Saturday, January 31, 2009

I'm leaving TODAY

I can't believe that today is it. I kept waking up throughout the night, freaking out, and then going back to bed. I have no idea what to expect when I get there (besides probably wishing I didn't pack so much, lugging it all around Paris). I hope I find a friend on the plane who is going where I'm going.

I think the thing that is going to be the strangest is everyone speaking French. Sounds obvious, I know, but that will definitely remind me that I'm not in America anymore. I am SO glad I speak French, though I know the French people speak it much more rapidly than I am used to.

I am going to miss my friends, family, and Brian soo much. I am very bad at goodbyes (I avoid them whenever possible) so I'll probably be emotional when I leave. But I am also very excited for everything ahead of me.

I leave the house in 4 hours, better start getting ready!

Sunday, January 25, 2009

I am such an idiot.

I have just realized that all of the stuff I ordered with my amazon.com gift certificates (all stuff I NEED and ordered specifically for France) - was shipped to MARIST. Oops!!! I must have clicked on the wrong 'ship to' address in the checkout. It looks like I might have a road trip coming up....

Also, I cannot believe Allie is leaving tomorrow! (well, technically today). Time has flown since we first started planning our trips. 6 days for me...yikes!

Thursday, January 22, 2009

9 Days to go....

So...I have nine days to go until I leave for France. I think I am about 50% nervous and 50% excited...if that makes sense. I am only worried about the unknowns and the what-ifs, such as - I hope my plane is not delayed because of bad weather, I hope I'll be able to find the dorm I am staying at once I get off the plane in France, I hope I don't lose my luggage, I hope my internet connection works so I can stay in contact with everyone once I get there, I hope I don't forget to pack anything important...and so on.

Since these are things I really can't fix right now, I shouldn't really bother worrying about them, but I can't help it! I know once I get there I will be less nervous just to have gotten most of that out of the way. Allie and I talked about what is stressing us out right now (she leaves this Sunday the 25th!) and we agreed that it was the unknown and the transition phases that are the worst! We both kind of feel like we are neither here nor there, which is a strange feeling. I think as I pack more and it sinks in that I will be living in Paris in less than two weeks, some of that nervous will turn to excitement.

For now, I am just concerned with packing and not forgetting anything terribly important. From a classmate at Marist who went abroad in France, Sarah, I learned several things about the country that will help me to prepare:

1. It is VERY hard to find peanut butter in France and is only in very special specialty stores - when you do find it, it's very expensive
2. They don't really use cinnamon, and it's also hard to find
3. They don't have dryers for the most part, and turn the heat down VERY low in homes
4. You can't buy any medication without talking to a pharmicist/having an Rx; even those such as Pepto, Advil, Tylenol, etc...so I should bring my own supply

That's all I can think of for now, but I'm glad to have gotten these helpful tidbits of information BEFORE I went (I wonder if I can pack peanut butter).

I am going to be updating a bit more pre-departure, but for the most part, this blog is so I can share my experience with friends and family, and be able to look back on it all once I return!