies.
Life's too short, make it radical honesty.
Just say it, stand up and rise.
Outside voices tell us what to think.
But you can't tell me a lie.
Words, not just scribbles on a page.
Tell me something beautiful before I close my eyes.
Protector of mankind, speaks.
Stories, laughter, thoughts, and sighs.
Who is like God? Responds.
He has a problem with online goodbyes.
So tell me something beautiful already.
Tell me something, I'm tired, make it a surprise.
Sweet dreams says he. Beautiful dreams say she.
The oh so perfect, beautiful, awaited reply.

Poetry Corner: One Last Dance

Dark eyes, long hair, proud of familia and deep roots.
Tattoos claim the city with that golden bridge.
Why you? So strange, these eyes only sought greens or blue.
Uninked, milky skin, and hair of gold.
Spanish guitars played, Latin blood in our veins.
When will I forget? I think never.
Your memory and voice imprinted deep within.
You said you loved me, then I walked out of your life.
So young, so different, so real, yet unreal.
I see you clearly in passing dreams.
I hear you say my name, hold my hand, and I sigh. 
You always said I'd be there in the end.
Yes, look deeply into my eyes and hold me once more.
You know I'll say yes to one last dance. 

May Day in Paris

Last May 1, 2015, me and my mates were in Paris on May Day.  Most places were closed and there were supposed to be peaceful protests in different places of the city.  But we didn't see any.  We spent the day exploring Paris and looking for large protest groups or gatherings, but saw none.  Maybe because it was raining? Nevertheless, we bought Lily of the Valley tiny bouquets that would bring us luck all year. Yay!

Here's a brief history on May Day in Paris from this great link: May Day (La Fête du Muguet, La Fête du Travail) in France is a public holiday to campaign for and celebrate workers rights. It is also an occasion to present lily-of-the-valley or dog rose flowers to loved ones.

King Charles IX of France was presented with lily of the valley flowers on May 1, 1561. He liked the gift and decided to present lily of the valley flowers to the ladies of his court each year on May 1. Around 1900, men started to present a bouquet of lily of the valley flowers to women to express their affection. The flowers are a more general token of appreciation between close friends and family members these days.

The eight-hour working day was officially introduced in France on April 23, 1919, and May 1 became a public holiday called Fête internationale des Travailleurs (International Worker's Day). During World War II, the Vichy regime renamed the holiday to Fête du Travail et de la Concorde sociale(Work and Social Unity Day). Between 1944 and 1947, there was no holiday on May 1. It officially became known as La Fête du Travail (Labor Day) on April 29, 1948. Since then, it has been an occasion to campaign for and celebrate workers' rights. The day is also known as Labor Day in other parts of the world.

My First View of Eiffel Tower

In May of 2014, I traveled to Paris for the first time with five female travel mates/ friends/ coworkers. All of us spoke English, one spoke Chinese, four spoke Spanish, and one spoke French.

We ran around Paris hitting all the 'must sees' and tours and taking pix everywhere.  Me and my travel mates were in awe of everything around us and had an enjoyable and exhausting week In case you are wondering what you could do if you have FIVE days in Paris?  Answer: A lot!

We arrived in Paris around 1900hrs.  Took a cab to our Air BnB fantastic apartment which was around a 5minute walk away from the Eiffel Tower! Got the to apartment, got dolled up [Eiffel deserves that you get dressed up!], and power walked it to Eiffel.  The pic below is my first sight up close to the magnificent Eiffel Tower - still today, she brings much, much joy to my heart and soul. We tried to get to the 81st floor for the champagne, but never found it. Le bummer.

Here's a bit of history about the tower from a great article on History.com: Gustave Eiffel’s company built Paris’ most recognizable monument for the 1889 World’s Fair. The tower was built to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the French revolution. The tower has more than 18,000 pieces of puddle iron, a type of wrought iron used in construction, and 2.5 million rivets.  

