Wednesday French Inspiration: Choosing Between the Good

There is beauty all around when there's pastries to eat.

 (What? Don't tell me you don't agree?)

From doors of the Parisian boulangeries, mouthwatering smells fill the air.  One is helpless to resist the heavenly scents.  Upon enter the shop, the charm and beauty of each pastry must be properly adored.  Getting lost in the beauty of each handmade creation, it is easy to forget that you must make a choice.  Oh but how can one choose?

There are so many front running candidates to be devoured and only so many euros.  This new found heaven  mocks you.  You want some of everything.  With every breath you fall deeper under the spell the spun by the artisans.  There are just too many good things, and you know you just cannot have it all.

When surrounded by so much good it is hard to choose.  Life would be easy if every choice were black or white, but shades of gray cloud up our decisions.  Sometimes it is left to us to decided from the good, better and the best.  Whether it is choosing a pastry or which chore to check off of our to-do list, life is full of tough choices. 

How do you choose between the good in your life?

Wednesday French Inspiration --Finding Time

Behind one of the Large clocks in the Gare d'Orsay or  Musée d'Orsay

There is a time for everything,  a time for nothing, and a time for the things in between.  A time for painting, a time for cleaning, a time for mothering, a time for writing, a time for exercise, I even hear there is a time for sleeping (I am not sure if i believe it though.)  It can get awfully hard to figure out how much time to allow for all the things I need to accomplish.  

However, without planning nothing gets done.  Timing seems to play a key role in all aspects of life and writing for that matter.

How do you divide your time?

Wednesday French Inspiration --Rising to the Top

One of my favorite experiences in France was visiting Cassis.  We drove up to the summit of Cap Canaille.   The cliffs over look Cassis and the Mediterranean sea.  As you stand at the edge, there is no safety measures to keep you from swan diving or tripping to a sudden death.  Well, it would not be sudden; the fall would take a while.  But the beauty is overwhelming.  The distant landscape dwarfs you.  You become small, insignificant, and if you are my husband, slightly woozy.   At the same time, the view shares with you inspiration and hope. Standing at the top of the world, you have never felt so small; you have never felt so grand.

It made me think about the trials I have faced and will yet face in my life.  The distance and height that is still yet to travel to achieve the dream.  At times I definitely feel small and insignificant.  But as I look back over how much I have already accomplished I am inspired to go further, and I feel the power I have within me to live my dreams.

Rise to the top.

Conquer your goals.

  When you look back, enjoy the view.

Embrace the power within yourself.

Wednesday French Inspiration

Veiled Lady in the Louvre

(Taken from the Archives of Seriously Amber Lynae)

This statue reminds me of the statues in the newer Pride and Prejudice film. There is something quite hypnotic about her face with the veil. How is it that the sculpture was able to show the details of the face and the veil over at the same time? So much detail and emotion can be created from marble.  It is awesome that marble -so hard and formless- can be carved into beauty- flowing and whimsical.

  I hope that you enjoy this piece of Paris and take this message with you :

No matter how hard any situation may appear at first, you can make out of it what you choose.  You can choose to let life crush you, or you can carve life into something that will have people staring with awe.

I hope that you will choose the latter.

Wednesday French Inspiration --Reaching Goals

Stranger biking the country roads of France

Today is stage 9 in le Tour de France 2010.  It just gets me thinking of all the work the competitors have put into being about to make 3,642 kilometers trek.  Not many people would be physically able to survive the race.  However, each participant has trained and put in the necessary work.  The race is not something entered unprepared on a whim.


It is this knowledge that inspired these thought/reminders:

Life is meant to be lived with purpose and we cannot reap what we have not sown.  

For me this reminder was a much needed push to get me to stop whining and start doing.  There is no someday but today.  So I will use today to start changing the things that are not as I would have them be, because no matter how hard I wish on the evening star it will not change the fact that life takes effort. 

 What goals are you working to accomplish?

