Step 1: Create a Blog

So....as you may have noticed....I created a blog. Here you can keep up to date on my getting ready to go to France for the next 39 days. Then, I thought it would be easier to update you here while I am in France instead of sending out 600,000 emails since time in the internet cafe is going to be somewhat expensive.

Well, today we had our first and only meeting for study abroad. I realized that I really need to get my butt moving when Christophe said, "I'll see you in France!" when leaving instead of "Goodbye". 39 days. GAH! So......after the stressful and yet exciting meeting I have begun to compile my to-do list!

To Do:
-GET LOANNNNNN!
-Apply for Kirby Scholarship
-Fill out crazy health insurance thingy
-Fill out crazy cell phone thingy
-Turn in my resignation form
-Talk to housing and dining
-Talk to father about skype vs. phone cards
-get an ISIC card (student identification card-gets you deals on hotels and such)
-get an extra picture for a 12-25 card (gets you deals on train tickets, can you tell I'm into getting deals?)
-look up what excursions I would like to take (especially since we are not taking a group excursion to Paris....oy vay!)
-buy a plane ticket, eh?
-buy other tickets to get from plane to Avignon
-call bank and credit card companies
-make copies of passport, birth certificate, credit card, driver's license, etc. Give a copy to father, keep a copy somewhere else.
-buy a lot of stuff.

Now, you may be wondering what I need to buy according to Christophe and that other chick that's co-organizing the trip (or rather I am wondering.....so I am going to list that here......oy vay)
-adapters
-rechargable batteries (already have a charger.........somewhere........)
-school supplies (cheaper here)
-gifts for the host family and anybody else I may run into (as in OU paraphenalia or however you spell that)
-a guide book-the lonley planet
-a new messenger bag so my purse will not get stolen
-plane ticket
-train ticket from Marsielles to Avignon
-some shower supplies (not all, mind you)
-a few nice shirts or something since my wardrobe is tragically casual

Things I will need money for when I get there that are a necessity:
-taxi from Avignon train station to hotel
-lunches
-hairdryer (if I don't buy one there all the sockets will blow up! AHHH!)
-textbooks
-shower supplies
-train tickets for excursions
-hotel rooms/nights in hostels
-magazines and newspapers
-gifts for my friends and family
-internet cafe
-money for time on cell phone
-12-25 card for deals
-drinks at bars and cafes (because that's what there is to do to socialize in Avignon)

So, yeah. After all that....it's nice to see it written down and very do-able, and yet it's very stressful to see it written down and how much I have to do!

Hooray. I'm sure I will update soon as I begin to mark things off my list.

A bientot,
Amanda