Happy Halloween!

Last night Sohail and I went to a great Halloween party at his cousin's place with lots of dancing - black lights, dj, and fog maker included. There was a costume contest (that I lost by a landslide but if anyone can guess my costume you'll impress me infinitely!).

Today was probably the best day of the semester. We had croissants for breakfast at the market and then walked around the city for hours in the best weather fall has to offer. It was very relaxing and much needed as exams are rapidly approaching.

Ali G! This was my favorite costume.

Sohail's parents, sister Sarah and cousin Daniel. The cake is for Sarah's birthday.

Our hosts Sohail's cousins - a tattooed man and a clown.

My handsome boyfriend - South Carolina style!

Congressional Gold Medal

the Dali Lama's speech

Today I took advantage of the nice weather and the fact that I have a lull in my work load to go see the Dali Lama be granted the Congressional Gold Medal (the highest award available for civilians in the US). It's hard to see from my pictures but the place was packed with people. I got there just as the Dali Lama was getting his award from President Bush and then watched him speak (about human rights, China, and Tibet mostly). There there were lots of dance and song performances by people who are apparently very famous among Tibetan communities in Tibet, India and Pakistan as people went wild when they performed. Then the Dali Lama came out and spoke to the populous (ie - me and a million other people). Needless to say, it was a great change from my routine.

dupont market

One of my little pleasures in life is going to the farmers' market that's right by my house on Sunday mornings. I usually go alone, check out all the great food, do some good people watching (for ex. I found out today that DC WIC has special checks for farmers markets!), and get my fruits and vegetables for the week. I always end up bringing home something I've never eaten before (or at least in a long time). Today it's orange tomatoes. There's just on thing I haven not been able to do yet.... get the the market before the croissants sell out! That's my goal for next weekend.


Here are some photos (not taken by me):

The Market

Eggplant! Last weekend I made Kashk-e-Bademjoon (like baba ganoush)

I love these flowers.

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!

Me, Lauren, and Florence (some my two friends better as FloLo from my 1st year study group).

Nicole, Chris (I think), Florence, and Jason
Nicole, Flo, Jason and I were all in the same 1st year class and Jason went to Clemson (but we forgive him).

Wow! So many birthdays in October (7 in the next two weeks!) but today was the kick off with Shirin, Anahita and Lauren. So HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the three of you! These are some pictures of Lauren's party at Karma, a bar very near the law school that's mostly frequented by World Bankers and law students. Lauren had such a beautiful spread of middle eastern food and drinks and lots of great people. It was a blast and very refreshing to socialize a bit in the middle of the week.

Sarah and Tim in DC

Sarah and me at Lucky Bar

Tim

Sarah after dinner on Saturday night

This weekend was fantastic because I got to see not one but two good friends who happened to be in DC. Tim (a friend I met in Argentina) came from Mexico for a wedding and Sarah was here from USC for a public interest job fair that I also attended. It was really nice catching up with both of them even if the job fair wasn't as fruitful as Sarah and I had hoped and even if we're now behind on our work. Thanks to both of you for coming!

Derek on leave

Last weekend I went to Charleston to see Derek who was on leave from Afghanistan. It was nice to see him but hard to say goodbye for another 8 months. At least he's going back as a general.... ahem I mean sergeant and he may have a more interesting job this time around.

Joanne and Avea dancing at a dinner Joanne and Dad organized for Derek
All of us at dinner

My two brothers

Maman and Derek at the airport on Sunday

France

Now that I'm somewhat (though not much) more awake, here are some pictures of what I did in France before the wedding.

Right after getting off the plane I went to the market with my uncle Bernard.
This is where we got our cheese.

My cousin Tim after lunch.

My cousin Nicolas with his daughter Manon.

Isabelle and Bernard after a long walk in the woods to this lake and old hunting lodge in the background.

View from my cousin Segolene's house.

About to take a Velib. This is one of the best new things in Paris. The city has put tons of bikes like these all over the city and you can rent them for 1 euro a day as long as you don't keep the bike for more than 30 minutes at a time (after that it costs a little more). All over the city there are racks where you can return and take bikes. DC needs this!

Segolene at a cafe

With Agathe

Elliot and Agathe

This is a place where lawyers and judges can buy the robes they all wear to court. This one's for judges but if you ask me it seems like it would be better in the lion king than in a French court. This is the first time in my life I'm happy I'll be wearing lots of suits.

Severine, Benjamin, Agathe and Elliot.
Miam! (Yum)

Aperetif in Reims with my aunt Francoise and Geoffroy (the one who's now married)

My aunt Marie-Christine on the way to the wedding.

My uncle Antoine.

Jobal's Wedding

I just returned from my cousin Geoffroy's wedding in Normandy. Before the wedding I spent a week visiting with my family. Although it was a bit of a whirlwind trip (sleeping at different people's houses every night), it was wonderful seeing my family again especially individually. Everything about the wedding was beautiful - from the church, to the people, to the reception afterwards). Plus it was great seeing Geoffroy and Caroline get married. They make a wonderful couple! I'm completely jet-lagged right now so although I have lots more to say, I'll just end this post with some pictures.

Some of my cousins at mass

Agathe (my cousin's daughter) ready to be a flower girl

Caroline, Geoffroy, Francoise (my aunt) and Jacques (my uncle) leaving mass

Alban (the youngest of the cousins) after mass

The coctail party - what a view!

My aunt Francoise

Caroline et Geoffroy

Lots of young cousins (most are just a bit younger than Derek)

Saskia and Benjamin

Dinner

All the hats!

The cake with sparklers

Geoffroy (approx. 4 am) The bride and groom danced until 6am... I'm sorry to say I was off to bed at 4:30 - before even the pregnant women!

With my little cousin Louis (Delphine & Arnaud's baby) the day after the wedding.

Geoffroy day 2
Louis

Caroline (or should I say Mme. Balland!)