New Year’s Resolutions
353
Lose weight. Exercise more—well, start exercising. See the Mona Lisa at the Louvre (finally) no matter how long the line or how loud the screams of the crying babies. Learn French.As the new year grows near, I dust off my list of last year’s “good intentions.” And though I didn’t lose the five, well, 15 pounds I had desired, I did get my daily exercise climbing my very own personal seven-flight Stairmaster.There was one afternoon when I forgot my umbrella and had to go all the way back up the stairs, only to find that it was hidden at the bottom of my purse all the while, and another when my groceries were delivered and I met the delivery man at the bottom of the stairs to help him with what turned out to be ten pounds of baby food and four cases of Evian water bottles with nipples on them. Well…what’s that? Seven flights of stairs, once a day, for 90 days, plus two additional trips–632 flights of stairs, which is certainly more than last year. Progress, at least.The thing about being in Paris is that you’re too busy living to keep any sort of checklist or schedule. I’ve lived in France for what will be just over three months now, and, being the American that I am no matter how many scarves I might own, I couldn’t resist making my neatly drawn, well-thought-out list of New Year’s resolutions. This is in part, I think, to keep a tradition but also because it helps me to organize my goals.Unfortunately though, most Americans’ intentions for the New Year are no greater than mine. How many times have you promised yourself that you will lose weight, even though you probably don’t need to? Or sworn off chocolate and French fries on weekdays? Why do we occupy our minds with such trivial matters in times of war and natural disasters? To keep our sanity, I imagine.I am lucky, because I live in a country where quality of life comes first. A country where food doesn’t make you fat and the people don’t obsess over carbs and calorie counters but over their deep concerns for a world engrossed in war. In cafés one overhears conversations about theatre and art, as Parisians express their strong opinions daily, not only about theater and art, but through theater and art–using these practices as a creative outlet for their feelings as opposed to relying on the media as their sole interpreter.Parisians celebrate life in times of happiness and in times of despair. Their thirst for living never grows dry. I think it is most important to celebrate life in times of hardship and to remember the freedoms we have, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant.In World Wars I and II, the Americans turned to George M. Cohan’s “Over There” and “You’re a Grand Old Flag” as an expression of their nationalism. In fact, these songs were so moving that Mr. Cohan received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his patriotic words and music. Ultimately he helped to bring a country together and gave the American people a venue to express their sentiments of nationalism during a time of war.The French are held together by foie gras and baguettes and Edith Piaf. They appreciate the gifts of life on a daily basis. Parisians maintain a community that truly celebrates the “simple things.” Food, art–life.French is known as a romantic language. Romantic…hmmmm…meaning, “dreamy, impractical and idealistic.” In many ways Paris is like a dream, filled with red, green, blue, yellow scarves and hats and strong smells–undoubtedly it’s the cheese. And how many shades do those delicious macaroons come in? Ladurée’s window displays might just as well be something out of a dream.In the book Peter Pan, three children discover that by thinking and feeling wonderful thoughts they can actually fly. In 2004 let us not underestimate the power of feeling and the need for exercising our senses.Come to Paris not only in celebration of the New Year, but also of life. For a brief while at least, allow yourself to be pampered by good food and innovative art. Take long walks on the Seine, eat ice cream on Ile Saint-Louis and throw your New Year’s resolutions list out the window. Learn the important ones by heart and raise your glass to the New Year in a cozy restaurant in the 6th.If life keeps you from your travels this year, as life sometimes does, let Bonjour Paris bring France to you. We promise you mouth-watering French recipes and intimate tales of people, such as yourself, losing their way on the cobblestone streets and passages off of Rue Dauphine, only to discover a charming tea salon where one must stop for a moment and breath in the aroma of Moroccan mint tea and fruit rouges and admire the sketches of the talented young starving artist situated on the steps to the right of the entrance.For me, I hope this new year brings warm smiles from new friends, a few mistakes that allow important life lessons, and lots and lots of café crèmes. (A date with Nicolas would of course, be very much appreciated.)
—Kirsten joins Bonjour Paris from Los Angeles, California where she recently graduated from the University of Southern California with a BFA in Acting. Last year she co-wrote the book and lyrics to a new pop musical which expects to open in Los Angeles next spring. Two years ago, while studying at a conservatory in London, Kirsten fell in love with Paris and decided that she was destined to return for some time. She’s thrilled to experience this dream come true.
