Give thanks, always.

You all do the Facebook daily post of what you're thankful for in November. If you don't physically, you do it in your mind, and it's too late to deny it now. My challenge is to be thankful every day. We're on social media enough posting about what we ate, what our baby got into or posting duck faced selfies in important (or unimportant) places.
Back track...
I went to church with my family on Thanksgiving (no, need to step aside for lightning, you heard correctly.) I actually paid attention because the sermon wasn't too preachy. It was a challenge, and I'm always down for a good challenge. The pastor mentioned the same thing I just said about the 30-day thankful posts on social media, but went on to say we should be thankful at all times. And he was right. Of course, he was referring to being thankful that Christ gave his son, died, rose, saved lives, etc. However, you don't need to be religious, receive salvation or attend a sermon to realize there is something you have to be thankful for each and every day.
I probably hadn't stepped foot in my church in a year until that day. And maybe I didn't pick up on the exact message the pastor was trying to relay, but I don't think he'd be upset with this idea either.
2013, was hands down the single most wonderful year of my life and it shows right there in my Facebook feed, tweets, Instagram and blog posts. Sometimes I said I was thankful and I'm sure there is a "Today, I'm thankful for..." post from November 28, 2013. But hell, I could've posted something every day, probably multiple times a day that I was thankful for. It doesn't have to be relevant or make sense to anyone else other than you.
Be thankful for everything, even the bad shit. I am.
I can't count the number of days I've cried out of sadness, anger or frustration this year, but you know what, I read a few motivational quotes on Pinterest and saddled back up. (Yeah, that's how I cope.) The only way to get over the hard stuff is to challenge it.
This week I was sent home twice from the same training shift because I couldn't pass it. I'm training to be a server, folks. I waited table for the last four years, and in my opinion, quite well. Never have I felt so incompetent in my life and the manager and I came to an agreement to find another position for me. So what? Less money? Less hours? Who cares? Last night, I held back my tears and I reminded myself that I'm living in New York City, and this city never sleeps. Therefore, nor do I. So, I dusted it off and reminded myself I didn't move to New York to be a waitress anyway. I moved here to be awesome and that's what I'm doing. So, when I got home I turned on Motown Pandora and started looking at jobs.
So, the first post, although it is still 2013, is that I'm thankful for failure.
We all should be. Think back on all of the things you failed at or that didn't go your way. When you cried uncontrollably, when you threw things at walls, when you took it out on the people around you. Yeah, those moments... Now look at you! Failure can set you up for success, it's all about perception! Happy New Year, y'all! :)

High Heels and Smiles

Day 31: Nice (pronounced niece)The French Riviera
(This one is for the most part a photo blog, by the way.)

We have been deprived of the beach since Mykonos so Nice was a Godsend. Absolutely beautiful, clear, blue water. From Paris we caught an eight-hour fast train. It was quite the ordeal at first. We were rushed in lugging our gigantic suitcases up the narrow stairs. Had our bags in trains five carts away from ours. One of our comrades was robbed, luckily it was just her money. And then everyone as in the wrong seats and between the English, Spanish and French, the whole cart was a mad house. We resolved the problem when we fund the culprit. I read, wrote, and all the usual things of our normal country-to-country journeys. The train ride was neat, but it made me miss the luxury of the space we had on our buses. Plus, there were other passengers who weren't having the time of their lives so we tried to be civil.
I think it was 4 o'clock ish when we arrived. Bri and I went straight to swimsuits and the beach located just at the end of a few blocks from our hotel. It was amazing to nap in the sun. The downfall to this beach is it is a rock beach. No sand, not tiny pebbles, I'm talking stones. We bought a cheap wicker mat for a few euros and dug a hole out in the rocks and soaked up the sun for the next several hours.
That night we relaxed in the hotel smoking hookah then we journeyed to the beach and just hung out. That night showed me a lot of how close I'd gotten to my new friends in such a short amount of time and it began to sink in that this vacation was close to being over. Every time one of us mentioned "the end," another interjected, "don't think about it." It was a "let it be" conversation.

Fast train from Paris.

Walking through town.

Europeans love some Nutella. I HATE it, ha!

