Sunday, December 26, 2010

Paris yes or no?

paris polaroid
My friend Elaine wants me to housesit for her for 2 1/2 weeks next month in Paris. Normally, I would jump at the chance...but this year I have several job opportunities here in LA and I'm thinking that I should stay put...(Jobs are hard to come by in this economy!)...

Also, I'm not sure I'm up to doing Paris alone at the moment, especially now in the winter when it's dark there forever...

What do you think? Stay in (mostly) sunny LA and work?


UPDATE: I just looked at the fares. I could fly round-trip for $700 and stay at Elaine's for free...
what to do?



41 comments:

JO PETERS said...

One should never pass up a chance to spend time in Paris..
JO Peters
www.jopeters.blogspot.com

Laura {Gypsea Tree} said...

Always say yes to Paris!

Sara said...

For me it would depend on how much I had in savings.

Emma said...

Look I'm a spontaneous girl and I sometimes think random things like this happen for a reason so I would go to Paris .. sometimes you have to take a flying leap I guess!

lauren, curious constellation said...

I would usually give you a resounding yes but if you're going to be spending your entire holiday worrying about things back home it might not be the right thing to do although it's not often you're gonna get accommodation for two weeks for free.

In the end I'd just say go to Paris! (:

LenoreNeverM♡re said...

I was there a few weeks ago Tina...if you can brave the brrr-brrr cold, then go for it...there're always the warm museums & galleries to visit, plus food glorious food no?!

xo

Victoria Stitch said...

I'd say stay in sunny LA and work, jobs are hard to come by at the moment! plus you might get lonely all alone in paris for 2 months!

Ippo said...

I am trying to do the devil's advocate:
Paris is always an amazing balm for the heart.
I lived for 6 months there, and i can tell you that sometimes it can be a little tiring, and gloomy, if your mood isn't perfect.
A change of scenery is a good thing anyway, and Paris can be so amazing and perfect for the soul.

Given the crisis period, if your job offers are interesting and engaging maybe you should stay in LA.
But, if you don't like the jobs, go to paris, without any doubts!!!
Love from Italy

Liza B. Gonzalez said...

I've always been a spontaneous girl...but as time goes by I've learned that my spontaneity sometimes hurt me professionally.

So, stay in LA if there is even the slightest bit of a doubt. Paris will always be there...but a good job opportunity may not.

Good luck in your decision.

Brian Miller said...

i would get on the plane...

Brandi said...

Wow. Tough decisions. I'd stay in LA and work; jobs really are hard to come by and could lead to bigger opportunities. I know it's awful to pass up some lovely quality time in Paris. In the end, do what you think would be best for you.

Christine said...

Any chance you can work from there? That would be perfect scenario. But I still say go for it.

April J Harris said...

I adore Paris - it is one of my favourite places on earth - but we are having a really yucky winter here in Europe this year. Lots of snow and travel disruption = not a lot of fun. Given the chance I'd definitely choose LA this year - especially as you have the added incentive of some new opportunities. But follow your heart!!

Suse said...

So torn...is there any way you can do the work from Paris?

serendipity said...

No dilemma, whatsoever!
Paris it is!!
but it's you decision, only!

Have a nice time whatever you do

Kisses from rainy (!!) Greece

Tamara said...

Caveat: I'd take Paris over LA any day. I'm of the pale, museum going, wandering persuasion.

I think the Musee Rodin and Musee Picasso would be all kinds of wonderful in the winter. Probably some good ambiance for Ste. Chapelle and Notre Dame as well. Chilly months are pretty wonderful for cafes and a lot of the attention to detail that makes french food great (cafe au lait and croissants in the am, country foods in the evening or those longish meals). Great photo opportunity as well, for some less typical shots, if you like those.

I'd go for soak in nice bubbles from l'occitane and some real croissants for 2 weeks, myself, if funds allow.

jillian :: cornflake dreams. said...

just think about where you would have more fun for 2weeks. dont stay in LA if youre just going to be thinking about paris and vice versa. either way im looking forward to more posts! xoxo jcd
http://cornflakedreams.blogspot.com/

Pauli Rocker said...

I would definetely go to Paris, but considering all about your work and everything just think about pros and cons, and consult more people or the ones that had been in this situation, x!

Anonymous said...

I'd say yes ---- but just so you know, it's damn cold at the moment!

secretfragileskies said...

Paris is magic. And there's snow! I would bundle up and go in a heartbeat!

mandyface said...

I'd be happy to help you out by taking the Paris gig! ;)

Giulia said...