How do you keep yourself motivated and consistent?

 

Wednesday French Inspiration --Accepting Talents

The Iron Woman

 Gustave Eiffel's Iron Lady was inaugurated on 31 March 1889, and opened on 6 May.  Today the Eiffel Tower is one of the most recognizable structures in the world and is the single most visited paid monument in the world.  However, the tower was not well received when first built; many called it an eyesore.  Novelist Guy de Maupassant—who claimed to hate the tower—supposedly ate lunch in the Tower's restaurant every day. When asked why, he answered that it was the one place in Paris where one could not see the structure. 

When I ponder on the lack of acceptance given to this architectural art piece, which I hold so dear, I begin to relate it to my own lack of acceptance of the talents that my Heavenly Father obviously wants me to develop.  

Let me explain--as a child I wanted nothing more than to learn to play piano like my big sister.  I begged my mom to take lessons.  Both of my older sisters had the privilege of lessons.  And I will state as evidence that the youngest sibling does not get everything they want, that I was denied my request.  My mother told me that my sisters could teach me.  

Well that really did not get anywhere.  Teenage sisters are not very interested in teaching younger siblings anything.  So I took it upon myself to learn the art of piano playing.  And I did learn.  However, I have never gotten to the point where I would consider myself a pianist (even though I can normally sight read at least one clef at a time.)  I have never accepted piano playing as a talent.  Even though I enjoy sitting at a piano to play some tunes, I have never really thought to seriously try to better my abilities.  

It would seem that my Heavenly Father has other thoughts of my talent.  In my last ward, I was called to be the pianist for the primary children.  When I moved last fall, it took a month to receive the same calling in my new ward.  I hear my Heavenly Father silently shouting to me that I am a pianist and my talents are meant to be used.

Are you overly modest about your talents? 

Do you have talents that you have a hard time accepting?  

What are they?

Wednesday French Inspiration

In Our Economic Turmoil Seriously Amber Lynae (re)Presents:

HOW NOT TO STRETCH A BUCK!!
From the archives of Seriously Amber Lynae

My husband loves to shop around. He is always looking for a bargain. Whether we are vacationing in France or living in Virginia, he wants the best deal in town. Personally, I think it is great that I've married a man who doesn't want to throw away his money. But as his aunt and I learned from letting him and his uncle book a hotel.... Frugality can go TOO far.

For the equivalent $40 we stayed at Premiere Classe. (Just in case the name is deceiving you, it wasn't first class.) The room was barely big enough to fit the double bed with the luggage shelf above it. And the bathroom (pictured above) was more of a pod than a room.  It was so small that you can shower, poop, and shave all at the same time without moving an inch.

Overall, it was a laughing experience. The small size of the room really wasn't enough to rate Premiere Classe at the bottom of our list. The rooms which were non-smoking (in France??) definitely had been smoked in (there is a headache for me), some sort of mold looked to be growing over the door, and the two bath towels the provide were scaled down to fit the room and were more like hand towels.

Have you had any money saving experiences go awry?

Wednesday French Inspiration

Nympheas (or Water Lilies) at the Musée de l'Orangerie

Before visiting the Musee de l'Orangerie in Paris, I was completely unaware that Claude Monet's Water Lilies was  a series of approximately 250 oil paintings or various sizes.  I thought it was one painting. This May, it was announced that today, June 23rd, the 1906 Nympheas work would be auctioned in London. (I wish I could afford the estimated price of between £30 and £40 million).

In two oval rooms house within l'Orangerie, eight large paintings are now available under direct diffused light as was originally intended by Monet. The paintings depict Monet's flower garden at Giverny.  Many of the works were painted while Monet suffered from cataracts. 

It is romantic and almost magical when you stand surrounded by these magnificent works of art.  I felt all twitterpatted with a desire to be spun around the room or to be wooed by poetry.  The imagery really does evoke strong emotion.  Just like a good book artfully crafted, these works have the ability to transport you into a different world.

