Orientation Day 3

blogging is exhausting. I knew I was going to hit the point of "I'm too lazy to write about my day" but it's come sooner than expected.  

so my bags still aren't here. initially I was grateful I didn't have to lug them from Paris to angers, but the fact they were in Paris Monday night and I'm only an hour and a half from the city is NUTS. @United I am fumin pissed with you right now. 

orientation has been alright so far - not a whole lot going on. no class schedule yet so i have no idea what i'm taking and when.. lolz what is the "study" part anyway right? (KIDDING mom if you're reading this.) 

mary has the biggest sweet tooth ever, so everytime we're in the city and we pass a patisserie we stop for goodies. everyone tells me you walk so much it doesn't matter but i'm thinking my hips will throw up the middle finger to the concept and i won't fit in my jeans in a few short months. but wow the baguette sandwiches are exquisite. also consumed my first pan au chocolate, fresh out of the oven. life will definitely never be the same after that one.

had the pleasure of skyping with both Liz & ev as they were making breakfast and then daddyo for a bit between his work calls today. had a choppy but lovely nonetheless FaceTime with Tessie yesterday afternoon. I am so blessed to have people like them who make time for me amidst their busy days.  

started writing this sucker this morning and i now HAVE MY LUGGAGE so that my friends is very exciting. they arrived yesterday and i have no idea where they were held but no one informed me until this afternoon.. punctuality isn't really the name of the game for United or the French population it seems. major lack of efficiency but i love em (the French, not United) anyway. because they arrived, i am throwing a little soiree to celebrate their homecoming! (mom's idea, kate is too clever) so i am running to the store to grab a few bottles of wine and brie. time to celebrate!

cheers, jkro

a sight for sore eyes  

have you ever hugged a suitcase? yeah me either until now  

qts

formal invite for tonight #soireepourlesvalises

Arrival/Day 1

Whoa today/yesterday has been wicked long. It's kind of a blur now, but I am in Kersten's tshirt and my yoga pants since my luggage is having fun sight seeing Europe when I'd really like it to be here in Angers. 

I have been pleasantly surprised by the kindness of the French people, especially the men, as Kerst and I struggled to lug her crazy heavy suitcases around France all day. At one point we were laughing so hard at our struggle going up the stairs that a man came up to me and in a thick accent asked if I needed assistance. Boy did I look like I needed assistance but I politely declined. Another time when exiting the train the steps are rather steep and jkro almost face planted on the track in St. Pierre because i got balled up trying to exit the train quickly. Just barely caught myself while a guy nearby chuckled - i would've done the same. 

Kerst and I explored around the city, picked up a few things, and Sarah (another UD student and coincidentally one of my suitemates) joined us for dinner and the fastest shopping spree I've ever had. Grabbed what thought looked like a pair of jeans that might fit and found my favorite french quote on a shirt "la vie est fait de petits bonheurs" and so I swiped that up as they were turning the lights off in the store in order to have something to wear at orientation bright and early in the morning. I have had countless people say how tired i look so they can only imagine how tired i am feeling. lost my luggage, shuffled from train to train, got poured on, explored a small portion of Angers, ate some yummy food, did a shopping mad dash, treated myself to une verre du vin (glass of wine) and took a shower so it's been quite the day. called an adventure for a reason, right?

cheers, jkro

TODAY IS THE DAY

well it's here! boarded my first flight and wow it was a tight one. prior to boarding, I wanted to use the restroom and classic jkro not in the airport for a half hour and I embarrass myself. so I go into the handicap bc my bag and backpack are huge and I close the door then I put the paper thingy on the toilet and I drop my drawers and look up to see the door has flung open and there are people out there and the full moon was bright so I threw up my pants and grabbed the door. happy travels amirite?

goodbyes were teary (on my end) because I'm naturally a sap and just love mom dad & Tessie so much. mom & Tess came in with me and put the "beast" as it is nicknamed onto the scale and Tess shuffled real quick to rearrange a few things because of course it was over. honestly I think the bag itself is like 10-15 pounds because there isn't THAT much in there (it's packed tightly into my backpack and carry-in suitcase.) so we put it back on the scale and it started at 52.5 and then teetered (spell check?) it's way down to 50 and a loud WOOHOO escaped from my mouth. thank you Tess for packing my bags like an absolute champ and mom for making sure I had everything I needed in those tightly packed bags.

so today's travel was one for the books. we were farting around on the plane in Indy for at least 45 minutes, and my connecting flight to Paris was only an hour from my original arrival in DC. we landed a half hour late, I am ripping through the airport with a wicked heavy backpack and my coat hearing my NAME OVER THE SPEAKER for last call. I don't think I've ever been more panicked in my young life. I made it to the gate, wheezing and trying to catch my breath and received many hateful glances as I looked for my seat. I was greeted by Kersten with a huge smile and that was incredible. I was so happy to be sitting on the plane and even more so next to her. after I sat down I realized that I had like zero time to get to my gate, and then panicked again that my bags wouldn't make it onto the plane before we left. as I draft this on the flight, I am still uncertain if my belongings are stowed below me but I've said a few Hail Marys and friends I really hope so.

well, they didn't make it. instead they're receiving the scenic route to Germany and hopefully will make it to me soon. currently waiting on the train that will take us to Tours first, and then to sweet 'ol Angers (with no luggage.) but #eurojules is on her way - all part of the adventure right?

cheers, jkro

departure is in less than 24 hours

WHOA it's getting real. Tess is the master packer and has perfected Tetris in my bags. mom has been running around helping with the paper work and logistics  and dad has been the calming affect on my nerves (a key puzzle piece.) I have the best fam ever

cheers, jkro

big guy was over 50 lbs. holding my breath for tomorrow's weigh in