Moving to a new country, speaking a second language, working in a different cultural environment? It’s a complex but enriching journey, full of opportunities for self-discovery and growth.
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Everybody knows living abroad is filled with challenges and discoveries. It's not always easy, especially forming deep connections in a new place, but I've come to appreciate the little moments and the friendships that grow over time. So, let me tell you about the first half of 2024.
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Has it been over a month since I have filled this space with passing thoughts? Oh wow, then let’s have a quick catch-up, shall we? All in all, it has been a turbulent month. We're turning into a new season, and a more stable and energy-sustainable period, I'm hoping! The first quarter of 2024 is behind, but so far it's still looking aligned with my word of the year: flourish!
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I find myself trapped in a paradox of disinterest, where even the things that once sparked joy now feel like distant memories. The aroma of coffee, once a beacon of hope in the morning fog, now fails to coax me from my slumber. But perhaps, just perhaps, there's a glimmer of hope on the horizon.
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Write not just for the present but as a gift to your future self and perhaps, to those who will follow in your footsteps. Who knows, your words might resonate across time and space, inspiring others to chase their dreams as fervently as you did.
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Tucked away in the 8th arrondissement, the Chapelle Expiatoire sits quietly at 29 Rue Pasquier, inside the Louis XVI Square. Constructed by Louis XVIII, on the site where King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette were initially buried after their gruesome executions during the French Revolution, the chapel serves as a reminder of the tumultuous events that unfolded in the late 18th century.
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In the quiet corners of my mind, I confront the notion that the desire to die isn't always a plea for death but rather a yearning to cease to exist. It's a nuanced distinction or a plea for respite from the relentless cacophony of thoughts and emotions. Yet, paradoxically, the fear of death persists, an instinctual response even when numbed by the proximity of mortality.
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Algorithm brought me to watch a recently released TedEd video on The Most Devastating Asteroid to Hit Earth. Intrigued, I clicked on it. It took me on a journey through time and catastrophe. The video's true moral may have been different, a lesson carefully crafted by its educators. The message I took away was a reminder that one's existence and significance are not diminished by a lack of grandeur. Sometimes, survival demands a willingness to be discreet, to rest when needed, and to draw strength from the understated aspects of our existence.
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I've often marveled at my own predilection for the fifth district, despite its challenging terrain and limited public transportation. It is not merely a matter of convenience but a deeper longing. It's a place of serenity, a sanctuary where the soul is free to contemplate, where voices are heard without judgment or the need to argue, and where time flows at its own pace, unhurried by the clamor of the world.
Read MoreThe weekend at M's enchanting village had come to an end, but the memories and reflections on the simple, undisrupted, and slow life in the countryside would forever linger in my heart. Perhaps, one day, I would heed this call to embrace a more peaceful existence away from the hustle and bustle of the city, just as I had always envisioned.
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The Centre Pompidou, often referred to simply as Beaubourg, is an iconic cultural institution nestled in the historic Marais (4th) district of Paris. This bold statement of modernity is the perfect backdrop for the incredible collection it houses. My visit to Centre Pompidou was an experience that left me both enthralled and exhausted.
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In the heart of Paris, nestled in close proximity to the famous Opéra, lies a hidden gem that promises to awaken your senses and transport you to a world of olfactory delight - the Musée du Parfum.
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