Don't These Gypsy Thieves Know I'm Representin' H-Town?? (Plus: Fun Adventures with New and Old Friends!!!)

Gypsy Run-In


As if it wasn't enough that they robbed me (refer to prior posts if you're unsure what I'm talking about), now these stupid, thieving gypsies are trying to beat me up.


This morning I was out for my daily run in the park.  Just minding my own business, enjoying one of the few rain-free mornings we've had lately.  Out of nowhere I felt this really sharp pain.  Not a cramp or anything, it was like I was shot with a bb gun or something.  I turned around and there were three of those awful gypsies taking a break from robbing tourists to THROW A ROCK AT MY BACK!!!


So, I ran after them with the bat I always carry with me when I run and beat them with it!  I showed them the Houston in me!


That's a lie.  Don't be crazy, I don't carry a bat!  Yet.


The truth is that I chased after them, like a bitter old lady, yelling profanities.  Not one of my shining moments, but a girl can only take so much! 


Now I have a big knot and bruise where the bullet (rock) hit me.  Punks.


Enough about those idiots...


Old Friends


Would you believe that Kyle and I have socialized with more than just our two friends in Paris lately??  Believe it.  We have had some fun visitors in town since we got back from Houston.  Woo hoo!


First, there was the Class of '03 Aggie reunion.  Two of Kyle's college roommates and their wives were in town for a wedding, but not through a mutual friend.  Let's see if I can get this right...


Blake and Trey grew up in Dallas together.
Kyle, Blake and Trey roomed together at A&M.
Blake married Danielle.
Trey married Kyrsten.
Blake and Danielle lived in Paris several years ago and worked for Fat Tire Bike Tours as tour guides.
Blake and Danielle became friends with Mike, the manager at the time for Fat Tire.
Kyrsten met Mike's future bride (we'll call her Jane for the purpose of the story) in college (at TCU, I think?).
Mike and Jane got engaged and planned a lovely wedding at a chateau on the outskirts of Paris.
So, you see, Blake and Daniel know the groom and Trey and Kyrsten know the bride.


Did you follow?  


Kyle, Blake and Trey have not seen each other in years and all happened to be in Paris at the same time.  What a crazy world, eh?  They all stayed at our apartment and we had a grand time.  We mostly picnicked and went sight-seeing.  


(The Fat Tire crew has a specific part of the park where they like to camp out, so you'll notice a common theme in our photos from their visit.)

Blake and Danielle

Trey and Kyrsten (I hope I'm spelling that correctly!)

There is a bridge on the back side of Notre Dame with all these locks on it...

Supposedly you put your lock on the bridge and throw the key in the Seine.  Then your love is sealed forever.  I'm going to start a lock-selling business on this bridge!

I love all the random street performers in Paris!

I was all tuckered out after our long weekend.

New Friends


Kyle surprised me one night last week with a date night to go check out a jazz bar.  It was so great.  We sat five feet from the stage and the band was amazing.  The singer had the most beautiful voice.  Not sure what she was saying because it was all in French, but that only added to the awesomeness!

Heading out on the town!

iPhone pics.  Bleh.

We sat next to a guy named Kevin who was in town from DC for a business trip.  He was a really nice guy and we all ended up at a Karaoke bar after the jazz joint.  French people doing karaoke is super.  They did all the oldies but goodies - End of the Road, Disney classics (huh?), Backstreet Boys.  


The next day was Bastille Day (like the French 4th of July) so we invited Kevin to join us for the fireworks display at the Eiffel Tower since we live right next to it.  Kevin was a lot of fun!

Say "Hi" to Kevin

Then, our friend Elizabeth informed us that some buds of hers who live in London were in town for the weekend.  MORE socializing - YAY!

Alana is from Dallas and went to A&M with Elizabeth (apparently we only hang out with Aggies from Dallas here).  She is living in London now for work and is dating Jon.  They were excellent and we had a fab night out with them on Saturday!  Hopefully we can all get together fairly often in Paris or London.  Liz, you must come visit us both!

Again with the iPhone pics.

Well, I'm off to the gym now.  I figure I better do two-a-days if I want to be in fighting shape next time I encounter one of those gypsy jerks ;)

Bisous!

Maygan

Why Can't X-Rays See Through Clothes?

Peculiar Medical Exam...

Yesterday Kyle and I had to go in for our required medical exam to get our visas.  I'm really not sure what the point of the exam is, so I'll just give you the rundown of the what happened.  Maybe someone else can figure it out?


First, they took us individually into a room.  They ask if you need glasses or contacts, make you read a whopping three letters on the opposite wall (this should really tell them how your eyesight is), and take your height and weight.


