Last shift at the Mill, Visa (enfin!), and some français

For almost six years I've been a public servant at the Terrell Mill Tennis Center. Tonight will be my last shift, at least for a while. It's definitely sad to leave the Mill but I always knew it had to happen sooner or later. It was pretty much the best job I could've possibly asked for as a college student --being able to write most of my college essays on the clock, watching beautiful sunsets every night, and having easy going, wise colleagues (one of whom is my best buddy) are just a few reasons, among many, that make this job so relaxing and peaceful. Not to mention I've met people who've become really close friends in the course of my time here. Who knows... maybe I'll find myself sitting behind this desk again.

I finally received word that l'arrêté (the copy of which I got through email) was sent to the consulate and that I could make an appointment to apply for my visa, which I did. Yes! Finally! So that was last Friday, exactly two weeks before my depature date. According to the consulate's website, it usually takes a minimum of two weeks to get a visa processed. So it's going to be close but I think I'll be okay since most assistants have gotten theirs in a week or so. And I gave the consulate lady my itinerary and tried to smile my way into getting it expedited. But her answer was: stop by the 23rd to pick it, I'll try to get it done by then. You'll try? That's not good enough! Uncertainty, sadly, still remains for when I'll be leaving this country. Oh well. On verra. All I can do is wait... once more.

Cela fait long temps que j'écris le français. Etant donné que je vais partir dans une semaine, j'ai cru que ce serait une bonne chose de practiquer un peu. Mais le problème, c'est que chaque fois que j'écris en français, je n'ai plus rien à écrire. Et après, j'abandonne. Malgré ça, je vais essayer quand même, en espérant que ma grammaire sera correct au moins. En tous cas, je deviens de plus en plus nerveux de mon voyage en France. Je n'ai pas commencé à préparer et j'attends toujours mon visa. Il me reste encore beaucoup de choses à faire, telles que m'acheter un caban et des gants pour l'hiver, préparation d'enseignement, faire mes valises, etc. Mais surtout c'est la préparation de la pensée. Penser que je serai en France d'ici une semaine, c'est absolument incroyable. De toute façons... A part ça, car je n'ai rien dans la tête en ce moment, je m'arrête. Plus de propos intéressant viendront un de ces jours ! Je vous le promet.