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!