A small recount of times past

I am now officially a resident of the European Union. Rose and I had our OFFII appointments on Wednesday, December 14th. It was, as most things in France are, a bureaucratic circus. Our appointment was at 9:30am. We checked in, and sat for a half hour. Then we got called up and handed the woman at the front desk our passports, 55 euro STAMP, and the other necessary documents for our long stay visa. After that, we shifted to a different room and waited another 45 minutes. After that we were herded into a room, told to undress on the top and get an X-Ray of our lungs to prove that we were tuberculosis free. I had a nice conversation concerning my tattoos with the woman, thank goodness I'm comfortable with nudity. After that, we were asked to move to the waiting room again and waited another 40 minutes. Finally, the meeting ended with a quick discussion of my health history with a French doctor. At the end, I walked out a European Union resident! YAY!

I received my first visitor on Friday, December 16th. SELMA! :)

Selma told me that she was going to come and visit about a month into my stay  here and, to be honest, I didn't fully believe that she would follow through. I hear it all the time, "Yeah!! I want to come and visit!!" You know, I understand that the tickets are expensive and that it is a hassle to get off of work, etc... but I was reluctant to get too excited. Anyway, about a month ago, she messaged me and indicated that she was going to buy her ticket RIGHT THEN AND THERE! I was soooo excited.... so, flash forward.... 

I picked her up at Gare du Nord on Friday and it was a whirlwind next few days. We visited all of the essentials and had lots of fun. We went out on Saturday, so she got a taste of the Parisian nightlife. She fit right in with all of us. On Wednesday, she left to visit her family in Germany. She is coming back on Saturday to celebrate the new year with us. 

It is so nice to have a visitor. It makes me realize how much of the city I really know. I enjoy playing tour guide and seeing the visitor light up with each new discovery. So, the more the merrier PEOPLE! 

Christmas in Paris was also quite festive. I'm usually not that festive back home, but I think that that is something I will implement now back home. Jeff, Rose's really great friend, came to visit for the week/weekend. Jeff and Rose surprised the apartment with a mini Christmas tree and Eiffel Tower ornaments. We decorated the ornaments with glitter and then cut out snowflakes. Rhea made mini snowmen and we all decorated the tree together while listening to Christmas carols. 

My wonderful mother shipped my Christmas gifts along with Selma. Of course, I couldn't resist opening them until the actual day of Christmas. She's the most thoughtful woman that I know. She sent me an Eiffel Tower pendant, an adorable personalized apron, a bookmark, personalized plates, a new iPod and stockings for all of my roommates and me! :)

On Friday, Jeff, Rose and I went to the Chateau de Versailles... what an elegant palace. It was interesting and informative and just all around a great cultural experience. 

Our Christmas festivities were awesome. Saturday we made hors d'oeuvres and drank champagne. We had planned on going to the Eiffel Tower for some ice skating, but unfortunately all of the rinks were closed. So, we just walked around and watched the beautiful tower sparkle. After, we headed towards Notre Dame. Rhea and I had a mulled wine and watched people as they passed. We decided that we wanted to go to Notre Dame for midnight mass, but I didn't last. lol. It was still powerful and inspiring and beautiful to be in the cathedral on Christmas Eve. I Skyped my family when I got home and it was great to see their faces. 

Christmas day was spent drinking wine and champagne, laying in bed with my roommates watching movies and then cooking dinner. After dinner, we sang Christmas carols and then went to bed. 

This week has consisted of a small fruit and vegetable cleanse. As most of you know, I have a hard time resisting delicious food so this cleanse has been a really great attempt, but not an overall success. I have been working out though. So that's exciting! :) 

We don't have solid NYE plans yet, but we are for sure going to be heading to the Eiffel Tower for the countdown at midnight. We do plan on dressing up and going out on the town... I'm sure it'll be a fabulous way to ring in 2012! 

Happy NEW YEAR!