February 18, 2014 Photo: "Le Moment"

Today, I was privy to a lot of interesting information, both professionally and socially. Our favorite local establishment closed five months ago, causing us to speculate what the next incarnation would be. Imagine my excitement this week when the sign was changed to Rendez-vous! Tonight, I met Max, the new Parisian owner, who, in addition to catering to the Lake Country pub scene, is introducing traditional French fare (crepes and galettes, charcuterie, wines, desserts, etc.). Max and I enjoyed our long chat, both having been deprived of authentic French conversation for far too long. My heart sang as the French phrases danced off my tongue and swelled as Max complemented my accent and fluency. Although my new role as Technology Coach is exciting and rewarding, I do still miss my past as a French teacher. I loved my content and I loved my students. These days, I enjoy working with my colleagues and I appreciate their invitations to help out in their classrooms, but it is a big transition. I recognize that my life is evolving and that I need to take Siddhartha's advice: "Don't live in the past, don't dream about the future, concentrate your spirit on the present moment." Nostalgia is bittersweet while anticipation can be both exciting and nerve wracking. If you spend too much time thinking about the past or the future, you miss out on the present. I have used this platform, my photos, and my writing to cherish the past while being open to the future; but above all, to practice truly being present in the fleeting moments that are too important to go unnoticed.