Spring in Versailles’ Garden

I took a long time to start writing this adventure because, not only my heart post, but this was my last adventure with Stephanie, just her and I. Now, I cannot imagine Versailles or Paris with out her. She and I met at the Baby Tea Party, but our friendship sparked quickly. She and I stayed up to 3 am just talking. We never shut up together. I am going to miss her!
Anyway, sorry for the sad start to this adventure! Because, this day had the most adventures!

On a Sunday, Stephanie and I went to Versailles. We thought going on a Sunday would help with the crowds, but it was so very crowded. I was overwhelmed. Only in February, there was a light crowd. We never waited in a line and roamed the palace and garden freely.

We only wanted to go to the gardens, so the line was very small.
In the Garden as we moved away from the palace, the garden became more bearable. Many paths on the side were empty with a few people wander around.

The reason I went back to Versailles is because I am love with the romantic Rococo atmosphere of the palace and the spring time garden. Plus, we wanted to twin in Lolita, which means to wear the same dress on purpose. Another dream come true!  The atmosphere of the palace was not felt at all. Since, it was covered with tourist at the time. But, I loved the bright green, lush grass, full flowers, and spring trees in the garden.
We also viewed the Musical Fountains. We sat there for 3 rounds! We started laughing, and romantically viewing the water dance.  One could believe we were part of Marie Antoinette with our frilly dresses.

 

By the way our dress, We are both wearing Baby, the Stars Shine Bright’s Dessert one piece, my favorite. I have the older version in pink, and she has the newest version in lavender. Girls from China (I think) spotted us and said, “Lolita?” The girls said that they wore lolita dresses too! She took pictures with us and in exchange they took a picture for us.

The morning started to turn to a dark gray noon. The clouds became heavy and the wind cold. I felt a storm. Stephanie took me to her favorite place. It is just to the left of the palace. There is a view of a garden of swirls and  a lake behind it. Stephanie said it was her favorite part.

The rain began to fall. Then we went into one of the many side doors in search of a bathroom. The bathroom we found had one toilet. I am sorry, but every situation I have been in here in France there has been a lack of respect for toilets. It was not fun, but I looked outside and the rain was pouring! I was happy to wait for the rain to stop.
We found this interesting room. The room was covered with wild black and white wallpaper and had a modern chandler.

Soon, we left. But our day was nothing but over!
Next stop DISNEY PARIS!

Heart Update

Sorry for the recent lack of posts! I have had more adventures but I am so tired that I haven’t written about them yet!

Also, it is hard for me to find heart. I write my blog for me to remember my adventure and share my pictures. So, I hate to write too much boring stuff about my heart, but my heart is troubled by where I am. I have only a month left in France. I cannot believe it. I have grown and changed ( fatter and wiser). Believe it or not, I am not as shy as I use to be, but I am still the shy girl on the street.

My pink shoes are too much for most people in Amiens.

 

Here is my trouble:
A few days ago, I was showing my friend around Amiens. I group of younger kids asked us for a smoke as they yelled and laughed at us. Then the girl had the nerve to tell me that she disapproved of my outfit. She disliked my pink plaid skirt, but she thought my piink shoe would look great in a black dress. My friend and I were shocked. We walked away to the cathedral talking it over. I couldn’t believe what just happened to me. Just the other day a boy came up to me asking if I wanted to have a “coffee date”, and I was wearing the same skirt.

In Amiens I’ve never felt comfortable wearing color. I learned this very soon. But, even in my darker colors, people point me out. One of my first days in Amiens, boys called out to me, “Moche! Moche!” Which I understand, it is the word for “ugly”.

When I went to teach at a middle school, I made the mistake to wear a pink sweater. I thought nothing of it. The teacher thought I looked very young, and the students were a bit shocked by my color choice. Afterwards, I often wore my black sweater and skirts.

