1.
This is going to be the longest mutha ever, but I don't care. I haven't updated in ages, and maybe I'm just being frugal, but this is honestly the fastest and cheapest way to let several people know what I'm up to all at once. Read on or skip on; I'll understand, haha.
Since my last entry, I've returned to Nantes safe and sound. I don't think I've ever wrapped up my travels in the UK and Ireland, now that I think about it. Despite the frustrations and the issues that arose between Mags, Byrd, and I during our time up North, I can honestly say that I had the best time traveling with them. With our considerably laid-back personalities and humor, the inside jokes just never stopped during all the joys and hurdles we went through while traveling.
There is just some eternal bond that is instantly sewen between people whilst put in their most stressful situations; you see a new side to people that you've never seen, and somehow through all the frustration, we still remain better friends than ever. And what can I say? Traveling builds character, right? In any case, all of my adventures will never be forgotten. I swear, I'm in the process of uploading my 1000+ pictures to prove that I've been to these places ... ...
Returning to France has been surprisingly interesting thus far. I spent the weekend in the countryside with my godfather and his family speaking French for nearly three days straight; a personal world record if there ever was one! Although it was difficult, it was nice to be fully immersed in a French household this weekend; living alongside my fellow Americans - while comforting - is not always the most ideal for trying to speak "le bon français" - as my grammar teacher so delicately puts it.
For the past few weeks, I had been growing jaded about my time in France. I was sick of being glared down for my level of fluency and my obvious foregin status, and in general, just missing the comforts and the little things of home (such as not having to organize your day around a laundry appointment and making time for the Internet café). I just didn't feel like I was having a v. genuine abroad experience here, but of course, one can only have the experience that one exerts the effort for.
But spending time with a French family has reminded me of my three main priorities here: to embrace the culture, to attain a higher fluency of the language, and to travel internationally. I've come to realize the impossibility of becoming fluent by the time I leave, though. It just isn't plausible to think that I could fully understand a language filled with such intimate nuances and idioms within my four month stay. But with that said, I really do feel that my speaking and comprehension skills have intensified considerably. I'm also (surprisingly) during really well in schoolwork here, but rest assured, I will have a difficult time readjusting to my course load after living this French laissez-faire lifestyle for the past few months ...
The idea of returning to the States seems incomprehensible now that I feel like I'm just beginning to truly appreciate my time here! Nonetheless, I've already sealed the fate for my return by registering for my winter qtr. classes and buying my final train ticket to Charles-de-Gaulles. I can't seem to determine what is more mind-blowing: the fact that I've been living in Europe for nearly three months or the fact that I leave in six weeks!
And finally, for those in the know media-wise, yes, the riots are still going on in France. They originated in the Parisian suburbs (the suburbs are considered hella ghetto in France) and are the most dangerous there. However, they have spread out across the country, and as I hear it, there are actually riots in Nantes - but again, they are in the suburbs, so I don't see them too often. I'm not really sure how serious it is; I haven't seen anything myself, but there has been a lot more chaos and police downtown these days. I think a few preschools have been burned down, but aside from that, I can't really assess how serious the situation is. However, it's been grave enough that I've been given a designated curfew to NOT be downtown anytime after 4pm, but yeah, I haven't really been following those rules rigorously enough ...
Anyway, rest be assured, I'm safe amidst the hubbub of current events, :)
Guess what today is?
It's my one year anniversary with Noah.
And guess where I currently am?
Yes, that's right - I'm still here. In France. An ocean and a continent away from my other half. Awesome.
I MISS HIM.
My days aren't the same without you.
This is a really old picture, but as it is, I don't really have any other current pictures ..
Next to actually living independently in France, holding this long-distance relationship is probably one of the most difficult things that I have ever done in my life.