Two years!!!

Hi everyone!

It's official...today is my two year anniversary as a resident of Paris! Two years ago today, Dad and I landed at the airport, each with a cat in a carrier and two suitcases and headed to my sixth floor apartment with a beautiful balcony in the 18th arrondissement.

I remember when I first moved here...meeting people who had been here a year, two years, more. I always wondered, "wow, will I be able to be here that long?" Sometimes I'm amazed that I'm still here, that I've been able to do it this long. Tuesday is my appointment with the préfecture to submit my paperwork in hopes of getting a carte de séjour that will let me work full time and continue my life here. Say prayers, send good vibes, & keep your fingers crossed for me!

In case you're wondering, yes, I do still love living here. I am comfortable here. I feel at home. It's not perfect. I met an American man this week who has lived here since July, and we talked about some of the baffling things Parisians do. He said he thought that it was just kind of an international rule that we walk on the right side of the sidewalk. When he realized that Parisians weren't following that rule he decided to try walking on the left, but that didn't work either. I explained to him that Parisians walk in the middle, and as for where everyone else walks, well, that's not their problem. I could go on, but I won't. In spite of these types of things, I know many wonderful Parisians, and I've got friends from all over the world. I love living in an international city, and that's what Paris is.

Among so many things that I'm thankful for, today I am particularly thankful for:

1)  my wonderfully supportive parents who understand my love of this city and who have given me their full support -- from helping me prepare my house to sell, to moving me, to storing my stuff, to managing my US connections, ...again, I could go on and on
2)  this gorgeous city that is so full of beauty that I still find myself awestruck on a regular basis
3)  all of the great friends I've made here...friends definitely are the family you pick
4)  the opportunities I've had and have to work here and the connections I've made
5)  that I've never for one second regretted my decision to sell most of my belongings, pack up, and move here.

This move seemed like the thing I was supposed to do, and it still does. And I'm thankful for everyone and every circumstance that helped me along the way and that still helps me.

So that's my list today...what about yours?

bisous