Farewell France

Cliché or not: I can't believe the study abroad is over. Before I enter into the realm of final conclusions, I might as well give the trip an ending! Though I have not traveled since Pisa, (except for currently: my journey through England on the way home)  there was certainly much still going at GTL. 

The Saturday after my trip to Italy,m Alex invited me to a friend's party up near Luxembourg. It was in celebration of several birthdays including a baby's first year birthday. It was primarily French and thus, a very good experience of a French family party.. I tried some new appetizer pastries, a fine meal of assorted side dishes, an ice cream desert, and to finalize cheese and baguette. I'm sorry this is so vague, but it was too many weeks ago. I can tell you it was amazing! Alex was over-concerned that I was not enjoying myself because I couldn't really understand too much that is going on but it is fun trying. As the night went on I realized that more of them did know English after all! At first Alex was stuck to translating stuff like, "Don't listen to everyone else, you can wear that on your tie." -I said to one guy they were all making fun of because he had a medal bracket around his tie. Then someone randomly turned to me "Do you like fishing?" The question was very amusing. But I said yes, then he told the story of a blond girl who went fishing with friends but she wouldn't stop talking so they through her over board. I was astonished that they might have been referring to me, because I don't even speak French.

A few friends asked me some questions about why I thought one of them couldn't get a girlfriend. That was an awkward question so I said, "I don't know- he's a stud." They didn't know what that meant so they translated it literally to 'stallion'. Haha not exactly, but sure! I had a great time... I checked my phone as I was in the car on the way back and did not set it back in my purse well enough. As I got out of the car it slipped out of my purse, but they were already driving away when I realized this, and it was not on the ground. Alex said we could get it the next day- seeing as I didn't use it often, I was unconcerned. However, the next day came, then the day after... it never showed up. A few weeks later someone called my Poppy on it, which got my hopes up, but it led to nothing. Quite a bothersome and unfortunate loss. But dwelling past a certain point does no good and I must move on.


 Ryan, president of the BDE asked me to be in charge of decorations for the Spring Banquet that would take place April 25th. I can see how it would be nice to go to a small school, even after just one semester you feel like you know everyone, and the committee can host something like this to bring everyone together at the end of the year.

At first I didn't realize the extent of my job- decorating just helping out yaknow. But then it entailed shopping for decoration (materials) seeing as Cora doesn't sell decorations in particular. As well as making the decorations then- I must say thank you so much Brenna!

They came out great! We watched No Strings Attached and then I believe it was the same night I got creative with food too... I had a Red Bull and plenty of energy! So I put together stuffed bell peppers with ground steak, spaghetti sauce, onions, maybe some mushrooms, and topped with melted cheese. It was terrific.

I was also very busy getting ready for my differential equation "midterm" and fixing my globalization project to my professor's liking... to my best abilities at least. To relieve some stress I went out for sushi with Tony and French graduates company. He too was concerned that it was too Frenchy. Oye. Je suis en France haha.-Well I was. Pas non plus. I had a very enjoyable Japanese meal. Packing started to become a pending thing too! I starred up my map, and packed my souvenirs. I'll look forward to handing them out, -something I quite possibly won't do until I come back from Atlanta this summer, do to lack of time and desire to put it together well.

I was unable to get too many people to reply positively for helping with set up and no doubt started to feel like my mom when she was in charge of anything at gym meets. There was definitely a lot of last minute rushing around and combined with very little sleep. But it really did turn out well. And it felt great to relax at the end. Tony won a cooking book, Ronnie got up and sang beautifully! I'll also congratulate Fabien on being the speaker for the evening. He did a great job! Everyone brought their own dishes and desserts; potluck style. Tony and I had put together a fruit salad, Brenna brought some pastries, and everyone else brought a lovely variety. This was a very good start to a very bad diet the last few weeks of France unfortunately. With so little sleep everyday I cared less and less and just was more concerned with staying awake to be honest.
I made two last runs in Metz before I got too exhausted. I went to Fort Queuleu and it was the most relaxing trip by far. I also ran a new route past the golf course and ended up running on a dirt road that winded off into the distance. Though the sky was grey, sun lit up the rolling fields of green, and a farm house lay at the base of the hills off to the left. I can only say I wish I had a camera.

 I went out with Tony and company again- this time with Brenna included, to McDonald's. I felt it necessary to have at least one experience with such an American originated franchise in a foreign country. The McBaguette really was pretty good, and didn't taste all too fattening to be honest! Lafayette had one last conference- we did superlatives. I was a little late to this one but I discovered I had won "Most Likely to Burst out Laughing in Class." Fair enough. I guess it was just one of those semesters....