Today marks 10 more days until I leave for France- Granted, that is, if my visa will arrive with its’ approval. It better. Or I’m picking up and leaving to Boston. I just can’t handle South Carolina any longer. Mostly, I can’t handle being an insurance agent anymore. That is the factor that is driving me up the wall the most- and living with my mother who likes to chain smoke indoors, tells me how to work, live, and act (who’s mother doesn’t). It’s a hard adjustment being entirely independent and sparsely seeing your mom for two years, and then moving in with her and becoming solely reliable upon her. The sudden changes in my life have left my head spinning. 

I’m writing on day 10-prior to leaving, because I will be documenting every feeling I have about this new life leap I will be making. Today I started cleaning and organizing all of my packing essentials. The thought of cramming all of my belongings into two suitcases has left me boggled. I will most definitely have to ship the remainder of things that are left behind.  Who know what I’ll feel like wearing- it’s a female phenomenon. Too bad I’m not a male because then I could leave with a backpack and be set to go. Anyway, to touch on the emotions I am having… to start-(to be fully honest) I am beyond freaked out.  Even though I have diligently tried to learn french in the past 6 months, I really don’t feel comfortable having a conversation. I’m am certain that this will improve when I jump into my french lessons- which by the way are at a French Language school in Paris. As of right now; I can read (without proper annunciation in my head) and translate things that way. I can also sometimes… write in french, and barely decipher spoken french. I can pick out words! That is the great thing about audio french lessons- you learn lots of vocabulary, and not until the last few cds, do you start learning how to converse with them. How. Wonderful. A few other things I’m nervous about are :

A. Driving a manual car in Parisian traffic- should be really fun.

B. Trying foie gras for the first time- It’s goose liver, and the best is derived from force feeding geese corn grain. Hopefully it’s completely different tasting than the liver my southern relatives have tried to fry and force feed me throughout life. Even ketchup does not help that godawful taste from lingering around on your tongue. iiick. Not to mention (sorry fellow french friends) it’s a body filter. But, I’ll try everything once. Especially as someone who loves Culinary Arts. Apparently it’s to. die. for.

C. I’ve heard that French people smell Americans- as in they can pick you out of a large crowd, and I’m praying that I will not experience any of the cliche stereotypes of rudeness that my family, friends, etc (some who have been there, some who haven’t {who I do not even listen to}) have told me. We’ll see, but, no matter what if that happens, I’ll smile and act like I have no idea what they’re saying. I may even say “non merci” out of a facade of ignorance.

D. Crossing my fingers that my plane doesn’t crash- even though I’ve flown a dozen times, I’m still nervous about dying in a plane crash. This one time on a flight back from Hawaii, our plane hit an air pocket causing the plane to dip down 1000 ft(made up guestimate) and I thought I was going to die. No fun. 

Other than that, I’m just really hoping that I can adapt as quickly as possible. I’m going to miss my friends and MARGOT more than anything- and most of all, American comedy. Again, I have ten days left, so if you want to see me before I leave- get at me. If you want to skype while i’m in France, Kreenatree is my username. Loves. Oh, et pour mes chez amis en Europe, je ne peux pas attendre de se réunir avec vous tous. J’ai manqué vous avez tous beaucoup!!!! bisousss!