My Family

C'est nous:

Let me introduce you to my family:
Mom, Dad, my sister Meredith and her husband Wiley and their dog Willard. And me.

We are 't normal...if I have a say in it at least! When I was home for a few weeks my parents planned to have some professional photos taken of us awesome people. How American. The top one is clearly the fish face, the middle one is the 'Kara smile' and the final is the most normal with the newest addition to our family: Willard.

And lets all please take a moment to notice my not very noticeable shoes. I like them.

Alright, well, have a great weekend all!

A lot can happen in a month. And it has. Update?

I have heard that more people have kept up with this blog than I realized and so I need to get back into posting on a regular basis regardless of whether I think I have something interesting to say or not.

Since the beginning of February a lot has gone on.

The last job I posted about possibly taking with the same family I worked for last summer fell through comme d'hab as we like to say in French. At that point I just laughed a little in disbelief but because it just seemed so normal. I am not sure what that means. It's been an interesting journey I've been on since December when I quit my job. Sometimes I think, "was I crazy to leave that job?" ... I had a place to live, I had a job, I had an income, etc. But then I am reminded of the bad times. And they were pretty bad which is why I decided to leave it in the end. I've chosen a journey of fully trusting God and its not been an easy one.

In February it become REALLY cold in Paris. And the sun is consistently nonexistent. And I had no place that was mine, living out of a suitcase for 2 months and counting. It was rough. I had some pretty low days. Days where there is no way to explain how I got through without God's strength. I had to learn to wake up and pray for strength because I had none.

At the end of February, after nearly 2 months of unemployment, living with different friends, and a quickly approaching visa appointment I had to really start facing the reality that Texas could be in my very near future. I spent a week in the suburbs of Paris with a good friend and during that time I started looking up plane tickets back to Texas and job possibilities. I really started to think about a future back in Texas and what it would be like. I have kept my faith very close to me during my time in France. It has been the only stability for me, in a life that has not an ounce of stability between the language and culture difference to everything else. I had been praying that God would direct my steps and guide me because I clearly couldn't do anything on my own. I've tried, and failed, and been unsuccessful. I mean, 4 jobs had been offered to me only to have been taken away without anything I could have done differently. During that week I really prayed that if God wanted me back in Texas that he would give me a desire to be there and also present a ticket price that was ridiculous (as a sign) and a job. My thought was I would come back to Texas for a few months and work part time and end back up in France. It sounded nice to live with my parents where I could sleep stress free at night and not have to worry about all the things that have been consuming my mind for the past few months. Later in the week things conspired so that I found a return plane ticket to Texas for super cheap and I instantly felt a peace about booking it. So on Friday I found the plane ticket, on Saturday I booked the plane ticket and on Sunday I was on a flight to Texas. Et voila!! Here I am. Sitting on my parents couch in their home writing to you. Sounds crazy, right?

Last year I read a book by Francis Chan, a pastor in California, called Crazy Love. I highly recommend reading it if you haven't already and it can be found on Amazon for those who are interested. It's a book about living your life so on fire for God that nothing else matters. Following God and living your life for God in such a way that people don't understand. This book practically changed my life. I wanted that. I wanted to live a life like that. A lot more made sense after reading that book. When all this plane ticket stuff happened, I really had a peace about it. I had prayed about this and I really felt like I needed to be back in Texas for a period of time. So, without knowing why or how or anything else I just booked this ticket. My friends in Paris didn't understand. Some of them said I was crazy for making such an impulsive decision (and if you've met me you'd realize its not that crazy for me). Call me crazy, but when I feel called to do something, I just do it. I don't have to think about it or weight the pros and cons or consult a friend or family member, I just do it.

So here I am, back in Texas. I've been here for exactly one week now. And I will be here for a week and a half longer, whereafter I am going back to Paris where I have a job waiting for me. Crazy. You see, in the amount of time it took me to find a plane ticket, purchase it and get on the plane, I had a job opportunity presented to me and accepted. I say that its not real until I actually start it, with my track record and everything in the past few months, but its a start.

Being in Texas has been such a weight lifted off my shoulders. It's been so nice to be in warmer weather where the sun shines and to have a comfortable bed that is "mine" and to enjoy the company of my family whom I haven't seen much in the past year and a half. I've also been able to catch up with some really good friends and best of all, Relax.

