Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Back to My Routine Life!

Wow! I can't believe that my post "Poshbeautilicious C'est Fleur Bleu" would have so many readers. Within two months the rate is going up and up for just that post. When I first wrote this post I was not even thinking. I was just writing about my passion and love for the blue color. To those who do not know what "C'est fleur bleu" means. It is actually a French expression meaning being in love, an idea of tenderness and being romantic...So I am in love with the blue color and everything that it represents.
When I was writing that post, I suddenly had in my mind two songs. The first one was Janet Jackson's song Every time and the second one Toni Braxton's song  Let It Flow because of the blue water and the lyrics. I like water I like the marine concept. I like the sea, the ocean and all the marine species. I think there is something about blue, water and the ocean. There is the feeling of serenity, calm, harmony and purity.
That song of  Janet Jackson went back in my thoughts in 2010 and later I played it again two years ago then I thought why not for this post? I like the video and the lyrics. The aquatic choreography, the color of water, her make up I mean to me, everything was perfect.
 In her song she says:  I am scared to fall in love. I am afraid to love so fast because every time that she falls in love what happen? OK! Let's watch that beautiful song again 
 
 Yes, Now you know why she sings that she is scared to fall in love?  Because every time that she falls in love it seems to her that it will never last. And I perfectly understand...Yes, it is a good thing to fall in love but it is not easy. If you fall in love people, always remember to keep your feet on the ground because things can happen...
  I remember few years ago with some acquaintances we went to a restaurant to quickly pick up something to eat for our lunch. As we were waiting for our orders, there was a song playing on the radio. You know me, I like music. I could not resist because the song was really cool! I am not originally from here so I was curious to know who was the singer? One of them told me that the singer was Tom Petty. Actually I found out that it was Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. The Waiting 1981! This is such a cool and beautiful song!

Trust me it is not really my kind of music but when I happen to listen to someone who is talented then, I can open my taste of music just for that specific singer. That is what happen when I listen to him. Yes, Tom petty is definitely a talented artist. I listened to other of his songs.
It has been a little while that I went back to Dallas. My vacations are over! Now I am back sitting and writing about something as usual. Sometimes my head is full of many ideas but I don't know how to gather them all and put them on papers. How to write them. I guess I should write more in French than in English since I am more comfortable writing in that language.
I am so so so busy! I don't even know how to handle many things at the same time. It's crazy! Sometimes I wish I could be a X Men of the Marvel's. Then I would be able to do three or four tasks at the same time. The X Men have always impressed me since my young age. I used to read their image books (Comic books? That's how you say it?) that my brothers had at home.My two brothers had an entire collection of these books, plus all the soccer and basket ball magazines every month.  I recall that their rooms were getting invaded by all these magazines. I could even sit on as if I was sitting on a chair. They didn't like when people tore them apart. It was like ruining their collections.
Me, on my side, I would have my collection of girl magazines, plus travel magazines because I have always been interested in culture of people of the world. Every month I added and added them in my bedroom. And last but not least my postal cards and stamps collection. I even took them with me at the boarding school when we left my country because I liked to contemplate them every day. Whenever people sent me letters or my parents were traveling they would bring me some stamps. I had stamps from countries in Africa, Europe, America and Asia. I was so proud of my collection and I would safely keep them in a fancy box. I used to call it my treasure box. Until one day at the boarding school's bedroom, somebody stole everything. That day was like a nightmare and a huge disappointment. How could I start from the beginning? People can be mean when they don't like what you do.
In that same box, I kept my friends' pictures some of their trips, or funny ones. I also kept their letters they were always writing to me and I was always glad to read their letters over and over again in the weekends because all the girls at the dormitory we were almost cut from the outside world. I mean by that we almost had no visits, almost no TV. We could not go out like we wanted to. Really! I can write an entire book about my boarding school experience. The good, the sad moments but also the funny ones. For example, if we were watching a movie and actors started to kiss on the screen some of those who supervised us would like jump from somewhere and tell us to go fast to our rooms and turn off the TV! Like really??  Are you serious? Just watching them kissing and nothing else was like the end of the world!
Are you serious now?
Or the story of the dog of our director  that once got out of the gates. It was 11pm we were so tired  and sleepy. The gate man made a mistake he forgot to lock up everything and went to sleep. She ordained us to go out in the streets of our area as soon as possible to look for the dog and bring it back to her. That night was another nightmare because first,we were scared of that dog and second we were in our pajamas walking in the streets calling, whistling to that dog while the gate man was sleeping.  The dog saw us and he ran away further to somewhere else. Three! Something wrong could have happened to us just for a dog!  We were supposed to be on time and cleaned the day after for class. It was a long story.  Or another one some girls who were hidden behind some trucks to meet their boyfriends. Like really?? They knew it was forbidden to have boyfriends it was the rule but they did that anyway. O gosh! So many stories. We would be laughing at night sometimes with my roommates.

