Final days in France

Well, without internet at home, I've let 2 months pass without writing a blog. I leave Rennes on Tuesday and France on the 15th. In the meantime, I'll be in Paris, Dreux, and Mons (Belgium). I think I'm finally ready to come home. I'll miss France, but the last 2 months have been off and on rough. No internet or TV at home, and all my classmates left. I also kind of quit hanging out with my new little group of friends from the beginning of the year. Some of it was me- I've not been wanting to drink like before, so I kind of quit calling as much. Part of it was them- I never get invited along anymore, and sometimes don't get return calls when I do call. Even my friend that I was closest with has kind of fallen off the map since she moved away from Rennes (in her defense, I think she's genuinely busy, but still). Honestly, it's been a little disappointing, but probably for the best, as it prepares me for the move back home.

In happier news, I met some nice people while I was doing my temp job. I spoke a ton of French for the 5 weeks I was there. I finally feel like it's close to a level where I want it to be. It was good before but not good enough for me. Anywho, I was saying...nice people from work...one woman is inviting me to lunch tomorrow, and I generally liked just about everyone in the company. It was a really good experience.

I also met a really nice 80 year-old man at the library here in Rennes a few weeks ago. We've hung out a lot. I feel bad because I know he often feels very lonely, and when I leave, he'll be alone again. Apparently, in the 2 years he's lived in his apartment, I'm the only one he's invited over for dinner. Being old and alone sucks!

I had a nice trip to Perpignan to visit my old host mother. It was soooo beautiful!!! Mountains with vineyards everywhere on one side and the Mediterranean on the other. Honestly? What more could you ask for. Her adopted grandfather took me all along the coast in his little RV. It was great!

Other than Pierre (the little old man), my friends Norma, Aba, and Michelle have been great recently. I want to focuse on the positive people and experiences more than the negative. It would be silly to focus more on what's gone wrong than what's gone right...in my opinion, anyway.

What else? I didn't get the job at HSBC, which was disappointing, but I guess the Universe has other plans. Like I said, I'll miss France and am a little sad to leave, but more and more I am incredibly happy to be coming home. Still no idea where I'll end up or what I'll be doing.

At this moment, I feel kind of icky...sick to my stomach, sore throat. Hopefully a good night's sleep will clear that up.

Ok, I'm rambling, so I'm out!