une semaine

One week... Une semaine...



When something is greatly anticipated, one week can seem like an eternity (say, waiting for my 19th birthday). On the contrary, when an event is dreaded or anticipated with anxiety, those seven days waiting for its arrival seem to fly by (waiting for my 20th birthday). One week from today, it all begins. Exchange, living abroad. It seems kind of HUGE. So I'm trying to hit the brakes on time because a) I am NOT ready b) I confess, I'm rather anxious.


On Sunday, family, friends and boyfriend threw me a fantastic birthday/going away party. Mother Nature was kind... we basked in the sun and cooled off in the pool. Thank you to everyone - I'll miss you terribly. Votre présence était tellement appréciée... J'espère que vous vous êtes autant amusez que moi. Pour ceux et celles que je ne verrai pas avant mon départ, on se voit à Noël!


Since then, I have finally gotten my act together. First, my visa arrived in the mail. To those travelling abroad in the winter, get on this... now. And get your mom to help. Next, I hit the stores to complete my toiletteries. Also, I lugged the two large suitcases from the basement into the guest bedroom to size out the situation. Operative word: large. One of these could contain my books and shoes and nothing more. I feel we have a problem on our hands.


To make matters a little more real for me, I found out yesterday (Merci maman!) that my residence accommodations are apartment-style with two other people. Two other people. No names, no gender, nothing. These will be my two best/worst-friends for the next four months... and I can't add them on Facebook to do the require creeping? (A fun Elise-finding-out-Emily-likes-rifles anecdote comes to mind)


On Monday, I’ll be making the mandatory trip down (or up?) to Kingston. Mandatory because I told everyone and their mother that I would see them before I left. I’m only staying one night, so I don’t think I’ll make all of those a reality but at the very least I will be able to see Roham move into my pretty pretty room.


And then Thursday… c’est le grand depart! My mom and I are flying a week before move-in day to Brussels and then heading straight to Prague and wherever else tickles our fancy.


To everyone else on Fall exchange (Logan, Ola & Kelsey who I know are already there) – I can’t wait to catch up on the other side of the pond!


The journey of a life time begins! Yes, I’ll be posting pictures once I take one of something worth seeing. Yes, I’m back from Christmas (December 22nd). Yes, I’ll have a crazzzyyy Belgian French accent. I will come back bearing gifts of chocolate and beer.


One week!

Olivia