Something about...something I don't even remember.

So after reading several other long-distance blogs, I must confess, I've unwittingly committed several cardinal sins in the blogging world...I'm new at this, what can I say?
1. I made almost no mention of important holiday happenings...Christmas (did it even happen? You'd never know from reading my blog...) Thanksgiving...then there was that holiday on November 11 that I still am unclear about. But just for clarification, these events DID actually take place...even though Thanksgiving in France is always iffy. It's like a parallel universe in a way--you feel like you're the only one who remembers the holiday actually exists, or that maybe Thanksgiving was all a big, beautiful dream...

2. I never post pictures.
This is actually completely my fault for not bringing my camera cord (I swear I put it in the suitcase...) and therefore being unable to upload any pictures. Which is a shame, because y'all are missing out on the priceless looks on our faces from, say, seeing Kraft Mac 'n' Cheese for the first time since we got here. (Last night...one box...family size...it was something to see.) I'll upload them when I get back? Eh?

So that was my official apology for it all. I'm a newbie, what can I say.

Other announcements: I woke up less than 2 hours before the sun set today. And that was at 5:30 p.m. No wonder Kate and I can't sleep during regular hours anymore. But the sky has not failed to be a perfect, creamy azure blue every day for about 2 weeks now. Also, I have a strange bump on my finger. And Kate's gone down to change out the laundry before "la laverie" gets mobbed by anxious, pushy people who are certain to take out your half-dry clothes and toss them on the table unless you're standing guard over them and giving everyone the occasional "eye", letting them know your assertiveness and such. It's truly an animal pastime, bringing out the best in human nature. And the worst is you can't ask anyone to explain themselves, because I'm working off of high school/college french here. But most of it is communicated through the eyes anyway, right? ;)

Anyway, I can be on top of the next calendar event: Happy New Year!!!

In 2 days we'll be in Italy, I'll get to meet Sarah & her husband--Kate makes them sound fantastic, and I've gotta admire that they're able to live overseas for over a year. Seriously, you need gumption to do that.
But the crazy thing is that it feels so normal to say I'll be in Italy. I guess because it's right there...like flying to Tennessee would feel back home or something. Except, you know, it's Italy and all that. Aaaaa!!!! I'llbeinItaly!!!!! And the giddiness sets in...

I...gah, I can't stop feeling the bump on my finger as I'm typing this. It's amazing how something so small can become an obsession so quickly.



And I hear someone knocking on the walls--it might be Kate next door taking down her curtained walls, or maybe it's my upstairs neighbor trying to tap out Morse code. It's lost on me if he/she is. Hang on, I have to check this out because it's driving me insane.
...
k, so it's NOT someone upstairs OR Kate, it's something above the top floor--coming from the roof maybe? How creepy.

Well...this was a rambler, and I'm out of ramblings and ready to hit Starbucks with Kate for our regular Sunday night chai date. Catch you crazy kids in 19 DAYS!!!! The countdown begins.