Monday, July 16, 2012

The End of Another Chapter in Life

(written on June 29, 2012) Well, it is hard to believe that almost two years have passed since Jill and I embarked on the Paris adventure.  Today, the physical connection to Paris comes to an end.  It's hard to believe at this point that we really did it. The adventure had all the gut wrenching emotions - anxiety of leaving our family, friends and home - sadness/concern when Gram died and Donna, Mom & Dad become very sick - loneliness when Jill was in the States - yearning to be at the Lake House - emptiness of missing holidays, birthdays and special moments with friends and family - fear of Fatima when we stumbled in at 2AM (not 3!)...  But I wouldn't change it for the world. As the saying goes - nothing ventured, nothing gained (besides the extra weight I put on)... I will always treasure the time Jill and I spent together - the wonderful world we discovered together - Paris friends - picnics- the secret places we found together - the family and friend visits (Bryan, Matt, Kaitlyn, Alison, Kyrstin, Bob & Joan, Jean, Maggie, Kelley, John & Sue, brother Dennis) - Madrid, Rome, Galway, London, Brussels, Bordeaux, Istanbul, Athens (more Hydra, Pyros and Aegnea), Barcelona, Prades, Bologna and Casablanca - "our boat" for wine and the wonderful Mother's Day lunch with the kids - Jill's technology transformation - yummo food - seeing old friends in Paris (Kevin, Johnny Mac and Susanne). Professionally it was a success.  I learned how to work with many different cultures, religions and the French.  I saw Alstom's technology at it's best - I road in the cab of our newest high speed trains at 300+ kph, saw tramway tracks being laid in Algeria, visited customers who were pleased with us and saw us enter new markets in Romania.  The time there also made me realize I'm ready to try a new line of work, leaving HR for a chance to run a factory. I'm often asked what I'll miss.  Of course there will be plenty and some I won't recognize for some time to come, but in no particular order -- access to all the cheeses (especially chèvre), excellent French wine for under $10, walking & finding a unique place, the view from "Passy" bridge, out for a beer with Mark, Jon, Adam & Alan, pizza with an egg on it, duck (canard), the markets, frois gras and dinner with Gary. What I won't miss -- metro to/from work, Fatima shishing us, taxi rides to/from the airport, dog crap on the sidewalk, dirtiness of Paris streets, being confused by the language, mass in French and, most important, time spent away from Jill, kids, family and friends. I went to Paris with 3 personal goals - 1/ learn about wines, 2/ learn French cheeses and 3/ learn French language.  Two out of 3 is not bad. My French is still very sloppy. So I close this chapter of my life and for that matter this blog.  Just like the other chapters before it I believe it has transformed me into a better person.