Day 32: Monte Carlo

The next day Bri and I woke up early and headed straight to the beach only to fall asleep catching rays for the next few hours. We were going to Monaco tonight and wanted a nice suntan. We left the beach and walked around town trying to find an outfit, shoes and jewelry for tonight. Monaco has a strict dress code and we had to oblige. High rollers only.Once we found an outfit and toured enough of the city we headed back to the hotel to doll up for our big night in Monaco.
We spent roughly 30 minutes in the lobby taking pictures and voguing. This would turn out to be the most fun we had all night. Well, not the most fun, but the most photographic, memorable moment. Everyone looked so amazing and elegant. Now we had seen each other at our worst and bests. True friendships were born on this trip, ha.
From the hotel we rode the bus maybe 45 minutes into Monaco, the second smallest country in the world. Monaco is the most beautiful place I have ever seen as far as money and riches can buy you. Monaco looks like Greece, but designed, built and financed by Donald Trump. It has mansions on hilltops and curvy roads that extend from the shore and give a breathtaking view of the riviera. It really is gorgeous country. It was nice to be there all dolled up pretending like we belonged there. We had a nice gourmet dinner with free wine and from there we headed to Monte Carlo Casino. Stopping along the way at the most beautiful view of Monaco by night. The way the place lit up is unreal. When we arrive at the casino, rows of Bentleys, Lambos, Ferrari's and other six-figure cars I don't know about lined up outside the front steps. My $50 H&M dress suddenly feels a lot less elegant, ha. These people probably find Armani tacky. We make our way in to the casino and there is a grand total of about 30 people. We all signed up for this additional "excursion" through EF not really knowing what it entailed. Well, we learned quickly our money paid for access to the VIP room, but not the $1,000 starting bid in the VIP room. We all sat around like clueless goofs for several minutes and eventually blew a few euros on the slots and called it quits. No pictures and 20 euro drinks was no bueno for me. It was great to see it, but now you know why the pictures at the hotel were the highlight of our night. After hours of prancing in high heels we were all rather exhausted when we returned to the hotel that night. Bareclona, Spain tomorrow :)

The gang! I love these guys :)

Roomies :)

Vogue :)

The lovely, Miss Gonzalez

Soulmate :)

My favorite vogue pic :)

Steph, Tim and I vogued a bit more than the others :)

Candid shot at dinner

Night view from the top

I just love, Tim :)

Front and center

Monte Carlo Casino to the left

Paris: Top to Bottom

Day 30: Adventures :)

Today is completely free until we met at the Eiffel Tower at 7:00 p.m. Eirini insists we must see the neighborhood of Montmarte where Sacre Coeur is. Bri and I ventured out for the day alone. Once we find Montmarte we know exactly why Eirini sent us. It's so homey there. Shops and restaurants line the hilly streets. Sacre Coeur sits at the top of a hill that we make our way toward. Before walking the steps up, we stop at a carousel. How could you not ride a carousel in Paris? Europe loves its steps, ha. Up we go. I actually enjoy this church. It is beautiful like all the churches I've seen in the last 30 days. But unlike the other churches I've seen, this one is the most in use. Mass is in session and worshipers fill the pews hands clasped and heads down. Aside from being used, Sacre Coeur was the most beautiful church I saw.

Could not stop snapping photos of this place

On top of the world!

"started from the bottom"

From Sacre Coeur we walked back through Montmarke browsing a few thrift stores on our way to Pere Lachaise Cemetery, the resting place of many celebrities. Famous rock n' roller, Jim Morrison of The Doors, French singer Edif Pilaf, Polish composer Chopin and the man who supposedly taught Michael Jackson how to moonwalk, French mime Marcel Marceau are all buried in this cemetery. 
This cemetery is so large their is a directory and maps upon entering the 119 acre attraction. As morbid as it sounds I love the cemetery because it reminds me of home. The above ground tombs, crypts, mausoleums, whatever you call them fill the cemetery. Granites, marble, new, old; the rows of family and single plots are endless. The use of the above ground tombs creates a shrine-like atmosphere to the grave. And for the celebrities buried there, a shrine is exactly what these sites are.
In addition to reminding me of home, the cemetery is surprisingly not creepy, but beautiful. Fall is approaching and the leaves have already began to change color and fall. The stone paths lead the way down each aisle of graves. The trees grow up and inward providing shade for the stone paths. Moss and vines cover some tombs creating the perfect discoloration of the stone tombs.
Thanks to my Louisiana raising, and the French heritage of our state, I knew a lot more about the French than I thought. Their is a city in France called Orleans, hence where New Orleans got its name. The use of "-eaux" isn't uncommon here like it is in every state other than Louisiana. And, suggests why we use above ground tombs in south Louisiana, other than for weather purposes I suppose. 

Jim Morrison's grave for you Doors fans.

