Arrived

everything went well during the flight. we departed on time, arrived on time, customs was a breeze, and the shuttle picked me up right on time. The only problem was that they did not get the memo on me being a vegan. So i ended up just getting a tiny salad and buying a mini bottle of wine. The lady apparently felt really bad because the second time she came around, she snuck me a second bottle of wine. I couldn't complain.
Getting to the apartment took forever. There was a lot of traffic and the airport is on the other end if the city. But the ride was a nice tour. I saw a large part of the city. As I sat in the backseat, I read all the signs. My ability to read and understand was great. I felt prepared for the French! So at the end of the ride the driver started asking about me, you know small talk. How long was in Paris, had i been there before. This seemed pretty normal until we were a few block away from my destination. "So would you like to go out for wine" he said. I did not know what to say so I kind of just ignored the question. Well he ended up giving me his number so I could call him. Yeah right buddy you are about 40 and probably married. Eh, it was pretty funny.
So get my bags and cross the street to my apartment. I enter the code and get in with the first try. I walk in head to the elevator and press the 2nd floor button. The door opens I head towards the stairs and ring the doorbell. I though, great! I am finally at my home for the next 6 months. Except there are no college students, an older French lady comes out in her PJs! I try to explain that I actually ended up going on the 3rd floor and not the 2nd. The problem, I couldn't say what I wanted to say in French! AH! She actually seemed a bit bothered, but she spoked English and I explained a little better. I head down the stairs and approach the apartment on the actual 2nd floor. I ring the doorbell and out comes another lady, ah I messed up again? She asks if I am a student and tells me that she is the cleaning lady. Except this took like 3 minuets. Not only that but she tried to tell me to call my director. Basically I was all very confusing, but things have been sorted out. I met all the girls on the trip and we went to breakfast with Boris. It was a good time.
As of now I am attempting to combat jet lag. It is currently 4:25 here in Paris. This means that back home in Chicago it is night time. And I am running on a max of 2 hours of sleep. But I cannot complain, my flat mates are really cool, the flat itself is awesome and I AM IN PARIS!

The apartment

Patio in my room!

The hallway

View from the kitchen

Kitchen








Shower Room

My room!

Today is the day

In about 8 hours, I will be on my flight stright to Paris. Yes straight, that means I will be on the plane for 15 hours! Before I leave, I think I will be making a quick stop to Walgreens for some Nyquill. Also, I have to make sure I have some cash so that I can buy a few glasses of wine in case the Nyquill is taken away for being in a container that is too large.

When I woke up this morning I looked at my phone and saw an Email from my contact in Paris. Needless to say this made me pretty excited. He seems to be a funny guy and his name is Boris. Maybe he will be easier to contact than my program.

Ok so I realize that  my Visa is up in July. And well maybe I will need to return after my program is over. Sad, very sad, I wanted to spend the summer in Europe backpacking. But I guess I have to take charge of my college responsibilities. So I checked the flights and ummm right now they are 1,000+ woah! Yeah I think I should have just bought them as a round trip. I saved a lot on the flight to Paris as I only paid $250 something, but now, I am going to be spending a fortune. Bummer!

Last thoughts:

- I am actually a little nervous now! I had been super chill about everything and just anxious to leave. Now Im getting the flutters (butterflies).
- I get sheets ready in the apartment! Which means I don't have to take mine. Which is excellent because taking stuff out my bag means I maybe wont surpass the weight limit
- I actually have to make a few stops before the airport. I just need to buy a few things and make a run to the bank.
- I need to call ATT so they know I will be abroad
- I received an email from my cellphone company abroad, I will have my phone starting January 26th! Good good good
- I took my online placement test, Im in the intermediate level.
- My arrival will be super hectic. I get to my flat and and go straight to le petit déjeuner. Then I have some time in the apartment but after I have to go do some other things, I cannot remember what the email said. Well, I will be busy busy and I will be jet lagged.


Alright, that is it for now I have to start getting ready for my flight (YEAH!)

