What Next?

Today is Saturday and I have 2-1/2 more days in Paris. As you can imagine, I’m beginning to panic about how I’ll fit in the things remaining on my list. The Museum Quai Branly, the Museé D’Art Moderne, plus my last two arrondissements, the 15th and 17th. Tomorrow I’ll visit Vitry-sur-Seine, a art-rich community outside the city limits.

As I sit here and type, I realize how closely that feeling mirrors my life. I am in the second half of my life, the last stretch. I have limited time to do all the things on my ever-expanding bucket list.

After these walks through this great city, I want to read everything about Paris I can get my hands on, see all the old movies set here. I’d love to take a French course so when I come back, I’ll be able to form relationships with those who live here.

I’m dying to go back to El Salvador where I lived as a child. Vietnam’s on my list as are places in South America and Africa.

I want to go back to school, maybe at Parsons or NYU for a summer course. I am so energized by young creative people and would love to work alongside them in a college setting.

Oh, and then there’s my career. Even after 30 years, I crave more of it. I want to get more proficient at Photoshop and other programs that allow me to be more fluid as I translate the designs in my head. And social media, which changes daily, is like a big ol’ puzzle to me – it’s almost addicting.

I also want to put into a book the writings I’ve done on the side, the ones I’ve not published on my blog. I want to make sure I say to those I love the thoughts I have on my heart. I can’t run out time, leaving certain things unsaid.

So for my 60h birthday this coming month, maybe I’ll treat myself to a writing course, maybe a week-long course in New York, or maybe one at home. And maybe I’ll just send out my query package to the agent in New York who first told me I should write a book.

I can’t waste any time. I’ve got so much I want to do.

 

 

12 Comments
  • Michele Stapleton
    Posted at 08:18h, 22 September

    CoffeBreakFrench.com. I LOVE their lessons. Put them on your iPhone listen while you are in the car.

  • madamehousewife
    Posted at 08:30h, 22 September

    Oh goodness! That was fast! Soak up all you can in the next couple of days! Thanks for taking us all along on your remarkable adventure. 🙂

  • missaliciaboone
    Posted at 08:38h, 22 September

    So are so, so fly, Lisa! Thank you for being you. Thank you for sharing your journey on this planet we call earth. Thank you for taking a stand for joy, love, lifelong learning, and peace. You inspire me. Please do reach out to us NOLABounders in NYC when you come for your writing course. I would love to laugh, reminisce, cry, dance and plan over delicious home cooked food at when you arrive!

    • missaliciaboone
      Posted at 08:40h, 22 September

      at… : )

      • Lisa weldon
        Posted at 19:04h, 22 September

        I am so lucky to know you! Wish we could do a yearly NOLA!

  • Cynthia Jacquier
    Posted at 09:24h, 22 September

    I’m right there with you on the “last stretch of life” phenomenon and am doing my best to make my fantasies (which mostly revolve around travel!) a reality. You have definitely been a fabulous inspiration as living in France for a period of time is my highest goal! I’ve been a Special Ed teacher for my 30 “career” years and, though it breaks my heart as far as the kids go, the bureaucracy has extinguished my passion for the job. I have worked primarily with those most severely impaired and I hope to find a way to utilize the skills I’ve attained in some other capacity. Kind of hard to reinvent yourself in such a specialized field, but I am up to (and, most days, energized by!) the adventure that lies ahead 🙂 Savor your last 2 days (and, if you haven’t already done it, get that Fat Tire bike tour in!!!!) I wish you safe travels and a heart that continues to fill with life experiences that delight you. My birthday’s next month, as well, and I will be sure to raise a toast to you as I celebrate!

    P.S. Thanks for your recommendation, Michele! I have a basic, functional ability with French but I am longing to improve.. will definitely check it out!

  • Sally
    Posted at 09:25h, 22 September

    Hey, come to Toronto…..you’ve got a place to stay. And you’ve probably got more chance to use your Spanish than your French here, but really you’d need Chinese (either Mandarin or Cantonese), Punjabi, Portuguese, Italian, Tagalog, Arabic, Korean, Vietnamese…..or 130 other ones. Maybe there’s a course at OCAD you could take. Or maybe just visit me!!!

  • Rick Ross
    Posted at 09:47h, 22 September

    This is the best entry yet!

    • Lisa weldon
      Posted at 02:35h, 23 September

      I sure hope YOI are blogging!

  • Terri
    Posted at 16:34h, 22 September

    Have so enjoed your posts. Your stay has gone by so quickly….Hope to read nore of your adventures in the coming years.

  • Lisa weldon
    Posted at 18:21h, 22 September

    Oh, Terri, thank you-I can’t believe it either!

  • Joanna
    Posted at 16:29h, 23 September

    Saw Jimmy at the LSU/Auburn tailgate and he caught us up on your book aspirations and you-know-who encouraging you!