From the cemetery we headed to the Louvre. Bri hadn't used her free ticket, and although I saw it already I can never have too many pictures, ha. I waited outside on the steps while she went in to see Mona Lisa. There is something surreal about sitting on the steps of the Louvre reading a book as if it were any other day. We still had time to kill until meeting the others to see the Eiffel Tower. So we walked through Tulliperies Gardens and down Champs Elysees toward the Eiffel Tower.
Nicole met us and we bought a snack and some champagne and sat in the grassy knoll on the other side of the Eiffel Tower until it was time to meet the others. 
So, it was time to go to the top. Look, I know I climbed that mountain in Delos in the wild wind, but this Eiffel Tower business had me shaking right out of my sandals. I did it. On the verge of tears, but made it to the top nonetheless. Any normal human being, like my friends, would love this opportunity of taking selfies at the top of the world, but I stayed as close to the center as possible. I took enough pictures and I enjoyed the view of all of Paris from a bird's eye view, but it was hard to really take it in without fear of falling over the ledge. 
From the second level we rode another jam-packed elevator to the very top. This was surprisingly better because it was enclosed in glass. I was still shaking, though. I took my pictures on the edge and quickly returned to safety against the wall next to Eirini. Once we descended back to earth, we all walked to the other side of the river to a grassy area where we could sit and watch the light show. Every hour after nine o' clock the tower lights up for 10 minutes or so. a twinkle little star number. It's fascinating simply for the fact that it's the Eiffel Tower, it would be completely unimpressive on any other structure. 
So, in a city of a million lights, sitting under the Eiffel Tower, you can still see the stars in the sky. And, in this moment watching the light show, with everyone around me staring silently, in awe of the tower, I realized how happy I was in my decision to go to Europe for 35 days with a group of strangers. I realized everything that hadn't gone my way in the past year was not and would not be the end of me.

Second level

I am SO SCARED right now.

Paris: Part Un

Day 27:

On the road to the long awaited Paris! We stop in Bruges, Belgium tonight and sleep in the most wonderful bed I've laid my worn body on in weeks! Literally heaven. So, honestly, I didn't even try the Belgian chocolates. I'm sure they're delicious for the euros people throw down for just a handful. Belgium wasn't much different than all the other European countries and cities we've seen. there is something distinct in every country, but as far as architecture of the basic buildings, they are all very similar. I'll be honest, I lost interest in churches by the time we finished Italy in the first two weeks. They're all beautiful, but it's just not my scene. I also no diddly squat about architecture.
We walked around for what seemed like hours and everyone was so exhausted from Amsterdam that we didn't spend much time exploring Bruges. I know I soaked in the awesomeness of that bed though. We made "Anne Franked" our latest verb. It sounds awful, but it was appropriate to us. After seeing the conditions of secret hiding and the conditions of Dachau, we're all pretty grateful for anything in life at this point. you learn a lot about yourself and what you can and can't live without.

 (I have no pictures from here. Whoops!)

Day 28: Paris: every girls dream come true!

I couldn't believe we were finally in Paris! This was top five on my life of reasons to book this trip! I've seen a hundred cities, numerous countries and so many pieces of history, yet, Paris still catches my surprise. It's huge! We can see the Eiffel Tower from 30 miles back when we first enter the city. Far off in the distance it's peak is visible, thought just barely as it's almost lost in the clouds and glare of the sunlight.

Finally found my name on a coke :)

So, it is a busy first day! We made it in to Paris and found our hotel around 3:00 p.m. Our hotel is amazing! It's tiny, but me and my roommates score a two-story room with a mini fridge and stove top. It was like camping in the city, ha. We dressed for our cruise on the Seine River. Breathtakingly beautiful, of course! We saw all the top sights of Paris from the top deck of our river cruise boat: The Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame and much more!

On the river cruise. Love this lady!

After the hour long river cruise we stopped at Notre Dame to kill time while we waited to go to our gourmet dinner. Again, I'm burned out on churches, and yes, I know it's the Notre Damn, but the line was so long. Plus, the real site was out front. A native of Barcelona, Spain entertained the crowds gathered out front. What did he play other than, "Don't Worry, Be Happy." Well, how could you not be happy with the view of Notre Dame to your front and the Seine River to your right, and a seemingly attractive musician in the midst. The cops came to make the singer leave because mass was starting and the hundreds of people in the bleachers instantly began booing them. The singer assures us the cops are just doing their job and willingly obliges.
So, I can't vouch for what the inside of the Notre Dame looks like, and though I love history and tourist attractions as much as the next guy, I'll never forget the way we all sang together on the bleachers in front of Notre Dame that night.

