Friday Night Reflections: Step 2

Sometimes I don't know how I made it through an entire week. From Monday through Friday, it's a constant high speed chase. And then, when I sit down to think about what I did during the week, I can't for the life of me, remember. Or when Monday comes rolling around, I can't remember what I did on the weekend. Do you ever feel that way?

Sometimes I feel like I have five-thousand things to do on my to-do list. And for whatever reason, I think that I can remember them in my head. Crazy right?

And then, when I try to remember what is on my to-do list, I can't remember a thing. Ever feel like this?

Overwhelmed? Don't know where to start?

So for today's Friday Night Reflection, start with writing down all the things you need to do.

Every last thing.

From going to the post office to doing your taxes to calling a few contacts to get started on a new project.

Write everything down.

Then prioritize you list based on what you get can done quickly, what will take a few hours, what will take a few days, and what will take a few weeks.

Then, get to it!

Reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed. You'll be closer to finding your joie de vivre.

Bon week-end!
Catie

You are not who you were...

I was having a conversation with my husband about the notion of dating that somehow morphed into a conversation about life experiences.

And I was lamenting about how my social life in high school were not my favorite memories. High school wasn't a total wash, but I just felt like there was a lot more left to be desired from my experience.

So my husband says brilliant things with great execution, and said, "Well imagine if you didn't live that life, we might not have met, and we'd be totally different people. And you're not that person anymore."

Whoa. It's so true.

And I don't think this concept is necessarily original or new. It's something I've thought about a lot. It's something that I consider and reminisce about with my husband. I always ask him, "What if we didn't decide to do the things we did? Imagine who we would have become..."

I think all too often people think that they are stuck with who they are. As if it's impossible to enact change in one's life. That all the things in the past define who you are as a person today. While I agree that life experiences of the past do shape the person I am today, I am not who I was. I am not the same person I was when I was sixteen. I am not the same person I was three weeks ago. We are constantly evolving and growing from those past experiences, and we are not who we were.

Imagine who you can be. Who do you want to be?

I'm not talking about falling into an existential crisis and feeling ennui about "Who am I? Why am I here?" But more so, it's the idea of where do I want to be? How do I want to leave my impression on this earth? What is it in life that drives me? What is my joie de vivre?

Looking forward. Remembering the past and accepting it, but moving forward. You are not who you were.

Are you happy with who you are? If the answer is yes, SWEET! You're already ahead of the curve.

If the answer is no, what makes you happy? Is there something out there that you've always wanted but have been thinking, "I could never do that."

Consider the possibilities.

Consider the opportunities.

Growing up I was always shy. I was quiet and reserved and preferred being in the sidelines, listening. It wasn't until I was in college that I started to flex those "outgoing" muscles. I've never been one to strike up a conversation, but if someone talks to me, I will gladly chat with them. So bit by bit, I started to introduce myself to friendly faces. I tried to start the conversation. It was sometimes hit or miss, but at least I tried. In high school, I probably wouldn't have tried that. In college, I was not who I was in high school.

After college, and early into my first "real" job at a company, I always admired my friend's ability to talk to anyone. ANYONE. Without hesitation. Without fear. I wanted that. I wanted to learn from her. So little by little, as I was starting my foray into wedding photography I would go to photographer get-togethers. ALONE. I didn't even bring a wingman! This was seriously some nerve-wracking stuff for me, especially when I have always thought of myself as a shy person. But I put myself out there. I felt the fear, and did it anyway. And in retrospect, I'm so glad that I did.

I gave myself a crash course, on-the-spot training on how to talk to strangers. It wasn't so scary. I'm still working on piping up in larger group settings, because I still recede from conversations with more than five or six people and listen. However, I'm not who I was. I'm not the girl paralyzed by fear that I was when I was fifteen.

I am, who I've become.

And it's constant refining and evolution, but that's the beauty of life.

What's your opportunity?

Merci a tous,
Catie

Thoughts vs. Actions

I've been thinking a lot of about thinking lately. I'm sure that sounds funny. I've been doing a lot of reflection to identify and concretely find my passion. Because passion makes me feel alive. Having a purpose makes me feel on top of the world. It makes me feel like I am here on earth for a reason.

