Ups and Downs

but usually more ups than downs. It has been raining the past week or so and been very cloudy, but today was absolutely beautiful here in Le Vesinet. I just returned from a little grocery shopping run and instead of going to the store that is a 5 minute walk, I went to one a little further away--almost 2 miles away--so I could enjoy the evening. Don't worry, I didn't go alone. I had Bob, Gillian, Amos, and Damian come along for the ride. (That of course means Bob Dylan, Gillian Welch, Amos Lee, and Damian Rice.) I am so glad that I live in Le Vesinet rather than the city. Someone knew what they were doing when they assigned me to live here. There is grass-- grass you can actually walk on. And run on. And there are ducks. I love ducks. Le Vesinet = a definite up.

I bought train tickets a few days ago to go to Germany. My parents were supposed to visit some family friends and I was going to meet them there and stay next Wednesday through Sunday. Well, someone failed to mention to them that you can't travel to Germany if your passport expires within then next 3 months. Which they do. So... I have train tickets to Germany, but no parents to meet. Very VERY sad day. I can't decide if I should still go or if I should get my tickets refunded. Germany tickets = up. Parents not there = down.

I have been sick the past few days. I am feeling much better today, but two days ago I was miserable. No, not swine flue. Simply a cold. I've been drinking lots of tea. Thank the heavens for tea. And I finally felt good enough to go running today for the first time since Monday. Being sick = definite down.

Study abroad in Paris is lonely. I knew this when I signed up for it. I'm pretty okay with being alone. It has its benefits, certainly. But people are great too. Being alone = up and down.

Here's a link to my photo essay this week: Photo Essay The theme was either storefronts or jobs, and I chose storefronts. Our professor wanted us to get creative for the essay portion of this week's post, so I chose to use the names of the stores to make the text of my essay. The text is just one sentence: "La joie de vivre et beaux livres sont la cle au bonheur du jour." For those non-French speakers out there, here's a translation: "The joie de vivre and beatufiul books are the key to daily happiness." I like this essay. I hope my professor does too.