Home

So I got to the consulate right after I wrote my first entry, and the French people hadn't received my contract yet...they weren't too mean about it, but knowing that I had to go back to Atlanta after I'd spent so much time and money to get there the first time was really upsetting.  So I did what any other rational person would do...I cried like a baby on shoulder of a random Parisian woman in the waiting room's shoulder.

I got home, and of course it was great to see my family and friends.  I spent a lot of time getting ready for the wedding shower I threw for Brittani, which went off without a hitch.  Carlos got here a day late because of plane problems, and a few days later we headed to New Orleans.  We had lots of fun wandering around the French Quarter and listening to lots of good music, even though it was so so hot.  

Since we've gotten back I've dragged him around to see lots of relatives.  We went to Greenville to see my mom's side of the family.  We've also been watching lots of movies and going to my favorite restaurants, which has been pretty idyllic.  The idea of going back to France and back to work soon is not too exciting.  I'm scheduled to leave in 9 days, but I still don't have a visa or even a visa appointment.  I have spent a lot of time on the phone with horrible French bureaucrats right lately, and the consulate supposedly has my contract, and I am waiting to hear from them.  But I am calling as soon as the office opens next week, and I will be making a trip to Atlanta to the consulate and and Birmingham and Tuscaloosa on the way back to visit everyone who's there.  

I feel like I should have more to say about coming home after 10 months abroad, but being at home simply feels good--it has been like every muscle in my body relaxing.  Not that I would want to stay in Madison.  Carlos has already figured out how little to do there is around here.   Going back to France will be great...I am kind of lacking the momentum of leaving such a comfortable life here and having to get set up again.  Well, now to focus on getting my visa--because if I don't get that taken care of, I won't be going anywhere.

Re-entry

Well, I made it back to the United States in one piece.  The trip home wasn't too terrible.  Long, but fine.  The worst part was having to wake up at 3 a.m. and walk a half mile from my hotel to the airport with all of my things, but after that everything was fine.   On the Brussels-New York branch of the flight, I was disappointed not to have a movie screen but made friends with my Sudanese neighbor, and we talked a lot of the way there.  I finally got to Atlanta around ten p.m.  Stored my luggage so I could retrieve it on Monday and got a taxi to Patsy's apartment.  Patsy has been really awesome about letting me stay here this weekend.  We have had a lot of fun catching up.  Tomorrow I will be subway-ing to the French consulate and then subwaying back to the airport to get back to Jackson in the evening. 

That's all for now.  I am very excited about being home tomorrow!