Presque la fin...

I can't believe I only have one week left in Paris. It's gone by so incredibly fast. And as much as it's been an amazing experience, I have to say I am ready to go home. I feel I've done everything I wanted to do (and much more), and I've learned so much about France and just the world outside the U.S. I know I could never live here permanently... it's too far from home and too different. I have realized the more I've been here that some of the French stereotype I used to defend are actually true. Such as the "French attitude." It definitely exists, and you notice it in weird little nuances. There is a phrase in French that means "in fact" ("en fait") and they say it all the time at the beginning of their statements with this attitude like, "in fact this is what I think or this is how it really is." They definitely pride their individual opinions and aren't always understanding of others.

But anyways, what I love about Paris. The food, of course. The beautiful architecture. Walking. I could wander aimlessly around the city forever and always find something new and amazing. The culture, specifically the art. I went to the Musee d'Orsay on Sunday for probably the last time, and that was my first sad-to-leave moment because the Orsay was definitely one of my favorite places here, almost like a second home since we went usually one a week for class. It's such an amazing collection: Monet, Manet, Degas, Van Gogh, Renoir. All of Paris' best. I could return to that museum again and again and keep looking at the same pictures and still be in awe.

I'm not going to miss the weather. It's cold and raining again. I honestly think we've only have a few teaser days of nice weather this entire semester. I wish I could have a little sun before the end, and then really bad weather the day I leave so I won't be sad to go.

I've finished all of my finals now except the big, nasty Sorbonne grammar exam. And that's not until Saturday so it's just looming in the distance. I'm kind of over studying now, because I figure whatever happens happens, and I just can't wait to be done, packed, and on the plane home. What am I looking forward to returning to? My family, my friends, my dogs! My bedroom, all the clothes I forgot I owned because I didn't bring, Food Network, cooking! Especially Japanese food... I don't think I've ever gone so long without Japanese food. Fresh brewed Starbucks coffee at home every morning. Oatmeal. Golden Spoon. (a lot of food things.) Speaking English all the time. Not that I don't like French, but sometimes it's just too much to think about.... but I know I'm probably going to be unconsciously inserting French words in everyday conversation. And my already horrible spelling has become even worse because now I incorporate French spellings.

It's pretty surreal that in a blink of an eye I will be back in California, and back to my old life. It kind of feels like a different world. I can't believe when I left it was Christmas, and now it's going to be summer, and most of my friends have graduated from USC! That's really sad. Last semester seems like a lifetime ago. It's weird how life just keeps going and changing no matter what, and in the moment everything seems so important, so eternal, but when you look back later it's just a blur. I guess we just have to enjoy every moment and take it for what it's worth. I think I've done a good job of that here. There's nothing I'll regret not doing, I don't think. Well this might very well be my last post from Paris, so au revoir et a bientot!