Tina--

I just went through some of your Paris posts (& finally visited your professional website...late to it, sorry). Unless you can parlay this into an interview or two, a specific story (even if it's "I shouldn't have gone but I had this house-sitting gig" (as in this post & spin it out from that) to be pitched beforehand (always knowing it could be spiked, of course), I wouldn't go now. So that's a probably not but maybe you can make it work. I'm loathe to tell anyone to give up an opportunity but I am also loathe to think that cold, dark Paris is always the answer. Buona fortuna either way. (Now, if it were Rome...)

xo

Raj said...

I'd say yes to Paris
It sounds like a wonderful opportunity, and I imagine Paris is so magical this time of year
Obviously only you can weigh up the pros and cons and ultimate decide which will be more beneficial for yourself, but sometimes things happen unexpectedly for a reason and the idea of exploring that is just so tempting from my point of view

a. readings said...

I know that it can be tough to find work... i'm there right now. I was there in September, turning down jobs because my bf and I travelled in Germany. Same the year before when we were in Paris.

Choose Paris.

Unless these jobs are going to be so grand that you can travel all over Europe the following month.

Paris.

a. readings said...

I know that it can be tough to find work... i'm there right now. I was there in September, turning down jobs because my bf and I travelled in Germany. Same the year before when we were in Paris.

Choose Paris.

Unless these jobs are going to be so grand that you can travel all over Europe the following month.

Paris.

Nicole Jeannette said...

GOOOOOOOO!!!!

Benedicte said...

The way you ask the question, it looks like you don't REALLY want to go... I live in Paris (and love my town very much) but for the moment it's so cold, wet and dark ; not the best season to enjoy...
i'm dreaming of LA or a place like that !

Anna Mavromatis said...

If you were my sister I would say...
Concentrate with a positive mood in the work search process in LA. Paris will always be there! Paris in the spring (or fall...) is magnificent; right now it's dreary, gray, with penetrating miserable cold and winter tristesse... Stay in (soon I hope) very sunny and very smiling LA, with the prospect of a very good job soon to come!
I wish you all the very-very best!!!

danielle said...

That is an opportunity I could only dream of. However, it seems that you have the opportunity to visit your friend anytime, really, and stay for free. And airfare to Paris hasn't been much more than $700 for a while now. If you need the work, then perhaps it's more important. Quite jealous!

xx

chicandbonita said...

I would go to Paris, not many people get this opportunity in their lifetime and if you'll only be gone for a couple weeks it shouldn't be too bad.
Enjoy yourself and when you come back you'll be rested and ready to work and not regret not going to Paris.

Global Atelier said...

I would go!

KAJA JEAN said...

oh dear this is a toughie!! at first i thought- no, stay in L.A.! Get work! Further your career!! But now I think that could apply at ANY time in your life, and therefore with that logic you should never travel..so travel! clear your head, go to Paris. Treat yourself. It's only 2.5 weeks, and if the jobs you get in the summer don't happen because of it-maybe it wasn't meant to be. Maybe this trip came up with fate trying to tell you to take a break, re-evaluate your life, eat some cheese and drink some wine! you cannot burn yourself out with work or else you will not be able to work to the best of your abilities. though you can listen to us all you want, you have to follow your gut! good luck and update us as you go along xox.

carina said...

Go! Enjoy Paris. There's more to life than work.

Fifi Flowers said...

Hmmmmm... that is a difficult decision... as practical as I am... I would probably stay in LA for work... however... it's only 2.5 weeks time... hmmmm... do what's BEST for YOU!!!

The Dandelion Chronicles said...

I can see it from your POV but lately I have been in a state of perpetual longing for Paris, so I'd wish some would give me a chance like that! And hey, I only have school and studies here at home :)

A Woman Of No Importance said...

Paris, toujours Paris! x

Cathi said...

Yes,yes,yes to Paris! :)

camille said...

Obviously I would vote for Paris because it's magical this time of year :) Can I just say I adore your blog?! It's full of so much inspiration I could just spend hours here. Off to read some more :) Paris in Pink

Like a Cat said...

My opinion is that you should stay in LA. Last year seemed to be a tough one on your family, financially-I think it would be wise to start this new year off right. Make the prudent decision. Besides, it's not as though you've never been before, and as others have said, it won't be your last opportunity.

roseleann said...

As Audrey Hepburn said in Sabrina:
"Paris is always a good idea."

kendra said...

I think you already know what you need to do. I don't know, but you do. If, that means not going, I'd be happy to help your friend out. :)