Eiffel has eight elevators. During World War I, the Eiffel Tower intercepted enemy radio communications, relayed zeppelin alerts and was used to dispatch emergency troop reinforcements. It escaped destruction a second time during World War II: Hitler initially ordered the demolition of the tower, but the command was never carried out. Also during the German occupation of Paris, French resistance fighters famously cut the Eiffel Tower’s elevator cables so that the Nazis had to climb the stairs. 

The tower is repainted every seven years. And estimated 7 million people visit Eiffel per year. Some 500 employees are responsible for its daily operations, working in its restaurants, manning its elevators, ensuring its security and directing the crowds that flock the tower’s platforms.

Kiss It Goodbye

Beautiful dreams, I wish for you.
Yearning always, but tomorrow's brand new.

Eleven-fifty-nine, my how time flew…

Last 12 months, a year to forget.

Every tear, every prayer, each failed bet.
Time to move on, time to let go.
Sky sets quick, head hung low.
Kill the pain, I have no fear.
I yearn for the light, a new day is near.
Sing a new song, do it tonight, 
Set our sights high, no more fights.
Love this time long, the new year comes soon.
Angels right wrongs, make a wish on that moon.
Say so long, we can hear the tick-tock chimes.
Two-thousand-thirteen tears, filled that time.
Yesterday is done, I'm closing that door.
Every memory, every night, we longed for more.
Although it was painful, it's almost done.
Remember we faced it all and didn't run.
Go now, farewell, I'm tired of this game.
Open a new door, hearts can't be blamed.
One night we laughed, but tonight I won't cry.
Dream of the night, we won't say goodbye.

Do Me Again

Late at night we meet again.
It's the life of a musician.
Face the fact, I'm making my move.
Evening hours bring hands that soothe.
Over, under, push, pull, don't fight.
Follow my lead and hold on tight.
Add a hand onto my thigh, 
Sustained pain, enough to cry.
Twitch, sudden spasms, it's OK.
Release, contract, while Beethoven plays.
Inhale, exhale, and breathe with me.
Next I'll go deeper, this is key.
Grip my arm and hold on tight.
Moving slow, it hurts just right.
Unafraid now, to relieve the ache.
Sit still, collapse, you can't fake.
I've taken your pain and now it's mine.
Do me again! We'll say down the line.
It's you and me the course has been run.
Ah, sweet relief, innocent fun.
Relax, sleep well, and yes, we're done. 

How to act in Paris - My Five Gentle Suggestionis

To get the most out of your amazing trip to Paris - be it the first time or the 50th time, here are five gentle suggestions on how to behave:

1. Be polite. Greet people with Bonjour [bo shur] daily, often, and almost everywhere you go. When I'm in Paris I approach my entire trip with wonder and appreciation and first and foremost, politeness.  I do mean everywhere and everyone.  Including the taxi driver, the barista, the cafe staff, the tour bus drivers, the Metro man at the ticket window - you get the picture. When I was in Paris I made the daily mistake of saying Bonjour [which means good morning/or hello up until around early evening] so much and so often that I would always forget the evening term, which is Bonsoir [bone swah].  My brain always thought hat Bonsoir meant goodbye and not good evening.  Therefore, I'd walk into a restuarant or store and say Bonjour and would get Bonsoir - which immediately made me think the other person was saying Au Revoir [are weh vo ah] which means good bye.  Many a french person would explain to me DAILY that they were saying good evening.  Silly me! Nevertheless, I was always greeted well and felt that the French still liked me, regardless of my frowns to their Bonsoir. Lol.