My only relief was in the winter. I had a huge black coat that hid all of my colors and frills. When I had to walk to the Paris train to go to a lolita event, I never worried. I always was cover with just my cute, bright pink shoes sticking out.

My favorite pink dress is spending many wonderful days in Paris but not in Amiens.

Now, it is summer and my hiding has come to an end. I once walked to the station to find a group taking pictures of me with a laugh and others asking rude questions.

So, I adapted. I never wear color in Amiens anymore. In Paris, I am comfortable. The people never mind if I am a rainbow or night sky. But Amiens is a small town with the limited view on fashion as colorless. I have see people with colors, but they are often not pink.
I end up spending my days inside, eating junk food, and my window open. See, no matter how hard I try, I am always picked out in the crowd. I’ve worn long skirts, short skirts, black, white, colors, gray, makeup,  and no makeup, and I am always pointed out. I am pointed out by watching eyes, men yelling to be my boyfriend, honking horns, or given fashion tips by strangers (that is only once).
I’m tired of  it. Worn out.
I just want to be “normal” for a day. But, this is the price I pay for being foreign. I do not look local – even if I wore all H&M or ZARA clothing. I am tall, and I am blond. I am easy to spot and easier to trick once they know I’m English.

However, the interesting side is, I’ve met a lot of nice people in Amiens. They are helpful and kind to me. These people, I imagine, are more traveled and cultured then the average Amiens local. I have not ever regretted living in France for a year. I have had my share of fun and wonderful people! Which trumps all the snobby people who gave me grief. I know people from every corner of the world, friends, dear ones.

Ah, Paris!
Paris is a different story. People are happy to see me. A family once asked if they could take a picture of me with their daughter. People smile and are happy to see me. There are friends and stores and parties. Honesty, when I return to Amiens, I am a bit sad. I walk by the cathedral to cheer me up, but it is a long walk back to where I live.

I have one more month in Amiens. I will be happy to bid the rude and dull people “a dieu”. I will be sad to leave the wonderful cathedral and roads I’ve come to know, but that is part of the leaving. I leave for the good and for the bad. Then, I will spend a few blissful days in Paris with my dear friends.
I don’t know how much I’ve changed. I have to be ready for my hard road ahead of return home in the USA.

So as you can see, I’ve go a lot on my emotion radar. I am stressed about my return, packing cleaning, people yelling at me, trains, and money. I am trying to enjoy my last bit of France even in the worries and stress.

I like to draw girls in lolita or cute outfits. I put a lot of detail in their outfits as if I was going to wear it. This is called “Sunny Doodle“.

To be busy:

So, I have some movies to watch: Gone with the Wind, DaVinci Code, Secret Book of Kells, and Persepolis.
Also, YouTube Channel: “Eat Your Kimchi“
Also, the K-drama: Queen In Hyun’s Man
 Also, read: Elinor Jones, L’infirmerie Apres les Cours, Harry Potter, and Monet
Also, blogging here and with Totoro.
Also, drawing.

This was a wonderful day! All of my dear friends together for some deco-den in Paris. I have had so many happy, sunny days!

Most important, I have a “rendez-vous” at a lolita picnic – “Pique Nique et Tombola anniversaire des associations Rouge Dentelle & Rose Ruban et du Chemin de Briques Roses pour leurs 3 ans“. I am so excited to be part of a French community! I fully support Rouge Dentelle & Rose Ruban! I will continue to support them when I return to the USA. Because, it is with the fashion, the color, and love (that I am laughed at in Amiens) is how I made friends who have so much love.

What do you do when people do not like who you are? even if you try to be “normal” and they still continue?
Do you like to watch movies, read books, or draw to feel better?

Deco-den at Baby Paris

So far this is my 4th lesson from Megu in Decoden. I first made little whip cream rings, but now I am off to what I dream of doing. I want to put gems all over everything! Megu’s last lesson was a free for all. You just brought in something you wanted to deco. I choose my camera’s lens cover to cover with gems!

