It’s a little complicated - what isn’t? But my plans have changed (again).
Under some pressure - but not really - I was able to switch schools.
From Johns Hopkins university to the Université Paris Cité.
No doubt, the Hopkins acceptance helped.
It’s like when you have a boyfriend - how the other boys suddenly find you more attractive?

There was a comment someone made here, SbySW, I think - he said,
“No more early jogs in Baltimore,” (as in danger-city) and that was a tumbler for me - I started checking and, yeah, Baltimore is very.. Baltimore-ish. Then my little mind started grinding.

‘If I’m already switching schools and since Peter (my bf) is still ‘stuck’ in Geneva.. Isn’t Paris closer?
TRIGGER WARNING  
So, here’s where the 'nepo baby' magic happens.
I called my Grandmère. ring.ring
“Umm, I’m thinking the Université Paris Cité might be better than Baltimore.. Is that CrAzY?”
After a moment's silence, Grandmère said,
“Can you forward me your Hopkins acceptance letter?”

And thirty minutes later (9pm Paris time, mind you), I got a call from Université Paris Cité admissions. I’m in. The program starts September 1st.
Then François, one of my Grandmère’s corporate minions called and said:
"Johns Hopkins appreciated the quick notice.
The movers will be there, for you and Charles @ 9am tomorrow morning.
Your flight (to Paris) leaves @ 9:22pm tomorrow night..
Your TSA PreChecks, and Global Entry passes are complete.
I mailed you your flight passes and "Imagine'R" (unlimited Paris travel) cards. A car will be waiting when you arrive.”
François doesn't mess around.

I looked at my watch, it was 2:45 in the afternoon.
****, I need to tell Charles we're moving to Paris tomorrow.

Yes, I exist in a charmed circle - if you discount the contentiousness of the choice - my Mom’s now mad at me and my sister’s not too happy 
- I’m totes charmed.
Of course, the Hopkins acceptance (and the full-ride scholarship I declined) will now pass on to another lucky student.

Sometimes what you want
is lurking in the shadows
just out of reach - do you dare disclose it -
risk exposing it, when some might oppose it?

The bible says “Ask and you shall receive.”
In real life, that may require more than belief,
if your secret wishes, you are to achieve.
.
.
Songs for this:
Give Paris One More Chance by Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers
The Paris Match (feat. Tracey Thorn) by The Style Council
Nostalgie Du Voyage by Tape Five

all my friends are falling in love
and guys are falling for them
they’re all asking when i will
even my guys friends ask questions

they ask how im still single
cuz “respectfully you’re pretty
if i didn’t see you as a sister,
i’d totally fall for you”

it’s a weird thing to say
but i think it’s sweet
it’s reassuring
knowing that maybe there’s nothing actually wrong with me

maybe God is making me wait
i mean i’m horrible at patience
but then i remember
that little thing He whispered to me

He has that perfect guy planned for me
and tho he has a girlfriend now
he’s gonna realize it’s meant to be me

i know i sound crazy
but i kinda like crazy

I jumped the gun.
Made the playlist.
Planned the vacation.
Did the work.

Might as well go alone.

Our caps flew like confetti.
Thank god I customized mine.
I'll keep it as a memento of all-nighters,
friendships formed in the academic trenches,
dismissive professors and group-project-tortures.

This isn’t another ‘drunk girl’ holiday, despite obvious similarities.
Our parents, sisters, brothers, and grandmothers are here.

We came in doe-eyed, holding overpriced planners,
and enough provisions for two year Mars missions.
We hoped to discover friends, decent Wi-Fi signals
and perhaps our adult selves.

Now we're holding diplomas, those future-proofing talismans.
Mine’s in molecular biophysics and biochemistry.
Which is wry, because when I was in high school,
my sister accused me of not knowing how to boil water.

I've been asked "What’s next?" a thousand times in the last month.
I have plans—but I was dying to shrug and say, “that’s tomorrow’s problem,” like I’ve spent major duckets, degree wise, but remain the ditzy blonde.
The standard graduate answer, I’ve heard, is "I dunno."
(though honestly, it’s a great answer).

Congratulations, all of you graduating overachievers out there—everywhere.
Go forth, be fabulous and find that next big dream.
Can you believe we actually did this?
Argh! I gotta go, someone wants another picture.
.
.
Songs for this:
What Dreams Are Made Of by Evann McIntosh
Summer Wind by Robert Mosci
Tomorrow by Wings

what if I’m waiting
for something that will never come,
what if I was not who I am,
what if I never questioned

what if I don’t want to look on prospects drear
what if I want to be the mouse, not man-
who only lets the present toucheth thee,
to not be a human
that guesses an’ fears.
What if I accept that
even the best laid schemes
gang aft agley,
that often my whimsical dreams
are to keep my actions at bay
tucked under my hat,
kept from leading me astray
because after all Burns said,
in proving foresight might be vain.

And maybe a humans life is what I was destined to get,
but I will not be stopped yet,
though plans may falter and not be met
I will keep here set
In my human form of pain and regret.

Surrounded by ideas and plans,
you were paving your own way—
an American, Chinese, or European dream,
it all looked like the perfect world.

In chasing that vision,
you lost sight of yourself.
Stirred by the illusion’s chaos,
you chose to listen to a fairy.

That grand design in your mind,
planned out over a lifetime—
how much it shapes
what you allow yourself to feel.

One life, one chance:
follow who you want to be.
Stop forcing, stop pretending—
don’t chase who you “should” be.

Your great magic puzzle—
you can shift it however you wish.
Step outside your own design,
and let yourself feel again.

Rodeado de ideas y de planes
estabas preparando tu camino
sueño americano, chino o europeo
todo parecía un mundo perfecto

En la búsqueda de ese mundo
te olvidaste de ti mismo
la consciencia de una ilusión agitada
a un hada decidiste escuchar

Tu gran proyecto mental
que planificaste toda tu vida
cuanto influye, en lo que
te permites sentir

Una vida una vez
sigue lo que quieres ser
de forzarte y obligarte
no sigas lo que debes ser

Tu gran rompecabezas mágico
como tú quieras lo puedes mover
sal del esquema de tu vida
y permítete volver a sentir

From an infant to a child, growing into an adult,
Then working every day, planning for retirement,
Never thinking, it could be one of the hardest parts,
You act out, in this life, as you know it today.
Even if you financially planned, your home, bills are paid,
Changes in society, the loss of family members,
All of mine have passed, along with, many special friends,
That were close, and others who migrated another way.
Often for a smile, you think of memories, of lost past days,
Scanning records, you cherish, stored, in your hippocampus,
In your brains temporal lobe, it would now take twenty four hours,
To just arrange and plan, what you use to accomplish, in one day,
Reminiscing, of old cars, clothes, events, or that special game,
Now realizing, they were pieces, of your puzzle, to where you are today.
Next time you look in a mirror, those lines on your face, you earned,
From tough decisions, to the memories of enjoyment, from days & nights,
When you just could not stop grinning, ear, to ear. Changes to control,
Many man made distractions, in life today, most modern day children,
Could not think of following, the footsteps, you traveled in past days.
For those you love, and those who do you, food for you soul, the part,
Of you, that will survive. Old and young souls around you every day,
There is no way to separate them by age. Born philosopher’s & prophets,
Are still among us, delivering messages, you have many directors as you,
Act out your part, in this life, on planet Earth, which is your stage.
                                                                                                                        The original: Tom Maxwell © 03/27/2025 AD