Meant to Be

I think I was always meant to be in Dijon.

Which is funny because I didn't choose Dijon, Dijon chose me.

To graduate with my second degree in EcoGastronomy, it is required for me to go abroad. Which is great, but the catch is that the program chooses where the student can study, not the student. So I was given the option of either going to Bra, Italy in the Fall, or Dijon, France in the spring.

Due to my required course load being less intensive in the spring, I decided to go to Dijon. And voila, here I am. 

But what I'm learning is that even though I may not have chosen Dijon, I keep finding that this city and I have a lot in common already.

For one, the French consume and incredible amount of dairy. Cheese is obviously a big contributor, but it's actually yogurt that is the primary contributor to the amount of dairy the French consume.

Well, I sure do know a hell-of-a lot about yogurt. In fact, in the summer of 2011 I worked at Stonyfield Farm, where from 9am-5pm (and sometimes outside of those times too) my life completely revolved around yogurt, cows, dairy and mommy bloggers. (Okay mommy bloggers don't exactly fall into the category of dairy, but you get my point). 

Then, last summer in 2012 I worked for the gourmet condiment company Kensington & Sons. Well, I don't know if you know the little fact that the "Dijon" in Dijon Mustard, is in reference to being made in Dijon, France. Shocking, right? Who would have guessed that...

Yogurt and condiments, man, they just set my little heart on fire.

It also turns out the animal/mascot of Dijon is the Owl. 

(And for any Chi O's reading this, yes, I did just hear that little "awww" you let out.)

I say that because the owl also happens to be the animal/mascot of Chi Omega, my sorority at UNH. I love this fact, because ever since I became a sister I've had a soft spot in my heart for owls, and see them every where I go now. 

I never once doubted that I would love Dijon, but what I didn't expect was to find all these parallels between myself and the city so soon. 

Would I call it fate? You know what, yeah, I think I would.