It is difficult to conceive that in exactly three weeks, I will be spending my last night at home in New Hampshire, even though I have been waiting for that very moment for years. Everything I have worked for - that is, to be able to travel and spend time abroad - is finally coming to fruition. For four and a half months I will be living and studying in Paris, France.
I set up this blog so I can keep a regular account of my experiences, and so that I can share these stories and the photos I take with everyone back at home. And hopefully it will also help my mother cope when she realizes we are not going to be able to talk or Skype as much as she thinks we will. ;)
I have known ever since I decided to study abroad that the inevitable departure would be bittersweet, but I did not realize how much emphasis would be placed on the "bitter." The past semester at Fairfield University has been, undoubtedly, my absolute best yet in all aspects. I have found the truest of friends in the girls of Townhouse 122 & Company; I am so thankful to have met you all, so thrilled housing worked out, so grateful that you were so welcoming, and so fortunate to be able to call you my friends. I cannot wait for senior year, and of course an epic summer, too, hopefully at Fairfield with many of you. And never again will I be able to listen to "Boom Boom Boom Boom" without getting the urge to dance on a table or chair. Sorry I'm not sorry.
There are so many others whom I am going to miss abroad. It is hard thinking about the moments with you I am going to miss when I have no idea what experiences await me in Europe, even though they are sure to be amazing and priceless. To the seniors, have an amazing last semester and enjoy every minute of it. Keep calm amidst the crazy, impending real world, and keep in touch. To my BG family, I love you all so much and I cannot tell you how much I am going to miss you. Plan on plenty of more random, absurd Facebook group posts: European style. ;) And to my actual, blood-related family, thank you. Thank you for being so supportive of me, always, and I will miss you so much. Mom, do not fret when we do not talk for a few days. I will be fine. I will keep in touch. This is going to be a good experience for you, too. ;) Stacey, do not drive our parents too crazy. Enjoy your last semester of high school, I am sorry I am going to miss being there while you plan the next chapter of your life but I cannot wait to watch you graduate (just be sure to make it there ;) ...kidding, mostly). Memere and Bobby, you are the best. You had better be sure to crash in on some Skype sessions when I call 7 Windsor! And you will be hearing from me as much as possible via other means, like this blog and email. I love you so much.
And finally, to my best friend and roommie Devan, I am SO excited to be going to Paris with you. If our European adventures are half as grand as this last semester was, Paris 2012 will be an absolute success. I cannot wait to take pictures of our "babies," travel everywhere (especially Greece), roam the Champs-Élysées, and I am serious about that baguette fight in front of la Tour Eiffel.
My heart is entirely into this trip, but I am not quite so ready otherwise. Lots of last-minute shopping, sorting and packing will ensue over the next couple of weeks - and on that note, I still need a suitcase (hint hint, Santa).
As hard as it is to believe that I will finally be on that plane in almost three weeks, it is easy to see that it is belief itself that has propelled me to this moment: belief that my dreams of traveling abroad would one day materialize, belief that the effort I put into my studies would pay off, belief that the seemingly endless pile of applications and forms would be processed and approved, and belief others have had in my ability to prosper in Paris.
And now, I am ready for a breath of French air.
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