Closing Time

So my days in Grenoble are coming to an end, and I am left here with some serious mixed emotions. To start off- this semester has been by far one of the best life choices I have made, and while it may have been an expensive life choice, it was worth every last penny. I had to make some sacrifices coming into this experience, and even here. But the value of overlooking Grenoble from the Bastille, or all of Paris from the Eiffle Tower is priceless. I have finally seen places that I have dedicated years to learning about- places that I doubted I would ever see, but only dream about.
However, some of the sweetest, most precious moments of this semester cannot be summarized in pictures, you cannot browse my photos and know the feelings I had. What made this experience so sweet was forming the relationships that I did along the way. The experiences that can't be captured on film or recorded are the days you eat lunch with a friend, and have real talk about everything in life, its having a slightly tipsy heart to heart on the way home, running/walking up the Bastille. Its sitting on a beach in Nice, eating packaged waffles and drinking strawberry water, and talking about everything there is to talk about. Its letting go of your inhibitions and kissing in public, dancing in a park when there is no music, and dancing in the kitchen while pancakes are frying. Its enjoying an ice cream cone on a bench by yourself on a warm afternoon. Its splitting a baguette and nutella with friends in a park on a splendid afternoon. Its reconnecting with Jesus while sitting in a magnifincent cathedral. Seriously- how can you go in a cathedral and not feel moved by some sort of presence? Or for that matter, look at the Swiss Alps that surround you, and not feel insignificant, knowing there has to be something bigger, and higher out there. And it is really hard to the leave the people I have made these memories with. The knowledge that this experience can never be duplicated again is a big pill to swallow.
But, as sad as I am to leave all of this behind- there is a part of me that is happy to be home again. I am so excited to see family and friends again! I very much look forward to having my life again. Having the option to drive, money to spend, and feeling productive, are just a few of the things I look forward to.
There are some personal changes that I will be making thanks to a semester in France: one, I am going to update my wardrobe a bit, adding lots more black and neutrals. I will be phasing out lots of my older clothes, namely sundresses and bright/pastel colors. I have really taken a liking to French fashion, and I would like to incorporate as much as possible into my "real life" wardrobe. Secondly, I have learned how to eat well here, including correct portions. I never really realized how much we do eat at home until I left, and slimmed down a bit. And no more fast food. Ever. No milkshakes, fries, etc. I never ate it that much at home to begin with, and after having gone a semester without, I am perfectly content to never put that stuff in my mouth again.
So, needless to say, I am feeling a little bittersweet at the moment. So for those of you at home, if I seem a little wistful, or I talk about France too much, please don't be offended: it has become a big part of who I am, and the people here have heard quite a bit about you :)