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Lose weight. Exercise more—well, start exercising. See the Mona Lisa at the Louvre (finally) no matter how long the line or how loud the screams of the crying babies. Learn French.
As the new year grows near, I dust off my list of last year’s “good intentions.” And though I didn’t lose the five, well, 15 pounds I had desired, I did get my daily exercise climbing my very own personal seven-flight Stairmaster.
There was one afternoon when I forgot my umbrella and had to go all the way back up the stairs, only to find that it was hidden at the bottom of my purse all the while, and another when my groceries were delivered and I met the delivery man at the bottom of the stairs to help him with what turned out to be ten pounds of baby food and four cases of Evian water bottles with nipples on them. Well…what’s that? Seven flights of stairs, once a day, for 90 days, plus two additional trips–632 flights of stairs, which is certainly more than last year. Progress, at least.
The thing about being in Paris is that you’re too busy living to keep any sort of checklist or schedule. I’ve lived in France for what will be just over three months now, and, being the American that I am no matter how many scarves I might own, I couldn’t resist making my neatly drawn, well-thought-out list of New Year’s resolutions. This is in part, I think, to keep a tradition but also because it helps me to organize my goals.
Unfortunately though, most Americans’ intentions for the New Year are no greater than mine. How many times have you promised yourself that you will lose weight, even though you probably don’t need to? Or sworn off chocolate and French fries on weekdays? Why do we occupy our minds with such trivial matters in times of war and natural disasters? To keep our sanity, I imagine.
I am lucky, because I live in a country where quality of life comes first. A country where food doesn’t make you fat and the people don’t obsess over carbs and calorie counters but over their deep concerns for a world engrossed in war. In cafés one overhears conversations about theatre and art, as Parisians express their strong opinions daily, not only about theater and art, but through theater and art–using these practices as a creative outlet for their feelings as opposed to relying on the media as their sole interpreter.
Parisians celebrate life in times of happiness and in times of despair. Their thirst for living never grows dry. I think it is most important to celebrate life in times of hardship and to remember the freedoms we have, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant.
In World Wars I and II, the Americans turned to George M. Cohan’s “Over There” and “You’re a Grand Old Flag” as an expression of their nationalism. In fact, these songs were so moving that Mr. Cohan received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his patriotic words and music. Ultimately he helped to bring a country together and gave the American people a venue to express their sentiments of nationalism during a time of war.
The French are held together by foie gras and baguettes and Edith Piaf. They appreciate the gifts of life on a daily basis. Parisians maintain a community that truly celebrates the “simple things.” Food, art–life.
French is known as a romantic language. Romantic…hmmmm…meaning, “dreamy, impractical and idealistic.” In many ways Paris is like a dream, filled with red, green, blue, yellow scarves and hats and strong smells–undoubtedly it’s the cheese. And how many shades do those delicious macaroons come in? Ladurée’s window displays might just as well be something out of a dream.
In the book Peter Pan, three children discover that by thinking and feeling wonderful thoughts they can actually fly. In 2004 let us not underestimate the power of feeling and the need for exercising our senses.
Come to Paris not only in celebration of the New Year, but also of life. For a brief while at least, allow yourself to be pampered by good food and innovative art. Take long walks on the Seine, eat ice cream on Ile Saint-Louis and throw your New Year’s resolutions list out the window. Learn the important ones by heart and raise your glass to the New Year in a cozy restaurant in the 6th.
If life keeps you from your travels this year, as life sometimes does, let Bonjour Paris bring France to you. We promise you mouth-watering French recipes and intimate tales of people, such as yourself, losing their way on the cobblestone streets and passages off of Rue Dauphine, only to discover a charming tea salon where one must stop for a moment and breath in the aroma of Moroccan mint tea and fruit rouges and admire the sketches of the talented young starving artist situated on the steps to the right of the entrance.
For me, I hope this new year brings warm smiles from new friends, a few mistakes that allow important life lessons, and lots and lots of café crèmes. (A date with Nicolas would of course, be very much appreciated.)
As the new year grows near, I dust off my list of last year’s “good intentions.” And though I didn’t lose the five, well, 15 pounds I had desired, I did get my daily exercise climbing my very own personal seven-flight Stairmaster.
