Day 251: Wedding Day

No, I didn't get married today, but my friend did.  Her ceremony was so beautiful.  It was nice because the judge seemed to know them on a more personal level, so the speech felt very genuine.  We were worried the weather was not going to hold out, but it ended up being just perfect.  Here you can see the bride and her dad.

Day 250: Scrubbing Day

I wonder if anyone else out there appreciates vacuum lines as much as I do.  I see those streaks and I think: clean.  Tonight was cleaning night at mi casa.  Every time I attack my place, Pippi Longstocking comes to mind.  I used to LOVE the song "Scrubbing Day."  I didn't find cleaning as fun as Pippi does, but I do feel productive.  

Day 249: Heavy Bones

I don't have too much to say about today.  I think that today's picture of Kendra represents how I feel right now.  I'm tired.  Worn out.  I want to work on writing, but I just don't feel the physical or mental motivation to do so.  I did work on my Spanish.  I think I may go lay down so I can look at the cielo. 

Day 248: Hola. Me llamo Melissa.

Rosetta Stone arrived today in case you can't tell.  I like how it is set up so far.  I am worried about retaining the information.  I think I will be good at remembering how to say nouns in Spanish, but it is putting everything together that is the challenge.  So far, I can tell you:

Ella come.
El bebe.
Que es esta?
El hombre lee.
La mujer corre.  (Which I can't actually say corre).

and more...

I think the program approaches language in an interesting way. Rather than being el hombre=man, they never actually translate anything for you.  You learn by context and pictures.  Maybe this prevents your brain from constantly translating Spanish to English.  Instead, you just see it and know it.  I like how it combines vocabulary, listening, pronunciation, and a lot of practice.  I really hope this works.  Quiero hablar espanol.

Day 247: Paris Mosaic

I found free software today that allows you to create a mosaic with your own photos.  Here is the one I made for Paris.  This gives you an idea of what I want my book cover to look like.  The software is very easy to use.  Here is the link if you are interested: Mosaic Software.

I'm realizing today how much work will go into my book.  There is so much research I need to do.  Yes I know about Saint Denis, famous cabarets that artists flocked to, and the reasoning behind the name of the Latin Quarter, but I only hold little segments of what has happened.  When my reader is done with my book, I want them to understand the progression of events throughout Paris history.  I want them to understand the how and why of a place.  I guess that I must first understand the how and why.  I know a lot of whats, but not enough to string it all together.  I think this quotation by David McCullough describes what I will be doing, "You've got to marinate your head, in that time and culture.  You've got to become them."  You could also say I want them to share experiences with me.

I did a little revision today.  It will probably take 100 more till it sounds right.  Here is the updated ending paragraph to my introduction:
 

Neighborhood Mosaic is a combination of a guidebook and personal anecdotes.  The neighborhoods I have selected are only a few of the many that can be found in Paris.  These sites have come alive in my visits.  The abundance of history, art, and culture that exists in these places is always developing.  Although I attempt to bring air to the lungs of the city, you are the one that must breathe.  This book serves the intention of providing enough information to get you started so that you can inhale everything else that goes into making a journey memorable.  As you read through the anecdotes and historical references, I hope that you find yourself unable to resist the urge to buy a plane ticket so that you can stand in the footsteps of the city that has made an impact on many lives and is waiting to impact yours.

Day 246: Writings

I've had an idea for awhile now to write a guidebook from the perspective of neighborhoods.  Right now the working title is Neighborhood Mosaic (too ordinary?).  I was thinking the cover could be a mosaic of my Paris pictures (black and white) that creates a scene in Paris or a map of the arrondissements.  I want to write nonfiction that will encourage people to travel to places and stand in the footsteps of what I have brought alive for them.  Growing up I remember planning trips around movies or books.  One year we did a “National Treasure” themed trip and I loved it.  There were some disappointments when I realized that there was not truth to all of the happenings and locations in the movie, but I felt something when I knew about these places and went to them.  I remember the last time I went to Paris we visited some locations featured in “The Da Vinci Code.”  Imagine if you went to places that were true and real.  While in Paris my second time, I read A Moveable Feast by Hemingway.  It is about his time in Paris and I loved how he brought Paris alive.  When I visited the places he described, it meant something to me because he gave the place significance.  What if I could write stories about people or events in certain locations that would encourage people to travel and see and feel that moment in time?  To me, this is where nonfiction is so powerful.  I find truth to be awakening.

