Things are looking up.
As most you know, my first weekend wasn't a good one.
Sunday, I hit bottom. Depressed, stressed, sick, starved (but unable to eat). I knew I had to get out the apartment before I went insane, so I thought a walk around the neighborhood would be nice.
When you picture a French neighborhood, what comes to mind?
Not where I live, that is for sure.
Instead, try to imagine a Stepford Wife-esque neighborhood. All the houses are the same, all the cars are the same, every block is the same. I found a little lake, with a walking path around it, and realized later there is another one a few blocks away. It's like a boring American suburb, but not. So I can't even take any comfort from it.
I don't live in France. I live in French America.
However, starting work has been a much needed distraction that is beginning to lift my spirits. The job will be good, keep me busy, happy, active. I just don't know what to do in my free time. It's crazy, this place is one big party. Which is fine, I understand, and I'm sure I'll join in on the fun too, but every night? I physically couldn't do it, I don't know how these people do.
The best part of my week though has to be my visit from Katie. Katie is an old friend of my brother's and a fellow bridesmaid in his wedding to the lovely Brigitte next year. She has been living in France for 5 months and we have been emailing alot. She was a huge help in preparing me, and such a huge blessing.
She came out to visit me and we spent an hour and a half in Disney Village (downtown disney) talking. Katie gave me so much hope, she is like a pillar of strength I can lean on, since right now I have none of my own.
I can do this. I can do this. I can do this.
It will continue getting better.
I will visit the city of Paris and finally feel like I am in France, not just some twilight zone version of America.
I will be a Disney Character and Princess and make European children smile.
I will get internet in my apartment as soon as I have a bank account and life will be so much better.
You're the first AIM convo I've had in three and a half years. I was like "I have an instant message?? Whoa.. 2005 flashback."
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I'm glad we chatted and I forgot to mention that apparently there's this fast food restaurant in France called the "Buffalo Grill" that desperately tries to be like this all-American Old Western-style home-cookin' eatery. Why the French want to incorporate our culture into theirs I do not know. I'm guessing you won't be eating at the Buffalo Grill any times soon. Glad to hear things are improving and they will undoubtedly get exponentially more fun over time.
Yay! So glad to hear that your spirits a somewhat lifted! Every tiny ounce of happiness that you can squeeze out is good news! It'll get better, little by little - these things take time. Katie is just as excited and grateful to have you there as well so I'm happy for the both of you to be able to lean on each other when needed! Take lots of pics when you hit up Paris :)
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