Chapter 82: Comings and Goings

nerd blog post #87

Quite a bit has happened in the past few days in terms of pondering, planning and partying. I will make a list so no one gets confused.

1. For those of you who don't know, I have a dear friend named Katie Holly Woods who befriended me on my first day at St. John's Elementary School at age ten. Katie and I walked to school together the next day, and every day after that until the end of high school. She is a part of the notorious gang of girls called the SJC which is made up of eight of us who were friends from St. Johns. ANYYYYWAYS, Katie is getting married at the end of June and has asked me to be a bride's maid. And so, I have booked a flight home on June 9th for just under three weeks. The trip is primarily for her wedding, although as I have decided to stay in Europe for the Summer (at least), I am itching to see my friends and family in a big way. So get ready for an epic party of monstrous proportion. That means you, Dad.

2. As teaching (or not teaching) is finishing up after the first week or so of April, Cynthia and I are both moving out of this apartment at the end of March. Cynthia is going to Italy mid-April until the end of June to spend time with Benito and learn Italian before heading to Cleveland for medical school. I will move to Paris at the same time.

3. My parental unit are coming to visit in less than two weeks! Hide the drug paraphernalia and replace it with good literature and knitting needles! But for real, I am very excited. I think about it at least 40% of my day. Maybe more.

4. Paabor left on Friday, heading to Normandy to check out some war beaches. Before that, though, Merrill through a party on Thursday. It was great. At the party, Foun and Lucie gave me a birthday presie. A pair of what are called "Baba Cool" pants that are all the rage in France (but especially Brittany). Made of a canvas-like material, they are elastic waist and ankle, very baggy, with a crotch anywhere between the knee and the floor. A ton of material. Mine are brown and the crotch is a bit below my knees. They are sort of like Aladdin pants, but way more. I look ridiculous but I love them. I think they are so funny. They also made me a book of lessons of French slang that I wouldn't otherwise learn. It was great. After the party, Paabor and I joined Foun and Lucie to check out Thirsty Street and then Caveau, my fave dancing bar. It was a great night. I was sad to see my dear friend go and my room felt emptier upon my return.

5. There's a rumour the strike will continue until March 19th. But who knows.

6. Yesterday I went on a day-trip with Cynthia, Merrill and Merrill's friend, Other Emily. We went to Dinan, which is a medieval town about an hour away by bus. It has beautiful old buildings, narrow streets, a nice port on the river Rance, and a huge castle. Also, there was a fair on! We went on a ferris wheel and it was Merrill and Cynthia's first time on one. I guess Texans aren't into the ferris wheel, or the big panaromic wheel, as the French call it. Other Emily had tried it. I also had a treat of barbe a papa (cotton candy) which was delicious. We went into the castle and my fave part was learning that the French word for dungeon is 'donjon' and seeing the view from the top.

7. I have been asked to take the reins on creating a guide for the lecteurs for next year and am happy with that. I like both writing (surprised?) and holding reins (ultra surprised?). I will start working on it this week, in consultation with the others.

8. Spring is here. It must be. The temperature is in the mid-teens in the day and the sun has been shining a lot. I hope it keeps up!

Hope you all had good week-ends! Sending a lot of love to Canada.

Signing off,
Hincks.