sunday in venice

One of roughly six million items on the list: grateful(l) to have dined at Gjelina with K and family.

elevator music

As anticipated (though not mentioned), three weeks is too long to wait. I've been uncomfortably nostalgic and sensitive, and anxious, to discover the life that awaits me. But, three weeks seems to have been just enough time to leisurely reconnect with those who matter. My family and I barbecued last night, and in the days before, I caffeinated/lunched/museum-ed/hiked/picnic-ed/happy hour-ed with the best of friends. This past Sunday evening is especially noteworthy. La crème de la crème and I dined at The Cleveland:

From beginning to end, it was the perfect meal experience. We shared a bottle of crisp and chilled rosé, our appetites soon piqued with the addition of black sesame bread, soft orange blossom butter, and jalapeño pesto. As the sun set on the streets of New York, we then savored Chef Max Sussman's New American cuisine (brussels sprouts salad, crisp duck pastry, grilled whole eggplant) with more wine. And after, much to my surprise, our waiter treated us to "good luck in LA" almond cake, served with a fantastic rhubarb curd and creme fraiche gelato.  Had the ladies not enticed me with a digestif at Mother's Ruin, I quite possibly may have never left. One thing's for certain though: in just a few days, I will definitely miss being able to enjoy their company.

living la rêve in saint-germain-en-laye

Sometimes Most of the time, I need a reminder right where I should be. Three years ago, I stumbled across the M.A. in Global Communications. I applied to the program (and others) in late 2011, accepted the opportunity to become a graduate student abroad in mid-2012, and nearly one year ago, flew from New York (to Reykijavík) to Paris to begin. And yet, although there’ve been more good than bad days, I have trouble wrapping my head the fact that this is my real life. It’s not so much a dream come true as it just feels worlds away from everyone and everything familiar. Only my Mom, sister, Anna, and Leslie know what it’s actually like.

About a week before coming back, I met Meghan for lunch (Grilled cheese, to be exact --God bless America) and mentioned just that. “But Danielle,” she responded, “this is your real life right now. Let yourself enjoy it.” She is such a good freaking friend.

July has been a tough month for me. I didn’t exactly want to leave New York. As soon as I got back, I started interning full-time (literally, I went straight from the airport to the office), I moved apartments, and I completed a directed study research paper I wasn’t exactly prepared to write in the first place. I’ve been tired, anxious, tired, and stressed out. My poor boyfriend probably knows this best and our relationship was under strain because of it. My friends didn't see much of me at all, and I missed them.

But, everything changed this weekend. Friday, I stopped by my friend’s bar for a happy hour beer. The boy met me at my apartment afterwards with sushi in tow. Saturday was spent running errands, and days like that make me feel like a grown-up, in a good way. That night, I caught up with a friend over 5-euro mojitos, ran home for a quick dinner, and then met other friends at a cocktail bar. I didn’t get home until 6:15am. And Sunday, when I did wake up (at noon, I might add), I still had one last outing to look forward to.

Anne, Deanna, Lauren, Lillian, and I ventured to Saint-Germain-en-Laye for the 400th birthday of Louis XIV’s gardener, André Le Nôtre. Lauren’s pup, Daisy came, too. The massive château gardens featured works by various contemporary artists, thoughtfully scattered throughout the manicured landscape. We wandered through the grounds, took lots of pictures, relaxed on the lawn, and ended on a sweet note with expensive gelato. It was basically perfect; the kind of day that made my expat doubts a distant memory.
"So, this is real life, huh?" I thought to myself. It's pretty darn great.

me, global intern 2013?

Spring break is here! And my video application to become the Global Intern at EF Education First and Erasmus Student Network is above. I so strongly believe in their shared missions to "remove the barriers of language, culture, and geography." You know that, don't you? Well, the more views, the better my chances at being chosen for this amazing opportunity (read: work in 3 different countries at 2 int'l organizations). Please watch it. And if you're feeling extra generous, please "like" the video on YouTube and/or share it with friends.

Afterwards, if I could, I would take every single one of you out for gelato on one of these sunnier days in Paris. Because I probably can't though, thank you. I appreciate your support from the bottom of my heart.

un día en roma

I used to be jealous of Italian-Americans. It just wasn't fair; their heritage was "cool" at a time when mine wasn't. Then I grew up. I took a trip to Florence. I realized I couldn't help but love Italian culture, especially with their love of celebrations and socializing with family and friends, most often around the table. Not to mention that that table included olive oil, bread, wine, pizza, pasta, etc. ;) Spending this past weekend in Rome, the Eternal City and one which I've "always" known about, further solidified my appreciation.

Marcus and I stayed in a cozy apartment in Trastevere, one of many timeless neighborhood characterized by narrow streets and medieval buildings. We arrived late on Friday night and left late Sunday afternoon. As such, Saturday was our only full day in Rome. His must-see: the Colosseum. My must-do: Roman cuisine. We quite successfully satisfied both of our wish lists and lots more (~9 miles in 12 hours, in fact), including stumbling upon the Roman Pantheon and wandering into Villa Borghese. 

{Roman breakfast: a bakery cornetti (a denser croissant-like Italian pastry) and bar cappuccino}

{Roman lunch: vino della casa, ciabatta bread, prosciutto & mozzarella di bufala appetizer, pesce del giorno (fish of the day: sea bass) over arugula with potato entrée, espresso}

 

{one part gelato alla cannella, one part gelato alla cioccolato in a sugar cone}

{Roman dinner: antipasto, hot and cold, fresh ricotta, focaccia bread, vino della casa...} 

{...frutti di mare orzo and fennel salad for me, bistecca and housemade chips for him...}

{... the best tiramisu I've ever had in my entire life, shared}

As you can see, the weather was absolutely beautiful for us. It allowed us to cover lots of ground and make the most of our Italian surroundings. Being in Rome was also quite literally a breath of fresh air. For as much as I adore French culture, it isn't nearly as laid back, warm, or expressive as that of the Italians. And I didn't simply observe this either. My level of Spanish comprehension must've actually improved because, much to my surprise, I found I could generally understand Italian. Now that's what I call a bon week-end!