Next, they put you in a hallway with three doors in front of you.  Behind each door is a small room, probably 4X4, with another door leading out in the opposite direction.  They say when someone comes out of one of the doors, you go in a remove your top.  Someone will be in to get you.  Okaaaaaaay...


A man and a woman opened the door on the other side and told me I also needed to remove my bra for the lung X-Ray.  I find this odd.  Don't X-Rays see through things?  Oh well, they probably give you one of those paper robes things, right?  Nope.  You just stand there.  Topless.  In front of two strangers.  Then they smoosh you up against a cold machine and make you stand there for a minute while it scans you.  


I'm an American people, I'm bashful!


Then you shuffle back across the room, half naked, to your little box to get dressed.  Back to the waiting room until you're called in by the doctor.  The doctor inspects your X-Ray (for TB, I think), takes a couple vitals and sends you on your way.  


They give you your X-Ray to take home with you.  If we were more artsy maybe we could do something creative with these...  Mine is the more, um, feminine one.

Bisous!

Maygan

It's My Party and I'll Sweat if I Want To!

We Heart Texas


A couple weeks ago Kyle and I filled our suitcases to the max (well, mostly me) and headed back to Houston for a much anticipated visit.  


The main point of the trip was to attend the nuptials of Amy and Nick Dupuy.  The wedding was beautiful and we had a fab time!  I can't prove any of this to you though, because I'm a total slacker and didn't bring my camera.  Here is a pic of the happy couple I swiped from someone on FB...

Gorgeous!

Since this was the only time Kyle and I would be in Texas before our wedding, our lovely Bridesmaids threw us a wedding shower the day after the Dupuy wedding.  We wanted to make it a Couple's Shower for a couple reasons... to maximize our hanging-out-with-loved-ones time and so I could wiggle out of it being super bridey :)  Thanks for being good sports, boys!  I know you all LOVE a good wedding shower on a Sunday afternoon.


The girls found a great location - a restaurant in the Heights that is closed on Sundays and is BYOB.  Perfect!  We could have the whole place to ourselves and bring in our own beer and wine for everyone.  Not to mention great food and servers to help with set-up and clean-up.  What could go wrong?


Well, the second Kyle and I walked in Amanda whispered to me "Don't freak out, buuuut..." Nothing good follows those words.  The freak-out worthy issue was that the A/C was out in the building.  Gulp.  No A/C, 45 people on their way, Houston in June.  This could be really bad.  OR we could make the best of it, have a great time with our friends, and have a good story.  We voted for the latter, of course!  


Although there is no doubt it was HOT AS HELL in there and I was a Sweaty Betty the whole time, Kyle and I had a wonderful time!  That's what matters, right?!  We had a blast seeing everyone and the food was delish.


Thank you so much to Amanda, Ali, Carrie, Sarah and Kayla for putting everything together.  And a special shout-out to Jennifer for making the awesome cupcakes that everyone loved!  And thanks to everyone that came!!!

I think the sweat gives everyone a nice, healthy glow.  Don't you?

After the shower, a group of us headed indoors for some sweet relief from the heat.

Ali enjoying Jenn's cupcakes :)

Jenn and Jamie joined us with their cuties, Taylor and Jackson.

Taylor enjoying/destroying Mommy's cupcakes :)

Jackson wasn't enjoying the party...

...until he found Amanda and Ryan!

Other Happenings...


The first week in Texas we went to Austin.  We fit a lot into a couple days there.  We ordered our wedding bands, had a dinner party, saw Bran and Carrie's new house, visited old friends, had lots of fun!

Our hosts.  Looking pleased to see us.

Marley.  Apparently putting a curse on us.

Dinner party with James and Jenny

Fancying things up with homemade Brie en Croute.  Yum!

Hanging with Brandi and Justin right before a freaky storm broke out.

Discovering their thumbs?

Back in Houston now, Sarah and Ricky had a Tex Mex potluck dinner to welcome us back home.

Paul and his lady, Allison.

Clay and his boy, Juan.

A bald Chihuahua named Juan makes the Tex Mex party authentic.

No trip home would be complete without hanging out with my old work peeps, Suppa Sistas and hanging with the fam.  

We met at Fleming's for happy hour.  More like happy hourS.

We Suppa Sista'd a week early so I could be there!

I ended the trip with a morning run and breakfast with Dad.  

Now it's back to Paris for a month of healthy living and relaxing before our Big Day!!!  We just can't wait to see everyone in Aspen.  Can't wait!

Bisous!

Maygan