The Day Before

Alright so only one more day left. :DDDDDDD

      I've basically been on hold for an hour with Pinccell. Apparently they have no record of my order and that means I may not be getting a cellphone as soon as I arrive. They first said that I would be on hold for 5 minuets, lies. "Your call is next in line and will be answered by the next available representative." What, do you only have one person on the phones that is currently on break? Booo! Update: so they answered but said that my order was never conformed. Um yes it was I sent an email. Not only that but the guy hung up. ugh! now I don't know if he confirmed the package and I still have questions!!! I am not going to wait another hour on the frekin phone, so i sent an angry email! hmmmm

     I called my bank today to let them know that I will be abroad. Turns out there is about a $5 fee every time I use an ATM. There is also a 3% fee when I use the debit card for a purchase. Yikes, the Euro is already "expensive" and now I will lose even more money to my bank. I thought about opening a bank account abroad but apparently the banks are really picky with documentation and its an extensive process. I think I will just have to check everything out once I am in Paris.
   
      As for my baggage, I have two bags. I really really hope they are no more than 50lbs, I don't want to have to leave anything behind. As for carry on items, I have a book bag and my camera bag. The camera bag is small which is good because I want to keep what I carry to a minimum. I really want to avoid having to lug around a lot of things in the airport. I do not want to have to take an actual carry on with me, what a hassle.

Basically today has been a lot of stress!
Yesterday however was good, I bough a new
ipod and found out my film camera works!!




















For now I am taking a break: drinking tea and watching "Nigh Buffalo". Yum Diego Luna

Update: 2days left!!!

I packed and downloaded music. Today was a very productive day. At first I was freaking out and had no clue of what I was doing. I basically paced around my room pretending to start packing, but truth was: I had no clue how I was going to start. I then proceeded to raid my drawers and my closet and just threw everything I want to take on the floor. It was super crazy in my room but I managed. I now have condensed everything (for 6 months) in two suitcases.

I'm very excited...














The of the music i decided to add to my library

• Last 3 White Stripes Albums
• Dark Dark Dark 
• Cold War Kids- Loyalty to Loyalty 
• All of Grizzly Bear 
• Nouvelle Vague- Best of
• The Fratellies
• Federico Aubele (getting close to Jose Gonzalez...but not that close)
• Civil Wars: C'est la mort/Dance Me to the End of Love
• Jill Scott: Long Walk (classic)
• Moby: Flowers 
• Plain White T's: Rhythm of Love
• Modest Mouse (found out I love them!)
• Gorillaz: All Alone
• Thomas Newman: Any Other Name

To Do List

Alright, so there are only 3 days left and there is so much I have to do before I leave! I've been putting everything off but now I need to begin preparing. I hoping that by making this posting I will be a little motivated and stop procrastinating.



The List    (for now)
- Wash
- Pack
- Learn French (yes, I realized I do not know enough)
- Read Le Petit Prince 
- Download music
- Take my camera to get checked out
- Buy film: 35mm and Polaroids
- Last min shopping?


Also I am thinking of video blogging at some point but maybe I'll be more inspired once I am in Paris. Right now I don't have much inspiration.

The
Study
Material

Google Maps

Yesterday I received the address to the apartment in which I will be living! Instantly I looked it up on Google Maps. My neighborhood looks pretty nice, there is a train that will take me directly to my school a at an 8 minute walk and  there is a pharmacy and a bunch of shops in the area. I'll live in an apartment with a blue roof and a balcony. Seems so typical of Paris. Apparently I will also be receiving more housing and arrival information this weekend. Everything is so official! I still cannot believe I will be in Paris for half a year, how wonderfully spectacular.



                                                 

I also began working as an online tutor. This means that when I am in Paris I will have the opportunity to make some money and hopefully will not be completely broke. My friend is over in France already and she said everything is crazy expensive. I knew that was the case but her telling me just made it a reality. I shall have to spend very wisely.

Well I am off now. Maybe I should start thinking about packing....

10 days!

Yep, that's right. 10 more days until I am Paris bound! How crazy! I should probably start packing, or at least beginning the process. Ah! I was on FB and saw pictures of two of my friends that will be over in France this semester. I instantly got butterflies in my stomach! I just thought, wow that's going o be me in a few days! I definetly think I am prepared. Now, I am just going to enjoy the last few days I have at home and get ready for 6 months en Paris.

Also I have been preparing my cameras for the trip! And decided I will be buying a wide angle lens. But the bad news is that my 35mm does not seem to be working properly! The film comes out blank! I am a little worried because last time I was in Paris, I took my camera with me as well but once back in the states, my film was ruined because the film came out foggy. So I never got to see those picture. Now I wait.