one year in paris

It was the morning of August 31st, 2012. I'd just come from a lovely stop in Reykjavík, had two huge suitcase with me, and hadn't a clue as to what was ahead in this Parisian adventure of mine. It's amazing to be aware of that and feel so at ease now. There's more dates of significance, too: September 4th, I moved into my chambre de bonne; September 10th, I began graduate school; or, let's go back even earlier than that, to August 21, 2008, when I awkwardly blogged for the very first time. Since I've surely acquired (and lost) readers throughout these past five years, I thought it appropriate to finally take Sara's offer on that Six Things thing. What a fun way to share some randomness with you this weekend :) my answers are weaved throughout the last photos of my first home in Paris:

{bathroom/kitchen sink to the left, desk area + kitchen table in the center, bed to the right}

What is your favorite time of day and why? The morning, preferably early. I tend to wake up easily and absolutely adore breakfast. To me, the thought of leisurely sipping a cup of green tea and digging into breakfast--whether it be cinnamon oatmeal, muesli with yogurt, or the special occasion pancake--is contentment actualized. Brunch is the best, too. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live? That's a tough one, and I don't really have a realistic answer because I believe it's the people there who make any place matter. But I did mention this once before: "I would already have multiple residences around the world. They wouldn't be extravagant, just simple, and big enough to entertain myself and one or two friends. There'd be apartments in Paris, Santiago, and Montréal, a quaint townhouse in San Francisco, and a home in Australia (city tbd). I'd be fluent in Spanish and French and visit all of the continents often. Oh, and a loft in the Manhattan would be much appreciated as well." Yep. I think I'll stick with that answer ;).

{lofted bed above, convertible sofa and coffee table below, alongside hamper}

If you could go back in time and change one event in your life would you, and if so, what event? I'm tempted to say nothing at all, because like my grandmother, "there's no life I can imagine wanting more than the one I have right now." But, I'm going to have to go with George Saunders' speech at my alma mater's graduation: "What I regret most in my life are failures of kindness." It might sound idealistic, but I do wholeheartedly agree. If you were given €50,000 what would you do with it? In my most practical attempt, I'd reserve about half for loan repayment and divide what remained between my parent's retirement fund, my siblings' college debt, and an effective cause. Then again, I also wouldn't mind spending a sliver of the unexpected money on a fabulous trip to Asia...

{de-constructed "closet" on the left, "kitchen" in the center, entrance to the right}

What is your dream holiday destination? Right now it's the coast of Vietnam, but that dream changes from time to time. I'm also still lusting over India, South Africa, Egypt, New Zealand, Japan, and Australia. Even Alaska and Hawaii in the beautiful USA would be great. Maybe some day :). If you could switch careers to anything you'd like (and be instantly qualified for it) what career would you choose? I hope with all my heart that I'm actually moving in the direction of this ideal career--one that's located in a metropolitan area, includes ample amount of social research and communications strategy, and requires international travel (preferably to conferences) from time to time. If you happen to know of any opportunities that meet all the requirements above, please sign me up.

{the view of Parc Monceau that made it all worth it}

And there ya go! Will you forgive me if I skip passing nine more questions onto six more bloggers, Sara? I have to run off to meet my former New York roommate, Catherine, who'll be spending this weekend galavanting around Paris avec moi. Happy one year, indeed.