Notre Dame

"Don't Worry be Happy" :)

Then chaos

We ventured off to our gourmet dinner, with unlimited wine. A European specialty. So, I winced through my hatred for wine and indulged. This would become everyone's most memorable night of me, and where I would get the nickname "Buckwheat." Or maybe the nickname came earlier that day... Regardless. 
This gourmet, three course dinner was phenomenal. Maybe it was the buzz of the wine, or just the company in my midst, but this first night in Paris is definitely in the top three of memories from Europe. Everyone is indulging in wine and food and loving the entertainment. A quirky, big-grinned, bald man serenading guests with his guitar, accompanied by his accordion player and back-up singer.
Since Greece, our theme song's became ABBA's, "Dancing Queen," and Dino's, "That's Amore." Our beloved musician sang both of these hits for us, and we willingly participated with each chorus! I was called to participate in "That's Amore,"and there is a video of proof somewhere among my comrades.
At this point my cheeks are flushed with red from the wine and laughter. From the dinner we head back, trying to stop at some bars along the way. It's a very strict crowd and appearance to get in around there. The bars and clubs definitely don't like groups of people, much less a tour group. In one bar there were bras hanging from the chandelier so I obligingly unsnap my strapless under my dress and sling it around gesturing we've paid our toll to enter said bar. Apparently, removing your undergarments is not the entry price; a simple misunderstanding with the amount of vino I've digested. Needless to say, you know it was a good night when you retrieve your bra from your tour guide at breakfast the following morning. :) 
We finally managed to find a chill bar that let a few of us in, and who did I met other than a couple from Dallas! Small world after all, I suppose. The man traveled a lot with work and they, too had just been in Amsterdam. I'm surprised I was able to communicate intelligibly. The rest of the gang wasn't feeling this bar so they snagged me and we left. After wandering we gave up on finding a bar and went back to the hotel. 
At this point, it is official that I have my first experience being "wine drunk," which only means one thing; the dreaded wine hangover. The theory proved to be true when I woke the next morning for our 9:00 a.m. tour. Thank heavens it was on a bus because I wouldn't have made it. Lucky for me, we had plenty of free time in Paris because I spent most of the bus tour passed out avoiding reality and the obnoxiously quirky woman which was our tour guide.
I would have avoided this hangover had I realized earlier on that we were even having a tour this day. According to my roommates, and other pals, I spent the night at the hotel screaming: "Y'all!!! We've got a tour in the morning!" As it happens when I consume enough booze, my southern accent really comes out. Needless to say this quote was used quite frequently for the remainder of the tour in exaggerated, mocked southern accents. : )

A Karl Moore photo :)

"That's Amore"

Day 29: Wine hangover continued : )

After our three-hour, yes, three, very long hours of touring Paris via bus, we stopped across from the Eiffel Tower for a perfect, distant view. The rest of the group was headed to the Palace of Versailles and Ana and I were left to wander about Paris. We walked to Champs Elysees first. On the way we saw the Arc De Triomphe, placed at the strangest location in the middle of an intersection. We barely escaped to Champs Elysees across the way. This is the 5th Avenue of Paris, plus some. We went inside a three-story Louis Vuitton just to see what the fuss was about. Leaving there, with our tails tucked between our legs, we grabbed some lunch along the strip with a great view of the strip.

Amour :)

Laid on the ground for this one; dedication :)

Arc de Triomphe

Arc afar

Ridiculousness...

From Champs Elysees, we walked all the way to the Louvre. A solid 45 minute walk that is well worth it with the view. That saying, "Everything is bigger in Texas," false. They clearly never saw Paris. It's a straight path to the Louvre and somewhere along the way, Champs Elysees turns into the Tullierpes Garden. It's as beautiful as it sounds. The concrete turns to a sandy gravel lined with gardens on top of Gardens. We pass several ponds with fountains in their center and surrounded by people in lounge chairs. Smaller fountains, bird baths, endless rows and stacks of flowers. Oh, and I shan't forget the Ferris Wheel off in the distance a little. After the gardens, you just run into the Louvre. It would be impossible to miss the Louvre because it is 652,300 square feet. The Louvre is the largest museum in the world and houses some of the greatest art work ever known to man. According to our batty tour guide, it would take six months to walk through the four-story museum and see every piece for six seconds, and that doesn't include eating, sleeping or drinking. 
The most noticeable feature of the Louvre is the glass pyramid outside. Well that pyramid is the entrance into the Louvre. You just hop in line and descend down some escalators to exhibits. Makes for a nice view when leaving. This place is humongous so Ana and I decide all we care to see if Mona Lisa then jet. She is as beautiful as you'd expect but it's hard to enjoy her since the crowd around her is so large. Also, she's encased behind, what I assume to be bullet proof glass, as well as baracaded off so you can't get more than ten feet from her, if that. From there, our feet were tired and dirty from tracking through the sand to get there, so we headed back to the hotel.

Obelisk

Pond, along the way.

Getting closer...

Impossible to capture it all

Like I said...

Inside view

Playing :)

View coming out through pyramid glass.

 That night we went to Nouvelle for a cabaret show. This was by far the most amazing performance I have ever seen. The dancers were so talented, upbeat and fun. As usual, no pictures allowed, but I highly recommend a cabaret show if you're ever in Paris. Skip Moulin Rouge- it's overrated. Go small time. : )

Before the show.