So, on a Sunday I went to Paris and went to a museum to wait till the fun began! I had tea at Starbucks and waited for my friends. We had a nice time talked before walking to Baby the Stars Shine Bright.

Baby full of petticoats and lolitas

Megu works hard to put together these events for anyone who whats to start in decoden. She sets up tables in the shop and has to clean afterwards. Megu served me first because I just bought the little gems.
It was really hard to move around because of the petticoats and tables! I stood around, took pictures, and talked with others.

Megu serving crafting lolitas

As everyone was busy, i took the time to look around my favorite shop! There are so many wonderful things! I love to place my hands on the dresses and skirts. I like to look at the waves of bows and ribbons. The rainbow of lace and socks forever call my name. It is a wonderland.

Wonderland

I am in love with the Bunny-Bear Bags! I have everyone of them but the huge one! I love him so much! (I found one on eBay but the person has never emailed me back. If someone in France wants to help me contact this seller please help me!)
I looked bad that day because I walked in the rain to get to the train station in the morning.

Hug the Bunny! Photo by Ling

So enough playing around in the store! I had work to do! And, I worked hard; but, I was the only one not to finish! It was tedious but relaxing. I was able to forget everything and think of my sparkles. I loved it! I stayed behind as the others left to stay with Megu. We talked for a long time before I had to go to the train station.

My supplies and Totoro are waiting!

My unfinished camera lens

Megu invited me to stay with her the next week. I was able to finish my decoden! Plus, she threw a little sushi party! Till the next post!

My finished decoden project! It needs to be cleaned…. I can’t wait to do more!

Beauty – be not caused – It is.

“Beauty is not caused. It is.” -Emily Dickinson

As an introduction I want to say, I was often annoyed with my photo class; however, it was one of my best classes here in France. The teacher always told us to make something or build something and take pictures of it. So, He wanted us to make something happen then take a picture of it. I, personally, prefer waiting. I love to go for a walk and find the sun at a perfect angle on the dew drop. I am not the one to go to a field with a eye dropper to make dew. This is who I am. I am a natural photographer. When I make something, I do take pictures to preserve the idea in the future. However, if I had the choice, the made object would be displayed as itself not a photo. Thus, the class pushed me to go past my comfort zone, and that is why I enjoyed it.
For my last project, the project was called “Les Mots”. The subject had to be words. I found a poem by Emily Dickinson that said what I felt during the class’s projects.

It is written in French because it was a French course, so forgive the simple language. – translation and explanation below.’

Beauté – être pas causé – Elle Est -

La chasser, et elle cesse –
La chase pas, et elle demeure -

Dépasser les plis

Dans le pré – lorsque le vent
Exécute ses doigts a travers elle-
Divinité veillera à ce
Que vous n’avez jamais le faire -
Emily Dickinson

Les photo dit – <<Beauty is not caused. It Is. >>   Ou  <<Beauté n’est pas causé. Elle est. >>

L’art est la beauté. On fait l’art, et on veut l’art avoir la beauté. C’est simple. Non, la beauté est différente pour chaque personne. Une personne verra la beauté, l’autre ne verra rien. Chaque jour, elle change. Dans le monde de mode, elle change très rapide. La beauté d’aujourd’hui ne sera rien dans les années.
La beauté qui est belle toujours est la nature. On ne fait pas. On veut la copie. La nature change, mais c’est la même chose chaque année : Le printemps- les fleurs colorées, l’été – l’arbre vert, l’automne – les feuilles colorées, l’hiver- la neige blanche. La nature est belle.

English//

Beauty — be not caused — It Is –

Chase it, and it ceases –
Chase it not, and it abides –

Overtake the Creases

In the Meadow — when the Wind
Runs his fingers thro’ it –
Deity will see to it
That You never do it –

Art is beauty. One makes art and wants it to be beautiful. It is simple. Not really. Beauty is different to each person. One person will see beauty, and the other will not. Everyday, beauty changes. In fashion, it changes quickly. What is beautiful today is not beautiful tomorrow.
The only beauty that is beautiful forever is nature. One can not make it. One wants to copy it. However, nature does change, but it is the same every year: Spring – colorful flowers, Summer- green trees, Fall- colorful leaves, and Winter- white snow. Nature is beauty.

