London and Paris

It came to my attention that I have been neglecting my blog and all of my hundreds of followers that I no doubt have and that I had forgot to write about my various travels entonces (and so) I will catch you up.

London
I went to London in November and was only there for two days which was not enough time in the slightest. London is definitely at the top of my list of places to return to the next time I come to Europe but for not I will just have to be satisfied with what I saw. London was a wonderfully traditional and historical city with much to see and do. I decided since I only had a short amount of time there and much to see that I should pay for a tour bus because it takes you to all the main spots. From this I stopped at and was able to see Trafalgar Square, (which, while I was there was actually filming a movie) St. James Park, Nottinghill, The Royal Palace, The Tower of London, St. Peter's Cathedral, Parliament, Big Ben, London Bridge and much much more. London was soooo beautiful and definitely is a city to get lost in and enjoy by yourself. It was exactly what I needed during this particular time because I was feeling a little homesick for the United States and London had a lot of the things from the US which made me feel comforted. I often find that more than anything I sometimes feel homesick for the US itself in all its simplicity and convenience.  Anyways London was not an experience to be missed and I strong urge any of you who have not traveled there to make a trip immediately if not now.

Paris
The city of Lights, a proper name indeed, every night the city was brilliantly illuminated. I was lucky enough to spend my Christmas in Paris which if you are ever traveling in Europe I highly recommend going to Paris during that time because unlike most places in Europe rather than staying cooped up inside around the fire Paris chooses to Celebrate Christmas and be alive and out and about on this day. I was lucky in that, I got to stay in Paris for five days which once again was not enough time. What I liked about paris the most though was the food. Let me be specific, the cheese. It is a safe assessment to say that my diet in Paris mainly consisted of Cheese. The cheese in paris, is the best I have ever tasted. While I did see the main tourist ventures in Paris- Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triumph, Champ de Elysses, and The louvre, most of the time I spent in Paris was just wandering around getting lost in the city. I went with my roommate and together we had the most incredible time. I liked Paris because no one judges you for having a bottle of wine at lunch and sitting in a cafe talking for hours and no one judges you when you walk around with a bottle of wine and does not label you an alcoholic when you are simply on vacation! Paris was marvelous indeed. The people were suprisingly friendly, especially the man who grabbed my roommate in the metro and would not let go. But yours truly came to the rescue by grabbing his hat and throwing it far away so he would let go. Ahh the French. The real problem was that my roommate and I were both laughing so hard it was hard for us to appreciate what was really happening. Funny at the time and now, still funny. The best part of Paris was Christmas Day, when we walked through a Christmas market which was selling hot molded wine, which I know sounds disgusting but, is suprisingly delicious! What a treat for Christmas!! We then ate a wonderful meal and were stuffed silly! Ahh Paris what a beautiful city indeed and one not to be missed!

Grateful

Webster's Dictionary defines to live as follows: having life. to be connected to power. I feel this definition is most appropriate for me at this point in my life. Living here, I some times feel lonely and disconnected from my family and friends but then I am reminded by the fact that I am here to live life, to make new experiences, and to be connected to a power. I have in the past few months come to believe that power exists within me. The power to continue everyday as a human knowing the hardships we must face sometimes seems like a daunting task but still we keep the flames within ourselves lit and remain connected to the power. I am here as living and breathing proof that life can change if you want it to. Life can be different and you can find what you are looking for. I dont know what it is yet that I am looking for but I believe living here, and experiencing all of the greatness that this beautiful world has to offer, has helped me to begin to skim the surface of what is to come. I am thankful for the past year and all it has taught me. I am grateful for the hardships that I have had to endure within the past year because I never would have found the power within myself that I believe I have been searching for all of my life. I am grateful to be surrounded by new experiences every day that I am here. But most of all I am grateful that I have finally found a love within myself, to love myself for all my imperfections and to finally be ok with the person I am. So I would like to end this year on a good notes, and hopefully a little piece of my message passes on to you and will remind you to love that person you are looking at in the mirror because at the end of the day that is all you are left with.