Bittersweet You blend so well with your environment! Enlightening message. Very true, life is the best teacher of all. Our pathways are different in life. Our choices do have some impact, but then, we are given different options and choices to choose from. No two alike. The true universal message. Proud of you to understand the message. Love and kindness, patience and understanding get us through it all. BTW loved the xmas card. Very cool to get something from France!
Love Aunt Karen.
The end? No...it's just the beginning Hi Angel: You have had a wonderful journey and learned so much about life and I am happy for you, but now it is time to say "WELCOME HOME, WELCOME HOME, WELCOME HOME, WELCOME HOME. Can't wait to see you! Have a safe and "short" flight home and remember always I Love You!!!
Grandma xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
O my gosh Alana how proud I am of you. You are a beautiful butterfly that has gone through the the stages of life and now are on your way to fly. Every parent has dreams and hopes for their children,and we hope they take advantage of the path we've laid out for them. You have, and its been your own, with constant encouragement ,love beyond words,and gentle guiding. We couldn't be more pleased and are grateful, but thankful you'll be coming home. Your words read like butter and you will chrish these blogs forever......can't wait to see my baby girl.All my love sweetheart,mommy.xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox...
Bonjour Alana, Comment ca va? I love this entry. The picture of Place Jean Jaures brings back so many wonderful memories as if they just happened yesterday. Your grandmother is correct when she tells you that you will remember these experiences your entire life. And the markets---I just adored the outdoor markets in Tours. I would always wonder through them on my way home from classes at the Institut de Touraine. I think one of the best things that you will find about this experience is that you will get to share it with you students when you start your career. You (and they) will love that. I know you will really enjoy and appreciate the remaining days of your stay. Leaving will be very hard, but remember that you will be back. You have just started your "love affair" with France and the French. You have many future adventures with them waiting for you. I can't wait to see you and hear more when you return. Amusez-vous bien!!! Madame
chestnuts roasting on an open fire Hi Angel! So happy you are enjoying your last weeks in France but excited that you will soon be home where we all are waiting for you.! You have had a fantastic experience that will stay with you for all your life and the people of France have had a fantastic experience in knowing you. You have made many friends and left your mark on them. Time goes on and life changes, but these 4 months will alway be with you. Take all the good with you and learn from the bad. Stay well and remember always I love you. Grandma xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
Best Blog Yet!!! I loved this one Sweetheart. Everyone loves you there just like at home. No surprise there!!! Enjoy every day to the fullest, and remember, you will be able to visit hopefully many times again in the future. What a great experience. I am truly so proud of you. Love you P.
Scents of Europe You go girl, really wise to take in all the sights, sounds and smells in your adventures! Your sense of smell seems to be very acute---Too bad we can't buy schnozz filters.
Amsterdam Hi Alana, I am an old neighbor of Grandma Helen. Also your Mom babysat for our 3 kids. I am glad she sent me this, as I have family who live in Amsterdam, but never been there. You are a lucky girl to get to do all this traveling.
Enjoy your time in Europe.
Judy Bobeck
bonjour Hi Alana, I have really been enjoying your blogs. They have been so interesting. I'm so glad that you and your mom had such a great time when she was there. I remember when I was first in Amsterdam. That red light district is really something, isn't it? And we were approached at least five times a day by someone that wanted to sell us drugs. It was really unbelievable and quite an eye opener for a twenty year old. If I hadn't seen it and experienced it for myself, I probably would have never believed it. I can't believe that you only have a month left. I'm sure you will make the best of the time that you have left. I can't wait to see you when you get back. In the meantime "Amuse-toi bien"!
Madame
What an interesting experience Wow.. amazing how different people live. So many ways to experience life. Its all about having fun..
Enjoy your Thanksgiving. Love Aunt Karen.
Fun Hi Alana, wish I was there with you and your mom. Looks like soo much fun. You will be home before you know it, and then you will miss it. Continue to enjoy, keep a list of contacts so you can visit again. Can't wait till you come home for the hollidays. Love Aunt Karen.
a trip to remember Oh Alana!!! What a wonderful trip you and mom had. I couldn't be happier that you were together and doing so many great things!! The Russian Orthodox Church looks beautiful!! I have never seen anything like that. I hope you have pictures of the inside too so I can see them when you get home in a little over 6 weeks!!! See it is going fast and you will be home in no time! You both must have been exhausted, but it was worth it. Stay well, honey, and keep building those memories!!!! Love you always xoxoxoxoxoxoxox
Grandma
What a trip! Hi Alana,
Thanks for sharing your wonderful visit with your mom. You are both so sweet! The pictures were incredible and I bet the food and wine were great too - but we all know the company was the BEST!!!
We all love and miss you and hope you have a wonderful time during your last weeks in France. Keep writing - we all love to hear what you're up to. The four of us hung out tonight and took turns reading your blog out loud - we laughed and enjoyed!
love you...Uncle Charles, Aunt Barbie, Jennifer and Tyler
GELATO Hi Alana,
That gelato sure looked good. I probably would have had a hard time not eating all of that if you could believe it. I am so glad you are having such a wonderful time and had such beautiful memories to treasure with your mom. Keep having fun and I look forward to seeing you at Christmas. Stay well.
Love,
Aunt Sue
night on the town HI Alana. Glad to see you still know how to party!!! Ha Ha. Hope you were able to nap for a bit. Well, Mom will be leaving for Paris tomorrow. I know you both will have a great time. I'm looking forward to hearing about your adventures and pictures. The time is going fast and before you know it, you will be home. I can't wait!!!! Be safe and remember always I love you.
Grandma xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
Hi Alana!,
I hope you had a wonderful birthday! Your Mom is so excited to come visit. Ive been following your adventures and can wait for your return so you, your mother and I can go to dinner. Miss you!
Love ,
Tammy
Quel age? Bonjour, I didn't know it was your birthday. Joyeux Anniversaire!!! I'm sure this is one you will never forget. What an "interesting" day. The French really are very thoughtful people, aren't they? And the books were a great idea. Alison must be a very sweet young lady it sounds like. I'm sure she's thrilled to have you there. I'm sorry I haven't written for awhile, but I was so busy with the reunion I was in charge of. I don't know if you remember that I plus 19 other girls started the Maison Francaise at BGSU when we were there. It is still in existence today. Our reunion was this past weekend in Goshen, Indiana and it turned out to be "formidable". And a good number of us spent our Junior Year of college together at the Institut de Touraine, right there in Tours. Maybe you've seen it. We had so much fun reliving our "memories" of La Maison and Tours. So all of these memories that you are making and experiences you are having will be with you forever. I don't think the IUFM was there when I was there. Where is it located? I'm really enjoying your blogs tremendously. Thanks for keeping them up. Take care and "amuse-toi bien ce weekend"!
Madame
Sorry Hi Alana, Happy Birthday!! So sorry, time goes by so quickly. I have truly enjoyed your adventures. They bring a smile and a chuckle. Wish I could be there to join in the fun AND the wine. Tell me your favorite. I will buy you some, you may miss it when your home. Love Aunt Karen
Karen
non-member comment
Bittersweet
You blend so well with your environment! Enlightening message. Very true, life is the best teacher of all. Our pathways are different in life. Our choices do have some impact, but then, we are given different options and choices to choose from. No two alike. The true universal message. Proud of you to understand the message. Love and kindness, patience and understanding get us through it all. BTW loved the xmas card. Very cool to get something from France! Love Aunt Karen.