Counting Down... "Are you excited?"

Hello everyone :)

In less then 48 hours I'll be up, up, and away...
I'm visiting a friend from school in Boston for the weekend, and then I'm off to France to study for the year. It still hasn't completely sunk in, to be honest, or I don't know what kind of mental state I'd be in right now. As in any situation with a deadline, I've been putting things like cleaning my room and putting this blog together off to the last minute -- there's no craft I've perfected more than the art of procrastination (coping mechanism?). A part of me, at least, is aware that I'm leaving: part of said procrastination involves the simultaneous readings of three separate books on French and French culture, depending on which one I'm closer to when faced with a less appealing task. Each is full of different potential cultural misunderstandings or linguistic blunders.

Everyone's favorite question for me right now is, "Are you excited?!" I think, judging by their disappointment following my uncertain pause, that most of them are expecting an immediate and enthusiastic affirmative --but it's a complicated question. Yes. No. Sort of. The best ways I can explain how I'm feeling are that a) I've been planning on and working for this for a long long time and there are still things that need to be done to occupy my mind, and b) I know full well that it's going to be hard for me -- at least parts of it. It's hard for me to be giddy and excited when I know that it will be challenging as well as wonderful and fun. I don't know anyone going. I haven't spoken any French for three months, and next week I'm moving in with a French family and soon after will be starting classes, all in French, all in a culture more foreign than many people realize. However, I think I'm just about as ready as I'll ever be, and I know that I want (and have always wanted) to do this. I'm excited. I'm scared. I'm nervous.

I'm going.

I'm going to do my best to keep this updated with pictures and stories to let you all know how I'm doing. Keep in touch!