A realization hit me yesterday that kind of - no, completely - freaked me out.
I leave for France one month from today.
I bought my ticket five months ago. Way back then it seemed like eons until I would go. People kept asking me when I leave, and I couldn't tell them. It was so far away it was almost like a dream that might not actually happen. I would just say, "Oh yeah, it's in March" (saying the word March like it was the year 2025). I had just moved halfway across the country, I was trying to figure out my place in this (tiny little) town, and I think I was kind of in denial.
Plus, Christian's brother returns home from his two year mission to South Korea next week. That has been such an exciting occasion that the entire family has been looking forward to for - well, two years. It hasn't overshadowed my trip; it's just that it comes first, you know? It's kind of like it is hard for me to be excited about two things at once. Let's have Christian's brother return home, and then I will concentrate on my upcoming trip.
But now, I am realizing that it is only one month away, and all of a sudden, my insecurities bubble up. Didn't you know, insecure is my middle name?
- How do you say, "I need a week long metro pass" in French?
- Where is my Bescherelle? (a conjugation book)
- What is that sentence I can say when I'm confused and need help? Oh yeah.
- I am so directionally challenged. What if I can't find my way around?
- I need to go get my spending money exchanged to Euros NOW.
- I'll be leaving my family for a whole week. Yikes!
- I used to be fluent. But after 10 years of not using the language, I have forgotten quite a bit.
- Why, oh WHY haven't I been studying more over the last four months? (It's because of that stinkin' LOST, I tell you.)
Now, don't get me wrong. I am really excited. I am giddy. A whole week, in the country I have a huge passion for, with one of my dearest friends? An absolute dream come true.
I just have a lot to do between now and then!
Wednesday, February 11
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
54 people wanted to leave a comment:
Try getting French films from Netflix rather than Lost. It will help!
I'm so excited for you!! You're going to have a fabulous time...
I'm dreaming that one day I'll be able to do the same thing with my sisters and go to Ireland and Scotland...we've been dreaming about it FOREVER!
Traveling can be un-nerving, especially so far from home. I am confident that you will have a GREAT time! Try not to stress (I know..that coming from a maximum stressor- I'm practically the queen of stressing)!
LOST is a great reason to slack!
Anyway, remind yourself you will be okay! You can always find someone willing to help show you the way....when me and my hubby were in Italy I had a bit of a breakdown in a subway station. Now we laugh about it, because it was so unnecessary, but at the time I felt completely helpless and overwhelmed! (who knew you ought tickets from the magazine seller?)
Big trips always sneak up like that. And I totally understand your anxiety about language atrophy. I feel that a lot about past fluency; it's almost like losing your youth and beauty.
I hope you have a wonderful vacation.
I'm so excited for you!!! Does your best friend speak French as well? That way you can help each other out.
My week long trips away from family are for Girls Camp.
A month!? Thanks for rubbing it in my face. Again, I must say that I am extremely jealous that you get to go. I would pick up and move there in a heartbeat.
Don't worry. You'll get everything ready and be just fine.
Gotta say, I think it would be nice to leave for a week. One month away sounds a lot closer than however many minutes you put in your title. That sounds like forever. You'll do great with your french and you know it.
All I remember when I was there was that you can buy week-long metro passes BEFORE you go. My sister and I did that somewhere because we didn't want to have to ask someone because we don't speak French. And even then, there was a kiosk with a computer that'll do it for you too at some of the metro stops!
I totally understand the pre-trip jitters. Once you get there, you'll forget it all and have a blast. I just know it.
This is so exciting!
I actually had a dream last night that Adam and I went to NYC for our anniversary, so I'm going to see if we can swing it for a weekend. I've been itching to go back!
I'm definitely excited for you---I'll be more excited when it's finally March:)
Are you going without your husband, too?
France! That is so exciting! I have never traveled anywhere! I have always went to school or worked! Congrats!
{{{hugs}}} sometimes the beauty of the experience is just in that, to experience it. You will have a blast, good luck packing and I hpe you just take a minute to let it soak in. :)
Yeah~how fun!! I am so excited for you and I have to admit a little jealous~ok a lot jealous.
Wow! The last few months have certainly flown by, that's for sure!
I'm sure that the French will all come flowing back once you're immersed in it. I'm so excited for you!
You will have such fun, Erin!! This is going to give you memories for a lifetime that you can share with your boys and husband. Just relax, have fun and enjoy every minute of it:)
So much to do, but man, it is going to be so worth it. And I'm going to be jealous because I've always wanted to go.
Very very exciting
I'm sooooo jealous!!!!!!!! I would love to go to France. You have to post tons of pics when you get back. I think if you were fluent, you'll be just fine... it'll come back to you. I can't wait! I'm excited for you!
My hubby served in South Korea too!
Maybe you should start watching Lost dubbed in French. Or just watch all the episodes with Danielle "The French Lady" in them. And I think you're forgetting another important date - Feb. 12. Or have you gone soft on me?
