5 Weeks to Go!

Hello again!
I was just sitting here in my apartment, Lauren and I just dabbling on the computers, and thought I would write you all once again. The main thing that's happened since the last real entry was Margaret's and Andy's visit. It was really great to have the three of us together in Paris after being separated for so long with all sorts of new aspects to our lives. We went all around Paris, they came back to Nantes with me to get a glimpse of my life and friends here, went back to Paris and they we had to say au revoir. I think they could say that France is a wonderful place, but they're tired of croissants. ;) Actually, I'm pretty sure they DID say that, it's true, a croissant every day for breakfast can get a little old. I was pretty pleased with myself at my tour guide skills. I can proudly say that I can get around to all the major sites of Paris without a map. I remembered where some of my favorite little restaurants were and facts that I had learned, etc. I'd say my favorite memory with them was going to the Eiffel Tower one night. They had the same look of awe that any first time Eiffel Towerer has, the lights, the air, the lovers around. And though I was taking in the same excited feeling that they were, mine was a little different that time. It's funny, I've been to the Eiffel tower with family, friends, a lover, amongst a group of thousands of people from all over the world, and alone, but every time, you get a different feeling. And this time, I was able to just stand there and take in the feeling of Paris around me while looking up at a lighted beauty. And beautiful she is. (The Eiffel Tower is feminine in French, so when people refer to it, it's a she) It was very fulfilling to just be there, no fumbling with my camera, no getting pushed by a police officer, no getting hassled by the couples asking me to take a picture of them, just heightening my senses as much as I could. Paris is at it's best at night, along the river. I love to just stand on the bridges and look out on the Seine with all the fabulous buildings around all lit up. The last trip there with Andy and Margaret was my last affair with Paris, I definitely received it in a different manner. The only Parisian thing in my future is taking the metro to the airport to say bon voyage. I'm not sure when I'll be able to walk along the left bank while looking upon a glowing Notre Dame on my right again. It's funny, I was actually starting to get sick of Paris, but really, there is a very special place in my heart for this city. So, the three of us had a wonderful time and it was sad to say goodbye. But who knows when we'll see each other again, perhaps in Johannesburg next, Sydney, Beigjing, the sky's the limit.

So after I said goodbye to my two best friends, I headed back to Nantes once again to get back in the swing of things. This month has been an incredibly busy one and I was definitely in need of some extra naps! Since they left, I've just been doing the same ole same ole, saving up money and calories for my vacation to Spain, Belgium, and Netherlands, which I leave for on April 6th. So that brings us to today, a lazy Sunday night that I should be using to lesson plan, but hey, I'll just do that in the morning over some cafe. :)

I'm so pumped to come back to Iowa, never thought I'd say that; I have already made hair apts etc for the week that I'm in Iowa City (which is the week of graduation by the way, so if you're done with finals any of those days, or want to take a break from studying, CALL ME!). And so all my Iowa City people know, the Wednesday of finals, I would love for everyone to come out to ole Sam's Pizza for some classic Wednesday wing and sing! (if you haven't heard that, it's wings and karaoke....) I'm not too broken up about leaving Europe, I've seen so much and have had so many wonderful experiences, I'm very satisfied with all that I've learned and accomplished here.

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