in transit

After the final four days with virtually no sleep, I was forced to say my goodbyes to Quebec City. The details were a blur, but I know that many friends (and new family) were bid farewell (for now), many festivities were shared, and a few tears were let go in the process.

It had been awhile since I was face-to-face with a town like Davenport. I'd just arrived in the midwest Thursday, was awake here for all of two hours, when I said to myself, "Fuck this noise. I'm going to Chicago." So the weekend was spent with more friends, until I had to face my responsibilities and return to Iowa. It really hasn't been all bad. There are friends here also, more goodbyes to bid soon, as well as the closing ceremonies to what has been a three-year blur. I graduate in just 14 hours, after which I'll have a "Doctor" before my name. Crazy. Yesterday I hugged my mom for the first time in over a year. And this weekend, I make the two-day drive back to Texas, where I have not been since early 2008. My car hasn't seen the state since 2005, as evidenced by my long-expired inspection sticker which I *hope* no state troopers will give me shit for until I can update.

Everyone around me is in the "so what are your plans?" mode. I am, too. It's interesting to find out what my fellow graduates are up to next, where they'll practice, how far our class is spreading. And even though I only have it figured out through June, I am perfectly alright with that. And I consider that no small feat. Just a year ago, not knowing what I was going to do two months down the road drove me crazy with worry. I am now embracing the process. It can be incredibly fun to not have any effing clue where you'll end up. And in the meantime, while I'm figuring it out, I consider myself overwhelmingly lucky to have had the experiences I've had.

So goes the week of closure to one era of my life. Here's to three (bland, albeit worthwhile) years in Iowa, three (amazing, incredible) months in Quebec, and the rest of my life in who-the-hell-knows-where. (Which way's the wind?)

last week in paradise

I sadly have only 8 more days left in Quebec, after which I'll spend a week back in Iowa, and then a month in Texas. I am now in the midst of the 'lasts.' My last full week of work. My last Thursday outing at Jos Dion. My last dinner with the Corriveaus. My last chance to practice French with people in my immediate surroundings. My last opportunity to walk through the most snow I've ever seen in one place. Just a few things I'm going to miss:

- Mr. T dubbed in French.

- small children speaking another language.

- Sunday evening dinners with my French family.

- the bakeries. holy chouette will I miss the bakeries.

- SNOW. (seeing it, tasting it, throwing it, trudging through it, driving in it...)

- Michele, saying things like:
... "I thought you said sex for breakfast!?"
... (While analysing films at work, after my comment on liking the easy cases) "I like my x-rays how I like my men."
... (After I tried to ask if she'd consulted the local weekly newspaper bout the goings-on for the weekend, by referring to simply "the Book") "Umm... the phone book? The Bible? Harry Potter?"
... (Every other day, after losing hers) "Can I borrow your sunglasses/gloves/keys?"

- walking to Le Pape Georges every Sunday night to see friends, music, and friends playing music.

- the view from my balcony.





Things I will love to have again, once I return to the tee-ex:

- the ability to go outside in a t-shirt.

- circulation in my fingers and toes. (you think I'm kidding.)


- mon pere, telling me to relax or take it in stride or use good judgment.
- ma chatte, waking me up by trying to eat my hair. (who knew a day would come when I'd want that back?)- breakfast tacos. oh my sweet lord, breakfast tacos. (no picture because I didn't wanna get my taste buds' panties in a twist.)

A huge part of me doesn't want to leave. I've had the time of my life here. I've learned a lot, both professionally and personally. I learned another language (sort of). I lived with someone for the first time in years, and it was with one of my best friends. I've made friends who I know I'll stay in touch with forever. And honestly, I would be happy to stay here for another, longer, chunk of my life. It's too bad that that's just not in the stars right now.

Still, with all that, it's good to know that as much as I've enjoyed my time here, and as much as I don't want to go, I'll soon have some irreplaceable favorites to return to.

Although I don't think it'll make saying goodbye any easier.

things quebec has taught me

I make friends easier than I previously thought.

When I lack control over too many things in my life, I tend to get grumpy and resent people in my immediate environment.

John Hiatt can be incredibly sexy.

I may be a bit of a masochist.

Something as simple as having the ability to drive myself to work can turn my whole world around.

Snow is one of my favorite things. It's one of the only substances that is beautiful both on a micro and macro scale. And it's fucking fun!

Waterproof shoes aren't really waterproof.

it's too early for that kind of talk

The chiropractic software program my boss (Mitch, or Michel) uses in his clinic allows for a doctor log-in and an assistant one. He for some reason chose 'assmichel' for the assistant name. I'm pretty sure he didn't realize what that sounded like until Michele pointed it out to him. Since then, he's said things like, 'put my ass up there' when he wants us to log in. The guy can be funny when he wants to be.

It was barely 8am, and one of the first sentences my boss said to me was, 'I want you to open an ass right here.'