I am not yet out of this valley but I can see more clearly now. For a while I felt like I was blindly living life, not knowing the next turn it would take. Not really knowing what the next moment would hold. I've been super blessed. I look back and see how God has clearly provided for me when I wasn't even able to see it at the time. My friendships have grown stronger and deeper, money has multiplied, and my faith.... well, I have prayed that whatever the reason for this season was, that I pass the test. I guess there isn't really a "test" to pass, but I have prayed that whatever the reason for this season, that I would grow like and mature and come out a better person on the other end. A stronger person. A wiser person. A person more in tune to God in my life than ever before. It's been such a dark battle, that I can admit to, but I can't say I would take it back for anything.

This life we live is the only one we have. Or so I believe. And while there are valleys we all must go through, I have the hope and assurance that I will make it through.

So, there. A very personal and real recap of the last few months. I thank you all for being a part of my life, whether we keep in contact regularly or only through this blog. I can feel your prayers, your love, and your support alike. So, if you're still interested, I'd love to start updating more regularly again... I have pictures!!! :-)

Well, I am off to spend the evening breaking bread with my family here in Texas, where the sun is shining warmth on us today. Another answer to prayer I guess. :-)

Happy Sunday! Love, me!

its cold

Hello there, I am currently in Paris (as usual) and its freezing. As in, FREEEEZING! I think about Texas all the time right now and how I wish I was there experiencing sunshine and warmer temps. But then again I hated not having a winter so I guess I should remember those things I used to wish upon a star for and be happy where I am. But I will still be dreaming of warmer places as I sleep tonight. We haven't really had a winter yet and here it is.... We received our first "snow fall" if you can even call it that, yesterday, and it was specks of white on the streets. There is a bit of ice on the sidewalks and streets so that makes me grateful I am not a taxi driver although I have almost slid on it a few times already. Oh lala.

So, I mentioned about a possible job in the last post and that is a no-go. Every job opportunity that has come my way has fallen right through the cracks and while thats a really frustrating thing to experience multiple times, I am learning to be satisfied in the outcome of my life right now. I'm reading a book right now about learning to be content in all circumstances. It's a hard book to read because its very true to where I am now. I am a believer in God and I believe that God has me in the palm of his hand and he's opening and closing doors for me to be here and these jobs that have not worked out are for a reason and me being unemployed is for a reason and all the lows I am experiencing are for a reason. It doesn't make it easier, it doesn't make it more enjoyable...but that is what I am learning right now. To find joy and peace in all circumstances. Life is a roller coaster ride for everyone. Find me one person who has never been in a valley in some point in their life if you can, but I bet you can't because that doesn't exist. But the task is learning to be content in the hard times as well because those hard times make you a better, stronger person (or they can if you let them) and you can learn to appreciate the things you have and your life during those times as well. This month (meaning last month really) has been a real struggle for me. At first I was so excited to be unemployed thinking it would be a few weeks and I wouldn't have to change my lifestyle. Now it's been 5 weeks (technically longer but we're really only counting the time I've been back in Paris) and not only are my funds depleting but I'm becoming restless and bored. I stay quite busy, fortunately, socializing and keeping in touch with friends, staying involved in church, and just exploring Paris when its not iceberg temps out, but I miss working and making money and honestly, having a routine. All you workers out there are probably wishing you could have a few weeks of unemployment but trust me, while the fun is really fun, it gets boring. And then add to unemployment, homeless and you have my story in a nutshell. I am certainly learning to be humble and I know the saying, "you aren't humble if you can say you are" but its humbling having to ask for favors and stay in other peoples homes and share your friends beds and rely so much on your friends. For me at least. I have learned I am a giver and as much fun as getting gifts is, taking is not something I enjoy. Along with learning to be content in my valley, I am also having to learn the task of gritting my teeth and saying thank you when people so graciously offer to do and give me so much. I sound like a brat saying that but I am an independent person and I find it very hard to have to rely on others for simple things in life. I have learned however that I have been blessed beyond imagination with some really incredible friends and that regardless of my employment or living status, they love and support me and will offer anything they can if I need it. Those are the moments I am having to remember to dwell on when the days seem dark and grey (literally and metaphorically). Better days are ahead and I am eagerly looking forward to them while enjoying the simple moments of today.

