Home, Bittersweet Home

Well, I'm back to the U.S. of A. for a while. Now to get on with my school and life and get a job.

At least, that's what I thought. But the whole job thing wasn't working out too well. It took me about a month to solidify a situation. Things were getting a bit desperate for a while there. And when I finally did get the job, I got it because I could speak French. I never would have been good enough to get a job speaking French if it weren't for this trip.

I'm going to miss the atmosphere, ambiance, the life, and the quality of the food (perhaps most of all; I got sick eating my first cheeseburger back in the states.).

I can honestly say that this trip has changed my life. It opened my eyes to French culture, let me see some of the greatest art in the world, got me in a healthy eating lifestyle (I'm down 20 pounds from before I left), and has given me a great outlook on life.

I'm genuinely happy with where I am in my life, and this trip to Europe is a huge factor in my happiness. It's good to be back and playing music and seeing friends and family, but I would go back in an instant if the opportunity presented itself.

Je t'aime, France.

International Friendships

Now that I have returned, so many people have asked me what my favorite part of the trip was. It's almost impossible to choose one aspect of the program that influenced me the most, but if I had to pick, it would probably be all of the friendships that I created. Actilangue was an international school so I had the opportunity to meet so many awesome people. From Germany, to Russia, to Japan, and some places as foreign as Texas, Actilangue had it all. We also got to go to an LDS church in Nice where we met a lot of really great people. I made some Niçois friends who we hung out with a few times. The last week when Lindsey and I were in Paris, we met a Parisian who is investigating the LDS church and he took us on a tour around Paris, which was awesome. I have so many connections with people from all over the world, it's amazing. I'm already planning a trip to visit my Roman friend next summer. Not to mention all of the incredible students and instructors from UVU that I've become so close with and have loved spending my summer with them. This experience was better than I could have ever imagined. I gained so much experiences that just couldn't have been learned in the classroom.

The City of Love

Lindsey and I went to back to Paris for a week after the program. Little did I know, my boyfriend David had bought a plane ticket to come see me and propose. How romantic is that? It was incredible showing him around the most amazing city in the world and sharing with him all that I had learned in the last two months. It was the perfect way to end the best trip of my life!

Au revoir

Shyanne and I spent the last week in Paris. So much happened, Shyanne got  engaged (I knew since the first week he was coming to propose), we made friends with a real French man, I went to Prague and we discovered that Disneyland Paris is amazing. I can't believe all that has happened in a week. I loved this experience so much. Au revoir France !

Before.... And after

I would like to share a couple experiences. One from my first week in Nice and one from my last.

My 4th day in Nice I was riding the bus back to my apartment when I made eye contact with a very genial old French woman, she smiled and my heart dropped to my boots. I tried to pretend I didn't see her, but then a seat opened up right next to her and I sat down. I was going to have to talk to her, every time I would look at her out of the corner of my eye I knew she wanted to talk with me. So, I repeated the question I was going to ask over and over again in my mind.... Ou allez-vous? Ou allez-vous.... And finales said it, brow sweating and hands shaking. She responded the Port, and continued having what was probably a jolly conversation in French... I was LOST. I just smiled and nodded and "oui'd" when it sounded appropriate, then before I knew what she was doing she asked my a question and handed me some gum! That day, though I didn't say more that six words, I was proud. I had spoken French with a stranger.

My last day in Nice... I'm on the bus from the school to my apartment. When this lady with a scratch off lottery card comes and sits down next to me, and before I know it we are talking, she explained what numbers she needed to win, and I expressed my condolences when she didn't. She asked where I was from and why I was in Nice, and I explained and asked where she was from. Madagascar. As I was getting off th bus it hit me that I had conducted the entire conversation in French!

Incroyable!

Now, if you still with me I want to talk about what studying abroad, learning a new language, and enduring some discomfort did to me. When I first arrived in Nice I couldn't speak French to my host, or the airport attendants and ordering lunch was a nightmare. Why? Let me give you a hint: it wasn't because I didn't know how. It was because I didn't believe I could.

I strongly believe that I have left France as a more confident, happier person. I've learned to imbrace the uniqueness that is my flat curveless body. I've learned I can speak French fairly well, and mostly importantly that I can do anything I put my mind to. I'm returning home with confidence in myself as an adult, something that I've always pretended to have.

Hard times and new awkward experiences will always come, but I can look back on this and remind myself that I did THIS. I kicked it in the face! And I can do it again!

# Flash back Friday

Today was the last day of  class which brought me back to the first week here. Our week in Paris and the Loire valley was priceless and a fantastic introduction to France. We visited a plethora of fantastic places but my favorite one probably was Notre Dame. Each experience here has impacted my life forever and I will never be the same person. I am so grateful for all the people I have met and the friendships I have acquired. Each ending has a beginning and my mine was fantastic. Here are a few of my favorite pictures.

I could get used to a view like this

Yesterday we went to EZ! It was unreal. The chateau at the top of the hill was amazing. The little twist and turns. All the arches. It was spectacular. The exotic garden up top was wonderful. I can't believe I'm almost about to say good bye to this place. I want to stay here forever.