Café Culture

One of my favorite things about living in Europe is going to cafés. Everywhere you look there are cafés with wonderful food right on the sidewalks. Not only do you have a view of your favorite Parisian monument, but you are right out there among the people. You get to eat, chain smoke, drink a glass of wine and most importantly - judge people.

This is the national Parisian past time. It is so ingrained in their culture that at these cafés you don't face your friends while you talk - you sit side-by-side facing the foot traffic so as to have a better vantage point to judge the people as they walk by.

"That girl has a cute jacket."

"Those heels are adorable! But how does she walk in them?"

"Parisian men in suits. Ooo la la."

"Stupid American tourist in bad clothes. They're making us look bad."

Although I have left Paris, I have taken this penchant for judging back to the states. But there is a severe lack of cafés in which to engage in one of my favorite time wasters. So... I have adapted this habit to the party scene.

Sitting around a crowded bar or party evaluating that girl's outfit, or this guy's two-step style, I've realized that I don't judge to mock people (well... maybe not all the time); it's more of a way to analyze society. After my many silent hours in Europe, not speaking the language, not knowing the people - I learned to appreciate just watching the everyday interactions of human life. The group of teenagers thinking they were so cool smoking cigarettes outside the high-school. The old woman with her nurse sitting in the Luxembourg Gardens everyday. The guards outside my apartment grabbing snacks from the local allimentation to make it through their shift. The smiles on the people's faces when the sun came out after a long winter.

No matter where you go, its the same - everyday life being lived.

It's great to be a part of that - to make up your own stories for the people, to admire them, or to judge them from afar.

And if you don't have anything nice to say - come sit by me at a café in Paris and let's talk about how no one should EVER wear a cotton college t-shirt in the fashion capital of the world.

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Vampires - Real and Imaginary

...or 2 rants about random and unrelated things.

So for the past few weeks, I've been jogging around my neighborhood after I get home from work a few times a week. (Self-high-five!) I have not been known for my dedication to working out, and I am frequently rather vocal about how much I hate running (separate rant). But sitting at a desk all day is pretty boring after being active (either walking or biking) for 10 to 12 hours everyday. The most exercise I get is walking to my car. So I decided this was a good way to spend my excess energy, and I usually go running around dusk. This is a lead up to my actual rant.

Apparently every mosquito in the Texas area has realized that I am fresh and relatively untouched meat. The mosquitoes in Europe aren't so bad. In fact, I never remember getting bitten by anything besides the occasional spider or angry gypsy.

So now I have bruises all over my legs from scratching. I'm going to have to start bringing a baseball bat with me to defend my poor legs from the pterodactyl sized mosquitoes that are trying to eat me alive.

Rant #2

I'm always kinda ashamed of myself when I get sucked into a mindless book series. I know I can be a bit of a literary snob, but... let's take Twilight. Ok... ignoring the fact that after the first book, the rest of them just go downhill plot-wise - why do I feel so strongly about the characters? Why do I want to sit down and have a serious counselling session with Edward about his self-esteem issues? And why do I want Bella to quit being so melodramatic? I'm so wrapped up in their lives!!! Obviously this is the point of best-selling fiction. We get wrapped up in it and forget about annoying little plot glitches.

I started reading the Sookie Stackhouse vampire series on a friend's recommendation (the show True Blood is based off it). I've been trying to read The Road (kinda dark) and had just finished Lolita (really twisted) - so I just wanted something light. And once again I've been sucked into the world of mildly amusing, mediocre literature. Its like Grey's Anatomy... you know exactly what's going to happen, you're kinda ashamed of yourself that you watch it every week, but you can't stop.

The best part is that I looked at a picture of the author... oh this poor woman. Charlaine Harris is an unremarkable, uninteresting looking middle-aged woman who is obviously writing about the exciting life of a buxom blonde that she wishes she had... because I highly doubt that at any point in time she looked anything like the girl that is her heroine. I hope she enjoys her highly successful literary career because her love life is probably as stagnant as ever.

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Happy Fall of the Berlin Wall

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the Berlin wall... and to celebrate that, a few videos for your viewing pleasure.

