“We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.“ -Thornton Wilder I was born at 4:04am Singapore time on March 28th, 1979, nearly two weeks past my original due date. … Continue reading
Life in Paris
My Worst Week in Paris
This is the “Part II” to my “finding an apartment in Paris” article, though it’s really more of an appendix. Future parts will discuss what to bring with you when moving here. They say that whether you are a native … Continue reading
Finding an Apartment in Paris, Part I: Before You Get Here
Keep in mind that there is a reason the word “bureaucracy” has a French etymology. The French love their paperwork. Efficiency is not a vice, per se, but why be efficient when you can cloak yourself in the warmth of … Continue reading
Laundry in Paris: Sorted!
Sometime back my landlady had offered to do my laundry…for a fee, of course. I’ve been doing my own laundry for many years now — but usually at my own home using my own machines. I never had any mental … Continue reading
Homelessness in Paris
Homelessness is an issue in any big city, but it’s an absolute epidemic here in Paris. The local phrase translates into English as “sleeping rough,” and from what I can tell by conversing with fellow Parisians, it’s only been on … Continue reading
Answering “Why Paris” Before I Ever Arrived
Once people get past the shock of my moving to Paris, the usual next question is, “Why?” Perfectly reasonable question. When I first started answering this question, I responded with, “If you’ve been there, you know why, if you haven’t, … Continue reading
Begin at the Beginning
So when people first find out I’m moving to Paris, there are usually looks and sounds of astonishment. And it’s only now, when I’m about 60 days out from beginning my journey, that I truly understand that astonishment, because I’ve … Continue reading