2. Try your best French - every bit and/or attempt helps.  Living Language had a great list of daily words you will probably use in France.  WRITE these down and say them at home a million times before your trip - believe me, it helps!:

 1. Oui (“wee”) / Non (“nonh”) – Yes/ No

2. Bonjour (“boh(n)-zhoor”) – Hello

3. Au revoir (“oh ruh-VWAHR”) – Good-bye

4. Merci (“merr-SEE”) – Thank you

5. Pardon (“pahr-DON”) / Excusez-moi (“ehk-SKEW-zay MWAH”) – Excuse-me

6. Parlez-vous anglais? (“par-lay VOO zahng-LEH?”) – Do you speak English?

7. S’il vous plaît (“seel voo PLEH”) – Please

8. Je voudrais (“zhuh voo-DREH”) – I would like (use along with ‘Please’)

9. Combien ça coûte? (kom-BYAN sah koot?”) – How much does it/this cost?

10. Où sont les toilettes? (“OOH sohn leh twah-LET?”) – Where are the restrooms? (use with ‘Please’)

3. Dare to make friends and test out your Rosetta Stone skills. I dared my travel mates to make friends with a stranger in clubs in Montmartre [YES!  I'm still friends with that guy from a club near Moulin Rouge on Facebook], another guy wrote me a great list of tips on the airplane from London to Paris [basically all local business peeps], on the Metro [ok, ok, so my girlfriend almost married some Italian guy we met from the Metro at 5am on a Sunday morning after the long night in Montmartre en route back to our apartment in Tour Eiffel... Yet another story for another article!], and the locals! [including the young Serbian cab driver who wanted to be my boyfriend, the older cab driver who gave great tips on the Catacombs and why we should NOT have gone to Clignacourt, and let's not forget the cute frenchman newspaper guy outside the Louvre who wanted to marry me - lol!]

4. Follow the Golden Rule - Treat other as you would like to be treated. Don’t automatically expect that ALL the locals will be rude.  How terrible it must feel to always be told, "the French are so rude!"  Ummm... I would be rude too if I ALWAYS had rude American's saying things like, 'why isn't this menu in English?!' or 'You call this a 'good baguette/ or you call this 'good wine?!' or my favorite, 'Because of MY country's money, France EXISTS!' Eeew, to all of this. Again, treat others as you would like to be treated.  Oh and yes.  I heard these comments first hand from others.  Hence the food poisoning! And no!  The comments were NOT from me!

5. Make a mini bucket list and complete it! Each time I have been to France I have asked myself and my travel mates, "what is it that thing you MUST see or do in Paris, before we return to the States?" Plan for this thing and get it done!  You will feel very bad if you don't eat that crepe, walk the stairs up to Sacre Coehr, drink out of a green water fountain in Montmartre, see Eiffel twinkle up close, buy an Eiffel Tower keychain or two or five...  Take that silly jumping picture in front of the Louvre pyramids or dance with one cute guy in a random club! Take that group jumping picture in front of Tour Eiffel and Trocadero - besides, no on knows you! Whatever it is, make plans to see or do it and make your dream a reality.  You only live once.  So take my advise and make your dream come true, or as my Oakland travel mates would say: DO IT!

Voulez Vous Coucher Avec Moi?

Ok. In case you haven't noticed, yes, I'm clearly that hopeless romantic type that loves all things Paris, including the music, the food, the people, the history, and the endless cute things that surround my home and office of my Paris.

Just today on a long trip to Sacramento I listened to three soundtracks: Les Miserables; Phantom of the Opera; and in case you can't guess, Moulin Rouge.  I LOVE musicals! On the subject of Moulin Rouge, how beautiful were the sets and Nicole Kidman's costumes and makeup?! Love it all.


The first time I went to Moulin Rouge, my friends and I spent the money and watched the S U P E R long show. Lots of bare tops and old school Las Vegas type waltzing.  Sadly we had no luck finding the Chippendales version of this show anywhere in Paris and were scoffed at by taxi drivers and guys we met in Montmartre clubs who had never heard of such a thing.  Qui qui, Paris is missing out.