David Hasselhoff on the Berlin wall on Dec 31, 1989

And if that wasn't enough Hasselhoff... here is my favorite video

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Organizational Skills

For the most part, I am a very organized person... my affinity for Excel spreadsheets and Google calendars should be more than enough proof of that. But... even though I've been home for almost a month, I still have not unpacked.

In my defense, I didn't think that I would be living at home for more than 2 weeks - so why get organized when this was not a permanent arrangement. (Excuse #1)

Excuse #2: I lived in 25 square meters in Paris!!!! Do you know how big that is? Ok - here's a visual. Go into the master bathroom of your house, or better yet, your walk-in closet. Now add a bed, a stove, a mini-fridge, and a shower and PRESTO - you have my apartment. The only thing that's missing is a little, gay Frenchman. I could wash my hair and cook pasta at the same time. Those of you who stayed with me - back me up on this statement.

So needless to say, the ability to "spread out" has truly been a luxury. But I may have taken it a little far.

Yes, that is 2 huge suitcases, 1 mini suitcase, a duffel bag... and a partridge and a pear tree

If you're curious as to how I get to my bed, its easy! You jump over suitcase #1, two-step around the tennis shoes, high jump over the giant pile of books and try not to impale yourself on the stilettos that I have strategically placed to discourage any monsters trying to attack me (you can never be too safe these days).

I need to clean. I need to organize. But... you can ask my roommates (that would be Kim and Jeff Naron) - my mess does not ooze into other parts of the house. It stops at my door. So at least I've got that going for me.

And I might have gone a little overboard at Half-Priced Books as well.

Oh well... Anyone need a book?

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A Breath of Air

There is something to be said about coming back to the states. As I was leaving Paris, every bone in my body was screaming, "DON'T GO!!! YOU'RE GOING TO MISS EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS!!!! The scenery, the energy, the adventure! What are you going to do in Houston? Been there, done that. Go somewhere else." And of course a certain part of me does miss all of that.

But until I got here, I didn't realize that for 8 months, I have been living with this constant... pressure.

---

I just finished reading, A Year in the Merde by Stephen Clarke. I think that for a year he's been following me around. Everything that happens to him in his year in Paris was my life. In the book, he goes to restaurants I went to, to bookstores I shopped at, had visa problems that I had, and everything that he observes about the French people, I also recognized at one point in time or another. Its such a great characterization of the French people. But that's just it... there are huge differences in culture that take a lot of getting used to.

Which relates back to this certain pressure - everyday... in my job, in my social life, in my home life... I was constantly being bombarded by NEW and DIFFERENT. And as exciting as that is, it is truly relaxing to just come home to the OLD and FAMILIAR.

So I am very content to stay here for the moment. I didn't think I would ever want to. I thought I would immediately HAVE to leave. But I think I'll stay... till its time to go. And it will be... someday. But not today.

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Leaving. Ya, Just Leaving.

I have a visa in my passport that says I'm allowed to be in France.

Now, let's just hope they let me get on the plane.

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Visa

I would rant about how much I hate the visa process/French government/airlines... but I'm too upset.

Bottom line:

I went to my meeting this morning at the consulate in Houston... they don't have any of my paperwork because for some reason Paris thinks its faster to FedEx all of it, than to FAX it.

There are no words. If you're confused and somewhat disgusted by this reasoning, join the club.

So... I'm changing my flight AGAIN to Wednesday, Feb. 25. All that stress and excitement and anticipation just turned into a massive headache.

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Leavin' On a Jet Plane: Part 2

So... Fat Tire: Round 2 is finally here. And once again, I'm packing up my stuff and getting ready to say goodbye to all my friends and family. Tomorrow, at 2pm, I'll be hopping on a plane and puddle hopping across the Atlantic. I land at 10:25am at Charles de Gaulle (3:25am Houston time).

And once again, I can't decide if I'm nervous, or scared, or excited.

Yet there are so many differences as well - I know what to expect. I have a place to stay. (I'll get everyone a permanent address soon...) I already have friends to see and things to do that don't involve giving tours. So, I think mostly I'm excited.

