Full Speed and Running: The Countdown Begins

The other night while lying in bed, I had math equations running through my head. I bought my plane ticket home for May 3^rd, giving me 74 more days in France. Out of those 74 days, only 22 are work days. That means that only 29.7% of my time left here will be filled working. So what will I do with the other 2/3^rds of my time?

For starters, I’m headed to Spain tomorrow! For reasons unknown, this country has been calling my name for quite some time. I’m following the tourist track and will be spending the first few days in Barcelona, then finishing the week out in the country's capital, Madrid. Of course I’ll be checking off items in my book of things to do as I go along, which includes “have chocolate con churros after an all-nighter in Barcelona”. This will hopefully be completed on Tuesday, aka Mardi Gras.

After my return from Spain, I will have another six weeks of work before my final two weeks of vacation. I only work Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, hence the remaining 22 work days. If only I could work the next three weeks straight and still be paid for the remaining 52 days and just travel nonstop. Although I’m sure I’d run out of money sooner rather than later… It’s actually good for me to have to take time off from traveling. It gets expensive!

When I look at my time like this, I can already see it flying by! I knew this would happen. Doesn’t it always? You hit the half way mark and BOOM, you’re running at full speed. I’m going to do my best to complete the things I still have left on my list, but I’m also going to savor all the time I have for doing nothing. Because let’s get real. I will probably never have this much free time for myself until I’m retired. Gotta soak it up while I’ve got it.

Contentment

This past week I found myself with a little extra spring in my step and caught myself walking through my days with an unexpected grin on my face.

Things that made me smile:

Now just imagine the snowflakes falling and
seeing there's still 40 minutes left on the timer.

• Having the first real snow begin while doing my laundry for the first time in six weeks. Remember the picture of me sitting outside waiting for my clothes to finish washing?
• Seeing a typical French woman in her black high heel boots trudging through the snowfall with an umbrella in hand. Who does that?!
• Getting smart about buying new groceries by Google Translating the names first. Assuming that cornstarch and brown sugar will clearly present themselves is only makes things harder.
• Heading down the baking goods isle to realize InterMarche had gotten a makeover.  The sugar is no longer next to the flour and the tea is now accompanied by the chocolate. I’m having to relearn the grocery store. It brings back lost memories from my first weeks in Commercy.
• Hearing my name loudly yelled out from across the store. My students are everywhere.
• Having a group of male students stand directly behind me in the checkout line when the two lanes on either side of me were clearly open. Then hearing them debating amongst themselves whether or not I understood what the cashier was saying to me.
• Finding myself with a group of students playing piano and being asked to join in on the sing-along of Titanic’s “My Heart Will Go On”.
• Waving at my students from across the street and realizing how awkward they looked imitating my gesture. The wave does not blend well into the French culture.
• Walking past a group of three middle schoolers jamming out to “Cotton Eyed Joe”. See video below.
• Holding my first official Language Club. I tried to start it before Christmas, but no one came. This week a girl asked me about it and after changing the day and time, I met with four English enthusiastic students.
• Meeting one-on-one with a sophomore girl wanting to practice her English, but who seemed to only be able to produce German words. “Ich habe one Bruder. Ich like lesen.” I was so thankful for my one semester of German!
• Having the sun shine bright two days in a row and still seeing a bit of light out when leaving the school at 6pm.

Without even knowing, my effort of enjoying each day has started to become habit. I can say with all certainty, that I am so thankful for my time here in Commercy and wouldn't change any of it for the world. I pray that when I find myself in unpleasant situations, that I can think back to this and allow the smiles to continue.

I couldn't believe I was seeing twelve year old French kids dancing to this in public. Too funny!