Trip of a Lifetime

We booked our Spring Break trip tonight!

First stop...Prague!!

Second stop... Vienna!!

Third stop... Barcelona!!

Bren, Kimm, and I are going to all three countries, and we have friends coming and going with us along the way! We'll be spending three days in each place from April 5th to April 15th! I'm already starting to make a list of everything I want to do and see in each country! It's going to be an amazing ten days! Can't wait!!



A Little Taste of Home

I love Paris! I couldn't have asked for a better first two and a half weeks! Yesterday I had a  great day in Marais with Brenna! We went an got falafel! It was the favorite thing I have eaten since being here! Crepes and gelato are in a time for a close second though! Falafel is fried smooshed up chick peas (aka my favorite food EVER!) and in a pita with slided tomotos and cucumbers with a special sause! Mmmm my mouth is watering just thinking about it!! The guy who worked there told me I was very pretty and asked if I was married. As flattering as that is, and as much as I love falafel, I have to think about that offer before eloping!  So the weekend was great..... But today it hit me. I'm at school and I have homework. Ick. Today I had to do a presentation on Hinduism and I've been spending my night writing a four page paper on Henri Regnault's painting "Summary Execution Under the Moorish Kings of Granada". It was as fun as it looks...

So as I was sitting here trying to depict the life out of this painting, I came up with a list of the top ten things I miss about home and America! And so here it is!

10. My big comfy bed with lots of pillows!
9. Regular notebooks! As silly as this sounds all of the notebooks here have paper that looks like graphing paper with a bunch of lines; I get so dizzy writing my notes!
8. Glee!! I watched the episode from two weeks ago online today (Fynn proposed to Rachel at the end!!!) I'm DYING to know what happened! The next episode was (well is going to be in a couple hours) tonight! But American shows don't go on at the same times as they do back home. So I have to wait! The suspense is literally driving me nuts! (But no one tell me! I want to wait and see!!)
7. Eating things other than bread! I love my jam and baguette for breakfast, but I would love some bacon and pancakes any day now!
6. Being able to understand people around me! Thank goodness we're going to London this weekend and Ireland the next weekend so hear some English, even if it's with an accent! (We've been practicing our English accent. I'm getting pretty good!)
5. My iced white chocolate mocha from Starbucks! Mmmm... It's too cold here for anything besides a cappuccino!
4. Knowing how much money I'm spending! I try to keep track, but math isn't my thing, so converting euros to dollars is frustrating!
3. Being able to talk to my family and friends whenever I want! I love not having a cell phone; as most of you know I didn't have the best luck holding on to them last year (I only went through five.. in six months..) but there's nothing more frustrating when you just want to catch up with someone but you have no one of getting to them unless it's through email or Facebook, and then that's just a game of tag back and forth! Ahhh!
2. Knowing where I'm going! All the buildings look the same around us, so I'm doomed to get lost if I were to go some place on my own!

and last but not least....

1. My family!! <3 I miss you Bouchie Bunch! It bums me out knowing that I'm missing Brett and Emma's basketball games (Brett had 21 points in his game last week, and Em's team is undefeated! Wooo!!), or that can't meet up with Ry for a Starbucks date on her lunch break (but the long emails she sends me makes up for it! Sorry I haven't answered back yet Ry, I'm working on answering your 20 questions ;)!!)  But before you know it I'll be home and Brett will be driving me around (he's turning 16 the week I get back, what?!) and Em will be yelling at me for wearing some of her clothes!

I guess the saying really is true.. Distance makes the heart grow fonder!

Honoring the Past by Living for Today

This has been an unreal weekend! After another fun night on the town, Friday was a day I will never forget; trip to Normandy!

Point de Hoc!

At the American Cemetery!

Peek-a-boo!! In an actual bunker!

Omaha Beach, with the Point de Hoc in the background!

American Cemetery; Words can't even describe.