On the flip side, I did take a job. small happy dance. I will be working for the family I worked for this summer, Sophie and Louise, for a few weeks. The details are yet to be determined but it is looking like I will be their full time nanny for around 6 weeks. The catch is that the job does not start until the end of the month so I will be patiently waiting (and hopefully looking for other jobs) for these next few weeks and for the time after I am with them. The positives, besides having a job, is that I get to live in the apartment I did this summer, for the time i am working for them. Such a blessing. Even if it is for only 6 weeks, I am looking forward to this 6 weeks.

Tomorrow is the first Sunday of the month which means most of the museums in Paris are free for everyone so I am hopefully ending up at the Pantheon between the 2 church services that I go to now on Sundays. I do not know much about the Pantheon but I will know more after tomorrow. :-) Getting my touristy side out for a few hours.

And I am really looking forward to my wonderful friends, Alyssa and Jenni, coming in March. I cannot wait to see them and have some company and some American hugs and show them the city that I love so much. Only a few more weeks!

Well, its late. Must find my nook under the sheets and hope I stay warm enough to sleep. Thinking I didn't bring enough clothes with me to this friends apartment. oh well.

Love, moi

a bit of an update

A bit of an update about what has happened in the last month: not much!

I have been unemployed for over a month now. One of the most liberating and yet hardest times I've ever had to go through. I have questioned so much about my decisions and myself and yet learned so much as well. I have learned how great my friends are for letting me stay with them, encouraging me when i'm down, encouraging me to chase my dreams and to dream big and not settle for less. Its incredible what one month of unemployment can do to a person. I have learned that I am not the same Kara that moved here a year and a half ago. Not at all. I am a stronger, wiser, cooler Kara (if i say so myself) and yet I realize i still have so much left to learn and so much still to grow.

For those of you who may wonder, how does one afford to stay unemployed in the one of the most expensive cities in the world, for a month....the answer is...GOD! I have been blessed immeasurably!!! I can't exactly explain how I have managed to stay afloat and still enjoy life except to give all the credit to God who continues to provide for me when I feel I don't deserve it.

I am nearing the end of my unemployment stage of life and I hope to have a job in the coming weeks (its a pending situation for those who really want to know and once it becomes finalized then I can talk more about it) and I'm excited for the future. I am starting to apply for real adult jobs as well so thats exciting as well. I feel like 2011 was a year of learning and growing and traveling and exploring. 2012 will be a year of faith and hope and trust and waiting.

So, as in years past, I plan on talking about the 2011's resolutions and then my 2012 ones as well and I hope its not a problem that its won't exactly be in the month of january that I will be doing it all. I have had an incredible start to what I know is going to be an incredible year and probably one of the craziest years ever but I am ready. Bring it on, 2012!

And PS. Winter finally arrived in Paris this weekend. It's cold. I mean I'm wearing 4 layers and a parka type coat and still cold. brrrrr. Hope you Texans are enjoying your nice chilly weather or nice warm weather, I myself will be staying inside for the time being. :-)

Miss you all!!!

Love, moi

the rest

January first was spent sleeping in (jet lag, hello!). We went to see the movie New Years Eve and it was really good and then went to dinner where our waiter was very british, thank you. We skyped with old friends and caught up some more. Our last day in London we actually spent in London walking around, seeing the London bridge (from afar) and eating at Chipotle where some had their first burrito.
I'd say this was a very successful holiday and reunion and New Years all wrapped into three quick days. Three countries, time zones, currencies and forms of transportation in three days.

Happy 2012

Happy 2012 Everyone!!!!!! New Years eve was spent in London with my amazing (new) friends. We came from all over and met to spend a few days on holiday together at Caroline's family home in the suburbs of London. On NYE we ate fish and chips and waited for 3.5 hours to see 10 minutes of fireworks shoot out of the London Eye. It took us 4 hours to get back home that night and then we stayed up till 7am sipping champagne and sharing our new years resolutions with each other.

Hope everyone had a great new years eve no matter where you were. Happy 2012!!!

Paris at its finest

This was the other night at the Louvre and then the Ponts des Arts and the Assemblee Nationale. I love my city!!! (all photos were taken using my iPhone 4)