Final Days

So, tomorrow will be my last full day in the United States for, oh, three and a half months. Numerically, it doesn't sound like that much I guess, but that's a full half (oxymoron?) of the entire academic year. I'm surprised to say that, aside from the occasional stress stomach ache, none of the expected neuroses have set in. I've been corresponding with some of the people on my program, and that has certainly helped. It turns out that a few girls are on my flight, which means I won't have to navigate Charles de Gaulle all by my lonesome. Stress: ELIMINATED! I packed most of my stuff today and, surprisingly, it fits into my luggage with a bit of room to spare. After all my worrying about not being able to pack efficiently... well, I'm sure I've forgotten something.

I picked up some Euros yesterday in preparation for any incidentals on my way to Nantes. What a strange currency. The bills are all different sizes.

I suppose that's about all for now. My life has gotten quite dull recently -- probably in anticipation for all the excitement of my new life in France! I promise to take some good Molskine notes on my flight and on the train. My next post will be (a) from France and (b) chock full o' details and anecdotes from my rip roarin' journey.

Tally-ho!

So, here's a scary thought...

Two weeks from today, I will be on a plane to Paris. Oh. Wow.

Living by the lists, not cooking by the book

I was considering typing out an update of all my to do's, but quite frankly, I think that might give me a panic attack. Instead, I snapped a photo of the three primary lists I've been working from. In any case, it seemed more efficient.

Right now, I am all about the lists. I've written profusely about this compulsion of mine (listed about it, too), but I think it's a good thing because these lists keep me in line. They're a little dangerous, too, though, because they compile all my important tasks on one page, which I can then choose to forget about for an indefinite period of time. (That's what happened last week.) Now, with two weeks left, it is high time for hyper-listing, scheduling, and budgeting. I need shopping lists, deadlines, and not to burn through my whole budget before I leave.

At this point, I'm more worried about tasks I need to accomplish for other people, emails I need to send, last-minute advice to give. I've got two projects in the works at school, one winding down and one starting up, and I'm worried that if I don't get my act together, neither will come to fruition as I'd hoped. Having publicly shamed myself, though, I suspect things are about to change.

OH, also, most recently checked-off items include: TGV reservation, finish writing letters, and talk to the bank.

How I Became a Creeper

Google Maps and, more recently, Google Earth. Here are some pix of where I will be spending my days. Consider:

1. IES



2. My Host 'Hood (if you will)



3. Université de Nantes

Julie & Julia (& food...ia...)

So, today I went to see Julie & Julia with my mom, my sister, and our neighbors. I promise not to go into full-out movie review mode (although I did think it was a perfectly acceptable summer flick...but what do I know about film, anyway...nothing, that's what), but for some reason just seeing all that French food in combination with all those fake French accents just amped up my excitement for Nantes.

Do they really use that much butter? Considering I managed to gain five pounds (no, really) on the cafeteria fare at Amherst this summer, I'm slightly concerned about my upcoming calorie intake. On the other hand, I hear that portions are smaller over yonder. The French word for moderation? Modération. (So, I'm guessing the correct way to phrase that would have been, "The English word for modération? Moderation." Wutevz.)

I've been reading the Michelin guide to Brittany in my spare time and have thus far ascertained that I have a lot to look forward to cuisine-wise. First of all, muscadet -- the wine of Brittany. According to Michelin, "The people of Nantes guard it jealously and have founded a brotherhood [a brotherhood, I tell you!], the Ordre des Chevaliers Bretvins, after la petite brette (the little rapier), the nickname given to Anne of Brittany" (Michelin, 76). Anyway, it's a "dry and fruity white wine" that apparently makes seafood go down real nice. So, while the seafood thing looms as a constant anxiety, the thought of muscadet is a constant comfort, plus Brittany is a hugely agricultural region. The stats in Michelin cast Brittany as the main producer of meat, veggies, and cheese (!). There's also a whole section on Breton sweets...not that I have much of a sweet tooth, but I've been known to enjoy the occasional flaky cookie or piece of chocolate.

I've just realized how much I write about food on this blog. Apparently it's a fixation, but I know it's very important in France, and I can only imagine that I will experience some gastronomical culture shock when I get there. As a picky eater who (oxymoronically? ironically? moronically?) loves to eat, I think I can pretty much guarantee that.

On the host mom front: still no reply from Marie-Annick. Breath remains bated.

A Coincidence

Well, it turns out my host mom also hosted a Haverford girl last fall as well! In fact, she hosted the girl who I spoke with at the interminable info session earlier this past semester. All good reviews thus far.

I sent Marie-Annick a reply email a few days ago, and I'm a little nervous because I just don't think I can translate my personality very well (a fear I have previously voiced on this very blog). In French, I think I come across as nice and polite, but not much else. And maybe I don't even come across as polite. Maybe I come across a heinous angry bitch...although, let's face it, that might be closer to the truth. Me? I may be the angriest person on the eastern seaboard.