Place: Hotel Foyer

Poison: Long Black with hot milk

Favourite Things: french accents

Slight Jet Lag, meant that I was wide awake at 5am, which for my family, previous flatmates and okay, yep everyone that is very hard to believe. So I got up not wanting to waste my last day here and went for an early morning walk.

Being Saturday morning, the remnants of a big friday night in Paris where still surfacing from bars, cafes and finding themselves stranded on the sidewalk.

This city does have an underbelly, but it doesn’t seem as sinster as most make it out to be…I love Paris and can’t wait to come again. On my early morning dalliance, I decided I need to come back soon and also stay in a farm villa somewhere in the tuscan countryside.

Last night I cracked my first creme brulee, aka amelie, the feeling was just as intense! I drunk slowly and tenderly a real hot chocolate and stared out onto the streets at 10pm on a friday night and drew in my journal the sights my eyes perused.

(yep this is it!, see my pink journal in the background…)

My most precious moment captured yesterday was late in the afternoon, when I found St Sulpice was 2 mins from my hotel and I stood before St Joan of Arcs shrine and earnestly prayed that my life would make a difference like this warrior child.

St Sulpice was eerily bouyant. People were not quiet in reflection. They were buzzing with Da Vinci Code theatrical energy searching for the heartline in this ancient temple. Can’t say that turned me on! I was wanting to light a candle and kneel and reflect on the years  of worship that had been offered up in this monument and the secrets and stories that had harboured queens, kings and even napolean…

My breakfast of salami, cheese, sour dough, yoghurt and creme fraiche awaits. So does the eiffel tower, notre dame and the eurostar through the country side.

Creativity awaits exploration…the ancient meeting the modern with a french accent is my favourite of all time so far in my limited travels.

Merci Paris, your reputation has not dissapointed…

A

Place: Heathrow

Poison: Flat White

Favourite Things: Entertainment Systems on the back of aeroplane chairs.

Well, the adventure has begun, and after a few long flights, I will be on French soil, for the first time of my life.

I am so looking forward to many things, Notre Dame Cathedral, The Louve, Croissants, Brie Cheese from the motherland, french kissing and of course the Eiffel Tower.

For those playing at home. If you were in Paris for 3 days what would you do?

Not the corny, everyday stuff. I want to capture moments and experience Paris in its fullness. Moulin Rouge, Parisian Pride and all.

PS- I hope it snows

Keep an eye on the posts, I promise they will make up for my slackness towards the end of last year

Au revoir!

ampster

Place: Qantas Club Singapore

Poison: Chardonney Victoria

Favourite Things: Travelling to new places

We have a tradition in our family of writing plane letters, and as I flew off on this short dalliance, my mother drove an hour to deliver me mine.

As I read it, I am quite overwhelmed at how much I am grateful for the small things in life, such as families, letter writing and the tales of people from days gone by.

Mum included some writings of different saints, so I could read about their lives and the pursuits that they have engaged in. The one which held my attention the longest was the life of Saint Augustine of Hippo.

His persecution and life was so interesting. What captured me the most was the poignant writings that still inspire thousands today.

Saint Augustine wrote ‘God has no need of your money, only the poor have. You give it to the poor and God recieves it!’

Also ‘This very moment I may, if I desire, become the friend of God.’

One more for the road ‘Conquer yourself and the world lies at your feet…’

Augustine of Hippo born 13 November 354, died 28 August 430, you inspire me.

You inspire me to be a better person, to live a bigger life, to abandon the smallness of thinking that holds me to the boundaries that others have placed on my life not God.

‘Our hearts were made for you, O Lord, and they are restless until the rest in you…’ My quote of the year…2007.

You did not die or live in vein!

Inspired already and I’ve not even left an airport yet!

A

 

 

Place: My Office

Poison: Flat White

Favourite Things: my e-tickets round the world

Last night the green tea cup club (minus miss elly who was lovin her hubby on their 4 month anniversary) went to my favourite place on earth! The sommerville outdoor cinemas to watch a romantic french flick. This totally got me prepared for Paris. (I arrive on Thursday!)

The actual tea cups went on an adventure, with wine, chai tea and lots of laughs, they had a ball. I’m glad to report there were no breakages.

I love the tea cups and I love the amazing women who hold them.

Its a whole new season in all of our lives and taking time to celebrate it and wander through our worlds is what true friendship is all about. Don’t get me wrong, our friendships are not all rosy and sugary. They totally have their ups and downs, including a few divorce allegations and counselling required.

 

But what I love more than anything is living a real life of honesty, integrity and openness with a group of cheerleaders committed to life service to one another.

I am sad to report that my bestest friend in the whole entire world, Miss Kym Rolle (the amazing designer of Capture, work buddy and all time soldier) is shifting back to Queensland.

With many ups and downs, our friendship has been so FULL. So raw, real and a gem that prooves what real life is all about.

I don’t know how my next season will be without you in my face everyday Miss Rolle. But it means that you will now become a part of the sacred circle of recipients of Care Packages of love.

Here’s to the Tea cups and the men who are destined to be their tea spoons (named by Ben Vance not me!)

Forever Grateful!

A

Place: My Office (soon to have a window!)

Poison: Flat White

Favourite Things: Chucking out and refining all of my office admin in the shift!

My Nephew Jackson is completely obsessed with animals. For those who know me, you would know that animals aren’t really my thing. But when I think about Jackson, I think one thought (actually two- adorable first) ANYTHING THAT MOVES THAT IS NOT HUMAN.

On Christmas day he found this butterfly and we had a moment together. Butterflies are amazing! The colours, how gentle they are and they seem so peacefilled.

There is something so etherial about butterflies, so majestic, a revelation of the detail and beauty that God the creator must exude.

Christmas day this year has many different memories, but one of the fondest is Jackson and my dalliance with Mrs Butterfly.

Love ya J.J.P
Aunty Manda