The Honeymoon is Over

DATELINE: 11.03.09 PARIS, FRANCE

Well kids, it's finally here. I have finally hit what can only be called the first twinges of homesickness. I guess two months is about how long the honeymoon lasts. Now, back from my Italy vacation, I am faced with all the day to day realities again. Mid-term exams. Research papers. Lack of money (I have an interview to maybe teach English at this place called Konversando which is a short walk from my apt. wish me luck). Home on Wednesday night thinking about the people I would otherwise be seeing tonight. Wishing I could make something like WND happen in Paris. I haven't given up yet, don't worry. But most of my friends here, as well as yours truly, are far too poor for that. Missing (just a bit) trudging through the snow, and the possibility of perching myself in front of Mom's wood stove to cook my front and then my back. Missing living off the state. Missing Art Group. Missing that sense of familiarity, and waking in the morning to find myself curled around my cat. Oh, I do miss the good ol' days.

But at the very same moment, as I procrastinate my course reading (oh, how skilled I am in the art of procrastination) by indulging my sentimentality, outside my window, so close I can almost touch it, is a glowing white full moon. It's stunning. I swear to you I see her face (yes, people the moon is female) and she is looking straight at me, and it is amazing. No, i haven't gone bonkers, but the moon is so clear that the plays of dark and light across the surface create an unmistakeable face smiling gently upon a sleeping city.

This is particularly amazing as it means finally, for the first time since I have been in Paris, the night sky is clear. Few if any clouds, no rain. And it happens to also be a night of a full moon.

I tried to take a photograph - with both of my cameras - to share with you. But neither was sufficient to capture it right. I need one of those monster lenses that requires not just one of it's own tripods, but two. A lens that is as tall as I am. Hmm... I suppose that would be a telescope.

So acknowledging the twinges of homesickness I am no less still just thrilled to be here. Realizing I am here to witness the famous Parisian spring. That despite my woes (all involving money - it might not buy happiness, but not having to worry about it certainly helps) I have been granted an amazing experience. And every day I learn something new (like today: I learned that the meat/butcher-shop at the bottom of my hill sells the delicious rotisserie chickens for much less than the guy next to my house, and the produce vendor across the street from my house is from Tangiers, but his produce sucks. Sorry guy. It's not personal.) and meet someone new.

And every day I find yet another way to procrastinate my classwork. Ah, will wonders never cease? =)

So despite the failure of my camera to get a good pic of the moon, I am including this bright and blurry one, just for reference. Now, long past when I should be sleeping, say: Good night Moon. And I bid you all: fait de bonne reve.