The four hour bus ride flew by (mostly because I was asleep most of the time!) and we arrived to Omaha Beach where the D-Day attack took place on June 12, 1944. The beach was absolutely stunning; just being in a place with so much history it's hard to wrap your head around it all. We walked along the beach and Mike our "tour guide" told us a little bit more about the history and geographics of where we were. Then out of no where it began to pour. French weather is crazy, it can never make up it's mind! But as soon as we climbed back up the steps and began walking towards the American Cemetery the sun began to shine. It was unreal; everything was glistening and it looked like the gates of heaven had opened up. Kimm and I walked towards the cemetery and as soon as we turned the corner we stopped mid-sentence. It was unbelievable. There really are no words to describe the experience. I've never been into history, at all really. I can't tell you much of what I learned in high school or even in my history class from my first semester at St. John's. But being there and seeing everything itself makes me appreciate it so much more, and understand! (If only I went on all these trips when I was actually taking tests on them!) There's six thousand graves for those who died in the battle. We walked through the Garden; their the names are all listed, and by the names of the bodies they found there is a Rosetta. It's so sad to see how few flowers there are but so many names. Then we went back on the bus and headed to Pointe du Hoc, a battlefield full of bunkers and fox holes at the top of a cliff just four miles away from Omaha Beach. Mike told us how they would shoot canons from Pointe du Hoc to the beach. Pictures do even do this amazing place justice. Bren and I climbed through the bunkers; It was so weird to think that this is where thousands of men died for our country. We had fun exploring the eery underground rooms. I swear I saw a ghost!! But that's a whole other story. Then it was back on the bus to head home! I couldn't be happier with my experience in Normandy. It is something I will never forget.

Through the tunnels of the Catacombs!

Behind a jail cell!

There were walls and walls like this!

Yesterday was another amazing experience! We woke up and headed right to the Catacombs! WOW! Six million bodies there! It's basically a burial area for people who died innocently, like by the plague. It was scary walking down all the stairs, knowing I'm 20 meters under the ground.. with a bunch of skeletons... through tunnels... Ahh!! But it was so cool! And I had my first French cappuccino while waiting in line! Almost as good as Starbucks ;) 

Then we had a girls' night out! We went to dinner (Yummy spaghetti!! And the best chocolate moose!) and then out for a drink out by the Pantheon! I wore my sparkly heels out in honor of France's Fashion Week starting! But they're not lying when they say heels and cobble stone don't mix!! I have lots of homework to do, but first we're going to go out to get some falafel in Marais! 

Carbs, Theology, Carbs, Art, Carbs, Out, Bed.

Me infront of the Moulin Rouge!



The Sacre Coeur! My favorite church yet!

Bren, Kimm, and I at the highest point in Paris!

So that's basically my schedule at this point, along with the other 75 students here. Wake up, eat bread with jam (delicious by the way, but nothing can beat Grandma Barber's home made jam, mmmm), go to theology, grab lunch (of course consisting bread, like a panini or a sandwhich), go to art class and burn the some of those carbs standing up for two and a half hours, come back and eat more carbs for dinner, go out and burn some carbs (or have a few more; crepes are just too hard to resist!) and then off to bed. Good thing we climb so many stairs or I'd have to find a gym around here!

Monday I was supposed to go help out in an high school English class, but there was a mix up in time, so unfortunately I won't be able to do that anymore. I was really looking forward to it too! But on the bright side, it gave me time to book our trip to Dublin! Wooo!! It's official! We're going the second weekend of February! Then we took a trip to Montremarte. Like I mentioned in the last blog it is like the "hipster" part of town, with lots of cheap places to eat and awesome artists! We got to see the Moulin Rouge! I feel terrible saying this, but it wasn't all I thought it would be. I was imagining this huge wind mill with lights and Nicole Kidman singing out from the window (Okay, not exactly, but you get the point), but in the afternoon it doesnt have that majestic feel I had imaged. But just gives me all the more reason to go back at night! We climbed up a bunch of stairs, since it's the highest point in Paris! There we went to the Sacre Coeur, my favorite church yet! It was absolutely breath taking. It looks like a mosque from the outside actually, but the inside is undescribable. You're probably itching to see pictures, right? Well unfortunately no one is allowed to take pictures because it is in prayer session 24/7. But it was nice to not be snapping away and just look around. It's a lot more modern than the other churches that we've seen so far, being less than two hundred years old. And it has one of the largest murals of Jesus on a huge dome over the alter. We're going to a night mass there in a couple weeks and I'm so so so excited for it! After we walked around the area and got crepes (I got my favorite; nutella with banana!) but unfortunately it begane to rain pretty hard so we came back to do some homework! That's something I haven't mentioned too much; the weather. We've been pretty lucky! There's been a couple of days where it's drizzled, like Monday and Tuesday, but for the most part it's been dry. But it's pretty cold (nothing like Rochester though, that's for sure!) But it's always so cloudy and gloomy! I guess it can be perceived as that romantic somber feel, but I'd rather have my romantic date on a beach in the sun than in the rain s'il vous plait!

