home.

School starts next week.

I'm not feeling it.

What I'm also not feeling? My apartment.

When I arrived, I thought that it would be perfect for short-term living. I can survive for six months. In truth, I can. It's just that now, I don't want to. The more I think about it, the more I want to throw all the furniture out of my window and start over.

I realize that empty apartments and an unlimited supply of money for refurnishing is hard to come by, so I'm trying to look on the bright side. Trying to enjoy the things that are mine and still here with me.

On the top of that list are my bon'home pillow and my knitted monoprix blanket.

As far as decoration goes, the blanket always makes my plain and simple duvet covers look a bit more lively.

france.

Lately, I've been saying that my life in the South of France cannot match the one I lead in Paris. Everything just seems better!*

The market is down the street and is open almost everyday, except Monday when a grocery store is surely open. The sun is always shining. Most things are, in fact, within a walkable distance. I like this place.

And then came the time I, and most non-European expatriates dread: carte de séjour time.

Let me tell you, this is my least favorite part of living in France. It is always an ordeal. I'm surprised this hasn't deterred more foreigners from living in the country, but perhaps the grapes and cheeses are too good to leave.