Results of a Broken Laptop

So what happens when your primary source that connects you to the rest of the world breaks down? Answer: A prolonged break from updating your blog (even after you've fixed it and bought a new source). Because it's late now seeing as it's 5AM, I'll just recap the past 2 months with pictures and some minor wording while trying to keep it chronologically correct.

I took a side trip to Milano with two friends during our week long break from class. Coincidentally, fashion week had just begun there. The streets were more crowded and more was happening. The area where our hotel was situated on the other hand didn't seem most inviting but we made it through fine. I stepped foot into Switzerland for a few hours during this trip because we went to an outlet. I can still say that I've been to Switzerland now, right?

As for classes itself, I have completed Intermediate Pastry last month finishing off by making the Plaisir during the final exam. I had unknowingly spent too much time trying to practice piping the word "Opera" out with chocolate that I lost track of time. In the end, I had failed to remove the mold from the cake so I am positive that had crippled my final score. I'll know better to keep an eye on the clock for future practice.

March was a pretty busy month as my best buddy from college and my brother came to visit me. They made life in Paris that much better. With them, I was able to go on more side trips (can never get enough of them!). I went to Lille, France with Sally and hit up a few places in Italy with Andy. I think I remember the food more than anything else from those towns. Anyhow, pictures will tell the story better than my half-asleep state can right now.

I guess the photos are a bit jumbled as well but you get the idea. That brings us to today, where I am living by myself again and in Superior Pastry! Next destination: Mont Saint-Michel! I haven't bought tickets yet but I hope they aren't excruciatingly expensive.

I love weekends.

2nd to Last Day of 2010

Of course I'll have to write an entry in here before it hits 2011! It's been a while since I have last updated. So what has happened within these 1.5 months? Visits here and there, seeing him and her.

My ex-coworker, Sue, visited me from November 12-18. We took a mini trip to Venezia and it was a pretty sight with all the canals and bridges. If only the weather was less cloudy and rainy. We enjoyed ourselves nonetheless and ate many dishes of pasta. Yum!

We both flew back to New York on the 18th so I was able to spend Thanksgiving with family and friends. I decided to make some palmiers and an apple tart while I had access to an oven at home! Results weren't as great as they were when I made them in school but people enjoyed them still. That's all that matters I suppose! I found that I was missing New York more than I had anticipated. I admit that I felt a little out of place perhaps due to culture shock but it didn't take too long to adapt.

After a quick and short 2 weeks, I flew back to Paris with my buddy, Pocky. The day after, my high school friend, Frankie, came with his girlfriend. We visited the touristy spots and had many French dinners. Wow, I had never eaten that much French food in a single week before. Thanks to Pocky for feeding me so generously! It was a great opportunity to try dishes and restaurants that I had never before. Paris also experienced one of its unusual snowstorms, canceling many international flights and delaying many others. Pocky's flight was canceled so he was able to soak in the French culture for a few more days.

Upon their departure, I had a week to myself before my boyfriend would arrive. Christmas in Paris with the boyfriend: can't get any more romantic than that! Well, maybe if it were less frigid and icy, it would have been better. I was finally able to visit Disneyland Paris! It wasn't as magical as I had envisioned due to the lack of nightly fireworks! The Christmas decor was festive and appealing though. We also took a mini trip to Amsterdam for a few days. Drugs, prostitutes, ollibollen. What more can you ask for? hah. I was pretty bummed out when he had to leave though but I'll save you all from my mushy talk.

That brings us to today! Less than one week until Intermediate Pastry begins. I have both demonstration and practical on our first day. Bonne chance tout le monde!