Sunshine

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What a lovely weekend, not only did I make some cash teaching and baby-sitting this weekend, but I also had a chance to go to Mass in Versaille, sketch in the champ-de Mars, read up a little on Notre Dame, visit Notre Dame, and shop in the Latin quarter. Awesome weekend!!!

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I woke up way later than I intended to on Saturday after having baby-sat pretty late the night before. but none-the-less, I made some freshly ground french-press coffee, ate some baguette and jam, got dressed grabbed my little sketch book and left to take the quick 7 minute metro trip to Notre Dame.
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I stepped of the train with a huge crowd of people from all over the world. French, Irish, Japanese, Korean, Canadian, American, I even brushed shoulders with a British artist who was lugging a little folding chair and a huge bag of art supplies(he had a little union jack sewed to his bag.)

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As the culturally-diverse crowd shuffled up the stairs and out of the Metro station, I started to squint. The sky was a brilliant blue and the sun was shining with all his might, I looked around me, and right there standing proud and tall and strong, like nothing could change her or move her, like her purpose had been set from all eternity, The Cathedral of Notre Dame.... wow! I felt so small and so humble in her presence. I decided not to follow the huge crowd inside today, but rather to enjoy the sunshine and study the many little (and huge) figures and carvings on the stone-work outside the Cathedral. It's so beautiful. (I will upload pics soon, but fyi I also have a lot on Facebook in my album: "Chartres Pilgrimage II")
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I made my way around to the garden behind the Cathedral and sat for a few minutes just taking it all in. "The flying buttresses are gorgeous!" I thought, "maybe i'll draw them." HA! Maybe NOT. The millions of details on the back of Notre Dame, with carved stone traveling in every direction would be a pretty huge undertaking for me and my pencil. So, i decided to start small (I'm no great artist yet) and I did a little sketch of the Statue of Mary and baby Jesus, which crowns the fountain in the middle of the square.
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After a good 30 minutes or so of drawing and staring at the beautiful cathedral, I could feel some grumbling in my tummy, so i figured i should find a quick "que'q chose à manger". I found a little café nearby and got myself a chocolate-banana crepe, and a coke. yummy.

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Not really sure where to go next, I guessed from memory where Ste Chapelle was in relation to the Cathedral, confirmed my hunch by consulting my map and headed in that direction. When i arrived, very excited to see the stained glass on such a sunny day, to my dismay, there was a huge line up outside, and people were grumbling something about it costing 20 euros to get in. "ugh!" I thought, "do i stay and wait, do i go somewhere else...?" I decided to continue on my way and find something else to do, Ste. Chapelle could wait for a less crowded day.
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I continued up to Latin Quarter which has a huge beautiful fountain with a larger than life stature of St-Michel l'Archange on it on the face of a building at the main intersection before entering the area, one of the oldest parts of Paris. The streets were tight and windy and there were a good 50 restaurants to choose from tucked into every possible little corner of all the old and crooked buildings, too bad i had already eaten near Notre Dame.

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I soon stumbled upon some stores, and started looking for shoes. I was in desperate need of some little black flats. I didn't bring any with me and knew my feet would not withstand being confined to 2" heels for another Sunday trek out to Versaille for Mass. I found something perfect for 15 euro, and i got a black purse too, another necessary buy, as i didn't bring a good sized black purse with me. I was tempted by many pairs of earrings, lots of scarves (oh! the scarves!!!) but I only got the shoes and the purse. well done Sandie! oh... and a Latté; I found a starbucks too, and gave into my northamerican craving.

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I went home and rushed off to teach my Saturday english lesson, which actually paid as much as the shoes i had previously bought that day had cost... does that mean i can go buy more shoes now? ;P
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After that, I sat in the park by the eiffel tower (not far from where i live) and worked a little on my eiffel tower drawing. I was also people watching, there are some crazy people in the champ-de-mars. and lots of lovers! and they have no shame, well some shame i suppose. they keep their clothes on at least. lol. I continued my drawing a little and headed home for some late dinner. It's actually becoming normal to me to eat at 8 or 9pm, it's really strange. but It's the French way. speaking of food i think i've gained a little weight. woot woot!

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Once i had stuffed myself with enough baguette, I finished up a drawing for the mom of my little family, It's her birthday today (Sunday).

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Man, that was just my Saturday. How did this post get so long... I need sleep. hopefully, i won't read this tomorrow morning and find myself incapable of making any sense of it. Hopefully I won't be too annoyed by how many times I changed tense.
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Anyways, Readers, please forgive me for my run on and awkward sentences and any other errors, let alone my spelling...

Good night and God bless!

In Corde Jesu,

-Sandie

Google pics.

Today I'm uploading (with my oh so awesome on-again/off-again internet connection) some pictures (merci à google) of day-to-day stuff I see in the 7th (i.e. my area/ neighborhood in Paris) unfortunately the pics loaded in backwards order, and i can't re-arrange them... but please enjoy nonetheless.

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Rue St. Dominique. This is where I do my groceries and get coffee.

And if you come visit me, I'll take you here.

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This is a typical French boy.