   My friends and family' letters were so encouraging and strengthened me to wait until the end of the semesters of high school for the vacations. It was like the final Ooza! What I mean by the final Ooza is the last straw that broke the camel's back! I could not take more than that anymore. I always found a way to reply back to them with some nice letters! I liked to draw some flowers, rabbits heads, the sun, the coconut trees, the beach, boats...Then, I would nicely put them in an envelope and send them all. When it was time to go on vacations somebody (or our parent)  would pick you up at the dormitory to the airport and most of us were gone to our countries or somewhere else with families.
       Anyway! I just wanted to say I enjoyed this summer in France it was so much fun!! I enjoyed being with my family. That moment was precious. The day when we landed in Paris  I was so excited and I could not be waiting any longer to get out of the plane and to go straight to the city. After three months, the last day of my stay there was a little bittersweet I mean sad...I mean really sad. My mum and I traveled the same day. We said goodbye at the terminal of the airpport. She took her plane and 2 hours later I took mine. I met a man who went from Dallas to Paris for just 2 days. he told me that he wanted to visit Paris for the first time. For just two days. He didn't speak French at all then I wondered if he had somebody to help him around for the visit? He told me no he did everything by himself! I was impressed because really I call it the real Amazing Race. I like that TV reality show but for him, it was risky and a real one but he enjoyed his trip. He saved money for months just for that short trip. Interesting! I might do the same thing for another place. Sometimes I wonder if it is safe for a woman to go as an adventurer in some places I read so many stories...so...I don't know.
It was raining cats and dogs at Paris Charle de Gaulle (France international airport). The sky was grey. I felt the same way in my heart...We had to get out of the shuttle to go in the plane. It was raining nobody could see my tears... I miss my family already. I miss our cat Simba too...I liked to play with him every day.
The weather was bad and I was a little bit worried. There were many people in the plane. Adults with children and certainly some pets. I simply prayed that the trip would be in God's Hands with His angels. I was praying for a safe trip. Everything went fine! The flight crew did a good job!
 When the plane took off  it was still grey and rainy but when we were up in the sky everything was clear, blue and perfect. Yes! Blue my favorite color! I remember  that French TV series that we used to watch in the 90's. It was about some pilots of military planes and the theme song was: The sky makes us dream and we forget all our troubles of earth." Smiling! I try my best to translate it. I like these words. So being in the air makes you forget the troubles of this world. I didn't know that.
  As I was sitting and looking at the window of the plane, I started to think what to do next once back to my life. There was a woman  sitting next to me. I didn't notice it because I was lost in my thoughts until few hours later, we started communicating and I found out that we had the same name Laetitia  We also had the same hobbies and the same taste.  It made me smile! She asked me: Do you know what Laetitia means? I told her yes. Then we both said the meaning at the same time and we laughed together. She was nice! She told me a little bit of History of her country. I was surprised to learn so many things that I didn't know and yes that lady was interesting. I even forgot that we were sitting for hours. She had to do a long trip compared to mine because once arrived to Dallas she had to take another plane. She spoke some French and we basically spoke in both French and English. That was funny!
Back to the apartment, I didn't  have time to organize things. I slept like a baby until the day after. people tried to call me and yes some automatic calls of businesses as well. I was like: Really? People give me a break. Business does not stop! They want your money every single day. Then I had no choice then turn off the phone. My voicemail box was full of blah blah blah.
       My room is a little bit...hum... No comments. But I will work on it as soon as I will have enough time for myself. The best part is: I don't have to do it now now as long as it is not that bad and because I live alone so that's OK there is no pressure. It's freedom!
Yes I miss my family already. I can't play with the cat anymore. The kitty kitty as I used to call him. I don't have one on my own. I want to get one but I am not always at home. In fact, I like dogs more than cats.
I enjoyed every moment of my vacations! Back in Dallas life has to keep going on. Sometimes I am happy to be alone sometimes I am not at all.
Few days ago I went for a make up session at MAC. I wanted to do something special for me. I like how the make up artist did my make up. She even proposed me to put a pink lipstick like a gloss. For some reasons, I always thought that pink lipstick could not fit me. I like to see it on other women but I thought not for me. At the end I gladly liked it because I think  it looks good on me too!

