Saturday, July 2, 2011

Au Revoir


Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.


By the time many of you see this video, we will be on a plane, winging our way back across the Atlantic to our home in Washington, DC.  While I'm sad that our Parisian adventure is over and cannot watch this video without welling up, my heart is filled with joy from the amazing experiences we've had and the many wonderful friends we've made.

In writing this blog, I've been purposefully oblique about many details of my family life.  The video finally reveals some of these, including photos of our neighborhood, my children, my husband, and yes, even one of me.   As for the song choice, it's not a bit Parisian but the words seemed to capture what I most want to say to those with whom I spent time here and to Paris herself.

I remain undecided as to whether I will continue to blog back in DC.  But if I do, I'll post here to let you know where to find me.  In any case, my thanks to everyone who has followed along with our adventure.  It was my pleasure to write about the experience of being an American in Paris and I'm honored that so many of you seemed to enjoy it just as much.

43 comments:

Roberto said...

I thoroughly enjoyed your blog. Pity it has to end :(

All the best.

@robertoaust (twitter)

Starman said...

Au revoir, madame. It was our pleasure to read your most inciteful blog entries.

Colin said...

Bravo, bon voyage. Have enjoyed your blog greatly for the last 18 months since learning about it while planning a trip to Paris.
Colin

Mary Kay Bosshart said...

Welcome home, Anne! The video is a beautiful tribute to the fours years that your family spent in Paris. Cherish the memories. And best wishes adjusting to life in D.C. I'll keep an eye on this space to see if the blogging adventure continues.

Unknown said...

Safe travels back Anne, I've loved meeting you and your blog really has been a valuable resource to not only me but everyone with a dream of coming to Paris! Keep on blogging.....

Jean(ne) in MN said...

Welcome back, Anne and family. Thank you for all the wonderful, informative and personal posts that have greeted me daily--my Paris fix. I hope the site will stay up as it is full of useful info for all.
Mille mercis!

Pat's Addition said...

What a nice tribute in pictures to Paris. Just watching the Tour (looks like a beautiful day in the countryside)and thinking of you on the plane. Welcome home.

Harriet said...

Loved the video...a wonderful way to say good-bye. Wishing you all the best!

Susan said...

Best wishes Anne and it was a pleasure to meet you! We spent the day in Yvelines today - I found out about it through your blog. Both of your blogs are great resources that I'll continue to use for years to come, I'm sure. I hope you write about life back in the US - it would be so interesting to read about a returning expat's experience.

Anonymous said...

loved the song choice and the video ... captures it perfect !

Dan said...

On a recent trip to Paris I hiked along the Essonne, following a trail I learned about from your blog. Thanks so much for letting us share your experiences! Best wishes.

Kathleen said...

Your video brought back many of my own happy memories of Paris. (I found your blog before we traveled there. I would have stayed four years, too!)Well done.... Virginia, USA left a light on for you. Welcome home.

Maria Speidel said...

Anne,

Thank you for sharing your adventure. I've been a faithful reader and enjoyed your window on life in Paris. What a beautiful, bittersweet video.You and your family are adorable, I wish you the best of luck during your re-entry into life in the states AND I hope you keep blogging. Just Another American in Paris has been such a great example of a sprightly, informative, upbeat and fun blog.

All the best,
Maria in L.A.

Peter (the other) said...

Geez, you were about the only blogger I could count on for something to read on an almost daily basis. You will be very missed, for the substance of the blog was you, not Paris. Washington has regained a great citizen... it is lucky. I wish you and the family the best.

Thank you,

Isabelle said...

Merci beaucoup Anne, pour votre blog. Je vous ai lu très souvent de Rennes, et j'ai pu améliorer mon vocabulaire anglais en m'amusant. C'était aussi très intéressant de voir son pays à travers un œil étranger !
je vous souhaite un très retour chez vous.
Je penserais à vous quand j'irais chez Picard ! (mais pas à chaque fois, j'y vais trop souvent !)
Isabelle

Anonymous said...

anne,

enjoyed your blogging very much!

roche

p.s. is your husband going to call his mother anytime soon? maybe even his brothers and sisters?

Amy said...

What a beautiful farewell. Thank you for sharing this last bit of your Parisian life with us! I'll miss this little French respite to my southern Minnesota life.

LynneG said...

Thanks for your blog, and for the very sweet goodbye- esp. liked the way the The Thinker meshed with the lyrics! Seems appropriate that you arrive home over this holiday weekend- welcome back!

Maureen Morrow said...

Really lovely video Anne...welcome home.

Anne said...

