So Good it's unbelievable

but that's how life is, n'est-ce pas? Either so good it's unbelievable or so bad it's unbelievable. That certainly makes me sound like i'm teetering dangerously close to bi-polar on the spectrum...but either way, I believe there's something precious about sometimes experiencing things as peaks and troughs rather than resting at a comfortable platitude. (Watch me take this back when things go ugly, as they cyclically do.)

Today was the loveliest day yet in Paris. Around 2 pm it must have been at least 68 degrees, significantly warmer in the sunshine. I sat, in total delirium, outside the Merce and the Muse with a real latte, a book, and journal. It was perfect. It was one of those moments, I felt, that I could die happy. I have always thought that to be an odd expression but I definitely felt that if I were to perish from the Earth at that exact moment, I would have gone in lightness.

Philosophy and hypothetical situations aside, the Merce and the Muse was a lovely little place to "catch up on" more sitting and people watching. Located on the outer perimeter of the Marais area, it proved to be a little difficult to locate, but luckily the day was so beautiful I didn't mind getting a bit lost. I decided, if all goes according to plan, I will move to Paris after graduation, secure a barista job at this place, and live out the rest of my twenties being hip and enviably adorable in Paris.

Immediately next door to the Northwest coffee lover haven was a spot of Italy: Mary's gelato. I mean, this place is the business. I am always one to choose savory over sweet but dear god, I could eat Mary's gelato for lunch every day. I tried to order in French but the woman at the counter insisted on speaking only Italian. If that's not the mark of a legitimate gelato operation, I don't know what is. Staying true to myself, I chose extra dark chocolate and yogurt.

If you ever find yourself in Paris, PLEASE DO YOURSELF A FAVOR and go to Mary's. I even learned how to say "cone" in Italian. "Cono."

I am almost embarrassed to discuss the rest of the day because it makes me sound like some ridiculous sham of a person ambling about a flashy city with nothing to do but twiddle her thumbs and spend her savings on delicious food. But I suppose I dug that grave when I started the blog. So the rest of the day was spent at a wine tasting convention (free entry passes thanks to a friend's host father who instead decided to galavant off in some other European nation) and an exquisite Mexican dinner prepared by dear Laura. I actually played with her family's cats outside while she made me dinner. I am a little worried about the fantastic nature of the things I have just described. let's hope shit's for real.