The sad part was saying goodbye to everyone here in Houston on Friday.

So, think happy thoughts for me as I get settled back into my beautiful city. And please keep in touch! If you need any contact info for me, message me and I'll be sure to get that to you. (Cell phone, Skype contact info, mailing address, etc.) I love all of you, and thank you once again for your support.

Au revoir les Etats-Unis! See you in November!

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25 Things

For those of you without facebook... This is 25 random things about myself... Most of it you'll probably know, but its fun anyway...

1. I can't whistle. Nope, not at all. Its kinda sad. Once my sophomore year of high school, I whisted for 15 seconds and it is one of the great accomplishments of my life.

2. I grew up in a candy factory - like Willy Wonka style. My family owns a business called Sweet Taste of Texas in Houston... I used to sleep under the tables, and my grandfather would hide jelly beans all over the place for me to find.

3. My name is actually Kassandra Naron (no middle name). This has been a source of pain for me for many years, for many reasons. a) Kassandra (and Kassie for that matter) means "goddess of doom", "prophetess of doom", or (my new favorite) "she who entangles men." My mother thought it meant "light". b) I have no middle name. Why you may ask? Because my mother was going through a "practical stage" and decided that "when she gets married, she can use her maiden name as her middle name!" - I think that's a lot of pressure on a little kid to get married. and c) Every year in school, I have had to spend weeks correcting teachers and professors that I do not go by Kassandra, I go by Kassie. Why would you ever name your child something that you're never going to call them?!

4. One of my pet peeves is when people spell "ridiculous", "rEdiciulous"... I'm sorry but you can't RE - diculous something.

5. I love to read. A lot. Anything that you give me. I've been through a lot of different phases: sci-fi, fantasy, philosophy, classics, history. I made a goal a few years ago that I would read 10 new books a year; but usually I read around 20. (I also have a spreadsheet with every book I've ever read, the date I finished it, and what I thought about it... yes, I love excel.)

6. I hate horror movies. Some have suggested that this is a "phobia", but I completely disagree. I don't like being scared - my imagination is overactive as it is. I walked out of the play "Dracula" my freshman year of high school. I change the channel when scary movie trailers come on. I don't like them, and I dont' plan on changing.

7. I want to adopt a child. This has been something that's very important to me for a long time (I've even done a lot of research on it.) I don't think its fair to have a ton of kids when there are so many children in the world without homes and familes and opportunties.

8. I LOVE talking in front of large crowds. I think this appeals to my need to be the center of attention. Which is why I love giving tours - they even PAY to listen to me!!!

9. I am extraordinarily loud. You wouldn't think so (most people don't). I think they get thrown off by the little, blonde girl thing - but I can be heard over Parisian traffic and crazy bums. My 4th grade teacher once said, "How can such a big noise come out of such a small mouth?"

10. I am an only child. With a brother. He's 12 and if we didn't look kinda similar, you'd think that we were from different.... planets. Think of someone who is completely different from me in every way (shy, hates school, etc.) and you have my brother.

12. I am better in math than I am in english - but yet I majored in Liberal Arts. What was I thinking? If I could do it all over again, I would major in finance.

13. When I was little, my favorite toy was a set of colored beads. I liked the sort them. But I PERSONALLY didn't sort them... I would tell my mom (or grandmother) to put the red ones there, and the yellow ones there, and the blue ones... I also had these cat stickers that I had copied a bunch of times in the copy machine. I made them bigger and smaller, and smallest and then I cut them all out. Each one had a name and a very intricate story line. Refer to #6 - I have an overactive imagination.

14. I also had imaginary friends. It was a bunny named Thumper. And Sharky, the shark. They would play with me.

15. I love to travel. The end.

16. I generally don't like sports. I go to sporting events for the social aspect, but I actually have no idea what's going on. Oh... and I think rivialries where people are mean to each other and deface the other teams property, and start fights etc... I think those are stupid and I refuse to participate. I may make snide remarks, but ultimately, I respect UT (sorry to all those other super Ags out there).

16b. I reserve the right to change my mind. About anything.

