Going back in time, it wasn't too long ago that I would literally lie in bed all morning because my life had so little meaning.  Unemployment and a lack of friends in a foreign land rendered me helpless and incredibly depressed.  Although there was the occasional ray of sunshine, it never shined brightly enough to prevent the inevitable self-destructive behavior and decision making to which I am unfortunately prone.  Life felt so hopeless that I would have given anything to trade mine for someone else's.

This current chapter of my life, however, happens to effing rock and has most definitely made up for all the unhappiness I endured just months ago.  But how did I get here? Is it risk taking and perseverance, or did I end up here by pure chance? After all, this position did more or less fall into my lap. Yes, I mailed a CV, a couple of letters of reference and had a lengthy telephone interview, but I still believe that it's all thanks to a friend that I am even in Switzerland.  Whatever the reason, I'm here and I am in love with life.  It's a temporary euphoria, though, for I know that life won't be nearly as thrilling or rewarding once I leave this beautiful country.

So, I guess what I want to say is that life is full of highs and lows and you've got to learn to appreciate both.  This place would be amazing regardless of the situation, but after having been so miserable earlier this year, I have valued this experience more than words could ever say.  My coworkers are fun and mostly drama-free; my students are brilliant, motivated and kind; and the kids in my dorm hug me, love me and open up to me on a daily basis.  Basically: I feel loved, needed and appreciated.  My heart is being allowed to work at near maximum capacity, which, for me, represents the most important aspect of happiness.

Check back in a few weeks and I guarantee that my joie de vivre will have calmed down quite a bit.  

Despite recent comments from a couple of friends, my life is not a perfect fairytale.  I'm merely trying to appreciate genuine happiness while it's within my reach.  We've all got our own problems, worries and insecurities, but if you look closely, beauty is all around.