Truth Behind Title

Love three day weekends! So I took the time to revamp the look of my blog. As for those of you that might be wondering why I chose to name my blog Paris Cafe...well the truth is- I am absolutely obsessed with Paris! I have pictures of the Eiffel Tower throughout my house and dream of one day eating a croissant at a French cafe while reading with the Eiffel Tower dancing in the background. That's when I'll be complete.

Spring Break Idea

A few have been asking me....where should I go on vacation?

Puerto Rico!!!

Things to Do:

Enchanted Island Eco Tours : The Bioluminescent Bay Tour

Absolutely an amazing time! Tom and I kayaked around the outskirts of the Bermuda Triangle at night. Pretty brave, I know ;) As dusk fell, Tom and I kayaked along with about fifty others through an ecosystem that was filled with "microscopic plankton" that lights up when you touch it. I never kayaked before and lucky me had a fish fly out of the water and land in my lap! But you'll love it....very romantic!

The Poet Passage

Such a cute little shop located in OSJ that is owned by a couple-one a poet, the other a painter. This shop sells art that is reasonably priced. Here I purchased a framed picturesque view of one of the streets in Old San Juan and also purchased a hand painted mini replica of our hotel El Convento. (I adore these items.)

Butterfly Exhibit

Just a few stores down from The Poet Passage...absolutely breathtaking art if you love butterflies.

El Picoteo

Amazing tapas! Located in our hotel so we didn't have to walk far after our pitcher of Sangria:)

Aquaviva

Cute place, somewhat tiny but awesome seafood. Tom and I tried oysters for the first time here and now we are addicted!

San Juan Cathedral

Where Juan Ponce De Leon's remains are housed. So much history-check it out!

El Morro Fort

Construction began in 1539 and it is here where you can see old cannons, prison cells, towers, and sentry boxes. (Used by the Spaniards as lookout posts). The Spanish Empire spent 250 years building El Morro.

Old San Juan

You can't go to Puerto Rico without going to Old San Juan. I loved it! Quaint and yummy cafes, cobblestone streets, etc.

We went to a brewery, toured a rum distillery, shopped, ate at different restaurants and cafes, and visited historic sites.

Where to Stay:

Hotel El Convento

I wanted to stay here despite the fact the hotel is not located on the beach. We stayed here for about two nights and I loved this hotel. It's not up to date, but that's what gives it an old world feel and it's simply gorgeous. The small but charming pool is located outside on an upper level, the restaurants are scrumptious (Not only was the tapas place good..Patio del Nispero was delicious too)! They even had a wine and cheese event that my husband and I participated in both nights we stayed there. The location of this hotel is perfect for scoping out Old San Juan!

La Concha Hotel

More modern, the restaurant Perla is beautiful...we had the best of both worlds. I knew I would miss the beach so after we toured OSJ, we needed some relaxation time! This area of Puerto Rico is comparable to Miami because the hotels are pretty close to one another, but of course much nicer. If that's not for you, perhaps the El Conquistador in Fajardo might give you more of a seclusive setting.

Try the local food...we walked to a small place across the street from our hotel. Puerto Rican food is fantastic!

Click on the colorful links...hope this helps!

Don't Forget

I love, love, love to decorate for the holidays, especially Christmas!! Around this time last year, I mentioned how decorating with my mother was a memorable time of the year. Now that I'm older, away from home, married, and starting my new traditions...I can't help but be thankful that I experienced a joyous past and have fond memories that I'll never forget.

As I'm putting up my Christmas stuff, I find myself reflecting upon the past. My old neighborhood has changed, but I never wished during my upbringing that we should have lived somewhere else. Yes, there were downfalls such as not being able to find any parking spots after 5pm or blowing a fuse in the entire house because I had the blow dryer and microwave on at the same time...oh geez! But what can one really expect from a bungalow probably built in the 1930's?! (We found a Polish newspaper from the year of 1932 underneath the old attic flooring).

We lived on a block where everyone knew each other and front doors were rarely locked. Parents would hang out together and their children that were similar in age would become great friends. I like to compare the neighborhood with an opening scene from a movie. Try to visualize many children running around, playing sports or games and just having the best time being outside. That's exactly what it was like. I wasn't cooped up in my home like some of the kids today...spending hours on the computer, phone, or watching television. I used to dread having to go inside to eat dinner because all I wanted was to remain outdoors. My friends and I were inseparable and remained close up until we became adolescents.

