joie de vivre

Work has been getting better.
Or, rather, I have.
I've been able to calm down and focus a lot more now. I don't know what it was, but something in me (the perfectionist? the neurotic?) was always striving to get everything exactly perfect, so much so that when I messed up even a little bit in one area I'd get down on myself.
It might be remnants from when I had a low self-esteem, but I'm able to manage that now more than ever.

I'm reading a book that Chris recommended to me: "Finding Flow" by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. Yes, quite a mouthful. It's about finding that thing (or those things) in life that make your time spent the most productive, fulfilling, and meaningful. That's my interpretation of what "flow" is, from what I've read. I'm still only about 1/4 of the way through it, so I've got a bit more to go- but It's a great read so far. Encourages those without balance in life to try and find flow, by creating opportunities for yourself and seeking them out.

I've just finished two books by Stephen Clarke, "A Year in the Merde" and "Merde Happens". The author is a Brit journalist who writes about a man named Paul West who lives and works in France, and his books are rather accurate and humorous interpretations of life in France. I could relate, and Clarke's humor is just the thing I need to wind down from a day at work.

I have been spending a lot of time at the library. Mostly looking for books on Southwest France, to ready myself for the Fall. I've found quite a bit so far, and I'm taking notes, so I can take advantage of everything when I arrive. I've already made a semi-permanent itinerary for Paris. I can't wait to go back, not only to see the beautiful country again (quite literally, i'll be in a town of 4,500 people, so i'll be in the country) but to meet new people. I'm ready to start the new chapter of my life. The summer is crawling by, but I'm ready to get going.