Mon Amour est Parti

Mon amour est parti. :( He left this morning as I left for school, as I cried. Actually - I think sobbed would be the correct word. I got to school and was mistaken for being "really sick" by my french class because of my red, puffy eyes and runny nose. Once I composed myself, I tried to improve with mood with a stop at Starbucks for a mocha - but waiting in line saw a petit fondant au chocolat that I got for Josh one day last week when I got a mocha - and the tears welled up yet again. I know - I am ridiculous. But we had such a wonderful time together here, I was so sad to see him go, and I am really sad I won't see him for two months.

Joshua offically won the title of "Best Surprise Planner" after his visit. After the amazing suprises of the past two weeks, yesterday was the icing on the very delicious cake! Josh took me to lunch at Jules Verne - and it was incroyable.

I honestly never suspected it! Even when he told me to meet him by the Eiffel Tower! Given my obbsession with gourmet food, Paris, and the Eiffel Tour - eating at JV was my dream come true! Everything was amazing! The decor, the stylish suits of the waitors, of course the beautiful view of all of Paris, the delicious, gourmet food, presented like art- and of course, the wonderful company of my boyfriend. We had a truly delicious, 3 course lunch.

Josh had foie gras canard with fig jam and red fruits. Then little morceaux of chicken, province style with fresh vegetables in this delicious broth. For dessert, roasted fig with honey and fromage blanc sorbet.

I had choc-fleur soup(ish) thing with this mysterious green pate that was warm and frothy and amazing! Then I had ox-cheek with red wine sauce, champignons, and lardons. It was so tender I barley needed to cut it. Dessert was my favorite. I had this petit mint-chocolate, layered, bar type cake, topped with brownie bits and a mint-choclate macaroon, served with a side of fresh-mint leave sorbet and more brownie bites! It looked like modern art when it came. Then - they gave us more mini desserts of coconut macaroons, these amazing fruit and shortbread cookies, and a parfait of caramel and coffee flavored pudding-like flan. AND a mini bowl of homemade marshmallows, and another mini bowl of dark chocolate truffles! Imagine enjoying all these amazing desserts while you are IN the tour and looking out over the entire, beautiful city of Paris! Does life get any better than that! Je pense que non!

Upon leaving, they give you a party-favor bag of homemade madelines! YUM! We left JV stuffed, so we walked around the tour and then down around St. Germain, took a mini-nap at the apartment to regain strength- and headed out for part 2 of our last day together.

After bundeling up, we headed to the Pont Neuf to catch a boat ride at night. Paris is incredible at night, all light up, with the tour sparkling every hour! You learn so much about the city, and pass under the Pont Marie where you must make a wish, and then kiss your neighbor while you pass under in order for it to come true! After our boat ride, we walked to St. Germain where we stumbeled upon the most charming, authentic french restaurant and had a late dinner! They were famous for Boeuf Bourguignon so I got that of course, and it was wonderful - of course. We shared a fondant au chocolat with violette glace for dessert, and I sang Happy Birthday to Josh and made him make a wish and blow out the imaginery candle. We did a final Paris walk, around the Latin Quartier, past Notre Dame, and then back to le Marais. A fabulous way to end a truly fabulous trip. It could not have been better.

Now the work starts. I was lucky to be homework-free while Josh was here, but this week is full of midterms, projects, and presentations. If you know me - you know how I despise all the things previously mentioned, but I will tough it through - with the help of the tour et du vin.