Why I Love Her So Much

Beyonce performing Barbra Streisand's "The Way We Were" at the Kennedy Center Honors.

Even though I don't at all care for Streisand or her work, it's always nice to see the softer side of Beyonce. She really is a dynamic performer.

Life Goes On...

So I decided to keep contributing to this blog, even though I have returned to the States for my last semester in school. Although there are many thoughts that I am not willing to share on the Internet, there are just as many that I don't mind sharing, and I think this blog is a good way to keep the writing juices flowing.

The past week has been a bit dull, as I have not been doing too much aside from catching up on bad American television and spending time with family members. You know how that goes. I did, however, catch a showing of Will Smith's new flick, Seven Pounds, which I loved despite the negative reviews. I've learned to make a stronger effort to think for myself and not rely so much on what other people have to say. In the end, it'll be me who reaps the rewards or suffers the consequences, so it stands to reason that I and I alone should be responsible for the actions that lead to those outcomes.

I have also restarted something of a fitness regime. We'll see how long I can keep that up. The last time I did any serious exercise was Sunday, November 23rd, when I thought it would be a good idea to go running in cold weather. Lance Armstrong I am not! I caught a really nasty cold that knocked me on my butt for a day or two. I exercised for the first time since then last Wednesday, doing a 45 minute fitness DVD. I exercised for an hour (cardio, strength training) on Friday, followed by more cardio (2 miles on treadmill) on Saturday. I did weights last night, and I think I may be game for hitting the treadmill tonight. We'll see how it goes.

Is losing weight a 2009 resolution? Perhaps, but I'm focusing more on finding the perfect job to await me after graduation. That would indeed be my top priority.

Man Shot During "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"

Check out this news link!

Pretty crazy stuff. I've always loved movies, and although I have in recent years cut down on my trips to the theater, putting a bullet in someone's arm is just all kinds of insane. That's why I always wait for the DVD release....

Back in One Piece

Airports are pure craziness, I tell you. Everytime I am in an airport, I see people at their worst. Parents stomp around in a huff while barking at their kids to stay close. Businessmen talk furiously into their Bluetooth devices while waiting in the line at Starbucks, giving the barista an evil eye as they anxiously await their caffeine fix. Backpackers and students walk around with their eyes glazed, rendered ulle airport, situated a good 10 miles from the north of the city. After we hugged goodbye, I scrambled to the departure screen to find my flight, only to see that I was in the wrong terminal. Oops.

After I hit the CDG Val (a monorail that escorts visitors to one of the airport's three terminals), I found the line for my flight. Just as I made my way to the ticket counter, one of the airline representatives told me that there were no more seats and that I would have to fly out the next day.

I can only guess that from the look on my face, she thought she had to appease me in whatever way possible. It's funny because I wasn't at all mad. I was merely thinking, "Hooray! Another night in Paris. I never did get to say goodbye to my friend across the street."

That thought must have translated as frustration or displeasure on my face, because not only did the airline rep offer me a free hotel for the night (with meal vouchers), but a seat on a first class US-bound flight for the next day, AND an international travel voucher. Who's excited? Yes, that would be me.

I'm sure you're thinking that I could've just called my host mom and asked her to pick me up, and spared the airline the trouble of booking me a hotel. I even thought that myself. Yes, a small tiny voice inside my head told me, "They're already giving you a seat in first class tomorrow, and you got a travel voucher. Have some class." But then a louder, more familiar voice in my head said, "Screw that, ride this free horse till it buckles!"

So it turns out that the hotel was one of those airport hotels, so I didn't have to travel far to get to it. That turned out to be a much better solution because I could avoid inconveniencing Micheline by getting her to drive to and from the airport two days in a row. Plus, the hotel was awesome! As soon as I stepped in, I realized that although I had stayed in places that called themselves hotels, they were merely private rooms in a hostel, complete with uncomfortable beds, dirty floors, and bad television.

This one had all the trimmings, including a plush queen-sized bed and a television that offered channels from over a dozen countries. Turns out that world news is much more fascinating in Chinese. Imagine that.

But I digress. I put my things down, giddy at the thought of being in Paris for one more day, and headed straight for the hotel restaurant, lunch voucher in hand. I gorged myself on pasta, salmon, roast beef, chocolate mousse, fruit, and cheese. Luckily there was only one other couple dining, but I doubt I would've cared anyway. Eating for free is one of life's greatest pleasures, of this I am sure.

So after I ate and crashed for a few hours, I called up my former neighbor and met her at a party in the city (I never know which arrondissement I'm in, by the way). What I love most about house parties in Paris is that I always feel comfortable as I am. In the States, I would always feel out of place for not having the best clothes or the "flyest" pair of shoes or sunglasses on. Oh, and while I'm on that tip, WHO THE HELL thought wearing sunglasses inside was cool? I blame this trend on Jay-Z, Usher, and whoever else thought they looked cool wearing a frickin' pair of Ray Bans to a party.

After the party, we left with two of her friends to head to Montparnasse for one more Kebap! I'm gonna miss Parisian junk food, even though the American variety suits me just fine. I'm glad I got to go out in the city at least one more time before a nine hour flight in first class.

