Today has been a crazy day, to say the least. Everyone is trying to fit last-minute things in, and this was our last full day together as a group. Tomorrow I split off from the group in the evening and join my grandma!

Philosophy class went well today, however, the last question he gave me is ridiculous. One could write a whole 12 pages on it! I don’t know when I am actually going to do this assignment, most likely in the first few days that I’m home. It’s not ideal, but there is no time for it now. After Philosophy, our History of France class met early. We had a great class, and then the group went shopping. I found some last-minute gifts and then Clara and I went in search of a museum that she just heard of and wanted to see.

The museum stops admission at 5:45, so Clara and I went quickly after class. We took 5 subways to get there, just to find out that today it closed an hour early, and we missed it! I don’t know if she will get a chance to go, hopefully at some point tomorrow, or she will just have to come back to Paris!

We then went to Starbuck’s for that amazing fresh squeezed orange juice! I am going to be so disappointed with every Starbuck’s in America! We then went home, because Jacqui, Cat, Clara, and I all had a dinner date!

We went to Pizza Pino, and talked for hours! We talked about everything we did, and how much fun we have had. It will be odd not seeing them during the summer, but we have already planned a reunion for when we get back to school!

After we stuffed ourselves silly, Clara and I went on our last Paris run! We realized part way through, that we have never seen the Louvre at night. It is supposed to be beautiful all lit up, so we ran down there. We were there for 40 minutes, watching night roll in and the lights increase! It was almost magical! We talked all about how much we have enjoyed Paris, and how there are so many things we want to take away from here.

Tomorrow we have classes as normal, but then things change. I am already all packed, so at some point after my classes I am going to go meet my grandmother at our hotel! I can’t wait to see her. I am really sad that all my friends are leaving and that part of the experience is over, but I am so excited that I get to go around France with her! We always have fun together, and I’m positive this will be no exception!

As for now, I am going to bed. Tomorrow is sure to be a big day, and I’m sure there are going to be tears. All of us have gotten really close, and I know that none of us really want this experience to end.

xoxo Olivia

Time here is really winding down, I can’t believe that it is time already. It seems like we have just gotten here!

Today’s classes went as normal, it is weird to think that there are just two days of class left! Philosophy is going really well, it looks like we are going to finnish up all the material by tomorrow and just have a review session on Thursday! History of France class today went really well. We went to the Opera Bastille, and then to the African center. It was a really nice day out, and we all just enjoyed the class.

After class Clara and I went in search of a Starbucks. I know it is a very American thing to do, but here they make this orange juice which is just oranges squeezed. You watch them make it in front of you, and its amazing! No sugar added or anything! Everyone is getting a bit of a cold, so we were in need of some good old vitamin C! We then walked around for a bit and I found the best smelling perfume! I just had to buy it….along with a lip gloss. Hey, a girl is supposed to shop in Paris!

We then strolled back to the dorms because tonight was our last group dinner! We all dressed nicely and went to this fabulous Italian place in Vavin! We ended up staying at the restaurant for three hours! We couldn’t stop talking and laughing, we really had the best group on this trip!

Tomorrow I have Philosophy as normal, but then History of France is meeting an hour early. We are going to the St. Eustache Church! I heard is gorgeous, so I am excited.

xoxo Olivia

Today I am sick . But I am making the best of it, it has still been a full day! After class this morning, Clara and I went to Malo’s to get lunch! I love that place! If anyone ever comes to Paris they must go there, it is amazing….and cheap!!!

After that, I attempted to work on my assignment, I now have my name typed. I am hoping to work on it tonight, so that I don’t leave it to the last-minute, as always! Today’s History class was interesting. We had a great lecture, but in the middle of it, it began to downpour and a thunder and lighting storm came though! No one was expecting it! It made for great entertainment. We couldn’t stay outside, so we finished class in the Louvre. The Louvre is so huge, hundreds of people ran into it for shelter, and it wasn’t crowded at all!

After class, I was still feeling horrible, so Clara, E, and I went to find some food. We found a place that had roasted chicken! Needless to say, we ate there! There was also a group of Japanese people eating in the cafe. The Japan World Cup game was on, they were all shouting in French at the TV and cheering. It was very entertaining to watch.

Clara and I finished up the day with a bit of shopping. I have now bought all of my souvenirs! Sorry Dad, you were the last one! We then did something very very American. We took the subway to the only McDonald’s we know of! I know that is a very American thing to do, but honestly we just wanted a cup of tea! We ended up with orange juice! Not a bad trade-off.