I recently read Chris Guillebeau's post titled What You Don't Do Doesn't Matter. Basically, he talks about how he was thinking about doing certain things, such as buying flowers, doing something for someone else, completely emptying his inbox, sending more money to Haiti. And yet, that's all it ended up being: thinking about it.

And he made a very good point writing, Thinking about someone doesn't help them.

This struck me.

Because it's so true. Thinking about doing something is not the same as doing it. It may be nice to think about going to the gym and working out, but's it's not the same as actually getting out of the house and breaking a sweat.

And while it's wonderful to reflect and think about all the amazing things I want to do, it has no bearing if I don't take the steps to get there. That's what this blog is. An action. An action put out into the blogosphere. A step closer to finding my joie de vivre.

This also applies to my professional life. As a wedding photographer who recently moved to a completely new market and a totally different state, I've been thinking about ways to get my name out there and connect with other vendors. I have been thinking about working with other wedding vendors and organizing photo shoots. But until this point in time it was just a thought.

I was feeling discouraged. I was feeling frustrated. I was almost ready to throw in the towel.

Enter Lara Casey's Making Things Happen Intensive. After attending, it reignited my fire for my fledgling business I had a new perspective and realized that no one was holding me back but myself. Seriously. The entire fall season I had just been thinking about doing it. No wonder it never happened.

But now I'm making it happen. I'm taking the little steps and putting them into action.

Because thinking is not doing.

And while I believe that thinking and reflection is so important to the process, taking action is even more powerful. So if there's something you've been thinking about doing lately, why not do it? Why not figure out the steps that will get you one step closer to what you want to do or what you want to be?

Want to be a helicopter pilot? Go find out the requirements for becoming one.

Want to go to Europe this summer? Start researching for tickets and hotel prices. Look for advice on blogs.

Want to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity? Go to their website and find out how to become a volunteer.

It's a lot easier when you break the steps you need to take down into baby steps. It's a lot less intimidating. And a lot more doable!

What's your joie de vivre? What's your first action step?

Merci a tous,
Catie

Friday Night Reflections

So this project has been in existence for just a week, and it has been an amazing ride. So much so that I realized that I've written the length of an essay everyday for a week. It's crazy because I never write that much on a regular basis, let alone everyday. It's astounding what a little passion fueling your fire can do!

But I thought that I'd mix it up today. And bring a little more interactivity to the table.

Finding your joie de vivre doesn't just happen. You have to find it. You have to dig for it. You have to seek it out.

In the first steps for discovering your joie de vivre, think about what makes you feel happy. What makes you feel whole, like a complete person?

For me, it's surrounding myself with family and close friends. Spending time with my husband. Having a home and making it ours. A good book. A good conversation. Laughing until my belly aches. Traveling to and exploring new places. A home-cooked meal.

So I pose the question, What makes you feel whole?

Bon week-end! 
Catie 

My life one week out

I've never been so excited to blog in my life.

I don't think I've ever been this excited in my professional life, period.

Just a week ago today, my life was rocked in an amazing way. I experienced a roller coaster of emotions and just laid it all out on the table. I started to open up to what I want in life, what is holding me back, what makes me feel happy and whole, and what I want to make happen this year and in the years to come. A day of self-reflection so deep, that my head started to hurt. But in the best way possible.

I walked away with a new perspective on life. With a new drive and new enthusiasm for what I'm doing.

I generally don't consider myself easily excitable. It's tough to get me really enthusiastic. But after Lara Casey's Making Things Happen Intensive, I've been the MOST FIRED UP, I've ever been. Ever. About anything in my professional life. And it's such a new feeling to me that I'm still riding on the most amazing natural high even seven days later. It's unlike anything else.

And those who experienced the intensive know what I'm talking about. It's an indescribable feeling, but the feeling is there.

For everyone else - my friends, family, and contacts - have seen this new side of me. And they probably think that I drank the special Kool-Aid or started taking some crazy pills or joined some kind of a cult. Because I haven't always felt this way. And suddenly, pretty much overnight, it's like my life took a SERIOUS 180. Serious.

And I had no idea it was coming.

I've had my lows, and probably my lowest moment was working in a stifling corporate environment. It was the most frustrating experience that I've had in my short existence. I wasn't excited about the work. I wasn't excited about most of the people. I wasn't excited about the company. At all. I had a generally disenchanted sentiment for the entire thing. Managers who didn't listen (except for my one manager who was AMAZING and was my silver lining for the 14 months she worked with me). Budgets that I managed that were three, four, five times my annual salary. Expectations that were completely unachievable. I felt like I was set up for failure.

