Back in Paris

It's Sunday, and Pink Trash has returned to Paris with a new perspective of America and a renewed appreciation for Paris. In short, though I constantly refer to Chicago as home, I no longer hang my hat in the windy city. It took a 10-day trip back to Illinois to truly expose what has changed not only in my location but my personal growth as well. It looks like the unthinkable is happening. Pink Trash is evolving.

At first, I thought maybe my cold was altering my state of mind. But as my sickness subsided, I realized things were different. Of course, I wasn't in my home with my set routine. But there was something more bubbling beneath the daily activities I used to consider essential.

Taco Bell was somewhat bland. Costco and Target were uneventful. My workouts as Lincoln Park Athletic Club were uninspired. I never once watched Ellen or Oprah - or much TV for that matter. What I believe was missing were the daily challenges I face in Paris - the exact hurdles that began deteriorating my mental state before departing for the Thanksgiving holiday.

In Chicago, things were easy. In Paris, it's quite the contrary. Learning the language is complicated. Meeting people is difficult. Staying focused is easier said than done. But these are the very elements that seem to be moving me forward in more ways than I ever could have imagined. And that's exactly why we embarked on this overseas adventure. Who know it would make an impact so quickly?

So the Thanksgiving holiday did more than expand my belly. It opened my eyes to what I have and all that I have to look forward to while in Paris. And that's priceless.