Blast from the Past

You know when you smell something, whether it be food, freshly cut grass, the rain, or even clean sheets, and that smell triggers a memory for you?


Well, that happened to me yesterday when I stepped into the elevator in my building. What was the smell you ask? It was the overpowering smell of Fahrenheiht cologne. All of a sudden I was in 10th grade again, wearing baggy jeans, gold hoop earrings, and the sound of the Black Sheep could be heard faintly in the distance.

It's crazy how a scent could bring back such a vivid memory. Pretty funny, I think.

My next question is, who's the guy that still wears Fahrenheit?! It aint 1995 buddy.

Say Cheese!

Is it bad that I spend hours everyday thinking about what Mike and I are going to eat while we're in Europe this summer? A few minutes ago, I googled "Best Fromagerie in Paris" and to my delight I learned that there are hundreds of cheese shops for us to visit while we're there.

If you know me, you know that I LOVE cheese. I'm talkin' real love here. Give me a stinky hunk-a cheese, a crusty piece of bread, and a nice red wine, and I'm as happy as a pig in merde! Seriously though, I've loved cheese my entire life. I mean, who doesn't?

From the amazing taste of a soft chevre, to the saltiness of a hard manchego, or the pungent smell of a ripe limburger...nothing beats CHEESE!

Anyway, I plan on eating a ton of cheese throughout Switzerland and Paris. I think I feel my pants getting tighter already. Oh well, c'est la vie!

Bonjour!

The countdown to Paris has begun and I can't hardly wait! I'm trying to learn as much French as possible before we go, so that I can impress the Parisiens with my style, grace, and authentic accent...here's hoping!

So far I can say:

Je voudrais un cafe s'il vous plait - I would like a cup of coffee please. (Very important!)

Parlez-vou anglais? Do you speak English? (If I'm asking, I hope the answer is oui!)

Je souis desole mais je ne parle la francais - I'm sorry but I don't speak French. (But I'm trying!)

Nous voudrions un table pour deux s'il vous plait - We would like a table for two please.

Je ne compreds pas - I don't understand. (I'm sure I'll say this a lot.)

L'addicion s'il vous plait - The check please!

Okay, so I may not wow them, but I mean well! Tune in for more phrases in the coming days but for now, au revoir mis amis!

So Many Wonderful Cities!

I'm a lucky girl. I've been traveling and vacationing with my parents since I was a young kid, and now as an adult I have the opportunity and luxury to travel with my husband, and sometimes even the Bella Boo!

As you know, Mike and I were recently in San Francisco, and it was fantastic. The culture, the history of each neighborhood, the shopping, the food!!! What a great town. Definitely a city I could see myself living in.

I always ask people about their favorite cities and it's interesting to hear what their opinions are on the different cities they would/could consider living in. The top three in the U.S. are usually:

1. N.Y.C.
2. San Francisco
3. Chicago

If you press for five they'll most likely throw in:

4. Seattle
5. and maybe L.A.

What's tough though is that there are so many other great cities too, that I think are sometimes overlooked or forgotten! What about Philadelphia, Miami, San Diego, Portland, Austin, Baltimore, Minneapolis?

I love to daydream about spending time in each of these cities, and luckily I have visited most of them. They offer such a variety of history, culture, and ambience. I never thought I would love Portland as much as I did until I was there, and it was great.

On some days, if I let myself, I even dream about living overseas. My top five cities would then be:

1. London
2. Paris
3. Barcelona
4. Florence
5. Rome

Ahh, to dream! A dream turned reality is that Mike and I are going to be traveling within Switzerland and are then going to Paris at the end of the summer, and we can't wait! To see the Swiss Alps, and to experience Zurich will be unforgettable....and then to go onto Paris -- The City of Light! Yippee!

Although living in new and exciting cities would be super, visiting will have to do, as Mike and I are planning to move back to our favorite city - NYC baby! What's your dream city to live in? Got a top five??

How Annoying Are: Long Days

For the last two weeks my job has forced me to concentrate on nothing but work, work, work. We host an annual meeting every summer and the planning, presenting, and energy that goes into it is almost too much to bear.

I know I'll make it through, because I've survived for the past three years, but every time this meeting rolls around, I find myself so exhausted at the end of the day that I can't even speak normally because my brain is so fried.

Anyway, what I'm trying to do is explain why I haven't posted recently. Each day this week has been very long and I haven't been able to muster up the energy to do anything when I get home, but eat, prep for the next days events, and sleep. Long days on the job suck!

I'll be back this weekend for sure, but in the meantime enjoy the fact that you're not presenting in front of 40 people tomorrow morning at 8am, like I am!

Wish me luck.

btw...this is Christina posting, not Mike, I'm so tired I just signed into his blogger...AHH!

The Heat is On!

Got back to DC yesterday and the temperature was 97 degrees at 6:30pm - YUCK. Today the high is 100 and I'm sweating profusely just thinking about it.

Why does it have to be so miserable here? Why can't it be like it was in San Francisco, sunny and high 60's? Now that's perfect weather, if you ask me.

More pictures of San Fran to come this weekend plus reviews on all the good eats we had!

For now, stay cool.

We Love San Fran!

Here we are in San Francisco and what can I say? It's perfect. The weather is sunny and high 60's, our hotel on Nob Hill is fabulous, and we are eating at Gary Danko tonight and are expecting to have an amazing 5 star dining experience.

I'll post much more when I get home, but for now here are some pics of today's walk around town.