SOLITARY DESIRE: One Woman's Journey to France

By Kim Defforge

A story of a woman in love with all things French, who accomplishes her dreams through hard work and determination - driven by the overwhelming desire to be who and where she was meant to be. Inspirational and engaging - the perfect read for those who wish to pursue their own life dreams.

Defforge takes us along on her journey as she narrates the life events that weave an emotional tapestry, from adolescent imagination to adult life situations. Conveying amusing candor, the author details how she came full circle, from Paris to “la vie en rose” on the French Riviera. A true story of twists and turns and the author’s courage to follow it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kim Defforge
• Release date: Feb 26, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301744589

Kim Defforge

Born in the U.S. and now, an expat living on the French Riviera. As a former French teacher, and lifelong Francophile, I currently enjoy writing - sharing news, information, and amusing stories on my blog, "24/7 in France."My published book, "Solitary Desire," tells the story of my journey to France, through love, sweat, and tears.

Book preview

SOLITARY DESIRE

One Woman’s Journey to France

Copyright © 2013 by Kim Defforge

FIRST EDITION

This book is based on real events, involving real people, with some names intentionally omitted to protect privacy. Conversations are presented in this work as representative of the actual events that occurred, if not verbatim.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review.

Smashword Edition – License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Defforge, Kim

Solitary Desire - One Woman’s Journey to France

ISBN 978-0-9888766-0-6 (e-book)

ISBN 978-0-9888766-1-3 (paperback)

To view the promotional video, for inquiries about orders, print on demand, or any other information:

Kim Defforge

24/7 in France (http://twentyfourseveninfrance.com)

Email: [e-mail]

DEDICATION

To my late husband, who shared my path to France,

To my loving husband, who is my final destination,

&

To my wonderful daughter for understanding that

I am where I need to be.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(click to go directly to a chapter)

♥

Dedication

Introduction

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Acknowledgements

♥

Introduction

All things are difficult before they are easy.

Thomas Fuller

The usual rite of passage, testing one's wings so to speak, generally happens as a 20-something. So, why was I doing it as a 40-something? It’s okay, I told myself, 'pas de problème'. I am an independent, competent, and mature adult.

But then, why was I feeling intimidated and overwhelmed? Why was I was asking myself: "What the hell are you doing all alone in Paris, where you didn’t know a single soul? Why did you leave your zone de confort: your horse farm, your husband, your daily routine - and your dog?" I really miss my dog.

And there were the other questions: Why did Versailles seem so familiar and comfortable? Why did I get so emotional and feel the need to curtsey at the statue of Louis XIV? And, most of all, why did my soul feel so at peace at that beautiful château?

♥

Chapter 1

All experience is an arch to build upon.

Henry B. Adams

Every decision, no matter how small, makes some kind of impact on one's life. And so, at the age of twenty, my decisions had brought me to being married and a new mother. When my daughter turned three, new decisions found me divorced and fearing that the handwriting was on the wall for my future. I desperately needed a focused career path and a way to support myself and my daughter.

I had worked in a state government office the summer after high school graduation, so I already knew I didn't want an administrative job as a career. Plus, my parents and grandmother were state employees and I wanted to break out of that tradition - but to do what? I had no idea!

I decided that what I needed to do was earn a college degree in the shortest time possible. But how? As a single mother, there weren’t many options available.

♥

Chapter 2

Art must have a scientific basis. Shorthand not only has this scientific basis, but it is a science in and of itself.

Isaac S. Dement

Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.

William Butler Yeats

During a month-long period of ‘what if’ and ‘how can I’ and ‘what should I’ dilemmas, I remembered that I had particularly enjoyed an advanced biology class I had taken as college prep in high school. It had been challenging and smelly - and the major exams especially stressful.

Each of those exams had been a mental obstacle course that started with each student entering the classroom, where a species of dissected animals in steel trays sat waiting on every desk: sharks, pigs, or frogs. Each animal was splayed open and pierced with at least five number-tabbed straight pins stuck into veins, arteries, and organs. We had only a few minutes to identify and jot down the pinned body parts, before moving onto the next desk. No going backwards! Non! No second chance to confirm our first impression of facts.

At the time, I didn’t realize that this exam method wasn’t a way of torturing us, but rather a way of teaching us to work and gather solid information under stressful conditions. It was a lesson that I was going to need and would later put to good use in my future career, yet to be decided.

To have some kind of backup skills, a cautionary lesson instilled by my mother, I had taken one year of typing and Gregg shorthand during high school. It turned out that Mom did know best, as knowing shorthand actually came in handy throughout my working life. It was also amusing to use when I didn’t want anyone to understand what I was writing.

In trying to decide my next move, the questions remained: WHAT to do and HOW to do WHAT?

Finally, I decided to start Fall classes at a local community college, where I could earn a degree as a