I remember when I was in the fifth grade feeling like Christmas (and its school break) would never come. Every kid in the class was so excited as the holidays approached and it felt like it could just never come fast enough. In response to our wishing the time away (I mean, who wants to wait for presents and no school?), our teacher, Miss Ellis, told us “don’t wish the time away, because the older you get, the faster it flies.” As fifth graders, we obviously didn’t believe her, but that advice has stuck with me over the years and seems to ring more and more true with each passing year.
On the same token, my upcoming trip to France still seems so far away, but will be here before I know it. The smallest things lately have been driving home to me just how quickly my trip really is approaching. I purchased groceries the other day and a number of the perishable items don’t expire until after I leave the States. I have been driving around my hometown, where I was born and have lived most of my life, and taking note of places and buildings that I may not see again for some time. I ate dinner last night from my favorite sushi place in town, where I won’t be able to eat again for some time (they’re closed for vacation until after I leave). Four weeks from this very minute, I’ll likely already be in bed for my first full night in France.
This weekend, one of my sons and I took a trip up to Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada, which is a place that I spent a large part of my summers growing up. Even though I’m from Maine and have lived here most of my life, the greater Fredericton area has always felt like a second home and I get such a sense of comfort when I go there. With my son’s upcoming graduation, our local foreign exchange students leaving to go back to their home countries, and graduation and bon voyage parties, time to see and enjoy the old haunts is getting slim. Since this was a long weekend and we didn’t really have anything planned, it was the perfect time to head up to New Brunswick. We were only gone for about 25 hours total (it’s a great day/weekend trip!), but got to visit with a couple of old friends, see some of the sights around the city, and do a bit of shopping for things we can’t get here in the States.
My last few weeks have been consumed with preparations for my upcoming adventure. I’ve been waiting six weeks for the interview appointment for my French visa application and now it’s only a little over 36 hours away. I’m so nervous for this appointment since whether I am able to stay long-term in France is dependent on this appointment. I have joined a number of various “expats in France” boards on social media and they have proved an invaluable resource in my attempts to be as prepared as I can be before I go. However, I had made a post on one of the boards asking for advice on which travel/expat insurance people used and, after a couple of back-and-forth exchanges, I was told “you’ll be lucky to get any visa at all”. Despite my determination to remain “cautiously optimistic”, I can’t get that statement out of my head. It’s amazing how quickly and easily one statement from a total stranger has really made me doubt what the outcome of this week’s appointment will be.
In the meantime, I’m getting ready to head down to Boston to visit the French consulate. I’ve been waiting so long for this appointment and my life’s dream rests on it. I’ll keep you posted as to the outcome!
À la prochaine,
The Expat Maineiac
#expatmaineiac #intlteflacademy #movingtofrance
The Expat Maineiac 