A glorious new adventure

I'm at a crossroads. I've lived in France for ages. Now, it may be time to leave. About a week ago, my husband ran into our apartment breathless. He said, the company I work for is finished. Let's move. Where I said. He said I don't know. I don't know either. Now, the first thing I thought was to move back to my hometown. I grew excited and thought of all the possibilities. Then, my old friend, doubt started creeping in. What would I do? The economy isn't good. The schools and services aren't as good as it is here. Then, the realization came to me. I'm much more French than I would have ever cared to admit. My time in France hasn't been easy going. I'd wanted to leave from the time I got here. The first year, was hell. I couldn't effectively speak the language. I felt isolated. I felt different.
As an African American, I felt different in times in life. I've faced adversity and have overcome it. But this was something different. This was just a feeling that I couldn't shake. I always felt like, I am me, Jennifer, no matter where I went. Here, I feel something different. For many people that go to a foreign country, there is adversity. However, I've not had lots of that. I live with a husband that has a decent job. I worked and went to school and now that we've had a child, I stay home with her. I'm lucky. Luckier than most. I'm what one would call comfortable. Would I be willing to give up my comfort for something uncertain?
I started searching the web for jobs for us both. I felt a sick, sinking feeling. Was I doing the right thing? Then, I started hearing about the Tea Party movement. More and more, it became larger than life. Something that in the beginning was a fringe element has become something bigger. I started seeing people throwing bricks in windows of buildings and yelling racial slurs. There was something that I just didn't understand. How did the pendulum swing so far to the right? This reminded me of Kristallnacht. It reminded me of all the images that I've seen of the pogroms in Europe. Who was next?
So, I've decided to remain in Europe for the mean time. I don't know what my future holds. I walked down the street in a stylish area called Chamalières. The stately homes of the Belle Epoque lined the street. Beautiful cherry blossoms and flowers had begun to bud. Lush colors of pinks, whites and greens where everywhere to be found. Maybe, I am no longer just "l'americaine". However, I'm not quite French either. I'm something else. I'm something different. Instead of bemoaning this fact, maybe it is something that I should relish. Maybe this glorious new adventure is something that is to be lived another day.

Voilà

Today is just another day like any other. My friend told me to start this blog because she thought I had talent. Talent of some kind or of another. She said when I speak, people listen. Well, let's hope that the rest of you think the same thing. So listen and I'll spin you tales.
I'm an expatriate. I live in France. I've lived in France for 9 years. I've built a life very different from the life I built before. I want to introduce you, dear reader to a life en Provence.