And I don't think anyone likes that feeling.

I think it's a universal good feeling to succeed. To meet goals and exceed expectations. This was always what I shot for. In high school. In college. Even in France where I didn't understand the grading structure at all. I've always aimed high and shot for success. But after enough time at this company, I felt like I had not progressed in my career at all. I felt like I was shuffling papers for the sake of shuffling. Talking the talk. Playing the game. And all for what? Making other people's bonuses bigger? Are you kidding me?

That was the old me. By the end of my time there, I was just apathetic. I was cynical. I had no kick in my step. I wasn't excited. I was unhappy. My silver lining in it all was that there was a light at the end of the tunnel. It wasn't going to last forever. I had a vision far removed from a cubicle life. I had a vision of bigger and better things that I could define. That I could decide.

So here I am. At a crossroads. And I'm so excited.

While I don't know where this project will take me, I have confidence that it will be an amazing journey. It's total uncharted territory. It reminds me a lot of when I moved to France. I didn't know what I was doing, where I was going, or what kind of experiences were going to change my life for the better. I just knew that I could speak French and would get by.

That's how I feel about this blog. I know that I can write, relaying and sharing experiences that have made me feel like a whole person (like the best version of myself), and hopefully helping just one person find their silver lining - their joie de vivre.

And that if I keep doing it, I will be achieving my goal of helping others find and see the best version of themselves. Because we all have it in us. Deep down. We just need to dig.

If my life can take a 180, I know it's possible to find your joie de vivre.

Merci a tous (thanks everyone),
Catie

Appreciating the Little Things

One of my fondest memories from France is just sitting in the park and taking in the beauty all around. Stopping. Taking a break from the hustle and bustle of life and enjoying the moment. Savoring the experience. Observing life.

(Parc de la Tete d'Or, photo from Flickr.com)

I was lucky enough to have found a place to live just a ten minute walk from one of France's largest urban parks Parc de la Tête d'Or (Park of the Golden Head, literally) that was built in 1857 (Sometimes it astounds me how old and how much history lies within Europe. I think it's because the United States is still so young in comparison to the whole of Europe). To me, it's very reminiscent of Central Park. It just has that vibe. I would go to the park on occasion just to walk around and think. And it was some of the best thinking I could have done. No distractions. No interruptions. Just reflection.

My friends and I would meet at the park for picnics and fun. We'd lie around on blankets and stare at the sky. We'd eat une baguette avec du fromage (French baguette with cheese) or grab a gaufre avec Nutella (waffle with Nutella) from the park vendor. We'd take time from our regularly scheduled programming to just...relax. It. was. stellar.

A couple of months ago, when I was in a "I'm in a new place and I have no friends or family around" type of funk, two of my friends that I studied abroad with called me. It was so good to hear familiar voices.

They said, "Guess where we are."

I said, "California?" (Because well, I knew at least that they were calling from there.)

They said, "Yeah, but guess where!"

I had no idea. I was cooped up in our air conditioned apartment trying to beat the summer heat. I had no good conjectures.

"We're at the park!" They said, with such joy in their voices. "Lying on a blanket, staring at the sky."

In that moment, I was brought back. Brought back to a place where time ticked by a lot slower. Where all the distractions were muted. Where the sky was blue and the sun was warm. And it felt like nothing else mattered.

You know, I long for those moments. Where it feels like everything has stopped, even for a few minutes, to take in the scenery and appreciate the little things. The green grass. The blue sky. The chirping birds (as long as they aren't too loud!). To be able to take a deep cleansing breath. To thank God for all the blessings in my life. To be alive and healthy and living life as much as I can.

While those moments have been fewer and far between, I'm going to make time this year. In fact, there's a park just footsteps from our street. And although it's no Parc de la Tête d'Or, it's still a place where reflection can happen. Where everything can just stop, even for a few minutes. To take deep breaths. To take in the little things.

To find the joie de vivre.

Merci a tous,
Catie

On Being Authentic

You know, I used to be an unhappy person. I tried to hide it, but deep down, I had all these negative vibes running through me. I wasn't good enough. I wasn't pretty enough. I wasn't smart enough. I wasn't running with the cool kids. I used to compare myself to others, and that didn't help any. I longed for a boyfriend, and yet no one ever asked me out. I had prepared to resign myself to a life of loneliness and cats. I was ready to write it all off.