Tuesday... Lets see... I slept in late (oops!) but got to class in time still! We had a heated discussion in Theology; our class is basically discussions and there are definitely some strong opinions in the class, which is very interesting. It's opened my mind up a lot, while at the same time made me realize more of what I think myself. (Don't worry, I'm not going to get all religious sappy on you, even though I do talk about churches a lot here! All of them are just so amazing! But I'm not trying to run to a convent any time soon!) Then we went to the Musée d'Orsay. It's actually an old train station; gorgeous inside but I'm still getting married in Grand Central Station.We saw a lot of great artwork, include Monet! I've definitely learned a lot about art and the techniques of artists and come to appreciate it a lot more. Then I went out for the night! One more day to catch up on!!

Today, well now tecniquelly yesterday, was once again super busy! (Paris never gives us a break!) Class (of course, I am "studying" abroad after all!), they made us lunch for the first time today, woo!, then back to the Musee d'Orsay where we began talking about impressionists, which I really enjoy! We're working our way to modern art. Then some friends and I grabbed dinner on our way home (I talk about food a lot on here too...) and then we had this awesome presentation by Andy Steves, the son of Rick Steves who write travel guides and books! He gave us some tips for traveling around Europe and things to do! Makes me that much more excited for London and Dublin in these next couple of weeks! He had a really good point that as we look at things from differen cultures we shouldn't just compare to our own, but try to understand why they do things that they do. He told us a time that he went to a bull fighting match in Spain (I can't wait; we're in Seville during the main bull fighting season!) and all afternoon long there were families of generations there watching these bulls get taunted and run around then killed; how can this be fun family entertainment? But come to find out, these bulls are the pride and joy of families for years, almost like a family pet would be, and after the bull is killed the head is mounted and hung in the house as a rememberence almost. I was like what? But he has a point; they show a lot of respect to the bull by honoring it afterwards and treating it like gold for many years, while we Americans make genetically disformed chickens without beaks who become fully grown in three days because of all the steriods in them just to be killed and made into McDonald's chicken nuggets. Intense, right?? I just found that super interesting! But enough about chickens and bulls... To end the night I did a Midnight Run! Which is community service; in short we made bagged sandwiches and go and hand them out to the homeless around the city, a simple way to give back! So that was nice. I've done it back in Manhattan and loved the experience, so it's cool to do it over here too! And I saw the Eiffel Tower "sparkle" for the first time tonight my friends' window!!! Every hour on the hour the Eiffel Tower flashes lights, it's breath taking! I sat looking out the window in awe until I finally snapped back into it to get our project done (and Facebook, of course!).

As you can probably tell I'm taking a ton from this whole experience being abroad. I definitely appreciate certain things a lot more (AKA my venti ice white chocolate mochas; Starbucks is even more ridiculously expensive over here!!) I've taken more in my art class in just this past week than I have in probably any other class, and as much as the debates in my theology class can make my blood boil I'm always interested to go to class to see what the topic will be (Tomorrow my group is leading dicussion; We're going to be talking about if the religious beliefs of presidential canidates should matter when it comes to voting, and then go into religion in America since 9/11. Some pretty deep stuff!) Tomorrow is "Friday" for us since it's our last day of classes before the weekend that I already have lots planned for! Including writing a four page paper on a painting and making a presentation on Hinduism. I knew this whole vacation phase wouldn't last forever! But with my trip to Normandy on Friday and then hopefully a trip to the Catacombs on Saturday and Sunday to enjoy Paris I can't really complain!

Chocolate, and Crepes, and Ice Cream.. Oh My!

All made out of chocolate! I'll take two please!