//

I don’t think the teacher got my rebellious message, but rather my love for Emily Dickinson and nature.
What I meant was, I understand we have different ideas of beauty, but I appreciated your view and the other students’ work. But personally, I’m a bit of an old school girl. I love old artists more then modern artist. I like the “beaux arts” not the “art plastique”. Also, I prefer to take pictures of natural situations.

Don’t misjudge the teacher. He was really nice and slow with me! And, I got wonderful grades in this class.
And that is why I liked it. I was a challenge, but I still kept the sense of me.

Enjoy.

Spring at Last: Outside of Notre Dame d’Amiens

The beginning of May started with a promise of spring, but there was a relapse of winter. The city and I had on light winter coats to stay warm in the cold, gray days. The gray days were horrible. There was always the fear of rain because of the pressing gray clouds, and the sun ran away with the moon. After 10 long gray days the sun came back and warmer weather too! I hope it stays!

Here are some pictures of the outside of Notre Dame d’Amiens in the Spring at the end of April when there was sun!

The west entrance lights up in the afternoon sunlight. It is a perfect spotlight. The center arch is the final judgement with Jesus in the middle.

I read in my little souvenir book, that the facade of the west entrance is narrow. It is true. The cathedral in Paris has huge bulky towers compared to Amiens’.

The southern entrance it my favorite view of the cathedral! The entrance has a road lined with classic European brick houses. The main entrance is interesting with all the heavy statuses and sturdy bell towers. However, the southern entrance is more simple. The window is the main focus, and it is like lace – airy.

One of my favorite things about Gothic cathedrals are the backsides or the east end. Most often the building started with the western fount, which is Romanesque. The west is heavy and bulky. However the back is the end of construction? The backsides are always very Gothic, airy, and light. Notre Dame d’Amiens is special because it has seven semi-circle areas (?). In the inside, the darkness of the back is lit up very dramatically and on the outside, the view is like small pillars of glass!

In the back there is a park. It is a nice little area to sit under the cathedral. I sat here and read a little of Harry Potter tome 3. It is a public park, so there are a lot of tourist and locals.

When you come to France make sure to see the famous monuments and support them! If you take a day trip to Amiens, give a euro to the cathedral! It is a wonderful  monument that needs to stand for many more years to come!

Lets Keep it Simple

I find myself attracted to simply dresses and skirts in lolita. Because of Lolita Wonderland‘s post, For the Love of Simplicity, I thought, I would share some of the dresses and skirts I love from the current spring/summer 2012 season.

First, Angelic Pretty is most known for the crazy sweet prints and bright crazy colors. There have been re-releases of famous and desirable that sold out in seconds and are still sold at crazy high prices. Personally, these are not my favorite dress. However, this season Angelic Pretty seems to have many softer dress that play more on the fabric and lace. They’ve been for the most part over shadowed by other things, which is normal.
I’ve chosen three dress or jumperskirts and two skirt, all of which are simple but lovely. Lets start! Clockwise:
Retro Doll is soft and light. It is simple but it is easy to dress it up with the large bow!
Mary Gingham is so old school. I love the Old School look but I am not fond of the limited colors, white, black, red, and navy. However, this Mary Gingham has a bright pink, light blue and yellow with the old school red and black.
Sugary Baby Doll is shown as the skirt and jumperskirt with a detail of the lace. I found this resent release so adorable. It is an easy wear for everyday in summer.  The cotton lace really makes it summery! Angelic Pretty often uses a tulle lace. I always love the lace details.
Vintage School is darker for then the other dresses, but I like darker colors too! The navy look is very popular this season.