What has the power to to evoke strong emotions within you? 

Have you ever felt like you walked into a fairytale?

Wednesday French Inspiration

Crypte archéologique du parvis Notre-Dame 

Beneath Notre-Dame cathedral square is an archaeological crypt which preserves the foundations and vestiges of buildings which were constructed between the Gallo-Roman period and the 18th century.   There are remnants of bath houses, shops, hospitals, and house.  It is interesting to see this crypt of Paris's past.

It reminds me that our past is a part of today.  Our ancestors have paved the way for us to be what we are today.  We must learn from their successes, learn from their failures, and take those lessons to build our present.  I am grateful for the struggles and accomplishments that my ancestors.  I am grateful for all they have made possible for me today.I hope that we all can build upon our past in a way that would please our ancestors and allows them to know that we cherish all that they have made possible.

How do you build about the past to make a better future?

Wednesday French Inspiration

Lady Lamp post outside of the Paris Opera House

"Landscapes exercise a strange power over you.

As if each of us has an internal landscape, embedded in us during childhood

and which lies in wait until the point of recognition. 

Ah, there it is, you think. 

Or rather, there I am." 

-  Lucy Wadham The Secret Life of France

 I agree completely with Lucy's thoughts.  I felt this way as I walked through various parts of France.   I think we all have a place, whether we have been there or not, that we know is our own little heaven.  There is not one place on earth that I would be completely happy, because I would always long for the closeness of all my friends and family. 

I grew up in the foothills of West Virginia. The turning of the trees in the fall boasts colors that artists would struggle to capture.  It is breathtaking.  Those landscapes will always be a part of me.  

Yet there is a connection for me to Paris.  With her (Paris is nothing if not feminine) intricate ironwork, casual cafes, grandiose statues, cobblestone streets, and the glorious gardens, she beckons me.  This is my internal landscape.  The aromas, the sounds, and sights leave you longing for more around every corner.  You are seduced into a relationship.  While you eat your pastries or culinary art,  roam through the leafy boulevards, or hunt bargains at the weekly markets; you are charmed by her arrogance and coquette manner. She all but demands you love her; and you helplessly obey.

Describe to me your internal landscape and why you love it so much.

Wednesday French Inspiration

 Some of my new readers wonder why French Inspiration?

So I am taking you back to the beginning

From the archives of Seriously Amber Lynae

 I love my husband a little more now than I did before.  I have more reasons to love him the longer I know him. He is a wonderful man. But why have I decided that I love him more now? why am I telling you in my post? "Because he gave me the world. Not really, but he gave me a stamp in my passport." He took me to Paris (and various other beautiful parts of France.)






It is strange to go somewhere you have never been and feel so at home. I could only understand about 80% of what was being said; could respond at the level of a 15 month old (maybe); a wallet was stolen; and my feet ached from walking ALL day. I LOVED IT. Paris is always a good idea. I can't wait to go back. The beauty and grace of the country is undeniable.

And the pastries..... oh I miss them very much. We had a wonderful boulangerie at the corner from our apartment with wonderful selection. I think I ate more chocolate during my stay in France than I have in the past 4 months combined. How can you not love a place when you are doped up on chocolate? Seriously I would go back tomorrow if I had the opportunity. Any takers? Who wants to take me to France? I must admit that this is the first time I've travel off of the American continent. I am certain there is a lot of the world that I would love.  Paris has held my heart since childhood and part of my heart shall always remain in Paris.

So there you have it in order to relive Paris and France

every week I relate some of the thousands of photos 

to my life and writing.

Wednesday French Inspiration.

La Joconde aka Mona Lisa

Through the years Mona has been speculated over, stolen, recovered, splashed with acid, warped, cracked, stoned, mugged, passed around, spoofed, and always adored.  Needless to say, she has quite a backstory.  This is what makes her so special and an irresistable stop in the Louvre.  She is not a larger than life painting like some in the same museum.  She could easily be displayed in the average home. 