This is the make up session video here if you want to watch it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJFltptRJts
 I bought that MAC pink lip gloss and the red lip pencil. I think I will try other color too. I named it the pink candy lip gloss!

Style Equation magazine had its new issue last week. Working with them is a good experience. The people are nice and I like the way they encourage all of their contributors. It makes me want to do better.  I was glad to read my three articles. I purchased my copies already. If you want to do the same and read what they had for the travel guide and their second anniversary issue you can click on that link: http://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/969301
 or  by clicking on new issue: http://www.stylequationmagazine.com/
You can either buy the digital version or the printed one. I mean, I like every fashion pictures featured on both. So discover and enjoy!

In the travel guide, I wrote what cities of the world to go for shopping. I also share some tricks and tips for packing. It's funny because at that time I was packing for my Summer so it was a good coincidence. For the anniversary issue we celebrated the 90's and during my vacations, I wrote about the anniversary of the iconic movie Clueless. I spent so many days to write something about it but at the end I was glad I made  it.
  It can be stressful to pack for a trip  right? You might want to read what to do.
They are also interesting other articles and I really like the models pictures!
Something else: I invite you to sometimes visit my new posts on ww.weebly.com. I felt sometimes limited with Blogger so I wanted to change and do something a little bit different. Some people recommended me to try Weebly which I did. So far I like the design of the website. It will be a little different from my blog here in Blogger. I like Blogger though I started with Blogger and will keep writing with it.
Here is the link you can just click on that and you will find me there (Smileys!!!) Visit me sometimes!
http://patacolorcarnet.weebly.com/carnet-de-voyage
I also want to thank Sandrine for writing a little article about my blog on her association's website in Grenoble/France http://asseg38.123siteweb.fr/412932437/3064174/posting/jeunes-talents-d-ici-et-d-ailleurs
When I am bored at home on my free times I like to listen to music and I was actually listening to Asa. She is a young African artist from Nigeria. The song is Eye Adaba it is in her mother language. Asa is really talented. She has her style. I like her. If you like the intro on my little video then you can discover the song in my playlist. I have two of hers. 

It's the end of this post. I want to close on a happy and musical note as usual.
The song that I am sharing is from Aloe Blacc. I like this song a lot! I like the way he impersonated different important personalities and events of the American History such as the event related to the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights Movement, the Sixties, the Disco etc. I think that he impersonated many people such as: Marvin Gaye, Malcom X, Muhammad Ali, Martin Luther King @ Selma . However, I wonder who was the guy singing with the trumpeter on the side? I have an idea of the singer but I am not sure yet.
Correct me if I am wrong. Remember I am not American. This is just from my little knowledge. Two thumbs up for that video!
 I was impressed to hear that song played in many places in France (I mean the cities where I went to) this Summer. I didn't know how much people like that song there. It looks like the song has more success over there in Europe. (It's maybe me thinking)
The artist is really talented! Also, I wanted to thank all the people who stood up for the civil rights in this country.
I am done for today Have a blessed week and enjoy the song!
Aloe Blacc The Man 

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

A Trip to Lyon!


