Tag: paris

glimpses of paris

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In 7th grade, I decided to make a 3-d glass model of the Louvre for my French class project. My mom drove me to the hardware store to buy the sheets of glass that I would use to make this pyramid. I bought black tape as well so I could line the sides of the glass to look similar to the Louvre. All I remember now are the many hours it took to construct my mini-Louvre, and all of my French has unfortunately seemed to escape me. Nevertheless, despite my disappointing French skills, Paris never seems to disappoint me. I could just sit for hours outside the Louvre on a sunny day, stroll in the perfectly hemmed Tuileries garden, and take a million pictures of the Eiffel Tower and never get sick of it.

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paris in full bloom

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I must admit that Paris in June is pretty splendid with sunny weather, flowers in full bloom, and sunlight until 10pm. After a late dinner, going outside the restaurant, and seeing that it was still bright out was mind blowing. I guess living Singapore, where sunrise and sunset is at a constant 7am and 7pm all year long, it was quite a breath of fresh air. So my list of things I love about Paris continues to extend with each visit. Yes, I’m a little obsessed.

It’s hard to not love a place where there are rose gardens everywhere you turn. I think I serendipitously ran into three incredible rose gardens on one of my days there. Seriously, walking around with my camera on the streets of Paris is one of my favorite things. Can I just live here now? Here are a few photos of the incredible greenery. paris-1379paris-0046paris-0043paris-0068 paris-0054 paris-0026paris-0034paris-1406 paris-1422

a year through photos

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The other day, I was telling my friend how I had no space on my phone to download another app because of all the photos that I took. It’s true, especially when you have a 16gb memory space and you love to document everything through photos. I blame it partly on one of my strengths (according to strengths finders test) of “input” that makes me want to collect things.

I like to collect things, and photos in particular because every picture reminds me of a moment, that I will never get back. Who knows when I will need that photo or memory later on in my life? I might as well take a photo and save that moment forever. Ok, I’m sounding a bit more OCD than I really am. To clarify, I have been able to delete a lot of photos (considering my lack of memory on my phone). Currently, I only have 1,707 photos on my iphone and maybe a few videos as well.

In an attempt to reflect on this past year, I decided to look at my photos I took on my dslr camera and shared on my blog. I came across a few that stuck out to me, whether it’s the colors, emotions, or the memories they reminded me of. Each photo brings me back to a moment, big or small, from this year. Here’s a small glimpse into my 2014.

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a paris icon: the eiffel tower

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When one thinks of Paris, the Eiffel Tower is one of the first things that most people think of. It’s an incredible icon of Paris. There were abundant reminders of this beautiful iron structure all over Paris. I must admit, I probably had close to 100 pictures with the Eiffel Tower in it.

One of the memorable parts of this Paris trip was actually going inside the Eiffel Tower to the upper levels. We must have waited for over an hour, and it was a chilly night, but definitely worth waiting for the elevator. Even though we didn’t go all the way to the tippy top (someone had a fear of heights, I won’t name names), it was well worth it. Now, I can say, I’ve been inside the Eiffel Tower. On our way down, we took the stairs, and I felt so bad for the people that were walking UP the tower! At one point, I started to encourage the people climbing up. I would not recommend walking up the stairs, especially on a cold day.

The last night in Paris, we of course went back to the Eiffel Tower and enjoyed the lights while eating Pierre Herme macarons. I didn’t eat them all, and brought the remaining ones back with me to Singapore! I think the next country in Europe I plan on visiting is Spain! I just found out that one of my friends will be studying abroad there. Anyone interested?! 🙂

Stay tuned for more posts on my summer in ny!  

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a few of my favorite things {paris}

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To say that I’m a bit behind would be an understatement, but nevertheless I think it’s time to start posting my Paris pics from March, then I can post more current pics from NY. It’s hard to not fall in love with Paris after visiting. This was my second time going back (as an adult), and I felt like I could live here. Really, how hard would it be to eat delicious chocolate croissants, baguettes, and macarons everyday? I loved that the apartment we stayed at was walking distance to the Eiffel Tower.  Every morning, we grabbed breakfast from the bakery on our street and ate on a bench at the park next to the Eiffel Tower. So Paris definitely has a piece of my heart still there. Here are some of my favorite parts of Paris. Enjoy! xoxo.

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slice of life challenge day #6: a baby in paris

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slice of life 2014

I decided to do a #tbt (throw back thursday) slice of life post!

paris

On a cold winter day,

a red plaid scarf,

a pink puffy jacket,

and a simple stroller,

all waiting eagerly

 to get their picture sketched.

Does anyone remember,

a baby in Paris?

Artists armed with sharp pencils,

 line the cobble stone streets,

high atop Montmartre,

nestled between cafes,

with coffee and cafe au laits,

sitting on chairs facing the street,

people watching,

a baby smiles.

Waiting, wondering and wishing,

an artist starts to draw.

From a blank canvas,

emerges a drawing,

captured on paper.

No longer forgotten,

someone remembers,

a baby in Paris.

Hold Fast to Dreams

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Dreams

–Langston Hughes

Hold fast to dreams

For if dreams die

Life is a broken-winged bird

That cannot fly.

Hold fast to dreams

For when dreams go

Life is a barren field

Frozen with snow.

I read this poem to my students today. It reminded of something I watched on TV yesterday. I was watching a TV special on will.i.am from Black Eyed Peas called “Vision Maker”. He’s incredibly talented at what he does. He sees the whole picture. He writes, sings, produces, dances and is a visionary in so many ways. He starts talking about his new song Mona Lisa Smiles. He came to Paris, 5 years ago and thought that it would “dope” one day to record there. He walks in 5 years later with his Macbook in hand, a guitarist next to him strumming his song and a camera crew. (I love that he has a huge sticker on his laptop that says POET!)

I’m watching him walk through the same hallways I was in just a few weeks ago. I see him enter the hall with the Mona Lisa, completely empty, during it’s after hours. He’s recording and singing in front of the Mona Lisa his new song Mona Lisa Smiles. Afterwards, he tells the camera how he’s living his dream. He tells us to treat our dreams with care. Keep focused, stay hungry and be tenacious.

He was a kid one day with dreams. Dreams that started to become a reality. We need to continue to be reminded of our dreams. Our dreams are what keep us fighting the daily battles we face. will.i.am says that he is still running after his dreams. Are you?

“Dreams are illustrations from the book your soul is writing about you.”

                                                                                     –Marsha Norman

Outside the Louvre