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| Lots and lots of things to think about. . .
+Where to live after May.
+Where to work. . . SOON.
+Travel Internship? Yes, please!
+Business, or lack thereof.
We'll see what happens, but I'm really banking on that internship!
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| Through many people, I am inspired. There are only few of you on this network, so I would like to say thank you for inspiring me, for encouraging me, for allowing me to share a piece of your lives.
I've been told numerous times that 2009 is going to be my year, and so far, that is proving to be very true. No matter what happens, this year or the next, you mean so much to me. I'll take you with me wherever I go.
I promise.
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| I have 8 blogs. Seriously.
4 on blogspot: 1 personal, 1 business, 1 weight loss challenge, 1 culinary
2 on xanga: 1 business (which will most likely get deleted), 1 personal
1 on myspace
1 (very old one) on livejournal
So, I guess I'm a collector of online journaling, but I also write in real journals, on scrap paper, in notebooks, on mail, on receipt paper, on business cards. . .
I write a lot.
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| This was the craziest day I had in Europe. Seriously.
"Sept. 28
I missed my train this morning. Rob burst in my door at about 7 and said, "I've bollocksed up! I have to buy you a new ticket!" What a great start. So, he checks travel times and we hit the ground running - literally. I almost cried out of frustration, but I held together. I'm so worried that Lilia hasn't gotten my messages. This is why I asked her for her friend's information. It most certainly will be an interesting day. This is already a Swiss guy staring at my and observing my every single move.
Ok, so it turns out he was Spanish. Let me explain how I know this.
This old German guy sits down beside me after a young (and very attractive) guy sits across from me. The old guy is trying to speak to me but I tell him I only speak English. This old guy, who is practically sitting on top of me, stares at me the whole time we're beside each other. He is a precious old man, but it was slightly creepy. So, we stop at Biel/Bienne, and this worries me because I thought that was where I was getting off when Rob and I look at the trains online. So, I get slightly frantic and ask the guys who were staring at me before if the train went to Geneva because that's what my ticket says. They say, "We speak Spanish," and of course, all of my Spanish is completely forgotten int hat instant. Finally, the hott guy says, "You need to get on that train," and points to the one across the platform. I say, "SHIT!" (I hope I said thank you, too.) and run to the other train.
Pause. I just saw a castle. I'm pretty sure my jaw is on the floor. Play on.
I get on the next train and immediately ask the first people I see if they speak English, and, naturally, no one does. Then, hott dude runs to my rescue and says, "I'm sorry, you need to be back on the other one!" I ran back across, sat down, and cried. I am so scared that I'm going to end up in Russia or something. Actually, that would be kind of cool.
This train I'm on, the one I've been on since Zurich minus the confusion, has taken me through some amazing sights. The countryside is magnificent, the fog has lifted a tiny bit to see into the valleys, and there is a huge body of water to my left that is surrounded by old, wonderful buildings and houses. Also, I've seen a castle!! This is the life - right here and now. I just really hope I can make it to see Lilia somehow.
When I got off in Geneva, I got a croissant and Diet Coke. My quality of life dramatically escalated, and I no longer wish to throw myself on the train tracks. The French houses and countryside have their own character, and I absolutely cannot believe I am seeing them right now. This train is very different from the last one. Instead of 2 rows of seating and an aisle in the middle, there are little sections of 8 seats with doors to set them apart from the walk way. I used the bathroom on this train and it felt like being on a block of mobile ice. There are buttons on the floor for the toilet and the sink (2 different ones, just to be clear). The soap was a powder, too. It was an interesting experience, needless to say.
I'm in a section of seats with 2 girls from South Korea. They have traveled all over Europe for the past month and are studying English in London. They are really nice and it has been great to talk to them. They said I should teach English in South Korea. I may do just that one day. Why not?
Just when I thought this day couldn't get much worse, it kind of did. Well, really, I would rather have a frustrating day in Europe than at home, so that is at least comforting, but this day is one that I doubt I will forget even if I get Alzheimer's.
My train was late to Lyon. Yes. Late. Very late. At least 20 minutes late, to be quite frank. So, I tried to figure out where the next train would be, but that didn't work. I went downstairs to see if I could buy another ticket and it was sheer chaos. I couldn't help but cry because I'm a baby and somewhat stranded in a foreign country. I couldn't even understand some of the signs. So, I found a ticket place and the line was out the door. I finally got up to the counter where the ticket guy only spoke a little bit of English. Apparently, it was enough to get me a first class ticket on the 2 pm train. According to him, second class was sold out. Awesome. I don't mind it that much, thought. Well, I don't know. I'm up high and it is wonderful. Have I mentioned that the countryside is gorgeous? Have I also mentioned my extreme nervousness over the fact that I have no communication with Lilia? I can't really do anything about it now, though, so I might as well stop worrying and enjoy the cows and trees and old houses I see whizzing by on the farmland.
Although I've gone through a lot today, it is still great to be wherever I am.
When Lilia and I saw each other, we both screamed with relief and excitement because of today's course of events. They had been waiting for me since my original arrival time of 1 pm, but Lilia decided to call Rob and I am so glad she did. They got lunch and came to meet me again, but we know what happened with the rest of the story. It was SO good to see her and meet Sermin. (She's pretty.)
Lilia and I walked around for a little while. We crossed some bridges and saw Notre Dame. We got some ice cream and then headed back to Sermin's. I met Line when we got there, and I was taken by how cute and tiny their apartment is! They are on the top floor with a balcony. I can see the Eiffel Tower in the distance. In fact, I saw the sun set behind it. You bet there was some photography involved in that one!
Line and Sermin made quiche lorraine and salad for us. We had wine, bread, and cheese to go along with it. We told stories, drank, and ate. It has been so wonderful. I don't ever want to go home! I could stay on this futon forever.
I saw the Eiffel Tower light show tonight. I hope to see it up close, but far away is just fine for now."
That was long. :)
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