17. I'm a little bit of a closet emo. I went through a phase where I dyed my hair black and wore black nail polish. (Then I tried to bleach my hair blonde again and that was a fiasco in which I looked very similar to a golden retriever for about 2 weeks.)

18. I once really got a pony for Christmas. Actually, it was a Quarter Horse, and there were 2 of them. Mine was named Kathryn Freckles (Kat for short). Unfortunately when I got in to high school, I didn't really have time for them anymore.

19. I have been known to dance to the music in my head.

20. If I could live off of any food it would be bread and cheese. I don't really need anything else to be happy. (Which is why France is my version of heaven...)

21. I crochet. Like an old woman. I have also recently taught myself to needlepoint.

22. I can't wear earbuds. Why? Because my ears are too small.

23. My biggest fear is that I'll let the people down that I care about.

24. I have a compulsive need to buy groceries in pairs. 2 loaves of bread. 2 jugs of milk. 2 boxes of cereal. Its a problem.

25. To quote Gertrude Stein, "America is my country, and Paris is my hometown." I wish I had a better explanation for my feelings about this city - but you have to be there to understand it. It will truly change your life.

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2 More Weeks

So... let's just say that once again my personal sanity was in jeopardy.

Between the whole apartment thing (I have an apartment, I just don't know when I get to move in), and the whole visa thing (I STILL haven't heard from the consulate... stupid French bureaucracy... J'ai besoin du system D), and the whole "I can't get ready to leave the country for 9 months in 3 days" thing... well, I decided that it was best for my nervous system to push back my flight for another 2 weeks... basically as late as I could possibly get a flight and still make it to Paris by the 25th.

So... I'll be in Houston another 2 weeks!!! Come visit. AND... Van's going to come visit the weekend before I leave!!!! YAY!!!! So if you want to meet this mysterious boyfriend that I talk so much about (I swear he's a real person), come to Houston the weekend of the 20th!!!

That is all.

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Being Willy Wonka

As most of you know, my family has a candy company. During the year (January thru Thanksgiving)... its pretty slow around here. Like I've said before - I do arts and crafts, go through the mailing list name by name, and other tasks (like go to every Hobby Lobby in the Harris/Fort Bend county area).

But Christmas is a little different.

CHRISTMAS in my family means starting the Monday after Thanksgiving, my mom, grandmother and I basically move into the factory. We eat breakfast, lunch, dinner and 2am snack here. We go home to sleep and to shower and then are back bright and early for more paperwork fun. This lasts for about 3 weeks... and then it suddenly become eerily quiet. All the candy is gone. The customers leave. The printers slow. And our slightly interesting version of Christmas is done for another year. Christmas DAY itself is spent sleeping and generally vegging - something we were unable to do during the rest of the holiday season. For a long time, no one got presents from Gran and Papa until AFTER Christmas (since they never had time to shop... but then they figured out how to order gifts online).

Some of my favorite memories have been from Christmas though.

When I was little, I remember spending the night here MANY nights. Curling up on a pallet either in my "office" or under a table while my mom and grandmother made baskets, printed orders, and hand wrote every single greeting card. I would wake up in the middle of the night to them slightly delirious from sleep deprivation and hysterically laughing at something... like Gran pronouncing "Hanukkah", "Cha-NU-kah."  

One Christmas I invented a game I liked to refer to as "Moving Christmas Tree." Basically I found some material with Christmas trees on it, and I put it over my head and would move around and they would have to catch me moving. Like my own personal version of Red Light/Green Light. 

I would play with the shrink wrap machine and make myself shoes out of plastic (feel free to start mocking me anytime now). Everything was done by them and by hand. I think this was also around the time that I learned how to sleep anywhere (a skill that I believe will take me far in life).

But Christmas was always special... as we would make the trek back home every night around midnight or later, my mom and I would sing every Christmas carol we could think of and just laugh.

