Chugging along - November Blog 2/2

We are really getting into the homestretch now! I have three weeks left and man do I feel the pressure! Things are still happening right and left and I am trying my best to keep it all in my head at least long enough to snap a photo and remember the story to be able to share with you all here.

We had another program excursion to Reims (pronounced with far more phlegm than you would ever think is necessary). It was the final excursion of the semester. We got to see the cathedral of Notre Dame de Reims which is where all the French kings were coronated. We also had a pseudo Thanksgiving dinner, put on for us students by the IES Abroad administration. I heard that the food was quite good, though no where near an authentic American Thanksgiving feast. I was unable to go, but it’s okay because the reason for my absence was that my parents were visiting!

It was so unbelievably good to see them. I once again played the part of tour guide for them. However unlike when my friend visited, my parents were here for a whole week. So, I needed to go to class and was forced to leave them alone for hours at a time. Luckily, I can trust them to navigate the city on their own without getting too terribly lost. We had a great time together, despite receiving a lot of bad news which they were here. Both of my mom’s parents died over the course of the week of their visit, my grandfather on the Tuesday and my grandmother on the Friday. Both were old and sick, but it still hurts to lose much loved family members especially while so far away. I have to admit, it shook me to lose both of them so close together. I loved them both very very much and we were close. The best thing that has come from it is the support of the other students at IES Abroad. Everyone was incredibly supportive and offered to help in whatever way they could. It was a very sweet gesture. As of right now I plan to finish the semester here in Paris, rather than try to go home then come back. I’m honestly afraid that if I went home to attend the joint funeral that I would not come back.

In December I will be doing a lot of travel, all still within Europe of course. First, I will be doing a day trip to Switzerland, then a quick visit to Spain to see my best friend. Lastly my best friend and I will be meeting up and going to Italy together for a long weekend. I can’t wait to take these trips though I am a little worried about the extra stress it will cause me at the end of the semester.

Hopefully things start to look up for me soon as I finish off the semester. Only one way to find out. Allons-y!