I think I can take this book even farther by creating audio guides and an app that will be equipped with related images.  For example, if I am visiting Notre Dame and I discuss the relics, the app would have images determined by your location.

So today I started a draft.  I thought I'd post some of it on here to hopefully get some feedback and thoughts.  I've always heard that you should write for yourself.  If that is my goal, then this is how I would write.  I want to use it as a way to bring interest to others, but also preserve my memories and learn more about the places I love.  I have an idea someday that I might like to be a Paris tour guide.  This would only help me gain some of the background that I need. 

I wouldn't end this series with Paris though.  I would also really like to write one about Venice.  I think this format could work for all cities because each one has distinct neighborhoods with different character.   What do you think?

Here is a sample of my introduction.  It is in rough form, but gives you an idea.  I'll also include a segment from my Montmartre chapter.  I'd love some critiquing! 

Introduction

Cities are comprised of a number of neighborhoods that give the overall identity for the city.  Each personality of a neighborhood is like a new piece of glass coming together to make the whole image.  Closer investigation into these neighborhoods reveals a distinct character and vibe of its own.  To truly appreciate a place, one must delve into the corners and back alleys that are the veins for the beating city. 

Paris is broken into 20 arrondissements or districts.  You will find that each district will affect you in a variety of ways.  There are a number of contributing factors that lead to this village within a city feeling.  Looking into the history of the neighborhood is a strong indicator for the reasoning behind these differences.  The age, art, inhabitants, and politics all create the makeup of the area. 

Neighborhood Mosaic is a combination of a guidebook and personal anecdotes.  The neighborhoods I have selected are only a few of the many that can be found in Paris.  These sites have come alive in my visits.  As you read through the anecdotes and historical references, I hope that you find yourself unable to resist the urge to buy a plane ticket so that you can stand in the footsteps of the city that has made an impact on many lives and is waiting to impact yours.

Chapter 4: Montmartre

           Montmartre was my home during my first visit to Paris.  I had graduated from college and my aunts were generous enough to pay my way for a week in Paris.  We stayed in an apartment on Yvonne le Tac; a short walk to the nearest metro.  Apartments have such a great appeal to us.  For that week, we are living with the Parisians.  We smell the garlic roasting for dinner downstairs.  Small exchanges occur as you try to squeeze past a neighbor on the stairs, trying to wind down without winding down on the ground.  You may even have the opportunity to climb over a homeless man lying across your front door.  My favorite benefit of staying in an apartment is to shop like the Parisians.  Each day we search for the freshest baguette, cheese, wine, and every other cliché purchase.  We begin to become familiar with the man down at the little grocery.  We even set out our garbage like the rest.

If staying near the Abessess metro, be sure to pray on each journey for a working elevator.  This metro station is one of the deepest in Paris with over 200 steps to climb.  Great for exercise, but be prepared for a workout if you’ve got luggage.

Day 245: Day Trip

The early Saturday morning alarm was a bit unwelcomed.  I was looking forward to the day, but sleep also seemed a necessity.  I slowly moved until six when I was picked up for a mini road trip.  It had been a couple of months since we got our Indy fix, and it was time to restock.  The drive was fast, allowing us to get there in three hours.  We stopped at Goose the Market for some meaty goodness.  

With time to spare, we went to the art museum to see an exhibit called Snapshot.  The exhibit showcased early photographs taken by artists and the paintings they created from the photographic inspiration.  My favorite photograph was of a woman walking away from the camera holding an umbrella in overcast Paris.  We walked through the European galleries after completing the exhibit.  I love seeing artists I am familiar with or scenery that I have visited.

Lunch time was approaching and it was time to search for our favorite food truck.  Unfortunately, they were not in our sight and facebook updates were lacking.  We decided to try something new at a restaurant around the corner from where my aunt lives.  Since we were so close, we gave her a call and asked if she'd like to join us.  Luckily, she was available and was able to join us for lunch.  I love meeting up and chatting with my aunts whenever I can, and moments like this are rare.  After lunch we went back to her house for a glass of wine.  I absolutely love her house.  I take my interior design preferences from her by trying to surround myself with the places I've been.  I also got to take a tour of her garden which is blooming so well.  We couldn't stay long, but I enjoyed the little time we got to spend together.  I look forward to returning Columbus Day weekend.

We were on a tight schedule to return home because I was supposed to hang out with Crystal later that night.  We met for drinks and talked about life.  I am exhausted from a good day.