Student days

I am currently enrolled in several writing courses and one photography class here in Paris. It gives structure to my days and pushes me to explore and expand my limits as I learn from teachers younger and more accomplished than myself. I enjoy my homework assignments although I am suddenly self conscious about what I write and the pictures that I take. As a former teacher and coach, I am also aware of the importance of good teaching styles - how to combine the best qualities of knowledge, experience, preparation, and organization while adapting to the unique composition of each group of students.

I'm not sure where these classes and this adventure will lead, but I am enjoying the ride and will be reporting on my progress. Thanks for accompanying me on this ride. Perhaps one day I'll be a teacher again?

Another side of Paris

Paris is more than elegant shops and beautiful monuments

One Year to a Writing Life

Charlie sent me books for Christmas - an unbroken tradition that goes back as long as I can remember. Despite the fact that we aren't together any more, despite our second divorce in 2008, he still knows me better than anyone else on the planet. And he knows that books make me happy. He said it was hard this year, having no idea which books I already have, which ones I've already read.

The box from Charlie arrived shortly before Christmas. I ripped open the packaging and squealed with pleasure when I saw that he'd sent me "One Year to a Writing Life" by Susan Tiberghien. How did he know? I'd already noted the 19th of January on the calendar - the date when Susan Tiberghien would be at the American Library in Paris to talk about her book. I hadn't bought the book yet, but intended to. Here is Susan (on the left) during her presentation at the American Library.


"One Year to a Writing Life: Twelve Lessons to Deepen Every Writer's Art and Craft" offers both inspiration and instruction with examples and exercises touching on writing that ranges from journal writing and personal essays, to fiction, poetic prose, and memoir. The book has an excellent bibliography as well as dozens of practical suggestions for the aspiring writer.

I was especially attracted to book because, in addition to the exercises in the book, I found Susan's personal story inspiring as well. An American woman married to a Frenchman, she didn't start writing until the age of 50 - after raising six children in France, Italy, and Switzerland. Her first book was published at 60. So there's hope for those of us who got a late start!

I also signed up for Susan's workshop at Shakespeare and Co. on Saturday afternoon. The afternoon was well spent - not only because of the writing exercises, but also because I met other women who are interested in creating an ongoing writing group here in Paris. Susan proved to be a warm and generous teacher. Here she is (on the right) answering a question during a break


And with her husband of 50+ years, Pierre


You can see from her website that Susan has a full schedule of teaching and speaking events. I hope to travel to Geneva to participate in future sessions of her Geneva Writer's Group. In the meantime, I have work to do if I want to consider myself a writer!

Words and Images

I'm currently signed up for some writing classes and am working on a couple of stories that are not quite ready for prime time. So as I smooth out the rough edges in my writing, I thought I'd share a few more photos from this week.

The weather last Sunday really was exceptional, and after Notre Dame in the morning, I went to the Louvre in the afternoon.


By the way, I've been in Paris for about 10 months now, but still haven't been inside the Louvre - yet.

This is the Arc du Carrousel which marks the entrance to the Tuileries Garden from the Louvre



The Tuileries Garden was packed on a sunny Sunday afternoon. You can see the Grande Roue (large ferris wheel) at the other end. There is an uninterrupted line between the Louvre, the Place de la Concorde with its Obélisque, then the Champs Élysées crowned by the Arc de Triomphe.


Place de la Concorde with Grande Roue and Obélisque


Finally, continuing the straight line from the Arc de Triomphe west to the modern skyscrapers which make up La Défense, you have La Grande Arche

Staying in touch

Surprise! Andrea popped up in Paris this week. We've stayed in touch, spending hours talking via Skype when he called my computer from Barcelona or from Milan over the holidays. I was surprised when my cell phone rang on Monday, showing Andrea as the caller. Where are you? I asked, surprised that he was calling my phone rather than my computer. "I'm at Châtelet, here in Paris. Are you busy?" I was just finishing an email response to Dominique and the gray day suddenly brightened. We agreed to meet at the Odeon metro station. By the way, here's a picture of Andrea:


No, it's not a romance - we really are at different stages in our lives - but we have a unique connection and I am happy to provide a sounding board as he sorts through a myriad of options in his personal and professional life. I enjoy our conversations and our rare meetings.

Back to the drawing board

I received an email from Dominique on Monday morning - effectively ending our nascent relationship. I think we both knew a few weeks ago that it wasn't going to work out - but neither of us had articulated this decision - until now. He finally had the courage to spell it out - gently, delicately, and beautifully written.

I wonder why I couldn't do it first? I've known it for a long time, but had a hard time acknowledging the fact, trying to hold on. Why? Is it my Taurus nature - stubborn, tenacious? Or my persistent optimism - things will work out? Or a reluctance to cause pain? Perhaps it's a cultural tendency - expecting the guy to take the first step to begin (or end) a relationship? Maybe it is the constant tug of war between my Libra South Node and my Aries North Node? Maybe it's all of these?

And so if I go back to the drawing board and list the things I am looking for in a partner or in a relationship - what would that list include?
1. He must be a healthy non-smoker.
2. I'd like him to be articulate and fluent in more than one language.
3. He would be well traveled, interesting, and open minded.
4. He must be reliable - always following through on his promises.
5. He must be unmarried - never married, widowed, or divorced is OK. Married or separated - not OK.
6. He would like some of the same things I do: travel, food, Paris, hiking in the mountains, reading, cinema, art, etc
7. He would be self sufficient. A good cook would be a great bonus.
8. A sense of humor would be appreciated
9. He would have a full life but plenty of free time for me
10. He would live in Paris but be ready and willing to spend time in the U.S.
11. He would find me beautiful and desirable and sexy - even with short gray hair and glasses
12. He would be devoted to me and respect my intelligence, my feelings, and my autonomy
13. He would be affectionate and we'd have terrific chemistry
14. He would be willing to commit to fidelity once we got to that stage

Hmmm, what else?

Or maybe I should just forget looking for a companion, and simply enjoy my freedom, my autonomy and my charmed life? After all, it's nice to have the time to write, to travel, and to look inward to rediscover myself.

But then again, it would be nice to have a dinner date or a hug once in a while . . .

Comments?

Another Sunny Sunday

With a promising weather report, I woke up early this morning determined to climb the 380 steps to the top of Notre Dame cathedral. It was worth it! All of the photos below were taken by yours truly with my pocket-sized camera.

This guy is called a stryga - he is one of the members of the Chimera Gallery.


Do you recognize the Centre Pompidou?

Here's another of the chimera

Taking a bite out of the Eglise St. Germain?


The visit also includes the south bell tower where you can see the cathedral's largest bell which weighs 13 tons. This bell is rung only on major Catholic feast days, whereas the four bells in the north tower ring out several times a day.


I was almost dizzy after winding down all those stairs


But still managed to capture a couple of other postcard images