One of the largest and oldest organs in Europe! I went inside!

My favorite of the art displays in St. Suplice!

I have never seen so many sweets in my life! Around every corner there is something delicious filling the air, tempting you inside to have just one more. We went shopping on Saturday, but of course we stopped for gelato (It was so yummy! Nutella flavored and a sweet vanilla with cherries!) and hot chocolate; the hot chocolate is much different here though. It's more of a thick chocolate soup, but I'm not complaining! We stopped into a store that EVERYTHING is made out of chocolate, even a working clock! So back to the shopping... Of course I wanted to buy a million things, but of course keeping by budget and weight limit to Rome and Seville in mind I'm holding off on any big purchases (You should be proud of me Dad!), but I can almost guarantee I'll be leaving with this fabulous leather bag I saw in the store. It will be mine!! Never the less, it was still fun going through all the stores and admiring the clothes! And fashion week is coming up soon too! How lucky am I?; I was in NYC for fashion week there, will be in Paris during their fashion week, and will get to Italy in time for fashion week there! Good thing I brought a pair of heels! (a girl can dream, right?!) Saturday night we were planning on going to a club opening on the Champs-Elysses, we made it but the night turned a little bit crazy, so we didn't stay for long, but I did get my picture taken with a gladiator (Don't you worry, I'll be sure to put that one up here!) I even got to skype Brett, Em and my Dad for a couple minutes when I got home (even though it was 3 AM here, but only 9 AM their time!) Paris is definitely different than New York when it comes to navigating! It's much harder to find taxis, and all the streets look the same! And there's no number system, so it is just confusing! Of course it doesn't help I have no sense of direction to begin with, so that always makes the trip back home interesting! But here I am safely in my dorm! 

This morning we went to mass at St. Suplice; it's a beautiful church just outside of our neighborhood! It was in the movie "The Da Vinci Code"! Outside there's a huge fountain of four bishops that never became cardinals; and ironically the four sitting statues are sitting in the cardinal directions (Apparently the French have very humor) But inside was even more impressive with very interesting art displays and HUGE organ! It's one of the oldest in Europe (Build in 1781!) The coolest part was we were able to go inside of it! Then we went to Subway for lunch, nothing like a 5 euro foot long to feel a little bit at home! (But interestingly enough, they only have spicy mustard in France! I have to keep that in mind for next time; it was so spicy!) We were planning on going to Marais, the only part of Paris that is open on Sundays, but unfortunately my friend got pick-pocketed on our way there on the metro. Luckily she didn't lose anything too important (she still has her credit card and passport!) but it's still a huge bummer! But we took it as a learning experience, and we can only hope that it was the first and last time for all of us!

Tomorrow is going to be busy, busy, busy! I have my Theology class in the morning, and then I'm going to a high school to help in an English class! I couldn't be more excited! And then off to the SacreCoeur, a beautiful church right around the area of the Moulin Rouge! So more exploring tomorrow! AND THEN (there's even more, can you believe it?!) we're going to plan a trip to Dublin! Woooo! We found really cheap flights (only 64 euro round trip!) for a day and a half trip in two weeks! Hopefully I'll be able to meet up with some friends from my high school exchange! Normandy this weekend, London next weekend, then Dublin the next; and then I'll be off to Rome! I think it's safe to say I'm one lucky girl!

A Palace Fit for a King

Time is really flying by so far; I've already been here for a week! But I've done so much already!!

The Louvre was beautiful!! And it was awesome having my professor there to explain the paintings to us! I'm going to be an art master by the end of these five weeks! And of course I saw the Mona Lisa; Everyone told me how small it was but it was bigger than I expected! It would take someone two months to go through and see and read everything! How crazy is that?! I don't have that long here, but I'll definitely be back!

We went out later that night (I used my hot-mess card, we each get one for the semester. Love you Kimm and Bren!) but I still managed to roll out of bed at 9 this morning to go to Versailles! The palace was beautiful, to say the least! Every room was decked out in gold and beautiful paintings, even the ceilings! And I can't even describe the chandeliers! All I could keep saying was "I can't believe someone lived here!" It was so selfish of King Louis, but he sure did have great taste! The hall of mirrors was gorgeous (even if I didn't like the reflection looking back at me) and I wanted nothing more than to jump into Marie Antoinette's big comfy bed!  Despite the slight drizzle of rain we still walked through the gardens; it's definitely on my bucket list to go back there some day in the spring to see the rose gardens!

