So much to say...where do I start!! These last two weeks have been very memorable and it feels like Istanbul was months ago!! I am loving Paris more and more by the year. Kind of like N.Y, every time I go back I see a whole-other side of the city. I can't wait till I can come back without having to play a tournament. Looking back at the match against Schnyder, I think it's the proudest I've felt about my performance in quite a while. Not just because I won but because of how I kept on fighting and not letting anything bother me....all I could think of during the match was how Mike's mom kept fighting for her life...and it made me feel so grateful for having the opportunity to fight for a tennis win rather than life. She was one of the strongest people I have ever met and I will never forget her. It's been strange not seeing Michael in the box, but he was watching each one of my matches on tv and told me that if there ever was a chance that his hair would grow back, there's definitely no chance now. Apparently watching it on tv is worse than watching it live...wasn't sure that was possible!!

So what did I do after I lost? I went to this amazing Moroccan restaurant 404, which is really a must. We also decided to visit the Eiffel Tower because it was Eric's dream to get a crepe from one of those stands by the road. Oh and for some apparent reason....still not quite sure who's idea it was.....but we decided to ride the carousel....mature isn't it! Of course I decide to wear 4 inch Loubatin stilettos to dinner, CLEARLY not knowing I was going to be walking on brick roads and riding a carousel when I put them on. Munching on a crepe, barefoot, under the Eiffel Tower is not exactly your typical evening, but a pretty unforgettable one. The following day was a shopping extravaganza because how could you possibly leave Paris without having an extra 20 pounds in your suitcase? I went to the one and only Rick Owens store( I told you I'm obsessed with him right now) which let me into another little secret of Paris...the Royal Palace. Didn't see much of the palace but the inside garden and fountain is a great little hide-away from the city. Also went to the most amazing little vintage shops that I have been wanting to visit for years.... there's nothing like buying one-of-a-kind vintage Chanel or YSL pieces from the 1960's! Oh and for anyone that loves candles must go to Hotel Costes and get the lavender one in the purple cup...I never leave Paris without one.

So now I'm in Birmingham, and shockingly it is not raining....YET! Can you believe this is my 5th year here?? Brings back so many great memories. And tomorrow is my first practice on grass....rain or shine I'm practicing!!

My friends were not too disappointed about my loss either. One of them back in L.A wrote the following text " Just woke up and saw the result. Boohoo! You'll conquer them next time. Maxfield's is having that private 40% sale this weekend...I'm going to call you if I see anything you MUST have. I miss my shopping buddy!" I love them!!

As far the best quotes this week, it's too bad most of them are R rated because there were some genius ones...I take the credit for the best one but keeping my mouth shut. Here's a PG13...Driving back to the hotel, going about 40kmh this lady decided to cross the intersection right in front of us....not sure what made her think we were slowing down, or that it was her turn to walk on a light that was clearly red. Eric said 'Some people just don't realize that the car is bigger than them'.

Ok so I've been reading this much-talked about book 'The Secret". It's definitely gives people a positive outlook on many things, but there was one example in there that I couldn't stop laughing about. One said that the moment he started believing that he was going to get a parking space in the front of the building 95% of the time, he got it exactly where he imagined it. I'm all for believing, having faith and knowing but can we please have a reality check? Getting a parking spot has nothing to do with sending a message to the Universe....my opinion.

Pretty disappointed that Grey's Anatomy is over .....getting low on my airplane material.

I am having trouble uploading my Paris pictures on my computer but once the Universe manifest's my wants, I'm sure you'll get them in no time!! Haha!! Oh and I am going to have Eric write a doodle...he has a great sense of humor and now that he's back home and his heart has settled down, I'm sure he'll have plenty of free time. Bye!!

Maria