A Moment for Reflection

The halfway point of my semester is days away.

It seems that I am just now feeling adjusted to living here. I prefer the European lifestyle, but it took some getting used to. I can count the number of days it hasn't rained on my hands. I can speak the language, but haven't improved as much as I was hoping. I have recently purchased a book to help, there is still time. I've learned how bread is supposed to taste. I started drinking coffee, a day can't be productive without some. I've met interesting people from every corner of the globe. I've never been so aware of being American. I have visited Amsterdam and the vineyards of Bordeaux. I have seen the major sights in Paris. I prefer to avoid the areas where tourists flock. I spend my days sitting outside of cafes, trying new foods, and walking around (exploring, if you will).

I imagine the second half will fly by. I leave on Saturday for nine days in Eastern Europe. Vienna, Budapest and Prague. I get back and leave two days later for England. I will meet Atif in Bristol, we will travel to the beaches of Swansea in South Wales, and then head to London. I return and have two midterms. On the day of my second midterm, Shayna gets here and we begin an experiment entitled "two people living in a 10 square meter room". After five days in Paris, we leave for Corsica for four nights. After Shayna leaves, I have some papers due and suddenly its June and my final month in Paris. I end the whole semester with a week of backpacking with Abby, Rachel, and possibly Preston through Italy, Switzerland, Germany, and Belgium. Then I return home to stuff myself with Willy's burritos and spend the summer with my best friends. After which I will be a senior in college (weird).