I guess it wasn't till I was much older that I realized that my Christmas was somehow different from the standard gingerbread cookies, relaxing in front of the fire, reading The Night Before Christmas scene from movies.  And now, I wouldn't have it any other way.  I may not have a white Christmas, but its still a time spent with family, enjoying each other's company, eating together (even if its fast food), and laughing about anything and everything.  We exchange hot chocolate for coffee, and chocolate covered pecans (or in my case, chocolate covered pretzels) for cookies.  But Christmas is truly, the most wonderful time of the year.

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I've Got a Golden Ticket

I finally bought my ONE WAY ticket to Paris.

Talk about scary.

I know that it won't really sink in until I'm on the plane. (I'm not above having a minor breakdown in the middle of an airport.) As I was driving to the airport last summer, my mind was reeling, and I ended up getting a nose bleed. Maybe because I knew that it would be the end of my long-term relationship. Or because I knew it would be the beginning of something incredible. Who says you can't have a physiological reaction to a psychological epiphany?

But at the same time, I knew I was going to return. I had an end date. I had a future plan. Now? Who knows? If anything, I've learned that future plans are just smoke. Ephemeral. Its good to look to the future but to never count on anything.

For a long time, I've had a certain rule in dating: No planning into the future more than the amount of time you've been dating. If you've been dating 1 week, you can plan as far as the next weekend. 1 month, etc. It seems to work fairly well. I wonder if there's a way to apply the same principle to my life?

I guess on one hand, that should make me really really nervous - my lack of plan. Being the extreme organizer that I am. (Many of you can vouch for my obsession with Google Calendars.) But all I can feel is excitement! In my new found freedom from all plans, I have the ability to take advantage of any and every opportunity that comes my way.

Here's to hoping it works out. :-P

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An Exercise in Estrangement

I have now been phone-less for almost 6 days.

Rather than detailing the events leading up to this loss of what some may consider a part of myself or an extension of my arm, I would rather wax eloquent on the overall effects of this situation.

25 years ago, cells phones were merely a figment of the imagination.

Then Zack Morris starts carrying around his brick.

Now... I cannot function without a cell phone. I dance with it, sleep with it, and have occasionally showered with it. If its not in my hand, its in my pocket or on the table. We have a special (if not very unhealthy) relationship. Especially since I've come back from Europe and realized that I can text/call anyone I want, and I don't have to worry about ever running out of minutes.

So being without it has been... interesting. Not that this is the first time that my phone has been inexplicably separated from me (someone stepped on it once.) But... it is still tramatic none the less.

For one thing, I don't really feel safe without it. Ever since my car broke down in the middle of a semi-abandonned freeway and my cell phone was dead, I feel vulnerable if its not in perfect working order. So that's excuse #1 for always having it with me.

But on the up side - not having a phone allows you to kinda "check out" of the real world for a while. Maybe get your priorities straight. (And you have a legitimate excuse to ignore all phone calls.)

I've used my cell to walk unimpeded through the MSC during campaign week. Or to find my way out of Montparnasse in the middle of the night. What better reason to always have it with you? So although this week has been a chance for me to reevaluate my attachment to my cell phone, I don't plan on trying it again any time soon.

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Leavin' On a Jet Plane

Last night, I couldn't sleep. I mean... I got to sleep fairly easy with the help of a rather boring book about Paris that I'm trying to read; but then I woke up at 6am, and again at 6:30, and finally at 6:45 I figured that sleep was going to elude me so I might as well get up.

So, now I'm up and thinking about Paris. I can't tell you the range of emotions that are coursing through me. First I'm excited, then I'm nervous, then I'm terrified, then I'm paranoid, then I'm excited again. Why won't my mind just pick one?!

So in less than 8 hours, I will be on my jet plane on my way to Paris... well Heathrow, if we want to be technical and then on to Paris. I will land tomorrow afternoon at 1pm at Charles de Gaulle, and I'm pretty sure we're going to hit the ground running.

In the next week I have to: 1) learn all my info about Paris, 2) learn how to fix a bike and a Segway, 3) visit all the major museums of Paris (is this really a job?!), 4) learn how to train people to ride the super awesome Segways, 5) go on at least 9 tours, and 6) learn the logistics of all the tours. Does that sound like a lot to you? cuz it does to me.

