T-minus 2 days

Well, here I am on my last day of work anxiously awaiting Friday evening when I board that plane to Paris. This is really becoming scary! I can't believe that after so many years of dreaming of going abroad in college the time has finally come.

The past few days have been utterly nuts as Ricky and I have worked hard to pack up my apartment, put everything I own into storage, and simultaneously take out the necessary things for Paris. Let me tell you it is extremely difficult to figure out what one will need for the next 3 months let alone fit it neatly into 1 large suitcase, a carry-on, and a backpack. I think I might have to deal with some weight issues come check-in time.

I have just a few more things left to do before Friday, perhaps the most important being finding a gift for my host family. Any suggestions? My thoughts were to send them Lou Malnati's pizzas, but I'm afraid that might not travel internationally so well. Hmm....

2 major things are freaking me out right now:
   
    a) I have to speak straight French for the next 3 months. This is going to be interesting. Don't get me wrong--I'm incredibly excited to learn and improve--but the task ahead seems daunting and scary. Currently I get so nervous when a fluent French-speaker starts a conversation with me that I almost hyperventilate in my attempts to understand and respond. We shall see how this goes.

    b) I'm not going to see some very important people for 3 months or more. :( I'm especially bummed to be missing little Matty's birthday (2nd year running...). I hope he still loves me when I return.

Well, that is all for now. Despite my reservations, I am really looking forward to being there in France, to eating the food everyday, and to interacting with my host family (The de Gaulle's). So far, they seem great and I can't wait to meet them all in person. I also have visiting Ela in Germany for Oktoberfest to look forward to, so expect some good posts to come!

Au revoir!