culturalisms

I love French culture. I JUST discovered this, you ask? Well, no. I've known it secretly all my life. The more and more I wander these zig-zagged streets of Aix-en-Provence I continually realize how glad I am to have had this experience here. As corny as it sounds, I hope this is only my beginning with French culture...who knows, hopefully I'll be lucky enough to come back and travel more in the land I currently call home :) Even on a day like today, cold to the bone–apparently that exists in the south of France, be warned, future AUCPers–I find myself smiling at my life. And this weekend–where I was lucky enough to have some quality time with my lovely roomie Lena–in Brussels, the annex of France, where I could not help but just eat it all up! Literally–it was hysterical. Down to my favorite cookie store in Aix–La Cure Gourmande–Brussels is exactly the same as France. No, it's really not (haha minimization, for those of my fellow classmates who've paid attention the past 2 Mondays in FCP...), but it was simply funny seeing all the similarities with it's southern neighbor. With every corner we turned as we wandered around Saturday–and happened to stumble upon every major governmental building, Christmas market, and chocolate plaza magically with each corner–there were more and more copies of stores & products as what I see in France. It was great!! Things I have not found in France, that obviously Brussels dominates: 1) Lena. it was so great to be reunited with my Copenhagen-obsessed roomie. And thank goodness I chose the south of France over northern Europe, she went home to a foot of snow! 2) Belgium Waffles. Much like the crêpe stands and trucks on every other corner in Aix, there was a plethora of waffle trucks. We tried one & were pleased to say the least. 3) a goat cheese, apple, honey, thyme sandwich. although i only had half along with a cup of carrot soup for lunch Saturday, I can guarantee you that it was the best sandwich I've tasted in Europe. Momma–we are definitely adding this to the repertoire upon my return! A good jar of honey, some goat cheese, and apple slices, and we're good to go. YUM.

Magically, there's less than 3 weeks left. 20 days until I leave France. 20 days until I'm home. 20 days until study abroad is over. 20 days until I kick in Kanye's Workout Plan. 20 days until I say goodbye to my cooler-than-cool host family....It's a lot to think about! I said this to my parents today–I'm beyond homesick now. I've got too much to worry about with school to get wrapped up in missing home, because before I know it, I'm there. Thanksgiving was really tough, I wanted to jump into my computer through skype just to be there. But now, I know that I don't have many more 'mistral' winds to endure on the walk to school and that soon enough it'll be the lake effect wind hitting my face. It's really a time of mixed feelings, but I'm too excited to see my family and be at home to get caught up in being too sentimental about leaving France. I'll always have France, the lovely city of Aix, and my host family loves to travel so hopefully they'll come over to my side of the pond soon. There's so much goodness in the future, I can't but help but feel thankful for all that I've been blessed with continually throughout my life. The little things..those don't matter when you have a great family & a place that you're itching to return to–from France, one of the most fantastic places in the world. Yep, I've got it good.

Happy almost December!!
xoxox, c