Then tonight we went to whats known as the Latin Quarter, a hip downtown area of Paris! The group of us got dinner at a Greek restaurant (it's a very Greek area of Paris!); all I could think of was My Big Fat Greek Wedding! They kept telling us to get up and dance! Then went to a jazz club for some live swing music! Those Parisians sure can dance! Then we walked back to campus; it's a gorgeous night out!

Tomorrow we're shopping (finally, wooo!) It's "soldes" right now, aka SALES! It only comes twice a year where stores are all like 50% off! Perfect for us college students! All of the shoes I wish I could buy, ah, but I think the eight pairs I packed should last me through my trip! But I would love a hat, and some pretty scarfs, and maybe a dress, and a necklace or two.... 

Maybe History Isn't Sooo Bad After All

Yesterday was yet another glorious day in Paris! After a fun first night out on the town (Love my Florida girls!), I had class (don't worry Mom and Dad, I woke up for it even after getting in at 4 in the morning!) and then for my Art and Architecture class we went to a part of Paris called Marais. It is one of the older parts of the city with architecture from before the modernization of Paris after the Revolution in the 1850s during the rule of Napoleon when Haussman knocked down all of the city and rebuilt it! Neighborhoods were completely demolished so that streets could be built wider, and the city walls expanded making Paris even larger, and of course gaining more tax payers.(I'm learning so much already!) I've never been the history type really, well at all actually, but this class makes it so fun to learn! Every day we either walk around a different place in Paris or go to a museum (yesterday we did both! We went to the Pavillion de l'Arsenal, a museum of architecture in Paris that shows the transformation of the city! In the middle they had a huge 17 screen digital map of Paris, basically a huge GoogleMaps app that you could scroll around! So cool!) I understand my surroundings and why buildings are built the way they are and the influence that the Romans had on the city. Is it nerdy I can't wait to tell people about the history of Paris? A little bit, but it gets me so excited! And our professor was nice enough to give us a whole list of places to go in Paris, from the off beat Soho like area, to a little China town, and a bunch of cheap places we should try different food at! I wish I had time to add some pictures, but I am here for school after all and I have class pretty soon.

As I was sitting here getting ready for class, towel on my head an all, I was thinking about my day; wake up early, write a paper while sipping on tea and eating my bread and jam, get ready, go to class, eat lunch (aka more bread), go to the Louvre for my Art class, then wherever the night leads me (it is a "Friday", no class tomorrow, woo!) I couldn't help but think about how lucky I am to be here. I miss all of you back in the US (especially you Bouchie Bunch!! Hope you're having sweet dreams right now!), but not many people can say they have done even a handful of the opportunities I have been given here. It just feels nice to take a moment and let it all sink in, even at 9 o'clock in the morning.

One Step at a Time!

It was another day full of adventure yesterday! It was the first day of classes! I had Religions of the World which will be really cool; we're even taking a trip to a Hindu temple in Paris with my class! We'll be focusing on six different religions over the next five weeks, so lots of learning to do!! That's my only class Mondays (lucky me!) so afterwords we went to on a trip! We went an saw an amazing view of the Eiffel Tower! That's where I took the picture up top! Then we ended to the Arc de Triomphe! Not only did we see it (absolutely incredible; I can't believe the detail!! Makes me so excited for my Art and Architecture class!!), but we got to CLIMB TO THE TOP!! Once we reached the top it wasn't just the countless stairs that left us breathless... it was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. Pictures don't even do it justice, but here's one to give you an idea! We made out way down (it made me so dizzy because it was a spiral staircase!) and gazed up at the ceiling of the Arc and all the detail! Then we headed down the Champs-Elysees which is the street that goes under the Arc de Triomphe and was once the like the "King's Driveway"! It has tons of shopping and little cafes! I see a girls' shopping trip very soon in the future (the guys take longer than we do in the stores!!!). We came back to campus for dinner, where they were serving sheep! I tried a bite, but I just stuck with fish for course (but at least I can say I tried it, baaaah). Then Bren and I started planning our trip to London! After three hours of being a stress ball, we finally got it booked to go the first weekend of February!! Yay, Prince Harry still is single right?.... Don't be surprised when I come back with a ring on it mom and dad!!

