First Few Days in Paris

I’ve been here in Paris for one week! That feels a little surreal to say. My first few days were… how can I put this… actually quite horrible. I had multiple anxiety attacks, cried everyday, and seriously thought that coming to Paris was a SERIOUS mistake. Anybody who says that studying abroad is amazing and wonderful has left out a big part: culture shock, missing home, and feeling seriously overwhelmed. Apparently, though, feeling all of this is completely normal. Anybody who is considering studying abroad, listen up! Organize as many things as possible before your departure! Any decrease in stress is well worth the effort!! Even after a week I still find myself wondering if I should have just stayed home and instead saved up money and gone on a long vacation to Paris. Seriously consider if you want to take the enormous time and effort it requires to live in a foreign country, it is not for the faint of heart.

I’m happy to say, however, that within 3 more days, the anxiety has almost disappeared, and I am happy to be here!

I’ve been so busy the past week I haven’t had time to come to Starbucks (Free Wifi), and upload photos. I have a feeling that blogging from now on will consist of 3 posts in one day covering my previous week, because of wifi (it’s a loooong, boring story).

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Beach Camping

This week I went camping in Central California. It was a bit chilly, but so refreshing, relaxing, and fun. I went with five of my best friends (minus a few that I missed terribly). Sometimes the most delicious food comes from cooking over a fire pit in the crisp beach air. You also come up with so many hilarious inside jokes on trips like these. I love my friends so much!

We trekked through Montana de Oro state park. The trail took us along the top of sea cliffs, and then to a beach full of angled rocks to climb and tide pools in which to observe anemones and sea snails. The beach itself was covered in smooth pebbles rather than sand, and my friend Monica and I had fun finding colorful or striped ones, or little shells. It was a beautiful trip. If you’re going to be in the area, I would recommend it.

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Photo Prints

Look everyone! I got prints in the mail! It’s always so exciting to see my images in print-form!

Since I don’t own my own professional printer, and 1-hour photo at Walmart just doesn’t cut it, I decided to get my prints taken care of through I Print From Home. I ordered them with a matte finish, and they look awesome. They also deliver really quickly, within three days, for only $3. I haven’t been able to send them out to any customers yet, but here’s to hoping!

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Simplicity of Spring

In honor of the coming spring, I’ve put together some botanical, natural history-type photographs of the most simple natural elements. Freshly fallen leaves, sprigs of lacy green in the grass, and tiny white wildflowers. Can’t get any simpler than this. It makes me want to lie out a soft blanket in the grass, and bask in the sun all day long.
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I am going to add some of these to my Etsy shop, but I need some feedback before I do. Which of these do you like the most?

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