J'habite à Paris!

"You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore" -Christopher Columbus

As many of you know, this past fall I accepted a job in Paris! This job is an opportunity of a lifetime and what better way to begin my career then internationally? After a whirlwind adventure of a visa and massive amounts of paperwork I am finally settled into this beautiful city.

Early morning Friday the 17th, I moved into my apartment. It's located close to the Notre Dame Cathedral, allowing me to listen to the church bells whenever they go off. The apartment is in such a great location and is just perfect! Luckily, it came fully furnished, allowing us to not go too crazy setting it up. After unpacking and adding a few personal touches, the apartment really came together and I know it will soon feel like home. My living room window overlooks a small courtyard and I came at just the right time as all the leaves are changing colors making it look even more stunning.

Outside my apartment

While I was at work, my parents set out to collect the last needed pieces for my apartment as well as to explore the city and find some great little shops and restaurants. They left me quite the list of places to go! Having visited Paris 13 years ago we have already hit the major sites so they felt as though they had more time to explore the city and really enjoy it. However, they still did a little touring, with a return trip to the Eiffel Tower and a visit to the Antiquities section of the Louvre, something we hadn't seen last time.

Mom and Dad at the Eiffel Tower.

This past Saturday my parents and I set out to explore the Marais area on the right bank. It is a beautiful area and we took advantage of the good weather and meandered the streets. At night we went to see the Eiffel Tower lit up which was absolutely gorgeous. For the Millennium, Paris installed Search lights to the top of the Tower and put on an extravagant flashing light show. The show was hugely popular and they have since turned it into a nightly occurrence.

Eiffel Tower at night, simply stunning

After a whirlwind trip to Paris my parents returned back to the states today. I couldn't have done this move without them and can't thank them enough for the support and encouragement they have always given me. I will miss them terribly but will see them soon!

As this next chapter unfolds and my new adventure begins in this beautiful old city, I hope you will continue to follow my blog. I promise to update it as regularly as possible as I adapt to a new language, culture and home.

Au revoir for now!

"Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall"

The quote, from the Great Gatsby, fits my sentiments exactly. Not only is Fall my favorite season but the quote represents the changes going on in my life as I embark on a new chapter.

Columbus Day weekend was the perfect fall weekend. My parents and I started the weekend early and left Thursday afternoon for Schenectady where my cousin was getting married at the Glen Sanders Mansion. We arrived shortly before the Rehearsal Dinner and enjoyed seeing our family. Friday morning we drove to downtown Schenectady and went to their Little Italy for lunch. It was much, much smaller than Arthur Ave (about 3 stores are left) but the food was still good. We headed back to our hotel and got ready for the ceremony which started in the late afternoon. My cousin Jen looked beautiful in her dress and her flower girls (her sister's kids) were absolutely adorable! After the ceremony we headed back to the Glen Sanders for the cocktail hour and reception. The food was delicious and it was so good to spend time with all of my cousins and my family.

Congrats Jen and Dan!

Saturday morning James, Teresa, Baloo and I headed up to the Adirondacks. All 40 plus pounds of Baloo and I hung out in the front seat. I was super stoked to hang out with James and Teresa and to bond with Baloo. I was able to take the front seat and have him sit on my lap during the drive up. How could you not? He's so stinking cute! I saw him last in the beginning of September and he has gotten so big since!

Selfies on the ride up

After settling into the cabin, my mom, Teresa and I headed to Rulf's Orchard. I have such great memories from there when I was younger and it was high on my priority list to head back! When we were younger we used to go raspberry and blueberry picking during the summer which my mom would then use to make her famous homemade jam. In the fall we would head back for apples and pumpkin picking. The rule was we could only choose a pumpkin we could carry, making it quite the challenge to get a good sized pumpkin! They also have homemade apple cider and the best homemade donuts. The trip back to Rulf's was a mini walk down memory lane and the cider and donuts were as amazing as I remembered!

Fresh Apples, donuts, pumpkins and having fun at Rulfs!

Later that night our family friends, the Murphys, came over for dinner. It is always so good to see them and we had such a nice time laughing the night away. Sunday morning we headed to the last farmer's market in Keene and then headed back home. The trip upstate was relaxing and so fun. Having spent a large amount of time growing up there the Adirondacks holds a very special place in my heart. It was so nice to be there with my family enjoying each others' company and the beautiful fall weather.  Although I won't be able to return for another year, I am already looking forward to it.

The fam :)

In an Empire State of mind

Random gatherings from my time in New York...

• Baloo! James and Teresa are now the proud owners of a Bernese Mountain Dog named Baloo. They were up in NY one of the first weekends I was home and I got to meet this (not so) little nugget. He is so adorable and such a good puppy. At less than three months old and already 18 pounds this little guy is growing fast!

Me with the little munchkin

• The Book of Mormon- My mom and I went to see The Book of Mormon in NYC. I have been wanting to see this play for a long time and with high expectations it did not disappoint. I would highly recommend seeing it as we laughed throughout the entire show and is definitely a Broadway highlight! 

At the Book of Mormon!

• Throughout the fall I was able to catch up with my high school and college friends. I went to Oktoberfest with my Sleepy friends, some of whom I hadn't seen in a while and it was so great to catch up. My Colgate friends and I were able to get together a few times for dinners and brunch in the city and also for a wonderful trip for Colgate's Homecoming. I was also able to see Allie's new Brooklyn apartment and stomping grounds, which are amazing. I'll miss these friends so much but know I will get to see them again a few short months.



Oktoberfest Sleepy Hollow

• In October my family from Berlin came over and spent the night. I met Ana, Reiner, Nima and Andrea for the first time back in 2000 in Travesio. In 2010 when my dad and I traveled throughout Germany and Austria they not only had us for dinner but Reiner also took us around Berlin for an amazing tour. This year they are touring the east coast so they stopped in Westchester for the night before they headed up to the Adirondacks. They gave me a Berlin Bear from the buddy-baer collection. Mine is designed by the artist Marina Bitter, entitled "Berlin Spring," it has many of the sites that my dad and I saw. The bear will always remind me of my trip to Berlin and my Italian-German family! My mom and I made a typical Thanksgiving dinner for them, which was amazing. It was so good to see them in NY and hopefully I will see them again in the near future in Berlin!

  

  Me Nima & Andrea, a Berlin Bear, the table and Nana's famous pumpkin pie