Discobolus (as my greek grandfather would call me)

9/19 9:38 PM

After completing my first week of classes, I decided to take a little time to myself. Also I wanted to scope out the public pool, but that was just a little bonus to my little afternoon adventure. Since I don’t have any classes on Friday (I know! How lucky am I?) I decided to go to the pool, which I have been meaning to do for a while now. I went, swam for about 45 minutes and left. When I got to the bus stop, I realized that the next bust wasn’t for another 30 minutes. So I deiced to take a little walk around the building with the pool. I had heard seen on the map that there was a park around there and I wanted to check it out.

As I was walking I realized that I had no idea where I was going. And before an ounce of panic set in, I realized that it didn’t matter. After having that very profound thought, I instantly stumbled upon a bunch of old French men playing petanque (bocci, but French, and therefore way better). There were about 30 old men and women playing this very French pastime. I stood and watched for a little while, watching them laugh, yell, and get out their measuring tapes to see who was REALLY closer to the little ball (cochon?). As I continued walked, I walked past the GRASS tennis courts, the grass soccer field, the astro-turf soccer field, and then the dirt soccer field (the French like their soccer). And on the dirt soccer field, there was a gym class being held, and the kids were learning how to throw discus.

Reflecting back now, it all seems so symbolic. The throwing of a well shaped object. The object can be perfectly shaped, but until the thrower throws it, nothing can happen. Now think of me as that well shaped object. Shaped by four years of high school French, but that French was just sitting in my lap, until I decided to throw myself in the language itself.

I was tossed into the language, the culture, the food, the wine, and the people. That park, those kids, the fact that I had finished my first week of classes, all made me realize that it is up to you to make your life happen. You can sit back and let things happen to you, but then you have no choice in the matter. Or you can choose the say yes, to put yourself out there, to chuck yourself into the unknown and hope that you land on something soft.