She can teach every writer a good lesson.  Your characters don't need to be larger than life.  They don't need to be perfect.  They take time to develop.  They need a good backstory and some mystery.  When properly developed your characters will not only be irresistable and adored, but they will also be spoofed and hated by some.  They will be real to the readers.

Do you have a Mona Lisa character?

Wednesday French Inspiration

I couldn't find the history of this piece.  When I passed it in the Louvre I instantly loved it.  Recently I have felt a particular connection with it.  My husband has been away since March.  When we are apart I miss him like crazy.  My daughter misses him.  Our house, our lives are incomplete without him in our home.  Yesterday, we were reunited once again. 

What completes your life?

Wednesday French Inspiration

El Rancho Tex-Mex Bar and Grill, Versailles, France

On our way back to the train station in Versailles, our group passed El Rancho.  We all laughed at the thought of the French having a Tex-Mex bar and grill.  I realized later that it isn't such a bad idea.  In a market that is saturated with French cuisine (it is France after all), Tex-Mex would really stand out.  Of course not everyone if going to be dying to eat at a Tex-Mex grill in France.   However, the is a market for it:  those who have moved and want a taste of home, those who want to try something new, those who really love tex-mex,...etc.

Yet I think that our initial reaction says something about many aspects of life.  No matter how you decorate your house; write your book;  drive your car; or wear your clothes you will always have some people who just don't get it.  I think it is when you stop trying to please everyone and start trying to be true to yourself that you learn to be truly happy. 

Is your book like a Tex-Mex restaurant in the middle of France?

Wednesday French Inspiration

Globe found in the Dauphin’s large study at Versailles

In 1781 Louis XVI commissioned Mancelle to make the celestial and terrestrial globe, enclosing a second globe featuring land and underwater reliefs, for his son’s education.   This is a very fascinating piece to me for a few reasons.  Firstly, it is interesting to see how much they knew about geography of the world.  Secondly, this globe is huge... I keep expecting it to be one of  those furniture pieces with a minibar inside.   

Like most things it gets me thinking.  Whenever I see a globe I always enjoy searching out for my current location, the places I have been, and the places I long to be.   As I spin a globe, I can hear the song It's a Small World After All.  Walt really had something with that ride he designed.  While at times our world seems so huge other times we each have had those moments when we realize just how small it is.  No matter your geography we all have basic human needs and wants. One of the wants I constantly see in myself and others is the need for acceptance.  

I can admit that being a person who has always enjoyed participating in and partaking of the arts has made it sometimes hard to find my niche.   And since I have started my writing journey finding those I connect with has been done in the blogosphere.   Well during my unannounced/unplanned absence from my blog I got to live in my niche.  I attended LDStorymakers.  I felt at home with people who have a passion for the same things as myself.   It may have been my first writer's conference but it will certainly will not be my last.  My only regret is that I didn't get to attend both days and meet more people.  

I hope you know where to find your niche.

Wednesday French Inspiration

When visiting the Eiffel Tower you just may see the stampede of gazelles (the people selling the unofficial memorabilia).  It is quite the sight.  As you walk toward the tower you pass their blankets covered with  a wide assortment of souvenirs.  You hear their trinkets clink.    They offer you deals that you will not find in the Official Eiffel Tower Shop.

But their task is an illegal one.  When they sense a cop, they raise their heads like prey sensing  a near by predator.  With a tug on one string their blankets gather all their contraband and the stampede begins.  If one person runs then they all sense the oncoming danger.  They race away and scatter to safety.

It is interesting to see pure instinct kick in when faces with consequences.  It gets me thinking about the human's natural response to danger.  In some people it brings out the heroes in in others it brings out the villains. 

When in danger is your character heroic or villainous?

Also, you have until April 12th to enter and win a signed copy  

of Michele Ash Bell's 

Summer in Paris.

