a revelation

in 55 days (but who's counting?) I am moving to a city full of smart, beautiful people and fantastic restaurants.

no one ever really talks about it, but being an Au Pair affords a lot of time to think. Had I known how pathetically introspective (is that just a nice word for self-centered? maybe) I was going to become I might have chosen a different path but hey, here I am. C'est la vie (sidenote: that's just about the only French I know. Thanks, Switzerland)

So, I've spent the last six months thinking about who I want to be. Now I am going to spend the next eight weeks putting the plan into action.

First up: I really, really don't want to limit myself in the greatest food city in the world (my oh my I can't wait to try crack pie) but for my all-around well being I should probably think of some way to burn all of those extra calories I will be devouring. I'm also going to have to pinch a few pennies to be able to afford all of these luxuries so it looks like little miss "I'm not a runner" is going to have to start running.

Look for "See Cheryl Run" the most awkward children's book of all time on bookshelves near you this holiday season.

Also, it has been brought to my attention that a few years abroad have wreaked havoc not only on my use of proper English but also on my general intelligence. I am hoping to jump start my brain, which has been coasting for nearly a year now, by attacking the pile of books in my room the size of Mont Blanc. First up is Sophie's World, given to me by my walk-to-school neighbor friend (mother of Isabelle, 3 and Ivonne, 8) after I complained that I know nothing about philosophy.

So that's that. Wish me luck.

Initiating self-improvement sequence now.