And that was just in high school.

In college, I did what most college kids do. Tried to "find myself". Looking back, the whole "finding oneself" journey is so much bigger and longer than four or five years of college. It's a constant work in progress. Well, there was one thing I knew for sure when I started college. I wanted to study abroad. If there was nothing else that ever did in college, that was on the ONE THING I had to do. Had to.

So I did. And it was the best thing I could have done for myself.

And yet, I'm not going to pretend, I actually had a slow start to having fun in France. I thought that I had to run with the cool kids and this was my chance. No one knew me. Everyone was new. I thought that was what I wanted. But seriously, who defines who the cool kids are? It's so arbitrary. It's so subjective. And those few weeks that I spent trying to wedge myself in with who the other kids had dubbed the "smoking clique" were such a waste in effort. Looking back, I so glad I'm not that girl anymore. Luckily, I quickly learned that my heart bonded so much more with the other people in my group. The ones who were a little more quirky. Laughed louder. Had a nerdy side. Because let's face it, I was that group.

I'm so glad I woke up. Because the girls (and couple of guys) who I surrounded myself with, spent time with, ate lunch and dinner with, grabbed a cafe creme (espresso with cream) with, were who helped me have my best year ever. Once I stopped trying to be something that I wasn't, I was finally able to breathe. Take deep cleansing breaths as myself in my own skin. And being happy with it. I realized that I couldn't deny my authentic self. No matter how hard I tried.

So I know it sounds cliche, but, be yourself. Be true to who you are deep down and own it. That's the best you can do.

I learned the hard way that I couldn't be something I wasn't. No matter how much I thought I wanted it. I think it was like the little devil on my shoulder pushing me towards what I wasn't really. I didn't have much in common with those girls. And that was probably why we just didn't click. And it took a swift kick to the head (well, figuratively, of course) to realize how dumb I was being.

I believe everything happens for a reason, and for me this revelation was life changing. I learned that I'm not for everyone, and everyone isn't for me. And that it's okay. Really it is. When we have time to examine our lives, our hopes, dreams, goals, and our true authentic selves, the right people for us will come. We'll be surrounded by those who lift us up and encourage us.

Be authentic.

This is one of my goals as I walk this journey for finding my joie de vivre.

Merci a tous,
Catie

The Phone Call

This blog isn't even seven days old, and it's totally rocked my world. For real.

Last week, I had the opportunity and sincere honor of attending Lara Casey's Making Things Happen Intensive in Dallas. And it was amazing. It was empowering. It changed the game.

I mean, I knew that this intensive was going to be good. I just didn't know that it was going to be that good. I had no idea that I would walk away with my dreams on paper and spoken aloud to a group of strangers turned friends. I could have never predicted what I would experience that day.

In fact, I almost didn't have this experience. I had known about the tour and I had been following Lara's blog posts (which, if you need firing up, go read them, NOW!), but based on the cost alone and the current state of my business, I just couldn't justify the cost. No matter how much I tried to rationalize it, it just wasn't in the cards. Or so I thought.

Lara Casey, who is seriously one of the most amazing women I've met to date, ran a contest on her blog for a free seat to one of the intensives. And thanks to the amazing people who attended the first Making Things Happen Intensive in Watercolor, FL, they organized a scholarship and raised $700+ to send a lucky person to the intensive. Amazing. I read through the post and I read the other comments from other inspiring folks with their stories. I thought that there was no way my comment would win. But on the other hand, if I didn't at least try, I would never know. So, I did it anyway.

Monday afternoon, I was running my usual errands, and I received a phone call. I didn't recognize the number so I didn't pick up. Later, when I checked the number, it said it was from North Carolina. Hmmm. I didn't know anyone from there. But then, I checked my voicemail. It was a message from Southern Weddings Magazine, calling about the Making Things Happen tour. My heart started beating. Fast. I tried finding the best spot in my house to make a phone call (reception is spotty at best, and I didn't want to miss a second), and called them back. And left a message.

Twenty minutes later, I received a phone call. It was Emily of Southern Weddings Magazine
. Then the phone signal started to waver. I rushed outside so that I could hear what she was telling me. "Story. Liked. Offer. Partial scholarship." These were the words I heard. Thankfully, I found a spot on the front lawn that had better reception and repeated the details back to Emily to confirm I heard them correctly.