Wednesday French Inspiration

Premiere Classe The smallest and unclassiest hotel rooms in France 

(The link takes you to previous post about Premiere Classe)

Today my thoughts are on expectations.  It is very hard for things to live up to our high expectations.  So why do we set them so high?    Are high expectations a good thing or a bad?  I think it can be both.  Sometimes our expectations get in our way and sometimes they push us to try harder.

I can recall experiences from my past in which my parents' high expectations kept me from making poor choices.  But I have also experienced times when I knew that I could never reach my  high expectations and instead of doing my best I felt paralyzed by the realization that I would most definitely fail.  There have also been times when my high expectations have kept me from enjoying the journey.

What are you thoughts on high expectations?

You can check out my Friday Post on Mormon Mommy Writers about my muse.

Come back tomorrow for my interview with Michele Ash Bell about a her newly released book

Summer in Paris.

You won't want to miss it.

Wednesday French Inspiration

Statue of Marcellus* in the Louvre Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Antiquities

"What the heck is he thinking?" 

Many women ask themselves this question very often.  We just don't get men.   I have a problem--my man character is a teenage boy.  If anyone ever reads my manuscript I am hoping they don't say the same things that have been said about Edward Cullens.(Not saying I agree with that article.)

So how can we write what men think?  I think first you have to accept that men and women are very different creatures mentally.  So if you are like me and you need to learn to write believable men get out there and start learning.  If you like to laugh while you learn, then watch this video about what Mark Gungor has to say about the differences between the sexes.

Who is your favorite fictional male?  Was he written by a woman?

 * Am I the only one that noticed the only finger remaining on Marcellus? (That was part of the reason we took his picture.)

Did you know that you can now hear more from me on Fridays at Mormon Mommy Writers?

My contribution last Friday was about the need for wholesome books.

If you live in Utah or will be there in April,

please respond to the polls in the right sidebar about the

Seriously in Real Utah Life Meeting.

If none of the suggestions in the poll work leave a comment and let me know.

Wednesday French Inspiration

Arc de Triomphe at the center of the Place Charles de Gaulle

Writing a novel is a lot like driving around the Arc de Triomphe.  

You have all these ideas and hope converging into one novel.  You have to be a little crazy and a little daring to drive right into the middle of things.  Some times you get cut off, some things may hold you up.  There are no lines that you must stay within.  You forge your own path.  Heck, you may even end up in a few accidents in the process.  You may miss your stop the first time around.  But you just keep going until you get another shot.  But in the end you come out on the other side and you feel grateful to be alive and a sense of accomplishment.  (At least that is what I am assuming.)

Below is just one of many videos on You Tube about this crazy one of a kind roundabout.

Where are you at in your roundabout?

 You really should check out the links under the picture to get a better vision of the process.  Great stuff there.

Did you know that you can now hear more from me on Fridays at Mormon Mommy Writers?

My contribution last Friday was about the merits of writing.

If you live in Utah or will be there in April,

please respond to the polls in the right sidebar about the

Seriously in Real Utah Life Meeting.

If none of the suggestions in the poll work leave a comment and let me know.

Wednesday French Inspiration

America is my country and Paris is my hometown - Gertrude Stein

Today I am somewhat empty.  I am missing Paris.  It has been almost a year since my brief visit and I am craving a sequel.  No matter how many chocolate bars and croissants I eat, I just can't recreate that feeling of joy I felt every time I stepped into the Parisian streets, the cafes, the museums. 

When you finish a great book with compelling setting and lovable characters it is hard to accept that it is over .  You want there to be a sequel.  You crave more.  Your heart can't adjust to the truth that you must return to reality.  You feel somewhat empty.

How do you return to reality?

Did you know that you can now hear more from me on Fridays at Mormon Mommy Writers.

My first contribution was last Friday about criticism.

If you live in Utah or will be there in April, 

please respond to the polls in the right sidebar about the 

Seriously in Real Utah Life Meeting.

If none of the suggestions in the poll work leave a comment and let me know.