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The last three weeks have been a seemingly endless series of welcome parties, get-togethers, receptions, meet-and-greets and cocktail parties - every kind of cheesy or ostentatious soirée my Grandmère can throw together, she’s dragged me to. It’s hard to match her energy.

“You have to meet people,” she insists, “and they have to meet YOU.”
“And why?” I asked, eloquently, but there’s no use resisting - she’s tireless.

The Prime Minister of France - met him. The mayor of Paris, met him, the CEOs of Paribas, L’Oréal, TotalEnergies, AXA, met them, the ministers of the economy, interior and foreign affairs - met ‘em. The US ambassador to France, met him.

In the play “My Fair Lady,” Eliza, meeting people frantically at the races, repeats “How do you do,” over and over and over to great comedic effect. That’s how I feel at these parties, “Enchanté, enchanté, enchanté, enchanté, enchanté.” I say, turning in circles. I’ve met Emmanuel Macron before, but I’m sure I’ll be seeing him again soon. I haven’t met his wife though - I’d love to ask her about that slap.. hhmm.

Is it shocking that I’ve now met anyone who’s anyone at Université Paris Cité? No, because that’s how crazy-lady operates. “You meet everyone, eye-to-eye,” she lectures, “you have to get out of your bubble, and experience the world as interesting,”

That’s her favorite saying these days. “I don’t HAVE a bubble,” I replied, defensively, but she’s left the room - she’s never still. She seems to know we’re on the clock, that once med-school starts, (in September) I’m going to be all about that.

It’s Monday morning. I’ve been at the Shangri-La hotel pool, where we have full privileges, and I’m coated, like a potato, head to foot, with SPF 50 sunscreen - when who shows up?
Peter (my bf). “You’re early!” I say, not at all displeased, but I’m SO conscious of my tacky skin and chemical smell that I face-palm him as he comes in for a snog.
EEuuww. I can’t make-out with a guy when I’m all greased up.
“5 minutes,” I assured him, heading for the shower.
“I’ll join you,” he offered.
“Well, ok,” I chuckle.
.
.
Songs for this:
Better Days by NEIKED, Mae Muller & Polo G
This Girl by Kungs & Cookin' On 3 Burners
Cake By The Ocean by DNCE  [E]

Copyright © | Year Posted 2025



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Date: 8/25/2025 10:36:00 AM
Oh right. I said I envied you being back in an educational environment, but now that you've reminded me of the texts, I'm not so sure. Took me a year to get over the indigestion from all the nursing books I ate. Glad you liked the music. On the odd chance you get a couple of hours you don't know what to do with sometime in the next few years, watch 'DIVA'. It's an intricate and stylish French-language thriller about an opera singer and her fan that this music was written for. <3
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Anais Vionet
Date: 8/31/2025 4:07:00 AM
I saw that movie, it looked interesting - I’ll check it out. I’ve been scanning the books. One thing that occurred to me is that up until now I’ve had, or felt I had to try and be #1, grade wise, because those were important to get into med school. But now I’m there - here - wow, that’s off the table. It’s a liberating idea.
Date: 8/22/2025 12:00:00 PM
Move over Paris Hilton, France has a new socialite, and I see you stumbled upon the Architect from the Matrix too, Anais in wonderland, its a tough job, don’t forget to share the story behind that slap (la claque) enchanté I’m sure :) cheers David
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Anais Vionet
Date: 8/25/2025 8:49:00 AM
Ha! he DOES look like the Architect from the Matrix, I'll have to tell him that ?? Cheers!
Date: 8/20/2025 11:46:00 PM
So your Grandmother owns the Shangri-La Hotel?
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Tom Woody
Date: 8/23/2025 3:53:00 PM
It's Grandmere. Duh
Date: 8/19/2025 6:45:00 PM
It's only matter of time I suppose before you become queen of France, if there is such a thing. Don't worry, Peter will move on...
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Woody Avatar
Tom Woody
Date: 8/20/2025 8:51:00 AM
Yes we're living the simple life and doing well
Vionet Avatar
Anais Vionet
Date: 8/20/2025 6:24:00 AM
Who wants to rule anything? I AM excited about Dairy Queen coming to Paris next year. I don't want Pater to 'move on' - I want him to move IN. I like your biography - but here you are, in a pic with a lady - you aren't heartbroken at all! (That's a good thing).
Date: 8/19/2025 5:08:00 AM
<3 . And here I was thinking you’re at a Left Bank Cafe, wearing a striped boatneck top, black slit skirt and fishnets and thinking about taking your life because of the meaninglessness of existence, but first you must finish your noisette and Gauloises. . . I have a red scarf and beret you can borrow . . . Wait . is that accordion music I hear wafting by the Seine. . .(Was Grandmère in the French Army Special Forces Command by any chance?). . . . Music for this, Promenade Sentimentale - Vladimir Cosma
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Anais Vionet
Date: 8/25/2025 10:14:00 AM
I LOVE the song. No moping here! I've settled in - I even have my books and first semester schedule: Cellular and Tissue Biopathology, Cellular Biochemistry and Genetics, Imaging Techniques, The Cardiovascular System, the Respiratory System, Semeliology (examination skills), General Pharmacology, Medical Psychology, Medical English. Are you ready?!
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