They were touched by my story and wanted to offer me a partial scholarship to Making Things Happen.

My heart was racing at that point. I thanked Emily and said I would get back to her in 24 hours.

I literally started pacing. Around my house. Pacing. I probably looked crazy. But I think better when I'm active.

So I considered my options. I could turn it down and potentially regret it for the rest of my life. Or I could take opportunity by the reigns and quite literally, MAKE IT HAPPEN.

I talked to my husband. I explained the story. I told him about the books (another blog post to come). I told him about the signs (also another story). He said, "You should do it."

The next morning I nervously typed out an email to Emily. I laid it out on the table. I spoke from the heart. I told her I couldn't not take the opportunity. About ten minutes later, I receive an email from Lara herself, inviting me to Making Things Happen and thrilled to offer me the partial scholarship. A-MAZING.

I did a happy dance. I jumped up and down. I was fired up.

It was the phone call that started it all.

I totally didn't think that my little comment on a blog would leave a mark. But I also would have never known if I didn't try.

I love Lara's quote, "Feel the FEAR, and do it ANYWAY."

Seriously, what's the worst that could happen?

Is there anything holding you back? Something you've always wondered or wanted, but haven't tried because of fear?

Feel the fear, and do it anyway.

It just might change your life. It could be your joie de vivre.

Merci a tous,
Catie

Deep Conversations

There's nothing quite like a deep conversation. The kind that digs deeper than the weather or everyday activities. The kind that challenges you and makes your heart smile. The kind that you never want to end.

(Author's collection. From Monet's Garden in Giverny, France 2003)

I relish deep conversations. I cherish each and every moment, and when they are over, I try to replay them in my head. Because they were that good. The conversations impact my life and make me rethink what I'm doing. In a good way.

Some of my favorite memories of meaningful, introspective conversations are from my year in France. Life seemed to pass by so much slower there. Probably because it was so new, and every day was a new adventure. Nothing had become a routine yet.

Something as simple as going to the boulangerie to buy bread was an adventure. The greeting, "Bonjour Madame," the ordering, "Je voudrais une baguette, s'il vous plait," the purchasing, and the closing, "Merci Madame, bonne journee."And if you missed any of that, you could be pegged the rude American. Just sayin'.

In France, I had time. I had time to sit at a cafe and contemplate life. Envision my goals. Imagine my wildest dreams coming true. I had time to think. I had time to have deep conversations.

I was the only student from my campus (in the University of California system) to go to Lyon that year, so I didn't know anyone. At first this thought intimidated me, having always considered myself a shy person, and the prospect of having to make new friends kind of freaked me out. But on the other hand, I saw this as an opportunity to meet new people who knew nothing about me. No preconceived notions about what they might have heard about me. Maybe some people would like me. Maybe some wouldn't. But I was okay with that.

The friendships I made that year were nothing short of amazing. I'm still close friends with them now. And it was during that year in France that I learned what a deep conversation can do for your life. How much you can learn in a span of a couple of hours. How much you can learn about your friends and yourself while chatting into the wee hours of the night. That there is nothing more precious than a handful of friends who you can trust with your hopes, dreams, and fears with. The friends you can ask any question and they won't think you're crazy or stupid.

It's those friends and types of relationships I want to surround myself with. It's those relationships that I cherish most.

And now, while my deep conversations happen a lot less often, I still hold them dear to my heart. In the last couple of days, I've had the pleasure of reconnecting with friends I haven't spoken to in months. Having those conversations I never want to end. Sharing those deep thoughts. Those crazy dreams. The things that fire me up. The things that embody joie de vivre.

In my journey for finding the joie de vivre,  I'm going to connect with those friends more often. I'm going to make time. Because it's relationships like those that change lives. Change minds. Change the world. Excuses are easy. But making things happen is what it's about.

Have you had a deep conversation lately? Have you shared your hopes, dreams, and fears? If you haven't, what's holding you back?

Pick up the phone.

You never know what experience or opporunity lies on the other end.

Merci a tous,
Catie

Dreaming Big and Out Loud

I think people forget to dream big. They overlook it. They take it for granted. They put it off for later.

