It's here!

Hooray!  The day I've been waiting for is almost here!  It's the night before I leave for Paris, and I can't believe tomorrow I'll be boarding the plane for the city I've been dreaming about since I was a little girl.  A few anecdotes of my earlier interactions with French culture come to mind.  First is Madame Burnett, my French teacher in elementary school.  She wore two different earrings, and I once asked her why, and she said it was because those were two favorites.  Love that French joie de vivre.  Second, for eighth grade French class, we got five points for making a French dish.  Naturally, being the overachiever that I was, I absolutely HAD to make Julia Child's chocolate mousse.  I nearly cried, but it was delicious.  OK, so back to my pre-departure self.  Two duffels filled to the brim, hoping I will be able to tip the guy out of charging me for the enormity of my luggage, I'm all packed.  Packing was a bit of a struggle, to be sure, due to the fact that I have unrealistic expectations about my packing abilities, both in the physical act of packing clothes (luckily, my mother and sister came to my aid) and in bringing the proper amount of stuff (how can I not bring a million shoes to Paris?!).  I have gotten so many wonderful suggestions of places to go and things to see from everyone (special thanks go to Bizbie and Grandpop for all their suggestions).  I have an array of French dictionaries, Euros, my passport, enough black sweaters to clothe a small nation, and so much excitement, nervousness, and sincere appreciation for the wonderful journey I'm about to embark on. Here I go... see you in Paris! xoxox