Le dernier weekend.

It's not REALLY my last weekend in Paris, since I don't leave until the 21st, but it IS the last weekend in Paris with my friends, since most of the people in our program are leaving the 18th or 19th.

Before I say anything, have you seen this version of "Pokerface", by Lady Gaga? It is on the piano, an acoustic wonderment of fabulous. I don't even know what that means, the point is, this shit is pure gold, if you haven't seen it yet you need to, and if this doesn't convince you that Lady Gaga is amazing (if you haven't already been convinced of that), well then you're just a big bag of poop.

Isn't it...just ridiculously satisfying? And since we're in this feel-good mood, I'm going to share with you a short video of another metro performer that I caught a few days ago, at Chatelet station. I've seen this guy a few times, working it solo or with a couple other bandmates. He's always playing the tambourine with his foot though, which I think is pretty respectable.

Super cool, right? Moving on. This weekend I kind of went insane, if by insane we mean decided to raid vintage stores all over Paris and give flea market vendors hell. Chelsea, Sarah and I hit up some excellent vintage clothes shops yesterday in the Marais (and if you know anything about me you know that we ate falafel while we were there), and I found some really amazing things for really amazing prices (think dresses for less than 10 bucks). I got things like this:

This awesome short sweater with fun flower print.

This fabulous dress thingy with buttons on the sleeves:

And this AWESOME pink pleated skirt and purple belt:

I bought other things too, but I don't want to show you because some of the things are gifts and I don't want to ruin the surprise. Anyways, this has been the only time I've actually seriously gone out in Paris in FOUR MONTHS (I know, I have an insane amount of self-control, I deserve much praise) to do any sort of shopping, and I feel really great about the things I got, either for myself or others, and feel good about the prices too. The great thing about shopping at flea markets is that you can bargain with the vendors. I had SO many hilarious conversations with vendors today at the Marché aux Puces (literally, "Flea Market") at Porte de Clignancourt. I can't find any sufficient photos of the area to really convey how large and intense this place is--it's one of the largest flea markets in Europe, covering lots and lots of acres, filled with lots and lots of people, and selling lots and lots of things, from clothes and shoes to antique furniture to electronics. It was an adventure exploring the labyrinth of stands, and hilarious to talk to vendors about prices and stuff. One guy asked if he could have my "phone call" (presumably asking for my number, but I just replied that I didn't have a "phone call"), and another said I could have an item at a lower price if I agreed (I did) to give him my number (I didn't).

I think I'm going to try doing some packing tomorrow, if only for the sake of assessing the situation. That is, I'm unsure if I'm going to need another real suitcase to get home, since I only came with a suitcase and a medium-sized duffle bag (let's not talk about the panic attack and hurried selection/cutting process that occurred mere hours before my flight from Dallas, upon realizing that navigating through the metro and train stations with two huge luggage was going to be impossible). I found an excellent deal on a shuttle service that will be much cheaper than a taxi for getting back to the airport, so I don't have to worry about sweating/crying/injuring myself/losing my fucking mind on the metro with my suitcases on the loooong ride to the airport. That way, I can pack everything I need, in as many suitcases as I need, and rest easy that it will all get to the airport with me, in a non-sweaty and stress-free manner.

All of the sudden (k not really) it's gotten REALLY COLD here. I was wearing lots and lots of layers today (two pairs of pants, etc.) and still couldn't feel my extremeties. How do you spell that? It's telling me it's wrong. I don't care.

I'm strangely really excited to go home and get a job again. I'm planning on working again at the restaurant I worked at last summer, or another restaurant if that doesn't work out for some reason. I should have probably focused more this semester on finding a job of more substance for next semester, like a meaningful internship, but I really just need something with a steady income to hold me off until I get a real life job. In January I submit my application for Teach for America and...well, I guess we'll just go from there. Omg let's not talk about it anymore, I'm getting nauseated.

Funny story: Sarah told us today at McDo that she has started asking for an "Evian" instead of a "bottle of water" because they keep misunderstanding her order. In French, a "bottle of water" is "un bouteille d'eau" pronounced boo-taye-doh, kinda. So, the French employees at McDo keep on giving her potatoes, for some reason, instead of a damn bottle of water. We figured out that it was because they thought she was saying POTATO, like PO-TAY-TOH. Which kinda sounds a lot like BOO-TAY-DOH, right? And if you just add a little hint of an American accent on the correct way to pronounce "bottle of water" in French, it's really funny and very similar. So poor Sarah was walking away with French fries PLUS potato wedges every time she went to McDo, and no water. HAHAHAHAHHAA. Seriously, being in another country where you don't speak the language has a crazy amount of consequences you would never expect.

Alright friends! Here are some things to entertain you (other than my high intellect). This is the most recent Chanel no. 5 commercial, with Audrey Tautou (arguably the most beautiful woman on the face of the planet). The song in the background, Billie Holliday's "I'm a Fool to Want You", is basically exquisite. I don't have a TV at home here, so I don't know how often this commercial airs, but I do know that it shows before movies at the cinema, and every time it makes me a) want to be Audrey Tautou, and b) want to have that man. So, I guess the advertisers are achieving their goals, since what they're telling me is I need Chanel no. 5 to get a and b.

Okay, and this is Mitchell Davis. He is apparently hugely popular on this YouTube thing all you crazy kids are using these days, except oh I didn't know about him until like, two months ago. He is funny and cute and funny and cute. Those are the two things that make him likeable. Anyways, check out this video, entitled "Usher", that I love (and check out his YouTube channel, livelavalive, if you want more Mitchell--which you do).

This here is the Black Keys, with their song "I Got Mine" performed live on the David Letterman show. I've gone through a lot of mixed feelings regarding the Black Keys, but suffice it to say I've been really hooked lately, and am enjoying it while it lasts.

And finally, here is Fiona Apple with "Extraordinary Machine". I've been OBSESSED with this song since high school, as many friends who have ridden with me in my car could tell you. Choice lyrics: If there was a better way to go then it would find me/ I can't help that the road just rolls out behind me/ Be kind to me, or treat me mean/ I'll make the most of it, I'm an extraordinary machine.

I'm sure that's enough for now. I hope this post has found everyone in happiness and harmony.

Peace, love, and Paris,

Rhiannon