Back in France

Sorry for the radio silence. I've been enjoying two wonderful weeks home with my family and friends. And since those are most of the people who read this blog, I didn't feel too bad about just savoring my time at home.

It was wonderful: Christmas cookies, tree decorating, snuggling on the couch, Just Dance 2 marathons, Lego Rock band, carols, dishes, all the clothes I've been missing, shopping and so many other great moments.

But yesterday I had to make the long trek back to France. A friend of mine in college used to do happies and crappies on her blog, and all day I kept thinking of my own. Traveling is always a little stressful, but there are always good things too:

Happy: Spending two weeks with my family and friends.
Crappy: Spending only two weeks with my family and friends.

Happy: Being in the first group of people sent to a new security line in the Chicago airport. Hello, no wait!!

Crappy: Lugging my broken suitcase through the Chicago airport and the Paris metro. I wanted wheels.

Happy: The mom next to me in the Chicago airport reading "Anne of Green Gables" to her kids.

Crappy: The French man who sat in my seat on the airplane, then acted like it was all my fault.  Also, United's Economy Plus seating. I'm pretty sure they just squished the other seats together to give more leg room to the people willing to pay $97 extra. My legs did not appreciate it.

Happy: Two New Years! I celebrated Paris' midnight in Chicago with my family and another one over the Atlantic ocean!

Happy: Free transportation in the Ile-de-France for New Year's Day! No 10 plus euros to get from the airport to the train station in Paris.

Crappy: I was careful not to fly in on a Sunday, because the busses don't run on Sundays in my small town...however, they also don't run on holidays...like New Years Day. Stranded at the train station in the spitting rain? Not so much fun.

Happy: The women who gave me a ride home. Nice to know there are still nice strangers in the world.

Crappy: Returning to my really cold apartment.

Happy: Sliding my feet into my brand new Muk-Luk slippers to keep them warm.

I miss you all already!

Homeward Bound

I'm going home for Christmas on Sunday! And I'm ecstatic! It makes me want to use ridiculous amounts of exclamation points!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I can't wait to see my friends and family.  I can hardly believe I've been gone for 3 months.


Other things I am excited about at home (in no specific order):

• Hugs
• Cuddling
• Having other people to talk with in my house
• More than three rooms to walk between
• My straightener 
• Skim milk
• A proper sized pillow
• Double oven (Two ovens! and they're both way bigger than my laptop!)
• Counter space
• A well stocked pantry, including multiple kinds of cereal and peanut butter!
• American style bread
• Bagels
• Wheat Thins
• Tacos
• Bacon
• Pancakes
• A full size fridge
• Speaking the same language as people in stores and banks and on the street
• Access to a car
• Snow for Christmas
• My dog and my cat
• The rest of my clothes!
• Prices in dollars
• A washer and dryer (What luxury!)