Nancy: the first 2 days

Sipping some mint tea at my desk, looking out upon the courtyard of my apartment, I am content. A little after 5 PM, the church bells are stil ringing a charming melody that is filling up the entire room. I have officially been in Nancy for 2 and a half days. The city is just as beautiful and familiar as I remember. Everyone that I've run across has been more than helpful. I can't wait to continue exploring the city and rediscovering why I loved it here in the first place and discovering new surprises. 

While my heart is still aching from being apart from those that I love, I look forward to being able to share my adventures, shenanigans and troubles with you all. I am very blessed to have people not only back home that care for me but also some people here in Nancy who are looking after me too! With all of your prayers, worries and well wishes, this year will be one to remember!!

So far I have been to 3 grocery stores and the bookstore. I've eaten some French cheese, drank some French wine and I've (sorta) unpacked. Once my room is together, I'll post some pictures of it. All in all, I am still in one piece. 

Never Forget

I was in 6th grade in a home economics class when the very foundation of America was being tested and shaken but not broken. September 11th, 2001 was a day that forever changed America. I will never forget the fear and the feeling of loss that swept over the nation with the news of the "apparent terrorist attacks" that have since become so ingrained into the lives and minds of every American.

I have lived more days remembering the sacrifices of many, the strength of this great nation and living under the threat of terrorism than before. Being only 11 years old on September 11th, 2001, the New York skyline has stood empty of the Twin Towers for the majority of my lifetime. Everything changed that day, not just for the victims or the fallen heroes of the day but for everyone who saw those images of the burning towers and who felt the impact and the aftermath of the attack. Everyone was affected by the terror that was created from the images passing around the country; images that will forever be ingrained in the minds and hearts of Americans.

This past week, there have been countless images, posts and specials on the September 11th attacks on this country. I tend to view myself as an informed, interested and active member of society in the way that I find it my duty as a citizen to do my research and have as much information in my grasp in order to make informed opinions about the world around me. I take pride in the fact that I am an International Relations and Diplomacy major (as well as having a degree in French) and stay on top of both domestic and international news.

That being said,I had never seen an image of the plane flying into the South Tower. I have no idea how I had never seen that image before but, it completely caught me off guard. I was overwhelmed with emotion upon seeing that horrific image knowing all of the destruction that came next. I don't know how it came to be that I had never actually seen with my own eyes the cause to so much destruction, both physical and emotional, to the heart of this great nation. While I will never forget that day that changed so much, I will also never forget how I felt upon seeing this simple image of an airplane cutting through history and how it made me feel proud of the greatness that was shown in the days, months and years to come afterwards.

This plane, hijacked and the cause of so much damage, isn't the one that need be remembered. Flight 93, the plane that did the least amount of damage, should be the symbol of 9/11. The passengers and crew of that aircraft fought so hard in order to take back control of both the plane but also of the country. Their bravery in bringing down that flight and their personal sacrifice shows the resilience of the United States of America and how the American people is a people who are not to be taken lightly.

Today I am reminded of how many sacrifices have been made in order to sustain such a freedom as this; however imperfect it is. While this land of liberty still has a long way to go to attain perfection in regards to equality, there are definite strides that have been made towards a free, fair, and just America. While I never got the chance to see the World Trade Center in person, the images of those towers will be forever etched into my heart.

Birthday Love

I've never been a huge fan of birthdays. I don't really enjoy everyone's undivided attention on me when I didn't really do anything to deserve it. There are a lot of things in my life that I have worked really hard at and I appreciate knowing that someone in my life has recognized this work and dedication but being born isn't really one of those things. If anyone deserves to be recognized for existing today, it would be my mother (she was the one that did all the work on that fateful day 23 years ago), without her, I wouldn't be here. (I guess Dad deserves a little shout out here too but that may be awkward...)

That all being said, this birthday was a magical one full of love, laughter and fun. I was lucky enough to be able to spend the day with some of my best friends, my little sister and my parents (not all at the same time but it was still great to see them all). My friends never cease to amaze me by surpassing any possible expectations that I have ever had on what true friendship is supposed to be. I am blessed with people in my life who sincerely care for me and this birthday weekend demonstrated that. R, L, Chica and the G-skitts are some of the kindest and craziest people in the world and I am so happy that I can call them my family. Being surprised by my best friend who was supposed to be far away two minutes before the stroke of midnight and having all of my friends in on the surprise is a moment and a feeling that I will cherish forever. I am the luckiest girl in the world.

With my departure date for France coming full steam ahead, I've been waiting for my anxiety to really settle in. With the exception of a few incidents, I haven't felt anxious at all. Oddly enough, I am completely at peace with the fact that in 3 weeks, I will be living on a different continent than the majority of my loved ones. I was nervous what kind of feelings this birthday weekend would bring. I was nervous that after celebrating with my friends and family, I would feel regret or sadness that I would be leaving them and being apart from them for so long. While I will miss them with all of my heart, the love that I felt today has reassured me that despite the distance, they will always be by my side to listen to my irrational ramblings, to cheer me up during a moment of sadness, to make me laugh so hard that I can't imagine ever stopping or to just be there period.

The anxiety will probably come at some point in the near future but, knowing that my family will always be there for me will make it bearable and beatable.