Chasing Pigeons

     The last few weeks, I have been spending about 12 hours a day on my feet, running around Paris in a wild historic adventure, and another 6 doing homework. I finally finished, ( that's right, ladies and gents, my degree is DONE!) ( whoa, weird! Is this real life?) I hosted two lovely ladies in Paris for my last weekend and really enjoyed sharing 'my city' with them. Apparently, when telling stories and histories, I have a tendency to refer to the French as 'we'... Um...not sure what caused that and I should probably apologize and try to fix it but...I don't want to. So take that! Ha! ?

     The trip to Dublin was way longer than it should have been, but I made it safe and sound. I still use my French all the time, as a reflex, and the customs agent was pretty skeptical of me for that reason haha but hey,he gave me a stamp!

      I have just slept and watched movies and read since I got here, a break I really needed. 

     So, Paris...how did I like it? It was wonderful. A very different, and sometimes quite difficult experience conpared to my last trip. Every thing about the structure of this trip was new, and I learned ( again ) how much I value my indepence, but I met some great people, learned A LOT about the city and enjoyed my stay. I am so grateful I had the experience, and especially for the help of my parents when my financial aid evaporated the month before my departure. Mom and Dad, thank you. Being broke in a foreign city known for its extravagance was an interesting experience that I would not take back, but you kept me from starving and I appreciate that. 

     So, Dublin. Much more relaxed than Paris, also way dirtier. I don't feel the need to make grandiose life statements about what I'm accomplishing here, there's no judgement or competition, I don't feel the need to earn my place, but I do feel the need to wear a full face of make up ( which I NEVER do in Paris ). I feel like I can be myself here, whoever that is on any given day. But this is not my city and neither is Paris. They're great, to be sure. But not meant to be my home. 

     I feel a lot of peace in knowing that. Where to next? 

   I feel my whole life opening up, now that a bachelors is on my resume. It's a freedom I wasn't expecting, and I celebrated by buying a pleasure novel, 'Wonder Boys', which I'm really enjoying so far.  And parks. I love to visit and spend time in parks. I read, write, watch the people, ponder my next big scheme or latest minor humiliation ( like butchering my English in a shop this morning ). I love to take strolls, or brisk walks, depending on my mood. And I like to chase the pigeons. French, Irish, American, all pigeons are fun to chase, and I make it my goal to shoo them into flight whenever I see them.  

     So I'm not really sure where I'm going next, but it's been a great year, and I'm looking forward to another one. 

Check my Facebook for a mass picture upload, since I have no desire to organize them into blog posts right now. I'm enjoying the moments, undocumented, for right now. 

Au revoir, Paris!