Not I. And yet, I have... or I feel like I have anyhow. I was telling Marie this past Sunday night that since I've been a full-time intern (as opposed to being a full-time grad student), I've had to create a "real life routine" here. I'm liking it. Now to answer Belinda's prompt for October's Q&As: how do your family and friends back home perceive your new life, and is it accurate? 
Inaccurately, I think, but allow me to explain. "Living abroad in Paris" comes with excessive perceptive strings attached. Many Americans supplement the belief that Parisians are rude with the Haussmannian dream or avant-garde edge that the city itself distributes with pride. This is hardly ever a conscious judgment. How could the vast majority of my friends, family, and fellow citizens know otherwise? Especially when there's ample amount of evidence of beautiful buildings, well-dressed women, and "careful pleasures" like museums, restaurants, and bicycle lanes. (Aside from those celebrating Earth Day, the latter is probably least well known). The photo above is evidence of me trying my best to blend in... before revealing an adorable accent ;),
But would they assume the only bar I frequent after work is an English pub? Mostly because my best French-American friend works there? In addition to an awesome Zimbabwean and a Native American-French-Algerian? Probably not. But, that's okay. I have you, this 5.5-year-old blog (obviously we're celebrating because I missed its fifth birthday), and the rest of the lovely blog community to make up for it. Thank you so much for joining me on this journey to an authentic Parisian life, sans Chanel and champagne.
