Preparations and Planning

Last weekend, I finally got to spend the entire day Saturday prepping and planning and I'm finally excited (rather than nervous) about the trip. I have an iPod full of jazz standards and a Kindle full of books mostly for fun (a few for educational growth thrown in). I'm still narrowing down the wardrobe... gotta remember I'll be buying [lots of] new stuff when I arrive!

There are only a few loose ends, one of which I'd take some help on: Elodie, a girlfriend of mine from when I studied in Rennes during school, has graciously offered me a spot in her pad for the week of the 10th. I asked what I could bring her from the States and she didn't think of anything... so what do I get her? What's appropriate from a house guest and should it be something American? I don't even know anything cool enough to warrant the trip :) Help!

FRANCE

Alright, France, look out... here I come.

To my political commentary followers, be advised: I'm using this blog (and my facebook page) to recount my travels as I head to la France for the month (yes, the whole month) of May.

To my friends/fam who haven't previously read my blog, be warned: I've got some politically-charged fodder on here! Feel free to read back, but know that I'll focus on my trip from here forward. (til I get back and then who knows what I'll have to talk about)

So, France. For 4 weeks. I can't even believe it. I'm sort of a mash up of nervous and excited with a whole lot of emotions that I don't have a name for sprinkled on top. Me, planning queen of the universe, I have my plane ticket and week's reservation at a hostel in Paris (where I've stayed before: MIJE, http://www.mije.com/index_individuels_uk.asp).

And that's it. No, seriously. As people keep asking me, incredulously, "What are you going to do in France for four weeks??" I get that falling feeling in my tummy and just smile and say "Anything I want." Read, write, focus on the study of jazz music so when I get back I can work the classics like nobody's business. And I'll be taking a lot of photographs. I'm no pro, but out of a thousand or so pics from my last excursion, I came out with about a dozen that I really loved. Hoping to get a few to adorn my still-bare walls in KC.

Preparations (and more pre-trip posts) to follow. Enjoy!

Countdown to departure: 11 days...