Off to France!

My mom and dad drove me to the Montreal airport today, where I patiently waited for my plane ride to Paris, which left at 8:55 PM. I was able to fit everything I need for the next 5+ months in one carry-on, one mini backpack, and one duffel bag. That includes summer and winter clothes, friends!

My parents are going to meet up with my Uncle Gerry and Aunt Paula in Kingston tomorrow to move my sister Camille out of her house before she moves to Austin, Texas in a few weeks. Due to the perfect timing, that meant my mom and dad were sleeping in Montreal for the night after dropping me off at the airport. We checked into their hotel and ate a nice dinner before we said farewell. Saying goodbye wasn't too sad because they are actually coming to France for 10 days at the start of September so I'll see them soon!

​When I left for my year-abroad to Ecuador just 2 years ago, my poor mom was crying in the airport (with multiple other moms, mind you) because 8 months is a long time for your kid to be in another country where she doesn't speak the language. I'm so grateful for the huge leap my mom and dad allowed me take, even if it was tough for them, and I can't describe to you the hundreds of ways my year abroad helped me mature. 

Calling grandma before the big trip!

I left again to go to Ecuador for one month earlier this summer, and now I'm heading to France for at least 5 months. I think it's an easier thing to accept because 1. it's a shorter time period, 2. France is not as foreign to them as Ecuador was, and 3. I speak much more French than I spoke Spanish! Still, I can't thank my mom and dad enough for letting me take these opportunities as they come and encouraging me to do all that I can to keep fueling my ongoing wanderlust. ​