Thursday, October 7, 2010

The Sweet Life

Uh...Yeah right.

If I told you why I couldn't sleep; if I told you why even a Trazadone didn't do the trick; if I told you why no amount of Sleepy Time Tea or Melatonin could help; if I told you why I was up until 4 am, which gave me two hours of restless sleep and led to a very challenging, very grouchy day after, you would agree with my frustration. You would sympathize. You might even invite me to escape to your home for some peace and quiet. And wine. But alas, the details aren’t important. Just keep in mind that I live in the same apartment as the family, which happens to be a single dad. Keep in mind that my room lies in between his and the girls'. Keep in mind that single parents still date and sometimes, those dates are successful. Three hours of success.

This is tough. Sometimes, it's very tough. Yes, I am enjoying a year in another country, a year learning another language, and finally finding a family that makes this experience manageable. I love living in the center of the city. I love being able to go jogging along the river. I love meeting friends at a cafe in the evenings. But, this job still has its moments. It's hard to live with someone else's family. It’s hard to live with your own family at times, so I don't know what I was thinking. It's not easy being an adult who still reports to someone on my whereabouts—“I'm going to the market. I'm going to a dance class. I'm going...N’importe où!”

I used to think that what doesn't kill me, makes me stronger. Some of my innocence died, some of my optimism has been lost and I now know what doesn't kill me, gives me great anxiety and keeps the pharmaceutical industry in business.

So, I'm summoning positive thoughts; I'm listing my gratitude’s, I’m buying a pair of ear-plugs.Gratitude:

  • Coming up with a list of gratitudes during a week like this week.
  • I'm going to Grenoble this weekend for a dinner party. Yes, that's right. That is my life.
  • Single parents that travel for work. How I can't wait to sleep tonight.
  • Dance Master Class workshop this Saturday morning. Fingers crossed.
  • The sun is out--although now that I said that, watch it rain tomorrow. Just watch!

13 comments:

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  2. Lo, I tried to call you the other day, did your host dad tell you? Tell him that you can hear his bed squeaking and to try doing it on the floor, I miss you. Bisous ma cherie. A plus

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  3. Trazodone! That's what my doc just prescribed me! I hope you get to rest soon. Sheesh. I don't want to know about his successful dates. Gross.

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  4. Hang in there...the good outways the bad right. I am living vicariously thru you....well not the no sleep thing, but the runs along the river experiencing another culture thing ;)

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  5. Oh that sucks for you! You should tell him that since you're there to watch the kids, maybe he should finish his dates at HER house instead.
    Hope you get some sleep soon :-)

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  6. How very awkward. I keep waiting for the day when my host-dad actually comes home. He works 14 hour days and is never around. Either that or I'm DREADING for the day when his secret affairs (surely, they exist...) come to the surface. :(

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  7. ahahahahahahhahah Lauren love this: "I used to think that whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger. Some of my innocence died, some of my optimism has been lost and I now think, whatever doesn't kill me, gives me great anxiety and keeps the pharmaceutical industry in business." had me laughing out loud for longer than normal :) xx

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  8. Hey! I am moving to Lyon in a few months and I would love to chat with you about your experience there. Do you have an email address I can contact you at?

    Kelli

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  9. AWKWARD! But kind of funny. Must be strange living with a single dad.

    BTW - I gave your blog an award, stop by and check it out if you get a chance.

    www.womaninternational.blogspot.com

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  10. You have got to blog more! I need the entertainment. Ive gone as far to create a cooking blog. Wrrr.

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  11. Yeah, French men can go for hours. Guess he's living up to the reputation. But poor you!

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