Thanks everyone for your lovely comments. In our first 24 hours stateside, we've enjoyed cheddar cheese and salsa, picked up our new Toyota Prius, and taken a look at our house which our tenant vacated earlier in the week. Tomorrow we look forward to Fourth of July celebrations; the timing feels good.

Sweet Feak said...

Snif. Anne, I feel you leaving Paris almost as acutely as when I left. So bittersweet. Hold dear to your gratitude and good memories, and get ready for a wonderful new chapter, stateside!

Anonymous said...

anne- was away for an overnight at the new jersey shore...just got home and had to check on the last post...i got filled up watching your memories pass by...your family is BEAUTIFUL..WELCOME HOME!!!!!!!-georgeanne- philadelphia

Anonymous said...

Au revoir, I'll miss you. Your blog has been my favorite. I've learnt a lot about my own country. You could start a new blog: Just a former parisian in DC. Just think about it.
Bisous, rentrez bien! Take care.

Anonymous said...

Well done! Your slice of life photos are lovely. I've enjoyed your words and views and wish you and your family une tres bonne continuation!

La Mom-an American Mom in Paris said...

Anne, it's the end of an era. Good luck back in the States. The Paris blogosphere won't be the same without you.

La Mom
An American Mom in Paris

mes yeux ouverts said...

Beautiful. I have so enjoyed your blog since I discovered it in the last few months. So, it's even more a pity (for me) to see your story in Paris come to an end. I'll watch the video a few more times while I dream my own Paris dreams.

Sasho said...

Bien venu à nos États Unis. J'attends votre prochaine écriture.

Julie said...

Thank you, your blog and writings have been a tonic and I can only wish you as much positivity (I know, even if a smudge forced at times!) as you return to your new old life. And that is an adventure in itself. Regards, from someone envious of your new old life situation. There's a blog in that, for sure. Take care,
Julie

MsChe said...

Thank you so much for your blog. I've been reading it for the past couple of years. I will genuinely miss it. Best wishes on your endeavors!

Kevin said...

Enjoyed every post, Anne. Thanks for bringing a bit of Paris alive each day. All the best to you and your family in life's next adventure.
Kevin

Ann said...

Great slideshow, Anne! Good luck in the States -- we are waiting for your next blog, should you decide to start a new one (and I hope you do!).

Anonymous said...

What they said--I've followed along since almost the beginning and am sad to see your blog come to an end. I'll continue to use it as a resource too. Next trip to Paris for me, Monday--whee!! Best of luck back in the States. Start planning your first Paris visit!

Kasia Dietz said...

Lovely tribute Anne! It was a pleasure meeting you and sharing this Paris chapter. I am certain it will remain with you and your family forever. Best of luck settling back in the US!

Naperville Now said...

surely the blog can continue aux etats-unis, non?

Laura said...

Wish you all the best back home.
How weird, I was sure you had two boys... lol

Mark said...

As you leave Paris, I move to Pristina. I like your blog and hope to use it as an example of a good travel blog. I plan on updating my friends and family with a travel blog from Pristina. Thanks.

Susan said...

So sweet...you have made memories to last a lifetime. Safe travels and I hope your transition goes smoothly.

devis said...

I really enjoyed your blog. thank you so much.

Paris said...

Thanks for writing this blog...I had the most wonderful time reading...We'll miss you! Good luck with everything:)

François Roland said...

Very nice peek of my beautiful Paris. You captured not only what makes Paris being "Paris" but also the striking cosmopolitan diversity that can be found in my old city. And I was very amused that you chose one picture of my own 12th arrondissement’ commissariat de police which is fine but maybe a little "gay oriented" for a place where Police is supposed to operate! :)

I had spotted it in my own blog in the past of course!
http://chatlibre.blog.lemonde.fr/2006/02/22/2006_02_toute_la_grce_d/

Hey ! Keep in touch with us while you’ll be back in USA ! :)
I’m a pure Parisian, I was born there, but I just wrote an e-book in English about our French way to sensuality and mainly targeting an American audience. It’s called “Being French!” an Amazon.com let people read the first 12% of it. So if any interest for you and your friends wanting to know more on our French ways to love and sex, just check my URL.

Yours truly
François Roland

Paris of milk and honey said...

Oh no, I just found your blog and then it says "Au revoir"?! :( but nevertheless, it's lovely and I will click through all the former entries - because I miss Paris so much, lucky you, that you've lived in the most beautiful city on earth :)! And when you sad because of leaving, "you'll always have Paris" (in your memories :) )...

alexyeh09@gmail.com said...

like!

Luiza said...

I'm really considering moving to Paris in about 2 years and I'm writing about it. I know it'll be very hard, but there's no other way to know if it'll work than going! Kinda the same thing you did. Hope I don't feel the need to come back...

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