Swiss Miss ain't got NOTHING on me.

Welcome to the Swiss Alps. I'm way higher now, so I'll try to get better pictures! Here until Friday.

And please tell me this movie has a better title in English ...

Disneyland Paris ...

It happened. I confess.

Minnie and Mickey, in PARIS!

Muscles.

A certain someone knows what my violin case means, and apparently me practicing the ugly sections of Elgar hasn't put him off. He came over, and (gesticulating furiously) addressed me. When I made no move to get my violin, he decided it was time to be more clear.

He continued to plead, and when this little face is asking, it's hard to say no.

Can I just point out that my violin case is not only bigger than he is, but probably weighs almost as much? That requires a certain level of motivation. I'm teaching him pizzicato, he thinks it's great!

Fine, close the 4 train. See if I care.

The other day I was trying to meet a friend for lunch, but some sort of problem made RATP shut down the 4 train. Finding myself suddenly "stranded" at Réaumur-Sepastopol, I decided to use the hour and a half before work to walk to work. I wandered until I caught up to the 9 train, and then followed it.

Hilarity ensued.

When you think of three cities with linked real estate markets, what do you think of?

Paris, Cannes, and ... Miami? Unless there's a Miami, France I don't know about, this just seems weird.

Better yet- Not only do I content myself with finding grammatical errors in signage in English, I can now find them in FRENCH. It reads 'Deliges,' but it SHOULD say 'Delices.' Somebody didn't have their glasses on.

Passageway between two buildings ... Reminded me of Diagon Alley, or just Harry Potter-ness in general.

Ghetto Victoria's Secret? Seriously? WHERE AM I?!

Personally, I think I'd be willing to spend more in a store called Armageddon, if only to say where I bought my things as much as possible. Besides, if they're right, I won't be needing to save my money anyway ...

Spectacles ... Diplomatie. I agree, diplomacy is rather a spectacle, isn't it?

All in a row. Near the Opéra Garnier. I proceeded to do a very Parisian [read: illegal] street crossing across some sort of roundabout-traffic circle thing. Oh well.

SO.SICK.OF.MICHAEL.JACKSON.

Almost at work, finally read this sign plate ... Thought it said Mayo Clinic. Cracked myself up. Airplane, anyone?

Hi, Barbie called -- She wants her car back. Awesome though. When I'm famous I'll get one, too.

REAL pancakes, thankyouverymuch.

So one night I decided I simply couldn't go on any longer -- Must.Have.Real.Pancakes. Mission: Pancakes was almost thwarted when I realized I needed eggs and bananas, but I stopped being lazy and went to the store.

Action shot!

The first one is never as good. Don't think that stopped me from devouring it though ... Pfffft, who do you think this is, anyway? Martha Stewart? Please.

Still life : See that bottle of 'imported from Canada' MAPLE SYRUP? I pretty much drink it all by itself, but I'll make an exception for chocolate chip-banana pancakes. Never mind the empty wine bottle in the background, it was just the warm-up apéritif.

I AM QUEEN OF THE PANCAKE-ON-CRAPPY-BURNER-MAKING! HEAR ME ROAR. Or just silently destroy this stack. I did, however, call my friend Diego in for reinforcement. You can't see here, but I neglected to account for the fact that the recipe I followed was meant for a family of four. WHOOOPS.

The Bread Decree of 1993 (It RHYMES)

This is old. I am behind. Sorry.

Rediscovered a packet of instant [Chinese] coffee. As awful as I remembered. Drank it anyway. Take that, crappy coffee mix.

Three dancing monsters ...

France would have a "Bread Decree of 1993" to dictate the correct, traditional way to make bread.

Even got to meet up with my friend Karina while she was visiting Paris with other friends!!! Unfortunately, it was a Chinese restaurant. I can't believe how emotionally food-scarred I am from just ten days. Good thing I didn't decide to go live THERE.

These people clearly subscribe to the Ariotti Family Holiday Decree -- The holidays aren't over until we SAY they are. Christmas tree finally leaves on January 24th? No biggie.

Political Commentary?

Last week, while making dinner for the kids, I took out the bag of "smilies." Imagine my shock when I actually read the label:

MCCAIN? KID SMILE? I don't remember seeing McCain make any kids smile!

It gets better:

'Make your kids happy and treat your whole family to a delicious meal with McCain!'

SERIOUS?! Died laughing. Impossible to explain to others. I'm such a poli sci nerd.

Then one day (must be like weeks ago, oops), when I actually bothered to do laundry (now I'm playing closet Jenga until I some item of clothing becomes the limiting factor), I popped into the bookstore next door to kill time. I'm not ready to see things about China yet ... Especially not about their food (the title means 'Taste of China').

Because I have the greatest friends ever, I thought I'd share one of the best gifts I have EVER received: Melissa's chef d'oeuvre (masterpiece), if you will. Complete with its own presentation easel. AWESOME. Made my day, nay, still IS making my day. Everyday.

I'd love to see a post-modern, feminist, Marxist analysis of this painting.