To top off my strange story, one of my travel mates INSISTED on asking almost every garçon that we met if menage a trois was a 'cultural thing that all Parisians did?'  Ugh.  In the future, my tip of the day is to avoid the show and the expensive unappetizing dinner at Moulin Rouge and hit the local bars.  We found, that if they have a juke box, background  music playing, or a DJ, you are more than likely to have dancing!  I will tell more stories later of our Montmartre adventures! I took this gorgeous picture of Moulin Rouge last year - June 2015:

Meantime, here is some interesting history on the Moulin Rouge from moulinrouge.com: On October 6, 1889, at the foot of Montmartre,  a new music hall opens, Moulin Rouge! On the side of the Place Blanche, the public discovers this extravagant place: a huge dance floor, mirrors everywhere, a gallery where he is the last of slumming chic, a garden with a huge elephant and rides donkey to amuse the ladies. Crazy atmosphere where the show takes place as well on stage as in the audience: aristocrats and cap thugs come together in a joyful complicity, crews uptown and little people of Paris having fun together in the most total euphoria. 


How amazing would it have been to attend opening night of the Moulin Rouge?! The Moulin Rouge means, The Red Windmill. The Moulin Rouge was inaugurated on 6th of October 1889 by Joseph and Charles Zidler.
French painter and lithographer; Henri Marie Raymond de Toulouse-Lautrec was a frequent customer at Moulin Rouge. His color lithographs depict actors, music-hall singers, prostitutes, and waitresses from the 1890s in Montmartre. He also created the Moulin Rouge series in 1894.

The Perfect Day

We had morning coffee, 
we had a morning walk, 
pictures on phones, 
and a daylong talk.
We gazed at rolling hills
and took long deep breathes.
We watched children fly kites
and looked forward to endless nights.
On this wonderful and magical day, 
we acted out parts, just like a play.
It was the, oh so, perfect day.
We walked distant trails and took in some wine.
I danced, you sang, we followed the signs.
You were funny, bold, tender, and kind.
So what was wrong with this perfect day? 
Alone again, you were only on my mind. 

Foodie Tours - Qui Qui!!

OMG.  I want to do foodie tour of Paris.  NO.  Stop.  Rewrite.  I'm GOING to do a foodie tour in Paris!

Been researching different tours and just came upon a very affordable amazing looking foodie tour online on one of my favorite site, A Girl's Guide to Paris . How cute is their website?

Two years ago I did a wine tour at O Chateau in Paris, very near The Louvre.  It was ok.  The 'vintage' wine was a 2014 bottle - yes, I was there in 2014, so, no O Chateau, this is not a vintage wine. Sorry, my Napa Valley snobbery comes out at the most horrible moments... Nevertheless, the underground rock walls were fun and the host was friendly and informative about French wine history and regions.

However, the idea of tasting macarons and chocolates sounds heavenly!  And yes, I admit that I HAD TO order macarons and desserts from McDonalds on Champs Elysees . It was so fun!  The macarons were delicious and it was a fun treat on a hot summer day in June to run in, do some people watching, then take my little bag to eat my yummy McMacarons in front of Arc de Triomph .  On the flip side, I ordered a box of macarons from Laduree.  OMG.  How GORGEOUS and 'French' is Laduree?! I want to live there. Yes. Live inside Laduree. Admit it. You want to live there too.

Ok, So here are three online foodie tours that look amazing!  Which would you like to attend?

1. Foodie Tours of Paris: $75 for a 3 hour tour gets you a walking foodie tour of the Paris Latin Quarter/5th Arrondissement and: 

• A visit to an authentic fromagerie, where you will get an assortment of delectable French cheeses to enjoy
• A new take on a traditional French bakery run by a talented young baker
• Stops at a charming creperie and French wine bar
• Fascinating historical facts and anecdotes narrated by a fun, knowledgeable tour guide
• The breathtaking architecture of medieval churches, local landmarks and the world famous Pantheon
• Stunning views of Notre Dame cathedral

2. Viator Macaron Chocolate Behind the Scenes Tour: $25 for a 1 hour tour gets you:

• Small-group macaron and chocolate shop tour in Paris
• Take a look behind the scenes of a chocolate and macaron shop and discover the secrets of macaron and chocolate making
• Spend time in the kitchen observing the head pastry chef and master chocolatier at work
• Taste some of delectable macarons and rich chocolate treats
• Small-group tour limited to 10 people to ensure a more personalized experience 

