It’s cold here. It wasn’t this cold here last year – not even close. I’ve gone for runs in 32 degree conditions, and everyone in the Park is bundled up, but when you’re running, you get warmed up pretty fast. One very elegant grandmother pushing her grand baby in a stroller called out to me:

« Bravo, madame! Vous êtes tres courageuse! »

I wasn’t sure what she was going to say. That could have gone either way, right? But we shared smiles and wished each other bonne journée!

Having turned in the draft of my essay early, I decided to head out this afternoon. I thought maybe Montmartre. But after riding all the way out there (20th arrondissement?), I turned around and came back. I had started the long walk/climb, but it was just too cold to spend the day outside. If I don’t make it back there before I leave, it’ll be a good excuse to return. Right?

I picked up a journal and fancy gel pen because I thought I’d like to spend the afternoon scribbling in a warm café. Hemingway, I am not. I had my favorite entrée (appetizer), oeuf dur mayonnaise, at Saint Placide Café, followed by a dessert of mousse au chocolat (of which I only took a few bites… insanely rich for me as I can only do small amounts of THAT kind of chocolate!), and finished with un coupe de champagne. I was living large. They let you sit in cafés all day here, and won’t bring the check unless and until you ask.

Plus, I had a great window seat, so I was in no rush to leave. I was able to watch all the people and dogs walking by for hours. It was delightful. I only filled a page in my journal using my new fancy copper-colored gel pen, and decided it was time to walk home.

I saw Charly outside of his bistro and he told me to stop by tonight, so maybe I will. We’ll see. The temps feel like the States today. I don’t think I had but one meal indoors all last winter while I was here. That’s not the case this January. Quite the opposite.

Stopped on the way home to pick up my daily bread, and un pain au chocolat. (What’s with me an chocolate today?) For those that don’t know, un pain au chocolat has some controversy. Some who live outside of Paris call them Chocolatines, which is anathema to Parisiens. Basically, they’re a non-sweet viennoiserie pastry with flaky dough similar to a croissant, and hidden inside is a tiny piece (or two) of hard dark chocolate.

A run might be in order tomorrow.

I haven’t gotten my corrected essay back yet, but I’m sure it’ll come in soon, and then I can practice SPEAKING using all the correct les liaisons, les rhythmes, and les enchaînements vocaliques et consonantiques.