And now I'm off to my first Art and Architecture of Paris class! Can't wait to learn about everything that I'm seeing!!

But first, Happy Birthday Mom!!  I'll have a crepe and glass of wine to celebrate for you tonight! Je t'aime!

Exploring the City!

What a busy couple of days!! Time is already flying by, but I'm taking in every moment!

Yesterday we had orientation! We spoke about the area of Paris we're in (it's like the "Madison Avenue of NYC" but in Paris!), different trips they're offering (I'm already booked to go to Normandy next weekend!), and about classes! We're required to do Academic Service Learning, basically community service, for some of our classes. There's an opportunity to go to high school English classes and talk to the students and help out, or pre-schools! I'm really looking forward to doing either, or even a Midnight Run where we made bagged meals and hand them out to the homeless around the city, like I've done in NYC!

After orientation we had some free time where we walked around the city a little bit and did some grocery shopping! You have to bag your own groceries here (Miss you Wegmans!) but they're nice! Then we bundled up to go on a walk of the neighborhood and a boat ride down the Seine River that goes all the way through Paris! Despite the wind, the views were incredible (especially the sun setting on the Eiffel Tower!) and we saw so many things! The Louvre! Notre Dame! So much to take in! We walked back to campus, stopping for happy hour of course!, and then had dinner! The food on campus is much better here, cya later Monties! Then it was time for our first night out!! Ten outfits later, we finally made it out and hit the bars! The metro is really similar to the subways, making us New Yorkers feel in place! I will never forget with "Empire State of Mind" came on and how fun it was, all of us dancing and singing together. We went to another bar down the street which had a more calm feel to it. I realized how difficult it can be trying to talk to people who don't understand English! I did what I could, but it's tough!

This morning we woke up bright and early and as a group went to mass at Notre Dame! It was absolutely beautiful, inside and out! The architecture is indescribable; how they were about to do that 850 years ago completely amazes me. And the stain glass windows will leave you speechless, as does the choir; voices of angels! We walked around a took some pictures and got crepes for lunch (Mmmm nutella with banana and almond!)

The afternoon led to more exploring; a group of us headed off to the city in venture of a place to eat! We come to find a really cool place with French music and pool; they even have DJs there sometimes so we have to go back! There's nothing like dinner with Paris with some great friends! And we were lucky enough to meet up with Brenna's friend Rayan who lives in Paris! Over a glass of wine he shared with us some places we have to see while we're here, and most importantly promised me a ride on his vespa, or as they call them "scooter"!

Then to end the night I was able to skype all of my family (except you Ry! Hope you were having fun at work!) and Linds! Talking to them (and even writing this blog!) just reminds me even more so how lucky I am to be here and have the chance to do all of this. Love you guys!! 

Classes start up tomorrow! I'm taking Religions of the World and the Art and Architecture of Paris! I can't wait to learn about all the art so I can go to the Louvre and really appreciate it (no matter how small the Mona Lisa is in real life!) After class we're going to the Eiffel Tower and Arc d'Truimphe as a group, then wherever the city leads us!

You know you're in Paris when Google is in French

I'm here!! We're finally in Paris! And it's been an amazing first day! I don't think it's even hit me that this is my home now for the next month! But I couldn't be happier!

After a delicious last dinner at Angelo's in NYC with my mom, I woke up early to make it to JFK! Bumping into my good friend Jay in the hotel as I was bringing my luggage downstairs for the shuttle, I knew it was off to a great start! There's no better feeling than being reunited with your friends after a month apart; yay for having Kimm and Bren back!  The three hour flight to Miami felt a lot longer compared to my usual 45 minute flight home! (Fun fact: this was my FOURTH flight in a week!! Turning into quite the jet-setter!) The layover went by fast, and before we knew it we were minutes away from landing in Paris! Bren and I sat next each other holding our breath (with Kimm just a couple rows behind us!) waiting for the landing... And now here I am!! 