I don't even know who this kid is, but he's so French!

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Pastries are EVERYWHERE.

I've already started filling out my pants a little better. :)

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I buy a half baguette most mornings for .55 Euros

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At most cafés the tables and chairs are very neatly lined up like this...

why?

for People watching, of course.
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And here's a pretty little Café near where i live... actually it's a pretty huge café
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This is a cool old fountain surrounded by cafés... it's very old, and i don't really know anyting about it. All I know is that Obama had coffee in the place to the left of it. However, I've heard that the pastries there aren't that great.
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This is the Ecole Militaire. It overlooks the Champs de Mars,
accross wich stands the Tour Eiffel.
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And this is "Les Invalides" I believe it was a war hospital at one point.
I really should have researched this stuff before posting....
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Et Voila, here is a typical view from one of the streets in my neighborhood.
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In Corde Jesu,

Sandieness

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random sketches

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Some rough and random sketches.

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The legs above are my legs. I did this sketch while in ottawa, but wanted to share it.

I couldn't think of anything else to draw at the time.

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This is a picture i started to the blessed mother, but never finished because of some proportion errors i made, her face i still like though. hope you do too.

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Voila, These roses were on the coffee table of a very eclectic Parisian woman.

I was baby-sitting her daughter and decided to draw them.

(just a rough sketch, could use some polishing)

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Gesture drawings and rough sketches of random people.
(the people sitting were in Ottawa, and the ones standing were in Paris)

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Lots of love from Paris,

Sandieness

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Life is Good.

Hello Friends,



Time for some news about life in Paris, or rather for an introduction on life in Paris, since I haven't actually written about it yet.



Well, I arrived just about a week ago, jet-lagged and tired as heck, after... deep breath...: my brother's wedding in Ottawa, a 100 km Pilgrimage in Quebec, a 17 hour bus ride from Ottawa to DC, Mary's wedding, and a 13 hour flight from DC to Dublin, and then finally to Paris. Fewf!!! I hoep that just reading that made you tired. Though I must say that it was a pretty awesome way to leave. I was really glad to be able to say good-bye to pretty much everyone i know.



I was also so grateful that the mother of the family I'm renting my apartment from picked me up from the air-port upon my arrival, because I had two huge bags, a back-pack full of paints and brushes, a lap-top, and one of my huge purses, and there's no way i would have made it to my new place by train.

I pay for my apartment, by watching this family's kids for a few hours a week, which i thoroughly enjoy, because they're the sweetest little children I've ever met; I just love them! the other day one of them said to me, "Je t'aime de tout mon coeur!" :) aw... could any other child be so sweet? ...not that she doesn't have her moments of imperfection, but still, these kids are awesome!



Within the first few hours of being here, the mom brought me to set up my cell phone plan so I could get started on finding a few baby-sitting jobs to make some extra cash. By Thursday i had met 8 mom's and arranged for 2 english classes and about 30 hours a week of regular baby-sitting work, all within walking or trotinette(scooter) distance of where I live. sweet! Yes, i do sometimes use a little scooter, the kind for kids, to get around. It looks really funny, but it's perfectly normal here to see men in suits and mothers with a bag or two of groceries buzz by you on their scooters. They really are quite practical, and can cut your travel time in half.



I've been having a somewhat dificult time finding my way around the zig-zaggy streets of Parisl it's not like at home. Intersections with 6 streets coming to a round-about and changing names are the worst!!! but I'll be a pro in no time i'm sure. plus I always have my trusty map to refer to whenever necessary, but I feel like such a fanny-pack tourist when I use it. oh well, it's good for my humility I supose.



I've been hit on twice by creepy frenchmen, and almost hit by pigeon stuff once... thankfully though, both birds and beasts have been unsuccessful in their endeavours. ;)



Today I took the Metro to Versaille to attend Sunday Mass at Fr. LeRoux's FSSP parish. I was so impressed with the choir! They sang the most beautiful 'Panis Angelicus'; I have to get a recording... and the sheet-music as well. I'll probably join the choir within a couple of weeks.



Sketching!!! what sketching? All I've done so far is the one I posted the other day and this little one which i started this evening. There's more to come, i promisse! Now that i have my schedule all worked out, i'll have time to dedicate to my art...

In Corde Jesu,

Sandieness

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voila!!!

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My first Sketch in PARIS!!! I was baby-sitting and rather than just watch tv... i decieded to sketch the view from their kitchen window.... hope you like it. I may write more lengthy post some time soon. for now... all i have is this to offer.

in Corde Jesu,

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Sandieness

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1st post.

JMJ

Just a few short days before I arrive in Paris.

I've decided to post pictures of the first sketch i did back a few moths ago that got me back into drawing. as well as my latest painting, and final piece before leaving Ottawa.

I'm really going to miss all of my friends here and I know I'll be missing my family at Christmas time. :( especially my little siblings.

But this is going to be an amazing year. and as long as I'm always keeping close to the Heart of Christ, all my friends can find me there.

In Corde Jesu,
Sandieness.

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This one made me decide to get back into art.

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my latest painting.

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