From meeting my host family, to saying bonjour to my classmates- to skiing, to not drinking soda everyday, to learning French, to dealing with teachers, to shopping, to recipes, to tanning, to 2 hour French and math classes, to 104° weather, to 14° weather, to hiking in Marseille, to riding old presidential cars, to laughing with friends, to drinking wine, to cursing in another language, to crying, to racing in waist-deep mud, to singing, to hot guys, to donkeys, to bowling, to quiche, to castles, to markets, to medival villages, to postcards, to the Easter Bell, to high heels, to MacDo, to houses catching on fire, to pizzerias, to teacher's on strike, to saying goodbye- France has dragged me along through ups and downs. But as we hope all experiences that leave an impression on us turn out, it was the best time of my life.
I'm having a hard time realizing that I am leaving in a week. There are moments when I think I'll be starting school again with everyone else in September, here in France, and then there are times like yesterday when I get home after saying goodbye to friends, and I'm a complete mess. I'm really looking forward to going back home, where I will do things my own way again and I'll see my friends and family. On the other hand, I'm so upset that I won't come here again. A lot of people have told me that I'll come back one day. Well unless you're planning on buying me a plane ticket soon, it won't be the same. Whether or not I ever get to come back here, I am just entirely happy that I had the opportunity to a)be in France b)meet these wonderful people c)learn French.
In reference to A. - It was ALWAYS my dream to go to France, and I must say that it was a pretty awesome dream for a little kid, because it is obviously the best thing I could ever wish for. I love France soooo much and I have nothing against it, whereas I might have had some issues with people(but this would happen in America too). France <3 France <3 France<3!
B.- I met my host family and my friends and so many others who made my experience absolutely amazing! Karl, Elodie, Diane, Marie, Melanie, Antoine, Mr. and Mrs. Bonnin, and all my classmates are definitely the people that had the greatest impact on me and I will never ever forget them.
C.- French is gorgeous. I am positive that I will be accidently speaking French when I get back, and I don't even care. I still have a lot to learn, but I understand everything and write in French. I still have a bit of trouble speaking it fluently, but no biggie. I love FRENCH
I guess this my goodbye to France after the 5 and half months I spent here. They were the best, and sometimes most dramactic, moments of my life. I know that I have changed so much, but it isn't as though I just swapped personalities. I guess I understand myself, now. I have a better idea of who I am and who I want to be. However, there will be subtle(subtle to me at least. I'm sure my brothers will make fun of the new noise I make instead of saying 'I don't know', or the way I shake one of my hands when something shocking happended.) changes in the manner I do things.
So, thanks for everything France! America, I'll see you soon!
Fun Fact- My favorite time of day in France is when I go outside at 6:15 or 6:30PM and sit on the swing. Not only am I on the swing, but from that spot, I can always see a plane that goes by at that time of day. The plane lets out 4 or 5 parachute things almost everyday. I don't know exactly what it is, but I think it is so pretty!
Schedule: Saturday at 5 o'clock in the morning(French time), I get the train to Paris with two other AFSers from Germany and Switzerland. 6 hours later, I'll be in Paris with a million AFSers and I'll spend the night there. The next day, I get my 8 hour plane to the New York, where I'll arrive around 4 or 5PM(American time). Then I'll be going out to dinner with family. <3
