Tick...Tick...Tick...

I think the realisation of just how big a life change I am about to undergo is hitting me today. I've frantically tried to get a number of quotes from different moving companies to pick up all my stuff next Wednesday! They usually freak out when they hear that they have only 8 days to get organize for it. I also spent the morning today trying to contact HR in France to verify my arrival in Verberie on the 13th of October. I wasn't able to get through, so I'm planning on making travel reservations on my own through the plant here in WI. To add to the the strange, ominous feeling, I ate lunch today with 3 French guys, and hearing them babble back and forth at light-speed brought back that familiar feeling of language immersion - depending on my mood it can be exciting or downright overwhelming. All these factors together made me realize just how much I appreciate the comfort that close friends and familiar landscapes provide. Sometimes, like now, I can't believe I'm leaving all that behind for the unknown. I often wonder why you don't often hear about Americans picking up roots and living abroad, or why it seems every nation in the world has an American Green Card Lottery. There are a lot of reasons to second guess the decision I have made to leave this great country and life. I'm sure these feelings will come and go with varying degree over the next 4 months. But, honestly, I really don't think I would want it any differently. I have been given this great opportunity to do this, and deep down I know this is an absolute dream come true. Right now, however, its hard to see past what I'm leaving behind...

Meals on 2 Wheels

So Chris got a little film clip of me coming home, fully-loaded from Woodman's Market on one of my biking grocery runs. The lighting isn't great, but I wanted to give the video application a try...

Van Gogh's Ear

Since Chris and I are going to be out of town this coming weekend, we realized on Saturday that the weekend was going to be my last in Milwaukee. One thing I really wanted to do before leaving was to see the Milwaukee Art Museum. I know that sounds rather strange, and most people would only make that statement in order to impress, but I think that I've honestly had a curiosity about art for some time. With the last four years of my life infused with rigid, mathmatical, quantitative, problem solving, art has been something that has rather baffled me because 1 - I'm not innately talented in that area and 2 - the concept of a thing that is so purely subjective and undefinable is so contrary to my first inclinations. So, Jamie's philosphy aside, I was led by curiosity to explore what Milwaukee had to offer.

I was not sure quite what to expect as my first art museum experiences had been at the la Louvre and la Musée d'Orsé in Paris and the Smithsonian in D.C. - probably spoiling me. But I was pleasantly surpised by what the Cheese State had to offer. They didn't have an abundance of art in any one genre but spread the board quite well. I haven't seen much modern art, so that was an experience for me. But in general I had quite a good time. I still think my preference lies with the late 19th century impressionists (primarily French). But before you roll your eyes and click the little "x" in the top right hand corner of the page in lieu of reading any further BS, let me justify myself and you'll probably see that I'm not much farther along than any other engineer lost at an art museum. I like this period of painting 1. for its use of vivid colors that represent life in a fresh way 2. for the pixelated technique that Cezzane and more famously Van Gogh brought about - It looks rather easy and simple at first glance from afar, but so complex up close and 3. simply because the cast of characters that painted them - Van Gogh chopped off his ear giving it to a female - for crying out loud! ...need I say more?

So if you're still reading this (you are a true friend and have the patience of Job): The Cliff Notes version is that Chris and I completed our Saturday evening by enjoying ourselves on the town and had a marvelous weekend...I even bought a book about the man who chopped off his ear...

Visas in the Windy City

SUCCESS!! Not only were Adam and I accepted for our Long Stay Visas, but we were able to walk out of the Consulat Général de France with said visas in hand! Despite all the sarcastic remarks Adam and I make about the French Administration, I will glady admit that they came through above my expectations this time. Chapeau!!

We left early in the morning to make sure we didn't didn't miss our appointments by sitting in heavy mid-morning traffic. We managed to get to 205 Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago with plenty of time to spare. I even had time to walk into a CVS pharmacy to pick up a stain stick to get rid of a mystery stain on my new Polo oxford.

The consulate, which looked like a doctor's office (albeit, a doctor's office on the 37th floor overlooking Lake Michigan), took our forms, and we had about two hours to walk around on the Magnificant Mile. I did a little shopping, and in doing so confirmed that I do have a spending compulsion for cotton V-neck t-shirts (I know, a bit strange...) Hey, Gap had a deal going, and they're just so dang comfortable! (see above pic)

After wandering north to the Sears Tower, I headed back to pick up my shiny new visa. The day was capped off with a trip to Chipotle for lunch. This place has quickly become my new favorite fast food restaurant - healthy, spicy, and oh so yummy!

Visa in hand, let the adventure continue...

L'Abeille Noir

So I got a new bike...I don't expect that to come as a shock to those of you who know me well. But I finally found a great deal and pulled the trigger and got something a little less performance minded (only to a degree of course :) ) and more practical - we'll consider this the MGB of bicycles. Its as simple as they come, designed for practicality, but has a bit of flava-flave to it. The first thing you'll notice is the layout. I largely came up with the design of the bike and had the layout custom assembled for me. As the title foreshadows, her name is "L'Abeille Noir" - the Black Bee in French. There is still a few odds and ends I'd like to do yet with the black bee theme, but I've been fairly busy recently. And as for its practicality, you'll notice there is only one gear. Just get on it and ride, that simple - EXCEPT, the astute viewer will notice the lack of a brake cable. Yep, you got it! I'm riding it brakeless - sounds pretty nuts but you can actually slow the bike down by applying force in the opposite pedaling direction. It's still a strange, yet addicting, experience. So I've begun to use this as my primary form of transportation. Using the bag that helped me backpack through Europe, I can effectively get groceries or run to Wallgreens quickly and efficiently. It'll be perfect in France, living in the city doing errands around town. Anyways, I know I'm a bike geek but I thought I put it up on my blog.

Cheers

Sing'n in the Rain

Thanks to hurricane Ike, Chicago received a three day deluge that rivaled any storm I had ever seen. How appropriate that it directly coincided with our Grove City reunion we had planned for some time. Nevertheless, Chris, Rob and I were determined to have a blast despite traffic jams, huge lines, flooded subway stations, and a drenched outdoor concert among other things. And we did!...

We made some new - rather strange - friends, explored the city, did an Irish jig or two, and kept the trouble to a minimum. It was great getting to see The Big Guy (Robert George Ellis Brooks Albertson Pye) as he flew out from central PA. All in all, we'll definately be reminiscing about the weekend for years to come...

Adventures in French Bureaucracy

After what has been a lengthy visa process, the French have kindly allowed us to make an appointment on the 19th of this month with the Visa Department at the French Consulate in Chicago. We are hoping that we will be able to leave the consulate with visas in hand. As with all things French - we aren't holding our breaths. Recently, Adam found this quote on the French embassy's website, "A delay may be required." Ironic in its humor - isn't it?

So, I am scheduled to return to Goshen at the begining of October. My flight arrives in South Bend on the 4th, and it shouldn't be more than a week after that when the adventure begins Stage 2...

Ready or not!