If you want to discover another nice city in France then you might like to visit Lyon. It is the third largest city of the country after Paris (The capital city) and Marseille. I have always heard good stories about Lyon and I decided to go visiting myself and have my own opinion and my own experience of the city. I have a friend of mine who lives there so I thought it would be a good idea to not only visit my friend but also the city as the French expression says: "Faire d'une pierre deux coups!" (In English it would be: "Killing two birds with one stone.")
 After few hours in the TGV (the fastest train of the country) I made it at the gare de Lyon in the afternoon. The ambiance was different than the city where I was coming from and I liked it a lot. Surprisingly, I even met a classmate from high school at the train station. It was such a good conversation and a warm welcome. By the time I was waiting for my friend who was coming to pick me up, we discussed about everything. Yes, the world is a small place people! That is why it is good to be nice with everybody that you interact with because you never know what tomorrow will bring.
I personally chose to dress comfortable and relax for the occasion. To me there was no need to be dressed up for the circumstance because my philosophy is: "Sometimes simple is enough." I had my blue pair of jeans with a blue stripped white tee shirt  from Cache Cache a local French brand.
In the train on my way to Lyon. A white top with blue stripes from Cache Cache. Still in the stripes fever!
 The day after I thought that I could be in harmony with the nice weather outside. There was a nice sun. It was not too hot thanks God! However, the sky became cloudy at the end of the day (you will see it in the pictures below.) but that was OK because being there meant a lot to me. It was just the weather that I needed for the day. Consequently, I decided to wear a girly color which is my pink tunic. Pink color makes me often in a happy mood! Smile and life will be smiling back at you!
@Lyon, in town in front of a water fountain. H&M blue jeans, NAF NAF pink tunic
 When you know that you will be walking a lot almost all day long then, you do your best to dress simple and comfortable from the feet to your head. My friend took me to town and it was once again such a good experience and this is what I like about going on a trip! I can never get enough of adventures! We prepared everything the day before.
Lyon is a really nice city with its gardens and parks. There are two rivers in the city which are called the Rhone and the Saone. You will see many little boats stationing in some part of the city. Most of them belong to individual adventurers or people who are there for summer. Yes, it feels good to be there and breathe the air! Me, the lover of mother nature, I was happy to see some ducks swimming on the water and some nice flowers too. The city is wonderful and I saw that there is a part called the old Lyon. The panoramic view of the city is wonderful everybody was amazed as we were all looking around from the dominating top of the city. You can definitely see the difference from the old and the new modern architectures. There are good museums as well and I also liked to visit the Roman Catholic basilica in Fourviere (the old Lyon area). This old cathedral has a long history and story. In the streets, there are many restaurants serving local dishes and good French cuisine. So if you are a little bit foodie or if you are a gourmet, then you will find what  you need. My friend told me that there is a good restaurant in Lyon called "Le Bouchon Lyonnais" if maybe you go there you might want to try this restaurant. In a part of the city,I almost felt like being in Barcelona (Spain) I really mean it but also it reminded me a little bit of the city of Monterrey in Mexico where I went at the beginning of the year. I don't know why I got this feeling maybe because of the latin style architecture. In town, you will find good shops and boutiques such as: Kenzo, Sonia Rykiel, Sephora, Nocibe, Lush, the Body Shop...But you will also find some modern shopping malls. We, Ladies know what to do! (wink) hmm... I am just saying! 
In town on sunday. it is No work day! Some boutiques were closed already.
 I am a lover of aromatherapy