3. Secret Food Tours: €89  ffor a 3 hour foodie tour of Monmartre gets you:

• Meet a local Parisian guide who will take you to a patisserie to enjoy some traditional French delicacies, followed by a visit to a cheese shop to try some of Nico’s favorite ‘fromages’
• Your personal guide will then lead your party to a classic chocolaterie where you’ll have the chance to eat mouthwatering chocolates
• Your tour will include a stop at a boulangerie where you can sample and learn about classic French breads and baguettes 
• Visit a creperie for the delicious flavor sensation of eating a crepe or galette
• Visit a butcher shop, while there, you can taste succulent French hams and the finest cured sausages
• Your guide will pick out the perfect wine chosen to match your food and taste and designed to enhance the whole experience
• And there will be a Secret Dish to experience

Jane & Serge

I keep toying with the idea of REALLY wanting to meet Jane Birkin and getting her to give me a tour of Serge Gainsbourg's home.  Or not.  I'm not psycho or a Jane & Serge stalker.  However, I DO want to have someone take black and white AHHHDORABLE pix of me and my hubby, Jane and Serge style!  How cute were they?! 

This pic also reminds me that I NEED to buy some boot leg faded jeans and cut the bottoms off and rag them up all Jane style.  AND I need to have my adorable and oh so talented hair stylist CeCe from Danville Divas  give me these Jane bangs/fringe.  I did promise myself to return to Paris with long hair and bangs.  Oh my, I sound like a Jane & Serge stalker. No. Just a huge fan.

Poetry Corner: So High

Do you want to do it?

I'm not sure, I say, yes.

Vortex swirling below.

Every inch closer says DO IT.

Offer me your hand.

Face your fear.

Feeling scared.

This Could be it.

He looks her in the eye and says yes.

Eyes look Trusting in Each Other.

He is already so high.

I've done it before, aim Each Time is new.

Girl just do it, you know you want to.

Hold my hand, lead me, I'll follow you.

Be careful, do not turn back.

Open you eyes the whole time.

Almost there.

Remember, you both-have done this before.

Do not be scared.

We will get wet.

Hold on let's go hands together.

Angels protect us.

This time feels like the first time.

Do not know if I can go through with this.

I know you want to do it.

Do not run from this.

You keep saying, don't be afraid - I'm not afraid.
Others will say I was so crazy, but I was brave.
U are convincing me I can do this.

There's no turning back now.
How high are we? 
It will feel like your flying and then you'll explode.
No regrets.
Killed the fear. Let's do it again 

Killed the fear. Let's do it again.

Poetry Corner: Blow the Ashes

Poetry Corner: Blow the Ashes

No one, young or old, is beyond change.

We learn so much from suffering and rage.

Free yourself from your past foe.

I know it's difficult but let him go.

The pain sometimes will cut like a knife.

I've felt it too, so many times in my life.

Free yourself, grow, and move onward.

Allow yourself to feel the hurt and learn.

Learn the lessons that were written on the mirror everyday.

When you dare to look, your dark eyes clearly say:

I am peace, perfection, love, beauty, and light.

All learned all this from my past blight.

Last nights bad dreams no more.

Soothed away like the ocean's breeze on fresh new shores.

For all those screams, peace to your soul.

He tried unsuccessfully to douse the light that made you whole.

Love is now allowed even after you thought he was it.

Beauty was always there, even after the tears you had to submit.

Perfection will be in you from now onward, you are so, NOT a mess.

Sufferings? Yes, this happens in life, but YOU, my friend, are truly blessed.

I know this, I've been there too.

Defeated? Oh hell no, I won't let you.

You paid a dollar for the karma that was good.

I KNEW you would, why? Because, YOU knew you should.

You are so much stronger than you were just yesterday.

Even after all the games he played.

To all the rage, hate, screams, tears, and bad dreams, let's toss them in a bin.

We'll set them on fire, then blow the ashes into the wind.

And then, and only then, we'll be able to turn that poison into medicine. 

Travel Jackets with Secret Pockets!

