La vie est belle...

Where to begin??? Hi again! This year has been an absolute blur. I blinked and it's already November. SO much has happened since my last post (months ago). I turned 40. I had a whirlwind romance this summer only to get dumped via FaceTime (I'm actually laughing as I'm typing this. It reminds me of the scene in Sex and The City when Carrie gets dumped on a post-it note!). I started my fourth year teaching in Kuwait (probably my most difficult teaching year to date), and I'm finally discovering what truly makes me happy.

You see, I've always thought of myself as one of those "glass half full" people; always looking for the positive in every situation. At the very least, I've always searched for a solution to any problem I've had. This year though...this year has been trying. No, this year has been HARD AF! Real talk. I have had to dig deeeeeeep and pray for strength to get through it all. Each day I wake up and look at my ever-growing "to do" list on my phone and in my planner. Then I want to throw the phone and the planner out the window. Then I drag myself out of bed, throw on some concealer to hide the bags and dark circles under my eyes, and head to work. 

I find it to hard complain though. I'm truly blessed, and I know it. I bought a sign last week, you know, one of those signs that comes with 200+ letters that you can use to display inspirational quotes. I was trying to come up with something witty to post and the phrase above kept popping into my mind. "La vie est belle..." Life is beautiful. And it truly is, even the tough parts. They teach us to grow, they test our limits, and show us just how strong we are. If this year is any indication, I'm a modern day Superwoman. Hey, I'll take that...

Paris Is Always a Good Idea...

I had absolutely no plans to travel for Spring Break. Nope, none at all. I was going to save my money for my big birthday blowout weekend in New York City this summer. Then it happened. A friend posted on Facebook that he would be in Paris the same weekend of my break. It took me about one one hundredth of a second to decide I would meet him. After all, Paris is always a good idea...

Highlights:

• This is going to sound crazy, but getting a chance to visit Paris without visiting all the museums and big tourist attractions. For the first time ever, I didn't have to go to the Louvre and fight the crowds to see the Mona Lisa, or stand in line for hours to tour the Palace of Versailles, or visit the Eiffel Tower. Don't get me wrong, I've thoroughly enjoyed all the times I've gone with friends (and invite my friends and family to meet me there!), but it was nice to just live in the city for a week, enjoy local restaurants, shop, and SLEEP IN. 
• Staying at the cutest boutique hotel, in a FANTASTIC location.
• Visiting the city with someone who loves to shop, stroll the streets, drink champagne, and eat fries just as much as I do. 
• Spending my final day in the city at the most relaxing rooftop bar atop the Galeries Lafayette department store, taking in the view.
• Finding THE PERFECT bag at Fendi on the rue Saint Honoré.
• Cocktails and dinner at Maison Lautrec with old and new friends. 

Lowlights:

• Trying to figure out the air conditioning and hot water in my hotel room. I was sweating at night and burning myself in the shower for a couple of days! (I eventually figured it out.)

Today's lesson: When you have a chance to go to Paris, you go! No, seriously, when given the chance to travel to a city you LOVE, you need no excuse. If it's within your means, you pack a bag and go. There are memories to be made, and they can't be made sitting on the couch. 

My dear friend Preston and I at a quaint little café.

I found this little passage on one of my daily strolls through the city.

The lobby of the Maison Athenée, a small, cute, boutique hotel near the Opera. The staff here is wonderful!

This bathtub in my hotel room??? Amazing. 

Got my morning coffee and my comfy shoes. Ready to hit the streets!

This scene is perfection.

Waiting outside Claus. The breakfast was absolutely delicious.

Patiently waiting for a free table at Claus.

Goodies at Claus.

Paris has some of the most amazing "passages," or shopping arcades.

Near the Louvre Museum.

When in Paris, you MUST relax in the park.

The weather was so beautiful, it called for a walk through the Tuileries Garden.

