Let's Start With Geneva

We had the best time in Geneva, Switzerland, where we spent the first three days of our trip. It was beautiful and exciting and expensive. The weather was unbelievable. We saw the Jet d'Eau (Europe's tallest geyser at 98 feet high), walked around the Vieille Ville (the old hillside part with St. Peter's Cathedral and lots of cobblestone streets), spent fifty dollars on a meal at McDonald's, went on a boat cruise around Lake Geneva, and even happened upon a nude beach. 

Made It

So happy to report that after seemingly endless layovers in weird cities, two separate occasions of emptying the contents of my stomach, a few totally sleepless nights, and a quick jaunt over to Geneva...

We made it to Paris.

I took all these pictures from MJ, my beautiful sister-in-law. She and Brian have been perfectly kind and hospitable to us. Their apartment has windows overlooking the Seine.

It's Katie's first trip to Paris, and it's fun to look over and count the times her breath catches in her throat as she takes in this magical city for the first time.

The weather has been incroyable. I can't believe our good fortune. I also can't believe that all I packed was long pants and sweaters.

I am unbelievably happy. It's been such a long time since we've taken a vacation as extravagant as this (usually our outings are just a drive through the Alpine Loop). This city is extraordinary. I'm soaking in every moment like a sponge and trying not to think about leaving next week.

Trying to take in as much as I can and lock it away so six months from now, on a bitter and cold day in Midvale, Utah, on a particularly hard day with my students where I feel drained of life and happiness, I can recall these moments here with precision - the way Paris looks and feels and smells - and feel grateful that I was lucky enough to go, lucky enough to be enriched by this city, even for just a little while.

Some days...

When my allergies flare up...

And my students push me to my breaking point...

And I hear lots and lots of sad news everywhere...

And I start feeling like my life is stupid and mundane...

And all day long I have a lump in my throat and tears stinging my eyes...

And my Paris trip still feels like forever away...

I look at pictures of Corgi dogs and I am instantly reassured of the goodness in the world.

Mobile Pictures

My cell phone is going the way of the world. It's as old as our marriage - two and a half years old. Recently, the screen is going crazy and turning all the text upside down and flipping it right to left. It makes it impossible to see if I have texts or voicemails. Right now, however, is a rare moment where it has returned back to normal. I don't know how long this will last, but before I lose them forever, I thought I'd upload some pictures. Here they are, in no particular order.

From an air mattress box. Sleep soundly on a crisp Belgian waffle.

At Nordstrom Rack, trying to find a new outfit. Russ was helpful and found me the perfect one. When he held it up to me he said, "Just close your eyes and picture...Friday night, just got paid. Now open your eyes."

At the craft store. Any small animal wearing an Easter bonnet is a perfect recipe for hilarity.

Last summer when I taught reading, one of my 7-year-olds stayed late after class, waiting for her mom to pick her up. Russ came to get me and entertained her by drawing on the board. He drew all kinds of animals for her and she said she wanted to draw a lion. This is what she drew and we thought it was precious.

Midvale Middle. I took this picture right after my first interview.

My new haircut, sitting in the weird ugly chair that came with our first apartment.

A nightly occurrence: Russ rubbing my feet while he watches ESPN.

My good friend Alli's little Evie. She's a lot older now but I loved her squishy cheeks when she was a babe.

Probably the worst picture ever taken of either of us.

Beautiful BYU campus in the fall.

My coworker Craig smashed his face into one of these things and then stuck a chocolate Kiss in there too. Weird.

I absolutely love finding smiley faces in weird places, like the top of a toilet paper dispenser.

My favorite picture EVER. Russ loved the Easter aisle at the grocery store, and became especially attached to this little guy. I think he would have bought him if I hadn't objected.

Les Misérables

Just finished watching this musical with my French III class.

Loved every second of it, even though I've seen it a thousand times before.
My favorite time I saw it was in London with Russell.

Sobbed like an infant. Then and again today. And every other time.
I can't watch it without getting emotional.
I don't care that my students think I'm a weirdo.
Now I have to see it live at the Capitol Theater this summer.
Have to, have to, have to.
No more buying Girl Scout Cookies and cardigans.

America is My Country, but Paris is My Hometown

I can't even tell you how delighted I am to be going back.
With my love.
To the place where we fell in love.
In six weeks.
Never mind that the only food we'll be eating between now and then is tree bark.
It's totally worth it.

Skirt

I recently acquired this gem from D.I. At least, I think it's a gem. When I wear it I try to convince myself I look like this Burberry model:

But sometimes I second guess myself and think I look like sort of a weirdo:
And other times, when things get really bad, I feel like my long skirt makes me look like a pioneer woman:
And for some reason, these pictures are doing little to comfort me.