Pastry... Tuesday?

Finals week is upon us. I have five exams in four days, and two papers, and on top of all that, am attempting to plan my May travels and ignore the fact that I'm getting sick. Desperate times call for desperate measures, ie. eating pastries on days that aren't Wednesdays. Don't get me wrong, this doesn't mean I'm not eating pastries tomorrow. Having actually LOST weight due to my poverty stricken state in Barcelona, I feel as if I can afford it. In addition, I have only one week left in Lyon, and I don't feel like I've eaten nearly enough pastries. I need to make up for lost time. It will be difficult, but I think somehow I'll manage.

Today's treats were two mini tartelettes that I bought on the way home from school at a cafe near my house. The one on the left was prettier before it was put into a bag, but it was super delicious anyway. It's a tarte au citron, and is basically lemon curd in a little pie. Fantastic. The one on the right is shaped like a little leaf (the only reason why I bought it without any knowledge of its contents) and is cake with jam inside a marzipan coating. Life changing, to say the least.

Now to study. Can't procrastinate any more by writing blogs. More pastries tomorrow.

Barcelona/Mallorca

Since I don't currently have time to write a long blog about my AMAZING time in Spain, I thought I'd put some photos up to tide everyone over for a while. I spent Friday in Barcelona, flew to Mallorca (small island off the coast) on Saturday, and then flew back to Barcelona for the rest of the week on Wednesday. Although I didn't exactly get the beach vacation I was hoping for (I bought a new swimsuit, pathetic), I still had such an incredible time and can't wait to go back one day.

Some friends and I in Gaudi's park, on the longest bench in the world. Great view of Barcelona.

House designed by Gaudi!

Mercat de la boqueria! I got the most delicious juice there for only one euro.

I
La Sagrada Familia! Still under construction until 2026... I'll be 34!

Interior of the Sagrada Familia

Tiny door inside the giant door of our hostel

Ahh, Palma

Another church renovated by Gaudi. He's all over Spain, apparently.

Me on the beach in Mallorca. So heavenly.

Un-Pastry Wednesday!

Today, I was too exhausted to drag myself to a pastry store. Last night was my friend's birthday, so even though it was Tuesday, there were festivities. I had no problem with that, besides the fact that my classes were again 11 am - 8 pm. So when I got home tonight, the stores were closed, and the fridge contained a very special treat that I'd been drooling over ever since I bought it last week.

France's grocery stores don't just have any old pudding selection. They have wonderful special gourmet puddings with coconut flavoring, or caramel at the bottom, or raisins. They even have rice pudding! AND, best of all, they have creme brulée. I am aware that creme brulée from a grocery store is obviously not as good as some from a restaurant, but guess which one was only 2 euros for two little glass pots? They come with a pouch of crunchy caramel to pour on yourself, and it solidifies into a layer much like real creme brulée. It also had real vanilla bean in it. I was extremely happy with the results. The thing about French food is that even grocery store desserts are frighteningly delicious, and so are the pre-made foods. Don't even get me started on their frozen pizzas.

So that's what I dug into tonight, as I watched Grey's Anatomy on my laptop. Barcelona in two days!