A few weeks ago, Mariel and I joined Mical in Paris.
Photo op along famous Seine River
We wandered all over the city and came across this familiar building.
 |
| Mariel captures us laughing but misses the entire tower, oh well |
 |
| Mariel thrilled to see her name spelled correctly at the bakery |
Parisian boulangeries are wonderful but German bakeries are still my favorite.
 |
Pastry on the far right, a Napoleon, is the most delish and brings back memories of visiting Cousin Michael in NY
Later, we consumed cheese plates, french onion soup, duck and red wine but sadly did not get a photo since they were quickly devoured. |
 |
| Mariel savoring her creme brule' |
| I highly recommend Hotel Daval, great staff and location, in Bastille district. We slept well each night despite a cozy situation, 1 double bed per 3 ppl. |
 |
| Mariel, Me (upside-down), and space on right for Mical and her stinky feet |
We explored the Pere-Lachaise graveyard known as la cite des morts (the city of the dead).
 |
| RIP Jim Morrison |
 |
| Notre Dame Cathedral in the background |
Locals seemed to be amused by our attempts to speak French and helped us with directions and other requests. It's a shame Paris has a poor reputation for being anti-American tourist.
 |
| Mical taunting this sweet Italian gentleman for wearing USA gear |
 |
| After complementing the man's giraffe button-down, we learned he was a U of M law school alumni! |
On my last night, Mical introduced me to Ramsey, a man she "connected" with on the night train from Florence to Paris. Ramsey did not speak English and since Mical did not speak Arabic or French, their communication style was unique (strange blend of Google translate and PDA). |
 |
| Mical and Ramsey both speak the language of LOVE |
Paris, fondly referred to as "the city for lovers", was an ideal spot for Mical to be romanced. Ramsey took her on a stroll to Ponts des Arts (lovers bridge) which has thousands of engraved padlocks on the fence.
 |
| According to the legend, "after locking the love padlock onto the fence, lovers toss the keys into the Seine river – a sign of their eternal devotion" |
While Mical was falling in love, I was riding the early train back to mi amore. The next day, Scott and I flew to America to visit our families and attend a wedding in Pittsburgh.
 |
| We felt honored to receive this fabulous cake thanks to Grandma Shank & Pap! |
 |
| Me, Skip, Grandma, Pap, Scott & Sis enjoying a beautiful night at Narcissi Winery with the Shank fam |
Scott was a strapping groomsmen in his cousin Phillip's wedding.
The gorgeous bride, Christa, was glowing on this wonderful fall day.
 |
| Tom, Scott, Bill, Christa, Phil, Dominick, Ryan, and Matt in back |
 |
| Wedding party in hysterics after cousin Ryan's request for photographer to enlarge his body parts when editing |
The dance party at this wedding was wild. The DJ actually knew family members by name and was encouraging dance circles and twerking maneuvers!
 |
My bro and father in law enjoying the party
Scott sadly had to fly back to work the next week when I went to Palm Springs to celebrate Jackie & Jodi's nuptials.
Although Jackie openly shared that she only scans my blogs for pics (too busy to read my ramblings), here is some background info. She would probably agree that we did not meet in the "prime" of our lives. Still refusing to brush my hair and shop in the girl's clothing section, I was an awkward preteen situation. When I entered middle school, I had many pairs of Umbro shorts (so 5th grade), but very few close friends. When I first saw Jackie Nicole Lann, I was mesmerized by her HyperColor T-shirt and social prowess. I will be forever grateful for the chance to sit at Jackie's lunch table (along with Ellen, Alexis, Dara...). She has been a loyal friend, fun teammate, hilarious roommate and I know will make a stellar wife! |
 |
| Dinner a few nights before the wedding with some of my favorite people from that lunch table |
After dinner, Jackie had a brilliant idea to go to the local Casino.
 |
| "Red! Even! 22!" Everything was hitting at the roulette table! |
It was Jillian's first time gambling and she was a real natural.
 |
| "I'm rich!" she exclaimed |
Later, this sign was spotted in the bathroom.
 |
| Creepy reflection is haunting, look closely |
The wedding festivities began with a Maryland style Crab Feast.
 |
| I was obsessed with these bibs - Jackie and Jody are so photogenic |
 |
| Me & Amber - Leigh-Ann & Terryl were missed |
 |
| The groom with the gals |
After crabs and fried chicken, there was live music and plenty of cocktails.
Liz, Mic, Mom, RetIRA, Lexi, Megano'
Reuniting with old pals was super sweet since some had been far away volunteering with the Peace Corps.
 |
| Good white wine was harder to find in Thailand |
 |
| GO BLUE! We miss you Reagan :( |
Six long decades ago, a green-eyed gal named Cynthia was born. I could go on and on about her impressive child rearing and physical therapy skills but this blog is getting long. We celebrated her birthday by taking the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to the top of San Jacinto Peak.
 |
| My pops does not love hiking but he truly loves my mom (and golf ). |
 |
| This tramway is the largest rotating aerial tramway in the WORLD! |
According to Wikipedia, "the twelve-and-a-half minute ride begins at 2,643 ft and passes up North America's sheerest mountain face through five life zones (biomes) on its way to the Mountain Station at 8,516 ft above mean sea level."
 |
| RetIRA was terrified and started moaning when he realized the tram was in fact "rotating" |
That night we attended the most glamorous wedding I have EVER been too!!! Words can not describe this insanely epic event (Jackie is a big deal- for more info please check out- http://www.narrativemediagroup.com/).
 |
| Jody & Jackie saying their sweet personalized vows under the glamorous chuppah |
 |
True love - Mazel Tov!
The wedding was at a famous MLB player's private estate (perhaps he is named after a chocolaty cereal).
 |
| JB (Jody & Jackie Brockman) logo on dance floor! |
|
 |
| Ambular, Me, Kate M |
 |
| RetIra and Cindy reunited with Dos and HBomb |
 |
| College crew |
 |
| Two Cashews |
 |
| Mom, Dad, Offspring |
Cocktail hour included an array of fresh sushi, slider bar, ceviche, and
Patron shots!
 |
| Me & Mic |
The dance party was nonstop and Jackie eventually took over the DJ booth!
.jpg) |
| Just like Ricks - aka College! |
There was even a huge buffet of McDonalds (mighty wings, nuggets, cheeseburgers & fries) for all of the wedding guests as we exited the premises.
 |
| Even a large portion of ketchup, sweet & sour and BBQ sauces- Jackie sure did think of everything! |
Happily, we grabbed Mexican food on our last night in Cali.
Carlock, Liz, Shrimp, LP, Me, Mic, Mellon, Lex, HB
Can't wait for the next visit back to 'Merica!!!