We took a bus from the airport to campus, about an hour away. The view was incredible, seeing the outskirts of Paris then into the city itself! I can't wait to get out and see everything up close! We unloaded our stuff, had lunch (sandwich avec jambon et fromage!) and moved into our new rooms! Kimm and I are still roommates (from Queens to Paris!!)! At least she's use to my messiness by now. After a quick shower, it was time for adventure!


Somehow out of all people I started leading the group towards the Eiffel Tower, but of course I have no sense of direction and went in the opposite direction (you'd think it's pretty hard to miss, but leave it to me!) but on the upside I led the pack to Musée de l'Armée, Napoleon's tomb! The building and grounds were absolutely beautiful! Definitely a place I'd like to go back and really take a look at; I really can't wait to learn more about all the places we're seeing. 


And then we made our way to the Eiffel Tower where I had my big "Ah-ha!" moment where my dream like trance felt more of a reality. This is real. The Eiffel Tower is actually right there in front of me! My eyes welted up with tears; it took me by surprise! You always say that you want to travel the world and see all different places, but now that it's actually happening it's a lot to wrap my head around (the Eiffel Tower is HUGE!) There was a couple taking their wedding pictures, so naturally I followed to get a closer look at her dress, haha!As we walked away the Tower lit up, literally! I can't wait to go back at night! 


We met up with a bunch of other students to find a place to eat, our first meal out in Paris! Naturally, twenty people was a bit too big to fit in a little side restaurant, so Bren, Kimm and I broke off where we had escargo (It's so yummy!) and tried a bunch of different wines! 

With such a busy day tomorrow (Orientation, a walking tour of the surrounding neighborhoods, and a boat tour!!) we figured it'd be best to head back to try to beat the jet-lag!  As we were walking back to campus a guy, probably around our age, asked us what I assumed was directions. I fumbled trying to respond off the top of my head "Je ne comprends pas le français", but he got the idea that we were clearly not from the area, let alone country! We haven't even been here for a whole day yet and people already think we know our way around!! And on top of that, the public safety officer at the front desk complimented me on my French (thank goodness for those five years in high school!) and my accent! Maybe I should just stay here after the rest of my trip; It seems like I'm fitting in just fine!! =) 

My First Blog Ever!

Ta-da! I figured out how to make a blog! As a New Years resolution I told myself I'd keep a blog while I'm abroad to keep all of my friends and family (that's you guys!) updated while I'm studying in Europe for the semester! So let the adventure begin...


There's only two days until I leave for JFK Airport to spend the night before heading off to my first destination, Paris, France!  It's crazy to think that it's finally happening. After months of day dreaming about what it will be like to live over in Europe for a whole semester, it still doesn't seem real to me. Maybe that's why I just started packing today... oops! Being able to walk to the Eiffel Tower, spaghetti and the Colosseum in Italy, bull fighting and flamenco dancing in Spain with some of my best friends I've met at St. John's; am I really this lucky?!


The past week I've been trying to get things together, making countless to-do lists and slowly but surely checking off the tasks one by one. Get my travel visa in New York City, check! Buy luggage, check (Thanks mom!)! Have a last night with the Bouchie Bunch, check! A night of family and yummy food at my dad's, check! And of course I couldn't leave without getting one last garbage plate!  


It's been a crazy break! Countless hours spent at Victoria's Secret telling myself all the folding panties will be worth it once I'm over there, enjoying my last Starbucks (I don't know if I'll be able to handle the real deal coffee over there!), with the stress of knowing I won't be back in the city, my home away from home, for months, and not having my roommates Kimm and Brenna here to keep my head on straight while my world is spinning out of control! And now there's only forty-two hours until I'm on the plane (but who's counting, right?) with so much to do still! Last minute shopping, finishing packing, and saying "See you later" to a few last people; someone pinch me! (Just have to remember, keep calm and carry on...)


I can't even imagine what it's going to be like, besides amazing! Nineteen years old and I'm about the travel the world with a bunch of friends and going to meet so many more...  I'm so thankful for having this opportunity and really thank you to everyone who has been a part of it all! Let the fun (and studying, of course! Done in four, right Dad?!) begin!!!