 San Marina and Camaieu (a French brand) on the corner of that street
I was not disappointed at all and I wish I could stay a little bit longer. No wonder why people talk a lot about Lyon and I have now my personal opinion. Yes, it is a nice city and it worth going there for summer. Some people that I have met in the US told me more about Lyon than Paris because They liked the attractions of the city and the fact that it is not noisy at all.  I have to admit that Paris is different and I tend to like quiet places too. In Paris there are so many people and sometimes it can be noisy.  But look! Paris will still remain Paris no matter what! (smiling)
It looks like the city of Lyon  welcomes a lot of visitors or tourists coming from France and from other  countries of the world. I saw many American tourists and some coming from England, Italy, Spain etc. This is a good place to go with your family for vacations!
And for the soccer fans, Lyon will be one of the cities of France that will host the UEFA Euro 2016 championship yay!
To go through the city they use the buses, the metro and the tramway like any other cities in Europe. I specifically like the tramway because you have a better view of the city. One of the attractions that I liked was the two bridges. They were built differently. These bridges were my favorite places to be because of the water and the wind. It is so refreshing to stand in front of the river! We took some pictures there and yes that is pretty much what I wanted to share in this post. If you want to know more about Lyon and its attractions this is one of the websites of the city to look on internet http://www.en.lyon-france.com/
Now these are some of the pictures that I took during my trip that I want to share in this post. I want to thank my friend who were a good tourist guide to me. He is such a good person!
The basilica Notre Dame of Fourviere was built between 1872 and 1884 with private funds.
 They use this little train for tourists who want to go up to visit the basilica which is on the top of the hill of the city

Pope John Paul II
 I am not Catholic but I went to visit like any other tourists the cathedral which is one of the city main attractions. We went inside the basilica. I must say that its architecture plus the walls, the statues...Everything was awesome. Everything was so perfect! A talented artistic work! Unfortunately my camera can not show it enough.
 Here below, this is a text explaining why the basilica was built. It was built from private funds as you can read (For those who read French of course) 1872 was the first stone that was put on the ground and the first church service was celebrated in 1890.  Later in 1896 the church was consecrated. This is such an amazing and old story!
 The ceiling of the basilica
 Once again the ceiling in the picture below
 The floor of Notre Dame. This artistic work is A ma zing!!
 the ceiling
 
 
  When you go out of the building,  there are so many tourists on the back side of the cathedral and you will be able to see the panoramic view of the city and I found it wonderful!
 He was explaining to me what we see from the top of the city

We walked further down to the old Lyon. This is the part of the city that made me feel like I was in Barcelona (Spain) a little bit and Mexico (Don't ask me why but the style of the architecture made me really feel this way)



 The weather was awesome! It was such a wonderful day to me!
With our happy feet, we walked through Saint Jean street
 And more restaurants along the streets. It was a happy weekend!
 I liked to see that shop below and I took a picture of it with my camera because I found it original! It says Venice @ Lyon as if the owner wanted to says that he brought Italy in Lyon.
Then, we saw the courthouse of Lyon which is right in front of the bridge that I liked.




 Walking on the bridge
 The bridge is built over the Saone river
 This is how this long bridge is made. These things coming out the rock support the bridge (No wonder why they say Jesus is my Rock I can see now how this statement is important and real when seeing this picture.  No matter what you do you cannot fall as long as He sustains and support you. Thank you God!) Back to my trip to Lyon
As you can see there is one of my favorite cosmetic shop on the other side of these water fountains. I like  Lush because they sell organic cosmetic products that they make.
Whenever I see something that I like I film it!
 In the two pictures below, it looks a little bit like some Parisian streets


 Hotel Royal!






 The other bridge close to one of the museums of the city. People like to ride their bikes along the bridge
 The Confluence museum
 

Only Lyon
 I hope you like the post about Lyon and that you discovered something new!
This is a song from a French rapper named Youssoupha. I heard it there and I liked the music and the lyrics once I heard it. (Sweet memories of Lyon)
Youssoupha ft Madame Monsieur "Smile"

Thank you for reading! I send you love from Lyon!