Just Do It

Well, after an eventful two weeks back in the US, I am back to teaching in France. I started writing this post about how overwhelming the past couple weeks have been, but it's more than that. The past year has been really overwhelming for me. In fact, I was told the other day by someone really close to me that they were beginning to associate me with the word "overwhelmed." I guess that's just the word I use when I have so many emotions going on and I don't feel like pinpointing what they are.

A lot of changes have happened in the past year or so. At the beginning of 2010, I was in a long-term and long-distance relationship. It became clear that our lives were taking us on different paths and it ended. By the end of 2010, I had another long distance relationship (seriously, what's with that?), which I am happy to report is just dandy despite cross-Atlantic communication.

But of course the biggest source of this overwhelmed feeling was moving to France. Doing this meant leaving a secure job I was happy with in Chicago, IL, one of the best cities in the world. I gave up most of my possessions, gave my cat to a very compassionate friend, broke my lease, and couch hopped for about 6 weeks before making the leap across the pond. After voluntarily doing all a lot of things that (tragically) happen to those who are forcefully displaced from their homes, I have to ask myself, (a) "Am I crazy?" and (b) "Was it worth it?" I think we all know the answer to (a) so moving on to (b)...

I am lucky enough to have lots of very wise people giving me advice. My dad has also been a pillar of logic, giving me much-needed practical counseling at times. My sister sees my dilemmas with unusual clarity, and my mom has always believe I could do whatever I want. My oldest brother, a family member who shares my wanderlust, told me that if I want to have an experience like this, it will only get harder as time goes on. Other bits of wisdom I have been lucky enough to hear along the way are, "You have at least 40 years of your life to work, no need to rush to a decision," "You can always make more money, you can never make more time," and "Start a Roth IRA." All good pieces of advice.

I didn't go into this experience expecting too much, but I have enjoyed the ups and the downs so far. And there have definitely plenty. I am looking forward to the next seven weeks here, and then continuing the roller coaster of life back in the states. After all, I have my best friend's wedding and my expecting sister waiting for me in New England, a storage locker and a cat in Chicago, and an apartment in Florida with my name on it. I guess life rarely gets simpler. But why wait for a storm to pass when you can dance in the rain - or better yet, get a wind turbine to turn that storm into green energy :o

I guess my point to this post is, yes, it is worth it. I have been lonely, isolated, missed the hell out of my friends and family, and got hit in the face with language and cultural barriers. BUT, I have skied in the Alps, bathed in thermal baths in Budapest, seen the Lights of Lyon, been to the top of the Eiffel Tower and the basement of a Czech bar. I've also made really great friends. These are experiences that I will probably never have again but will never forget. So if you're a student and can study abroad, do it! If you have vacation time and can spend it doing something new and exciting, do it! And keep in my mind this all coming from someone who has always loved roller coasters; if you're thinking of making a life change that seems "crazy," JUST DO IT! I really believe it when they say, "you will regret the things you don't do more than the ones you do." Et moi, je ne regrette rien.

Edith Piaf, "Je ne regrette rien"

(There is a lovely movie about this woman's life called La Vie en Rose. You should watch it!)