lists.

I love lists.

Reasons I love lists:
- everything can have its own list
- it helps keep me organized
- I love checking things off my lists (yep, got those groceries, finished that hw, went for a run, etc.)
- there is something so calming about making lists
- I love compartmentalizing everything (probably has to do with the organization thing)
- its one of my "things" - I'm known for my OCD lists (thanks, Mom, got it from you), and so its a fixture in my life (and since I'm a creature of habit, I like fixtures in my life)

[reasons I love] Strasbourg in the spring:
- all the flowers bloomed at the same time, so the city was a riot of color all at once
- now the flowers are falling, but they haven't all fallen yet, so there's green mixed with the colors
- I don't have to wear my down parka anymore
- I even went out in a dress without a coat!
- I'm so close to the end here and I'm realizing and appreciating the things I'm going to miss
+ the pace, as inconvenient as it is that things close from 12-2 every day, its kind of nice that people take time off of work to eat, talk, come home, relax, etc.
+ fresh french bread. 'nuff said.
+ wine being cheaper than water
+ my host family
+ the clubs and how guys actually dance here (although dancing like a french person is difficult and not that fun)
+ the cheese
+ riding my bike
+ speaking French everywhere (almost)
+ TRAVELING
+ drinking age: 18

- Then again, there are things that I really won't miss:
+ people looking at me and knowing that I'm American
+ the stereotypes associated with American girls
+ the inefficiency with everything

- And then there are the things that I just can't get here that I am so excited for when I get home:
+ baby carrots
+ japanese rice
+ spicy salsa
+ my car
+ gyms
+ the mountains
+ the radio
+ TV in English
+ everyone speaking my language
+ my blackberry
+ Walmart
+ seeing my family and friends!
+ whole grain bread
+ Herbal Essences

- And then, there are the things I've learned or how I've changed:
+ I can more objectively view each culture (I think)
+ I can appreciate aspects of each culture and I think I'm getting at comparing them without saying one is better than the other, they're just different
+ my French has gotten a lot better
+ I'm much more confident in foreign places
+ I don't mind doing my own thing
+ I can also adapt to go with the flow of what others want (I hope)
+ I'm more aware of a lot of things (like cultural differences, people around me and how they act towards me, etc)
+ With every new place I live in, aka Boston and France, I realize that I could live there (France would take a lot more getting used to), but home to me is Colorado. I could come to love a lot of places, but the place I feel most myself and most at home always seems to be Colorado, and it took leaving to realize that. Not that I regret leaving for school or for France at all, I'm glad I did, because I think I've learned a lot about myself the past few months, and tons over the past three years. That's a whole other list that I do not need nor want to get into.

Groceries I need to buy:
- apples
- crackers
- dark chocolate
- carrots

just looked at my calendar. My family comes in 4 weeks from yesterday, I leave for the US in 6 weeks from today, I'll be a senior in 4 months, and it's May. When did April end? Where has the past 4 months gone?

ps. pics from springtime here will go up soon :)