Fifteen years ago, I met with love on New York's Prince Street. The stuff of fairy tales? Mais oui! He was a handsome Italian living in Paris. Five months and many visits after our first encounter, I bid farewell to my family, friends, and customs and , welcoming all the curiosities and clichés composing my new life.
Thanks to my Polish mother, I had an and an open mind that I credit to my bicultural upbringing. And, looking back after well over a decade of la vie Parisienne, I can say I've adapted well. There have been difficulties along the way.
After all, Paris is still one of the . But these five lifestyle changes have allowed me to in the best way — you may want to give them a try wherever you are. Lunch was more of an afterthought during my , where I'd often stare into my computer screen while gulping down a Cobb salad.
These days, lunch is an event. Whether I'm attending a fancy work lunch or grabbing a bite with friends, I take time to consider not only the menu but also my company. Sometimes, even a glass of wine is part of the ceremony.
On days when I'm pressed for time, I'll dine at home or pick up a fresh baguette and savor every crispy bite from a bench in my neighborhood park. Eating on the run (or in the metro) is a thing of the past. I also allow for a coffee break in the afternoon in which I perch at a café and watch the world go by, even for just a moment.
Cooking has become a regular ritual, and one that I even enjoy, particularly when my Italian chef.