But, hey, LOST season one has some French in it. Just think of it as multitasking!
You are going to have so much fun! I have a feeling that once you get there, so much of the language will come back to you. Becky's right, there is quite a bit of French in Season 1 of LOST and there seems to be some more in the new season too :)
Im so excited for you! You will do just fine... The French are wonderful, and Helpful! People don't believe me... but I had the best time in France and no one was mean.
I do the same thing when I am going on a trip, I am excited, but not that excited about the packing and getting the house ready to leave.
Oh, I just want to tell you that I now have a zit on my chin. You must have given it to me over the internet.
Thanks
This is exactly how I would be feeling. Except I don't know any french, but other than that I'd be thinking of all the things I have to do and how unprepared I am and then I would just sit and stare. Ugh, it's making me stressed just thinking about how I get, I have to go...
:)
You'll have an amazing time no matter what!
I'm sure it will all come back to you. WE went to Mexico last year and it was fun to hear C bring his Spanish out of 15 year hibernation. Made me wish I knew more.
Good luck, I'm sure you'll have a ton of fun!!!
Now remember this little tip...take a little memo pad in your handbag...you know you are going to have all sorts of "that would be a great blog post" moments...this way you can jot them down so you won't forget them! Oh..and then you have to share them all with us!
Oh by the way, my daughter wants to go. I am just saying. I will pay her way and everything. :)
So excited for you Erin. Do us proud over there. There are so many rumors that we are the weirdest people on the planet. USA. Don't wear crocs.
You give me hope that one day me and one of my BFF's will be able to do our dream trip. (new york)
Good news... There are people in the metro that are hired to help you decide what you want for metro tickets. They speak English. I wish they would have been around 10 years ago. This time I was pissed because I could speak French. /sigh
Call me if you have any questions. I can give you some advice if you need it.
I'm confidant it will come back within three days.
In the meantime, just smile a lot and don't mind if (when) they laugh at your crazy hand gestures.
Oh how fun! Can't wait for the re-cap! oui oui!
i wanna go. i wanna go. i wanna go.
(you're gonna have a blast!)
I remember feeling very much the same way before I went to England. I truly envy you all the wonderful experiences you are going to have! Yay for you!
I bet you just can't wait and I bet it feels like Christmas. I am sure you will do great getting around and speaking, just a little stressful right now thinking about it.
I'm so excited for you!
I bet when you start hearing the language all you think you forgot will just spill right out...eloquently of course
DON'T FORGET TO SEND ME SOMETHING LIKE YOU PROMISED!!!
Hahaha, I'm kidding! I'm so kidding!
I'm so excited for you, really! I wish I could tag along in your suitcase. I love Europe!
I'm watching the new LOST and they are speaking FRENCH!
Hurry tell me what they are saying!
I bet you're excited! And you can bet I'm jealous!
OH you lucky girl!!! A week away from the family, anywhere sounds SO divine!!
( I Love my family, really I do!)
Do you think you could squeeze me in your bag.. Please!!!
I am freaking excited for you! This will be an amazing time and event in your life. My husband and I have ALWAYS wanted to go to France. It's so rich in history. Wahoo!
Not only a week in a beautiful exotic location with a friend...but many many blog posts in the making lol. How sad that I view everything by it's value as a blog post!
Wow that is coming up fast! That gives me hope that the next 4 months will go by quickly for me! (We're going to Alaska!)
My girls and I are going next summer and can't wait. Our best friends just moved there and they are immersed in the French culture and language. They put their kids into the French speaking schools. The kids did very well with learning the language and had no problem catching up. HOWEVER, my friend still has problems when shopping and trying to communicate. They love it though and are excited they live there.
You are going to have a blast! Not to contribute to your anxiety, but two years ago I went to Paris with two of my girlfriends. I lost them in the Louvre, and wandered by myself for two hours! (Be careful of the right-hand turn in the hall with the Renessaince art, that leads to the Mona Lisa.) Oh, and maybe establish a just-in-case meeting place for the unlikely scenario described above. (I'm just easily distracted. That's all.)
Your language skills are going to come rushing back again, don't you worry about that! I'm so excited for you!
Wow, your trip sounds amazing!!!! But I could totally understand the worries you're having. When it's so far off into the future, you're super excited. But then when the trip is right in front of your face and you realize it's really gonna happen, panic sets in!! I've so been there!!!
Are you going with your Hubs or someone else? And for what it's worth, I spent a weekend in Paris during college and people were really nice---a lot of folks speak enough English that if you don't know ANY French beyond bonjour (pointing at self), you'll probably still be okay. And in Paris, we could always see the Eiffel Tower...
You are going to have SO MUCH FUN!
The thing that perked my ears up on this post was the simple fact that someone is due to come home from their mission. That's all we do over here is eat, drink, sleep, pray, talk, missionary. I'm just happy for your family to get a return so soon. Enjoy the moments!! I will just keep counting and waiting for the return of one of mine. (sigh)
You will have such a great time :)
Post a Comment