So even though that's overwhelming, how could this summer be anything but amazing?! The incredible experiences will far outway the challenges. I can't wait!!! Au revoir Etats-Unis! A bientot!

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Tour Guide Boot Camp

As some of you know, I minored in French at A&M. I've studied French for 9 years. I've read over 9 books about French history and culture. I've studied all the information in the packet we were given.

I also have never worked harder in my life these past 3 days. I eat, sleep and breathe French history. I recite facts to myself in the shower and when I'm putting on my make-up. I go to sleep and dream about Napoleon riding up on his little horse and scratching his hemorrhoids.

And I'm loving every minute of it.

I feel like this can't possible be something that I'm getting paid for. This is everything I love to do all rolled up into one - I get to have 25 people pay to listen to me talk for 4 hours about French history in Paris! That's travel, history, and me being the center of attention all rolled into one! It really doesn't get any better than that.

This morning, 6 of the other guides and myself were sitting at Starbucks discussing the fact that Robespierre was a really bad guy, and how Louis XIV maybe liked himself a little too much. What would have happened if Hitler had been killed in the Dome Church in 1940? And what is your personal opinion of the Carrousel du Louvre?

When else would I be able to have a conversation like that? And who would listen to me? Every night, I go home and read about the Eiffel Tower and the Impressionists... could this really be a job?

Now on the down side... lets discuss the hotel that we are now staying at in Austin. I don't think Mike (our boss) could have picked a shadier place. This is the place where you live if you don't want an address or a paper trail. The illegals and the crack dealers live next door and can frequently be seen out in the parking lot or at the local Hooters.

But there are so many positives... and not just the awesomeness of this job. I can't tell you how much I love the other guides. I have already learned so much from them. They drink 5 cups of coffee between the hours of 9am and 6pm. That in itself is a huge accomplishment in my eyes. I really just can't wait till tomorrow to see what will happen next... FTBT-TC208 for life :-P

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What Dreams May Come

So some people, when they're stressed, they have dreams about falling off a tall building or walking around naked in public. I usually have dreams about sleeping through a test or a final (both of which have happened to me... I really need to start getting more sleep.) But in the past couple of weeks, I've had some more unusual dreams.

Dream #1
So I get to Paris, and I'm looking for an apartment. I have a roommate (who is fabulous!... Her name is Megan... in real life) - but part of the way through my dream, Megan morphs into my "boss" who looks a lot like Jackie from this cheesy Bravo reality show called "Workout" (see pic for details). But whatever... as long as I have a roommate I'm fine. So we start looking for an apartment, and I originally think I'm going to have to live by myself in some run down roach infested place.

(Sidenote: my other reoccuring dream/nightmare is being trapped in a small confined space with roaches).

But we finally find this really cool apartment in some Haussmanian building. This kinda odd French guy lives there, and there's not a whole lot of furniture; but it will be ok for the moment. So, he's supposed to leave for the summer - but then he kinda turns into even more of a creepy recluse and decides not to leave. So I have to live there with my weird boss and the creepy French guy... and I don't have a bed, so I have to sleep on a window seat that's not really a window seat and very small and cramped. Not cool.

Dream #2
It may or may not have had something to do with me giving my first tour naked. I don't really remember, but it was something about tours and it was something terrifying.

Anyway... those are my weird dreams... (someone's probably muttering something about "subconscious fears" at the moment... but I'm choosing to think about them as natural paranoia.)

Whatever helps me sleep at night, right?

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Nervousness & Home-Cooked Food

Some deep thoughts:

So I'll just go ahead and say that I'm starting to get a little nervous. I think it hit me the other day when I was thinking about how much time 3 months is exactly... 3 months is 3/4 of a semester... and an entire season! (well, everywhere except Texas). That's a long time!

Twice as long as I've ever gone without seeing my family.

But now I feel kinda guilty - I've been dreaming about doing this for so long (almost 3 and a half years to be exact) that I feel like I should only be excited. Like I'm kinda letting myself down because I'm feeling scared and uncertain. Yet something as extreme as this trip is bound to come with a little apprehension, right? Like finding a place to live, giving my first tour, making myself speak French :-/

So I have to keep telling myself, 3 months isn't that bad - Its exciting really... in a nervous kinda way.

