Au revoir pour l'instant Paris, mon amour. Je serai de retour très bientôt.

Le Cordon Bleu Graduation
I did it! It took a village of students from class  (3 specifically, Shayda, Yumi and Pelin-whom I will forever be thankful) who came over to my apartment almost every day for the last few weeks after class to help me practice dozens of recipes, but long story short,  I graduated from my 3 month Basic French Pastisserie course. I have a certificate to bake french pastry in hand as I leave my beloved city of Paris. Excited to report that I am making macaroons for Rose's baby shower in November.

Graduation, picking up my certificate. www.lcbparis.com

Took an additional course in macaroon baking so I can make the perfect macaroon for the baby shower (coconut, passion fruit and citron with pineapple filling. www.lenotre.com 

Passion fruit macaroons with a light dusting of cocoa powder.

Filling the macaroons with passionfruit chocolate and coconut filling.

Farewell to my beloved Paris
There are no goodbyes for us. Wherever you are, you will always be in my heart." Mahatma Gandhi

This amazing city and my dear friends from this journey will always be in my heart. God blessed me with the most amazing people during this 4 month adventure...in fact,  the city itself feels like an old friend.  I am so sad to leave but looking forward to the exciting life God has planned ahead for me.

"How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard." A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

Mom's visit-one of the highlights of my time in Paris
My beautiful and kind mother made her first real trip to Europe to watch me graduate from Le Cordon Bleu. During my mom's lifetime she was so busy taking care of us and working that she did not have the opportunity to travel abroad but she has always supported and encouraged me to see the world and follow my dreams, for that I will be forever thankful.

Took mom on a tour of the Louvre, love this place.

"A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts." Washington Irving. My time with my mom in my favorite city will be one of the memories I cherish for the rest of my life.

Took my mom to Le Jules Verne for a proper French cuisine lunch in the Eiffel tower, highly recommend this. http://www.lejulesverne-paris.com

And so........ let the second phase of my Journey begin (a few more stops in Europe by Eurail then India, Singapore and Indonesia)
My friend Holland is joining me for the next two weeks before I leave for India, we will be visiting my dear friend Anne in Amsterdam for a few days, then traveling by train through Germany and Austria before we head to Mykonos. Not sure when I will post next but I definitely plan on writing a wrap up of my journey with Holland and of course, I will update everyone on India, Singapore and Indonesia.  I read a great quote that goes along with the second half of this journey, "Travel far enough you meet yourself".  I think the next few stops should cover that recommendation...will certainly keep y'all posted.