Next is Baby, the Stars Shine Bright, my favorite brand. Baby is more known for simpler dresses! Of course, I love this! However, they also have popular prints that overshadow most of their lovely simple things!
Again, lets start clockwise.
Dessert One Piece is my dream dress! I bought it just a month ago! The dress is very detailed and airy. The sleeves are comfortable but still has a nice poof. The bodice is made with the usual think cotton lace that I drool over every time I see it. This dress is a remake; they’ve made a similar dress for the past few years. This one dress summaries the lolita style.
Pas de Deux is actually a ballerina print that I love. But, there is a plain skirt which is just as lovely. The ruffle and lace really make this skirt a lolita skirt. It is plain, but a wonderful skirt to dress up and down.
Arietta is a casual dress that falls out of lolita into casual.  The top looks like a nice frilly blouse but the bottom is just as frilly with lace and ruffles! I love the pastel colors and the easy look this dress possesses. Sometimes, I think, lolitas try to hard.
Karami Gingham is another old school dress. To be honest, I was not attracted to this dress when I saw it on the site but once I saw it in the Paris store I thought it was lovely! It is actually very detailed and pleasing on most people!

Now, I am not against prints. I have a few prints because I have a weakness for animals. I have skirts with the prints of fawns, bears, and bunnies! How cute! And I have a dress list with a few prints. Honesty, I am just more excited about seeing a plain simple dress on sale then a printed dress. Printed dresses or skirts are usually more expensive because of the ink. I would rather have a dress or skirt for less money but more detail in the lace, construction, and ruffles. That is just me.
And you?

I hope that you enjoyed a break from my traveling posts. There are more adventures always! Till then!

Movement

After the rain came  the afternoon sun. Marine took Yumi and me on a walk to the near by beach. The walk was so nice after eating lunch. We walked to a little harbor for boats, and we continued across a bridge to the beach.

In the harbor, where the light changed in every wind blow.

The sun  was dancing in the water because of the wind. And once on the beach, the movement of the waves, light, and wind became a dance. I remember mostly the movement- our dresses blowing in the wind, running away from the waves, climbing on the rocks, walking in the sand.

The crashing waves behind us never got us.

I have somehow lost my pictures on my computer of the day. I hope, they are just out of sight, not lost. But, I have Marine’s pictures. Her camera takes multiple pictures and seems to catch every movement. I made these gif. of movement from the time on the beach.

Marine didn’t make the picture on time.

Marine made the picture in time.

It is hard for me to imagine that just behind me -respectably- is my home. My home far, far away from there on that beach. How can the world feel so small and large at the same time? Now, this, this is a different kind of movement- a movement of awe and wonder.

So small and large.

Dive in with Rain

After staying the night in Dives-sur-Mer, we explored a little bit of the town. However, it was raining and very cold! But never fear, a little rain cannot spoil our smiles!

Yumi and Marine smiling

We went by car to a local seafood market. They bought mussels for lunch. The sellers laughed at me because I kept my distance from the dead fish. I just don’t have the heart to even look at the live fish or crabs or lobsters.

The Rain

Then again by car, Marine, Yumi, and I hopped out in the rain in the center of Dives. Because of the suppressing rain, we dived into a cathedral. Sadly, the cathedral was being worked on and hard to see the architecture. The cathedral was quite small and crud, but the history was interesting. On the west wall above the main doors, the names of all the men who went with William, Duke of Normandy, to England are listed.

a corner in the cathedral.

Me, Marine and Yumi

 

A kind woman raved about our lolita dresses. She was so pleased and happy to see us for some reason. She was so sweet. She then gave Marine some money and told us to go buy something sweet!

Stopping by a pastry shop

After Maine bought us some sweets, we walked with umbrellas  up to the old wooden market. It is amazing that it is still standing! I wish there were more markets in the USA.

The wooden market with Yumi!

Once again umbrellas up, we went to the old center of town. I guess, when town was still a wee village, it looked like this.

