2 weeks to go

So here's the first entry. I've had so many blogs over the years, some were even supposed to pay me as I posted, but they all fell into oblivion. But I got the amazing idea to do this from my friend Cari who's studying in Aix-En-Provence (www.cariinaix.blogspot.com). Eh what the heck, may as well jump on the bandwagon. Sure I could probably stick to facebook but I always liked blogging sites better, probably because of being able to post the kind of layout I want, even if it's a standard template.

So anyway, enough of that. I guess I should explain the title. Sure, it makes sense, as I'll be in Strasbourg, France, for the next 10 months, and Strasbourg is in Alsace. It's more of a cute story though. I had to give a presentation in a French class last year, and naturally I chose Alsace. Not only was I planning on studying there, but as it borders Germany, I thought it would be cool. I study both languages, and this is giving me a chance to explore both cultures, and it'll be easier for me in France, as my proficiency in French far surpasses my proficiency in German. Just because I like Tokio Hotel doesn't mean I could read Kant or Nietzsche in  their original language. ;) Anyway, as I was saying, I did this project, and a friend of mine, Tom (bless his heart by the way) helped me a lot as that's where he's from. He mentioned a well known artist from the area, Jean Jacques Waltz, better known as Hansi. So, in researching this artist a bit, I found he wrote a book called "Le Voyage d'Erika en Alsace Francaise." Ironically enough, I spell my name E-R-I-K-A (FYI the right way to spell the name ;) Ask any Erika/Erica/Erykah/Ericka/Arickah about how she spells her name, and her spelling is the right one), and I am going to be studying in Alsace this year. To quote my awesome French professor, Nancy, "If there was anything that made someone believe in signs, I'd say that would be it!" I can't say I argue with her logic. :)

So all that explained, I'm just sitting around waiting at this point. I've basically been living with my boyfriend this summer, and now that he's back in school, that leaves me home with the dog, cat, XBox, and chores to amuse myself as I will. I've been in and out of court all summer, and frankly, I wish it would be over with. Short story: my dad owes me money, doesn't think he has to pay up, and I took him to court. Yes, it's been just as bad as it sounds. But I'm hoping this'll be done before I leave, and I can tie up the few loose ends I still have. I don't leave until September 13, and my other friends who'll be there, Bosco, Cari, and Lyndsy, are already there and settled in. I can't say I'm not nervous, because I am. Terribly nervous. I'm trying not to worry too much, as I'll have a dorm, and I get there in the morning, so I can try and get out and get a phone and a bank account in the next day or 2. I'm trying not to worry about money. My student money has cleared, and I've bought my plane ticket and whatnot, but I'm just worried about having enough to get by once I get there, not to mention enough to do some traveling (Paris, Berlin, Marseilles, Aix, Colmar, London, and Vienna are priorities while I'm there). I want to try and find a job too. Something simple. I wrote a letter to a bookstore some weeks back, along with my CV (thank you God Nancy had us do a business letter and CV in class, and I have French friends to help me edit ^_^). If that doesn't work, I'm going to try a few other avenues. I have a little experience teaching English as a new language, and some in tutoring and even a bit in childcare (nothing formal, but I've done a bit of babysitting), so hopefully if my formal work experience doesn't pan out, the other experience I have as a volunteer does (basically all I did this summer job wise was volunteer work).

So anyway, I better get going. I have to meet the boytoy soon and head to my stepmom's apartment to pack up my stuff, at least as much as I can. I'm worried because there's no such thing as 'packing light' in my vocabulary. XD

<3Eri