Summertime and the living is easy

I hate to jinx it, but I think summer has finally arrived in France. The weather has been a fickle friend for the past couple months - literally dropping or rocketing 10-30 degrees in a day. One day I'd go to work all bundled up under cloudy skies, and the next day I'm sweating my socks off inthe blazing sun. The saddest part is that the nice weather only lasted 2 or three days a week , at most, and the cold, overcast, drizzly days in between were more than enough to kill any joy the sunshine brought.

However, I am happy to report that the weather has been beautiful for well over a week now. In fact, it rained a few days ago, but stayed warm, and was still sunny in the afternoon. Hurray!!

The past couple years, I spent summer sweating it up in the extreme heat and humidity of central Florida. I have to admit, it's nice to enjoy a gentler summer - and the cool, gloomy winter weather I endured only makes me appreciate this even more. This recent stretch of warmth is about as close to perfect summer conditions as one can get!

Summer brings back so many fun memories and feelings.

I love the smell just before a summer storm, and just after the rain.

I love the feeling of walking barefoot through cool grass (another luxury one rarely enjoys with all the crabgrass in Florida).

I love that it is noticeably cooler in the shade.

I love that even though I'm a pale redhead, I can actually tan. Yay for vitamin D and a healthy glow:)

I love playing soccer or going running in the evening.

I LOVE that the temperature drops ever so slightly at night - just enough to be refreshing.

And I love that it stays light out so late now, that you just want to play forever.

Summertime is beautiful in Paris! I have the blessing of living a quick metro train ride from a city full of parks and sites and yummy food. It's like a mini-vacation every time I go. And I have so many wonderful people to share it with! Lately I've had lots of visitors - and therefore excuses to play:) I'm becoming closer with my work friends, who are introducing me to the local favorites.

France also has this beautiful thing called "Soldes." It is a month-long sale, in almost every store, and up to 70% off in some cases. They do it every year. Isn't that fabulous?!

I have to say that the air conditioning here is pretty weaksauce, and somehow they missed the memo on window screens, so night time can be a little toasty. I miss the beach days, YSA activities, pool time, lizards, slurpees, and roadtrips from my Florida summers, but I'm sure I'll have all that again someday.

In the meantime, I'm basking in the glory of my European summer. I've already made some great memories, and I'm certain I will make many more in the months to come. YAY FOR SUMMER!!

Getting better all the time

Recently I have been in a funk. I don't know how else to describe it. I just felt frustrated and unmotivated and discouraged and lost and unloved. I know, lame right? I have so much love and so many wonderful people in my life, and I live in France for Pete's sake!! Well I am happy to report that I think I'm about out of said funk. I feel lighter and happier and prettier and excited about life. Sorry for the previous negativity, but we wouldn't appreciate the highs without the lows, right?
I don't think there's any specific solution or remedy when you feel like that. Sometimes you just have to keep pushing through, and eventually it goes away. But you have to decide you won't let it win.
My recent battle involved a lot of prayer, dancing, patient parents, a great bishop, two of the most amazing best friends a girl could ask for, way fun friends here in France who provided plenty of healthy distractions, lots of sleep, some good old-fashioned physical activity, and Paris. Just wandering around the city can be so therapeutic:)
So thanks for bearing wth me. I look forward to reporting more personal progress in the near future. One step at a time...

PS I love my Daddy

I have the best Daddy in the entire world for so many reasons. He listens to me, counsels me, and helps me keep pushing forward through the muck of life. But most importantly, he knows me so well and still loves me - just the way I am: faults, frailties, and mistakes included. He's apparently the only man in the world capable of that feat.

Thank heaven for my Daddy.

Why is it that the people and things that you love the most and make you happiest are the very things that can hurt you the most and cause you the most misery?? I try to keep minimal expectations, and I still feel used, disappointed, and betrayed. No wonder people have trust issues...I think I'm developing my own. Meh!