X-Games, French Alps Edition!

This week I was able to cross yet another bucket-list activity off the list: snowboarding in the Alps!

Allysan and I- atop the "Grande Motte" Glacier on the French/Italian border! We were 3200M up, and from here we could see Mont Blonc! 

Mid-day snowboarding break

Through the USA connection of my roommate and great friend, Allysan (above), (who's father worked for ESPN-) we were able to stay and enjoy the magical region along the French/Italian border. While Allysan worked for ESPN for the past week--learning a lot about the live-television production world-- I was able to experience some of my favorite days since being in Europe- and with out a doubt some of my favorite days out on slopes. Best seen through videos- you can check out the view from the slopes, as well as the HUGE super pipe/slopes course set up for ESPN's Winter X-games (extreme sports competition that Allysan worked/we enjoyed). Snowboarding by day/watching the events of some of the best skiers/snowboarders by night?! Not a bad way to spend the week!

Watching the athletes every night gave me a whole new appreciation for extreme sports! The adrenaline was palpable! I love watching live-sports, especially these events, complete with an atmosphere of a music-festival! The crowds were singing, dancing, and encouraging the athletes along the sidelines. 

Here, a short video I took on the first night of competition on the super-pipe (with the blizzard like snow!)

It felt SO GOOD to be back among mountains! It reminded me of my beautiful last summer out in Wyoming, except with exponentially more mountains than the peaks of the Tetons! Plus, I also got to learn a bit, through meeting Ally's colleagues for the week (associate producers, etc) about the magic of live television, and all that goes into the makings! On Friday, the last day of competitions, I also got to enjoy the "wrap party" celebration for the end of another ESPN production of the winter X-games! 

Catch the party atmosphere at 3200m! 

One of my favorite Zen Spots I found on the mountain

France is such an amazing country! Living in Paris, it is hard to believe that the same country of Haussman architecture and La Tour Eiffel also has this dissimilar mountain culture, nestled within the alps. I loved every minute of being here. I have no doubt I will return!

A False Spring & Maison de Retraite

False springs: March is schizophrenic (weather wise)! Last weekend, in a burst of unexpected warmth, the weather made a sharp turn-around towards spring- reaching up to 15 degrees centigrade! The "hot flash" was only to be shot down by HEAVY snowfall this week... however I spotted flowers budding through the snow in Luxembourg just yesterday (as seen below). Thus, the Springish, non-scarf-demanding weather proved false--at least for the time being. But I am seeing glimpses of the beautiful spring to come!

 Regardless of the temperature yo-yoing, Paris under the snow is a magical, quieting, beauty that the city wears majestically. I would welcome it gladly anytime of the year. False or not, Spring is inevitably on it's way and I cannot wait to decide where, as Hemmingway put it "...to be happiest."

"When spring came, even the false spring, there were no problems except where to be happiest." - Ernest Hemmingway, Paris: A Moveable Feast

*Click on pictures to enlarge

Pan qui danse in the Luxembourg yesterday (violets in bloom below)

Not your typical promenade through the Lux

Last Saturday I enjoyed the *warm* weather with my Rotaract Club, in one of our bi-monthly visits with a Maison de Retraite (retirement home, en anglais). This Retirement home is beautifully located just across from the Seine River, in the posh suburb of St. Cloud. This week, we took our older friends outside, engaging in a lively game of "Srab-bleh"  (French pronounciation of the game of Scrabble.)

 It proved to be a pretty formidable challenge for me to play in French, as, despite me only speaking French with my partner, (and everyone else!) my first instinct was still to play English words! Thankfully, I had a champion teammate with my friend Monsieur René, who plays frequently on their computer in the home. M. René and I took the cake! (And, he let me eat some of his pain-au-chocolat during their gouter (snack time). Clearly, we were fast friends!)

Enjoying some sunshine and company: Maison de Retraite

Scrabblin' (aka Anne's French vocab practice!)

Les Gagnants! (The winners!)

It's great hearing the stories of the older French people, learning of their perspectives from all over France, and sharing an afternoon made better for all by age and cultural exchange. Plus, I love their look of surprise when I tell them I am from the United States. Looking forward to our next visit, perfecting my "Scrableh" game, and more sunny days ahead (literally and figuratively).

Habitat Global Village: Portugal

It's official! This May, I am thrilled to be traveling to Braga, Portugal as a member of a Habitat Global Village Team sponsored by Rotary Club-Champs Elysées and sent from the American Church of Paris! This is an opportunity first discussed last fall while at an American Church of Paris event, and I am so thankful to now see it come to fruition!

While in Portugal, we will be building houses and hope alongside people in need of decent, affordable housing. From South Dakota to the Bahamas, mission/work trips have been some of my most profound memories in my life. I am looking forward for this opportunity to again experience another culture and share good energy and love.


In order to travel, we are beginning the long process of fundraising. Easter bake sales, after church bake sales, and, most importantly (read: lucratively, ha), a huge concert on April 12th at the American Church in Paris, complete with great musicians and an orchestra brought in by the Rotary Club-Champs Elysées. (See flyer below) If you are in the Paris area, or will be April 12th-- SEE ME FOR TICKETS! 

Check out this link below to learn more about my trip, Habitat's work and how you can help us get there. Any and all mental/emotional/physical/financial advice or assistance you can provide will be well-received with a thankful heart. 

www.habitat.org/cd/gv/participant/participant.aspx?pid=93519456

Semi Marathon de Paris

For those of you who know me, you probably know that I love sports- athletics in general. For those of you who know me well, you undoubtedly know that  I viewed running as a necessary-evil unfortunately hidden within my love of soccer, basketball, and all things athletic.

My outlook on running, much like my outlook on other things over the course of this year, has changed.

Two weekends ago I ran the ½ Marathon in Paris! Though I was prepared to experience many new things moving abroad, I have to admit long-distance running was far off my radar of anticipated new encounters.  Frankly, I was nervous, underprepared (these Parisian snows did not help my training schedule), and unsure of what running 13.1 miles would do to my mind/body/spirit. Who would have thought my mind/body/spirit could end up BETTER at the END of the race?

I loved it- the energy before (as seen dancing before the race began below), the challenge during, and the amazing feeling after completing something physically and mentally demanding with 40,000 others doing the same. Throughout the race, my memories of enjoying competing in soccer throughout my life flooded back. I loved seeing the streets of Paris blocked off by firefighters, families, and on-lookers with signs of “ALLEZ!” and “LES POMPIERS SONT AVEC VOUS!” cheering us on. Their support really energized me. I had almost forgotten how much I love competition, and this one in particular, as it was with one of my hardest opponents-myself. It also helped to have a beautiful almost-Spring day, and a great friend since birth, Emily, (who lives in the South of France) leading the way.

I cannot wait to sign up for my next race! Watch out world, I think I'm hooked!