À Bientôt, France

In just another hour, I'll be hopping on a bus that will take me from Ambialet to Toulouse. From there, the group will fly to Paris, where we will (weather permitting) board a plane leaving at 4:40 pm France time to arrive in D.C. around 7 pm EST.

I wish I had taken the time to post more frequently this last week, as I could probably write a dissertation on the past few days here alone. But with final exams and tearful goodbyes, doing so just wasn't realistic. Still, I need to write one final post:

Europe has been very good to me. The highlight of my entire time here has undoubtedly been getting engaged to my best friend. I could not be more excited to come home and see you, Alek. That clock never seemed so alive as it did in Paris and Rome. We need a lifetime together in order to make up for how fast the time goes by.

Secondly, I think about how lucky I am to have been able to visit 4.5 countries (counting the Vatican) in three short months. Little pieces of Barcelona, London, Paris, Rome, and the Vatican are with me wherever I go now, and I think that's pretty spectacular.

Finally, I am blessed to have been given the opportunity to get to know some incredible people along the way. Living at Le Prieure has been nothing short of an unforgettable adventure. I've had the time of my life, and I owe it all to you.

À bientôt, France. I'll be seeing you.

Saint Nick's Day

I stumbled upon this music video by Matthew West on Saint Nicholas Day and felt compelled to share.

Madeline

Today was our last Sunday in Ambialet, meaning that it was the last time I'll have contact with the villagers until I next return to Southern France. I am sorry to report that Pere [Fr.] Jeamme had a minor stroke earlier this week, so there was nobody to perform Mass this morning. When I first introduced myself to Pere Jeamme back in September, he somehow repeated my name as Madeline. I've earned a couple nicknames that have stuck over the years...I answer to Mel most frequently (it always catches on without my even telling people to call me that) and smile when Alek calls me Mellie, but Madeline seems a bit further off. To this day, I'm not sure how the man derived "Madeline" from Melanie, but it was a nickname I gladly adopted considering how cute I think the cartoon is.


Nevertheless, it's a very sad thing to say hello to such a sweet someone one week and then just seven days later know that they're in poor health. Though we greatly missed Pere Jeamme today, Peter and Margaret did a lovely job in leading the small congregation in a little Sunday service of our own. The townspeople took turns with today's readings and we were still able to sing the hymns we learned on Friday. As a farewell to the villagers, Saint Francis students sang "Canticle of the Sun" and "On Eagles Wings." Dr. Woods, Dr. Lynch and Debbie watched on from the audience as we gave our little performance, making me feel like they were my older sister and parents at the 5th grade choral concert! It was certainly a special morning and something I'll miss in a week from now for sure.


A group shot of today's congregation on the front steps of the church.

Rendre Grace (Give Thanks)

I hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving! We had our very own celebration here in Ambialet...the group was happily joined by almost everyone who we have grown close to since our arrival. If you take a look at this short clip, you'll be quickly introduced to most of the people who were in attendance. Present were people from five different countries altogether; France, England, Russia, Canada, and America were all represented last night! For some of our guests, this was their first Thanksgiving, and a very special one it was indeed.

Our feast was prepared by the oh-so-talented Bernard and included turkey with a sweet apricot and white raisin stuffing, corn, salad, cranberry sauce (courtesy of Mrs. Roche who had it shipped here from the States just for the occasion), French bread, 10 variations of cheese, pumpkin pie, and lots of vin.

Dinner was followed by music and merriment in the stone room, which was historically the place where the friars in the Middle Ages ate their dinners in total silence. One might say that we broke that tradition of silence with the help of Peter, who led the singing with his guitar playing. (We were all pretty excited when Shane decided to join in too).

The holiday, while certainly much different from my typical Thanksgiving back home, was undeniably a memorable one. My life has been so blessed by the people I was surrounded by last night that I really couldn't imagine a better way to celebrate our time together.

Good Friend and a Glass of Wine

This evening, the one and only John Roche led us in a delightful wine sampling as a precursor to dinner. John (Assistant Professor) has done so much for the group since our arrival in September; we are tremendously lucky to have him here with us. He is one of the most generous people I know, ever-giving of his time, energy, and resources to ensure that all of the students and professors are having the best experience possible. Thank you for everything you do, John. You are truly appreciated.

P.S. You should check out John in all of his wine sampling glory right here!

"Every girl needs a good friend and a glass of wine."
LeAnn Rimes

Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds

Hello my Jolly Good Friends!
This evening we leave for London for our long weekend and I am beside myself with excitement. I have wanted to visit this city since the days I obsessed over "Peter Pan," "The Parent Trap," and "What a Girl Wants."

This week, I have been incessantly listening to the Beatles, U2 (technically from Dublin but pretty close to Great Britain), and even some Elton John just to get ready. You should also know that a few of us have lately made up this wonderful game in which we quote the Beatles whenever possible. My favorite phrase as of yesterday is "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds."

Just imagine all the stories I'll have to tell when I return!

This clock never seemed so alive

I have finally checked off an item from my "Getting Ready for France" to-do list! As such, I have decided that now is as appropriate a time as ever to begin this blog with which I intend to document my European adventures. After perusing through the mall for an hour or so with my best friend last night, we stumbled upon the most perfect watch (since I have no idea how to ask for the time in French). It's a silver Timex (which just reminded me of the allusion to the Timex mentioned in the "Raining on Sunday" song by Keith Urban) that has the nicest little digits and nightlight so that you can even check the time in the dark. It was very sweet of him to buy it for me, and I know that it will come in handy throughout my entire trip (and long afterwards).