Last day as a Parisian. :(

I put off packing until today because I didn't want to believe I was actually leaving my home of the past few months lol

My suitcase is full of clothes, souvenirs and memories of the best semester of my college experience !!!

I'm excited to see friends and family and eat in my favorite restaurants back home, but I'm going to REALLY miss my European life. When I studied abroad in high school in the South of France, I came home thinking I would end up living in the US. But I've come to realize I can't live without French! It's my true passion and it's not enough to just speak it; I have to live it. This semester confirmed that I'm moving to Europe after I graduate next year. I've already started looking into teaching opportunities :)

I've met some wonderful people while abroad who I've shared many laughs and great times with ! :) Just because we might be in different states or even across the world, doesn't mean we won't meet again :)

I've also learned a lot about myself and have grown more than I ever could have expected. I already thought I was pretty independent but I've become even more ! Haha ! After living in a big city like Paris, the world doesn't seem so scary or intimidating.

My travel bug has gotten worse since being abroad. lol I've loved seeing different cultures and traveling Europe. I think that will be hard to adjust back to when I'm in Ohio, because I can't do weekend trips to other countries or use my French as much.

Not only abroad travel but local travel will be different. I'll miss just hoping on the metro and going anywhere I need to without having to drive !!

I'll miss stopping in a bakery to grab some baguette and eating it with cheese and wine by the river or Eiffel. And the pastries...yum.

I'll miss discovering all the hidden gems of Paris and just walking everywhere. Paris is soooo accessible! Walking has become a favorite activity, because of all the things to see in Paris! Even just strolling by the river is wonderful:)

I'll also miss rooming with my wifey, Leah <3 She's been great and we still have our wifey Wednesdays when we get back !! :)

I've loved being able to wear heels all the time and not get weird looks of why I'm dressed up! I still remember wearing my black heels and looking nice to a class at Xavier and everyone kept asking if I had a presentation...no lol just want to look nice ! Anyways, I'm bringing that back home and I don't care who stares!! :) I've loved how people take pride in their style and the clothes they wear!

That's just one of the many things I've learned that I plan to take back with me to the US. Some I probably won't even realize until I get back and notice differences in societies.

I love how the French bring a bag with them to grocery shop. Plus you have to pay for a plastic bag; it's so efficient and good for the environment !

I'll miss the way of the French people; by that I mean, Americans can be rather loud and in your face, where as the French are more calm about that approach. Don't get me wrong, they can be loud if they need to! lol

I've also gotten used to the hands off approach of servers. Some can be rude but overall they're nice and don't check on you all the time. It will be weird coming back to the US where the servers wait on you hand and foot.
Restaurant Tip: You must ask for the bill, usually the French will sit at cafes for hours just talking and enjoying the ambiance. So if you're in a rush, make sure to get their attention to get the bill!

Silver lining: I won't miss stores being closed on Sundays. I won't miss the dog poop everywhere! I won't miss the smells of the metro! I won't miss having to wear a jacket in May even when Americans would be wearing shorts in the same weather.

Neither country is better. They're just different; there's good and bad anywhere you go! Thank you Paris, I had a great time!

As I said before, France is my new home; I'll be back soon!

Bisous,
Lyndi