Ever flown first class? I doubt I'll ever be rich or picky enough to pay an extra $1,000-1,500 for a flight, but that's not to say I didn't enjoy sitting on a giant recliner chair, drinking wine while watching any one of various terrible movies. I didn't get a chance to watch Mamma Mia, which I heard was good, but I don't see myself watching Pineapple Express or The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor ever again. In regards to the former, I really don't get fratboy humor, nor do I think Seth Rogen is funny. As for the latter, save for a cool fight scene between Michelle Yeoh and Jet-Li, the film is devoid of redeeming values.

The Day Has Come

So long story short (and you'll get the long, as soon as I have the time, which seems to be never, I know), I have really grown comfortable with living here, and now that I have to leave, I'm as petulant as a cast member on "The Hills" or "Dawson's Creek." That's right, I'm pitchin' a fit cuz I don't wanna go!

I haven't posted any photos on here in quite a while (chiefly because anyone who reads this is likely to be friends with me on Facebook, where I put most of my photos anyway), but I hope to post a few here of:

- Rome
- Berlin
- Paris
- Dublin

Don't wanna go, don't wanna go, don't wanna goooooo...

Une Petite Leçon Culturelle

French phrases commonly used in the English language

Even if you don't speak French, you can fake it :)

Fire Alarms in Winter? WTF

So I'm on Deezer, about to play "Put On" by Young Jeezy and Kanye West (I've recently become a big fan of rap, more on that later), and then I hear this crazy alarm sound. I thought, "I don't remember alarms in this song the last time I heard it." Turns out it was a fire alarm! Yes yes, it was someone's bright idea to have a fire alarm for the entire building in 33°F weather.

It suffices to say that I was not well amused, although it was funny to see half the employees of a six-story building take advantage of the brief recess to light up a cigarette on the Champs. And who says the French aren't optimistic?

Looking to Learn a New Language?

I am really in love with the idea of becoming fully fluent in two languages, and I think my cranium is just big enough for a third. Spanish would probably be the most useful, no? I scrapped this off Wikipedia a few minutes ago.

Ranking of languages by number of sovereign countries in which they are official:
* 55 countries: English
- largest: United States, India, Nigeria
* 29 countries: French
- largest: France, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Canada
* 24 countries: Arabic
- largest: Egypt, Sudan, Algeria
* 20 countries: Spanish
- largest: Mexico, Spain, Colombia, Argentina
* 10 countries: Portuguese
- largest: Brazil, Portugal, Mozambique, Angola
* 7 countries: German
- largest: Germany, Austria, Switzerland
* 5 countries: Dutch
- largest: Netherlands, Belgium, Suriname
* 4 countries: Albanian, Italian, Russian, Serbian,
* 3 countries: Chinese, Malay, Persian, Swahili, Tamil, Turkish, Urdu, Hungarian.
* 2 countries: Aymara, Bengali, Croatian, Greek, Hindi, Korean, Quechua, Romanian, Sotho, Swati, Swedish, Tswana

Logic indicates I should focus on Arabic, but I don't see that happening anytime soon...

Open Letter

Before leaving to go back to the States, one of my supervisors (I have two - one is American, the other Russian-Hungarian. The American is the one headed to the US for the holidays) wrote me a great e-mail:

Hi Baron,

Well, here you are. Almost at the end of your internship with us. I know you'll be sad without the wiki, without our hovering and case study updating. But alas, life does hold bigger and better adventures!

I do hope you've enjoyed your time here with us, and I hope we've been able to give you a slightly positive idea of what it's like to work in the corporate team of an international agency. I can honestly say that your positive humour made it a pleasure to have you around.

Whatever your plans for the future may be - the next Waldo Emerson or a future communications professional - I wish you all the best and know you'll go just great. Keep seeking out those adventures! And hopefully our paths will continue to cross. Be sure to keep in touch. And...

Go Dawgs!

Quick Update

Going to Rome this weekend, can't wait. Just booked my hostel today. Should be a lot of fun!

Going home the weekend after....can't wait for southern cookin', smiling faces, and American cable television. Bring on the reality TV marathons!

Architectural Digest

I went for a walk in Montmartre last Friday and managed to take a few good shots of this beauty - La Basilique du Sacré-Coeur.


I've found that I have a really deep appreciation for good architecture. While museums and operas may not be my favorite things in the world, I do know good art when it's in my presence. This is indeed good art. I've also learned that when you're in an infinitely fascinating place, you are always in good company, even when traveling solo. Have the gumption to take yourself out on a date every now and then - I recommend it!

I should have plenty of good shots after I come back from Berlin!

The Time Draws Near...

So it's been a pretty solid three months thus far, and I only have three left! I am excited about the trips that I booked for Berlin and Rome for my last two weekends here.

I do have a bit of homework though - I need to send a report of my internship to the States within the next day or two. Ahh, crud.

I plan on bringing my external hard drive so I can post some pictures after work. The processor on my desktop in the office is much faster than my laptop at home. Perhaps it needs more RAM? Does anyone know what hardware upgrades can be done to make a laptop run faster?

And on a more dramatic note....I DON'T WANNA LEAVE!!!!

Thoughts A-Racin'

Why is it that I never have time to post? I have at least 10 things I'd like to talk about. Can't believe I'm 20 days away from returning to the States. Am I ready for that? Well I'd love to write on that...

How were the Thanksgivings? Love to talk about that one too...

Another "romanticizing Europe" post to come shortly...

I shall make time to write, I shall make time to write, I shall make time to write...