2007 Reflections.

Looking back at 2007 and comparing it to 2006, this was a great year. To be honest, this year was much easier and more comfortable for me living here in France. I learned how to knit and found a hobby that helps to keep me relaxed. And through that, I've made some wonderful new friends. I learned how to really drive a stick shift (before I was just faking it). I started working with youth again and I love it. I started leading an English conversation class with a group of retirees who've not only been teaching me a lot, but have been making this opportunity a very memorable experience. I continued improving my French which has made life a lot easier. I started swimming again. I traveled to Munich, Prague, Berlin, Monaco, Serrento, Malta, Palma de Mallorca, Avignon, Montpellier, Cadaques, Carcassonne, and Toulouse for the first time. I've found a community of expats living throughout France and through them have made some friends. I tried tripe and frog legs for the first and last time. I learned how to switch the hard drives in our computer all by myself (obviously, a thrilling accomplishment for me). I learned that going home to California once a year is just not enough. I've also learned that I don't enjoy doing international travel alone. And I've finally come to peace with the notion that my husband will never put the remote controls away after he uses them no matter how many times I remind him.

2007 brought me a lot of smiles and frowns. Many celebrations and some tragedies. This was a year where I learned a lot about myself. Here's looking forward to an even more adventurous and eventful 2008. And I wish you all a wonderful start to the new year.