My Dream

I sit here, of all places in the world at this moment, in Paris. Here in this city that I have dreamt of returning to for so many years, seeing it through adult eyes, seeing it as a married young woman, seeing it as the leaves are falling, as the wind is blowing, as the skies are such a beautiful shade of gray. And even with such high expectations, it has lived up to everything I thought it would be. I find myself in awe with every step down the street; there is no where else like this in the world for me, no where else that holds so many dreams, so many aspirations, so much amazement. I'm here, it's Paris, and that in itself is just amazing.

I have been in a state of amazement this whole trip and after falling in love with London, Paris has been such a beautiful change. Both so beautiful, but Paris is just on a level all its own. I absolutely loved London and its history and its setting and the people and the city and the streets and the level of classical approach. However, Paris is just so me. I stood today in the same spot that I stood under the Eiffel Tower years ago with my little brother, in a photo taken by my parents as my little brother and I stood under the Eiffel Tower with an umbrella and our raincoats and today it took me back as I stood there again, but this time knowing full well where I was and full well how I got there. I am seeing everything through new eyes, seeing everything as an adult comes to you in stages I think and it seems to me that sometimes memories make what we feel as an adult even stronger.

There is something about being here, being in London, and the same feeling I get when I go to Korea, something inside of me clicks, something finds its way to the surface of my being and I am free. Traveling, seeing the world and revisiting these places I love, being overseas, away from home, is so much a part of me, so much a part of who I've always been and I don't think that will ever change. Being here only makes me want to do this more, and to look around at where else I could go, where else I could live or travel to. For now though, I also really miss home and I'll be so ready to get there again. But for now, Paris is waiting outside, and as I walk out on my balcony tonight, I'll look out and see the Eiffel Tower and smile because I'm here, finally back again to this city that holds so many of my dreams, that holds so many of my hopes. This city is such an inspiration, such a dream in itself and it will remain so for me, always...