I LOVE THE SCOTTeVEST jackets! They have the cutest swing coats for women in a bunch of nice colors like red, khaki, solid black, orange, and blue!  I wish they had green - I've been searching for a kelly green swing coat, but that's another story.

Ok, the downlow on these jackets.  My hubby and my son both have the men's jackets.  Hubby has the dark blue [which is actually more like a mechanic's uniform blue] Sterling Jacket.  It's $150, so, not bad, for an awesome travel jacket that is light and has a TON of secret pockets for electronics, gadgets, snacks, and even a built in eye glass cleaning cloth!  All of this will NOT be in our luggage.  Oh and it has a protected pocket for credit cards that protects the cards from being scanned by thieves! This jacket is great for an older guy because my son did not like the collar.

My son has the SeV Shell jacket in black. It's a very cool biker looking jacket that is great for a 24yr old who wants to look cool and carry a bunch of stuff!  It's pricier at $215, but worth it for the cool  biker collarless factor. Oh and both jackets have removable sleeves, so you could wear them as vests!

I ordered the red women's trench coat and admittedly did not like it at first. It seemed bulky and weird.  But I've changed my mind and will be ordering the solid black jacket soon.  I think the darker color will work better for me and I'll be able to wear it day or evening to jazz up an outfit for a quick night on the town. And now that I keep thinking about it, in black, I MUST have it!  PS:  I LOVE swing coats and trenches... but I ESPECIALLY love anything with secret pockets! How cool is this jacket?!:

The BEST Luggage and Lightest for a trip to Europe!

My oh so special hubby researched LIKE CRAZY, high and low, for the BEST travel clothes with secret hidden pockets and the lightest luggage that would not break the bank!  Here are my great travel tips for Special Travel Clothes and Luggage!

Tip of the Day: Luggage - We, meaning 'he' found an awesome luggage bag for us to use for our trip from SF to Europe!  The Lucas Vortex Ultra Lightweight Collection 20 Inch Spinner bag is AMAZING!!  It was listed on Amazon for $220, but it's currently on sale for $59.99!!  AND most amazingly, it's only 3lbs. 5 oz.  CRAZY right?!  It measures 8 x 14 x 20 inches - which includes the handles and the rubber wheels.  I'm super excited to use it.  For $59 and less than 4lbs., I'm very happy with this purchase. Will give another review when we return. Oh, and it comes in six jazzy colors!  We got black. 

Countdown: 120 days 'til Paris!

As of today, I am 120 days from Paris!  I drive to work listening to the Amelie soundtrack on Spotify, and envision Tour Eiffel everywhere in the horizon.  Meanwhile, Paris and things of Paris continue to come to me.

The other day I met a young lady who was oh so excited to tell me of her upcoming European backpacking adventure in June.  She will spend a month and a half and be traveling all over Europe - LUCKY GIRL!  She will be spending four days in my Paris!  

As we sat and excitedly told each other about our trips, I realized that I had many 'secret' tips to offer her.  I've decided to add those travel tips on my blog to help out any travelers who may come across my site.  I will entitle such tips under "secret travel tips."  Although, I'm sure, many of these tips are not secret.  They were great tips that I found for my trips to France.

Just this morning, my friend gave me a cute mirror.  She said, "Someone gave me this super cute mirror that made me think of you!  It has an Eiffel Tower on it and some buildings." See pic for the cutest little souvenir mirror, which is now in my purse for daily usage. Yay me! Merci mi ami, Michelle!

Travel Tip of the Day:  Search around Paris for different prices on cute little souvenirs, such as this mirror and the MANY Eiffel Tower souvenir's all over Paris.  Different prices abide.  I found that I could get way better deals in local shops, rather than the throngs of Nigerian guys that troll the Eiffel Tower with rings full of Eiffel Towers.  Skip those guys!  Oh, and a taxi driver told me to avoid the rickshaw guys too for safety and cost.  They cost around $20 USD for short trips, where as a taxi costs half of that, and of course, the Metro costs less than $2 USD for just about anywhere. :)