Departure day

My 14 items are packed; my electronics are charged; my passport is in plain sight atop my carry-on to forestall the inevitable flickers of "Have I lost my passport?" paranoia. Our flight leaves this evening and we arrive in Paris tomorrow afternoon after changing planes in Frankfurt.

The only last-minute adjustment I've had to make is that I am not taking my laptop with me. Daniel's computer abruptly died Thursday night so I am leaving my laptop for him to use. In its place I have an iPad checked out from the English department at MGSC (for which thanks are owed to Dr. Rogers, who returned one so I could check it out).  Using a tablet exclusively will be a new experience for me. I've found that I can type on it pretty well, so blogging should proceed apace. However, an iPad has no SD card slot, so I can't upload photos from my camera. Of course, that doesn't mean I won't take any--I have been eager to photograph Paris since I bought my camera a full year ago.

I still need to set up a few apps on the iPad to make up for being laptopless. Gonna go do that, finish the last-minute packing, and get ready to set out on this adventure. See you on the other side!

21 sleeps!

Having publicized the (new) URL for this blog, I feel it's only common courtesy to post something! Our group leaves for Paris in a mere 3 weeks. I can't speak for any of them but I know I'm very excited. I've been working on re-reading the course materials, planning activities, making notes, and mentally making a packing list. I have devoted myself to this plan for going on a trip with only 14 pieces of clothing. I've also seen a similar breakdown geared toward students. Just don't forget your comfy shoes! My friend Dr. Muth is already back from her Maymester program in Edinburgh and her students were joking about wanting P.E. credit from their trip.

It will be pretty quiet around here till the end of June; we leave June 30 and arrive in Paris on July 1. The first couple of days will be a lot of checking in and getting oriented, then we'll be off and running with classes and excursions. We are staying at the Cité Universitaire in the 14th and our classes meet at the Institut Protestant de Théologie, also in the 14th. My classes' first excursions will be to the Château de Versailles and the Musée de Cluny (Musée du Moyen-Age). I've been to Versailles before but not to the Cluny so I'm really looking forward to that one. I'm also looking forward to un café crème, les fromages, riding the Metro, and just soaking up Paris while helping my students have a great experience.

Stay tuned for updates in a few weeks. À bientôt!