The old center

Soon, we went back for lunch and to our happiness the sun came out for the rest of the day! So, we continued our adventure!

 

Trouville-sur-Mer

Marine’s grandparents have a house by the sea in Dive-sur-Mer. And for “les vacances”, we went to visit them and the area. This area along the English Channel is a French vacation spot for the people of Normandy, France. They need the sun too!

After a nice lunch, Yumi, Marine, her grandparents, Mme Patricia, Lea, her brother, Yumi,and I made a parade to a town along the coast called Trouville-sur-Mer.

A view of Trouville-sur-Mer

Trouville-sur-Mer had a lot of restaurants, small alleys, fish markets, and a sandy beach.

an alleyway

An antique store

The old, little shops were nice and cute. I was surprised not to find an overwelming amount of tourist beach shops. Instead, most of the shops were antique or art shops. The two type of shops mingled together gave a romantic vibe.

Lolitas on the Beach

French men playing Boules (I think Pétanque)

Later that day after walking around all day, we went to a restaurant. The whole family and 2 friends totaled to a reservation for 10 people. The dinner was very nice!

Ready to eat.

Just Another French Meal

After spending time with both my French family and French friends, I learned how the French people eat. And when they eat, they eat good from my observation and participation.

I am still up for a surprise every time I sit down at a French meal, but I have an excuse. I am from America.

**Before I start, these are my observation, don’t take them by heart. Each situation, family, and food is different. I am vegetarian, and it was really simple, I think, for the cook to work around me. I have not looked up information before writing this. It is purely my observation. If things are wrong, they are not wrong for me.**

I’m eating with Marine’s family in Dives, France.

The plates are placed on the table. The plate in the center. The knife and fork on the sides ( I forgot which sides for now). A smaller spoon is placed above the plate. The spoon is for the desserts. I found myself using my fork instead out of habit. Opps! Finally, a glass for a drink is place right above the plate where is the spoon is placed. The glass is not the right or left, as it is normally done in my household, but right in the center.

First Course: I am having  ”salade de carotte rapee” and a beet salad. I think, it is my favorite course!

First Course:
The start is salads. There could be salads made of green lettuce or salads like “Salade de Carotte Rapee“. Also, there is sometimes raw vegetables with the salads.

*After you have finish your full of the salads, bread is usually taken. You can take bread anytime but usually afterwards it is eaten. *

Second Course: hot, main dishes

Second Course: Marine and Yumi’s hot dish of mussels and cream.

Second Course:
This is the main dish. There is usually one or two. One is usually meat and the other a side dish- for example rice, potatoes, or cooked vegetables. But what ever it is, it is hot or cooked. If meat was the only hot dish, there is always more from the first course.

*Again bread is eaten with the course and/or after*

Third Course: Cheese

Third Course:
Here is the very, very French course, cheese. A plate of different cheeses to chose from comes out. The cheese is taken with bread. Personally, I often took two because I want to try different kinds. However, often one is just chosen to taste.

*Bread is eaten with the cheese, and this is normally the end of the bread.*

Fourth Course: Dessert

Fourth Course:
This is sweetest course. It is dessert time! When Yumi and I were visiting, they made sure to buy pastries. I always ate too much because I’ve never seen such cute and wonderful tasting desserts! But for more casual days, there is raw fruit, pudding, mouse, or yogurt. They just went all fancy because of Yumi and me!

Fifth Course:
This is the time to digest all of that yummy French cooking, bread, and sweets. Coffee and tea is made.

Sounds like a yummy meal, right? I’ve never had meals like this- unless I was on a cruise!

I want to thank my family and friends for letting me take such lovely meals with them! I have not way of repaying you all such a wonderful gifts and experiences you have given me. I have learned more with you then in classrooms.

Merci.

**Also, all pictures are from Marine. I was too busy eating and drinking to take pictures! Thanks, Marine!**