Dear Readers,
I assume the first post should be somewhat of an introduction. So, I will proceed with such. I am Leslie (for those of you who don't know me), and I am going to be an exchange student in the south of France. This blog will act as my online journal throughout the year and will tell of my travels, adventures, embarrassing moments, and times when no one can understand what I'm saying (and vice versa... je ne comprends pas).
The first important detail I must point out on this blog is that my sister, Lauren, so cleverly came up with the creative name. I don't think she would have let me use it if this statement was not made.
Since the formalities are over, I will begin more of the actual post....
Packing for a weekend trip can often be a daunting task for me, so one can imagine how overwhelming packing for a year abroad has been. I know, I know... everyone always makes a huge deal about packing, but it is a pretty gruesome task. I am the type of person that doesn't like to throw ANYTHING away because I one day foresee its use in the future. It was almost painful to see some things left behind in the packing. After a few last minute items were picked up, I can finally wrap things up. All that's left is putting the space bags and packing cubbies into the two big blue bags I'll tote from Memphis to Nice and several places in between.
Lately, I have become so thrilled about the upcoming year. Most of this excitement is due to the fact that the French girl I am swapping places with arrived in my town a little over a week ago. Deborah and I quickly became friends as our similar interests proved to be broader than our language and cultural barriers are. After a trip to mountains, our friendship and eternal exchange student bond was solidified. Alas, Deborah moved into her first host family's house, but we will still see each other a few mores times before I head off for her town.
Goodbyes have never been on the top of my "Favorite Things To Do" list (but who ever likes goodbyes?). Already, I've seen many a friend move into their dorms and leave the town we've all called home for so many years. Earlier this week I spent a fun night visiting two of my very best friends, Parker and Janie, doing the things we do best: laughing, cooking/baking (we make the best brownie s'mores), eating, and talking about life's most meaningful questions (for example, if you were on a desert island what five cd's would you want to be there with you?) Tonight, three days before I leave, was a rather momentous goodbye. I very sadly had to tell my best friend, Gus, bye. We now enter into unchartered territory as we move our friendship to the virtual world of skype. After three solid years of companionship we have to resort to video chat for the upcoming year. But, it is much better than an email (I at least try to be optimistic about the sad). However hard it may be to say goodbye, I know I will reunite with the ones I have left on my home soil. Just think how exciting it will be to share our adventures together next year!
I am certain my year abroad will open my eyes to a much bigger world. I will learn and experience things that will shape the person I am to become. As I look forward to departing to my home for the next year, I do not feel that I am leaving a life behind to start a new one; but rather, I am taking the life I have had-the memories, the friendships, the laughter-with me only to return to tell my veggie tales.
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