"Ma Vie en France"

I find myself not wanting to leave France at all while I'm in my classes. I wonder why, too. It's a room with several long wooden tables and chairs, tile floors, one white-board and three windows with wooden shutters that overlook the town of Pontlevoy, France. In the mornings and early afternoons, the sun shines so brightly. When the weather is warmer than usual, our teachers open the windows and let the clean, French air go deep into our lungs.

Yesterday was probably our first warm day since we've been here for just over a month. The 55 degree sunny weather instantly puts everyone in a great mood. The professors are more energized, we're more intruiged to learn and everyone in town seems to be going for an afternoon walk.

Its an amazing energy that I haven't seen elsewhere. I spent part of the afternoon hanging out with other Abbey-ians in the gardens, which are located in the "backyards" of the Abbey. It was just warm enough to not have to wear a jacket.

We're all also so excited for our upcoming Paris/Normandy week and our 2 week spring break. We leave for Paris this Saturday by bus. This is the first year they're getting us hotel rooms instead of hostels (HALLELUJAH!). Our days will be spent with small groups of 7 and an assigned professor to give their own walking tour that corresponds with their classes. As a treat, the program is taking us on a boat cruise on our last night there. HOW COOL IS THAT!! We are also spending two days in Normandy. We're seeing the American cemetery and Omaha Beach (I'm most excited for this). One day will also be spent in Versailles.

Tuesday, March 31, Lindsey and I are jetting off from Paris to Dublin, Ireland. We're staying in a hostel downtown. After two nights, we're leaving April 1st early in the morning for a quick flight to London. We're staying 3 nights. We're meeting up with my good friend Alexis' parents and gonna do all those touristy things. Of course I signed up for the Official Beatles Tour. Easter Sunday, we're flying to Rome and staying there for 5 nights. We're staying on a river, near the Vatican. On that Wednesday, we're going hear the Pope say mass. I think we may do a day trip to Florence because we're there for so long!

Finally, on our last weekend, were going to the coast of Italy and staying in an area called the Cinque Terre. Hopefully it'll be warm, cause we're right on the beach. Sangria and gnocchi are complentary. We're renting out a cheap apartment for six of us! After an afternoon in Pisa, we arrive back to Paris on April the 11.

It's going to be amazing, long, tiring, nerve wracking, stressful and downright everything I hope and more. I look forward to trying to navigate the London Tube, drinking local beer with the Irish, trying authentic Italian food, getting lost in Rome and meeting up with my friends for a relaxing weekend trip on the beaches in Italy.

It'll be funny to re-read this blog entry after I come back. Will I be exhausted, stinky and sunburned, yet accomplished and full of stories to tell? Or will I look back wondering why I did this or why I didn't see that? Either way, it's an experience I'll never be able to experience again.

I'll never again in my life be a young 20 year old with a backpack, a few friends and basically a empty wallet. When I come back, I know I'll either be older with my own family or husband. Maybe my parents and I will go. Or maybe I'll go again by myself on a work trip? Either way, this trip is pretty freakin' insane and I cannot wait to let you all know how it goes.

See y'all in a few weeks! :)