Here it comes ...

Now that it is my final days in Angers I figured that I should write perhaps my last blog post while I'm in this city. As my time to depart grows closer, my emotions have become a little mixed and sloshed about. I'll admit, it's difficult knowing that everyone else will rather be staying here in Angers or headed home while I'm still in France but being uprooted anyway. I rather hear cries of relief and sadness as people talk about their home countries, talking about seeing their family again ... and then those that are resting here in Angers comfortably for another few months. I'm doing neither of those.

Of course, it's not say that my course of action isn't exciting. It's absolutely the contraire, in fact. Apparently contraire is not an English word, even though we use it as an expression (what a crock). Back to topic - I'm very excited for Grenoble. It will be a new adventure and give me the ability to experience a different part of France while I'm here. I have no regrets with this decision.

As Saturday, my day of departure, creeps up on me, I find that I am watching friends leave while my brain isn't fully comprehending that I will be leaving soon as well. It's difficult to precisely explain my feelings at this point in time. It's been difficult to describe them for living here in France. Occasionally I feel a little sad from time to time, but I would never take back this adventure for the pros and everything I've done make everything worth it. Honestly, the sad parts are a part of the pro as well. Without the sad parts it wouldn't be a complete adventure, now would it?

Having my roommate leave before me was a little tough. Sad. We have done a lot of things together, going to England, Ireland ... spending time in Paris, having dinners. It will be fun to see her again when I go to Osaka. Until then!

I'm sure I've said it before, but going abroad was the best thing I've ever done. I can't explain how successful and good I feel about myself thanks to this decision. I worked hard for this and encourage others to give it a shot. Even for a semester. Or for anyone. Go out and explore the world! Open your mind and learn new things.

My host family, my roommates, the AHA director, the other students in AHA and CIDEF, my professors of CIDEF ... all of these people have been wonderful and I will miss all of them. I will also miss seeing the castle and cathedral almost every day as I make my way from Avrillé to Angers.

To end this entry, here are some things about France:

1. All of those "surveys" and things like that about France being the rudest country (rudest people) are full of BS. The French have been nothing but kind to me.

2. It is apparently okay to pick your nose in public. I've seen this happening several times and nobody seems to be bothered by it.

3. When you have crepes, first you eat a crêpe salée (dinner crêpe?) and then you eat a crêpe sucrée (dessert crêpe). You're supposed to anyway.

4. It is acceptable to not shower for two to three days. The French think that it is not good for your skin to shower every day (they're actually correct about this).

5. The French are much more thick-skinned than Americans. It will be sad to return to the United States and remember everyone takes everything personally. Bunch of babies.