There was one afternoon when I forgot my umbrella and had to go all the way back up the stairs, only to find that it was hidden at the bottom of my purse all the while, and another when my groceries were delivered and I met the delivery man at the bottom of the stairs to help him with what turned out to be ten pounds of baby food and four cases of Evian water bottles with nipples on them. Well…what’s that? Seven flights of stairs, once a day, for 90 days, plus two additional trips–632 flights of stairs, which is certainly more than last year. Progress, at least.
The thing about being in Paris is that you’re too busy living to keep any sort of checklist or schedule. I’ve lived in France for what will be just over three months now, and, being the American that I am no matter how many scarves I might own, I couldn’t resist making my neatly drawn, well-thought-out list of New Year’s resolutions. This is in part, I think, to keep a tradition but also because it helps me to organize my goals.
Unfortunately though, most Americans’ intentions for the New Year are no greater than mine. How many times have you promised yourself that you will lose weight, even though you probably don’t need to? Or sworn off chocolate and French fries on weekdays? Why do we occupy our minds with such trivial matters in times of war and natural disasters? To keep our sanity, I imagine.
I am lucky, because I live in a country where quality of life comes first. A country where food doesn’t make you fat and the people don’t obsess over carbs and calorie counters but over their deep concerns for a world engrossed in war. In cafés one overhears conversations about theatre and art, as Parisians express their strong opinions daily, not only about theater and art, but through theater and art–using these practices as a creative outlet for their feelings as opposed to relying on the media as their sole interpreter.
Parisians celebrate life in times of happiness and in times of despair. Their thirst for living never grows dry. I think it is most important to celebrate life in times of hardship and to remember the freedoms we have, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant.
In World Wars I and II, the Americans turned to George M. Cohan’s “Over There” and “You’re a Grand Old Flag” as an expression of their nationalism. In fact, these songs were so moving that Mr. Cohan received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his patriotic words and music. Ultimately he helped to bring a country together and gave the American people a venue to express their sentiments of nationalism during a time of war.
The French are held together by foie gras and baguettes and Edith Piaf. They appreciate the gifts of life on a daily basis. Parisians maintain a community that truly celebrates the “simple things.” Food, art–life.
French is known as a romantic language. Romantic…hmmmm…meaning, “dreamy, impractical and idealistic.” In many ways Paris is like a dream, filled with red, green, blue, yellow scarves and hats and strong smells–undoubtedly it’s the cheese. And how many shades do those delicious macaroons come in? Ladurée’s window displays might just as well be something out of a dream.
In the book Peter Pan, three children discover that by thinking and feeling wonderful thoughts they can actually fly. In 2004 let us not underestimate the power of feeling and the need for exercising our senses.
Come to Paris not only in celebration of the New Year, but also of life. For a brief while at least, allow yourself to be pampered by good food and innovative art. Take long walks on the Seine, eat ice cream on Ile Saint-Louis and throw your New Year’s resolutions list out the window. Learn the important ones by heart and raise your glass to the New Year in a cozy restaurant in the 6th.
If life keeps you from your travels this year, as life sometimes does, let Bonjour Paris bring France to you. We promise you mouth-watering French recipes and intimate tales of people, such as yourself, losing their way on the cobblestone streets and passages off of Rue Dauphine, only to discover a charming tea salon where one must stop for a moment and breath in the aroma of Moroccan mint tea and fruit rouges and admire the sketches of the talented young starving artist situated on the steps to the right of the entrance.
For me, I hope this new year brings warm smiles from new friends, a few mistakes that allow important life lessons, and lots and lots of café crèmes. (A date with Nicolas would of course, be very much appreciated.)
—
Kirsten joins Bonjour Paris from Los Angeles, California where she recently graduated from the University of Southern California with a BFA in Acting. Last year she co-wrote the book and lyrics to a new pop musical which expects to open in Los Angeles next spring. Two years ago, while studying at a conservatory in London, Kirsten fell in love with Paris and decided that she was destined to return for some time. She’s thrilled to experience this dream come true.
Kirsten joins Bonjour Paris from Los Angeles, California where she recently graduated from the University of Southern California with a BFA in Acting. Last year she co-wrote the book and lyrics to a new pop musical which expects to open in Los Angeles next spring. Two years ago, while studying at a conservatory in London, Kirsten fell in love with Paris and decided that she was destined to return for some time. She’s thrilled to experience this dream come true.
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