rube goldberg, a-go-go

i love being reminded of the beauty in everyday exchanges. while i'm in the midst of many a frustration adjusting to a new existence in a foreign country where my abrasiveness ain't cute and my fumbling words aren't seen as humble attempts to "assimilate" or learn, it's easy to lose perspective on what it's all for.

i had an impromptu french lesson today in my kitchen with my roommate florent. while i was burning zucchini and turning pasta into starchy mush, i shyly shared the vocab a handy french audio dictionary helped me to pick up. the learning and frustration are so much more fun when shared and laughed over. yes, emile hirsch, happiness is only real if shared.

i was also temporarily inspired by all this democratic national convention bizness. i caught up on michelle obama's speech and for the first time could really identify with all this american dream gumbo. surprise family reunions and spending time with family has reminded me of some of the lessons that i learned while bumming around south america. sincere thankfulness for those who came before me and who paved the way for me to live this vagabond life for a little while. i suppose we're all waiting to see what become of it all as i find my place, my role in this rube goldberg-ian contraption of life.