The realization of what is about to happen in less than a week is slowly seeping into my consciousness.
Christmas was lovely, by the way. The 5 of us are rarely together for an extended amount of time. It was great to be with family, to go back in time a little and act completely silly with my brothers. I would post a few pictures, but the majority of them are of my brothers and myself making extremely unattractive faces.
How do you pack for 6 months?
I've done something similar before. I spent 4 months in Spain in 2004. It's not like I have no idea of what to expect.
The difference is that now they charge craziness for checking bags (additional flight restrictions notwithstanding due to moronic madmen trying to blow stuff up recently), I'll be in France for longer than I was in Spain, and this time I'm learning French. Oh, and whereas my Spanish then was decent, my French presently sucks.
You're going to France? But I thought you spoke Spanish. Then I end up explaining the requirements of my Master's program and my subsequent academic decisions, ending up sounding more smartypants than I'd intended.
You just can't stay still for long, can you? Always going somewhere, aren't you? Why do I detect a hint of antagonism in those (rhetorical) questions? Why do they put me on the defensive?
Here begins my week of workless countdown. It must be filled with bustling and preparation. To do:
1. Write thank you cards to all of my friends and family who hosted me in their homes during my recent trip and who have given me gifts towards my upcoming trip.
2. Buy relaxer kits to last me for 6 months. There ain't no Soft and Beautiful "regulars" in Tours, France. There ain't no "ethnic hair care" section in Carrefour. With all the black folks in Paris, I'd probably have better hair luck there, but I'm not going to be in Paris and, let's be real, I'm going to Europe.
3. Read the entire Rotary Handbook again just to make sure I understand my responsibilities.
4. Print out extra copies of all the forms I need.
5. Design a PowerPoint presentation to share my Southern American culture with the French Rotarians. (Gulp!)
6. Take these overdue books back to the library.
7. Start packing (which probably won't happen until Saturday night.)
Let's go.
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