Tonight many people are working on assignments, and one of the other girls isn’t feeling well either. Most of us are in shock that we only have three days of classes left! Time really has flown by!

xoxo Olivia

This morning marks the last week of classes! I can’t believe that Friday everyone is leaving! Time has flown by, and I’m sure that this week will be no exception! Thank goodness I get to stay longer, I’m not ready to leave!!!

Today I already had my Philosophy class, and I was just reminded of the assignment that I have to do! He has given me 4 questions that cover all the information we have talked about, which one would not think that 4 questions would be a lot of work. However, he wants a 3-4 page response for each question! That’s 12-16 pages!!! I am going to start working on them, nothing would be worse than coming home and then having to answer the questions! So I am now officially acting like student, the first time while being here, and sitting down to write the answers, we will see how long that lasts for!

Today’s History of France class is meeting at the Place du Palais Royal to talk about the contemporary period. It should be interesting, as it always is!

xoxo Olivia

Today has been a busy day, as always! This morning Clara and I woke up and went off to our favorite shop for our normal breakfast, and it was closed! We then went looking for breakfast, which was much harder than expected! No places were open, we had to walk over 2 miles before finding an open restaurant!

After breakfast we took the subway to Notre Dame. When we got there we went inside and walked around to see all the different stations. We then left for about an hour, and came back to attend mass. Mass was beautiful! The organ, singing, even the prayers were delivered with such eloquence, I felt like they were performing for royalty! Mass lasted for about an hour, and then we went off to shop.

I have left all my shopping for the last weekend! I kept thinking that I would find new things, but today I was determined to buy the last gifts I needed! I bought gifts for my roommate, sisters, mom, and myself! You would think that living in Paris for a month now I would have acquired a thing or two, but I havent!

Clara and I found this pub for lunch that served the biggest coffee I have ever seen! The coffee came served in a soup bowl! It didn’t even have a handle on the side! It was so huge, but I drank the whole thing! Clara couldn’t stop shaking after she drank hers, it was quite funny!

We then found Shakespeare and Company where I became the proud owner of a SIGNED book!!! I have been looking for the book, My Friend Leonard, in the States, and have been unable to get my hands on a copy. Not only did I find the book, but it is signed by the author!!! I didn’t even have to pay extra!!!

Clara and I then walked home, which took us 3 hours! By the time we were close to home we decided to stop for sandwiches, that way we wouldn’t be starving later tonight! We just got back, and I would say that we have had a pretty full day. After all we were out and about Paris for 8 hours! I can’t believe that this is the last week of classes!! How can I possibly get credit for this?

xoxo Olivia

Today has been quite the day! Clara and I woke up super early, to catch a train to Versailles!!!!! We arrived at 9am, just as the gates opened! It was pouring rain, so we ran to a Starbuck’s to grab coffee! There was no way we were going to get through the rain without it! Everyone who was in Starbucks was either American or English, it gave Clara and I a good laugh!

Once we arrived at Versailles, we waited in line and then finally got in! First we explored the downstairs of the palace, and then we went upstairs! Each room had so much detail, it was astonishing! Even the doorknobs were decorated! Each room was designed to an incredible standard! I can’t imagine that someone once lived here, it truly seemed to grand to be lived in! After our exploration of the palace, we ventured into the gardens!

The gardens are so massive, I honestly can’t explain. They are so lavish and rich, it’s truly incredible. The view over the garden and the lake is absolutely stunning, it seems to go on forever! There were several fountains, and classical royal music being played.

We were on a mission to find Marie-Antoinette’s Estate! Her estate is incredible. It was my favorite part of all of Versailles. There was the formal garden and the Petit Trainon, which was not so petit! There was also the Grand Trianon, in this building each room was a different color. The walls and all the furniture all matched; there was a pink room, a green room, and a yellow room, along with many others! Marie-Antoinette also has her own theatre, the Queen’s Theatre. Marie-Antoinette took comedy classes to perfect her French. She even acted in several of the plays that were held in the Queen’s Theatre. There was also the English Garden, which was complete with a grotto and the Temple of Love.

My favorite part of the whole trip was The Queen’s Hamlet. Marie-Antoinette wanted her peasant village to provide country amusements for herself and for her children, so she had her own little village constructed. There were 12 cottages encircled by vegetable and flower gardens. There was also a farm, from which the Queen received her milk. The cottages were in the Norman style, and were built from 1783 to 1785.

After seeing the massive amount of wealth and luxury in Versailles, my next statement might seem out-of-place. I feel bad for Marie-Antoinette. She was completely shut off from the “real” world, she was separated from Paris, the people she ruled, her children, and her husband. She really lived a life that is hard to explain. She had all the wealth but no real freedom. Seeing all the buildings that were constructed for her, I felt as if she lived in a fairy tale. She did not know the real issues that were affecting her country, and to think that she lost her head is hard to imagine.

