snuck some photos of my homestay - it's so beautiful and french with large golden-framed mirrors and oil paintings that cover the wall (which reminds me of my grandparent's home, Derby Grange). the best part is that i have my own room with a tiny bathroom attached. the couple we live with are older and seem like such kind souls - i already feel so comfortable. but they don't speak a lot of english so it's a bit hard to communicate sometimes. they have a granddaughter who is also living with us. she is our age and speaks english well so if we really need to communicate something she can translate. i'm excited to improve on my french and be able to get to know them better on my own though!
we are in the 7th district right between the notre dame and the eiffel tower - doesn't get any better than that. we are neighbors with the most beautiful cathedral and only a couple blocks away from a large, beautiful park which i plan to spend lots of time at once it warms up a bit. so far everything has been a bit overwhelming - at this point, i'm physically and mentally exhausted and praying that i won't get sick so that i can fully enjoy the busy week of activities ahead.

bonsoir -- xo

stood merely inches from this work of art by marc chagall - an exhilarating experience which i will probably never  forget. a rush of flashbacks came over me as i remembered sitting in my childhood bedroom flipping through a book of chagall's work, fascinated by the colors and curvy images. also, enjoyed the work of giacometti (my cat's namesake) as well as many more incredible art that made my eyes water with excitement at the modern art museum in Saint Paul de Vence - which made it on the already huge list of most beautiful places i've ever seen. the small village sits on top of a mountain, is surrounded by a massive stone wall which used to serve as protection against invaders, and is made up of the most tiny art galleries and bakeries you can imagine - all which have a window showing off the beautiful mountain sides and gardens that surround the town.

lately, i've been able to sleep - long, deep sleeps which leave me a bit drowsy during the day but i can feel my body lovin' me for it.

this weekend was wonderful. i spent friday afternoon/evening on the beach with some friends from my program. we shared some bottles of wine, laughed a lot, and watched the sun set over the mediterranean. after a late friday night, saturday's hangover cure included a late-morning nail painting party and an afternoon trip downtown for nutella crepes and champagne macaroons. 

                                      

on sunday we went to monaco and i was completely blown away by its beauty. the statement "this is the most beautiful place i have ever seen" has been of frequent use in my vocabulary lately - but especially on that day considering i said it almost every hour. we wandered around the old, mountain top villages and took photos of the view from the top. we went to monte carlo and imagined that we were part of the rich and famous that kept their summer homes there. we toured the gardens of eze and ended our day sitting at the very top, soaking in the sun, and telling stories.

                                                                                  

 

     I'm slowly getting used to things in Cannes. Even though I'm only here for two weeks, I unpacked all my things and made my half of the room feel somewhat cozy which cancels out some of the homesickness.

    Today was my second day of class - 3 hours of sitting in a circle of about 13 students from all over the world learning how to describe our last birthday party and our room at home in French. It's fun for the most part but by the end of the class, most of us walk away exhausted with a headache. In general though, I couldn't be more excited to be completely surrounded by such a beautiful sounding language. I'm dying to get to the point where I am able to have a decent conversation in French. It will come soon enough. There is no possible way to not learn in this environment. 

    When I'm not sleeping, eating or in class, my friends and I spend a lot of time walking around the older part of downtown. It's one of the most romantic places I have ever seen - narrow, brick passageways that curve among steep hills which are occupied on both sides by the smallest, most intimate cafes and art galleries. Last night, we stumbled into a blue and pink lit cave - it was like a mini night club. We sipped on our glasses of wine and failed to keep any decent conversation as we dazed off watching as a 60-year-old man danced at the bar, large screens which featured high fashion models walk the runway, and a DJ spinned late-90's hip-hop tracks. All in all, it was a good night and it's been a wonderful past few days. 

      More later! xo

    London was a daze. I think I slept a total of 5 hours over the entirety of my 48 hour visit there - most of that based off the fact that it was such a short trip so catching up on sleep felt like a waste of time. It was amazing though - my first overseas experience. I was on an adrenaline rush as we walked throughout the parks and the markets, in between beautiful, old brick buildings. I felt like every other corner was a scene shot out of the Harry Potter movies.
    Today, my group and I woke up at 3 am in order to catch our 7 am flight to Nice. It was torture for that first 5 or 6 hours but as our plane descended on the mediterranean and I saw the hills that sat along the coast covered in luscious, deep green trees and white houses with orange-red roofs - it was so worth every frustration/stress from the early morning departure. After a brunch of a large variety of cheeses, breads, and fruits, we were brought to our dorm rooms which are perfectly charming and wonderful in every way - tall ceilings, light yellow textured walls, and a large window that opens up and looks out to our small, romantic campus next to the sea. Today, my roommate and I were able to nap with the windows open which provided the most refreshing, crisp breeze. The weather here is absolutely perfect - a bit more cold at night but we're able to walk around without a jacket during the day. Let's hope it stays this way!
    I miss everyone so very much. Being so far away from home, I am more aware than ever how lucky I am to have the people in my life that I do. Yet, I am so excited to continue to get to know the wonderful people that I am surrounded by here.

Bonsoir! <3

Today is the day.

It really doesn't seem real.

     In a few hours, I will be sitting on a bird above the clouds heading to London. I'm not really sure how I'm supposed to be feeling right now. I've imagined and anticipated this moment for months. I envisioned myself emotional and excited, unable to sleep the night before.
      Surprisingly, I did sleep - and peacefully at that. Although, I did wake at 7 am - I still slept which is big for me considering I usually toss and turn the night before over the most insignificant details of my life.
      This massive roller coaster of emotion my friend Molly so perfectly described to me when explaining her study abroad experience has come to a holt the past two days - saying good-bye to my sister, my best friend, and my home, I expected to be teary-eyed and anxiety-filled but instead I felt strong and clear-minded which I think proves already that no matter how hard I try, I really cannot anticipate anything about this experience. As many times as I've laid in the grass of College Green or on my bed in Iowa City, listening to classical French music, and watching myself in my minds eye thrive in one of the most romantic cities in the world - I can never know what is going to happen or how I will feel. Even though, I've prepared myself for the lonely nights as much as I have the blissful ones, I really have no idea what I am about to get myself into.
      I feel as though I've already learned so much about myself in the past few months in preparation for this trip and I haven't even stepped onto the plane.
      So ready for this - so ready to let go of every attachment, expectation, fear, control, and doubt that would hold me back in any way. Bring it on, universe!