Changes happen...sometimes good, sometimes bad. Throughout the years, neighbors began to move, time passed and then I entered high school. This was a period of my life when I longed for something I just couldn't find. I had such high expectations that were not met. It wasn't until my senior year that I was the happiest. This is not to say I hated high school because I had fun times and met some really good people, but the area changed. Gangs were unfortunately present in our high school and as for myself, the goal of trying to receive straight A's just wasn't a priority anymore.

I still reminisce because its impossible not to. Now that I'm in charge of an after school reading club, I am fortunate enough to be able to enter my old grade school on a weekly basis. I feel a chill run up my spine whenever I'm there because I can remember exactly where my mom would pick me up after school. As I drive away, I drive past old houses where old friends lived and I think of how much I loved my grade school/middle school. I loved my teachers and wanted nothing more than to impress them with good grades. I had a blast there and my memories are some of the best around.

The saying "time flies by" surely is true. Ending this entry full circle, as I walk around decorating I smile for two reasons. One for the past, another for the present. I love my new home and I'm thankful I still have a bit of the past left with me. I'm lucky to have the opportunity to tell my students to remain proud of where they are from despite the negative reactions given by others. It was a wonderful place to grow up and hopefully still can be for many families.

PS: Visit Freddie's on 16th street.....my belly is so thankful that place is still up!

PSS: Read the book Cicero The First Suburb West by Betty Carlson Kay to learn about the history especially if you are from there!

Just a Quick Note

I just finished watching the movie Julie and Julia. This movie dropped a comment or two about how people may have a negative opinion about us bloggers. I write because I can thoroughly express myself, and I hope people in my life are getting to know a different side of me because that is and has always been my goal. So if you are a bleader (blog reader..lol), please don't think we are narcissists! :) Writing is a joyful experience that truly captivates the moment one is living.

Kudos to Julie who worked her way through all of those recipes! Instead of cooking twice a week, I think I'm going to cook three times a week. (Yes, I'm laughing at myself right now)!

Oldies but Goodies

Everyone knows how much I adore the author Emily Giffin. Once I become infatuated with something, I dive into material to find out as many facts as I can. I learned Emily will sometimes listen to a song on repeat while she writes. (I only listen to music in the car, but it must be quiet while I write). But today I decided to put a little spin on my writing and do it the Emily Giffin way! I'm listening to a song on repeat called Reflecting Light by Sam Phillips. This song is not popular, nor would it blend into what I usually listen to, but sometimes I just fall in love with songs because the rhythm makes me think, not because the lyrics are relatable.

It is a song from my absolute favorite scene in Gilmore Girls when Luke asks Lorelai to dance. (Last time I will reference the show, I swear)! I'm a sucker for romance and had to watch this enticing moment a few times because I’m in awe of the innocent romance that unravels during the scene. Lorelai acts quirky, while Luke stares into her eyes. It is within moments that you see this amazing transformation that they have finally realized their feelings for each other. The song Reflecting Light is playing in the background and it sounds beautiful and makes me think of how times have changed.

Times change and simple things such as music change. Lyrics are not the way they used to be. My parents listened to all of the songs that we now categorize as "oldies but goodies". Some current songs involve cursing and even some movies and television shows don't promote innocence. I see how my students are growing up so fast and know things that I didn't know until a later age. Technology has completely taken over and this generation is absolutely obsessed with being on computers and talking/texting on their cell phones constantly. Sadly, the joy of reading and writing is ancient to most young adults.

Romance. How would you define it? What are you visualizing? Are you thinking about hanging out at a diner, drinking a milkshake, and listening to a jukebox play music? Probably not! That was then, what is now? Whatever image it may be for you, don’t ever let romance in your life vanish because you are stuck in your daily, busy routine. As an example, my husband and I will occasionally leave small notes for each other on the bathroom mirror when our morning schedules vary, telling each other to have a good day. Tom and I know that sweet nothings make a dull day brighter.

As a teacher, I try to open new doors for my students. As a wife, I will continue creating special moments. For myself, I read old literature, listen to a large variety of music, and watch classics. I know times will continue to change in a rapid, continuous motion….what do you do to appreciate the past and not always live in the present? Today is a day as good as any to make a change! Some advice….be romantic at any age, teach your children to listen to different decades of music, to see older movies, etc. Expose them and yourself to different eras!

A quick thank you to my mother for incorporating her generation into my own. I listened to oldies in the car with her, I watched black and white movies with her, and she gave me a gift that I still love-my very own jukebox.

Isn't it amazing how one song can make you think so much?!!

The scene from Gilmore Girls if your interested:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dhMIzc1SyA