Looking to the Bright Side

I am feeling like a big bowl of old soggy cereal right now. I know that I am leaving soon and I think it has something to do with that. My level of French is below where I think it should be to be sure. I can understand most things now but I always feel like I cannot say what I want or I sound stupid in doing so. It comes with the reflection of the past 8 months and the near end to this journey. So, I have decided to look to the brighter side of things.
First off, I have met some great people here in Lyon. It's a mixed gathering of people, many of whom I expect to read about in the future. They will shape the future of their countries and the world I think. It's been a breath of fresh air and ideas for me. I spent the greater part of my life in Charlotte, NC. This is my first time living abroad and I am glad that I made the dream come true. The next time I live abroad I will not have a timeline on my return. The teachers in my school have been asking me if I will ever return and I have resounded an overwhelming OUI! I know that most Americans believe we live in the best country in the world, but I do not believe this to be true. Sure, The States is a great place to be in contrast to places like Darfur right now. That does not make us the best though. In my opinion there are a lot of places that could post that title, many of them in Europe including France. It's different of course and that is what I love about it. In France you have a love of luxury, free time, traditions like wine, cheese, and great public schools. Not to mention health coverage for everyone regardless of working or not. Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and the rest of the Scandavian world is a place that really stands out in my mind as a place I would love to travel to, perhaps even live. The people are warm, truthful, and it is one of the safest places you can be. Crime is not the same problem as it is in the States and we could learn a lot from them. I am not crazy about the 40% plus tax rates that exist there but it works none the less.
Another positive reward of returning is being able to finish my degree. I have chosen a longer route than most now that I am doing a 3 degree hat trick so to speak. Yes, three degrees there folks. I thought about getting out quick but it doesn't make sense with what I want to do in the future. I would like to move to Paris when I am done and maybe even settle down there too. The French degree will give me the power to command the French language and confidence to an employer looking to hire me. Next is the Business and core side of my schooling with a double major in Accounting and Finance. The two go hand in hand and I don't want to limit my options because of another 18 hours to get the Finance degree. With these three I hope to get into the joint Law and MBA program being offered at UNC or into the International MBA with the HEC in Paris offered at NYU. Time will tell and a lot of things can happen before any of these things happen but I look forward to hitting the books with a renewed and defined plan on the future.
Also, I have been living on about $1200 US per month since I arrived because I was unable to sell my truck which is why I am coming home early. I have no money to pay the bills and it is time to get a job where I can make some dough. I am hoping to wait tables all summer at Dressler's or another good restaurant that is only open nights to keep my days free for school. I am also being interviewed for an internship with GE Plastics at the end of the Summer and if all goes well I will be occupied for the next year which should make the time pass efficiently.
I turn 28 in a few weeks so I am excited to have another birthday, it will be spent in transit most likely in a train going to Paris. Not a big deal because as late May and early June born people can tell you, our birthdays usually stink because everyone is on vacation or leaving. I will probably end up having a dinner out with Fred, Deborah, and maybe Sylvie. Maybe I can have a Welcome Back/Birthday BBQ around the 15th when I get back to celebrate it with my friends.
As always I have ranted too much and I will throw the parachute here with the last bit of good news. The Red Sox are struggling with some of there players going on the DL and out of the rotation. However, they are winners of the last 8 out of 10 games and 2.5 out of first to Baltimore... Just where I like them to be right now. Best part is it looks like A-Rod is screwing up that clubhouse atmosphere over at Yankee Stadium like I said he would. The guy can play great for sure, but I am unsure if he will ever win a World Series without growing up a little. Go Red Sox!!!