Rue de Rivoli: Parisian architecture is beyond beautiful. The symmetry, the balconies, the tiled roofs. 

Thank you for your help Minna! 

My new bag (Happy Birthday to me!!!) comes with its own rain poncho. You know... for when it rains...in the desert, where I currently live. 

Bar situation at Maison Lautrec.

Pulled up to the bar at Maison Lautrec, on my phone, as usual.

Marché Noir, a unique vintage find.

Montmartre. 

Resting on the infamous steps in front of the Sacré-Coeur. 

Fondation Louis Vuitton. An amazing work of art by Frank Gehry.

Stopped for a café crème at Hermès, Rue de Sèvres

Picked up a little something...

Preston was in HEAVEN at Hermès! It's like Disney World, but for adults...who love to shop!

This view...

...and this charcuterie platter, from Cube Bar (Galeries Lafayette).

                 

Jordan and Israel

After spending Christmas in Amsterdam, I returned to Kuwait for one night, repacked my bags, and headed to the airport the following day bound for Amman, Jordan. I'm lucky to have a cousin who lives there as I was able to stay with him for New Year's Eve. This trip was like none other I've ever experienced. I climbed rock formations in the desert of Wadi Rum, crossed the border into Israel where I walked the streets of Old Jerusalem, caught my first sunset of the New Year in Tel Aviv, and climbed too many steps to count in the historic city of Petra. It. Was. Amazing. I was SO lucky to have my cousin there to guide me through all of it.

Highlights: Seeing the amazing desert landscapes of Wadi Rum and Petra.
                   The BEST tacos I've had in a while at Taqueria (Tel Aviv).
                   Spending one on one time with my cousin.

Lowlights: The food in Petra. (Sorry, but it just wasn't good. Not at all.)
               
Today's Lesson: Step out of your comfort zone and try something new. You may be pleasantly surprised. 

Wadi Rum, Jordan.

Dinner (in a cave) with my cousin.

Petra, Jordan.

Patiently waiting for tacos in Tel Aviv, Israel. 

Strolling through Old Jerusalem.

The Western Wall, Jerusalem.

Entrance to the Church of the Holy Sepluchre.

Amsterdam!

For the past two years, I've spent Christmas in Paris. This year, I switched it up and traveled to Amsterdam. I have to admit, I was afraid I'd regret my decision since I love, love, LOVE Paris, but Amsterdam did not disappoint. It's a beautiful city with its canals and bridges. I walked EVERYWHERE, even though it was cold and windy nearly every day. I didn't care. I wanted to see the sights and pop in and out of shops. I'll be back again next month for a work conference. I can't wait to visit again!

Highlights: Dancing like crazy at Jimmy Woo's.
                   Dinner at Mr. Porter (at the W Hotel). DEFINITELY going back in March.
                   The Anne Frank House and Van Gogh Museum.
                   A Christmas market near the Van Gogh Museum.
                   Cutting up at Madame Tussauds Wax Museum.

Lowlights: Attempting to "pause" an update on my phone, thereby causing it to crash, and begging my way into an appointment at the Apple Store to have it fixed. (On a positive note, the employee who helped me out ended up telling me about Jimmy Woo's-see above.)

Today's Lesson: Never, EVER attempt to update your phone while traveling. Especially when you desperately need Google Maps to navigate the city. 

Monument in Dam Square.

All decked out for the holidays.

Found this window while strolling through the city. Me, in a nutshell.

Beautiful buildings along the canal.

Boat life...

Also me (see window above).

A installation in the Amsterdam Light Festival.

Oh, hey there Anna Wintour. 

Snatched the mic from Queen Bey. 

You seriously can't take me anywhere. 

Spent Christmas Day at the Van Gogh Museum.

Christmas market near the Van Gogh Museum. 

A wafel-lolly made fresh, hand-dipped in chocolate and coated with sprinkles. YUM!

Rijksmuseum.

Lady Liberty as seen from our canal tour.