california, here I come

Before my grandma left to visit my aunt in Belgium, she told me she'd wanted to live in Los Angeles. There was so much more space and sunshine than in Queens, she said; flowers and produce, too. She savored those 9 months helping her aunt. Decades later, my mom took me to see her cousins. It wasn't her first time (and apparently not my own either--we'd visited while she was pregnant) but I remember it specifically because I brought Elmo with me... and promptly forgot him on the shuttle bus. I was devastated as you can imagine. And though watching "Seepy Booty" did help, it took me another 18 years to get the nerve to go back myself.

{Leslie & I's Airbnb - Biarritz, France} 

Now, when my flight lands this afternoon, I'm returning to live. I'll first enjoy the weekend with K and her husband. Next, I'll visit my office for the first time, and see my apartment, and meet my roommate. My mom will arrive a few days later. We'll pick up my car and bedroom furniture together, as well as celebrate the Fourth. By then I should feel like a Los Angeles resident, right? Words cannot express how anxious and eager to make myself at home--mostly because this New Yorker is hoping for that je ne sais quoi... eek! Be in touch as soon as I'm barely somewhat reasonably settled :) see you on Instagram in the mean time.

tipples in montmartre

Paris weather has been back to its old tricks again: clouds, sun, rain, sun... mostly clouds. As such, it hasn't taken that much discipline to hole up in my apartment (or a café) and studiously make these final edits and formatting changes to my master's thesis. The end is so near I can almost taste it! Until then, I'm limiting spring fun with friends. Besides birthdays. And THATrue prizes.

Last Saturday afternoon, I ventured up to Montmartre for my first event with The Chamber. Gâteaux Mama had laid out the most gorgeous spread of port-poached pears on stilton walnut crackers, herbed madeleines, deviled egg salad in sesame cracker cups, lemon shortbread, brown butter brownies, and lemon-rosemary olive oil tea cake. Forest Collins (of The Chamber and 52 Martinis) kindly served champagne cocktails as well. As to be expected with lovely company and aforementioned treats, great times were had. Last weekend was an especially good one, huh? Here's to hoping knowing those in May will follow suit. I'm gonna miss this city.

artsy ambitions

Roughly a month ago, Zócalo posed this question in Los Angeles: Do the arts make us better people? My own thoughts remained provoked by it as I flew farther away from the event itself. Mostly because I've always considered myself artistic; to the point that I was sure I'd pursue a career in design. Then I changed course. And yet, I don't think it's a coincidence that collecting art is at the top of my "oh, now I've made it" checklist, nor that I'm committed to finding a socially-conscious job with ample creative freedom.

On my last full day at home, Debra and I went out to lunch in Tarrytown. We soup and salad-ed at Sweet Grass Grill, picked up coffees to go from Coffee Lab Roasters, and wandered throughout the many galleries in town. It was my kind of perfect afternoon.

A couple sunny afternoons later, back in Paris, I met Sasha for lunch at the new Haï Kaï. I felt like we were dining in the cafeteria of a contemporary art museum. The space felt that cool, and cold. The food was anything-but-cheap and so absolutely beautiful.

As I'm finding in my research, a qualification for any nouvelle cuisine is the artistry with which the chefs create and present their dishes. I appreciate being able to very occasionally enjoy them. When it comes to visual feasts though, I still prefer galleries, street art, and museums; a much more financially-sound habit. Oh, I've decided to start sketching and collaging again, too... literally drawing inspiration from the works of famous photomontage artists on display nearby. We'll see if I become better. Bon week-end !

pueblitos

As I meet up with friends once more before Paris, I've found many are curious about how fun my trip to Mexico was. The thing is, it wasn't really. I spent six days in a very small town with my parents. We stayed at my grandparents' and visited with great aunts, uncles, and cousins I haven't seen in years. I appreciated the conversation, food, and affection. But it was all wonderfully calm.

Then again, we did take a few day trips around the region to Sahuayo, San Pedro, Quitupan, Valle de Juarez, and Mazamitla. And once, along the way, stopped for 'authentic' pulque. My mom and dad both agreed it tasted like a sweaty boot. That was entertaining.

charmed by ixelles

Early on Sunday morning, Lara and I hopped on a Compèigne-bound train to meet her French aunt and uncle. After a brief meet and greet, we hit the road for their home in Ixelles, a charming Brussels commune, where they so generously hosted us during our stay.

I fell in love with the treelined streets, townhouse architecture, and art nouveau accents. It's diverse, too, with a vibrant student population, buzzing African quarter, and expat families (case in point). Had there been better weather, I'd have many more photos.

Sunday brunch at Portrait de Famille: Ciney Brune beer, vegetable soup, quiches, assortment of salads, tarte tatin)

(Morning run through Bois de la Cambre)

(Les Brassins lunch: Bon Secours ambrée, shared Flemish meatballs, carbonnade, fries, stoemp (potato stew with seasonal veggies)

Waffles for dessert from a truck similar to this one

As you can see, we had many meals à la maison. Monday's dinner, for instance: a wine from Bourgogne, pumpkin purée on toast, cous cous, baked fish over leeks, green salad, gruyère cheese, and brownies. The following morning, Lara's aunt and uncle put out another thoughtful spread. My breakfast: a Belgian croissant and plain yogurt with baked apple; a strong Italian café alongside it. The lovely international feel continued throughout my stay in the EU capital (and in more than just that which we ate). More to come!