After seeing her estate, Clara and I ventured around the gardens more. We got some food and really enjoyed walking around. We stayed until a half hour before it closed, so we were there all day! The estate is so huge, I don’t think we even saw half of what is truly there! One would need to spend at least a few days there in order to see all that Versailles has to offer.

While on the train ride home, Clara and I had a spontaneous moment. Our ticket took us back to Invalides, which is just a short walk from the dorm, but we decided to get off once we got into the city. Once we began to walk we found the Statue of Liberty!!! We then continued on and saw the Eiffel Tower, the Concord, and Invalides! We did 12 hours of walking today (I counted!!!) It was a very long day, but as I’m sure you can tell, it was wonderful!

Tomorrow morning Clara and I are planning to go to Mass at Notre Dame! We have seen Notre Dame from the outside and were planning to go visit it tomorrow before we remembered that tomorrow is Sunday! So why not go to mass? It will be in French!

I am exhausted and it is now midnight! Time flies here!!!! I will let you know how tomorrow goes!

xoxo Olivia

Today was the first day we got to sleep in!!!! After going to bed at 2am, we got to sleep until 11! Once we woke up though, we were on the move!

First up was lunch at a quaint cafe! We had the biggest cups of coffee and no one spoke any english to us! That was the first time that no one has spoken any english to us while we have been in a cafe! After that Clara and I got lost. We ended up walking for about 6 hours, in and out of little shops!

We finally stopped for dinner at a Pizza Pino! We had the best food! Clara got a salmon pizza!!! I steered away from that, but she insisted that it was good! We followed that up with lemon tarts! Perfect for a sunny evening! Once dinner was over we went out to more little shops for another hour or so. By the time we finally made it back to the dorms we were exhausted! However, that did not stop us from going on a run! Tonight we went to the Eiffel Tower and then down along the Seine River! I will definitely miss running in Paris!

We are attempting to go to bed at a reasonable time tonight because we have to leave the dorms by 8am to go to Versailles!!!!! It is supposed to be a gorgeous sunny day! I can’t wait! This is turning out to by a very nice last weekend!

xoxo Olivia

Last night’s group dinner went great! We went to a fabulous restaurant, which had the best food! I got pasta with chicken dish, and finished the whole thing! Thank goodness these are French portions and not American!!!! Everyone got along well, this has been a really great group!

Today has been a great day! First, I had philosophy which was good. After that I got a fabulous sandwich from Malo’s! History of France class was in the Jewish Quarter. We learned all about how the French Government dealt with Germany and Hitler. It was sad to see, but made for a very informative class. We went into museums and then she took us to some of the old Jewish shops! It was a small group of us today, a few people went on holiday, but we had a great class.After class, Clara and I did a bit of shopping. She bought two great art books! I bought a fabulous pastry (I think my purchase was better!!)

Today is Lauren’s birthday!!! She is turning 20! Before our History of France class I went to the Boulangerie and bought 8 cupcakes. I surprised her with them before class and you would have thought that I had given her a Tiffany’s necklace! And the rest of the group was excited to have a mid-day snack!  Tonight we are all going out to celebrate! It’s only a few of us girls, the rest went on holiday, but it should be a lot of fun! We are going to a nice dinner and then out for drinks!

I’ll let you all know how tonight goes, I’m sure it will be a lot of fun! A good start to our last weekend in Paris!

xoxo Olivia

Today has been kind of yucky day. It has been raining non-stop since this morning. And although Paris is beautiful, walking around in the rain and wind, does not make for the best class. Today, we went to visit the La Defense, in the business district of Paris. It is a district unlike any other in Paris. Here they have skyscrapers, and very modern architecture. The rest of Paris is below 38 meters tall, so this is a big difference.

After class we were all wet and freezing, so we stopped to get some tea before heading back to the dorms. We have our last complete group dinner tonight! We have another group dinner, the official last one, next week, but some people will be away. So this is our last one with everyone! Time has flown by!

Some girls are going to London for the weekend, and we were all invited along. However, they are paying 600 euro’s just for the hotel and flight! For that price I can go to Tiffany’s and have a field day! So I think I’m going to stay in Paris with the Fordham girls and Clara. Our friends that we met when we went to Limoges are suppose to come up and stay the weekend with us in Paris!

Dinner is fast approaching, so I must go, but I will let you all know how tonight goes!

xoxo Olivia