On a lighter note:

1. I am FINALLY a college graduate!!!
2. I'm completely moved out of my house in College Station
3. I may not have to worry about getting my visa and dealing with the French government until I actually get to France
4. My mommy is going to feed me home-cooked food until I leave for Paris (no more freeze dried dinners for a while :-D)... its good to be spoiled
   

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The Last Corps Trip

Today was an incredible day in Aggieland. First, Mom and Gran came up to take one of my tours. And after two years of doing this, I would have to say that that was one of the best tours I've given in a long time. Maybe it helped that they think I'm funny and laughed at all my cheesy tour guide jokes, but oh well. I appreciated it. :-D Then we went over to the George Bush Library. I forget how beautiful that area of campus is. Not only that, but the museum is amazing - George Bush Sr. has led an amazing life. I would have to say that my favorite part of the whole museum though, were the gifts of state that he received from foreign dignitaries. The opulence and grandeur were unbelievable - from solid gold swords and mini-castles, to pearl figurines... everything was so beautiful and so accurately reflected the countries and cultures that they came from.

So after that, I went home, continued packing my room (I'm almost done!!! Thank goodness.) And then left to meet Leah for our own private Elephant Walk. We started off at our old freshmen dorms (Rudder and Kreuger... good ol' Southside), and then just walked around campus from there. It was so great to reminisce about our old dorm days, the hoppin' SCC nightlife, Sociology and Geology classes together (when I went), and finally the fact that we've been friends for almost four years.

Leah and I have gotten each other through a lot of struggles throughout college - but we have had so much fun doing it... all nighters, laughing through classes, foreign movies, the semester we decided we would only speak French to each other, the time I tried to teach her how to crochet, boys... boys... more boys, bad roommates, no car, too busy, rocks and flowers, and finally American Idol night... I'm so glad that she will always be there with me - no matter what. And we finally sealed this fact with a sacred Aggie tradition... walking under the century tree together... friends for life :-D

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The End Is Near

I have 1 more class left.


So after I got home from work and class today, I started packing up my room a little bit. Its kinda beginning to look empty, and I'm really scared to take everything down off the walls because I think that might just incite my panic fill thoughts of "this really is the end." I've been able to put off these thoughts of "what next" because I keep telling myself - I have something to do till September. But, that only lasts so long.

But before I start obsessing about the future, I guess its about that time to start reminiscing about the past. I've had an amazing run at Texas A&M. From FLiP and COSGA, to the Visitor Center and more Fish Camp - I have done everything that I set out to do, and I have met the most incredible people along the way. I can't imagine having done anything differently. My only wish is that Papa could have been here to see me graduate in a few weeks. Sitting in Reed Arena for Muster on Monday, I couldn't help but thinking about him and his life, and how of everyone I've ever known, he is probably the person that has most influenced my life. I still miss him terribly, but I know that he will always be "here."

But although I am scared, and excited, and nervous, and slightly panicked about the future, it has been an amazing 4 years. I truly could not ask for anything more. On Monday, Leah and I are going to go on our own little Elephant Walk around campus - I think that will be a truly fitting end.

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76 days, 18 hours, 19 mins

That's how long it is till I will be sitting on a plane bound for Paris. Maybe its a little premature to be obsessing about being in Paris already - but that's what I do best. Till then, maybe I should scratch off the days in more manageable increments. Such as...

23 days till my 22nd Birthday
54 days till the Last Day of Real Classes
63 days till Graduation
70 days till we start training in Austin

Or I could measure it in books I need to read... 6 books and counting. Or tests/papers/projects I have to finish - 6 more till I'm done. Or the time it takes me to find a real job for when I get home - To be determined. Or (even scarier) the time it takes me to find an apartment in Paris - When I arrive?!

But no matter what, that's a lot to look forward to. I don't think I could ask for a better senior year of college - or a better 4 years for that matter....

...but it might be a little premature to wax sentimental as well. I'll save that for later.

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