last week in paradise

I sadly have only 8 more days left in Quebec, after which I'll spend a week back in Iowa, and then a month in Texas. I am now in the midst of the 'lasts.' My last full week of work. My last Thursday outing at Jos Dion. My last dinner with the Corriveaus. My last chance to practice French with people in my immediate surroundings. My last opportunity to walk through the most snow I've ever seen in one place. Just a few things I'm going to miss:

- Mr. T dubbed in French.

- small children speaking another language.

- Sunday evening dinners with my French family.

- the bakeries. holy chouette will I miss the bakeries.

- SNOW. (seeing it, tasting it, throwing it, trudging through it, driving in it...)

- Michele, saying things like:
... "I thought you said sex for breakfast!?"
... (While analysing films at work, after my comment on liking the easy cases) "I like my x-rays how I like my men."
... (After I tried to ask if she'd consulted the local weekly newspaper bout the goings-on for the weekend, by referring to simply "the Book") "Umm... the phone book? The Bible? Harry Potter?"
... (Every other day, after losing hers) "Can I borrow your sunglasses/gloves/keys?"

- walking to Le Pape Georges every Sunday night to see friends, music, and friends playing music.

- the view from my balcony.





Things I will love to have again, once I return to the tee-ex:

- the ability to go outside in a t-shirt.

- circulation in my fingers and toes. (you think I'm kidding.)


- mon pere, telling me to relax or take it in stride or use good judgment.
- ma chatte, waking me up by trying to eat my hair. (who knew a day would come when I'd want that back?)- breakfast tacos. oh my sweet lord, breakfast tacos. (no picture because I didn't wanna get my taste buds' panties in a twist.)

A huge part of me doesn't want to leave. I've had the time of my life here. I've learned a lot, both professionally and personally. I learned another language (sort of). I lived with someone for the first time in years, and it was with one of my best friends. I've made friends who I know I'll stay in touch with forever. And honestly, I would be happy to stay here for another, longer, chunk of my life. It's too bad that that's just not in the stars right now.

Still, with all that, it's good to know that as much as I've enjoyed my time here, and as much as I don't want to go, I'll soon have some irreplaceable favorites to return to.

Although I don't think it'll make saying goodbye any easier.