Or they never tell anyone. They keep their dreams hidden. Guarded and safe. But safe from what? Safe from achieving those dreams? Safe from pursuing your heart's desire? Why?

Over the last couple of days, that idea has been challenged. The idea and notion of dreaming big was not only encouraged, it was necessary. Mandatory. We had to utter those words, whatever they were. We had to feel the fear and do it anyway. And though it was challenging - I started to literally shake and my voice quavered - I stated my dream out loud. We all spoke our dreams. What we are going to be or do someday. What we want in our lives.

Without big dreams, how do we know where we are going? How do we know where we want to go? How do we know when we have succeeded?

I don't think we can.

After stating my big, hairy, audacious dream out loud, it was out there. It started to materialize. And it's first manifestation is this blog.

I love the French lifestyle.  I love the French savoir-faire (literally means knowing how to do). I love French food (hello Salade Lyonnaise and Crepes with Nutella and bananas). I just love it. It brings back amazing memories and having lived amazing experiences.

And who doesn't want to have lived a life FULL of...life?

I want to live a life full of experiences, whether it be food, travel, photography, adventure, conversation, and wherever my dreams may take me, I want it to be full. Fully lived. Full of joy.

Joie de vivre: the joy of living.

Dream big. Dream out loud.

Live your dreams. Find the joy.

Merci a tous,
Catie

The Start of a Journey...

Yesterday, I blurted out my pie in the sky crazy awesome dream.

And in an amazing series of moments and conversation, I realized my passion. My deep-down-to-the-core-feel-it-in-your-soul passion. Like the kind that makes you start to weep kind of passion. Like it hits you, hard. Without notice.

passion: intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction

So thus begins this blog.

Why Project: Joie de Vivre?

joie de vivre: the joy of living

Quite literally. That's what joie de vivre means. And I think that the French have nailed it on the head. Having lived there as a child and then again as a young adult, I was able to experience real life in France. Not just as a tourist. Not just on a casual vacation. But I got to live. And I can honestly say that living in France were some of my happiest years of life. It was truly life changing.

Granted, my first stint in France was when I was four until I was seven, but that experience has ALWAYS stayed with me. Always. Twenty years later, I still have memories of those days. How life seemed so much easier. So much lighter. And I think that's because it was.

I learned to speak French because I had to. I didn't go to an American school. We lived in a small town about an hour outside of Lyon, which is two hours by TGV (high-speed train) southeast of Paris. I don't think they had a fully dedicated American school in our little town in the late 80's. And I'm so glad they didn't. I was able to have the full experience. Like a real French kid.

I remember my first word I learned. Poisson. No, not poison. But fish. Ever seen The Little Mermaid where Chef Louie sings about fish? Yeah, that poisson. And from there I just picked up. The resilience of young children. I learned how to read in French before I did English. I had a real French accent. At five years old, I was correcting my parents' pronunciation. Go figure.

I remember my parents had such a happy life there. My mom was able to stay at home. Live the life. My sister was born in France. We traveled to neighboring countries. I mean, seriously, what kid can say that they've been to Italy, Germany, Greece, England, Austria, Switzerland, all before the age of 8?! I can. And I'm so much better for it. I was able to see the world. Appreciate the beauty in each place. Appreciate the unique ways of life.

When I returned to live in France in 2003, it was an amazing year. With a fresh perspective as a budding young adult, I was able to live day to day in the shoes of a French student. Again, while I was there, I attended L'Institut d'Etudes Politiques, a part of the Universite de Lyon system. A real French school with real French students.

And man, do French students study hard. Like fiercely hard. And I think that's why they enjoy their vacations so much. It's well deserved. The French university system definitely introduces you to bureaucracy right away. But it's a system, and it's a system that works for the French. And shoot, they've been around as a country for a very, very long time.

My life in France is unparalleled with any other experience. This is not to say that I don't love my life now. But I think that in the United States, we get so caught up with status and chasing status, that we forget to live. Forget to live the life that we've been given. We forget to serve. We forget to encourage.

It's been a lifelong dream to return to France. To enjoy the food. To savor the wine. To take a promenade down the street. To live. Fully and joyfully.

And so the birth of this blog. It's a project, a path, a journey towards unlocking that passion, and making it real. Making it tangible. Finding the joie de vivre. Living the life I've been given and defining the path on my terms.

This is my journey. Come, join me.

Merci a tous,
Catie